The Next Best Picture Podcast

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture

For this week's second podcast review, Nadia Dalimonte, Dan Bayer, Sara Clements, Larry Fried, and Brendan Hodges join me to discuss David Lowery's newest film, "Mother Mary," starring Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel, Hunter Schafer, and FKA Twigs. A different kind of ghost story from Lowery, the dark psychological drama functions as a chamber piece high on metaphor and symbolism about creative collaboration and what it means to be an artist, with a haunting atmosphere and a banger of a pop soundtrack. It's certainly a vibe, but that vibe may not be for everyone. So, what did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss the performances from Hathaway and Coel, Lowery's direction, his dense writing and its many interpretations, the craft of the film, if we feel it has any awards potential, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy!

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"Omaha" is a 2025 American drama film directed by Cole Webley (making his feature directorial debut) from a screenplay by Robert Machoian ("The Killing Of Two Lovers" and "The Integrity Of Joseph Chambers"). The film stars John Magaro as a father who takes his two children on a cross-country trip after a family tragedy. It had its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival as an entry in the U.S. Dramatic Competition category, where it received positive reviews for Webley's direction and Magaro's lead performance. Webley and Machoian were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in NY, will open in LA on May 1st, and expand nationwide on May 8th from Greenwich Entertainment. You can also check out our in-depth interview with John Magaro here. Thank you, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

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For Episode 489, I am joined by Nadia Dalimonte, Megan Lachinski, and Larry Fried as we discuss the ongoing debate between Critics and Audiences, which has been given renewed attention this week with the release of "Michael." We also discuss the additions to the 2026 Cannes Film Festival across multiple sections, including James Gray's "Paper Tiger" and Zachary Wigon's "Victorian Psycho." For this week's poll question, for the release of "The Devil Wears Prada 2," we're asking everyone: "Which Upcoming Movies From CinemaCon 2026 Are You Most Excited To See?" and reveal the winner of last week's poll, for CinemaCon, asking, "Which Upcoming Movies From CinemaCon 2026 Are You Most Excited To See?" We also share our reactions to the trailers for "Coyote vs. Acme," "Leviticus," "Carolina Caroline," "Idiots," answer your fan-submitted questions, and more! Thank you all for listening, subscribing, and supporting us. We hope you enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free
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For this week's main podcast review, Katie Johnson, Josh Parham, Giovanni Lago, and Daniel Howat join me to review and discuss "Michael" starring Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Juliano Valdi, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Laura Harrier, Jessica Sula, Mike Myers, Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and with direct involvement from the Jackson estate, the film tells the life story of mega-music superstar Michael Jackson... up to a point. The music biopic covers his involvement with the Jackson 5 in the 1960s and 1970s, up to the "Bad" tour in the 1980s, while ignoring the controversies that plagued his later years. The decision has divided critics and audiences, sparking a ton of discourse about the role of critics, Michael Jackson himself, and the music biopic subgenre in Hollywood. Well, what did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss the story, the acting, the direction, the musical performances, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

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"Apex" is a 2026 survival action thriller film directed by Baltasar Kormákur, written by Jeremy Robbins, and starring Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, and Eric Bana. It tells the story of a rock climber in the wild who is hunted by a hunter as she struggles to survive. Feature debut screenwriter Robbins was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to stream on Netflix. Thank you, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free
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