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, Lauren LaMagna, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, and Larry Fried join me to discuss "Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come" starring Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, David Cronenberg, and Elijah Wood. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, and written by Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy, the film serves as a direct sequel to "Ready or Not" (2019), with Grace trying to protect her estranged sister while being hunted by several elite families in a high-stakes ritual to claim a seat of ultimate power. The film premiered at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival, where it received generally positive reviews. What did we think of it, though? Please tune in as we discuss the story, performances, humor, the large amounts of blood and other gory bits from the film's more shocking moments, the future of the franchise, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy!

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"Late Shift" is a drama film written and directed by Petra Volpe, inspired by the book "Unser Beruf ist nicht das Problem: Es sind die Umstände" by Madeline Calvelage. Starring Leonie Benesch, the film centers on a young nurse, Floria, who works with unwavering dedication in an understaffed hospital ward, but on this day, her shift becomes a nerve-racking race against time. The film had its world premiere in the Berlinale Special Gala section of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival last year. It received positive reviews and was selected as the Swiss entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, making the December shortlist. Volpe was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about her work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in New York at The Quad Cinema and Los Angeles at the Laemmle Royal, and will be followed by a nationwide rollout from Music Box Films. 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 484, I am joined by Katie Johnson, Dan Bayer, Lauren LaMagna, Amy Kim, and Will Mavity as we say goodbye to the 2025 film awards season and look ahead to what's to come in 2026. Part of that is recapping the best films that played at this year's SXSW, and part is asking this week's poll question: "Which 2026 Awards Season Contenders Are You Most Looking Forward To?" We also reveal the winner of last week's poll asking "Which Was Your Favorite Oscar Win From The 98th Academy Awards?," share our reactions to the trailers for "Dune: Part Three," "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," "Wild Horse Nine," "Outcome" (Seriously, what was going on with trailers this week?), 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, Sara Clements, Josh Parham, Cody Dericks, Brendan Hodges, and Tom O'Brien join me to discuss the latest film from Phil Lord and Chris Miller, "Project Hail Mary" starring Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung, and Milana Vayntrub. Written by Drew Goddard, based on the 2021 novel of the same name by Andy Weir, the epic sci-fi/comedy film already has a built-in fan base and is a crowdpleaser designed to enthrall, entertain, and emotionally move newcomers. Whether you see it on IMAX or the big screen, there's no denying it's the film event of Q1 2026. What did we think of it, though? Please tune in as we discuss the story, Ryan Gosling's performance, the direction from Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the crafts, its awards potential, 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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"Lumière, Le Cinéma!" (or "Lumière! The Adventure Continues") is a documentary film directed by Thierry Frémaux, director of the Institute Lumière, of the Lumière Film Festival, and of the Cannes Film Festival. Frémaux serves as a curator and guide through a collection of over 100 short films by Auguste and Louis Lumière and their collaborators, showcasing both well-known and rarely seen works. The film explores the origins of cinema and how the Lumière brothers pioneered filmmaking techniques such as framing, staging, and early narrative storytelling. This curated presentation offers both a historical account of the birth of film and a meditation on cinema's ability to capture reality and imagination. The film highlights the enduring legacy of the Lumières and their foundational impact on the art form. Frémaux 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 playing at MOMA in New York City from Janus Films. 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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