Post Reports: The Oscars Movies Worth Watching – Detailed Summary

Episode Title: The Oscars Movies Worth Watching
Host/Author: The Washington Post
Release Date: February 27, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Post Reports, hosts Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi engage in an insightful discussion with film and TV reporter Sonia Rao and arts editor Janice Page. The conversation centers around the 2025 Oscars, exploring the array of Best Picture contenders, standout performances, and noteworthy films that deserve attention before the awards ceremony on Sunday night.

Overview of the 2025 Oscars Landscape

Sonia Rao and Janice Page characterize this year's Oscar race as a "crapshoot" with a diverse range of films vying for the top honors. Janice Page describes the season as "all over the map" (02:14), highlighting the broad spectrum of genres, budgets, and storytelling styles represented among the nominees. The unpredictability of the Best Picture category this year means that several dark horses have a real chance of taking home the award.

Top Best Picture Contenders

1. Enora (03:19 – 04:27)

   • Description: Directed by Sean Baker, Enora delves into the life of a Brooklyn dancer who embarks on a whirlwind romance with the son of a Russian oligarch. The film explores themes of the American dream and social mobility.
   • Contender Status: Janice Page notes that Enora is a frontrunner, having secured significant precursor awards such as the Critics Choice Award and the Producers Guild Award, which historically predict Oscar success. "It's winning a lot of these, you know, awards that are voted on by similar people to who votes on the actual Oscars," she explains (03:40).

2. The Brutalist (04:09 – 08:03)

   • Description: An epic narrative centered on an architect, The Brutalist is praised for its exceptional cinematography, thematic depth, and substantial script. Its three and a half-hour runtime underscores its gravitas.
   • Contender Status: Janice Page considers The Brutalist a strong Oscar contender due to its artistic merit and the weight of its thematic content, including immigration and individuality. "Its script, many would argue, is quite meaty... All these things that it just has the look and feel and gravitas of an Oscar contender" she states (07:15).

3. Conclave (00:57 – 08:03)

   • Description: This tense drama portrays the selection process of a new pope, highlighting the sequestered environment and the isolation of the cardinals. The film is lauded for maintaining suspense despite its seemingly static setting.
   • Contender Status: Both Sonia and Janice recognize Conclave as typical Oscar bait, given its strong ensemble cast and the inherent drama in its subject matter. Sonia recounts her experience watching Conclave, noting its capacity to keep audiences engaged: "it just feels so tense and exciting" (06:00).

4. I'm Still Here (08:55 – 22:54)

   • Description: Set against the backdrop of Brazil's military dictatorship, this film follows Rubens Pava's disappearance and his wife's relentless pursuit of the truth. It's considered a powerful memoir film.
   • Contender Status: Janice Page identifies I'm Still Here as her top pick for Best Picture, projecting it to win Best International Feature due to its compelling narrative and standout performance by Fernanda Torres. "It is one of the very best memoir films I have ever seen" she remarks (21:00).

5. Nickel Boys (23:37 – 24:28)

   • Description: Adapted from Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer-winning novel, this film portrays the harrowing experiences of two boys in a post-Jim Crow era reform school in Florida.
   • Contender Status: While Sonia acknowledges Nickel Boys may not have a strong chance at Best Picture, she recommends it for its unique perspective and compelling storytelling. "It's a really interesting movie to watch... I think a lot of people will kind of brush over it in the race" (23:19).

Other Notable Films

• Emilia Perez (08:23 – 10:33)

  • Description: A complex musical about a woman undergoing a gender transition while leading a drug trafficking organization in Mexico.
  • Contender Status: The film initially showed promise, winning acting awards at Cannes. However, controversies surrounding lead actress Carlos Sofia Gascon's past tweets have damaged its prospects. Despite strong performances, Netflix's decision to distance itself has hindered its Best Picture and Best Actress chances. "I do think that definitely hurt its chances at Best Picture and probably Best Actress as well" remarks Sonia (09:20).

• Wicked (00:32 – 12:29)

  • Description: A cinematic adaptation of the famous stage musical, Wicked combines spectacle with a deep narrative.
  • Contender Status: Although popular and financially successful, Sonia questions its likelihood of winning Best Picture, noting that blockbuster appeal does not typically translate to Oscar victories. Janice agrees, stating, "the Academy, it's not something original, so you can't go that route to give it... Best Picture Oscar" (11:12).

Acting Categories and Standout Performances

The hosts delve into the acting nominations, highlighting several key performances:

1. Timothée Chalamet vs. Adrien Brody (16:00 – 18:34)

   • Timothée Chalamet: Nominated for his role in Emilia Perez, Chalamet is recognized for his ambition and dedication to his craft. His speech at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, where he openly expressed his desire for greatness, drew mixed reactions. Janice remarks, "I find it refreshing, personally," appreciating his straightforwardness (17:31).

   • Adrien Brody: Returning to the Oscars after his win for The Pianist, Brody stars in The Brutalist and is seen as a strong contender. His portrayal of the architect has garnered critical acclaim. Janice notes his potential to capitalize on his past success (16:06).

2. Demi Moore in The Substance (19:03 – 22:54)

   • Performance: Demi Moore's role in The Substance is a challenging portrayal of Hollywood's pressures on aging actresses, framed within a body horror narrative.
   • Oscar Chances: Janice views Moore's performance as deserving of recognition, though she also highlights Fernanda Torres in I'm Still Here as a possible favorite for Best Actress. "I do think she's deserving," Janice states, balancing the discussion with Torres's exceptional performance (20:08).

3. Fernanda Torres in I'm Still Here (21:00 – 22:54)

   • Performance: Torres delivers a powerful portrayal of a woman navigating personal and political turmoil during Brazil's dictatorship.
   • Oscar Chances: Janice expresses her confidence in Torres's potential win, suggesting the Academy may favor her nuanced performance over more established actors (21:00).

Recommendations for Oscar Viewing

As the Oscars approach, Sonia and Janice offer viewers tailored suggestions on which films to prioritize:

• Must-Watch: Enora and The Brutalist for their strong narratives and critical acclaim.
• Hidden Gems: I'm Still Here for its compelling memoir elements and outstanding performances.
• Highly Recommended: Nickel Boys for its unique storytelling perspective, despite its lower chances at Best Picture (23:19 – 25:03).

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Martine Powers reaffirming the Washington Post's commitment to independent reporting amidst the changing landscape of the publication. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the recommended films to fully participate in the Oscars conversation.

Notable Quotes

• Janice Page on the unpredictability of this year's Best Picture race: “It's a crapshoot. But if you're looking at the awards leading up to this one, you know, we're talking SAG, which is the Screen Actors Guild, the Producers Guild of America, PGA, all of these, you know, individual union Guild awards are great predictors for this” (03:19).

• Sonia Rao on Conclave: “it just feels so tense and exciting” (06:00).

• Janice Page on The Brutalist: “Its script, many would argue, is quite meaty. All these things that it just has the look and feel and gravitas of an Oscar contender” (07:15).

• Janice Page on I'm Still Here: “It is one of the very best memoir films I have ever seen” (21:00).

• Janice Page on Fernanda Torres's potential Oscar win: “I would not at all be surprised to see Fernando win, even though Demi is racking up a lot of wins” (21:00).

Final Thoughts

This episode of Post Reports provides a comprehensive analysis of the 2025 Oscars, offering listeners a deep dive into the films and performances shaping the awards season. Whether you're a casual moviegoer or a dedicated cinephile, the discussion equips you with the knowledge to engage thoughtfully with the upcoming Oscars.