Thank the Academy

Aug 29 2024 118 ep. 61 mins
Thank the Academy Podcast artwork

Based in Tinseltown, well just north of it (North Hollywood), Zach and Kristen are married film industry professionals on a deep dive into the history of the Academy Awards. Every other week they watch the Academy Award winning Best Picture starting with the original ceremony in 1929 to now. Fascinated by the concept of The Oscars and curious about the culture surrounding them, the Phaneufs are on a mission to share the history and context of the “best” films in American history—thanks to Oscar and his Academy. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thank-the-academy/support

  TV & Film
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69th Academy Awards: The English Patient

Aug 29 2024 64 mins  
In this episode we discuss the sixty-ninth Best Picture winner, The English Patient! We discuss Gil Cates’s and Billy Crystal’s return to producing and hosting the Academy Awards Ceremony, Miramax’s grassroots campaign strategies for convincing voters to favor The English Patient, and Francis McDormand’s exciting Oscar win. We talk about Saul Zaents’s struggles finding a

Academy Archives: Apollo 13 and Emma Thompson

Aug 22 2024 66 mins  
In this episode we discuss the 1995 film Apollo 13, Tom Hanks’ involvement in the film and lifelong interest in space and the Apollo era of NASA space exploration, and the extensive lengths that Ron Howard, Hanks, and the whole team went through to make this film a reality. We also discuss Emma Thompson’s career, from burgeoning comedienne to two time Academy Award winner, her

68th Academy Awards: Braveheart

Aug 15 2024 70 mins  
In this episode we discuss the sixty-eighth Best Picture winner, Braveheart! Quincy Jones takes on the role of producing the ceremony, Whoopi Goldberg comes back to host, and the yearly themes of Gil Cates are gone. Braveheart surprises everyone by winning Best Picture and Best Director over Apollo 13, Sense and Sensibility, Ron Howard, and Ang Lee, and Mel Gibson is seen in a new

Academy Archives: The Shawshank Redemption and Tom Hanks

Aug 08 2024 82 mins  
In this episode we discuss the critical successes and box-office failures of The Shawshank Redemption, writer and director Frank Darabont’s path to adapting the Stephen King work, and Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins’ stirring performances. We also look back through Tim Hanks’ long and illustrious career, his many hits, his second Academy Award win in a row, and his place in Am

67th Academy Awards: Forrest Gump

Aug 01 2024 71 mins  
In this episode we discuss the sixty-seventh Best Picture winner, Forrest Gump! We recap the 67th Oscar ceremony, Dave Letterman’s first and only time hosting the awards, Gil Cates’ new theme of “Comedy and the Movies,” and Forrest Gump’s record 13 nominations. We talk about Wendy Finerman’s quest to get this film made, Tom Hanks’ incredible, award winning performance

Academy Archives: Jurassic Park and Jane Campion

Jul 18 2024 63 mins  
In this episode we discuss Jurassic Park, the incredible CG effects and animatronics that went into making believable dinosaurs on the big screen, Michael Crichton’s involvement in the film, and Spielberg’s massive success in 1993. We also discuss the life and career of legendary filmmaker Jane Campion, her breakout success with The Piano and Academy Award win for Best Original

66th Academy Awards: Schindler’s List

Jul 11 2024 68 mins  
In this episode we discuss the sixty-sixth Best Picture winner, Schindler’s List! We discuss Steven Spielberg’s hugely successful year and night at the Academy Awards, with Schindler’s List and Jurassic Park winning 10 Oscars combined, Whoopi Goldberg’s historic turn at hosting the ceremony, and the exciting wins for Tom Hanks, Holly Hunter, Anna Paquin, and Jane Campion. W

Academy Archives: Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Al Pacino

Jul 04 2024 60 mins  
In this episode we discuss Francis Ford Coppola’s salacious and violent Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Winona Ryder’s involvement in the production, the tremendous production value, and Oscar winning makeup and costuming. We also take a close look at Al Pacino’s life and career, his start in the theater, breakthrough as Michael Corleone, and his Oscar win for Best Lead Actor in Sce

65th Academy Awards: Unforgiven

Jun 27 2024 67 mins  
In this episode we discuss the sixty-fifth Best Picture winner, Unforgiven, the 65th Academy Awards night celebrating women in film, Billy Crystal’s fourth time as host, and the lack of great films in 1992. We also discuss Clint Eastwood’s career, the themes behind Unforgiven, and why it won Best Picture. -- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast X: http

Academy Archives: Beauty and the Beast and Jodie Foster

Jun 20 2024 71 mins  
In this episode we discuss Disney’s resurgence and the making of Beauty and the Beast, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s contributions to the film, its many Academy Award nominations, and its enduring legacy of success. We also look back through Jodie Foster’s career, her big breaks in Scorsese films, her struggles with fame and celebrity, and her two Academy Award wins for The