Experts slugfest mailbag: ‘Saturday Night,’ ‘Here,’ and a third Oscar for Denzel Washington?

Could “Saturday Night” make the Best Picture Oscar lineup? What if Denzel Washington takes home No. 3 for “Gladiator II”? Gold Derby editors and experts Christopher Rosen and Joyce Eng are here to answer your burning questions of the week.

“Saturday Night” hardly lit the box office on fire last week after expanding into wide release, but could the Jason Reitman film resonate more with the industry? It’s a nostalgia-fueled crowd-pleaser with a crackling ensemble about an American pop culture institution. Plus, people in the industry know a thing or two about the stress and pressure of putting on a live TV and running up against red tape while trying to execute your vision. But could its inherent American-ness hinder it with international voters?

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Meanwhile, Washington is in fourth place in the Best Supporting Actor odds and it’s safe to say that most people wouldn’t object him winning a third Oscar. Few, however, would believe it would be for “Gladiator II.” What would it take for it to happen? And are some folks just hung up on him having more supporting Oscars than lead ones if that were to happen?

Elsewhere, we discuss Searchlight’s slate, name the “heart and soul” of some 2024 films, and more.

Email your questions to [email protected].

Timestamps:
Intro and Searchlight’s slate (0:00)
Trailers and “Babygirl” (8:12)
“The Substance” and “Saturday Night” (16:08)
Animated films, “Civil War” in VFX, and Oscars as Olympics? (22:13)
Musicals, B&W cinematography, and forgotten Oscar winners (26:46)
“The Brutalist” (32:05)
“Saturday Night” in Best Picture? (36:52)
Denzel winning a third? (40:43)
“Mufasa,” “Nosferatu,” “Sing Sing,” and “Here” (44:19)
The “heart and soul” of 2024 movies (52:13)
“Anora” (56:07)
“The Wild Robot” in score, Nolan’s next film, and Best Casting (59:26)
Personal connection to films (1:01:43)
“The Apprentice” (1:02:37)
“Only Murders in the Building” boring? (1:06:56)
Baseball stadiums (1:09:38)
Sebastian Stan and Kieran Culkin (1:12:41)

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