Russ Fischer

Amy and Russ close out Oscar Movie Month this week with the 2001 Best Picture winner and nominee respectively, Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” vs. Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” They break down the spectacle of “Gladiator,” noting the formula that brought it the Best Picture award plus Joaquin Phoenix’s stellar performance. Then, they discuss the game-changing action sequences of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” as well as its main character’s imperfections and how it brought Chinese cinema to the world stage. Which film will enter The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now!

This episode is sponsored by MUBI.

Amy and Russ continue Oscars Month this week with the 1990 Best Picture winner “Driving Miss Daisy” versus runner-up “Field of Dreams.” First, they take on “Driving Miss Daisy,” discussing Morgan Freeman’s breakout role as Moke Colburn, Jessica Tandy’s sublime unlikeability, and Hans Zimmer’s polarizing score. Then, they talk about “Field of Dreams” and its use of nostalgia, conflicting themes, and prime Kevin Costner. Which 1989 film deserves a spot in The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now!

This episode is sponsored by MUBI and Audible.

Film critic Russ Fischer joins Amy for the second week of Oscars Month with a showdown from the 1970 Academy Awards: “Midnight Cowboy” vs. “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” First, they discuss the Texas cowboy identity, X-rating, and treatment of homosexuality in “Midnight Cowboy.” Then they tackle “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” noting what it pulls from Greek myth, its combined star power of Paul Newman and Robert Redford, and how it set the blockbuster paradigm. Should “Midnight Cowboy” or “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” enter The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now!

This episode is sponsored by MUBI and RXBAR (code: CANON)

Film critic Russ Fischer joins Amy to kick off Oscar Movie Month with a musical showdown from 1965. First, Amy and Russ talk Best Picture winner “My Fair Lady,” noting Audrey Hepburn’s physical expressiveness, director George Cukor’s use of freeze, and standout songs. Then, they break down “Mary Poppins,” touching on its technical achievement, its depiction of the suffragette movement, and the exuberance Julie Andrews brought to the titular role. Should “My Fair Lady” or “Mary Poppins” enter The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now!

This episode is sponsored by MUBI.