The Oscar Project Podcast

Jonathan Ytreberg
  • 4.0 (4)
  • Film History
  • Updated Semiweekly

A discussion of all the films nominated for Oscars, starting in 1929, plus interviews with filmmakers and authors writing about the film industry.

  1. 4.50-The Criminal Code with Murray Mintz

    2h ago

    4.50-The Criminal Code with Murray Mintz

    Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film The Criminal Code. I'm joined by Murray Mintz from the CineVibeZ Fanzine newsletter and we talk about what it means to stick to the criminal code, an excellent supporting performance from a pre-Frankenstein Boris Karloff, and a new understanding of the term yammering. You can watch The Criminal Code online for yourself and be sure to check out Murray's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: The Right to Love directed by Richard Wallace (potentially lost)Stand and Deliver directed by Ramón MenéndezFive Star Final directed by Mervyn LeRoyThe Godfather directed by Francis Ford CoppolaThe Dawn Patrol directed by Howard HawksScarface directed by Howard HawksThe Big Sleep directed by Howard HawksRio Bravo directed by Howard HawksFrankenstein directed by James WhaleHow the Grinch Stole Christmas! directed by Chuck JonesFrankenstein directed by Guillermo del ToroThe Big House directed by George HillCimarron directed by Wesley RugglesOther referenced topics: Five Star Final (play)The Criminal Code by Martin FlavinMorduant Hall's review in the New York TimesVariety reviewDennis Schwartz on dennisschwartzreviews.comPhotoplay Magazine reviewSupport the show

    41 min
  2. 4.49-Filmmaker Interview with Wesley Wang

    3d ago

    4.49-Filmmaker Interview with Wesley Wang

    Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Wesley Wang, director of the short film “Violet and Marlowe Rob a Bank,” a frenetic animated short set to a new song "Feel It All Again" by adore. Listen to hear about the collaboration between Wesley and adore with their unreleased music, some of the films that informed the creation of these characters, and his plans for the future of his company in the new age of digital media. Books mentioned in this episode include: The Trial by Franz KafkaThe Metamorphosis by Franz KafkaFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: “Violet and Marlowe Rob a Bank” directed by Wesley Wang"nothing, except everything." directed by Wesley WangBonnie and Clyde directed by Arthur PennThe Matrix directed by Lilly Wachowski and Lana WachowskiJohn Wick directed by Chad Stahelski and David LeitchFantastic Mr. Fox directed by Wes AndersonWallace & Gromit directed by Nick ParkBackrooms directed by Kane ParsonsIron Lung directed by MarkiplierBrazil directed by Terry GilliamMulholland Drive directed by David LynchCity Lights directed by Charlie ChaplinThe Master directed by Paul Thomas AndersonThere Will Be Blood directed by Paul Thomas AndersonNo Country for Old Men directed by Joel Coen and Ethan CoenOther media mentioned in this episode: "did i tell u that i miss u" by adore"Feel It All Again" by adoreFollow Wesley on Instagram @wesleywanggg and subscribe to his YouTube channel @wesleywangfilm. You can also follow the film on Instagram @violetnmarlowe. Support the show

    10 min
  3. 4.48-The Royal Family of Broadway with Rebecca Deniston

    Jun 5

    4.48-The Royal Family of Broadway with Rebecca Deniston

    Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film The Royal Family of Broadway and I'm joined by Rebecca Deniston who writes the Taking Up More Room newsletter, and we talk about the distinct lack of story evident in the film, the complete ostentatiousness of every frame of the film, and how much influence the poor transfer of this film made on our opinion of it overall. You can watch The Royal Family of Broadway on YouTube and be sure to check out Rebecca's newsletter and her website takinguproom.com. Other films mentioned in this episode include: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! directed by Chuck JonesLaughter directed by Harry d'Abbadie d'ArrastAll Quiet on the Western Front directed by Lewis MilestoneGone With the Wind directed by Victor FlemingThe Wizard of Oz directed by Victor FlemingThe Women directed by George CukorMy Fair Lady directed by George CukorCitizen Kane directed by Orson WellesCimarron directed by Wesley RugglesYou Can't Take It With You directed by C.C. Coleman and Frank CapraThe Broadway Melody directed by Harry Beaumont (previous episode on The Broadway Melody with Kevin Pettit)Stage Door Canteen directed by Frank BorzageOther referenced topics: The New Yorkers (musical)The Barrymore Family on WikipediaEmanuel Levy writing on emanuellevy.comSupport the show

    31 min
  4. 4.47-Filmmaker Interview with Javier Cano Larumbe

    Jun 2

    4.47-Filmmaker Interview with Javier Cano Larumbe

    Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Javier Cano Larumbe, director of the short film "Void," a horror take on the effects of a pending divorce on the world of a young child. Listen to hear about the films that inspired this story, the process of casting the boy to play the lead actor in his film, and how he was able to turn the location of the home into a character of its own in the film. Books mentioned in this episode include: Reflections: On Cinematography by Sir Roger DeakinsFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: "Void" directed by Javier Cano LarumbeThe Sixth Sense directed by M. Night ShyamalanPoltergeist directed by Tobe HooperJaws directed by Steven SpielbergThe 400 Blows directed by François TruffautRear Window directed by Alfred HitchcockE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial directed by Steven SpielbergBatman directed by Tim BurtonThe Empire Strikes Back directed by Irvin KershnerFollow the Javier on Instagram @jcanolarumbe. Support the show

    23 min
  5. 4.46-Min and Bill with Maria Banson

    May 30

    4.46-Min and Bill with Maria Banson

    Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film Min and Bill I'm joined by Maria Banson who writes the The Brunello Bombshell newsletter, and we talk about the interesting family dynamics at play in this film, an incredible (and Oscar worthy) performance from Marie Dressler in the lead role, and the second half of the film that flies by once the action really gets going. You can watch Min and Bill on YouTube, Tubi, or Amazon Prime or pick up a physical copy for your collection and be sure to check out Maria's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: The Big House directed by George HillThe Champ directed by King VidorTugboat Annie directed by Mervyn LeRoyThe Tragedy of Macbeth directed by Joel CoenNomadland directed by Chloé ZhaoThe Taming of the Shrew directed by Sam TaylorMorocco directed by Josef von SternbergHoliday directed by Edward H. GriffithA Free Soul directed by Clarence BrownCimarron directed by Wesley RugglesOther referenced topics: Call My Agent! (series)Dark Star by Lorna MoonSteve Kopian on unseenfilms.comDavid writing on simbasible.comSupport the show

    46 min
  6. 4.45-Filmmaker Interview with Michael Cusumano and Charity Schubert

    May 27

    4.45-Filmmaker Interview with Michael Cusumano and Charity Schubert

    Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Michael Cusumano and Charity Schubert, director, producer and lead actor of the short film "Last Minute," a comedic look at trying to get a school project done at the last minute in a world without the internet and smart phones. Listen to hear about the story that grew out of generational differences between school today and 40 years ago, a bit of luck in casting one of the film's main characters, and the way the production crowdsourced period furnishings for the set to make it look and feel like the late 1980s. Books mentioned in this episode include: Making Movies by Sydney LumetThe Only Woman in the Room: A Historical Novel of Hedy Lamarr and Her Secret Wartime Invention by Marie BenedictThe Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include: "Last Minute" directed by Michael Cusumano"Napoleonic Code" directed by Michael CusumanoBack to the Future directed by Robert ZemeckisBlack Mirror (series)The Third Man directed by Carol ReedFargo directed by Joel CoenBig Night directed by Stanley Tucci and Campbell ScottDangerous Liaisons directed by Stephen FrearsMarie Antoinette directed by Sofia CoppolaBernie directed by Richard LinklaterSilence of the Lambs directed by Jonathan DemmeAll About Eve directed by Joseph L. MankiewiczAmadeus directed by Milos FormanOnly Lovers Left Alive directed by Jim JarmuschBram Stoker's Dracula directed by Francis Ford Coppola12 Angry Men directed by Sydney LumetNetwork directed by Sydney LumetDog Day Afternoon directed by Sydney LumetFollow the film on Instagram @lastminuteshortfilm, their production company @whiskeycatproductions, and Charity @charityschubert. You can also find information on the Marie Antoinette exhibit Charity mentioned on the Victoria & Albert website. You can also get more information on the Whiskey Cat Productions presentation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Christopher Hampton at their website. Support the show

    29 min
  7. 4.44-Just Imagine with Amanda Kusek

    May 22

    4.44-Just Imagine with Amanda Kusek

    Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1930 film Just Imagine I'm joined by Amanda Kusek who writes the The 90-Minute Movie newsletter, and we talk about the vision of 1980 as seen from 1930, how the film takes on a completely new plot nearly halfway through, and some out of this world imaginings of what people on Mars might be like. You can watch Just Imagine on YouTube, Tubi or the Amazon Prime or pick up a physical copy for your collection and be sure to check out Amanda's newsletter. Other films mentioned in this episode include: Planet of the Apes directed by Franklin J. SchaffnerThe Wizard of Oz directed by Victor FlemingBack to the Future Part II directed by Robert ZemeckisWings directed by William A. Wellman and Harry d'Abbadie d'ArrastTarzan (film series)It's a Wonderful Life directed by Frank CapraA Woman of Affairs directed by Clarence Leon BrownFrankenstein directed by James WhaleCimarron directed by Wesley RugglesOther referenced topics: "California, Here I Come" written by Buddy DeSilva and performed by Al Jolson"California" by Phantom PlanetThe O.C. (series)Film Daily note about the print kept for future reviewNew York Times reviewNora Fiore writing on The Nitrate DivaJanne Wass on scifist.netSupport the show

    36 min
  8. 4.43-The Dawn Patrol

    May 19

    4.43-The Dawn Patrol

    Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my discussion of the 1930 film The Dawn Patrol. I don't have a guest today, but you can hear me discuss the comparisons between this and earlier WWI war films, the feud between Howard Hawks and Howard Hughes, and Hollywood's first nepo baby. You can watch The Dawn Patrol on YouTube, or Tubi or pick up a physical copy for your collection. Other films mentioned in this episode include: Hell's Angels directed by Howard HughesThe Air Circus directed by Howard Hawks (lost film)The Road to Glory directd by Howard Hawks (lost film)The Criminal Code directed by Howard HawksWings directed by William A. Wellman and Harry d'Abbadie d'ArrastThe Patent Leather Kid directed by Alfred SantellThe Noose directed by John Francis Dillon (lost film)Little Caesar directed by Mervyn LeroyBulldog Drummond directed by F. Richard JonesThe Dawn Patrol (1938) directed by Edmund GouldingThe Doorway to Hell directed by Archie MayoLaughter directed by Harry d'Abbadie d'ArrastOther referenced topics: Batman (series)The New Yorker reviewDanny Reid on pre-code.comSupport the show

    21 min
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About

A discussion of all the films nominated for Oscars, starting in 1929, plus interviews with filmmakers and authors writing about the film industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Ytreberg
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    242
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Oscar Project
  • Show Website
    The Oscar Project Podcast