Spotting the Real Stars of the 2024 Oscar Nominees Luncheon; Plus, Which Super Bowl Trailers Stood Out

Move over, Tom Cruise, there’s a new top dog in Hollywood that all the top stars are dying to meet.

On this week’s episode of “Screen Talk,” host Anne Thompson is joined by Marcus Jones, Awards Editor, TV & Film, to discuss this year’s Oscar Nominees Luncheon where Messi, the canine scene stealer from “Anatomy of a Fall” was the center of attention in a room full of past and future Academy Award winners.

Thompson then provides insight on who got the most applause as nominees were called to the stage, and what that could mean for their Oscar chances. For one, sympathy votes for “Barbie” seem a lot more plausible after hearing the cheers for writer/director Greta Gerwig and producer/star Margot Robbie, who many feel were unrightfully overlooked for Best Director and Best Actress nominations, respectively.

The pair of hosts then begin to predict some surprises that could happen on Oscar night, from Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest” being recognized for Best Sound, to international box office success story “Godzilla Minus One” winning Best Visual Effects (director Takashi Yamazaki and his figurine of the iconic kaiju were another big hit at the Oscar Nominees Luncheon).

Speaking of the latter craft, Thompson and Jones provide snap judgements of the film trailers that premiered during the Super Bowl, many of which have been criticized for their visual effects. Did the first look at “Wicked: Part One” properly capture the magic of the blockbuster Broadway musical? Does “Deadpool and Wolverine” seem like the film that will get Marvel Studios back on track? Will “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” live up to the standard director Matt Reeves set with his take on the franchise?

Ultimately, the film both hosts are feeling most secure about is “Twisters” from “Minari” director Lee Isaac Chung, filled with breakout talent from projects like “Nope,” “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande,” and “Normal People” — plus burgeoning movie star Glen Powell.

Watch the full episode above or listen to it below.

Screen Talk is produced by Azwan Badruzaman and available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify, and hosted by Megaphone. Browse previous episodes here, subscribe here, and be sure to let us know if you’d like to hear the hosts address specific issues in upcoming editions of Screen Talk.