Little Gold Men by Vanity Fair

With both Gladiator and Wicked opening in theaters this weekend, Rebecca, David, Richard, and special guest Chris Murphy discuss how both films will do at the box office, and if they’ll be on the road to Oscars next. Plus, Rebecca catches everyone up on the star-studded Governors Awards, and the hosts react (happily) to the news that Conan O’Brien will host the Oscars in March.

This week, Rebecca talks with the Aftersun Oscar nominee, Paul Mescal, who stars in Ridley Scott's long-awaited sequel.  The indie darling reveals why he finally said yes to a blockbuster, the sage advice he got from his director, and why he's been working at such an intense pace since Normal People. Plus, he answers the Proust Questionnaire, revealing his greatest (mini) extravagance.

This week, the hosts share their report out of the inaugural public screening of Nosferatu in Hollywood, which saw journalists and Academy members sitting side by side (and occasionally covering their eyes in horror). The film is officially a player in the race, but to what degree? The hosts get into all that, unpack how the best-director race is shaping up, and answer a few remaining listener questions.

The iconic actress joins David this week to discuss her career-best work in The Substance, from the intensity of the shoot to the incredible response the film has been getting these last few months: “I truly couldn’t have imagined this.”

As a salve for this week's election news, we've got a mailbag episode. The hosts dig into the many questions sent in by listeners over the last past month, including their thoughts on awards chances for Saoirse Ronan, Demi Moore, and Jesse Plemons. Plus, they attempt to answer one listener's creative question about a Best Picture Quarter Quell, and they reveal what movies they seek out when they want to escape from work (or real life!) completely.Join us for conversation with Marianne Jean-Baptiste following the Hard Truths screening at the Denver Film Festival. Tickets and more information can be found here.

For the first live Little Gold Men of the season, A Real Pain star Kieran Culkin joins us at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival for a lively, freewheeling conversation about everything from working with Jesse Eisenberg to the struggle to leave Succession behind to his fond memories of filming Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. To open the show, David and Richard also outline the highlights of Savannah at a crucial point in the Oscar race—and how this regional festival can be a perfect platform for contenders seeking a boost.

Appropriate for this Halloween special, David and Rebecca can finally break their silence on Wicked, Jon M. Chu's blockbuster adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon, and reveal why they think the musical just might have the Oscar goods. Later, the hosts discuss the potential for certain horror movies like The Substance and Nosferatu to overcome voters' genre bias and make a play this season.Come see LGM hosts Richard and David interview John David Washington in New York's Perelman Performing Arts Center on November 1. Tickets are available now at pacnyc.org. Use discount code ICONS30 for 30% off.Join us for conversation with Marianne Jean-Baptiste following the Hard Truths screening at the Denver Film Festival. Tickets and more information can be found here.

The four-time Oscar nominee talked to Rebecca about learning to deliver lambs and singing in front of a crowd for The Outrun and Blitz. Plus, she reminiscences about going to her first Oscars ceremony at 13, and reveals that she's ready to play a baddie.Come see LGM hosts Richard and David interview John David Washington in New York's Perelman Performing Arts Center on November 1. Tickets are available now at pacnyc.org. Use discount code ICONS30 for 30% off. Join us for conversation with Marianne Jean-Baptiste following the Hard Truths screening at the Denver Film Festival. Tickets and more information can be found here.

Rebecca, Richard, and David take a look at the submissions for the Globes' musical/comedy category which include some surprises like Anora and Heretic. The LGM team also dives deeper into the strategy behind lead and supporting submissions, including their admiration for Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton's gamble on both going lead.  Plus, they break down the surprisingly thin best actor race, and Rebecca recounts the glitzy LA premiere for Gladiator II.Come see LGM hosts Richard and David interview John David Washington in New York's Perelman Performing Arts Center on November 1. Tickets are available now at pacnyc.org. Use discount code ICONS30 for 30% off. Join us for conversation with Marianne Jean-Baptiste following the Hard Truths screening at the Denver Film Festival. Tickets and more information can be found here. Little Gold Men LIVE with special guest Kieran Culkin at Savannah Film Festival is sold out, but there will be a standby line. More information can be found here.

In a career-spanning conversation, the Oscar-nominated actor who’s experienced decades of ups and downs in Hollywood discusses his new film Conclave, the potential Devil Wears Prada sequel, and his budding career as a beloved food commentator.Join us for conversation with Marianne Jean-Baptiste following the Hard Truths screening at the Denver Film Festival. Tickets and more information can be found here. Little Gold Men LIVE with special guest Kieran Culkin at Savannah Film Festival is sold out, but there will be a standby line. More information can be found here.

Can acclaimed performances from Mikey Madison (Anora) and Karla Sofía Gascón (Emilia Perez) outshine the star power of Nicole Kidman and Angelina Jolie? David, Rebecca and Richard map out the best actress race so far and make the case for some passion picks. Plus, a preview of films coming out this weekend.Join us for conversation with Marianne Jean-Baptiste following the Hard Truths screening at the Denver Film Festival. Tickets and more information can be found here. Little Gold Men LIVE with special guest Kieran Culkin at Savannah Film Festival is sold out, but there will be a standby line. More information can be found here.

Winning the Palme d’Or was Baker’s singular goal for the past 30 years. Now, he’s fighting for the protection of theatrical releases.

Rebecca, Richard, and David talk break down the supporting-actor Oscar race this week, with a specific focus on The Apprentice (in theaters this weekend) and whether Jeremy Strong can challenge his old Succession costar Kieran Culkin and other heavyweights like Guy Pearce and Stanley Tucci. Later, the hosts discuss the highlights from the New York Film Festival—including the long-awaited unveiling of Steve McQueen's Blitz.Join us for Little Gold Men LIVE with special guest Kieran Culkin at Savannah Film Festival. Tickets and more information can be found here.

André Holland has spent the past decade stealing scenes in projects by the likes of Barry Jenkins, Steven Soderbergh, and Ava DuVernay. But on this week's Little Gold Men, the versatile actor talks about his thrilling shift into lead roles—including in the acclaimed Sundance debut Exhibiting Forgiveness (in theaters October 18) and, hopefully, a new season of The Knick: "I’m not going to rest until we get it done."

On this week’s roundtable, David, Rebecca, and Richard dive deep into Todd Phillips’s anticipated Joker sequel. They’re in agreement on two points: It’s not very good, but Lady Gaga still gives a great performance. From there, the hosts predict and debate the competitive supporting-actress Oscar race, and whether Gaga—not to mention other pop stars-turned-actors like Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez—will make the cut. Plus, stick around for some special announcements about Little Gold Men’s upcoming live tour.

We don’t often feature voice performances on this podcast, but there’s a reason why we made an exception for Lupita Nyong’o, who does exceptional work at the center of the critically acclaimed animated feature The Wild Robot. For this week’s interview, Nyong’o reflects on how far she’s come from her Oscar win a decade ago and how she stays discerning in Hollywood amid so many industry shifts. Plus, Nyong’o plays Proust Questionnaire Roulette, revealing her fictional hero and what she considers the most overrated virtue.

Rebecca, Richard and David reveal their top ten picks for Best Picture to each other and defend their choices. Plus, a recap of TIFF awards and acquisitions.Remember to draft your team for Vulture’s Movies Fantasy League by October 3 here, and don’t forget to add “Vanity Flair” on your entry form to join our league.

Perhaps the most patient man in Hollywood, Richard Linklater talks to Rebecca about the 23-year journey of making Hitman. “I'm not afraid to sit with something and just wait until the time is right,” says Linklater, who has also filmed two more movies that both took more than a decade to make.

This week, Sebastian Stan joins the show to discuss his anticipated fall films A Different Man and The Apprentice, which together mark the most exciting moment for his career thus far. The Emmy nominee discusses the elaborate make-up jobs required for both films, his struggles in getting to star in projects of this caliber, and why he believes his Donald Trump movie is worth seeing—even though (or perhaps especially because) he's heard all kinds of arguments to the contrary.

It's the day after the Emmys, and Richard, David, and Rebecca are here to break down all of the highs and lows from TV's biggest night. The hosts discuss the thrilling surprise win for Hacks as best comedy (as well as why The Bear lost), the impressive showings from newcomers Shōgun and Baby Reindeer, and why Dan and Eugene Levy's amiable hosting performance couldn't make up for a lackluster program.Remember to draft your team for Vulture’s Movies Fantasy League by October 3 here, and don’t forget to add “Vanity Flair” on your entry form to join our league.