‘Wicked’ Brings Holiday Joy, Chalamet Rides Two Oscar Contenders, Craig Escapes Bond in ‘Queer’

Blockbuster musical “Wicked” (Universal) is gaining momentum heading into the holidays, spreading much-needed joy. That could be the zeitgeist recipe for this year’s Best Picture Oscar winner. No other contenders feel as strong at the moment, even if Jon M. Chu’s direction and the film’s visuals don’t pass muster. Upcoming critics group voting, Indie Spirit nominations, Gotham wins, and movie openings in the next weeks could change the awards story.

Screen Talk co-host Ryan Lattanzio caught up with “A Complete Unknown” (Searchlight, December 25) but isn’t as impressed as Anne Thompson with James Mangold’s Bob Dylan origin story starring Timothée Chalamet, who convincingly performs 40 Dylan songs, live. Not enough narrative, says Ryan. Chalamet is brilliant, say Anne, who thinks it will play for the Academy, especially the actors branch.

Anne has come around on Daniel Craig’s chances for an acting nomination for Luca Guadagnino’s William Burroughs’ adaptation “Queer” (A24, November 27) even though she doesn’t admire the movie. He’s the strongest candidate for the fifth slot because actors will appreciate his radical transformation from James Bond.

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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.