#335 - 2026 Oscars Catch-Up: F1 & A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 3

·59 min·5 clips

Scott and Matt dive into why Apple's Formula One movie is a surprise Best Picture nominee for the 2026 Oscars.

The episode begins with hosts Scott Daly and Matt Freeman introducing their ongoing series covering the 2026 Academy Awards Best Picture nominees. They announce they are discussing the sixth film, Apple TV's F1, which was a surprise nominee. Scott and Matt spend the first segment analyzing F1, starting with a plot summary about a retired Formula One driver mentoring a younger racer. Matt expresses strong criticism, calling the movie overlong at two and a half hours and comparing it unfavorably to Talladega Nights. Scott agrees, noting the racing scenes are visually impressive but the story and characters are weak. They discuss Brad Pitt's lack of charisma and the film's confusing plot elements, such as the corporate subplot involving Tobias Menzies' character. The hosts also critique the film's failure to explain Formula One mechanics adequately, contrasting it with other racing movies like Rush. They question why F1 received a Best Picture nomination, suggesting it might be due to corporate influence or box office success. The conversation shifts to the second segment, where Scott and Matt review episode three of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. They praise the episode for developing the relationship between Dunk and Egg, highlighting Egg's reveal as a Targaryen. The hosts appreciate the show's focus on character dynamics and its handling of themes like knighthood and disillusionment. They note the episode's effective use of tension and background political elements. The episode concludes with a reminder about the new discussion question on favorite sports movies and promotions for their Patreon content. Scott and Matt preview next week's episode on the film Hamnet.

As heard by us

A surprise Oscars nominee gets a sharp look before the show turns to TV.

Scott Daly and Matt Freeman spend the front half of the Doofcast on F1, the surprise Best Picture nominee in their 2026 Oscars catch-up, and they treat it as more than ballot-box filler.

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Why you'd press play

Oscar-season chatter gets a surprise nominee and a fantasy-TV detour.

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