The Next Best Picture Podcast

For this week's main podcast review, Megan Lachinski, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, Cody Dericks, and Daniel Howat join me to review and discuss the latest film in the "Toy Story" franchise from Disney Pixar, "Toy Story 5" starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Blake Clark, Annie Potts, Bonnie Hunt, Melissa Villaseñor, Kristen Schaal, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, Greta Lee, Conan O’Brien, Craig Robinson, Shelby Rabara, Scarlett Spears, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Matty Matheson, Jeff Bergman, Anna Vocino, John Hopkins, Bad Bunny, Ernie Hudson & Alan Cumming. With Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton sitting in the director's chair for this fifth installment in the computer-animated franchise that changed cinema forever, and with many believing the franchise should've ended after "Toy Story 3," which capped off a perfect trilogy, fans are left wondering if there was reason to return to the world of everyone's favorite secretly living toys. Turns out the justification is technology and how it has impacted the toys' playtime with their owner, Bonnie. What did we think of it, especially after "Toy Story 4?" Please tune in to find out as we discuss the screenplay, its themes, the voice performances, animation, score, Taylor Swift's original song, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy!

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"Lord Of The Flies" is a television drama series based on the 1954 novel of the same name by William Golding. It is the first-ever television adaptation of the novel. It was developed and written by Emmy Award-winning writer Jack Thorne ("Adolescence"), directed by Marc Munden ("The Sympathizer") for BBC iPlayer and executive produced by Joel Wilson for BBC One in a co-production with Stan. The four-episode series was released in the UK in February, and then Sony Pictures Television confirmed Netflix had acquired the U.S. rights to the series, and it premiered on the streaming platform on May 4th, 2026, where it received positive reviews for its direction, cinematography, writing, and performances from its young cast of up-and-coming actors. Thorne, Munden, along with actors Winston Sawyers, Lox Pratt, David McKenna, and Ike Talbut were all kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experiences making the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the series, which is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards and is now available to stream on Netflix. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

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"Rose Of Nevada" is a 2025 British science fiction drama film written, edited, composed, and directed by Mark Jenkin. Starring George MacKay, Callum Turner, and Francis Magee, the film tells the story of a fishing vessel that was lost at sea 30 years ago and mysteriously reappears in the harbor of a fishing village. The film had its world premiere in the Orizzonti section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and received positive reviews for its 16mm cinematography, sound work, performances, and intellectual and haunting concept. Jenkin and MacKay were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in New York and Los Angeles theaters from 1-2 Special. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

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YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

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"The Lowdown" is an American crime comedy drama television series created by Sterlin Harjo for FX. It stars Ethan Hawke and Keith David. The series is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It features a man "who knows too much" (loosely inspired by historian Lee Roy Chapman), citizen journalist Lee Raybon (played by Ethan Hawke), a self-proclaimed Tulsa "truthstorian" whose obsession with the truth always lands him in trouble. It also stars Keith David, Kaniehtiio Horn, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Macon Blair, Scott Shepherd, Tim Blake Nelson, Tracy Letts, Dale Dickey, Paul Sparks, Peter Dinklage, and more! The series received critical acclaim for Hawke's performance and was renewed for a second season. Hawke was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch in full on FX on Hulu and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

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"Beef" is an American comedy-drama anthology television series created by Lee Sung Jin for Netflix. Season 1 starred Steven Yeun and Ali Wong and went on to win eight Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, and acting wins for Yeun and Wong. At the 81st Golden Globe Awards, it won in all three of its nominated categories, including Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television. Season 2 stars Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan as Joshua Martín and Lindsay Crane-Martín, and Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton as Ashley and Austin, two couples; after the poor latter two blackmail the rich former two with footage of a heated argument that would threaten their image, a similarly prolonged feud ensues. The second season premiered on April 16th, 2026, and received critical acclaim for its performances, direction, and writing. Season 2 Director and Executive Producer Jake Schreier was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the series, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch on Netflix and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free
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