With the Golden Globes just recently behind us and awards season now in full swing, we once again turn our attention to the upcoming Academy Awards in March, much as we did for a few weeks last year. This year, we're endeavoring to bring you more of the Best Picture nominees than the three we managed in 2024, and with already limited time between now and the Oscars currently scheduled for March 2nd, we're getting a bit of a headstart, despite not yet having official nomination announcements. Going with our best instincts for some films ~most likely~ to be nominated for the next couple of weeks until we have the official list. This week: Conclave. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Jonathan Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini, this gripping thriller from inside the very heart of the Catholic Church brought us a powerhouse performance from Fiennes, a grimacingly delightful amount of political allegory, and a truly unexpected twist that left both of us pleasantly surprised at this movie's capacity to surprise us. Definitely not one to miss, dear listeners!