Whose Time Is It Anyway?

"If you've been around the Oscars conversation long enough, a few oft-repeated phrases and clichés get lodged into your brain. You become an expert in concepts like "category fraud" and "lone director" and how many nominations Diane Warren has accumulated (16). One superlative Oscars nerds especially like to play around with is "It's their time" or "It's their year." Christopher Nolan winning for Oppenheimer? It was his time. Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis winning for Everything Everywhere All at Once? Finally, it was their time! The phrase sounds like self-fulfilling prophecy, or at least so vibes-based that you can't really assign meaning to it. But we would argue that you can."

"Joe Reid: Nate, I'd begin by saying that "It's their year" isn't something that can apply to just anyone in the Oscar race. Renate Reinsve is very much in the Best Actress Oscar race for Sentimental Value, but I'm not sure anyone can make the argument that this feels like her time. Sean Penn is on most people's short lists of Supporting Actor contenders for One Battle After Another, but I wouldn't say this is his year. "It's their time" is more encompassing. It's when everything seems to be coming together for an actor or filmmaker: They're in a widely appreciated movie showcasing good work, popular opinion on them is cresting, and an Oscar win would feel both presently earned and reflective of where they are in their career."

Nate Jones returns from leave and will officially resume leadership of Gold Rush on December 5. Joe Reid and Nate Jones are sharing hosting duties this week, with Joe wrapping up a three-month stint and leading a conversation about this year’s moment-having Oscar contenders while Nate launches his season's "Oscar Futures." The piece examines the oft-used Oscars phrase "It's their year," offering criteria for when that idea applies: timing, a widely appreciated film showcasing strong work, rising public sentiment, and an Oscar win that feels both presently earned and reflective of career trajectory.

Read at Vulture