The Oscar Goes to The English Patient. “Just Die, Already!”

The Oscar Goes to The English Patient. “Just Die, Already!”

From The OSCARS: What Were They Thinking?! by Atomic Entertainment

February 16, 2026 · 1h 16m

About this episode

Bruce and Tex discuss the 1997 Academy Awards and the impact of independent films in 1996.

Hey Oscar fans, Bruce and “Tex” are back with a brand new episode looking at the Academy Awards of 1997 for the films of 1996. As you may or may not remember, 1996 was a GOOD year for movies, but a GREAT year for Indie films! In fact, 4 of the 5 Best Picture nominees are considered independent films — or as Bruce calls them, Tom Cruise and everybody else. And while Elaine Benes from Seinfeld famously hated The English Patient, the Academy loved it — bestowing it with 12 nominations and 9 wins! But did the right movie win? And who got snubbed and why? This is a great episode to stress-test our ‘test of time’ theory on — as this year was chock full of curious decisions and plenty of second (or third) guessing. Let us know what you think and as always thanks for listening! MOVIE LIST (*Recommendations) *The English Patient *Fargo *Shine Evita *Jerry Maguire *Secrets and Lies Hamlet Twister Independence Day *Flirting with Disaster *Trainspotting *Big Night *Sling Blade *Swingers *Bound *Walking & Talking *Bottle Rocket Dead Man *Breaking the Waves *The People vs. Larry Flynt *One Flew Over the Cuckoo Nest *Amadeus *Say Anything *Schindler’s List *The Birdcage *The Nutty Professor…

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