This week on The First Run, Chris and Matt are joined by Darin Lundberg of NostalgiaCast and Back To Bluey to discuss Milana Vayntrub’s latest film, ‘Project Hail Mary’, featuring Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller, and directed by Phil Lord & Chris Miller, the team behind the Spider-Verse series. Does Ms. Vayntrub finally get the recognition she deserves as one of the planet’s pre-eminent actors, comedians, and greatest all-round human beings? Is this gag barely amusing given the disturbing amount of online sexual harassment she’s received. Possibly? I think so. So let’s move on dear listener and discuss what some are describing as an heart-warming sc-fi insta-classic.

00:00-32:23: Intro/Project Hail Mary

32:24-35:17: Wrap Up

Theme music by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

TFR Ep. 801: Undertone, 2026 Oscars Wrap Up

This week on The First Run, Chris and Matt find out first hand why this is a movie podcast and not a spooky cast with the haunted podcast flick ‘Undertone’. Then, they give your the results of their annual battle royale for the Oscar winners, an awards show they have opinions on but stopped watching years ago.

00:00-20:25: Intro/Undertone

20:26-27:08: 2026 Oscars Wrap Up

27:09-29:22: Wrap-Up

Theme music by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey

Welcome to The First Run 2026 Oscars special! Chris and Matt share their predictions for the big 6 categories: Best Supporting Actress/Actor, Best Actor/Actress, Direction, and Best Picture. You can also review Matt and Chris’ selections for all the other categories as well as they’ve linked their ballots in the show notes. Enjoy and good luck on your Oscars Pool!

Theme music by Jamal Malachi Ford-Bey