"How do you know?" "I don't know. I'm just afraid . . ."
Home Alone and the Fear of the Unknown
Tag: analysis
The Retrospective
Alex and Jonathan reflect on 8 1/2 years of recording the Filmlings Podcast. If you're new here, this is an invitation and guide to explore the back-catalog, even though we are not currently recording new episodes. If you've been around, thanks for listening and supporting the show over the years! Keep an eye on the… Continue reading The Retrospective
Ep 172. COMEDY CINEMA 5: The Wit’s End
As we bring our discussion of the history of comedy to the modern day, Alex and Jonathan look at three comedy films from the past two decades: Mean Girls (2004), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), and The Fall Guy (2024). We discuss the facets of wit as a mode of humor, the way wit has… Continue reading Ep 172. COMEDY CINEMA 5: The Wit’s End
Ep 171. COMEDY CINEMA 4: The Stoners
Moving from the absurd to the irreverent, today Alex and Jonathan look at three films which encompass a subset of comedy in which the characters are under the influence in some form or fashion: Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989), The Big Lebowski (1998), and The Hangover (2009). We discuss the glorification and justification of… Continue reading Ep 171. COMEDY CINEMA 4: The Stoners
Ep 170. COMEDY CINEMA 3: The Absurdists
After the collapse of the Production Code, filmmakers now had the ability to put anything and everything in their movies, so they did. Today Alex and Jonathan discuss three films which take comedy beyond rational proportions and talk about The Producers (1967), Airplane! (1980), and The Mask (1994). We discuss the history of absurdist comedy,… Continue reading Ep 170. COMEDY CINEMA 3: The Absurdists
Ep 169. COMEDY CINEMA 2: The Screwballs
With the arrival of sound in Hollywood, a new subgenre of comedy arose, so today Alex and Jonathan discuss the history of the "screwball comedies" while looking at Trouble in Paradise (1932), His Girl Friday (1940), and Some Like it Hot (1959). We talk about how screwballs differed from standard romantic comedies, the emphasis on… Continue reading Ep 169. COMEDY CINEMA 2: The Screwballs
Ep 168. COMEDY CINEMA 1: The Clowns
To kick off a new series on the history of American comedy films, Alex and Jonathan travel back to the early days of cinema and look at the physical comedy of the early film clowns in Safety Last! (1923), City Lights (1931), and Duck Soup (1933). We discuss the transition from live performances in theater… Continue reading Ep 168. COMEDY CINEMA 1: The Clowns
Ep 167. TRAGEDIES of Misunderstanding
To wrap up the tragedy series, Alex and Jonathan look at three films characterized by the ways in which the characters' difference of perspectives causes the primary conflict in part or whole: A Woman Under the Influence (1974), The Elephant Man (1980), and The Farewell (2019). We discuss whether or not the term "tragedy" is… Continue reading Ep 167. TRAGEDIES of Misunderstanding
Ep 166. TRAGEDIES of Betrayal
As we move into stories of interpersonal tragedies, today Alex and Jonathan discuss three films which deal with themes of betrayal as it applies to family relationships, as in Tokyo Twilight (1957), romantic relationships, as in In the Mood for Love (2000), and friends/allies, as in RRR (2022). We discuss Aristotle's concept of discovery, the… Continue reading Ep 166. TRAGEDIES of Betrayal
Ep 165. TRAGEDIES of Fate
In one of the saddest episodes of the show (besides Episode 105), Alex and Jonathan look at films in which the protagonists struggle to navigate circumstances outside of their control with three tragedy classics: Ikiru (1952), Grave of the Fireflies (1988), and Titanic (1997). We discuss Aristotle's conception of the reversal of fortune – known… Continue reading Ep 165. TRAGEDIES of Fate
Ep 164. TRAGEDIES of Injustice
From power to societal marginalization to prejudicial greed, in this episode Alex and Jonathan talk about three films in which the subject characters are faced with various forms of injustice: The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928), Umberto D. (1952), and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). We discuss the ways tragedy films evoke feelings… Continue reading Ep 164. TRAGEDIES of Injustice
Ep 163. TRAGEDIES of Self
The downfall. The tragic flaw. Today Alex and Jonathan kick off a new series about tragic cinema with three stories where the protagonist is ultimately responsible for their own misery: The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), Brief Encounter (1945), and Tár (2022). We discuss Aristotle's six elements of tragedy, why tragedy doesn't necessarily have to have a… Continue reading Ep 163. TRAGEDIES of Self
Ep 162. CAHIERS DU CINÉMA: Jacques Rivette
The last of the Cahiers du Cinéma critics-turned-directors to discuss is Jacques Rivette. Alex and Jonathan take a look at his films Paris Belongs to Us (1961), L'amour fou (1969), and Céline and Julie Go Boating (1974) and discuss Rivette's obsession with the individual aspects of cinema, his blend of cinematic instinct and collaborative improvisation,… Continue reading Ep 162. CAHIERS DU CINÉMA: Jacques Rivette
Ep 161. CAHIERS DU CINÉMA: Claude Chabrol
One of the less well-known of the Cahiers contributors, but also one of the first to break into directing, Claude Chabrol is the subject of this week's deep dive in which Alex and Jonathan talk about his films Le beau Serge (1958), Les cousins (1959), and Les bonnes femmes (1960). We discuss Chabrol's role in… Continue reading Ep 161. CAHIERS DU CINÉMA: Claude Chabrol
Ep 160. CAHIERS DU CINÉMA: François Truffaut
François Truffaut, known as "The Gravedigger of French Cinema" during his time as a critic, is the focal point of this episode and the turning point of our series on the French New Wave. Alex and Jonathan discuss three of his many films, Shoot the Piano Player (1960), Jules et Jim (1962), and Day for… Continue reading Ep 160. CAHIERS DU CINÉMA: François Truffaut
Ep 159. CAHIERS DU CINÉMA: Éric Rohmer
Author, critic, teacher, moralist, and editor of Cahiers du Cinéma, Éric Rohmer is this month's featured director from the French New Wave. Alex and Jonathan look at three of the six films Rohmer directed based on a series of his own short stories called the "Moral Tales" – My Night at Maud's (1969), Claire's Knee… Continue reading Ep 159. CAHIERS DU CINÉMA: Éric Rohmer
Ep 158. CAHIERS DU CINÉMA: Jean-Luc Godard
As we begin our dive into the directors of the French New Wave, Alex and Jonathan take a look at one of the primary disrupters from this heavily disruptive period of cinema history, the singular Jean-Luc Godard. Through three of his classic films – Vivre sa vie (1962), Band of Outsiders (1964), and Pierrot le… Continue reading Ep 158. CAHIERS DU CINÉMA: Jean-Luc Godard
Ep 157. FILMS OF FAERIE 5: Fairy Tales in the Modern Day
For the final episode of the fairy tale series, Alex and Jonathan take a look at three films that transpose classic fairy tale stories onto the setting of the modern day: The Red Shoes (1948), Ponyo (2008), and Undine (2020). We discuss how fairy tale elements can help us look at the ordinary parts of… Continue reading Ep 157. FILMS OF FAERIE 5: Fairy Tales in the Modern Day
Ep 155. FILMS OF FAERIE 3: Fairy Tales are NOT for Kids
For as long as fairy tales have been recorded there has been a debate about whether or not they should be modified for children, so today Alex and Jonathan take up the negative side of the discussion with a look at three films with fairy tale elements that are not Disney's idea of kid-friendly: Beauty… Continue reading Ep 155. FILMS OF FAERIE 3: Fairy Tales are NOT for Kids
Ep 154. FILMS OF FAERIE 2: Fairy Tales are for Kids
When it comes to fairy tales on film, the elephant in the room has a name: Disney. So today Alex and Jonathan go through the history of fairy tale films as told by the Walt Disney Animation Studios, starting with the first feature length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), through the… Continue reading Ep 154. FILMS OF FAERIE 2: Fairy Tales are for Kids
Ep 153. FILMS OF FAERIE 1: The Podcast that Laughed and Cried Like a Child
To kick off our new series about fairy tales in cinema, Alex and Jonathan do a deep dive into three adaptations of the story of Pinocchio: Pinocchio (1940), Pinocchio (2019), and Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022). We discuss the history of fairy tales, the variations of focus in each of these adaptations, and how fantasy… Continue reading Ep 153. FILMS OF FAERIE 1: The Podcast that Laughed and Cried Like a Child
Ep 152. WESTERNS 101: Modern West
To wrap up our Westerns 101 series, Alex and Jonathan take a look at the current state of the western genre through Rango (2011), Slow West (2015), and Hell or High Water (2016). We talk about ways to take the tropes of an established genre and exaggerate them for comedic effect, how to take the… Continue reading Ep 152. WESTERNS 101: Modern West
Ep 151. WESTERNS 101: Sergio’s Spaghetti
A huge portion of the modern idea of what a western is can be traced back to an Italian director with an appreciation for samurai films, Sergio Leone. Today Alex and Jonathan look at his influence on the spaghetti western sub-genre with For a Few Dollars More (1965), Once Upon a Time in the West… Continue reading Ep 151. WESTERNS 101: Sergio’s Spaghetti
Ep 150. WESTERNS 101: Westerns of the Rising Sun
As we continue our journey through the history of the western genre, Alex and Jonathan take a detour to Japan to discuss an era of chanbara (samurai) films that bridge the gap from classic westerns to spaghetti westerns. We're talking about Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (1954), Sanjuro (1962), The Sword of Doom (1966). We discuss… Continue reading Ep 150. WESTERNS 101: Westerns of the Rising Sun
Ep 149. WESTERNS 101: John Ford’s Golden Era
When discussing the history of the Western genre, there is no escaping the name or work of John Ford, so today Alex and Jonathan dive in to three of Ford's landmark films: My Darling Clementine (1946), The Searchers (1956), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). We talk about the ways Western films elevate actual… Continue reading Ep 149. WESTERNS 101: John Ford’s Golden Era
Ep 148. WESTERNS 101: The Silent Era
To kick off a new series of episodes that will give an overview of the history of the western genre, Alex and Jonathan start off by talking about three early western films from the pre-sound era: The Testing Block (1920), Sky High (1922), and The Iron Horse (1924). We discuss the development of both the… Continue reading Ep 148. WESTERNS 101: The Silent Era
Episode 147. The Icepod Cometh
For the winter wrap-up episode to close out the year, Alex and Jonathan talk about four films that focus on the ways that people have to survive in freezing and desperate situations: Touching the Void (2003), The Grey (2011), Everest (2015), and Arctic (2018). We discuss ways to tell a true story through documentary and… Continue reading Episode 147. The Icepod Cometh
Episode 146. The Equestrisode
From the very first photographs of motion, horses have been integrated with the cinema, so today Alex and Jonathan talk about different ways horses can be used to drive a story in The Black Stallion (1979), Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002), Seabiscuit (2003), and War Horse (2011). We discuss horses as both thematic metaphors… Continue reading Episode 146. The Equestrisode
Special Episode: The Fellowship of the Ring Scene-by-Scene
To fill some time while Alex and Jonathan are on break, we're releasing a commentary track for Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) which was recorded in 2018. Going scene-by-scene through the extended edition of the film allows us to break down some of the details and nuances of the filmmaking techniques, as… Continue reading Special Episode: The Fellowship of the Ring Scene-by-Scene
Episode 145. History According to Harryhausen
Taking a step behind the curtain of classic movie magic, today Alex and Jonathan discuss the techniques and creatures brought to the screen by VFX pioneer Ray Harryhausen in Mighty Joe Young (1949), The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958), Jason and the Argonauts (1963), and Clash of the Titans (1981). We discuss the evolution of… Continue reading Episode 145. History According to Harryhausen
Episode 144. A Podcast’s Guide to Time Travel
We are all interested in the future, which is why in this episode Alex and Jonathan take a look at some prominent entries into the time travel sub-genre of science fiction, specifically: Time After Time (1979), Back to the Future (1985), Groundhog Day (1993), and Tenet (2020). We discuss the various mechanisms for implementing time… Continue reading Episode 144. A Podcast’s Guide to Time Travel
Episode 143. Pugnacious Preminger
Another legend of Hollywood's Golden Age is the spotlight for this episode as Alex and Jonathan talk about some of the classic works of Otto Preminger: Laura (1944), Bonjour Tristesse (1958), Anatomy of a Murder (1959), and Bunny Lake is Missing (1965). We discuss how Preminger builds character driven narrative through visuals, his real and… Continue reading Episode 143. Pugnacious Preminger
Episode 142. Kiarostami’s Koker
Sit back and enjoy the ride as Alex and Jonathan talk through the road-trip style films of Abbas Kiarostami in Where Is the Friend's House? (1987), And Life Goes On (1992), Through the Olive Trees (1994), and Taste of Cherry (1997). We discuss the way Kiarostami blends truth and fiction, how he uses long takes… Continue reading Episode 142. Kiarostami’s Koker
Episode 141. How to Train Your Podcast
This month Alex and Jonathan fly to a mythical Nordic world and discuss the recent animated trilogy How to Train Your Dragon (2010), How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014), and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019). We discuss a brief history of dragons, ways to incorporate high stakes and family into… Continue reading Episode 141. How to Train Your Podcast
Episode 140. One and Only Olivier
When it comes to acting, few names loom as large in the recent history of stage or screen as that of Laurence Olivier. Alex and Jonathan discuss his contributions to the film medium through his roles in Wuthering Heights (1939), Rebecca (1940), Richard III (1955), and Marathon Man (1976). We talk about his growth as… Continue reading Episode 140. One and Only Olivier
Episode 139. The Dove Says Woo
The epic drama and action of director John Woo carries us away this month as Alex and Jonathan talk about The Killer (1989), Hard Boiled (1992), Face/Off (1997), and Red Cliff (2008). We talk about his pioneering of the "Honorable Bloodshed" genre, his distinct stylistic and thematic trademarks, and his continuing legacy on many modern… Continue reading Episode 139. The Dove Says Woo
Episode 138. Wise Guy Gangsters
Watch your back because in this episode Alex and Jonathan, talk about the history of American gangster films through four classic and contemporary tales within the genre: Scarface (1932), Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), Scarface (1983), and Goodfellas (1990). We discuss the origins of gangster stories being pulled from the contemporary headlines, how the genre… Continue reading Episode 138. Wise Guy Gangsters
Episode 137. Rogers-Astaire
Kicking off season 6 of the podcast, Alex and Jonathan take a look at the films and careers of two oft-paired star performers: Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. We look at their films The Gay Divorcee (1934), Shall We Dance (1937), and The Barkleys of Broadway (1949), and discuss the history of each performer, the… Continue reading Episode 137. Rogers-Astaire
Episode 136. Wyler, Not Wilder
To wrap up Season 5 of the podcast Alex and Jonathan talk about another one of the hard-working directors of Hollywood's Golden Age, William Wyler. We're looking at four of his post-war films, The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), Roman Holiday (1953), Ben-Hur (1959), and The Collector (1965) and discussing how Wyler's war experience… Continue reading Episode 136. Wyler, Not Wilder
Episode 135. Wilder, Not Wyler
Today Alex and Jonathan ask "How did Billy do it?" as we dive into the work and career of Golden Age director Billy Wilder through his films Sunset Boulevard (1950), Stalag 17 (1953), Sabrina (1954), and The Apartment (1960). We discuss the way Wilder turns a mirror back on Hollywood, the influence Ernst Lubitsch and… Continue reading Episode 135. Wilder, Not Wyler
Episode 134. Master Masaki
One of the masters of world cinema, Japanese director Masaki Kobayashi, is the focus of today's episode as Alex and Jonathan talk through his epic trilogy The Human Condition I: No Greater Love (1959), The Human Condition II: Road to Eternity (1959), and The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer (1961), as well as his… Continue reading Episode 134. Master Masaki
Episode 133. Surreal Spike
From skateboard videos to high-budget science-fiction drama, today Alex and Jonathan track the career of Spike Jonze through his feature films Being John Malkovich (1999), Adaptation. (2002), Where the Wild Things Are (2009), and Her (2013). We talk about the building of themes and structure in meta filmmaking, what makes interesting protagonists, and the variety… Continue reading Episode 133. Surreal Spike
Episode 132. Lord & Miller’s Laughs & Mischiefs
The combined creative talents of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller is one of the biggest forces in the animation industry at the moment, so today Alex and Jonathan take a look at four films they have had a hand in bringing to the big screen: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009), 21 Jump Street… Continue reading Episode 132. Lord & Miller’s Laughs & Mischiefs
Episode 131. Channeling Jackie Chan
One of the greatest physical performers of recent filmmaking, Jackie Chan is the focus of today's discussion as Alex and Jonathan look at Drunken Master (1978), Police Story (1985), Police Story 3: Supercop (1992), and The Foreigner (2017). We talk about Jackie Chan's journey finding his on-screen persona in the wake of Bruce Lee, the… Continue reading Episode 131. Channeling Jackie Chan
Episode 130. Cousteau Curieux
Alex and Jonathan take to the open seas today and follow the films and life of French explorer and documentarian Jacques Cousteau. We're talking about his documentaries The Silent World (1956), World Without Sun (1964), Voyage to the Edge of the World (1976), and the more recent biopic of his life The Odyssey (2016). We… Continue reading Episode 130. Cousteau Curieux
Episode 129. Cartoon Saloon’s (mostly) Celtic Saga
Highlighting one of the most innovative animation studios producing content today, Alex and Jonathan look at the four feature films produced by Irish studio Cartoon Saloon: The Secret of Kells (2009), Song of the Sea (2014), The Breadwinner (2017), and Wolfwalkers (2020). We discuss the unique art style, the various cultural influences, and the ongoing… Continue reading Episode 129. Cartoon Saloon’s (mostly) Celtic Saga
Episode 128. Long Live Lubitsch
Travelling back to the Golden Age, Alex and Jonathan take a look at one of the early masters of the budding film medium, Ernst Lubitsch, through his films Ninotchka (1939), The Shop Around the Corner (1940), To Be or Not to Be (1942), and Heaven Can Wait (1943). We discuss Lubitsch's history as a German… Continue reading Episode 128. Long Live Lubitsch
Episode 127. So-Bad-It’s-Good
We all know those movies that are so bad you just have to watch them, and today Alex and Jonathan are talking through the history of these terribly good films with Plan 9 From Outer Space (1957), Birdemic: Shock and Terror (2010), Sharknado (2013), and The VelociPastor (2018). We discuss the role intention plays in… Continue reading Episode 127. So-Bad-It’s-Good
Episode 126. Adapting Austen
For the first episode of season 5, Alex and Jonathan take a look at the many and on-going adaptations of the works of Jane Austen. The specific adaptations we'll be talking about are Sense and Sensibility (1995), Northanger Abbey (2007), Love & Friendship (2016), and Emma. (2020). We discuss the changing style of period pieces,… Continue reading Episode 126. Adapting Austen
Episode 125. The End of the World
To wrap up the fourth season of the Filmlings Podcast Alex and Jonathan take a look at three films taking different angles on the downfall of the world as we know it in 28 Days Later... (2002), Children of Men (2006), and Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). We discuss apocalyptic worldbuilding, themes inherent to the… Continue reading Episode 125. The End of the World
Episode 124. Silver Screen Sports: Documentary Dreams
For the final installment of the Silver Screen Sports series Alex and Jonathan look at three documentaries that cover a range of sports: Tokyo Olympiad (1965), Hoop Dreams (1994), and Senna (2010). We discuss three different approaches to the creation of a documentary, the difference between fictional and non-fictional representation of sports, and the appeal… Continue reading Episode 124. Silver Screen Sports: Documentary Dreams
Episode 123. One Last Job
In another deep dive into a fairly narrow sub-genre, Alex and Jonathan crack the code on heist films by looking at Rififi (1955), Ocean's Eleven (1960), and Inception (2010). We talk about the origins and draw of heist films, the way the activity of a heist lends itself to storytelling, and how to modify the… Continue reading Episode 123. One Last Job
Episode 122. Subtle Satyajit
As a contrast to the majority of Indian film covered on the podcast so far, today Alex and Jonathan look at the works of Satyajit Ray in Pather Panchali (1955), Charulata (1964), and Nayak: The Hero (1966). We discuss what makes Ray stand out from other Indian films we've covered, how Ray is able to… Continue reading Episode 122. Subtle Satyajit
Episode 121. Rueful Ramsay
The Patrons voted on what contemporary female director we should talk about and the winner was Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay! So today Alex and Jonathan talk about her films Ratcatcher (1999), We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011), and You Were Never Really Here (2017). We discuss Ramsay's very personal and close-to-home debut feature, the… Continue reading Episode 121. Rueful Ramsay
Episode 120. 3:10 2 3:10 to Yuma
In a long-time-coming episode, Alex and Jonathan talk about the two existing film adaptations of Elmore Leonard's short western story '3:10 to Yuma': 3:10 to Yuma (1957) and 3:10 to Yuma (2007). We discuss differences and similarities in the story between the two, ways the two films indicate changing cinematic sensibilities over fifty years, and… Continue reading Episode 120. 3:10 2 3:10 to Yuma
Episode 119. Gallant Gilliam
One of the more behind-the-scenes members of the Monty Python group takes the spotlight today as Alex and Jonathan take a look at Terry Gilliam's "Imagination Trilogy": Time Bandits (1981), Brazil (1985), and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988). We talk about Gilliam's larger-than-life approach to fantasy, when his story structure lives up to the… Continue reading Episode 119. Gallant Gilliam
Episode 118. Taiwanese New Wave
The seemingly small but poignant movement of the Taiwanese New Wave is in the spotlight today as Alex and Jonathan take a look at A City of Sadness (1989), Eat Drink Man Woman (1994), Yi Yi (2000). We discuss the atmospheric tone of the films, the introduction of humor to the second Taiwanese new wave,… Continue reading Episode 118. Taiwanese New Wave
Episode 117. Silver Screen Sports: Individual Glory
Following up on Episode 109 about team sports, Alex and Jonathan step into the ring and tackle three films about individual sports: Rocky (1976), Chariots of Fire (1981), and The Rider (2017). We discuss what makes an underdog story so powerful, when a sports movie falls short of being greater than the sum of its… Continue reading Episode 117. Silver Screen Sports: Individual Glory
Episode 116. …Ozu
Our Patrons voted on which of the directors we touched on in our Season 1 World Tour we should do a deep dive on and the winner was the essential Japanese director Yasujirô Ozu. We look at his films Late Spring (1949), Floating Weeds (1959), and An Autumn Afternoon (1962). We talk about the common… Continue reading Episode 116. …Ozu
Episode 115. Killing in Serial
The inexplicable draw towards the dark and twisted psyche of serial killers is the focus today as Alex and Jonathan talk about three films revolving around killers real and fictional, The Night of the Hunter (1955), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), and Zodiac (2007). We discuss elements that give depth to an otherwise sensational… Continue reading Episode 115. Killing in Serial
Episode 114. The Movie Brats and the Modern Blockbuster
Near the end of the American New Wave a group of filmmakers burst on Hollywood with a distinct style and they have since been named "The Movie Brats." Today Alex and Jonathan discuss three films from this group: Jaws (1975), Apocalypse Now (1979), The Untouchables (1987). We talk about how Golden Age Hollywood and the… Continue reading Episode 114. The Movie Brats and the Modern Blockbuster
Episode 113. Music and Manipulation Feat. Jason Harden
Music and movies have always been linked, but today Jason Harden joins the show once again to talk with Alex and Jonathan about three films which detail the life of three modern music legends, What's Love Got to Do with It (1993), Ray (2004), and Love & Mercy (2014). We talk about when depicting a… Continue reading Episode 113. Music and Manipulation Feat. Jason Harden
Episode 112. Mother Lupino
From acting, to starting her own production company, to directing both film and television, Alex and Jonathan take a look at the extensive career of Ida Lupino in Hollywood's golden age through her work in High Sierra (1941), The Hitch-Hiker (1953), and The Trouble with Angels (1966). We discuss her popular acting persona as the… Continue reading Episode 112. Mother Lupino
Episode 111. Dorothy Arzner’s Due
Dorothy Arzner is one of the largest names in the history of Hollywood's female directors, so today Alex and Jonathan look at the themes and relationships in her films Get Your Man (1927), Merrily We Go to Hell (1932), and Dance, Girl, Dance (1940). We talk about how romance differs in Arzner's films from other… Continue reading Episode 111. Dorothy Arzner’s Due
Episode 110. Blank-Face Buster
Our Patrons voted on what silent film star we should cover and chose the great Buster Keaton! We look at three of his classic films: Sherlock Jr. (1924), The General (1926), The Cameraman (1928) and talk about the way Keaton melds comedy into various genres, hallmarks of Keaton's characters and techniques, and ways we still… Continue reading Episode 110. Blank-Face Buster
Episode 109. Silver Screen Sports: No I in Team
To kick off a new mini-series of podcast episodes this season, Alex and Jonathan look at how various team sports are portrayed in the films Field of Dreams (1989), Remember the Titans (2000), and Invictus (2009). We discuss the ways sports are used in film to bring people together on various levels, the effectiveness of… Continue reading Episode 109. Silver Screen Sports: No I in Team
Episode 108. Pandemic Panic
There haven't been a lot of movies about pandemics, yet, but today Alex and Jonathan take a look at the various ways they have been done in the past, specifically in Outbreak (1995), Contagion (2011), and Flu (2013). We talk about the ways pandemic movies suffer from not having a defined genre, what they might… Continue reading Episode 108. Pandemic Panic
Episode 107. Brutal Beasts Feat. Aaron Johnson
Friend of the podcast Aaron Johnson joins the show today to talk about three animated films from Europe about various animals: Watership Down (1978), The Plague Dogs (1982), and Felidae (1994). We discuss how animals are used to depict very mature thematic stories, the distinction between Martin Rosen's animation style and the classic Disney look,… Continue reading Episode 107. Brutal Beasts Feat. Aaron Johnson
Episode 106. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan and Meg Ryan and Meg Ryan
Our Patrons recently voted on what two oft-paired actors we should cover and decided on Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan! Alex and Jonathan talk about the only three films starring the two: Joe Versus the Volcano (1990), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), and You've Got Mail (1998) and discuss the evolution of romantic comedies in the… Continue reading Episode 106. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan and Meg Ryan and Meg Ryan
Episode 105. WWII: Reflection
As the WWII series comes to a close Alex and Jonathan take a very somber look at three documentaries looking back on the war — specifically in the areas of the Holocaust and the atomic bombing of Japan — in Night and Fog (1956), Shoah (1985), and White Light/Black Rain (2007). We discuss the different… Continue reading Episode 105. WWII: Reflection
Episode 104. WWII: Drama
Continuing through our exploration of WWII, Alex and Jonathan turn the focus to the civilian level in Europe and look at the dramatic films Paisan (1946), Army of Shadows (1969), and Schindler's List (1993). We discuss the uniqueness of films being made in the immediate aftermath of the war, the difference in tone between war… Continue reading Episode 104. WWII: Drama
Episode 103. WWII: Action
In the third installment of our World War II series we finally get to the films showing the actual conflict across the various fronts of the war in The Great Escape (1963), Come and See (1985), and The Thin Red Line (1998). We talk about how WWII action films present the horrors of war from… Continue reading Episode 103. WWII: Action
Episode 102. WWII: People and Politics [Video]
Moving from propaganda to three stories of the decision makers in WWII, Alex and Jonathan take a look at the biopics Patton (1970), The King's Speech (2010), and Darkest Hour (2017). We talk about how each film balances the politics with the subject, the evolving style of biopics, and why biopics from WWII seem to… Continue reading Episode 102. WWII: People and Politics [Video]
Episode 101. WWII: Propaganda
Season 4 of the podcast is kicking off with a deep-dive into the cinema before, during, and after World War II. For the first installment Alex and Jonathan look at the propaganda of the war in Triumph of the Will (1935), Why We Fight: Prelude to War (1942), and Momotaro, Sacred Sailors (1945). We talk… Continue reading Episode 101. WWII: Propaganda
Episode 100. Not Quite Christmas
To end the fourth season of the show Alex and Jonathan talk about three films that relate to Christmas but might not be considered your traditional "Christmas movie:" Gremlins (1984), Lethal Weapon (1987), and Hook (1991). We talk about what really makes a Christmas movie, how formerly niche genres have slowly crept into the mainstream… Continue reading Episode 100. Not Quite Christmas
Episode 99. You’ve Probably Heard of this One Before
After nearly a hundred episodes, Alex and Jonathan finally get around to some of the biggest films in cinema history, specifically in the romance genre. We take a look at Gone with the Wind (1939), Casablanca (1942), and West Side Story (1961) and discuss the effect of the studio system on large budget productions, elements… Continue reading Episode 99. You’ve Probably Heard of this One Before
Episode 98. The Bluthian Blues Feat. Jason Harden
Friend of the podcast Jason Harden joins the show once again to talk with Alex and Jonathan about the animation of Don Bluth in The Secret of NIMH (1982), The Land Before Time (1988), and Anastasia (1997). We discuss Bluth's beginnings with his short film Banjo the Woodpile Cat (1979), the darker tone in his… Continue reading Episode 98. The Bluthian Blues Feat. Jason Harden
Episode 97. Creepy Carpenter
In the spirit of Halloween, Alex and Jonathan look at the works of John Carpenter, one of the most iconic names in the contemporary horror genre. We watch Halloween (1978), Escape from New York (1981), and The Thing (1982) and discuss the origins of modern horror tropes, world-building, and stellar practical effects. https://youtu.be/ByIWMC9i000?si=aM2BkPqPeoMeTV16 https://open.spotify.com/episode/0DTuqTLf5rdfATTmuY6Yqo?si=dVrMLM07S_Sx2qNGNEk3Iw Also… Continue reading Episode 97. Creepy Carpenter
Episode 96. Pickford’s Power: The First Queen of Hollywood
Our Patrons voted on which silent film star we should cover, so today Alex and Jonathan look into Mary Pickford's incredibly influential career in front of and behind the camera. We watch The Poor Little Rich Girl (1917), Sparrows (1926), and Coquette (1929) and discuss the "little girl" persona often portrayed by Pickford, the extent… Continue reading Episode 96. Pickford’s Power: The First Queen of Hollywood
Episode 95. Films de Femmes Trois: Elaine May
Heavens! Today Alex and Jonathan wrap up the Films de Femmes series and look at the varied career of the well-rounded filmmaker and entertainer Elaine May in her films A New Leaf (1971), Mikey and Nicky (1976), and Ishtar (1987). We talk about her background in improvisational comedy, her range of directing styles from comedy… Continue reading Episode 95. Films de Femmes Trois: Elaine May
Episode 94. Huston’s Hollywood
The grand human dramas of Golden Age director John Huston are the topic today as Alex and Jonathan look at The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948), The Asphalt Jungle (1950), and The Man Who Would Be King (1975). We talk about how Huston incorporates real life experience into his writing and directing, how he… Continue reading Episode 94. Huston’s Hollywood
Episode 93. Little Shop of Remakes
Our Patrons voted recently on what film remake they'd like to hear more about so Alex and Jonathan get into the weird world of Roger Corman's sci-fi classic The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) and Frank Oz's musical remake Little Shop of Horrors (1986). We talk about the way Roger Corman mixes comedy and horror… Continue reading Episode 93. Little Shop of Remakes
Episode 92. Swashbucklin’ Cinema
The swashbuckling genre takes Alex and Jonathan from medieval England to the Caribbean to a galaxy far far away as we look at The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003). We talk about the… Continue reading Episode 92. Swashbucklin’ Cinema
Episode 91. Quintessential Quentin Feat. Hayden Chauffe
Jonathan sits down with Hayden Chauffe today to discuss the career of the modern filmmaker's filmmaker, Quentin Tarantino, in the films Reservoir Dogs (1992), Inglourious Basterds (2009), and The Hateful Eight (2015). We talk about Tarantino's literary story structure, the controversies that tend to follow his films, and the way he breaks various rules of… Continue reading Episode 91. Quintessential Quentin Feat. Hayden Chauffe
Episode 90. The American New Wave
After the studio system ended in the 1960s a new era of American cinema was born known as the American New Wave. Today Alex and Jonathan take a look at three milestones of that era: Bonnie and Clyde (1967), The French Connection (1971), and The Deer Hunter (1978). We talk about how Bonnie and Clyde… Continue reading Episode 90. The American New Wave
Episode 89. Films de Femmes Deux: Agnes Varda
Continuing our series focusing on female filmmakers, Alex and Jonathan take a look at the narrative and documentary career of French New Wave pioneer Agnes Varda in her films Le Bonheur (1965), The Gleaners & I (2000), and Faces Places (2017). We talk about Varda's capacity for biting social commentary, her empathy for her documentary… Continue reading Episode 89. Films de Femmes Deux: Agnes Varda
Episode 88. Jackson’s Journey
Alex and Jonathan trace the ever-maturing career of Peter Jackson through his films Bad Taste (1987), Heavenly Creatures (1994), and They Shall Not Grow Old (2018). We discuss the potential that young filmmakers can show in early, low-budget films, how Jackson adds his fantasy flare to a true-crime story, and the evolution of his dramatic… Continue reading Episode 88. Jackson’s Journey
Episode 87. Disney Doesn’t Die Feat. Aaron Johnson
Resident animaniac Aaron Johnson joins Alex and Jonathan today to talk about a very particular period in the history of Disney animation in The Black Cauldron (1985), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), and The Little Mermaid (1989). We talk about how The Black Cauldron almost killed Disney, the homages and innovations of Who Framed Roger… Continue reading Episode 87. Disney Doesn’t Die Feat. Aaron Johnson
Episode 86. Family Feud [Video]
Our Patreon family has come together to choose the topic this week, so Alex and Jonathan are looking at just that, family, in The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), The Incredibles (2004), and The Road (2009). We talk about dysfunctional families, the way films help us to open up and become closer to our family, and the… Continue reading Episode 86. Family Feud [Video]
Episode 85. Wreaking Revenge
Revenge is a universal motivator and today Alex and Jonathan take a look at how it also works to create great stories in Lady Snowblood (1973), Memento (2000), and The Revenant (2015). We talk about the various conclusions about revenge in each movie, creating films that transcend gimmicks, and revenge as an "archegenre" that can… Continue reading Episode 85. Wreaking Revenge
Episode 84. The New Noir
As a follow up to last season's episode on classic film noir, Alex and Jonathan travel through the evolution of the modern subgenre of neo-noir in The Long Goodbye (1973), L.A. Confidential (1997), and Drive (2011). We discuss ways that noir themes cross over into neo-noir, the ways neo-noir uses violence, and the changing aesthetics… Continue reading Episode 84. The New Noir
Episode 83. Films de Femmes: Sofia Coppola
In the first of a series of episodes focusing on the cinematic contributions of female directors, Alex and Jonathan look at the career of Sofia Coppola in The Virgin Suicides (1999), Lost in Translation (2003), and The Beguiled (2017). We talk about Coppola's atmospheric style, the way she presents the relationship between men and women… Continue reading Episode 83. Films de Femmes: Sofia Coppola
Episode 82. Mighty Preposterous Monty Python
According to our recent poll for our Patrons, today Alex and Jonathan discuss the ridiculous filmography of British comedy group Monty Python: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Life of Brian (1979), and The Meaning of Life (1983). We discuss the hallmarks of Monty Python's comedy, various ways to create sketch-based films around a… Continue reading Episode 82. Mighty Preposterous Monty Python
Episode 81. An Episode You Can’t Refuse Feat. Benjamin Angrisano
Benjamin Angrisano joins Alex and Jonathan once again, this time to take a look at one of the most famous of all film trilogies: The Godfather (1972), The Godfather: Part II (1974), and The Godfather: Part III (1990). We talk about the thematic resonance of the series, the ways the third film differs from the… Continue reading Episode 81. An Episode You Can’t Refuse Feat. Benjamin Angrisano
Episode 80. Poised Poitier
For the first episode to focus on an actor as such, Alex and Jonathan look at three influential leading roles played by Sidney Poitier in A Raisin in the Sun (1961), A Patch of Blue (1965), and In the Heat of the Night (1967). We discuss how acting becomes highlighted in a film which is adapted from the stage, the ways that Poitier's roles reflect his own… Continue reading Episode 80. Poised Poitier
Episode 79. SERIOUS SERIES 4: Precocious Pink Panthers
For the final installment of the Serious Series, Alex and Jonathan talk about three films of the Pink Panther comedy franchise: The Pink Panther (1963), A Shot in the Dark (1964), and The Pink Panther (2006). We discuss about how the focus of the franchise changed with the reception of the first film, the way the character of Inspector Clouseau becomes more distinct… Continue reading Episode 79. SERIOUS SERIES 4: Precocious Pink Panthers
Episode 78. SERIOUS SERIES 3: Gargantuan Godzilla Generations
A true giant of film history is our focus this week as Alex and Jonathan take on three films from different eras of the Godzilla franchise: Godzilla (1954), Godzilla vs. King Ghidora (1991), and Godzilla (2014) (with a special shoutout to Shin Godzilla (2016)). We talk about the post-war fears in the themes of the original film, the campy… Continue reading Episode 78. SERIOUS SERIES 3: Gargantuan Godzilla Generations
Episode 77. SERIOUS SERIES 2: Primate Planet Pandemonium
Alex and Jonathan are thrown into the madhouse world of Pierre Boulle's Planet of the Apes this week as we look at three reboots of the popular franchise: Planet of the Apes (1968), Planet of the Apes (2001), and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014). We talk about how the original series balanced spectacle and thematic weight, where the 2001 adaptation misses the mark, and how the most… Continue reading Episode 77. SERIOUS SERIES 2: Primate Planet Pandemonium
Episode 76. SERIOUS SERIES 1: Being Bond, James Bond
To kick off Season 3 of the podcast, Alex and Jonathan are starting a series of episodes about some of cinema's most influential and long-last film series. First up is the James Bond franchise with From Russia with Love (1963), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), and Skyfall (2012). We talk about the origins of the James Bond character, the consistent elements… Continue reading Episode 76. SERIOUS SERIES 1: Being Bond, James Bond
Episode 75. A Charles Carol
As the holidays approach and the second season of The Filmlings Podcast comes to an end, Alex and Jonathan take a look at three different adaptations of Charles Dickens' classic story in A Christmas Carol (1951), Scrooged (1988), and A Christmas Carol (2009). We discuss adaptations driven by performance, shock value, and graphics appeals, why each of us love different versions… Continue reading Episode 75. A Charles Carol
The Filmlings 