Best Filmcommentary Podcasts (2024)

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A Few Good Men • The Next Reel • Member Bonus 7:18

7h ago7:18

7:18

“You’re an ambulance chaser with a rank. You’re nothing.” This is a member bonus episode. We'd love it if you became a member to support our show, but you’d love it because of everything you get. We have monthly member bonus episodes that only members can access. You also get member content in episodes, access to members-only Discord channels, and …

1
The Banshees of Inisherin • The Next Reel 1:10:20

2h ago1:10:20

1:10:20

“It was all going fine until he chopped off all his fingers.” In 2022, writer-director Martin McDonagh reunited with his In Bruges stars, Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, to create a haunting tale of friendship, loss, and the far-reaching consequences of our actions. Set against the backdrop of the Irish Civil War in 1923, The Banshees of Inisher…

1
The Woman in Black • The Next Reel 1:09:05

2h ago1:09:05

1:09:05

“Don’t go chasing shadows, Arthur.” Adapting a Classic Ghost Story for the Big Screen The Woman in Black, based on Susan Hill's 1983 novel of the same name, has been adapted for the stage, television, and radio. In 2012, James Watkins directed a feature film version starring Daniel Radcliffe in his first major role since the Harry Potter series. Wi…

1
Sleep Tight (Mientras Duermes) • The Next Reel 1:06:06

19h ago1:06:06

1:06:06

“Happy. That’s exactly my problem – that I can’t be happy. Not even when good things happen to me.” A Gripping Spanish Psychological Thriller Sleep Tight (Mientras Duermes) is a 2011 thriller directed by Jaume Balagueró that delves into the complex themes of obsession, trust, and the violation of personal space. The film follows César, a concierge …

1
Sinister • The Next Reel 1:19:16

8d ago1:19:16

1:19:16

“I like that you made the movies longer, they are better this way.” Scott Derrickson's nightmare after watching The Ring sparked the creation of Sinister, a chilling tale that taps into the growing fascination with true crime. Co-written with his frequent collaborator C. Robert Cargill, Derrickson's film follows a true crime writer who moves his fa…

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Kill List • The Next Reel 1:03:05

16d ago1:03:05

1:03:05

“How many on the list?” A Slow-Burn Descent into Darkness Ben Wheatley's second feature film, Kill List, was released in 2011 to critical acclaim. The film follows Jay, a former soldier turned hitman, as he takes on a new job with his friend Gal after a traumatic event in Kiev leaves him unable to work for eight months. As Jay and Gal begin their n…

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The Grey • The Next Reel 1:21:31

1M ago1:21:31

1:21:31

“They weren’t eating him. They were killing him.” A Harrowing Tale of Survival in the Alaskan Wilderness In 2011, director Joe Carnahan set out to create a film that would push the boundaries of the survival genre. With a script co-written by Ian Mackenzie Jeffers, based on his short story "Ghost Walker," Carnahan assembled a talented cast led by L…

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Dialect Coach William Conacher on Ferris Bueller’s Day Off • Movies We Like 1:17:59

1M ago1:17:59

1:17:59

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Talking About Ferris Bueller’s Day Off with our guest, dialect coach William Conacher In this episode of Movies We Like, Andy Nelson and Pete Wright are joined by renowned dialect coach William Conacher to discuss his fascinating career and the beloved c…

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Mulholland Dr. • The Next Reel 1:17:26

2M ago1:17:26

1:17:26

“It'll be just like in the movies. We'll pretend to be someone else.” A Winding Road to Production David Lynch's Mulholland Dr. started life as a television pilot for ABC, but when the network passed on the project, Lynch reworked it into a feature film. The resulting movie is a surreal, non-linear exploration of the dark side of Hollywood, blendin…

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Memento • Rebroadcast • The Next Reel 1:09:44

2M ago1:09:44

1:09:44

"You can’t trust a man’s life to your little notes and pictures.” REBROADCAST Christopher Nolan’s second film, Memento from 2001, caught a lot of attention on its release. The clever screenplay structure where the story unfolds both forward and backward in time creates an experience much like that of our protagonist Leonard Shelby (wonderfully play…

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Hedwig and the Angry Inch • The Next Reel 55:26

2M ago55:26

55:26

“It’s what I have to work with.” Adapted from the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch tells the story of an East German rock star on a journey of self-discovery. Directed by and starring John Cameron Mitchell, the film premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we contin…

1
The Deep End • The Next Reel 1:04:16

2M ago1:04:16

1:04:16

“Make a sound and I’m going to drown you in the lake.” A Sundance Standout That Earned Cinematography Honors Scott McGehee and David Siegel, the directing duo behind The Deep End, began developing the project in the late 1990s. Inspired by the 1940s novel The Blank Wall by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding and the 1949 film adaptation The Reckless Moment di…

1
The American Astronaut • The Next Reel 1:01:23

2M ago1:01:23

1:01:23

“I’ve never understood this joke, but then I’ve never been to Earth.” Shooting for the Stars on a Shoestring Budget In 1996, writer/director Cory McAbee set out to make a wholly unique film that blended elements of science fiction, Western, comedy and musical genres. With a background in music and short films, McAbee threw everything he had into cr…

1
Wuxia Unleashed: Leon Hunt & Chris Hamm on Martial Arts and Myth • Cinema Scope • Bonus Episode 1:22:22

2M ago1:22:22

1:22:22

In this inaugural episode of Cinema Scope, host Andy Nelson is joined by professors Leon Hunt and Chris Hamm to explore the captivating world of wuxia, a Chinese film genre that blends philosophy, action, and legend. They discuss the key elements that define wuxia, such as the chivalrous heroes, period settings, and fantastical elements, as well as…

1
Actor Patrick Fabian on The Man Who Would Be King • Movies We Like 1:02:45

2M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

“You call it luck. I call it destiny.” Talking About John Huston’s The Man Who Would Be King with our guest, actor Patrick Fabian In this engaging episode of Movies We Like, hosts Andy Nelson and Pete Wright are joined by special guest Patrick Fabian to discuss John Huston's epic adventure film, The Man Who Would Be King. Fabian, known for his role…

1
Soul Food • The Next Reel 1:16:58

2M ago1:16:58

1:16:58

“My grandma always said, ‘Family pulling together in times of need will make it strong.’” The Family That Eats Together: A Discussion of Soul Food Before Soul Food hit theaters in 1997, writer and director George Tillman Jr. struggled to get his first feature film made. After selling the script, the production company went under before filming bega…

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Love Jones • The Next Reel 56:58

3M ago56:58

56:58

“Romance is about the possibility of the thing.” Love Jones hit theaters in 1997 as writer/director Theodore Witcher’s acclaimed debut. With an eclectic jazz soundtrack and romantic story filled with poetry slams, complex relationships, and career passions, the film earned praise and award nominations. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we …

1
Jackie Brown • The Next Reel 1:06:32

3M ago1:06:32

1:06:32

“Let’s be realistic. Now, sooner or later, they’re going to get around to offering me a plea deal, and you know that. That’s why you are here to kill me.” Jackie Brown Rides High in Tarantino’s Homage to Blaxploitation Quentin Tarantino burst onto the film scene in the 1990s with unique stylistic choices and sharp dialogue. After achieving critical…

1
Eve’s Bayou • The Next Reel 1:02:08

3M ago1:02:08

1:02:08

“Memory is a selection of images, some elusive, others imprinted indelibly in the brain. The summer I killed my father, I was ten years old.” Exploring the Layers of Eve's Bayou With her moody directorial debut Eve's Bayou, independent filmmaker Kasi Lemmons immerses us in a vividly realized Louisiana bayou community in the 1960s. Through the eyes …

1
Costume Designer Antoinette Messam on Amélie • Movies We Like 1:17:47

3M ago1:17:47

1:17:47

Talking About Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amélie with our guest, Costume Designer Antoinette Messam On this episode of Movies We Like, we speak with costume designer Antoinette Messam about her incredible career in film and one of her favorite movies, Jean-Pierre Jeunet's magical 2001 film Amélie. We have a fascinating conversation with Antoinette about h…

1
Waterworld • The Next Reel 1:16:12

3M ago1:16:12

1:16:12

“He’s a wily one, that ichthy-demon.” Waterworld: Sinking Budgets and Soaring Spectacle In the early 1990s, Kevin Costner was riding high after hits like Dances with Wolves and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. He teamed up again with his Robin Hood director Kevin Reynolds for an ambitious post-apocalyptic aquatic adventure called Waterworld. With its…

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Showgirls • The Next Reel 1:16:53

4M ago1:16:53

1:16:53

"Thrust it! Thrust it!” Before the sequins and controversy hit the screen, Showgirls was a script that sparked excitement for its bold take on the glitz and grunge of Las Vegas life. Helmed by Paul Verhoeven and penned by Joe Eszterhas, the duo behind the provocative hit Basic Instinct, expectations were high for this journey into the world of Vega…

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The Scarlet Letter • The Next Reel 1:09:34

4M ago1:09:34

1:09:34

“Why do you wait? Put it on for it is not a badge of my shame, but your own.” Roland Joffé took on the challenge of adapting Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter for the big screen in 1995. With a passion for the source material and a vision to expand the story in ways he felt Hawthorne was restricted from doing, Joffé assemb…

1
CutThroat Island • The Next Reel 1:04:32

4M ago1:04:32

1:04:32

“Congratulations, Morgan. There’s another town you’ve destroyed.” After the success of Die Hard 2 and Cliffhanger, director Renny Harlin wanted to establish his wife Geena Davis as an action star. He sought out a swashbuckling pirate adventure script for her to lead. Screenwriters Michael Frost Beckner and James Gorman had written an initial draft,…

1
Congo • The Next Reel 1:04:15

4M ago1:04:15

1:04:15

“Are you serving that ape a martini?” In the early 1990s, following the massive success of Jurassic Park, studios were eager to adapt more of Michael Crichton’s popular novels to film. Congo had been published back in 1980 but no one had figured out how to bring the complicated story to the big screen. After the rights bounced around for years, Par…

1
Special Effects Supervisor Chris Reynolds on Cinema Paradiso • Movies We Like 1:10:13

4M ago1:10:13

1:10:13

“Life isn't like in the movies. Life... is much harder.” Talking About Cinema Paradiso with our guest, Special Effects Supervisor Chris Reynolds In this magical episode, we chat with veteran special effects artist and supervisor Chris Reynolds about his storied career bringing movies to life through innovative engineering and technology. Our focus …

1
RoboCop • The Next Reel 1:27:06

5M ago1:27:06

1:27:06

“Dead or alive, you are coming with me.” In 1987, screenwriters Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner developed an original story idea while working on the set of Blade Runner. They envisioned a dystopian future where privatized police forces maintained law and order. After pitching the concept to studios, Orion Pictures greenlit the production of Robo…

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The Princess Bride • The Next Reel 1:16:37

5M ago1:16:37

1:16:37

"This is true love. You think this happens every day?" After William Goldman's novel The Princess Bride was published in 1973, film studios immediately saw its potential and vied for the movie rights. 20th Century Fox won out, paying Goldman to adapt his novel into a screenplay. But after languishing in development hell for over a decade, Rob Reine…

1
Predator • The Next Reel 1:20:40

5M ago1:20:40

1:20:40

“There’s something out there waiting for us, and it ain’t no man. We’re all going to die.” After the huge success of Rocky IV in 1985, screenwriters Jim and John Thomas saw an opportunity for another Rocky film where he'd have to fight an alien, calling it "Rocky vs Predator." They developed the idea into a script titled "Hunter" about a group of a…

1
The Lost Boys • The Next Reel • Member Bonus 1:20:33

5M ago1:20:33

1:20:33

“Kill your brother, you’ll feel better.” The 80s were a transformative time for vampire films, leading studios to rethink the genre and develop sexier, edgier stories for modern audiences. Under Joel Schumacher’s direction, The Lost Boys brought together attractive young stars, iconic music, and cutting-edge special effects to create an instant cul…

1
Innerspace • The Next Reel 59:19

5M ago59:19

59:19

“You just digested the bad guy.” Innerspace came about after Jeffrey Boam took Chip Proser’s original script and injected comedy into the straightforward sci-fi concept. With Joe Dante directing and Steven Spielberg executive producing, the film had the freedom to push boundaries. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we kick off our 1988 Acad…

1
Rollerball • The Next Reel 1:04:29

6M ago1:04:29

1:04:29

“Game? This wasn’t meant to be a game. Never!” James Caan stars as Jonathan E., a legendary athlete in the brutal sport of Rollerball in Norman Jewison’s 1975 dystopian sci-fi thriller. With a screenplay by William Harrison based on his short story, Jewison intended the film as a critique of exploitative sports and their dehumanizing effects. Howev…

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Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt on Chinatown • Movies We Like 1:07:10

6M ago1:07:10

1:07:10

“You may think you know what you’re dealing with, but you don’t. Believe me.” Talking About Chinatown with our guest, Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt Roman Polanski's 1974 neo-noir Chinatown is regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. In this episode, we're joined by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt to discuss t…

1
Monty Python and the Holy Grail • The Next Reel 1:16:29

6M ago1:16:29

1:16:29

“Oh, what sad times are these when passing ruffians can say ‘Ni!’ at will to old ladies. There is a pestilence upon this land, nothing is sacred. Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress in this period in history.” After the immense success of Monty Python’s Flying Circus on television, the Python troupe …

1
Dark Star • The Next Reel 1:01:25

6M ago1:01:25

1:01:25

“Don’t give me any of that ‘intelligent life’ stuff. Find me something I can blow up!” John Carpenter and Dan O'Bannon met as film students at USC in the early 1970s. Together they created a 45-minute student film called Dark Star that ended up gaining traction on the film festival circuit. With additional funding, they expanded it into a feature f…

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A Boy and His Dog • The Next Reel 1:03:29

6M ago1:03:29

1:03:29

“You’re so funny when you’re sexually frustrated.” In 1975, producer Alvy Moore teamed up with director L.Q. Jones to bring Harlan Ellison’s 1969 novella A Boy and His Dog to the big screen. With a budget of just $400,000, Jones cast newcomer Don Johnson alongside canine actor Tiger in this post-apocalyptic sci-fi that would go on to earn acclaim a…

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The Train • The Next Reel 1:05:32

6M ago1:05:32

1:05:32

“A painting means as much to you as a string of pearls to an ape.” In the early 1960s, French author Rose Valland pitched the idea for The Train to producer Jules Bricken. Valland had worked at the Jeu de Paume Museum in Paris during World War II, overseeing the Nazi looting of French art treasures. Intrigued by her true story of resisting Nazi art…

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The Pumpkin Eater • The Next Reel 1:08:59

7M ago1:08:59

1:08:59

“My life is an empty place.” Harold Pinter adapted Penelope Mortimer’s 1962 semi-autobiographical novel The Pumpkin Eater into a screenplay for this 1964 British drama film directed by Jack Clayton. With acclaimed performers Anne Bancroft and Peter Finch on board, Clayton and cinematographer Oswald Morris shot the black and white film partly on loc…

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Cinematographer Lyn Moncrief on Magnolia • Movies We Like 1:14:17

7M ago1:14:17

1:14:17

“This is something that happens.” Talking About Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 film Magnolia with our guest, cinematographer Lyn Moncrief On this episode of Movies We Like, hosts Andy Nelson and Pete Wright invite cinematographer Lyn Moncrief to discuss his career and one of his favorite films, Paul Thomas Anderson’s sprawling 1999 drama Magnolia. We …

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Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb • Rebroadcast • The Next Reel 1:20:41

7M ago1:20:41

1:20:41

"Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the war room!" REBROADCAST Stanley Kubrick didn’t do comedy often which is a shame because “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” is arguably one of the funniest films ever made. What’s interesting is that Kubrick intended on making a serious film about one of his greatest…

1
Becket • The Next Reel 1:07:18

7M ago1:07:18

1:07:18

“But where is Becket’s honour?” Before cameras could roll on Becket, the film's producers had to secure the screen rights to Jean Anouilh's original French play. Anouilh was initially hesitant to sell the rights, but the persistence of producer Hal B. Wallis convinced him to sign on. With the acclaimed playwright on board, the next task was finding…

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A Streetcar Named Desire • The Next Reel 1:09:48

7M ago1:09:48

1:09:48

“Stella! Hey, Stella!” Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning play A Streetcar Named Desire took Broadway by storm in 1947. Four years later, director Elia Kazan decided to adapt the play for the big screen, bringing together many members of the original Broadway cast like Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, and Karl Malden. After a tumultuous pre-produ…

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Strangers on a Train • The Next Reel 1:05:22

7M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

“Criss cross.” In 1951, Alfred Hitchcock was at a low point in his career after the disappointing critical reception of his previous two films, Under Capricorn and Stage Fright. Desperate for a hit, he wanted to adapt the 1950 Patricia Highsmith novel Strangers on a Train about a chance encounter that leads to a murder pact between two very differe…

1
Persona • A Conversation with Writer/Director Sophie Barthes • Movies We Like 1:22:59

7M ago1:22:59

1:22:59

“I think I could turn into you if I really tried.” Talking About Persona with our guest, writer/director Sophie Barthes On this episode of Movies We Like, we speak with writer/director Sophie Barthes about one of her favorite films, Ingmar Bergman’s 1966 psychological drama Persona. We also discussed Barthes' own directing career and thoughts on fi…

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A Place in the Sun • The Next Reel 1:11:58

8M ago1:11:58

1:11:58

“If you’re an Eastman, you’re not in the same boat with anyone.” Based on the 1925 novel An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser, A Place in the Sun tells the story of working-class George Eastman (Montgomery Clift), who moves in with his wealthy uncle's family and begins a romantic relationship with an affluent young woman named Angela Vickers (El…

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The Frogmen • The Next Reel 1:01:32

8M ago1:01:32

1:01:32

“Of all the strange breeds that mighta come along, it was their bad luck to get me.” In the years during and after World War II, the exploits of US Navy frogmen captured the American imagination. Seeking to showcase them on the silver screen, Hollywood producers worked closely with the Navy starting in 1950 to develop the film The Frogmen. The Navy…

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Death of a Salesman • The Next Reel 1:04:15

8M ago1:04:15

1:04:15

“Why are you so hateful to one another?” Kicking Off Our Next Series With a Conversation About László Benedek’s 1951 Film Death of a Salesman It had only been a few years since Arthur Miller’s play made its successful debut, and the story was exactly the sort producer Stanley Kramer sought out. He brought László Benedek on to direct and Stanley Rob…

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Rome, Open City • The Next Reel 1:11:00

8M ago1:11:00

1:11:00

“We're fighting for something that has to be, that can't help coming. The road may be long and hard, but we'll get there and we'll see a better world. And our children especially will see it.” Rome Wasn't Built in a Day, But This Movie Sure Was Rome, Open City is adapted from a book of true stories about living through the Nazi occupation. Co-write…

1
Oppenheimer (Christopher Nolan) 1:18:30

8M ago1:18:30

1:18:30

Grab your popcorn and your plutonium, folks, because on today's episode of the Adult Beverage Film Podcast, we're diving into a cinematic masterpiece that's sure to split your sides while splitting atoms! Join us as we explore Christopher Nolan's latest mind-bender, "Oppenheimer," where the famed physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer trades equations for…

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The Mission • A Conversation with Costume Designer Deborah L. Scott • Movies We Like 1:17:44

8M ago1:17:44

1:17:44

“If might is right, then love has no place in the world.” Talking About The Mission with our guest, Academy Award-winning costume designer Deborah L. Scott Andy and legendary costume designer Deborah L. Scott dive deep into Roland Joffé’s 1986 masterpiece The Mission, an intense and emotional story of faith, colonialism, and redemption. Set in 18th…

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