Best Alan Zeitlin Podcasts (2024)

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Ep. 21 - Why Clueless Is A Classic and Alicia Silverstone Is Wonderful (With writer and communications expert Shira Weiss) 35:28

1d ago35:28

35:28

Alicia Silverstone is best known for depicting Cher Horowitz in the classic "Clueless" co-starring Paul Rudd as her step-brother, Josh. Alan discusses why the film is simple, yet grand. Writer and communications expert Shira Weiss explains what's so good about the film and the two debate some issues and Weiss answers if she ever had a grade changed…

1
Making Impactful Films with Oscar & Emmy-winning Director SHARMEEN OBAID-CHINOY - Highlights 10:29

6d ago10:29

10:29

“As a filmmaker, I've always made films about extraordinary women whose lives are faced with extenuating circumstances who've had adversity thrown at them and who've risen to the occasion. And when I began to look at Diane's story, for me, Diane is a fashion designer, but she's so much more. Her central ethos is woman before fashion, and we felt it…

1
DIANE VON FURSTENBERG: Woman in Charge w/ Oscar-winning Director SHARMEEN OBAID-CHINOY 37:47

9d ago37:47

37:47

How can we free ourselves from fear and social barriers to live more fulfilling and meaningful lives? What does it take to overcome trauma and turn it into triumph, and failure into reinvention? How can we shine a light on the marginalized and misunderstood to create social change that transforms the lives of women? Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is an Osca…

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Ep. 20 - Why The Shining Is My Favorite Movie and Debating Some Theories With a Kubrick expert. (With Professor Nathan Abrams) 55:57

8d ago55:57

55:57

Alan explains why "The Shining" is so scary and so mesmerizing with great performances by Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duval. From the creepy opening to the famous "redrum" scene, there's a lot to give you nightmares. Professor Nathan Abrams, author of "Kubrick: An Odyssey" discusses some theories of what the film is about from the Holocaust to the at…

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Ep. 19 - Why Midsommar Is A Genius Work of Horror 12:54

15d ago12:54

12:54

Alan discusses Ari Aster's "Midsommar" about a young woman named Dani(Florence Pugh) who in the wake of a family tragedy clings to a boyfriend, Christian (Jack Reynor) who doesn't appreciate her. When they go on vacation with some friends to Sweeden, all Hell breaks loose and things that make no sense take place. Christian's friend is creepily flir…

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Ep. 18 - The Top 7 Films of Leonardo DiCaprio 24:12

22d ago24:12

24:12

Alan discusses the greatest films of Leonardo DiCaprio. Wheer does "Titanic" rank? How about his scenes with Daniel Day Lewis in "Gangs of New York?" Where does "The Wolf of Wall Street" stack up against "Catch Me If You Can?" Which of his films directed by Martin Scorsese make the list and what's the one time he plays a calculating villain? Take a…

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Ep. 17 - Why The Karate Kid Is A Classic (with Jason Schulman) 23:14

1M ago23:14

23:14

"The Karate Kid" is an iconic film about a teen who falls in love, gets bullied and wants to show he isn't someone to be messed with. Alan discusses why the film is of of his favorites and discusses whether or not the crane kick was illegal and whether Johnny would beat Daniel in a real life fight with Jason Schulman.…

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Ep. 16 - Why Are People Obsessed With Netflix's "Baby Reindeer?" (with Robby Berman) 38:05

2M ago38:05

38:05

Alan analyzes the hit Netflix show "Reindeer Baby" featuring Richard Gadd's series that is said to be based on his real experiences of being stalked by a woman who showed up to the bar he worked at. He goes over some of the symbolism and some of the reasons the show is impactful. Tour guide and journalist Robby Berman joins the show to discuss how …

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Ep. 15 - Why 'The First Omen' Is a Perfect Prequel 16:03

2M ago16:03

16:03

Alan breaks down the new film "The First Omen" and how it perfectly sets up "The Omen" that ran in the 70's. Alan discusses how the new film is well done and how the original was iconic despite one hokey moment and how the new film perhaps pays homage to it. He also discusses why child actors who are good can be so scary.…

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Remembering PAUL AUSTER - Writer, Director (1947-2024) 49:14

2M ago49:14

49:14

It is said that people never die until the last person says their name. In memory of the writer and director Paul Auster, who passed away this week, we're sharing this conversation we had back in 2017 after the publication of his novel 4 3 2 1. Auster reflects on his body of work, life, and creative process. Paul Auster was the bestselling author o…

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Ep. 14- Will 'Civil War' Be a Case of Art Imitating Life? 23:21

3M ago23:21

23:21

Alan breaks down the good and the very bad in the new film "Civil War" and how some elements are completely implausible. He looks at why people's reactions to the film are highly political, why the president's character did not get enough screen time and how one scene in the film was excellent. Alan praises some of the acting but bemoans the major …

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There’s another side to every war. Satire, War & Hollywood - Co-creator DON McKELLAR on The Sympathizer 9:44

3M ago9:44

9:44

On casting Robert Downey Jr. in 4 Roles: "That was Park Chan-wook's idea early on. In the book, there are these sorts of male-white figures of the American establishment. They're all differentiated in the book, but he had the idea. What if we have one actor playing all the parts kind of like Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove and immediately we thoug…

1
DON McKELLAR on The Sympathizer with Hoa Xuande, Robert Downey Jr., Park Chan-wook 38:57

3M ago38:57

38:57

What are the stories we tell ourselves to justify our actions in times of war? How can the arts convey complexity and foster understanding? Don McKellar is a highly accomplished writer, director, and actor. He has written films including Roadkill, Highway 61, Dance Me Outside, The Red Violin, and Blindness. He won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the 198…

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Do good deeds offset bad deeds? How do our families shape who we become?- Highlights - DAN FUTTERMAN & ADAM RAPP 11:07

3M ago11:07

11:07

"We ended on such a cliffhanger with Isaac presenting the wrench at the police station to Jeff Daniels' character. It allowed us to sort of start from a place of what's going to happen next? And I think because what is drawn in the novel and because of what Danny brought into the original script of the first season and all the ideas he brought in. …

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Exploring American Rust: Broken Justice w/ DAN FUTTERMAN & ADAM RAPP - Award-winning Screenwriters/EPs 39:11

3M ago39:11

39:11

What role do the families we’re born into or the traumas we experience shape the people we become? Do good deeds offset bad deeds? How can the arts increase our capacity for empathy, understanding, and kindness? Dan Futterman is creator, executive producer, and writer of Amazon Prime's American Rust, the acclaimed crime drama starring Jeff Daniels,…

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Ep. 13 - Why Couldn't the Iron Claw Grab Some Oscar Love? (w/ Jeff Wirtheim) 28:43

3M ago28:43

28:43

"The Iron Claw" was the second best movie of 2023 but didn't earn a single Oscar nomination. Why not? Was it because there were dark themes like suicide? Was there something against the WWE? Was there a fear of promoting toxic masculinity even though it was actually a cautionary tale? Were Zac Effron's abs CGI? Alan discusses these questions with w…

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Consciousness, AI & Creativity with DUSTIN O’HALLORAN - Emmy Award-winning Composer 51:02

3M ago51:02

51:02

What will happen when Artificial General Intelligence arrives? What is the nature of consciousness? How are music and creativity pathways for reconnecting us to our humanity and the natural world? Dustin O’Halloran is a pianist and composer and member of the band A Winged Victory for the Sullen. Winner of a 2015 Emmy Award for his main title theme …

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How can music help us expand our understanding of consciousness & AI? - Highlights - DUSTIN O’HALLORAN 51:08

3M ago51:08

51:08

"The film Lion, when we got involved, there was a pretty early cut. So it was about trying to get into the picture and what would really work with the scenes, but also to sometimes just put it away and just really get to the heart of the film, too, because there was a big overarching feeling to the film. The feeling of home and the feeling of being…

1
Ep. 12 - Does “Dune Part 2” Have One of The Best Villains Ever? 14:41

4M ago14:41

14:41

Alan marvels at how Austin Butler could go from playing Elvis to the main baddie in “Dune Part 2” as well as Dave Bautista of WWE fame and how Florence Pugh is great here and always needs more screen time. He goes over why Timothee Chalamet is great in the lead as Paul, Zendeya is on point and why the gladiator arena scene is awesome. He also expla…

1
Ep. 11 - Can Modesty Sell in Hollywood? A Look at ‘Past Lives’ (with Leah Gottfried) 31:15

4M ago31:15

31:15

Not a lot happens in “Past Lives.” And yet it is a small and beautiful film. How was tension created by Celine Song with only one kiss in which the camera pans away and it is dark. Alan speaks with actress, writer and director Leah Gottfried, who crated and starred in the series “Soon By You” about Orthodox Jews on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. They…

1
Ep. 10 - Did ‘The Zone of Interest’ Director Have Indecent Intentions? (With Saul Sudin) 26:55

4M ago26:55

26:55

Alan again speaks with Saul Sudin and while they agree that “The Zone of Interest” was a failure Alan believes Jonathan Glazer was out to try to use a gimmick to win awards and questions why he focused on building a replica of a Nazi house rather than showing Jews-as the book by Martin Amis does. Saul questions whether or not this is correct, and t…

1
Creating Safe Spaces: ITA O’BRIEN & the Art of Intimacy Coordination - Highlights 12:52

4M ago12:52

12:52

"For years, people spoke about how awkward or embarrassing it was to perform the intimate content. And what they're speaking about is feeling horrible. If something's awkward, that squirm, that ring in the body, it feels embarrassing. That's actually an emotion that is not professional. That is not allowing the actor to stay feeling listened to, he…

1
Intimacy Coordinator ITA O’BRIEN on Normal People, Sex Education & Creating Safe Spaces 52:46

4M ago52:46

52:46

How can intimate scenes be brought to the screen in ways that respect the emotional well-being and privacy of the artists themselves? How do we make sure that we can create a story about abuse without anyone being abused in the process? Ita O’Brien is the UK’s leading Intimacy Coordinator, founder of Intimacy on Set (and author of the Intimacy On S…

1
Ep. 9 - What’s So Good About ‘The Holdovers?’ (with Saul Sudin) 18:50

4M ago18:50

18:50

Alan speaks with filmmaker Saul Sudin about why he was touched by the film and thought it was the best of the 10 nominated for an Oscar. Saul gives an interesting interpretation about family and brings up something most viewers didn’t catch about the beginning and the ending. Saul shows he really knows his stuff. Alan questions if Pual Giamatti’s r…

1
Ep. 8 - Oscar Recap: Did a Joke Go Too Far? 19:16

4M ago19:16

19:16

Did Jimmy Kimmel go too far with a joke about Robert Downey Jr? Will his jokes about former President Trump come back to haunt him? Some of his jokes were on target and the Oscars had some great moments and some strange ones. Did John Cena want to have that “costume?” Alan goes over how he was right on all of his predictions but one and how it was …

1
The Transformative Power of Writing with ANDRE DUBUS III - Highlights 13:03

4M ago13:03

13:03

"The character I wrote about in House of Sand and Fog was based on a former colonel and aeronautical engineer in the Shah's Air Force. I watched him work at a gas station. And on his days off, he'd put on his suit and look for better work. One night I'm helping him bring his groceries in, and he said in his thick Persian accent, "You know, I used t…

1
Exploring Trauma, Healing & Redemption w/ ANDRE DUBUS III - Author of House of Sand & Fog 55:21

4M ago55:21

55:21

What can reading teach us about loss, healing, and survival? How can we transform anger into empathy? What can we learn from the creative act about turning personal setbacks into opportunities for self-discovery and growth? Andre Dubus III’s nine books include the New York Times’ bestsellers House of Sand and Fog, The Garden of Last Days, and his m…

1
Ep. 7 - The 'Zone of Interest' Erases Jews Yet Will Win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film 22:26

4M ago22:26

22:26

Alan raises hell and is mystified at how the New York Times could correctly call the film a failure, yet the movie received numerous nominations. He mentions that he has interviewed numerous Holocaust survivors, and one said the film was boring and had no educational value. He also rasies the question: "How has the film been nominated for Best Adap…

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Ep. 6 - For Women, Is ’Poor Things’ Liberating, Exploitative or None of The Above? (featuring guest Heather Robinson) 20:46

4M ago20:46

20:46

Alan speaks with Heather Robinson, a contributor for the New York Post and JNS about different ways “Poor Things” is being perceived with Emma Stone as Bell Baxter, who for a time in the film becomes a prostitute. They discuss the controversy about several scenes of the film and the impressive nature of Emma Stone’s acting in a role that was quite …

1
Ep. 5 - DiCaprio. DeNiro. DeKillers of The Flower Moon. 23:01

4M ago23:01

23:01

By Alan Zeitlin

1
Ep. 4 - Oscar Predictions (and some Snubs) 20:46

4M ago20:46

20:46

Who’s gonna win? Can Lily Gladstone beat out Emma Stone? Will “Oppenheimer” win numerous awards? Does Paul Giamatti have a chance to upset Cillian Murphy? Will Robert Downey Jr. win Best Supporting Actor? Alan also goes over some Oscar snubs, including one film that he thinks was the second best of the year but was shut out in all nominations. He a…

1
Ep. 3 - Is Oppenheimer Overrated? 32:08

4M ago32:08

32:08

Projected to win numerous awards, Christopher Nolan’s film stars Irish actor Cillian Murphy as J.Robert Oppenheimer as a man tasked with fathering the nuclear bomb. We go over the performances of Murphy and his unreal eyes, Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss, whose admiration for Oppenheimer turns to jealousy and anger and we talk about how this fi…

1
Ep. 2 - Does Someone Owe Bradley Cooper an Apology? 33:32

4M ago33:32

33:32

By Alan Zeitlin

1
Ep. 1 - Do People Hate Barbie and Taylor Swift For The Same Reason? (featuring guest Nava Silton) 18:21

4M ago18:21

18:21

Alan speaks to Nava Silton, developmental psychologist and professor at Manhattan Marymount College about her impressions on “Barbie” and why it was such a success. Are there similarities between hatred toward Barbie and if there is hatred toward Barbie and Taylor Swift. She also talks about the power of having multiple Kens and Barbies and why she…

1
Seeing the Life of Jesus through the eyes of his Mother: MACIEJ HEN - Award-winning Author & Filmmaker 37:43

4M ago37:43

37:43

How would the life of Jesus be told through the eyes of his mother? How can literature help us understand history and the nature of identity? Maciej Hen was born in 1955 in Warsaw. He graduated from the Cinematography Department at the Film School in Łódź. For years he has been trying his hand at diverse activities, from music to all fields of jour…

1
Welcome to the Film Fury Podcast! 0:58

4M ago0:58

0:58

Welcome to the Film Fury podcast. It's time to analyze movies and get mad or get glad. I'm Alan Zeitlin, an entertainment writer and film critic for more than two decades, and I'm going to take you on a deep dive into the sea of movies. What actors rose to the occasion and who fell flat? From Oppenheimer to Barbie, what film should win Oscar Gold a…

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