Best Filmcommentary Podcasts (2024)

1
Chameleon Street 54:20

9h ago54:20

54:20

“I think, therefore I scam.” The Sundance Struggle of Wendell B. Harris Jr.'s Sensational Con Artist Story In 1989, writer-director-actor Wendell B. Harris Jr. crafted a stunning debut feature, Chameleon Street, based on the incredible true story of con artist William Douglas Street Jr. Despite winning the Grand Jury Prize at the 1990 Sundance Film…

1
Killer Klowns from Outer Space 1:01:35

1d ago1:01:35

1:01:35

“Well I’ll be greased and fried! What’s the circus doing up in these parts?” The Chiodo Brothers and Their Creature Feature Legacy Before Killer Klowns from Outer Space, the Chiodo Brothers – Charles, Edward, and Stephen – had already made a name for themselves in the special effects world of the 1980s. With credits on films like Critters and seque…

1
All Things Considered | Primer (2004) 56:10

7d ago56:10

56:10

Dustin and Mike return to the podcast to talk about a film requested by a listener, Shane Carruth's 2004 micro-budget sci-fi classic, Primer! Music: "Aaron's Debt," "You're Talking About Making a Bigger One," "reverse engineering," & "Closing Credits" (Shane Carruth) Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, …

1
The Way of the Dragon 1:09:43

8d ago1:09:43

1:09:43

“In this world of guns and knives, wherever Tang Lung may go to, he will always travel on his own.” Bruce Lee's One-and-Done Showcase of Martial Arts Mastery In 1972, Bruce Lee was already a rising star in the martial arts film world, having starred in a handful of successful films. However, he had yet to have the opportunity to fully showcase his …

1
The Little Shop of Horrors • The Next Reel • Member Bonus 11:31

13d ago11:31

11:31

“You didn't mean it. You never mean it. You didn't mean it the time when you put up the bouquet with the 'get well' card in the funeral parlor, and sent the black lilies to the old lady in the hospital, you didn't mean it.” Roger Corman's 38th Film in 5 Years The year was 1960. The American movie landscape was dominated by Westerns, sword-and-sanda…

1
Johnny Got His Gun • The Next Reel 1:03:45

18d ago1:03:45

1:03:45

“How can you tell what’s a dream or what’s real when you can’t even tell when you’re awake or when you’re asleep?” Dalton Trumbo's Controversial Anti-War Classic In 1971, blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo adapted his own 1939 anti-war novel Johnny Got His Gun for the big screen. The film marked Trumbo's directorial debut and only feature film …

1
Poor Things (Yorgos Lanthimos) 1:14:40

15d ago1:14:40

1:14:40

Get ready to dive into the wonderfully weird world of Poor Things, the film that takes "mad scientist" to a whole new level! Join your favorite Adult Beverage Film Podcast hosts—Kent, Laura, Patrick, and Squeeker—as they sip, swirl, and dissect this quirky cinematic cocktail. Imagine Frankenstein meets The Office, with a dash of steampunk flair and…

1
Wanda • The Next Reel 53:15

1M ago53:15

53:15

“I don’t have anything. Never did have anything. Never will have anything.” The Tale of Barbara Loden's Unsung Masterpiece In the late 1960s, actress Barbara Loden came across a newspaper article about a woman on trial for bank robbery who thanked the judge for her sentence. Perplexed by what could drive a woman to such a point, Loden crafted a sto…

1
The Honeymoon Killers • The Next Reel 49:51

1M ago49:51

49:51

“Now that you know everything about me, you still love me?” A Twisted Love Story and a Director's Only Film The Honeymoon Killers, released in 1970, is a crime drama based on the real-life story of Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck, the infamous "Lonely Hearts Killers" who murdered as many as 20 women in the 1940s. The film was originally set to be…

1
The Descent (Neil Marshall) 1:23:20

1M ago1:23:20

1:23:20

Welcome to the Adult Beverage Film Podcast, where we dive into movies like it's the last drop in the bottle! Join your hosts, Kent Smith, Laura Truman, Patrick Keenan, and our resident cave-dweller expert, Carlisle "Squeaker" Hamrick, as we squeeze through the tight spaces of the spine-chilling horror classic, The Descent. We'll share laughs, screa…

1
Carnival of Souls • The Next Reel 53:26

2M ago53:26

53:26

“Why can’t anybody hear me?!” The Fascinating Origins of a Classic Horror Film In the early 1960s, director Herk Harvey stumbled upon an abandoned amusement park in Salt Lake City, sparking the idea for what would become the classic horror film Carnival of Souls. With a shoestring budget and a cast of mostly unknown actors, Harvey set out to captur…

1
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny • The Next Reel 1:04:25

2M ago1:04:25

1:04:25

“I don't believe in magic, Wombat, but a few times in my life, I've seen things. Things I can't explain. And I've come to believe it's not so much what you believe. It's how hard you believe it.” The Final Chapter(?) in the Indiana Jones Saga After a 15-year hiatus, the legendary archaeologist Indiana Jones returns for one last adventure in Indiana…

1
Unforgiven • The Next Reel • Member Bonus 11:00

2M ago11:00

11:00

“It’s a helluva thing, killin’ a man.” A Western Classic Revisited Clint Eastwood's 1992 Western masterpiece, Unforgiven, was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The film, which Eastwood directed and starred in, was a revisionist take on the classic Western genre, exploring themes of violence, redemption, and the myth of the America…

1
Barbie (Greta Gerwig) 1:11:07

2M ago1:11:07

1:11:07

Step into the vibrant and fantastical world of 'Barbie,' where our iconic doll takes on her most dazzling adventure yet! In this live-action spectacle, Barbie leaves her perfect plastic life in Barbie Land to discover what it means to be truly human. With a splash of humor, a dash of nostalgia, and a twist of modern flair, this film delivers a play…

1
The Player • The Next Reel • Member Bonus 9:57

3M ago9:57

9:57

“Can we talk about something other than Hollywood for a change?” Robert Altman's The Player is a satirical dark comedy that takes a sharp look at the inner workings of Hollywood and the movie industry. The film was nominated for Best Film Editing at the 1993 Academy Awards, competing against Basic Instinct, The Crying Game, A Few Good Men, and the …

1
Everything Everywhere All at Once • The Next Reel 53:22

3M ago53:22

53:22

“We’re all useless alone. It’s a good thing you’re not alone.” Everything Everywhere All at Once is a unique and ambitious film that defies genre conventions. Directed by the Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert), the film was born out of their desire to create something that would explore the multiverse concept in a fresh and exciting way. Wi…

1
Top Gun: Maverick • The Next Reel 1:18:41

3M ago1:18:41

1:18:41

“It’s not the plane, sir. It’s the pilot.” The Long Road to Top Gun: Maverick The original Top Gun was a massive success in 1986, but it took over 30 years for a sequel to finally take flight. Development on Top Gun: Maverick began in 2010 when Paramount Pictures approached producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Tony Scott about a sequel. Unfortun…

1
Tár • The Next Reel 1:08:31

3M ago1:08:31

1:08:31

“You want to dance the masque, you must service the composer. You gotta sublimate yourself, your ego, and, yes, your identity. You must, in fact, stand in front of the public and God and obliterate yourself.” A Cinematic Masterpiece from Director Todd Field Director Todd Field may not be a prolific filmmaker, but his small body of work showcases hi…

1
The Fabelmans • The Next Reel 1:02:47

4M ago1:02:47

1:02:47

“Everything happens for a reason.” Spielberg's Passion Project Comes to Life Few filmmakers have had as much impact on cinema as Steven Spielberg, but it wasn't until recently that he felt ready to tackle his most personal project yet. With the passing of his parents, Spielberg finally felt he could tell the story of his youth and early days as a f…

1
A Few Good Men • The Next Reel • Member Bonus 7:18

4M 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 1:09:26

4M ago1:09:26

1:09:26

“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 1:08:11

4M ago1:08:11

1:08:11

“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 1:05:12

4M ago1:05:12

1:05:12

“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 1:18:22

5M ago1:18:22

1:18:22

“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…

1
Kill List • The Next Reel 1:02:11

5M ago1:02:11

1:02:11

“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…

1
The Grey • The Next Reel 1:20:37

5M ago1:20:37

1:20:37

“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…

1
Dialect Coach William Conacher on Ferris Bueller’s Day Off • Movies We Like 1:19:50

5M ago1:19:50

1:19:50

“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…

1
Mulholland Dr. • The Next Reel 1:16:32

5M ago1:16:32

1:16:32

“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…

1
Memento • Rebroadcast • The Next Reel 1:08:50

5M ago1:08:50

1:08:50

"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…

1
Hedwig and the Angry Inch • The Next Reel 54:32

6M ago54:32

54:32

“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 1:03:22

6M ago1:03:22

1:03:22

“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 1:00:29

6M ago1:00:29

1:00:29

“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 1:18:21

6M ago1:18:21

1:18:21

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 1:04:36

6M ago1:04:36

1:04:36

“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 1:16:04

6M ago1:16:04

1:16:04

“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…

1
Love Jones • The Next Reel 56:04

6M ago56:04

56:04

“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 1:05:38

7M ago1:05:38

1:05:38

“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 1:01:14

7M ago1:01:14

1:01:14

“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 1:19:38

7M ago1:19:38

1:19:38

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 1:15:18

7M ago1:15:18

1:15:18

“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…

1
Showgirls • The Next Reel 1:15:59

7M ago1:15:59

1:15:59

"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…

1
The Scarlet Letter • The Next Reel 1:08:40

8M ago1:08:40

1:08:40

“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 1:03:38

8M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

“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 1:03:21

8M ago1:03:21

1:03:21

“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 1:12:03

8M ago1:12:03

1:12:03

“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 1:26:12

8M ago1:26:12

1:26:12

“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…

1
The Princess Bride • The Next Reel 1:15:43

9M ago1:15:43

1:15:43

"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 1:19:46

9M ago1:19:46

1:19:46

“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

9M 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 58:25

9M ago58:25

58:25

“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…

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