Off The Watchlist

A whirlwind of old Hollywood color, flare, music, and dance capped off by the legendary songwriting of Leonard Bernstein: it must be On The Town, starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra! Wait- no, it's West Side Story! The 1961 masterpiece began a radical shift in film musicals and set the standard for cinematic storytelling for decades to come, paving the way for the modern day's greatest artists, both on screen and stage. Join us as we take a deep dive into the history, story, and cultural impact of the original Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise film, before heading to the theater to watch Steven Spielberg's remake!

A movie written by American screenwriters about a mythical American story in the style of some of the most prolific French (?) movies ever made. It must be Bonnie & Clyde! The Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway Hollywood classic led the American New Wave and opened the door to European cinematic style in mainstream American film, sending ripple effects for decades to come. Join Luke and Sophia as they dive into the plot, background, and historical accuracies/inaccuracies in the tale of the two most notorious outlaws in American history.

The film that made Jack Black the powerhouse we know him to be today, School of Rock is an ode to the now-nostalgic rebelliousness of the punk Rock'N'Roll scene of the late 1970's that characterized the childhoods of director Richard Linklater and screenwriter Mike White. Join Luke and Sophia as they dive into the classic comedy and discuss why this film defined a generation.

Do you live in a simulation? Join Luke and Sophia as they explore the possibility of that very question in the most recent episode of Off The Watchlist, about The Truman Show!   -- Audio used from Susan Lacy's documentary Spielberg.

Have you ever loved someone before? If so, has your extraordinarily witty 12-year-old sister subsequently told all your secret loves about it? If so, this is the movie for you. Join Luke and Sophia as they jump into the hit 2018 rom-com that set the stage for dozens of Netflix originals to come.

A gruff sailor, a oceanologist, and a police chief with a phobia of water are tasked with hunting down a giant great white shark who threatens the innocent tourist town of Amity Island. Join Luke and Sophia as they launch into Fall and spooky season with Steven Spielberg's classic shark movie to rule all shark movies. 

Surprise ambushes from trees and splitting arrows in archery competitions — the two things that make Robin Hood, Robin Hood. Join Luke and Sophia as they delve into the Swashbuckler genre and discover the delights of the classic Hollywood masterpiece.

From finding love to finding yourself, join us as we dive into John Crowley and Nick Hornby's 2015 film, Brooklyn, which explores the chaotic experience of romance, clashing cultures, and new experiences.

Media, fame, power, and lies. These are the themes of Rob Marshall's movie adaptation of the 1975 stage musical, Chicago. From an impressive directorial debut to a powerhouse of cast, join us as we explore the history and impact of the Oscar-winning musical.

Norma Desmond, despite being the star of yesteryear, has much to tell us about the state of fame and money today, and Billy Wilder's masterpiece is as relevant as ever in 2021. By checking this off the watchlist, we explore the background behind the 1950 noir masterpiece.