The Cinema Silo Podcast

“We don't get a lot of things to care about.” One thing we don't care much about this year is the Oscars, especially given the lack of love for one of the best films of last year: Pig (2021). We got a lot of things to care about from Pig, and we're excited to come back from our hiatus to share them with you all! The film follows an Oregonian truffle hunter (Nicolas Cage) on a search to find his stolen, beloved foraging pig—a mission that transforms into a journey for him and his companions to confront long-held grief and loss. We discuss the outstanding performances in this movie, the film's poignant meditations on pain and isolation, and our appreciation for short movies.

This Bonus Reel highlights a local DC-area film festival with guest Dara Sanders, chair of The Alexandria Film Festival. Dara shares the films she's most excited for audiences to watch at AFF this year, how she got involved in the festival scene, as well as her favorite and least favorite DC movies. #2021AlexFilmFest will be virtual starting November 11-14. Tickets and film information can be found at https://alexfilmfest.com and on instagram @alexandriafilmfestival

The sisters reflect on the I Do Not Dream of Labor series and the current union efforts by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. They also discuss all-time favorite Halloween movies, respond to listener mail, debate their recent watches Squid Game and The Many Saints of Newark, and Annee recaps her favorite films from BFI London Film Festival.Tune in for all this and more as we discuss what else we've been watching lately and reveal the theme for our next series!

In the final installment of our series on labor, we examine Charlie Chaplin's 1936 film Modern Times, the Tramp's last film appearance and the only time where audiences heard the iconic silent character's voice. In this episode, we contemplate Chaplin as a talented artist, modern philosopher, and flawed individual. We compare Modern Times to contemporary films, analyze its humanist vision for meaning in a machine world, and reveal the extent of Frankee's love for Charlie Chaplin movies. “Buck up - never say die. We'll get along!”

Continuing our I Do Not Dream of Labor series with Jessee's selection, we dive into the 1976 Best Documentary Oscar winner, Harlan County, U.S.A. (dir. Barbara Kopple). The sisters learn about Kentucky coal mine strikes and discuss the documentary's community-based production, the role of women in front of and behind the camera, and some unforgettable folk music.Which side on you on?

We kick off the I Do Not Dream of Labor series with Annee's pick: the 1999 comedy classic Office Space (dir. Mike Judge). The sisters discuss the search for authenticity and fulfillment in the modern American workplace, and try to figure out who is the 2021 equivalent of peak Michael Bolton. What would you do if you had a million dollars??

The sisters reflect on the past few episodes, respond to listeners' comments, and analyze the Movie of Summer 2021, a.k.a. the one about the beach that makes you old. Tune in for all this and more as we discuss what else we've been watching lately and reveal the theme for our next series!

Wrapping up the summer series with the Annee's sizzling pick of Alfonso Cuarón's Y Tu Mamá También (2001), the sisters admire the smoking hot talent in front of and behind the camera

In the second installment of our summer series, we're taking a bite out of Jaws (1975). The sisters examine the idea of the “summer blockbuster”, analyze the unexpected artistry of the film's music, editing, and cinematography, and contemplate the movie as a metaphor for the great American tradition of predatory capitalism.

Turning up the heat for the summer season, the sisters chat about one of Frankee's favorite films, The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999): a story of a jazzy, homoerotic, and murderous summer for a grifter among wealthy American expats in 1958 Italy. The sisters examine the film's sympathetic anti-hero, review different adaptations from over the years, and rave about the delicious cast on the precipice of stardom.

The sisters discuss not only what they're watching lately, but also how they're watching. In response to listener questions, they reveal what TV shows and movies they've invested arguably too much of their time into recently (from nostalgic medical procedurals to buzzworthy new releases), reflect on the evolution of content consumption, and reveal the theme of the next series!

Jessee sends off our sister series with a Danish fable of food and faith, Babette's Feast (1987). The sisters learn about the fascinating woman who wrote the story, discuss the historical and theological contexts of culinary community, and explore why it's a famous favorite of Pope Francis.

In revisiting a favorite story from childhood, the sisters discuss how Greta Gerwig's 2019 adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's 1868 coming-of-age novel Little Women stands up to previous beloved versions, debate the casting choices, and breakdown her twist on a classic ending. ☂️

Kicking off the sister-themed series with the baseball classic, A League of Their Own (1992), the sisters gush about the movie's star-studded cast, ponder its significance in Tom Hanks' filmography, and grapple with some of its problems—notably, the lack of diverse representation and Dottie's infuriating choices.

The sisters discuss the weirdness of this year's Oscars production and chat about a few of the nominees. They respond to listener questions about the first three episodes and banter about John Candy, movies to look forward to in 2021, and listener recommendations. We also preview the next series theme and movie picks!

Of all the movies Frankee watched in this last year, the Soviet anti-war film Come and See (1985) was her favorite -- an odd thing to say about a movie that one Youtube commenter declared "makes Schindler's List look like Toy Story." Come and See is a coming-of-age story, an anti-war film, and a horror film that is an innovative, challenging, and realistically surreal descent into hell itself. This week our resident expert in Modern Eastern European history talks with her sisters about the concept of an “anti-war” movie, film's ability to bear witness, and the mythology of storks.Warning: This episode involves discussion of murder, genocide, suicide, sexual violence, and animal death.

Palm Springs (2020) is a new take on very familiar story: the infinite time loop. While discussing Jessee's favorite movie of the year, the sisters explore a dinosaur detour, dissect moral belief structures reflected in time-loops, and declare their love for all things Andy Samberg.

In our inaugural episode, we discuss Annee's favorite movie of 2020: Céline Sciamma's French masterpiece on the transformative power of love, Portrait of a Lady on Fire. The sisters discuss Sciamma's self-proclaimed ‘manifesto of the female gaze', break down their favorite elements of the film, and develop a tragically romantic connection between this 2019 French period drama and a familiar 1997 American box office smash.

The Cinema Silo is a podcast where three sisters recreate the post-movie theater experience. Grab your snacks and join the conversation.