Long-time friends and aspiring filmmakers Alex Geringer and Jonathan Satchell sit down each week and discuss two or three films in order to learn what truly makes great films great.
Alex and Jonathan reflect on 8 1/2 years of recording the Filmlings Podcast.If you're new here, this is an invitation and guide to explore the back-catalog, even though we are not currently recording new episodes.If you've been around, thanks for listening and supporting the show over the years! Keep an eye on the blog, we may pop up again in other ways here and there.Skip to:(01:04) – Preface(12:48) – History(56:55) – Trivia(1:25:26) – Movie nostalgia(1:54:12) – What's next for usFor more information, visit the blog:https://thefilmlings.com/The Discord is still open:https://discord.gg/gj26MCWE6M
As we bring our discussion of the history of comedy to the modern day, Alex and Jonathan look at three comedy films from the past two decades: Mean Girls (2004), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), and The Fall Guy (2024). We discuss the facets of wit as a mode of humor, the way wit has been incorporated into action-comedy through Marvel films and other pop franchises, and what goes into modern meta witty romantic comedy.Skip to:(09:59) – Mean Girls(25:19) – Guardians of the Galaxy (43:33) – Marvel rant ends(58:58) – The Fall Guy (1:23:56) – Overall(1:31:41) – Coming AttractionsFor more information, visit the blog:https://thefilmlings.com/2025/06/06/the-wits-end/Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion:https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
Moving from the absurd to the irreverent, today Alex and Jonathan look at three films which encompass a subset of comedy in which the characters are under the influence in some form or fashion: Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989), The Big Lebowski (1998), and The Hangover (2009). We discuss the glorification and justification of the stoner, the primary motivations and conflicts which typically arise, and how the characteristics of the stoner are seen in films and characters beyond literal stoners.Skip to:(08:53) – Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure(23:39) – The Big Lebowski(42:40) – The Hangover(52:51) – Overall(1:02:13) – Coming AttractionsComing Attractions:Mean Girls (2004)Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)The Fall Guy (2024)For more information, visit the blog:https://thefilmlings.com/2025/04/25/the-stonersJoin us on Discord for ongoing film discussion:https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
After the collapse of the Production Code, filmmakers now had the ability to put anything and everything in their movies, so they did. Today Alex and Jonathan discuss three films which take comedy beyond rational proportions and talk about The Producers (1967), Airplane! (1980), and The Mask (1994). We discuss the history of absurdist comedy, how blockbusters and parody influenced pop culture, and the introduction of CGI into comedy.Skip to:(10:04) – The Producers(29:03) – Airplane!(43:22) – The Mask(1:04:27) – Overall(1:10:18) – Coming AttractionsComing Attractions:Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)The Big Lebowski (1998)The Hangover (2009)For more information, visit the blog:https://thefilmlings.com/2025/03/28/the-absurdists/Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion:https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
With the arrival of sound in Hollywood, a new subgenre of comedy arose, so today Alex and Jonathan discuss the history of the "screwball comedies" while looking at Trouble in Paradise (1932), His Girl Friday (1940), and Some Like it Hot (1959). We talk about how screwballs differed from standard romantic comedies, the emphasis on dialogue that came with the adoption of sound, and the role the Production Code played in shaping how romance was communicated in ways that it couldn't be shown.Skip to: (11:47) – Trouble in Paradise (31:19) – His Girl Friday (43:31) – Some Like it Hot (1:00:22) – Overall (1:12:08) – Coming AttractionsComing Attractions: The Producers (1967) Airplane! (1980) The Mask (1994)For more information, visit the blog:https://thefilmlings.com/2024/02/28/the-screwballs/Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion:https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
To kick off a new series on the history of American comedy films, Alex and Jonathan travel back to the early days of cinema and look at the physical comedy of the early film clowns in Safety Last! (1923), City Lights (1931), and Duck Soup (1933). We discuss the transition from live performances in theater and vaudeville to the movies, how Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin helped to incorporate character development into comedy films, and how the Marx brothers blended physical and verbal comedy which set the stage for the new era of sound comedy. Skip to: (9:20) – Safety Last! (24:33) – City Lights (40:35) – Duck Soup (59:01) – Overall (1:05:44) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Trouble in Paradise (1932) His Girl Friday (1940) Some Like It Hot (1959) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.com/2024/01/31/the-clowns/ Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
To wrap up the tragedy series, Alex and Jonathan look at three films characterized by the ways in which the characters' difference of perspectives causes the primary conflict in part or whole: A Woman Under the Influence (1974), The Elephant Man (1980), and The Farewell (2019). We discuss whether or not the term "tragedy" is still a useful distinction, the role compassion plays in understanding, and why we need a healthy balance of real-life experience and "imitation" through storytelling. Skip to: (16:48) – A Woman Under the Influence (46:54) – The Elephant Man (1:10:19) – The Farewell (1:31:39) – Overall (1:43:46) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Stay tuned for a new series on American comedy films coming up in 2025! For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.com/2024/12/06/tragedies-of-misunderstanding/ Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
As we move into stories of interpersonal tragedies, today Alex and Jonathan discuss three films which deal with themes of betrayal as it applies to family relationships, as in Tokyo Twilight (1957), romantic relationships, as in In the Mood for Love (2000), and friends/allies, as in RRR (2022). We discuss Aristotle's concept of discovery, the tendency for betrayals become cyclical, and whether or not Bollywood is a continuation of the tradition of classical Greek tragedy. Skip to: (12:39) – Tokyo Twilight (34:50) – In the Mood for Love (1:08:21) – RRR (1:29:40) – Overall (1:39:46) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: A Woman Under the Influence (1974) The Elephant Man (1980) The Farewell (2022) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.com/2024/11/01/tragedies-of-betrayal/ Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
In one of the saddest episodes of the show (besides Episode 105), Alex and Jonathan look at films in which the protagonists struggle to navigate circumstances outside of their control with three tragedy classics: Ikiru (1952), Grave of the Fireflies (1988), and Titanic (1997). We discuss Aristotle's conception of the reversal of fortune – known as peripety, how storytellers expose (or impose) meaning in tragedy, and why it's important to watch sad movies in the first place. Skip to: (15:00) – Ikiru (34:49) – Grave of the Fireflies (56:58) – Titanic (1:27:23) – Overall (1:47:53) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Tokyo Twilight (1957) In the Mood for Love (2000) RRR (2022) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.com/2024/10/04/tragedies-of-fate/ Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
From power to societal marginalization to prejudicial greed, in this episode Alex and Jonathan talk about three films in which the subject characters are faced with various forms of injustice: The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928), Umberto D. (1952), and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). We discuss the ways tragedy films evoke feelings of pity and fear in the Aristotelian view, the similarities between injustice and the absence of compassion, and when and how history becomes poetry. Skip to: (10:09) – The Passion of Joan of Arc (32:58) – Umberto D. (56:27) – Killers of the Flower Moon (1:38:21) – Overall (1:48:14) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Ikiru (1952) Grave of the Fireflies (1988) Titanic (1997) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.com/2024/09/06/tragedies-of-injustice/ Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
The downfall. The tragic flaw. Today Alex and Jonathan kick off a new series about tragic cinema with three stories where the protagonist is ultimately responsible for their own misery: The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), Brief Encounter (1945), and Tár (2022). We discuss Aristotle's six elements of tragedy, why tragedy doesn't necessarily have to have a sad ending, and scaling tragedy from the intimately personal to a societal scale. Skip to: (22:05) – The Magnificent Ambersons (50:22) – Brief Encounter (1:11:08) – Tár (1:46:18) – Overall (1:54:35) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) Umberto D. (1952) Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.com/2024/08/02/tragedy-of-self/ Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
The last of the Cahiers du Cinéma critics-turned-directors to discuss is Jacques Rivette. Alex and Jonathan take a look at his films Paris Belongs to Us (1961), L'amour fou (1969), and Céline and Julie Go Boating (1974) and discuss Rivette's obsession with the individual aspects of cinema, his blend of cinematic instinct and collaborative improvisation, and how letting go and having fun resulted in his most popular film. Skip to: (38:30) – Paris Belongs to Us (1:02:32) – L'Amour fou (1:26:45) – Celine and Julie Go Boating (1:49:28) – Overall (2:03:31) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Stay tuned for a new series about tragedy films when we return in July! For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.com/2024/05/31/rivette/ Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
One of the less well-known of the Cahiers contributors, but also one of the first to break into directing, Claude Chabrol is the subject of this week's deep dive in which Alex and Jonathan talk about his films Le beau Serge (1958), Les cousins (1959), and Les bonnes femmes (1960). We discuss Chabrol's role in getting the French New Wave off the ground as a movement, the way he uses typical genre techniques to tell personal stories, and why Chabrol could be the perfect place to start if you're trying to get into French New Wave cinema. Skip to: (33:44) – Le beau Serge (53:14) – Les cousins (1:12:16) – Les bonnes femmes (1:25:15) – Overall (1:33:28) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Paris Belongs to Us (1961) L'amour fou (1969) Celine and Julie Go Boating (1974) *Episode correction: Destiny (1921) was directed by Fritz Lang, not F. W. Murnau, but the point stands. You can hear our discussion of Destiny on Episode 42. Legendary Lang. For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.com/2024/05/03/chabrol/ Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
François Truffaut, known as "the destroyer of French cinema" during his time as a critic, is the focal point of this episode and the turning point of our series on the French New Wave. Alex and Jonathan discuss three of his many films, Shoot the Piano Player (1960), Jules et Jim (1962), and Day for Night (1973), and talk about the origins and intentions of the French New Wave, Truffaut's love for American genre films, and how he aims to make and watch films which express the emotional experiences of filmmaking itself. Skip to: (33:44) – Shoot the Piano Player (53:14) – Jules and Jim (1:12:16) – Day for Night (1:25:15) – Overall (1:33:28) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Le Beau Serge (1958) Les Cousins (1959) Les bonnes femmes (1960) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.com/2024/04/12/truffaut Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
Author, critic, teacher, moralist, and editor of Cahiers du Cinema, Éric Rohmer is this month's featured director from the French New Wave. Alex and Jonathan look at three of the six films Rohmer directed based on a series of his own short stories called the "Moral Tales" – My Night at Maud's (1969), Claire's Knee (1970), and Love in the Afternoon (1972). We discuss Rohmer's literary approach to filmmaking, the ways he builds multi-dimensional characters through extensive dialogue, and his preference for the "invisible camera" as opposed to the self-aware methods of some of his fellow French New Wave directors. Skip to: (32:12) – My Night at Maud's (1:02:31) – Claire's Knee (1:18:51) – Love in the Afternoon (1:37:35) – Overall (1:57:44) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Shoot the Piano Player (1960) Jules and Jim (1962) Day for Night (1973) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.com/2024/03/01/rohmer Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
As we begin our dive into the directors of the French New Wave, Alex and Jonathan take a look at one of the primary disrupters from this heavily disruptive period of cinema history, the singular Jean-Luc Godard. Through three of his classic films – Vivre sa vie (1962), Band of Outsiders (1964), and Pierrot le Fou (1965) – we discuss Godard's place in the New Wave, the ways he was influenced by both classic film and literature, and how he later began to transcend his influences to reinvent his own art and use of the medium time after time. Skip to: (38:22) – Vivre sa vie (1:11:25) – Band of Outsiders (1:35:51) – Pierrot le Fou (1:54:36) – Overall (2:14:29) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: My Night at Maud's (1969) Claire's Knee (1970) Love in the Afternoon (1972) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.com/2024/02/02/godard Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
For the final episode of the fairy tale series, Alex and Jonathan take a look at three films that transpose classic fairy tale stories onto the setting of the modern day: The Red Shoes (1948), Ponyo (2008), and Undine (2020). We discuss how fairy tale elements can help us look at the ordinary parts of life with a new appreciation, how the form and style of a film affects the perception of the magical elements, and ways to incorporate the unknown into modern storytelling. Skip to: (08:58) – The Red Shoes (27:59) – Ponyo (54:53) – Undine (1:10:37) – Overall (1:20:24) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: In January we'll be starting a new series all about the French New Wave! For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.com/2023/11/24/modern-fairy-tales/ Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
Today Alex and Jonathan look at three of the common ways that fairy tales are modified from their original setting to fit various modern sensibilities. We talk about the fairy tale mashup through the lens of Shrek (2001), the science fiction angle via A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), and the misunderstood villain as portrayed in Maleficent (2014). We also discuss how to expand on and subvert fairy tale themes based on a common story bank, the need for strong creative and directorial vision, and the pitfalls of using fairy tales as a shortcut to audience appeal. Skip to: (6:15) – Shrek (35:01) – A.I. Artificial Intelligence (59:23) – Maleficent (1:22:06) – Overall (1:24:33) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: The Red Shoes (1948) Ponyo (2008) Undine (2020) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2023/10/27/fairy-tales-with-a-twist Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
For as long as fairy tales have been recorded there has been a debate about whether or not they should be modified for children, so today Alex and Jonathan take up the negative side of the discussion with a look at three films with fairy tale elements that are not Disney's idea of kid-friendly: Beauty and the Beast (1946), Ugetsu (1957), Donkey Skin (1970). We discuss the history of fairy tales being told to children, how tone can compensate for unsavory elements of fairy tales without expurgating them, and where the boundaries of fairy tales and ghost stories touch. Skip to: (14:47) – Beauty and the Beast (37:25) – Ugetsu (53:19) – Donkey Skin (1:12:34) – Overall (1:19:45) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Shrek (2001) A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) Maleficent (2014) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2023/09/23/not-for-kids/ Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
When it comes to fairy tales on film, the elephant in the room has a name: Disney. So today Alex and Jonathan go through the history of fairy tale films as told by the Walt Disney Animation Studios, starting with the first feature length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), through the "Disney Renaissance" with Beauty and the Beast (1991), and up to the modern runaway hit Frozen (2013). We discuss Disney as a monolith in the modern fairy tale storytelling landscape, the evolution of animation techniques and technology over time, and how to effectively incorporate the element of eucatastrophe into storytelling. Skip to: (20:55) – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (44:12) – Beauty and the Beast (1:07:52) – Frozen (1:39:04) – Overall (1:50:44) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Beauty and the Beast (1946) Ugetsu (1956) Donkey Skin (1970) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2023/09/01/disney Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
To kick off our new series about fairy tales in cinema, Alex and Jonathan do a deep dive into three adaptations of the story of Pinocchio: Pinocchio (1940), Pinocchio (2019), and Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022). We discuss the history of fairy tales, the variations of focus in each of these adaptations, and how fantasy is perceived and experienced through a variety of cinematic media. Skip to: (28:32) – Pinocchio (1940) (51:34) – Pinocchio (2019) (1:13:59) – Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (1:41:20) – Overall (1:49:54) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) Beauty and the Beast (1991) Frozen (2013) For more information, visit the blog:https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2023/7/28/pinocchio Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion:https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
To wrap up our Westerns 101 series, Alex and Jonathan take a look at the current state of the western genre through Rango (2011), Slow West (2015), and Hell or High Water (2016). We talk about ways to take the tropes of an established genre and exaggerate them for comedic effect, how to take the setting of the west and present a story with modern sensibilities, and how the themes of the classic west can be transposed on the modern day. Skip to: (11:40) – Rango (35:00) – Slow West (51:03) – Hell or High Water (1:11:52) – Overall (1:25:14) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: After a break in June we'll be back in July with Pinocchio (1940) Pinocchio (2019) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022) For more information, visit the blog:https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2023/05/24/modern-west Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion:https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
A huge portion of the modern idea of what a western is can be traced back to an Italian director with an appreciation for samurai films, Sergio Leone. Today Alex and Jonathan look at his influence on the spaghetti western sub-genre with For a Few Dollars More (1965), Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), Duck, You Sucker! (1971). We discuss how Leone uses backstory and pacing to build tension, the specific tropes and identifiers of the spaghetti westerns, and the increasing scale of the themes that underlie the common elements. Skip to: (21:18) – For a Few Dollars More (47:21) – Once Upon a Time in the West (1:04:38) – Duck, You Sucker! (1:21:46) – Overall (1:40:48) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Rango (2011) Slow West (2015) Hell or High Water (2016) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2023/04/26/leone Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
As we continue our journey through the history of the western genre, Alex and Jonathan take a detour to Japan to discuss an era of chanbara (samurai) films that bridge the gap from classic westerns to spaghetti westerns. We're talking about Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (1954), Sanjuro (1962), The Sword of Doom (1966). We discuss the parallels between chanbara and western films, the ways samurai have been mythologized in similar ways to old west gunslingers, and the construction and deconstruction of the ideals of that mythology. Skip to: (10:01) – Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (34:05) – Sanjuro (58:45) – The Sword of Doom (1:18:04) – Overall (1:26:40) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions For a Few Dollars More (1965) Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) Duck, You Sucker! (1971) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2023/03/01/ford Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
When discussing the history of the Western genre, there is no escaping the name or work of John Ford, so today Alex and Jonathan dive in to three of Ford's landmark films: My Darling Clementine (1946), The Searchers (1956), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). We talk about the ways Western films elevate actual historical events to the level of mythology, the themes and tropes that are presented and deconstructed through Ford's films, and how Ford uses film to pull back the mythological curtain of his own early films in the genre. Skip to: (12:47) – My Darling Clementine (44:36) – The Searchers (1:04:27) – The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1:20:38) – Overall (1:30:56) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (1954) Sanjuro (1962) The Sword of Doom (1966) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2023/03/01/ford Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
To kick off a new series of episodes that will give an overview of the history of the western genre, Alex and Jonathan start off by talking about three early western films from the pre-sound era: The Testing Block (1920), Sky High (1922), and The Iron Horse (1924). We discuss the development of both the themes and the action of the western genre, how the early westerns lacked many of the common tropes we expect in westerns today, and how John Ford set himself apart early as one of the great western directors. Skip to: (19:34) – The Testing Block (44:30) – Sky High (58:36) – The Iron Horse (1:25:26) – Overall (1:36:17) – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: My Darling Clementine (1946) The Searchers (1956) The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2023/02/01/silent-westerns Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
For the winter wrap-up episode to close out the year, Alex and Jonathan talk about four films that focus on the ways that people have to survive in freezing and desperate situations: Touching the Void (2003), The Grey (2011), Everest (2015), and Arctic (2018). We discuss ways to tell a true story through documentary and historical reenactment, as well as how fictional survival stories can use theme to varying degrees. Skip to: 9:32 – Touching the Void 27:52 – The Grey 39:29 – Everest 1:10:26 – Arctic 1:27:23 – Overall 1:34:07 – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Stay tuned for Season 7! For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2022/12/21/icepod Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
Find more info about the upcoming episode on The December Marquee: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2022/11/30/december-22/ Join us on Discord to keep up with the discussion throughout the month: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
From the very first photographs of motion, horses have been integrated with the cinema, so today Alex and Jonathan talk about different ways horses can be used to drive a story in The Black Stallion (1979), Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002), Seabiscuit (2003), and War Horse (2011). We discuss horses as both thematic metaphors and characterizations, what makes them so compelling to watch on film, and ultimately how horses reflect and amplify the virtues or vices of the human characters. Skip to: 13:42 – The Black Stallion 31:56 – Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron 50:12 – Seabiscuit (50:12) 1:10:39 – War Horse 1:29:27 – Overall 1:35:02 – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Touching the Void (2003) The Grey (2011) Everest (2015) Arctic (2018) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2022/11/23/horses Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF Support the Show! Patreon: https://patreon.com/thefilmlings Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thefilmlings
Find more info about the upcoming episode on The November Marquee. Join us on Discord to keep up with the discussion throughout the month: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
To fill some time while Alex and Jonathan are on break, we're releasing a commentary track for Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) which was recorded in 2018. Going scene-by-scene through the extended edition of the film allows us to break down some of the details and nuances of the filmmaking techniques, as well as giving plenty of time for nerdy lore discussions and behind the scenes trivia. Note: The silences in the audio have been condensed to make it play better as a podcast. If you want to download the actual commentary to listen in real time with the film, check out our Patreon. Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF Support the Show! Patreon: https://patreon.com/thefilmlings Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thefilmlings
This month we'll be on break, but we have a special episode for October to fill the gap so stay tuned!
Taking a step behind the curtain of classic movie magic, today Alex and Jonathan discuss the techniques and creatures brought to the screen by VFX pioneer Ray Harryhausen in Mighty Joe Young (1949), The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958), Jason and the Argonauts (1963), and Clash of the Titans (1981). We discuss the evolution of the Dynamation and Dynarama processes, the ways that his techniques influenced the effects that ended up surpassing his own, and where Dynamation might still fit in the modern cinema landscape. Skip to: 15:39 – Mighty Joe Young 37:01 – The 7th Voyage of Sinbad 51:43 – Jason and the Argonauts 1:01:02 – Clash of the Titans 1:15:21 – Overall 1:38:58 – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Commentary track for The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2022/09/28/harryhausen Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF Support the Show! Patreon: https://patreon.com/thefilmlings Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thefilmlings
Find more info about the upcoming episode on The September Marquee. Join us on Discord to keep up with the discussion throughout the month: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
We are all interested in the future, which is why in this episode Alex and Jonathan take a look at some prominent entries into the time travel sub-genre of science fiction, specifically: Time After Time (1979), Back to the Future (1985), Groundhog Day (1993), and Tenet (2020). We discuss the various mechanisms for implementing time travel into a plot, how the device does or doesn't influence the deeper levels of the story, and how treating the details of time travel too seriously or too loosely might detract from the overall effect of the story. Skip to: 7:37 – Time After Time 25:21 – Back to the Future 45:38 – Groundhog Day 1:05:05 – Tenet 1:33:49 – Overall 1:49:45 – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Mighty Joe Young (1949) The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958) Jason and the Argonauts (1963) Clash of the Titans (1981) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2022/09/07/time-travel Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF Support the Show! Patreon: https://patreon.com/thefilmlings Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thefilmlings
Find more info about the upcoming episode on The August Marquee. Join us on Discord to keep up with the discussion throughout the month: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
Another legend of Hollywood's Golden Age is the spotlight for this episode as Alex and Jonathan talk about some of the classic works of Otto Preminger: Laura (1944), Bonjour Tristesse (1958), Anatomy of a Murder (1959), and Bunny Lake is Missing (1965). We discuss how Preminger builds character driven narrative through visuals, his real and perceived image as a directorial tyrant, and how he stacks up against some of his contemporaries. Skip to: 7:29 – Laura 24:43 – Bonjour Tristesse 43:54 – Anatomy of a Murder 59:02 – Bunny Lake is Missing 1:16:50 – Overall 1:24:59 – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Time After Time (1979) Back to the Future (1985) Groundhog Day (1993) Tenet (2020) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2022/07/27/preminger Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF Support the Show! Patreon: https://patreon.com/thefilmlings Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thefilmlings
Find more info about the upcoming episode on The July Marquee. Join us on Discord to keep up with the discussion throughout the month: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
Sit back and enjoy the ride as Alex and Jonathan talk through the road-trip style films of Abbas Kiarostami in Where Is the Friend's House? (1987), And Life Goes On (1992), Through the Olive Trees (1994), and Taste of Cherry (1997). We discuss the way Kiarostami blends truth and fiction, how he uses long takes to provoke deeper thought from the audience, and the detailed attention he pays to the way people interact with their environment and each other. Skip to: 7:56 – Where Is the Friend's House? 24:33 – And Life Goes On 42:19– Through the Olive Trees 55:24 – Taste of Cherry 1:15:53 – Overall 1:31:54 – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Laura (1944) Bonjour Tristesse (1958) Anatomy of a Murder (1959) Bunny Lake is Missing (1965) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2022/06/29/kiarostami Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF Support the Show! Patreon: https://patreon.com/thefilmlings Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thefilmlings
Find more info about the upcoming episode on The June Marquee. Join us on Discord to keep up with the discussion throughout the month: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
This month Alex and Jonathan fly to a mythical Nordic world and discuss the recent animated trilogy How to Train Your Dragon (2010), How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014), and How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019). We discuss a brief history of dragons, ways to incorporate high stakes and family into children's movies, and adapting a sprawling fantasy world from book to screen. Skip to: 16:28 – How to Train Your Dragon 38:56 – How to Train Your Dragon 2 51:36 – How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World 1:01:44 – Overall 1:10:32 – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Where Is the Friend's House? (1987) And Life Goes On (1992) Through the Olive Trees (1994) Taste of Cherry (1997) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2022/06/01/httyd Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF Support the Show! Patreon: https://patreon.com/thefilmlings Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thefilmlings
Find more info about the upcoming episode on The May Marquee. Join us on Discord to keep up with the discussion throughout the month: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
When it comes to acting, few names loom as large in the recent history of stage or screen as that of Laurence Olivier. Alex and Jonathan discuss his contributions to the film medium through his roles in Wuthering Heights (1939), Rebecca (1940), Richard III (1955), and Marathon Man (1976). We talk about his growth as a performer, his interactions with leading directors from various periods of film history as well as his own merits as a director, and his impact on the acting profession for anyone following in his footsteps. Skip to: 19:53 – Wuthering Heights 35:44 – Rebecca 52:40 – Richard III 1:12:39 – Marathon Man 1:26:24 – Overall 1:34:11 – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: How to Train Your Dragon (2010) How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2022/04/27/olivier Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF Support the Show! Patreon: https://patreon.com/thefilmlings Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thefilmlings
Find more info about the upcoming episode on The April Marquee. Join us on Discord to keep up with the discussion throughout the month: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
The epic drama and action of director John Woo carries us away this month as Alex and Jonathan talk about The Killer (1989), Hard Boiled (1992), Face/Off (1997), and Red Cliff (2008). We talk about his pioneering of the "Honorable Bloodshed" genre, his distinct stylistic and thematic trademarks, and his continuing legacy on many modern directors and content creators. Skip to: 8:22 – The Killer 23:18 – Hard Boiled 33:49 – Face/Off 50:35 – Red Cliff 1:12:44 – Overall 1:22:46 – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Wuthering Heights (1939) Rebecca (1940) Richard III (1955) Marathon Man (1976) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2022/03/23/woo Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF Support the Show! Patreon: https://patreon.com/thefilmlings Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thefilmlings
Find more info about the upcoming episode on The March Marquee. Join us on Discord to keep up with the discussion throughout the month: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
Watch your back because in this episode Alex and Jonathan, talk about the history of American gangster films through four classic and contemporary tales within the genre: Scarface (1932), Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), Scarface (1983), and Goodfellas (1990). We discuss the origins of gangster stories being pulled from the contemporary headlines, how the genre was affected by the strict regulations under the production code, and the resurgence of the genre through the American New Wave. Skip to: 11:39 – Scarface (1932) 41:40 – Angels with Dirty Faces 1:00:18 – Scarface (1983) 1:19:09 – Goodfellas 1:37:44 – Overall 1:49:41 – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: The Killer (1989) Hard Boiled (1992) Face/Off (1997) Red Cliff (2008) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2022/02/23/gangsters Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF Support the Show! Patreon: https://patreon.com/thefilmlings Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thefilmlings
Find more info about the upcoming episode on The February Marquee. Join us on Discord to keep up with the discussion throughout the month: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
Kicking off season 6 of the podcast, Alex and Jonathan take a look at the films and careers of two oft-paired star performers: Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. We look at their films The Gay Divorcee (1934), Shall We Dance (1937), and The Barkleys of Broadway (1949), and discuss the history of each performer, the mesmerizing quality of watching performance talent on film, and the evolving taste and interests of audiences over time. Skip to: 16:04 – The Gay Divorcee 41:42 – Shall We Dance 57:23 – The Barkleys of Broadway 1:17:43 – Overall 1:44:48 – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: Scarface (1932) Angels with Dirty Faces (1938) Scarface (1983) Goodfellas (1990) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2022/01/26/rogers-astaire Join us on Discord for ongoing film discussion: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF Support the Show! Patreon: https://patreon.com/thefilmlings Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thefilmlings
Find more info about the upcoming episode on The January Marquee. Join us on Discord to keep up with the discussion throughout the month: https://discord.gg/MAF6jh59cF
To wrap up Season 5, of the podcast Alex and Jonathan talk about another one of the hard-working directors of Hollywood's Golden Age, William Wyler. We're looking at four of his post-war films, The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), Roman Holiday (1953), Ben-Hur (1959), and The Collector (1965) and discussing how Wyler's war experience helped him craft intimate drama involving veterans, his iconic deep-focus visual style, and the extensive range of genres he was able to work in. Skip to: 17:57 – The Best Years of Our Lives 50:06 – Roman Holiday 1:05:28 – Ben-Hur 1:21:12 – The Collector 1:34:09 – Overall 1:37:34 – Coming Attractions Coming Attractions: The Gay Divorcee (1934) Shall We Dance (1937) The Barkleys of Broadway (1949) For more information, visit the blog: https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2021/12/22/wyler/ Support the Show! Patreon: https://patreon.com/thefilmlings Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/thefilmlings
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