The Sleepless Cinematic Podcast

Julian, Madeline, and Emilio are joined by Brendan McDonald, the producer of 'WTF with Marc Maron,' to finish off their cycle of New York City movies with a "Close-Up" on the works of legendary cinematographer Owen Roizman. A versatile visual talent ready for whatever came his way, Roizman burst out of the gate with William Friedkin's crime drama "The French Connection" (1971), in which he unforgettably and frantically photographed a plethora of New York locales. This showcase of his skills made him the perfect choice to shoot "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" (1974), the Joseph Sargent-directed, subway-set thriller infused with workplace humor that indelibly captures a timeless spirit of New York. But Roizman's aptitude also extended beyond the grimy streets and subway tunnels, and rose up to the broadcasting towers of Midtown Manhattan in "Network" (1976), the darkly prescient media satire written by Paddy Chayefsky and directed by Sidney Lumet. Blending their eyes for detail with their lived experience as New Yorkers, the group get into how Roizman's visual sense cemented the iconic status of these films, and why they stand the test of time even as they were made just a few years apart from one another. To hear Brendan discuss movies and other topics regularly, subscribe to the WTF bonus feed, "The Full Maron," for access to The Friday Show and other bonus material. Learn more at https://www.wtfpod.com/If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

For our "Two Shot" episode featuring New York City movies, Emilio, Julian and Madeline welcome on Mariquita Reese, fellow cinephile and cohost of Post Film Clarity, to talk two recent NYC based films about late night desperation that sends characters racing around the boroughs - the Safdie Brothers' 'Good Time' from 2017 and Sean Baker's 'Anora' from 2024, the current Best Picture winner.  The group discusses the depths of Connie's ineptitude and audacity, the ugly truths that the Safdies wanted to keep in the film, the shifting nature of power in both these films, compelling casting choices, why these bummer endings are actually pretty good, Mikey Madison's mastery of insulting with a Brooklyn accent, the going rate these days for a farm in Virginia, how DVD commentaries can redeem a bad movie, why Dick York is the superior Darrin, and much, much more!     Follow Mariquita on IG, Tik Tok and Letterboxd at keeta_babe - and check out Post Film Clarity, her podcast with cohost Lindsey Strickland, at postfilmclaritypodIf you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

For a bonus episode this week, Emilio goes solo for a (mostly) spoiler free talk about a film he really loves, Ang Lee's "The Wedding Banquet".  It was a successful and critically acclaimed independent film back when it was released in 1993, but has mostly stayed relevant as its esteemed director's international breakthrough.  Yet it's a timeless film full of humor, compassion,  and reflections on what we sacrifice of ourselves due to societal forces and the expectations of our families.  Its enduring place in cinema history is evidenced by it being reimagined by writer/director Andrew Ahn - this remake can currently be seen in theaters nationwide.   Emilio gets into what he enjoys so much about the original, shares his thoughts on the remake and how it is distinct from the original, and speaks with Professor Zhen Zhang, an NYU film professor who shared this film with him in an undergraduate seminar, about Ang Lee's original film.  Professor Zhen Zhang is a film professor at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and the Director of the Tisch's Asian Film and Media Initiative.  She has a decades long, decorated career in academia that also includes guest-curating film programs for the Film Society at Lincoln Center of Performing Arts, Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Women Make Waves Film Festival in Taipei.If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

Madeline, Julian, and Emilio continue their cycle of New York City movies with a "Suggestion Box" entry covering "Problemista," the film debut of director, writer, and actor Julio Torres, known previously for his writing on Saturday Night Live, HBO special "My Favorite Shapes," and co-creating and starring in the supernatural comedy "Los Espookys." Like other films the group have discussed in this cycle, "Problemista" depicts a recent immigrant's struggle to get by in New York City, but through a distinctly contemporary lens that stands out for its surrealism and vivacious humor. In discussing Alejandro "Ale" Martinez's journey towards steady employment and a work visa, the group look in depth at the magical realism throughout (with emphasis on "Craigslist" and "Bureaucratic Limbo"), how people with power use or abuse their privilege, and the enigma that is Elizabeth, Alejandro's erratic presumed employer played by a tour-de-force Tilda Swinton. And perhaps they'll match some databases in FileMakerPro in the process...If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats  

For this cycle's "Mise-Unseen" entry, Julian, Emilio and Madeline fire up 'Hester Street', Joan Micklin Silver's overlooked and under-appreciated film from 1975 depicting the struggles one Jewish family, recently immigrants to the United States, face while assimilating to life in their new homeland at the turn of the century.  The trio comment on the film's unique depiction of New York City (particularly in relation to when it was first released), the unusual complexity that most characters are given, how centering Gitl's journey gives the film a strong emotional core, the film's unexpected humor, its portrayal of the working class Jewish immigrant experience class, and why this movie and its story feel so unique.  They then have a great chat with Sharyn Rothstein, an accomplished writer who recently adapted 'Hester Street' for the stage, and discuss what was meaningful to her about this story, what details from the film spoke to her, and what the stage production does to modernize and reshape the story for today's audiences.  It's a deep dive into an unsung 1970s NYC film you won't want to miss!  Sharyn Rothstein is an award winning playwright, teacher, and writer for television.  Her play "Bad Books" is currently running at Roundhouse Theater in Bethesda, Maryland through April 27th.  Follow her and her work at www.sharynrothstein.netIf you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

Emilio, Madeline, and Julian are joined again by freshly-minted New Yorker Maggie Hill, who helps them kick off a new episode cycle focusing on New York City movies. They begin with a "View-nanimous" entry on “Frances Ha”, Noah Baumbach's 2012 film co-written by him and the film's star, Greta Gerwig. The four New York residents praise the many accuracies of the film and share their own NYC-specific stories about living as artists, navigating complex social situations, and searching for an ATM with no fee. They also discuss the other “coming-of-age in NYC” media from the zeitgeist of the 2010s, and consider what has changed in the 13 years since this film was released.If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow Maggie Hill on IG, TikTok, YouTube, and more @themaggiehillFollow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats.

Julian, Madeline, and Emilio are graced by the enthusiastic presence of Tony-nominated actor Rob McClure to finish off their episode cycle on Oscar-Winning Supporting Performances with a "Close-Up" about three classic comedic roles, which each garnered their performers the coveted trophies. The first of these would be Kevin Kline's role in "A Fish Called Wanda" (1988), the British-American, Monty Python-adjacent caper where Kline plays the audaciously stubborn diamond thief Otto West. Next is that of Jack Palance in "City Slickers" (1991), the story of three New Yorkers on a cattle-herding vacation in the American West, in which Palance plays their rugged-yet-warm-hearted trail boss, Curly. And rounding out this trio is Marisa Tomei in "My Cousin Vinny," the courtroom dramedy where the titular Brooklyn lawyer is enlisted to represent his wrongfully-accused cousin and best friend in Alabama, depending on crucial contributions from his brash and mechanically-astute fiancée Mona Lisa Vito to work towards their exoneration. Though all of these films were released in nearby years, the group discusses why these performances stand the test of time, be it due to laugh-out-loud physical gags, the contrast between locals and fish-out-of-water, or the resonant truths at each role's foundation. Aided by Rob McClure's inimitable experience and expert insight about the "actually, actually" that defines a great comic performance, they trace the vast range of humor among these characters and the greater stories in which they appear, making notable stops along the way at unforgettable facial expressions, one-armed push-ups, and scathing instruction-manual retorts. Rob McClure has earned Tony nominations for his roles in the Broadway productions of Mrs. Doubtfire and Chaplin, and has also appeared in Something Rotten!, Mary Poppins, Hello Dolly, Beetlejuice, and many more productions On- and Off-Broadway. You can follow him on Instagram @mcclurerobIf you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

This week, Emilio, Madeline, and Julian have the privilege of speaking to Jess LeProtto, an accomplished Broadway performer whose triple threat talents earned him the role of the thorny yet memorable Jet "A-Rab" in Steven Spielberg's 2021 remake of 'West Side Story'.  Jess talks about his unusual first exposure to the music of West Side Story, the development and audition process, receiving character backstory from the film's Pulitzer Prize winning writer Tony Kushner, and the new historical context specific to the remake.  He also talks about performing in the film's immersive sets, working with Rita Moreno, what it's like to take direction from Steven Spielberg, and the unexpected ways his skill set proved quite useful on set.  It's a deep dive into all things 'West Side Story' you won't want to miss!In addition to his work in the film, Jess LeProtto has performed on Broadway in Cats, Hello Dolly!, A Beautiful Noise, Carousel, On The Town, Newsies, Bye Bye Birdie, and more.  You can follow him on IG at the_jess_leprottoIf you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats   

For our "Two Shot" episode of Best Supporting Acting Winners, Madeline, Julian and Emilio keep things local, and with the help of actor/teacher/fight director Ron Piretti, they dive into both film adaptations of the beloved musical 'West Side Story'.  Both the Jerome Robbins original and the Steven Spielberg remake have the distinction of earning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in their respective years for their portrayals of the same character, Anita, by Rita Moreno in 1961 and Ariana DeBose in 2021.  In addition to exploring what makes Anita such an indelible and celebrated character, the group explores the ways in which the remake expands the world its characters inhabit, discuss which character portrayals they enjoyed the most, how the climactic "Rumble" is depicted on stage vs on film, the effect that differences in the order of musical numbers has on the greater narrative, and much more! Ron Piretti is a teaching artist for The Barrow Group in NYC, and you can find him and his work at ronpiretti.netIf you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats       

This week, Madeline, Emilio and Julian welcome back piano man extraordinaire and film aficionado Matt Friedman to discuss 'L.A. Confidential', the 1997 Neo-noir directed by Curtis Hanson and starring Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, and Kim Basinger in an Oscar-winning supporting role.  The group discusses how this movie hits differently if you knew who Crowe and Pearce were upon first watch, how depictions of corrupt police from the 1950s read in 2025, how the film satisfyingly affirms and upends cop archetypes, whether or not Kim Basinger's performance as Lynn Bracken is truly Oscar worthy, and much more!You can check out Matt's incredible band, and see where he is playing next, by visiting their website: https://stilettobandnyc.com/You can also follow Matt and the band on Instagram @stilettobandnycIf you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

Continuing their conversations about films featuring Best Supporting Acting Oscar winning performances, Madeline, Julian and Emilio dive into a film they had yet to see: 'Dreamgirls', the 2006 film adaptation of the Broadway musical, starring Jamie Foxx, Beyonce, Anika Noni Rose, Danny Glover, and Jennifer Hudson, whose portrayal of Effie White earned her an Academy Award in her film debut.  The group gets into its status as a "film a clef" with many references to Motown history and associated artists, the unstable foundation (narratively speaking) upon which "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" sits, as well as that song's undeniable power.  They dig into the 2007 Oscars win (and snub) that is a huge part of this film's legacy, Beyonce's irrepressible voice, the distracting brief appearance of John Krasinski (looking way too much like Jim Halpert), other possible directors who could have brought this musical to the screen, and so much more!  If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok (yes, it's apparently still a thing): @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

Emilio, Madeline, and Julian are joined by drummer Rob Mitzner to begin a new episode cycle on films featuring winners of the Best Supporting Actor or Actress Oscars, with a "View-nanimous" entry on director Damien Chazelle's 2014 breakthrough film, "Whiplash." Starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, the latter of whom won the requisite Oscar, the film memorably portrays student drummer Andrew Neiman's struggle to impress his autocratic band instructor, Terence Fletcher, and the group filter their own experiences as musicians through their aptitude for cinematic detail to assess the film's spectrum of musical and emotional realism. While "Whiplash" was a hit upon release and highly lauded during awards season, it has always been polarizing among musicians, and some of those differing views are articulated in this very conversation. Plus, did anyone in the group ever have a teacher like Fletcher? Is Miles Teller's drumming accurate? And how do we interpret that unforgettable ending? If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow Rob Mitzner on IG @robmitznerdrums, and visit his website, robmitzner.com, to keep up with his live performances and purchase a copy of his book, "Drumming in a Band: Stuff You Can Use."Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats.

Emilio, Julian, and Madeline wrap up their “Holiday Suggestion/Gift Box” mini-cycle with Satoshi Kon's penultimate work, “Tokyo Godfathers” (2003). Rather than gold, frankincense, and myrrh, our three hosts come bearing different personal histories with the art form of anime. They discuss the benefits and challenges of this storytelling medium, and dive into the burning questions: were the actions that ostracized our protagonists really that bad? What do the serendipitous events of this movie mean? And, of course, could this film have been made as live action?If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats.

For Round 2 of our "Holiday Gift/Suggestion Box" mini-cycle, Emilio selects 'Home Alone', the 1990 Christmas holiday classic directed by Chris Columbus and starring Macaulay Culkin, Catherine O'Hara, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern.  It's a first watch for Julian, a rewatch for Madeline, and a welcome return visit from our pal Jamie Homs, a musician extraordinaire and social media savvy film enthusiast.  The foursome discuss their own personal histories with being left home alone (intentionally and unintentionally) by their parents, and their own curious tendencies when left unsupervised.  They get into the god tier John Williams score, the game changing stunt work, and speculate about why this movie has so much staying power and universal appeal.  Fan theories are entertained, production trivia is shared.  Even a last minute Unlikely Shared Universe entry saliently contends with the value of home.  It's a conversation that, like the movie, finds a balance of heart and silliness for all the enjoy! Jamie Homs' great film-related content can be found on Tik Tok and IG at jamie.homs If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

For a bonus episode this week, Madeline, Emilio and Julian call on some buddies to help them process and deepen their initial appreciation of the highly anticipated, record breaking movie of the moment, 'Wicked'!  After sharing their first reactions to the film, the group welcomes pals and Oz experts EmKay and Tara from Down the Yellow Brick Pod to get their thoughts, assessments of what worked best, how the fanbase is receiving the film, and little details that populate the movie that you might have messed. And what happens when you see this movie in 4DX? Then the trio speak to Courtney Iventosch, a Broadway performer and veteran of the 'Wicked' musical, for her opinions, considerations of the stage-to-screen adaptation, and the way the film's leads are characterized compared to the musical. It's a fun dive into the worlds that both birthed the film and currently celebrate it!If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

Julian, Madeline, and Emilio kick off their "Holiday Suggestion Box" episode cycle by discussing "Carol" (2015), the great Christmastime-set queer romance directed by Todd Haynes, holding up his title as the most-covered director on the podcast. A re-watch for Madeline and Julian and a first-time viewing for Emilio, the group discuss such topics as the film's status as an adaptation (of Patricia Highsmith's "The Price of Salt"), why it works as a holiday movie, and its balance of finely tuned 1950s period detail and the timeless appeal of its love story. Additionally, utilizing their refined attention to Todd Haynes' distinct touches as a director, Madeline praises the film's affecting portrayals of complex female characters, Emilio touches on Haynes' delicacy with varied male archetypes, and Julian points out some highlight moments of the film's subtly expressive visual language.If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats      

To end their "Politics" cycle, Madeline, Julian and Emilio put a different spin on their Close Up episode format by looking at three different actors' portrayal of one real-life political figure, former President Richard M. Nixon.  The group welcomes in another Richard - Madeline's dad! - a retired history teacher and Watergate buff, to give these films and performances some important historical context.  They discuss Oliver Stone's sprawling biopic 'Nixon' from 1995, the several stages of Nixon's political and private life depicted with impressive realism by Anthony Hopkins, and what is gained and lost when a film has such a wide scope.  Next is 'Dick', Andrew Fleming's 1999 farcical reimagining of the Watergate scandal with Dan Hedaya as Nixon, where the group discusses the importance of mining politicians for humor.  They close their discussion with a look at Ron Howard's 2008 film 'Frost/Nixon', featuring Frank Langella as Nixon, and consider where and when its helpful for creative liberties to be taken to depict real-life people and events.  Be sure to stick around for a lively round of Unlikely Shared Universe!If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats 

Madeline, Julian, and Emilio welcome NYC-based comedian, writer, and actress Sydney Duncan to continue their "Politics" episode cycle with a "Two-Shot" discussion on 1969's "Medium Cool" (dir. Haskell Wexler) and 1975's "Shampoo" (dir. Hal Ashby). Though differing on surface level, the two films bear striking similarities in their portrayals of apathy to politics in the face of the 1968 presidential election, focusing on egotistical male protagonists more invested in their jobs and tumultuous love lives than the far-reaching events occurring around them. The group begins by discussing the ingenious commentary that "Medium Cool" offers on media and class, with its Chicago-set blend of fiction and documentary and fortuitous backdrop of the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Shifting gears to "Shampoo," they then discuss that film's seeming juxtaposition of its characters' sexual promiscuity and their political context over roughly thirty-six hours in Los Angeles during the aforementioned election, along with the film's status as a self-ordained vehicle for star/co-writer/co-producer Warren Beatty. Aided by numerous piercing insights from Sydney and loads of fun trivia and personal stories, the group dives deep into these oddly similar films while finding many notable zeitgeist connections (in film and otherwise) along the way.  Follow Sydney Duncan on IG @syndeyduncanonem, and get tickets to her one-woman show, "ACAB: Angry, Crazy, and Black," at Brooklyn Art Haus on Sat 11/16 @7pm! https://www.stellartickets.com/o/brooklyn-art-haus--2/events/angry-crazy-and-black-sydney-duncan-live-at-bah/occurrences/482afbbd-3b3f-45d3-a26b-8645025eb5eaIf you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

For their Politics-related "Suggestion Box", Madeline, Emilio, and Julian invite social media professional and film lover Maggie Hill to a conversation about Elia Kazan's 'A Face In The Crowd', a film from 1957 whose observations about television, mass persuasion, and political ambition seem more relevant today than ever.  Emilio starts the discussion with how the filmmakers' personal and professional experiences with the Hollywood blacklist most likely influenced this cynical look at American institutions.  Madeline notes how the film's central figure Lonesome Rhodes is wildly different than the wholesome persona the actor who plays him, Andy Griffith, would eventually cultivate on his beloved eponymous TV show.  Julian sees the ripples of this film in several other films about fame and personal connection.  Maggie sees the film's female lead Marcia and her ambition as the skeleton key to a deeper understanding of the film.  These, and many other observations, ground a discussion about 'A Face In The Crowd' and its place among the more interesting and enduring films to emerge from the 1950s Hollywood.          Maggie Hill is a writer/director/producer whose thoughtful content about media can be found on the socials: @themaggiehillIf you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

Madeline, Julian, and Emilio mark this year's Halloween season with a bonus conversation on George A. Romero's genre-defining 1968 Horror film "Night of the Living Dead." A first-time viewing for each of them, the group trace the details of the film that have made far-reaching ripples in the Horror genre and Zombie subgenre ever since, aided by Madeline's comprehensive walkthrough of the history of zombies in film and television. They discuss the admirable markers of the film's limited budget, the human elements that make it relatable, and its likely unintentional resemblance to fellow films of the then-burgeoning New Hollywood Era, with numerous fun facts and personal revelations along the way. If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

Emilio, Madeline, and Julian continue their "Politics" episode cycle with a "Mise-Unseen" entry on Barry Levinson's 1997 film "Wag the Dog," and are joined to do so by special guest Idris Goodwin - a playwright, educator, fellow cinephile, and significant role model from Emilio's Chicago upbringing. The group get into the movie by discussing its place in the canon of mid-budget 90s studio films, as well as in the greater careers of its heavy-hitting stars, Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman. Looking more broadly, they also consider the category of satire that "Wag the Dog" falls into, and of course its famously prescient view on the handling of political scandals, and eerily good timing in doing so.  Idris Goodwin is currently the Artistic Director at the Seattle Children's Theatre, and Board President of TYAUSA, a member organization committed to live theater in the lives of children everywhere.  You can follow him and find his plays, music, published works, and varied artistic endeavors at http://www.idrisgoodwin.com/If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

To usher in a new cycle on "Politics", Julian, Emilio and Madeline soft pedal their way into the theme by way of discussing Jared Hess's 2004 debut feature film 'Napoleon Dynamite', a high school movie featuring socially maladjusted yet charming teenagers, tater tots, rural Idaho, airborne food, fraudulent internet purchases, non-fraudulent internet dating, and yes, an election for class president!  After a conversation about the film's gentle, family-friendly humor and off-beat style that continues to win over audiences of all ages and generations, the trio dives deep into the specifics of presidential race of Summer Wheatley vs Pedro Sanchez.  Their campaigns, their platforms, the speeches, the outcome, the electorate of Preston High, other political comparisons - no stone is left unturned.  Stick around for a lively Unlikely Shared Universe, and for real time contributions from Dougie about the cast's love lives and an eBay purchase that influenced one of the movie's wackiest scenes.       If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

To close out the "Musicians on Film" cycle, Julian, Madeline and Emilio dig into the work of ace songwriter Adam Schlesinger, focusing on catchy pop songs he penned for three films - 'That Thing You Do!' (1996), 'Josie and the Pussycats' (2001), and 'Music and Lyrics' (2007).  Emilio and Julian break out guitars to point out some of the little details from early 60s rock n'roll and beyond that made their way into "That Thing You Do!", the irrepressible hit single from the movie of the same name.  The trio gets into how 'Josie and the Pussycats', and by extension Schlesinger's contribution "Pretend to Be Nice", both sends up the early 2000s music pop landscape and predicts the female punk pop explosion that was around the corner.  And the group gets into what works, and what doesn't work as well, in the execution of "Way Back Into Love", the song at the center of 'Music and Lyrics'.  All the while, discussions about the movies themselves supplement a lively conversation about Schlesinger and his most enduring cinematic bangers.If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats  

Madeline, Julian, and Emilio continue their "Musicians on Film" episode cycle with a "Two-Shot" entry on a pair of unforgettable cinematic portrayals of Bob Dylan, namely D. A. Pennebaker's trailblazing 1967 documentary "Dont Look Back" (apostrophe not included),  and Todd Haynes' kaleidoscopic 2007 film "I'm Not There." As two of many films out there which focus on the enigmatic musician, the group aims to distill from them whatever greater truths they can, both about Dylan himself and broader musical artistry and publicity. Starting with "Dont Look Back," they consider how the film's fly-on-the-wall look at Dylan's 1965 tour of England serves to dually build the legend and arguably demystify its young and newly famous subject. They then fast-forward forty years to "I'm Not There," which refracts Dylan's well-established mythos into a sprawling, non-linear ensemble drama that illuminates as much about the artist as it obscures. The two films also mark milestones for the podcast itself, the former being the first documentary which the trio cover in-depth, and the latter being the third Todd Haynes film they've discussed, making him the most-covered director on the show to date.If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This can really help us find new listeners and continue to grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats 

For the Suggestion Box entry to the "Musicians on Film" cycle, Julian, Madeline and Emilio emerge from seed pods and go one louder for a conversation about 'This is Spinal Tap', Rob Reiner's hilarious and influential mockumentary from 1984 chronicling the US tour of England's loudest band.  The trio dig into the film's origins, the improvised acting, the ways in which the movie both lampoons and embraces the music industry, the things it borrowed from and what it foreshadowed about music history, as well as the film's absolutely essential commentary track.  It's a lively discussion that touches on the many things that  make 'This is Spinal Tap' such a fun film for musicians and non-musicians alike.If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This can really help us find new listeners and continue to grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats  

Julian, Madeline, and Emilio are joined by writer, performer, cultural connoisseur, and Julian's longtime friend Michaela Brady, for a bonus episode on Emerald Fennell's recent shock-laden estate film "Saltburn." Aided by Michaela's regional expertise as an alum of Oxford University (and current resident in said city), the group dive into the workings of this anti-hero-centric film, praising such details as its visuals and soundtrack while devoting careful attention to its narrative details. Throughout this experience, they consider the film's treatment of themes such as shock value and social class in the UK, as well as its place in the broader "Estate" genre, and how it compares to other films of a similar sort... If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodFollow Michaela Brady on IG @mnbawriter or @jane_n_jeff, and check out her writing and blog at michaela-n-brady.com.Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian @julian_barthold and Madeline @patronessofcats

This week, Emilio, Julian, and Madeline continue their cycle about “Musicians on Film” with an oft-overlooked Spike Lee Joint, “Mo' Better Blues” (1990). While this film may be quite a shift from “Do the Right Thing” only a year before, our hosts discuss commonalities (and possible shared universes?) between the two films and the director's filmography at large. They discuss the film's exploration of the personal and romantic lives of musicians, a portrayal these three may have a vested interest in. And it seems they may agree that “Mo' Better Blues” gives us Denzel Washington at the very height of his sex appeal…ya dig?If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian @julian_barthold and Madeline @patronessofcats

For this bonus episode, Emilio, Madeline, and Julian power up a communicator and call on the presence of Mike Duquette, an out-of-this-world pop culture writer based in Astoria, NY, to discuss Steven Spielberg's evergreen classic 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'.  Mike brings his encyclopedic knowledge of all things 'E.T.' for a panoramic look at the film and its legacy.  The group covers the film's personal and inauspicious origins, its unusual (at the time of its release) foregrounding of children and childhood, the best-selling film novelization (and its authorized sequel?!), its status as a rare box-office behemoth that's also a stand alone movie, the Oscar-winning score by John Williams, and the little details that make 'E.T.' a film for the ages.   Mike Duquette has worked for Legacy Recordings, Rhino Records, Allmusic, Ultimate Classic Rock, Discogs, Observer, uDiscover Music and Mondo Records, where he penned the liner notes to their 40th anniversary vinyl release of John Williams' score to E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. He founded The Second Disc, a website devoted to music reissues and box sets, in 2010, and writes about other music, movies and film novelizations at Duque's Delight.If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

Kicking off a new episode cycle about "Musicians on Film", Julian, Emilio and Madeline hop on a three-wheeled motorcycle and revisit a movie they've previously seen and admired: Robert Altman's 1975 epic 'Nashville', a five-day, criss-crossing journey through the country music capital.  The trio do their best to make sense of the many disparate things that take place in its unusual narrative, and discuss scenes and characters that have outsized importance in their own personal experiences watching the film.  They discuss at length the film's many musician/actors, the songs they sing (many they wrote themselves), and the respect to the work Altman demonstrates in showing most of these musical performances in full.  With three down and only two best picture nominees from 1975 left to discuss, might there be plans to discuss all of them before long?  DISCLAIMER: While they are current events related to our discussion of 'Nashville', the passing of actress Shelley Duvall and the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump are not discussed here because this conversation was recorded before either incident took place.  R.I.P. Shelley Duvall If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

For this bonus episode, Julian, Madeline and Emilio reflect on the high school based films that were discussed over the last few months.  Are there any shared characteristics between them?  What about a high school setting makes for interesting, relatable stories?  Lastly, the trio assigns superlatives to several of the memorable characters from the nine films they watched.  Cutest Couple?  Life of the Party?  Best Athlete?  Best Dressed?  Friendliest?  Arguments are made for these categories and several more!If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. It really helps us find new listeners and can help us grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok @sleeplesscinematicpod, and drop us a line at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com!On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats  

Emilio, Madeline, and Julian finish off their cycle on High School Movies with a "Close-Up" on the great director Amy Heckerling, and a selection of her school-based films. The trio kick it off with 1982's "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," Heckerling's directorial debut and an unforgettable ensemble comedy/drama with a Cameron Crowe-penned script and career-defining performances from many of its stars. To follow, they then take a look at 1995's "Clueless," Heckerling's mid-90s, Beverly Hills-set adaptation of Jane Austen's "Emma," and a trendsetting masterpiece influential to many later movies set in high school and beyond. And to finish off, the trio shed some light on 2000's "Loser," a college film to punctuate the episode cycle, and one that may have done better critically and at the box office had Amy Heckerling been allowed more autonomy in its production. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider writing us a positive review on your podcast platform of choice. It really helps us find new listeners!Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com, and follow us on IG and TikTok @sleeplesscinematicpodOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian @julian_barthold and Madeline @patronessofcats 

For the latest "High School" cycle episode,  Julian, Madeline and Emilio revisit two beloved "one crazy night" teen/buddy comedies, Greg Mottola's 'Superbad' and Olivia Wilde's 'Booksmart'.   The trio gets into what really works, and some of what doesn't work as well, in these two iconic films.  While there are striking (and well documented) similarities between these two  films, there are also notable differences.   They discuss the performances of the young leads, what the presence of social media adds to one of these films, how these films present immature adults, and how common it is to be in an unbalanced friendships during your teen years.  Madeline talks about the censored scene in 'Superbad' that she just saw for the very first time.  Emilio shares his experiences being present at test/preview screenings for both of these movies. Julian sees a great opportunity (and name) for a current troupe of actors to identify as and adopt.  And it's an Unlikely Shared Universe you won't want to miss!  If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. It really helps us find new listeners and can help us grow!Follow us on IG and TikTok @sleeplesscinematicpod, and drop us a line at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com!On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline  at patronessofcats

This week, Emilio, Julian, and Madeline break out the croquet mallets and slushies for a discussion of 'Heathers', the 1989 high school dark comedy starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater.  This is as formative a movie as there can be for Emilio, who can't help but speak with admiration for this cult classic.  They dig into the film's satirical approach to the subject matter, its prescience about a future with rampant school violence, the star-making turns for the film's lead actors, and consider several cinematic predecessors and successors with similar themes and stylistic choices.  Julian graces us with another impersonation and a few outside-the-box character comparisons.   Madeline has lingering questions about Veronica's true nature.  Emilio shares why the college party might be the most important scene in the movie.  It's a conversation filled with exploration and  earnest appreciation for one of the more influential high school movies of the 1980s.  If you enjoy our podcast, please consider writing us a positive review on your podcast platform of choice. It really helps us find new listeners!Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com, and follow us on IG and TikTok @sleeplesscinematicpodOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian @julian_barthold and Madeline @patronessofcats

Madeline, Julian, and Emilio are joined by guest Jamie Homs as they continue their High School Movies cycle with a "Suggestion Box" episode on the original high school musical, Randal Kleiser's “Grease”. While Madeline and Jamie have lost count of the number of times they've visited Rydell High, Julian is coming in with fresh eyes as a first-time viewer! Does the magic of this bright and peppy classic work without the nostalgia of watching it as a kid? The group discusses the characterization (and debated lack thereof) of the Pink Ladies and T-Birds, assisted by a former Rizzo herself! And of course, no conversation would be complete without discussing the ultimate “Grease” conspiracy - did she really drown?If you enjoy our podcast, please consider writing us a positive review on your podcast platform of choice. It really helps us find new listeners!Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com, and follow us on IG and TikTok @sleeplesscinematicpodOn Letterboxd? Follow Julian @julian_barthold and Madeline @patronessofcats

Julian, Madeline, and Emilio are joined by Lily Desmond of the band Sloppy Jane to venture into the midnight realm with a discussion on the new film "I Saw the TV Glow." The group dive into its portrayals of such themes as media obsession, personal identity crisis, and co-dependency, along with its abundance of music, aided by Lily's perspective on Sloppy Jane's presence in the film. They also discuss which experiences in their lives most closely resemble main character Owen's relationship with the Pink Opaque, and reminisce about the television shows with clear homages in the film, bookended by comparisons both apparent and "unlikely..."  If you haven't yet, please consider writing us a positive review on the podcast platform of your choice. It really helps us find new listeners, and you'll be doing a nice thing too :)Email us at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comFollow us on IG and on Tik Tok! @sleeplesscinematicpodListen to Lily Desmond's music on Spotify and Bandcamp, and follow them on IG @lilygoddamndesmondOn Letterboxd?Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

This week, The Sleepless Cinematic Podcast joins forces with Down the Yellow Brick Pod hosts Emily Kay Shrader and Tara Tagliaferro, two of the world's leading experts on all things Oz, to discuss one of the more bizarro films ever to be influenced by 1939's classic 'The Wizard of Oz' - the third and final installment of John Waters' trash trilogy, 1977's 'Desperate Living'.  Emily and Tara come to this film with plenty of Oz-related background, and weigh in on several of the homages that Waters seems to have snuck into this film: a demented "Over the Rainbow", dropped "houses", an "effed-up" Oz/Munchkinland, witches wreaking havoc, villains having a lot of fun, and much, much more!  Please check out our conversation with Emily and Tara on Down the Yellow Brick Pod about 2018's 'Crazy Rich Asians' and the Oz-related themes that its director John M. Chu, who's directing the theatrical release of 'Wicked', managed to knowingly or unknowingly incorporate.   If you like what you heard, please follow us and rate/review this podcast favorably on your platform of choice.  It really does help us find new listeners!Follow us on IG and Tik Tok @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comOn Letterboxd?  Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats.

Emilio, Madeline, and Julian continue their High School Movies cycle with a "Mise-Unseen" entry on Alan Parker's 1980 classic, "Fame." Coincidentally a film that none of the trio had seen previously, they look in depth at its ensemble-based depiction of a full four years at New York City's High School of the Performing Arts. Amidst their many talking points, Julian brings a unique perspective to the film as the native New Yorker of the group, while Emilio spins a discussion from the film's "Rocky Horror Picture Show" sequence, and Madeline grades the vowels of every choir singer we see on screen. All three also continue relating their own high school experiences to those shown in the film, and revel in the details of its iconic "Hot Lunch Jam" and street-dancing sequences. They hope it'll be the best experience possible, but whatever you think, one thing's for sure: they just wanna dance! If you haven't yet, please consider writing us a positive review on the podcast platform of your choice. It really helps us find new listeners, and you'll be doing a nice thing too :)Email us at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comFollow us here on IG and on Tik Tok! @sleeplesscinematicpodOn Letterboxd?Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats  

Alright, Alright, Alright!  This week Julian, Madeline and Emilio kick off their newest cycle of High School movies by revisiting a 90s favorite about the 70s, Richard Linklater's 'Dazed and Confused'.   The trio looks back on their own time in high school, and discuss what this movie gets right about this time in life.  What signature Linklater touches are present in this movie?  Which of the film's impressive ensemble performances stand out, and which ones leave something to be desired?  What's the deal with all the hazing?  Is Milla Jovovich really playing that guitar?  Which of the several great needle drops is most satisfying?  And which of these characters do each of the co-hosts relate to the most?   If you haven't yet, please consider writing us a positive review on the podcast platform of your choice. It really helps us find new listeners, and you'll be doing a nice thing too :)Email us at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comFollow us here on IG and on Tik Tok! @sleeplesscinematicpodOn Letterboxd?Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats 

Bonus episode! Emilio, Madeline and Julian are joined by esteemed NYC musician and bandleader Matt Friedman to discuss one of his favorite films, M. Night Shyamalan's 'Unbreakable'.  The quartet dig into the many fun aspects of this film - the great camera work and the influence comic book imagery has throughout, its status as a revisionist superhero movie, the abundant color symbolism, how its twist ending is still so effective (in spite of being there the whole time in retrospect), and much more.  The group end with a highlight round of Unlikely Shared Universe, that features leaps in time, actual leaps, and a particular brand of nautical nonsense.      Spoiler alerts for this film, as well as M. Night's related films 'Glass' and, to a lesser extent, 'Split'.Be sure to check out Matt and his fantastic band Stiletto on IG:@stilettobandnycand at the band's website:www.stilettobandnyc.comIf you haven't yet, please consider writing us a positive review on the podcast platform of your choice. It really helps us find new listeners, and you'll be doing a nice thing too :)Email us at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comFollow us here on IG and on Tik Tok! @sleeplesscinematicpodOn Letterboxd?Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

To wrap up their cycle on "Unique Best Picture Winners," Julian, Emilio, and Madeline take a deep dive into the life and work of the great actor John Cazale. Best known as Fredo Corleone in "The Godfather" Parts I and II, Cazale appeared in only five feature films in the 1970s before his untimely passing. However, all five of those films became iconic, both in and beyond his lifetime, and made Cazale a mainstay of the Best Picture Oscar category in the process. On top of the first two "Godfather" films, Cazale also starred in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Conversation" (1974), Sidney Lumet's "Dog Day Afternoon" (1975), and made his final appearance in Michael Cimino's "The Deer Hunter" (1978). The trio touch on all five films, focusing in depth on three of them, to appreciate the immense quality of Cazale's acting in the limited quantity of his career, and make external connections and speculations of what Cazale may have gone on to do had he lived longer.      If you enjoy our podcast, please consider writing us a positive review on your podcast platform of choice. It really helps us be shared and enjoyed by others!Follow us on IG and TikTok! @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com!On Letterboxd? Follow Julian @julian_barthold and Madeline @patronessofcats 

For our Unique Best Picture Winner "Two-Shot" episode, Madeline and Julian finally see (and Emilio rewatches) two of the more upsetting upset winners of the Academy Award's last twenty years, Paul Haggis' passion project 'Crash' and Peter Farrelly's mismatched-buddy-road-trip picture 'Green Book'.   They reflect on what social conditions existed that might have led to their ascension to Best Picture consideration, as well as what was internal (and in some cases endemic) within the Academy that put these films  over the top.  The trio is firmly in agreement that the racial themes of 'Crash', while important to consider, are handled so poorly and lazily rendered on screen.  With very few exceptions, the redeeming qualities of 'Crash' are practically non-existent.   And while Emilio agrees with the others that 'Green Book' is not Best Picture worthy, he makes a case for why this movie is a little better than its current reputation would have you think it is. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider writing us a positive review on your podcast platform of choice. It really helps us be shared and enjoyed by others!Follow us on IG and TikTok! @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com!On Letterboxd? Follow Julian @julian_barthold and Madeline @patronessofcats 

Madeline, Julian, and Emilio continue their cycle on Unique Best Picture Winners with a "Suggestion Box" episode on the 1969 classic "Midnight Cowboy," the first and only X-Rated film to win the top Oscar. As the oldest film the trio have covered to this point, they each think it holds up spectacularly in numerous ways, such as its frenetic dual portrayals of youthful desire and repressed trauma, its iconic needle drops with Harry Nilsson's "Everybody's Talkin'," and Dustin Hoffman's inimitable overbite. Aided by myriad anecdotes along the way on the film's production and release, director John Schlesinger's greater filmography, and, as it just so happens, Emilio's freshman year at NYU, the trio follow in the footsteps of Joe Buck and Rico "Ratso" Rizzo (luckily without being forced to yell "I'm walkin' here!") and go where the filmic sun keeps shining through the pouring rain.If you enjoy our podcast, please consider writing us a positive review on your podcast platform of choice. It really helps us be shared and enjoyed by others!Follow us on IG and TikTok! @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com!On Letterboxd? Follow Julian @julian_barthold and Madeline @patronessofcats 

While they cycle through Unique Best Picture Winners, Julian, Madeline and Emilio take a moment to reflect on the most recent Best Picture Winner (and recipient of six other Oscars), Christopher Nolan's 2023 mega-hit 'Oppenheimer'.  After some thoughts on this last Sunday's Academy Awards, they dive into the movie.  Would it qualify as a unique Best Picture winner?  What is it about this movie that feels timeless and timely?  They cover the cagey nature of Nolan as interview subject, the film's exceptional writing, the surprising amount of children actors from Nickelodeon series to stay off the cutting room floor, and praise the performances and careers of Benny Safdie and David Krumholtz, amongst others!If you enjoy our podcast, please consider writing us a positive review on your podcast platform of choice.  It really helps us be shared and enjoyed by others!Follow us on IG and Tik Tok! @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com!On Letterboxd?  Follow Julian @julian_barthold and Madeline @patronessofcats

For this cycle's "Mise-Unseen" entry, Madeline, Emilio and Julian finally pony up for Apple TV Plus subscriptions and see 'CODA', Sian Heder's 2021 Best Picture winning film.  Like the Joni Mitchell classic at the heart of this film, the trio can't help but see both triumphantly good and puzzlingly frustrating aspects to 'CODA'.  For all the powerful and winning scenes with the Rossi family (that scene on the pickup truck!), there are clunky and shallow ones with most every other peripheral character.  For all the great ways this film centers and empowers its deaf actors and main characters, it also short changes the viewer with an overly predictable narrative.  And this group of musicians can't help but weigh in on the music plot line.  From up and down, and still somehow, there is genuine appreciation for this film, but not without some nits to pick.    For those who are deaf or hearing impaired, a full written transcript for this episode can be found on this episode's Buzzsprout link!https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269866/14621363And If you enjoy our podcast, please consider writing us a positive review on your podcast platform of choice.  It really helps us be shared and enjoyed by others!Follow us on IG and Tik Tok! @sleeplesscinematicpodSend us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com!On Letterboxd?  Follow Julian @julian_barthold and Madeline @patronessofcats

To coincide with Oscars season, Julian, Emilio, and Madeline begin a new episode cycle  on Unique Best Picture Winners with a "View-nanimous" on 1991's The Silence of the Lambs. Hear them discuss the myriad qualities that distinguish this movie, such as its aesthetic innovations, presciently macabre subject matter, and advancements in filmic portrayals of feminism, all while trying to pin down its place in a distinct cross-section of genre and critical esteem. And keep your ears open for some favorite moments of acting and camera subtlety, a certain co-host's Hannibal Lecter impression, and a nod to a music/movie ending crossover that knows no limits... 

With the 96th Academy Awards a little less than a month away, Julian, Madeline and Emilio share their first impressions and some opinions about 'May December', a movie that didn't get the Oscars love most thought it would receive upon its release.  They note that the ambiguous interpretations of motivation and behavior favorably reminds them of Haynes' (previously discussed on this podcast) film 'Safe'.  They also comment on the film's interrogation of viewer desires, and how that theme situates it amongst several other films released in 2023.  Then, Julian and Madeline have a back and forth about the Best Picture race,  and share personal anecdotes about some of their favorite films nominated this year.  

A Bonus Episode!  Madeline, Emilio and Julian reflect on the last several weeks' films -  what they have in common with each other, how different they actually are when dealing with "sanity" or "insanity", and some of what they learned by considering the same things while watching several different films.  A BIG thanks to all of you who have listened to these episodes!Wanna reach out to us?  Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram: @sleeplesscinematicpodOn Letterboxd?  Follow Julian: @julian_bartholdFollow Madeline: @patronessofcats

Emilio, Madeline, and Julian welcome their first guest Anthony Hollock for a “Close-Up” on the life and work of the one and only Divine. For the final episode in their “Perceptions of Sanity” cycle, the group look at Divine's career-spanning collaboration with John Waters with a focus on Multiple Maniacs, Pink Flamingos, Polyester, and Hairspray, while making some stops along the way to discuss turns in non-Waters films such as Lust in the Dust and Trouble in Mind. Hear them trace the arc of Divine's initial bombast to later subtlety, with myriad reactions along the way. Plus, why does Anthony feel like he's lived in a John Waters movie? What record does Pink Flamingos set for Julian? And who in the group was a “hair-hopper”?

This week for their Two Shot episode, Emilio, Madeline, and Julian set their sights on a pair of unconventional, challenging, and highly self-aware movies about falling in love: Steven Shainberg's 2002 film 'Secretary' and Pedro Almodovar's 1989 release 'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!'  While discussing 'Secretary', Emilio details a personal story about discovering and appreciating this unusual film.  The trio have a lot to say about Maggie Gyllenhaal's star-making performance as the main character Lee, the ways in which the film references several romantic comedy tropes, and express their approval of a "Wash and Dine" business.  When the conversation shifts to 'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!', the group continues to discuss romantic comedy narratives and what Almodovar does to subvert (and pervert) them.  Considering the overarching theme of "perceptions of sanity", they  ponder if terms like "sanity" and "sane" can be used to describe what and how we choose to show love, and what these movies have to say, if anything, towards that greater point.  And of course, some Unlikely Shared Universe sprinkled in!CONTENT WARNING: These are movies that depict and/or directly address self-harm, substance abuse, and violence of a sexual nature, and our conversation will occasionally reference this content.  

In their first episode of 2024, Madeline, Julian and Emilio disembark, hand over their firearms, and investigate Martin Scorsese's 2010 film 'Shutter Island'.  In the third of five episodes considering "perceptions of sanity," the trio consider its place among other well known films with twist endings.  Is this Scorsese's attempt to beat M. Night Shyamalan at his own game? How much of what we see is actually happening?  Who is the real "monster" in this film?  Should some of these nurses and orderlies consider side hustles as working actors?  Did Emilio actually find a scenario where clever wordplay just didn't do it for him?  The three also try their hand at a new segment called 'Unlikely Shared Universe', where they test the limits of their imagination and movie nerd brains to keep characters repopulating the movies they love, only with new aliases and identities. 

For the last episode of 2023, Madeline, Julian and Emilio continue exploring the theme of "Perceptions of Sanity" with an episode category called "Mise-Unseen", where they  discuss a movie they've all just now seen for the first time.  That movie is Todd Haynes' 1995 release 'Safe', a film as devoid of holiday cheer as it is of clear-cut interpretations, but a fascinating film to watch now, or any time for that matter.  How present or convincing is the feminist messaging?  Is Greg the husband unlikeable and selfish, aloof, or a character we are meant to sympathize with?  What is Carol's ultimate fate?  The trio deep dives into several of the directions that this movie allows you to go.   Thanks so much for finding us this year!  If you like what you've heard, please consider following us and writing us a positive review on your platform of choice.  Happy holidays, and we'll see you again in 2024 on January 10th!Email us at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.comFollow us on Instagram at @sleeplesscinematicpodOn Letterbox'd?  Follow Julian at @julian_barthold and Madeline at @patronessofcats