Nomadland & Lost in America
This week, it's two films about semi-rejecting American capitalism for a life on the road: fresh Golden Globe winner Nomadland (Chloé Zhao, 2021) and Lost in America (Albert Brooks, 1985).
Mar 01, 2021•55 min•Ep. 60
ABC Movies
Two smart guys talk dumb about today's great films
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episodes
Another Round & Smashed
This week, it's two of the many, many films about drinking. First, it's the lovely new full-bodied Danish film Another Round (2020), paired with an insouciant little indie, Smashed (2012).
Feb 15, 2021•56 min•Ep. 59
The Climb & Romi and Michelle's High School Reunion
This week, we're talking two movies looking at long-term friendship: The Climb (2020) and Romi and Michelle's High School Reunion (1997). It's good!
Feb 01, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 58
Promising Young Woman & Bombshell
This week, we look at two surprisingly similar stories born from the #MeToo movement: 2020's Promising Young Woman and 2019's Bombshell.
Jan 18, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 57
2020 Year-End
This week, we look back at some of the truly great films released in this truly awful year. Plus: Caleb finally agrees to talk about I'm Thinking of Ending Things!
Dec 30, 2020•40 min•Ep. 56
Lovers Rock & Secrets and Lies
This week, it's two slice of life films about the UK, (at least partially) dealing with the Black experience there. It's Steve McQueen's Lovers Rock (2020) and Mike Leigh's Secrets and Lies (1996).
Dec 15, 2020•52 min•Ep. 55
The Nest & I Heart Huckabees
This week! It's two movies starring the avatar of upper-middle-class anxiety, Jude Law: The Nest (2020) and I Heart Huckabees (2004).
Nov 30, 2020•56 min•Ep. 54
Kajillionaire & Paper Moon
This week, two movies about families of scammers fooling others and learning about themselves. It's Kajillionaire (2020, Miranda July) and Paper Moon (1973, Peter Bogdanovich).
Nov 16, 2020•54 min•Ep. 53
Time & Dick Johnson is Dead
This week, we talk two new streaming docs, Time and Dick Johnson is Dead, and about the whole idea that suddenly documentaries are huge!
Nov 02, 2020•56 min•Ep. 52
The 40-Year-Old Version & The Big Picture
This week, it's two movies about the compromises we seem to have to make to get our creative projects made. It's 2020's Sundance Best Director winner The 40-Year-Old Version (directed by Radha Blank) and 1989's The Big Picture (directed by Christopher Guest).
Oct 21, 2020•50 min•Ep. 51
The Devil All the Time & Wise Blood
This week, it's two stories of despair and failure (and Jesus) in the South: The Devil All the Time (2020) & Wise Blood (1979).
Oct 05, 2020•49 min•Ep. 50
First Cow & Wendy and Lucy
This week, it's two films by the totally singular Kelly Reichardt: First Cow (2020) & Wendy and Lucy (2008). Longtime listeners know this one is very emotionally important for the show (especially Chris)!!
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 49
She Dies Tomorrow & It Follows
This week, it's two movies about inescapable, transmittable horror: She Dies Tomorrow (2020) and It Follows (2014).
Aug 25, 2020•47 min•Ep. 48
Palm Springs & Edge of Tomorrow
This week, we're stuck in a loop! Stuck in a loop. It's Palm Springs (2020) and Edge of Tomorrow (2014). We're stuck in loop!
Aug 10, 2020•55 min•Ep. 47
Young Ahmed & Four Lions
This week, it's two different looks at extremism in film: the drama Young Ahmed (2020, Best Director at 2019 Cannes for Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne); and the comedy Four Lions, (2010, Chris Morris).
Jul 27, 2020•47 min•Ep. 46
The Truth & The Lobster
This week, we're talking about two acclaimed directors' first movies not in their native language. It's Hirokazu Kore-eda's The Truth (2020, French and English), and Yorgos Lanthimos' The Lobster (2015, English).
Jul 15, 2020•57 min•Ep. 45
Shirley & American Splendor
This week, it's two (mostly fictional) looks at (totally real) writers as they work on their (also totally real) books: Shirley (2020, Josephine Decker) and American Splendor (2003, Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini).
Jun 29, 2020•56 min•Ep. 44
Da 5 Bloods & Do The Right Thing
This week, it's two movies about race, America, violence and our own minds -- both from visionary director Spike Lee. They're the new Netflix original Da 5 Bloods (2020) and the stone-cold classic Do The Right Thing (1989).
Jun 15, 2020•57 min•Ep. 43
Spaceship Earth & Bio-Dome
This week, it's two extremely different looks at life in the biosphere: the documentary Spaceship Earth (2020) and the Pauly Shore vehicle Bio-Dome (1996). Title music is "Life Story" by Kevin Hairs, who has a GREAT NEW EP! More info here: https://kevinhairs.bandcamp.com/releases
Jun 01, 2020•49 min•Ep. 42
Deerskin & Butt Boy
This week it's two bizarre horror comedies: Deerskin (2020) and Butt Boy (2019). Even better, they're both on independent streaming services, where renting them puts money towards your local arthouse theater. Deerskin is through Virtual Cinemas, and Butt Boy is on the new Alamo Drafthouse streamer, Alamo On Demand. Title music is "Life Story" by Kevin Hairs, who has a GREAT NEW EP! More info here: https://kevinhairs.bandcamp.com/releases
May 18, 2020•54 min•Ep. 41
Never Rarely Sometimes Always & Obvious Child
This week, stay home and relax with these two movies about abortion! Two very different takes on abortion, and abortion access: the 2020 neo-realist drama Never Rarely Sometimes Always and the 2014 Jenny Slate comedy Obvious Child. Title music is "Life Story" by Kevin Hairs, who has a GREAT NEW EP! More info here: https://kevinhairs.bandcamp.com/releases
May 04, 2020•49 min•Ep. 40
Tigertail & In the Mood for Love
This week, it's two tragic tales of love set in mid-century Asia (at least partially): Alan Yang's Tigertail (2020) and Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love (2000). Title music is "Life Story" by Kevin Hairs, who has a GREAT NEW EP! More info here: https://kevinhairs.bandcamp.com/releases
Apr 20, 2020•51 min•Ep. 39
Bacurau & Assault on Precinct 13
This week, we're talking two films where small bands of people have to fend off mysterious, murderous attackers: Bacurau (2020,Kleber Mendonça Filho, Juliano Dornelles dir.) and Assault on Precinct 13 (1976, John Carpenter dir). Title music is "Life Story" by Kevin Hairs. Learn more here: https://kevinhairs.bandcamp.com/releases
Apr 06, 2020•55 min•Ep. 38
Contagion & This Is The End
This week, two movies which are sadly extremely topical: Contagion (2011) and This Is The End (2013). Watch fake people deal with deadly viral outbreaks and the end of the world instead of dealing with it yourself!!c Title music is "Life Story" by Kevin Hairs. Learn more here: https://kevinhairs.bandcamp.com/releases
Mar 23, 2020•56 min•Ep. 37
Portrait of a Lady on Fire & Call Me By Your Name
This week, it's two smoldering period romances: Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) and Call Me By Your Name (2017). Also we have a guest! AOL Build's Ricky Camilleri. Also Chris's mic is a little echoy for some reason, sorry about that! Title music is "Life Story" by Kevin Hairs. Learn more here: https://kevinhairs.bandcamp.com/releases
Mar 09, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 36
Horse Girl & Welcome to Me
This week, it's two mental illness dramadies co-written by their stars. Wait don't go!! They're actually both pretty interesting: Horse Girl (2020), starring Alison Brie, and Welcome to Me (2014), starring Kristen Wiig. Title music is "Life Story" by Kevin Hairs. Learn more here: https://kevinhairs.bandcamp.com/releases
Feb 24, 2020•52 min•Ep. 35
The Assistant & Compliance
This week, it's two movies about women being victimized by monstrous authorities at work: The Assistant (2020) and Compliance (2012). Title music is "Life Story" by Kevin Hairs. Learn more here: https://kevinhairs.bandcamp.com/releases
Feb 10, 2020•56 min•Ep. 34
Pain & Glory & The Player
This week, it's two extremely different takes on filmmaking and filmmakers. First, it's Pedro Almodóvar's 2020 double Oscar nominee Pain & Glory (2019); next, it's Robert Altman's big commercial comeback, the cynical Hollywood thriller The Player (1992). Title music is "Life Story" by Kevin Hairs. Learn more here: https://kevinhairs.bandcamp.com/releases
Jan 27, 2020•58 min•Ep. 33
Little Women & Adaptation
This week, we're talking about two movies co-starring Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper where writers struggle to put their lives on the page. It's Little Women (2019) and Adaptation (2002). Plus, we talk to the world's foremost Little Women expert: Chris's Mom! Title music is "Life Story" by Kevin Hairs. Learn more here: https://kevinhairs.bandcamp.com/releases
Jan 13, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 32
Uncut Gems & Star Wars, plus Best of the Decade!
This week, Caleb is so excited about Uncut Gems he basically can't form a coherent sentence. Plus we talk about what's wrong with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and what was right in cinema in the 2010s. Title music is "Life Story" by Kevin Hairs. Learn more here: https://kevinhairs.bandcamp.com/releases
Dec 30, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 31
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android