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Filmspotting

Adam Kempenaar & Josh Larsenfilmspotting.net
Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen review new and classic movies, offering "affable, insightful film analysis since 2005" (NY Times).

Episodes

#983: The Shawshank Redemption at 30, Fail Safe (Lumet #4)

For its 30th anniversary, Adam and Josh give the Sacred Cow treatment to THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, a Best Picture nominee turned cable TV staple. And the Sidney Lumet Marathon continues with 1964’s Cold War thriller FAIL SAFE. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:01:59) Sacred Cow: “The Shawshank Redemption” (00:0...

Sep 20, 20242 hrEp. 983

From the Archive: Whiplash at 10, Amadeus at 40

Damien Chazelle's WHIPLASH is back in theaters this month for its 10th anniversary, and Miloš Forman's Best Picture-winning AMADEUS turns 40. Both films use the subject of musical genius to explore themes of obsession, greatness, and complicated relationships between peers, mentors, and proteges. For access to the complete Filmspotting archive, going back to 2005, join the Filmspotting Family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 18, 20241 hr 3 min

#982: Top 5 Michael Keaton Performances, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

With Michael Keaton back as everyone’s favorite Juilliard-trained ghoul in BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE, Adam and Josh consider the versatile actor’s career with their Top 5 Keaton Performances. Plus, a review of the Tim Burton sequel and Massacre Theatre. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:01:30) Top 5: Michael Keat...

Sep 13, 20242 hr 41 minEp. 982

From the Archive: Blazing Saddles at 50

Mel Brooks's legendary comedy is back in theaters this month for its 50th anniversary, so we're sharing Adam and Josh's 2014 Sacred Cow review, which was done in honor of its 40th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 11, 202422 min

#981: Fall Movie Preview, Rebel Ridge

Adam and Josh break out the Folie à Deux format for one more 2024 preview, with 25 of the most intriguing fall films organized into 12 head-to-head matchups. Plus, Adam’s review of REBEL RIDGE, the latest from “Green Room” director Jeremy Saulnier. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:01:32) Fall Movie Preview (00...

Sep 06, 20242 hr 41 minEp. 981

#980: The Wizard of Oz at 85, The Pawnbroker (Lumet #3)

Adam and Josh lift the veil of nostalgia for a Pantheon Project review of “The Wizard of Oz,” which turns 85 this year. Also, Massacre Theatre, and a conversation about one of the most celebrated performances of the ‘60s, Rod Steiger in “The Pawnbroker.” This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:01:39) Pantheon Review:...

Aug 30, 20241 hr 27 minEp. 980

From the Archive: Gena Rowlands in Opening Night and Paris, Texas at 40

The great Gena Rowlands recently passed away at 94. We honor the two-time Oscar nominee with a revisit of her performance in husband John Cassavetes's "Opening Night." Plus, our 8 From '84 discussion of Wim Wenders's "Paris, Texas." Opening (00:00:00-00:01:14) Review: “Opening Night” (00:01:15-00:17:32) Next Week, Notes (00:17:33-00:18:26) Review: “Paris, Texas” (00:18:27-00:54:27) Feedback: Email us at [email protected]. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content...

Aug 23, 202458 min

#979: Apocalypse Now at 45, Alien: Romulus, Daughters, War Game

Following “The Conversation” and the massive success of the “Godfather” films, Francis Ford Coppola closed out the ‘70s with the almost disastrous “Apocalypse Now.” Adam and Josh confront “the horror,” plus reviews of “Alien: Romulus” and two new docs. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:01:51) Pantheon Review: “...

Aug 16, 20242 hr 41 minEp. 979

#978: Trap, Top 5 Bad Movie Dads, National Anthem, Long Day’s Journey into Night (Lumet #2)

M. Night Shyamalan’s "doozy" of a new movie inspires Adam and Josh to share their Top 5 Bad Movie Dads, featuring a rogue’s gallery of cinema’s lousiest fathers. Plus, a Golden Brick nod for “National Anthem,” and the Sidney Lumet Marathon continues with “Long Day’s Journey into Night," and more. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) O...

Aug 09, 20242 hr 17 minEp. 978

From the Archive: The Sixth Sense

With M. Night Shyamalan's "Trap" currently in theaters, we dug into the archives for our 9 From '99 review of "The Sixth Sense." Shyamalan's box office juggernaut and Best Picture nominee turns 25 this summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 08, 202434 min

#977: Sing Sing, Deadpool and Wolverine, The Fugitive Kind (Lumet #1)

The new prison drama “Sing Sing” is another potent showcase for Colman Domingo and an impressive debut for director Greg Kwedar. Plus, Adam on “Deadpool and Wolverine,” and the first film in the Sidney Lumet Marathon, “The Fugitive Kind,” with Marlon Brando, Joanne Woodward, and Italian acting great Anna Magnani. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:02:23) Review: “Sing Sing” (00:02:24-00:36:04) Review (AK): “Deadpool and Wolverine” (00:36:05-0...

Aug 02, 20242 hr 40 minEp. 977

1999 Movie Draft (Bonus Excerpt)

Family member Jake Skubish joins Adam, Josh, and producer Sam for a thrilling cinematic showdown where iconic films like The Matrix, Fight Club, The Sixth Sense, Magnolia, and Being John Malkovich are up for grabs. -Join the Filmspotting Family Intro (00:00:00-00:00:56) Structure / Order (00:00:57-00:10:15) Rd. 1 (00:10:16-00:23:01) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 01, 202423 min

#976: Twisters, The Films of Powell and Pressburger

Does director Lee Isaac Chung (“Minari”) put his stamp on”Twisters”? Adam and Josh debate. Plus, Martin Scorsese celebrates The Archers in the new doc “Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger.” (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:02:02) Review: “Twisters” (00:02:03-00:38:39) Next Week, Notes (00:38:40-00:47:03) Massacre Theatre (00:47:04-00:52:41) The Films of Powell and Pressburger (00:52:42-01:23:41) Notes/Links: -“Made in Engla...

Jul 26, 20242 hr 30 minEp. 976

#975: Do the Right Thing at 35, Kinds of Kindness, Fly Me to the Moon

A cultural flashpoint in the summer of ‘89, Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing” has lost none of its power in the last 35 years. Adam and Josh have a Pantheon review, plus thoughts on “Kinds of Kindness” and the new space-age comedy “Fly Me to the Moon.” (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:01:41) Pantheon Review: “Do the Right Thing” (00:01:42-00:52:12) Review (JL): “Fly Me to the Moon” (00:52:13-00:56:08) Next Week, Notes (00:56:09-01:02:14) Pol...

Jul 19, 20242 hr 35 minEp. 975

From the Archive: Top 5 Spike Lee Shots

With "Do The Right Thing" celebrating its 35th anniversary this summer - and Adam and Josh's upcoming Pantheon review - we're sharing our Top 5 Spike Lee Shots from 2018. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 17, 202445 min

#974: MaXXXine, Chinatown at 50, Longlegs, Dandelion

Reviews of Ti West’s horror trilogy-ender “MaXXXine,” Oz Perkins’s “Longlegs” with Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage, and Kiki Layne in Nicole Riegel’s “Dandelion.” Plus, Roman Polanski’s possibly perfect L.A. noir turns 50. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:02:29) Review: “MaXXXine” (00:02:30-00:36:42) Review (JL): “Longlegs” (00:36:43-00:41:44) Review (AK): “Dandelion” (00:41:45-00:45:21) Next Week, Notes (00:45:22-00:51:53) Massacre Theatre (...

Jul 12, 20242 hr 4 minEp. 974

From the Archive: Top 5 Childhood Scares with Ti West

The clown under the bed. The elevator filled with blood. Scary movies make an impression – especially as a kid. From 2016, Adam, Josh, and special guest Ti West ("MaXXXine") tap into their earliest fears for their Top 5 Childhood Movie Scares. For full access to the show archive, join the Filmspotting Family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 10, 202444 min

#973: A Quiet Place: Day One, Top 5 Prequels, Fancy Dance

Critic Roxana Hadadi joins Josh for reviews of “A Quiet Place: Day One” and Lily Gladstone in “Fancy Dance.” Plus, the Top 5 Movie Prequels. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:04:13) Review: “A Quiet Place: Day One” (00:04:14-00:27:52) Review: “Fancy Dance” (00:27:53-00:37:01) Next Week, Notes (00:37:02-00:40:11) Polls (00:40:12-00:51:01) Top 5: Prequels (00:51:01-01:37:07) Notes/Links: Roxana Hadadi at Vulture https://www.vulture.com/author/...

Jul 05, 20242 hr 42 minEp. 973

#972: Top 5 Films of 2024 (So Far), Janet Planet

With picks heavy on emerging filmmakers, Michael Phillips joins Adam and Josh to count down the best of the year so far. Plus, a Golden Brick nod for Annie Baker’s directing debut, “Janet Planet.” (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:01:58) Picks #5-3 (00:01:59-00:39:16) Review: “Janet Planet” (00:39:16-00:45:44) RIP Donald Sutherland, Next Week, Notes (00:45:45-00:56:09) Massacre Theatre (00:56:10-01:04:57) Picks #2-1 (01:04:57-01:40:05) Notes...

Jun 28, 20242 hr 45 minEp. 972