Film Inquiry's The Latest

One year ago, Jesse brought together three guests; Josh Martin, Hunter Heilman, and Jordan Snyder to preview the 2021 movies slate. Now, they've reunited to recap the year, the trends, and what their favorite scenes, unsung performances, and overall movies were from the last 12 months.  

This week, Jesse and his guests discuss three major new releases from the holiday season. First, Film Inquiry Editor in Chief Kristy Strouse stops by to talk about the satirical disaster movie Don't Look Up and The Matrix Resurrections, the fourth installment in the action franchise. Then, film critic Gabe Lampalombella to break down 2021's biggest blockbuster; Spider-Man: No Way Home.

This week, critic Josh Martin joins to break down two holiday releases from two major auteurs. He and Jesse discuss Guillermo del Toro's recent remake of the noir Nightmare Alley, along with Paul Thomas Anderson's teen comedy Licorice Pizza. Jesse and Josh also talk about the strong box-office numbers for Spider-Man: No Way Home, why it's a sigh of relief for movie theaters but also wh...

This week, Film Inquiry's Emily Wheeler joins to discuss Steven Spielberg's remake of West Side Story. She and Jesse discuss the film's relationship to the Oscar-winning 1961 original, what new elements Spielberg and writer Tony Kushner brought to the story, and some of their favorite performances. Then, the two take a step back and examine the 50-year career of Spielberg, his evolutio...

This week, Elements of Madness writer Hunter Heilman returns to talk about the provocative lesbian nun drama Benedetta. He and Jesse also discuss how the provocative film fits in with the larger themes and ideas of its director, Paul Verhoven. Then the two talk awards season, catching up on Belfast and looking ahead to films such as Cyrano and The Tragedy of Macbeth.

This week, Elements of Madness writer Hunter Heilman returns to discuss House of Gucci. Jesse and Hunter talk about the movie's push and pull between being a campy romp and a serious family crime drama, break down all the performances, and examine whether or not Ridley Scott was the right filmmaker to take on this material. Then, the two recap what they each checked out over the Thanksgiving h...

In this week's episode, Jesse sits down with writer/director Stephen Karam to talk about his new movie The Humans. The two discuss what it was like for Stephen to adapt his play into a feature film, and what inspirations he drew on for its unique aesthetic. Then Jesse talks with one of the film's stars, Richard Jenkins, about what it was like to work on the project, as well as his acclaime...

This week, Jesse and Film Inquiry Editor-in-Chief Kristy Strouse discuss the Netflix caper movie Red Notice. The two take a look at the film's three stars; Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot, break down their careers thus far and examine what these leads can tell us about the state of movie stardom in 2021. Then Kristy and Jesse pivot to TV to discuss the current season of HBO's...

This week Jesse and guest Rilwan Balogun discuss Chloe Zhao's entry to the Marvel universe in Eternals and whether the Oscar-winning filmmaker was able to blend her vision in with the larger franchise. Then, the two take a look at Netflix's star-studded western Harder They Fall, and finally, Jesse interviews Jim Cummings and PJ McCabe about their new mystery thriller; The Beta Test.

This week, Jesse and guest Hunter Heilman give their dispatches from North Carolina's Film Fest 919. The two talk about their favorite movies from the festival, what titles we'll likely be talking about through award season, and who won the festival's coveted Audience Award. Then, Jesse and Hunter debate Edgar Wright's new thriller Last Night in Soho, starring Anya Taylor-Joy and T...

This week, Jesse is joined by Inside the Film Room's Johnny Sobczak to discuss all things Dune. The two break down the movie's relationship to the novel, the career of director Denis Villeneuve, what can be expected from potential sequels, and much more!

This week, Hunter Heilman joins Jesse to discuss two of the latest new releases. First, Jesse and Hunter give their differing opinions on Halloween Kills, while also talking about how the popular horror franchise has evolved over the years. Then, the two sing their praise for Ridley Scott's medieval drama The Last Duel. Listen to find out which movie is a more effective story about trauma and...

This week, in honor of the release of No Time to Die, Jake Tropila joins Jesse Nussman to discuss the James Bond franchise. The two discuss what's made the series so popular for almost 60 years, who their favorite Bond star is, and what the series best movies are. Then, Jake and Jesse break down the latest Bond film with both a general discussion and a deep dive into the movie's spoilers.

This week Jesse is joined by Rilwan Balogun joins to discuss The Many Saints of Newark, the new movie prequel to The Sopranos. The two discuss the impact of the famed HBO drama, its legacy today, and then dive into a spoiler-filled discussion of the new movie!

This week, Jesse Nussman and Kristy Strouse recap the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival. First, Kristy gives her thoughts on some of her favorite movies of the festival and what titles listeners should look out for in the months to come. Then, Jesse talks about some of the festival's biggest premiers, which have already begun to hit theaters, such as Dear Evan Hansen and The Eyes of Tam...

This week, Jesse and Film Inquiry staff writer Emily Wheeler discuss all things Clint Eastwood. The two kick things off with a discussion on his newest film; Cry Macho and follow it up with a discussion on the larger Eastwood filmography, his evolution as a filmmaker, and what makes him such a unique movie star.

This week, Jesse and guest Hunter Heilman discuss the B-movie pleasures of James Wan's Malignant. Plus, the two reflect on the tragic death of Michael K. Williams, and Jesse discusses his thoughts on Paul Schrader's latest, The Card Counter.

This week, Jesse is joined by Film Inquiry staff writer Emily Wheeler to discuss Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The two discuss the film's strengths and weaknesses, where it fits in with the larger Marvel universe, and what classics of martial arts cinema likely served as inspirations.

This week, Jesse and Hunter Heilman discuss Candyman. The two talk about the new film's relationship to the original 1992 horror classic and the various allegorical readings in the Candyman mythology. Then, with differing opinions on the 2021 film, Jesse and Hunter debate whether Nia DaCosta and Jordan Peele's new reimagining excels as a work of idea-driven horror film or becomes bogged do...

This week, Jesse and Hunter Heilman discuss the latest releases in theaters as summer movie season winds to a close. First, Hunter gives his thoughts on the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect and details why Don't Breathe 2 is one of the biggest disappointments of the year. Then, Jesse attempts to make sense of the Ryan Reynolds vehicle Free Guy and sing his praise for Leos Carax's musical Ann...

This week, Jesse is joined by Mark Marousis to discuss James Gunn's The Suicide Squad. The two compare Gunn's take on the material to the 2016 film, directed by David Ayer , unpack some of the new film's commentary, and give their thoughts on what recent hyper-violent or subversive comic-book adaptations could mean for the future of the genre.

This week, Jesse is joined once again by Josh Martin to discuss two recent releases. First, the two debate back and forth on David Lowery’s The Green Knight. Is it a rich work of fantasy allegory, coupled with impressively surreal visuals, or just empty style without an emotional center? Then, Josh and Jesse give their thoughts on Disney’s Jungle Cruise, with one calling it a fun throwback to clas...

This week, Hunter Heilman joins Jesse to discuss the highs and lows of director M. Night Shyamalan. The two explore the phenomenon of The Sixth Sense, the bizarre acting in Signs, the goofiness of The Happening, and finally wrap things up with a discussion of Shyamalan's latest; Old.

This week, Josh Martin joins the podcast to recap the news from this year's Cannes Film Festival. Josh and Jesse discuss the historic Palme d'Or win for Titane, as well as a rundown of the festival's buzziest titles. Then the two discuss Space Jam: A New Legacy, what it maybe says about the Looney Tunes as cultural properties, and why it might just be a giant advertisement for Warner M...

This week, Film Inquiry Editor in Chief Kristy Strouse joins to talk all things Marvel. First, she and Jesse give their thoughts on Black Widow, the first movie in the MCU in two years. Then, the two discuss the first season of Marvel's Disney+ series Loki.