InSession Film Podcast

On this episode, Shadan is joined by Tom O'Brien to discuss the latest happenings from the Cannes Film Festival and where things stand in terms of the current Emmy races! Visit https://insessionfilm.com/store for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become an ISF VIP today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on X/Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @ShadanLarki

 On this episode, JD is joined by ISF editor-in-chief Davie Giannini to discuss Sophy Romvari's astounding feature film debut BLUE HERON! There is a ton to discuss regarding the film's examination of memory, along with how the film inserts docudrama elements and surrealism as well. Truly impressive all around. Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to...

On this episode, with the Cannes Film Festival kicking off this week, we discussed our Top 5 Palme d'Or Winners! However, because we did this list nearly a decade ago (on Episode 223), we decided to focus just on the prize winners of the 21st century this time around. We also talk a little box office given the really fun dominance of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2.  - Open / Random Discussion (0:35) - Fi...

On this episode, JD is joined by ISF writer Shaurya Chawla to discuss MORTAL KOMBAT II! Much like its predecessor, it's an extremely messy movie by every traditional standard, but it also knows what it is and fully leans into being a MORTAL KOMBAT movie. And what's wrong with that? Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become an ISF VIP...

On this episode, Shadan is joined by ISF writer Josh Martin to discuss the new rules from The Academy and how we expect them to impact the awards race later this year! The acting categories might be the most noteworthy, but the safeguards around AI are also quite interesting. Visit https://insessionfilm.com/store for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become an ISF VIP...

On this episode, JD and Megan discuss Lav Diaz's latest film MAGELLAN, starring an understated Gael Garcia Bernal! Known for his methodical filmmaking, Diaz creates an astounding portrait of myth deconstruction. banal expeditions and the devastating costs of colonialism. In short, it couldn't be more antithetical to the MICHAEL's of the world.  Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! T...

On this episode, JD and Megan discuss the long awaited sequel THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2, with Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt all reprising their iconic roles! It might depend on how you feel about the first film, but this is one of the more surprising films of the year with some fascinating insights into the state of journalism in 2026. Is the execution there, however? We...

On this episode, inspired by Star Wars Day and other notable films coming out soon, we thought we'd discuss some of our favorite movie quotes in film! We've oddly never done this top 5 before, and boy did we have a great time with it (even included #JDTears). We also discuss the box office for THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2, Netflix going to theaters in a big way and the new changes from The Academy. - O...

On this episode, we discuss the 1992 Kenny Ortega film NEWSIES! With Kristin being a life-long fan, and it being a great excuse for Megan to finally see it, now felt like a great time to dig into this one. Famously, the film had its fair share of production issues, but the music is fun and how can you not love Christian Bale?  Panel: Kristin Battestella, Megan Kearns Visit  insessionfilm.com  for...

On this episode, Shadan is joined by Jaylan Salah to discuss the great Guillermo del Toro and why his monsters are so memorable! Del Toro is clearly defined by his monsters and he's talked at great length as to why they mean so much to him, and that passion oozes off the screen when you watch his films. And we wanted to talk some time to talk about why they resonate with us too.  Visit https://ins...

On this episode, JD and Megan discuss David Lowery's new film MOTHER MARY, starring a phenomenal Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel! Perhaps not for everyone given Lowery's indulgent (complimentary) filmmaking, but we fell for its spell big time and had the best time talking about this film.   Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become an...

On this episode, Shadan is joined by Kobly Mac to discuss Antoine Fuqua's new controversial film MICHAEL, starring Jaafar Jackson! The discourse around the film has been a wildfire, but in this conversation we do our best to find the middle ground between the good and the bad.  Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become an ISF VIP toda...

On this episode, inspired by THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 coming to theaters this weekend, we discussed our Top 5 costume movies (ie movies with the best costume design)! We also give our thoughts on the "critics vs audiences" discourse that took place over the weekend and JD offers up his thoughts on Andy Serkis' new film ANIMAL FARM.  - Open (0:35) - Animal Farm (6:50) - Critics vs Audiences (22:57)...

On this episode, Shadan is joined by Ben Miller and Jacob Throneberry to discuss their way too early predictions for the 2027 Oscars! We haven't seen most of the films and performances that will likely be in contention, and we're only a month removed from the 2026 Oscars, but who's to say we can't have a little fun speculating on what next year's Academy Awards could look like? Visit https://inses...

On this episode, JD and Megan discuss Julia Ducournau's new film ALPHA! After getting skewered at last year's Cannes Film Festival, we were extremely curious to see what would cause such vitriol. Ducournau is, obviously, a polarizing filmmaker anyway, but did ALPHA deserve the hate that it received? We might have seen a different movie than Cannes critics... Visit https://insessionfilm.com for mer...

On this episode, JD and Megan discuss Lee Cronin's new film LEE CRONIN'S THE MUMMY! Which is an ironic title as it's not a mummy movie. It's a demonic possession movie. There are some effective thrills and visuals, but with the film getting mixed results from critics, we comb through its narrative approach to discuss why it's becoming so polarized.  Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and mo...

On this episode, inspired by MOTHER MARY coming to the theaters this weekend and the fact that it is *her* year (with five films coming out in 2026), we thought it would be fun to do a Top 10 consensus ranking of Anne Hathaway performances! We also discuss this year's CinemaCon and JD gives his thoughts on the horror film UNDERTONE. - Open (0:35) - Undertone (3:16) - CinemaCon (26:45) - Anne Hatha...

On this episode, JD and Megan discuss Daniel Goldhaber's latest horror film FACES OF DEATH! It's one of the better meta-commentary genre films we've seen in recent years, featuring some inspired filmmaking and some great performances. Dacre Montgomery is especially striking.  Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become an ISF VIP today...

On this episode, with it being Brendan's last show before he goes out on leave to become a new dad, we thought it would be fun to discuss our Top 5 Girl Dad movies (as Brendan and his wife are expecting a baby girl)! We also give our thoughts on this year's Cannes Film Festival lineup! - Open / Announcement (0:35) - Cannes Lineup (5:45) - Top 5 Girl Dad Movies (34:09) Visit insessionfilm.dashery.c...

On this episode, we look back at the legendary career of the great Robert Duvall! From THE GODFATHER to APOCALYPSE NOW to TENDER MERCIES to NETWORK, and everything in-between, Duvall was a staple in Hollywood for decades. One of the very best to ever do it. His passing recently is saddening and we wanted to take some time to discuss his amazing legacy. Panel: Kristin Battestella, Amy Thomasson Vis...

On this episode, Shadan is joined by our own Maxance Vincent to discuss this year's Cannes lineup! The festival will see new films from the likes of Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Pedro Almodóvar, Pawel Pawlikowski, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Marie Kreutzer, Ia Sachs, Na Hong-Jin, Asghar Farhadi and many more! We are about to feast with this year's Cannes Film Festival. Visit https://insessionfilm.com/store for merch...

On this episode, Megan and Shadan discuss the latest film from Kristoffer Borgli in THE DRAMA! Oh boy, there is a lot to discuss with this one given its titular drama and some of the ideas it wants to explore. Some of it's interesting. Much of it is a mixed bag. Either way, the film does provoke some captivating conversation.  Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listenin...

On this episode, Megan is joined by Shaurya Chawla to discuss the new animated film from Illumination in THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE! The movie has been getting panned by critics, and understandably so given its approach to the material, but there are some good things in the film as well. *NOTE: We had some technical difficulties with the video, so for this review it will be audio only.  Visit ht...

On this episode, inspired by the success of PROJECT HAIL MARY and the historic launch of Artemis II, we thought it would be really fun to do a March Madness-style bracket discussing the best space movies of all-time! 32 movies. Only one winner. This was a lot of fun, even if some of these matchups were incredibly challenging.  What do you think of our bracket? Do you agree with our winner? - Brack...

On this episode, we discuss Halina Reijn's erotic thriller BABYGIRL and why it's such a captivating depiction of sex and womanhood! Reijn has openly talked about how the film is meant to explore the gap between men and women sexually, and breaking the stigma's that are often associated kinks and specific desires. It goes without saying, but we had the best time with this one.  Panel: Megan Kearns,...