Retrospective Cinema

After both were pretty burned by "The Clowns," Ryan and Annie return to see something a bit more beloved. But will further docufiction work for them this time? Or will this discussion on the world's continual path forward be yet another misstep?

After the bombastic insanity of Satyricon, Fellini partnered with an Italian television network to make a docufiction about his truest passion: clowns. It is inventive, strange, and fascinating (not to mention hard to find!) but is it good?! Ryan and Annie discuss within.

Annie and Ryan take on a Fellini who has abandoned all sense of autobiography. In this new land with no focus on narrative and late 60's sensibilities, will our podcasters find a new side of the artist to love? Will they simply prefer that which they've lost? Find out within.

Annie and Ryan dive into what seems to be the first film in a whole new Fellini style: full color, image-focused wonder. The film is dreamy, strange, and perhaps the feminine counterpart to 8½. But can anything be as strong as that film? You'll have to find out inside.

Ryan and Annie take on a cornerstone of cinema this week. It's meta, avant-garde, and often very funny (at least to Ryan's taste). Hear them discuss the importance of context, what it means to love, and more! It's all inside.

Ryan and Annie dissect the sweet life in an in-depth discussion of Fellini's first three hour picture, La Dolce Vita.

Annie and Ryan have the privilege of leading a discussion on the the beautiful, sad, and hopeful film that ended Fellini's Trilogy of Loneliness. They discuss the brilliant thematic content, incredible lead performance, and where Fellini could possibly go from here.

This week, Annie and Ryan break down what is perhaps Fellini's most obscure film, Il Bidone, and their conversation takes a few unexpected detours.

Winner of the first Academy Award for foreign language film, as well as the Silver Lion at Venice, La Strada opened to lots of acclaim. It also, however, opened to scorn. Some critics loathed it and it caused a fight at that same Venice festival. In the years since, it has had the power to stay and enter the film canon but it has never had to endure this important question until now: "What wi...

Ryan and Annie dive into the first agreed-upon classic in Fellini's filmography and get personal along the way as they discuss leaving the hometown and quarter-life crises.

Annie and Ryan tackle the first solo directorial effort from Fellini and find all kinds to talk about. The film is dreamy at times, farcical at others, and all around something worthy of a lengthy discussion. Does it hold up? Is it as insensitive as the title might imply? Find out inside!

Annie and Ryan begin their biggest project yet! For the next several weeks, they dive into the filmography of a true legend of cinema: Fellini! It all starts here with his co-directed debut feature.

Ryan and Annie finish the filmography of Satoshi Kon with his dreamy final film. As it ends the series, they also do awards, announce the next director, and more.

Annie and Ryan finish up their binge of Kon's miniseries (and thereby the first tv show of the podcast) and get to the bottom of what it all means - or at least try their best.

All kinds of firsts this week! Annie and Ryan dive into their first "Part 1" episode, their first television show, and their first discussion in which neither has seen the ending. Satoshi Kon made a one-cour anime/ miniseries in-between his third and fourth film and our duo begins their journey through it here.

Ryan and Annie do a belated Christmas show of sorts with a deconstruction of Kon's third film, Tokyo Godfathers, delving into the 2003 film's often progressive depiction of homeless people, trans women, and immigrants.

Annie and Ryan push forward to the stylistically lighter and more hopeful sister film of Perfect Blue to further discuss what reality is and what it means to make your life your own.

Annie and Ryan begin the new year with a new filmmaker. In their first foray into the world of animation, our duo discusses what it means to live and exist, who determines your reality, and the value of the animated medium.

Annie and Ryan take a week off the format in order to share their top ten films of the year lists in a very strong year for film.

Ryan and Annie wrap up their run of Sciamma's filmography with her most recent film! Plus they give out awards for the filmography AND announce the next director? Exciting stuff.

Annie and Ryan dive into one of the most beloved films of the modern era and break down all of the reasons that the film community really got this one right.

Annie and Ryan get into it a little bit as they look at Sciamma's third effort. Ryan thinks the film is dishonest but Annie disagrees. They debate within.

Annie and Ryan discover a brilliant hidden gem while continuing through the films of Céline Sciamma.

Ryan and Annie begin their final filmography of the year by tackling Sciamma's debut film. They discuss everything from the awkward romance of high school and how that's captured here to synchronized swimming and what that visual metaphor could mean. If that's not exciting enough, Ryan sounds like he's in a cave the whole time because he didn't bring his audio equipment with hi...

Ryan and Annie complete their third filmography by seeing the new Osgood Perkins film "Keeper" in theaters. But is it any good? Is the puzzle worth solving? Does it even make sense? Our heroes debate within.