Films for Today

Following last week's episode, being something of a call to actively seek modern beauty, this week's episode focuses on Paulo Sorrentino's newest film, Parthenope , to reflect on the extent to which 'the beautiful' has been valued in recent times. We also briefly discuss: The Brutalist (2024) d. Brady Corbet Anora (2024) d. Sean Baker Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.c...

Following recent episodes on the concept of 'style as substance', this week's episode looks to Sam Mendes' iconic 1999 drama, American Beauty, to contemplate how we can access the epitome of style. We also briefly discuss: Office Space (1999) d. Mike Judge Playtime (1967) d. Jacques Tati Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoda...

Following last week's discussion on the utility of idyllic cultural constructs, this week's episode contemplates the ways in which Bruce Robinson's iconic 1987 iconic black comedy, Withnail & I, meditates on identity, essence and subjectivity. Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/

Following past conversations on the inevitable fallibility of attempting to establish idyllic social structures, this week's episode examines how Edgar Wright's 2007 comedy, 'Hot Fuzz' approaches the multifaceted and slippery nature of fascism. We also discuss: The Wicker Man (1973) d. Robin Hardy If (1968) d. Lindsay Anderson Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram...

Following recent discussions about Jim Jarmusch's explorations of style as substance, this week's episode focuses on his 2016 film Paterson , starring Adam Driver. We also briefly discuss: Persona (1966) d. Ingmar Bergman Perfect Days (2023) d. Wim Wenders Contact Us email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/

In response to recent shifts in the cultural view of masculinity, this week's episode looks to Wim Wenders' iconic 1987 romantic fantasy, Wings of Desire, to examine the link between masculine sacrifice and vulnerability. We also briefly discuss: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) d. Don Siegel The Truman Show (1998) d. Peter Weir Drive (2011) d. Nicolas Winding Refn Contact Us Email: c...

Following last week's conversations about ecological and economic collapse, this week's episode looks to Quentin Dupieux's latest film The Second Act , to contemplate the possibility of an oncoming cultural collapse. We also briefly discuss: Rubber (2010) d. Quentin Dupieux Deerskin (2019) d. Quentin Dupieux Official Competition (2021) (d. Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat) Babylon (2022) d....

Following last week's critique of romanticising the "simple" life, this week's episode takes a full 180 by contemplating the fallibilities of modern romantics in Joshua Oppenheimer's narrative debut, The End. We also briefly discuss: Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) d. James Cameron Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) d. Todd Phillips Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Ins...

Following past discussions on the indifference of nature in the face of mankind's modern ambitions, this week's episode delves into the hidden realities of subsistence living by examining Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali (1955). We also briefly discuss: Flow (2024) d. Gints Zilbalodis Edge of Tomorrow (2014) d. Doug Liman Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://w...

Given a myriad of topical events, this week's episode focuses on Francis Ford Coppola's exploration of the fine line between agency and intimacy in his 1974 masterpiece, The Conversation. We also briefly discuss: Blow Out (1981) d. Brian de Palma The Rule of Jenny Pen (2024) d. James Ashcroft Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/

Following recent conversations about the virtue of protecting humanity, this week's episode examines how Guiseppe Tornatore's 2000 film, Malena , romanticises the protection of those we desire despite the constraints of the crowd. We also briefly discuss: Crocodile Tears (2024) d. Tumpal Tampubolon Jojo Rabbit (2019) d. Taika Waititi Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram:...

Following on some recent episodes about macro-level existential threats and micro-level existential dread, this week's episode examines Stanley Kramer's 1959 science fiction film, On the Beach , to contemplate how we might personally relate to the idea of humanity ending. We also briefly discuss: The Edge of the World (1937) d. Michael Powell Miracle Mile (1988) d. Steve De Jarnatt Contact...

In this week's episode, we examine the power of dialogue in early 90s independent cinema, contemplating how Jim Jarmusch's 1991 classic, Night on Earth , creates substance out of style. We also briefly discuss: The Man from Earth (2007) d. Richard Schenkman Coffee and Cigarettes (2003) d. Jim Jarmusch Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmsf...

Following recent conversations about tacitly denying the three-dimensionality of all human beings, this week's episode examines the impact of death on innocence in Rob Reiner's 1986 coming-of-age classic, Stand By Me. We also briefly discuss: Wild at Heart (1990) d. David Lynch Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/

With the release of the next instalment in Nick Park's Wallace and Gromit film series, this week's episode revisits some central motifs of the original trilogy to contemplate the ideal traits we look for in a companion, be they personal or technological in nature. Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/

In honour of one of cinema's true heroes, this week's episode contemplates three varying interpretations of David Lynch's 1980 masterpiece, The Elephant Man. Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernasconi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/

Following recent conversations on confronting the darker parts of our psyche, this week's episode examines John M. Stahl's 1945 noir classic, Leave Her to Heaven to discuss the challenges involved in bearing the deepest parts of ourselves to new companions. We also briefly discuss: Gilda (1946) d. Charles Vidor Laura (1944) d. Otto Preminger and Rouben Mamoulian Contact Us Email: contact@j...

Following on from last week's discussion about seeking deep truths hidden in disconcerting places, this week's episode centres on Mike Cahill's 2014 film, 'I Origins', to contemplate the surprisingly vast purview of scientific enquiry. We also briefly discuss: Wild Strawberries (1957) d. Ingmar Bergman White Noise (2022) d. Noah Baumbach Contact Us Email: contact@jimmybernascon...

Should we indulge the egos of our predecessors? Following last week's conversation examining the sometimes fluid power dynamic between the young and old, this week's episode contemplates how wisdom can be extracted from aging generations, even if they see still themselves as the centre of the universe. We also discuss: 'Better Man' (2024) d. Michael Gracy 'The Girl with the Nee...

How adept are we at perceiving looming danger? With the release of Robert Eggers' adaptation of F. W. Murnau's Nosferatu , this week's episode looks to Jack Clayton's gothic masterclass in filmic manipulation, The Innocents , to examine our capacity to recognise imminent harm. We also briefly discuss: Blue Velvet (1986) d. David Lynch Nosferatu (1922) d. F. W. Murnau Nosferatu (2024) d. Robert Egg...

How open are you to change? With the release of James Mangold's highly anticipated biopic of Bob Dylan, 'A Complete Unknown', this week's episode focuses on the paradoxes inherent to true artistry. We also briefly discuss: 'Inside Llewyn Davis' (2023) d. Ethan Coen and Joel Coen 'The Bikeriders' (2023) d. Jeff Nichols Contact Us E: contact@jimmybernasconi.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/filmsfor...

As the year comes to a close, this week's episode reflects on what episodes of the show and films onscreen you, the listeners, found most enjoyable in 2024. Thank you all for joining us this year and we hope to see you again next year as Films for Today embarks into more bold and beautiful cinematic territory! Contact us: E: contact@jimmybernasconi.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/

Why do righteous acts sometimes feel paradoxical? In a second Christmas-themed episode for this year, we discuss Álex de la Iglesia 1995 black comedy, The Day of the Beast , to examine how it uses Christian mythology to illuminate absurdities in basic moral activity. We also briefly discuss: The Holiday (2006) d. Nancy Meyers Heretic (2024) d. Scott Beck and Bryan Woods Also, be sure to let us kno...

Can even the most cynical be saved? With the Christmas season upon us, this week's episode features special guest Eddie Bernsconi (Jimmy's brother) to examine the continuing relevance of Terry Zwigoff's 2003 black comedy 'Bad Santa'. Also, be sure to let us know what your favourite films of 2024 have been for our '2024: A Year in Review' episode in two weeks. Contact Us E: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@jimmy...

How contextual is power in 2024? In this week's episode, comedian and film critic Henry Bretz joins us to discuss how Sean Baker's Palm d'Or-winning film 'Anora' examines how fast power can be won and lost in contemporary society. Contact Us E: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠contact@jimmybernasconi.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/⁠⁠⁠⁠