Furman On Film: The Podcast

We finally tracked down The Testament of Ann Lee … and yeah, we need to talk about it. After being nearly impossible to find, quietly dumped, and completely overlooked during awards season, this Shaker musical (yes, really) might be one of the most unique films of the year. Nick Furman and Adam Kline break down: Amanda Seyfried’s performance The wild blend of biopic, musical, and spiritual drama W...

Four cinephiles. One year of movies. Plenty of disagreements. Join Nick Furman, Adam Kline, Scott Sipling, and Jason Tripp for the annual Furman on Film year-end movie marathon , as the group counts down their picks for the Best Movies of 2025 . In this extended roundtable discussion, the crew debates the year’s biggest films, champions hidden gems, and reveals their Top 10 movies of the year, fro...

In this episode of Furman on Film, I am joined by Scott Sipling to break down Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident, a tense, morally complex Iranian thriller that wrestles with vengeance, mercy, and the psychological cost of justice. We discuss: • The film’s propulsive thriller structure • Its haunting final scene • Themes of revenge, trauma, and empathy • The political context surrounding Panah...

In this episode of Furman on Film, I’m joined by my friend Jason Tripp to review Park Chan Wook’s No Other Choice, a darkly comic thriller about a man who loses his job and convinces himself there is only one way forward. Jason is our resident expert in South Korean cinema. He lived in South Korea for a few years, and he brings the cultural context that makes this film hit even harder, including t...

On this episode of Furman on Film, I dive into Train Dreams , director Clint Bentley’s meditative portrait of one man’s life shaped by love, labor, loss, and time. Featuring career-best work from Joel Edgerton and memorable performances from William H. Macy and Kerry Condon, the film explores impermanence, quiet masculinity, and humanity’s uneasy place within the natural world. It is gentle. Refle...

Hey Film Friends, we're back. Some critics are calling Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another the BEST FILM of the decade. Others say it’s just PTA having a blast. So… which is it? This episode goes full bore into the chaos, the sincerity, and the politics (or non-politics) of PTA’s new epic, a relentless, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional chase film that might just be his most en...

Yorgos Lanthimos takes paranoia to its breaking point in BUGONIA — a cynical, darkly funny thriller where conspiracy meets consumption. Emma Stone plays a CEO who may or may not be an alien orchestrating humanity’s downfall. It’s claustrophobic, biting, and frighteningly relevant. Hey Film Friends, this week we’re going deep into BUGONIA , the latest from Yorgos Lanthimos, a full-blown paranoid th...

Nick really wanted zombies. His son chose race cars. So here we are: a breakdown of F1® The Movie (yes, that’s the actual title—branding, baby). Despite having zero interest in motorsports, Nick finds himself pulled in by Joseph Kosinski’s jaw-dropping technical craft: cockpit-mounted cameras, slick Apple-funded visuals, and racing sequences that somehow outdo actual F1 coverage. We talk Top Gun e...

Tom Cruise is back—leaping off cliffs, battling rogue AI, and somehow making 63 look like 33. But does Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning deliver blockbuster thrills, or is the franchise starting to believe its own legend a little too much? In this episode of Furman on Film , Nick breaks down the eighth entry in the M:I series with his signature blend of wit, skepticism, and admiration. Fro...

Nick Furman didn’t plan to enjoy  Thunderbolts , but Marvel’s latest ensemble flick surprised him with its gritty visuals, rich themes, and character-driven storytelling. In this episode, Nick breaks down why Jake Schreier’s  Thunderbolts  may be the most psychologically nuanced MCU film yet, tackling loneliness, nihilism, and the search for human connection. With standout performances from Floren...

In this episode of  Furman on Film , Nick Furman unpacks Ryan Coogler’s latest genre-defying feature,  Sinners . Set in the Jim Crow-era Mississippi Delta, this Southern Gothic tale mixes vampire horror with the soul of the blues. Nick explores the film’s thematic richness—temptation, racial legacy, and spiritual struggle—while highlighting Michael B. Jordan’s standout dual performance and the pow...

SPOILERS BEGIN AT 14:20:00 On this episode of  Furman on Film , Nick dives deep into  Presence , Steven Soderbergh’s eerie and experimental ghost story. Told entirely from the ghost’s POV, this film blends family drama with sleek one-take cinematography. Nick unpacks the film’s plot, themes of surveillance and dysfunction, standout technical elements, and that twisty time-loop ending. Is  Presence...

In this episode of  Furman on Film , host Nick Furman makes his long-awaited return with a deep dive into Bong Joon-ho’s ambitious sci-fi satire  Mickey 17 . From philosophical musings on identity and multiplicity to the sharp edges of political and social commentary, Nick unpacks it all. He reflects on the film’s massive world-building, Robert Pattinson’s layered performance, and where this fits...

It’s that time of year again! 🎬 With awards season in full swing,  Nick Furman  and  Adam Kline  break down their picks for the  10 Best Films of 2024 , plus some  honorable mentions . From  hidden gems  to  Oscar contenders , we’re discussing the movies that defined the year, surprised us, and left a lasting impact. Which films made the list? Which just missed the cut? And what’s our  #1 pick  o...

All We Imagine as Light  is a quiet, contemplative, and deeply moving drama that follows three nurses in Mumbai as they navigate love, friendship, and the search for fulfillment. Payal Kapadia crafts an exquisitely made film that’s both meditative and socially rich, balancing themes of feminism, isolation, and personal growth. In this episode, I break down the film’s slow, serene pacing, its beaut...

Brady Corbet’s  The Brutalist  is  big . Big themes, big performances, big runtime—pushing nearly 4 hours of artistic ambition. But does it  earn  its place among the great cinematic epics, or is it weighed down by its own self-seriousness? 🤔 In this episode of  Furman on Film , Nick Furman and returning guest Adam Kline break down Corbet’s latest film, exploring: 🏛️ The  breathtaking  first half...

Hey Film Friends! 🎬✨ In this episode of  Furman on Film , I’m diving deep into Jon M. Chu’s highly anticipated adaptation of  Wicked ! We’re breaking down Elphaba’s origin story, her complex friendship with Glinda, and the major themes of acceptance, prejudice, and power. 🎭✨ I’ll be discussing the film’s strengths—like Ariana Grande’s hilarious take on Glinda—and its weaknesses, including some...

Hey Film Friends! I’m  Nick Furman , and this is  Furman on Film —your go-to podcast for in-depth movie discussions, sharp critiques, and maybe a metaphor or two that barely hold up. Today, we’re diving into  Jason Reitman’s  Saturday Night —a film that attempts to capture the chaos, genius, and ambition behind the very first episode of  Saturday Night Live . But does it actually pull it off? Or i...

Join host Nick Furman on this episode of "Furman On Film: The Podcast" as he delves into "A Complete Unknown," the latest biographical drama directed by James Mangold. The film chronicles Bob Dylan's transformative years from his arrival in New York City in 1961 to his groundbreaking electric performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965. Timothée Chalamet's portrayal of Dylan has garnered sign...

This week on  Furman on Film: The Podcast , we’re sinking our teeth into Robert Eggers’ long-awaited gothic horror epic,  Nosferatu . Joined by special guest Adam Kline, we explore how Eggers brings this classic vampire tale to life with unparalleled atmosphere, jaw-dropping sound design, and stunning cinematography. 🎙  In This Episode: Plot breakdown: Dracula vibes, but different Themes of obsess...

In this episode of Furman on Film, I’m diving solo into Bertrand Bonello’s  The Beast . This sci-fi epic, inspired by Henry James’  The Beast in the Jungle , weaves through 2044, 1910, and 2014 to explore humanity’s fear of love, free will, and eternal recurrence. Join me as I break down: 🎥 The genre mash-up of dystopian sci-fi, historical drama, and stalker horror. 💔 Léa Seydoux’s standout perf...

After 20 years of anticipation, Ridley Scott returns to the Coliseum with  Gladiator II ! In this episode of  Furman on Film , I break down the epic sequel: its breathtaking battle scenes, controversial CGI choices (CG ape dogs?!), and the all-star cast, including Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington. Does the film recapture the magic of the original, or does it fall short of its predecessor's iconic...

Clint Eastwood is back, and this time he delivers a taut, morally complex legal thriller in  Juror #2 . Join me, Nick Furman, as I dive into Eastwood's latest masterpiece—exploring its unique rollout, the grounded yet cinematic storytelling, and the weighty moral dilemmas it presents. We’ll talk courtroom drama vibes à la  12 Angry Men , the timeless quality of Eastwood’s direction, and whether th...

This week on  Furman on Film , we break down Sean Baker’s electrifying Palme d’Or winner,  Anora . Is this gritty whirlwind of class, power, and survival truly Oscar-worthy? Joined by cinephile and podcast host Jason Tripp, we dive into: 🎥  Anora ’s chaotic Cinderella story and biting social critique 🎭 Mikey Madison’s unforgettable performance 📽️ Sean Baker’s raw cinematography and intense third...

Hey Film Friends! It’s Nick Furman, and this week on  Furman on Film , I’m flying solo to break down  Joker: Folie à Deux . Todd Phillips’ bold sequel to the 2019 blockbuster takes risks, but does it land—or is it an elaborate troll on its audience? From its nihilistic themes and controversial musical numbers to Lady Gaga’s surprising performance, I unpack the highs, the lows, and why this film le...