Half of God’s Face Podcast

Episode 32. Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a reaction to Steven Spielberg's new film Disclosure Day. First 14 minutes are spent discussing how Spielberg has made so many classics, and how he fits within the ranks of other cinema pioneers. At 14 minutes 17 seconds onwards we talk about the plot of Disclosure Day. 15 minutes 50 seconds on Spielberg's use of the MacGuffin technique. 18 m...

Episode 31. Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a reaction to both Obsession and Backrooms. In it we compare the two movies' plots, while also analyzing the impact their combined box office successes will have on film culture, and the horror genre. First half of the episode we talk about Obsession, while at 38 minutes 55 seconds we shift to discussing Backrooms.

Episode 30. Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a reaction to the new Michael biopic. The first 20 minutes are discussing the 2026 Cannes winners, while the analysis of the Michael movie begins at the 20 minute 33 seconds mark. 33 minutes 23 seconds: on the allegations against Michael Jackson. 48 minutes 14 seconds: on HIStory - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE - BOOK I. 56 minutes 0 seconds: on M...

Episode 29. Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a recap of the Epstein Files released so far, featuring special guest George Bye! We go over the Hillary Clinton deposition, how Pizzagate never goes away, and then touch on the Butler assassination attempt, as well as the Charlie Kirk assassination. 4 minutes 10 seconds: on Bannon's relationship with Epstein. 6 minutes 50 seconds: on Pizzaga...

Episode 28. Intro by Sampson Hollander. In this episode Austin and Zach talk about their trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan to attend the 2026 Ann Arbor Film Festival. They discuss the range of experimental films they loved and hated while there. 32 minute 51 seconds: "I once lived in a Boogodobiegodongo and I felt better." 45 minute 30 second mark Zach tells a story from attending the festival in 2018....

Episode 27. Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a preview show for the 2026 Academy Awards, which take place Sunday March 15th. In it we make predictions for every award winner, while also trashing Jacob Elordi, and discussing the BAFTA Tourette syndrome incident.

Episode 26. Intro by Sampson Hollander. This is an extended conversation about Béla Tarr's life and work, which includes his collaboration with Nobel Prize winning novelist László Krasznahorkai. 6 minute 21 second mark, on Herscht 07769. 11 minutes 13 seconds on the development of the Tarr style. 13 minutes 26 seconds Krasznahorkai's explanation on his long sentences: "the river is the words." 14...

Episode 25. Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a reaction to the newly released Oscar nominations, as well as a discussion about what are actually the best films of 2025. First 40 minutes are spent going through the Oscar nominations, while at the 40 minute 50 second mark Zach lists the movies he considered the best of 2025. At the 1 hour 3 minute 56 second mark Austin goes through what m...

Episode 24. Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a conversation about the new Josh Safdie movie Marty Supreme. At 7 minutes 46 seconds the first scene in Marty Supreme is discussed. 12 minutes 26 seconds the cast and crew of Marty Supreme are explained. 20 minute mark Geza Rohrig's role is brought up. 23 minutes 58 seconds an early major scene is explained. 34 minutes 36 seconds how Luke Ma...

Episode 23. Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a conversation about Kleber Mendonça Filho's film The Secret Agent. 12 minutes 55 seconds Armando's scene with Elza and the tape recorder is explained. 19 minutes 15 seconds Udo Kier's last film appearance is covered. 23 minutes 8 seconds Armando's son has nightmares inspired by the Jaws movie poster. 25 minutes 10 seconds Armando doesn't car...

Episode 22. Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a discussion of the new Ken Burns series The American Revolution. 1 minute 31 seconds, why The Age of Disclosure episode didn't happen. 5 minutes in the Ken Burns series conversation begins. 8 minutes 55 seconds "In a way this was kind of like the first Civil War." 11 minutes 2 seconds, issues with the Ken Burns style, in particular about his...

Episode 21. Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is an extended conversation about Thomas Pynchon's brand new novel Shadow Ticket, featuring special guests Ben Lobel and Sean Fahey! 11 minutes 10 seconds, the opening quote is introduced. 15 minutes 16 seconds page 1 is talked about. 18 minutes 26 seconds, Sean says John Turturro reads the audiobook for Philip Roth's novel Sabbath's Theater. Co...

Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a conversation about the new Yorgos Lanthimos movie Bugonia. We talk about the Stavros cameo at the 26 minute 24 second mark.

Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a recap of the 2025 Chicago Film Festival, and a conversation about Kelly Reichardt's new movie The Mastermind. "But Resurrection, oh my God." 13 minute 47 second mark. Magellan by Lav Diaz is discussed at 21 minute mark. At 31 minutes 10 seconds the conversation about The Mastermind begins.

Intro by Sampson Hollander. At long last here is our episode on PTA's new film One Battle After Another, featuring special guest Ben Lobel! We begin the conversation talking about our first impressions of the film, and react to the unanimous praise it's getting so far. 52 minutes 16 seconds: Ben describes the rivalry between his high school's show choir and Chase Infiniti's high school in Indiana....

Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is an in depth discussion of September 11th, 2001 featuring special guests Niko Robledo and Eamonn Kreitzer! The conversation begins with Niko sharing his memory of that day, seeing his uncle react on TV before going to work. Then at 21 minutes 53 seconds we start breaking down everything that's weird with 9/11. At 31 minutes 7 seconds "Why this event doesn...

Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is about Spike Lee's new film Highest 2 Lowest, featuring special guest Eamonn Kreitzer! Second half (starting at 38 minute mark) is about Spike's underrated masterpiece Summer of Sam. We go into what makes that movie especially transgressive and incredible, and even describe the real world details of the Son of Sam murders and how David Berkowitz had accom...

Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a conversation about Warren Beatty's 1998 political satire Bulworth. The discussion focuses on how the movie predicted Trump, showing that even in the 90's people were tired of robotic politicians. Also Beatty's frustration with the Clinton administration is analyzed.

Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a conversation about Ari Aster's new movie Eddington. The discussion covers the film's depiction of the height of covid, and its portrayal of MAGA and politics in general. Author Robert Coover's potential influence on the film is also considered.

Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a conversation about the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, featuring special guest George Bye! Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's life and connections are discussed, including their relationship with Robert Maxwell and a massive assortment of celebrities/world leaders.

Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a discussion of the new Adam Curtis series Shifty. Austin and Zach talk about how Curtis portrays international political figures, and celebrities throughout his work, and how his style has evolved away from his iconic voice-over. Some of Adam Curtis' artistic influences are also brought up.

Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a conversation about the life and career of Marilyn Monroe, featuring special guest Ben Lobel! Discussion covers her best roles, how Marilyn innovated and added to film history, and some of the most legendary behind the scenes stories which built her myth.

Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode goes through what films won awards at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, and what surprisingly didn't. Austin and Zach also explain what films they're most excited to see, and why, including talking about which films got the most praise from critics. Zach goes on an unhinged rant about Lav Diaz starting at 45 minute 11 second mark.

Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is an extended discussion of the JFK assassination, featuring special guests Niko Robledo and Eamonn Kreitzer! Also Austin is alive, we were just joking about that. Dr. Curtis shows where he thinks the bullets came from, at 4 minute 40 second mark. "And he was AN IRISH MAN! THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!" 1 hour 3 minute, 37 second mark. Kennedy's face lea...

Intro by Sampson Hollander. This episode is a discussion of David Cronenberg's new release The Shrouds. It's all about death and grief in an age of advanced technology.