Scene by Scene

In this episode, we discuss Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind , including the film's personal elements, the theme of communication, and the genre-defining visuals. See where Close Encounters of the Third Kind is available to watch. Supplemental Material: • Close Encounters of the Third Kind Blu-ray • The Making of Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Documentary) • Close...

In this episode, we discuss Barbara Loden’s  Wanda , including the connections to Loden's own life, the film’s compassionate portrayal of working-class Americans, and the narrative element we found least effective. See where  Wanda is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: • The Criterion Collection's Wanda Blu-ray • Barbara Loden at the AFI (The Criterion Channel) • I Am Wanda (The...

In this episode, we discuss Pedro Almodóvar’s Talk to Her , including the themes of loneliness and connection, how the film conceals and reveals information, and how Almodóvar avoids villainizing his characters. See where  Talk to Her  is  available to watch . Additional Audio Sources: • Talk to Her (Digital Transfer) If you'd like to support the show,  subscribe  to the podcast on  Apple Podc...

In this episode, we discuss Eagle Pennell's Last Night at the Alamo , including character introductions, the parallels between Cowboy and Pennell, and the film's anti-Hollywood aesthetic. See where  Last Night at the Alamo  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  Last Night at the Alamo (Remaster) • The King of Texas: The Life and Death of Independent Filmmaker Eagle Pennell • ...

This brief episode is to announce that our discussion of Eagle Pennell's Last Night at the Alamo is delayed. Thank you for your understanding. Follow the Scene by Scene Instagram account for future updates. Additional Audio Sources: •  Last Night at the Alamo •  Last Night at the Alamo Restoration Teaser If you'd like to support the show,  subscribe  to the podcast on  Apple Podcasts ,  Sp...

In this episode, we discuss Béla Tarr's Damnation , including Tarr's use of camera movement, the depiction of sex, and how the opening shot establishes pace, tone, and character. See where  Damnation  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  Arbelos' Damnation Blu-ray • Tarr Béla, I Used to Be a Filmmaker (2013) • Béla Tarr: “The Camera Was a Tool To Change the World” • Béla...

In this episode, we discuss Rainer Werner Fassbinder's  Beware of a Holy Whore , including the autobiographical elements, Fassbinder's painterly compositions, and how the film makes the viewer an active participant. See where  Beware of a Holy Whore  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  "Eclipse Series 39: Early Fassbinder" by Michael Koresky • "Hanna Schygulla: H...

In this episode, we each reveal our top three films discussed on the podcast in 2025, reflect on the best and worst movies we watched throughout the year, and share our closing thoughts on 2025. We also included a few small segments rescued from 2025’s cutting room floor. Additional Audio Sources: • Avatar Trailer • Sneak Previews -"Best of 1980" (12-30-80) • Entertainment Tonight – “Leona...

In this episode, we discuss Julie Kimmel's A Karate Christmas Miracle , including Eric Roberts, the film's treatment of Abby, and the Ken Del Vecchio cinematic universe. See where  A Karate Christmas Miracle is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  Justice For All Productions & Ken Del Vecchio YouTube Channel •  Justice For All Productions Website •  Hoboken International Fil...

In this episode, we discuss Guy Maddin's My Winnipeg , including Maddin's use of repetition, the representation of memory, and the film's blending of fact and fiction. See where  My Winnipeg is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  The Criterion Collection's My Winnipeg Blu-ray •  My Winnipeg (The Criterion Channel) •  Guy Maddin and Robert Enright on My Winnipeg (The Cri...

In this episode, we discuss Edward Yang's Mahjong , including the ways in which the film is challenging for viewers, the film's exploration of an evolving Taiwan, and Yang's mastery of tone. See where  Mahjong  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  The Criterion Collection's A Confucian Confusion / Mahjong: Two Films by Edward Yang Blu-ray • Mahjong (The Criterion Chan...

In this episode, we discuss Robert Wise's The Haunting , including the film's many interpretations, Eleanor's self-discovery, and the film's depiction of paranormal activity. See where The Haunting  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  The Haunting Blu-ray • "The Haunting" Q&A with Robert Wise, Russ Tamblyn, & Nelson Gidding (1993) • Robert Wise on Mak...

In this episode, we discuss Satoshi Kon's Perfect Blue , including the film's connection to Japan's otaku culture, the film's depiction of celebrity, and Kon's use of cinematic techniques. See where  Perfect Blue is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  Shout Factory's Perfect Blue Blu-ray • Otaku (1994) • Otaku (1994) (Internet Archive) • Lecture Series with Sato...

In this episode, we discuss Jim Jarmusch’s  Stranger Than Paradise , including the film's visual style, how the film grammar supports the themes, and what differentiates Willie and Eva. See where Stranger Than Paradise is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  The Criterion Collection's Stranger Than Paradise Blu-ray •  Stranger Than Paradise (The Criterion Channel) •  Stranger Th...

In this episode, we discuss Abbas Kiarostami’s  Taste of Cherry , including Mr. Badii's treatment of the three supporting characters, the visual motif of dirt, and the film's self-reflexive ending. See where  Taste of Cherry  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  The Criterion Collection's Taste of Cherry Blu-ray • Taste of Cherry (The Criterion Channel) • Taste of Cherry:...

We wanted to let everyone know our discussion of Abbas Kiarostami's Taste of Cherry is delayed. In this brief episode, Joe gives some insight into why and when to expect the episode. Thank you for your understanding. Additional Audio Sources: •  Taste of Cherry Trailer (The Criterion Collection's Blu-ray) • Taste of Cherry | Modern Trailer by CP Trailers If you'd like to support the sh...

In this episode, we discuss Allan King’s  A Married Couple , including King's approach to documentary, the film's use of crane shots, and whether Billy and Antoinette "perform" for the camera. See where  A Married Couple  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  The Criterion Collection's Eclipse Series 24: The Actuality Dramas of Allan King • In Camera: Allan King •...

In this episode, we discuss Payal Kapadia’s  A Night of Knowing Nothing , including the film’s unconventional approach to documentary, the value of the film’s fictional elements, and the theme of impossible love. See where  A Night of Knowing Nothing  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  A Night of Knowing Nothing (The Criterion Channel Transfer) • Meet the Filmmakers | Payal Kapadia...

In this episode, we discuss Kelly Reichardt’s Old Joy , including the differences between the film and the short story, how the film effectively establishes character, and how Reichardt and Sillen create disconnect through film grammar.  See where  Old Joy  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  The Criterion Collection's Old Joy Blu-ray •  Old Joy - Photographs by Justine Kurland...

In this episode, we cover two Godzilla films, Ishirô Honda's Destroy All Monsters and Kazuki Ômori's Godzilla vs. Biollante . We also discuss our experiences with the franchise, what makes a good Godzilla film, and the similarities and differences between the two films. See where  Destroy All Monsters & Godzilla vs. Biollante  are available to watch. Supplemental Material: • The Criter...

In this episode, we rank the 16 films discussed on the podcast in 2024. We also discuss the best and worst films we watched in 2024, lessons learned, and our 2025 film resolutions. Minor Spoiler Warnings: • Anora ~ 01:15:00 - 01:20:31 • MaXXXine ~ 01:47:45 - 01:49:58 • Greedy People ~ 01:51:47 - 01:53:28 • Trap ~ 02:01:42 - 02:04:29 Additional Audio Sources: •  Cinelicious Pics' Giuseppe Makes...

In this episode, we discuss David Lynch’s The Straight Story , including the purpose of Alvin’s journey, the film’s attention to small details, and the perfection of the film’s ending.  See where  The Straight Story  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  Lynch on Lynch (Book) •  Room to Dream by David Lynch and Kristine McKenna (Book) • David Lynch Interview with Bobbie Wygant • Richa...

In this episode, we discuss Tsai Ming-liang’s  The River , including how Tsai visualizes complex ideas, the reason for Hsiao-Kang's neck pain, and what water represents.  See where The River is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: • The River | City Cinematheque • City Without Tears by Jonathan Rosenbaum • Video Essay: "Days Passed" | Lee Kang-Sheng Through the Eyes of Tsai Min...

In this episode, we discuss Sidney J. Furie’s  The Entity , including how Carla is disbelieved and dismissed, the disharmony between the film’s sexual assaults and the paranormal climax, and Furie’s use of Dutch angles and the split diopter.  See where  The Entity  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: • Scream Factory's The Entity Blu-ray • Imprint's Directed by Sidney J. Furie...

In this episode, we discuss Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s  Cure , including how the film differs from traditional mysteries, how Kurosawa depicts violence, and how the filmmaking hypnotizes. See where  Cure  is  available to watch . Supplemental Material: •  The Criterion Collection's Cure Blu-ray •  Eureka! Masters of Cinema's Cure Blu-ray • Cure on The Criterion Channel • (There Is No) CURE • Cure:...