The Filmlings

One of the biggest names in film history is the subject of today's podcast as Alex and Jonathan discuss the ups and downs of the career of Orson Welles and look at Citizen Kane (1941), Chimes at Midnight (1965), and F for Fake (1973). We talk about the legacy of Citizen Kane, the many controversies Welles' was involved in, and his connection to the various characters he played in his own films. Sk...

In a long overdue genre episode, Alex and Jonathan take a journey through the western films of Hollywood's history and talk about Stagecoach (1941), The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), and Django Unchained (2012). We discuss the various themes explored in westerns over time, controversies associated with western depictions of race, and the ways that specific genres go in and out of cultural pro...

Aaron Johnson, the podcast's inaugural guest, joins Alex and Jonathan again today to discuss the parodical world of Mel Brooks in Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974), and High Anxiety (1977). We talk about Brook's way of parodying different forms of film, using meta-humor, and his split love for directing and performing. Skip to: 4:34 – Blazing Saddles 23:11 – Young Frankenstein 37:5...

The listeners responded to our latest Twitter polls to decide what films Alex and Jonathan should discuss starring Katharine and Audrey Hepburn, and the result was two films both directed by George Cukor: The Philadelphia Story (1940), and My Fair Lady (1964). We discuss what it means to be a "woman's director," how Cukor approaches various romantic character dynamics, and how each of these films...

Alex and Jonathan are entertained this week by the wide variety of genres that Ridley Scott has been able to tackle as we watch Blade Runner (1982), Gladiator (2000), and Black Hawk Down (2001). We talk about how Scott incorporates themes into blockbuster entertainment, his technical fingerprint across genres, and his continuing body of work and influence. Skip to: 3:12 – Blade Runner 24:50 – Glad...

Taking a quick break from American film this week, Alex and Jonathan head back to China and examine three landmark film of the wuxia genre: Dragon Inn (1967), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), House of Flying Daggers (2004). We talk about the traditions of wuxia, the poeticism of the genre, and the various uses of visual effects to aid the storytelling. Skip to: 05:08 – Dragon Inn 23:45 – Cro...

At the final stop of the Hitch-Hike Alex and Jonathan look at the versatility and expertise of Alfred Hitchcock's technical prowess in Rope (1948), Rear Window (1954), and The Wrong Man (1956). We discuss Hitchcock's one-take experiment, his ultimate cinematic metaphor, and filming true events. Skip to: 4:48 – Rope 23:57 – Rear Window 59:49 – The Wrong Man 1:13:27 – Overall 1:20:44 – Coming Attrac...

The better the villain, the better the picture. Alex and Jonathan put this phrase to the test as they look at the sinister side of Hitchcock's films and discuss the bad guys of Strangers on a Train (1951), Dial M for Murder (1954), and Psycho (1960). We talk about driving a film through its antagonist, keeping dialogue-heavy films interesting, and the right way to do structural and plot twists. Sk...

Not all protagonists are good role models. Today Alex and Jonathan look at characters that defy the typical ideas of heroism in Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief (1955), The Trouble with Harry (1955), and Vertigo (1958). We discuss what makes an antihero, the prevalence of antiheroes in comedy films, and how to keep an audience engaged in unlikeable characters. Skip to: 9:28 – To Catch a Thief 38:43 –...

Blondes, brunettes, and mothers are the focus today and Alex and Jonathan look at the various portrayals of women in the Alfred Hitchcock films Spellbound (1945), The Birds (1963), and Marnie (1964). We discuss the different roles that women fill in Hitchcock's films, retelling a similar story while reversing gender roles, and appropriate/effective treatment of actors on set. Skip to: 2:40 – Spell...

To kick off season two of the podcast, Alex and Jonathan are taking five episodes to examine the work and themes of the great Alfred Hitchcock. Today we look at Hitchcock's "wrong man" theme in The Lodger (1927), The 39 Steps (1935), and North by Northwest (1959). We discuss spy thrillers with comedic tone, when Hitchcock reveals and conceals information to the audience, and doubling down on the "...

For the season one podcast finale, Alex and Jonathan take a look at five of the most classic and beloved Christmas films: It's a Wonderful Life (1946), A Christmas Story (1983), Die Hard (1944), The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992), and Elf (2003). We talk about what makes a Christmas movie, how Christmas movies use and become traditions, and what makes Christmas movies unique among cinema in general...

Last week's Bringing Up Baby (1938) was a big influence on this week's director spotlight, Peter Bogdanovich. Alex and Jonathan take a look at his three major hits The Last Picture Show (1971), What's Up Doc? (1972), and Paper Moon (1973). We discuss Bogdanovich's early communication and friendship with the great directors of the Golden Age, creating a modern screwball comedy, and being an actor's...

A friendly feud finally comes out in the open as Alex and Jonathan discuss the wonderful talents of the two most famous Hepburns: Katharine and Audrey. We watch Bringing Up Baby (1938) and Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) and discuss the jokes of screwball comedies, each actress' typical persona, and controversial aspects of old movies. Skip to: 8:21 – Bringing Up Baby 31:15 – Breakfast at Tiffany's...

In a special video episode, Alex and Jonathan sit down to talk about three documentary films: Grey Gardens (1975), The Thin Blue Line (1988), Grizzly Man (2005). We talk about the ways documentaries speak to the audience, how to structure true events into a compelling narrative, and how documentary subjects are portrayed by the filmmakers. Skip to: 16:30 – Grey Gardens 47:11 – The Thin Blue Line 1...

It's not a new genre this week but a couple of new species that Alex and Jonathan take a look at with three alien films: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Arrival (2016). We talk about how good science fiction comments on humanity in every era, the difference between science fiction and science fantasy, and how science fiction can use VFX without focusing on...

Friend of the podcast, Hayden Chauffe, returns to talk with Alex and Jonathan about the feature film works of one of his biggest influences, Jim Henson: The Great Muppet Caper (1981), The Dark Crystal (1982), Labyrinth (1986). We talk about the history of Henson's puppet work, building fantasy worlds in miniature, and the modern use of muppets and creatures in entertainment. Skip to: 25:25 – The G...

Alex and Jonathan make the first of many rounds into the colorful and exciting world of Bollywood cinema with Sholay (1975), Asoka (2001), and Dangal (2016). We talk about how India takes the western genre to new heights, keeping historical epics on-target, and the skills and shapes actors can adopt to make a film more believable. Skip to: 4:37 – Sholay 24:54 – Asoka 43:52 – Dangal 1:16:32 – Overa...

It's the spookiest time of the year, and this week Alex and Jonathan invite special guest Emily Geringer to discuss three hallmark horror films from Japan and Korea: Audition (1999), Ju-on: The Grudge (2002), and A Tale of Two Sisters (2003). We discuss manipulating time to build mystery and suspense, how a compelling story can transcend recycled cinematic elements, and the universality of horror....

As Halloween approaches, Alex and Jonathan return to the shadowy films of German Expressionism with Fritz Lang's Destiny (1921), M (1931), and The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933). We talk about the influence of German fairy tales on German Expressionism, the introduction of sound in Lang's films, and how Lang crafts social commentary over his career. Skip to: 5:23 – Destiny 21:45 – M 43:14 – The Te...

Alex and Jonathan return to some childhood favorite films with the Jason Bourne trilogy, specifically The Bourne Identity (2002), The Bourne Supremacy (2004), and The Bourne Ultimatum (2007). We discuss subjective storytelling through cinematography, two directors creating a cohesive story over three films, and how a realistic spy series contrasts with other popular action franchises. Skip to: 3:2...

In the first episode to circle back to the World Tour series, Alex and Jonathan give a closer look to the work of legendary Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky with the films Ivan's Childhood (1962), Solaris (1972), The Mirror (1975). We discuss how Tarkovsky uses textured images and sound to make his worlds feel true to life, approaching filmmaking with a poetic mindset, and creating evocative imag...

Follow us into a meticulous and colorful maze of cinema this week as we talk about the unique works of Stanley Kubrick: Dr. Strangelove or: How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1965), The Shining (1980). We discuss Kubrick's demanding directing style, his various approaches to story adaptations, and atmospheric versus plot-centric films. Skip to: 5:39 – D...

Charlie Chaplin won our most recent Twitter poll about the silent film stars of Hollywood, so Alex and Jonathan take a look at three of the Tramp's most iconic appearances: The Gold Rush (1925 & 1942), Modern Times (1936), and The Great Dictator (1940). We talk about the universality of physical comedy, Chaplin's technical innovations, and how he adapted into the sound era of film. Skip to: 5:56 -...

Words, words, words. –Hamlet (Act II, Scene II) Some of the most famous words in history are the basis of the films Alex and Jonathan are looking at today as we get into Kenneth Branagh's adaptations of William Shakespeare's Henry V (1989), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), and Hamlet (1996). We talk about directing from an acting background, adapting stage material to the big screen, and how Branagh...