The Filmlings

Benjamin Angrisano, long-time friend of the Filmlings and Coen Brother's enthusiast, joins Alex and Jonathan to talk about some of the Coen's darker films: Blood Simple. (1984), Fargo (1996), and No Country for Old Men (2007). We get talk about infusing humor into darker themes, opposing mindsets and worldviews of characters, and how ambiguity can make a film more impactful. Skip to: 7:18 - Blood...

This week Alex and Jonathan dance into new territory as we discuss three landmark musicals in film history: 42nd Street (1933), Singin' in the Rain (1952), and La La Land (2016). We discuss technical innovations of early musicals, the lasting legacy of the musical's Golden Age, and the current and potential future state of the movie musical. Skip to: 8:47 - 42nd Street 27:33 - Singin' in the Rain...

Back in America after a long series abroad, Alex and Jonathan look at the life and work of all-American director Frank Capra with It Happened One Night (1934), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), and Arsenic and Old Lace (1944). We talk about the limitations and creativity that came from the Hays Code, innovations Capra made in directing and filming movies, and how his life and outlook is reflect...

As the World Tour comes to an end, Alex and Jonathan make a few final stops on the way home to talk about the further reaches of world cinema. We stop in Sweden with Hour of the Wolf (1968), in Taiwan with A Touch of Zen (1971), and in Brazil with City of God (2002). We talk about what goes into a good viewing experience, what makes an "open world" movie, and why it's important to watch foreign fi...

As the World Tour starts to wind down, Alex and Jonathan make a stop in Iran to look at the small, personal films Close-Up (1990), Children of Heaven (1997), and A Separation (2011). We talk about portraying compassion in film, movies without a "bad guy," and the self-sufficiency of Iranian cinema. Skip to: 4:19 - Close-Up 18:06 - Children of Heaven 32:33 - A Separation 49:04 - Overall 57:50 - Com...

The World Tour carries Alex and Jonathan to South Korea this week where we look at Oldboy (2003), The Host (2006), and The Good the Bad the Weird (2008). We discuss elements that make up neo-noir films, mixing tones, and the pervasive violence of Korean film. Skip to: 2:49 - Oldboy 25:40 - The Host 41:12 - The Good the Bad the Weird 54:33 - Overall 1:06:03 - Coming Attractions Coming Attractions:...

This week Alex and Jonathan head to Russia and look at three legendary and formative filmmakers with Sergei Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin (1925), Lev Kuleshov's Po Zakonu (1926), and Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker (1975). We talk the various forms and uses of montage, the Kuleshov effect, and filmmaking outside the bounds of traditional film technique. Skip to: 6:40 - Battleship Potemkin 29:09 - Po...

This week Alex and Jonathan go way back and take a look at German Expressionism with The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), Nosferatu (1922), and Metropolis (1927). We talk about the theatricality of early film, conventions of German Expressionism, and why the influence of German Expressionism will never fade. Skip to: 5:14 - The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari 26:44 - Nosferatu 36:51 - Metropolis 49:14 - Ov...

Alex and Jonathan head south of the border this week to talk about three Mexican films: Macario (1960), Amores Perros (2000), and Pan's Labyrinth (2006). We talk the significance of a story within the story, the international influence of Quentin Tarantino, and how Hollywood has benefitted from Mexican filmmakers. Skip to: 4:06 - Macario 20:02 - Amores Perros 43:28 - Pan's Labyrinth 1:03:18 - Over...

It's back to Japan this week for Alex and Jonathan, but not for anime or Akira Kurosawa. We take a look at three other directors with Masaki Kobayashi's Harakiri (1963), Yasujirô Ozu's Tokyo Story (1952), and Hirokazu Koreeda's Nobody Knows (2004). We discuss various kinds of family drama in Japanese films, the distinction between "big" and "small" movies, and the restraint and poeticism across Ja...

This week the World Tour carries Alex and Jonathan to India and the world's largest combined film market where we look at the Kollywood film Mughal-E-Azam (1960), the Bollywood film My Name is Khan (2010), and the Tollywood film Baahubali: The Beginning (2015). We talk the history and scope of Indian cinema, film rhetoric turned up to 11, and what Hollywood can learn from mainstream Indian film. S...

Following on the heels of Italian Neorealism came the French New Wave, so Alex and Jonathan take a trip to France and discuss three films from this explosive movement: The 400 Blows (1959), Breathless (1960), and Cleo from 5 to 7 (1962). We talk about stylistic innovations, semi-autobiographical filmmaking, and the origins of auteur theory. Skip to: 11:05 - The 400 Blows 22:22 - Breathless 34:37 -...

Alex and Jonathan say ciao to America this week as we embark on the first stage of our new ten-week World Tour series! Our first stop is Italy where we take a look at the Italian neorealism films Rome, Open City (1945) and Bicycle Thieves (1948) and the post-neorealism film 8 1/2 (1963). We talk about the effect of World War II on filmmaking, silver linings in otherwise pessimistic films, and self...

Alex and Jonathan reach for the stars in the final part of the samurai series as we look at Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress (1958), and George Lucas' Star Wars (1977). We discuss the difference between adaptation and inspiration, the amorphous definition of "original," and factors that create lasting cultural impact. Skip to: 4:55 - The Hidden Fortress 20:10 - Star Wars 36:46 - Overall 53:36...

Where is the line between story and history? That's the question as Alex and Jonathan take a look at three great films about three great historical figures: Amadeus (1984), The Last Emperor (1987), and The Aviator (2004). We talk about factual accuracy versus dramatic license, cinematic portrayal of flawed lives, and the uniqueness of film's distinct documentary and biopic genres. Skip to: 6:01 -...

The greatest of all American movie monsters takes center stage this week as Alex and Jonathan discuss King Kong (1933), King Kong (1976), and King Kong (2005). We talk about keeping the heart of a remake, the evolution of visual effects, and modern legends. Skip to: 3:55 - King Kong (1933) 22:35 - King Kong (1976) 41:20 - King Kong (2005) 57:49 - Overall 1:09:15 - Coming Attractions Coming Attract...

In the third installment of our Samurai and Sombreros series, Alex and Jonathan look at Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon (1950) and it's western genre adaptation The Outrage (1964). We talk Rashomon's technical innovations, what makes a work stand the test of time, and examples of the "Rashomon Effect." Skip to: 3:55 - Rashomon 22:35 - The Outrage 40:57 - Overall 55:10 - Coming Attractions Coming Attract...

Guest Andrea Millard joins Alex and Jonathan this week to talk about the career of writer/director Nancy Meyers with Baby Boom (1987), The Parent Trap (1998), and The Intern (2015). We talk female protagonists, growing from a writer to a director, and refining development of themes over time. Skip to: 7:45 - Baby Boom 27:41 - The Parent Trap 53:47 - The Intern 1:17:35 - Overall 1:26:54 - Coming At...

Bringing last week's surrealism discussion into the modern day, Alex and Jonathan take a look at three films by contemporary surrealist David Lynch: Eraserhead (1977), Blue Velvet (1986), and Mulholland Drive (2001). We discuss the Lynch's use of color and sound, varying degrees of surrealist influence, and atmospheric storytelling. Skip to: 4:46 - Eraserhead 25:17 - Blue Velvet 46:12 - Mulholland...

Social conventions are broken and non-sequiturs abound in our movies this week as Alex and Jonathan discuss Luis Buñuel's L'Age d'or (1930), The Exterminating Angel (1962), and The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972), with Un Chien andalou (1929) thrown in for good measure. We talk the social temper tantrum of the Surrealists, scene-driven plots, and the ripple effect of surreal art. Skip to:...

This week Alex and Jonathan cover the first true series of films on the podcast with the listener-suggested Toy Story trilogy: Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010). We talk the evolution of computer animated film, children's entertainment that isn't childish, and sequels that build on the story advancements from the previous films. Skip to: 10:18 - The Shorts 19:36 - Toy Story...

Grab some ice cream and switch off with us this week as Alex and Jonathan talk through Edgar Wright's Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy: Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), and The World's End (2013). We talk blending genres, what makes a "thematic trilogy," and comedy with layered dimensions. Skip to: 8:30 - Shaun of the Dead 21:38 - Hot Fuzz 32:23 - The World's End 48:11 - Overall 1:08:22 -...

Once again we pit sword-masters against gunslingers in part two of our Samurai and Sombreros series. This week Alex and Jonathan discuss Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo (1961) and Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars (1964). We talk about tonal changes in adaptations, visual character development, and varied uses of violence and humor. Skip to: 3:33 - Yojimbo 34:31 - A Fistful of Dollars 50:43 - Overall 1...

Plug us into your head and listen as Alex and Jonathan invite their friend Jason Harden to the show to talk about three Japanese cyberpunk films: Akira (1988), Ghost in the Shell (1995), and Paprika (2006). We talk about the impact of hand-made animation, the influence of anime on western blockbusters, and the philosophical diversity of themes in Japanese film. Skip to: 5:14 - Akira 24:51 - Ghost...

Let us be your vehicle to escape your problems this week as Alex and Jonathan talk through three of John Hughes' high school films: Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), and Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986). We discuss how comedy ages, use and critique of stereotypes, and unique character dynamics in a high school setting. Skip to: 3:13 - Sixteen Candles 23:10 - The Breakfast Club 43:2...