The Freshman Fifteen

In Episode 27, the third in our summer blockbuster trilogy, we visit the freshman film of comic book action director Zack Snyder and his freshman film, 2004’s zombie remake: Dawn of the Dead. Daniel dissects the philosophical implications of zombie-inspired nihilism while Jeremy fantasizes about murdering his coworkers. Also, are superheroes our culture’s modern mythology?

Episode 26! It’s Mission: Impossible III time, the 2006 freshman film of blockbuster director J.J. Abrams. Daniel attempts to decipher the magic of Tom Cruise, while Jeremy caustically plants a flag in what he considers the the greatest movie opening of all time and builds his case in defense of (gasp) the Abrams Lens Flare. Also, what’s the secret to building a better action franchise?

With Episode 25, it’s the arrival of three summer blockbuster directors, and there's no better candidate to get us started than bombastic director Michael Bay and his 1995 freshman film, Bad Boys. After a long-time listener crashes the recording session, Jeremy details the mechanics of Michael Bay’s signature shot, the “Bay Swirl,” while Daniel wonders if every director is an artist. Also, what ca...

Episode 24 brings us to She’s Gotta Have It, the 1986 freshman joint of the original b-boy provocateur director, Spike Lee. In their most open and raw discussion yet, Jeremy breaks down what it takes to film a great sex scene while Daniel ponders the consequences of making regrettable art. Also, why do white people prefer white films?

It’s Episode 23, which means it’s time to deep-dive into the freshman film of mega-budget director James Cameron, 1981’s Piranha Part Two: The Spawning. Jeremy compares Cameron films to avocados, while Daniel wonders if it’s possible for filmmakers to forego the messy matter of dealing with human beings. Also, can bad films contribute to making good films even better?

Episode 22! The freshman film of oft-lauded maestro Robert Cummings, 2003's House of 1000 Corpses is up for discussion this time around. Nelson explores the divide between suspense and horror while Longino advocates for this episode's film as a prelude to collegiate ménage à trois . Plus, what's the recipe behind the cinema of cruelty?

Episode 21 brings us to Following, the no-budget 1998 freshman film of mega-director Christopher Nolan. Daniel wonders if limitations can sometimes be the secret sauce to great directing, while Jeremy, big surprise, has more to say about Batman. Also, what makes a film rewatchable?

It’s that time of year again and The Freshman Fifteen is back with this year’s Oscars Special. Sitting in for Daniel is returning guest Jeff Jensen, weighing in with spoiler-free thoughts and opinions on this year’s Best Picture nominees. Which films deserve the award the most? Jeff and Jeremy separate the good from the great.

Special guest Jeff Jensen makes his case for Lynch's biggest flop, DUNE, in a conversation deleted from Episode 20: David Lynch's ERASERHEAD.

The Freshman Fifteen's 20th episode visits pioneer artist David Lynch and his first feature film - 1977's Eraserhead. Daniel sermonizes on the virtues of great sound design, Jeremy decides that Lynch is better suited to Hannibal Lecter than Jabba the Hutt and returning guest Jeff Jensen connects the dots between Eraserhead and The Simpsons. Also, what's an "art film?"

Episode 19: The Freshman Fifteen takes a look at the 1975 freshman film of director Terry Gilliam, the comedy perennial Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Jeremy declares his favorite Holy Grail scene to be the ultimate comedy recipe while Daniel ponders whether confrontational artists are born or self-made. Finally, what does it mean for a filmmaker to be truly fearless?

Extended and uncut, Jeremy and Daniel's Batman discussion (recorded for Episode 18: Tim Burton's PEE-WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE) is presented here as a special for faithful listeners.

Episode eighteen! Jeremy and Daniel take a swirly, bug-eyed trip through the freshman film of the inimitable Tim Burton, 1985’s Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Daniel describes how the guy from Oingo Boingo changed the way we listen to movie music while Jeremy tries to wrap his mind around an aesthetic powerful enough to rewrite the rules of genre. Also, are remakes and sequels actually cinema’s riskiest...

Confirmed Gentiles Daniel and Jeremy choose a couple of films celebrating Jewish history, tradition, people and culture in a special episode to kick off the week of Hanukkah. From anti-kosher childhood meals to doubling down on the "H" spelling of Hanukkah, our hosts get their dreidel on by recommending two must-see classics focusing on all things Semitic.

In Episode Seventeen, Daniel and Jeremy sit down with the freshman film of director Ridley Scott, 1977's The Duellists. Jeremy declares Ridley Scott filmmaking's Renaissance man while Daniel wrestles with the storytelling differences between a wide angle and a closeup. Finally: casting. Our hosts go head to head on the topic of Hollywood whitewashing.

The Freshman Fifteen returns at last! Episode Sixteen takes a look at Terrence Malick’s Badlands. Daniel digs into the good and the bad of waiting for the editing room to decide what sort of film you're making while Jeremy submits that Terrence Malick characters tend to either burn or flow. Also, what's the difference between filming a plot and filming an idea?

Proud papas Daniel and Jeremy recommend and discuss two films to entertain your little ones during these hazy summer months. Daniel goes dark while Jeremy goes obscure, but both co-hosts keep their feet planted firmly in the category of animated features. Also, what is contemporary children's entertainment doing to our kids?

Stars 'n garters! In their July 4th celebration, Jeremy and Daniel return to the mics after a much-needed hiatus to discuss a couple of patriotic movie picks for American film lovers everywhere. Whether you take your hot dogs vegetarian or meaty, the boys' Independence Day picks have something for everyone - from childlike wonderment to hard-hitting political intrigue. Grab your earbuds, sparklers...

For their bonus-sized fifteenth episode, The Freshman Fifteen examines the first feature film of visionary director Stanley Kubrick, 1953's Fear and Desire. While Daniel ponders what it takes to push the boundaries of genre, Jeremy describes the rarest type of director of all: the dangerous filmmaker. Finally, what's next for The Freshman Fifteen?

It's Oscar Season! Join Daniel, Jeremy and special guest, Entertainment Weekly's Jeff Jensen, as they weigh in with their personal picks of the nine Best Picture nominees. Jeff gives listeners a peek inside the inner workings of the Academy Awards while Daniel and Jeremy make their case for the films that most deserve to take home film's highest honor.

In their fourteenth episode, our hosts take a look at the freshman film of documentarian Errol Morris, 1978's Gates of Heaven. Jeremy blows apart any remaining illusions about "reality" television while Daniel grapples with the technological oddity known as The Interrotron. Finally, what does the art form of documentary have to teach a society who's forgotten how to listen?

In their Valentine's Day Special, Daniel and Jeremy defer to their wives to recommend two (and a half) romantic films. That's amoré! While Jeremy's wife throws some unexpected grit and carnage into the mix, Daniel's wife prefers to stick to a tried-and-true classic. Plus, the boys make a case to their fellow men to take a chance on romance movies.

Episode 13. This time around, it's the 1999 film Being John Malkovich from director Spike Jonze. Jeremy breaks down the visual recipe of a traditional science fiction film, while Daniel attempts to solve the mystery of which Spike Jonze is the real Spike Jonze. Also, what's with these filmmakers that insist on reinventing the concept of filmmaking with every film they make?

Episode twelve's discussion focuses on 1999's The Virgin Suicides, the freshman film of director Sofia Coppola. Jeremy ponders the possibility that, in film, "who?" "what?" and "why?" are sometimes less important questions than "where?" while Daniel suggests that people of privilege need purpose too. Finally, the boys wonder if filmmakers who aren't interest...

Jeremy and Daniel count down their ten favorite freshman films of all time in part two of this special event episode. It's down to this: the final five. In the most personal episode of The Freshman Fifteen yet, the boys compare notes on what they consider to be the best of the best.