The McGuffin Tapes

We're back from our unannounced hiatus to talk about a director who has a little movie called The Odyssey coming out in a couple of weeks. In a decidedly non-Nolan way, we chronologically go through his filmography and explore how time functions as both a theme and a narrative device. We also discuss criticisms of his filmmaking, his frequent collaborators, and his use of music and color. ---...

This year marks the 30th anniversary of From Dusk Til Dawn . Directed by Robert Rodriguez with a screenplay by Quentin Tarantino. This also marks the start of a new series for our podcast. We're calling it: Writers' Room . We read the screenplay and analyze major scenes, character arcs and the structure of the movie. You can follow along and read the script at this link. Let us know in the...

We took a week off but we're back talking about one of the biggest bluckbusters of the year! Project Hail Mary is directed by the duo of Lorde & Miller starring Ryan Gosling & Sandra Hüller . This time around, we focus on the screenplay by Drew Goddard who adapted yet another novel of Andy Weir . We dissect the two storylines, the bromance between the two main characters, scientific ap...

We couldn't resist talking about yet another gothic horror movie. This time it's The Bride! by writer & director Maggie Gyllenhaal . The titular character is played by Academy Award winning actress Jessie Buckley with Christian Bale in the role of the monster. Listen in as we dissect this stitched-together 'Monster Mash' of an experiment. --- We now have an Instagram! Follow us...

We're back talking Marty Supreme — a frenetic, screwball sports-comedy from Josh Safdie anchored by an electrifying turn from Timothée Chalamet . Does this wild, ping-pong-fuelled odyssey stick the landing or fly off the table? Tune in to find out. --- We now have an Instagram! Follow us to get updates on upcoming shows ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mcguffintapes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . --- Thank you for subscribing and rat...

We're back talking " Wuthering Heights " the adaptation of Brontë's novel by Emerald Fenell. The english director is known for her unapologetic and provocative films. Does this movie land for us, or not, or is it possible, that it falls somewhere in between? Listen to find out! Are you team Jacob or team Edgar? Let us know in the comments! --- We now have an Instagram! Follow us...

On our podcast aniversary episode, we talk about movies that left a mark on us. We share some personal stories: What movie made Michael change his haircut? Which movie has Alla seen the most in cinemas? Comment, if we should talk about our favorite series! --- We now have an Instagram! Follow us to get updates on upcoming shows ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@mcguffintapes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . --- Thank you for subscribing and rat...

The first movie we chose for 2026 is Rental Family by director Hikari. It talks about a special service in Japan ... ... which seems strange from a western perspective. Some of the examples of these movies are complicated, to say the least. Our perspectives were quite different on this movie and subject, so we hope you have a blast listening! Would you hire a Rental Family? Let us know in the comm...

We kick off 2026 with a last bike trip back to Hawkins, to dive into the Upside Down of Stranger Things . We recap the major plot points and emotional beats that captured us. We discuss the characters, their development, the writing when it worked and when it didn't entirely win us over. What were your favorite moments of the last season? Let us know in the comments! --- We now have an Instagram!...

On our last episode of this year, we update our watchlists for 2026 and discuss our favorite series and movies of 2025. What were your favorite movies and series of 2025? Let us know in the comments! We’re always looking out for interesting things to watch. Timestamps (01:19) - Movies we’re dying to see (14:16) - Diving into series: What to watch next year (27:10) - Our favorite series of 2025 (45...

What happens when fame loses its shine and everything you built your life around starts to crumble? In this episode we dive into Jay Kelly , Noah Baumbach’s new film with George Clooney and Adam Sandler. We unpack the movie’s slippery identity, revisit whether the title and central figure really match the story, and probe why the film keeps its main character just out of emotional reach. Tune in a...

Join us for a banger of a conversation as we unpack Kathryn Bigelow’s high-stakes thriller A House of Dynamite . We explore the film’s pulse-pounding narrative — as seen through three interlocking perspectives: the White House Situation Room, U.S. Strategic Command, and the President himself. We dive into themes of leadership under pressure, moral paralysis, and how people can be haunted by the we...

On this show, we’re dissecting Guillermo del Toro's version of Frankenstein, based on Mary Shelley's novel. We try to connect the dots between the different scenes and themes of the movie: abusive parent's toxic masculinity, legacy, otherness and forgiveness. If you can't tell by the length of the episode, one of us was really moved by this motion picture! --- We now have an Instag...

On this show, we’re dipping into… comedy? Aziz Ansari wrote and directed Good Fortune , where he plays a poor guy whose life gets swapped by — wait for it — Keanu Reeves, playing an angel, with Seth Rogen’s rich guy. The twist? Turns out, money actually fixes all the poor guy’s problems. We also rant a bit (okay, mostly Michael) about going to the cinema, how that ties into the movie’s themes, and...

With One Battle After Another Paul Thomas Anderson delivers what’s probably the best movie of 2025 — and we’re all in for this rollercoaster ride. We dive deep into characters that may seem like caricatures at first but reveal surprising complexity and nuance. --- Here is Michael's ranking of PTAs movies . --- We now have an Instagram! Follow us to get updates on upcoming shows @mcguffintapes . --...

In this episode, we dive into The Life of Chuck — a story told backwards, from an ending to a beginning. From the novella by Stephen King , brought to the screen by director Mike Flanagan. What does it mean to measure a life not by its milestones, but by its dances?

In this episode, we dive into The Roses (2025): a film that wants to dazzle with its story and its setting—but how much of it truly blooms? We unpack the balance between external drama and inner struggles, debate whether the characters feel crafted or crafted too much , and worry just a little about Dario’s sudden urge to redecorate.

In this episode, we're thrown into this dark comedy thriller by Darren Aronosfky which takes place in 90s New York. A curveball for this director, but a fun entertaining chase.

Materialists from director Celine Song is finally out in swiss cinemas and we couldn't resist talking about it. Just when you think that romantic movies are out of fashion — Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal pull you back in. This movie is a nice cerebral counterpart to Song's more emotional Past Lives and though it looks simple on the surface — has lots of subtle details to discuss.

We gathered around the campfire at the beach, to talk about "The Surfer". Is Nicolas Cage the GOAT? Is this movie real life, or just fantasy? Is it glorious, or demented? Listen in, find out!

After our summer holidays, we got the whole band back together to discuss - for the first time face-to-face - an Irish Film that we all really loved. There is no Kneecap, without talking about the political history and climate in the North of Ireland, the language and the story of the namesake band.

Wes we went. We saw the Phoenician Scheme and debate the themes, star-studded cast, and if one of our favorite directors is maybe getting lost in his fantasy worlds. Sorry if this episode ends so suddenly! Michael had some irreversible audio issues at the end.

With the release of "The Phoenician Scheme" in cinemas, we discuss Wes Anderson's filmography. We analyze his distinct style, visuals, rhythm & dialogue . On the other hand, we explore his introverted and quirky characters, kidulthood and estranged families. We asked ourselves the questions: Was there ever any substance in Wes Anderson films? Or are his movies all about style?

We are somewhat late to the party, but we are joined by Michael B. Jordan's twin brother to dive deep into the music, history and culture that inspired Ryan Coogler's latest movie.

We're back to discuss one of the best series on Netflix. Black Mirror always comes up with interesting twists and provides lots of points for discussion. After a 2 year hiatus the series returns with what may be it's most human season yet.