What Are You Watching?

“Whiplash” contains Nick’s favorite movie ending. Ever . This episode begins with Alex and Nick breaking down Damien Chazelle’s “Whiplash.” The guys discuss the film’s lasting popularity, Paul Reiser’s face, cruel brothers, evil teachers, sociopathic bosses, and why J.K. Simmons’ Oscar-winning performance is one of the greatest villains in cinema. In the second half (01:35:20), the guys discuss th...

Our first official Steven Spielberg episode! Alex and Nick begin by describing the first Spielberg film they saw, and how it impacted them (04:42). Next, the guys (briefly) review Spielberg’s latest film, “Disclosure Day” (23:20). In the back half of the episode, Alex quickly goes through Spielberg’s entire filmography (46:06) before both guys list their Top 10 favorite Steven Spielberg films (01:...

This episode features the most scorching NDHT (Nicholas Dostal Hot Take™) in the history of the pod. Few modern directors have been as impactful as Damien Chazelle. Alex and Nick have a blast diving into Chazelle’s small but remarkable filmography. Stray topics include Justin Hurwitz’s score in “Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench,” the “Whiplash” short film, the lasting magic of “La La Land,” the so...

This mixed-bag episode has it all. Alex and Nick begin by introducing their new website, wawypodcast.com , where you can find every episode, buy merch, donate, join Patreon (!), and more.  Then Alex reveals a scorching new hot take concerning the Academy Award for Best Picture.  Lastly, the guys review new Broadway shows, “The Drama,” “Mother Mary,” Season 3 of “Euphoria,” “Face/Off” on the big sc...

Nick and Alex discuss the career of one of Nick’s favorite directors, the singular Jim Jarmusch. As the guys break down each Jarmusch film, stray topics include style vs. fashion, making the mundane cool, slow cinema, revelatory film structure, anthology films, and much more. Visit our BRAND NEW website waywpodcast.com for episode categories, merch, donations, comments, social media, and more!

Watch Paul Thomas Anderson’s BEST PICTURE WINNING film right along with Alex and Nick. The guys discuss the movie's brisk pace, Sean Penn’s performance, a critical mistake in the film’s subtitles, stealth long takes, its Oscar wins, and so much more. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com

Ocean waves, ocean waves. Recorded immediately after the 98th Academy Awards, Alex and Nick absolutely lose their minds as Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” wins six Oscars. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com

This oversized Oscar episode has it all: unhinged rants, passionate appeals, analytic predictions, and friendly arguments.  In Part 1 (00:23:16), Alex and Nick trash the shoddy award shows so far this year, before predicting the winners for every category of the 98th Academy Awards.  Part 2 (01:43:33) is the WAYW Oscars, where the guys each pick their own nominees and winners for every major Oscar...

Alex completed his 2025 movie challenge of watching John Carpenter’s “Halloween” once a week for the entire year.  In Part 1 (00:01:10) of this episode, Alex does a solo commentary on the film, reporting all the fun things he learned by watching the movie so much.  In Part 2 (01:32:03), Alex brings Nick on to talk about every “Halloween” sequel, the four franchise timelines, John Carpenter’s music...

Alex and Nick break down the 2026 Oscar nominations. The guys discuss “One Battle After Another” landing 13 nominations (!!), “Sentimental Value’s” surprise showing, and how Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” smashed the Oscar nomination record and will likely go on to win Best Picture. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com

Alex and Nick list their favorite films of 2025. The guys discuss all the foreign, indie, and mainstream films that worked for them, a few bigger movies that did not, probable Oscar nominees, and so much more. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com

Alex and Nick end season 1 of the WAYW New Hollywood Film Project with Alan J. Pakula's Paranoid Thriller Trilogy: “Klute,” “The Parallax View,” and “All the President’s Men.” The guys break down each film, Pakula’s career, Gordon Willis’ astonishing work as a cinematographer, the current state of journalism, Watergate, “Deep Throat,” JFK, sex work, and so much more. Part 10 of the WAYW New H...

Alex and Nick discuss alcoholism, depression, losing parents, Ben Affleck’s best work, and Gavin O’Connor’s “The Way Back”. This episode is as real as What Are You Watching gets. Watch Alex and Nick's film, " I Am Alive ," for free online. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com

Assassin’s focus. Gritted teeth and fixed bayonets. The “Licorice Pizza” commentary is here!  Hang out with Alex and Nick as they watch Paul Thomas Anderson’s love letter to LA. Stray topics include PTA/Haim music videos, favorite Haim albums/songs, Bradley Cooper’s career, Oscar chances for “One Battle After Another,” peanut butter sandwiches, and much more. “I’m coming, Nancy!” Follow @WAYW_Podc...

John Badham’s “Saturday Night Fever” is so much more than a fun disco movie. Alex and Nick break down the film’s hilarious dinner conversations, John Travolta’s thrilling dance scenes, and the movie’s unexpected sequences of real life.  Early in the episode, Alex shares his radical theory about “Pulp Fiction” that he’s been afraid to share for years. Part 9 of the WAYW New Hollywood Film Project....

The WAYW New Hollywood Film Project continues with a ‘70s classic, Sidney Lumet’s “Serpico.” Alex and Nick discuss Al Pacino in his first starring role, Lumet’s 50-year career, police corruption, whistleblowers, roast beef sandwiches, the real Frank Serpico, the maniac who co-wrote the screenplay, and much more. For WAYW, the guys briefly review new films from Benny Safdie, Guillermo del Toro, Ric...

There are no spoilers in this episode. As Alex and Nick give their glowing review of Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” topics include attending an LA premiere, the film’s Oscar chances, Alex’s recent brush with death, Nick’s recent brush with death, Top 5 Leonardo DiCaprio performances, re-ranking PTA’s filmography, meeting Colin Farrell, and much more. For WAYW, the guys review n...

“Hey, listen, baby, I'm a star.” Alex and Nick discuss the ‘70s hangout movie masterpiece, “Shampoo.” Alex explains why star/writer/producer Warren Beatty set the film on Election Day 1968, before the guys break down the film’s production design, costumes, and hair, the unique charms of Julie Christie, Goldie Hawn, and Jack Warden, how the great Lee Grant was blacklisted from Hollywood and ca...

Alex looks back at the 60-year career of Robert Redford. Topics include Redford’s best acting performances, his Oscar-winning directing work, the meme to end all memes, and how he helped start the careers of many of the best film directors working today. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com

“Well, to tell ya the truth, I lied a little.” Alex and Nick break down one of the essential films of the New Hollywood movement, Roman Polanski’s “Chinatown.” The guys discuss their favorite Jack Nicholson performances, Polanski’s infamous career, Faye Dunaway’s disturbing performance, John Huston as one of the best movie villains of all time, Robert Towne writing one of the best screenplays of a...

This episode begins with some spoiler-free 2025 movie news and reviews, before Alex and Nick dive into their favorite films of 1996 (23:19). Topics include Leo as Romeo, Depp as Dead Man, Frances as Marge, (maybe) the best action film of all time, the movie that changed horror, the indies everyone talked about, new and old tattoos, and much more. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter / Instagram / Lette...

There are no spoilers in this episode. Alex breaks down the opening segment of Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece, “High and Low,” before bringing Nick on to review Spike Lee’s remake, “Highest 2 Lowest.” The guys discuss Spike’s post-“Inside Man" career, seeing Denzel Washington in “Othello” on Broadway, other remakes of Kurosawa’s work, Matthew Libatique, Dean Winters, Jules Dassin, and much more...

This is the weekend they didn’t play golf. Alex and Nick break down John Boorman’s masterpiece, “Deliverance.” The guys have an extended discussion on the horrifying attack sequence in the film, and the resulting impact it had on cinema and the culture. They also discuss Burt Reynolds’ breakout role, the film’s expert use of staging, how well Jon Voight plays drunk, Ned Beatty’s career, one of the...

Alex is watching John Carpenter’s “Halloween” once a week for all of 2025. In the latest installment of the WAWY New Hollywood Film Project, Alex and Nick discuss Alex’s crazy challenge, the film’s use of sound, cinematography, and editing, why “Halloween” is their favorite horror film, and how in the hell John Carpenter was able to write, direct, and score one of the most iconic films ever made w...

To celebrate five years of What Are You Watching, Alex and Nick discuss the most influential director of Alex’s life, Steven Soderbergh. Thirty-five movies, (at least) five career phases, a Palme d’Or, an Oscar, and an unparalleled work ethic all make Soderbergh an icon of modern cinema. Let’s go! Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd . Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwa...