Why Does the Wilhelm Scream?

On this episode we start our discussion on the under-seen, under-recognized, under-sung, under-appreciated independent filmmaker, Hal Hartley. We’re looking at Hartley’s first two films “The Unbelievable Truth,” and “Trust.” We also talk about David Fincher’s new Netflix job “The Killer.” Hang around for some recommendations and brief chat about Whilt Stedman, or Wyatt Steelman…     Keep in touch...

Trigger warning! On this episode: we don't like 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' and we tell you why. We also discuss Justine Triet's new film, the courtroom drama 'Anatomy of a Fall' and the Brazilian film 'Dry Ground Burning.' This episode is full of unpopular opinions--we have them so that you don't have to.      Keep in touch and read more at whydoesthewilhelmscream.com on Instagram and Threads @...

This episode kicks ass. Today we discuss the latest Fort Worth Film Club screening, 'You Won't Be Alone.' along with Goran Stolevski's follow-up film, 'Of an Age.' We also take a look at 'Passages' the new Ira Sachs' film starring Franz Rogowski, Ben Wishaw, and Adele Exarchopolous. Among other things, Jason expresses his affinity for novelty rap made for movies and performed by Oscar winners. Thi...

It's a sad day around the Wilhelm headquarters as we finish up our dive into the films of John Cassavetes. We wrap up with a look at "Gloria," and "Love Streams." Cassavetes was interested in exploring love, and the complicated, weird things we are as humans--and we love all of you for joining us on this journey. There's other stuff in this episode, too, but, really, it's all about Cassavetes. Rem...

Remember when studio audiences were a thing? Anyway, in this episode, we're discussing the latest screening from The Fort Worth Film Club: "Real Women Have Curves." And there's more Cassavetes: "The Killing of A Chinese Bookie," and "Opening Night." Something we've found out during this Cassavetes journey: these movies are good, but, man, they're emotionally draining.     Keep in touch and read mo...

Brock and Jason are back to dig into more Cassavetes: the feel-good romp that is "Minnie and Moskowtiz," and the story of a marriage in "A Woman Under the Influence." This man really never got the credit he deserved...   Also, on the pod, the Wilhelm Boys discuss the new film "Bottoms," directed by Emma Seligman, and starring Rachel Sennott, and Ayo Edeberi. It's brilliant. Just brilliant.      Ke...

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you. Today, we discuss four films that share a sense of anxiety, paranoia...the feeling that something is just a little bit off. We're talking 'Sorry to Bother You,' 'How to Get Ahead in Advertising,' 'Border,' and 'Beau is Afraid.' We also chat about the tyranny of vanity license plates, the commodification of art, and what constitu...

We're back with part two of John Cassavetes. On this episode, we're discussing Cassavetes' films "Faces," and "Husbands." We also dig into the new films (both A24 ventures) "Talk to Me," and "Medusa Deluxe." This episode is full of uplifting messages.      Keep in touch and read more at whydoesthewilhelmscream.com  on instagram @whydoesthewilhelmpod  and twitter @whywilhelm Find out more about upc...

It's another jam-packed episode, Screamers. We're talking the Trash Trilogy of John Waters (Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, and Desperate Living) along with the new films 'They Cloned Tyrone,' and 'The Blackening.' We also pay respect to the late, great Paul Reubens. Stick around for some recommendations.      Keep in touch and read more at whydoesthewilhelmscream.com  on instagram @whydoesthewilh...

On this episode Brock and Jason talk about two of the summer's biggest films: "Barbie," and "Oppenheimer." Then, it's the start of a new series on the writer, actor, director John Cassavetes with the films "Shadows," and "Too Late Blues."      Keep in touch and read more at whydoesthewilhelmscream.com  on instagram @whydoesthewilhelmpod  and twitter @whywilhelm Find out more about upcoming Fort Wo...

In this episode Brock and Jason dig into the narrative features of Japanese filmmaker/artist/genius Toshio Matsumoto. Matsumoto directed only four narrative films: 'Funeral Parade of Roses,' 'Shura,' 'The War of the Sixteen Year Olds,' and 'Dogura Magura.' There is no way to do Matsumoto justice, but we try anyway. We're all just doing our best.     Keep in touch and read more at whydoesthewilhelm...

It's the end of our series on David Gordon Green, screamers. This series didn't turn out quite like we expected. We skip the stoner comedies and jump straight to Green's "return to form" with the films 'Joe' and 'Prince Avalanche.' We also discuss Celine Song's debut 'Past Lives' (which is a perfect film). And Jason works on his Italian accent. Stick around for some recommendations.     Keep in to...

In this episode, we have a long chat about several disparate films. The Fort Worth Film Club recently screened Akira Kurosawa's "The Hidden Fortress" as part of the "Lucas Before Luke" series. We also talk about Paul Schrader's latest Bressonian film "Master Gardener," and Mark Jenkin's erroneously categorized "Enys Men." Stick around for recommendations.        Keep in touch and read more at whyd...

We're back on the path towards David Gordon Green enlightenment. We take a look at 'Undertow,' and 'Snow Angels' and discuss how they differ from the director's first two films. Before that we talk about what it would take to be a better person, and the new Norwegian satire 'Sick of Myself.' Stick around for movie recommendations.     Keep in touch and read more at whydoesthewilhelmscream.com  on...

On this special episode, we welcome back Dev'n Goodman ("Dev'n about town") to talk the original Star Wars trilogy. As a Star Wars newbie (this was her first time watching!!!), Dev'n has some questions, and we try our best to answer them.      Keep in touch and read more at whydoesthewilhelmscream.com  on instagram @whydoesthewilhelmpod  and twitter @whywilhelm Find out more about upcoming Fort Wo...

It's more than just movies today, screamers. This episode is full of hot takes, and...well, observations. Brock and Jason dig into the films of the late Japanese film director, animator, screenwriter, manga artist, Satoshi Kon. There's a lot to unpack. Stick around for recommendations: if you like the films of Satoshi Kon, you might like some of these suggestions.      Keep in touch and read more...

We start our series on the films of David Gordon Green by looking at his first two films: 'George Washington,' and 'All the Real Girls.' We also discuss the new Florence Pugh (we are card-carrying members of The Pughletariat) vehicle 'A Good Person,' directed by Zach Braff. Stick around for recommendations.      Keep in touch and read more at whydoesthewilhelmscream.com  on instagram @whydoesthewi...

We're talking crime films: heist movies, con men, bank robberies, lovable losers, antiheroes, thieving professors...We've got them all! We're looking at 'Danger: Diabolik,' 'Victoria,' 'Welcome to Collinwood,' 'Grand Slam,' 'Nine Queens,' and 'Fast Five.' Are you ready to do the crime?     Keep in touch and read more at whydoesthewilhelmscream.com  on instagram @whydoesthewilhelmpod  and twitter @...

It's double feature day! We've paired 'Infinity Pool' with 'Triangle of Sadness' and 'Women Talking' with the 80s classic '9 to 5.' We also dive into topics like feminism and its waves, as well as unfortunate trends by some comedians and what Jason wishes they would do instead.      Keep in touch and read more at whydoesthewilhelmscream.com  on instagram @whydoesthewilhelmpod  and twitter @whywilh...

We wrap up our series on Elaine May by taking a look at her performances in 'Enter Laughing,' 'Luv,' 'California Suite,' 'In the Spirit, 'Small Time Crooks,' and the Amazon series 'Crisis in Six Scenes.' Some of these films are better than others, but Elaine May is always excellent, always Elaine May. We will always cherish this time together.     Keep in touch and read more at whydoesthewilhelmsc...

It's more May Madness, Screamers. In this episode we take a look at May's screenplays for 'Such Good Friends,' 'Heaven Can Wait,' and two Micke Nichols' films: 'The Birdcage,' and 'Primary Colors.' A severe thunderstorm knocks out power, and we digress into a discussion surrounding bands of the 70s. Stick around for movie recommendations based on the discussed films.      Keep in touch and read mo...

It's a packed episode, Screamers. We look at both 'Lost in Translation' and 'Her' as a kind of double feature. And we interrogate the false construct of cross-influence between their creators. We get lost in the murk and digital noise of lo-fi horror hit (?) 'Skinamarink.' There's also a melancholy-tinged, but impassioned, discussion of De La Soul, the influential hip hop group, after the passing...

Welcome to May Madness Part Two, Screamers. In this episode we're talking "Mikey (not Mickey) and Nicky" and the much derided, but not as bad as you remember, "Ishtar." We also talk about the films screened at the recently held Reel House Foundation Mini Movie Marathon Six. Other unanswerable questions: does altruism exist? what would a remake of "Mikey and Nicky" look like? who really should've s...

It's May Madness! Our two-part series on the films of the underrated, under appreciated Elaine May. We discuss her creative partnership with Mike Nichols, and her influence on comedy. And we dig into her first two films: 'A New Leaf,' and 'The Heartbreak Kid.' We also discuss the new Brendan Fraser vehicle, 'The Whale.' Stick around for recommendations if you like Elaine May's first two films.   ...

It's imagination time, kids! In this episode we're talking 'Brazil' and Terry Gilliam's Trilogy of Imagination ('Time Bandits', and The 'Adventures of Baron Muchausen'). We also take a brief look at the late, great Pele's contribution to the John Huston film 'Victory.' And we review Beth de Araujo's one-take indie thriller about racist white women. Stick around for recommendations if you like 'Bra...