InSession Film Podcast

On this episode, we discuss our favorite Disney animated films and why some of their boldest, more sophisticated films come from a dfferent era! Even if some of their new movies are still pretty good too. Panel: Kristin Battestella, Megan Kearns Visit insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe on your podcast app of choice! insessionfilm.com/subscribe

On this episode, Shadan is joined by our own Will Bjarnar and Megan Loucks to recap this year's Sundance Film Festival! The festival featured plenty of strong films, but a select few stood out as truly spectacular and we spotlight those in a big way. Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become an ISF VIP today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on X/Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @ShadanLarki

On this episode, we discuss Sam Raimi's new film SEND HELP, starring a phenomenal Rachel McAdams! Raimi's horror sensibilities are back in a big way with this tense, darkly funny survival thriller that also has a surprisingly poignant message given the times. Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become an ISF VIP today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on X/Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @RealJDDuran | @BrendanJCassidy

This week on the InSession Film Podcast, we dive into a Sam Raimi movie draft, breaking down and discuss one of the most inventive directors in modern cinema. From EVIL DEAD to SPIDER-MAN to his new film SEND HELP, Raimi's style and legacy is unforgettable. We also talk about the recent passing of comedic legend Catherine O'Hara and we also revisit one of our all-time favorite scores from PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END as one cue has been trending on social media recently! - Opening Banter / Send Help Box Office (0:30) - Catherine O'Hara (11:55) - Hans Zimmer 's Pirates Score (21:38) - The Way of the Wind Update (37:04) - Sam Raimi Draft (55:48) Visit insessionfilm.dashery.com to support the show with InSession Film merch! Episode sponsor: ANACONDA (2025) - Follow us on social media for your chance to win a FREE digital code! Visit episode sponsor: koffeekult.com - Get 15% OFF with the code: ISF26 Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become an ISF VIP today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @RealJDDuran | @BrendanJCassidy

On this episode, we discuss our favorite Rob Reiner films and talk about why he was special filmmaker! One that we will miss very much. Panel: Megan Kearns, Amy Thomasson Visit insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe on your podcast app of choice! insessionfilm.com/subscribe

In this episode, Shadan and guest Kenny Miles break down the 2026 BAFTA nominations, digging into the year's biggest surprises, snubs, and front-runners. We spend time on major contenders like Sinners, One Battle After Another, Marty Supreme, and Hamnet, discussing why these films connected with voters and what their nominations say about the current state of the race. Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become an ISF VIP today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on X/Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @ShadanLarki #oscars #awards #baftaawards #nominations #OscarPredictions

On this episode, we break down DEAD MAN'S WIRE, Gus Van Sant's gripping new film based on the real-life 1977 Tony Kiritsis hostage standoff. We dive into Van Sant's restrained direction, the film's slow-burn tension, and how it uses true crime to explore the fight for justice, corruption, and the violence baked into American spectacle. Does it say anything about America's appetite for real-time trauma as entertainment? It's trying to, but does it get there? That's the real question. While we wish the film was more impactful thematically, DEAD MAN'S WIRE fits wonderfully within Gus Van Sant's career — from his fascination with outsiders to his continued interest in moral ambiguity and systems of power. Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become an ISF VIP today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on X/Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @RealJDDuran | @BrendanJCassidy

On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss Mascha Schilinski's ambitious and remarkable sophomore effort in SOUND OF FALLING! Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become a Member today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on X/Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @RealJDDuran | @BrendanJCassidy

This week on the InSession Film Podcast, Shadan Larki joins JD to discuss this year's Oscar nominations (and the Oscars philosophically) and we do a Best Actress nominees draft as we consider the nominees from the 2020s! - Opening Banter (0:30) - 2026 Oscar Nominaitons (6:54) - Best Actress Draft (59:17) Visit insessionfilm.dashery.com to support the show with InSession Film merch! Visit episode sponsor: koffeekult.com - Get 15% OFF with the code: ISF26 Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become an ISF VIP today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @RealJDDuran | @BrendanJCassidy

On this episode, we discuss our favorite female horror directors and some films that we highly recommend everyone checking out! Panel: Kristin Battestella, Megan Kearns Visit insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe on your podcast app of choice! insessionfilm.com/subscribe

On this episode, Shadan is joined by Amanda Spears to discuss the Oscar nominations for the 98th Academy Awards! SINNERS broke records. Some films surprised. Others were snubbed. We break it all down in this conversation. Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become an ISF VIP today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on X/Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @ShadanLarki

This week on the InSession Film Podcast, we discuss our most anticipated movies of 2026! JD also provides a new Stingray update and we dive into a few of our expectations for this year's Oscar nominations. - Opening Banter / ISF Awards Recap (0:30) - Stingray Update (8:30) - Oscar Nominations (25:44) - Top 5 Most Anticipated Movies (1:51:45) Visit insessionfilm.dashery.com to support the show with InSession Film merch! Episode sponsor: ROOFMAN - Follow us on social media for your chance to win a FREE Blu-ray! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become a Member today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @RealJDDuran | @BrendanJCassidy

On this episode, JD and Megan discuss Nia DaCosta's incredible new film 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE! Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become a Member today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on X/Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @RealJDDuran | @BrendanJCassidy

On this episode, Shadan is joined by Robert Licuria to discuss their final Oscar nomination predictions for the 2026 Academy Awards! Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become a Member today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on X/Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @ShadanLarki | @eRockReviews

On this episode, inspired by WICKED's success over the last two years, we dive into our favorite whimsical musicals that we would recommend! Panel: Kristin Battestella, Amy Thomasson Visit insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe on your podcast app of choice! insessionfilm.com/subscribe

This week on the InSession Film Podcast, for Part 2 of our InSession Film Awards, we discuss our Top 10 movies of 2025! It was a great year for cinema and we had a really fun discussion counting down the very best that cinema had to offer at the movies this last year. Don't miss Part 1 where we discuss the best acting, direction, cinematography, overlooked movies and more from film in 2025: https://youtu.be/J8APNZ2CZBo Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Visit this episode's sponsor: https://koffeekult.com - Get 15% OFF with the code: ISF26 Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become an ISF VIP today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @RealJDDuran | @BrendanJCassidy

This week on the InSession Film Podcast, we feature our 13th annual InSession Film Awards! We discuss the very best that 2025 had to offer in terms of surprises, overlooked movies, the best acting performances, and so much more when it comes to the film year. - Individual Awards (7:28) - Best Movie Discovery (49:14) - Best Surprise Actor/Actress (56:29) - Best Surprise Movie (1:09:16) - Best Overlooked Movie (1:23:41) - Best Opening/ Closing Scene (1:35:36) - Best Use of Song (1:50:35) - Best Original Score (1:59:13) - Best Animated Movie (2:07:07) - Best International Film (2:14:33) - Best Documentary (2:20:50) - Best Cinematography (2:29:02) - Best Adapted Screenplay (2:38:33) - Best Original Screenplay (2:48:31) - Best Director (2:53:48) - Best Supporting Actress (3:08:00) - Best Supporting Actor (3:16:44) - Best Actress (3:27:08) - Best Actor (3:38:20) Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Visit this episode's sponsor: https://koffeekult.com - Get 15% OFF with the code: ISF25 Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe on your podcast app of choice! https://insessionfilm.com/subscribe Follow us on Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @RealJDDuran | @BrendanJCassidy

On this episode, we take a look at David Cronenberg's 1979 film THE BROOD and his 2025 film THE SHROUDS! Both films are unique and personal to Cronenberg, and we have fun diving into why that makes them compelling. Panel: Kristin Battestella, Megan Kearns, Jaylan Salah Visit insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe on your podcast app of choice! insessionfilm.com/subscribe

On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss Kaouther Ben Hania's heartbreaking new film THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB! Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become a Member today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on X/Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @RealJDDuran | @BrendanJCassidy

On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss Kristin Stewart's incredible directorial debut THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER, starring a phenomenal Imogen Poots! Visit https://insessionfilm.com for merch and more! Thanks for listening and be sure to subscribe! Become a Member today to get exclusive bonus content! Follow us on X/Twitter! @InSessionFilm | @RealJDDuran | @BrendanJCassidy