Film Optimists

We're joined once again by friend of the podcast Aaron Mccray-Goldsmith, to talk about Saltburn--perhaps the most viral film from 2023 that wasn't about a doll or a bomb. The film is a dark comic thriller that follows Barry Keoghan as he integrates himself into the lives of a wealthy family. The film is funny, strange, unexpected, and drenched in early aughts nostalgia. The film also stars Rosemund Pike, Jacob Elordi, and Richard E. Grant. We also discuss a long running art project rooted in Burning Man that Aaron is involved in, the Talk to God Phone. The project is currently touring and does virtual events. Check out their website and Instagram for more details!

With his latest film currently in production, Paul Thomas Anderson has been on our minds. We took this opportunity to look back one of his masterpieces, There Will Be Blood (2007). Set during the southern California oil boom of the turn of the century, the film has at its core a rivalry between an oilman (played by Daniel Day Lewis in an oscar winning role) and a local priest (played by Paul Dano). Anderson has described the film as "a horror story about the birth of California", and it explores themes of greed, family, religion, and power with expert craftsmanship on all fronts. Hear us discuss this, as well as why one of us finds this film deeply personal.

Okay folks, we're a little late to this but, Happy 2024! As usual, we're kicking off the year with our now tradition of listing our 5 favorite films we saw in 2023. These don't have to be films that were released in 2023, just films we saw for the first time in 2023. Hear us countdown our favorites, and let us know yours in the comments!

Happy Holidays, Optimists! We're back with an exciting episode featuring a returning guest, and our first sequel! Special guest Ann Boyd joins us once again for a conversation about our favorite murder solving power couple, Nick and Nora Charles in After the Thin Man. The sequel swaps New York City for San Francisco as our heroes return home for what they hope will be a relaxing New Year's Eve, only to be immediately thrown into another murder investigation. W.S. Van Dyke returns as the director to the stars William Powell, Myrna Loy, and Skippy. The cast is joined by a host of newcomers including a very young Jimmy Stewart.

We're back with another gem from old Hollywood, Casablanca! Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart lead the all star cast in what has become one of the most iconic films ever made. Despite its fame, the film had surprisingly humble beginnings. Hear us discuss the film, it's origin, and how it came to be considered by many to be the greatest film of all time.

Trenton Cressy returns to the pod to talk Being John Malkovich. The film follows John Cusack as a puppeteer who finds a portal into the mind of John Malkovich. The odd film launched the careers of both Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze, both of whom were nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Director retrospectively. This film is strange, funny, haunting, and certainly not for everyone. That's partially why it's part of our Reanalysis series, which feature a guest changeling one or both of us to reconsider a film we've previously dismissed. Who didn't like this film on their first watch, and has their opinion changed? Listen to find out!

Spooky season is still going strong and so are we! We're back with another chilling tale, The Stepford Wives from 1975. The film follows Katharine Ross as Joanna, a woman who recently relocated to the suburb of Stepford from New York City. It's not long before Joanna notices that things aren't quite as idyllic as they seem in Stepford, and that danger may be lurking. The film is filled with commentary on feminism, patriarchy, anti-consumerism, and the clash between suburbs versus city that feels perhaps even more relevant today than nearly 50 years ago.

Horror season is officially here and we're kicking it off with Dario Argento's classic Giallo film, Suspiria (1977). Joining us this episode is friend and world cinema aficionado, Claudio Alberto Cortes. The film follows Suzy, a new student at a prestigious ballet school who encounters a series of bizarre murders of possibly supernatural origins. Hear us discuss the film and its 2018 remake, its impact, Giallo in general, and much more.

It was only a matter of time before we discussed the most optimistic movie of all, The Muppet Movie! Joining us this episode is author and activist, Jamie Metzgar. The first film in the franchise tells the "true story" of how Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the gang came together. In addition to the film we talk to Jamie about her books on grief, Salt & Ash & Honey & Magic and Explorations with Grief: The First Year. We also discuss Jamie's activism through her new line of merchandise, Hey There Sweet Cheeks. Each item is designed by Jamie herself and all proceeds go to important "left of center" causes.

Folks, we're more than halfway through the year already, but some of 2023's most anticipated films are still to come. Rather than focus on a specific film like our usual episodes, we've decided to discuss the films yet to be released we're most looking forward to this year. Listen to hear us each countdown our top 3, and write in with your own picks.

We're back with another film from Werner Herzog's extensive filmography. This time we're tackling one of Herzog's feature films, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974). The film revolves on the strange true story of Kaspar Hauser, a man who was said to have been raised in isolation and captivity who's captor unexpectedly releases him in his early adulthood into a nearby Bavarian city. Kaspar's struggles adapting to society are filled with biting social commentary. In a characteristically unconventional choice, Herzog cast Bruno Schleinstein, a non professional actor, as his lead.

Folks, you're not gonna want to miss this one. Writer, actor, comedian, and podcasting legend Jordan Morris is on the show! Jordan joins us for a discussion of the 1995 film, Devil in a Blue Dress, as well as to discuss their recent contributions to the Archie Comics Horror Anthology series. Devil in a Blue Dress is a neo-noir mystery staring Denzel Washington. Set in late 1940's Los Angeles the film follows a down on his luck WW2 vet who reluctantly accepts a job to find a missing woman. Camp Pickens, the latest issue in the Archie Horror series, is available now! You can check it out here, or order it through your favorite local comic shop. But don't stop there! Get the first issue in the Archie Horror series, Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe of Horrors while you're at it! Lastly, Jordan is one of the many writers affected by the ongoing WGA strike. In order to ensure a fair deal for writers so they can keep making the movies and shows you love, we need the writers to win this strike. You can help out by contributing to the Entertainment Community Fund which gives financial to those in need during the strike. Click here to donate and learn more.

In this episode we discuss another titan of film, Werner Herzog. Herzog's career spans six decades, features nearly 70 films, and is still going strong. He has inspired multiple generations of filmmakers from around the world and was called "the most important film director alive" by François Truffaut. The Bavarian director has achieved great acclaim in directing both feature films and documentaries. Because of this, we will be covering his work in two episodes, the first being his 2016 documentary Into the Inferno. The film explore's humankind's relationship to volcanoes and the spiritual beliefs that derive from this relationship.

We're reunited with our esteemed, now third time guest on the podcast, Riley Gerberick, to discuss Boot's Riley's debut film Sorry to Bother You. Set in Oakland, the film follows Cassius' journey climbing the corporate ladder of his call center job, using his "white voice" to gain the coveted position as a Power Caller. We discuss Boot's overt critique on capitalism in the film, but also it's merits as an outrageous, genre-bending watch.

We’re going back in time and across the Atlantic this episode to talk about a film from one of the most important movements in film history, the French New Wave. The film is Agnes Varda’s Cleo from 5 to 7 from 1962. The film follows Cleo, an emerging popstar, who is awaiting medical test results that will confirm whether or not she has cancer. Cleo explores Paris while contemplating issues of existentialism, beauty, and more while awaiting her diagnosis.

We’re back to discuss one of the most influential films of the last 30 years, Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. Joining us for the discussion are special guests and Tarantino aficionados Michael Grygo and Garret Dwello. The film follows several characters across the criminal underworld of LA told in a non chronological order. This was the first Tarantino film to feature frequent future collaborators, Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman, amongst its all-star cast. We discuss the film’s style, the surprises it packs, and of course the man himself, Tarantino.

In this episode we discuss Takia Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit. Set in Germany during the final days of WW2, this dark comedy follows a young boy in the Hitler Youth who is forced to question his beliefs upon discovery that his mother is hiding a jewish woman from the Nazis in their home. The film manages to remain funny, while still addressing the horrors of genocide, war, and the spread of hatred. Listen to hear us talk about how the film accomplishes this feat, as well as its beautiful production design and much more. Stay to the end to hear which recent, critically acclaimed movie we kinda hated!

We’re back to discuss Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut, Lady Bird. Lady Bird is a personal, heartfelt coming of age comedy set in Gerwig’s hometown of Sacramento, California. Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf lead an excellent cast that also features Timothée Chalamet and Beanie Feldstein. Listen to our discussion of how the film’s depictions of class, religion, sexuality, and family dynamics feel more grounded than the typical high school movie.

Christopher Nolan is a name that’s come up a few times on the podcast but we haven’t dedicated an episode to focus on one of his movies before. Until now. With his latest film Oppenheimer set to come out later this year, we thought it was a good time to revisit his breakthrough film Memento (2000). Memento is a neo-noir that follows Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, a man with short term memory loss trying to find his wife’s killer. The film is perhaps most known for its innovative non-linear structure. While many Nolan trademarks are here, the film’s small indie budget stands in stark contrast to his later work. This begs the question: how does Memento compare to Nolan’s later blockbusters? Did working with a smaller budget lead to innovation or result in a less satisfying film? Listen to find out!

Happy 2023 Optimists! For our first episode of the year, we reflect back on our favorite movies we saw in 2022. Just like our episode from last year, these are our favorite movies seen in 2022, not necessarily released in 2022. As we count down our top 5 watches from 2022, let us know what made your list!