Filmspotting

With THE DRAMA unfolding this weekend, we’re revisiting 2019’s Top 5 Movies About Marriage — a tour through the cracks and complexities of on‑screen commitments. Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you ⁠join the Filmspotting Family⁠. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam and Josh review PROJECT HAIL MARY, exploring Ryan Gosling’s blend of humor, melancholy, and middle‑school‑teacher energy. They also discuss the practical effects approach that makes it all work before turning to Round 2 of '40s Madness. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:03:30) Project Hail Mary (00:03:31-00:33:55) Filmspotting Family (00:33:56-00:40:43) Notes / Save the Date (00:40:44-00:45:15) ‘40s Madness Rd. 2 (00:45:16-01:13:00) Credits / New Releases (01:13:01-01:18:01) Links: -Filmspotting Madness https://www.filmspotting.net/madness/ Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠ -⁠⁠⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop. https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠ Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/larsenonfilm⁠ https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm⁠⁠⁠ https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social⁠⁠ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam and Josh consider the Pantheon credentials of Kelly Reichardt’s MEEK’S CUTOFF, reflecting on its spare frontier world, questions of free will, and place in Reichardt’s larger American project. Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠ -⁠⁠⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop. https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠ Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/larsenonfilm⁠ https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm⁠⁠⁠ https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social⁠⁠ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With our PROJECT HAIL MARY review coming Friday, we’re revisiting a Filmspotting blast from beyond: 2014’s Top 5 Things From Space (That Came to Destroy Us). B-movies, classic sci-fi, and Arnold Schwarzenegger all make the cut. Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you join the Filmspotting Family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does STAND BY ME still resonate 40 years later? Adam and Josh revisit Rob Reiner’s classic, reflecting on its friendships, its wistfulness, and River Phoenix’s unforgettable performance. Plus: a review of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s THE BRIDE and a look at the Round 1 matchups of Filmspotting '40s Madness. Join the Filmspotting Family for the full archive, bonus episodes, ad‑free listening, and more: filmspottingfamily.com This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:02:53) Stand by Me (00:02:54-00:49:35) Filmspotting Family (00:49:36-00:57:12) The Bride (00:57:13-01:02:59) Notes / Save the Date (01:03:00-01:08:22) '40s Madness Rd. 1 (01:08:23-01:24:03) Credits / New Releases (01:24:04-01:25:53) Correction: -Yes, Adam realizes that he said "Jesus, does anybody" – twice! – not "anyone." He regrets the error. Notes/Links: -Filmspotting Madness https://www.filmspotting.net/madness -Stephen King: Why I Hugged Rob Reiner After Watching ‘Stand by Me’ https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/opinion/culture/stephen-king-rob-reiner-stand-by-me.html Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠ -⁠⁠⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop. https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠ Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/larsenonfilm⁠ https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm⁠⁠⁠ https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social⁠⁠ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inspired by the upcoming release of PROJECT HAIL MARY, Adam and Josh beam back to October 2015 when they suited up for THE MARTIAN — Ridley Scott’s brainy, big‑hearted sci‑fi rescue mission starring Matt Damon. Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you join the Filmspotting Family. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam, Josh, and Michael Phillips size up the Oscars with their annual rundown of who will win, who should win, and who was unfairly overlooked — plus the Filmspotting Madness: Best of the 1940s Play‑Ins. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:02:16) Supp. Actress (00:02:17-00:22:03) Supp. Actor (00:22:04-00:40:56) Lead Actor (00:40:57-00:56:52) Lead Actress (00:56:53-01:05:37) Director (01:05:38-01:15:57) Picture (01:15:58-01:37:53) Family / Next Week / Notes (01:37:54-01:47:21) Filmspotting Madness: Play-Ins (01:47:22-2:07:41) Credits / New Releases (2:07:42-02:09:531) Notes/Links: -Filmspotting Madness https://www.filmspotting.net/madness/ -Michael Phillips on WFMT https://radionetwork.wfmt.com/people/hosts/michael-phillips/ Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠ -⁠⁠⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop. https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠ Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/larsenonfilm⁠ https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm⁠⁠⁠ https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social⁠⁠ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s Best Picture-winning archive pick takes us back to May, 2018, when Adam and Josh returned to The Shire for a LORD OF THE RINGS reckoning, with a review of the entire trilogy (the final two installments of which Adam had never seen, including the Best Picture-winning RETURN OF THE KING). The original episode (#681) also includes a Top 5 Lord of the Rings Scenes. For full access to the show archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad-free and monthly bonus episodes, and more, ⁠join the Filmspotting Family⁠⁠. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s Top 5 explores cinema’s most unreliable narrators, characters who bend, twist, or completely invent the truth. Adam and Josh pair the list with a fresh look at Kurosawa’s RASHOMON, the film that set the template for them all – and a potential 2026 Pantheon inductee. This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:03:18) Top 5 Unreliable Narrators (00:03:19-01:05:17) Filmspotting Family (01:05:18-01:11:08) Next Week, Notes, Poll (01:11:09-01:18:16) Pantheon Project: Rashomon (01:18:17-01:56:39) Credits / New Releases (01:56:40-01:59:51) Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠ -⁠⁠⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop. https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠ Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/larsenonfilm⁠ https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm⁠⁠⁠ https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social⁠⁠ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this week's Best Picture-winning archive review, we go back to October, 2016, for Adam's interview with MOONLIGHT director Barry Jenkins along with one of the film's stars, Naomie Harris. Then Adam and Josh's review of the film from the same episode. For full access to the show archive, Filmspotting Discord, monthly bonus episodes, and more, ⁠join the Filmspotting Family⁠⁠. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam and Josh share their Top 5 Catherine O’Hara Characters, revisiting the brilliance, range, and heart she brought to every role — from Delia and Cookie to Moira Rose and Mickey. A heartfelt tribute to a performer whose presence defined some of cinema and TV’s most hilarious moments. This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:02:59) Top 5 Catherine O’Hara Characters (00:02:59-01:08:17) Filmspotting Family (01:08:18-01:14:18) Next Week, Notes (01:14:19-01:21:07) Massacre Theatre (01:21:08-01:29:08) Credits / New Releases (01:29:08-01:32:37) Notes/Links: -O’Hara On the “Wiser Than Me” Podcast https://lemonadamedia.com/podcast/julia-gets-wise-with-catherine-ohara/ -Catherine O’Hara’s 10 Best Roles | Consequence of Sound https://consequence.net/list/catherine-ohara-10-best-roles/after-hours/ Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠ -⁠⁠⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop. https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠ Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/larsenonfilm⁠ https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm⁠⁠⁠ https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social⁠⁠ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oscar‑winning filmmaker Morgan Neville joins Adam to discuss his intimate archival portrait of Paul McCartney’s turbulent and creatively explosive 1970s. Neville reflects on his own documentarian origin story, his lifelong connection to the Beatles and Wings, how he built the film from audio‑only conversations with Paul, and why McCartney’s post‑Beatles decade feels like a sequel to Get Back. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of the late Robert Duvall, we share Adam and Josh's March, 2021 review of Sidney Lumet's Best Picture-nominated NETWORK, which was part of the 7 From '76 series. For full access to the show archive, Filmspotting Discord, monthly bonus episodes, and more, ⁠join the Filmspotting Family⁠⁠. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emerald Fennell follows up her earlier provocations with one aimed at lovers of literature, "WUTHERING HEIGHTS." Critic Marya E. Gates joins Adam and Josh to unpack it all. Then, a Pantheon Project review of John Ford’s Best Picture-winning HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY, and listeners advocate for the best '90s movie soundtrack. This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:02:12) Wuthering Heights with Marya E. Gates (00:02:13-00:48:41) Filmspotting Family (00:48:42-00:52:32) Robert Duvall, Frederick Wiseman (00:52:33-01:01:56) Next Week, Notes (01:01:57-01:05:16) Polls (01:05:17-01:19:39) How Green Was My Valley (01:19:40-01:52:17) Credits / New Releases (01:52:18-01:55:51) Notes/Links: “Cinema Her Way: Visionary Female Directors in Their Own Words” https://maryaegates.com/cinemaherway/ -Filmspotting Pantheon https://www.filmspotting.net/pantheon Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠ -⁠⁠⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop. https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠ Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/larsenonfilm⁠ https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm⁠⁠⁠ https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social⁠⁠ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS came to theaters 35 years ago this month, winning the Best Picture Oscar (along with Best Actor, Actress, and Director) a year later. Adam and Josh revisited the film in February 2021, for its 30th anniversary. For full access to the show archive, Filmspotting Discord, monthly bonus episodes, and more, ⁠join the Filmspotting Family⁠⁠. LINKS -"30 years in, The Silence Of The Lambs’ Jame Gumb still deserves better" Harmony Colangelo, A/V Club https://www.avclub.com/30-years-in-the-silence-of-the-lambs-jame-gumb-still-1846252158 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam and Josh return to Danny Boyle’s drug-addled Edinburgh for TRAINSPOTTING’s 30th anniversary, then bring Producer Sam on to unveil the 2026 nominees for the Filmspotting Pantheon. Plus, Massacre Theatre. This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:01:49) Trainspotting at 30 (00:01:50-00:47:32) Filmspotting Family (00:47:33-00:52:41) Next Week / Notes (00:52:42-00:56:34) Massacre Theatre (00:56:35-01:04:43) Pantheon Nominees (01:04:44-01:48:04) Credits / New Releases (01:48:05-01:53:10) Notes/Links: -Filmspotting Pantheon https://www.filmspotting.net/pantheon Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠ -⁠⁠⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop. https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠ Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/larsenonfilm⁠ https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm⁠⁠⁠ https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social⁠⁠ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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For Valentine's Week, we book a trip to our 2017 review of CASABLANCA, with Adam graciously welcoming critics-on-the-run Michael Phillips and Katherine Fusco to Café Filmspotting. This is the first of a four-week week of a series of archive reviews of Best Picture winners, leading up to the 2026 Oscars. For full access to the show archive, the Filmspotting Discord, monthly bonus episodes, and more, ⁠consider joining the Filmspotting Family⁠⁠. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Diane Keaton passed away last fall, Adam and Josh knew she was deserving of a tribute. A couple of months and a BABY BOOM/FIRST WIVES CLUB/SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE later, they were ready to share their Top 5 Diane Keaton Scenes. Plus, thoughts on the loss of Catherine O’Hara, listeners pick their favorite Keaton character, and a new poll demands that you Choose Life. Choose a ‘90s Movie Soundtrack. This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Intro Top 5 Diane Keaton Scenes Filmspotting Family Catherine O’Hara Next Week / Notes Polls Credits / New Releases Notes/Links: -Yes, Adam meant to say Catherine O’Hara was nominated for “The Studio,” not “The Network.” -Top 5 Diane Keaton Scenes https://www.filmspotting.net/top5lists Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠ -⁠⁠⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop. https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠ Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://facebook.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/filmspotting⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/larsenonfilm⁠ https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm⁠⁠⁠ https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social⁠⁠ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12 years ago, Damien Chazelle's WHIPLASH left the Sundance Film Festival with the Grand Jury Prize—and the Audience Award. For this week's archive review, we share Adam and Josh's October, 2014, review. For full access to the Filmspotting Archive, ⁠⁠consider joining the Filmspotting Family⁠⁠. Membership also gives you an exclusive feed to ad-free and monthly bonus episodes, a weekly newsletter, access to the Filmspotting Discord, event pre-sales and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.