To coincide with Oscars season, Julian, Emilio, and Madeline begin a new episode cycle  on Unique Best Picture Winners with a "View-nanimous" on 1991's The Silence of the Lambs. Hear them discuss the myriad qualities that distinguish this movie, such as its aesthetic innovations, presciently macabre subject matter, and advancements in filmic portrayals of feminism, all while trying to pin down its place in a distinct cross-section of genre and critical esteem. And keep your ears open for some...

With the 96th Academy Awards a little less than a month away, Julian, Madeline and Emilio share their first impressions and some opinions about 'May December', a movie that didn't get the Oscars love most thought it would receive upon its release.  They note that the ambiguous interpretations of motivation and behavior favorably reminds them of Haynes' (previously discussed on this podcast) film 'Safe'.  They also comment on the film's interrogation of viewer desires, and how that theme...

A Bonus Episode!  Madeline, Emilio and Julian reflect on the last several weeks' films -  what they have in common with each other, how different they actually are when dealing with "sanity" or "insanity", and some of what they learned by considering the same things while watching several different films.   A BIG thanks to all of you who have listened to these episodes! Wanna reach out to us?  Send us an email at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram:...

Emilio, Madeline, and Julian welcome their first guest Anthony Hollock for a “Close-Up” on the life and work of the one and only Divine. For the final episode in their “Perceptions of Sanity” cycle, the group look at Divine’s career-spanning collaboration with John Waters with a focus on Multiple Maniacs, Pink Flamingos, Polyester, and Hairspray, while making some stops along the way to discuss turns in non-Waters films such as Lust in the Dust and Trouble in Mind. Hear them trace the arc of...

This week for their Two Shot episode, Emilio, Madeline, and Julian set their sights on a pair of unconventional, challenging, and highly self-aware movies about falling in love: Steven Shainberg's 2002 film 'Secretary' and Pedro Almodovar's 1989 release 'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!'  While discussing 'Secretary', Emilio details a personal story about discovering and appreciating this unusual film.  The trio have a lot to say about Maggie Gyllenhaal's star-making performance as the main character...

In their first episode of 2024, Madeline, Julian and Emilio disembark, hand over their firearms, and investigate Martin Scorsese's 2010 film 'Shutter Island'.  In the third of five episodes considering "perceptions of sanity," the trio consider its place among other well known films with twist endings.  Is this Scorsese's attempt to beat M. Night Shyamalan at his own game? How much of what we see is actually happening?  Who is the real "monster" in this film?  Should some of these nurses and...

For the last episode of 2023, Madeline, Julian and Emilio continue exploring the theme of "Perceptions of Sanity" with an episode category called "Mise-Unseen", where they  discuss a movie they've all just now seen for the first time.  That movie is Todd Haynes' 1995 release 'Safe', a film as devoid of holiday cheer as it is of clear-cut interpretations, but a fascinating film to watch now, or any time for that matter.  How present or convincing is the feminist messaging?  Is Greg the husband...

Emilio, Madeline, and Julian kick off a new cycle of episodes on "Perceptions of Sanity" by discussing a classic film they have all seen before, 1975's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Highly regarded by many, the trio discuss whether they agree with the film's stature in the cinematic pantheon, while also discussing much of the history and production details that led to it before assessing its deeper meaning. Nurse Ratched is considered one of the great movie villains, but is she really...

For their first ‘Close-Up’ episode, Julian, Madeline and Emilio take a deep dive into the career of Joe Pantoliano, a great character actor known to many viewers who may or may not realize it.  The trio focus on several noteworthy roles from the extensive filmography of Joey Pants (as he is known amongst fans), namely those from ‘Risky Business,’ ‘The Fugitive,’ ‘Memento,’ and ‘The Sopranos.’  Hear them break down what makes these roles tick, alongside collected stories of the moxie that Joe...

This week Emilio, Madeline and Julian beware the Golden Fang and discuss a movie they've just seen for the first time: the convoluted stoner-noir 'Inherent Vice', Paul Thomas Anderson's 2014 film based on a novel of the same name by Thomas Pynchon.  With this viewing, Julian and Emilio finally become PTA completists, and give their perspectives on this movie's place amongst the famous director's filmography at-large.  Having just read the book, Madeline brings a much-appreciated perspective...

Emilio, Madeline and Julian talk all things 'Barbie', the breezier of the two simultaneously released films whose portmanteau "Barbenheimer" became shorthand for the cinematic event of 2023 .   Recorded a few days after its theatrical release, they share their initial thoughts and feelings, and do their best to break down this bright, ambitious comet of a film that is going for so many things.  In doing so, Julian and Emilio share their separate NYC sightings of Michael Cera.  Madeline thanks...

For their third conversation, Emilio, Madeline, and Julian take a look at the iconic original-and-sequel pair of 'Alien' and 'Aliens.' They trace the film landscape into which the 1979 original enters and how the movie shook up the Sci-Fi and Horror genres, before getting into what the 1986 sequel amplifies about the original as well as its own distinct merits. Emilio and Madeline are big fans of both to begin with, but Julian initially digs one and is not as sold on the other. Have his...

For their second conversation, Emilio, Madeline and Julian set their sights on a trio of movies from the 1990s - 'Fargo', 'A Simple Plan', and 'Shallow Grave' -  centered around everyday people who stumble into criminal activity.  Opinions are shared and some questions still linger.  Madeline wants to know more about Brainerd's painting scene and the postal service's stamp art selection committee.  Julian still contends that the least Raimi-esque of the director's works still has a few too...

In their first recorded conversation, sleepless cinephiles Emilio, Madeline and Julian do their best to make sense of mother!, Darren Aronofsky's highly allegorical 2017 release.  They consider the multiple interpretations of this film that the director himself has suggested, and decide as individuals which one feels most relevant based on their own personal experiences and readings.  How does its release alongside the rise of the Me Too Movement impact how it can be understood?  How does...