Immediately after the Oscar ceremony, Branson and Matt share their live reactions to this year's winners in our premiere live episode!
We return for a special edition, delving into our favorite films of 2023.
We wrap Season 1 by reflecting on our 56 episodes, our favorites, and how our opinions on some films may have evolved. As we prep to return for Season 2 in the fall, we invite you to please share any feedback or suggestions you may have. We're open to revising the format of the show. We want to hear from you! Thank you so much for coming along with us this past year. We hope to see you for Season 2!
This week Branson picked Black Orpheus (1959) directed by Marcel Camus. It is a modern retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, set against the backdrop of the vibrant Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. The film follows the passionate love affair between Orpheu (Brent Mello), a talented streetcar conductor and musician, and Eurydice (Marpessa Dawn), a country girl who comes to the city seeking refuge. Marcel Camus beautifully captures the pulsating energy of the Carnival, the infectious music, and the colorful traditions of Brazil. The film won both the Palm d’Or at Cannes and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Its success helped popularize bossa nova music globally, introducing the world to the sounds of artists like Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfá. It introduced audiences worldwide to the rich culture and vibrant spirit of Brazil, leaving an indelible mark on the history of world cinema.
For Independence Day we revisit an American classic -- Hoop Dreams directed by Steve James. This documentary tells the captivating story of two African-American teenagers from Chicago, William Gates and Arthur Agee, who dream of becoming professional basketball players. The film follows them over a period of five years, capturing their struggles, triumphs, and the challenges they face both on and off the court. Through their journey, we witness the harsh realities of inner-city life, the impact of socio-economic factors on their dreams, and the profound ways in which sports can shape young lives. This film was Matt's pick.
V for Vendetta is a dystopian thriller set in a totalitarian Britain ruled by a fascist government. The story revolves around a masked freedom fighter known as "V" (Hugo Weaving) who seeks to ignite a revolution and overthrow the oppressive regime. Along the way, he encounters a young woman named Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman), and together, they uncover the truth about their society and the power of individualism. The screenplay was written by the Wachowski sisters of Matrix fame. It is based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd and has garnered significant cultural significance since its release in 2005. This film was Branson's pick
We continue our celebration of Pride month by watching Sean Baker's Tangerine (2015)-- a film that follows the story of two transgender sex workers, Sin-Dee Rella (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) and Alexandra (Mya Taylor), as they navigate the streets of Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. When Sin-Dee discovers that her boyfriend has been cheating on her, she embarks on a wild and comical journey to find him and confront him. The film takes us through the gritty and vibrant underbelly of L.A., exploring themes of friendship, identity, and resilience. This film was Matt's pick.
We rewatch one of our favorites -- The Piano Teacher (2001) directed by Michael Haneke. It is based on a novel of the same name by Elfriede Jelinek. It is a psychological drama that follows the story of Erika Kohut, a strict and emotionally repressed piano teacher, brilliantly portrayed by Isabelle Huppert. Set in Vienna, the film delves into Erika's complex and disturbing relationship with her student, Walter Klemmer (Benoît Magimel). The film is a challenging and deeply unsettling exploration of desire, power dynamics, and repression. It tackles taboo subjects and offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of human sexuality. The film was met with critical acclaim for its exceptional performances, masterful direction, and its unapologetic examination of the darker aspects of human nature. This film was Branson's pick.
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To celebrate our 50th episode, we watch Bad Luhrmann's debut film Strictly Ballroom! Thank you to our listeners for your support and encouragement in reaching this milestone-- we plan to bring you lots of more episodes! Today's film explores the themes of tradition, individuality, and the power of expression. The film follows the journey of Scott Hastings (Paul Mercurio), a talented ballroom dancer who wants to break free from the rigidity of traditional dance steps. He partners up with Fran, a beginner dancer, to create a new dance routine that defies the norms of the ballroom dancing world. The film has a timeless message about following your dreams and finding the courage to express yourself.
We go back to the French New Wave film "La Collectioneuse" directed by Eric Rohmer. Released in 1967, the film tells the story of Adrien, a cynical art dealer and a young woman named Haydée. Adrien and his fiancée part on bad terms before she goes to work in London, leaving Adrien to stay at a villa near St Tropez with old friend Daniel. They discover that the villa's third occupant, Haydée, is promiscuous and they bully her by branding her a collector of men. Adrien eventually develops feelings for Haydée and tries to win her over, but things go awry when they visit a crass American collector. The film's title "La Collectioneuse" refers to Haydée's character, who is a collector of men, rather than objects. The film is part of Rohmer's "Six Moral Tales" series, which explores themes of love, desire, and morality. This film was Branson's selection
This episode was recorded in person in San Francisco, CA at The Archery. We discuss Fantastic Planet-- a 1973 French-Czech science fiction animation, Fantastic Planet directed by René Laloux. This film is a groundbreaking work of animation that explores themes of oppression, rebellion, and the struggle for freedom. It is set on the distant planet of Ygam, where a group of giant blue humanoid creatures called Draags coexist with a human-like species known as Oms. The Draags, who are highly advanced and possess telekinetic abilities, keep the Oms as pets, studying and experimenting on them for their own amusement. But when one Om named Terr, who is adopted by a Draag girl, gains knowledge and understanding of their technology, he becomes a threat to the Draag way of life and leads a rebellion to gain freedom for his people.
Matt’s pick is 45 Years—a 2015 British drama film that tells the story of a retired couple, Kate and Geoff Mercer (Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay), who are preparing to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. The celebration takes a sudden turn when Geoff receives news that the body of his former lover, who died in a hiking accident fifty years ago, has been found in Switzerland. This revelation throws their relationship into turmoil and causes Kate to question the foundation of their marriage. The movie explores themes of love, loss, and the fragility of relationships.
Today we revisit a seminal film in Matt's movie watching-- "Koyaanisqatsi," which means "life out of balance" in the Hopi language, is a visual masterpiece that showcases the relationship between humans, nature, and technology. Released in 1982, the film is known for its unique style of cinematography, featuring time-lapse photography, slow-motion footage, and aerial shots.
Branson selected one of our mutual favorites to discuss Cat People — a 1942 horror film directed by Jacques Tourneur that tells the story of a Serbian immigrant named Irena Dubrovna, who believes that she's descended from a race of people who turn into giant cats when they're sexually aroused. The film stars Simone Simon, Kent Smith, and Jane Randolph, and was produced by Val Lewton for RKO Pictures. The film was a box office success, and has since become a cult classic due to its unique and eerie atmosphere, as well as its exploration of psychological themes such as sexual repression and cultural identity.
Following Easter Sunday, we discuss Branson's pick-- Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ. Based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis and adapted by Paul Schrader, it is a 1988 film that explores the life and inner struggles of Jesus Christ played by Willem Dafoe. Shot on a tight budget in Morocco, the film depicts Jesus as a human with doubts, desires, and temptations. As Jesus grapples with his divine destiny and confronts his own humanity, the film delves into themes of faith, sacrifice, and the complexities of being both divine and human. Despite initial backlash and controversy from some religious groups, the film has been widely regarded for its bold and innovative approach to depicting the life of Jesus Christ and its thought-provoking exploration of spirituality.
We watch the modern classic Toni Erdmann-- a critically acclaimed German comedy-drama directed by Maren Ade. The story revolves around the strained relationship between a workaholic corporate consultant, Ines, and her prankster father, Winfried, who decides to pay her an unexpected visit in Bucharest, Romania, where she works. To reconnect with his daughter, Winfried creates a bizarre alter ego named Toni Erdmann, an eccentric life coach with a terrible wig and fake teeth, and infiltrates Ines' professional and personal life, causing chaos and embarrassing situations. As they spend more time together, Ines begins to question her career choices and the values she has been prioritizing. The film explores themes of family, identity, and corporate culture, and has been praised for its sharp humor and emotional depth.
Today we discuss the 1985 Swedish drama adaptation of the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Reider Jönsson. It tells the coming of age story of Ingemar (Anton Glaanzelius), a young boy sent to live with extended relatives. In 1987 it was released in the United States where it became a surprise hit. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards including Best Director for Lasse Hallström and Best Adapted Screenplay.
We bring one of our mutual favorite films to the podcast -- Mike Leigh's masterpiece Naked (1993) starring David Thewlis. The story follows the journey of Johnny, a young man who leaves Manchester for London after assaulting a man. In the city, he engages in a series of sexual and intellectual encounters with various women while struggling with his own existential crisis. Throughout the film, Johnny's nihilistic and misanthropic worldview is challenged by the people he meets, including his ex-girlfriend and a lonely young woman. As the story progresses, Johnny's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, leading to a devastating climax that forces him to confront the consequences of his actions. "Naked" is a gritty and thought-provoking exploration of human relationships, morality, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.