Episodes

134: 2024 Summer Movie Reviews
Aug. 5, 2024

134: 2024 Summer Movie Reviews

Alex and Nick cover nearly every film genre as they review a bunch of new films and shows including M. Night Shyamalan’s “Trap,” “The Bear Season 3,” “Baby Reindeer,” “A Family Affair”, “MaXXXine,” “Longlegs,” Yorgos Lanthimo...

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133: Twister(s) (1996/2024)
July 24, 2024

133: Twister(s) (1996/2024)

It’s the wonder of nature, baby! Alex and Nick discuss all things “Twister(s),” first by sharing their general thoughts on Lee Isaac Chung’s new film, “Twisters” (00:30). Next, the guys have a spoiler-filled conversation abou...

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132: Babylon (2022) Commentary
July 15, 2024

132: Babylon (2022) Commentary

"Babylon" Hive, unite! Watch Damien Chazelle’s misunderstood, big swing of a film right along with Alex and Nick. Topics include starting your movie with an elephant shitting all over everything, Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt’s...

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131: Warrior (2011)
June 27, 2024

131: Warrior (2011)

Hey, are you awake? Yeah, I’m right here. Well can I ask you, About Today? In this mixed-bag episode, Alex invites brand-new guest, Taylor, to the podcast to review Gavin O’Connor’s “Warrior” (4:28). The guys discuss boxing, brothers, MMA, Nick Nolte, Frank Grillo, Tom Hardy not knowing how to figh…

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130: Hit Man (2024) | Top 10 Richard Linklater Films
June 13, 2024

130: Hit Man (2024) | Top 10 Richard Linklater Films

Alex and Nick give a spoiler-free review of Richard Linklater’s new film, “Hit Man,” before re-ranking their favorite Linklater films. Stray topics include when good movies make obvious factual errors, what happened to the re...

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129: Blue Valentine (2010)
June 7, 2024

129: Blue Valentine (2010)

Alex and Nick dive deep into Derek Cianfrance’s “Blue Valentine.” The guys discuss the film’s lengthy development, its use of heavy improvisation, juxtaposing two narratives, the respective careers of Cianfrance, Ryan Gosling...

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128: An Unofficial Guide to the Erotic Thriller Film Genre
May 23, 2024

128: An Unofficial Guide to the Erotic Thriller Film Genre

Alex schools Nick on the history of the erotic thriller film genre. Topics include the parallels between 1940s film noir and 1980s erotic thrillers, TV cuts vs. theatrical cuts vs. director’s cuts, famous femme fatales, Micha...

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127: The Thin Red Line (1998) Commentary
May 10, 2024

127: The Thin Red Line (1998) Commentary

“What is this war in the heart of nature?” Watch Terrence Malick’s “The Thin Red Line” with Alex and Nick as they discuss the film’s huge cast, all-timer cinematography, ceaseless voiceover, James Jones’ book, the Japanese pe...

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Challengers (2024)
April 28, 2024

Challengers (2024)

Alex tells Nick why Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” is a much better movie than its marketing suggests. The guys briefly discuss Zendaya’s Oscar prospects, Guadagnino’s filmography, Mike Faist & Josh O’Connor, an amazing scor...

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126: Terrence Malick
April 25, 2024

126: Terrence Malick

Terrence Malick has never talked about his films, but Alex and Nick are delighted to gush about them for over three hours. As the guys break down each Malick movie, topics include a career of all-timer voiceover, editing that...

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125: Oppenheimer (2023) Commentary
April 11, 2024

125: Oppenheimer (2023) Commentary

Theory will get you only so far, so today, Alex is turning theory into a practical podcast commentary. Alex flies solo to fulfill his obsession with Christopher Nolan’s Best Picture-winning masterpiece, “Oppenheimer.” The det...

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124: Last Action Hero (1993)
March 28, 2024

124: Last Action Hero (1993)

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark! Alex, Nick, and friend of the pod, Dan Bracey, ramble about John McTiernan’s cult classic, “Last Action Hero.” The guys discuss the film’s troubled production, which movie they wou...

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123: 2024 Oscars Recap
March 13, 2024

123: 2024 Oscars Recap

“My eyes see...Oppenheimer!" Alex, Nick, and friend of the pod, Dan, react to the 96th Academy Awards moments after the show ended. The guys discuss their favorite speeches, the best presenters, Jimmy Kimmel’s performance, th...

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122: 2024 Oscar Predictions
March 6, 2024

122: 2024 Oscar Predictions

It’s the most wonderful time of year, and there’s a lot to cover as we lead to the 96th Academy Awards. As Alex and Nick break down every Oscar nomination, stray topics include an animated film Alex loves, a truly horrific do...

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121: Sleepers (1996)
Feb. 22, 2024

121: Sleepers (1996)

This is a podcast about “Sleepers” that runs deeper than blood. Alex and Nick discuss their favorite Barry Levinson film, “Sleepers.” Stray topics include the film’s quick pacing, childhood trauma, the timbre of Jason Patric’...

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120: Fixing the Best Picture Oscar
Feb. 8, 2024

120: Fixing the Best Picture Oscar

The Oscars never should have touched Best Picture. In 2009, the Academy changed Best Picture from five nominees total, to five-to-10 nominees. If Best Picture had remained only five nominees, which five movies would have been...

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119: 2024 Oscar Nominations (Uncut)
Jan. 23, 2024

119: 2024 Oscar Nominations (Uncut)

No Greta?! No Margot?! Is Lily Gladstone in the right category? Will Bradley Cooper ever win an Oscar? Thelma Schoonmaker makes history, "Oppenheimer" grabs 13, and an arthouse film gets major love. Alex and Nick (and Alex’s ...

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118: Top 10 Films of 2023
Jan. 22, 2024

118: Top 10 Films of 2023

Thank god 2023 was a great year for film. As Alex and Nick list their favorite movies of the year, stray topics include “Barbenheimer” domination, Leo’s Oscar chances, Bella Baxter as an all-timer character, “Fair Play’s” sle...

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117: Michael Clayton (2007)
Jan. 18, 2024

117: Michael Clayton (2007)

Modern movies don’t get much better than Tony Gilroy’s “Michael Clayton.” Alex and Nick discuss the film’s perfectly constructed screenplay, ‘70s paranoid thrillers, George Clooney’s best work, exploding Ford Pintos, manic de...

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116: Favorite About-Face Films
Jan. 9, 2024

116: Favorite About-Face Films

Why do we love movies we used to hate? Why do we dislike movies we used to love? Alex and Nick explore those questions as they list the movies they’ve changed their minds on the most. Stray topics include finding humor in hor...

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115: Poor Things (2023) | Maestro (2023)
Dec. 30, 2023

115: Poor Things (2023) | Maestro (2023)

This episode has a bit of everything: a spoiler-free review of Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things,” threats to The Academy, answers to some frequently asked mailbag questions, a spoiler-filled review of Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro,...

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114: He Got Game (1998)
Dec. 21, 2023

114: He Got Game (1998)

Alex and Nick break down their favorite Spike Lee joint, "He Got Game." The guys discuss the film’s all-timer setup, Aaron Copland’s powerful music, Denzel Washington’s best roles, Ray Allen as a debut actor, Milla Jovovich’s...

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113: New 2023 Movie Reviews
Dec. 7, 2023

113: New 2023 Movie Reviews

In this mixed-bag episode, Nick interviews Alex about a ton of new movies, including films from Ridley Scott, Todd Haynes, Eli Roth, and Alexander Payne. Later, Alex highlights recent 4K releases, describes seeing “Punch-Drun...

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112: No Country for Old Men (2007) Commentary
Nov. 23, 2023

112: No Country for Old Men (2007) Commentary

What’s the most you ever lost on a coin toss? Watch along with Alex and Nick as they discuss the Coen brothers’ modern classic, “No Country for Old Men.” Topics include: What the guys would do if they found $2 million, movies...

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