Episodes
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 documentary, Downey’s lack of humility, an extremely close Best Actress race, Kevin O’Connell as the GOAT sound mixer, the jackass of the awards season, a wide-open Adapted Screenplay category, “Anatomy of a Fall’s” chances, “Oppenheimer’s” potential win count, and so much mor...
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’s voiceover, Robert De Niro as a good guy, Dustin Hoffman as a fumbling drunk, and Kevin Bacon as one of the vilest characters in movie history. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd. Watch Alex's films at http://alexwithrow.com/ Watch Nick's films at ...
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 nominated? And which film should have actually won Best Picture? Alex and Nick look at the Best Picture races from 2009-2023 and revise the Academy’s poor decisions. Stray topics include recent Oscar “snubs,” bad movie trailers, the idiocy of preferential voting, and strong...
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 dad!) present a special uncut episode of their reactions to the 2024 Oscar nominations. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd. Send us mailbag questions at whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com
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” sleeper success, and the little Christopher Nolan movie that could. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd. Watch Alex's films at http://alexwithrow.com/ Watch Nick's films at https://www.nicholasdostal.com/ Send us mailbag questions at whatareyouwatchingp...
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 depression, meeting Denis O’Hare, Tilda Swinton, Sydney Pollack, ingenious editing, and so much more. This episode is in memory of the great actor, Tom Wilkinson, who passed away on Dec. 30, 2023. His role as Arthur Edens in this film will live forever. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on...
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 horror, finding empathy in pain, weepy movies, and much more. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd. Watch Alex's films at http://alexwithrow.com/ Watch Nick's films at https://www.nicholasdostal.com/ Send us mailbag questions at whatareyouwatchingpodcast...
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,” and a breathtaking note from a fan. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd. Watch Alex's films at http://alexwithrow.com/ Watch Nick's films at https://www.nicholasdostal.com/ Send us mailbag questions at whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com
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 controversial role, great basketball scenes in film, the most awkward movie-going experience Alex ever had, the poetic finale, and so much more. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd. Watch Alex's films at http://alexwithrow.com/ Watch Nick's films at...
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-Drunk Love” in Paris, and reexamines the work of Peter Weir. Nick makes a drastic update to his Top 10 of 2022, shares his thoughts on “Fair Play,” reviews a brand new movie Alex has not seen, and insults William Friedkin (again). Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram an...
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 about process, favorite Coen brothers films, Javier Bardem’s hair, Cormac McCarthy’s source novel, the fate of Llewyn Moss, where Anton Chigur is in the motel room, the trippy ending, and much more.
Nov. 10, 2023
111: The Killer (2023)
David Fincher’s new film, “The Killer,” is now on Netflix and it ROCKS. Alex and Nick give a spoiler-free review of the film, discuss masterful genre movies, films about process, the arc of Michael Fassbender’s career, favorite movie assassins, and much more. For What Are You Watching, both guys enthusiastically recommend new movies to check out. Listen to our David Fincher episode here. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd. Watch Alex's films at http://alexwithrow.com/ W...
Nov. 2, 2023
110: David Fincher
No one makes movies the way David Fincher does. Alex and Nick discuss Fincher’s obsessive filmmaking process, B-movies vs. sentimental films, “Alien³” being better than people remember, “Se7en” being better than ever, Fincher’s dry humor, “The Social Network” as a contender for Best Film of the Century, the most difficult film David Fincher ever made, and so much more. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd. Watch Alex's films at http://alexwithrow.com/ Watch Nick's films a...
Oct. 26, 2023
109: Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Alex gives a spoiler-free review of the new Martin Scorsese Picture, “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Alex discusses the film’s source novel, the current long movie trend, psychopaths vs. sociopaths, DiCaprio, De Niro, and an all-timer performance from Lily Gladstone. Later, Alex lists the fastest movies over 200 minutes long, and recommends some new movies for What Are You Watching. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd. Send us mailbag questions at whatareyouwatchingpodcast...
Oct. 20, 2023
108: Top 10 Films of 1998
The Oscars may have screwed it all up, but 1998 was a great year for movies. Alex and Nick highlight their favorite films from 1998, stray topics include debut films, guilty pleasures, “Deep Impact” vs. “Armageddon,” a Coen brothers “bomb,” Nick Nolte’s killer year, David Mamet, the best war film ever made, and one of the worst Oscars in Academy history. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd. Watch Alex's films at http://alexwithrow.com/ Watch Nick's films at https://www.n...
Oct. 17, 2023
M83 at the Shrine in Los Angeles
The guys recount seeing Alex’s favorite band, M83, together at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on October 10, 2023. This is a random podcast episode to help preserve one of the most memorable nights of Alex’s life. Listen to Alex’s previous story about M83 here. Listen to the official audio of M83’s “Mirror” here. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd. Send us mailbag questions at whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com
Oct. 5, 2023
107: Thelma & Louise (1991)
Alex and Nick drive deep into the heart of podcasting to discuss their favorite Ridley Scott film, “Thelma & Louise.” The guys talk about the development of the film (four people were cast as Thelma & Louise before Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis!), Ridley Scott’s depiction of Americana, Hans Zimmer’s perfect score, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, the film’s wild Oscar stat, and Alex explains why Christopher McDonald as Darryl is the funniest performance he’s ever seen. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twi...
Sept. 22, 2023
106: The Funniest Movies We’ve Ever Seen
It's a barrel full of laughs today as Alex and Nick break down the funniest movies they’ve ever seen. The guys discuss their Top 10 Comedies, finding humor in dead-serious dramas, the death of the American comedy, Christopher McDonald, offensive humor, the official favorite comedy of What Are You Watching, and much more. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd. Watch Alex's films at http://alexwithrow.com/ Watch Nick's films at https://www.nicholasdostal.com/ Send us mailbag...
Sept. 14, 2023
Oppenheimer (2023) Update: A Timeline of Obsession
Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” is the film Alex has seen in the movie theater the most. Ever. In this spoiler-filled bonus episode, Alex describes his obsession with “Oppenheimer” to Nick, who listens with concern. This episode will spoil “Oppenheimer.” Listen to our first review of “Oppenheimer” here! Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd.
Aug. 31, 2023
105: Ocean’s Twelve (2004) Commentary
“What are we stealing?” Alex and Nick have an absolute ball watching Steven Soderbergh’s irreverent masterpiece, “Ocean’s Twelve.” Stray topics include George Clooney’s star power, Brad Pitt’s eating, Tess as Julia Roberts, Matt Damon as a buffoon, the cinematography of Peter Andrews, and so much more. As the movie nears its conclusion, Alex attempts to explain the film’s convoluted plot, and how that may have turned audiences off. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd. Wa...
Aug. 17, 2023
104: Remembering William Friedkin
Alex remembers the career of one of his favorite directors, the great William Friedkin, who died on Aug. 7, 2023 at 87 years old. Alex lists his Top 10 William Friedkin films, unloads tons of Friedkin trivia, and recalls how the director started following him on Twitter a decade ago. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter and Instagram and Letterboxd. Watch Alex's films at http://alexwithrow.com/ Watch Nick's films at https://www.nicholasdostal.com/ Send us mailbag questions at whatareyouwatchingpodcas...
Aug. 11, 2023
103: Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
In this loose hangout episode, Alex and friend of the pod, Dan, discuss their favorite movie together, Joe Dante’s “Gremlins 2: The New Batch.” The guys talk about movie sequels, watching Joe Dante movies high, Dick Miller, Rick Baker’s practical effects, embracing cult classic B-movies, Robert Prosky, and much more. Throughout the episode, the guys have extended conversations about many Joe Dante classics, including "The Howling," “Explorers,” “Matinee,” “Small Soldiers,” and “Looney Tunes: Bac...
July 27, 2023
102: Oppenheimer (2023)
All hail, Barbenheimer! Alex and Nick break down how Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” and Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” came to dominate pop culture. The guys give a spoiler-free review of “Oppenheimer,” before Alex shares his thoughts on “Barbie.” Related topics include practical effects, updated Nolan rankings, and Alex describes the “Oppenheimer” screening from hell. Somewhat-related tangents include noticeable CGI in “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1,” Nick’s review of “John Wick 4,” a...
July 20, 2023
101: Christopher Nolan
With “Oppenheimer” hitting theaters today, Alex and Nick take a look at Christopher Nolan’s entire career. The guys discuss the props in “Following,” the structure of “Memento,” the editing of “Insomnia,” creative exposition in “Batman Begins”, twists in “The Prestige,” the questionable love triangle in “The Dark Knight,” and watching “Inception” on a plane. Shots are taken at “The Dark Knight Rises,” a balanced debate is had on “Interstellar,” “Dunkirk” is dissected, and Alex has an about-face ...