Medium Cool • Member Bonus
We return to the 1969 National Society of Film Critics Awards nominee list for Best Cinematography for this month’s member bonus episode. Specifically, we’re talking about Haskell Wexler’s narrative feature directorial debut “Medium Cool.” Taking place around Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National Convention, it has a lot to say about politics, race relations, and the media. Still, that last act leaves us scratching our heads… Tune in!
Death of a Salesman
We kick off our next series, jumping to the 1952 Academy Award nominees for Best Cinematography • Black-and-White. First up, we talk about László Benedek’s 1951 adaptation of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.” For a play that’s been adapted so many times, how does this – the first film adaptation – hold up? Tune in!
Rome, Open City
We wrap up our series on the nominees at the 1947 Academy Awards for Best Writing, Screenplay with a conversation about Roberto Rossellini’s 1945 film “Rome, Open City.” It’s a powerful film and a great entry in the early days of Italian neo-realism. Anna Magnani and Aldo Fabrizi are the standouts, but it’s really the war-torn city of Rome that lends incredible authenticity to this dark war story. Great conversation. Check it out!
The Killers
We continue our series on the 1947 Academy Award • Best Writing, Screenplay nominees, looking at Robert Siodmak’s “The Killers,” adapted from Ernest Hemingway’s short story. It’s a thrill of a noir and gorgeous to boot. Plus, Burt Lancaster in his first film and Ava Gardner as a knockout femme fatale! Check it out and tune in!
Brief Encounter
We continue our 1947 Academy Award Best Writing, Screenplay nominee series with a conversation about David Lean’s 1945 film “Brief Encounter.” Does the drama about a never-consumed affair warrant all the, well… drama? Or does it end up feeling dated and tepid? We go back and forth on this one. Great conversation – tune in!
The Best Years of Our Lives
We continue looking at 1947 Best Adapted Screenplay Nominees with William Wyler’s Best Picture winner, “The Best Years of Our Lives”. A magnificent film nailing the story of veterans struggling to reconnect with society after war. Check it out and tune in!
if… • Member Bonus
For this month’s member bonus episode, we’re kicking off a three-part series looking at the nominees of the 1969 National Society of Film Critics Awards for Best Cinematography. First up, it’s Lindsay Anderson’s 1968 film “if…”. Fascinating film to talk about, interesting usage of both black-and-white and color cinematography. Tune in!
Callsheet • Behind the Sites with Casey Liss
Casey Liss is a podcaster, developer, and writer from Richmond, Virginia. He’s here today to talk about his latest app, Callsheet, an entertainment industry search experience that might just earn a prized spot on the home screen of your phone.
Anna and the King of Siam
We kick off our 1947 Academy Award Best Writing, Screenplay nominee series with John Cromwell’s “Anna and the King of Siam.” Despite some tough brownface and other related struggles, the story of Anna Leonowens and King Mongkut is one that’s intrigued audiences for ages. So how does this film work? And does it hold a candle to “The King and I”? Tune in!
Wuthering Heights
We wrap up our series on 1940 Academy Award Best Picture nominees with a conversation about William Wyler’s adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic gothic romance, ‘Wuthering Heights.’ How does it compare to the novel? Do Merle Oberon and Laurence Olivier work as Cathy and Heathcliff? Is it something that works for us? Tune in!