Filmspotting - Movie Reviews

With the fourth film in the series - "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" - coming to theaters this weekend, we dig into the archives for this 2014 conversation about number two in the series, "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30 films, 14 matchups. Adam and Josh discuss the most intriguing titles coming to theaters between May and Labor Day. Plus, a review of the wildly inventive and hilarious “The People’s Joker.” (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:01:43) Summer Movie Preview (00:01:44-00:40:30) Brickspotting: “The People’s Joker” (00:40:31-00:51:40) Notes, Polls (00:51:41-01:02:15) Summer Movie Preview, cont. (01:02:16-01:35:08) Close, New Releases (01:35:08-01:39:49) Notes/Links: The People’s Joker https://www.thepeoplesjoker.com/ Chicago Critics Film Fest https://www.chicagocriticsfilmfestival.com/ William Wyler Marathon https://www.filmspotting.net/marathons “Roman Holiday” at The Music Box https://musicboxtheatre.com/films-and-events/roman-holiday Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Menace-skeptic Adam and Menace-defender Josh revisited "The Phantom Menace" for their 9 From '99 series back in 2019. George Lucas's divisive "Star Wars" prequel is back in theaters for its 25th anniversary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in ’99, Josh was a fan of “The Mummy.” Film snob Adam skipped it. With the movie back in theaters for its 25th anniversary, they give it a fresh look. Plus, Barbra Streisand in her film debut “Funny Girl” and a Golden Brick nod for the Chicago-set “We Grown Now.” (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:02:25) Review: “The Mummy” at 25 (00:02:26-00:34:44) Preview: Chicago Critics Film Fest (00:34:45-00:45:04) Brickspotting: “We Grown Now” (00:45:05-00:48:44) Notes, Massacre Theatre (00:48:45-00:57:40) Wyler #5: “Funny Girl” (00:57:41-01:35:29) Close, New Releases (01:35:30-01:38:16) Notes/Links: Chicago Critics Film Fest https://www.chicagocriticsfilmfestival.com/ William Wyler Marathon https://www.filmspotting.net/marathons Filmspotting Presents Mother’s Day with “Roman Holiday” at The Music Box https://musicboxtheatre.com/films-and-events/roman-holiday Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting @filmspotting on Threads https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm @larsenonfilm on Threads https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam and Josh's 2019 conversation about Ridley Scott's "Alien," which is being re-released on April 26 ("Alien Day") for its 45 anniversary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Alex Garland’s new film a warning or mere provocation? Adam and Josh discuss. Plus, the William Wyler Marathon continues with the 1959 biblical epic “Ben-Hur” and we crown a ‘50s Madness Champ.  (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:02:19) Review: “Civil War” (00:01:58-00:34:16) Next Week / Notes (00:34:17-00:42:28) ‘50s Madness Champ (00:42:29-01:01:51) Wyler #4: “Ben-Hur” (01:01:52-01:27:06) Close, New Releases (01:27:07-01:31:40) Notes/Links: Filmspotting Madness https://www.filmspotting.net/madness William Wyler Marathon https://www.filmspotting.net/marathons Filmspotting Presents Mother’s Day with “Roman Holiday” at The Music Box https://musicboxtheatre.com/films-and-events/roman-holiday Chicago Critics Film Fest https://www.chicagocriticsfilmfestival.com/ Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting @filmspotting on Threads https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm @larsenonfilm on Threads https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Director and legendary cinematographer Kirsten Johnson is known for nonfiction work that is inventive, artful, expressive, and maximal. The same can be said of the film that blew her mind -- Bob Fosse’s All That Jazz. The semi-autobiographical film brings us Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider), a peripatetic creative force working simultaneously to mount a major Broadway production and complete post-production on a feature film, all while maintaining a lifestyle fueled by cigarettes, pills, one-night stands, and Visine, and still finding time for his adoring 12-year old daughter, Michelle. We learn why the iconic film first transfixed Kirsten, and how she continues to be inspired by Fosse’s ingenious use of dance, documentary, theater, music, and more. Host John Cooper shares his personal ties to the film, calling on his days in New York’s theater scene of the 1970s. And co-host Tabitha Jackson (a.k.a. Wife of Kirsten) does her level best to maintain her professional distance as the conversation unfolds. Listen and subscribe to The Film that Blew My Mind on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Alex Garland’s “Civil War” on the horizon, Adam and Josh take another look at the writer/director’s prescient AI thriller “Ex Machina.” Plus, a spirited debate over 1942’s “Mrs. Miniver” and a finals matchup in Filmspotting Madness—Best of the ‘50s.  (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:02:19) Review: “Ex Machina” (00:02:20-00:51:47) R.I.P. Louis Gossett Jr, M. Emmett Walsh / Dune 2 Feedback (00:51:48-01:03:36) ‘50s Madness Finals (01:03:37-01:13:30) Wyler #3: “Mrs. Miniver” (01:13:31-01:54:55) Close, New Releases (01:54:55-01:57:48) Notes/Links: Filmspotting Madness https://www.filmspotting.net/madness William Wyler Marathon https://www.filmspotting.net/marathons Josh at Ebert Interruptus 2024 https://www.colorado.edu/cwa/ Boulder Meetup w/Josh https://www.filmspotting.net/events Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting @filmspotting on Threads https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm @larsenonfilm on Threads https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the release of a new “Road House” starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Adam and Josh debate the merits of the ‘89 original (there are many merits!), along with recommendations of “Godzilla x Kong” and the doc “Ennio” about composer Ennio Morricone. Plus, the Final 4 round of Filmspotting Madness—Best of the '50s.     (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:03:40) Review: “Road House” at 35 (00:03:41-00:45:54) Review: “Road House” (‘24) (00:45:55-01:01:12) Review (JL): “Godzilla x Kong” (01:01:13-01:05:04) Review (AK): “Ennio” (01:05:05-01:09:04) Next Week / Notes (01:09:05-01:19:36) ‘50s Madness - Final 4 (01:19:37-01:33:20) Close, New Releases, Outtake (01:33:21-01:36:06) Notes/Links: Josh at Ebert Interruptus 2024 4.12 Boulder Meetup Filmspotting Madness -https://www.filmspotting.net/madness -William Wyler Marathon https://www.filmspotting.net/marathons Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting @filmspotting on Threads https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm @larsenonfilm on Threads https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With "Godzilla x Kong" coming to theaters this weekend, we go to the archives for this 2021 conversation (inspired by "Godzilla v Kong") which has Adam and Josh pitting the two classic monster movies against each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam and Josh praise Rose Glass’s nasty new noir “Love Lies Bleeding” and are knocked out by 1946’s “The Best Years of Our Lives,” William Wyler’s incisive and moving Best Picture winner. Plus, the Elite 8 of ‘50s Filmspotting Madness. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:04:01) Review: “Love Lies Bleeding” (00:04:02-00:28:20) Next Week / Notes (00:28:21-00:33:20) ‘50s Madness - Elite 8 (00:33:21-00:48:28) Wyler #2: “The Best Years of Our Lives” (00:48:29-01:35:33) Close, New Releases (01:35:34-01:39:27) Notes/Links: Filmspotting Madness https://www.filmspotting.net/madness William Wyler Marathon https://www.filmspotting.net/marathons Josh at Ebert Interruptus 2024 https://www.colorado.edu/cwa/ Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting @filmspotting on Threads https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm @larsenonfilm on Threads https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For its 20th anniversary, Adam and Josh take a deep dive into the intricate world of 2004’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” Plus the first film in the William Wyler Marathon and the Sweet 16 round of ‘50s Filmspotting Madness.     (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open / Oscars (00:00:00-00:06:47) Sacred Cow: “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” at 20 (00:06:48-00:59:28) Golden Brickspotting: “Frida” (00:59:29-01:02:36) Next Week/Notes (01:02:37-01:07:11) ‘50s Madness - Sweet 16 (01:07:12-01:30:53) Wyler #1: “Dodsworth” (01:30:54-02:10:55) Close, New Releases (02:10:55-02:15:07) Notes/Links: Filmspotting Madness Josh at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Josh at Make Believe Seattle (“Devil’s Backbone”) Josh at Ebert Interruptus 2024 Vulture’s Movies Fantasy League Golden Bricks Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting @filmspotting on Threads https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm @larsenonfilm on Threads https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is much to discuss about Part Two of Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” adaptation, including a deep dive on “worm juice” in spoiler talk. Plus, Rd. 2 matchups in ‘50s Madness.  (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:02:10) Review: Dune: Part Two (00:02:10-00:43:00) Next Week/Notes (00:43:01-00:54:48) ‘50s Madness - Rd. 2 (00:54:49-01:16:07) Close, New Releases (01:16:08-01:18:52) Spoiler Talk: Dune: Part Two (01:18:52-01:42:38) Notes/Links: Filmspotting Madness Josh at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Josh at Make Believe Seattle (“Devil’s Backbone”) Josh at Ebert Interruptus 2024 Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting @filmspotting on Threads https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm @larsenonfilm on Threads https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Phillips (Chicago Tribune) drops by the Filmspotting Mojo Dojo Casa studio to talk Oscar picks and Round 1 of Filmspotting Madness—Best of the 1950s. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:04:25) Oscar Picks: Supporting Actress/Actor (00:04:26-00:27:16) Oscar Picks: Actor/Actress (00:27:17-00:54:21) Oscar Picks: Director/Picture (00:54:22-01:12:09) Next Week / Notes (01:12:09-01:18:58) ‘50s Madness - Rd. 1 (01:18:58-01:43:36) Close, New Releases (01:43:37-01:47:29) Promos: Babbel.com/filmspotting for 50% off your subscription. Notes/Links: Filmspotting Madness Oscar Cocktails Menu Josh at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Josh at Make Believe Seattle (“Devil’s Backbone”) Josh at Ebert Interruptus 2024 Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting @filmspotting on Threads https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm @larsenonfilm on Threads https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the release of the “Dune” sequel just a week away, Adam and Josh revisit “Dune: Part One” and take care of some ‘50s blind spots ahead of Filmspotting Madness—Best of the 1950s.   (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:02:58) “Dune: Part One” Rewatch (00:02:59-00:35:01) Next week, notes (00:35:02-00:41:27) Polls [Best Coens Decade] (00:41:28-00:48:31) ‘50s Madness - Play-Ins (00:48:32-01:05:57) “Tokyo Story,” “Anatomy of a Murder” (01:05:58-01:26:22) Close, New Releases (01:26:22-01:29:19) Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting @filmspotting on Threads https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm @larsenonfilm on Threads https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wim Wenders’s Oscar-nominated “Perfect Days” inspires Adam and Josh to share their Top 5 films set in Tokyo, plus a Golden Brick nod for the coming-of-age film “How To Have Sex” and some “Perfect Days” spoiler talk.  (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:02:16) Top 5: Tokyo Movies (00:02:17-00:46:01) Review: “Perfect Days” (00:46:02-01:11:10) Next Week, Notes (01:11:11-01:16:48) Massacre Theatre (01:16:49-01:24:46) Brickspotting: “How To Have Sex” (01:24:47-01:45:08) Close, New Releases (01:45:09-01:48:13) Spoiler Talk: “Perfect Days” (01:48:14-02:10:03) Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting @filmspotting on Threads https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm @larsenonfilm on Threads https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With “Rear Window” turning 70 this year, Adam and Josh give the double Sacred Cow treatment to a pair of Hitchcock masterpieces from the ‘50s.  (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:01:00) Sacred Cow: “Rear Window” (00:01:01-00:59:12) Brickspotting (JL): “Inside The Yellow Cocoon Shell” (00:59:13-01:06:25) Next Week, Notes, Poll (01:06:26-01:13:05) Poll Results [Best ‘50s Hitchcock] (01:13:06-01:18:33) Sacred Cow: “Vertigo” (01:18:34-01:56:53) “Rear Window” or “Vertigo”? (01:56:54-02:05:09) Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting @filmspotting on Threads https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm @larsenonfilm on Threads https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reviews of newly minted Oscar nominees “American Fiction” and “Rustin,” plus Adam’s thoughts on a couple of Sundance standouts. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:01:58) Review: American Fiction (00:01:59-00:28:35) Next week, Notes (00:28:36-00:32:14) Sundance ‘24 - Ibelin, A Real Pain (00:32:15-00:46:02) Massacre Theatre (00:46:03-00:50:13) Review: “Rustin” (00:50:14-01:05:18) “American Fiction” Spoilers (01:05:19-01:14:16) Promos: Babbel.com/filmspotting for 55% off your subscription. Notes/Links: Sundance 2024 Award Winners Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting @filmspotting on Threads https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm @larsenonfilm on Threads https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dune: Part 2 v Furiosa. Linklater v Soderbergh. Adam and Josh preview the 2024 movie year via ten death-match polls. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:04:56) 2024 Movie Preview: Folie à Deux (00:04:57-00:33:27) 2023 Golden Brick Winner (00:33:28-00:40:47) R.I.P. Tom Wilkinson, Norman Jewison; 2024 Show Preview (00:40:48-00:53:55) New Poll [‘50s Hitchcock] (00:53:56-00:58:02) 2024 Movie Preview, cont. (00:58:03-01:25:38) Notes/Links: Golden Brick Award Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting @filmspotting on Threads https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm @larsenonfilm on Threads https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam and Josh head west for the 2023 Wrap Party, sharing their favorite scenes of the year, along with Michael Phillips (Chicago Tribune) and Mia Lee Vicino (Letterboxd), with a special appearance by “The Taste of Things” director Tran Ahn Hung. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:05:15) Welcome/Opening Scenes with Hung (00:05:16-00:23:30) Funniest Scenes with Mia (00:23:31-00:38:03) Most Moving Moments (00:38:04-00:50:05) Best Music Moments with Michael (00:50:05-01:07:34) Scenes of the Year with Michael (01:07:35-01:35:50) Notes/Links: Mia Lee Vicino on Letterboxd, Twitter, Instagram Michael Phillips at The Chicago Tribune, Twitter Isaac Feldberg’s “Iron Claw” tweet Promos: Regal Unlimited (use code FILMSPOT23) Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Contact us: https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting @filmspotting on Threads https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm @larsenonfilm on Threads https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices