Film Optimists

With his latest film currently in production, Paul Thomas Anderson has been on our minds. We took this opportunity to look back one of his masterpieces, There Will Be Blood (2007). Set during the southern California oil boom of the turn of the century, the film has at its core a rivalry between an oilman (played by Daniel Day Lewis in an oscar winning role) and a local priest (played by Paul Dano). Anderson has described the film as "a horror story about the birth of California", and it explores themes of greed, family, religion, and power with expert craftsmanship on all fronts. Hear us discuss this, as well as why one of us finds this film deeply personal.

Okay folks, we're a little late to this but, Happy 2024! As usual, we're kicking off the year with our now tradition of listing our 5 favorite films we saw in 2023. These don't have to be films that were released in 2023, just films we saw for the first time in 2023. Hear us countdown our favorites, and let us know yours in the comments!

Happy Holidays, Optimists! We're back with an exciting episode featuring a returning guest, and our first sequel! Special guest Ann Boyd joins us once again for a conversation about our favorite murder solving power couple, Nick and Nora Charles in After the Thin Man. The sequel swaps New York City for San Francisco as our heroes return home for what they hope will be a relaxing New Year's Eve, only to be immediately thrown into another murder investigation. W.S. Van Dyke returns as the director to the stars William Powell, Myrna Loy, and Skippy. The cast is joined by a host of newcomers including a very young Jimmy Stewart.

We're back with another gem from old Hollywood, Casablanca! Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart lead the all star cast in what has become one of the most iconic films ever made. Despite its fame, the film had surprisingly humble beginnings. Hear us discuss the film, it's origin, and how it came to be considered by many to be the greatest film of all time.

Trenton Cressy returns to the pod to talk Being John Malkovich. The film follows John Cusack as a puppeteer who finds a portal into the mind of John Malkovich. The odd film launched the careers of both Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze, both of whom were nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Director retrospectively. This film is strange, funny, haunting, and certainly not for everyone. That's partially why it's part of our Reanalysis series, which feature a guest changeling one or both of us to reconsider a film we've previously dismissed. Who didn't like this film on their first watch, and has their opinion changed? Listen to find out!

Spooky season is still going strong and so are we! We're back with another chilling tale, The Stepford Wives from 1975. The film follows Katharine Ross as Joanna, a woman who recently relocated to the suburb of Stepford from New York City. It's not long before Joanna notices that things aren't quite as idyllic as they seem in Stepford, and that danger may be lurking. The film is filled with commentary on feminism, patriarchy, anti-consumerism, and the clash between suburbs versus city that feels perhaps even more relevant today than nearly 50 years ago.

Horror season is officially here and we're kicking it off with Dario Argento's classic Giallo film, Suspiria (1977). Joining us this episode is friend and world cinema aficionado, Claudio Alberto Cortes. The film follows Suzy, a new student at a prestigious ballet school who encounters a series of bizarre murders of possibly supernatural origins. Hear us discuss the film and its 2018 remake, its impact, Giallo in general, and much more.

Folks, we're more than halfway through the year already, but some of 2023's most anticipated films are still to come. Rather than focus on a specific film like our usual episodes, we've decided to discuss the films yet to be released we're most looking forward to this year. Listen to hear us each countdown our top 3, and write in with your own picks.

We're back with another film from Werner Herzog's extensive filmography. This time we're tackling one of Herzog's feature films, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974). The film revolves on the strange true story of Kaspar Hauser, a man who was said to have been raised in isolation and captivity who's captor unexpectedly releases him in his early adulthood into a nearby Bavarian city. Kaspar's struggles adapting to society are filled with biting social commentary. In a characteristically unconventional choice, Herzog cast Bruno Schleinstein, a non professional actor, as his lead.

In this episode we discuss another titan of film, Werner Herzog. Herzog's career spans six decades, features nearly 70 films, and is still going strong. He has inspired multiple generations of filmmakers from around the world and was called "the most important film director alive" by François Truffaut.

The Bavarian director has achieved great acclaim in directing both feature films and documentaries. Because of this, we will be covering his work in two episodes, the first being his 2016 documentary Into the Inferno. The film explore's humankind's relationship to volcanoes and the spiritual beliefs that derive from this relationship.

We're reunited with our esteemed, now third time guest on the podcast, Riley Gerberick, to discuss Boot's Riley's debut film Sorry to Bother You. Set in Oakland, the film follows Cassius' journey climbing the corporate ladder of his call center job, using his "white voice" to gain the coveted position as a Power Caller. We discuss Boot's overt critique on capitalism in the film, but also it's merits as an outrageous, genre-bending watch.

We’re going back in time and across the Atlantic this episode to talk about a film from one of the most important movements in film history, the French New Wave. The film is Agnes Varda’s Cleo from 5 to 7 from 1962. The film follows Cleo, an emerging popstar, who is awaiting medical test results that will confirm whether or not she has cancer. Cleo explores Paris while contemplating issues of existentialism, beauty, and more while awaiting her diagnosis.

We’re back to discuss one of the most influential films of the last 30 years, Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. Joining us for the discussion are special guests and Tarantino aficionados Michael Grygo and Garret Dwello. The film follows several characters across the criminal underworld of LA told in a non chronological order. This was the first Tarantino film to feature frequent future collaborators, Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman, amongst its all-star cast. We discuss the film’s style, the surprises it packs, and of course the man himself, Tarantino.

In this episode we discuss Takia Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit. Set in Germany during the final days of WW2, this dark comedy follows a young boy in the Hitler Youth who is forced to question his beliefs upon discovery that his mother is hiding a jewish woman from the Nazis in their home. The film manages to remain funny, while still addressing the horrors of genocide, war, and the spread of hatred. Listen to hear us talk about how the film accomplishes this feat, as well as its beautiful production design and much more. Stay to the end to hear which recent, critically acclaimed movie we kinda hated!

We’re back to discuss Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut, Lady Bird. Lady Bird is a personal, heartfelt coming of age comedy set in Gerwig’s hometown of Sacramento, California. Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf lead an excellent cast that also features Timothée Chalamet and Beanie Feldstein. Listen to our discussion of how the film’s depictions of class, religion, sexuality, and family dynamics feel more grounded than the typical high school movie.

Christopher Nolan is a name that’s come up a few times on the podcast but we haven’t dedicated an episode to focus on one of his movies before. Until now. With his latest film Oppenheimer set to come out later this year, we thought it was a good time to revisit his breakthrough film Memento (2000). Memento is a neo-noir that follows Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, a man with short term memory loss trying to find his wife’s killer. The film is perhaps most known for its innovative non-linear structure. While many Nolan trademarks are here, the film’s small indie budget stands in stark contrast to his later work. This begs the question: how does Memento compare to Nolan’s later blockbusters? Did working with a smaller budget lead to innovation or result in a less satisfying film? Listen to find out!

Happy 2023 Optimists! For our first episode of the year, we reflect back on our favorite movies we saw in 2022. Just like our episode from last year, these are our favorite movies seen in 2022, not necessarily released in 2022. As we count down our top 5 watches from 2022, let us know what made your list!

Happy Holidays, Optimists! The illustrious Ann Boyd joins us once again to discuss another alternative Christmas film selection, The Thin Man (1934). The Thin Man is a fast-paced mystery/comedy/romance featuring perhaps the ultimate power couple, Nick and Nora Charles played by William Powell and Mryna Loy. The film follows Nick, a retired detective, and his wealthy heiress wife Nora who encourages her husband to come out of retirement to solve a series of murders occurring in their social circles. The film is nearly ninety years old yet still feels fresh and fun. How does it pull this off? Listen to find out!

It’s almost here folks–Thanksgiving! A time to focus on family and, more importantly, food. We celebrate the occasion with one of our favorite food movies, Tampopo.  Directed by Juzo Itami, the 1985 film follows a pair of truckers who help a widow turn her struggling ramen shop into the best ramen shop in town. Exploring food culture both high and low, this unconventional comedy is a hidden gem of world cinema.

In this episode we discuss another legend of cinema, Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman and his film Autumn Sonata. The film follows a reunion between a celebrated concert pianist and her daughter who haven’t seen each other in seven years. The film’s minimal cast is led by Ingrid Bergman (no relation to Ingmar) and Lil Ullmann who both deliver outstanding performances.

We continue our month of horror with an 80’s horror classic, John Carpenter's The Thing!  We’re joined by special guest and friend of the podcast Jim Briggs. In the film, a crew of scientists in Antarctica are stalked by an alien that can take the form of any living creature. Hear us discuss the film, theories about the ending, and the surprising comfort of existential dread.

It’s finally here: spooky season! To usher in the hallowed era Megan and Seth discuss one of their favorite horror films, Ari Aster’s Hereditary. The film follows a family enduring increasingly strange and terrifying events following the death of their grandmother. Toni Collette delivers a powerhouse performance leading the cast of this grim tale through the horrors of family.

It's been a long time coming, but we finally take on one of the strangest and most influential filmmakers of all time, David Lynch. Megan and Seth discuss Lynch’s surreal and haunting masterpiece, Mulholland Drive. The film, its interpretations, and its troubled production are discussed as well as the man himself.

Folks, we’re knocking off a couple more important firsts with this episode. This is one of the first films that we have to put an explicit *spoiler alert* at the top of the episode, since at the time this episode airs it will still be in theaters! Seth, Megan, and our most esteemed guest yet: Seth’s lovely wife, Ann, join together to discuss Jordan Peele’s highly anticipated third feature film, Nope. The trio talk about what they loved, what was missed, and the impact Peele’s had as a director in modern film culture.

This episode marks a couple of firsts on the podcast as we talk about Ida Lupino’s film noir, Hitchhiker (1953). This is our first film we’ve talked about that is directed by a woman, and this film in particular is considered the first film noir film directed by a woman. We’re excited to discuss the film’s merits on its own, but also what it has done for women in film overall and our opinions on this matter.

You can join the conversation by emailing us at filmoptimists@gmail.com or DM us on twitter @filmoptimists. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more content.  

We’re joined by friend and educator Aaron McCray-Goldsmith to discuss Dune (2021). Adapted from the classic Frank Herbet novel of the same name, Dune follows Paul Atreides (played by Timothee Chalamet) as he is thrust into a battle over the planet Arrakis. The 2021 version is the latest of three film adaptations and many more attempted adaptations. Did this latest version finally give fans of the series the long awaited adaptation they deserve? Listen to find out!

Aaron, our guest, is a high school physics teacher who could use our help raising funds for his classroom. Keep an eye out for an upcoming link to his fundraiser!

Secrets are unveiled and theories are discussed as we dive back into the 80’s with this teenage classic from John Hughes. The film follows the titular character (played by Matthew Broderick) as he makes the most of his last chance to ditch school with his girlfriend and best friend. It also just so happens to be one of Megan’s favorite movies.

Got questions or comments for us? You can email them to filmoptimists@gmail.com or DM us on twitter @filmoptimists. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more content.

Folks, this one’s a bit different. A listener and friend of the hosts suggested we do an episode on Drive. Despite its critical acclaim, neither of us liked the film when we first saw it over a decade ago. Was our initial analysis accurate, or flawed? To explore this we’re joined by Trenton Cressey who suggested Drive in the first place. Trenton makes his case for the film’s merits and we share our thoughts after a rewatch.

Got questions or comments for us? You can email them to filmoptimists@gmail.com or DM us on twitter @filmoptimists. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more content.

In this episode, Megan and Seth do a deep dive into the sea-faring tale of The Lighthouse, an A24 classic directed by Robert Eggers. The pair discuss what the film did for them, their opinions on studio A24 in general, and what they’re looking forward to from the studio moving forward.

Got questions or comments for us? You can email them to filmoptimists@gmail.com or DM us on twitter @filmoptimists. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more content.

With the Oscars coming up we’ve been reflecting on our favorite movies we saw last year. In doing so we realized some of the films that left the biggest impact on us weren’t new releases. So, in keeping up with our tradition of celebrating film as a whole rather than only focusing on newer films, we will be listing our favorite films we saw last year regardless of when they came out.

What made it to your Top 5 in 2021? Drop us a line at filmoptimists@gmail.com or @filmoptimists on IG and Twitter!

In this episode Megan and Seth turn their gaze towards modern cinema and discuss 2021’s Pig starring Nicholas Cage. Cage is excellent and reserved in this somber examination of grief set against the backdrop of Portland’s high culinary world and its seedy underbelly.

New year, new voice! That’s right, Optimists; on this episode Megan and Seth welcome their first guest! Friend and writer Riley Gerberick is here to join our discussion about Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1979 Soviet Sci Fi film Stalker. The film follows a guide leading two men through a dangerous zone to a room (of possible alien nature) that will supposedly grant them their deepest desire. Despite the simple plot the film raises several complicated philosophical questions. There’s a lot to talk about with this one so we’re splitting this up into two episodes, part 2 will be coming soon. 

Got questions or comments for us? You can email them to filmoptimists@gmail.com or DM us on twitter @filmoptimists. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter for more content.

Happy Holidays, Optimists! This episode Megan and Seth are back to discussing world cinema with an alternative holiday classic, Tokyo Godfathers. The film follows a ragtag trio of homeless people who find an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve. The film was directed by the late anime legend Satoshi Kon. 

In this episode Megan and Seth discuss classic Australian mystery film, Picnic at Hanging Rock. The film revolves around a sudden disappearance of multiple people in rural Australia. The film was instrumental in bringing greater worldwide attention to Australian cinema, and to the hosts’ own film repertoire.