A Very Good Year

Bonus Episode - A Very Good Gandolfini

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:51:02 GMT

Jason and Mike return to your feed for a special occasion: today’s release of Jason’s new book “Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend.” They discuss the book — its origins, aims, and outcomes — and Jason shares his own top five Jame Gandolfini performances. Plus: subject-appropriate riffs on headlines and the lightning round, and Mike spills on his favorite Gandolfini performance as well.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Show - Guide for the Film Fanatic

Sun, 26 Jan 2025 20:13:23 GMT

On the first episode of our film-by-film rundown of Danny Peary’s beloved 1986 movie guide, we are joined by Vulture TV critic and longtime friend Roxana Hadadi, who explains her personal, familial connection to Francis Ford Coppola’s 1974 Oscar-winner, and joins in a spirited discussion of the picture’s virtues, flaws, and reputation.

Subscribe to the new show at: https://pod.link/1274489817

To watch us on YouTube go to: https://www.youtube.com/@dannypearyrocks

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2000s highlight show!

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 06:12:23 GMT

Hello cult leaders and self-loathing playwrights and all the ships at sea and welcome to A Very Good Year. As you probably know by now we are retiring this show and coming back in 2025 with a whole new show, Guide for the Film Fanatic, this Sunday! The show is based on a film-by-film run through of Danny Peary's seminal 1986 book of the same name, where one of our fabulous guests picks a film and we dive in.

In the meantime we're revisiting some of our favorite guests and favorite movies by decade. This week we're looking back at the 1990s, objectively a great decade for movies and a very formative one for many of our guests (and hosts).

In this episode we've got Mac Welch, David Simms, Keith Phipps, John Early, Karen Han, Hunter Harris, Alissa Wilkinson, Roxana Hadadi, Daniel Waters, Kristen Meinzer, Siddhant Adlakha, Allison Herman, Abby Olcese, Noel Murray, and Emily St. James.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1990s highlight show!

Sun, 19 Jan 2025 09:01:00 GMT

Hello hunny bunnies and Presidential assassins and all the ships at sea and welcome to A Very Good Year. As you probably know by now we are retiring this show and coming back in 2025 with a whole new show. In the meantime we're revisiting some of our favorite guests and favorite movies by decade. This week we're looking back at the 1990s, objectively a great decade for movies and a very formative one for many of our guests (and hosts).

Check out Kate Erbland, Joe Lynch, Brian Tallerico, Alonso Duralde, Kristy Puchko, Sam Adams, Nick de Semlyan, Karina Longworth, Bob Byington, Scott Wampler, Caden Mark Gardner, Sammi Cohen, Kristen Lopez, Sergio Muñoz, Tomris Laffly, Craig Lindsay, Esther Zuckerman, Drew McWeeny, and Brian Raftery.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1980s highlight show!

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:52:41 GMT

Hello alien dogs and Sta-Puft Marshmallow Men and all the ships at sea. By now everyone knows we're retiring A Very Good Year after more than 100 episodes and coming back with an all new show for 2025. In the meantime we're revisiting some of our favorite guests and favorite movies by decade.

This week it's the 1980s, a stretch of time that is not commonly considered a golden age for Hollywood. We've got a lineup for this weeks episode that will dispute that take and they're coming with evidence in the form of some truly excellent cinema.

In this episode we'll hear from April Wright, Josh Lewis, Chris Nashawaty, Jen Cheney, Richard Shepard, Matt Singer, W. Axel Foley, Ty Burr, Carrie Couragen, Bilge Elbiri, Jen Johans, Daniela Taplin-Lundberg, John Pierson, and Jacob Knight.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1970s highlight show!

Sun, 05 Jan 2025 09:42:40 GMT

Hello New Hollywood hippies and malaise monkeys and all the ships at sea and welcome to A Very Good Year. If you’ve been listening you know we’re retiring A Very Good Year and coming back with a whole new show for 2025.

In the meantime we’re looking back at the past 100 episodes by revisiting some of our favorite guests and our favorite movies by decade.

This episode is massive, but it’s the 1970s, arguably the greatest decade for film in the entire short life of the medium. The 70s years were always the first to go when we were booking guests for the show and they do not disappoint.

In this episode we’ve got podcasting superhero Blake Howard, author Charles Bramesco, author Alexandra Heller-Nichols, production designer Judy Becker who is currently getting rave reviews for The Brutalist, filmmaker Zach Clark, writer Jason Diamond, podcaster Brian Saur, writer/director Isabel Sandoval, historian Kevin Kruse, critic Sean Burns, writer/director and actor Noah Seegan, writer Alexandra West, critic Jordan Hoffman, media superstar Soraya Nadia McDonald, critic Katie Rife, author Scott Drebit, and director of photography Bradford Young with what might be the movie that has impacted me the most across the entire series.

Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1960s highlight show!

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 09:01:28 GMT

As you MUST know by now we are retiring A Very Good Year after 2 very good years of the show and over 100 episodes (if you count the bonuses, and why not?). There will be an all new show starting in 2025 with an incredible guest list, tons of great movies, and a bunch of new bonus features available.

But before we do that we're looking back on A Very Good Year with some highlight shows. This week it's the 1960s with director Alexandre Phillipe, writer Larry Karaszewski, authors Stephen Farber and Michael McLellan, MST3k's Frank Conniff, TV host and historian Ben Mankiewicz, critic Robert Daniels, professor Charles Taylor, author Mark Harris, programmer Millie de Chirico, critic David Fear, and author Willow Catelyn Maclay.

Thank you for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus Episode - 2024 with Alissa Wilkinson

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 09:01:46 GMT

In what has become an annual tradition, we welcome back our good friend, New York Times film critic Alissa Wilkinson, to look back at the movie year we just finished — without the benefit of hindsight! Hear Alissa and Mike geek out about “Eno,” our conversation on the first-person camera of “Nickel Boys,” everyone falling for “Anora,” and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1950s highlight show!

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 09:01:01 GMT

After 2 years and 100 episodes we're retiring A Very Good Year and coming back in 2025 with a whole new show. In the meantime we're looking back at some of our favorite guests and favorite movies, by decade.

In this episode we're looking at a decade that some people consider a dead zone: the 1950s. As you'll hear it was a great decade for movies. Ever heard of a guy named Hitchcock? I rest my case.

Featuring the talents of Sheila O'Malley, Glenn Kenny, James Urbaniak, Beatrice Loayza, Aisha Harris, and one of the best to ever do it, Mr. Phillip Lopate.

Thank you for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1940s highlight show!

Sun, 08 Dec 2024 09:01:08 GMT

After two years and 100 episodes we're taking a look back at A Very Good Year with highlights from some of our favorite guests. In this episode we're going way back to the 1940s, we're getting into some of the classics and a few pictures that might not be on your radar.

This episode features Stephanie Crawford, Jill Blake, Stephanie Zacharek, April Wolfe, Raquel Stetcher and recent Pulitzer Prize winner Justin Chang.

Thank you for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1920s & 30s highlight show!

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 20:29:28 GMT

Hello, and welcome to the wrap party.

After two years and 100 episodes we're taking a look back at A Very Good Year with highlights from some of our favorite guests. In this episode we're going way back to the 20s & 30s, we're getting into silents, talkies, and the transition. We cover the big names everyone knows and get into some hidden gems that have been buried deep in the vault. "He Who Gets Slapped", anyone?

This episode features our very first guest, Alex Winter, and a murderers row of great film minds including Dana Stevens, Sarah Bea Milner, Megan Abbott, Jessica Pickens, Monica Castillo, Marya Gates, Catherine Stebbins and the king, Leonard Maltin.

Thank you for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2000 with Mac Welch

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 09:01:57 GMT

Mac Welch is an actor, cartoonist, filmmaker, and podcaster, but more importantly, he’s been friends with Jason and Mike nearly as long as they’ve been friends with each other. Join us as we talk about the movies we all saw together in 2000, AND ALSO where we’ll be taking the show as we reformat for our next season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1974 with Kevin M. Kruse

Sun, 10 Nov 2024 09:01:49 GMT

Author, historian, and professor Kevin M. Kruse joins us to walk through the very eventful year — historically and cinematically — of 1974, including the take-no-prisoners energy of “Foxy Brown,” the grimy perfection of “The Taking of Pelham 123,” and a double-barreled shotgun blast of Mel Brooks.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1996 with Kristen Lopez

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 08:01:11 GMT

Film and television critic, author, and essayist Kristen Lopez joins us to discuss her book “But Have You Read the Book,” the TWO books she’s working on next, and the movies of 1996, from the teen-girl dream of ‘Romeo + Juliet” to the drive-in pleasures of “From Dusk Till Dawn” to the hilarity of “The Birdcage.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2008 with Daniel Waters

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 08:01:56 GMT

Screenwriter (“Heathers,” “Demolition Man,” “Batman Returns”) and encyclopedic cinephile Daniel Waters joins us to discuss 2008—a key year for him as a filmmaker and film lover, thanks to the likes of “Synecdoche, New York,” “Love Exposure,” and “The Dark Knight.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1930 with Catherine Stebbins

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 08:01:14 GMT

Catherine Stebbins is intimately acquainted with the year of 1930 - because it was the subject of the most recent of her year-by-year movie ‘zines, which makes her an ideal (and overdue) guest. Join us as she discusses the nutty “King of Jazz,” the heartbreaking “City Girl,” the sublime “People on Sunday,” and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2018 with Abby Olcese

Sun, 13 Oct 2024 08:01:16 GMT

Abby Olcese’s new book “Films for All Seasons” walks the reader through “the church year at the movies,” finding unexpected movies to tie in to the liturgical calendar; she joins us to explore the calendar year of 2018, including “Bad Times at the El Royale,” “First Reformed,” and “Eighth Grade.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1958 with Beatrice Loayza

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 07:31:07 GMT

Film critic, editor, and intrepid festival traveler Beatrice Loayza joins us for another probing look into the oft-dismissed 1950s—this time 1958, as we look at a Hitchcock classic (“Vertigo”), a pre-New Wave banger (“Elevator to the Gallows”), a hard-hitting social drama (“The Defiant Ones”), and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1966 with Charles Taylor

Sun, 29 Sep 2024 08:01:13 GMT

Charles Taylor is the author of one of our fave film books, “Opening Wednesday at a Theater or Drive-In Near You,” so he joins us to discuss the “hinge year” of 1966, which included late films from old masters (“El Dorado”), manifestos from provocateurs (“Masculine-Feminine”), and electric shocks from cinematic wild men (“Tokyo Drifter”).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1947 with April Wolfe

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 08:01:01 GMT

Screenwriter (and former film critic and podcaster) April Wolfe joins us to talk up the postwar pleasures of 1947, so bring your nun’s habits (“Black Narcissus”), femme fatales (“Out of the Past”) and questionable Irish accents (“The Lady from Shanghai”).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2020 with Emily St. James

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 08:01:27 GMT

TV critic, author, podcaster, and television writer Emily St. James is the co-author (along with previous guest Noel Murray) of the book “LOST: Back to the Island” (out Tuesday), so she joins us to geek out with Mike over that show and discuss the unusual offerings of the very odd year of 2020, including “Wolfwalkers,” “Da 5 Bloods,” and “The Empty Man.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1993 with Nick de Semlyen

Sat, 07 Sep 2024 21:04:01 GMT

“Empire” magazine editor Nick de Semlyen’s most recent book, “The Last Action Heroes,” is a delightful history of ‘80s and ‘90s action cinema, so he joins us to discuss 1993, from the blistering action of “Demolition Man” to the action satire of “Hot Shots! Part Deux” to the pointed inaction of “The Remains of the Day.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1984 with Andrea Chalupa

Sun, 01 Sep 2024 08:01:00 GMT

Author, filmmaker, and “Gaslit Nation” host Andrea Chalupa joins us to discuss 1984—an appropriate year for an Orwell scholar—in advance of the release of her new graphic novel “In the Shadow of Stalin.” Listen in as she gives much love to “Amadeus,” “Once Upon a Time in America,” and, of course, “1984.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1945 with Jill Blake

Sun, 25 Aug 2024 08:01:04 GMT

Film historian, podcaster, and Cine Journeys co-founder Jill Blake joins us to walk through the post-war euphoria and darkness of 1945, including “I Know Where I’m Going,” “Brief Encounter,” and “Leave Her to Heaven.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1972 with Zach Clark

Sun, 18 Aug 2024 08:01:58 GMT

Independent filmmaker Zach Clark joins us in advance of the release of his new film “The Becomers” for a look at some of the most delightfully insane movies of 1972, including the stylized mayhem of “Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion,” the melodrama of “The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant,” and the total decadence of “Pink Flamingos.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1981 with Josh Lewis

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 08:01:54 GMT

Film critic and podcaster Josh Lewis explores the “sleaze canon” on his “Sleazoids” podcast, and he joins us to discuss the very sleazy year of 1981, from the gore of “The Beyond” to the paranoia of “Blow Out” to the surprising depth of “MS. 45.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1940 with Stephanie Crawford

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 08:01:35 GMT

Film critic and podcaster Stephanie Crawford usually dabbles in horror and exploitation cinema, but she is also obsessed with screwball comedy — so she joins us to discuss 1940, a banner year for the subgenre, thanks to “His Girl Friday,” “The Philadelphia Story,” and “Christmas in July.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1982 with Chris Nashawaty

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 08:01:10 GMT

Film critic and author Chris Nashawaty’s latest book is “The Future Was Now: Madmen, Mavericks, and the Epic Sci-Fi Summer of 1982,” so you’ll never guess what year he joins us to talk about! Hear us wax rhapsodic about the thrills of “Blade Runner,” the chills of “The Thing,” the Catholic guilt of “The Verdict,” and much more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2019 with Noel Murray

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 08:01:13 GMT

Film critic and O.G. AV Club member Noel Murray does not usually suffer from recency bias, but he thought it would be fun to glance back just five years to 2019, which gave us the hang-out pleasures of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” the stinging commentary of “Parasite,” and the shocks and thrills of “Us.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1995 with Caden Mark Gardner

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 08:01:25 GMT

This week, we’re joined by the other co-author of the must-read new book “Corpses, Fools and Monsters: The History and Future of Transness in Cinema”; film critic Caden Mark Gardner discusses the cinema of 1995, including such now-classics as “Safe,” “Heat,” and “Devil in a Blue Dress.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1969 with Willow Catelyn Maclay

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 08:01:57 GMT

“Corpses, Fools and Monsters: The History and Future of Transness in Cinema” (out Tuesday) is one of our favorite film books of the year, and we’re welcoming both of its authors as consecutive guests. This week, film critic Willow Catelyn Maclay joins us to talk about the movies of 1969, from the ahead-of-its-time freedom of “Funeral Parade of Roses” to the Gotham grime of “Midnight Cowboy” to the delightful silliness of “Gamera vs Guiron.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1959 with Phillip Lopate

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 14:56:12 GMT

The essayist, poet, and film critic Phillip Lopate joins us to discuss his new collection “My Affair with Art House Cinema” and the cinema of 1959, in which one series began with “The 400 Blows,” one series ended with “The World of Apu,” and Otto Preminger hit the courtroom in “Anatomy of a Murder.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1924 with Marya E. Gates

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 08:13:56 GMT

Nobody we know knows more about silent cinema than film critic, historian, and social media mastermind Marya E. Gates. She joins us to talk about movies from literally a century ago, from the brilliance of “Sherlock Jr.” to the sexiness of “Forbidden Paradise” to the surrealism of “Ballet Mécanique.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1961 with Larry Karaszewski

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 13:51:31 GMT

Larry Karaszewski isn’t just an award-winning screenwriter and producer — he’s also a serious cinephile, as evidenced by the fact that we asked him for a top five for the year of his birth, 1961, and he came back with six double-features. We talk about them all on this super-sized episode, with inspired pairings of American independents, Natalie Wood vehicles, Marcello Mastroianni classics, and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1967 with Mark Harris

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 08:01:57 GMT

Mark Harris has written three of the essential film books of our time, and one of them — “Pictures at a Revolution” — tells the story of Hollywood in flux by detailing the making of the five nominees for best picture of 1967. So he joins us to talk about that year, from the groundbreaking “The Graduate” to the nose-thumbing of “Bonnie & Clyde” to the sheer craft of “In the Heat of the Night.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1987 with Carrie Courogen

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 08:01:54 GMT

Writer, editor, and director Carrie Courogen is the author of the breathtakingly good new book “Miss May Does Not Exist,” and since it’s a biography of Elaine May, she joins us to talk about 1987 — not only May’s unjustly maligned “Ishtar,” but the sheer perfection of “Broadcast News” and “Moonstruck.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1964 with Ben Mankiewicz

Sun, 26 May 2024 08:01:19 GMT

Film critic, historian, and TCM stalwart Ben Mankiewicz joins us, on the eve of a new season of his essential podcast “The Plot Thickens” to discuss the nuclear meltdowns of “Fail-Safe,” the political paranoia of “Seven Days in May,” the complex delights of “Marriage, Italian Style,” and more of the movies of 1964.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1976 with Alexandra West

Sun, 19 May 2024 07:31:02 GMT

Film critic, podcaster, and historian Alexandra West joins us to talk about her new book “Gore-Geous: Personal Essays on Beauty and Horror” and the movies of 1976, from the bloodbaths of “Carrie” and “Taxi Driver” to the erotic power plays of “In the Realm of the Senses.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1983 with Richard Shepard

Thu, 16 May 2024 08:01:00 GMT

Screenwriter and director Richard Shepard’s new film is catnip to us (and probably you too, if you’re listening to his show): “Film Geek,” an essay film about growing up as a movie-crazy kid in NYC in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. He joins us to talk about 1983, including Scorsese’s “King of Comedy,” Fosse’s “STAR 80,” and Forsyth’s “Local Hero.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1991 with Alonso Duralde

Sun, 12 May 2024 08:01:57 GMT

Critic, podcaster, and author Alonso Duralde was just beginning his professional life in 1991, and witnessed the early pangs of what became known as the New Queer Cinema, a key point in his new book “Hollywood Pride: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Representation and Perseverance in Film.” He joins us to talk about that moment, including the delights of “Madonna: Truth or Dare,” the coding of “Thelma & Louise,” and the genuine transgressiveness of “Poison.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1954 with Glenn Kenny

Sun, 05 May 2024 08:01:40 GMT

Glenn Kenny is the author of the new book “The World Is Yours: The Story of ‘Scarface,’ and is one of our favorite film critics and scholars in general. He’s here to talk about the mighty 1954, a less-discussed year that gave us everything from “The Seven Samurai” to “Rear Window” to “The Creature from the Black Lagoon.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1990 with Kate Erbland

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 08:01:14 GMT

Indiewire’s Kate Erbland was a literal child in the year 1990, but she luckily had parent who put very few viewing boundaries on her, which was how she ended up seeing “Die Hard 2,” “Ghost,” and one of her all-time favorite movies, “Pretty Woman.” She joins us to talk about those and MANY more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1997 with Tomris Laffly

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 08:01:29 GMT

Film critic and journalist Tomris Laffly was just starting to figure out who she was as a filmgoer in 1997, so she joins us to share some of her favorite memories of that year: the heartache of “Good Will Hunting,” the dark humor of “The Ice Storm,” and the majesty of “Titanic.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2002 with John Early

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 08:01:06 GMT

In advance of Friday’s theatrical debut of his Sundance hit “Stress Positions,” comedian, actor, writer, and cinephile John Early joins us to discuss all things 2002, from the earnestness of “Crossroads” to the sexiness of “Unfaithful” to the status of his Toni Collette website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2013 with Siddhant Adlakha

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 08:01:50 GMT

Filmmaker, actor, TV writer, and film critic Siddhant Adlakha was in a moment of transition in 2013, and vowed to see as many new movies as possible for the sake of career clarity. He walks us through some of those discoveries, from the spectacle of “Ram-Leela” to the melancholy of “Inside Llewyn Davis” to the intimacy of “Short Term 12.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1979 with Scott Drebit

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 08:01:52 GMT

Daily Dead columnist Scott Drebit’s new book is “A Cut Below: A Celebration of B Horror Movies, 1950s-1980s,” so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he picked 1979, a banner year for horror. He joins us to discuss the working-class scares of “Alien,” the insanity of “Zombie,” the inexplicable PG rating of “Tourist Trap,” and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2017 with Alison Herman

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 08:01:33 GMT

“Variety” TV critic Alison Herman had just moved to Los Angeles in the year of our lord 2017, and she joins us to recall, with fondness, the cockeyed comedy of “Phantom Thread,” the deft commentary of “Get Out,” and the totally not-divisive pleasures of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1994 with Bob Byington

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 08:01:44 GMT

It’s a special MID-WEEK EPISODE, in honor of Friday’s release of acclaimed director Bob Byington’s latest, “Lousy Carter.” Join us as we talk with Bob about the current indie landscape and the films of 1994, from the art of “Red” to the commerce of “Speed” to the pleasures of “The Hudsucker Proxy.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1965 with Robert Daniels

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 08:01:22 GMT

For show number two from SXSW, we’re joined by the prolific film critic and RogerEbert.com Associate Editor Robert Daniels. He sings the praises of 1965, from the devastation of “The Pawnbroker” to the thrills of “Flight of the Phoenix” to the sweep of “Doctor Zhivago.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1989 with Jacob Knight

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 08:01:17 GMT

Back at SXSW, we’re joined by Austin’s own Jacob Knight, co-host of the “Secret Handshake” podcast, and lover of great movies and great trash. 1989 offered plenty of both, from the power of “The Abyss” to the inanity of “Jason Takes Manhattan” to the coke-dusted earnestness of “Road House.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1998 with Esther Zuckerman

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 09:01:24 GMT

Esther Zuckerman is an appropriate guest for Oscar Sunday, as she is the author of the fabulous book “Beyond the Best Dressed; A Cultural History of the Most Glamorous, Radical, and Scandalous Oscar Fashion.” She joins us to talk about famous Oscar spoiler “Shakespeare in Love,” the wildly underrated “Velvet Goldmine,” the one and only “Big Lebowski,” and more of the movies of 1998.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1968 with David Fear

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 09:01:58 GMT

David Fear, chief film critic and senior editor at “Rolling Stone,” had not yet joined the living in the year 1968, but he’s always been fascinated by its contradictions and commentaries. He joins us to discuss the genius of “2001: A Space Odyssey,” the majesty of “Once Upon a Time in the West,” and the stickiness of “Rosemary’s Baby.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1978 with Katie Rife

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 09:01:51 GMT

The whip-smart and hysterically funny Katie Rife joins us to talk about the movies of 1978 — from the terrifying precision to “Halloween” to the sweaty muscularity of “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin” to the impeccable formalism of “Les Rendez-vous d’Anna” — and why ‘70s genre cinema holds up so well.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1970 with Blake Howard

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 09:01:28 GMT

Our Aussie invasion continues with this week’s guest, film critic and podcaster extraordinaire, Blake Howard, the mastermind of One Heat Minute Productions. Blake joins us to talk about unhealthy relationships with movies and his love for the films of 1970, from the gallows humor of “M*A*S*H” to the working class heroism of “Five Easy Pieces” to the unequalled cool (and Frenchness) of “Le Cercle Rouge.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1992 with Sam Adams

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 09:16:03 GMT

Sam Adams, writer and senior editor for Slate, was in the midst of his cinephile awakening in 1992, when he was taking in new indies and other risky delights at the SoNo Cinema. Join us as we walk through the vérité discomforts of “Husbands and Wives,” the radical queer art of “Edward II,” the biting-the-hand-that-feeds-you brilliance of “The Player,” and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1971 with Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 09:01:34 GMT

Film critic, author, “Fangoria” columnist, physical media mainstay, and recovering academic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas joins us for a jaunt through the dark laughs of “Little Murders” and “A New Leaf,” the knotty gender politics of “Straw Dogs,” and more of the disturbances and pleasures of 1971.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1999 with Brian Raftery

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 09:19:25 GMT

Brian Raftery is the host of the excellent narrative podcasts “Gene and Roger and Do We Get to Win This Time? for the Ringer and Spotify; he’s also SUCH an expert on the movies of 1999, he wrote an entire book about them: the wonderful “Best. Movie. Year. Ever: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen.” He joins us to talk about why “Election” still hits, why “Eyes Wide Shut” has had such a wild afterlife, how “Blair Witch” is somehow underrated, and much more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1988 with Jen Johans

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 09:41:22 GMT

We're talking about movies during the quiet time with the host of "Watch with Jen" and (relevant to our interests here) the co-host of "Midnight Run-Through," Film Intuition's Jen Johans. She's joining us to discuss the formative year of 1988, when her frequent babysitting gigs were highlighted by stacks of such VHS favorites as "Bull Durham" and "A Fish Called Wanda." Plus, BOGOSIAN!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1973 with Brian Saur

Sun, 14 Jan 2024 17:38:01 GMT

For season two, we’re wiping the slate clean and letting our guests pick any year they want, even if we covered it in season one. So first up, the very knowledgable and extremely affable host of the wonderful “Just the Discs” podcast, and the co-host of our beloved (and influential) “Pure Cinema Podcast” joins us to discuss the lovable losers of “Scarecrow,” the fast friends of “The Last Detail,” the witty whodunit “The Last of Sheila,” and more of the movies of 1973.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Janet & John Pierson's Very Good Year (in Fiji!)

Sun, 07 Jan 2024 18:36:45 GMT

For the first of our hiatus bonus episodes, we’re proud to welcome back one of the season’s most popular guests: indie guru John Pierson, who joined us back in April to talk about 1989. When we were discussing his appearance, he proposed talking about the year that he and his family spent a year operating the 180 Meridian Cinema, the most remote movie theater in the world. At this 288-seat venue on Tavueni Island in Fiji, the Piersons programmed a full year of programming, mostly new releases, as free nightly movies; the last month of that year was documented in the film Reel Paradise, directed by Steve James of “Hoop Dreams” fame.

We are also joined by John’s wife Janet Pierson, an equally legendary figure on the indie film scene, thanks to her 15 years overseeing the vision, programming, and execution of the SXSW Film Festival. If you’d like to know more about their time in Tavueni, here’s a summary, in the Los Angeles Times, from right before the release of Reel Paradise..John also wrote two pieces for that publication about their time there, one in July of 2002, another that December.

Thanks for listening!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus Episode - 2023 with Alissa Wilkinson

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 01:42:57 GMT

Since she last joined us to talk about 2005 back in September, Alissa Wilkinson nabbed a new gig: she’s now a movie critic for the New York Times. So she joins us to talk about that transition and the films of the year that just ended – our favorites of ‘23, for starters, as well as some of the (mostly heartening) trends we’ve seen in moviemaking and moviegoing this year.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Very Good Year of A Very Good Year

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 07:21:21 GMT

We wrap up our first season — a full year of shows — in true season finale fashion: with a super-sized clip show, featuring some of our favorite segments from the past year, including our own Top 5 (of the best movies we watched for the first time for the show). Plus, a very good origin story, background on some of our most cherished episodes, and more!

The headlines segment is from Episode 11: 1975 with Sean Burns, which you can listen to here.

Tracks is from Episode 6: 1976 with Noah Segan, which you can listen to here.

Martha Marcy May Marlene is from Episode 27: 2011 with Kristen Meinzer, which you can listen to here. MMMM is available for digital rental or purchase.

Babo 73 is from Episode 15: 1964 with Frank Conniff, which you can listen to here. Babo 73 is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel.

Stalker is from Episode 14: 1979 with Bradford Young, which you can listen to here. Stalker is currently streaming on HBO Max and the Criterion Channel.

And Sunrise is from Episode 3: 1927 with Dana Stevens, which you can listen to here. Sunrise is currently streaming on Tubi, Hoopla, the Roku Channel, and Classix.

The awards and box office segment is from Episode 30: 1972 with Judy Becker, which you can listen to here; the lightning round is from Episode 23: 1993 with Karina Longworth, which you can listen to here.

Thank you so much for supporting us over the course of this first season!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1935 with Leonard Maltin

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 07:04:07 GMT

Our final guest of the season is a legend of film history and criticism who spent 30 years as film critic for “Entertainment Tonight,” 25 years (and counting) teaching at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and his entire career writing essential books including (but certainly not limited to) his standard-setting “Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide.” He joins us to discuss the movies of 1935, including his favorite Alfred Hitchcock, his favorite Marx Brothers, and a particularly timely pick for the spooky season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1984 with Matt Singer

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 07:47:32 GMT

Matt Singer is a film critic, entertainment journalist, and author — and his latest book is a real treat for all you nerds who listen to this nerdy show. “Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever” is a combination of dual biography, media history, and film commentary, so he joins us to talk about his love for Siskel & Ebert, and how it led him to this book. And they were active during his year of choice, 1984, so Matt not only shares his thoughts on his top five, but Gene & Roger’s as well.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Very Good Bonus Episode - 1990 After Show

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 07:35:46 GMT

We had to lose so much great stuff from this week's episode with guest Joe Lynch that we decided to lead off this week's bonus episode with a bunch of outtakes - and since we wanted to share all of that with so many of you, this week's bonus episode is free to the feed. So join us for more on 'Suitable Flesh,' more on 'Nightbreed' and 'Darkman,' and more in general. AND THEN you'll get to hear what an after-show sounds like, as Mike and Jason talk more about the movies of 1990, including some talk about 'The Godfather Part III,' 'Mo' Better Blues,' and 'Goodfellas,' PLUS we'll plow through even more of this week's Lightning Round titles. If you like this bonus episode and would like to hear more, either become a paid subscriber on Substack or upgrade to a premium subscription on Apple Podcasts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1990 with Joe Lynch

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 07:50:46 GMT

Joe Lynch is a genre director extraordinaire - his credits include ‘Wrong Turn 2,’ ‘Everly,’ ‘Mayhem,’ ‘Point Blank,’ and his latest, the H.P. Lovecraft adaptation ‘Suitable Flesh’ (out in theaters and on VOD October 27). Joe was in his early teens in 1990, and for reasons we’ll discuss, saw pretty much anything and everything in this year that proved key to his development as a filmmaker and movie lover.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1973 with Jason Diamond

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 07:15:48 GMT

Jason Diamond is one of our favorite writers, and not just because of his quality prose — it’s because he’s an expert and an enthusiast, about everything from men’s fashion to books to bagels. And one of his favorite things to geek out about is the cinema of the ‘70s, so he joins us this week to talk up 1973, and five films that, in their own (sometimes twisted) ways, made him who he is today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1922 with Monica Castillo

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 08:15:41 GMT

Writer, film critic, programmer, and curator Monica Castillo gave herself a challenge for this week’s show: she picked, by a good stretch, the earliest year we’ve ever done. But 1922 is an out-and-out banger, with key early texts in horror, documentary, comedy, and melodrama. Plus, bonus, there weren’t any Oscars for us to complain about!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1992 with Kristy Puchko

Sun, 24 Sep 2023 07:37:00 GMT

Kristy Puchko — film critic, entertainment reporter, and the film editor at Mashable — was nine years old in 1992, and was probably entirely too young to see most of the dark, weird, horny movies that ended up shaping her warped mind at that age. Let’s look back at them! (This episode is sponsored by the New York Film Festival.)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2005 with Alissa Wilkinson

Sun, 17 Sep 2023 07:25:42 GMT

Alissa Wilkinson - senior correspondent and critic at Vox - was just out of college in 2005 and, when the year began, she had not yet decided to devote her life to film criticism. But this was the year that she made that decision, so she joins us this week to discuss the movies that opened her eyes as a moviegoer and a critic. (This episode is sponsored by the New York Film Festival.)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1994 with Scott Wampler

Sun, 10 Sep 2023 07:15:40 GMT

Scott Wampler had his 13-year-old brain entirely re-arranged by a movie he saw in 1994, so he joins us to talk about how that happened, and what else he saw that year that stuck with him. This terrific film writer and podcaster co-hosts the “Kingcast,” a deep dive into the work and adaptations of Stephen King, so you won’t be surprised to learn that his list includes a King movie, and a movie kinda sorta about a King-like figure. Enjoy!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1986 with Ty Burr

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 07:17:13 GMT

Ty Burr was the film critic for the Boston Globe for two decades, before departing that post to start up the must-read Substack newsletter “Ty Burr’s Watchlist.” He was also a senior writer for “Entertainment Weekly” from 1990 to 2002 —aka that publication’s glory years—but before THAT, he worked as a film selector and advisor for HBO and Cinemax (particularly the latter’s, ahem, late night programming). He was working that gig in 1986, a killer year for mainstream movies and the blossoming indie movie scene.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1932 with Sarah Bea Milner

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 07:30:53 GMT

This week, we’re joined by Sarah Bea Milner, our first writer/editor/folk musician! She is currently the editor at Kidscreen, and she has bylines at Polygon, /Film, Screen Rant and more, and her area of expertise is classic horror - so she picked 1932, a year of mummies and freaks and old, dark houses.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1995 with Sammi Cohen

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 07:44:38 GMT

This week, we’re pleased to welcome director, writer, and comedian Sammi Cohen to talk about the movies of 1995 - many of which were big inspirations for their first feature, the queer high school love triangle rom-com “Crush” (on Hulu) and their new adaptation of the hit young adult novel “You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitvah,” produced by Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions and hitting Netflix this Friday.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1953 with Sheila O'Malley

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 08:29:00 GMT

Sheila O’Malley is a classic film buff who joins the esteemed ranks of our “the 1950s were AWESOME, actually” guests, looking back at the equally compelling domestic and foreign cinema of the wild, eventful year of 1953. Ruined women! International sideboob! Juvenile delinquents! What’s not to love? Sponsored by the New York Film Festival.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1944 with Justin Chang

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 07:22:39 GMT

Justin Chang is one of the genuine greats of contemporary film criticism - chief critic for the "Los Angeles Times" and NPR’s “Fresh Air,” a title he previously held at "Variety." He joins us to talk about the films of 1944, and to explain how he became so enamored of crime fiction, hard-boiled movies, and film noir at such an impressionable age. (Sponsored by the New York Film Festival.)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1997 with Craig D. Lindsey

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 07:16:07 GMT

Craig D. Lindsey was a working critic in 1997, so he has a LOT of pleasant moviegoing (and reviewing) memories from that year; he also made a top ten list at the time, so he took particular pleasure out of revisiting and revising those favorites. And there were many: a new Tarantino, a new Lynch, breakthroughs for Paul Thomas Anderson and Matt and Ben, and a big blockbuster about a big-ass boat.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1957 with James Urbaniak

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 07:39:53 GMT

Character actor, cartoon doctor, and general bon vivant James Urbaniak joins us to walk through the cinema de 1957 - a year of foreign triumphs and domestic groundbreakers, of media satires and existential examinations. You won’t be surprised that a Hal Hartley regular is a knowledgeable and eloquent cinephile, but you WILL be delighted!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1939 with Jessica Pickens

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 07:17:40 GMT

Jessica Pickens is a film blogger and historian specializing in World War II-era cinema, movie musicals, and, luckily for us, the films of 1939. She started a side project of watching every damn movie from that greatest of movie years clear back in 2011, so she decided to leave aside the greatest hits of the year (your Wizards of Oz, your Gones with the Wind, etc.) to bring us some of the lesser-known gems she’s discovered in the process.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1988 with Daniela Taplin Lundberg

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 07:25:22 GMT

Daniela Taplin Lundberg was born into film production - her father Jonathan produced the first major movie for a promising young filmmaker named Martin Scorsese - and her producing credits include “The Kids Are All Right,” “Honey Boy,” “Harriet,” and “Together Together.” Now she hosts the essential podcast “Hollywood Gold,” where she welcomes other producers to tell their war stories about iconic movies, and joins us to talk about her favorite films of 1988—including one with a very personal connection. (Sponsored by MUBI.)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1977 with Jordan Hoffman

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 08:12:47 GMT

Beloved film critic and niche culture aficionado Jordan Hoffman was wise enough to call dibs quite some time ago on not only one of the great years of the ‘70s, but great movie years, period—a game-changing 12 months for the movies, thanks to a pair of sci-fi smashes, a modest romantic comedy, and a big movie with a bigger soundtrack. Come for the high-profile flicks, stay for the tales of Jordan’s charming New Jersey youth! (Sponsored by MUBI.)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1982 with Jen Chaney

Sun, 25 Jun 2023 07:13:48 GMT

"Vulture" TV critic and author Jen Chaney was, like us, a young and deeply impressionable moviegoer in the year of our Lord 1982, when the Spielberg double-tap of "E.T." and "Poltergeist" lit up our dreams and haunted our nightmares. We talk all about both of those movies, as well as the sex comedies, sci-fi bummers, and romantic comedies that made '82 feel like, really and truly, the first year of '80s moviemaking. (Sponsored by MUBI).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1962 with Stephen Farber and Michael McClellan

Sun, 18 Jun 2023 07:13:51 GMT

We've never attempted a two-guest show before, but we think you'll agree that it was kind of essential here, since legendary film critic and historian Stephen Farber and former theatre executive and CARA member Michael McClellan collaborated on a perfect book for our purposes: “Cinema ’62: The Greatest Year at the Movies,” in which they write all about why 1962 was a peak year for film, with a high standard of quality that has not been equaled since. They join us to make their case, which includes literary adaptations, cult classics, and lots of juicy roles for women. (Sponsored by MUBI.)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2004 with Hunter Harris

Sun, 11 Jun 2023 09:03:21 GMT

Pop culture expert, Substacker extraordinaire, and fellow flyover country escapee Hunter Harris joins Jason and Mike to talk about the Year of our Lord 2004, in which Marty and Leo re-teamed, Julia Roberts said some really dirty words, and Tom Cruise chastised Jamie Foxx for being a bad son.

Sponsored by MUBI.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1972 with Judy Becker

Sat, 03 Jun 2023 00:01:42 GMT

We’ve welcomed critics, authors, actors, directors, and on and on—but this week, we welcome our very first production designer, and Judy Becker is one of the greats. Her credits include “Carol,” "I’m Not There,” “Brokeback Mountain,” “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” “Silver Linings Playbook,” and “American Hustle,” for which she was nominated for the Academy Award. (She’s also the latest subject of the “Filmcraft” series at the Metrograph Theater here in New York City, beginning on June 3rd.) She picked one of the all-time great years, 1972, and walks us through it with the eye of not only a film lover but a film craftsperson.

Sponsored by MUBI.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1960 with Alexandre O. Philippe

Sun, 28 May 2023 09:47:23 GMT

Alexandre O. Philippe has funneled his life-long cinematic obsessions into movies of his own, directing such documentary treats as “78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene,” “Memory: The Origins of Alien,” “Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on the Exorcist,” and the new “Lynch/Oz” (out Friday 6/2). He made an entire movie about “Psycho,” so it’s not toooo surprising that he picked 1960 - but his picks also showcase the wide, eclectic variety of that year’s cinema.

Sponsored by MUBI.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Special Announcement

Sat, 27 May 2023 15:27:43 GMT

We're now on Substack, and you can get more of the show for just a few bucks a month. Let's talk about it!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1933 with Megan Abbott

Sun, 21 May 2023 07:15:58 GMT

We welcome Film Twitter's favorite crime novelist, the Edgar Award-winning, New York Times-bestselling Megan Abbott, author of the new and spectacular "Beware the Woman." She joins us to walk through her favorite year of classic cinema: 1933, the end of the Pre-Code era, when women could be bad and men could be horny and movies could kinda-sorta reflect contemporary life candidly, for the last time for a long time.

Sponsored by MUBI.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2011 with Kristen Meinzer

Sun, 14 May 2023 15:24:42 GMT

Kristen Meinzer was already a movie podcaster during her very good year, 2011 - when she noticed a trend of women behaving badly in mainstream movies that still makes her happy. The feisty co-host host of "Movie Therapy with Rafer & Kristen" and "By the Book" (and contributor to NPR's "Pop Culture Happy Hour") also offers up alternate takes on some of Jason's 2011 favorites, and joins us for our usual eye-rolling at the year's Oscar winners.

Sponsored by MUBI.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1996 with Sergio Muñoz

Sun, 07 May 2023 07:06:40 GMT

When Jason was at SXSW, you didn't think we’d still be running episodes from that trip two months later, did you? Well, while he was there, he stopped by the University of Austin to chat with our pal Sergio Muñoz, who is a grad student in Film Production there; he’s also the host of the 300-plus episode strong “Esta-Okay” film podcast, where he reviews new releases and film festivals, AND he's an award winning filmmaker to boot. Join us as we talk about 1996, when we were in college and he was NOT EVEN BORN YET.

Sponsored by MUBI.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1946 with Stephanie Zacharek

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 09:16:22 GMT

Stephanie Zacharek - film critic for TIME magazine and Pulitzer Prize finalist - has always loved the movies of the 1940s. But 1946 is particularly special to her, because of the potent complexity of theme and emotion in these post-war pictures - and because of one film in particular, which pulls off the very rare A VERY GOOD YEAR hat-trick.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1989 with John Pierson

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 06:10:30 GMT

John Pierson wrote the definitive book about '90s independent cinema, "Spike, Mike, Slackers, & Dykes," and he wrote it from the inside - he was the producer's rep who made the deals that put such legendary pictures as "She's Gotta Have It," "Roger & Me," "Slacker," and "Clerks" on your screens. He brings that insider's perspective to our conversation about the year 1989, a crucial tipping point in the indie scene's move to the mainstream.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1993 with Karina Longworth

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 07:19:38 GMT

Karina Longworth basically invented the film history podcast with her meticulously researched and ridiculously entertaining “You Must Remember This” (if you heard our “Fun City Cinema” show, you can tell we’re fans). She just kicked off her new season, “Erotic ‘90s,” so she was kind enough to pay us a visit and talk about her favorite year of that decade, 1993, and her favorite films of it, erotic and non. All that, plus Jason discovering he and Karina had very similar tween years!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1978 with Soraya Nadia McDonald

Sun, 09 Apr 2023 07:37:10 GMT

Our first (but not last!) Pulitzer Prize finalist guest, Soraya Nadia McDonald brings her experience in multiple fields - sportswriting, theatre criticism, television, AND film - to her rundown of her favorite movies of 1978, a mixture of films she grew up adoring and discovered as a budding cinephile. Plus: A headlines segment full of tragedies, from Jonestown to ‘The Star Wars Holiday Special.’

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1991 with Brian Tallerico

Sun, 02 Apr 2023 07:17:47 GMT

We're back with another episode (recorded) live from SXSW in Austin, Texas, where Brian Tallerico - managing editor of RogerEbert.com, president of the Chicago Film Critics Association, and film-and-TV-critic-at-large - talks to us about the magical year of 1991. He was a wide-eyed 16-year-old moviegoer that year, and his favorites of the year (some of which you'll guess, some of which may surprise you) greatly informed his thinking on genre, authorial voice, and film theory. Plus, find out why he wore an armband to school for part of the year!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1949 with Raquel Stecher

Sun, 26 Mar 2023 07:31:33 GMT

Raquel Stecher has spent most of her career writing about classic movies, so it doesn't come as a shock that she's dipped back into the 1940s for her very good year - 1949, to be precise, the year that marked the beginning of the end for the studio system. It was also the golden age of film noir, so her top five is bursting with examples and variations on the genre (as well as a VERY non-noir turn by one of its icons).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1980 with April Wright

Sun, 19 Mar 2023 09:25:20 GMT

April Wright is our favorite kind of documentary filmmaker, because she makes movies about movies. Her latest, “Back to the Drive-In” (out now!) looks at drive-in exhibition in the COVID era - and she picked 1980, a year of great drive-in movies (and movies in general).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1971 with Charles Bramesco

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 08:17:50 GMT

Film critic and author Charles Bramesco had to look at movies in a new and different way while researching and writing his new book, "Colors of Film: The Story of Cinema in 50 Palettes" (out this week) which examines filmmaking through the prism of color. And one of his favorite eras, for that book and as a film lover in general, is the 1970s - so he selected 1971, a year in which the movies were smart, daring, experimental, and (at least in his top five) extremely horny. Plus, hear about the best single release week of the year (maybe the decade), when two all-timers hit theaters one day apart!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1985 with W Axel Foley

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 09:12:19 GMT

There are allllllll sorts of ‘80s classics that hit theaters in the year 1985, but our guest (and friend) W. Axel Foley of the DVR Podcast Network went in some WILD directions for his top five of the year, plucking out some less-discussed documentaries, sci-fi, and more. Plus, Axel is roughly the same age as Jason and Mike, so hear all about how this year’s headlines deeply traumatized us all!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1974 with Isabel Sandoval

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 08:05:57 GMT

Filmmaker and actress Isabel Sandoval (“Señorita,” “Aparisyon,” "Lingua Franca”) went to a rather non-traditional film school: the pirated DVD stores of Philippines flea markets. It was there that she discovered the auteurs of the 1970s, the giants of American and world cinema who made that era what it was, and she chose the year 1974 - perhaps the MOST 1970s year of the 1970s. Listen in for our thoughts on Akerman, Passolini, Coppola, Polanski, and Richard Nixon, who was shown the door during this very eventful year.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1964 with Frank Conniff

Sun, 19 Feb 2023 08:07:57 GMT

Frank Conniff is best known for commenting on bad movies - via his five seasons as "TV's Frank" on "Mystery Science Theater 3000" and his subsequent riffing on "Cinematic Titanic" and "The Mads are Back" - so he was delighted to talk about good movies for once. He joined us specifically to talk about the good movies of 1964, many of which he saw as a kid; he also insightfully explains why, for him, this was the year when "The Sixties" really began. Plus, find out what marquee name filmmakers of the '60s Frank sees as geniuses, and which are merely homework!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1979 with Bradford Young

Sun, 12 Feb 2023 11:01:17 GMT

Oscar-nominated cinematographer Bradford Young ("Arrival, "Selma," "Solo: A Star Wars Story") was only two years old in 1979, so he discovered that year's movies while in film school - and was amazed by how the films of this era spoke to not only his artistic but political self. In this week's exhilarating episode, Bradford breaks down the technical aspects of '70s cinema, sells us on his favorite film of all time, and has some choice words for mainstream movie-making circa 2023. It's a must-listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2000 with David Sims

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 09:11:44 GMT

“Blank Check with Griffin & David” co-host and “Atlantic” film critic David Sims was but a wee lad (in London!) in the year 2000, and looking back, he thinks of it as the year he truly became a cinephile. He joins Mike and Jason to discuss his internationally diverse top five, and to chuckle good-naturedly through more Conan O’Brien “In the year 2000!” audio drops than he probably intended.

0:00 - Introduction

10:16 - Headlines

19:00 - Top 5

49:00 - Award Winners & Box Office

1:13:00 - Lightning Round

1:19:35 - Wrapping it up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1959 with Aisha Harris

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 09:44:46 GMT

As co-host of NPR’s “Pop Culture Happy Hour” (and host of the late, lamented “Represent”), Aisha Harris is very tuned in to the politics of contemporary popular culture, and what movies are subtly (or not so subtly) telling us about race, sex, and class. But she also looooooves old movies, even when there are contradictions and hypocrisies to grapple with. And there are plenty of both in her favorite movies of 1959 - and an abundance of beauty, humor, and romance as well.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1975 with Sean Burns

Sun, 22 Jan 2023 08:57:36 GMT

Jason and film critic Sean Burns have something in common (besides their warm, winning dispositions and unimpeachable affection for the MCU): they were both born in the year 1975, which is one of the many reasons Sean selected it for his very good year. But there are others, including an all-killer-no-filler top five and a rare year where the Oscar winners and box office champions were mostly quite good. Imagine that!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1999 with Drew McWeeny

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 08:02:17 GMT

Jason, Mike, and film critic, historian, and Substacker extraordinaire Drew McWeeny take on the formidable task of breaking down 1999, a movie year so juicy that it has inspired entire podcasts and books of its own. “There was that feeling in ’99 that it was a really special moment,” Drew explains, and picking a top five was a tough task, so check out what made the cut. Plus: why that year’s Oscar winners and box office top 10 are such a bummer!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1955 with Scott Tobias

Sun, 08 Jan 2023 09:09:49 GMT

Scott Tobias - the legend of “The AV Club” and “The Dissolve,” currently of “The Reveal” and “The Next Picture Show” podcast - joins us for our first foray into the 1950s. It’s a decade regarded by many as something of a dead zone for cinema, a notion that Mr. Tobias is here to push back on, with vigor, as he tells us why 1955 was such an extraordinary year for movies here and abroad.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1987 with Bilge Elbiri

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 08:09:10 GMT

Vulture film critic Bilge Ebiri has a photographic memory for 1987, the year when he first became a movie obsessive, thanks to a potent combination of formative flicks by the Coen Brothers and Berardo Bertolucci. But he also has some curveballs on his top five, including one with a lot to say about 1987’s headlines (which are intense!).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BONUS - NYC Christmas Movies with Alonso Duralde

Sat, 24 Dec 2022 10:55:04 GMT

Mike and Jason used to do this whole other podcast called “Fun City Cinema,” and also had a Patreon for it, with bonus episodes. And in December 2020, they had Wrap film critic, prolific podcaster, and Christmas movie expert Alonso Duralde on to talk about three New York City Christmas movie classics - the first iteration of the two-hosts-and-a-guest format that made its way to “A Very Good Year.” So, as a Christmas bonus, we’re happy to re-share this episode with you, and to encourage you to pick up Alonso’s books “Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas Movies.” Happy holidays!!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1967 with Millie De Chirico

Sun, 18 Dec 2022 09:20:13 GMT

Programmer, podcaster, and author Millie De Chirico is anything but predictable, as anyone who’s watched her late-night TCM Underground block (or read its new, essential companion book) can attest. So when she picked 1967, one of the all-time great movie years, for her appearance on this week’s show, Jason and Mike thought they knew what they were in for. They had no idea.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1976 with Noah Segan

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 07:37:30 GMT

When Noah Segan - the beloved character actor familiar from such films as “Knives Out,” “Deadgirl," “Looper,” “Brick,” and “Starry Eyes” - made his feature writing and directing debut on his new film “Blood Relatives,” he drew on one of the richest eras of cinema: the 1970s, and specifically the topic of today’s conversation, the year 1976. ”Blood Relatives” is now streaming on Shudder, and Noah’s episode of “A Very Good Year” is a hoot, so enjoy them both!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2001 with Keith Phipps

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 14:00:01 GMT

The first year of the 21st century was an important one for Keith Phipps, the beloved writer behind the AV Club, the Dissolve, and the first-rate critical biography “Age of Cage.” And it was an important one for the movie industry, as well as for America itself (this week’s headlines section is especially crowded). Plus: find out the 2001 release Keith compares to disliking puppies!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2003 with Karen Han

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 11:47:44 GMT

Karen Han is a culture writer, screenwriter, author, and all-around delight; her new book, “Bong Joon-Ho: Dissident Cinema,” was just released by ABRAMS Books. She joins Jason and Mike to walk down the memory lane of moviegoing in 2003, and her top 5 may surprise you!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1927 with Dana Stevens

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 19:09:10 GMT

This week, Jason and Mike welcome Dana Stevens – Slate film critic, “Slate Culture Gabfest” co-host, and author of “Camera Man,” one of our favorite books of the year – to talk about one of the most important years in cinema history. 1927 was, famously, the year that saw the release of both the first “talkie” and the first Oscar winner for Best Picture, but Dana’s top five is focused on some of the most innovative and inspiring movies of the silent era. Plus: as you’d expect from the author of “Camera Man,” not one but TWO Buster Keaton movies!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2007 with Roxana Hadadi

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 09:12:39 GMT

Jason and Mike are joined by Vulture TV critic and ace film critic Roxana Hadadi, who explains why 2007 was “the last hopeful year of America,” despite how many bleak movies landed in her top five. (And not to spoil, but as anyone who follows her on Twitter knows, there will be “Michael Clayton” love.) Plus: find out what movie she says “the most correct and the most annoying men on Twitter stan for.”

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1931 with Alex Winter

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 09:44:46 GMT

Jason and Mike welcome beloved actor (the “Bill & Ted” trilogy, “The Lost Boys”) and director (“Zappa,” the upcoming “The YouTube Effect") Alex Winter to discuss his favorite movie year, 1931. It was a pivotal year for the language of cinema – silent movies, it turns out, were not dead yet – and for the increasing visibility and prominence of foreign filmmakers. Plus: headlines, early Oscar winners, and more!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teaser

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 20:00:52 GMT

“Fun City Cinema” hosts Jason Bailey and Mike Hull proudly present “A Very Good Year,” a new podcast with a simple premise: each week we invite a guest (filmmakers and actors, critics and historians, comedians and musicians) who loves movies, and ask them to select their favorite year of movies. Some pick a year from their movie-going past; some go deep into film history. Whichever the case, we spent (about) an hour talking about that year: we ask them to share their top five films of the year, and tell us why they love them; we look at the year’s news headlines, award winners, and box office champions; and we finish with a lightning round, where we talk about as many films as possible in as few minutes as possible.

“A Very Good Year” debuts this fall; our guests include Bilge Ebiri, Roxana Hadadi, Keith Phipps, Drew McWeeny, Dana Stevens, and Alex Winter.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.