Shows
FilmspottingIndependence Day at 30: America Saves the Universe | #1071Adam and Josh celebrate the holiday weekend with a "Blind Cow" review of Independence Day, the #1 movie at the box office back in '96. Thirty summers after its release, Adam catches up with Roland Emmerich's alien-invasion spectacle, and Josh (originally a fan) sees if it holds up. Plus, a summer-themed edition of Massacre Theatre and a recap of last weekend's 2nd annual Filmspotting Fest, which featured appearances from Trey Edward Schultz (Krisha), Marguerite Moreau (Wet Hot American Summer), Agnés Varda biographer Carrie Rickey, and Michael Phillips. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you...
2026-07-031h 26
FilmspottingToy Story 5 and The Death of Robin Hood, plus Rose of Nevada | #1070Is Toy Story 5 an inspired reorienting of the venerable Pixar franchise, or a tired rehash? Adam and Josh offer differing takes. Plus, Adam reviews Michael Sarnoski's bleak but intriguing The Death of Robin Hood, Josh recommends Mark Jenkin’s Rose of Nevada, an avant-garde ghost story set in a UK fishing village, and an "evil genius" ‘90s blockbuster poll question. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (0...
2026-06-261h 27
FilmspottingDisclosure Day: Can Spielberg Make Us Believe Again? | #1069Adam and Josh review Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day, praising star Emily Blunt and the impeccably staged action while questioning whether Spielberg and screenwriter David Koepp’s spiritual sequel to Close Encounters of the Third Kind captures the same sense of wonder. Then, Adam (finally) reviews the hit live-action/CGI hybrid The Sheep Detectives, plus Massacre Theatre. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:01:50) Discl...
2026-06-191h 08
FilmspottingHBO’s Miss You Love You Belongs On Stage | SVUMatt and Jordan review HBO’s Sundance acquisition Miss You Love You. And while Jordan finds it to be a handsome, moving, and well-acted "filmed play", Matt finds too modest and predictable. For Rec Seg, Matt revisits the grueling, ice-cold dread of corporate culture with a 2019 workplace thriller, while Jordan counters with a classic 1982 Sidney Lumet thriller packed with more twists, turns -- and smooches! Finally, Jordan takes the reins as Dungeon Master for a game called On a Wing and a Prayer. Chapters / Timecodes (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise wi...
2026-06-161h 35
FilmspottingObsession and Power Ballad: Be Careful What You Wish For | #1068Adam and Josh catch up with the summer's surprise hit Obsession, the “monkey’s paw” update from YouTube creator turned first-time feature-director Curry Barker. Then, it’s John Carney’s Power Ballad, with Paul Rudd as a down-on-his-luck wedding singer who has a chance encounter with a former boy band star played by Nick Jonas. Plus, poll results and listener feedback on Rudd's best supporting roles. Intro (00:00:00-00:01:57) Obsession (00:01:58-00:41:33) Filmspotting Family (00:41:34-00:47:17) Notes / New Poll (00:47:18-00:55:42) Poll Results: Paul Rudd (00:55:43-01:01:34) Power Ballad (01:01:35-01:22:38) Credits...
2026-06-121h 27
FilmspottingNetflix’s The Crash is an Ethical Sinkhole | SVUMatt and Jordan review Netflix's massive true crime tabloid horror hit, The Crash, a direct-to-streaming look at the tragic Mackenzie Sherilla case. Jordan walks away feeling like he needs a shower for his soul, while Matt thanks his lucky stars that social media didn't exist when he was a youngster. For Rec Seg, Matt challenges the "drek" of the true crime genre by recommending an Oscar-nominated Netflix doc and Jordan counters with a 2018 indie drama that offers a nuanced take on the endless scroll. Listener requests yield recommendations for a 1945 "hardcore British" romance and 2012 Sundance...
2026-06-091h 29
FilmspottingBackrooms and Exit 8: Liminality vs. Narrativity | #1067Adam and Josh step into the uncanny world of eerie, empty spaces to ask whether 2026 is the year of liminal horror. First up: YouTube curiosity turned box office phenom Backrooms. Then, Exit 8, an inspired video game adaptation from Japan that’s equal parts Groundhog Day and The Shining. Plus, Massacre Theatre. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes reflect the raw transcript audio tracks and may vary slightly with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:01:55) Backro...
2026-06-051h 17
FilmspottingJack Ryan: Ghost War is a Simulacrum of Cinema | SVUMatt and Jordan review Prime Video’s Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War, a straight-to-streaming title they are branding "movie Toferky." For Rec Seg, the duo finds comfort in the Paramount Plus vaults, with Jordan revisiting the Tom Clancy masterpiece that started it all, and Matt countering with a series sequel featuring Harrison Ford's bookworm Boy Scout desk-jockey. Then, a personalized recommendation request from listener Patrick sparks a highly volatile intra-pod war. While Jordan goes with a ‘70s screwball classic, Matt goes full "Muppet Radical" with his recommendation for a late-period Muppet movie over the Jim Henson...
2026-06-021h 43
FilmspottingThe Mandalorian and Grogu and I Love Boosters | #1066Vulture critic Roxana Hadadi joins Adam to break down the first theatrical Star Wars feature in eight years, The Mandalorian and Grogu. They discuss whether its wall-to-wall action reveals true character, how the helmet creates a literal performance straitjacket, and if the film works for anyone walking into the theater without three seasons of television homework. Then, they pivot to a very different kind of crew in Boots Riley’s politically uncompromising sophomore feature I Love Boosters. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code...
2026-05-291h 36
FilmspottingTony Leung Talks Silent Friend, Plus Decorado and The Wizard of the Kremlin | #1065Adam sits down with legendary actor Tony Leung (In the Mood for Love, Chungking Express) to discuss his brilliant career and his new starring role in Ildiko Enyedi’s Silent Friend. Then Adam and Josh share their thoughts on the meditative multi-era drama itself, followed by reviews of Alberto Vasquez’s Spanish animated feature Decorado and Olivier Assayas's The Wizard of the Kremlin, which features Jude Law's terrifyingly charismatic portrayal of Vladimir Putin. Plus, Massacre Theatre! This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMS...
2026-05-221h 25
FilmspottingThe Tree of Life at 15: Malick’s Cosmic Masterpiece Revisited | #106415 years after its release, Adam and Josh return to the 1950s Waco of Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life. They discuss Malick’s bold attempt to voice the divine, mapping the books of Job and Genesis onto his narrative, and his attempt to reconcile the beauty of creation with the reality of suffering. Plus, details about Filmspotting Fest II: 68 Weeks Later, and a new poll that attempts to gauge listeners' enthusiasm for the upcoming Mandalorian and Grogu. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Us...
2026-05-151h 20
FilmspottingTop 5 Meryl Streep Scenes | #1063Meryl Streep is back as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada 2, and what better way to pay tribute to the best to ever do it than with a Top 5 devoted exclusively to her? Adam and Josh attempt to narrow down five decades of legendary work into a handful of essential scenes, ranging from Streep’s emotional precision in Sophie's Choice and Kramer vs. Kramer to her charming looseness in Adaptation. Plus, the long-awaited return of Massacre Theatre. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits...
2026-05-081h 46
FilmspottingThe Great Dictator: Chaplin’s Act of Artistic Nobility | Dissident CinemaFirst up in Filmspotting’s Dissident Cinema Marathon, Adam and Josh discuss Charlie Chaplin’s 1940 satire The Great Dictator. They explore how comedy becomes a weapon against fascism, the film’s surprising prescience and moral clarity, and the risks Chaplin took by calling out authoritarian power before much of the world was willing to do so. Links: -Filmspotting Marathons 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: -Join the Filmspottin...
2026-05-0440 min
FilmspottingSummer Movie Preview 2026 and ’40s Madness Champion | #1062Adam and Josh draft their way through the summer movie slate, weighing everything from major studio events like The Odyssey and Disclosure Day to director-driven wild cards such as Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma and Power Ballad. Also, the Filmspotting '40s Madness champion and plans for Madness '27 (and beyond). This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:03:39) Summer Preview – Pt. 1 (0...
2026-05-011h 32
FilmspottingMother Mary: More Than Religio-Goth Gestures?Adam and Josh discuss Mother Mary, the new film from David Lowery starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel. Part ghost story, part concert film, part chamber drama, the film traces the fraught creative and emotional bond between a pop star and her longtime collaborator as questions of art and control blur together. The conversation explores the film’s woozy dream-logic filmmaking and the moments where its ideas feel most arresting — and most difficult to reconcile. Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net -Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus conten...
2026-04-3035 min
FilmspottingTop 5 Movie Summers | ArchiveThe transition from spring to summer has long meant more than just a change in the weather; it marks the arrival of the definitive movie‑going season. In May 2022, Adam and Josh looked back at the most significant stretches of cinematic history for their Top 5 Movie Summers, ranked by the strength of their legendary slates, their cultural impact, and that unmistakable feeling of a sweltering July afternoon at the multiplex. Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you join the Filmspotting Family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2026-04-2950 min
FilmspottingApex and The Netflix House Style | SVUThis week on Filmspotting: SVU, Matt and Jordan tackle the new Netflix action-thriller Apex, starring Charlize Theron and Taryn Egerton. Inspired by Matt Damon’s recent comments on "the Netflix note," the duo investigates whether this Australia-set survival story is better than the average streaming title or another victim of Netflix's "house style" that caters to people doing the dishes. Plus, Jordan uncovers a bizarre cinematic trend involving beef jerky, Matt pays homage to the "undisputed queen of Netflix action," and the guys launch their first-ever Personalized Recommendation segment to help a listener find some deep-cut noirs. The...
2026-04-281h 31
FilmspottingThe Christophers: Art Is Hard. People Are Harder.Adam is joined by critic Chris Klimek to discuss Steven Soderbergh's latest, The Christophers. Starring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel, the film centers on the uneasy power dynamic between a once-celebrated artist and the forger drawn into his orbit. The conversation focuses on McKellen’s bracing late-career performance, Coel’s controlled counterpoint, and Soderbergh and screenwriter Ed Solomon’s refusal to resolve the film’s ideas into sentiment. Links: Follow Chris: Instagram | Bluesky | X Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net -Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus conte...
2026-04-2737 min
FilmspottingCitizen Kane vs. Casablanca and '40s Madness Final | #1061Is Casablanca the best film of the 1940s? Adam and Josh put it to the test in a head‑to‑head showdown with its fiercest competitor: Citizen Kane. As part of the Filmspotting Pantheon Project — and on the occasion of Kane’s 85th anniversary — the conversation digs into what each film says about America, power, and the promise (or illusion) of individualism. They also trace how the ’40s Madness bracket led to this championship matchup. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take...
2026-04-241h 15
FilmspottingA24 Draft | ArchiveA24 may have launched modestly in the early 2010s, but it didn’t take long for the indie distributor to reshape American cinema. To mark the company’s first decade — spanning Spring Breakers and The Bling Ring through Moonlight, Lady Bird, The Florida Project, and more — Adam and Josh convened the debut Filmspotting Draft in August 2022: ten A24 titles each, no shared picks, no trades, no fighting. Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you join the Filmspotting Family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2026-04-221h 12
FilmspottingBalls Up: The High Stakes of Low-Brow Comedy | SVUMatt and Jordan return with a review of Balls Up, debating if the Peter Farrelly formula still works on the small screen and whether they can actually recommend a movie involving cocaine-addicted crocodiles. Later, Matt revisits Empire Records, Jordan goes back to 1935 with The 39 Steps, and the team plays the first-ever round of "Key Chain." (Ep. #169) (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:02:58) Balls Up (00:02:59-00:34:13) Rec Seg + Radical Streaming Honesty (00:34:14-01:11:40) Game: Key Chain (01:11:41-01:29:18) New to Streaming / Credits (01:29:19-01:37:28) Notes:
2026-04-211h 37
FilmspottingTop 5 Robert Duvall Scenes and '40s Madness Final 4 | #1060Adam and Josh honor the late Robert Duvall with a Top 5 discussion of the scenes that best capture his range, authority, and restraint. From iconic bravura moments to quieter displays of control and vulnerability, the conversation traces performances that continue to define Duvall’s place in American cinema. Plus, the ’40s Madness bracket narrows to its Final 4 contenders. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:01:48...
2026-04-172h 04
FilmspottingThe Godfather Part II Review | ArchiveAfter reviewing The Godfather in 2022 for the film's 50th anniversary, Adam and Josh devoted a bonus show to — arguably — its even greater sequel. For the first time, we're sharing that review in the main Filmspotting feed. Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you join the Filmspotting Family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2026-04-1552 min
FilmspottingCoppola, Lucas, and Spielberg: How Success Changed the System — and ThemMichael Phillips talks with author Paul Fischer about The Last Kings of Hollywood and the fragile, collaborative moment that brought Coppola, Lucas, and Spielberg together before success hardened into mythology. From near-misses and rivalries to the system they helped build—and later found themselves up against—the conversation asks what was possible then, what was lost, and why none of it happens without people pushing one another. Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net -Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family...
2026-04-1346 min
FilmspottingThe Drama: A Split Decision and '40s Madness Elite 8 | #1059Adam and Josh review The Drama, Kristoffer Borgli’s provocative relationship experiment starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, and split on whether its formal games around perception, narrative, and moral judgment deepen the emotional stakes. They then break down the Elite 8 matchups in ’40s Madness and size up what’s left of the bracket. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:02:06) The Drama (00:02:07-00:43:21)
2026-04-101h 24
FilmspottingPantheon Inductions and Dissident Cinema Marathon AnnouncementAdam and Josh officially induct two films into the Filmspotting Pantheon, the show’s eclectic movie Hall of Fame, welcoming a pair of foreign‑language classics from two of the show’s most admired filmmakers. They walk through the Pantheon voting process, reflect on this year’s nominees, and explain how the final selections rose to the top.They also announce the lineup for the upcoming Dissident Cinema Marathon — a new series focused on films that confront political power and state abuse. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself...
2026-04-0939 min
FilmspottingTop 5 Horror Movies of the 21st Century | ArchiveOriginally recorded ten years ago during a conversation sparked by David Robert Mitchell’s It Follows, Adam is joined by Michael Phillips for a Top 5 about standout horror films from the 21st century. The conversation captures a moment tied to a film whose influence remains strong, with a sequel set to begin filming this summer. Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you join the Filmspotting Family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2026-04-0843 min
Filmspotting'40s Madness Sweet 16: An Upset Brewing?After two rounds entirely dominated by top seeds, could the first upset of ’40s Madness be brewing between Bicycle Thieves and Brief Encounter? Plus — thanks to the Filmspotting Bump™ — does The Best Years of Our Lives have what it takes to go toe‑to‑toe with It’s a Wonderful Life? Adam and Josh dig into the Sweet 16. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.)Intro (00:00:00-00:03:30) Round 2 Resul...
2026-04-0353 min
FilmspottingProject Hail Mary: Sensitivity in Space and '40s Madness Round 2 | #1058Adam and Josh review PROJECT HAIL MARY, exploring Ryan Gosling’s blend of humor, melancholy, and middle‑school‑teacher energy. They also discuss the practical effects approach that makes it all work before turning to Round 2 of '40s Madness. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:03:30) Project Hail Mary (00:03:31-00:33:55) Filmspotting Family (00:33:56-00:40:43) Notes / Save the Date (00:40:44-00:45:15)
2026-03-271h 19
FilmspottingMeek’s Cutoff: Why It Belongs in the PantheonAdam and Josh consider the Pantheon credentials of Kelly Reichardt’s MEEK’S CUTOFF, reflecting on its spare frontier world, questions of free will, and place in Reichardt’s larger American project. Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net -Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop.https://www.filmspotting.net/shop Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting ...
2026-03-2651 min
FilmspottingTop 5 Things From Space (That Came To Destroy Us) | ArchiveWith our PROJECT HAIL MARY review coming Friday, we’re revisiting a Filmspotting blast from beyond: 2014’s Top 5 Things From Space (That Came to Destroy Us). B-movies, classic sci-fi, and Arnold Schwarzenegger all make the cut. Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you join the Filmspotting Family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2026-03-2534 min
FilmspottingStand by Me at 40: Why It Still Hits Hard and '40s Madness Round 1 | #1057Why does STAND BY ME still resonate 40 years later? Adam and Josh revisit Rob Reiner’s classic, reflecting on its friendships, its wistfulness, and River Phoenix’s unforgettable performance. Plus: a review of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s THE BRIDE and a look at the Round 1 matchups of Filmspotting '40s Madness. Join the Filmspotting Family for the full archive, bonus episodes, ad‑free listening, and more: filmspottingfamily.com This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chap...
2026-03-201h 27
FilmspottingThe Martian Review | ArchiveInspired by the upcoming release of PROJECT HAIL MARY, Adam and Josh beam back to October 2015 when they suited up for THE MARTIAN — Ridley Scott’s brainy, big‑hearted sci‑fi rescue mission starring Matt Damon.Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you join the Filmspotting Family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2026-03-1821 min
FilmspottingOscars Predictions and Filmspotting Madness: 1940s Play‑Ins | #1056Adam, Josh, and Michael Phillips size up the Oscars with their annual rundown of who will win, who should win, and who was unfairly overlooked — plus the Filmspotting Madness: Best of the 1940s Play‑Ins. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:02:16) Supp. Actress (00:02:17-00:22:03) Supp. Actor (00:22:04-00:40:56) Lead Actor (00:40:57-00:56:52) Lead Actress (00:56:53-01:05:37) Director...
2026-03-132h 10