Shows
This Movie Saved My LifeTop 5 Zombie Films (with Shawn C. Baker)In this episode, we're joined by friend of the show and host of The Horror Vision podcast. Listen as we talk about 28 Years Later and our top five zombie movies of all time. 2025-07-021h 18This Movie Saved My LifeAirplane!Listen as John and Miles discuss why Airplane is the greatest comedy film of all time. 2025-06-2053 minThis Movie Saved My LifeJaws: 50th AnniversaryJohn and Miles discuss why Jaws, 50 years later, is still a perfect film. 2025-05-261h 01This Movie Saved My LifeUnwatchable IIWe're back with another installment of Unwatchable. Listen as the hosts assign each other a film that they think will make the other recoil in horror. 2025-05-141h 14This Movie Saved My LifeRe-release: UnwatchableWhile co-host John recovers from surgery, listen to our classic episode "Unwatchable" from 2021. We'll be back in May with "Unwatchable: Part 2," where the hosts assign each other films they think the other would struggle to sit through. 2025-04-281h 07This Movie Saved My LifeMiles Watches Unforgiven (A Gene Hackman Tribute)In the latest episode, John and Miles pay tribute to the late Gene Hackman by discussing Clint Eastwood's noir-western Unforgiven (1992) and Hackman's noteworthy films. 2025-03-3037 minThis Movie Saved My LifeLos Angeles and Film Series: CollateralJohn and Miles are back with a new installment in their recurring Los Angeles and Film series: Collateral (Michael Mann, 2004), starring Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise. Listen as the two discuss the film and recount their favorite L.A. night driving moments. 2025-02-2745 minThis Movie Saved My LifeHundreds of BeaversIn our latest episode, John and Miles chat about films they've seen recently, why Spielberg's The Fablemans is too safe, and the hilarious insanity that is Hundreds of Beavers (Mike Cheslik, 2022). 2025-02-1347 minThis Movie Saved My LifeDavid Lynch, L.A. Fires, and why John and Miles won't back down.In this episode, John and Miles discuss their thoughts on the passing of director David Lynch, as well as the impact of the L.A. fires and finding courage in the face of troubling times. 2025-01-271h 00This Movie Saved My LifeNosferatu (and Miles and John's favorite vampire films)Listen as John and Miles break down Robert Eggers's long-awaited Nosferatu remake, as well as some of their favorite vampire films of all time. 2024-12-3151 minThis Movie Saved My LifeBest of 2024Listen as John and Miles discuss their favorite films and television series for 2024. 2024-12-2350 minThis Movie Saved My LifeTop 5 of 1999John and Miles reflect on films of 1999, 25 years on. What films made their top 5 list?2024-12-131h 03This Movie Saved My LifeAnoraListen as John and Miles discuss the aftermath of the election and Sean Baker's new film Anora, the perfect post-election film. 2024-11-201h 14This Movie Saved My LifeAlienFor our Halloween episode, we dive deep into one of John's favorite films, Ridley Scott's 1979 masterpiece Alien.2024-10-3155 minThis Movie Saved My LifeTop 5 directors we wish would do a horror filmSpecial guest Shawn Baker from The Horror Vision podcast is back! In this episode, John, Miles, and Shawn share their top 5 directors that they wish would do a horror movie. 2024-10-2358 minThis Movie Saved My LifeThe Election EpisodeMiles and John sit down to talk politics and the upcoming election by taking the listeners on a personal journey through the films that help us make sense of it all. 2024-10-1950 minThis Movie Saved My LifeMegalopolisJohn and Miles discuss Francis Ford Coppola's latest film Megalopolis. Did we enjoy it or did we head for the hills? Listen and find out. Follow up on instagram @thismoviesavedmylife2024-10-0546 minThis Movie Saved My LifeWere we wrong?We're back! In this episode, John and Miles talk about films that they may have been wrong about after their first viewing. Which films did they grow to like? Which films did they eventually dislike? 2024-09-2757 minThis Movie Saved My LifeFood and FilmWe're off for early September, but we'll be back in two weeks with a new episode. In the meantime, enjoy our throwback episode from early 2021 on Food and Film, featuring restauranteur and chef Monica Dimas. 2024-09-101h 55This Movie Saved My LifeThe Tarantino EpisodeTook us long enough to do a Tarantino episode. It's here now. Listen as John and Miles discuss their experiences with Tarantino's films, from Reservoir Dogs to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. 2024-08-211h 23This Movie Saved My LifeThe Bear Season 3Listen as John and Miles discuss the latest season of the Hulu series The Bear, as well as 70 mm film festivals, 90s music, and why Olivia Coleman would be fun to party with. 2024-07-3152 minThis Movie Saved My LifeMaxxxineListen as John and Miles discuss Ti West's latest film Maxxxine. 2024-07-1748 minThis Movie Saved My Life1994: A Year in Cinema (Part 3 with guest Sam Coale)In our third and final episode of our 1994 retrospective, John and Miles are joined by filmmaker and podcaster Sam Coale (Back to the Frame Rate podcast and Walks of World) to discuss the action thriller Speed, starring Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, and Dennis Hopper. 2024-06-261h 19This Movie Saved My Life1994: A Year in Cinema (Part Two with special guest Shawn C. Baker)We are joined once again with special guest Shawn C. Baker from The Horror Vision podcast to continue our exploration of films from 1994. Listen as we talk about John Carpenter's In the Mouth of Madness, Charles Burnett's The Glass Shield, Kevin Smith's Clerks, and Danny Boyle's Shallow Grave. 2024-06-141h 30This Movie Saved My Life1994: A Year in Cinema (Part One)The first part of our 1994 retrospective. Listen as John and Miles deep dive into Peter Jackson's "Heavenly Creatures," Tim Burton's "Ed Wood," Atom Egoyan's "Exotica," and Frank Darabont's The Shawshank Redemption. 2024-05-211h 41This Movie Saved My LifeExploitation films (or, how trash can save cinema)In our latest episode, John and Miles talk about exploitation films of the 60s and 70s , and how these films have much to teach us about possible solutions to Hollywood's present-day crisis. 2024-04-181h 15This Movie Saved My LifeMiles watches The Godfather for the first timeWe're back. John became a Dad. Miles became a Godfather. So they decided to continue with the family theme and discuss Francis Ford Coppola's landmark film. 2024-03-261h 10This Movie Saved My LifeFamily films: The Master and ShopliftersMiles and John chat about family films, focusing on Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master and Kore-eda's Shoplifters. We also chat about True Detective: Night Country, Fallen Leaves, and The Holdovers. 2024-02-211h 06This Movie Saved My LifeSeattle University Filmmakers ClubJohn returns to Seattle University for a live audience recording of This Movie Saved My Life with the Seattle University Filmmakers Club. Miles joins virtually from a snowbound Bellingham, and with their audience they talk about some of their favorite filmgoing experiences and university screenings. 2024-01-2243 minThis Movie Saved My LifeMaestro and Classical Music Films (with guest Armen Yampolsky)John and Miles are joined by special guest musician Armen Yampolsky for a discussion on Maestro (Bradley Cooper, 2023), the real Leonard Bernstein, classical music in film, and biographical films. 2024-01-1553 minThis Movie Saved My LifeTop 5 of 2023John and Miles give their top 5 for 2023, plus honorable mentions. 2024-01-101h 09This Movie Saved My LifeHappy Holidays, Huckleberry: 30th Anniversary of TombstoneFor our holiday episode, Miles and John discuss their favorite Christmas films and the 30th anniversary of the release of Tombstone. 2023-12-2257 minThis Movie Saved My LifeMiles watches the Big Lebowski for the first timeMiles watches The Big Lebowski for the first time. For our next installment of our L.A. on Film series, John and Miles talk about the Coen Brother's L.A. noir comedy, which celebrates its 25 year anniversary this year. 2023-12-1249 minThis Movie Saved My LifeThe Killer vs Le SamouraiJohn and Miles discuss David Fincher's latest film The Killer alongside Jean-Pierre Melville's neo-noir masterpiece Le Samourai (1967)2023-11-1750 minThis Movie Saved My LifeHalloween episode: Lamb and The LighthouseWe're back with our special guest, singer and songwriter Courtney Fortune, for another conversation about all things spooky and macabre. In this episode, we talk about Lamb (2021) and The Lighthouse (2019). 2023-10-311h 27This Movie Saved My Life90's Horror (with Shawn C. Baker)We're joined by podcaster and writer Shawn C. Baker from The Horror Vision podcast to talk about Fallen (1998) and 90s horror films. 2023-09-151h 07This Movie Saved My LifeBarbenheimer, farewell to Jane Birkin, and WGA/SAG strike.John and Miles discuss Barbenheimer, other recent films they've seen, SAG/WGA strike, and a farewell to Jane Birkin, Angus McCloud, and Paul Reubens. 2023-08-171h 25This Movie Saved My LifeThe Bear Season 2John and Miles talk about Indiana Jones, why Wes Anderson films are just ok, the WGA strike, and season 2 of The Bear. 2023-07-1450 minThis Movie Saved My LifeDriveIn their new installment of "Los Angeles and Film," John and Miles talk about Nicolas Winding Refn's Neo-noir masterpiece Drive. 2023-06-0952 minThis Movie Saved My LifeJohn and Miles Pull ANOTHER All-NighrerJohn and Miles do another all-night episode. Listen as they dive in to 4 surprise films. 2023-05-1520 minThis Movie Saved My LifeThe Last of UsJohn and Miles discuss the new HBO drama series The Last of Us. Listen as we talk about Mortal Kombat, panoramic spectacle, the show's scariest moment, and the best performances. We also have some questions for listeners who have played the video game. 2023-05-031h 07This Movie Saved My LifeWhy we love 90s filmsListen as John and Miles discuss what is great and not-so-great about films from the 1990s, focusing on The Fugitive (Andrew Davis, 1993) and Fallen Angels (Wong Kar Wai, 1995).2023-03-2851 minThis Movie Saved My LifeCocaine BearJohn and Miles talk about Cocaine Bear. Enough said. 2023-03-0245 minThis Movie Saved My LifeSympathetic Villains and Sundance Film FestivalJohn and Miles discuss recent film releases, the Sundance Film Festival, and what makes a sympathetic villain. 2023-01-271h 00This Movie Saved My LifeMerry Christmas, Mr. FortuneIn this end of the year episode, John and Miles discuss the magic of David Bowie: "Moonage Daydream" (Brett Morgan, 2022) and "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" (Nagisa Oshima, 1983)2022-12-1757 minThis Movie Saved My LifeRRR and PearlJohn and Miles gush over Pearl (Ti West, 2022) and RRR (SS Rajamouli, 2022), and give a lukewarm reaction to White Lotus. 2022-11-2352 minThis Movie Saved My LifeWhy are horror movies comforting?Happy Halloween from This Movie Saved My Life podcast! Listen as John and Miles are joined by Mile's sister: singer and songwriter Courtney Fortune. In this episode, the three of them discuss why they love horror films, as well as conversations about Possession (1981), Phenomena (1985), The Host (2006/2020), and All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006). Additionally, John and Miles would like to draw their listener's attention to Cinematehran.nyc on social media, a world cinema organization showcasing important films from Iran. This Movie Saves My Life podcast stands in firm solidarity with the protests taking place in Iran. The...2022-10-281h 09This Movie Saved My LifePrey (2022) and The Revenant (2015)Miles and John talk about Prey (2022) and The Revenant (2015): two masterful films about the dark side of America's colonial legacy, indigenous history, and environmental destruction. We also discuss recent films such as Pearl, Moonage Daydream, and The Good Boss. 2022-09-3048 minThis Movie Saved My LifeHulu's "The Bear" and Jordan Peele's "Nope"Miles and John talk about the Hulu series The Bear, Jordan Peele's Nope, road trips through New England, Stephen King's scariest (audible.com) novel, and Emily the Criminal. 2022-08-2055 minThis Movie Saved My LifeThe Films of Sean BakerJohn and Miles explore the films of Sean Baker: Starlet (2012), Tangerine (2015), The Florida Project (2017), and Red Rocket (2021), as well as Fellini's 8 1/2 and Top Gun: Maverick. 2022-07-221h 00This Movie Saved My LifeClimax vs Euphoria (and Danny Boyle's Pistol)John and Miles are back to talk about how Gaspar Noe's Climax and HBO's Euphoria is the ultimate double feature pairing. They also discuss the A24 aesthetic and Danny Boyle's Hulu drama Pistol. 2022-06-2758 minThis Movie Saved My LifeHeat (Michael Mann, 1995)In our second installment of Los Angeles and Film, Miles and I discuss Michael Mann's epic L.A. crime drama Heat. Listen as we discuss L.A. geography and rank Pacino films based on the amount of yelling. 2022-06-0753 minThis Movie Saved My LifeSpecial guest Tova GannanaMiles and I travel to the Bainbridge Island Art Museum, where we are joined by special guest: writer and film programmer Tova Gannana. Listen as we discuss how to teach history with film, Marilyn Monroe, Will Smith, 50s melodrama, and much more! 2022-05-091h 07This Movie Saved My LifeSeattle International Film Festival ReviewListen as Miles and I discuss our favorite films from the Seattle International Film Festival2022-04-2955 minThis Movie Saved My LifeYou Won't Be AloneListen as John and Miles talk about You Won't Be Alone (Goran Stolevski, 2022).2022-04-1241 minThis Movie Saved My LifeDesert MoviesJohn and Miles talk about films set in the desert, The Batman, The Godfather 50th anniversary restoration, and Euphoria.2022-03-251h 06This Movie Saved My LifeWe Stand With UkraineLast weekend, Miles and John planned on recording a spoiler-filled take on Worst Person in the World. As we release the episode, we would like to offer a statement of solidarity with the Ukrainian people:"John and I firmly stand for the Ukrainian people facing a senseless war against Putin and his delusional and cruel regime. We strongly encourage you visit (for example) the NPR and Fortune Magazine’s list of comprehensive resources to assist in any way you can, as well as to check social media as it seems new and increasingly direct ways to...2022-02-2840 minThis Movie Saved My LifeSamurai Showdown: Seven Samurai vs 13 AssassinsJohn and Miles clash swords over samurai films, Licorice Pizza, The Worst Person in the World, and A Bronx Tale. Oh, and if you're a musician or in a band, we'd love to hear from you. 2022-02-211h 07This Movie Saved My LifeFrankfurt, we see youListen as we talk about German cinema, Noir City Festival, the 90s, and why John sounds like Jim Jarmusch.2022-01-3153 minThis Movie Saved My LifeEyes Wide Shut: The Best Christmas Movie EverWhat makes Eyes Wide Shut the best Christmas movie ever? Join John and Miles as they discuss Stanley Kubrick's swan song and other recent films they've seen in the run up to the holidays. 2021-12-2159 minThis Movie Saved My LifeSquid GameJohn and Miles talk about Squid Game, House of Gucci, Dune, Tiger King, and more. 2021-11-2155 minThis Movie Saved My LifeOctober Saved My LifeIt's our favorite time of year. Listen as Miles and John talk about why October is their favorite month for movies. 2021-10-2558 minThis Movie Saved My Life"Los Angeles. They Make Movies Here."Listen as Miles and I discuss Them Andersen's Los Angeles Plays Itself and David Lynch's Mulholland Drive in the first installment of our recurring "Los Angeles and Cinema" series. 2021-09-201h 09This Movie Saved My LifeJohn and Miles Pull an All-NighterJoin John and Miles as they stay up all night watching movies. What films did they pick? Find out in our latest episode. 2021-08-2637 minThis Movie Saved My LifeWho's Afraid of Barry Lyndon?Listen as Miles and I discuss why Kubrick's masterpiece Barry Lyndon is "the greatest virtual reality film ever made." 2021-07-1458 minThis Movie Saved My LifeUnwatchableMiles and I explore difficult and "unwatchable" movies from different angles. Some movies are too dated. Some movies are too wedded to the subcultures they depict. Some movies are too violent, risqué, or exploitative. And others are stylistically or aesthetically inaccessible to some. What do we think? Join us in a conversation on Kings Row (Sam Wood, 1942), Suburbia (Penelope Spheeris, 1983), Celine and Julie Go Boating (Jacques Rivette, 1974), and Kuroneko (Kaneto Shindo, 1968).2021-06-161h 07This Movie Saved My LifeFoodie FilmsJohn and Miles are joined by Seattle restauranteur Monica Dimas to talk about their favorite foodie films (from fine dining to fast food): Moonlight (Barry Jenkins, 2016), Like Water for Chocolate (Alfonso Arau, 1992), Tampopo (Juzo Itami, 1985), Chunking Express (Wong Kar Wai, 1995), La Ricotta (Pier Paolo Pasolini, 1962), and Big Night (Stanley Tucci, 1996).2021-05-281h 55This Movie Saved My LifeFilm and ColorJohn and Miles talk about some of their favorite films with vibrant and intense color palettes: Apocalypse Now (Francis Ford Coppola, 1979), The Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome (Kenneth Anger, 1954), Kagemusha (Akira Kurosawa, 1980), Samadhi (Jordan Belson, 1968), The Holy Mountain (Alejandro Jodorosky, 1973), and La Chinoise (Jean-Luc Godard, 1967)2021-04-261h 32