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Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles80 - 1995 Films RevisitedThis week, in a really fun compilation episode, we travel back to 1995! Thirty years ago! Nick and Bella (and a friend or two along the way) chat about the magical year of ’95 and some of the blockbuster movies that accompanied it. On the list today:From our Pixar Films episode, guest Max Sopkin and the gang discuss the OG Pixar movie, Toy Story.From our Val Kilmer Tribute episode, we revisit the highest-grossing film of 1995, Batman Forever.Finally, from our Holiday Romances episode, we bring it home with a lovely rom-com, While You Wer...2025-06-301h 16Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles79 - Category Is: Drag History (feat. Bailey Katler)We’re keeping the Pride celebration going this week with an episode all about the history of drag!Bella Efstratis is joined by a very special returning guest, Bailey Katler, to break down three essential documentaries that celebrate the art, power, and evolution of drag culture.First up: The Queen, which takes us inside the 1967 Miss All-America Camp Beauty Contest in New York City. Then, it’s Paris Is Burning — the iconic deep dive into the underground drag ball scene of the late ’80s. And finally, we close with the ultimate showstopper: I Am Divine, chronicling the life a...2025-06-231h 30Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles78 - Gregg Araki's Teenage Apocalypse TrilogyThis week, Bella is joined by special guests Melia and Henry Chendo to celebrate Pride with a look at Gregg Araki’s Teen Apocalypse Trilogy:Totally F***ed Up (1993)The Doom Generation (1995)Nowhere (1997)A trailblazer of New Queer Cinema, Araki captured the chaos of queer youth in the ’90s like no one else. These films are loud, sexy, surreal, and devastating — soaked in color, contradiction, and emotion.In this episode, we talk about his portrayal of the queer experience through his signature thematic and aesthetic style — how he balances camp comedy with emotional darkness, and how sex...2025-06-161h 24Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles77 - The View Askewniverse - Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma (feat. Max Sopkin)To celebrate the re-release of Dogma (which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary), Bella and Nick took a field trip to see the Kevin Smith classic on the big screen. We were joined by our good friend and returning guest, Max Sopkin. The trio discusses their theater experience and does a deep dive on Kevin Smith’s early career work. First up, we explore the industry-shaking “little movie that could: " the foul-mouthed and wildly hilarious cult classic Clerks. Second, we explore the deeper recesses of Kevin Smith’s romantic side in the uniqu...2025-06-091h 41Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles76 - Sinister Beaches: The Dark Side of ParadiseThis week, we’re heading to the shore—but not for the sunshine. Returning guest Michel Eljaiek joins co-host Bella Efstratis to explore the darker side of paradise through three beach-set thrillers that reveal just how quickly bliss can turn into terror.First up is Old (2021), M. Night Shyamalan’s eerie tale of a secluded beach where visitors age rapidly, confronting the horror of time and mortality.Then it’s The Beach (2000), Danny Boyle’s cult favorite starring Leonardo DiCaprio as a backpacker who discovers an idyllic island commune that slowly unravels into something far more sinister. And finally, th...2025-06-021h 05Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles75 - Mission: Impossible? Mission: Accomplished! (feat. Sonja Mereu)This week, we’re celebrating the release of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, which highlights three films with the biggest stunts, highest stakes, and most pulse-pounding, applaud-worthy finishes of the Mission: Impossible franchise. We start at the beginning, with Brian De Palma’s now legendary spy thriller. 1996’s Mission: Impossible. Second, we jump to the franchise’s fourth installment. Tom Cruise scales the highest building in the world in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. Finally, we deep-dive into one of the series' most emotionally satisfying films, Mission: Impossible - Fallout. In addition...2025-05-261h 23Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles74 - A Bear Called PaddingtonThis week, Paddington is officially joining the Gimme Three Podcast family! Join us as we dive into these three magical films that feel like storybooks brought to life!We start at the beginning with Paddington (2014), where a little bear from darkest Peru arrives in London and teaches the Brown family—and all of us—how kindness and a little marmalade can change everything. A cozy classic right from the start.Next, we dive into Paddington 2, a sequel that lives up to every bit of the hype (yes, Shrek 2 energy). Paddington's quest for the p...2025-05-191h 16Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles73 - Great Mother Characters (pt. 3) - Immigrant MothersIn celebration of Mother’s Day, we are revisiting one of our favorite themes: Great Mother Characters (our third installment). In this episode, we are highlighting immigrant mothers with three powerful and inspiring films. We start with the epic tale of generational courage, trauma, and perseverance in the 1993 classic Joy Luck Club. Second, an underrated gem that highlights the incredible sacrifice of immigrant mothers in Under the Same Moon. Finally, Irene Dunne’s Academy Award-nominated performance as Martha in the heartwarming classic, I Remember Mama. Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonder...2025-05-1257 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles72 - Three Amigos: Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo Del Toro, and Alejandro González IñárrituIn the late 1990s and early 2000s, three real-life friends broke into the Mexican and International film scenes and made their mark on the art form. Since then, Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo Del Toro, and Alejandro González Iñárritu have delivered several masterpieces and won several Academy Awards. In this episode, we highlight three of the filmmaker's finest early works:We start with Alfonso Cuarón’s breathtaking coming-of-age story, Y tu mamá también. Second, Guillermo Del Toro delivers a brilliant antifascist ghost story in The Devil’s Backbone.Fina...2025-05-051h 20Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles71 - Barbra Streisand Films (feat. Max Sopkin)Returning guest and friend of the show, Max Sopkin, returns for an in-depth episode on the legendary Barbra Streisand. After watching all nineteen of Streisand's films, Max has selected three that highlight the range, talent, and overall superstardom that Barbra possesses. - We start with Barbra Streisand's on-screen debut, her Oscar-winning performance in Funny Girl. - Second, a little-known and underrated gem, Up The Sandbox. - Finally, Streisand's powerhouse voice and superstar aura are on full display in the 1976 rock musical A Star Is Born. Also in this episode, Max ranks all...2025-04-281h 36Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles70 - Baseball FilmsWith Baseball season in full swing, we thought it’d be appropriate to dive into classic films that find a home on the diamond. America’s Favorite Pastime is the pastime of the Gimme Three Podcast this week. Listen to host Nicholas Ybarra's torment over his love/hate relationship with the sport, and find out if host Bella Efstratis was finally able to shed a tear for a sports movie. First up, the 1976 Michael Ritchie classic, The Bad News Bears. Crude, rude, and profane - but loaded with heart. Second, one of...2025-04-211h 26Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles69 - Val Kilmer FilmsOn this episode of the Gimme Three Podcast, we discuss the career of the late, great actor Val Kilmer; a life and saga cut short, but left several iconic performances. We explore a few here:First, Val Kilmer transforms every fiber of his being into Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s hypnotic masterpiece, The Doors. In one of the most memorable and quotable performances ever, Val Kilmer plays the dentist-turned-outlaw Doc Holliday in Tombstone. Finally, Val Kilmer becomes the Caped Crusader in the wild and memorable Batman Forever. This is just scratching the surface of Ki...2025-04-141h 16Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles68 - Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival Greatest Hits (vol. 2)The Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival will return to the big screen this August. Save the dates: August 22nd - 24th, 2025. Visit LADFF.com to join the festival’s mailing list and stay current with venues and programs.On today’s episode of the Gimme Three Podcast, we revisit some of the greatest hits from LADFF’s 10-year history. First, a flashback to our interview with actress/comedian Shannon DeVido, during which she discussed her romantic-comedy musical Best Summer Ever. The powerful short film 1, 2, 3, All Eyes On Me won Best of the Fest and Best P...2025-04-071h 01Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles67 - Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival Greatest Hits (vol. 1)The Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival will return to the big screen this August. Save the dates: August 22nd - 24th, 2025. Visit LADFF.com to join the festival’s mailing list and stay current with venues and programs. On today’s episode of the Gimme Three Podcast, we revisit some of the greatest hits from LADFF’s 10-year history. First, a flashback to our interview with filmmaker Anna Baumgarten as she discussed her breathtaking feature film Disfluency. Adamma and Adanne Ebo joined us in 2019 to discuss the short film version of Honk F...2025-03-311h 02Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles66 - American Pie TrilogyIn 1999, the teen sex comedy was revitalized with the release of the shocking and wildly successful film American Pie. The box office juggernaut would become a modern classic and spark a franchise akin to the National Lampoon series. On today’s episode of the Gimme Three Podcast, we explore the first three American Pie films. The gang’s all here: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Shannon Elizabeth, Sean William Scott, Tara Reid, Mena Suvari, Natasha Lyonne, Eddie Kaye Thomas, and of course, Eugene Levy, and Jennif...2025-03-251h 17Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles65 - Gene Hackman FilmsOn today’s episode of the Gimme Three Podcast, we honor the legendary Gene Hackman, who recently passed away. Whether it was through comedy, drama, or action, Hackman brought a stern energy and a grounded approach to each and every one of his pictures. Today we discuss three of Hackman’s most memorable performances.We start with Gene Hackman’s Academy Award-winning performance in the New Hollywood staple, The French Connection. Second, Hackman stars as Coach Dale in the sports classic, Hoosiers. Finally, in our audience pick, one of the legend’s...2025-03-171h 11Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles64 - Bong Hits! Bong Joon-ho FilmsTo celebrate the release of Mickey 17, The Gimme Three Podcast is exploring the work of director Bong Joon-ho. Nicholas Ybarra and Bella Efstratis dissect some of his most potent and memorable Korean films and his auteurist visual language. We start with the neo-noir, edge-of-your-seat thriller from 2003, Memories of Murder. Second, Bong uses a classic monster movie to explore the horror of environmental issues in The Host. Finally, we break down some of the most remarkable moments in Bong Joon-ho's Academy Award-winning picture, Parasite. Let us know what you think of these thre...2025-03-101h 22Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles63 - Claudette Colbert FilmsToday's episode spotlights Claudette Colbert, a genuine icon of cinema. Colbert's career traversed multiple eras in Hollywood: the Silent Era, the Pre-Code Era, and the Golden Age. To kick it off, we discuss what is widely considered one the of all-time greats, It Happened One Night. Claudette Colbert co-stars opposite Clark Gable in this genre-defining classic. Next, Claudette Colbert sinks her teeth into the 1939 screwball comedy, Midnight.Finally, Colbert co-starred with Louise Beavers in Imitation of Life, a 1934 film that explored race and identity. Let us know what your favorite Claudette Col...2025-03-031h 10Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles62 - Daniel Kaluuya SpotlightIn this week’s episode, we highlight the impactful career of actor Daniel Kaluuya. In his young career, Kaluuya has delivered several performances that will be cemented in the cinematic lore. We start with the under-seen, under-appreciated film Judas and the Black Messiah, in which Daniel Kaluuya plays activist and Black Panther chairman Fred Hampton. Second, Kaluuya stars in Jordan Peele’s game-changing, modern classic Get Out. Finally, Kaluuya displays his acting and producing chops in the 2019 film Queen & Slim.Let us know what you think o...2025-02-241h 16Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles🔒 (Bonus) January '25 FindsSubscriber-only episodeSubscriber-Only EpisodeNew year, new watchlist! Bella and Nick are back with six standout movie recommendations from their January viewing, covering everything from surreal David Lynch shorts to rare film noir gems.This month’s lineup includes Six Men Getting Sick, Persepolis, Wake in Fright, Dìdi, The Web, and The Daytrippers.Have you seen any of these? Let us know your thoughts—and send us your top three films from January!❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE ❗️Sign up for our Patreon for exclusive Bonus Content...2025-02-2052 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles61 - Favorites of 2024 pt. 3In the third and final installment of our Faves of 2024 series, Nicholas Ybarra, Bella Efstratis, and Sonja Mereu select three of the year’s most talked-about pictures. Nicholas starts with the haunting gothic horror film Nosferatu by Robert Eggers. Second, Bella selects the new and widely discussed Sean Baker gem, Anora. Finally, Sonja picks one of the last decade's most powerful, inventive, and significant films, RaMell Ross’ Nickel Boys. As always, please let us know what you think of these films and your favorite films of 2024. ❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE...2025-02-181h 11Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles🔒 (Bonus) Sam Pollard Interview (Director of MLK/FBI, Editor of Mo' Better Blues)Subscriber-only episodeIn this BONUS EDITION of the Gimme Three Podcast, we revisit a conversation with Emmy Award-Winning and Peabody Award-Winning filmmaker Sam Pollard. In light of our recent Mo’ Better Blues analysis, we honor the film's editor, Mr. Pollard. Sam is now an incredible director who has helmed several outstanding documentaries, including MLK/FBI (which we discuss in this episode). Based on the recently declassified files, MLK/FBI explores the US government's surveillance and harassment of Martin Luther King, Jr.❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE...2025-02-1315 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles60 - Denzel Washington x Spike Lee (feat. Trey Armstrong)To celebrate our first anniversary, we are spotlighting two of our favorite filmmakers and artists. In today’s episode, we explore the collaborations of Spike Lee and Denzel Washington, a potent and mesmerizing cinematic duo. You, our listening audience, voted for our first film - the surprising and gripping heist film Inside Man. Second - Spike and Denzel team up for one of the most seminal films of the last century, Malcolm X. Finally, Spike’s eccentric follow-up to Do The Right Thing features Denzel Washington as an egocentric jazz musician in Mo’ Better Blues. ...2025-02-101h 21Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles59 - Favorites of 2024 pt. 2Aaaand we're back!Co-hosts Nicholas Ybarra and Bella Efstratis return with special guest Sonja Mereu for Favorites of 2024: Part II! This week, we’re revealing our second picks for last year's best films, and trust us—each one belongs on your "must-watch movies" list.First up, The Wild Robot, DreamWorks’ breathtaking adaptation of Peter Brown’s beloved book, blending cutting-edge animation with a deeply heartfelt story.Next, we head to the Emerald Isle for Kneecap, a bold, rebellious, and electrifying dramatization of the rise of the trailblazing Irish rap group.And finally, Sing Sing, a profound and tran...2025-02-031h 24Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles58 - David Lynch TributeIn this episode, we celebrate the life and work of the late David Lynch. Mr. Lynch was one of the most innovative and intuitive artists who tackled cinema. Co-hosts Nicholas Ybarra and Bella Efstratis discuss the inspiring approach from David Lynch and three of his most memorable films.We start with Lynch’s audacious debut feature film, Eraserhead.Second, we explore the underbelly of the American dream in the sinister Blue Velvet. Finally, we rack our brains trying to figure out the haunting mysteries of Mulholland Drive. Let...2025-01-271h 33Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles57 - Favorites of 2024 pt. 1It’s that time of year. Nominations are announced. Top Ten lists are published. And cinephiles far and wide decipher which films from 2024 blew their hair back. Today, co-hosts Bella Efstratis and Nicholas Ybarra are joined by producer Sonja Mereu. Each provides one of their favorite films from 2024 (in the first of three 2024 episodes). First, Sebastian Stan and Adam Pearson star in the pulse-pounding, genre-bending identity crisis picture, A Different Man. Next, Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brien deliver one of the more unique love stories of the year in the som...2025-01-201h 13Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles56 - Pray for LA + (Previously Only Available on Patreon) Summer DiscoveriesWe want to send our love, prayers, and condolences to the beautiful city of LA as it battles these horrendous and devastating wildfires. We also want to express our gratitude to our firefighters, first responders, and volunteers for helping our city overcome this immense disaster. In lieu of a new episode this week, we are sharing an episode previously only available to our Patreon subscribers. Bella Efstratis and Sonja Mereu each pick three films they saw (and loved) over the summer season. The films discussed in this episode are Twisters, Thelma, Princess Cyd, Flipside, Imagine Me...2025-01-1356 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles55 - Nick & Bella's Letterboxd Year In Review (2024)In this episode of the Gimme Three Podcast, Nick and Bella go through the fascinating 2024 statistics from their Letterboxd accounts. The dynamic duo compares notes on the number of films they watched, their most watched actors and filmmakers, and much, much more. Throughout this discussion, we learn more about Nick and Bella’s film-watching habits and their lives behind the mic. Leave us a review and send us some of your Letterboxd statistics from 2024. ❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE ❗️Support the showSign up for o...2025-01-0659 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles54 - Virgil Williams Interview (2019) from the Austin Film FestivalNicholas Ybarra, co-host of the Gimme Three Podcast, recently saw Malcolm Washington's tremendous film The Piano Lesson. Virgil Williams co-wrote the outstanding August Wilson adaptation. In this episode, we revisit a 2019 interview with Virgil Williams and Nicholas Ybarra, recorded live at the Austin Film Festival. Virgil discusses his process, journey, and sensational work on Mudbound, which earned him an Academy Award nomination.Check out this interview and The Piano Lesson, which is now streaming on Netflix.❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE ❗️Support...2024-12-3042 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles53 - Holiday RomancesHappy Holidays from the Gimme Three Podcast!’Tis the season - not just for the Holiday spirit, but also for love. This week’s episode explores three romantic comedies perfect for the holiday season. First, we gab about one of Bella’s favorites: Nancy Meyers’ cross-pond modern classic The Holiday. Second, the ever-charming Sandra Bullock stars in the high-concept Sleeping Beauty reimagining of While You Were Sleeping.Last and least, we discuss the made-for-TV movie that has the whole world talking, the unauthorized adaptation of Taylor Swift and Travis Kel...2024-12-231h 14Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles52 - Fall Finds '24 (feat. Sonja Mereu)It is the season of giving, and co-host Bella Efstratis and producer Sonja Mereu are here to recommend three films each!Usually - our monthly discovery episodes are reserved for our Patreon subscribers. However, it is the holiday season, so we are presenting it to you - our lovely listeners free of charge. Bella and Sonja deliver a total of six spoiler-free film recommendations of movies that they saw during the fall season, including:- Safe (1995)- Deep Cover (1992)- Nightbitch (2024)- Onward (2020)- A Real Pain (2024)- Babes (2024)2024-12-1653 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles51 - Christmas Movie Or Not?The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the annual debate in the cinephile community. Many a movie aficionado frequently asks, “Is this a Christmas Movie or Not?”Well, The Gimme Three Podcast has you covered. On today’s episode, we examine three hotly debated films to answer the burning question once and for all. We start with Billy Wilder’s classic 1960 Romantic Dramedy The Apartment.Next, Christmas time comes to Gotham City in Tim Burton’s sinister sequel, Batman Returns. Finally - the film that seems to spark the mo...2024-12-091h 10Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles50 - 50th Anniversary of Blazing Saddles, Chinatown, & The Texas Chain Saw MassacreWe’ve made it to Episode 50! Join us as we celebrate our 50th episode by revisiting some of the most beloved classics from 1974—these films are celebrating their 50th anniversary. 1974 was an unforgettable and impactful year in cinema - but we picked three films that not only defined their genres but also helped define American cinema for decades to come. We open with the equally poignant and brash Mel Brooks comedy Blazing Saddles. Second, we explore the neo-noir thriller Chinatown and one of the most unforgettable endings in cinematic history. Finally...2024-12-021h 07Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles49 - 2004 Indie Darlings (feat. Ryan Lacen)It’s hard to believe that our favorite 2004 films are turning 20 this year!So you already know we had to celebrate with a spotlight on three of our favorites from the year. But with so many incredible and timeless films to choose from, we're narrowing it down to three outstanding indie darlings of 2004!Enjoy a little recap of 2004's biggest and best movies, including the top 10 highest-grossing hits, underrated gems, personal favorites, and the most iconic movies that defined the year. After that, we're diving into three-handpicked indie favorites chosen by Nicholas Ybarra, Bella Efstratis, and...2024-11-251h 09Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles48 - Maggie Smith Tribute Last month, the film industry lost one of the most prolific actresses in history, Dame Maggie Smith. With a stage and screen career that spanned seven decades, it was nearly impossible to pick only three films to highlight Maggie Smith's outstanding career, but we did our best. We start with Maggie Smith's Academy Award Winning performance as the enigmatic school teacher in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. We switch gears with one of the most revered comedies of the 1990s, where Smith dons a habit in Sister Act.Finally, we d...2024-11-181h 08Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles47 - Demi Moore SpotlightOn this episode of The Gimme Three Podcast, we celebrate Demi Moore's birthday and her cinematic comeback!With her breathtaking performance in The Substance taking the cinephile world by storm, there’s no better time to revisit some of the fantastic highlights of Demi Moore’s career. We start with the supernatural romance classic Ghost, the film that helped make Moore one of the highest-paid actors of the 90s. *AUDIENCE PICK*—Our wonderful audience selected the sensual thriller Indecent Proposal, in which Moore co-stars in a steamy love triangle with Robert R...2024-11-111h 20Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles46 - Presidential Films (feat. David Chiu)**Enhance Your Election Week Experience with The Gimme Three Podcast!**It’s Election Week! As we all know, this week can be both exhilarating and highly stressful. So, if you need a break from doom scrolling and news coverage, The Gimme Three Podcast has you covered. In this week’s episode, co-host Nicholas Ybarra and guest David Chiu tackle Gimme Three Presidential Films!We start with John Frankenheimer’s political thriller, 7 Days In May. In a similar but true story - the pulse-pounding intricacies of the Cuban Missile Crisis a...2024-11-041h 22Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles45 - Katt Shea Interview (Poison Ivy, The Rage: Carrie 2, Rescued By Ruby)We round out our weeks-long celebration of female horror directors by revisiting a 2022 interview with the great Katt Shea, one of Nicholas Ybarra's favorite filmmakers.Katt Shea started as an actress and worked her way into the director's chair, starting under the Roger Corman umbrella. Her films Stripped To Kill, Streets, and The Rage: Carrie 2 have all garnered cult-film status. But perhaps her most well-known and memorable film is the sizzling 1992 thriller Poison Ivy, starring Drew Barrymore. In this in-depth discussion, Shea revisits some of her career highlights and gives us a peek into her c...2024-10-3138 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles44 - Horror Films Directed by Women pt. 2 (feat. Jess McLaughlin)And we’re back with Part II! In this episode, Nick, Bella, and Jess return to discuss three more brilliant horror films directed by women, each from a different era and offering a distinct twist on the genre.- Jess picked Tiger Stripes (2023), Amanda Nell Eu’s bold coming-of-age body horror.- Nick selected The Slumber Party Massacre (1982), Amy Holden Jones' feminist slasher that cleverly subverts the genre’s typical tropes.- And celebrating her favorite horror movie's 10 year anniversary, Bella chose Jennifer Kent's masterfully crafted and hauntingly beautiful tale, The Babado...2024-10-281h 13Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles43 - Horror Films Directed by Women pt. 1 (feat. Jess McLaughlin)Are you loving Gimme Three's horror content this month? Well, get ready for even more because we're bringing you six killer horror film recommendations in our newest two-part series: Horror Films Directed by Women! Over the next two weeks, Nick, Bella, and returning special guest Jess McLaughlin have curated a fantastic lineup showcasing the extraordinary work of six wickedly talented women directors. Jess handpicked three films, while Nick and Bella each chose a favorite, and YOU, our amazing listeners, voted on the final selection!In this episode...We kick things off a b...2024-10-211h 09Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles42 - Hispanic Horrors (feat. Felix Martiz)We kick off our month-long horror film extravaganza by also celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. In this episode (a re-release from a 2020 Film Forward episode), co-host Nicholas Ybarra chats with award-winning filmmaker Felix Martiz, and they each provide three outstanding horror films by Hispanic filmmakers. Ybarra and Martiz discuss these incredible films:Issa Lopez' beautiful and grounded cartel-inspired horror, Tigers Are Not Afraid. Mexico's 1968 classic (in every sense of the word) Even The Wind Is Afraid. If you're curious about tentacle lovin', you may be into the bizarre and freaky film The...2024-10-1459 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles41 - Jokers Are Wild - Batman, The Dark Knight, JokerOnce again, Joker is the talk of the town. To mark the recent release of Joker: Folie à Deux, Nick and Bella are exploring the history of the iconic character and the tremendous actors who have donned the face paint. We open with the performance that changed the game. Jack Nicholson steals the show in Tim Burton's Batman with his unforgettable take on Joker. Next, we discuss Heath Ledger's Academy Award-winning performance in Christopher Nolan's modern classic, The Dark Knight. Finally, we analyze the polarizing origin story in Joaquin Phoenix's power...2024-10-071h 24Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles40 - James Earl Jones: Deep Voice. Deeper Legacy.Earlier this month, on September 9th, the legendary stage and screen actor James Earl Jones passed away at the age of 93. Jones made his film debut in 1964 with Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove, and continued to grace the screen for nearly 60 more years. Beyond the screen, his brilliance shone on stage, earning him two Tony Awards, and his incredible career culminated in the rare achievement of an EGOT.It's no secret that James Earl Jones possessed one of the greatest voices of all time, lending his voice to some truly iconic characters like Star Wars' iconic villain Darth...2024-09-301h 15Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles39 - The Cornetto Trilogy / Shaun Of The Dead's 20th Anniversary (feat. Daniel Ott)September 24th, 2024, marks the 20th Anniversary of Shaun Of The Dead's US Release. The forever-fresh cult classic not only launched Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost to mega-stardom, but the film also kicked off a trilogy of brilliant collaborations between the three artists. In this episode, Bella and Nick are joined by Daniel Ott to discuss all three of the high-octane, humanist, genre-bending films of The Cornetto Trilogy (aka The Colours Cornetto). We opened with the film that started it all. Part romantic comedy, part zombie film, Shaun Of Th...2024-09-241h 13Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles38 - Philip Seymour Hoffman In Supporting RolesThis week, we conclude our tribute series to the legendary Philip Seymour Hoffman. Nick and Bella spotlight three of Hoffman’s most memorable supporting performances. Philip Seymour Hoffman never needed an exuberant amount of screen time to leave his mark on a film. Often, his supporting roles left as big of an impact as the leading characters. First up is one of his earliest roles in the Academy Award-winning film Scent Of A Woman. Next, Hoffman lights up the screen with an uncomfortable amount of energy, charisma, and t...2024-09-161h 20Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles37 - Philip Seymour Hoffman x Paul Thomas Anderson: A Match Made In HeavenContinuing our tribute to the legendary Philip Seymour Hoffman, this week Nick and Bella spotlight three of the most powerful collaborations between Hoffman and visionary director Paul Thomas Anderson.Hoffman and Anderson shared a profound friendship and creative bond, built on deep mutual respect, admiration, and a dynamic artistic synergy. Hoffman appeared in five of Anderson’s films, shaping some of his most iconic works and forming one of the most significant director-actor partnerships in modern cinema.From their five brilliant collaborations, Bella and Nick have selected three standout films showcasing Hoffman’s extraordinary range:Fi...2024-09-091h 25Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles36 - Philip Seymour Hoffman In Leading RolesANOTHER LEGENDARY ACTOR'S TRIBUTE!This week on the Gimme Three Podcast co-hosts Bella Efstratis and Nicholas Ybarra celebrate the life and career of Philip Seymour Hoffman. As hard as it is to believe, this year marks a decade since Philip Seymour Hoffman's tragic passing. In this episode, the duo discusses some of Hoffman's pivotal leading performances. First, we have Sidney Lumet's swan song, the gripping 2008 crime thriller Before The Devil Knows You're Dead. In this one, Philip Seymour Hoffman takes his acting to ne...2024-09-031h 17Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles🔒 (Bonus) Summer Discoveries w/ Bella Efstratis & Sonja MereuSubscriber-only episodeIn this Bonus Episode (for subscribers only) - Co-Host Bella Efstatis and Producer Sonja Mereu recall some of their favorite film discoveries from this summer. With a blend of brand-spanking new movies and old gems, Bella and Sonja compile a well-rounded list of suggestions. In this episode, they discuss Twisters, Thelma, Princess Cyd, Flipside, Imagine Me and You, Run Lola Run, and The People's Joker.❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE ❗️Sign up for our Patreon for exclusive Bonus Content.Follow the podcast on Instagram @gimmethr...2024-08-2953 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles35 - Gena Rowlands TributeEarlier this month, we lost one of the most important, innovative, and courageous actors in American cinema, Gena Rowlands. Gena left behind a collection of jaw-dropping performances and an unforgettable approach to her craft. In this episode, co-hosts Nicholas Ybarra and Bella Efstratis discuss three of Gena’s memorable characters, all collaborating with her creative partner/husband, John Cassavetes. The boozy, gripping, mid-life crisis-induced Faces.The enigmatic fever dream called Opening NightGena’s Academy Award-nominated performance in GloriaOur producer, Sonja Mereu, also discusses perhaps her most famous role in A W...2024-08-261h 17Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles34 - Concert Films pt. 2 (feat. Sonja Mereu & Max Sopkin)In the exciting conclusion to our series on concert films, Nick, Max, and Sonja delve into three more concert films. In this episode, the trio discuss:The Spike Lee and David Byrne collaboration of American UtopiaThe raucous 75,000+ attended Queen: Live At WembleyMartin Scorcese's gorgeous Rolling Stones film Shine A LightIn addition to these incredible films, the group discusses Taylor Swift, Bill Clinton, and Nick recounts the best career advice he ever received. ❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE ❗️Support the showSign up for our Patreon for exclus...2024-08-2250 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles33 - Concert Films pt. 1 (feat. Sonja Mereu & Max Sopkin)Co-host Nicholas Ybarra returns to the show while Bella Efstratis takes a well-deserved week off. Nicholas is joined by the familiar voices of Sonja Mereu and Max Sopkin. They'll be discussing some conversation-worthy concert films – and not just any concert films, but those featuring some of the most controversial artists of the last half-century.The episode will cover the following concert films:Michael Jackson's This Is ItThe Last WaltzOur audience pick, Madonna: Truth Or Dare❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE ❗️Support the showSign up for our Patreon for...2024-08-191h 07Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles32 - The War Within - America's Love/Hate Relationship with War (feat. Matt Cochran)This week on The Gimme Three Podcast, co-host Bella Efstratis is joined by her good friend Matt Cochran, a cinephile and history buff, for a deep dive into America’s complex relationship with war in cinema. Together, they explore three films that arguably blur the line between being anti-war and glorifying it.Matt’s three film recommendations for this episode include:Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket (1987)Sam Mendes' Jarhead (2005)Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker (2009)Throughout the episode, Matt provides in-depth history lessons on each war depicted in the films we discu...2024-08-122h 04Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles31 - Denzel Washington Films (feat. Trey Armstrong)A LEGENDARY ACTOR'S SPOTLIGHT!This week on the Gimme Three Podcast, co-host Bella Efstratis is joined by actor, filmmaker, & writer Trey Armstrong to celebrate his favorite actor of all time, Denzel Washington.Trey recommends a brilliant variety of three incredible Denzel Washington films:First, we have Tony Scott's standout 1995 war thriller, Crimson Tide, featuring a young and powerful Denzel Washington going toe-to-toe with the legendary Gene Hackman.Next, we dive headfirst into Joel Coen's 2021 Shakespeare adaptation, The Tragedy of Macbeth, showcasing Denzel's Oscar-nominated performance as the titular character.Finally, we...2024-08-051h 22Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles30 - Harry Potter Films (feat. Bailey Katler)This week marks the birthday of one of the most beloved fictional characters of all time—Harry Potter! To celebrate the Boy Who Lived, Bella Efstratis is joined by her fellow Potterhead bestie, Bailey Katler, for an incredible Harry Potter episode!Introducing our Top 3 Harry Potter Films:First, we go back to where it all began with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001), the film that introduced us to the the magic of the Wizarding World and its wonderful characters.Next, we dive into our favorite, and the BEST film in the s...2024-07-291h 43Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles29 - Spike Lee's First Three (35th Anniversary Celebration of Do The Right Thing)This week, we are celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Nick’s favorite film, Do The Right Thing (a Spike Lee Joint). Picking a mere three films from Spike’s prolific filmography would be an impossible task. Thus, we’ve decided to explore the jaw-droopingly impressive first three films from Mr. Lee. We open with his audacious and sultry debut feature film, She’s Gotta Have It.Second, we do a deep dive into Spike’s dense and wildly entertaining sophomore effort, School Daze.Finally, we celebrate Do The Right Thing with an appropriate amount of gushing...2024-07-221h 23Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles28 - Animated Short FilmsThe gang is back together again!!Nicholas Ybarra and Bella Efstratis reunite to dive into the whimsical world of animation on this week's episode of the Gimme Three Podcast!Join us as we explore six amazing short films that highlight the magic of both stop-motion and 2D animation. Each film offers a unique style and concept, making this episode a must-listen for animation lovers and anyone looking for a powerful experience in under 20 minutes.Here's what we have on the docket:- The Windshield Wiper (2021)- The Hole (1962)- Affairs...2024-07-151h 16Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles27 - Brat Pack Films (feat. Ryan Lacen & Adriana Lopez)The release of Andrew McCarthy's documentary Brats has audiences revisiting and reliving a marquee era for teen cinema. On today's episode, host Nicholas Ybarra is joined by guests Adriana Lopez and Ryan Lacen.Together, they explore how watching these films through an adult lens has shifted their perceptions. Also, prepare yourself for plenty of debates on important questions like "Who is in the Brat Pack?" and "What do you consider a Brat Pack movie?"The films that we discuss today are locks in the Brat Pack saga, for sure:The Breakfast ClubSt. Elmo's FirePretty...2024-07-081h 10Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles26 - Donald Sutherland Tribute (feat. Sonja Mereu)This week's episode celebrates the late, great actor Donald Sutherland. Apologies to all the Bella Efstratis superfans; Bella is absent this week. However, we are joined by the spectacular PGA producer, Gimme Three producer, and wife of host Nicholas Ybarra: Sonja Mereu. Nick & Sonja discuss three of Donald Sutherland's prominent performances: the 1973 Horror classic Don't Look Now, the biting satire M*A*S*H*, and the emotionally rich Six Degrees Of Separation. Please let us know what your favorite Donald Sutherland performance is!❗️SEND US A TEX...2024-07-011h 22Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles25 - Yorgos Lanthimos Spotlight (feat. Michel Eljaiek)This week on the Gimme Three Podcast, we’re gearing up for Kinds of Kindness with a thrilling Yorgos Lanthimos Spotlight episode!While the brilliant Nicholas Ybarra is off making some movie magic this week, co-host Bella Efstratis is joined by her long-time friend and a true Yorgos aficionado, Michel Eljaiek.For this week’s episode, Michel has handpicked three extraordinary Yorgos films for us to thoroughly dissect:The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) featuring Barry Keoghan’s unforgettable portrayal of the most terrifying teenager in modern cinema.Lanthimos’ odd and mysterious exploration of grief, i...2024-06-241h 42Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles24 - Queer Love Stories pt. 2In part two of our Queer Love Stories series, Nick and Bella delve into an extraordinarily underrated documentary and two brilliant romcoms that highlight some of our favorite queer love stories in cinema.Nick starts with Peter Friedman's Silverlake Life: The View From Here, a brutally intimate video diary that documents Tom Joslin and Mark Massi's remarkable love story and their painfully real experience living with AIDS in the early '90s.Next, Bella introduces Alice Wu's Saving Face, an incredibly heartfelt mother-daughter story and a hilarious romcom that tackles social and cultural stigmas head-on.2024-06-2050 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles23 - Queer Love Stories pt. 1Happy Pride, everyone! In honor of Pride Month, we’re celebrating with a specially curated selection of some of the greatest queer love stories in cinema!Join Nick and Bella as they discuss three of the most celebrated, impressive, and romantic queer love stories ever told. We’re talking all about the visual beauty of these films and the touching love stories within.Bella introduces one of her all-time favorite films, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, which she regards as the greatest romance film ever made.Nick follows with the equally brilliant and unfo...2024-06-171h 08Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles22 - Pixar Films pt. 2 (feat. Max Sopkin)We've finally reached the grand finale of our Pixar Extravaganza!In this episode, Nick, Bella, and Max discuss under-appreciated gems, the groundbreaking evolution of Pixar's animation technology, and the increasingly pertinent "spoonful of sugar" message in Pixar's most sci-fi film.Max starts us off with his second movie pick, Pixar's criminally underrated, Kurosawa-inspired film, A Bug's Life.Next, Bella hits us with an in-depth appreciation of her all-time favorite Pixar film, Monsters, Inc.And Max concludes the episode with his third Pixar pick, the timeless masterpiece, WALL•E.Let us kn...2024-06-141h 04Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles21 - Pixar Films pt. 1 (feat. Max Sopkin)Pixar changed the animation industry forever. As we prepare for this week's release of Inside Out 2, we decided to explore some of our (and your) favorite Pixar films. Our friend and returning guest, Max Sopkin (see our musical episodes), joins us for this episode. We kick it off with the film that started it all, 1995's Toy Story. Co-host Nick offers up the gorgeous and emotional wallop Coco. Our final film of the episode was voted on by you, our listeners—Ratatouille. This sparked a vi...2024-06-101h 24Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles20 - Queer Horror pt. 2 (feat. Jess McLaughlin)In the exciting conclusion to our Queer Horror episodes, Nick, Bella, and guest Jess McLaughlin discuss the absurd, the heart-wrenching, the sexy, and the majesty of three marquee movies. The odd but pertinent sequel, A Nightmare On Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, kicks off our episode as we do a deep dive not only into the film but the noteworthy queer legacy of the picture. The underappreciated 2002 gem May is second on the docket.And we complete the episode (and the week) with the modern cult classic Jennifer’s Body...2024-06-061h 10Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles19 - Queer Horror pt. 1 (feat. Jess McLaughlin)It’s Pride Month, y’all. And what better way to celebrate than with a smorgasbord of Queer Horror films. Jess McLaughlin, a brilliant writer and horror movie enthusiast, joins the podcast to drop some knowledge on the wonders that are queer horror films. In addition to providing some excellent recommendations, Jess discusses her upcoming short film, PANGS, which you can learn more about by visiting https://www.abnormalfilm.com/.The crowdfunding campaign for PANGS opens on June 18th - and that will be your chance to help Jess see her incredible visio...2024-06-031h 10Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles18 - Roger Corman TributeEarlier this month, we lost one of the most significant figures in the history of the film industry, Roger Corman. Corman's illustrious career can't be narrowed down to three films, so we opted to pick three of his directorial films that helped shape American pop culture. We start with his 1960 gem Little Shop Of Horrors, the gold standard for independent filmmaking and the movie that sparked a decades-long running Broadway play and a very successful musical adaptation. Corman's passion project, The Intru...2024-05-271h 10Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles17 - Mad Max FilmsIn preparation for the release of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Nick & Bella go deep into the wasteland of the Mad Max Universe. In this episode, we explore the three best films of the franchise (thus far). We start with the scrappy, earnest Ausploitation film that started all the madness: Mad Max. If indie gems aren’t your bag, but kinky leather outfits are - we’ve got you covered. Mad Max 2 (also known as The Road Warrior) is second on the do...2024-05-201h 14Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles16 - MORE Great Mother CharactersIn part two of our Mother's Day Celebration, Nick & Bella discuss three more memorable mother characters. Claudine, starring the legendary Diahann Carroll, was a boundary-pushing film about a mother of six navigating the welfare system. The film also stars a sweaty, studly James Earl Jones. Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal knocked it out of the park with her directorial debut, The Lost Daughter. Join Bella as she explores the touchy but important themes in this Olivia Colman drama. Finally, another actress turned director: the great Penny Marshall's film Riding In Cars W...2024-05-1655 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles15 - Great Mother Characters pt. 1Happy Belated Mother’s Day! We love our mothers, and we love film. So what better way to celebrate than to discuss three unforgettable mother characters in cinema? In part one of two, Nick & Bella opens the show with a few very heavy but powerful films. Brie Larson’s Academy Award-winning performance in Room is on the docket (yeah… heavy). We follow that up with what is widely considered to be one of the greatest performances of all time: Gena Rowlands's performance as Mabel in A Woman Under The Influence. (I told you...2024-05-1358 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles🔒 (Bonus) March & April Finds '24Subscriber-only episodeNick and Bella have six film recommendations for you on this exceptional BONUS edition of The Gimme Three Podcast—A Series for Cinephiles. Bella has three gems for you, including the Academy Award-winning short documentary, The Last Repair Shop. Not only does Bella deliver a beautiful review of the film, but we also learn about another one of her hidden talents. She also discusses two new films that can still be seen on the big screen: Dev Patel’s Monkey Man and the gripping coming-of-age story We G...2024-05-0852 minGimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles14 - Bonus Episode PreviewA very special episode just for YOU!Get ready for an exclusive preview of some of the bonus content behind our Patreon! Join Nicholas Ybarra as he takes you on an epic journey through the highlights of our bonus episodes, including:Nick and Bella's reactions to Barbenheimer in our MORE Favorites of 2023 episode.An enlightening interview featuring Nicholas Ybarra alongside Nomadland producer Mollye Asher.And a special snippet from our February Finds bonus episode where Nick and Bella enthusiastically pitch three must-see films they discovered last month - such as 2024-05-061h 03