A Filmversation with Mike and Nick

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Mike and Nick return to their journey through Ingmar Bergman's filmography. This time they discuss a lesser-known Bergman who simultaneously has recognition by way of a Criterion standalone disc yet is seemingly underdiscussed among his major works. Is this neglect justified? The pair seem to agree about Bergman's indulgent tendencies here but one is more disappointed than the other. Major themes at play is the anguish of the artist and the face(s) we show one another.

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Mike and Nick return with another thematic episode: water! The pair aren't afraid to dip their toes in any waters, whether they're spiritually meditative like Kim Ki-duk's karmic meditation or light-hearted and warm like the pair's beloved Agnès Varda. Nick tries to drown the hosts with serious spirituality while Mike just wants to relax and get a sun tan. Join Filmversation for another journey of apropos juxtapositions abound in this newest venture of watery musings. Sink or swim, the pair will drown if it means conjuring fruitful discussions about movies no one's ever watched!

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Is this the best Bergman movie no one talks about? Mike might have found a new favourite in this lesser seen gem. Three women confront the different manifestations of childbirth through various forms of pain, anguish, and fate. What is meant to be and how do we process the grief of that which is outside of our control? Bergman poignantly reflects the male shortcomings and how they affect the systemic female contingency across different stages of life. Tune in as the hosts continue their journey through Nick's favourite director.

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Mike and Nick step into their kitchen to cook up a mix of delicacy and debauchery. Trần Anh Hùng brings to life an intimate nineteenth century French countryside. Mike espouses the love for food contained in each frame. On the other side of the spectrum, Peter Greenaway grosses audiences out in an antithetical kitchen. Helen Mirren bares the brunt of an unhinged Richard Bohringer as he lambasts every human in his own restaurant. Nick is floored by the formal colour mastery at work in what the duo dubs, "Cook-Thief." Mike reveals the thematic constellation which connects the two films through the juxtapositions of each respective villain. Poetic layers between films are unpeeled thanks to Mike's keen insight. A delicious filmversation.

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Mike and Nick go back to the Soviet Union and explore one their greatest unsung voices. Nick forces Mike into apocalyptic hellscapes baked in Cold War dread, Tarkovskian philosophy, and existential ruin. The lingering question that hangs over both films: where is god at the end of the world? Nick, to the surprise of no one, argues these films emphasize an absent god or a god recused from the universe. Mike pushes back suggesting the onscreen violence is god's voice. Naturally, the hosts address the Tarkovsian elephant in the room. Nick is deeply concerned with what differentiates Lopushansky from Tarkovsky.

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Mike and Nick enter Ingmar Bergman’s imperial era. The two meditate on morality, memory, and the terror of self-realization. Digging into Bergman's internal and visual philosophy, the pair investigate how the director marries and juxtaposes intellectuality and emotional universality. Topics include discussions on dream logic, existential anxieties, and reflections on human fragility. Step into Bergman's world with Filmversation; if we drown in the cinematic abyss, at least we'll drown together :)

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The rest of the hosts' respective top 10 lists are revealed: places sixth through first!

More than previous years, potentially, the final lists offer some refreshing and underrepresented films. Always seeking out the best of the best, find out how rewarding this year's quest was. See if horizons were expanded.

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Now that the Oscars have come and gone, The Filmversation crew can give their final say. That's right, that special time of year is here. Mike and Nick present their top 10 lists for 2025. Find out what the pair was watching throughout the year. Which strange and unheard of films did Nick make Mike watch? Which surprises did Mike put on Nick's radar?

As usual, these discussions run long, so enjoy the first part: honourable mentions and 10th - 7th.

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The pair of hosts head back to younger years and visit a staple of vintage nerdom: Ralph Bakshi. Bakshi was an iconic animator in his own right who worked alongside a fellow great like Frank Frazetta. His work was heavily stylized and was a favourite of Nick's in his youth. See how Mike, with sober eyes, views these works and if Nick's loving opinions still remain true today. What impact does Bakshi's Lord of the Rings have on the world with the existence of Peter Jackson's well-known masterpieces. Is there room for two interpretations?

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Mike and Nick hunt aliens! The pair visit one of their modern favourite's most recent outputs to see if the magical weirdness still shines bright. Mike helps interpret the film's alien language for Nick as the pair explore various themes of corporate alienness and interesting empathy.