Watchmen Chapter 1 was a huge disappointment for The Film Buff, but curiosity got the best of Peter when Chapter 2 became available on HBO Max. As a film, animation, and Watchmen expert, what does AKAPAD have to say about this one?

Today's episode of *AKAPAD's The Film Buff Podcast* dives into the career of *Wolf* writer/director Jon Watts, exploring his body of work and taking a closer look at his latest Apple+ film, *Wolfs*. Could this be the best modern-day night shoot since the *John Wick* movies? Tune in to find out!

Those who brought us WOLFS

Main Cast

George Clooney – Margaret's Man

Brad Pitt – Pam's Man

Austin Abrams – Kid

Amy Ryan – Margaret

Poorna Jagannathan – June

Zlatko Burić – Dimitri

Richard Kind – Kid's Dad

Frances McDormand – Pam (voice)

Sergio Cota Jr. – Garage Attendant

Alfred Chou – Chinese Lookout

(Additional supporting cast members include Robert Timothy Smith, Amanda Aday, Kymbali Craig, and others.)

Key Crew Members

Director: Jon Watts

Writers: Jon Watts

Producers: Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Grant Heslov, Jon Watts, Dianne McGunigle

Cinematography: Larkin Seiple

Editing: Andrew Weisblum

Production Design: Jade Healy

Music: Theodore Shapiro

Costume Design: Amy Westcott

On June 25th, audiences worldwide will be introduced to F1, a high-octane racing film starring Brad Pitt and directed by Ehren Kruger. With the potential to reignite excitement for cinema—much like Top Gun: Maverick did—F1 promises to bring adrenaline-fueled action to the big screen and remind audiences why theaters are the ultimate movie experience.

A Different Man is a film to be studied, and here AKAPAD The Film Buff makes the case as to why.

Tonight on The Film Buff, we dive into a true cinephile debate: Taxi Driver—is it Martin Scorsese’s film or Paul Schrader’s? Join us as we break down the creative forces behind this iconic masterpiece and explore who truly shaped its vision.

Those who brought is Taxi Driver

Main Cast:

Robert De Niro – Travis Bickle

Jodie Foster – Iris

Cybill Shepherd – Betsy

Harvey Keitel – Sport (Matthew)

Albert Brooks – Tom

Leonard Harris – Senator Charles Palantine

Peter Boyle – Wizard

Key Crew:

Director: Martin Scorsese

Writer: Paul Schrader

Producer: Michael Phillips, Julia Phillips

Cinematography: Michael Chapman

Editing: Marcia Lucas, Tom Rolf, Melvin Shapiro

Music: Bernard Herrmann (his final film score)

Anthony Mackie takes center stage in his first major blockbuster with Captain America: Brave New World, but before that, another sci-fi gem quietly slipped under the radar for far too long. Elevation (2024) presents a thought-provoking premise: Can humanity survive when forced to live above aliens that cannot surpass a certain ELEVATION?

AKAPAD The Film Buff is here to break it all down and answer every question about this overlooked sci-fi thriller!

Those who brought is Elevation:

Cast

Anthony Mackie as Will

Morena Baccarin as Nina

Maddie Hasson as Katie

Shauna Earp as Hannah, a townsperson

Rachel Nicks as Tara, Will's late wife

Danny Boyd Jr. as Hunter, Will and Tara's son

Tyler Grey as Tim

Crew

Director: George Nolfi

Writers: Kenny Ryan, Jacob Roman

Producers: Brad Fuller, Lyrical Media

Cinematography: (Not listed in available sources)

Editor: (Not listed in available sources)

Music: (Not listed in available sources)

The 2024 film Nosferatu, directed by Robert Eggers, features a cast including Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, and Simon McBurney. The film is a remake of the 1922 silent horror classic, based on Dracula by Bram Stoker.

The production team includes:

Director & Writer: Robert Eggers

Producers: Robert Eggers, Jeff Robinov, Chris Columbus, and Eleanor Columbus

Director of Photography: Jarin Blaschke

Editor: Louise Ford

Production Design: Craig Lathrop

Original Music: Robin Carolan

Five years ago, AKAPAD The Film Buff attempted to watch Pixar's Soul—but things didn’t go as planned. Today, he revisits the film, sharing his thoughts on whether his experience has changed. This episode offers a fascinating deep dive into Soul and a unique experiment that only The Film Buff could pull off!

The 2020 animated film Soul was produced by Pixar Animation Studios and directed by Pete Docter, with co-direction by Kemp Powers. The film features the voice talents of Jamie Foxx as Joe Gardner, Tina Fey as 22, Graham Norton as Moonwind, Rachel House as Terry, Alice Braga and Richard Ayoade as Counselors Jerry, and Angela Bassett as Dorothea Williams.

The film’s production credits include Dana Murray as the producer, with a screenplay written by Pete Docter, Mike Jones, and Kemp Powers. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross composed the score, while Jon Batiste contributed original jazz compositions. The film was edited by Kevin Nolting, with cinematography by Matt Aspbury and Ian Megibben.

For today's Animation Weekend and in celebration of Black History Month, we're highlighting Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur—a shockingly overlooked Disney+ animated series. Despite its brilliance, this show has been largely ignored by both the animation and comic book communities. Enter AKAPAD The Film Buff, who is here not only to set the record straight but to begin writing the definitive story on this remarkable series.

It's TGIF, and The Film Buff AKAPAD has a must-watch Friday spectacular! The Gorge, directed by Scott Derrickson and written by Zack Dean, is now streaming on Apple+. This high-concept love story blends romance and action, keeping you hooked as you root for the villain’s downfall and hope for our star-crossed lovers to overcome adversity. It follows a simple formula—but one that works brilliantly, delivering an emotional and thrilling ride.

Those who brought us The Gorge.

Cast

Miles Teller – Levi Kane

Anya Taylor-Joy – Drasa

Sigourney Weaver – Bartholomew

Sope Dirisu – Jasper D. Drake (JD)

William Houston – Erikas

Production

Writer: Zach Dean (The Black List 2020 script)

Director: Scott Derrickson

Producers: Skydance Media, Apple Original Films

Filming Locations:

Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden (tower interiors)

Rauma River, Norway (forest and gorge exteriors)

Llandudno, Wales (doubling for Èze, France)