Filmspotting - Movie Reviews

By Filmspotting.net

What's Filmspotting - Movie Reviews about?

Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen review new and classic movies, offering "affable, insightful film analysis since 2005" (NY Times).

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Filmspotting - Movie Reviews episodes:

04.12.2024
Filmspotting Presents: The Film That Blew My Mind - Kristen Johnson on All That Jazz
Director and legendary cinematographer Kirsten Johnson is known for nonfiction work that is inventive, artful, expressive, and maximal. The same can be said of the film that blew her mind -- Bob Fosse’s All That Jazz. The semi-autobiographical film brings...
04.05.2024
#962: Ex Machina in the Age of AI, Mrs. Miniver (Wyler #3), ‘50s Madness Finals
With Alex Garland’s “Civil War” on the horizon, Adam and Josh take another look at the writer/director’s prescient AI thriller “Ex Machina.” Plus, a spirited debate over 1942’s “Mrs. Miniver” and a finals matchup in Filmspotting Madness—Best of the ‘50s. (Timecodes...
03.29.2024
#961: Road House at 35, Road House ‘24, Godzilla x Kong, ‘50s Madness Final Four
With the release of a new “Road House” starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Adam and Josh debate the merits of the ‘89 original (there are many merits!), along with recommendations of “Godzilla x Kong” and the doc “Ennio” about composer Ennio Morricone....
03.25.2024
From the Archive: Godzilla ('54) v Kong ('33)
With "Godzilla x Kong" coming to theaters this weekend, we go to the archives for this 2021 conversation (inspired by "Godzilla v Kong") which has Adam and Josh pitting the two classic monster movies against each other. Learn more about your...
03.22.2024
#960: Love Lies Bleeding, The Best Years of Our Lives (Wyler #2), ‘50s Madness (Elite 8)
Adam and Josh praise Rose Glass’s nasty new noir “Love Lies Bleeding” and are knocked out by 1946’s “The Best Years of Our Lives,” William Wyler’s incisive and moving Best Picture winner. Plus, the Elite 8 of ‘50s Filmspotting Madness. (Timecodes...
03.15.2024
#959: Eternal Sunshine at 20, Dodsworth (Wyler #1), ‘50s Madness (Sweet 16)
For its 20th anniversary, Adam and Josh take a deep dive into the intricate world of 2004’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” Plus the first film in the William Wyler Marathon and the Sweet 16 round of ‘50s Filmspotting...
03.08.2024
#958: Dune: Part Two (+Spoiler Talk), ‘50s Madness (Rd. 2)
There is much to discuss about Part Two of Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” adaptation, including a deep dive on “worm juice” in spoiler talk. Plus, Rd. 2 matchups in ‘50s Madness. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open...
03.01.2024
#957: Oscars Special with Michael Phillips, ‘50s Madness (Rd. 1)
Michael Phillips (Chicago Tribune) drops by the Filmspotting Mojo Dojo Casa studio to talk Oscar picks and Round 1 of Filmspotting Madness—Best of the 1950s. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:04:25) Oscar Picks: Supporting Actress/Actor (00:04:26-00:27:16) Oscar...
02.23.2024
#956: Revisiting Dune, ‘50s Madness Play-Ins and Blind Spots
With the release of the “Dune” sequel just a week away, Adam and Josh revisit “Dune: Part One” and take care of some ‘50s blind spots ahead of Filmspotting Madness—Best of the 1950s. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters...
02.16.2024
#955: Top 5 Tokyo Movies, Perfect Days (w/Spoilers), How To Have Sex
Wim Wenders’s Oscar-nominated “Perfect Days” inspires Adam and Josh to share their Top 5 films set in Tokyo, plus a Golden Brick nod for the coming-of-age film “How To Have Sex” and some “Perfect Days” spoiler talk. (Timecodes will not be...
02.09.2024
#954: Rear Window vs. Vertigo, Inside The Yellow Cocoon Shell
With “Rear Window” turning 70 this year, Adam and Josh give the double Sacred Cow treatment to a pair of Hitchcock masterpieces from the ‘50s. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:01:00) Sacred Cow: “Rear Window” (00:01:01-00:59:12) Brickspotting...
02.02.2024
#953: American Fiction (w/Spoilers), Rustin, Sundance 2024
Reviews of newly minted Oscar nominees “American Fiction” and “Rustin,” plus Adam’s thoughts on a couple of Sundance standouts. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:01:58) Review: American Fiction (00:01:59-00:28:35) Next week, Notes (00:28:36-00:32:14) Sundance ‘24 - Ibelin, A...
01.26.2024
#952: 2024 Movie Preview - Folie à Deux Edition
Dune: Part 2 v Furiosa. Linklater v Soderbergh. Adam and Josh preview the 2024 movie year via ten death-match polls. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:04:56) 2024 Movie Preview: Folie à Deux (00:04:57-00:33:27) 2023 Golden Brick Winner...
01.19.2024
#951: Best Scenes of 2023 with Michael Phillips, Mia Lee Vicino, and Tran Ahn Hung
Adam and Josh head west for the 2023 Wrap Party, sharing their favorite scenes of the year, along with Michael Phillips (Chicago Tribune) and Mia Lee Vicino (Letterboxd), with a special appearance by “The Taste of Things” director Tran Ahn...
01.12.2024
#950: Ferrari, Maestro, Wonka, The Color Purple
It’s the 2023 movie orphans show, with reviews of late-year releases from Michael Mann (“Ferrari”) and Bradley Cooper (“Maestro”), along with thoughts on a pair of new musicals, Paul King’s “Wonka” and Blitz Bazawule's adaptation of the Tony-winning THE COLOR...
01.05.2024
One Week Away From Filmspotting Live in L.A.
Adam shares new details about our upcoming live show in L.A., including guest updates and important ticketing information. All tickets must be purchased online before noon PT on the 13th. The 2023 Wrap Party is presented by Regal Unlimited (use...
12.22.2023
#949: The Best Films of 2023 with Michael Phillips and Marya E. Gates
Adam, Josh, and guests Michael Phillips and Marya E. Gates hash out the best of what all agree is among the richest movie years in recent memory. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:07:55) The Films of...
12.21.2023
Bonus Sampler: '23 Chicago Film Critics Ballots
Enjoy an excerpt from this month's bonus episode where Adam and Josh followed up their Performances of the Year episode with more categories from their Chicago Film Critics Association ballots. Join the Filmspotting Family Chicago Film Critics Association Winners Filmspotting Live in L.A....
12.15.2023
#948: The 30 Best Performances of 2023
Fresh from submitting their Chicago Film Critics Association ballots, Adam and Josh share their favorite film performances of the year. (Timecode will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:01:48) Supporting Actor (00:01:48-00:12:07) Supporting Actress (00:12:07-00:24:54) Notes, Massacre Theatre (00:24:54-00:42:15) Lead Actor (00:42:15-00:57:02) Lead...
12.08.2023
#947: Poor Things, May December, Napoleon, Four Daughters, Fallen Leaves
Playing catchup ahead of their year-end Top 10s, Adam and Josh dig into the latest from Yorgos Lanthimos, Todd Haynes, Ridley Scott, and more. (Timecode will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Open (00:00:00-00:01:05) “Saltburn” (JL) (00:01:05-00:05:42) “Poor Things” (00:05:42-00:16:57) “May December”...
12.06.2023
Bonus Show Sampler: Horror Movie Draft, 2024 Marathons
Bonus shows are just one of the perks of joining the Family. Enjoy these excerpts from two of our most recent episodes. For as little as $5/month, get access to bonus content, early and ad-free listening, our newsletter, and more. Join...
12.01.2023
From the Archive: Alien at 40, Top 5 Joaquin Phoenix Performances
With Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” in theaters, we revisit a 2019 Sacred Cow review of the director’s “Alien” and, from earlier this year, the Top 5 Joaquin Phoenix Performances. -Notes: Live in L.A.(03:20) -Sacred Cow Review: “Alien” (05:59) -Top 5 Joaquin Phoenix Performances (40:43) (Times...
11.24.2023
#946: The Holdovers, Essential Werner Herzog
Alexander Payne reunites with Paul Giamatti for the period holiday comedy "The Holdovers" which is one of the director’s best and one of the best of the year. -Review: “The Holdovers” (05:43) -The Essential Werner Herzog” (23:59) (Times may not be precise with...
11.17.2023
#945: The Killer (with Spoilers), Fincher Ranked, The Marvels
David Fincher’s THE KILLER has more on its mind than mere genre thrills. Adam and Josh review of Fincher’s 12th feature and dig into spoilers. Plus, THE MARVELS, and Fincher Ranked. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start...
11.10.2023
#944: Priscilla, Sofia Coppola Ranked, Fingernails
Adam and Josh debate whether Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” is a new kind of biopic or just more of the same. Plus, Jessie Buckley and Riz Ahmed in “Fingernails.” -Review: “Priscilla” (02:31) -Sofia Coppola Ranked (37:08) -Next Week / Notes / Polls (41:28) -Review: “Fingernails”...
11.03.2023
#943: Anatomy of a Fall (with Spoilers), All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, Theater Camp
Praise for star Sandra Hüller in director Justine Triet’s slippery, sophisticated courtroom drama that puts a woman and her marriage on trial. -Review: “Anatomy of a Fall” (03:47) -Brickspotting: “All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt” “Theater Camp” (40:37) -Next Week / Notes /...
10.27.2023
#942: Killers of the Flower Moon (with Spoilers), Scorsese Ranked
Adam and Josh go long and spoiler-y - on the new Scorsese, and do their best to rank their favorite of the director’s features. -Review: “Killers of the Flower Moon” (03:10) -”Killers of the Flower Moon” with Spoilers (18:44) -Next Week / Notes /...
10.20.2023
#941: Top 5 Movies Siskel & Ebert Got Wrong with Matt Singer
Adam, Josh, and guest Matt Singer (“Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever”) wrangle with Gene and Roger over reviews of movies past. -Interview: Matt Singer (06:13) -Top 5: Movies Siskel & Ebert Got Wrong (19:33) -Next Week / Notes /...
10.13.2023
#940: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and More Dahl Shorts
Wes Anderson follows up this year’s “Asteroid City” with four short films, all adapted from Roald Dahl stories, for Netflix. -Review: “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” “The Swan” (03:24) -Next Week / Notes / Polls (52:12) -Review: “The Rat Catcher,” “Poison” (01:15:18) (Times...
10.06.2023
#939: The Creator, Chicago Int’l Film Festival Preview
Is Gareth Edwards’ Humans vs. A.I. movie the original piece of Hollywood filmmaking that we’ve been waiting for? Plus, a road map for getting the most out of the 59th annual Chicago International Film Festival. -Review: “The Creator” (03:59) -Next Week /...
09.29.2023
#938: Flora and Son, Stop Making Sense, No One Will Save You
John Carney has given us a musical love story (“Once”), a musical coming-of-age story (“Sing Street”), and now, with the new “Flora and Son”, a musical story about the trials and tribulations of parenting. That review, thoughts on the new...
09.22.2023
#937: Top 5 Music Docs, The Last Waltz at 45
With “Stop Making Sense” back in theaters, Adam and Josh share their Top 5 Music Docs, and give Scorsese’s celebrated ‘78 concert doc “The Last Waltz” the Sacred Cow treatment. -Top 5: Music Docs (05:32) -Next Week / Notes (36:06) -Massacre Theatre (42:17) -Sacred...
09.15.2023
#936: Dazed and Confused at 30, I Am Not A Witch (African Cinema #5)
30 years later, Richard Linklater’s “Dazed and Confused” is even better than you remember. Plus, 2017’s “I Am Not A Witch” from Zambian-Welsh director Rungano Nyoni, and the African Cinema Marathon Awards. -Sacred Cow Review: “Dazed and Confused” (04:29) -Next Week /...
09.08.2023
#935: Midnight Run at 35, Yeelen (African Cinema #4)
The Filmspotting Pantheon contains distinguished titles like “Vertigo,” “Do The Right Thing,” and “The Godfather.” Also? The 1988 action comedy “Midnight Run.” Adam and Josh investigate with a revisit. -Sacred Cow Review: “Midnight Run” (03:42) -Next Week / Notes (53:42) -Massacre Theatre (49:03) -African...
09.01.2023
#934: Fall Movie Preview, Touki Bouki (African Cinema Marathon #3)
As they consider the fall movie slate, Adam and Josh look past some of the bigger releases for questions about the season’s potential hidden gems. -Fall Movie Preview (05:08) -Next Week / Notes / Polls (47:39) -African Cinema Marathon: “Touki Bouki” (01:01:51) (Times may...
08.25.2023
#933: Bottoms, Risky Business at 40
Emma Seligman (“Shiva Baby”) wields satirical feminism in her raunchy, violent, and hilarious new high school comedy BOTTOMS; and Josh and guest host Marya E. Gates discover surprising depths in RISKY BUSINESS, which turns 40 this year. -Review: “Bottoms”...
08.18.2023
#932: The Fugitive at 30 with Michael Phillips, Top 5 Movies of 1993
Not the most acclaimed film of ‘93, but maybe the most surprisingly acclaimed. Josh and guest Michael Phillips on the lasting appeal of Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, and one of the great Chicago-set movies. And from the archive, the...
08.11.2023
#931: Mailbag (Oppenheimer, Actor-Director Duos), Black Girl (African Cinema #2)
It’s an old-school Listener Feedback segment as Adam and Josh respond to recent emails. Plus, a tribute to William Friedkin, the second African Cinema Marathon installment, and Adam shares some personal and professional news. -RIP William Friedkin (07:23) -Mailbag (16:01) -Adam’s Announcements (44:26) -Next...
08.04.2023
#930: Top 5 Jump Scares, Talk To Me, Cairo Station (African Cinema #1)
The Top 5 Jump Scares that messed Adam and Josh up. Also, thoughts on the new horror film “Talk To Me,” Ira Sachs’s “Passages,” and a marathon review of 1958’s “Cairo Station.” -Top 5: Jump Scares (09:15) -Review (JL): “Talk To Me”...
07.28.2023
#929: Barbie, Oppenheimer
For the most anticipated double feature in years - Greta Gerwig's BARBIE and Christopher Nolan's OPPENHEIMER - Adam and Josh praise two very different films for treating their subjects with similar complexity. -Review: “Barbie” (03:20) -Brickspotting (JL): “Earth Mama” (30:27) -Next Week /...
07.21.2023
#928: M:I - Dead Reckoning Part One, Mission: Impossible Ranked
With its show-stopping stunts, the long-awaited seventh film in the “Mission: Impossible” series - DEAD RECKONING PART ONE - delivers the goods. But has the series - and its star - become too meta for their own good? -Review: M:I Dead...
07.14.2023
#927: Top 5 Actor-Director Duos (Since 2000)
Lots of directors have favorite actors. But for their Top 5 Actor-Director Duos since 2000, Adam and Josh choose the definitive collaborations of the last 20-plus years. -Top 5: Actor-Director Duos (02:37) -Next Week/Notes (45:56) -Massacre Theatre (51:31) -Top 5, cont. (57:01) (Times may not...
07.07.2023
#926: Dial of Destiny, Top 5 Indiana Jones Moments
Adam and Josh praise Harrison Ford’s farewell to Indy with their review of DIAL OF DESTINY and narrow down their favorite scenes in the franchise with their Top 5 Indiana Jones Moments. -Top 5: Indiana Jones Moments (01:52) -Next Week/Notes/Poll (48:52) -Review: “Indiana...
06.23.2023
#925: Asteroid City, Past Lives
The space race and method acting collide in Wes Anderson’s '50s-set ASTEROID CITY, and former sweethearts reunite in Celine Song’s acclaimed debut PAST LIVES. -Review: “Asteroid City” (01:42) -Notes (38:21) -Massacre Theatre (40:30) -Review: “Past Lives” (47:42) (Times may not be precise with ads) Promo: FACTORMEALS.com/filmspotting50 and...
06.16.2023
#924: Top 5 Movie Characters Who Shaped Us with Aisha Harris, Elemental
Aisha Harris’s new book - “Wannabe: Reckoning With the Pop Culture that Shapes Me” - inspires this week’s show. Adam, Josh, and Aisha share the Top 5 Movie Characters Who Shaped Us. Plus, Josh’s take on Pixar’s ELEMENTAL. -Interview: Aisha Harris...
06.09.2023
#923: Pride Top 5 - LGBTQ+ Movies, Sight & Sound Marathon Awards, Close to Vermeer
Adam and Josh celebrate Pride Month with the Top 5 LGBTQ+ Movies that were formative in shaping their understanding of queer life. Plus, ‘The BFIs’ recognize the best of the Sight & Sound Top 100 Marathon. -Pride Top 5: LGBTQ+ Movies...
06.02.2023
#922: Across the Spider-Verse, A Brighter Summer Day (Sight & Sound #6), Lynch/Oz
This week, a pair of very different, but also surprisingly similar, coming-of-age stories: the electrifying new “Across the Spider-Verse” and Edward Yang’s ‘91 masterpiece “A Brighter Summer Day.” Plus Adam on the new doc “Lynch/Oz.” -Review: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (02:28) -Review...
05.26.2023
#921: Top 5 Films of 2023 (So Far) with Michael Phillips
Michael Phillips drops in for a look back at the first half of the year in film, including praise for "Showing Up," Nicole Holofcener's "You Hurt My Feelings," "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" and more. -Top 5 Films of...
05.19.2023
#920: Master Gardener, BlackBerry, Marker's Sans Soleil (Sight & Sound #5)
What seemed like a one-off, late-career masterpiece from ‘70s icon Paul Schrader (2017’s “First Reformed”) has now become a loose series of films about solitary men struggling with past sins. Where does the new MASTER GARDENER rank among the director’s...
05.12.2023
#919: Summer Movie Preview, Tarkovsky's Mirror (Sight & Sound #4)
New films from Christopher Nolan, Greta Gerwig, and Wes Anderson may be the auteur-driven must-sees of the summer, but Adam and Josh go deeper for their Top 5 Summer Movie Questions. -Summer Movie Preview (02:51) -Next Week/Notes, Polls (43:43) -Marathon Review: “Mirror” (56:15) (Times...

What's Filmspotting - Movie Reviews about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Filmspotting - Movie Reviews episodes:

Filmspotting Presents: The Film That Blew My Mind - Kristen Johnson on All That Jazz

#962: Ex Machina in the Age of AI, Mrs. Miniver (Wyler #3), ‘50s Madness Finals

#961: Road House at 35, Road House ‘24, Godzilla x Kong, ‘50s Madness Final Four

From the Archive: Godzilla ('54) v Kong ('33)

#960: Love Lies Bleeding, The Best Years of Our Lives (Wyler #2), ‘50s Madness (Elite 8)

#959: Eternal Sunshine at 20, Dodsworth (Wyler #1), ‘50s Madness (Sweet 16)

#958: Dune: Part Two (+Spoiler Talk), ‘50s Madness (Rd. 2)

#957: Oscars Special with Michael Phillips, ‘50s Madness (Rd. 1)

#956: Revisiting Dune, ‘50s Madness Play-Ins and Blind Spots

#955: Top 5 Tokyo Movies, Perfect Days (w/Spoilers), How To Have Sex

#954: Rear Window vs. Vertigo, Inside The Yellow Cocoon Shell

#953: American Fiction (w/Spoilers), Rustin, Sundance 2024

#952: 2024 Movie Preview - Folie à Deux Edition

#951: Best Scenes of 2023 with Michael Phillips, Mia Lee Vicino, and Tran Ahn Hung

#950: Ferrari, Maestro, Wonka, The Color Purple

One Week Away From Filmspotting Live in L.A.

#949: The Best Films of 2023 with Michael Phillips and Marya E. Gates

Bonus Sampler: '23 Chicago Film Critics Ballots

#948: The 30 Best Performances of 2023

#947: Poor Things, May December, Napoleon, Four Daughters, Fallen Leaves

Bonus Show Sampler: Horror Movie Draft, 2024 Marathons

From the Archive: Alien at 40, Top 5 Joaquin Phoenix Performances

#946: The Holdovers, Essential Werner Herzog

#945: The Killer (with Spoilers), Fincher Ranked, The Marvels

#944: Priscilla, Sofia Coppola Ranked, Fingernails

#943: Anatomy of a Fall (with Spoilers), All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, Theater Camp

#942: Killers of the Flower Moon (with Spoilers), Scorsese Ranked

#941: Top 5 Movies Siskel & Ebert Got Wrong with Matt Singer

#940: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and More Dahl Shorts

#939: The Creator, Chicago Int’l Film Festival Preview

#938: Flora and Son, Stop Making Sense, No One Will Save You

#937: Top 5 Music Docs, The Last Waltz at 45

#936: Dazed and Confused at 30, I Am Not A Witch (African Cinema #5)

#935: Midnight Run at 35, Yeelen (African Cinema #4)

#934: Fall Movie Preview, Touki Bouki (African Cinema Marathon #3)

#933: Bottoms, Risky Business at 40

#932: The Fugitive at 30 with Michael Phillips, Top 5 Movies of 1993

#931: Mailbag (Oppenheimer, Actor-Director Duos), Black Girl (African Cinema #2)

#930: Top 5 Jump Scares, Talk To Me, Cairo Station (African Cinema #1)

#929: Barbie, Oppenheimer

#928: M:I - Dead Reckoning Part One, Mission: Impossible Ranked

#927: Top 5 Actor-Director Duos (Since 2000)

#926: Dial of Destiny, Top 5 Indiana Jones Moments

#925: Asteroid City, Past Lives

#924: Top 5 Movie Characters Who Shaped Us with Aisha Harris, Elemental

#923: Pride Top 5 - LGBTQ+ Movies, Sight & Sound Marathon Awards, Close to Vermeer

#922: Across the Spider-Verse, A Brighter Summer Day (Sight & Sound #6), Lynch/Oz

#921: Top 5 Films of 2023 (So Far) with Michael Phillips

#920: Master Gardener, BlackBerry, Marker's Sans Soleil (Sight & Sound #5)

#919: Summer Movie Preview, Tarkovsky's Mirror (Sight & Sound #4)

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