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The Western didn’t end with Hollywood’s Golden Age—it evolved. Join us as we explore the many directions the genre took through The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Once Upon a Time in the West, The Wild Bunch, Big Jake, and Unforgiven, from the classic Western’s final masterpiece to the operatic Spaghetti Western, the violent Revisionist Western, nostalgic throwbacks, and the genre’s ultimate reckoning with its own myths

From dusty frontier towns to the wide-open landscapes of Monument Valley, no genre did more to shape the image of Hollywood than the Western. In the first installment of our two-part journey, we explore the films that defined the genre during its Golden Age, tracing its evolution from the sweeping adventure of Stagecoach to the psychological depth of The Searchers and the self-assured confidence of Rio Bravo. Along the way, High Noon and Shane challenge what it means to be a hero, proving that beneath the gunfights and horseback chases, the greatest Westerns have always been about character, community, and the myths America tells about itself.

We’re halfway through 2026, so we’re taking a break from our usual episodes to look back at the year in film of 2026. We’ll talk about our highlights, lowlights, and some bonus favorite first time watches from the year as well

Robert Redford’s screen presence made him one of Hollywood’s defining stars, but his legacy extends far beyond his performances. Through Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, Three Days of the Condor, All the President’s Men, and Quiz Show, we trace his evolution from charismatic outlaw and con man to wary investigator, determined journalist, and accomplished director. We also reflect on his transformative impact on independent cinema through the Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival, which helped generations of filmmakers find audiences outside the traditional studio system.

Few filmmakers have captured the passage of time—and the way ordinary moments quietly shape a life—like Richard Linklater. Through Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight, and Boyhood, we explore his fascination with conversation, memory, growing older, and the people we become through chance encounters and accumulated experience. From one unforgettable night to relationships unfolding across decades, this episode celebrates a filmmaker who finds the extraordinary hiding inside everyday life.

Everybody has a plan—until the job begins. We trace the evolution of the heist film through The Asphalt Jungle, The Killing, Heat, The Town, and Inception, exploring the meticulous preparation, volatile personalities, and inevitable complications that make a perfect crime so thrilling to watch. From hard-boiled noir to dream-within-a-dream spectacle, we discuss how the genre has changed while its central question remains the same: can anyone truly get away clean?

The destination may give the journey direction, but the road has a way of revealing what the travelers are really searching for. Through Easy Rider, Paris, Texas, Thelma and Louise, Y tu Mamá También, and Sideways, we explore five very different journeys across open landscapes—and the loneliness, freedom, friendship, regret, and self-discovery found along the way. Pack your bags, fill the tank, and join us for an episode about the places we travel and the people we become before we arrive.

This week, we’re entering the gloriously chaotic world of screwball comedy: fast talk, romantic warfare, mistaken identities, class clashes, and some of the sharpest dialogue Hollywood ever produced. We trace the genre from Depression-era escapism to its lasting influence on the modern rom-com, covering It Happened One Night, The Philadelphia Story, His Girl Friday, The Lady Eve, and Some Like It Hot. It’s love, lies, pratfalls, and verbal sparring — usually all at once.

Two years, countless movies, and plenty of strong opinions later, we’re taking a look back at the podcast so far. In this special recap episode, we revisit our favorite films, our least favorite watches, the episodes that meant the most to us, and the ways this project has changed how we watch, talk about, and think about movies. It’s a celebration, a reflection, and maybe a little bit of a confessional — because after two years of doing this, we’re definitely not the same movie viewers we were when we started.

This week, we’re looking at films where the past and future feel close enough to touch. In “Echoes of Yesterday,” we explore stories about childhood, memory, family, and the strange experience of seeing yourself — or your parents — from a new distance. Through Petite Maman, My Old Ass, Aftersun, Mirai, and Only Yesterday, we talk about the way cinema captures growing up, looking back, and realizing that the people we love were once children too.