IT’S THE FINAL EPISODE OF THE YEAR! Having amassed more than 100 episodes in its run, PACCTS’ sixth season will focus its sights on “the greatest films of all time” (both in the US and internationally), as assembled by the British Film Institute’s 2022 Sight and Sound Poll of industry critics. Corey will be choosing American films from the list, and Paul will be choosing international ones. 

Our goal is to examine the films that are considered great, and why that may be the case.  

Corey closes out this year with number 54, Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner (1982).

This is the first time this season that Paul and Corey both did not quite enjoy the film. They discuss Phillip K. Dick, the cast, the effects (which kinda left them cold), and why the hell we should care about Deckard at all!

Thank you so much for joining us on this year’s journey. We had a blast and can’t wait for next year! Happy Holidays and see you in February 2025!

Having amassed more than 100 episodes in its run, PACCTS’ sixth season will focus its sights on “the greatest films of all time” (both in the US and internationally), as assembled by the British Film Institute’s 2022 Sight and Sound Poll of industry critics. Corey will be choosing American films from the list, and Paul will be choosing international ones. 

Our goal is to examine the films that are considered great, and why that may be the case.  

Ranked 21, Carl Th. Dreyer's The Passion of Joan of Arc (1927) is a masterpiece (unless you're Corey). With over 1500 shots, whereas most American films of the time had 100-500; unrelenting close-ups throughout; and ahead-of-its-time naturalistic performances; the film feels completely alien if you've ever watched other silent films.

Paul and Corey discuss what works for them and what doesn't; the history of Joan of Arc and the Hundred Years' War; and whether this story (and the story of the Passion of Jesus) is even interesting.

Whether you watch this film at 20 or 24 fps, Paul thinks you're in for a treat. 

Having amassed more than 100 episodes in its run, PACCTS’ sixth season will focus its sights on “the greatest films of all time” (both in the US and internationally), as assembled by the British Film Institute’s 2022 Sight and Sound Poll of industry critics. Corey will be choosing American films from the list, and Paul will be choosing international ones. 

Our goal is to examine the films that are considered great, and why that may be the case.  

Ranked 211, which Paul and Corey agree is too low, is Joseph L. Mankiewicz's All About Eve (1950).

From the zippy, witty, infinitely quotable dialogue to the brilliant performances (minus one?) to its nuanced and edgy discussions of women's oppression and queerness, All About Eve is a must-watch. 

Having amassed more than 100 episodes in its run, PACCTS’ sixth season will focus its sights on “the greatest films of all time” (both in the US and internationally), as assembled by the British Film Institute’s 2022 Sight and Sound Poll of industry critics. Corey will be choosing American films from the list, and Paul will be choosing international ones. 

Our goal is to examine the films that are considered great, and why that may be the case.  

We did it, folks! With this episode, Paul and Corey have now watched all of Paul's Letterboxd Top 4 - and this, his favorite-favorite.

Ranked 133, Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life. The ex post facto Christmas classic (thanks to copyright issues). 

Paul and Corey dive deep into the frozen pond of the film to figure out just why Paul loves it so much and (spoiler!) why Corey didn't. 

Honestly, don't even know what else to say other than this is a great episode, so go listen!

Having amassed more than 100 episodes in its run, PACCTS’ sixth season will focus its sights on “the greatest films of all time” (both in the US and internationally), as assembled by the British Film Institute’s 2022 Sight and Sound Poll of industry critics. Corey will be choosing American films from the list, and Paul will be choosing international ones. 

Our goal is to examine the films that are considered great, and why that may be the case.  

Ranked 169, Sergio Leone's The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) wasn't the first Spaghetti Western (In fact, it's the third installment in Leone/Clint Eastwood's Dollars Trilogy.), but it catapulted the genre onto the American and international stages.

Starring Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach in the respective Good, Bad, and Ugly roles, the film is a total vibe. Dudes rocking. Closeups. Gorgeous masters. Ennio Morricone's incredible soundtrack.

It's so good and fun, Paul nearly (nearly!) couldn't think about the film's themes/politics.

Go watch all three films as soon as you can.

Having amassed more than 100 episodes in its run, PACCTS’ sixth season will focus its sights on “the greatest films of all time” (both in the US and internationally), as assembled by the British Film Institute’s 2022 Sight and Sound Poll of industry critics. Corey will be choosing American films from the list, and Paul will be choosing international ones. 

Our goal is to examine the films that are considered great, and why that may be the case.  

Ranked 54, Sergei Eisentstein's Battleship Potemkin (1925) is one of the rare films on the list to have appeared on every Sight and Sound Poll since its creation in 1952. Eisenstein was one of a collection of Soviet filmmakers who studied and theorized over this new artistic medium of cinema in order to unlock its singular potential for communication. Eisenstein himself was a proponent of montage, which Paul and Corey discuss in terms of its impact on the film and on all films that followed. They also dive deep into the historical events that surrounded the Russian Revolution of 1905 (the subject of the film), which Vladimir Lenin famously referred to as the October Revolution of 1917's "Great Dress Rehearsal."

Having amassed more than 100 episodes in its run, PACCTS’ sixth season will focus its sights on “the greatest films of all time” (both in the US and internationally), as assembled by the British Film Institute’s 2022 Sight and Sound Poll of industry critics. Corey will be choosing American films from the list, and Paul will be choosing international ones. 

Our goal is to examine the films that are considered great, and why that may be the case.  

Ranked 8, Mulholland Drive (2001) is the first film directed by David Lynch that we've discussed on PACCTS. It's been touted as the greatest American film of the 21st century, and half of the show's hosts agree! Paul and Corey discuss Lynch the artist - his methods, styles, and themes - and try to discuss what the hell the film is about. 

Having amassed more than 100 episodes in its run, PACCTS’ sixth season will focus its sights on “the greatest films of all time” (both in the US and internationally), as assembled by the British Film Institute’s 2022 Sight and Sound Poll of industry critics. Corey will be choosing American films from the list, and Paul will be choosing international ones. 

Our goal is to examine the films that are considered great, and why that may be the case.  

Ranked 41, Rashomon (1950) is perhaps the most influential of the Sight and Sound films we've tackled this season - to the point that its famous narrative structure has become an adjective in storytelling. Directed and co-written by Akira Kurosawa, the film is a slow-burning mystery, which tackles the nearly-unattainable nature of truth...

Having amassed more than 100 episodes in its run, PACCTS’ sixth season will focus its sights on “the greatest films of all time” (both in the US and internationally), as assembled by the British Film Institute’s 2022 Sight and Sound Poll of industry critics. Corey will be choosing American films from the list, and Paul will be choosing international ones. 

Our goal is to examine the films that are considered great, and why that may be the case.  

Ranked 114, John Cassavetes' A Woman Under the Influence (1974) is a tour de force. With astounding performances from Gena Rowlands and Peter Falk, Paul and Corey have a new favorite film.

Having amassed more than 100 episodes in its run, PACCTS’ sixth season will focus its sights on “the greatest films of all time” (both in the US and internationally), as assembled by the British Film Institute’s 2022 Sight and Sound Poll of industry critics. Corey will be choosing American films from the list, and Paul will be choosing international ones. 

Our goal is to examine the films that are considered great, and why that may be the case.  

Ranked 243, Andrzej Żuławski's Possession (1981) has only recently gotten the attention it deserves. A difficult and overwhelming examination of divorce (and tentacles), the film was banned in countries, highly edited in America, and labeled as a Video Nasty in the UK. It's been difficult to find, and only recently has Possession been readily available in its entirety in the US, streaming on Shudder. Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani play a married couple in West Berlin. The film begins with him returning home from a spy mission, only to learn his marriage is over. Things don't get better from there. Both Neill and especially Adjani give some of the most intense performances committed to film. You've never seen anything like this...