Rock in Retrospect

Philip returns to discuss Alex Gibney's 2014 documentary Finding Fela, which explores the life and career of legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti while also examining the creation of the Broadway musical Fela! 

We share our thoughts on the documentary, highlight our favorite songs from Kuti's catalog, and cap things off with a discussion of his upcoming induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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Helen and Jeff return to discuss the 2007 documentary Joy Division, which covers the history of the legendary post-punk band. We give our takes on the movie and reveal our favorite Joy Division songs. We conclude this episode with a discussion of Joy Division and New Order's upcoming induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. We discuss all the drama within New Order, and ponder who will induct and perform with them at the ceremony. 

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Darren and Peter return to discuss the 2025 documentary Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer, which chronicles the final years of original Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno. They talk about their Iron Maiden fandoms and share their thoughts on the documentary. 

We conclude by discussing Iron Maiden's upcoming Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction next month. We speculate on who we think could induct them and how their segment will go down. 

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Jon and Mike return to discuss the 2026 documentary Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger, which focuses on the legendary band's massively successful return tour from 2025. They detail their experiences going to the shows in their respective cities, seeing the movie in theaters (in IMAX no less!), and share their thoughts on the documentary. 

We conclude with your thoughts on their pending Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction next month and speculate who will show up, who will induct them, and what songs they play during their segment. 

Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger is currently streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.

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Today, we're discussing the 1996 television documentary The Phil Collins Big Band, which takes us behind the scenes of one of Phil Collins' most fascinating musical side projects. Best known for his work with Genesis and his hugely successful solo career, Collins decided to fulfill a lifelong dream of playing instrumental jazz and big band music. And that's exactly what he did! The documentary also features some famous faces, including Quincy Jones and Tony Bennett.

But this is an especially exciting episode of Movie Talk because we're joined by someone who actually appears in the documentary: the great trumpet player Daniel Fornero! Having performed with Collins for decades, including during his big band era, Daniel shares candid stories and firsthand insights that make this episode a must-listen for any Phil Collins fan.

We're also joined by the wonderful Traci Baker (We Got Phil Voted In), whose incredible knowledge of all things Phil Collins helps us contextualize the documentary and celebrate this fascinating chapter of his career.

NOTE: This is the first in a series of special episodes spotlighting the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 2026 inductees.

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Fellow librarian John returns to discuss the 2020 documentary The Library That Dolly Built, which explores country music icon Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and its mission to provide free books to millions of children around the world.

This episode is also, in part, a tribute to the late, great Dolly Parton, an extraordinary artist, philanthropist, and one of the greatest humans ever to grace our planet. Dolly, we will always love you.

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Kyle, Patrick, and Hector return to discuss Don Argott and Demian Fenton's 2022 documentary Dio: Dreamers Never Die, which focuses on the life and career of iconic hard rock and metal singer Ronnie James Dio. Whether he was in Rainbow, Black Sabbath, or Dio, his operatic vocals and magnetic stage presence stood out every time he performed. We give our take on the movie, share lots of personal stories, and pick our favorite songs from his iconoclastic career. This is a must-listen for any hard rock or metal fan.

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Tim Durling (Author of On Record: The April Wine Album Review) returns to discuss the career and legacy of Canadian classic rockers April Wine.

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Kevin Brown (The Tom Petty Project) joins Nick to discuss Cameron Crowe’s 1983 music documentary Tom Petty: Heartbreakers Beach Party. Originally filmed as an MTV promotional special supporting the band’s 1982 album Long After Dark, the film captures Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the height of their popularity while offering a fascinating, behind-the-scenes glimpse into their world.

In addition to discussing the film, Kevin and Nick share their favorite songs from the band’s legendary career.

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Nick is joined by his friends and A24k Gold co-hosts Amanda, Darren, and Kailyn for a special crossover episode! Together, they discuss Jonathan Demme’s classic concert film Stop Making Sense (1984), featuring the legendary Talking Heads at the height of their powers.

Often hailed as the greatest concert film of all time, Stop Making Sense captures the band’s iconic live show through unforgettable performances, inventive staging, and, of course, David Byrne’s very big suit. The group dives into what makes it so enduring, their favorite musical moments, Demme’s approach to capturing the concert experience, and why it remains such a singular piece of music and movie history.

And what better excuse for an A24k Gold crossover? A24 acquired and restored Stop Making Sense in 2023, bringing this landmark concert movie back to theaters for a whole new generation.

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