Seeing and Believing

The show eases off the accelerator to focus on a single film this week. Acclaimed director Ramin Bahrani (Chop Shop, Goodbye Solo) is back with a new film for Netflix that positions itself as the anti-Slumdog Millionaire. Adapted from Aravind Adiga's novel of the same title, The White Tiger tells a story of a lower-caste servant in India (Adarh Gourav) who chafes under the yoke of his family's poverty and does what he thinks he must in order to get ahead. Part Goodfellas, part Parasite, Bahrani's latest takes aim at the wealth disparities of modern India and examines how festering class resentments can boil over into violence, anger, and injustice from rich and poor alike.

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In his continuing journey to give an award-worthy performance in every existing film genre, Tom Hanks is back in 2021 with his first crack at a Western, Paul Greengrass's News of the World. Based on the novel about a traveling newsreader in post-Civil War Texas, the film asks the question: can Hanks's persona as "America's dad" heal tensions in a divided country? Wade and Kevin also take a closer look at the family drama Minari, which placed on both of their top 10 lists of the year in last week's episode. In their deep-dive review, the guys explore the film's take on the American Dream and its effect on the American family.

Music interlude by Onycs, "Together." Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

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Back from his break, Kevin rejoins Wade on the show to count down their favorite films of a very unusual year. With most mainstream films either missing in action or forced into unconventional release strategies because of the pandemic, 2020 has provided an opportunity to highlight the films that might otherwise fly under the radar. Join the guys as they bid 2020 a farewell and recommend its hidden gems!

Music interlude by the Fair Green Band, "Depth of Hollow (Oli Mix)." Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

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On this episode of Seeing and Believing, Wade is joined by Sarah Welch-Larson of Think Christian to discuss Pixar’s new film, Soul. Soul tells the story of a jazz musician named Joe (voiced by Jamie Foxx). A music teacher by necessity, Joe finally catches his big break when he lands a coveted gig that could change his life forever. His best day, however, turns into his worst day when Joe dies and is transported out of his body, eventually landing in the pre-life (Or “The Great Before”). There, he meets an infant soul (voiced by Tina Fey) and together they begin a journey to discover not only themselves but the meaning of life.

In the second half of the show, Wade and Sarah talk about the newest film from the DC universe, Wonder Woman 1984. Trading the trenches of WWI for shopping malls and big hair, Wonder Woman 1984 seeks to build on the success of Jenkins’ first entry in the franchise. Find out what Wade and Sarah think of the movie on this episode of Seeing and Believing!

Music interlude by Evan Schaeffer Music Studios, “Encomium.” Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

Theme music by Alexander Osborn†and†Lindsey Mysse. Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

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On this episode of Seeing and Believing, Wade is joined by Steve Norton of ScreenFish.net to discuss Nomadland, the new film from Chloé Zhao. Nomadland is being touted as one of the year’s best movies, and the duo discusses whether it lives up to the hype.

In the second half of the show, Wade and Steve talk Season 2 of Disney+'s The Mandalorian. Or, maybe they just gush about Baby Yoda the entire time.

Music interlude by Phantom Atlantic, “No Way to Live." Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

Theme music by Alexander Osborn and Lindsey Mysse. Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

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With Kevin out this week, Wade is joined by Aaron White, co-host of the Feelin' Film Podcast, to discuss Mank, the new movie from David Fincher. Mank tells the story of Herman J. Mankiewicz and his tumultuous journey to write the screenplay for Citizen Kane. Spoiler alert: the movie does get made.

In their second segment, the duo discusses Fatman, a new film starring Mel Gibson as Santa Claus. Need we say more?

Music interlude by Rue Royale, “Snow on Snow (The Bleak Midwinter)." Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

Theme music by Alexander Osborn and Lindsey Mysse. Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

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Seeing and Believing heads to the British Isles this week with a pair of films poised to make their way into the end of the year awards talk. First up is Tomm Moore and Ross Stewarts's Wolfwalkers, the new project from the highly esteemed Cartoon Saloon. A mixture of myth and magic, Wolfwalkers uses stunning animation to tell the story of a young girl caught between the forces of prior allegiances and new friendships. After that, Wade and Kevin tackle Armando Iannucci's The Personal History of David Copperfield. Will this fresh take on Charles Dickens' classic work be an adaptation to remember? Find out on this episode of Seeing and Believing!

Music interlude by David Crickett, "Confession." Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

Theme music by Alexander Osborn and Lindsey Mysse. Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

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With family gatherings just around the corner (or not) for Thanksgiving, Wade and Kevin take a look at a couple of new family dramas that are just hitting streaming platforms this week! First up is Ron Howard's Hillbilly Elegy, starring Amy Adams and Glenn Close. How does the cinematic adaptation of J.D. Vance's bestselling memoir fare in its transition from page to screen? The guys also review The Nest, Sean Durkin's follow-up to his psychological thriller Martha Marcy Mae Marlene. In its story of a married couple (Jude Law and Carrie Coon) fighting the slow unraveling of their family, does Durkin's new film prove to be a worthy follow-up?

Music interlude by Tymat, ìOut of Oxygen.î Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

Theme music by Alexander Osborn and Lindsey Mysse. Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

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Dust off your chess sets and start reminding yourself of the difference between pawns and bishops because the world of competitive chess is the talk of the town again. Netflix's lends some midcentury glamour to the cerebral, famously nerdy pursuit with its new miniseries The Queen's Gambit, featuring Anya Taylor-Joy as a fiercely ambitious chess prodigy who strives to excel in a game that is well-known for being male-dominated. Does the literary adaptation from Scott Frank and Allan Scott succeed at making the think-iest of board games into an absorbingly cinematic experience? Wade and Kevin also turn in a retro review this week to commemorate the passing of Sean Connery. Connery's iconic screen presence often elevated the movies he starred in, and the guys take a look at the Rudyard Kipling adaptation The Man Who Would Be King to see whether they can define exactly what that screen presence consisted of. Tally ho!

Music interlude by Vlad Gluschenko, "Warm Days." Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

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Seeing & Believing spend some time on the HBO streaming service this week! First up is Robert Zemeckis's try at remaking Roald Dahl's classic children's book The Witches. Transplanting the story to the 1960s American South and featuring Anne Hathaway and Octavia Spencer, Zemeckis's new film aims to refresh Dahl's tale of grotesque witches plotting to transform the world's children into mice. Wade and Kevin also take some time with David Byrne's American Utopia, which records the Broadway show masterminded by Byrne, frontman of the Talking Heads. What does the show have to say about technology, divisions in American society, and human connection? And can it impress Wade, avowed Byrne enthusiast and fan of the Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense?

Music interlude by Rasmus Soderberg, "Friends and Foes." Used under Creative Commons license 3.0.

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