An obsessed fan will do anything to get what he wants--including....crime??? In a Martin Scorsese picture?!?

On this episode of Spineless, Nick and Brennan break down Marty's undersung masterpiece The King of Comedy and the king himself Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro), asking questions such as: Why wasn't Jerry Lewis nominated for an Oscar for this performance? Who would be the King of Comedy of the modern age? And most importantly, how on earth did Joker (2019) get away with ripping this movie off so directly? The current lack of a 4K physical edition makes The King of Comedy ripe for a Criterion release, but until that day it remains...Spineless.

The Criterion Collection is an ever-growing roster of movies deemed internationally significant on an artistic level. Each new film added to the collection is given a Spine Number, making any film NOT in the collection: SPINELESS. Join Nick and Brennan (your very-favorite SPINELESS BOYS) as they cover the classic and contemporary films they feel are most deserving of the Criterion treatment.

REACH OUT TO THE SPINELESS BOYS:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @Spinelessfilms

Letterboxd: @SpinelessFilms

As always, thank you to Joey Johnson for our music and to Sparrow Potter for our artwork.

If Roger Rabbit asks you to come down into his basement, DO NOT LISTEN!! It just might be the Zodiac speaking.

This week on Spineless, Brennan and Nick discuss David Fincher's 2007 crime masterpiece Zodiac, a film which fourteen-year-old Brennan called “extremely terrifying” and also wrote a song about. Brennan and Nick discuss how Fincher subverts and plays within the true crime genre, where they were when one of Zodiac's messages was decrypted (Brennan's....basement?!?), and how this film is one of the greatest showcases of Guys™️ ever assembled. Plus, a special surprise guest gives their thoughts on the film (we're not gonna say it's the Zodiac Killer but it's definitely not NOT the Zodiac Killer). Gooooood byeeeeeee.

We finally covered a Jake Gyllenhaal movie so dropping this here one last time

The Criterion Collection is an ever-growing roster of movies deemed internationally significant on an artistic level. Each new film added to the collection is given a Spine Number, making any film NOT in the collection: SPINELESS. Join Nick and Brennan (your very-favorite SPINELESS BOYS) as they cover the classic and contemporary films they feel are most deserving of the Criterion treatment.

REACH OUT TO THE SPINELESS BOYS:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @Spinelessfilms

Letterboxd: @SpinelessFilms

As always, thank you to Joey Johnson for our music and to Sparrow Potter for our artwork.

Mushroom omelette, anyone?

The title may deceive you--there are no phantoms in this movie. Just a very ornery dressmaker. Join Nick and Brennan as they discuss Paul Thomas Anderson’s haute couture character study Phantom Thread, a film that makes the Spineless Boys pose questions such as: Do Vicky Krieps and Daniel Day-Lewis be f***ing? Is this film secretly about Alfred Hitchcock? And, most importantly, what do Reddit incels think about all this? The only thing Nick and Brennan can agree for sure on is Harriet Samson Harris Oscar yesterday, please.

FOR THE HUNGRY BOY

Melancholy (that's right we brought it up again)

The Criterion Collection is an ever-growing roster of movies deemed internationally significant on an artistic level. Each new film added to the collection is given a Spine Number, making any film NOT in the collection: SPINELESS. Join Nick and Brennan (your very-favorite SPINELESS BOYS) as they cover the classic and contemporary films they feel are most deserving of the Criterion treatment.

REACH OUT TO THE SPINELESS BOYS:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @Spinelessfilms

Letterboxd: @SpinelessFilms

As always, thank you to Joey Johnson for our music and to Sparrow Potter for our artwork.

We have one question for you: Daddy would you like some sausage?

In one of their most delirious episodes yet, Brennan and Nick come to you in-person from the Windy City to discuss 2001’s FREDDY GOT FINGERED, a harbinger of things to come. It’s late at night and they got jewels, sausages, and a truly locked-in performance from Rip Torn on the brain, so get on into your rocket-powered wheelchair and take a listen to this episode of Spineless. Because what we all need is a Criterion release of this movie on 4K. It would be really funny.

In the episode Brennan talks about a scene from The Fanatic (2019) which we couldn't find as its own video so here is a link to the whole movie please tell us if you watch it it's supposed to be really bad. The scene Brennan refers to starts at 31:09

The Criterion Collection is an ever-growing roster of movies deemed internationally significant on an artistic level. Each new film added to the collection is given a Spine Number, making any film NOT in the collection: SPINELESS. Join Nick and Brennan (your very-favorite SPINELESS BOYS) as they cover the classic and contemporary films they feel are most deserving of the Criterion treatment.

REACH OUT TO THE SPINELESS BOYS:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @Spinelessfilms

Letterboxd: @SpinelessFilms

As always, thank you to Joey Johnson for our music and to Sparrow Potter for our artwork.

Get out your luna juice and get ready to take on Mr. Melancholy: we're going to the Pink Opaque.

In this Very Special Episode of Spineless, Nick and Brennan are joined by friend and comedian Robin Borden to discuss Jane Schoenbrun’s 2024 film I Saw The TV Glow, the recipient of a record-setting number of Golden Spine Awards. It’s a real lovefest here as we go over all the reasons this movie cooks and the profound metaphor for the trans experience that lies at its core. Plus, Nick has a suggestion for a very normal and understandable Oscars sketch. Let’s-a go!

The Criterion Collection is an ever-growing roster of movies deemed internationally significant on an artistic level. Each new film added to the collection is given a Spine Number, making any film NOT in the collection: SPINELESS. Join Nick and Brennan (your very-favorite SPINELESS BOYS) as they cover the classic and contemporary films they feel are most deserving of the Criterion treatment.

REACH OUT TO THE SPINELESS BOYS:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @Spinelessfilms

Letterboxd: @SpinelessFilms

As always, thank you to Joey Johnson for our music and to Sparrow Potter for our artwork.

It's Oscars weekend, and we wanted to get in on the fun...introducing the Golden Spine Awards, Spineless' own awards show celebrating excellence in 2024 cinema. We are joined by Andy Germuga (Cannes I Kick It? podcast) to pick our personal nominees and winners in 8 major categories: Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Supporting (x2), and Screenplay (x2). Plus, stick around for our own coveted award: Most Spineless. Nick and Brennan have some zags, and Andy came swinging with some excellent out-of-left-field picks. You will never, ever guess who Andy nominated for Best Actress.

Before watching Conan host the Oscars, tune into the Golden Spines to hear about some of the nominees, and some excellent movies that the Oscars snubbed.

The Criterion Collection is an ever-growing roster of movies deemed internationally significant on an artistic level. Each new film added to the collection is given a Spine Number, making any film NOT in the collection: SPINELESS. Join Nick and Brennan (your very-favorite SPINELESS BOYS) as they cover the classic and contemporary films they feel are most deserving of the Criterion treatment.

REACH OUT TO THE SPINELESS BOYS:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @Spinelessfilms

Letterboxd: @SpinelessFilms

As always, thank you to Joey Johnson for our music and to Sparrow Potter for our artwork.

You might need tissues for this one folks.

On this episode of Spineless, Nick and Brennan muse on love, loss, and adaptation in their discussion of Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk. Horrifically snubbed at the Oscars for 2018, Beale Street is a heartrending portrait of a love torn apart by the societal ills of its time, gorgeously adapted by Jenkins from a masterful novel by James Baldwin. Plus, Nick fills Brennan in on what he missed by skipping Jenkins' most recent film, particularly a giant white lion singing 🎶Bye Bye🎶. Let's hope Barry Jenkins uses all that Mufasa money to make another passion project like Beale Street!

The Criterion Collection is an ever-growing roster of movies deemed internationally significant on an artistic level. Each new film added to the collection is given a Spine Number, making any film NOT in the collection: SPINELESS. Join Nick and Brennan as they cover the classic and contemporary films they feel are most deserving of the Criterion treatment.

REACH OUT TO THE SPINELESS BOYS:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @Spinelessfilms

Letterboxd: @SpinelessFilms

Substack: The Spineless Boys’s Substack

As always, thank you to Joey Johnson for our music and to Sparrow Potter for our artwork.

Two movies. One episode. Several Talking Heads.

In their first ever double-feature episode, Nick and Brennan discuss Jonathan Demme’s STOP MAKING SENSE (1984) and Spike Lee’s AMERICAN UTOPIA (2020), two of the greatest concert films of all time and certainly some great purveyors of unhinged David Byrne antics. Nick and Brennan talk about their favorite songs from each film, Brennan's experience seeing American Utopia live on Broadway in 2021, and the lasting legacy of Talking Heads' music--and David Byrne's big suit.

Tom Hanks singing Once in a Lifetime and there are Racist Fish

Kermit the Frog singing Once in a Lifetime (no racism it's actually incredible)

Note: This episode was released in February 2025, before Criterion's announcement of a 4K edition of David Byrne's American Utopia in September 2025. In other words, one of these films is...SPINELESS NO MORE!!!

The Criterion Collection is an ever-growing roster of movies deemed internationally significant on an artistic level. Each new film added to the collection is given a Spine Number, making any film NOT in the collection: SPINELESS. Join Nick and Brennan as they cover the classic and contemporary films they feel are most deserving of the Criterion treatment.

REACH OUT TO THE SPINELESS BOYS:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @Spinelessfilms

Letterboxd: @SpinelessFilms

Substack: The Spineless Boys’s Substack

As always, thank you to Joey Johnson for our music and to Sparrow Potter for our artwork.

In Spineless’ first ever guest episode, The Spineless Boys are joined by Adelina Marinello: actor, playwright, and partner to one Nicholas Kinney, to discuss Charlotte Wells’ melancholy masterpiece AFTERSUN. Adelina thirsts over Paul Mescal and explains her deep connection to the film, Nick shares tidbits from Charlotte Wells' commentary, and Brennan discusses watching the film for the first time. There’s trouble in paradise though, as Adelina and the boys discuss Hall Passes (and Nick’s lack thereof), The Costco Guys, and the horrifying realization that you can never truly know another person. Offense to all boys.

If you or someone you know is struggling, find resources for mental health and support here.

The Criterion Collection is an ever-growing roster of movies deemed internationally significant on an artistic level. Each new film added to the collection is given a Spine Number, making any film NOT in the collection: SPINELESS. Join Nick and Brennan as they cover the classic and contemporary films they feel are most deserving of the Criterion treatment.

The Costco Guys Bring the Boom to AMC Theatres

Paul Mescal SNL Monologue

LEGO Wicked Trailer

REACH OUT TO THE SPINELESS BOYS:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @Spinelessfilms

Letterboxd: @SpinelessFilms

Substack: The Spineless Boys’s Substack

As always, thank you to Joey Johnson for our music and to Sparrow Potter for our artwork.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! For the very first Spineless episode of 2025, Brennan and Nick do a deep dive on Quentin Tarantino's most underrated film: Jackie Brown. A stacked cast, including Rochester native Robert Forster! An expertly orchestrated heist-esque sequence! Countless throwbacks to 70s Blaxploitation films, including Jackie Brown herself, THE Pam Grier! It's all here in QT's third feature, folks, and we talk about all that and more as we fantasize about a Criterion release. No tangents to be heard, especially not an extended one about an actor who isn't even in Jackie Brown. That would be insane.

Jake Gyllenhaal "Melancholy" Interview

Brennan's Other Favorite Jake Gyllenhaal clip (no he is not in Jackie Brown)

The Criterion Collection is an ever-growing roster of movies deemed internationally significant on an artistic level. Each new film added to the collection is given a Spine Number, making any film NOT in the collection: SPINELESS. Join Nick and Brennan (your very-favorite SPINELESS BOYS) as they cover the classic and contemporary films they feel are most deserving of the Criterion treatment.

REACH OUT TO THE SPINELESS BOYS:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @Spinelessfilms

Letterboxd: @SpinelessFilms

Substack: The Spineless Boys’s Substack

As always, thank you to Joey Johnson for our music and to Sparrow Potter for our artwork.