The Actor and The Engineer Podcast

In this episode we discuss Steven Spielberg's newest film, sharing our excitement going in and our mixed reactions afterward. We praise Janusz Kaminski's cinematography, several standout shots, solid editing, and strong performances from Emily Blunt, Colman Domingo, Josh O'Connor, Eve Hewson, and Colin Firth, while getting into the repetitive structure, shaky logic, unclear stakes, and a surprisingly disappointing score that turns out to be by John Williams.

For our "Should Have Seen" series, we explore King Kong's pioneering stop-motion and in-camera compositing techniques, compare them to later VFX innovations, and note moments that feel dated in scripting and representation while emphasizing the film's emotional impact and sympathy for Kong. For Chaplin's Gold Rush, we both admire the film's pristine restoration, large-scale production, and silent-era storytelling conventions.

This week we talk about Project Hail Mary and the film's practical effects blended with CGI, cinematography, production design, performances (especially Ryan Gosling), humor, and strong themes.

We return after an unusually long break to share our top five movies of 2025 and reflect on what a strong theatrical year it was with many of our favorite directors releasing films. Join us for the countdown!

00:00 Introduction

02:36 Josh Number 5 - F1

10:10 Paul Number 5 - Train Dreams

13:24 Josh Number 4 - Sinners

13:32 Paul Number 4 - Sentimental Value

20:04 Josh Number 3 - Eddington

28:05 Paul Number 3 and Josh Number 2 - No Other Choice

36:58 Paul Number 2 and Josh Number 1 - One Battle After Another

47:18 Paul Number 1 - Sinners

We run through our Oscars predictions, debating both who will win and who we would vote for across major categories. We highlight Sinners, One Battle After Another, Hamnet, and Sentimental Value throughout.

We discuss and review the film "F1" and talk about why sports movies can excite even non-sports viewers. We cover performances and character writing, the technology necessary to shoot the movie and the great editing.

On this episode we dive deep into Joachim Trier's latest film. We were captivated by the film's unique storytelling, vivid character portrayals, and exceptional filmmaking techniques. We talk about shot selection, camera work, the use of a central location, and the powerful performances that led to multiple Oscar nominations. The episode also features analysis on the film's exploration of family dynamics, the psychological nuances of its characters, and the unexpected craft behind pivotal scenes.

In this episode on Park Chan-Wook's No Other Choice we discuss initial reactions, key themes, impressive performances, and the symbolic elements that make this movie a standout. From the intricacies of the narrative to our thoughts on its Academy Award chances, we cover it all. Plus, we touch on our thoughts about the current award season.

Join us as we dive into the world of 'Marty Supreme,' Josh Safdie's solo-directed film. We discuss Timothée Chalamet's Oscar-worthy performance and Gwyneth Paltrow's intriguing role. We also touches on the kinetic style of Safdie films and the film's amazing score.

From nostalgic classics like 'Broadcast News' and 'Moonstruck' to the latest releases such as 'Jay Kelly' and 'No Other Choice,' we offer insightful commentary on performances, direction, and cinematography. We talk about Adam Sandler's standout role in Jay Kelly, the artistry of Park Chan-wook, and the moving portrayals in 'Train Dreams.'