Immediately after the Oscar ceremony, Branson and Matt share their live reactions to this year's winners in our premiere live episode!

We return for a special edition, delving into our favorite films of 2023. 

We wrap Season 1 by reflecting on our 56 episodes, our favorites, and how our opinions on some films may have evolved. As we prep to return for Season 2 in the fall, we invite you to please share any feedback or suggestions you may have. We're open to revising the format of the show. We want to hear from you! Thank you so much for coming along with us this past year. We hope to see you for Season 2!

This week Branson picked Black Orpheus (1959) directed by Marcel Camus. It is a modern retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, set against the backdrop of the vibrant Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro. The film follows the passionate love affair between Orpheu (Brent Mello), a talented streetcar conductor and musician, and Eurydice (Marpessa Dawn), a country girl who comes to the city seeking refuge. Marcel Camus beautifully captures the pulsating energy of the Carnival, the infectious music, and the colorful traditions of Brazil. The film won both the Palm d’Or at Cannes and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.  Its success helped popularize bossa nova music globally, introducing the world to the sounds of artists like Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfá. It introduced audiences worldwide to the rich culture and vibrant spirit of Brazil, leaving an indelible mark on the history of world cinema.

For Independence Day we revisit an American classic -- Hoop Dreams directed by Steve James. This documentary tells the captivating story of two African-American teenagers from Chicago, William Gates and Arthur Agee, who dream of becoming professional basketball players. The film follows them over a period of five years, capturing their struggles, triumphs, and the challenges they face both on and off the court. Through their journey, we witness the harsh realities of inner-city life, the impact of socio-economic factors on their dreams, and the profound ways in which sports can shape young lives. This film was Matt's pick.

 V for Vendetta is a dystopian thriller set in a totalitarian Britain ruled by a fascist government. The story revolves around a masked freedom fighter known as "V" (Hugo Weaving) who seeks to ignite a revolution and overthrow the oppressive regime. Along the way, he encounters a young woman named Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman), and together, they uncover the truth about their society and the power of individualism. The screenplay was written by the Wachowski sisters of Matrix fame. It is based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd and has garnered significant cultural significance since its release in 2005. This film was Branson's pick

We continue our celebration of Pride month by watching Sean Baker's Tangerine (2015)-- a film that follows the story of two transgender sex workers, Sin-Dee Rella (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) and Alexandra (Mya Taylor), as they navigate the streets of Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. When Sin-Dee discovers that her boyfriend has been cheating on her, she embarks on a wild and comical journey to find him and confront him. The film takes us through the gritty and vibrant underbelly of L.A., exploring themes of friendship, identity, and resilience. This film was Matt's pick.

We rewatch one of our favorites -- The Piano Teacher (2001) directed by Michael Haneke. It is based on a novel of the same name by Elfriede Jelinek. It is a psychological drama that follows the story of Erika Kohut, a strict and emotionally repressed piano teacher, brilliantly portrayed by Isabelle Huppert. Set in Vienna, the film delves into Erika's complex and disturbing relationship with her student, Walter Klemmer (Benoît Magimel). The film is a challenging and deeply unsettling exploration of desire, power dynamics, and repression. It tackles taboo subjects and offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of human sexuality. The film was met with critical acclaim for its exceptional performances, masterful direction, and its unapologetic examination of the darker aspects of human nature. This film was Branson's pick.

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To celebrate our 50th episode, we watch Bad Luhrmann's debut film Strictly Ballroom! Thank you to our listeners for your support and encouragement in reaching this milestone-- we plan to bring you lots of more episodes! Today's film explores the themes of tradition, individuality, and the power of expression. The film follows the journey of Scott Hastings (Paul Mercurio), a talented ballroom dancer who wants to break free from the rigidity of traditional dance steps. He partners up with Fran, a beginner dancer, to create a new dance routine that defies the norms of the ballroom dancing world. The film has a timeless message about following your dreams and finding the courage to express yourself.