Returning guest Benjamin Angrisano joins Alex and Jonathan to discuss the early film collaborations between director Martin Scorsese and actor Robert DeNiro in Mean Streets (1972), Taxi Driver (1976), and Raging Bull (1980). We talk about the American New Wave, recurring themes in Scorsese's work, and DeNiro's ability to adapt to different roles.

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7:17 – Mean Streets

34:10 – Taxi Driver

1:08:23 – Raging Bull

1:38:40 – Overall

1:45:41 – Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions:

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)

The Sign of Four (1987)

A Study in Pink (2010)

For more information, visit the blog:

thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2018/08/07/shooting-scorsese

From the frost-bitten landscape of Russia, to the sand-swept dessert of Arabia, David Lean takes Alex and Jonathan across the globe today as we talk about The Bridge on the River Kwai (1959), Lawrence of Arabia (1965), and Doctor Zhivago (1965). We discuss the dichotomy of intimate character studies in grand political settings, using film technique to convey theme, and Lean's working relationship with Alec Guinness.

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11:02 – The Bridge on the River Kwai

30:55 – Lawrence of Arabia

53:16 – Doctor Zhivago

1:08:57 – Overall

1:19:22 – Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions:

Mean Streets (1973)

Taxi Driver (1976)

Raging Bull (1980)

For more information, visit the blog:

thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2018/07/24/lengthy-lean

When a film is successful, the natural next step is to make another one, which may or may not also be successful. Today Alex and Jonathan talk about the varying quality of sequels and look at Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), and The Dark Knight (2008). We discuss the repeatability of sequels, ending on a "dot dot dot", and sequels that can be viewed on their own while also serving as a bridge in a finite story arc.

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7:01 – Rambo: First Blood Part II

20:25 – The Matrix Reloaded

46:12 – The Dark Knight

1:04:10 – Overall

1:14:17– Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions:

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Dr. Zhivago (1965)

For more information, visit the blog:

thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2018/07/10/sequel-syndrome

For the final episode in the Hepburn vs. Hepburn series, Alex and Jonathan discuss The African Queen (1951) starring Katharine Hepburn, and Charade (1963) starring Audrey Hepburn. We talk about Katharine's return to Hollywood and career after being "over the hill," Audrey's ability to mix comedy and fear, and how these films mark the end of an era in Hollywood.

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4:05 – The African Queen

23:51 – Charade

43:02 – Overall

52:43 – Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions:

Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

The Dark Knight (2008)

For more information, visit the blog:

thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2018/06/26/hepburn-vs-hepburn-3

Following up podcast Episode 47: Dauntless Documentaries Alex and Jonathan take on the spin-off genre of mockumentaries and look at This is Spinal Tap (1984), Best in Show (2000), and What We Do in the Shadows (2014). We talk about the origins of the genre, benefits non-fiction filmmaking can gain from the documentary format, and the appeal of mockumentaries outside of the feature film medium.

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7:23 – This is Spinal Tap

21:30 – Best in Show

35:54 – What We Do in the Shadows

46:47 – Overall

56:20 – Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions:

The African Queen (1951)

Charade (1963)

For more information, visit the blog:

thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2018/06/12/mounting-mockumentaries

One of the biggest names in film history is the subject of today's podcast as Alex and Jonathan discuss the ups and downs of the career of Orson Welles and look at Citizen Kane (1941), Chimes at Midnight (1965), and F for Fake (1973). We talk about the legacy of Citizen Kane, the many controversies Welles' was involved in, and his connection to the various characters he played in his own films.

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9:15 – Citizen Kane

33:19 – Chimes at Midnight

45:11 – F for Fake

56:10 – Overall

1:03:27 – Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions:

This is Spinal Tap (1984)

Best in Show (2000)

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

For more information, visit the blog:

thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2018/05/29/wunderkind-welles

In a long overdue genre episode, Alex and Jonathan take a journey through the western films of Hollywood's history and talk about Stagecoach (1941), The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), and Django Unchained (2012). We discuss the various themes explored in westerns over time, controversies associated with western depictions of race, and the ways that specific genres go in and out of cultural prominence over time.

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3:09 – Stagecoach

19:38 – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

36:56 – Django Unchained

50:49 – Overall

1:00:49 – Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions:

Citizen Kane (1941)

Chimes at Midnight (1965)

F for Fake (1973)

For more information, visit the blog:

thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2018/05/15/wild-westerns

Aaron Johnson, the podcast's inaugural guest, joins Alex and Jonathan again today to discuss the parodical world of Mel Brooks in Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974), and High Anxiety (1977). We talk about Brook's way of parodying different forms of film, using meta-humor, and his split love for directing and performing.

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4:34 – Blazing Saddles

23:11 – Young Frankenstein

37:56 – High Anxiety

53:38 – Overall

1:01:07 – Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions:

Stagecoach (1939)

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

Django Unchained (2012)

For more information, visit the blog:

thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2018/05/01/bonkers-brooks

The listeners responded to our latest Twitter polls to decide what films Alex and Jonathan should discuss starring Katharine and Audrey Hepburn, and the result was two films both directed by George Cukor: The Philadelphia Story (1940), and My Fair Lady (1964). We discuss what it means to be a "woman's director," how Cukor approaches various romantic character dynamics, and how each of these films relate to the background of their respective leading ladies.

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09:44 – The Philadelphia Story

31:33 – My Fair Lady

49:59 – Overall

55:17 – Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions:

Blazing Saddles (1974)

Young Frankenstein (1974)

High Anxiety (1977)

For more information, visit the blog:

thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2018/04/17/hepburn-vs-hepburn-2

Alex and Jonathan are entertained this week by the wide variety of genres that Ridley Scott has been able to tackle as we watch Blade Runner (1982), Gladiator (2000), and Black Hawk Down (2001). We talk about how Scott incorporates themes into blockbuster entertainment, his technical fingerprint across genres, and his continuing body of work and influence.

Skip to:

3:12 – Blade Runner

24:50 – Gladiator

47:18 – Black Hawk Down

1:08:40 – Overall

1:15:33 – Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions:

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

My Fair Lady (1964)

For more information, visit the blog:

thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2018/04/04/scotts-scope