The Playlist Podcast Network

For many people, the name Cathy Yan automatically brings to mind “Birds of Prey.” That makes sense, considering for years, that is the only film that the young filmmaker has released. But you see, “Birds of Prey” isn’t her first film. No, that distinction belongs to the Sundance award-winning satire, “Dead Pigs,” which is finally getting distributed three years after its festival debut. And the filmmaker is happy to finally discuss her true directorial debut on this week’s episode of The Playlist Podcast.

On Valentine's Day, "The Silence of the Lambs" celebrates 30 years of haunting imaginations and changing serial-killer cinema forever. On this week's Be Reel, Noah and Chance appreciate the many inimitable qualities of Jonathan Demme's 1991 classic, including its lack of genre fealty, its simultaneous intensity and restraint, and getting the best out of Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. From there, Be Reel dives into the wider world of Thomas Harris adaptations, discussing Michael Mann's icy-veined "Manhunter" (1986), the gore carnival of Ridley Scott's "Hannibal" (2001), and the bizarre origin story attempt "Hannibal Rising" (2007). 

This week, on The Playlist Podcast, we speak to Sam Levinson, the writer-director of “Malcolm & Marie,” as well as the creator of HBO’s award-winning “Euphoria,” about his new film, his hit show, and his legendary father, Barry Levinson. 

Alan J. Pakula was an under-celebrated voice in 1970s American cinema. Most famous for “All the President’s Men," Pakula built a career focused on rule-breakers and the vast conspiracies they untangle. With Criterion Collection releasing “The Parallax View” (1974) this month, Be Reel takes the opportunity to dive into Pakula’s conspiracy/mystery standouts, focusing on “The Parallax View,” “Klute” (1971) and “Presumed Innocent” (1990).

In this episode of The Playlist Podcast, Charles, Mike, and Brian discuss the new film," Saint Maud," from A24 and speak with Morfydd Clark, the unbelievable star of the film. She also talks about the upcoming "Lord of the Rings" TV series and what the future might hold. 

We're back. On this episode of the Deep Focus podcast, our guest is writer/director Aaron Sorkin known for writing "The Social Network," "Moneyball," "A Few Good Men," "The West Wing," and many more. The legendary screenwriter has shifted his focus to directing and returns with his second feature-length film following "Molly's Game." Originally a Steven Spielberg project, nine-some years in the making, the filmmaker eventually gave Sorkin his blessing to make the movie after seeing the accomplished "Molly's Game" with Jessica Chastain. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests last year and the civil unrest, and even the recent Capitol insurrection, "The Trial Of The Chicago 7," couldn't be more relevant today. It features an all-star cast and captures this moment of civil uprising and protest and the recent splintering in the Democratic party-- the so-called, "radical left," and the more conservative centrists. Sorkin talked about all this, working with Spielberg, his mentor William Goldman, his household of influential lawyers (he loves a courtroom drama), the mooted 'Social Network' sequel he'd love to write if David Fincher were game, and a little tease about his now-announced Lucille Ball project, which now stars Nicole Kidman.

This episode is a callback return to summer 2020 when Rebecca Hall joined the podcast to talk “Tales From The Loop.” Now that her directorial debut “Passing” is about to make its debut at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, I wanted to revive and excerpt our 20+ minute conversation about “Passing”—as it’s the part that’s stayed with me the most—and really let her feelings on the matter take center stage. Based on Nella Larsen’s acclaimed 1929 Harlem Renaissance novel, “Passing” is about two African American women who can “pass” as white and they have chosen to live on opposite sides of the color line. Now, their renewed acquaintance threatens them both. Hall’s parents came from bi-racial ancestry and had similar stories that she tries to unpack in this movie about identity and representation.

With “Brothers by Blood” arriving in theaters this weekend, Joel Kinnaman spoke with The Playlist Podcast and discussed his new crime drama. He also spoke about David Ayer’s Director’s Cut of “Suicide Squad,” what James Gunn brings to “The Suicide Squad,” and years later, the things he’d do differently if he made a new “RoboCop” film. 

Dolly Parton is a genuine American icon. For her 75th birthday, Be Reel revisits the country superstar and EGOT nominee’s three most significant film roles in “9 to 5” (1980), “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (1982), and “Steel Magnolias” (1989). Also, thank you for funding the Moderna vaccine, Dolly; we will alwaaaaaays love you.

On this special episode of The Playlist Podcast, Charles and Mike speak with acclaimed filmmaker Ramin Bahrani about his latest feature, “The White Tiger." And unfortunately, as we discuss, the film has taken on new meaning in the era of the pandemic and rampant wealth inequality. In addition to the film, Bahrani also talks about a project he was developing about the Silicon Valley that fell apart, why he turned down a major studio about a franchise film that might involve superheroes, and his years-long friendship with Roger Ebert.