Watch With Jen™

By Jen JohansTV & Film Film Interviews Film History

Watch With Jen™ episodes

April 20, 2023 Watch With Jen - S4: E12 - My First Movie: Film Noir, French New Wave, & Giallo Horror with Cory Everett
In the middle of the pandemic, I was invited by my friends at The B-Side Podcast - past guests Conor O'Donnell & Dan Mecca - to play with them as part of Team The Film Stage vs. Team Letterboxd on a Cinephile Game Night. I had so much fun playing that game & making new friends that night that I couldn't wait to start throwing my own virtual game nights with a close group of crime writer & film writer pals, & it's become a near-monthly thing that we've done since the summer of 2021. While some nights, we wind up just telling stories & catching up, the Cinephile card game has been a mainstay & a source of so much fun that we wound up picking up expansion packs to bring in new actors to shake things up. It was both a pleasure & an honor to bring the creator of the game Cory Everett onto the podcast this week. A writer with bylines at IndieWire, & a contestant on the short-lived IFC show ULTIMATE FILM FANATIC, Cory lives in Los Angeles with his wife & two sons. As kind as he is creative, in addition to that wonderful game, in this spirited, upbeat conversation, Cory & I discuss his new cinephile books for kids, MY FIRST FILM NOIR, MY FIRST FRENCH NEW WAVE, & MY FIRST GIALLO HORROR, as well as A IS FOR AUTEUR. Delving into a trio of excellent film examples of Noir, New Wave, & Giallo, in the last half of this hour-long chat, we take a closer celebratory look at Stanley Kubrick's THE KILLING, Jacques Demy's THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG, & Dario Argento's DEEP RED. Originally Posted on Patreon (4/20/23) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/81797373Logo: KateGabrielle.comTheme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive Note: As you may have already heard, this week it was announced that our podcast sponsor (& my current main home for my writing) DVD Netflix will be closing in September. A great loss for movie buffs & fans of physical media, Watch With Jen is proud to remain sponsored by the service until the end & you should consider taking advantage of their incredible library of titles before it's too late.
1 hr 5 min
April 13, 2023 Watch With Jen - S4: E11 - George Stevens with James Urbaniak
A very talented, versatile, and witty performer with more than 150 credit listings on IMDb, as an actor, today's guest James Urbaniak has brought to life such memorable characters as Dr. Venture on Adult Swim's The Venture Brothers, the scene-stealing Arthur (who was my favorite character) on Hulu's Difficult People, and Grant on Comedy Central's Review. Additionally, he's also a podcaster in his own right and the creator of the scripted shows Getting On With James Urbaniak, A Night Called Tomorrow, and I Will Never Lie to You. Reuniting with James for the first time since I was lucky enough to hang out with him in Los Angeles (which occurred shortly after we recorded the podcast's 150th episode devoted to actress Faye Dunaway), this time, James and I take a look at the fascinating life and career of the gifted yet today, largely overlooked filmmaker George Stevens. Analyzing the groundbreaking classic films GUNGA DIN, THE MORE THE MERRIER, A PLACE IN THE SUN, SHANE, and THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, in this eighty-minute episode, you'll hear us discuss not only the recurring themes and motifs we see throughout his oeuvre but also pay particular attention to key scenes, riveting performances, & memorable directorial choices that make them work so extraordinarily well. Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive Logo: KateGabrielle.com Originally Posted on Patreon (4/13/23) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/81476122
1 hr 21 min
April 07, 2023 Watch With Jen - S4: E10 - Erotic '90s with Karina Longworth
Returning to the podcast this week, we have a woman who needs no introduction and one whose voice is or should be - especially if you're a cinephile - her own introduction. A film writer I remember reading as far back as her days at "Cinematical" and "The Village Voice," as well as the author of "Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes' Hollywood," and books on George Lucas, Al Pacino, and Meryl Streep, the wonderful Karina Longworth is the historian and podcaster behind the acclaimed, addictive, and utterly fascinating series You Must Remember This and the recent show Love is a Crime for "Vanity Fair" as well. Having joined us in the past two seasons for episodes about Dean Martin and Erotic '80s titles, I was so happy and honored to have her back once again to tell us all about the new season of You Must Remember This devoted to the Erotic '90s. Taking time out of her busy schedule, in this fast-paced, jam-packed conversation, Karina not only gives us a sneak preview of what's to come on her show but also helps dissect the popular early '90s films PRETTY WOMAN, THELMA & LOUISE, and INDECENT PROPOSAL. Originally Posted on Patreon (4/7/23) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/81181158Logo: KateGabrielle.com Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive
49 min
April 01, 2023 Watch With Jen - S4: E9 - Gambling Movies with Rob Belushi & Jordan Harper
This week, I was the luckiest host because shortly after both Rob Belushi and Jordan Harper dropped into Phoenix separately this year, I was once again able to reunite on the pod with not one but two of my favorite guys. The closest you can get to know what it's like to hang out with Rob and Jordan in real life, I was honored to have them join me for a long, funny, vulnerable, surprisingly philosophical conversation about God, addiction, acting, and the highs and lows of gambling movies, including OWNING MAHOWNY, MISSISSIPPI GRIND, and ROUNDERS. So double down or split your aces and settle in because this is one of the richest and deepest season four episodes we've released so far.
Bios: An actor, former host of the excellent Game Show Network series GET A CLUE, longtime improv teacher at Second City, plus a writer, producer, entrepreneur, and gifted impressionist, Rob Belushi is a loyal and caring friend, husband, father, son, and a man who wears many hats. In his last two appearances on Watch With Jen, Rob joined me to help cover the FX series MR. INBETWEEN and also went back in time to discuss a handful of Steven Soderbergh's best films from his late '90s, early aught heyday.
And returning alongside Rob, we have Jordan Harper, who was the podcast's very first guest, the Edgar award-winning author of SHE RIDES SHOTGUN, LAST KING OF CALIFORNIA, and EVERYBODY KNOWS as well as the screenwriter and producer of such series as THE MENTALIST, GOTHAM, and HIGHTOWN. Although you've heard him on a wide variety of episodes so far including ones devoted to David Mamet, Preston Sturges, and others, most recently, we discussed the Hong Kong INFERNAL AFFAIRS series on the second to the last physical media episode in Season 3, and also the topic of Crime Families as well.
Originally Posted on Patreon (4/1/23) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/80884212
Logo: KateGabrielle.com
Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive
1 hr 39 min
March 27, 2023 Watch With Jen - S4: E8 - Pierce Brosnan's Bond Era with Julia Ricci
At the end of classic 007 pictures, the words "James Bond will return" filled the screen. And although there is no actual screen available on Watch With Jen because it isn't a video podcast, James Bond has indeed returned for the second time in our series run so far, following the success of our very popular Roger Moore episode in season two. And once again, my lovely, funny, crackerjack guest Julia Ricci is back.
A Film Programming Manager at Heartland Film in Indianapolis, Indiana, which organizes the Heartland International Film Festival, and the Academy Award-qualifying Indy Shorts International Film Festival, Julia has been part of the programming team since 2018. Selecting films for the festival's shorts, features, and retrospective slates, she has programmed 17 short films that went on to become Oscar nominees and winners in the Live Action, Documentary, and Animated Short categories. Prior to Heartland Film, Julia was a researcher for Turner Classic Movies and The Criterion Collection's former streaming platform FilmStruck, and appeared on TCM as a Guest Fan Programmer. She has a degree in History from Ball State University and is a regional Emmy nominee for the documentary short LEGACIES OF PERFECTION: AUBURN, CORD, DUESENBERG, from 2013.
While we will definitely continue these conversations about James Bond with the latest man to wear the suit in the form of Daniel Craig in the future, we decided to have some fun traveling back in time to the '90s to when Pierce Brosnan picked up Timothy Dalton's shaken-not-stirred martini in what can best be described as the second Roger Moore era. Taking a look at every single Brosnan entry, in this lively hour-long conversation, join us as we dive deeply into the actors, the action, the songs, and the way the franchise has evolved in the films GOLDENEYE, TOMORROW NEVER DIES, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, and DIE ANOTHER DAY.
Logo: KateGabrielle.com
Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive
Originally Posted on Patreon (3/27/23) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/80618553
1 hr 1 min
March 23, 2023 Watch With Jen - S4: E7 - A Conversation with Phoenix Film Festival Executive Director Jason Carney
Joining me this week is Jason Carney, who is not only a colleague and friend but also, the incredibly hard-working Executive Director of the Phoenix Film Festival, which is a fun, filmmaker-friendly nationally acclaimed, impressive event that has run for 23 years. Held at the wonderful Harkins Scottsdale 101 Theatre, this year's festival is set to open on Thursday, March 23 with Ray Romano's directorial debut SOMEWHERE IN QUEENS, and will run through Sunday, April 2nd with director Chris McKay's RENFIELD, starring Nicolas Cage, which is slated to close down the festivities.Taking time out of his busy schedule to chat with me about the history of the festival, its humanistic mission as a non-profit, and all of the incredible plans they have this year, Jason offers great insights that filmmakers and fans of film festivals will find fascinating. A passionate movie lover, which obviously goes with the territory, in this brisk, infectious forty-five-minute conversation, he also zeroes in with me on a few favorites that have played there over the years including ANDREW JENKS - ROOM 335 and SING STREET, along with additional shout-outs to a mutual favorite THE MERRY GENTLEMAN as well.Originally Posted on Patreon (3/23/23) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/80435799Logo: KateGabrielle.comTheme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive
46 min
March 19, 2023 Watch With Jen - S4: E6 - KNIGHT AND DAY & LONG SHOT with Maria Lewis
Having recorded several extra episodes in February & March in the lead-up to Season 4, it's a true delight to sprinkle a bunch of these bonus conversations into the new season, both as a surprise & also my sincere way of thanking you for making the podcast more successful than it's ever been before. While eventually, we will ease back into weekly releases, for now, I hope you're enjoying these frequent uploads & finding a lot of great movies to explore. Returning for the first time since season one, we have the witty & wonderful Maria Lewis. A bestselling author, screenwriter, & film curator based in Australia, over the past eighteen years of her career, Maria Lewis has built a great reputation as a storyteller across a diverse range of mediums she's the author of over ten internationally published novels, including the upcoming MOCKINGBIRD: STRIKE OUT from Marvel, slasher THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT, & the Aurealis award-winning SUPERNATURAL SISTERS series. As a screenwriter, she has worked on projects for AMC, Netflix, SBS, Stan, ABC, DC Comics, Ubisoft, & many more. She is the writer, producer researcher, & host of AWGIE award-winning audio documentaries THE PHANTOM NEVER DIES about the first superhero & JOSIE & THE PODCATS about the 2001 cult film, which was produced by her best friend Blake Howard. And this year, she's making her directorial debut with the short film THE HOUSE THAT HUNGERS, based on her Aurealis and Ditmar-award nominated short story of the same name. In this highly freewheeling lively conversation, Maria & I take a look at two excellent, though overlooked studio-made genre hyphenate romcoms from the 2010s, including James Mangold's hilarious screwball action romantic comedy KNIGHT AND DAY from 2010 & 2019's political romcom LONG SHOT from director Jonathan Levine. With frequent shout-outs & asides to other films, stars, & more that we enjoy, ranging from director Philip Noyce's brilliant SALT to other films which manage to subvert the romcom genre trope of a power imbalance between couples in inventive ways, this discussion, which breezes by in 52 minutes, is guaranteed to make you smile. Warning: This episode contains explicit language, best suited for adults. Originally Posted on Patreon (3/19/23) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/80241353Logo: KateGabrielle.com Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive
53 min
March 16, 2023 Watch With Jen - S4: E5 - Noah Baumbach with Duncan Birmingham
A writer and filmmaker based in Los Angeles, today's guest Duncan Birmingham was an executive producer and screenwriter for IFC's MARON and also served as a co-executive producer and writer on the Starz series BLUNT TALK as well. Additionally, Duncan's short films have premiered at such festivals as Sundance and AFI, and his screenplay SWINGLES, which was bought by Paramount, was also on The Black List. Recently, his lively, irreverent short-story collection THE CULT IN MY GARAGE was published by Maudlin House in 2021, & last year, he wrapped & released his excellent first feature-length film as a writer-director called WHO INVITED THEM.
Having joined me in 2022 for one of my favorite conversations devoted to director Hal Ashby in the fifth episode of the third season, he's back for the fifth episode of the fourth to discuss writer-director Noah Baumbach's career over the decades & the films KICKING AND SCREAMING, THE SQUID & THE WHALE, GREENBERG, FRANCES HA, & MARRIAGE STORY.
Note: If you hear me blank on things a bit more than usual in this episode, it's because I was battling an unrelenting sinus infection but was determined to power through & have an analytical conversation about outstanding talky indies with Duncan, who was coming off of the tail end of a bad cold himself! 'Tis the season! Nonetheless, it's a very rich discussion for fans of the filmmaker's work wherein we assessed recurring themes, compared the ways in which newer films & characters commented on past ones, & celebrated Baumbach's rich collaborators as well.
Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive
Logo: KateGabrielle.com
Originally Posted on Patreon (3/16/23) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/80110999
1 hr
March 12, 2023 Watch With Jen - S4: E4 - '80s Romcoms with Rachel Wagner
This week, I was so happy to welcome back my good friend Rachel Wagner who was my guest for the most downloaded episode of Season 3 devoted to LOL Funny '90s Romcoms. The woman behind not only the website, pod, & YouTube channel Rachel's Reviews as well as The Criterion Project podcast, the Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic also runs the incredibly popular Hallmarkies podcast, & is a veteran interviewer in her own right.
Additionally, she has a keen interest in both obscure animation & the genre that brings her back today, which finds us dishing out an '80s-themed sequel to last year's episode & celebrating the films SPLASH, MOONSTRUCK, BULL DURHAM, & WHEN HARRY MET SALLY. A fast-paced, funny, & freewheeling hangout-styled conversation that delves into what makes these films work while also serving up some romantic & biographical tales of our own, we set out to make you laugh along with us while reliving some of the decade's most delightful movies.
Originally Posted on Patreon (3/12/23) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/79916599
Logo: KateGabrielle.com
Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive
1 hr 1 min
March 08, 2023 Watch With Jen - S4: E3 - EXCALIBUR & LORD OF THE RINGS with Adrian McKinty
As soon as this episode was announced & I began researching it, there was a massive amount of interest from listeners to hear what turned out to be an absolutely hilarious yet still very insightful conversation with author Adrian McKinty. So in that spirit, & because I've recorded a pretty healthy backlog of episodes for the new season so far, I thought I'd upload it early for all of you as a bonus surprise release.
This week, I was so pleased to welcome to the podcast one of my crime writer friends' favorite crime writers & a man whose taste in film, literature, & poetry is an endless source of delight on Twitter. Adrian McKinty was born & raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and then studied philosophy at Oxford University before he moved to Australia & New York. He is the author of more than a dozen crime novels, including his Dagger & Edgar nominated debut DEAD I WELL MAY BE, the critically acclaimed Sean Duffy series, as well as the smash international bestseller & award-winning standalone thriller THE CHAIN. A man whose books have been translated into over thirty languages, Adrian has won the Edgar Award, the International Thriller Writers Award, the Ned Kelly Award (three times), the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, the Macavity Award, the Theakston Old Peculiar Crime Novel of the Year Award. His latest bestseller THE ISLAND is set to be a Hulu original series & will be hitting paperback soon as well, & he shares more book news in this episode.
In this very lively 87-minute discussion, I join Adrian to embark on a quest & return with elixir, while learning more about a genre about which I am far from an expert! Dissecting two popular fantasy films that he's passionate about as both a writer & cinephile - John Boorman's divisive yet beloved 1981 Arthurian epic EXCALIBUR & Peter Jackson's smash blockbuster adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGS - fans of storytelling, film, & McKinty's work are sure to adore this amusing installment. A nice break from traditional deep dives into the careers of filmmakers & actors, I hope this conversation makes you laugh as hard as I did throughout the recording.
Originally Posted on Patreon (3/8/23) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/79754710
Logo: KateGabrielle.com
Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive
1 hr 28 min

About Watch With Jen™

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3-time national award-winning writer & full time walking movie encyclopedia Jen Johans of FilmIntuition.com delivers a steady stream of great movie recommendations, thoughtful career deep dives, & first rate conversations with critics, authors, actors, journalists, filmmakers, and more on Watch With Jen.™️