Watch With Jen™

This week, I was so pleased to welcome a new friend to the podcast. An actor and an acting teacher in his native Canada, Robert Bellissimo has appeared in numerous television shows, feature films, commercials, and plays. Two recent credits include PRIVATE EYES starring Jason Priestly and ROBBERY, which starred Art Hindle as well.

A passionate cinephile for twenty years, in his late twenties, he realized he wanted to explore storytelling in a more in-depth way. When the Covid-19 lockdown began in March of 2020, he took advantage of his free time and created his high-quality YouTube Channel Robert Bellissimo at the Movies. Reviewing and introducing viewers to some of cinema's greatest films, over the past two years, he's interviewed many industry professionals who work in and around theatre, TV, and/or film, including yours truly who's been honored to appear on the channel twice - the first to discuss Scorsese's GOODFELLAS and more recently, returning to tackle Hitchcock's NOTORIOUS as well.

Joining me to discuss the life and career of his favorite filmmaker John Cassavetes, in this in-depth feature-length episode, we focus on the beginning, middle, and end of Cassavetes' oeuvre in the form of SHADOWS, A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE, and LOVE STREAMS. Additionally sprinkling in throughout our conversation some of the director's thoughts on filmmaking, acting, men, women, and life in general, this is an episode that I hope Cassavetes devotees will love.

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

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Originally Posted on Patreon (8/17/22) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/70659691

This week, I'm thrilled to welcome back one of the sharpest critical minds working today, plus a guest that longtime listeners will remember hearing discuss Sofia Coppola's entire filmography with me in the first season of this show. I had such a fun and engaging conversation with the great Roxana Hadadi in that episode that it inspired me to shape the future of this podcast accordingly as a series devoted to these in-depth deep dives on topics my guests are truly passionate about.

A TV critic with Vulture, who also writes about film and pop culture, previously Roxana was the film editor and a critic with Pajiba, and her reviews, essays, recaps, and other writing have also been published by The AV Club, Polygon, RogerEbert.com, The L.A. Times, Crooked Marquee, The Playlist, Fox Digital, GQ, and Inverse.

Today, Roxana joins me for a richly analytical conversation to appreciate and evaluate the moral, ethical, political, interpersonal, stylistic, and narrative implications of one of the best television shows of the 2010s in the form of FX's THE AMERICANS. Approaching the series through various critical lenses, this spoiler-filled feature-length conversation is a must for fans of the show and I hope it's as enjoyable for you to listen to as it was for us to record. The second television-focused episode of the season so far - following an early installment devoted to TERRIERS - the next series that you'll hear dissected on Watch With Jen is MR. INBETWEEN, coming in early fall, and more episodes devoted to the medium will be announced soon.

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

Logo: Kate Gabrielle (KateGabrielle.com)

Originally Posted on Patreon (8/10/22) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/70336915

A very talented, versatile, and witty performer with more than 150 credit listings on IMDb, as an actor, James Urbaniak has brought to life 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.

Returning for the first time since our fascinating and very fun Charles Laughton episode late last season where he gave me a crash course in the '30s era of the great British actor, it was so great to have him back this time to discuss a character actress of a different decade. In this, our 150th episode of Watch With Jen (yes, really!), we take a look at a woman who is synonymous with the 1970s, in the form of Faye Dunaway.

Focusing on her tremendous turns in notable classics, we begin in the late '60s with Dunaway's breakout turn in Bonnie and Clyde, then move into the '70s with Chinatown, Three Days of the Condor, and Network, and finally wrap things up with the controversial Mommie Dearest in the early '80s, which she considers the end of an era. An engaging and research-filled episode full of great Urbaniak witticisms and observations, devotees of Dunaway, acting, and/or '70s cinema lovers won't want to miss this conversation.

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

Logo: Kate Gabrielle (KateGabrielle.com)

Originally Posted on Patreon (7/28/22) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/69704390

Returning to the podcast this week, we have the impressive critic, in-demand lecturer, and insightful author Mr. Adam Nayman, who longtime listeners will remember hearing last summer around this time as he joined me to discuss the life and career of actress Gene Tierney. A contributor to The Ringer, Criterion, CinemaScope, and more, additionally, our Toronto-based guest has written thoughtful books on SHOWGIRLS, Ben Wheatley, the Coen brothers, Paul Thomas Anderson (which will come in handy today), and the recently released David Fincher: Mind Games from the great publisher Abrams.

In this fascinating and rich conversation, we take a look at the way that John Huston's previously classified post-World War II documentary LET THERE BE LIGHT, John Frankenheimer's 1962 classic THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, and writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson's 2012 film THE MASTER all deal with elements of mind control and psychotherapy where U.S. veterans are concerned.

Note: Although it isn't overly graphic, in an abundance of caution, I checked the Explicit box for this week's episode across your favorite podcast platforms due to our analysis of a certain infamous scene in THE MASTER, so you might not want to listen with young children.

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Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

Originally Posted on Patreon (7/22/22) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/69440460

This week, I'm so happy to welcome a fellow podcaster to Watch With Jen. Conrado Falco is a filmmaker, film lover, foodie, soccer fan, and co-host of the excellent pod The Criterion Project along with my good friend Rachel Wagner. Additionally, he's the co-host of the podcast Foreign Invader and co-creator and co-star of the science fiction comedy series Wormholes, which you can find on YouTube by searching for Wormholes: The Series.

Joining me for a thoughtful, celebratory, and humanistic celebration of the actor Owen Wilson, in this fast-paced conversation, we sum up the appeal, strengths, and career of Wilson and the films Zoolander, The Darjeeling Limited, and How Do You Know, in particular.

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Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

Originally Posted on Patreon (7/13/22) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/69050335

Returning to the podcast once again, we have my very talented friend and an official (and very popular) friend of the show. William Boyle is the acclaimed novelist behind such titles as Gravesend, The Lonely Witness, A Friend is a Gift You Give Yourself, City of Margins, and the brand new Shoot the Moonlight Out. In addition to crafting these wondrously humanistic Lumet-like character-driven ensemble crime epics, Bill is also quite a pop culture buff and one hell of a good movie trivia game player as well.

One of the biggest things we have in common, beyond just a real love for film in general (of course), is our great affection for character actors - especially when it comes to the true "actors' actors" we grew up watching onscreen in the '80s and '90s. In past episodes, we tackled the careers of Nicolas Cage, David Morse, and Mickey Rourke, and today, we're adding another incredibly talented performer to the roster.

In this very comprehensive and celebratory two-hour conversation, we zero in on the prolific, staggeringly great, and endlessly inventive early to mid-'90s work of actress Jennifer Jason Leigh. Delving into the films Rush, The Hudsucker Proxy, Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, Georgia, and Kansas City, we take a look at her power, range, vulnerability, and courage in these vital performances and reference her other films as well.

Note: In citing a shockingly funny anecdote involving our subject giving a very gritty audition for a romcom, I said a certain word that I thought might not be appropriate for audiences listening with their children so am marking the box for "Explicit" on this one out of an abundance of caution.

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

Logo: Kate Gabrielle (KateGabrielle.com)

Originally Posted on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/68321241

This week, we have a very special episode featuring not one but two wonderful guests. First up, we have the return of the talented Los Angeles-based writer and a Senior Vice President at The Black List, Kate Hagen.

Having bonded last year over our affection for the career of actor James Spader whom we did two podcast episodes about (one here on Watch With Jen & one on Screen Drafts), Kate joined me once again on this show a few months back for a rich, soulful, wide-ranging conversation with one of our favorite filmmakers - the wondrous Allison Anders.

Later that night, we hatched an idea for our next podcast conversation where we looked forward to learning and seeking inspiration from talented women by inviting Allison's wildly gifted daughter Tiffany Anders to come and talk to us and all of you about her stellar career and a trio of her favorite obscure music documentaries as well.

A Los Angeles native who was recently selected by Variety as one of the Music Supervisors to Watch in 2022, in addition to her outstanding work in the field on acclaimed TV shows such as Reservation Dogs, You're the Worst, Pen15, The Chair, Sorry for Your Loss, she's been the music supervisor on films such as To the Stars, Rust Creek, The Circle, and The End of the Tour. Having also worked as a musician, journalist, Radio DJ, plus a co-founder/co-head curator of LA's Don't Knock the Rock Film Festival, Tiffany's critically lauded debut album as a singer-songwriter, "Funny Cry Happy Gift" was produced by the legendary PJ Harvey as well.

Taking you behind the scenes of her incredible life and career, in this candid, fascinating conversation, Tiffany shares her thoughts on the music business and also introduces and educates us about the obscure music documentaries Scott Walker: 30 Century Man (2006), Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker (2013), and Syl Johnson: Any Way The Wind Blows (2015) and their subjects as well.

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

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Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/68064737

Quick-witted, loyal, caring, and so very talented - this week, I was thrilled to welcome one of my best pals and honorary brothers back to the podcast. An actor, former host of the excellent Game Show Network series "Get a Clue," and longtime improv teacher at Second City, plus a writer, producer, entrepreneur, and gifted impressionist who regularly turns my voicemail into the funniest comedy club in the world, Rob Belushi is a man who wears many hats.

In the past, you've heard him share his insights as a knowledgeable film lover in his very first episode way back in 2020 and then twice last year as well, first lending his expertise as the host of "Get a Clue" for an episode I did on Game Show Movies, and then later in our season two finale, Rob joined me along with his inspiring, intelligent, and very lovely mother Sandi to tease and interrogate her both about her personal life as well as her passion for her favorite film - Warren Beatty's REDS.

A huge fan of the endlessly innovative Steven Soderbergh's work - particularly his exceptionally clever late '90s period, in this very funny, thoughtful, and emotional episode, which clocks in at well over two hours, Rob and I celebrate and study the films OUT OF SIGHT, THE LIMEY, ERIN BROCKOVICH, and TRAFFIC. Whether he's opening up to reveal his own personal experiences with addiction and recovery or appreciating the humanity we see in the decent outsiders and strong female leads trying to connect and do right in these works, it's an eye-opening, passionate conversation that fans of Soderbergh, in particular, will love.

Originally Posted on Patreon (6/15/22) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/67815306

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

Logo: Kate Gabrielle (KateGabrielle.com)

As, thankfully, my recent life/med stress ended early (quick - where's a piece of wood to knock on?), that means our temporary hiatus is ending a week early too! Editing this lively episode yesterday made me laugh multiple times. I figured that right now laughter is something we all could use in this grim world as of late so I wanted to deliver this conversation to you ASAP to hopefully brighten your day.

Kind, witty, and wildly gifted, my good friend Nikki Dolson is a prolific crime writer whose work has been published in such well-respected places as Shotgun Honey, Tough, ThugLit, and Bartleby Snopes. The author of what she affectionately calls "a novelish thing" - the book All Things Violent - Nikki has also released a short story collection entitled Love and Other Criminal Behavior. And last fall, one of her outstanding pieces appeared in the prestigious Best American Mystery and Suspense Stories anthology of 2021, edited by Alafair Burke and Steph Cha.

A delightful film buff who has excellent taste in movies (and men!), and is also quite the TV reenactor and movie trivia game player, I always have a ball talking to Nikki. And this witty, candid, free-flowing conversation, which covers women in the crime films The Last Seduction, Bound, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Widows, and I'm Your Woman (plus Michael Mann's Thief and Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive) was no exception to that rule. In fact, my favorite thing about this episode is that because Nikki is one of my very best friends, you're getting a different side of both of us than you would in other episodes, and you're hearing us delve into something we're truly, truly passionate about. Enjoy!

Originally Posted on Patreon (6/9/22) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/67517337

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

Logo: Kate Gabrielle (KateGabrielle.com)

Every so often, I receive requests from longtime listeners who miss the way this podcast first began with me recommending and telling solo tales about excellent films you might've missed. And while I'm seriously flattered and thrilled you enjoyed those very humble, low-fi, old school eps, I would just as soon stick to the format of conversations with thoughtful, funny, brilliant, and charismatic friends and colleagues.

Still, once in a while, it's important to change things up and venture out of your comfort zone. Since I'm currently going slightly stir crazy while recovering from a small surgery, and completely in love with all seven films I wanted to cover this week, I decided to use the opportunity of our hiatus from traditional episodes to record another chatty, film fact, and anecdote-filled installment for you all. Incredibly nerdy, personal, and very long, my best advice would be to listen to these segments about the films The Clock, For Me and My Gal, The Godfather Trilogy, The Last Waltz, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Ordinary People, and The Untouchables one at a time and take plenty of breaks, because it's a whole lot of Jen, but you do what's right for you!

Without further ado, I hope you'll enjoy my film geek rambling, and please stay tuned because I'm working on several new episodes in our regular format which will start dropping when we return from hiatus in the coming weeks. Thank you for your continued support!

Logo: Kate Gabrielle (KateGabrielle.com)

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

Originally Posted on Patreon (6/1/22) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/67193104