262. Paul Newman in 'Nobody's Fool' (1994)
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For my final episode of 2025, it's 'Nobody's Fool' one of my favorite films, and a true comfort watch in keeping with the theme of last week's episode. Sweet, subtle, well-cast and directed, and slyly much more than it seems, it's both a paen to small-town life and a surprisingly unblinking look at the cost children pay for their parent's mistakes...and for the ones they make all on their own.
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261. Comfort Content For Troubled Times
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The news is unrelenting. Shootings in Bondi Beach. Terror in the classrooms at Brown University. The terrible deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife in LA. The news is shocking and we become numb to the rippling effects but our minds and bodies internalize the fear, anxiety, and worry. As I am between episodes at the moment, I thought it might be different to try and episode highlighting the calming music, tv shows and movies I find myself turning to in times of trouble. Please share your personal favorites with me, as I'd like to compile a playlist of sorts to share with...
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260. Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' (1960)
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From a chance viewing of Saul Bass' iconic 'Psycho' titles on TCM sprung this exploration of the straightforward, human experience of watching 'Psycho' with an eye and ear towards how audience expectations were stoked and then subverted by Hitchcock. From the casting of Janet Leigh to the surprise departure of her character not even halfway through the film, the film toys with audience expectations and loyalties, and makes them complicit in the voyeurism and violence and judgement that unfolds. Hitchcock's decision to attempt a relatively low-budget thriller of the sort directors like...
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259. 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' Part 3
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This final episode about Milos Forman's brilliant and deeper-than-expected masterpiece adaptation of Ken Kesey's very 1960's novel explores the subtle emotional power of the film's editing and how it establishes certain critical scenes. Praise for the depth and intelligence of Nicholson's acting while also appreciating Brad Dourif and the late Will Sampson's performance as the Chief are also indulged.
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258. 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' Part 2
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Part 2 of my deep dive into Milos Forman's incredible 1975 film 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest'. In Part 2 I get into a handful of scenes from the first third of the film: the introduction of Nurse Ratched, the first time we meet McMurphy, the sit-down between McMurphy and Dr. Spivey, and the first few scenes on the ward with the fellas and the nurses.
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257. 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' Part 1: Commitment
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Leaving behind one iconic adaptation of a popular novel in 'The Exorcist' and picking up another with this introductory episode about 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest', Milos Forman and Bo Goldman's film based on Ken Kesey's counter-culture classic novel. In this episode, I cover some of the film's journey from page to screen and from father to son(s). Casting, pre-production delays, and some context for the film in 1975. 'One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest' is one of only three films to ever win "The Big 5" Academy Awards: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Picture, Best Director, and Best...
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256. 'The Exorcist' Part 4: Absolution
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Finishing up my four-part exploration of The Exorcist, this episode considers the film's exorcism scenes, its ambiguous ending, and lasting legacy. My newfound appreciation for the towering achievement represented by this film is perhaps news only to me, but totally genuine nonetheless.
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255. 'The Exorcist' Part 3: Film, Faith & Foreboding
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In Part 3 of my multi-part deep dive re-exploration of William Friedkin's 1973 masterpiece 'The Exorcist' I take a detailed look at the filmmaking in the first half of the movie. Considering the Northern Iraq sequence, the Georgetown sequences, Father Karras in NYC, and the Medical sequences featuring Regan up to and including the hypnotism scene. The absolute mastery of camera movement choices and the spare use of score shows how the film eschews (I always wanted to use that word) "horror" film cliches. Mentioned in this episode:
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254. 'The Exorcist' Part 2: Rewatch
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The 2nd episode in a series of episodes about 'The Exorcist' is inspired by my rewatch of the film. My original plan: to meticulously dissect each of three sections of the film in three subsequent episodes. My new plan? To get this episode filled with my enthusiastic and emotional reactions out to you ASAP. And to follow with two subsequent episodes if the interest (and downloads) are there. The best way to listen to the four-part Exorcist episodes: Listen to Part 1: Origins BEFORE re-watching or watching the film. Listen to Part 2: The Rewatch AFTER re-watching...
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253. 'The Exorcist' Part 1: Origins
Full Cast And Crew
In this first of a multi-part exploration of William Friedkin's ground-breaking and massively successful adaptation of William Peter Blatty's best-selling novel 'The Exorcist': Friedkin & DP Owen Roizman coming off 'The French Connection' and into 'The Exorcist' Casting travails involving Jack Nicholson, Paul Newman, Jane Fonda, Anne Bancroft, and Audrey Hepburn. Jason Miller and Ellen Burstyn willing themselves into their roles. Studio pushback on the film's prequel, set in Iraq, and Friedkin's demand that they film there despite political upheaval and a lack of an Iraqi film industry....
info_outlineFrom a chance viewing of Saul Bass' iconic 'Psycho' titles on TCM sprung this exploration of the straightforward, human experience of watching 'Psycho' with an eye and ear towards how audience expectations were stoked and then subverted by Hitchcock.
From the casting of Janet Leigh to the surprise departure of her character not even halfway through the film, the film toys with audience expectations and loyalties, and makes them complicit in the voyeurism and violence and judgement that unfolds.
Hitchcock's decision to attempt a relatively low-budget thriller of the sort directors like Henri-George Clouzot (Diabolique) were having success with resulted unexpectedly in his defining film, a film that changed film language and construction and that influenced every director of note subsequent to the film's 1960 release.
From the legendary shower sequence to no-less-stunning dialogue sequences, the film is so much more than it's origins. It still stands the test of time today, and will forever be a part of Hitchcock's enduring legacy.