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PODCAST

Second Opinion - Films and Society

Our Second Opinion

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of stories and films, presented by passionate bookworms and cineastes. Our channel is a diverse universe in which we deal with reading, film reviews, reviews and lifestyle topics. 🌟📚 In the new video series "Looking Back into the Future" we take viewers on a journey through their analysis of the present time. Instead of simply criticizing, they take a precise look at the developments and changes that have led to the values of our youth being pushed into

tv & film

All Episodes

8:40

Film Review: Runaway (USA 1984) by Michael Crichton

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/10/10

Content: In this podcast, we analyze the 1984 sci-fi thriller “Runaway”, directed by Michael Crichton, starring Tom Selleck. We highlight its plot about a police officer who uncovers a conspiracy involving murderous robots. We emphasize Crichton's prescient vision of technology and how the film, though set in a near future, accurately depicted many technologies that are now commonplace. We also discuss Tom Selleck's performance as the lead and Gene Simmons' role as the villain, positioning

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9:06

Film Review: Knight of Cups (USA 2015) and Song to...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/10/08

Content: In this podcast, we discuss Terrence Malick's films “Knight of Cups” (USA 2015) and “Song to Song” (USA 2017), starring Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, Ryan Gosling, Rooney Mara and Michael Fassbender. We outline each film's plot, focusing on characters searching for meaning and navigating complex relationships within distinct settings—a disillusioned screenwriter in Los Angeles and musicians in Austin's music scene. We compare the films' structures, noting that "Knight

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9:13

Film Review: Kindergarten Cop (USA 1990) by Ivan...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/10/06

Content: In this podcast, we discuss the 1990 action comedy “Kindergarten Cop”, directed by Ivan Reitman, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. We highlight the comedic premise of a tough cop becoming a kindergarten teacher. We praise Schwarzenegger's performance and the lighthearted direction by Ivan Reitman. We also explore the controversial reasons why the film has reportedly been added to a so called “blacklist,” analyzing criticisms regarding racial representation, alleged glorification of police

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9:36

TV-Show Review: Normal People (IRL 2020), Starring...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/10/03

Content: In this podcast, we present the Irish 2020 coming-of-age TV-Show “Normal People”, based on the novel by Sally Rooney, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal. We analyze the intricate love story between Marianne and Connell as they navigate their school years and university life. We highlight the series' sensitive portrayal of intimacy, class differences, and personal growth, praising the performances, cinematography, and fitting soundtrack. We express being deeply moved by the

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10:10

Film Review: Under the Sand (FRA 2000) by François Ozon

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/10/02

Content: In this podcast, we talk about “Under the Sand” (FRA 2000), directed by François Ozon. We outline the plot, which centers on Marie, whose husband disappears during a beach vacation, and her subsequent denial of his absence. We analyze Ozon's filmmaking style, drawing comparisons to François Truffaut and highlighting the director's ability to traverse genres. We praise Charlotte Rampling's lead performance and underscore how the film transitions from a seemingly simple disappearance into

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9:10

Film Review: The Tree of Life (USA 2011) and To the...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/09/30

Content: In this podcast, we discuss Terrence Malick's films “The Tree of Life” (USA 2011) and “To the Wonder” (USA 2012), starring Sean Penn, Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, Ben Affleck and Olga Kurylenko. We examine the plots, themes, and Malick's distinctive cinematic style. We position "The Tree of Life" as a masterpiece that uses a family story and cosmic visuals to explore existence and grief, while "To the Wonder" is the start of a trilogy that pushes Malick's experimental techniques to

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6:24

TV-Show Review: The Serpent (GBR 2021): A Gipping...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/09/28

Content: In this podcast, we talk about the gripping true-crime miniseries “The Serpent” (GBR 2021), about serial killer Charles Sobhraj filmed in Thailand. We discuss the show's plot, detailing how Sobhraj preyed on Western travelers in the 1970s, and highlight its brilliant craftsmanship. We also provide insights into the filming process, emphasizing the challenges and experiences of shooting mainly in Thailand, and include quotes from cast and crew about their time there. Plot: This

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8:21

Film Review: The Tragedy of MacBeth“ (USA 2021) by...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/09/26

In this podcast, we analyze the 2021 adaptation of Shakespeare’s “MacBeth“ by Joel Coen, starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. We highlight its stark black-and-white visuals, minimalist aesthetic, and the intense performances of the actors. We praise the film as a masterful work, drawing parallels to German expressionistic films and noting how it stands out among various other Shakespeare adaptations, including notable versions by Kurosawa and Luhrmann's “Romeo + Juliet”. We emphasize

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7:18

Apocalyptic Film Review: Greenland (USA 2020) vs....

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/09/24

In this podcast, we compare the apocalyptic movies “Greenland” (USA 2020), directed by Roc Roman Waugh and “These Final Hours” (AUS 2013), directed by Zak Hilditch. We summarize the plots of both movies, noting that “Greenland” follows a family trying to reach safety while “These Final Hours” focuses on a young man's journey through a collapsing society. We critique “Greenland” as a formulaic, Hollywood-style drama emphasizing family bonds and heroic efforts. Conversely, we praise “These Final

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7:43

Film Review: The Thin Red Line (USA 1998) and The New...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/09/22

Content: In this podcast, we examine Terrence Malick's films “The Thin Red Line (USA 1998) and “The New World (USA 2005), starring Jim Caviezel and Colin Farrell. We discuss the plots of each film, highlighting their settings and central themes. We describe Malick's signature style, noting his use of poetic visuals, introspective voiceovers, and focus on nature and human emotion over traditional narrative or historical accuracy. We also comment on casting choices and the reception of Malick's

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8:42

TV-Show Review: Devs (USA 2020) by Alex Garland

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/09/19

Content: In this podcast, we analyze the 2020 sci-fi miniseries “Devs”, created, written and directed by Alex Garland. We highlight the series' plot, centering on a software engineer investigating her boyfriend's death at a tech company, and its exploration of themes like free will and determinism using quantum computing as a backdrop. We also offer background on creator Alex Garland's career, mentioning his prior sci-fi works like "Ex Machina" and "Annihilation," and discuss his characteristic

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6:33

Film Review: Coup de chance (FRA 2023) by Woody Allen

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/09/18

Content: In this podcast, we discuss Woody Allen's 2023 French film, “Coup de chance”. We outline the plot, which centers on a seemingly ideal Parisian couple whose lives are disrupted when the wife reconnects with an old flame. The reviewer shares his long-standing appreciation for Allen's work and expresses his initial curiosity about this French-language film set in Paris. He compares the film's romantic beginning to the style of Eric Rohmer but notes its transition into a darker thriller

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7:13

Film Review: The Northman (USA 2022) – Alexander...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/09/16

Content: In this podcast, we discuss the 2022 film “The Northman”, a brutal and visceral Viking epic, directed by Robert Eggers, starring Alexander Skarsgard, Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicole Kidman. We explain the basic plot of the film, centered on a prince seeking vengeance, and note that while it shares similarities with Shakespeare's “Hamlet”, it's more directly an adaptation of the older Norse legend of Amleth. We highlight Eggers' meticulous historical detail in portraying the harsh reality of

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9:33

Film Review: Badlands (USA 1973) and Days of Heaven...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/09/14

Content: In this podcast, we examine Terrence Malick's first two features, “Badlands” (1973) and “Days of Heaven” (1978), starring Martin Sheen, Sissy Spacek Richard Gere and Brooke Adams. We provide summaries of each film's plot, highlighting the crime spree in “Badlands” and the love triangle amidst hardship in “Days of Heaven”. We also analyze elements common to both films and indicative of Malick's emerging style, such as off-screen narration, close-up cinematography, and lyrical visuals. We

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10:41

Film Review: Up in the Air (USA 2009) by Jason...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/09/12

Content: In this podcast, we present the 2009 film “Up in the Air”, directed by Jason Reitman, starring George Clooney. We summarize the plot, which centers on George Clooney's character, Ryan Bingham, who travels extensively to fire employees, and his clash with a new colleague advocating for remote terminations. We offer a critical perspective, suggesting the film's success hinges on Clooney's portrayal of a potentially unlikeable character, making him sympathetic despite his profession and

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10:37

TV-Show Review: Gossip Girl (USA 2007-2012): A...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/09/10

Content: In this podcast, we talk about the teen drama series “Gossip Girl” (USA, 2007-2012) based on Cecily von Ziegesar's novels. The show follows the lives of privileged teenagers as they navigate love, rivalries, and scandals exposed by an anonymous blogger. Gossip Girl is your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite. We highlight the series' themes of wealth, betrayal, and social status, along with its blend of fashion, humor, and intricate plot twists. We also

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12:39

Film Review: Challengers (USA 2024) – Starring...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/09/08

Content: In this podcast, we talk about the sports drama “Challengers” (USA 2024), directed by Luca Guadagnino, starring Zendaya and Josh O’Connor. We outline the plot, which centers on a love triangle between two male tennis players and a woman, played against the backdrop of a tennis tournament. We praise Zendaya's performance, briefly mention Zendaya's role in the TV show "Euphoria", and the film's non-chronological storytelling, while noting the fast-paced editing and music. Despite some

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10:47

Film Review: “The Desert of the Tartars” (FRA/ITA/GER...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/09/05

Content: In this podcast, we talk about “The Desert of the Tartars”, directed by Valerio Zurlini. We describe our accidental discovery and lasting impact of the 1976 film. We highlight the central themes of the film, such as futility, camaraderie and the search for the meaning of life. We describe our years of involvement with the film and how we rediscovered the title decades later. We reflect on the re-watching after a long time and emphasize the multi-layered, philosophical character of the

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11:03

Film Review: The Talented Mr. Ripley (USA 1999) –...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/09/01

Content: In this podcast, we talk about Anthony Minghella's 1999 adaptation of “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law. We cover the plot, focus on Tom Ripley's transformation and crimes in 1950s Italy. We compare Minghella's film to the original novel by Patricia Highsmith and previous and subsequent adaptations, including René Clément's "Purple Noon" and the recent Netflix series "Ripley". We praise the performances and cinematography of the 1999 film while

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19:23

Film Review: “A Summer’s Tale” (FRA 1996) and “Autumn...

Second Opinion - Films and Society ·

2025/08/29

Content: In this podcast, we talk about two films by French Nouvelle Vague director Eric Rohmer: “A Summer’s Tale” (1996) and “Autumn Tale” (1998), the final installments in the series “Tales of the Four Seasons”.“A Summer’s Tale” portrays a shy mathematics graduate who unexpectedly finds himself between three women. “Autumn Tale” is about a widowed winegrower whose friend tries to find her a new partner, which leads to complications. We emphasize Rohmer's talent for depicting interpersonal

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116 results

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