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PODCAST

Film Optimists

Film Optimists is a joyful podcast about all things film. The hosts, Megan Tierney Flores and Seth Boyd, believe film is a beautiful and vital artistic medium. They are optimistic about film in general and each episode brings this optimism to an in-depth discussion on a particular film subject.

tv & film

All Episodes

00:48:58

Casablanca

Film Optimists ·

2023/11/18

We're back with another gem from old Hollywood, Casablanca! Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart lead the all star cast in what has become one of the most iconic films ever made. Despite its fame, the film had surprisingly humble beginnings. Hear us discuss the film, it's origin, and how it came to be considered by many to be the greatest film of all time.

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00:53:17

Reanalysis: Being John Malkovich

Film Optimists ·

2023/11/11

Trenton Cressy returns to the pod to talk Being John Malkovich. The film follows John Cusack as a puppeteer who finds a portal into the mind of John Malkovich. The odd film launched the careers of both Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze, both of whom were nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Director retrospectively. This film is strange, funny, haunting, and certainly not for everyone. That's partially why it's part of our Reanalysis series, which feature a guest changeling one or both of us

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00:42:31

The Stepford Wives

Film Optimists ·

2023/10/28

Spooky season is still going strong and so are we! We're back with another chilling tale, The Stepford Wives from 1975. The film follows Katharine Ross as Joanna, a woman who recently relocated to the suburb of Stepford from New York City. It's not long before Joanna notices that things aren't quite as idyllic as they seem in Stepford, and that danger may be lurking. The film is filled with commentary on feminism, patriarchy, anti-consumerism, and the clash between suburbs versus city

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01:07:35

Suspiria ft. Claudio Alberto Cortes

Film Optimists ·

2023/10/14

Horror season is officially here and we're kicking it off with Dario Argento's classic Giallo film, Suspiria (1977). Joining us this episode is friend and world cinema aficionado, Claudio Alberto Cortes. The film follows Suzy, a new student at a prestigious ballet school who encounters a series of bizarre murders of possibly supernatural origins. Hear us discuss the film and its 2018 remake, its impact, Giallo in general, and much more.

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00:51:09

The Muppet Movie ft. Jaime Metzgar

Film Optimists ·

2023/08/26

It was only a matter of time before we discussed the most optimistic movie of all, The Muppet Movie! Joining us this episode is author and activist, Jamie Metzgar. The first film in the franchise tells the "true story" of how Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the gang came together.In addition to the film we talk to Jamie about her books on grief, Salt & Ash & Honey & Magic and Explorations with Grief: The First Year. We also discuss Jamie's activism through her new

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00:40:32

State of the Movies Address

Film Optimists ·

2023/07/22

Folks, we're more than halfway through the year already, but some of 2023's most anticipated films are still to come. Rather than focus on a specific film like our usual episodes, we've decided to discuss the films yet to be released we're most looking forward to this year. Listen to hear us each countdown our top 3, and write in with your own picks.

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00:46:58

The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser

Film Optimists ·

2023/07/14

We're back with another film from Werner Herzog's extensive filmography. This time we're tackling one of Herzog's feature films, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974). The film revolves on the strange true story of Kaspar Hauser, a man who was said to have been raised in isolation and captivity who's captor unexpectedly releases him in his early adulthood into a nearby Bavarian city. Kaspar's struggles adapting to society are filled with biting social commentary. In a

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00:49:49

Devil in a Blue Dress ft. Jordan Morris

Film Optimists ·

2023/06/23

Folks, you're not gonna want to miss this one. Writer, actor, comedian, and podcasting legend Jordan Morris is on the show! Jordan joins us for a discussion of the 1995 film, Devil in a Blue Dress, as well as to discuss their recent contributions to the Archie Comics Horror Anthology series. Devil in a Blue Dress is a neo-noir mystery staring Denzel Washington. Set in late 1940's Los Angeles the film follows a down on his luck WW2 vet who reluctantly accepts a job to find a missing woman

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00:43:54

Into the Inferno

Film Optimists ·

2023/06/10

In this episode we discuss another titan of film, Werner Herzog. Herzog's career spans six decades, features nearly 70 films, and is still going strong. He has inspired multiple generations of filmmakers from around the world and was called "the most important film director alive" by François Truffaut. The Bavarian director has achieved great acclaim in directing both feature films and documentaries. Because of this, we will be covering his work in two episodes, the first being his

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00:57:31

Sorry to Bother You (Ft. Riley Gerberick)

Film Optimists ·

2023/05/28

We're reunited with our esteemed, now third time guest on the podcast, Riley Gerberick, to discuss Boot's Riley's debut film Sorry to Bother You. Set in Oakland, the film follows Cassius' journey climbing the corporate ladder of his call center job, using his "white voice" to gain the coveted position as a Power Caller. We discuss Boot's overt critique on capitalism in the film, but also it's merits as an outrageous, genre-bending watch.

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00:34:11

Cleo From 5 to 7

Film Optimists ·

2023/05/13

We’re going back in time and across the Atlantic this episode to talk about a film from one of the most important movements in film history, the French New Wave. The film is Agnes Varda’s Cleo from 5 to 7 from 1962. The film follows Cleo, an emerging popstar, who is awaiting medical test results that will confirm whether or not she has cancer. Cleo explores Paris while contemplating issues of existentialism, beauty, and more while awaiting her diagnosis.

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01:04:00

Pulp Fiction (Ft. Garret Dwello and Michael Grygo)

Film Optimists ·

2023/04/22

We’re back to discuss one of the most influential films of the last 30 years, Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. Joining us for the discussion are special guests and Tarantino aficionados Michael Grygo and Garret Dwello. The film follows several characters across the criminal underworld of LA told in a non chronological order. This was the first Tarantino film to feature frequent future collaborators, Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman, amongst its all-star cast. We discuss the film’s style, the

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00:45:32

Jojo Rabbit

Film Optimists ·

2023/03/09

In this episode we discuss Takia Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit. Set in Germany during the final days of WW2, this dark comedy follows a young boy in the Hitler Youth who is forced to question his beliefs upon discovery that his mother is hiding a jewish woman from the Nazis in their home. The film manages to remain funny, while still addressing the horrors of genocide, war, and the spread of hatred. Listen to hear us talk about how the film accomplishes this feat, as well as its beautiful production design

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00:52:25

Lady Bird

Film Optimists ·

2023/02/23

We’re back to discuss Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut, Lady Bird. Lady Bird is a personal, heartfelt coming of age comedy set in Gerwig’s hometown of Sacramento, California. Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf lead an excellent cast that also features Timothée Chalamet and Beanie Feldstein. Listen to our discussion of how the film’s depictions of class, religion, sexuality, and family dynamics feel more grounded than the typical high school movie.

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00:52:12

Memento

Film Optimists ·

2023/01/29

Christopher Nolan is a name that’s come up a few times on the podcast but we haven’t dedicated an episode to focus on one of his movies before. Until now. With his latest film Oppenheimer set to come out later this year, we thought it was a good time to revisit his breakthrough film Memento (2000). Memento is a neo-noir that follows Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, a man with short term memory loss trying to find his wife’s killer. The film is perhaps most known for its innovative non-linear structure

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00:39:17

Our Top Watched Films in 2022

Film Optimists ·

2023/01/07

Happy 2023 Optimists! For our first episode of the year, we reflect back on our favorite movies we saw in 2022. Just like our episode from last year, these are our favorite movies seen in 2022, not necessarily released in 2022. As we count down our top 5 watches from 2022, let us know what made your list!

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00:56:38

The Thin Man ft. Ann Boyd

Film Optimists ·

2022/12/22

Happy Holidays, Optimists! The illustrious Ann Boyd joins us once again to discuss another alternative Christmas film selection, The Thin Man (1934). The Thin Man is a fast-paced mystery/comedy/romance featuring perhaps the ultimate power couple, Nick and Nora Charles played by William Powell and Mryna Loy. The film follows Nick, a retired detective, and his wealthy heiress wife Nora who encourages her husband to come out of retirement to solve a series of murders occurring in their social circles

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00:57:18

Tampopo

Film Optimists ·

2022/11/24

It’s almost here folks–Thanksgiving! A time to focus on family and, more importantly, food. We celebrate the occasion with one of our favorite food movies, Tampopo. Directed by Juzo Itami, the 1985 film follows a pair of truckers who help a widow turn her struggling ramen shop into the best ramen shop in town. Exploring food culture both high and low, this unconventional comedy is a hidden gem of world cinema.

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00:44:28

Autumn Sonata

Film Optimists ·

2022/11/11

In this episode we discuss another legend of cinema, Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman and his film Autumn Sonata. The film follows a reunion between a celebrated concert pianist and her daughter who haven’t seen each other in seven years. The film’s minimal cast is led by Ingrid Bergman (no relation to Ingmar) and Lil Ullmann who both deliver outstanding performances.

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01:21:51

The Thing ft. Jim Briggs

Film Optimists ·

2022/10/27

We continue our month of horror with an 80’s horror classic, John Carpenter's The Thing! We’re joined by special guest and friend of the podcast Jim Briggs. In the film, a crew of scientists in Antarctica are stalked by an alien that can take the form of any living creature. Hear us discuss the film, theories about the ending, and the surprising comfort of existential dread.

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60 results

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