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PODCAST

Director"s Club

A monthly show that reviews one film director per episode with the occasional bonus episode. Episodes 123-172 were hosted by Brad & Al. As of 2022, new episodes will be hosted by Jim and/or Bill. The spin-off show, B-Side Me, is also here (for now) which is all about music/bands!

tv & film visual arts

All Episodes

02:34:04

Bonus Episode: Favorite Music Videos (w/ Heather Drain)

Director"s Club ·

2016/06/11

From "Video Killed The Radio Star" to Beyonce's "Lemonade," I have been intoxicated and dazzled by the artistry behind music videos. Of course, I'm not alone, and my guest today could probably teach a class on the subject and hopefully will get to program a music video festival event someday. Writer extraordinare Heather Drain joins me to discuss favorite music videos, our first experiences, growing up with MTV, and of course, the fact that many acclaimed directors got their start making videos

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03:30:12

Episode 108: Spike Lee

Director"s Club ·

2016/05/30

Happy Memorial Day! For the month of May this year, I have had the pleasure of talking about two of my favorite directors with two of my favorite guests. One of the reasons that this show exist is due to the inclusion of my former co-host Patrick Ripoll. He returns to talk about a controversial, innovative filmmaker by the name of Spike Lee, whom has in both of our eyes, made three masterpieces which we talk about at length along with the majority of his filmography. Some documentaries aren't

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01:57:31

Episode 107: Martin Scorsese (w/guest Nick Digilio)

Director"s Club ·

2016/05/10

At last. He is not only my favorite talk show radio host, but one of the main reasons I became passionate about film in the first place. WGN's own Nick Digilio, who has been reviewing movies since 1985, came into my life in December of 1989 alongside the legendary Roy Leonard. I haven't stopped listening to Nick review movies on a weekly basis since then. He's been incredibly supportive, so it was only a matter of time he comes on to the podcast since he's one of the smartest guys I know. We

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01:25:16

Bonus Episode: Actor/Director Keith Gordon

Director"s Club ·

2016/05/02

Welcome to a very special bonus episode of Director'sClub. These days you can find our guest directing episodes of TV shows like FARGO, DEXTER, THE LEFTOVERS, HOMELAND, MASTERS OF SEX, RECTIFY and so much more. But if you grew up in the 80s like me, you probably recognized the talent on display in a horror film like CHRISTINE or a comedy like BACK TO SCHOOL. What I wholeheartedly recommend are the films directed by the one and only Keith Gordon. I first saw A MIDNIGHT CLEAR, took note of the

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01:24:45

Pop Culture Club: Jeremy Saulnier, John Carney,...

Director"s Club ·

2016/04/21

I have one heck of a lineup in store for you. A format that I hope to do more of as the year continues. For this special edition of Pop Culture Club, I talk with two directors and then one musician -- all inspired in different ways but linked via their love of music. For the first interview, I talk with BLUE RUIN director Jeremy Saulnier about his latest foray into genre filmmaking -- this time, he tackles the world of hardcore punk rock combined with a seige picture in the visceral knockout

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03:33:29

Episode 106: M. Night Shyamalan

Director"s Club ·

2016/04/19

I'm back! This time I needed a lot of help (and defense) of a director I'm not that high up on. I certainly don't consider myself an outright detractor, but this is a bit of a departure since most episodes this year so far have been glowingly positive. I am joined by first-time guest Erix Antoine, a filmmaker and avid fan of genre films, to enlighten each other on the rather divisive M. Night Shyamalan. We cover it all from the good to the bad to the Happening. 00:00 - 07:45 - Introduction07:46

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03:23:05

Episode 105: Atom Egoyan (feat. Al Kwiatkowski & Bill...

Director"s Club ·

2016/04/04

Hey guys! Jim here. Well, I'm nowhere to be found in this episode other than the ad and parody song. I had to take a couple weeks off, so I enlisted the help of two of my favorite previous guests to take the helm for an epic examination of a favorite Canadian filmmaker of theirs. Bill Ackerman and Al Kwiatkowski took it upon themselves to discuss the entire filmography of one Atom Egoyan, whose two films EXOTICA and THE SWEET HEREAFTER were highly acclaimed in the late 90s and well worth your

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28:05

Aaron Sorkin Presents: The Podcast

Director"s Club ·

2016/04/01

After a few changes in format and roster, Director's Club has finally settled on a new format. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Aaron Sorkin is joining the network! His first contribution is to Director's Club for all of you to hear today, and I could not be more excited about the changes he's made. Not only is Mr. Sorkin a part of the team, but he even asked former co-host Patrick Ripoll and a couple other previous guests, to come back for the first episode under our new format. We talk about director

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02:55:13

Episode 104: Alfred Hitchcock

Director"s Club ·

2016/03/15

Another classic director that we've been meaning to feature on the show for quite some time is finally covered. I also decided it's been way too long since we got a different perspective, other than one of the male variety. Kate Blair, holds a Master's in Cinema, writes reviews for Tiny Mix Tapes, has a blog titled Selective Viewing and turns out to be one of the more insightful guests I've had on the show. We cover a whole lotta Hitchcock in just under three hours, and yet, there is still so

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01:54:31

Episode 103: Sidney Lumet (feat. Brian Tallerico & Al...

Director"s Club ·

2016/02/28

For a career as incredible and expansive as Sidney Lumet's, I needed the help of two guests. Managing Editor Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com, as well as returning guest fresh from the Kubrick episode, Al Kwiatkowski, join me live to dissect the classics starting with 12 ANGRY MEN and modestly jumping around his filmography to focus on the more well-known gems from his career. Some of the outliers and underrated choices will be saved for a Lumet sequel episode possibly due as early as next year.

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01:28:35

Pop Culture Club: The Witch & More!

Director"s Club ·

2016/02/22

I decided to put together a quick 90-minute episode here just as a bonus treat, in which you can hear some snippets of other audio endeavors from the past, but after about a half hour, you'll get to hear both myself and guest Nat Almirall review the latest horror sensation THE WITCH. It's chock-full of spoilers so best see the movie first before hearing our take on what it all means. An official episode of Director's Club will come next, followed by a new Pop Culture Club interview episode come

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02:45:02

Episode 102: George Miller

Director"s Club ·

2016/02/13

One of my dearest friends Collin Souter returns to the show to talk about one of his favorite filmmakers, George Miller. He's a director that Collin has been singing the praises of since the very beginning, and since his latest and some might say his greatest film has received every accolade in the book, we figured it's a perfect time to discuss his entire filmography. I have a lot of personal things to say about the brilliance of LORENZO'S OIL while we both feel that BABE: PIG IN THE CITY is

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03:36:28

Episode 101: Stanley Kubrick

Director"s Club ·

2016/01/25

For Episode 101, I figured it was time to finally tackle another big-name director that's been highly requested and anticipated. The legendary and very influential Stanley Kubrick is discussed in epic proportions with a wonderful new addition to the Director's Club guest list. Al Kwiatkowski joins me as we attempt to dissect nearly all of Kubrick's work, realizing that he had to skip over a couple of his films in the interest of time and for the inevitable sequel episode in a year or so. Keep in

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41:13

Pop Culture Club: Karrie Hopper

Director"s Club ·

2016/01/21

Pop Culture Club is back again, here on the newly launched Now Playing Network! I know I said this before, but this will be the last episode that is available through both the Director's Club feed, and the regular Pop Culture Club feed. This time I mean it so please subscribe via ITunes to Pop Culture Club separately. So I once opened for a musician that instantly became a favorite of mine. Her name is Karrie Hopper, and most recently, her and her sister formed a band called The Room Outside.

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01:35:11

Episode 100: Favorite Films Of 2015 (Part 3)

Director"s Club ·

2016/01/10

Part Three. It is accomplished! No time tracks for this one since it's all one conversation that goes all over the place, but it is mainly a retrospective interview about myself, Patrick and the history of Director's Club. This interview may be expanded upon separately when Bill begins hosting his own show later this year!Episode 100. Best Of 2015. We went so long, it had to be divided into three, yes, three parts. Part One is a general conversation about 2015, including our awards, honorable

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03:02:13

Episode 100: Favorite Films Of 2015 (Part 2)

Director"s Club ·

2016/01/08

Part Two of Three. So this is it. Episode 100. Best Of 2015. We went so long, it had to be divided into three, yes, three parts. Part One is a general conversation about 2015, including our awards, honorable mentions and more! Part Two is our Top Ten Films Of 2015. Part Three is a retrospective interview / conversation about the past five years. The first eight minutes is me rambling about how much I love and appreciate you for continuing to listen and support Director's Club. It means the

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02:14:13

Episode 100: Favorite Films Of 2015 (Part 1)

Director"s Club ·

2016/01/08

This is it. Episode 100. Best Of 2015. We went so long, it had to be divided into three, yes, three parts. Part One is a general conversation about 2015, including our awards, honorable mentions and more! Part Two is our Top Ten Films Of 2015. Part Three is an intimate retrospective interview / conversation about the past five years. The first eight minutes is me rambling about how much I love and appreciate you for continuing to listen and support Director's Club. It means the world to me.

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02:07:55

Episode 99: Michael Curtiz

Director"s Club ·

2015/12/23

No bah hum-buggin around Director's Club this time of year. I managed to enlist two of my favorite people to listen to -- of course, former co-host and podcast emeritus Patrick Ripoll is back not only for Episode 99, but for Episode 100 in January! Also recruited this time is the great Sergio Mims of WHPK, who always comes on this time of year to talk about a classic director. This time, we're focusing on the anti-auteur Michael Curtiz. Yes, he did CASABLANCA, one of the greatest films ever

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01:55:01

Pop Culture Club: Favorite Records of 2015

Director"s Club ·

2015/12/19

It's been awhile since I've podcasted but there's a slew of episodes coming your way for the next month or so. First up, I welcome to the show, live in-studio, music enthusiast and vinyl expert Jim Hanke, who will soon become a part of The Now Playing Network family next month! I asked him to stop on by so we could talk music for 2 hours, including his podcast plans, our Nick Digilio connection, and other pop culture tidbits. The bulk of the conversation revolves around our favorite records of

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02:52:37

Episode 98: Krzysztof Kieslowski

Director"s Club ·

2015/11/18

The great Bill Ackerman is back once again for another wonderful conversation on one of my favorite directors, Krzysztof Kieślowski. He had to endure a very difficult upbringing in his native country, but he eventually went to a renowned and highly acclaimed film school where he honed his craft alongside greats like Polanski. We try to cover nearly everything but there was no way we could discuss each individual chapter of THE DECALOGUE, but we touch upon that as well as the majority of his films

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