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PODCAST

The Intrepid Filmographers

Nick Rocco Scalia & Bobby Shortle

Exploring overlooked filmmakers" works with passion and fresh insights. intrepidfilmographers.substack.com

tv & film film reviews

All Episodes

180:00

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring |...

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/11/02

In this epic installment of The Intrepid Filmographers, Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia embark on their journey into Middle-earth with The Fellowship of the Ring, the film that redefined modern fantasy cinema. The hosts explore Peter Jackson’s monumental achievement — from its awe-inspiring world-building and groundbreaking visuals to its emotional storytelling and timeless themes of courage, friendship, and sacrifice.They dive into the film’s cultural legacy, its influence on the fantasy genre,

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130:14

The Frighteners | Films of Peter Jackson

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/10/26

Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia continue their exploration of Peter Jackson’s filmography with a deep dive into The Frighteners — the supernatural horror-comedy that bridged his cult horror roots and his Hollywood blockbuster future.The hosts discuss Michael J. Fox’s magnetic performance, the film’s groundbreaking visual effects, and how Jackson’s signature energy shines through every ghostly gag and chilling twist. They reflect on The Frighteners’ unique tone, which balances death, grief, and

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124:10

Heavenly Creatures | Films of Peter Jackson

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/10/05

In this episode, Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia turn their focus to Heavenly Creatures — the haunting, beautiful, and deeply human drama that marked a turning point in Peter Jackson’s career. Moving away from splatter and satire, Jackson crafts a film of emotional precision, exploring the intense friendship between two teenage girls (played by Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet) whose bond spirals into fantasy, obsession, and tragedy.Bobby and Nick discuss how Heavenly Creatures blends realism

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102:40

Braindead | Films of Peter Jackson

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/09/07

Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia continue their journey through Peter Jackson’s early career with his outrageous cult classic Braindead (released as Dead Alive in the U.S.). Known as one of the goriest movies ever made, the film blends over-the-top splatter effects with slapstick comedy, romance, and family drama in a way only Jackson could pull off.In this episode, Bobby and Nick explore the film’s wild mix of horror and humor, its cultural context in New Zealand cinema, and the technical

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71:07

Meet the Feebles | Films of Peter Jackson

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/08/31

Join Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia as they navigate the bizarre and grotesque world of Peter Jackson's Meet the Feebles. This episode dives into the film’s strange blend of puppetry, satire, and shock value, unpacking how it reflects Jackson’s wild early creativity. From the movie’s grotesque humor to its biting commentary on fame, sex, and show business, Bobby and Nick explore why this cult oddity remains one of the most polarizing films of Jackson’s career.Whether you love it, hate it, or

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75:50

Bad Taste | Films of Peter Jackson

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/08/24

In this episode, Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia launch a brand-new mini-series exploring the films of Peter Jackson, beginning with his outrageous cult classic Bad Taste. They dive into Jackson’s journey from no-budget DIY filmmaker in New Zealand to one of the most celebrated directors of his generation. Along the way, they discuss the film’s absurd humor, inventive practical effects, and the alien fast food concept that cemented its place in horror-comedy history. From Monty Python-inspired

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116:39

Cyrano | Films of Joe Wright

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/07/06

In the final entry of their Joe Wright miniseries, Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia tackle one of the director’s boldest and most overlooked works: Cyrano (2021). A stylized musical romance starring Peter Dinklage, with music by The National, Cyrano reimagines the classic tale with modern emotion, theatrical visuals, and a deeply tragic heart.The conversation covers the film’s COVID-delayed release, box office struggles, and Wright’s distinct blend of humor, heartbreak, and visual flourish. From

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126:53

The Woman in the Window | Films of Joe Wright

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/06/29

In this episode of The Intrepid Filmographers, Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia explore one of the most polarizing films in Joe Wright’s career: The Woman in the Window (2021). A domestic thriller steeped in paranoia, visual style, and production controversy, the film features Amy Adams as an agoraphobic woman who may—or may not—have witnessed a murder across the street.The hosts dive deep into the movie’s Hitchcockian influences, its unreliable narrator, the behind-the-scenes chaos, and whether

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106:28

Darkest Hour | Films of Joe Wright

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/06/22

In this episode of The Intrepid Filmographers, Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia dig into Joe Wright’s Oscar-winning World War II drama Darkest Hour. Anchored by Gary Oldman’s transformative performance as Winston Churchill, the film explores the burden of leadership in the face of global crisis.The hosts unpack the narrative structure, the theatricality of Wright’s direction, and whether the film transcends the biopic formula. They also debate the effectiveness of the screenplay, the role of

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106:28

Pan | Films of Joe Wright

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/06/01

In this episode of The Intrepid Filmographers, Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia tackle Joe Wright’s 2015 film Pan — a fantastical, big-budget reimagining of the Peter Pan mythos that crashed and burned at the box office.They break down the film’s chaotic tone, baffling creative choices, and stunning visuals that can’t quite hide a hollow core. From Hugh Jackman’s over-the-top Blackbeard to the ill-fated Nirvana sing-along, this conversation explores the fine line between artistic risk and

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103:22

Anna Karenina | Films of Joe Wright

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/05/25

In this conversation, Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia delve into Joe Wright's adaptation of Anna Karenina, exploring its themes of love, societal expectations, and the unique theatrical style that defines the film. They discuss the complexities of character dynamics, the visual storytelling techniques employed, and the critical reception of the film, ultimately reflecting on its impact and significance in the realm of literary adaptations. In this conversation, the hosts delve into the themes of

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106:12

Hanna | Films of Joe Wright

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/05/11

Joe Wright goes full fairy tale assassin in Hanna (2011), a genre-defying mix of espionage thriller, coming-of-age story, and arthouse action. In this episode, Bobby and Nick dig into the wild tonal swings, Chemical Brothers score, and stylized direction that marks Wright’s biggest departure yet. They also examine Hanna’s lasting influence, why some scenes still hit hard, and what happens when a filmmaker maybe tries a little too hard to prove they can do something different. It’s a divisive one—so

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99:01

The Soloist | Films of Joe Wright

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/05/04

Our journey through the films of Joe Wright continues as we dive into one of his most unexpected career turns: The Soloist (2009), starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. Based on the true story of journalist Steve Lopez and musician Nathaniel Ayers, this film tackles themes of mental illness, race, music, and the ethics of storytelling. We dig into Wright’s experimental sound design, the tension between empathy and exploitation, and the role of art as both a bridge and a burden. This one sparks

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123:36

Atonement | Films of Joe Wright

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/04/13

Our Joe Wright miniseries continues with Atonement (2007), his sweeping and emotionally devastating follow-up to Pride & Prejudice. Reuniting with Keira Knightley and bringing in James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan, and Vanessa Redgrave, Wright adapts Ian McEwan’s acclaimed novel into a visually lush and stylistically bold portrait of love, guilt, war, and the stories we tell ourselves.In this episode, Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia break down the film’s shifting timelines, theatrical flourishes, and

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89:08

Pride & Prejudice | Films of Joe Wright

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/04/06

A brand new miniseries begins! Join Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia as they embark on an exploration of the films of director Joe Wright — and they’re starting with the film that put him on the map: Pride & Prejudice (2005).This landmark adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel blends traditional period drama aesthetics with bold directorial flair — including sweeping tracking shots, striking natural light, and one incredibly memorable hand flex. Bobby and Nick discuss how Wright’s debut

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96:42

Air | Films of Ben Affleck

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/03/16

Our Ben Affleck miniseries comes to an end with Air (2023), the story of how Nike landed Michael Jordan and changed the sneaker industry forever. Directed by Affleck and starring Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Viola Davis, Chris Tucker, and Affleck himself as Nike co-founder Phil Knight, Air blends corporate drama, sports mythology, and sharp-witted humor into one of the most entertaining business movies in years.Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia discuss Affleck’s return to form, Matt Damon’s

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86:46

Live by Night | Films of Ben Affleck

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/03/09

Our Ben Affleck miniseries continues with Live by Night (2016), his ambitious but ultimately troubled attempt at a Prohibition-era gangster epic. Based on the novel by Dennis Lehane, the film follows Joe Coughlin (Affleck), an outlaw-turned-bootlegger navigating crime, corruption, and moral dilemmas from Boston to Florida. With a stacked cast—including Zoe Saldana, Chris Cooper, Sienna Miller, Elle Fanning, and Chris Messina—Live by Night had all the makings of a crime classic. So, what went

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160:22

The 2025 Intrepid Filmographers Awards

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/03/02

The moment has arrived! Welcome to the Inaugural Intrepid Filmographers Awards, where we honor the best films, performances, and cinematic achievements of 2024. From Dune: Part Two to Challengers, Nosferatu, Furiosa, and more, we break down our picks across major categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and beyond!Who takes home our top honors? Tune in to find out—and become an Intrepid Filmographer yourself by subscribing and joining us on this cinematic journey!🎬 Chapters:

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120:59

Argo | Films of Ben Affleck

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/02/24

Our Ben Affleck miniseries continues with his Academy Award-winning political thriller, Argo (2012). This gripping historical drama tells the incredible true story of how the CIA, under the guise of a fake Hollywood sci-fi movie, staged a daring rescue of six American diplomats trapped in Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis.Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia break down Affleck’s impressive direction, how the film balances tension with humor, and whether Argo truly deserved its Best Picture win

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116:17

The Town | Films of Ben Affleck

The Intrepid Filmographers ·

2025/02/16

The Intrepid Filmographers continue their deep dive into Ben Affleck’s directorial career with The Town (2010), a tense and thrilling crime drama set in the heart of Boston. Following the success of Gone Baby Gone, Affleck takes on a larger-scale story of bank robbers, loyalty, and impossible love, starring himself alongside Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, and Blake Lively.Bobby Shortle and Nick Rocco Scalia break down how The Town refines Affleck’s skills as a director, from its gripping

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33 results

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