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PODCAST

Philosophy In Film

Chris McTavish, Alain Beauclair and Craig Nickel

A fun and accessible podcast that explores philosophical ideas and themes in popular films. Come join the conversation at "Philosophy in Film"!

tv & film film reviews

All Episodes

01:42:41

Philosophy In Film - 099 - A House of Dynamite

Philosophy In Film ·

2025/12/09

Episode 99: A House of Dynamite This week, the gang steps into the explosive tension of A House of Dynamite, a modern pressure-cooker thriller where family secrets, fraying loyalties, and a single terrible night threaten to blow everything apart. Craig sounds the alarm and readies for attack with Producer's Notes (9:16), while Alain scorches a few eyebrows with the Beauclair Synopsis (18:44), laying out the film's tightly coiled timeline and the slow, heavy crack of inevitability beneath it. Chris

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02:37:03

Philosophy In Film - 098 - Lean On Me

Philosophy In Film ·

2025/11/15

Episode 98: Lean On Me Season 5 marches on as the gang steps into the halls of Eastside High for John G. Avildsen's 1989 drama Lean On Me, where Principal Joe Clark takes on failing systems, fraying hope, and a school on the brink with nothing but a bullhorn, a baseball bat, and a stubborn belief in his students. Craig rings the bell with Producer's Notes (9:52), setting the tone for a spirited class session, while Alain sketches out the ups, downs, and hard lines in the Beauclair Synopsis (29:56)

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01:33:49

Philosophy In Film - 097 - Weapons

Philosophy In Film ·

2025/10/26

Episode 97: Weapons Just in time for a Halloween Spooktacular, the gang is back for Season 5 of Philosophy in Film, and the reel’s already spinning! First up in the tray: Zach Cregger’s eerie ensemble horror Weapons (2025), where seventeen schoolchildren vanish at 2:17 a.m., forcing a town to ask: what if the monster isn’t outside, but inside the story? In search of answers, Craig sounds the alarm with Producer’s Notes (8:31) while Alain opens the Beauclair Synopsis (17:23), laying out the tangled

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01:47:25

Philosophy In Film - 096 - Eddington

Philosophy In Film ·

2025/10/08

Episode 96: Eddington This week on Philosophy in Film, the gang rides into the dust and disinformation of Ari Aster’s 2025 neo-Western Eddington. Set during the upheaval of 2020, the film pits Joaquin Phoenix’s stoic, conspiracy-prone sheriff Joe Cross against Pedro Pascal’s pragmatic mayor Ted Garcia in a small New Mexico town splintered by mask mandates, social media warfare, and secrets. Craig sounds the warning in Producer’s Notes (9:59), rallying the posse to get ready; Alain draws the map of

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02:01:51

Philosophy In Film - 095 - Sinners

Philosophy In Film ·

2025/07/08

Episode 95: Sinners This week on Philosophy in Film, the gang steps into the blood-soaked confessional of Ryan Coogler’s 2025 thriller, Sinners. Nestled in the indie-crime-vampire-redemption-gangster genre, the film follows Eli Morgan, a disgraced pastor-turned-defense attorney, as he’s pulled into the moral murk of faith, failure, and a client who might not be entirely human. Craig hacks away at Producer’s Notes (9:37) with only slight collateral damage, while Alain cracks open the Book of

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02:15:42

Philosophy In Film - 094 - The Lord of the Rings: The...

Philosophy In Film ·

2025/05/13

Episode 94: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Our long journey through Middle-earth reaches its end as the gang takes on the towering finale of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy: The Return of the King. Craig lights the beacons with Producer’s Notes (8:03), rallying the realm for the final leg of our quest. Alain draws his sword for the Beauclair Synopsis (20:22), charting the last stand against darkness with Aragorn’s path to the throne and Frodo’s climb toward Mount Doom. Chris

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02:01:37

Philosophy In Film - 093 - The Lord of the Rings: The...

Philosophy In Film ·

2025/04/01

The battle for Middle-earth rages on as Philosophy in Film journeys into The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. This episode delves into the shifting alliances, moral dilemmas, and heroic struggles that define the second chapter of Peter Jackson’s legendary trilogy. Craig sounds the Horn of Helm’s Deep with Producer’s Notes (9:02), while Alain embarks on a perilous march through Synopsis Pass (19:35), charting the intertwined fates of Frodo, Aragorn, and the fractured Fellowship. Chris then lights

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02:00:16

Philosophy In Film - 092 - Anora

Philosophy In Film ·

2025/02/25

The gang at Philosophy in Film embarks on a wild ride with Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or-winning dark comedy, Anora. This episode explores the intricate narrative of Anora Mikheeva, a Brooklyn-based sex worker portrayed by Mikey Madison, whose impulsive marriage to Vanya Zakharov, the son of a Russian oligarch, leads to unforeseen challenges when his family intervenes. Craig reveals his impulsivity as he proposes with Producer’s Notes (7:39), setting the stage for Alain’s 4-carat Beauclair Synopsis

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01:58:26

Philosophy In Film - 091 - The Lord of the Rings: The...

Philosophy In Film ·

2025/01/21

Embark on an epic journey with the gang as we delve into Peter Jackson’s cinematic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. With the fate of Middle-earth resting on a perilous quest, the crew unites to explore the deep lore, unforgettable characters, and weighty themes that set this legendary saga in motion. Taking his farthest step outside the Shire, Craig sets us on the path with Producer’s Notes (7:16), Alain braves the mines of the Beauclair Synopsis (23:26), and Chris

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01:24:15

Philosophy In Film - 090- Home Alone

Philosophy In Film ·

2024/12/23

This week on Philosophy in Film, we light up the holiday season with the 1990 holiday classic, Home Alone! Directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes, this iconic family comedy follows Kevin McCallister, a pint-sized troublemaker accidentally left behind when his family heads to Paris for Christmas. As Kevin defends his home from two bumbling burglars, Harry and Marv, he discovers not only his knack for improvisation but also the true meaning of family and forgiveness. Craig jingles all

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01:57:38

Philosophy In Film - 088 - Alien: Romulus

Philosophy In Film ·

2024/12/09

Episode 88: Alien: Romulus Shaking up the release schedule with Episode 88 of Philosophy in Film, the gang boards the hauntingly dark Alien: Romulus, the latest installment in the storied sci-fi horror franchise. Returning to the series’ roots, this new chapter explores themes of survival, creation, and the horrifying unknown. Craig starts the countdown with Producer’s Notes (6:54), setting the stage for Alain’s Beauclair Synopsis (17:12), which pieces together the film’s gripping narrative. Chris

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01:48:08

Philosophy In Film - 089 - Pump Up The Volume

Philosophy In Film ·

2024/12/02

Episode 89: Pump Up The Volume This week on Philosophy in Film, the gang cranks up the dial with the 1990 cult classic Pump Up The Volume. Starring Christian Slater as the enigmatic pirate radio DJ Hard Harry, this film delves into themes of rebellion, teenage angst, and the power of uncensored self-expression. From the airwaves of suburban Arizona to the philosophical crossroads of free speech and societal change, Pump Up The Volume asks what it truly means to find your voice in a world that

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01:39:00

Philosophy In Film - 087 - Cabin in the Woods

Philosophy In Film ·

2024/10/30

Episode 87: The Cabin in the Woods In Episode 87, the Philosophy in Film Podcast descends into the horror-comedy labyrinth of The Cabin in the Woods (2012), where slasher tropes and cosmic horror are delightfully turned inside out. Craig breaks out his sales tactics in Producer’s Notes (8:34), setting the stage for Alain to deliver a chilling Beauclair Synopsis (21:08), diving into the intricate setup of five unsuspecting friends venturing into a remote cabin, only to discover they’re players in a

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01:52:23

Philosophy In Film - 086 - Casablanca

Philosophy In Film ·

2024/07/09

In our 86th episode, the gang is joined by Dr. Steven Brence as we travel back to the smoky cafes and shadowy alleyways of wartime Morocco with the cinematic classic "Casablanca." This beloved film follows the story of Rick Blaine, an American expatriate who must choose between his love for Ilsa Lund and helping her husband, Victor Laszlo, escape the clutches of the Nazis. The episode begins with Producer’s Notes (6:22), where Craig entertains us with his signature wit that might just rival Rick's

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01:27:33

Philosophy In Film - 085 - Dune: Part 2

Philosophy In Film ·

2024/06/28

For the 85th episode of the Philosophy in Film Podcast, the gang ventures deep into the sands of Arrakis with Denis Villeneuve's highly anticipated "Dune: Part 2." This sci-fi epic continues the journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen to fight against the oppressive forces threatening their world. As the spice must flow, so must our philosophical musings! Craig navigates through Producer’s Notes (7:46), while Alain offers his detailed Beauclair Synopsis (13:19). Chris delves

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01:56:39

Philosophy In Film - 084 - Anatomy of a Fall

Philosophy In Film ·

2024/06/11

Episode 84: Anatomy of a Fall For the 84th episode of Philosophy in Film Podcast, the gang lays down the gavel on Justine Triet's 2023 Palme d'Or-winning film, "Anatomy of a Fall." This gripping legal drama follows a writer accused of her husband's murder as she navigates the complexities of truth and perception. Join us as we interrogate the evidence and cross-examine the narrative with segments including Producer’s Notes (6:43), where Craig opens the case file; the Beauclair Synopsis (15:24),

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01:45:56

Philosophy In Film - 083 - Fight Club

Philosophy In Film ·

2024/05/28

Episode 83: Fight Club This week on Philosophy in Film, the gang grapples with the anarchic world of David Fincher’s Fight Club. Starring Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter, this cult classic delves into themes of consumerism, identity, and rebellion as it follows an insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soap maker as they form an underground fight club that evolves into something much more. The chaos begins with Producer’s Notes (6:22), where Craig sets the stage for an

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01:26:27

Philosophy In Film - 082 - Donnie Darko

Philosophy In Film ·

2024/05/14

Wake up. This week, the gang ventures down the rabbit hole of 2001’s cult classic sci-fi thriller, Donnie Darko. Set in 1988, this film explores the interconnected relationships between characters while searching for the underlying truths that bind everything together, for better or for worse. Craig guides the way first with the hare-raising Producer’s Notes (6:23), then Alain chooses to sit next to the Beauclair Synopsis (14:11) while Chris predicts our paths with (the) Philosopher’s Corner

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01:30:49

Philosophy In Film - 081 - The Grand Budapest Hotel

Philosophy In Film ·

2024/04/30

For this week’s episode, the gang marvels at the magnificence of The Grand Budapest Hotel. With an all-star cast of both fresh and familiar faces, this charming Wes Anderson film stars Ralph Fiennes as the concierge of a first-class resort hotel in the 1930s. The story unfolds after the mysterious death of one of the patrons and M. Gustave (Fiennes) finds himself as the primary suspect in this splendid escapade. Once in the lobby, take a right and down the hall to find Craig waiting with Producer’s

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01:30:47

Philosophy In Film - 080 - Roadhouse

Philosophy In Film ·

2024/04/22

Episode 80: Roadhouse This week, the gang takes a trip back to the glory of 1980s cinema with the high-octane feature Roadhouse! Starring Patrick Swayze as the Ph.D.-educated bouncer, the gang discusses their shared similarities with our hero, exploring the relatable parallels in their professional experiences as Craig begins the brawl with Producer’s Notes (6:37). Alain then fights his way through the Beauclair Synopsis (19:12), with Chris packing a punch in Philosopher’s Corner (30:55). The gang

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99 results

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