Sinopsis
Weekly film podcast and WBEZ radio show from Chicago featuring in-depth reviews, top 5 lists and interviews. Hosted by Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen. Part of the Panoply Network.
Episodios
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Fargo: Lies, Myths, and Murder, plus The Invite | #1072
10/07/2026 Duración: 01h46minAdam and Josh celebrate Fargo's 30th anniversary with a Pantheon Project review (the show’s longest ever) of the Coen Brothers' career-altering 1996 film. Plus, Olivia Wilde's The Invite, David Wain's Gail Daughtry's Celebrity Sex Pass, and listeners choose the best pair of '90s blockbusters. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:03:33) Fargo at 30 (00:03:34-01:16:58) Filmspotting Family (01:16:59-01:21:34) The Invite (01:21:35-01:25:46) Gail Daughtry’s Celebrity Sex Pass (01:25:47-01:33:56) Polls (01:33:57-01:41:34) Credits / Releases (01:41:35-01:44:08) Links: -Josh’s Fargo Video Essay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaRRXpfTyfU Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net -Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspott
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Miller's Crossing | Archive
08/07/2026 Duración: 37minThis week's archive episode is Adam and Josh's 2018 Sacred Cow review of the Coen Brothers' period gangster film Miller's Crossing. Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you join the Filmspotting Family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Little Brother: Chaos Agent vs. Real Estate Agent | SVU
07/07/2026 Duración: 01h32minMatt and Jordan review Netflix’s new comedy Little Brother, which stars Eric Andre as a chaos agent who disrupts the life of a tightly wound real estate agent played by John Cena. Hijinx, nudity, and parabolas of urine ensue. Then, in Rec Seg, they offer some related streaming titles, including a musical dramedy about brothers and a classic ‘70s comedy. And in reply to a listener streaming request, a pair of international films from the early ‘60s. And Producer Sam hosts a John Cena-inspired round of trivia. Intro, Little Brother (00:00:00–00:24:16) Rec Seg: Little Brother-Inspired Streaming Recs (00:24:17–00:39:27) Listener Request Recs for an Artsy Down Under Movie Club (00:39:28–01:00:06) Trivia: So You’ve Cen-a Lotta Movies, Have You? (01:00:07–01:24:51) New to Streaming / Credits (01:24:52–01:32:35) Show Notes Now Streaming on Bazooga - A Filmspotting: SVU Archive https://letterboxd.com/samvanhallgren/list/now-streaming-on-bazooga-a
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Lady Justice, Pt. 1 — True Grit (2010)
07/07/2026 Duración: 01h07minThe new Supergirl isn’t an outright adaptation of the comic-book miniseries Woman of Tomorrow, but it retains enough of its shape that it evokes that comic’s own source of inspiration, True Grit. Either of the two film adaptations of Charles Portis’ 1968 Western novel about a young girl enlisting a reluctant, drunken hero to help her enact revenge would have provided plenty of connections to Supergirl, but we opted for Joel and Ethan Coen’s 2010 version starring Hailee Steinfeld and Jeff Bridges. So this week we’re discussing what distinguishes True Grit as both a Coens movie and a Western, the film’s overlapping notions of vengeance and justice, and how it utilizes two frequently abused elements — sincerity and voiceover narration — sparingly and effectively. Then in Feedback, we respond to a listener’s misgivings about accepting Disclosure Day’s premise at a time when conspiracy theories don’t feel as h
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Inception vs. Interstellar | Movie Death Match
06/07/2026 Duración: 01h30minWelcome to the sophomore installment of Movie Death Match. Host Chris Klimek presides as two Christopher Nolan films go head to head in anticipation of The Odyssey. Arguing for Inception is Bilge Ebiri (Vulture), while Abigail James (@popculturescientist) advocates for Interstellar. Which film offers the more emotionally resonant lead performance and better captures Nolan’s vision of time — its dilation and psychological weight? Vote now at moviedeathmatch.com. Intro (00:00:00-00:12:22) Opening Statements (00:12:23-00:23:21) In Their Time (00:23:22-00:48:11) In Our Time (00:48:12-01:07:36) For All Time (01:07:37-01:22:20) The Verdict / Close (01:22:21-01:29:45) LINKS – ABI -The biggest plot hole in Interstellar? -Can We Escape Gravity? | Interstellar’s Biggest Lie Explained LINKS – BILGE -The Hidden ‘Inception’ Within Inception -When to hit the Bathroom During Inception -Six New Things We Learned From the Inception Blu-ray -How Many Times Each Inception Cha
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Introducing: Black True Crime | Teddy Pendergrass & The Murder of Taaz Lang (Network Drop)
05/07/2026 Duración: 39minTeddy Pendergrass was a legendary singer and songwriter from the 60s and 70s that attracted the attention of women world wide. But when one of the closest women to him is murdered, and then he suffers a near fatal accident years later.. Are people wrong to suggest that the two may be connected? JOIN US as we discuss Teddy Pendegrass and the murder of Taaz Lang.RIP to the victims
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Independence Day at 30: America Saves the Universe | #1071
03/07/2026 Duración: 01h26minAdam and Josh celebrate the holiday weekend with a "Blind Cow" review of Independence Day, the #1 movie at the box office back in '96. Thirty summers after its release, Adam catches up with Roland Emmerich's alien-invasion spectacle, and Josh (originally a fan) sees if it holds up. Plus, a summer-themed edition of Massacre Theatre and a recap of last weekend's 2nd annual Filmspotting Fest, which featured appearances from Trey Edward Schultz (Krisha), Marguerite Moreau (Wet Hot American Summer), Agnés Varda biographer Carrie Rickey, and Michael Phillips. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:02:06) Independence Day at 30 (00:02:07-00:52:41) Filmspotting Family (00:52:42-00:56:03) Filmspotting Fest II: Recap (00:56:04-01:08:26) Notes (01:08:27-01:14:07) Massacre Theatre (01:14:08-01:21:34) Credits / Rele
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Interstellar | Archive
01/07/2026 Duración: 42minAs part of their 2020 Christopher Nolan "Oeuvre-view," Adam and Josh revisited 2014's Interstellar, a film they'd split on six years earlier. Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you join the Filmspotting Family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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In The Hand of Dante: Pussycats and Purple Prose | SVU
30/06/2026 Duración: 01h31minMatt and Jordan check out Julian Schnabel’s In The Hand of Dante, a rare midsummer Netflix prestige picture with a stacked cast that includes Oscar Isaac, Al Pacino, Gerard Butler, John Malkovich, Jason Momoa, and Martin Scorsese as a bearded medieval sage. Despite the talent and the reliably gorgeous cinematography, Schnabel’s film might be the worst thing Matt and Jordan have had to endure through the show’s first twelve episodes. Also on the show, some Dante-inspired streaming recommendations and streaming recs for a listener who shares little in common (movie-wise) with his spouse. And the debut of “What’s In A Name,” a new movie trivia game. (#012) Intro, In The Hand of Dante (00:00:00–00:34:55) Rec Seg: Dante-Inspired Streaming Recommendations (00:34:56–00:50:32) Listener Request Recommendations (00:50:33–01:06:44) Trivia: What’s In A Name (01:06:45–01:22:34) New to Streaming / Credits (01:22:35–01:31:14) Show Notes Now Stream
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Toy Story 5 and The Death of Robin Hood, plus Rose of Nevada | #1070
26/06/2026 Duración: 01h27minIs Toy Story 5 an inspired reorienting of the venerable Pixar franchise, or a tired rehash? Adam and Josh offer differing takes. Plus, Adam reviews Michael Sarnoski's bleak but intriguing The Death of Robin Hood, Josh recommends Mark Jenkin’s Rose of Nevada, an avant-garde ghost story set in a UK fishing village, and an "evil genius" ‘90s blockbuster poll question. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:05:44) Toy Story 5 (00:05:45-00:37:28) Filmspotting Family (00:37:29-00:43:14) Polls (00:43:15-00:57:35) The Death of Robin Hood (00:57:36-01:22:25) Rose of Nevada (00:57:36-01:22:25) Credits / Releases (01:22:26-01:25:35) Links: -Filmspotting Fest II: June 27-28, 2026 https://www.filmspottingfest.com -Movie Death Match Podcast: Close Encounters vs. E.T. https://www.filmspotting.net/episode
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Top 5 Toy Story Scenes with Griffin Newman | Archive
24/06/2026 Duración: 56minWhen the fourth Toy Story installment came to theaters in the summer of 2019, Adam invited the Blank Check podcast's Griffin Newman to join him for the Top 5 Toy Story Scenes. Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you join the Filmspotting Family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Office Romance: Generic Title, Real Juice | SVU
23/06/2026 Duración: 01h26minMatt and Jordan review Netflix’s generically titled but surprisingly witty Office Romance. Co-written by and starring Brett Goldstein alongside JLo, the workplace rom-com rises just above the streaming giant’s usual output by delivering actual jokes, real talent, and a surprising level of NSFW content. Plus, some deep-cut streaming recommendations, this week’s streaming releases, and a new game courtesy of Matt called “Portmanteau to Toe.” (Ep. #177) Intro, Office Romance (00:00:00–00:29:37) Streaming Recommendations (00:29:38–00:43:53) Personalized Recs (00:43:54–01:00:33) Game: Portmanteau To Toe (01:00:34–01:15:41) New to Streaming / Credits (01:15:42–01:26:30) Show Notes Now Streaming on Bazooga - A Filmspotting: SVU Archive https://letterboxd.com/samvanhallgren/list/now-streaming-on-bazooga-a-filmspotting-svu/ Pre-Order Matt's book "Funny Business: The Old-School Wedding Crashers and Knocked-Up Virgins Who Changed Comedy Forever" (Coming October
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Disclosure Day: Can Spielberg Make Us Believe Again? | #1069
19/06/2026 Duración: 01h08minAdam and Josh review Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day, praising star Emily Blunt and the impeccably staged action while questioning whether Spielberg and screenwriter David Koepp’s spiritual sequel to Close Encounters of the Third Kind captures the same sense of wonder. Then, Adam (finally) reviews the hit live-action/CGI hybrid The Sheep Detectives, plus Massacre Theatre. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off. (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00-00:01:50) Disclosure Day (00:01:51-00:45:09) Filmspotting Family (00:45:10-00:51:34) The Sheep Detectives (00:51:35-00:57:35) Notes (00:57:36-00:59:40) Massacre Theatre (00:59:41-01:03:32) Credits / Releases (01:03:33-01:05:53) Links: -Filmspotting Fest II: June 27-28, 2026 https://www.filmspottingfest.com -Movie Death Match Podcast: Close Encounters vs. E.T. https://www.filmspot
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Power Ranking Spielberg Decades | Archive
17/06/2026 Duración: 34minIn 2020, Adam and Josh used the 45th anniversary of Jaws to Power Rank the Spielberg Decades — from the Close Encounters ’70s to the Lincoln 2010s. With the release of Disclosure Day, the question now is whether it’s already time to do it again and include the 2020s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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HBO’s Miss You Love You Belongs On Stage | SVU
16/06/2026 Duración: 01h35minMatt and Jordan review HBO’s Sundance acquisition Miss You Love You. And while Jordan finds it to be a handsome, moving, and well-acted "filmed play", Matt finds too modest and predictable. For Rec Seg, Matt revisits the grueling, ice-cold dread of corporate culture with a 2019 workplace thriller, while Jordan counters with a classic 1982 Sidney Lumet thriller packed with more twists, turns -- and smooches! Finally, Jordan takes the reins as Dungeon Master for a game called On a Wing and a Prayer. Chapters / Timecodes (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Intro (00:00:00–00:7:27) Miss You Love You (00:7:28–00:26:54) Rec Seg!: (00:26:55–00:43:49) Personalized Recs (00:43:50–01:04:34) Game: On a Wing and a Prayer (01:04:35–01:23:04) Wrap-Up & Credits (01:23:05–01:35:02) Show Notes Now Streaming on Bazooga - A Filmspotting: SVU Archive https://letterboxd.com/samvanhallgren/list/now-streaming-on-bazooga-a-filmspotting-svu/ Matt's appearances on our sister
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Z: Costa-Gavras’s Jolting Anti-Fascist Thriller | Dissident Cinema
15/06/2026 Duración: 43minAdam and Josh reach a definitive milestone in Filmspotting’s Dissident Cinema Marathon with Costa-Gavras’s Oscar-winning 1969 masterpiece, Z. A thinly veiled account of a political assassination and subsequent government cover-up in Greece, the film stands as a foundational text for the modern paranoid thriller.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Obsession and Power Ballad: Be Careful What You Wish For | #1068
12/06/2026 Duración: 01h27minAdam and Josh catch up with the summer's surprise hit Obsession, the “monkey’s paw” update from YouTube creator turned first-time feature-director Curry Barker. Then, it’s John Carney’s Power Ballad, with Paul Rudd as a down-on-his-luck wedding singer who has a chance encounter with a former boy band star played by Nick Jonas. Plus, poll results and listener feedback on Rudd's best supporting roles. Intro (00:00:00-00:01:57) Obsession (00:01:58-00:41:33) Filmspotting Family (00:41:34-00:47:17) Notes / New Poll (00:47:18-00:55:42) Poll Results: Paul Rudd (00:55:43-01:01:34) Power Ballad (01:01:35-01:22:38) Credits / Releases (01:22:39-01:25:15) Links: -Filmspotting Fest II: June 27-28, 2026 https://www.filmspottingfest.com -Movie Death Match Podcast: Close Encounters vs. E.T. https://www.filmspotting.net/episodes Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net -Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Filmspotti
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Top 5 Movie Bands | Archive
10/06/2026 Duración: 37minFrom heavy metal volume knobs cranked up to eleven, to the sweet, soulful harmonies of a dynamic rhythm and blues revival, Adam and Josh count down their Top 5 (Fictional) Movie Bands. Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you join the Filmspotting Family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Netflix’s The Crash is an Ethical Sinkhole | SVU
09/06/2026 Duración: 01h29minMatt and Jordan review Netflix's massive true crime tabloid horror hit, The Crash, a direct-to-streaming look at the tragic Mackenzie Sherilla case. Jordan walks away feeling like he needs a shower for his soul, while Matt thanks his lucky stars that social media didn't exist when he was a youngster. For Rec Seg, Matt challenges the "drek" of the true crime genre by recommending an Oscar-nominated Netflix doc and Jordan counters with a 2018 indie drama that offers a nuanced take on the endless scroll. Listener requests yield recommendations for a 1945 "hardcore British" romance and 2012 Sundance indie featuring an ex-con who hangs out with a robot. Finally, Producer Sam steps in to host a true crime-inspired game called If You Can't Do the Time, Don't Watch the True Crime (on Amazon Prime). Plus, dabbing, dad jokes, and brief thoughts on box office phenomenons Backrooms and Obsession, and Masters of the Universe. (Ep. #175)Chapters / Timecodes (Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.) Backrooms, Obses
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No Regrets for Our Youth: Kurosawa’s Bold Post-War Melodrama
08/06/2026 Duración: 37minAdam and Josh continue Filmspotting’s Dissident Cinema Marathon with Akira Kurosawa’s 1946 drama No Regrets for Our Youth. Released in the immediate aftermath of WWII, the film stands out as a blatantly political entry in Kurosawa's catalog — and notably, his only film featuring a sole female protagonist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.