Best Jay Winterstein Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 88 - Christmas with THE CHOSEN 34:34

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8d ago34:34

34:34

Tim and Jay watch Christmas with The Chosen - Holy Night and continue the discussion from episode 85 on what works well and what doesn't work as well, along with what comes from the Gospels and what does not. Choices were made. Come find us: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter YouTube (starting with Episode 81) Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beg…

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Episode 87 - FRANKENSTEIN with Rev. Dr. Scott Stiegemeyer 1:02:08

1M ago1:02:08

1:02:08

Tim and Jay talk about Frankenstein, being human, technology, death and life with professor, pastor, and bioethicist, Scott Stiegemeyer, as well as a few horror films from Newport Beach Film Festival. Scott teaches at Concordia University in Irvine, California. Some of the films we mention in this episode: Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Loud, Pont…

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Episode 86 - NBFF Preview with Olivia Blue and Decker Sadowski of THEATER IS DEAD 59:30

3M ago59:30

59:30

Jay and Tim talk to the writers/producers/actors of Theater Is Dead, Decker Sadowski and Olivia Blue. Their film premiered at Fantastic Fest, and is coming to Newport Beach Film Festival in less than a month. We talk about the filmmaking process, how it works to write, produce, and act in a film, and Washington State. Then we look at a few of the f…

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Episode 85! Season 5 of THE CHOSEN 1:01:09

4M ago1:01:09

1:01:09

Tim and Jay talk about what they like and don't like about Season 5 of The Chosen. Interpretation, the Bible, Jesus, religious art--and the band Whiteheart. (Stay to the end for a long outtake where Tim takes the episode completely off the rails.) We pretty much stick to The Chosen in this episode. Come find us: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter Y…

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Episode 84 - Halfway Through 2025 37:13

5M ago37:13

37:13

Tim and Jay talk a little about what might end up on their best-of-2025 lists at the halfway point, and what they still want to see. What's on your list? Some of the films we mention in this episode: Life of Chuck, Nobody 2, Eddington, Together, No Other Choice, One Battle After Another, Caught Stealing, Black Phone 2, Materialists, Omaha, Werwulf …

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Episode 83 - Fathers, Sons, and Meat Puppets in 28 YEARS LATER 57:03

6M ago57:03

57:03

Tim and Jay talk zombies, the 28 franchise, and the father-son/generational inheritance theme that runs through 28 Years Later. Thanks for listening! (Or watching!) Some films we mention in this episode: 28 Years Later, 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later, Train to Busan, Night of the Living Dead, Sinners. Come find us: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter…

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Episode 82 - An Animated Faith 1:02:49

7M ago1:02:49

1:02:49

Jay and Tim talk about a few animated movies that seem to offer resonance with the Bible or Christianity. What are some Christian themes? What makes a theme Christian? How would someone outside the Christian faith interpret the themes in these movies? We talk about that, and more. Thanks for listening! Some films we mention in this episode: Croods:…

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Episode 81 - SINNERS with Pr. Jason Swan 1:12:44

7M ago1:12:44

1:12:44

Tim and Jay talk to Pastor Jason Swan about the film Sinners and all the theological resonance we can muster: vampires, music, liturgy, worship, vocation, and how Christians should watch movies. Some films/shows we mention in this episode: Midnight Mass, Nosferatu, Sinners. We're on YouTube! Not sure why you would want to look at us for an hour or …

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Episode 80! Explain Yourself - A New Literalism? 1:19:56

9M ago1:19:56

1:19:56

In our 80th episode, Tim and Jay talk about how much film viewers want or need to know; what makes some people love a film, and others hate it; and, is over-explaining really new? Do you like having a movie explain itself, or would you rather put things together yourself? "The New Literalism" article at The New Yorker We talked about some movies. C…

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Episode 79 - What the Oscars Got Right and What They Got Wrong 1:06:53

10M ago1:06:53

1:06:53

Jay and Tim talk about what the Academy Awards got right and what they got wrong. We talk about Hollywood, agendas, propaganda, and Oscar surprises. Some of the movies we mention in this episode are: Oscar nominees. Come find us: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter YouTube (starting with Episode 81) Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee…

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Episode 78 - What We Loved and Didn't in 2024 1:44:46

11M ago1:44:46

1:44:46

Jay and Tim get into the films they saw from 2024, their favorites, and their less-than-favorites. Some of the films we mention in this episode: The Brutalist, Gladiator II, Challengers, The Substance, Joker: Folie á Deux, Civil War, Trap, Hard Truths, Smile 2, Heretic, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Hundreds of Beavers, Monkey Man, Dune II, Long Le…

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Episode 77 - LONG DECEMBER with Writer/Director/Producer Thomas Torrey 1:08:39

1y ago1:08:39

1:08:39

Jay and Tim reconnect with Thomas Torrey about his film Long December, new to streaming. We talk about the creative process, music and film, marathon running (well, Jay and Thomas), and how new projects come together when things fall apart. Long December Long December Instagram Register for a Zoom watch party on December 15 with cast and crew! Our …

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Episode 76 - HERETIC, Religion, and True Believers 1:07:38

1y ago1:07:38

1:07:38

Tim and Jay talk about the new movie Heretic, true belief, and playing games with choice and control. Some of the other movies we mention in this episode: Hard Truths, September 5, Small Things Like These, Saw, Nosferatu, and some others that I forgot about. Come find us: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter YouTube (starting with Episode 81) Opening…

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Episode 75! Newport Beach Film Festival 25th Anniversary Preview with Travis Garcia 1:06:56

1y ago1:06:56

1:06:56

Jay and Tim talk with Travis Garcia, the co-director of the features programming team for the Newport Beach Film Festival, two weeks out from its 25th anniversary. We hit some of the films we've already seen, as well as some we're looking forward to. Come and join us, October 17-24! The Newport Beach Film Festival See the schedule and get tickets h…

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Episode 74 - Party Like It's 1999, Major Director Edition: BRINGING OUT THE DEAD and THE INSIDER 1:13:24

1+ y ago1:13:24

1:13:24

Jay and Tim talk about vocation, doing the right thing, how do you know what the right thing is, ambulances, and cigarettes...plus far too many outtakes Some of the films we mention in this episode: The Insider, Bringing Out the Dead, Fight Club, and probably some others that Tim forgot to write down Come find us: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter…

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Episode 73 - Party Like It's 1999, Documentary Edition: ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER and AMERICAN MOVIE 1:18:34

1+ y ago1:18:34

1:18:34

Tim gets echoey in his new house as he and Jay talk documentaries, history rhyming, and the life you make when you're trying to make something else. Some of the films we mention in this episode: One Day in September, American Movie, Coven, Buena Vista Social Club, Who Took Johnny, Liberated, Abducted in Plain Sight, Love Me, Karl Marx City. Come fi…

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Episode 72 - Party Like It's 1999, Foreign Language Edition: BEAU TRAVAIL and RUN, LOLA, RUN 1:07:44

1+ y ago1:07:44

1:07:44

In this episode, Tim and Jay talk about two seemingly opposite films, the primarily French-language Beau Travail and the German-language Run, Lola, Run. But maybe the themes and questions aren't as far apart as we initially thought! We discuss free will, choice, human nature, and a bit of slow cinema. Some of the films we discuss in this episode ar…

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Episode 71 - Party Like It's 1999: BEING JOHN MALKOVICH with Collin Insley 1:17:49

1+ y ago1:17:49

1:17:49

In this episode, we get existential, philosophical, and humanistic with Boise-based filmmaker (and NBFF alum) Collin Insley. We work through the implications of Being John Malkovich and Charlie Kaufman's filmography for fame, identity, and what it means to be human. Also puppetry. Collin's film Scam Likely is here. Some of the films we mention in t…

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Episode 70! - Party Like It's 1999, Horror Edition: THE SIXTH SENSE and THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT 1:11:18

1+ y ago1:11:18

1:11:18

Tim and Jay talk about two of the highest grossing movies of 1999: M. Night Shyamalan's first major hit, The Sixth Sense, and the beginning of the found-footage explosion, The Blair Witch Project. How do they play 25 years later? What do they tell us about our fears and traumas? What makes a genre film work, or not? Some of the films we mention in …

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Episode 69 - Party Like It's 1999: THE MATRIX and FIGHT CLUB 1:09:55

1+ y ago1:09:55

1:09:55

Tim and Jay talk about two defining movies of 1999: The Matrix and Fight Club. How do they hold up? Why do they hold up? Should Tim have kept his word to preach a sermon focused on The Matrix? Or was he just dumb (with sincere apologies to all college students who are not as dumb as he was)? Plus, some good feedback for our Magnolia episode. Some o…

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Episode 68 - Party Like It's 1999: MAGNOLIA with Pr. Mark Pierson 1:10:39

1+ y ago1:10:39

1:10:39

Jay and Tim talk with Pr. Mark Pierson of St. Paul's Lutheran Church (Long Beach, CA) about the first in our 25th anniversary series of films from 1999. We talk about where we were in 1999, and then get into free will, chance, fate, God, confession, forgiveness, salvation...and frogs. Some of the movies we mention in this episode are: Boogie Nights…

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Episode 67 - Oscar Predictions and Expectations 1:06:53

2y ago1:06:53

1:06:53

Obviously we haven't seen all of the Oscar-nominated films. Who do you think we are? But we have fun talking about the ones we have seen. 96th Academy Awards air on Sunday, March 10, at 4 pm (Pacific). Some of the films we mention in this episode: Oppenheimer, Poor Things, American Fiction, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Parasite, The Z…

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Episode 66 - Our Favorite Films of 2023 1:21:27

2y ago1:21:27

1:21:27

First episode of 2024, we talk about our favorites of 2023. These might be our most divergent best-of lists so far. Is your favorite on our lists? Are our favorites on your list? Let us know! Some of the films we mention in this episode: Past Lives, Beau is Afraid, Anatomy of a Fall, Sisu, John Wick 4, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1, Opp…

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Episode 65 - Serious or Frivolous? with Philip Marinello of The Substance Podcast 1:15:24

2y ago1:15:24

1:15:24

In only our second-ever joint episode, we spend some time with Philip Marinello of The Substance discussing whether movies are serious or frivolous. Are they just entertainment or something more significant? How seriously should we take them? Then we each offer up our own frivolous and serious picks. Enjoy! The Substance Special thank you to Dave H…

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Episode 64 - Two Years in the Making with Phillip Yaw Domfeh 1:05:43

2y ago1:05:43

1:05:43

On the last day of the 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival, we finally catch up with Phillip Yaw Domfeh, NBFF alum, filmmaker, producer, and Senior Manager of Disney's Launchpad short film incubator. We talk about all sorts of things, from music, to his films, including Cary in Retrograde (which he made with his wife, Priya), to the films he's working…

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Episode 63 - NBFF 2023 Preview 1:10:44

2y ago1:10:44

1:10:44

Jay and Tim preview their favorite week of the year, the Newport Beach Film Festival. We talk film festival programming, feature films, short films, what we've seen, and what we're looking forward to watching. See the schedule and get tickets here: NEWPORT BEACH FILM FEST (Use the code URSpecialNBFF for $5 off a ticket!) Some of the feature films w…

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Episode 62 - THE EQUALIZER 3 and Action Franchises 1:05:27

2+ y ago1:05:27

1:05:27

In this episode Tim and Jay talk about The Equalizer 3 and what's going on with some of the symbolism and religious references in the movie. Then we talk about other action franchises, and what sets some apart from others. Some of the films and franchises we mention in this episode: The Equalizer, John Wick, James Bond, Jason Bourne, Mission: Impos…

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Episode 61 - OPPENHEIMER 1:06:44

2+ y ago1:06:44

1:06:44

Jay and Tim talk about Christopher Nolan's latest, and where it fits among our favorite Nolan films. Some of the films we mention in this episode: Barbie, Oppenheimer, The Dark Knight, Memento, The Day after Trinity, Paper City, The Prestige, The Dark Knight Rises, Tenet, Dunkirk, Following, Inception, Interstellar. Wendell Berry's essay, "The Way …

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Episode 60! Fear Not! with Josh Larsen 59:55

2+ y ago59:55

59:55

In our 60th episode, we talk with Josh Larsen of Think Christian and the Filmspotting podcast about his new book Fear Not! A Christian Appreciation of Horror Movies. We talk about what Christians can learn from horror movies about themselves and about the world, and then we give our top 3 horror films. Fear Not! Movies are Prayers Think Christian F…

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Episode 59 - Selling or Telling? JESUS REVOLUTION and Cinematography with Ryan Spacone 1:43:50

2+ y ago1:43:50

1:43:50

Jay and Tim talk to cinematographer (and fellow Lutheran) Ryan Spacone about Jesus Revolution, Christian movies, cinematography, and how Lutherans understand vocation with respect to film. What does a cinematographer do? How does Ryan choose the jobs on which he's going to work? What makes a film "Christian," and is Jesus Revolution that? What woul…

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Episode 58 - Getting Weird With BEAU IS AFRAID 1:14:28

2+ y ago1:14:28

1:14:28

We're not going to lie; the episode gets a little weird. But so is the movie. Tim and Jay talk Beau Is Afraid, the new neurotic nightmare from Ari Aster. There are spoilers. See the movie first. Do not read anything about it before you go! Some other movies we mention in this episode: MidsomMAR, Hereditary, You Were Never Really Here (sort of; we c…

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Episode 57 - The (Pope's) Exorcist 1:09:10

2+ y ago1:09:10

1:09:10

Tim and Jay talk about what they liked and didn't like about Russell Crowe's new movie, The Pope's Exorcist. How much is Fr. Amorth's story and how much is Hollywood invention? What is it about priests that they make regular appearances in horror movies? Why do exorcism movies continue to get made? Can anyone make an original exorcism movie after T…

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Episode 56 - THE WHALE and Christian Imagery 1:03:35

2+ y ago1:03:35

1:03:35

Jay and Tim talk about all sorts of things stemming from The Whale. Does Aronofsky intend Charlie to be a Christ figure? What kind? Are people naturally good? What is religion good for? What does the ending signify? And more. We also mention Noah, Mother!, The Purge, The Wrestler. Song clips: Hard To Be | David Bazan | Pedro The Lion John Wayne Gac…

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Episode 55 - Oscar Predictions/Desires 49:19

3y ago49:19

49:19

Bonus episode! Tim and Jay talk about the Academy Awards, the movies they would like to see win, and the movies they think will win. Then they mention a few movies that were robbed of nominations and awards. Some of the movies we mention in this episode: Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Banshees of Inisherin, Top Gun: Maverick, Women Talking,…

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Episode 54 - Movies for Lent 1:10:35

3y ago1:10:35

1:10:35

Jay and Tim forget to say who they are, and then talk about Lenten-themed movies. (With an outtake because Tim can never figure out how to end things.) Some of the films we mention in this episode: Hunger, Silence, Last Days in the Desert, The Last Temptation of Christ, The Passion of the Christ, The Gospel According to St. Matthew, Of Gods and Men…

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Episode 53 - 2022 Top 10 1:21:37

3y ago1:21:37

1:21:37

In the first episode of the year, Tim and Jay share their top 10 favorite movies of 2022 (as well as a few honorable mentions); Tim tries to prevent Jay from sharing his top 2 (just kidding); and we talk about a couple movies we're anticipating in 2023. Some of the films we mention in this episode: Guillermo del Toro's Pinnochio, Corsage, Barbarian…

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Episode 52 - Revisiting our Top 100 Movies with Marco Montenegro 1:48:43

3y ago1:48:43

1:48:43

In our final episode of 2022, we revisit our very first episode and our top-100 lists with friend and fellow NBFF programmer, Marco Montenegro. And what is the point of making lists, anyway? Then we talk about the once-a-decade Sight and Sound movie poll, and the top film, Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles. Time for you to make yo…

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Episode 51 - Change and Forgiveness with Mokotsi Rukundo and Brian Lucke Anderson 1:32:38

3y ago1:32:38

1:32:38

Jay and Tim talk with the writer/producer, Mokotsi Rukundo, and director, Brian Lucke Anderson, of the newly available (and Newport Beach Film Festival alum!) film East of Middle West about sons repeating the sins of the fathers, forgiveness, and the possibility of change. Website Rent or Buy East of Middle West: on Amazon Prime Video on iTunes on …

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Episode 50! - No More Promises! (NBFF Postview) 1:05:25

3y ago1:05:25

1:05:25

Tim and Jay resolve to make no more promises about recording episodes at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Instead, here's a recap of what we saw and what we liked. Some of the films mentioned in this episode: Broker, Influencer, Banshees of Inisherin, The Moon and Back, A Little White Lie, All Quiet on the Western Front, Bardo, Empire of Light, The…

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Episode 49 - Preview of the 23rd Annual Newport Beach Film Festival 1:18:12

3+ y ago1:18:12

1:18:12

Jay and Tim preview their favorite week of the year, the Newport Beach Film Festival. It's happening October 13-20 (less than a month away!) in beautiful Newport Beach, California. Jay says this is the best program in the history of the NBFF, so take a listen and find out what we're looking forward to watching. (There's even a movie that was filmed…

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Episode 48 - JESUS OF MONTREAL 1:10:32

3+ y ago1:10:32

1:10:32

In this episode of Tim Badly Pronouncing French, we look at the 1989 film Jesus of Montreal by Denys Arcand. We talk about efforts to update Jesus and make Him relevant to modern times--and how He refuses to be so. Tim wrote something about Jesus of Montreal for The Jagged Word. Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee Rosevere Closing mu…

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Episode 47 - The Winterstein Brothers (All of Them!) Talk Movies and Marriage 1:19:40

3+ y ago1:19:40

1:19:40

All five Winterstein brothers are together in Olympia for the celebration of their parents' 50th wedding anniversary, so what else would we do but record an episode with all of us? (Excuse the microphone bumps, as we were sitting around a card table...) We reminisce about first theater experiences and movies we remember from our childhood. Then we …

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Episode 46 - FATHER STU 1:07:18

3+ y ago1:07:18

1:07:18

Tim and Jay talk about Father Stu, "Christian" movies, and where Mark Wahlberg's labor of love fits, both in the cinematic and theological landscapes. Some other films (and TV series) we mention briefly in this episode: Goodfellas (again), War Room, The Passion of the Christ, Fireproof, God's Not Dead, Uncharted, The Americans, Yellowstone. Tim wro…

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Episode 45 - Movies at Church, with Mark A. Pierson 1:09:35

3+ y ago1:09:35

1:09:35

Jay and Tim talk with Pastor Mark A. Pierson about the men's movie night at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Long Beach, California. We also say requiescat in pace to Ray Liotta, Jay sounds like he's in a cavern, Tim badly pronounces French movie titles, and a lot of movies get mentioned. Some of the films we mention in this episode: Silence, Calvary, F…

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Episode 44 - Resurrections in Film 1:22:42

3+ y ago1:22:42

1:22:42

It's the third week of Easter, so Jay and Tim make a list of films where resurrection shows up: Ordet (1955), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Silent Light (2007), The Kid with a Bike (2011), and Happy as Lazzaro (2018). Some other movies we mention briefly: Halloween, La Promesse, The Child, Young Ahmed Come find us: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter YouTu…

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Episode 43 - AFTER YANG, with Scott Stiegemeyer 1:11:42

3+ y ago1:11:42

1:11:42

Tim and Jay talk with Rev. Dr. Scott Stiegemeyer, professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University in Irvine, California, about the new movie After Yang. We talk about technology, memory, grief, and what it means to be human. Some of the movies we mention in this episode: After Yang, Columbus, Blade Runner, Robot and Frank, Drive My Car,…

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Episode 42 - Pre-Oscars, Blockbusters, and More Movies We Want to See This Year 1:12:20

4y ago1:12:20

1:12:20

Tim and Jay mess around, talk about Academy Award nominations and possible winners, don't really put to rest the highbrow/lowbrow art debate, and mention a few more films they hope to see this year. Some films we mention in this episode: The Power of the Dog, West Side Story, Drive My Car, Spencer, After Yang, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talen…

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Episode 41 - Best of 2021 1:14:55

4y ago1:14:55

1:14:55

Everyone has to have a best-of list. This is ours. Some honorable mentions, and then our top five films of 2021 (at least of those we've seen), and then a couple we're looking forward to in 2022. Some of the films we mention in this episode: What We See When We Look At the Sky; Pig; The Tragedy of Macbeth; The Green Knight; Lost Daughter; This is N…

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Episode 40! Curmudgeonly Christmas Cinema with Brian Bowes 1:05:23

4y ago1:05:23

1:05:23

'Tis the season! Tim and Jay talk to Pastor Brian Bowes about his annual Christmas movie watch list and what makes a movie a "Christmas movie." Some of the movies we mention in this episode: Elf, Miracle on 34th Street, Holiday Affair, A Christmas Story, Home Alone, The Bells of St. Mary's, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Going My Way, A Cha…

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Episode 39 - Ice Mrozek Explains Everything 1:16:30

4y ago1:16:30

1:16:30

Jay and Tim get all the answers to all their questions about him & her from writer and director Ice Mrozek. Among other things, Ice tells the best story that has ever been told on this podcast, involving his first acting audition, a major director, an award-winning editor, and a dinner party. Our first episode with Ice is here. Keep up with release…