Filmspotting

THE DARK KNIGHT turns ten this summer, and in the years since it won critical raves and dominated the 2008 box office, its reputation, influence and iconic status have only grown. But what does it look like after a decade of superhero movies made in its shadow? Adam and Josh give the Sacred Cow treatment to Christopher Nolan's film and - with the help of listeners - engage in a spirited debate about which film deserves the title of "Best Superhero Movie Ever." Plus, Adam's conversation with the writer and stars of HBO's SHARP OBJECTS.0:00-2:09 - Billboard3:05- 45:56 - Sacred Cow: "The Dark Knight”Black Puma, "Black Moon Rising"49:02-1:08:31 - Next Week / Polls / Best Superhero Movie1:08:31-1:46:47 - Interview: Gillian Flynn, Patricia Clarkson, Chris Messina1:46:47-1:49:22 - Close / Outtake

The "M:I" franchise is over 20 years old, with its sixth installment - MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT - currently in theaters. But ageless star Tom Cruise and his collaborators show no signs of slowing down when it comes to being a reliable source for action movie spectacle. Adam and Josh consider the near maniacal insistence on verisimilitude of writer/director Christopher McQuarrie and his star, and whether "Fallout's" focus on humanizing Ethan Hunt makes them regret Hunt didn't get more acclaim on their Top 5 Tom Cruise Performances.0:00-3:07 - Billboard / Donations3:08- 27:10 - Review: "Mission: Impossible - Fallout”Carolina Story, “We Were Young Once Too"28:23-31:39 - Next Week / Polls [Best Superhero Movie]31:40-1:27:45 - Top 5: Cruise Performances (Revisited)1:27:45-1:32:37 - Close

At the halfway point of the year in movies, Adam and Josh agree on their two favorite movies, but share some surprising and diverse picks to round out their Top 5 Films of 2018 (So Far). Plus, listeners weigh in with their picks for the best of the year so far, and the new Filmspotting poll gives you just two options for best superhero movie... of all time.  0:00-4:34 - Billboard5:19-36:33 - Top 5: Films of 2018 (So Far)Chance the Rapper, "Work Out"37:53-44:47 - Next Week / Notes / New Poll44:47-1:11:39 - Top 5: Films of 2018 (So Far), cont.1:11:39-1:13:44 - Close*Correction: Simon Russell Beale plays Lavrenti Beria in "The Death of Stalin" not Nikita Kruschev (who is played by a very good Steve Buscemi).

When Bo Burnham's EIGHTH GRADE debuted at Sundance in January, the response was mostly ecstatic - but also a little perplexed. How had a 27 year-old male stand up comic pulled off such a sincere and moving depiction of a teenage girl's middle school anxiety? How - and why? This week on the show, Adam gets to ask that very question in his interview with Burnham, as the two talk about the value of seeing human stories on the big screen and the genius of the film's star, newcomer Elsie Fisher. Plus, Adam's thoughts on the new Eugene Jarecki doc THE KING and his interview with fellow Iowan Andrew Sherburne, co-director of the new doc SAVING BRINTON. All that and this week's Filmspotting Top 5: Struggling Adolescents. 0:00-1:57 - Billboard1:57-36:11 - Interview: Bo Burnham36:11-42:36 - Reaction: "Eighth Grade"Zac Clark, "Drugs"43:38-55:31 - Next Week / Notes55:31-1:01:51 - Massacre Theatre1:01:51-1:07:12 - AK Recommends: "The King"1:07:12-1:19:46 - Interview: Andrew Sherburne ("Saving Brinton")Zac Clark, "Love You Later"1:21:12-1:23:45 - Donations1:23:45-2:01:21 - Top 5: Struggling Adolescents2:01:21-2:04:06 - Close     

Comedy, social satire, dystopian nightmare: rapper, producer, political activist Boots Riley's debut film SORRY TO BOTHER YOU has a lot on its mind. And that's a good thing. Adam and guest Michael Phillips have a review of Riley's film, including some spoiler talk on the movie's divisive ending. Plus, Michael's thoughts on ANT MAN AND THE WASP, a review of director Debra Granik's LEAVE NO TRACE, the long-awaited follow-up to her 2010 film "Winter's Bone," and a Top 5 first: two picks come from the same movie (bold move, Phillips). It's the Top 5 Worst Movie Jobs.0:00-2:54 - Billboard2:54-33:25 - Reviews: "Ant Man," "Sorry to Bother You"33:25-41:46 - "Sorry" Spoiler TalkCaleborate, "Soul" (feat. Big K.R.I.T.)42:42-1:00:05 - Next Week / Polls [Best Performances/Films of '18 (So Far)]1:00:05-1:13:28 - Review: "Leave No Trace"Caleborate, "Bankrobber"1:14:15-1:17:46 - Donations1:17:46-1:57:48 - Top 5: Worst Movie Jobs1:57:48-2:00:59 - Close  

1984 was a banner year for crane kicks, mogwais and bustin' ghosts, but it also saw the debut of Arnold Schwarzenegger's T-800, better known as THE TERMINATOR. On this episode from May 2017, Adam and Josh give James Cameron's seminal sci-fi thriller the Sacred Cow treatment, resulting in a heated split review. Plus, the Top 5 Films of 1984.0:00-1:14 - Billboard1:14-34:18 - Sacred Cow: "The Terminator"The Ramones, "Too Tough To Die"35:16-1:12:47 - Top 5: Films of 19841:12:47-1:13:58 - Close  

Sure, movie westerns are mostly about dudes on horseback quick-drawing pistols in small, dusty cow-towns, but some of the best films in the genre feature memorable turns by actresses in key roles, like Grace Kelly and Katy Jurado in "High Noon," Angie Dickinson in "Rio Bravo" - and Madeline Kahn in "Blazing Saddles." This week on the show, Josh and the AV Club's Katie Rife share their Top 5 Women in Westerns along with a review of DAMSEL, the oddball new western from the Zellner Brothers ("Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter"), starring Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska. 0:00-2:12 - Intro2:55-18:56 - Review: "Damsel"18:56-24:29 - "Damsel" SpoilersNikki Lane, "Companion"27:12-33:30 - Next week / Passes / Meetups33:30-40:39 - Massacre Theatre42:38-1:22:17 - Top 5: Women in Westerns1:22:17-1:25:47 - Close

It isn't enough that we've been blessed with four hunky dudes named Chris, all with solid acting chops and charisma to spare - we had to go ahead and rank them. On this week's show, Adam and Josh battle over the relative merits of Evans, Hemsworth, Pine and Pratt - and welcome another age-appropriate Chris to the club - as they offer a very special "Power Ranking" Top 5: Actors (between the ages of 35 and 39) Named Chris. Plus. a review of the Pratt-starring JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM, directed by J.A. Bayona ("The Orphanage." "The Impossible").0:00-1:36 - Intro2:19-23:20 - Review: "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom"U.S. Girls, "A Rage of Plastics"29:47-38:50 - Next week / Passes / Meetups / SVU38:50-42:53 - Poll (Best Performances of 2018 So Far) U.S. Girls, "Pearly Gates"44:50-48:34 - Donations48:34-1:25:08 - Top 5: Movie Chrises1:25:08-1:27:00 - Close

Pixar has done a lot of things right over the past 23 years (note the studio's 80% average Metacritic rating), but among its greatest accomplishments is its consistently inspired voice casting. Tom Hanks' Woody works so well not just because of the actor's familiarity, but because Woody also taps into the decency, good humor - and occasional comic hysteria - that define Hanks's on-screen persona. On this week's show, Adam and Josh celebrate that genius ear for casting with their Top 5 Pixar Performances, along with a review of the new INCREDIBLES 2. Plus, Josh's thoughts on the new indie horror film HEREDITARY, the "Ocean's 11 spin-off" OCEAN'S 8 and Golden Brick nominee "THOROUGHBREDS."      0:00-2:26 - Intro1:11-27:06 - Review: "Incredibles 2"Neko Case, "Bad Luck"29:50-45:37 - Next week / Notes / Massacre Theatre45:37-53:58 - Larsen Recommends: "Hereditary," "Ocean's 8," "Thoroughbreds"Neko Case, "Hell-On"56:23-1:35:21 - Top 5: Pixar Performances1:35:21-1:37:31 - Close  

Whether used ironically or to provide insight - or just to make characters look really, really cool - classic rock has been memorably employed by some of the best directors of the rock era. Joining Adam and Josh for their Top 5 Classic Rock Moments in Movies is writer and critic Steven Hyden, author of the new book "Twilight of the Gods: A Journey to the End of Classic Rock."   0:00-1:40 - Intro3:15-26:07 - Top 5: Classic Rock Moments in MoviesDonovan, "Atlantis"29:05-31:14 - Notes31:14-1:07:44 - Top 5: Classic Rock Moments in Movies, cont.1:07:44-1:09:42 - Close

With rock writer and cultural critic Steven Hyden dropping by to discuss his new book, "Twilight of the Gods: A Journey to the End of Classic Rock," Adam and Josh decided it was as good a time as any to revisit rock-critic-turned-filmmaker Cameron Crowe's ode to '70s rock ALMOST FAMOUS. As a meditation on criticism and the critic's relationship with artists, Adam and Josh agree that the movie is as authentic, moving and funny today as it was almost 20 years ago. They also agree on some minor quibbles with the film, but save their biggest debate for Billy Crudup's enigmatic guitarist Russell Hammond. Was Crowe right to pick a good actor over a good musician? Hyden makes it clear where he stands on the issue when he joins the conversation and also talks about the past, present and future of Classic Rock.And if you're wondering what happened to this week's top 5 list? It's coming. Sides 3 and 4 of this Filmspotting double album will drop next week when Hyden returns for the Top 5 Classic Rock Moments in Movies.0:00-2:28 - Intro3:11-49:33 - Sacred Cow: "Almost Famous"Elton John, "Tiny Dancer"52:35-1:02:25 - Notes / Polls (Replacing an icon / Best of Pixar)1:02:25-1:36:18 - Interview: Steven Hyden1:36:18-1:45:10 - Close / Hot Mics

40 (movie) years after Han Solo first boasted about his 12-parsec Kessel Run, the new SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY finally lets us take the ride. But is it enough to justify the movie's existence? And what if your new Han isn't among the five best things about his own movie? Yes, Adam and Josh have issues with "Solo," but also some praise for the excellent supporting cast, at least one great action set-piece and Chewbacca, of course. Also on the show, recommendations for DEADPOOL 2 and the new doc CHOSEN: CUSTODY OF THE EYES, plus an interview with legendary writer/director Paul Schrader ("Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull," "Affliction"), whose new film, FIRST REFORMED with Ethan Hawke, is earning him some of the best reviews of his long and storied career. (Come for Schrader's brilliant insights into "slow cinema," stay for the anecdote about his intro to Ingmar Bergman at an Ann Arbor porn theater and the movie of his that he refers to as "a piece of juvenilia and an F.U. to my dad and his religion.")       0:00-2:05 - Intro2:51-32:01 - Review: "Solo: A Star Wars Story"Mokoomba, "Mokole"35:15-46:26 - Next Week / Notes / Corrections46:26-53:09 - Massacre Theatre53:09-1:01:49 - ]"Chosen: Custody of the Eyes," "Deadpool 2"1:01:49-1:11:21 - Feedback: "Avengers: Infinity War"Mokoomba, "Njawane"1:15:55-1:17:48 - Donations1:17:48-1:53:49 - Interview: Paul Schrader1:53:49-1:56:24 - Close / Outtake

Released in consecutive Decembers beginning in 2001, Peter Jackson’s colossal adaptation of Tolkien’s LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy reached its conclusion in 2003 with "The Return of the King" which went on to win 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Despite enjoying the first installment just fine, Adam never made time for "Two Towers" or "Return," which didn't stop him from spending much of the last fifteen years taking digs at the films and the people who loved them (people like Josh). But with 2019's Filmspotting Madness (Best of the 2000s) on the horizon - just past the Misty Mountains, in fact - Adam agreed to knock out his Hobbity blindspots with an epic (re)consideration of the trilogy in which he and Josh discuss the horror elements in the trilogy, the care with which Jackson depicts the cost of war and the greatness of Ian McKellen (and the rest of the brilliantly cast ensemble). Plus a Top 5 Scenes from the trilogy that illustrates how Jackson, in bringing the trilogy to life, was just as attentive to the subtle, quiet moments as he was the epic battle scenes. 0:00-2:32 - Intro3:08-41:51 - "The Lord of the Rings"Howard Shore, "The End of All Things"44:07-51:32 - Next Week / Notes51:32-59:43 - Polls (Best of  Brolin / Taking Over an Iconic Role)Howard Shore, "The Prophecy"1:01:54-1:42:39 - Top 5: "Lord of the Rings" Scenes1:42:39-1:46:55 - Close / Outtake        

"It's the most terrifying day in your life, the day the first one is born." Bill Murray bringing the truth in Sofia Coppola's "Lost in Translation" - just one of the films referenced in this week's Top 5: Too-Real Parenting Moments. As real-life parents of four (Adam) and two (Josh), this week's list has a more confessional quality to it than most. And it's all inspired by TULLY, the very good new film from Diablo Copy and Jason Reitman, previous collaborators on "Juno" and "Young Adult."  0:00-2:20 - Intro2:56-38:05 - Review: "Tully"Bat Fangs, "Rock the Reaper"39:29-57:09 - Next Week / Notes57:09-1:04:04 - Massacre TheatreBat Fangs, "Wolfbite"1:07:44-1:46:45 - Top 5: Too-Real Parenting Moments1:46:45-1:51:26 - Close / Outtake

The massive success of "Black Panther" and "Avengers: Infinity War" may have made the concept of a “summer” blockbuster season irrelevant, but there will still be summer and there will still be summer movies. And despite Marvel's early box office dominance, big movies await in the form of high profile sequels for "Jurassic World," "Deadpool" and "The Incredibles." Oh, and a little "Star Wars Story" about Han Solo arriving on Memorial Day. For their look ahead at the upcoming slate of releases, Adam and Josh ignore (almost) all of those to pose their Top 5 Summer Movie Questions, with queries about the Pope, Mister Rogers and maybe this year's "Lady Bird"?Plus, reviews of Lynne Ramsay's YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE with Joaquin Phoenix and Chloe Zhao's acclaimed THE RIDER, and Adam recommends the new reality-is-stranger-than-fiction doc THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS.0:00-1:46 - Intro2:42-42:19 - Summer Movie PreviewLucy Dacus, "Yours & Mine"45:22-41:03 - Next Week / Notes41:03-55:20 - Poll: Best of Brolin56:30-1:27:30 - Review: "You Were Never...," "The Rider" 1:27:30-1:31:26 - Adam recommends: "Three Identical Strangers"1:31:26-1:35:25 - Close