Podcast
Filmspotting
Hosted by Filmspotting · EN
Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen review new and classic movies, offering "affable, insightful film analysis since 2005" (NY Times).
116episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Meek’s Cutoff: Why It Belongs in the Pantheon
Mar 2600:51:09Tap to summarizeAdam and Josh consider the Pantheon credentials of Kelly Reichardt’s MEEK’S CUTOFF, reflecting on its spare frontier world, questions of free will, and place in Reichardt’s larger American project. Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net -Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop.https://www.filmspotting.net/shop Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/larsenonfilm https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.socialSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Top 5 Things From Space (That Came To Destroy Us) [Archive]
Mar 2500:34:27Tap to summarizeWith our PROJECT HAIL MARY review coming Friday, we’re revisiting a Filmspotting blast from beyond: 2014’s Top 5 Things From Space (That Came to Destroy Us). B-movies, classic sci-fi, and Arnold Schwarzenegger all make the cut. 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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Stand by Me at 40: Why It Still Hits Hard | '40s Madness Round 1
Mar 2001:27:59Tap to summarizeWhy does STAND BY ME still resonate 40 years later? Adam and Josh revisit Rob Reiner’s classic, reflecting on its friendships, its wistfulness, and River Phoenix’s unforgettable performance. Plus: a review of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s THE BRIDE and a look at the Round 1 matchups of Filmspotting '40s Madness. Join the Filmspotting Family for the full archive, bonus episodes, ad‑free listening, and more: filmspottingfamily.com 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 (00:00:00-00:02:53)Stand by Me (00:02:54-00:49:35)Filmspotting Family (00:49:36-00:57:12)The Bride (00:57:13-01:02:59)Notes / Save the Date (01:03:00-01:08:22)'40s Madness Rd. 1 (01:08:23-01:24:03)Credits / New Releases (01:24:04-01:25:53) Correction: -Yes, Adam realizes that he said "Jesus, does anybody" – twice! – not "anyone." He regrets the error. Notes/Links: -Filmspotting Madnesshttps://www.filmspotting.net/madness -Stephen King: Why I Hugged Rob Reiner After Watching ‘Stand by Me’https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/opinion/culture/stephen-king-rob-reiner-stand-by-me.html Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net -Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop.https://www.filmspotting.net/shop Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/larsenonfilm https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.socialSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Martian Review [Archive]
Mar 1800:21:48Tap to summarizeInspired by the upcoming release of PROJECT HAIL MARY, Adam and Josh beam back to October 2015 when they suited up for THE MARTIAN — Ridley Scott’s brainy, big‑hearted sci‑fi rescue mission starring Matt Damon.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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Oscars Predictions + Filmspotting Madness: 1940s Play‑Ins (#1056)
Mar 1302:10:18Tap to summarizeAdam, Josh, and Michael Phillips size up the Oscars with their annual rundown of who will win, who should win, and who was unfairly overlooked — plus the Filmspotting Madness: Best of the 1940s Play‑Ins. 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 (00:00:00-00:02:16) Supp. Actress (00:02:17-00:22:03) Supp. Actor (00:22:04-00:40:56) Lead Actor (00:40:57-00:56:52) Lead Actress (00:56:53-01:05:37) Director (01:05:38-01:15:57) Picture (01:15:58-01:37:53) Family / Next Week / Notes (01:37:54-01:47:21) Filmspotting Madness: Play-Ins (01:47:22-2:07:41) Credits / New Releases (2:07:42-02:09:531) Notes/Links: -Filmspotting Madness https://www.filmspotting.net/madness/ -Michael Phillips on WFMT https://radionetwork.wfmt.com/people/hosts/michael-phillips/ Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net -Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop.https://www.filmspotting.net/shop Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/larsenonfilm https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.socialSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Review [Archive]
Mar 1100:39:07Tap to summarizeThis week’s Best Picture-winning archive pick takes us back to May 2018, when Adam and Josh returned to The Shire for a LORD OF THE RINGS reckoning. The original episode (#681) also includes a Top 5 Lord of the Rings Scenes. For full access to the show archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad-free + bonus episodes, and more, join the Filmspotting Family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Top 5 Unreliable Narrators and Kurosawa’s Rashomon (#1055)
Mar 602:00:19Tap to summarizeThis week’s Top 5 explores cinema’s most unreliable narrators, characters who bend, twist, or completely invent the truth. Adam and Josh pair the list with a fresh look at Kurosawa’s RASHOMON, the film that set the template for them all – and a potential 2026 Pantheon inductee. 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 (00:00:00-00:03:18) Top 5 Unreliable Narrators (00:03:19-01:05:17) Filmspotting Family (01:05:18-01:11:08) Next Week, Notes, Poll (01:11:09-01:18:16) Pantheon Project: Rashomon (01:18:17-01:56:39) Credits / New Releases (01:56:40-01:59:51) Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net -Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop.https://www.filmspotting.net/shop Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/larsenonfilm https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.socialSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Moonlight Review + Barry Jenkins & Naomie Harris Interview [Archive]
Mar 400:35:36Tap to summarizeThis week’s Best Picture-winning archive pick takes us back to October 2016 and Adam’s conversation with MOONLIGHT director Barry Jenkins and star Naomie Harris. Then, hear the show's original review from that same episode. For full access to the show archive, Filmspotting Discord, monthly bonus episodes, and more, join the Filmspotting Family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Catherine O'Hara: Our Top 5 Characters (#1054)
Feb 2701:35:15Tap to summarizeAdam and Josh share their Top 5 Catherine O’Hara Characters, revisiting the brilliance and range she brought to every role — from Delia and Cookie to Moira Rose and Mickey. A heartfelt tribute to a performer whose presence defined some of cinema and TV’s most hilarious moments. 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 (00:00:00-00:02:59) Top 5 Catherine O’Hara Characters (00:02:59-01:08:17) Filmspotting Family (01:08:18-01:14:18) Next Week, Notes (01:14:19-01:21:07) Massacre Theatre (01:21:08-01:29:08) Credits / New Releases (01:29:08-01:32:37) Notes/Links: -O’Hara On the “Wiser Than Me” Podcasthttps://lemonadamedia.com/podcast/julia-gets-wise-with-catherine-ohara/ -Catherine O’Hara’s 10 Best Roles | Consequence of Soundhttps://consequence.net/list/catherine-ohara-10-best-roles/after-hours/ Feedback: -Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net -Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.https://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop.https://www.filmspotting.net/shop Follow: https://youtube.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://instagram.com/larsenonfilm https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.socialSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Morgan Neville on Paul McCartney: Man on the Run
Feb 2600:13:48Tap to summarizeOscar‑winning filmmaker Morgan Neville joins Adam to discuss his intimate archival portrait of Paul McCartney’s turbulent and creatively explosive 1970s. Neville reflects on his own documentarian origin story, his lifelong connection to the Beatles and Wings, how he built the film from audio‑only conversations with Paul, and why McCartney’s post‑Beatles decade feels like a sequel to Get Back.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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