Explore every episode of the podcast Film Curious
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die Spoiler Discussion | The Future Is Here & It Doesn’t Look Great for Humanity | 17 Jul 2026 | 01:14:04 | |
In this episode of Film Curious, Ashley and Nicole do a deep dive on a smaller, lesser seen sci-fi adventure film that came out earlier this year, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, directed by Gore Verbinski (the legend who brought you the first three Pirates of the Caribbean films) and starring Sam Rockwell, Juno Temple, Haley Lu Richardson, Michael Peña, and Zazie Beetz. We had a lot of fun with this movie…but the subject of its story did bring up some fears and feelings that most of humanity is grappling with right now. We talk about technology and how this film’s closer to our reality than the dystopian imagining it may seem to be; is the purpose of life to be entertained; what happens when tech and government mingle; and is it too late to stop AI? And how the movie manages to weave all these ideas and commentary into one (fairly) cohesive story. ⚠️ We get into spoilers at 13:57! Streaming on Hulu📺 ⏱️Timestamps 00:00 Highlight Clip from Episode 00:57 Intro to the Episode & Film 02:48 The Movie’s Take on AI & Getting to See the Movie In Theaters 07:56 The Beginning of the Movie & Sam Rockwell’s Character’s Monologue About the Future 13:57 Spoiler Discussion Begins⚠️ 14:02 How the Film Feels Like a Graphic Novel, Things You Notice on a Second Watch, & the Striking Visuals of the Film 20:35 The Movie’s Subtle (and Not So Subtle) Signals of What’s Going to Happen 26:58 The Film’s Cynical View on AI & Safety Regulations Surrounding It Yet Still Understanding AI’s Appeal 31:36 Susan’s Storyline, How It Relates the Dangers of Tech and Government Intertwining, & How We’ve Conflated the Purpose of Life to Be Constantly Entertained 39:14 The Story’s Multiple Vignettes and How They’re Working Together 50:54 The Ending, Can AI Ever Be Trusted, & How This Film’s Still Joyful While Acknowledging Humanity’s Struggles 59:07 How Do You Uplift Smaller Work in an Algorithm That Drives Us to Be Extreme? 01:01:11 Wrap Up | The Beauty in the Film Medium & Storytelling Projecting Futures in Hopes to Prevent the Worst Case Scenario 01:11:18 What Movies We Might Be Covering Next 01:13:33 Outro - Thanks for Listening & Don’t Forget to Subscribe! 🔔 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! Resources & References: Gore Verbinski Interview: From Big Budget Pirates to Ambitious Indie Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die Making Of GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON'T DIE - Best Of Behind The Scenes & Set Visit With Sam Rockwell Interviews With "Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die" Cast & Director Gore Verbinski Supergirl (2026) Pirates of the Caribbean | Original Trilogy (2003-2007 Tokyo Ghost (2015-2016) | Rick Remender & Sean Murphy I Love Boosters (2026) Avatar Flight of the Passage | Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom Ted Lasso (2020-Present) Black Mirror (2011-Present) Is God Is (2026) The Starling Girl (2023) The Handmaid’s Tale (1985) by Margaret Atwood The Bride (2026) The Lost Daughter (2021) | |||
| Supergirl (2026) Review | As Good As Any Other Smaller Superhero Movie Out There & the James Gunn Effect That May Pose Problems for DC in the Future | 03 Jul 2026 | 00:59:36 | |
In this episode of Film Curious, Ashley and Pete review and break down the latest DC Studios theatrical release and second film under James Gunn’s leadership, Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock, Eve Ridley, David Corenswet, and Jason Momoa! Aside from giving our overall impressions of the film (what we liked, loved, and didn’t enjoy), we get into a whole lot of superhero discussions, like: can DC succeed without James Gunn directing every movie, is the trend of using older songs going to get old for audiences, the silly double standards fans have for female superheroes, some of the worst superhero movies of all time, Marvel’s missteps, and a bunch of other tangents! ⚠️ We get into spoilers at 18:54! Available in theaters now 🎟️ ⏱️Timestamps 00:00 Highlight Clip from Episode 00:41 Intro to the Episode & Film 01:37 Ashley’s Monologue | Solid Story, Strong Performances, Fun Soundtrack, A Couple Major Issues with the Film’s Direction 04:46 Pete’s Non-Spoiler Review of the Movie | Not Everyone is James Gunn Dilemma & Silly Internet Reactions to Superhero Movies 18:54 Spoiler Discussion Begins⚠️ 19:23 Specific Parts of the Movie That Weren’t the Strongest 24:04 Pete’s Theories on the Floating Kryptonian Planet and Brainiac & Issues DC’s Going to Run Into with Its Upcoming Movies 26:38 The Film’s Strong Points, Best Scenes, & Ash’s Bad Take on Actors Playing Different Superheroes 34:41 Supergirl’s Random Jumps Scare, The Packed Box Office It Has to Compete With, & DC’s Upcoming TV Shows and Movies 41:00 The Double Standards in Superhero Content 43:00 This Film’s Ability to Sit in a Dramatic Moment without Comic Relief & The Difference between Supergirl and Superman 45:56 Superheroes Killing Villains Debate & Timetravel 51:10 Where’s the Dog?? | People Keep Messing with Krypto 52:20 Wrap Up |The Future of DC, Marvel Missteps, & How End Game Broke How People See Box Office Success 58:48 Outro - Thanks for Listening & Don’t Forget to Subscribe! 🔔 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! Resources & References: Superman (2025) No Country for Old Men (2007) The End of Oak Street (2026) | Billy Joel “My Life” No Time to Die (2021) Man of Steel (2013) Daredevil (2003) The Cabin Factory (2024) The Last of Us (2013) She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022) Avengers: End Game (2019) Captain Marvel (2019) Paper Girls (2016) Deadpool (2016) Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) Toy Story 5 (2026) The Death of Robin Hood (2026) The Flash (2023) | |||
| Hokum Non-Spoiler Review - Damian McCarthy's Folk Horror Follow-Up Is Legitimately Good, Seriously Scary | 05 May 2026 | 00:21:46 | |
In this episode of Film Curious, Pete chats about catching a midnight screening of Hokum at the Florida Film Festival before its wide release; Damian McCarthy's follow-up to Oddity, starring Adam Scott in a role unlike anything you've seen from him before. We discuss why this folk horror haunted hotel film genuinely scared Pete despite knowing every trick in the book, why you don't need to have seen Oddity to enjoy it but there’s a clear connection, and how Hokum fits into the recent golden era of emotional journey driven horror. And then there are a few tangents on the bizarre online criticism that certain horror films are bad because they actually deliver on their premise and there’s no “twist,” and why tells work in certain stories but not in others. 🍿Pro Tip: Skip the trailer entirely with this one and just watch the film. Guest Co-Host | Pete Tedone - Instagram ⏱️Timestamps 00:00 Intro - Brief Episode Info & Film Curious Theme Music 00:36 Hokum Plot Overview (No Spoilers) & Seeing It in a Packed Theater 03:14 Hokum: Another Great Horror Film That Is About the Emotional Journey 04:41 Ashley & Pete’s Tangent on Movies Not Needing to Have a Twist 13:37 Pete’s Rant on the Obvious Give Away in Marvel’s Iron Heart 14:57 Difference Between Giving the Bag Away vs. Only Catch It If You’re Paying Close Attention 19:40 Wrap Up - Definitely a Must See & Try to Watch Oddity Beforehand 20:49 Outro - Thanks for Listening! Don’t Forget to Subscribe! This is a spoiler-free review. ⛔⚠️ 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! #Hokum #FolkHorror #FilmPodcast | |||
| The Mummy (2026) Review - Is Lee Cronin's Take Just an Evil Dead & Exorcist Movie in Disguise? | 01 May 2026 | 00:21:19 | |
In this episode of Film Curious, we're reviewing The Mummy (2026), the latest Universal monster reimagining directed by Lee Cronin (Evil Dead Rise), starring Jack Reynor, Leah Acosta, and May Calamawy. Not to be mistaken for the 1999 Mummy starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. This is an entirely new one. We debate whether this fresh take on The Mummy works, why Pete couldn’t shake the feeling he was watching an Evil Dead or Exorcist film, how the demon Nasmaranian has zero roots in Egyptian mythology, and whether the 2 hour and 14 minute runtime was necessary. We also briefly touch on Universal's ongoing series of monster reboots, how it compares to The Invisible Man and Wolf Man, and what Mike Flanagan’s upcoming Exorcist film might mean for this corner of horror. Guest Co-Host | Pete Tedone - Instagram ⏱️Timestamps 00:00 Highlight Clip from Episode 00:30 Intro - The Plot (No Spoilers), Director, & Cast Breakdown 03:59 Ashley’s Overall Feelings on the Film 05:01 Pete’s Overall Feelings on the Film 06:03 Is This Just an Evil Dead Movie? 07:30 Some Stipulations with a Major Plot Point 09:44 The Movie's Success So Far & How It Compares to Universal’s Other Monster Reboots 11:15 ⚠️Spoilers⚠️ - The Demon & The Ending 18:39 Wrap Up - Evil Dead & Halloween Horror Nights 20:49 Outro - Thanks for Listening! Don’t Forget to Subscribe! 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! #TheMummy #HorrorMovies #FilmPodcast | |||
| The Christophers Review - How This Film Feels Like the Kind of Great Movies Hollywood Used to Make | 30 Apr 2026 | 00:22:46 | |
In this episode of Film Curious, we're reviewing The Christophers, the NEON dark comedy directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Ed Solomon, starring Ian McKellen as a once famous aging artist and Michaela Coel as an art forger hired by his children (played by James Corden and Jessica Gunning) to complete some of his unfinished, long-abandoned work so they’ll have an inheritance when he dies. We discuss how McKellen and Coel's chemistry and performances are at the heart of the film, how Soderbergh quietly does some of his most superb directing through subtlety, why this feels like watching a play in the best possible way, and how this film has rightly earned its 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Things We Mention in the Episode: Ian McKellen in Mr. Holmes NEON Shop | The Christophers’ Art Poster Guest Co-Host | Pete Tedone - Instagram ⏱️Timestamps 00:00 Highlight Clip from Episode 00:27 Intro - The Christophers Synopsis, Cast, + Details 05:23 Steven Soderbergh’s Direction - Invisible But Brilliant 07:45 ⚠️SPOILERS⚠️ The Heart of the Film - Ian McKellen + Michaela Coel’s Performances 09:53 James Corden & Jessica Gunning - The Perfect Pair of Assholes 10:29 Little Moments Spread Throughout the Film with Great Payoffs 12:40 Ian McKellen is One of the Greats and Doing Some of His Best Work Later in Life 15:18 How This Film Would Work Great as Stage Adaptation 16:35 Soderbergh Quietly Putting Together a Great Catalog of Work Over the Years 18:07 NEON’s Shop Having The Christophers Artwork as a Poster Available 19:57 Find and Support a Small Theater Near You and Go See This Film 22:29 Outro - Thanks for Listening! Don’t Forget to Subscribe! 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! #TheChristophers #IanMcKellen #MichaelaCoel #FilmPodcast | |||
| The Martian Rewatch - 11 Years Later How Similar Is It Really to Project Hail Mary? | 24 Apr 2026 | 00:26:04 | |
After watching Project Hail Mary (2026) in theaters and having our deep dive review of it, we decided to do a little Andy Weir novel adaptation comparison with a rewatch of The Martian (2015)—directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon eleven years ago. Same screenwriter Drew Goddard, same lone astronaut premise… but are these movies the same? We talk about what makes The Martian’s puzzle box storytelling so satisfying, why Ridley Scott’s controlled direction still holds up, the two films' major differences, and whether we prefer Project Hail Mary or The Martian. Guest Co-Host | Pete Tedone - Instagram Timestamps 00:00 Highlight Clip from the Episode 00:12 Intro - Why Compare The Martian to Project Hail Mary 01:28 The Martian’s Storytelling & Pacing 03:20 The All-Star Cast You Forgot About 04:10 Where the Similarities End and Difference Begin 10:52 Ridley Scott’s Direction vs. Project Hail Mary 11:19 Are the stakes high enough? 12:14 Which One Do We Prefer? 15:41 David Bowie Starman Needle Drop Moment 18:51 The Ending of The Martian 20:35 Space Travel is Wild and Terrifying - Astronauts are Impressive 25:44 Outro - Thanks for Listening! Don’t Forget to Subscribe! 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! #TheMartian #ProjectHailMary #FilmPodcast | |||
| Merrily We Roll Along Review - How Well Does This Great Broadway Musical Translate from Stage to Screen? | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:18:31 | |
This episode of Film Curious, Pete gives a brief, non-spoiler review of Merrily We Roll Along (2025)—the filmed version of the smash 4-time Tony Award-winning Broadway revival, starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez, directed for the screen by Maria Friedman now on Netflix. He discusses the direction of the pro shot format, the actors' brilliant performances, and how this Tony-winning musical translates to the screen overall. We also chat about what these stage to screen adaptations will look like going forward since there seems to be more and more of them being made, as well as go on a little side tangent about getting quality at-home movie viewing with 4K formats and OLED TVs. Guest Co-Host | Pete Tedone - Instagram Timestamps 00:00 Intro - Midweek Mini Review for Merrily We Roll Along 00:53 What Is Merrily We Roll Along? Synopsis + Background 02:05 Daniel Radcliffe’s Career - Harry Potter to Now 03:13 Stage to Screen Shot Choices & Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez, + Daniel Radcliffe's Performances 12:12 Getting to Experience Theatre through Filmed Stage Performances + Filming Stage Productions Going Forward 13:37 4K Releases, OLEDs and At-Home Movie Watching Tangent 18:15 Outro - Thanks for Listening! Don’t Forget to Subscribe! + Upcoming Episodes 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! #MerrilyWeRollAlong #Sondheim #FilmPodcast | |||
| The Drama Review - A24's New Dark Comedy’s Wild Twist & Who Really Is the Worst Character Here? | 16 Apr 2026 | 01:13:51 | |
In this episode of Film Curious, we cover one of A24’s latest theatrical releases, The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as a happily engaged couple who is put to the test when an unexpected revelation sends their wedding week off the rails. We do a deep dive on this story’s psychological, anxiety-driven and, at times, darkly humorous sprint down the aisle, as well as pose questions the film seems to be asking, like who really is the terrible character here and are certain thoughts ever as bad or equal to actions? Things We Mention in the Episode: “I Don’t Like Mondays” Song by Boomtown Rats Bowling for Columbine (Documentary) Before Midnight (2013) Unbreakable (2000) & Split (2016) Remember Me (2010) Guest Co-Host | Pete Tedone - Instagram Timestamps 00:00 Highlight Clip from Episode 00:00:20 Intro - The Drama Background + Synopsis 00:02:44 SPOILERS⚠️ - The Drama’s “Wild Twist” - The Inciting Incident + Emma’s Revelation 00:9:08 The Drama Deep Dive Spoiler Discussion 00:59:01 Does The Drama Marketing Mislead Viewers + Does Its Twist Deserve a Trigger Warning 01:04:12 Side Story - Robert Pattinson Being in Another Movie w. Controversial American Moment - Remember Me 01:11:15 Wrap Up + Why You Should See The Drama in Theaters 01:13:26 Outro - Thanks for Listening! Don’t Forget to Subscribe! + Upcoming Episodes 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! | |||
| Project Hail Mary Review - Are Major Blockbusters Back & Is Ryan Gosling Always at the Center? | 16 Apr 2026 | 00:53:25 | |
In this episode of Film Curious, we’re exploring Amazon MGM Studios’ latest theatrical release, Project Hail Mary. From tangents debating Ryan Gosling’s “movie star” prowess (being at the helm of yet another major blockbuster), to fun homages and similarities to other space films, we review the joy Project Hail Mary brings to the big screen and how this story is the win we all need at the box office. Things We Mention in the Episode: Andy Weir (Author) Adam Savage Behind the Scenes of Project Hail Mary! Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Film) The Martian (Film) Planet of the Apes (1968) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Explorers (1985) Ryan Gosling Won’t Eat His Cereal Compilation by Ryan McHenry Guest Co-Host | Pete Tedone - Instagram Timestamps 00:00:00 | Highlight Clip from Episode 0:00:36 | Intro - Project Hail Mary Background + Synopsis 00:01:49 | Guest Co-Host Intro - Pete Tedone Background 00:03:59 | Project Hail Mary - Major Blockbuster + Ryan Gosling’s “Star Power” 00:13:25 | Amazon MGM Studio’s Most Ambitious Project Yet - Production Budget + Production Design & VFX 00:22:54 | ⚠️SPOILERS⚠️ - Project Hail Mary’s Homage to Close Encounters of the Third Kind 00:24:15 | Close Encounters of the Third Kind & Project Hail Mary Comparison 00:27:01 | Project Hail Mary Deep Dive Spoiler Discussion 00:50:36 | Phil Lord & Chris Miller’s Next Project 00:52:47 | Outro - Thanks for Listening! Don’t Forget to Subscribe! + Upcoming Episodes 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! | |||
| Welcome to Film Curious - The Movie Podcast for Every Kind of Film Lover | 15 Apr 2026 | 00:02:33 | |
Welcome to Film Curious, the movie review podcast that lets curiosity lead the way, exploring great films across genres and time. Whether you’re a devoted film buff, a casual weekend moviegoer, or someone endlessly scrolling for something to watch, this is your podcast. No gatekeeping. Just a genuine love for the craft and an open mind about where it takes us. This intro episode is for you to get to know what we’re all about and what you can expect from us. 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! | |||
| Disclosure Day Review | Spielberg’s Alien Fascination: How Does It Compare with Close Encounters & E.T.? | 26 Jun 2026 | 01:01:13 | |
In this episode of Film Curious, Ashley and Pete review and break down the latest Steven Spielberg sci-fi action thriller, Disclosure Day, starring Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Eve Hewson, Colman Domingo, and Colin Firth. We kick off the episode with how this film fits in with Spielberg’s other alien movies. Then move onto a spoiler discussion of the movie’s special effects, the uneven balance of great scenes and average ones, odd choices that weren't working for us, and the film’s greatest strengths, as well as debate how people would react to a real life disclosure day and much more. ⚠️ We get into spoilers at 5:18! Available in theaters now 🎟️ ⏱️Timestamps 00:00 Intro to the Episode & Film 00:45 Steven Spielberg’s Other Alien Films & How They Compare to Disclosure Day 02:29 Pete’s Overall Reaction to the Film | Non-Spoiler Review 05:18 Spoiler Discussion Begins⚠️ 06:04 The Film’s CGI | Would It Have Been Better with More Practical Effects? 09:15 Some Odd Choices Made | What Was and Wasn’t Working 14:53 The Film’s Greatest Strength | How Would Humanity React Debate 26:09 The Parts of the Movie That Are Absolutely Brilliant 29:18 The Alien & UFO Stories the Movie Is Based On & Uses in Its Story 31:57 Accepting the Film’s Ups and Downs & Trying to Understand “The Device” 35:37 A Complete Miss That Wasn’t Working at the Start of the Film 42:42 The Action Sequences & the Lack of Music During Them | John Williams Age & Last Film 45:14 Would People Believe Disclosure Day & Needing a Second Watch of Films 51:01 Hearing Dialogue & Sound System and Streaming Compression Side Tangent 56:50 Wrap Up | Final Consensus and Thoughts & Upcoming New Releases 01:00:00 Outro - (Go Knicks!) Thanks for Listening & Don’t Forget to Subscribe! 🔔 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! Resources & References: On Film…with Kevin McCarthy | Steven Spielberg Podcast Interview Disclosure Day, ET, Close Encounters, Jaws, Raiders, Private Ryan NY Times The Daily | Steven Spielberg on the Real Life Evidence That Inspired 'Disclosure Day' E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) War of the Worlds (2005) Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) Minority Report (2002) The Dark Tower (2017) The Fugitive (1993) Stranger Than Heaven (2027) | Tupac Appearing in an Upcoming Video Game Troll 2 (1990) Sound of Metal (2019) Sinners (2025) Nope (2022) | |||
| Backrooms Review | Does This Work as a Fully Formed Story or Is It Running on Aesthetics & Concepts? | 18 Jun 2026 | 00:54:34 | |
*Editors Note: Hey folks! Apologies for a couple strange glitches for a few seconds at around the 31:00 and 52:30 marks (you'll here a repetition of a phrase several times from Nicole pulled from another part of the episode). Something strange happened with the editing software while processing and exporting. We start off with the movie’s success at the box office and others of its kind, our initial impressions of the movie, and then onto a deep dive, spoiler discussion of what we felt was missing story wise (if anything, depends which of us you ask), its nailing of the 90s aesthetic, and our theories on the backrooms: what they are, how they work, and what they represent for different characters. ⚠️ We get into spoilers at 8:09! Available in theaters now 🎟️ ⏱️Timestamps 00:00 Highlight Clip from Episode 00:47 Intro to the Episode & Film 02:40 The Success of the Movie & What’s Hollywood Going to Take Away from Its Success 03:51 How Original the Story Really Is & Issues with Its Storytelling 07:02 Arguments for What Was Working in the Film 08:09 Spoiler Discussion Begins⚠️ 08:42 The Film’s Atmosphere & Aesthetic, Ability to Build Dread and Unease, & Bigger Messages 18:33 Debating Whether the Movie Was Overly Vague 20:22 Our Theories on the Backrooms, the Story Contradictions, & Understanding the Ending 31:52 The Parts of the Story That Didn’t Feel Fleshed Out Enough 40:09 Is a Rewatch Necessary? Will There Be Sequels to Backrooms? 47:25 Wrap Up | Getting Some AI Critique Vibes from the Movie & Final Thoughts 53:57 Outro - Thanks for Listening & Don’t Forget to Subscribe! 🔔 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! Resources & References: Variety Article | ‘Backrooms’ Becomes A24’s First Movie to Surpass $200 Million Globally, Overtaking ‘Marty Supreme’ as Studio’s Highest-Grossing Release Kane Pixels | The Backrooms (Found Footage) Marty Supreme (2025) Obsession (2026) Channel Zero (2016-2018) The Blair Witch Project (1999) Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) The Worst Person in the World (2021) Sentimental Value (2025) I Love Boosters (2026) Piranesi | Novel by Susanna Clarke | |||
| I Love Boosters Review | A Well-Crafted Looney Tunes-Esque Joyride That Isn’t Afraid to Say What It Means | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:46:11 | |
In this episode of Film Curious, Ashley, Pete, and Nicole chat about the newest Boots Riley film, I Love Boosters, starring KeKe Palmer, Taylour Paige, Naomi Ackie, and Poppy Lui, with supporting performances from Demi Moore, LaKeith Stanfield, Eiza González, Will Poulter, and last but not least, Don Cheadle. We discuss the joyride that is this movie, how the film was made (its production techniques), the standout performances and moments, the movie’s unique score and music, Riley’s directing style and upfront messaging. Plus, that LaKeith Stanfield scene that was a little out there for some people 😆 Also, we have some fun film side tangents, like: movies people walked out of over the years, uncomfortable in-theater experiences, and debate what people should expect when they go into a movie. ⚠️ We do get into spoilers at 22:15! Available in theaters now 🎟️ ⏱️Timestamps 00:00 Highlight Clip from Episode 00:30 Intro to the Episode & Film 02:37 Overall Reactions to the Movie 04:16 Issues with the Sound Mix & Projector in Theaters 07:31 Production & Set Design BTS Info | How They Made the Film 10:26 Crowd Reactions, People Walking Out of Movies & Our Favorite Performances of the Film 18:41 Stop Motion, the Different Mediums Utilized in the Film, & The New LAIKA Film Wildwood Trailer 20:03 Why You Should Experience It in Theaters 22:15 Spoiler Discussion⚠️ | That Scene with LaKeith Stanfield People Walked Out On & Knowing What You’re Getting Yourself Into with Movies 27:06 Music & Score for the Movie, KeKe Palmer’s and Boots Riley’s Daughter’s EP, & Riley’s Hip-Hop Background Influence 29:14 The Handling of Messaging & Riley’s Blatant Yet Refreshing Views 41:16 LaKeith Stanfield’s Prince Like Impersonation & Filming That Demon Scene 42:54 Wrap Up | Boots Riley Filmmaking Style & Why It Works 45:20 Outro - Thanks for Listening & Don’t Forget to Subscribe! 🔔 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! Resources & References: How Director Boots Riley Brought I Love Boosters from Big Idea to the Big Screen Boots Riley Explains Why Capitalism is Built on Theft | I LOVE BOOSTERS Boots Riley on Art, Activism, and “I Love Boosters” | The Daily Show Indie Wire Article | Why ‘I Love Boosters’ Also Loves Stop Motion Animation and Weird Little Guys The Coup - “I Love Boosters” Song | I Love Boosters! I Love Boosters (Original Motion Picture Score) I Love Boosters (Original Motion Picture Score) | KeKe Palmer EP Sorry to Bother You (2018) I’m a Virgo (2023) Boogie Nights (1997) #ILoveBoosters #BootsRiley #KeKePalmer #LaKeithStanfield #DemiMoore #MovieReview #FilmPodcast | |||
| Mando in the Middle | The Mandalorian and Grogu Non-Spoiler Review: Some Shining Spots, Some Missed Opportunities, But Mainly Decent | 05 Jun 2026 | 00:17:17 | |
In this episode of Film Curious, Pete gives a brief non-spoiler review of the latest Star Wars film installment, The Mandalorian and Grogu, directed by Jon Favreau and starring Pedro Pascal and Sigourney Weaver. The movie caps the end of The Mandalorian TV series that first premiered on Disney+ in 2019 and finished in 2023. Pete gives his overall rating of the film, its highlights (and lowlights), the massive problems he has with Mando keeping the helmet on all the time, how not much of consequence happens in the movie as related to the show, the awesome stop motion fight sequence, and why Disney needs to let Lucasfilm pick a lane going forward. Also, the group’s frustration with the amount of commercials and trailers in front of movies at AMC, how announcing and hyping up films three years before their release is unnecessary with everyone’s short-term memory these days, and how weird fandoms can be about things. ⚠️This is a non-spoiler discussion, but if you’re anything like Ashley, there is a small mention of what’s in the final fight scene at 09:51. Available in theaters now. 🎟️ ⏱️Timestamps 00:00 Intro to the Episode 00:36 The Film’s Opening, Characters, and Settings 02:09 The Problem with the Helmet & Not Seeing Pedro Pascal’s Full Performance 04:16 Fan Service & Characters from Other Star Wars Works That Go Unexplained 07:01 Grogu & Mando’s Character Arcs (or Lack of Growth) | Show to Movie 09:51 Light Spoiler Warning ⚠️ | Final Fight Scene, Its Stop Motion Animation & Feelings on Ending 10:58 Pete’s Final Rating of the Film 12:18 The Need for the Star Wars Franchise to Pick a Road Going Forward 13:22 Announcing Movies Three Years in Advance & Unnecessary Promotion 14:07 Frustrations with AMC & The Amount of Pre-Show Commercials and Trailers 15:52 Wrap Up - The Crazy & Weird Portion of the Star Wars Fandom 16:59 Outro - Thanks for Listening & Don’t Forget to Subscribe! 🔔 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! #MandalorianAndGrogu #StarWars #StarWarsMovie #Grogu #PedroPascal #FilmPodcast | |||
| Obsession (2026) Review & Analysis: All the Things This Film Is Trying to Say & Do the Wish Mechanics Matter? | 02 Jun 2026 | 01:06:22 | |
In this episode, Ashley, Nicole, and Pete dive deep into Obsession (2026), the much-applauded and talked about psychological horror thriller written and directed by Curry Barker (former YouTube creator), starring Michael Johnston and Inde Navarrette. This little movie was made on a mere million dollar budget and is now sitting pretty at over $100 million, one of the biggest box office successes of the year. We break down Bear’s true character, the whole dead cat thing, the wish mechanics of the One Wish Willow, what the film is saying subtly (and not so subtly), the horrifying conclusion and everything in between. ⚠️ This is a full spoiler discussion! We suggest watching it first if you haven’t already. Available in theaters now. 🎟️ ⏱️Timestamps 00:00 Highlight Clip from the Episode 00:33 The Last Few Weeks on Film Curious 00:49 Intro to This Week’s Film 03:48 Initial Reactions and Themes of the Film 08:41 The Intricacies of 'Obsession' and Its Themes 21:45 Debating What Was Working & What Wasn’t 27:48 The Directorial & Story Choices Curry Barker Makes 32:37 Exploring the Wish Mechanism & Consequences of Wishes and Accountability 44:58 Friends & the Film’s Handling of Mental Health 49:06 The Dark Ending and Its Implications 01:04:30 Wrap Up - Taking a Break from Horror Films for a Bit 01:05:42 Outro - Thanks for Listening & Don’t Forget to Subscribe! 🔔 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! #Obsession2026 #HorrorMovies #BlumhouseHorror #FilmPodcast #MovieReview #CurryBarker | |||
| Streaming Spotlight: Unpacking Send Help - Sam Raimi’s Signature Style Makes for a Riotously Fun Survival Horror Comedy | 21 May 2026 | 01:20:58 | |
In this episode of Film Curious, Ashley and Nicole review the horror comedy Send Help (2026) directed by Sam Raimi, starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, which is now available to stream on Hulu. We explore its unique blend of humor, horror, and power dynamics, revealing how Raimi's signature style influences the film's tone and narrative choices. In this deep dive, we analyze the film's themes, visual style, and character arcs, highlighting its campy tone, dark humor, and its place within the horror-comedy genre, making predictions into its lasting appeal. We also get into the rise of horror comedy and why this campy genre might be the most honest response to the current cultural moment. ⚠️This episode contains a full spoiler discussion! We suggest watching it first if you haven’t already. Available to stream on Hulu & Disney+ currently. ⏱️Timestamps 00:00 Highlight Clip from the Episode 00:30 Intro to the Film - Brief Synopsis 01:37 Exploring Sam Raimi's Directing Style & Immediate Narrative Choices 11:25 The Performances - Rachel McAdams' Versatility & Dylan O'Brien's Growth 21:17 ⚠️Spoiler Discussion & Plot Twists⚠️ 33:43 Moral Ambiguity and Character Evolution 47:54 The Final Showdown and Transformation - Why It Works 55:30 Breaking the Fourth Wall: A Cinematic Technique 58:50 Audience Expectations and Film Interpretation 01:11:52 The Rise of Horror Comedies & Original Stories 01:15:53 Wrap Up - Excited to See More Original Horror in the Future! Let Us Know Your Thoughts! 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! #SendHelp #RachelMcAdams #DylanOBrien #SamRaimi #FilmPodcast | |||
| Streaming Spotlight: The Starling Girl Review + Analysis - A Masterclass in Precise Visual Storytelling | 14 May 2026 | 01:03:40 | |
In this episode of Film Curious, Ashley and Nicole dive deep into The Starling Girl (2023), an indie drama written and directed by Laurel Parmet, starring Eliza Scanlen, Lewis Pullman, and Jimmy Simpson. A 17-year-old in a Christian fundamentalist community develops a dangerous connection with her youth pastor, and the film handles it with nuance, restraint, and visual intelligence that most films three times its budget never achieve. We get into Eliza Scanlan's micro-expression masterclass, Laurel Parmet's brilliant visual storytelling, the consent conversation the film quietly forces you to have, the small details that tell everything you need to know, and why this filmmaker deserves so much more attention. ⚠️ This is a full spoiler discussion! We suggest watching it first if you haven’t already. Available to stream on Netflix currently. ⏱️Timestamps 00:00 Highlight Clip from the Episode 00:28 Intro to the Film & How Adeptly the Story Is Handled 06:39 ⚠️Spoiler Section Starts⚠️ 23:57 Handling of Sex Scene & the Consent Discussion 29:43 Analysis of the Film & Its Themes 56:06 The Surprise Turn Towards the Ending & What the Ending Means for the Main Character Going Forward 01:00:00 Wrap Up - Excited and Hoping to See Laurel Parmet Make More Movies in the Future 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! #TheStarlingGirl #ElizaScanlan #FilmPodcast | |||
| Streaming Spotlight: No Hard Feelings - Why We Miss These Kinds of Comedies & Crave More of Them | 08 May 2026 | 00:26:51 | |
In this episode of Film Curious, Ashley and guest co-host Nicole revisit No Hard Feelings (2023), the Jennifer Lawrence comedy directed by Gene Stupnitsky, now streaming on Hulu and HBO MAX. We were missing out; it's way better than we ever expected! We break down why Jennifer Lawrence is genuinely great in this role, why Andrew Barth Feldman's surprise musical moment works so well in the film, how the movie quietly subverts every expectation you bring into it, and how this is the exact kind of comedy Hollywood doesn't make enough of anymore but should! We also get into the supporting work from Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti, 21 Jump Street comparisons, and why this film deserves to be remembered. ⚠️This review does contain a small amount of spoilers⚠️ ⏱️Timestamps 00:00 Highlight Clip from the Episode 00:45 Intro & Welcoming Nicole to the Show 02:16 Why Ashley & Nicole Dismissed No Hard Feelings When It Came Out 05:43 Overall Review of the Film, Subverting Expectations, Jennifer Lawrence's Performance, How It Delivers a lot of Heart without Being Romantic & Reminds Us of Great Comedies From When Were Younger 16:17 The Supporting Cast & How Well They Worked to Supplement the Story 18:38 The Slapstick Comedy Aspects That Sometimes Didn’t Work 21:47 Andrew Barth Feldman & The Wonderful Musical Moment 23:29 Wrap Up - Why This Film Deserves to Be Remembered 26:02 Outro - Thanks for Listening! Tune In Next Time! 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery! #NoHardFeelings #JenniferLawrence #FilmPodcast | |||