Watch With Jen™ – Details, episodes & analysis

It's the season five return of my good friend & longtime Watch With Jen fan-favorite guest, cinephile, Hardboiled Wonderland blogger, & author Jed Ayres. This time, Jed & I journey into stealthy mid-twentieth-century international spy terrain via four noir war films from the masterful British director Carol Reed.

Kicking things off with the incredible classic THE THIRD MAN, we then join the pursuit of James Mason in Reed's expressionistic ODD MAN OUT & THE MAN BETWEEN before we let Graham Greene show us the ridiculous side of espionage in the humorous yet darkly clever OUR MAN IN HAVANA.

A thoughtful evaluation of not only Reed's work as a director but also the way his filmmaking techniques & emphasis on everything from great production design to Dutch angles, even Christian symbolism, surprising musical counterpoints, & trust in his collaborators crafted four remarkable works, this is an episode that classic movie fans will love.

Originally Posted on Patreon (9/4/24) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/111371653

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

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This week, I'm honored to be joined by not one but two brilliant screenwriters, Larry Karaszewski & Daniel Waters.

Larry Karaszewski & his writing/directing/producing partner Scott Alexander are best known for writing unusual true stories such as the films ED WOOD, THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT, MAN ON THE MOON, AUTO FOCUS, BIG EYES, DOLEMITE IS MY NAME, & the hit television miniseries THE PEOPLE VS. OJ SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY. The team has won Emmys, Golden Globes, Producers, & Writers Guild Awards. Additionally, Larry is also a former Governor & Vice President of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.

Born in Ohio & raised in Indiana, Daniel Waters is the Edgar award-winning screenwriter of the 1988 cult classic HEATHERS starring Winona Ryder & Christian Slater. Additionally, the man who wrote or co-wrote the films BATMAN RETURNS, HUDSON HAWK, THE ADVENTURES OF FORD FAIRLANE, DEMOLITION MAN, & more, he's also the writer-director of HAPPY CAMPERS & SEX & DEATH 101.

Best friends & movie buddies since their teenage years in Indiana, in the fourth season of Watch With Jen, the two joined me to dissect the films of director Michael Ritchie, & this year, they're back to take us on another trip through the films of the 1970s, courtesy of actor Jan-Michael Vincent whose luscious blonde hair & laid back approach made him one of the most popular up-and-coming stars of the era. Although initially, we agreed on five films, including BUSTER & BILLIE, THE MECHANIC, WHITE LINE FEVER, THE WORLD'S GREATEST ATHLETE, & VIGILANTE FORCE, Larry & Dan made it their mission to do as much extra credit as possible, watching everything from obscure TV movies like TRIBES & SANDCASTLES to bigger hits like HOOPER & more. Along the way, we discuss Dan's issues with JMV in the '70s & this dream (or nightmare) he had where I ruined the vibe of his party, Larry's decision to watch two JMV movies on the ceiling under laughing gas at the dentist, & much, much more. What can I say? This conversation is a journey - a rollicking, thoughtful, & very engaging journey - & you're sure to love it.

Originally Posted on Patreon (8/20/24) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/110417546

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

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This week, I'm very excited to bring back the great Nell Minow to the podcast. An accomplished lawyer & a highly readable film critic at her site MovieMom.com & RogerEbert.com, where she's also an editor, Nell Minow has written over 3,000 movie reviews since the 1990s. She's also authored several terrific film books, including 101 Must See Movie Moments & The Movie Mom's Guide to Family Movies.

Passionate about classic movies & character actors, this episode - devoted to the brilliant, 6-time Oscar-nominated actress Thelma Ritter - gave Nell the perfect opportunity to combine 2 of her favorite interests. Offering listeners an appreciative overview of Ritter's career, in this sunny conversation, we focus on her acclaimed, singular performances in the films THE MATING SEASON, PICKUP ON SOUTH STREET, REAR WINDOW, & PILLOW TALK.

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Originally Posted on Patreon (5/29/24) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/105182602

Returning to the podcast this week, we have the witty and wonderful Los Angeles-based writer-director Jessica Ellis. A graduate of UCLA and the American Film Institute who last year made her feature filmmaking debut with the acclaimed coming-of-age movie What Lies West, Jessica is one of the brightest lights on Twitter and never fails to make me smile. Filled with sharp insights into the craft of screenwriting, in taking a closer look at the films The Princess Bride, Joe Versus the Volcano, and Palm Springs, we discuss love and life as it plays out against the backdrop of the fantasy romantic comedy subgenre she's so passionate about.

Originally Posted on Patreon (3/28/22) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/64378129

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Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

A film critic for publications such as "L.A. Weekly," "New York Magazine," "Vulture," "The New York Times," and formerly, "The Village Voice," Bilge Ebiri is one of my favorite journalists working today. Additionally, a writer-director who's known for the films "New Guy," "Purse Snatcher," and "The Barber of Siberia," whenever you talk to Bilge, you're bound to not only learn something new but also see cinema in a totally new way, and this week's episode is no exception.

Joining me to discuss the expressive eyebrows, pathos, and inner melancholy of the classically handsome Irish character actor Colin Farrell, in this thoughtful 94-minute episode, we take a look at the evolving talents and many phases of Farrell's career as seen in the films "Phone Booth," "The New World," "Miami Vice," "In Bruges," and "The Lobster."

Originally Posted on Patreon (3/21/22) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/64078584

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

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Returning to the podcast today, we have a fan favorite and one of my besties - that's right it's our very first guest and my Pandemic Movie Club buddy - the Edgar award-winning author of "She Rides Shotgun" and "Love and Other Wounds," Jordan Harper. A screenwriter and producer of such shows as "The Mentalist" and "Gotham," who also crafted one of the most beautiful pilots for "L.A. Confidential," which CBS stupidly didn't pick up, currently, Jordan is back in the writers' room for the third season of the Starz series "Hightown."

Additionally (and goddamned annoyingly, if you ask me), he finished not one but two novels during the pandemic and they're both excellent. The first book, called "The Last King of California" is a gritty work perfect for fans of "Shotgun" that will be published this year in the UK, and the second, the topical epic Tinseltown thriller "Everybody Knows" will hit shelves everywhere next year. I can't wait for you to read them both!

Since we talk crime movies all the time, because - as Raymond Chandler might say - murder is his business, Jordan and I opted to put on on our fedoras and have some laughs this week at the genre's comedic side in this engagingly fast-paced eighty-eight-minute conversation. So join us for some friendly intrigue as we take a tour of the secret passageways of the movies "Deathtrap," "Clue," "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" and "So I Married An Axe Murder" and prove that (in the right hands) murder can be fun.

Originally Posted on Patreon (3/15/22) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/63839960

Logo: Kate Gabrielle (KateGabrielle.com)

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

You're receiving an early bonus episode this week because daylight saving time is on Sunday and winter is almost gone, so I figured the best way to say goodbye to the days of cool temperatures and early darkness is with a roundup of recent Blu-ray releases. Featuring a very eclectic collection of titles that were largely so obscure that guests weren't able to track them down to join me, the first half of this very casual, laid-back episode finds me walking you through the new Chabrol box set from Arrow as well as "Only the Animals," "Gold Diggers of 1933," "Song of the Thin Man," "The Three Musketeers" (1948), and "Wayne's World."

While this section of the episode is a throwback of sorts to the early days of this podcast where you heard me offering solo film recommendations (and trying to make good on a promise to some listeners who miss this casual, impromptu approach), the second half serves up a very delightful conversation with one of my best friends. Joining me to deliver a passionate defense of one of her favorite underrated Alfred Hitchcock movies - "Stage Fright" (1950), which was just released by Warner Archive Collection - I adore talking to artist Kate Gabrielle about all things classic movies. She's always a joy and fittingly, her love of physical media inspired her to design the tee I'm wearing in the photo (which is available at KateGabrielle.com). And although next week will find us going back to the episode style you're used to hearing from Watch With Jen, I hope this installment will amuse you all the same!

Originally Posted on Patreon (3/11/22) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/63666474

Logo: KateGabrielle.com

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

This week, I was thrilled to welcome Washington City Paper film critic Noah Gittell back to the podcast for the first time since he joined me for an epic discussion last May on '90s duality in the films "Zero Effect" and "Fight Club." A reporter at BBC Talk Movies and a guest lecturer at Smithsonian Associates, Noah is also a freelance contributor at such notable outlets as The Atlantic, The Ringer, The Guardian, Polygon, and The Economist.

In this fast-paced contemplative episode, he joins me to take a closer look at one of the most creatively fertile periods in the life of our favorite wild and crazy guy - Steve Martin. A comedian, actor, writer, director, producer, musician, magician, and Mensa level genius, Steve Martin is a man who has worn a number of hats throughout his fifty-plus year career but for the purposes of our conversation, we decided to zero in on Martin in the mid to late 1980s as he began embracing his career as an actor.

From his supporting turn as a sadistic dentist in "Little Shop of Horrors" to his great ensemble studio comedies "Three Amigos!" and "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" to his surprisingly sweet, sexy, and sophisticated "Cyrano de Bergerac" adaptation "Roxanne," in this 52-minute discussion, Noah and I evaluate all sides of the Martin persona from the fully absurd to the downright horny.

One of the world's most beloved entertainers you've heard discussed on Watch With Jen in past installments on David Mamet (for "The Spanish Prisoner"), Physical Media - Part 3 (for a new edition of "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles"), and '90s Romcoms (for "Father of the Bride") while this is our first episode dedicated to the actor, it's safe to say, it won't be our last.

Originally Posted on Patreon (3/8/22) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/63509809

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Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

In this very special episode, The Black List's Director of Community Kate Hagen returns to the podcast to help me welcome one of our all-time favorite filmmakers to Watch With Jen. A Los Angeles based independent writer-director who's won both a MacArthur Genius Grant along with a Peabody Award, Allison Anders' acclaimed films include her terrific debut "Border Radio" (co-directed with UCLA classmates Kurt Voss and Dean Lent), "Gas Food Lodging," "Mi Vida Loca," "Grace of My Heart," "Things Behind the Sun," and more.

Although we'd mainly planned to come together to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her award-winning sophomore feature "Gas Food Lodging," soon our richly free-flowing conversation opened up to span the beloved director's entire career. Whether she's describing her time spent inspiring Harry Dean Stanton's performance on the set of "Paris, Texas" while working as a PA for Wim Wenders, directing Brooke Adams on "Gas Food Lodging," collecting Greta Garbo's records, or appearing in Paul McCartney's liner notes, Anders' stories will delight film students, buffs, and professionals alike. Filled with laughter, great advice, and creative inspiration, this is one of our best episodes so far.

Originally Posted on Patreon (3/4/22) here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/63342725

Logo: Kate Gabrielle (KateGabrielle.com)

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

This week, I'm so thrilled and proud to welcome back one of my dearest pals and the hardest working man in pod business, Mr. Blake Howard. The brains behind the stellar One Heat Minute Productions that launched with an in-depth minute-by-minute investigation and appreciation of Michael Mann's "Heat," he's released numerous pods since, including "All The President's Minutes," "Josie and the Podcats," "Zodiac: Chronicle," and also, the excellent "Increment Vice," hosted by our good friend, the film essayist Travis Woods. With several more releasing now like "Miami Nice," "Rum and Rant," "Too Much Movie," plus essays on heist films at Vague Visages, his busy family life with his lovely wife and two young children, and a new career as a teacher, Blake Howard is one of the busiest and most talented people I know... and also, the nicest.

Always down to talk about movies, even when it's before six a.m. in Australia, in this episode, he joins me to discuss three underrated films and performances we enjoy featuring character actor James Caan, including "Comes a Horseman," "Hide in Plain Sight," and "The Yards." Along the way, we tackle the Caan mystique for better and worse, what he brings to his roles, and reevaluate some of his other films along the way.

While editing today's episode, I realized that all you really need to know about our friendship is that it began with me confessing that because I love De Niro so much, I actually texted an undercover cop to make sure Pacino's shoot was clean in "Heat" to try to retroactively save his character's life! (Texting wasn't around when I first saw it in '95 but when I revisited it a few years ago, I had the luxury to annoy a friend.) Thus, it's perfect that our relationship comes full circle in this episode as we officially announce our next co-project together all about De Niro's "Midnight Run." We'll see you in the next life.

Logo: KateGabrielle.com

Theme Music: Solo Acoustic Guitar by Jason Shaw, Free Music Archive

Originally Posted on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/63171958