Filmsplaining with Martyn Strange
By Martyn Strange
A podcast about how to watch movies hosted by writer and editor Martyn Strange. Follow on: YouTube Letterboxd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After a very long break, I'm back with the first of three final episodes of the show. This is "50 Years Of" Richard Donner's The Omen with my pal and frequent guest Rich Johnson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the show I talk to filmmaker Crue Scott Smith about one of our mutual favorite Cassavetes movies: The Killing of a Chinese Bookie . We discuss the life and work styles of John Cassavetes, Ben Gazarra's performance in the film, the cinematography, and how the reception to this film has changed over fifty years. We also talk about the business of independent movies and Crue's new film Angel of Light , which is available now on VOD. follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's show, we dive into one of the most famous and well-regarded American movies ever made: Rocky ! I chat with friend of the show and MUBI podcast host Rico Gagliano about the legacy of Rocky , moments we all remember, concise screenwriting, an undeniable score, and Sylvester Stallone's career at large. We talk about our individual experiences with the movie and its sequels, how it won Best Picture, and how it became the highest-grossing movie of 1976, as well as consider the lineage of sports movie franchises. Listen to Rico's work on the MUBI podcast here . follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Continuing with "50 Years of... 1976", I talk with Vancouver film and television critic Matthew Simpson about John Carpenter's second film Assault on Precinct 13 . We discuss how the lean-and-mean action thriller uses a pulsing score, small character moments, and a faceless horde of killers to hook the audience and keep them for 90 minutes. We also talk about Carpenter's career, his clever tricks of revealing information on screen, and how radically different this film would be constructed if it were made today. You can find Matthew's work at northernreel.ca and more on Threads . follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
50 Years Of... kicks off with Alan J. Pakula's paranoia thriller All The President's Men starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman and written by William Goldman. Talking with me about the film's impact is Conan Neutron of Movie Night Extravaganza and Conan Neutron & the Secret Friends . We discuss investigative journalism, the death of the newspaper, the cinematography of Gordon Willis, the film's eerie relevance to modern day America, and much more. follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is a 'state of the union' style short talk about changes coming to the show in 2026 and what my listeners can expect from Filmsplaining moving forward. If you haven't already, subscribe to my Youtube channel . follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For the season 4 finale, I watched every Martin Scorsese movie. Here's what I learned. follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode, I chat with friend of the show and co-host of both Checkout Cinema and Cinematary Grace Winburne about discovering Bob Fosse's masterpiece Cabaret! We discuss our histories with musicals, how and why this one works so well, Liza Minelli's knockout performance, and the state of the modern day musical. Listen to Grace's work on Checkout Cinema and Cinematary . follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode, I chat with Philip Marinello from The Substance podcast about an under-seen killer thriller of British cinema from Michael Powell: 1960's Peeping Tom . We discuss this film's legacy in relation to Psycho the very same year, how Martin Scorsese and Thelma Schoonmaker rescued and revived it, and what it means to be an audience obsessed with moving images and how they make us complicit in the horrific events of the movie. Listen to Philip's podcast The Substance here . follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the show, I chat with MUBI head of audio and podcast host Rico Gagliano about Spike Lee's vibrant and vital 1989 masterpiece Do The Right Thing. We discuss our initial gut reactions to the film and how its legacy and impact has only gotten stronger since its release, and Rico discusses what he learned from interviewing Spike Lee as well as what people should take away from the film now. Listen to the MUBI podcast and follow Rico Gagliano here . follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This year for Halloween, I wanted to do something special, so I compiled a list of forty creature features and asked my followers on Threads to vote for their ten favorites. Listen in and see what they came up with! full Letterboxd list: https://letterboxd.com/martynstrange/list/filmsplaining-406-creature-features/ follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the show, I discuss the provocative, groundbreaking "Teen Apocalypse" trilogy from New Queer Cinema icon Gregg Araki: Totally Fucked Up, The Doom Generation , and Nowhere . Set in the hazy wastelands of Los Angeles, the films follow various groups of teens who explore drugs, sex, television, and societal collapse through deadpan humor and witty observations on the end of the world. follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's show, I chat with filmmaker Alex Pulisci about his passion for wrestling and the poignant tragedy of The Iron Claw . We discuss sports biopics, brotherly bonds, transformative performances, and where theatre meets commerce in the worlds of professional wrestling and cinema. follow Alex on Instagram/Threads follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's show, I'm joined once again by the Concessions gang as we make a dangerous trek through existentialist hell in two classic nail-biter thrillers: The Wages of Fear by Clouzot and Sorcerer by Friedkin. We talk about how the films tackle similar themes and material while remaining distinct, the social and political implications of each, and how the promise of money can drive a man to his absolute limit. Was it all worth it? Find out in our conversation. Listen to and follow Concessions here . follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's show, I chat with Dallas-based multimedia artist and musician Justin Hoard about the greatest rock doc ever made: Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz . We talk about our histories with the music of The Band, favorite performances, life on the road, and the timeless quality of their music. Find Justin's work on Instagram here . follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On the season 4 premiere, I tell you all about my trip to the Toronto International Film Festival, every movie I saw there, and what to expect for the Fall and Winter cinema slate. follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Here's a sneak peek of an exclusive bonus episode for Patreon subscribers: The World of John Wick! follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On the short but sweet finale of Season 3, we take a wild, weird trip into the realm of mystery with master of the macabre Tod Browning. Be amazed and wonder at three one-of-a-kind attractions: The Mystic, The Unknown, and FREAKS... follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's show, I chat with friend of the show Marta Djordjevic of Rewind & Revive about Elaine May's classic comedic two-hander drama Mikey & Nicky, where we discuss the fragile male ego, fights with the studio, reviving lost cinema, and the amazingly raw performance styles of John Cassavetes and Peter Falk. Check out Marta's website and podcast Rewind & Revive . follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the show, writer and video essayist Olivia Bagshaw returns to discuss Paul Thomas Anderson's towering postwar drama The Master . We talk about charismatic cult leaders, score, production design, the discovery of PTSD, and doing things "for a billion years or not at all". Subscribe to Olivia's Youtube channel . follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform via the link below: https://linktr.ee/martynstrange Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/martynstrange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.