In this episode, we discuss Sam Peckinpah's modernist western, The Wild Bunch (1969). Surrounding a ruthless, violent group of outlaws, starring William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, and Robert Ryan, The Wild Bunch redefined violence in American movies.
The Wild Bunch is currently #79 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.
In this episode, we're discussing the Doris Day, Rock Hudson romantic comedy, Pillow Talk (1959). This influential film's success is reflective of equal parts innovation for the genre going forward and inspiration from the screwball comedy that came before.
In this episode, we dive into the musical drama A Star is Born (1954), directed by George Cukor and starring Judy Garland and James Mason. We'll examine how this powerful film leverages Garland's performance and persona to devastating effect.
In this episode, we close out Alfred Hitchcock month with his legendary film Psycho (1960), starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins. We discuss how Psycho represented the final undoing of Hitchcock's emblematic style, and acts as the ideal capstone to his storied career.
In this episode we discuss the iconic Alfred Hitchcock thriller, Rear Window (1954), starring Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly. We'll breakdown how Hitchcock ramped up the suspense by centering the film on an everyday scenario and we'll continue to examine the importance of romance and trust to Hitchcock's films.
Rear Window is currently #48 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.
In this episode, we discuss Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious (1946). Starring Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant, and Claude Rains, this film is a trademark example of Hitchcock's ability to balance suspense, romance, and trust to tremendous effect. Join us for this unforgettable film.
In this episode, we kick off Alfred Hitchcock month on Classic Movie Musts with a look at Hitchcock's first undisputed masterpiece The 39 Steps (1935). Starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll, this "wrong-man" thriller established Hitchcock's directorial style.
In this episode, we discuss Milos Foreman's Amadeus (1984), starring F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce. Despite having the pretensions of a biopic, Amadeus is really a subjective instrospection on the nature of genius. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, Amadeus is #53 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movie of All Time.
In this episode we breakdown the classic dramedy Stage Door (1937). Directed by Gregory LaCava and starring Katherine Hepburn and Ginger Rogers, amongst many other familiar faces, this film is determined by its historical context. We'll examine how this movie bends the conventions of the screwball comedy, balances comedy and cynicism surrounding the Great Depression, and skirts the Hollywood production code.
This is part two of our look at the evolution of the film noir detective genre. Today's episode will focus on the modernist film The Long Goodbye (1973), starring Elliott Gould, and examine how director Robert Altman exaggerates genre myths and conventions to appeal to a more analytical audience.
This episode kicks off a two part look into the film noir detective mystery genre. This week's episode will explore the classical myths, conventions, and iconography associated with this genre as seen in Murder, My Sweet (1944). Murder, My Sweet was directed by Edward Dmytryk and stars Dick Powell and Claire Trevor.
In this episode, Max is joined by comedian Ian Herrin to discuss the Stanley Kubrick poltical satire, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Starring Peter Sellers in a triumverate of rolls, along with George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, and Slim Pickens, Dr. Strangelove perfectly captures Cold War fears and takes them to their extreme conclusion.
Dr. Strangelove is #26 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.
In this episode, we go down river on The African Queen (1951). Directed by John Huston, and starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn, this movie deftly balances adventure, romance, and comedy.
The African Queen is #17 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.
In this episode, we discuss the Spike Lee classic biopic, Malcolm X (1992). Starring Denzel Washington, this movie foregrounds all the classical elements that define the biopic genre. In doing so, it makes a controversial activist appealing to mainstream audiences.
In this episode, we explore the film noir western, The Ox-Bow Incident (1943), starring Henry Fonda. This movie is a haunting introspection on the nature of masculinity. It's also a fascinating glimpse into the pschye of America on the eve of World War II. This film beautifully and hauntingly combines the themes of the film noir and the icons of the western.
In this episode, we discuss the science fiction classic, Blade Runner (1982). Directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Harrison Ford, this film epitomizes the melding of science fiction, film noir, and cyberpunk. What's more, this film does not appeal to mainstream scifi tendencies, making it all the richer for deep analysis.
In this episode, we delve into the musical/historical spectacle hybrid, The Court Jester (1955). Directed by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama, and starring Danny Kaye, Basil Rathbone, and Angela Lansbury. This film epitomizes an era of genre experimentation and lavish Hollywood spending.
In this episode of Classic Movie Musts, we breakdown the iconic film Taxi Driver (1976). Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro and Cybil Shepard. The film also features Jodi Foster and Harvey Keitel.
Taxi Driver is #47 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.
In this episode of Classic Movie Musts, we discuss the original screwball comedy It Happened One Night (1934). Directed by Frank Capra and starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.
It Happened One Night is #35 on AFI's Top 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.
In this episode of Classic Movie Musts we break down the epic adventure Lawrence of Arabia (1962). Directed by David Lean and starring Peter O'Toole, the film also features Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, and Claude Rains.
Lawrence of Arabia is #5 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.
In this episode of Classic Movie Musts we taken in the epic culmination of the classic gangster film, White Heat (1949). Directed by Raoul Walsh and featuring and iconic performance by Jame Cagney.
White Heat is #4 on AFI's Top Gangster Films.
In this episode of Classic Movie Musts we discuss the Audrey Hepburn classic Two for the Road (1967). Directed by Stanley Donen, the film also stars Albert Finney. This movie must is an introspection on marriage and time.
In this episode of Classic Movie Musts we take on the classic drama All About Eve (1950), starring Bette Davis and Anne Baxter.
All About Eve is #16 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.
In this episode of Classic Movie Musts, special guest Ignacio Garat joins to discuss the Francis Ford Coppola Vietnam War epic, Apocalypse Now (1979). Apocalypse Now stars Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando.
Apocalypse Now is #28 on AFI's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.
In this episode of classic movie musts we sing the praises of the classic musical Meet Me in St. Louis (1944). Directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Judy Garland, this movies marks the ascendancy of the integrated movie musical.
A weekly podcast featuring a different movie must every episode. We explore what makes these movies classics.
