Movie Review Episodes

The Dark Knight Rises was an ambitious end to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Its epic scale feels like the natural target of the trajectory that this trilogy and Nolan’s career overall had been taking. Our discussion spans from the incredible production work to the core themes at play, and we try to figure out if this is a satisfying wrap up of the trilogy. In our movie news section, guest Zachary Lee shares some of his favorite films of 2023 so far. Finally, we do a horror subgenre movie d...

A BIG episode for a BIG movie! Christopher Nolan’s Inception feels like a lifetime achievement in many ways. Its inception as an idea goes back to his childhood, and here we see the culmination of his visual, conceptual, and emotional obsessions culminate in a film that dominated cultural conversation. Our discussion spans from the incredible VFX work to the emotional core that makes this one of Nolan’s most personal films. In our movie news section, we talk about our excitement for Scorsese’s K...

Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is arguably his most notable film to date, changing not just superhero movies but the film industry in general. His grounded approach to the comic book world, Ledger’s iconic performance, and escalated scale in both the action and the story add up to a phenomenal film that is his most well known to this day. In our movie news section, we briefly mention Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Finally, we do a movie draft of movie villains and share our recommendations of th...

In our discussion about Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige, we marvel at the cinematic sleight of hand that Nolan brings with his technical and plot precision. He stretches his budget to its extremes with an incredible cast, phenomenal set pieces, and an ending that leaves you wanting more. In our movie news section, we talk about some fun ways to utilize Letterboxd. Finally, we do a movie draft of revenge movies and share our recommendations of the week. https://www.establishingshotpod.com/...

In our discussion about Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, we dig into what he brought to this beloved franchise that changed superhero films. Working with a huge budget and his detailed mind, Nolan reimagined the world of Batman and Gotham and kicked off the trilogy that would elevate his career. In our movie news section, we talk about looking forward to Gareth Edwards’ The Creator and discuss AI. Finally, we do a movie draft of DC Comics movies and share our recommendations of the week. h...

In our discussion about Christopher Nolan’s first studio feature, Insomnia, we examine why this feels like his forgotten film. Somehow with Insomnia’s studio budget, star-studded cast, adapted script, and its fairly standard narrative structure, Nolan is still able to display his unique style as he gives us an incredibly interesting character study. Finally, we do a movie draft of foreign language films and their American remakes and share our recommendations of the week. https://www.estab...

Our discussion of Christopher Nolan’s sophomore film, Memento, praises the unique experience that he brought us in his budding career. Memento’s backwards structure, iconic design, and great performances put Nolan on the map as the next great American filmmaker. In our movie news section, we discuss theatrical re-releases of classic film with the recent re-release of Oldboy and the upcoming one for Stop Making Sense. Finally, we do a movie draft of films dealing with memory loss and memory manip...

This week we discuss Christopher Nolan’s debut feature film, Following. With virtually no budget and borrowed equipment, Nolan was able to make an interesting twist on noir that already displayed his personal flair. In our movie news section, we share some random discussion on Scorsese anticipating Killers of the Flower Moon. Finally, we do a movie draft of debut features from directors and share our recommendations of the week. https://www.establishingshotpod.com/ Timestamps: Intro ...

This week we discuss “Asteroid City”, Wes Anderson’s latest film. With a meta-textual, layered framing device, highly stylized desert set and just as dry characters, and Wes at the height of his powers, this discussion was bound to be great. In our movie news section, we discuss Wes Anderson and other directors of his generation and what makes them tick. Finally, we do a draft of movies with deserts and share our recommendations of the week. https://www.establishingshotpod.com/ Times...

This week we discuss The French Dispatch, Wes Anderson’s first work in an anthology format. This one is both an ode to French cinema and to The New Yorker, is charming in its own drab yet fanciful Anderson way, and is chock full of various filmmaking abstractions. In our movie news section, we discuss current working female directors in anticipation of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. Finally, we do a draft of writers in movies and share our recommendations of the week. https://www.establishingshotp...

This week we discuss Isle of Dogs, Wes Anderson’s second venture into stop-motion animation. Full of beautiful sets, love for Japanese art, and of course dogs, this is a really enjoyable film to both watch and discuss. In our movie news section, we discuss Tom Cruise’s stunts in Mission Impossible films and how long action stars can last. Finally, we do a draft of stop-motion animation movies and share our recommendations of the week. https://www.establishingshotpod.com/ Timestamps: ...

This week we discuss The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson’s most successful film to date. It doesn’t get much better than Ralph Fiennes concierge-ing his way into our hearts. In our movie news section, we discuss whether we are excited for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny or not. Finally, we do a draft of movies with hotels and share our recommendations of the week. https://www.establishingshotpod.com/ Timestamps: Intro (00:39) The Life Aquatic Discussion (05:13) Movie N...

This week we discuss Moonrise Kingdom, a childhood romance, fantasy adventure by Wes Anderson. We loved this movie, but we don’t know what we’re talking about. In our movie news section, we discuss what has happened to hit, blockbuster comedies anticipating the release of No Hard Feelings. Finally, we do a draft of 2000’s comedies and share our recommendations of the week. https://www.establishingshotpod.com/ Timestamps: Intro (00:38) The Life Aquatic Discussion (08:45) Movie N...

This week we discuss Fantastic Mr. Fox, Wes Anderson’s first venture into animation. Full of great puppetry, sets, charm, and layers of emotions for both kids and adults, this film has plenty to dig into. In our movie news section, we discuss extended cinematic universes and if they are good for the future of cinema in line with The Flash releasing. Finally, we do a draft of films with time travel, also with The Flash in mind, and share our recommendations of the week. https://www.establishingsh...

This week we discuss The Darjeeling Limited, the spiritual journey on a train in India we were all waiting for from Wes Anderson. With incredible set pieces and great performances from and chemistry between the three brothers that we follow, this film provided a ton a great things to dive into. In our movie news section, we discuss the ramifications of the time between theatrical and streaming releases. Finally, we do a draft of films with train scenes on brand with the Darjeeling talk and share...

This week we discuss The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, which might be the most quintessential example of the Wes Anderson aesthetic. With the cutaway, dollhouse boat, a phenomenal cast, and stop-motion sea creatures this is a fun one. In our movie news section, we discuss Spider-Man adaptations with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse releasing this weekend. Finally, we do a draft of films with underwater scenes and share our recommendations of the week. https://www.establishingshotpod.c...

This week we discuss The Royal Tenenbaums, Wes Anderson’s third film and first big box office success. Here we see his first ensemble cast and his distinct style coming to the forefront. In our movie news section, we discuss live-action Disney remakes with The Little Mermaid releasing this weekend. Finally, we do a draft of Disney Animated Classics and share our recommendations of the week. https://www.establishingshotpod.com/ Timestamps: Intro (00:37) The Royal Tenenbaums Disc...

This week we discuss Rushmore, Wes Anderson’s sophomore film. Writing again with Owen Wilson, this film sees Wes really coming into his own while filming at his actual high school. In our movie news section, we discuss the BFI’s 2022 Sight & Sound Top 100 list. Finally, we do a draft of movies from the top 100 all time box office earnings and share our recommendations of the week. https://www.establishingshotpod.com/ Timestamps: Intro (00:36) Rushmore Discussion (05:18) Movie N...

This week we discuss Bottle Rocket, Wes Anderson’s debut film. Co-written with Owen Wilson and starring a cast of their friends, this film is the beginning of a new cinematic voice. In our movie news section, we do a preview of upcoming summer movies. Finally, we do a draft of sequels and share our recommendations of the week. https://www.establishingshotpod.com/ Timestamps: Intro (00:36) Bottle Rocket Discussion (02:13) Movie News (01:01:54) Movie Draft (01:31:32) Recomm...