Episodes
“We go in in a sort of ping pong order”
-Greg Kleinschmidt, nearly every episode
We’re tackling the Sight and Sound list in a back and forth order, working our way towards the middle. We started at the top of list, then headed down to the bottom, alternating each end of the list every week (hence, ping pong.) Click here for our bonus S’mores series.
Ep. 106, SANSHO THE BAILIFF (Sansho Dayū) [1954]
#59 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#75 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg step back in time to feudal Japan for Kenji Mizoguchi's SANSHO THE BAILIFF from 1954. Topics of discussion include the film's origins as a centuries-old folktale, Mizoguchi's masterful direction, the ethereal ghost story that hangs over the film, and whether it's more optimistic or pessimistic.
Ep. 105, LA DOLCE VITA [1960]
#39 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#60 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg join the swinging parties of 1960s Rome for Federico Fellini's LA DOLCE VITA. Topics of discussion include the film's decadence, sex and celebrity as the new religion, how it marked a transition for Fellini from the more grounded films of the 1950s into his more bombastic work, and the amount of visual detail he packs into the film to help tell his story.
Ep. 104, WILD STRAWBERRIES [1957]
#63 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#108 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg take a drive down memory lane for their discussion of Ingmar Bergman's WILD STRAWBERRIES from 1957. Topics of discussion include the film's sentimentality, where it sits in Bergman's filmography, how its most powerful moments make up for its shortcomings, the influence of Dickens and THE PHANTOM CARRIAGE, and why it'll endure for generations to come.
Ep. 103, THE 400 BLOWS [1959]
#39 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#50 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg hit the streets of Paris for François Truffaut’s THE 400 BLOWS from 1959. Topics of discussion include the autobiographical nature of the film, the generosity of Truffaut's cinema, a reflection on their own childhoods, and why it remains one of the highest peaks of the French New Wave.
Ep. 101, MODERN TIMES [1936] with Aaron Strand
#63 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#78 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg are joined by Aaron Strand of the Behind the Slate podcast in their discussion of Charlie Chaplin's MODERN TIMES from 1936. Topics of discussion include the film's genesis, Chaplin's relationship with co-star Paulette Goddard, how it addresses heavy, topical issues with a light touch, and a conversation on the bizarre alternate ending which was shot but ultimately cut before the film's release.
Ep. 100, HUNDRETH EPISODE SPECIAL!
Jackie and Greg celebrate 100 episodes of Scene and Heard! Join them as they pop champagne, answer listener questions, and reflect back on the first 100 episodes of the show.
Ep. 99, JEANNE DIELMAN, 23 QUAI DU COMMERCE, 1080 BRUXELLES [1975]
#36 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#1 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg tidy the apartment for Chantal Akerman's landmark JEANNE DIELMAN, 23 QUAI DU COMMERCE, 1080 BRUXELLES from 1975. Topics of discussion include the film's background and production, how it uses mundanity as a powerful tool, what it's saying about female sexuality, and whether its spot atop the 2022 Sight & Sound list is justified.
Ep. 97, SUNSET BLVD. [1950]
#63 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#25 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg pull into the crumbling mansion of Hollywood’s past for Billy Wilder's SUNSET BLVD. from 1950. Topics of discussion include the film's gothic atmosphere and pulpy narration, which actors came close to playing the lead roles, Gloria Swanson's larger-than-life performance, and how it set the stage for the acidic anti-Hollywood films that would follow in its wake.
Ep. 96, PSYCHO [ 1960]
#34 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#31 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg check into the Bates Motel for Alfred Hitchcock's ultra iconic PSYCHO from 1960. Topics of discussion include the film's production history, its subversive structure, a breakdown of the famous shower scene, and how it pushed American cinema over the edge -- movies have never been the same.
Ep. 95, Our Favorite Films from 2023 (Top 10 Ranked)
Another year, another Top 10 list! Jackie and Greg share their favorite films from 2023.
Ep. 93, THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER [1955]
#63 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#25 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg take a nocturnal trip down the river of dreams for Charles Laughton's THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER from 1955. Topics of discussion include the film's storybook feel, Robert Mitchum's much-copied villain, Laughton's inspirations for the film, and why it stands as a truly original piece of cinema all these years later.
Ep. 92, METROPOLIS [1927]
#36 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#67 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg descend into the depths below the city of METROPOLIS, Fritz Lang's sprawling sci-fi touchstone from 1927. Topics of discussion include the grand scale and ambition of Lang's vision, how it inspired every piece of science fiction cinema that followed, the film's connection to the Nazi party, and whether its message and ending are worth a damn.
Ep. 91, PICKPOCKET [1959]
#63 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#136 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg shuffle the streets of Paris in search of a con for Robert Bresson's PICKPOCKET from 1959. Topics of discussion include Bresson's formalism, his actors as "models", the "cinema of hands", and why his work is do divisive amongst filmgoers.
Ep. 90, THE GENERAL [1926]
#34 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#95 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg are joined by Lucé Tomlin-Brenner of Vidéothèque and the It's Always Halloween podcast in their discussion of Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman's THE GENERAL from 1926. Topics of discussion include the film's political views, the audacity of its storytelling, Carl Davis' rousing score, its massive influence on generations of filmmakers, and what made Buster Keaton unique among other silent comedians.
Ep. 88, THE BISHOP’S WIFE [1947] & THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL[1992]
It's a Double Bill! In the inaugural episode in this series, Jackie and Greg each bring their favorite Christmas movie to the table: Henry Koster's THE BISHOP'S WIFE from 1947 and Brian Henson's THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL from 1992. How does Michael Caine stack up against Cary Grant? It's our most festive episode yet!
Ep. 87, SÁTÁNTANGO [1994]
#36 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#78 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg brave the cold for Béla Tarr's 7.5 hour opus SÁTÁNTANGÓ from 1994. Topics of discussion include the film's length, its bleak mysticism, whether it's absurdist or not, and the infamous cat scene. Buckle up!
Ep. 86, RIO BRAVO [1959]
#63 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#101 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Join Jackie and Greg at the local saloon for Howard Hawks' RIO BRAVO from 1959. Topics of discussion include the film's tone, its origins as a response to HIGH NOON, whether the main performances work or not, and its status as the ultimate hangout movie.
Ep. 84, BICYCLE THIEVES [1948]
#33 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#41 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg join the search for Antonio's missing bike in Rome for Vittorio De Sica's BICYCLE THIEVES from 1948. Topics of discussion include the film's production, the use of non-actors, its simplicity and clear storytelling, its connection to PEE-WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE, and why it remains the most iconic of the Italian neorealist films.
Ep. 83, BLADE RUNNER [1982]
#69 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#54 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg get soaked in the perpetually rainy, smog-choked Los Angeles of the future for Ridley Scott's BLADE RUNNER from 1982. Topics of discussion include a comparison of the many different cuts of the film, how it works better as a mood piece than a detective story, the elaborate sets and special effects, and a debate on the age-old question: is Deckard a replicant?
Ep. 82, TAXI DRIVER [1976]
#31 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#29 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg prowl the streets of a nocturnal New York City for Martin Scorsese's TAXI DRIVER from 1976. Topics of discussion include the relationship between Scorsese and Paul Schrader's work, its numerous cinematic references, De Niro's shifty performance, and Bernard Herrmann's haunting score.
Ep. 81, BLUE VELVET [1986]
#69 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#85 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg visit the seemingly sleepy town of Lumberton for David Lynch's BLUE VELVET from 1986. Topics of discussion include the film's contrasting tone, the dream-world Norman Rockwell façade vs. the festering insects underneath, how it's maybe Lynch's most coherent vision, and where it fits in with the rest of his films.
Ep. 80, S’mores: THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH [1964]
Camp counselors Jackie and Greg sit around the fire for Roger Corman's THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH from 1964. Topics of discussion include Vincent Price's delicious performance, the higher pedigree of talent involved compared to Corman's other work, the film's frank treatment of satanism, and how it's basically a camp version of Bergman or Powell and Pressburger. This month’s S’mores is Available for all listeners!
Ep. 79, THE GODFATHER PART II [1974]
#31 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#104 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg pull up a seat at the lake house for their episode on Francis Ford Coppola's THE GODFATHER PART II from 1974. Topics of discussion include comparisons to the first film, how it pioneered the movie sequel, the more muted palette yet more sprawling canvas, and how Nino Rota's score is even more powerful the second time around. Is it that rare sequel that bests the original? You'll have to listen to find out.
Ep. 78, SANS SOLEIL [1983]
#69 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#59 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg enter the portal of time and memory for Chris Marker's SANS SOLEIL from 1983. Topics of discussion include Marker's use of the travelogue and film essay format, the references to other films, the magic of Tokyo, and Marker's many aliases.
Ep. 77, MIDNIGHT COWBOY [1969]
The continuation of our "Personal Prints" series where Jackie and Greg venture off the Sight & Sound “Top 100” list to explore films that are special and/or formative to them.
Jackie and Greg board a bus to New York City in discussion of Greg's favorite movie of all time: John Schlesinger's MIDNIGHT COWBOY from 1969. Topics of discussion include an extensive dive into the film's production history, differences between the film and novel, the humor in the film, Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight's transcendent performances, and why Greg loves it more than any other film.
Ep. 75, SHOAH [1985]
#29 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#27 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg discuss Claude Lanzmann's nine-hour-plus eyewitness account of the Holocaust, SHOAH from 1985. Topics of discussion include Lanzmann's approach as a filmmaker, the 11 years it took to make the film, the portrayal of Nazis in subsequent media, and why it's the most essential piece of nonfiction cinema ever made.
Ep. 74, Movie Talk: Films of 2023 (so far)
Jackie and Greg chat on the current state of American cinema and the films of 2023.
Ep. 72, A MAN ESCAPED [1956]
#69 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#95 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg get locked up with Robert Bresson's minimalist prison-escape classic, A MAN ESCAPED from 1956. Topics of discussion include Bresson's cinema of hands, how it compares to other jailbreak films, where it falls within his filmography, and why it's a magical pairing of filmmaker and subject matter.
Ep. 71, STALKER [1979]
#29 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#43 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg enter the Zone in search of the deeper meaning behind Andrei Tarkovsky's STALKER from 1979. Topics of discussion include the film's texture, its roots as a sci-fi novel, Tarkovsky as a conjurer, and its (literal) toxic production history.
Ep. 70, THE THIRD MAN [1949]
#73 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#63 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg take chase in the sewers of post-war Vienna for Carol Reed's THE THIRD MAN from 1949. Topics of discussion include the famous zither score by Anton Karas, the allure of post-WWII cinema, the effect of unknowable characters, and the influence Orson Welles had on the finished film.
Ep. 69, MULHOLLAND DRIVE [2001]
#28 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#8 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg are joined by Chelsea Pope and Victoria Harley of the A Breath of Fresh Movie podcast on the winding hills of David Lynch's MULHOLLAND DRIVE from 2001. Topics of discussion include LA diner culture, an assessment of the many different interpretations of the film, its beginnings as a TV pilot, where it fits in Lynch's filmography, and why it remains one of his most captivating cinematic hallucinations.
Ep. 67, L’ECLISSE [1962]
#73 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#196 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg return to Michelangelo Antonioni's “trilogy on modernity and its discontents” with the final film in the cycle, 1962's L'ECLISSE. Topics of discussion include the film's fascination with architecture, its radical ending, Antonioni's mastery of mood and atmosphere, and how it compares to the other two films in the trilogy: L'AVVENTURA and LA NOTTE.
Ep. 66, ANDREI RUBLEV [1966]
#27 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#67 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg fail to brush up on their medieval Russian history before digging into Andrei Tarkovsky's sprawling epic about the titular 15th century icon painter, ANDREI RUBLEV from 1966. Topics of discussion include the film's episodic structure, its withholding of the artist's work until the end, Tarkovsky's complicated relationship with horses, where it ranks in his filmography, and whether they think Rublev died a virgin.
Ep. 65, CHILDREN OF PARADISE (LES ENFANTS DU PARADIS) [1945]
#73 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#136 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg set the stage for Marcel Carné's epic tale of love, loss, and the theatre, CHILDREN OF PARADISE from 1945. Topics of discussion include the film's epic scope, how it was made in Nazi-occupied France, a debate on whether Garance is worthy of everyone's attention, and how the trope of the sad clown is expanded upon to create cinema's most iconic mime.
Ep. 63, FRANCES HA [2012] // Personal Prints
The continuation of our "Personal Prints" series where Jackie and Greg venture off the Sight & Sound “Top 100” list to explore films that are special and/or formative to them.
It's Jackie's turn to pick the Personal Print this time: it's Noah Baumbach's 2012 portrait of twentysomething life in New York City, FRANCES HA. Topics of discussion include the influence of Baumbach vs. Greta Gerwig, the film's roots in the work of Woody Allen and the French New Wave, its free-flowing episodic structure, life in your twenties, and a conversation on the mumblecore subgenre.
Ep. 62, RAHSOMON [1950]
#24 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#41 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg arrive at the next Kurosawa on the list, the insanely influential RASHOMON from 1950. Topics of discussion include the film's groundbreaking narrative style, a debate over which of the versions of the story is most accurate, why the baby at the end ties things up a little too neatly, and how it's a pluviophile's dream come true.
Ep. 61, GRAND ILLUSION [1937]
#73 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#146 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg arrive at the third Jean Renoir on the list, GRAND ILLUSION (LA GRANDE ILLUSION) from 1937. Topics of discussion include the film's gentle satire, Erich von Stroheim as the Tin Man, Renoir's obsession with race and class, and why Strauss waltzes are the most romantic.
Ep. 60, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE [2000]
#24 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#5 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg revel in the sumptuous vibes that are Wong Kar Wai's IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE from 2000. Topics of discussion include the film's controversial new restoration, how it slots into WKW's filmography, its use of shorthand and subtle visual cues to convey the story, and how the extensive deleted scenes re-frame the events of the film.
Ep. 58, CHINATOWN [1974]
#78 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#146 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg take on the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power for their episode on Roman Polanski's CHINATOWN. Topics of discussion include J.J. Gittes as a quintessential New Hollywood protagonist, great works by problematic artists (and whether separating the art from the artist is possible), the impeccably twisty script from Robert Towne, their personal relationships with the city of Los Angeles, and why it continues to endure as a shining example of neo-noir.
Ep. 57, ORDET [1955]
#24 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#48 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg return to the great Carl Theodor Dreyer for one of his signature films, the late-career masterpiece ORDET from 1955. Topics of discussion include its origins as a stage play, the long takes, the constantly howling wind, what Dreyer's saying about organized religion, and the powerful spirituality of the film.
Ep. 56, BEAU TRAVAIL [1999]
#78 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#7 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg get into the rhythm of the night for Claire Denis' BEAU TRAVAIL from 1999. Topics of discussion include the film's use of movement, its unorthodox storytelling methods, an interpretation of the ending in the dance club, and why enigmatic films keep pulling you back into their orbit.
Ep. 55, THE GODFATHER [1972]
#21 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#12 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg are joined by cinephile extraordinaire Daisuke Beppu in their discussion of Francis Ford Coppola's epic depiction of life in the mafia, THE GODFATHER from 1972. Topics include the films origins as a "trashy" novel, the casting of Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, Coppola's expansive and nuanced storytelling, oranges as a harbinger of death, and the subtlety of Michael's transformation from family outsider into the new Don.
Ep. 54, Our Favorite Films from 2022: Top 10 Ranked
With Oscar season just around the corner, Jackie and Greg share their Top 10 lists with each other from 2022, which have been kept secret up until now. Will they have lots of overlap or are they pretty far apart? Tune in and find out!
Ep. 53, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST [1968]
#78 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#95 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg are joined on the old dusty trail by Becca Deveaux from the "This Cinematic Life" blog in their discussion of Sergio Leone's epic spaghetti western, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST from 1968. Topics of discussion include whether the film is an anti-western, Leone as a mythmaker, a theory on Charles Bronson's character having been dead the whole time, a breakdown of Ennio Morricone's legendary score, and why more films need to swing for the fences.
Ep. 52, CONTEMPT (LE MÉPRIS) [1963]
#21 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#54 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Shots fired: Jackie and Greg are at their most aggressive when it comes to their wildly differing opinions of Jean-Luc Godard's French New Wave staple, CONTEMPT, from 1963. Topics of discussion include Godard's self-referential style, the allusion of gods and men, how the film is an apology to Anna Karina, and the cyclical nature of arguments. Will the show survive this episode?
Ep. 51, THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS [1942]
#81 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg attempt to reconstruct the family home for Orson Welles' THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS from 1942. Topics of discussion include the film's torrid editing history, Welles' restless invention coming off the heels of CITIZEN KANE, the miscasting of Tim Holt, and why it remains one of the greatest "what-ifs" in cinema history.
Ep. 50, L’AVVENTURA [1960]
#21 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#72 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg get into the moodiest film about an affair ever made, Michelangelo Antonioni's L'AVVENTURA from 1960. Topics of discussion include the film's use of negative space, how Monica Vitti is more than just a pretty face, why movies about sad rich people are always compelling, and how Antonioni is responsible for creating a new film grammar.
Ep. 49, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA [1962]
#81 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg take on one of the biggest historical epics in the history of cinema, David Lean's LAWRENCE OF ARABIA from 1962. Topics of discussion include the sweeping score by Maurice Jarre, Peter O'Toole's thundering performance, how the historical epic has fallen by the wayside, and why Omar Sharif is sexy AF.
Ep. 48, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN [1952]
#20 on Sight & Sound's 2012 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
#10 on Sight & Sound's 2022 "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg put on their tap shoes as they get into a film very near and dear to their hearts, Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly's SINGIN' IN THE RAIN from 1952. Topics of discussion include the recycling of songs from older productions, why people sleep on Jean Hagen's performance, how Kelly took inspiration from Powell and Pressburger, and why it's basically the greatest movie musical ever made.
Ep. 47, The New Sight & Sound List: Our Thoughts (with Becca Deveaux)
Jackie and Greg are joined by Becca Deveaux from the “This Cinematic Life” blog to discuss the brand-new 2022 Sight & Sound "Greatest Films of All Time" list!
Ep. 46, THE SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE [1973]
#81 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg get into Víctor Erice's THE SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE just in time for Halloween! Topics of discussion include the film's childlike sense of wonder, the haunting cinematography and music, its influence on Guillermo Del Toro and PAN'S LABYRINTH, and a brief history of the Universal monster movies.
Ep. 45, MIRROR [1975]
#19 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg hit the first Andrei Tarkovsky on the list, which just happens to be his most personal and elusive work: MIRROR (Zerkalo) from 1975. Topics of discussion include the nature of dreams and memories, the immersive cinematography by Georgy Rerberg, comparisons to the work of Ingmar Bergman, and how some films just can't be described with words.
Ep. 44, FANNY AND ALEXANDER [1982]
#84 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg return to Ingmar Bergman for his late-career masterpiece FANNY AND ALEXANDER from 1982. Topics of discussion include the film's autobiographical nature, the sweeping cast of characters, the balance of light and dark, a comparison between the theatrical and television versions, and the literal magic and wonder that permeate the film. It's the ultimate Christmas movie.
Ep. 43, HOUSEKEEPING [1987] with Christine Lahti // Personal Prints
The continuation of our "Personal Prints" series where Jackie and Greg venture off the Sight & Sound “Top 100” list to explore films that are special and/or formative to them.
Jackie and Greg are joined by actress Christine Lahti for a very special episode: it's Bill Forsyth's HOUSEKEEPING from 1987. Topics of discussion include the quiet unease of the film, a deep dive into the character of Sylvie, a comparison between the film and Marilynne Robinson's novel, and why it deserves a place among the great literary adaptations. Stay tuned for the second part of the episode where they sit down with the star of the film, Christine Lahti, as she recounts her experience playing the role.
Ep. 42, PERSONA [1966]
#17 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg hit their second Bergman on the list: it's the endlessly enigmatic PERSONA from 1966. Topics of discussion include a deep dive into Bergman's psyche, how the film fits in with the rest of his filmography, a list of films by other filmmakers that riff on the main idea, and a heated debate on whether it's possible to read too much into a film.
Ep. 41, CASABLANCA [1942]
#84 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg mine one of Hollywood's most precious gems, Michael Curtiz's CASABLANCA from 1942, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Topics of discussion include the film's reputation as "the movie", the stacked cast of the greatest character actors of the day, the incredible economy of the script, the ambiguous morality of the characters, and why it's the ultimate product from the Hollywood dream factory.
Ep. 40, SEVEN SAMURAI [1954]
#17 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg arrive at the first Kurosawa on the list, the 1954 epic SEVEN SAMURAI. Topics of discussion include the film's pacing and structure, the animalistic performance of Toshiro Mifune, Kurosawa's little details, the humor peppered throughout, and how it continues to serve as a blueprint for all subsequent movie epics.
Ep. 39, NASHVILLE [1975] with Robert Reed Altman
#73 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg are joined this week by Robert Reed Altman for their biggest episode yet, Robert Altman's New Hollywood masterpiece NASHVILLE from 1975. Topics of discussion include the sprawling cast of characters, the incredible musical numbers, how Altman perfected the ensemble drama, and why it's basically the greatest movie ever. Stay tuned for the second half of the episode where they sit down with the director's son, Robert Reed Altman, as he recounts his experience on the set of the film when he was just 16 years old.
Ep. 38, THE COLOR OF POMEGRANATES [1969]
#84 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg discuss the crown jewel of Armenian Cinema, THE COLOR OF POMEGRANATES from 1969. Topics of discussion include the parallels between filmmaker Sergei Parajanov’s life and the poet Sayat Nova’s, the sensual nature of the film and its themes, and the cultural representation of Armenia and Transcaucasia. They are joined by Anahit Mikayelyan, Director of the Sergei Parajanov Museum in Yerevan, Armenia, for a deeper discussion into the life of the filmmaker.
Ep. 37, XANADU [1980] // Personal Prints
The continuation of our "Personal Prints" series where Jackie and Greg venture off the Sight & Sound “Top 100” list to explore films that are special and/or formative to them.
It's Greg's turn to pick the film this week and he takes the opportunity to screen Robert Greenwald's roller disco XANADU for Jackie. Topics of discussion include the film's camp factor; the incredible music by Electric Light Orchestra, Cliff Richard, and The Tubes; a debate on whether it's better than GREASE; the animated interlude by Don Bluth; and how it makes for a fitting final bow from the great Gene Kelly.
Ep. 36, AU HASARD BALTHAZAR [1966]
#16 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg duke it out with each other in the name of Robert Bresson for their episode on AU HASARD BALTHAZAR. Topics of discussion include Bresson's aversion to "acting", the film as a parable of the Christ story, how divisive Bresson is as a filmmaker, and whether the film goes too far or not far enough to illustrate its main themes.
Ep. 35, GREED [1924]
#84 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg take on Erich von Stroheim's partly-lost silent epic GREED from 1924. Topics of discussion include the film's grim subject material, von Stroheim as a liar and mythmaker, the episodic structure, and whether the 4-hour reconstructed version should be considered the definitive version of the film or not.
Ep. 34, MOULIN ROUGE! [2001] // Personal Prints
The continuation of our "Personal Prints" series where Jackie and Greg venture off the Sight & Sound “Top 100” list to explore films that are special and/or formative to them.
It's Jackie's turn to pick the film and she chooses one of the key pieces of her cinematic foundation, Baz Luhrmann's jukebox musical MOULIN ROUGE! from 2001. Topics of discussion include Luhrmann's opulent and frenetic style, the far-reaching cinematic inspiration using everything from Georges Méliès to Bollywood, how it revitalized the movie musical, and how it stacks up against other movie musicals of the 21st century.
Ep. 33, LATE SPRING [1949]
#15 on Sight & Sound’s “The 100 Greatest Films of All Time” list.
Jackie and Greg return to the world of Yasujiro Ozu for the first installment in his "Noriko Trilogy", LATE SPRING (Banshun) from 1949. Topics of discussion include post-war Japan, the quiet devastation of the film, Setsuko Hara's smile, pillow shots, and the enigmatic vase which appears before the film's climax.
Ep. 32, A BRIGHTER SUMMER DAY [1991]
#84 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg strap in for their longest film yet: Edward Yang's four-hour epic, A BRIGHTER SUMMER DAY from 1991. Topics of discussion include Yang's impeccable mise-en-scène, the scope of the production, how the film was designed to be shown without an intermission, and why it's ultimately hobbled by its mammoth runtime.
Ep. 31, APOCALYPSE NOW [1979]
#14 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg are back with another journey-down-a-river, descent-into-madness film, Francis Ford Coppola's APOCALYPSE NOW from 1979. Topics of discussion include the nightmare production, its colossal scale (and why it couldn't be made today), whether the last act with Marlon Brando works or not, and a comparison to one of the film's key inspirations, Werner Herzog's AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD.
Ep. 30, E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL with Robert Macnaughton [1982] // Personal Prints
Jackie and Greg are back for a very special episode this week, as they celebrate the 40th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL. Topics of discussion include its origins as “A Boy’s Life”, the storybook look and feel, how John Williams’ score elevates the film to opera, and why it’s endured for 40 years as an evergreen classic. Stay tuned for the second half of the episode where they sit down with actor Robert Macnaughton, who plays the older brother Michael, as he reflects on his time making the film and the impact it continues to have to this day.
Ep. 29, THE WILD BUNCH [1969]
#84 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg swoop in like vultures to pick the meat off "Bloody Sam" Peckinpah's revisionist western from 1969. Topics of conversation include Peckinpah's personal life, Old Hollywood vs. New Hollywood, the film's staginess, the magic of Warren Oates, and why Peckinpah's face deserves to be blasted down off the Mount Rushmore of "Great American Filmmakers". You've never heard them this vicious.
Ep. 28, BREATHLESS [1960]
#13 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg finally get to the first Jean-Luc Godard on the list, BREATHLESS (À bout de souffle) from 1960. Topics of discussion include the film's innovative editing, why it's considered the pinnacle of the French New Wave, how the actors themselves are intended to be more interesting than the characters they're playing, and why this ranks as one of Jackie's favorite films of all time.
Ep. 27, A DAY IN THE COUNTRY [1936]
Jackie and Greg return to the Seine for their third consecutive film set along a river, Jean Renoir's famously unfinished A DAY IN THE COUNTRY (PARTIE DE CAMPAGNE) from 1936. Topics of discussion include a chat on mid-length movies (the film runs 41 minutes), the male gaze, why the film went unfinished and what's missing, and whether Renoir intended the assault at the center of the film to be troubling or romantic -- is it THE VIRGIN SPRING or A ROOM WITH A VIEW?
Ep. 26, L'ATALANTE [1934]
#12 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg dig into Jean Vigo's only feature film, the highly revered L'ATALANTE from 1934. Topics of discussion include Vigo's anarchist roots, how the film subverts all other French films from the same era, the risqué sexual content, and Vigo's untimely death at age 29 from tuberculosis. Join them for their second consecutive journey down a cinematic river.
Ep. 25, AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD [1972]
#90 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg take on Werner Herzog's descent-into-madness pocket epic from 1972. Topics of discussion include Klaus Kinski's volatile working relationship with Herzog, the themes of colonialism and "playing kingdom", the jungle as a hellscape, Herzog's unusual filmmaking methods, and the far-reaching influence of the film.
Ep. 24, BRAZIL [1985] // Personal Prints
It's Greg's turn to pick the film and he goes for something very near and dear to his heart, Terry Gilliam's dystopian masterpiece BRAZIL. Topics of discussion include the film's visual and sonic design, its origins in Orwell and Monty Python, the subversive casting of Robert De Niro, the messy structure, and the film's torrid distribution story and how film critics ultimately saved the day.
Ep. 23, BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN [1925]
#11 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg take on Sergei Eisenstein's landmark silent film from 1925. Topics of discussion include Eisenstein's montage theory, the Kuleshov effect, the film's origins as a piece of Soviet propaganda, and how the Odessa Steps sequence is probably the most iconic in all of cinema.
Ep. 22, A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH [1946]
#90 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg return to the realm of The Archers to discuss another of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's biggest hits, A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH from 1946. Topics include the use of Technicolor, Jack Cardiff's legendary photography, the film's contrarian stylistic choices, the British-American relations at the origin of the film, and how it’s basically the British version of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Join them as they try to put into words that magic touch that permeates all of Powell and Pressburger's best work.
Ep. 21, 8 ½ [1963]
#10 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg take on Fellini’s autobiographical fantasia from 1963. Topics of discussion include surrealism, the genesis and far-reaching influence of the film, Fellini’s divisiveness as a filmmaker, artists calling themselves out in their work, and a discussion of meta movies in general. Join them for one of their most unconventional episodes, as Greg grapples with his true feelings for the film.
Ep. 20, THE SEVENTH SEAL [1957]
#93 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Join Jackie and Greg as they dig into one of the seminal films from the arthouse boom of the 1950s, Ingmar Bergman's THE SEVENTH SEAL. Topics of discussion include the idea of the "pocket epic," Bergman's accessibility, the running theme of faith throughout his work, and why Max von Sydow was the dreamiest of all the sad blonde boys.
Ep. 19, THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC [1928]
#9 on Sight & Sound’s “The 100 Greatest Films of All Time” list.
Jackie and Greg wrap up their string of silent films with perhaps the greatest of them all: Carl Theodor Dreyer's earth-shattering masterpiece from 1928. Topics of discussion include the constant use of close-ups, the various scores for the film over the years, comparisons to Robert Bresson's THE TRIAL OF JOAN OF ARC (and his distaste of Dreyer's film), and how Renée Falconetti's iconic performance is perhaps the greatest to ever grace the silver screen.
Ep. 18, UN CHIEN ANDALOU [1929]
#93 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg take on Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí's surrealist cannonball from 1929 that sent shockwaves throughout the art world. Topics of discussion include the film's origins; how Buñuel miscalculated his audience; id, ego, and suppressed human emotions; and and how the dreamlike imagery literally has no meaning. Join them as they talk excitedly about eyeballs, ants, and armpit hair. With a 16-minute runtime, this is the shortest film on the Sight & Sound list!
Ep. 17, MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA [1929]
#8 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg discuss the highest-ranked documentary on the Sight & Sound list, Dziga Vertov's experimental montage film from 1929. Topics of discussion include the Kinoks collective, Vertov's newsreel background and his aversion to fiction, how meta the film is, the polarizing Alloy Orchestra score, and the playfulness of Vertov's city symphony. Why does Greg keep bringing up KOYAANISQATSI?
Ep. 16, INTOLERANCE [1916]
#93 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
With a subtitle like "Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages" you know you're in for something huge. This week Jackie and Greg sit down with D. W. Griffith’s silent epic from 1916. Topics of discussion include the film’s massive scope, Carl Davis’ rousing score, how the theme of intolerance isn’t as well integrated as Griffith intended, the film’s immersive intertitles, and plenty of waxing over the famous Babylon set. Ah, the extent someone will go to prove they're not a racist. Tune in and join them as they tackle one of Hollywood's most monumental movies.
Ep. 15, VAGABOND [1985] // Personal Prints
The continuation of our "Personal Prints" series where Jackie and Greg venture off the Sight & Sound list to explore films that are special and/or formative to them.
Now it's Jackie's turn to pick the film and she goes for Agnès Varda's mid-career masterpiece, VAGABOND. Topics of discussion include the theme of loneliness in cinema, the power of Sandrine Bonnaire's performance, how Varda's background in documentaries gives the film a special touch, and why it's outrageous that Varda isn't represented on the Sight & Sound list in any capacity.
Ep. 14, THE SEARCHERS [1956]
#7 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Saddle up with Jackie and Greg as they dig into John Ford's seminal western and contemplate its reputation in 2022. Topics of discussion include the film's casual racism, the forced slapstick comedy (and tonal confusion), the film's iconic images, and why it doesn't live up to its potential (or Ford's usual standard). Oh and why John Wayne kinda sucks. Watch out -- they're out for blood.
Ep. 13, YI YI (A ONE AND A TWO…) [1999]
#93 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg discuss Edward Yang's sprawling family drama from 1999. Topics of discussion include ghosts in dramas, the stoicism of the Jian family, the mundanity of everyday life, the idea of the "intimate epic," cinema as a means to live multiple lifetimes, and films that creep up on you... in a good way. Tune in to hear them wax poetic about one of the all-time great family mosaics.
Ep. 12, 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY [1968]
#6 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
With special guest Kathryn Ferentchak!
The history of cinema can be divided into two distinct eras: before and after this week's film. Jackie and Greg are joined by Kat as they get their hands dirty and dig deep with Stanley Kubrick's landmark masterpiece. Topics of discussion include comparisons to the Arthur C. Clarke novel, Kubrick's ambiguity (and how his style of adapting source material plays a part), how some of the special effects were achieved (and why they still hold up today), the sonic design of the film, HAL 9000 as one of Kubrick's greatest characters, and why the Monolith is the sexiest (and scariest) piece of technology in all of movies. This is one you don't want to miss!
Ep. 11, THE SHINING [1980] // Personal Prints
The debut of our "Personal Prints" series where Jackie and Greg venture off the Sight & Sound list to explore films that were formative to them.
In this week's episode, Greg sits Jackie down for Stanley Kubrick's landmark horror film. The only problem: she doesn't like scary movies. Does THE SHINING prove to be too much for her or is it a breeze? Tune in to hear them discuss the ambiguity of the Overlook Hotel, Stephen King's hatred for the film, whether they think the ghosts are real or imagined, and why the film's stature has grown over the years from a Razzie nominee to bonafide classic.
Ep. 10, THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP [1943]
#93 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg aren't shy about their love for one of Powell and Pressburger's signature classics. Topics include the film's comic strip origins, the Archers' innovative storytelling and editing techniques, the powerful performances from Roger Livesey, Anton Walbrook, and Deborah Kerr, and why it still feels modern nearly 80 years later. Tune in to hear about their crushes on the lush Technicolor cinematography and the actors themselves.
Ep. 09, SUNRISE: A SONG OF TWO HUMANS [1927]
#5 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg discuss why F. W. Murnau's expressionistic fable remains such a monumental work. Topics include the film's animated intertitles, Fox's Movietone sound-on-film system, the inventive visual language of the film, and German Expressionism vs. realism. Tune in to hear them take on one of the most beloved films of the silent era.
Ep. 08, TOUKI BOUKI [1973]
#93 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg discuss Djibril Diop Mambéty's film from 1973. Topics include neocolonialism, leaving home, radical filmmaking, and their thoughts on animal slaughter onscreen. Join them as they get lost in the images of the most celebrated Senegalese film ever made.
Ep. 07, THE RULES OF THE GAME [1939]
#4 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg discuss Jean Renoir's ensemble farce from 1939. Topics include the dawn of WWII, Renoir's overlapping characters and their influence on future generations of filmmakers, and the hunting scene in which over 100 animals are killed. Join them as they try their hardest not to compare Renoir's film to DOWNTON ABBEY (2010 - 2015) too frequently.
Ep. 06, ALI: FEAR EATS THE SOUL [1974]
#93 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie and Greg discuss Rainer Werner Fassbinder's signature film (the only one on the list) from 1974. Topics include Fassbinder's tumultuous personal life, Douglas Sirk's influence on the film, normalizing male nudity, and why couscous is the ultimate aphrodisiac. Join them as they unravel this classic of New German Cinema.
Ep. 05, TOKYO STORY [1953]
#3 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie & Greg take on Yasujirō Ozu's monumental work. Topics of discussion include Paul Schrader's "Transcendental Style in Film," Ozu's eye for compositions, and a comparison to Leo McCarey's MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW. And Noriko. So much Noriko. Tune in to hear them gush over one of cinema's great masterpieces.
Ep. 04, IMITATION OF LIFE [1959]
#93 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie & Greg struggle with the inclusion of Douglas Sirk's classic melodrama on the list. After making comparisons to the original film from 1934, they question the intent of the 1959 remake. Does Sirk bring anything new to the table? Is the film more popular than it should be due to the scandal surrounding the murder of Lana Turner's mobster boyfriend? Tune in and hear them at their most indifferent, as they attempt to suss out how much of the film is intentional, while pulling absurd dialogue from the film and going to town.
Ep. 03, CITIZEN KANE [1941]
#2 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie & Greg discuss Orson Welles’ CITIZEN KANE from 1941. Long considered the greatest film ever made by pretty much everyone, they discuss their personal feelings about this monumental work. Topics include Hearst Castle tours, unreliable narration, and the unexpected humor of the film.
Ep. 02, THE EARRINGS OF MADAME DE… [1953]
#93 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Jackie & Greg discuss Max Ophüls' THE EARRINGS OF MADAME DE... from 1953. This confectionary melodrama has everything: a sixteen-year age gap between lovers, opulent ballroom scenes, really long dolly shots, and dueling in the name of love.
Ep. 01, VERTIGO [1958]
#1 on Sight & Sound's "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
In their inaugural episode, Jackie & Greg discuss Alfred Hitchcock's VERTIGO from 1958, the "greatest film of all time" according to Sight & Sound. Topics include whether the romance at the center of the film is genuine, Jimmy Stewart's kissing style, a deep dive into Midge, and whether or not the ending works.
Introduction
Welcome to Scene and Heard! Jackie & Greg introduce themselves, the Sight & Sound "The 100 Greatest Films of All Time" list, and discuss their journey ahead.