

Filmspotting
Adam Kempenaar & Josh Larsen
Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen review new and classic movies, offering "affable, insightful film analysis since 2005" (NY Times).
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 22, 2025 • 1h 56min
Dog Day Afternoon at 50, Ne Zha II Review (#1028)
For its 50th anniversary, Adam and Josh revisit Sidney Lumet’s Best Picture-nominated (and Filmspotting Pantheon enshrined) DOG DAY AFTERNOON. Plus, Josh recommends the Chinese animated phenomenon NE ZHA II, and a new Deeply Flawed Filmspotting Poll pits two giants of animation against each other.
This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits.
(Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.)
Intro (00:00:00-00:02:12)
Dog Day Afternoon at 50 (00:02:13-00:57:55)
Filmspotting Family (00:57:56-01:02:42)
Review (JL): Ne Zha II (01:02:43-01:07:05)
Notes / RIP Terrence Stamp / Michael Phillips News (01:07:06-01:34:19)
Deeply Flawed Filmspotting Polls (01:34:20-01:48:25)
Credits / New Releases (01:48:26-01:51:54)
Links:
-Michael Phillips Says So Long For Now
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/20/tribune-film-critic-goodbye/
Feedback:
-Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net.
-Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content.
Support:
-Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.
http://filmspottingfamily.com
-T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop.
https://www.filmspotting.net/shop
Follow:
https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting
https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting
https://facebook.com/filmspotting
https://twitter.com/filmspotting
https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm
https://www.instagram.com/larsenonfilm
https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 20, 2025 • 57min
From the Archive: Top 5 21st Century Comedies
With THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN back in theaters for its 20th anniversary, we're sharing a Top 5 from 2016: 21st Century Comedies. Judd Apatow's 2005 comedy fares pretty well on one of the lists.
Access to the complete Filmspotting archive – over 1,000 episodes spanning 20 years – is just one benefit of joining the Filmspotting Family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 15, 2025 • 1h 20min
Weapons Review and It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley (#1027)
Adam and Josh go long on Zach Cregger’s provocative horror mystery WEAPONS, and Adam recommends the new doc IT’S NEVER OVER, JEFF BUCKLEY. Plus Massacre Theatre.
This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits.
(Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.)
Intro (00:00:00-00:01:25)
Review: Weapons (00:01:26-00:43:20)
20th Anniversary Messages (00:43:21-00:50:15)
Review (AK): It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley (00:50:16-00:59:43)
Next Week / Notes (00:59:44-01:07:04)
Massacre Theatre (01:07:05-01:12:53)
Credits / New Releases (01:12:54-01:17:13)
Links:
-1976 Best Pic Poll
https://poll.fm/15851187
-Soundstripe Licensed Music and Sound Effects
https://soundstripe.com/filmspotting (code FILMSPOTTING10)
Feedback:
-Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net.
-Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content.
Support:
-Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.
http://filmspottingfamily.com
-T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop.
https://www.filmspotting.net/shop
Follow:
https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting
https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting
https://facebook.com/filmspotting
https://twitter.com/filmspotting
https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 13, 2025 • 38min
From the Archive: The Shining
With Zach Cregger's WEAPONS getting a review this week, we dig deep into the archive for a 2012 Sacred Cow review of THE SHINING, a film Cregger frequently mentions as a major influence. Michael Phillips joins Adam and Josh for the conversation about Kubrick's horror classic, which turns 45 this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 8, 2025 • 1h 50min
#1026: Together Review, Sunset Boulevard at 75, AngelHeaded Hipster
Adam and Josh, um, split on the Dave Franco-Alison Brie body horror movie TOGETHER, then catalog the wonders of Billy Wilder’s SUNSET BOULEVARD, which still astonishes at 75. Plus, the new doc about T. Rex frontman Marc Bolan and the Deeply Flawed Filmspotting Poll asks you to relitigate the 1976 Best Picture race.
This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits.
(Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.)
Intro (00:00:00-00:01:54)
Review: “Together” (00:01:55-00:40:06)
Filmspotting Family (00:40:07-00:43:43)
Review (AK): “AngelHeaded Hipster” (00:43:44-00:47:13)
Next Week / Notes (00:47:14-00:52:29)
Polls (00:52:30-01:01:13)
Sacred Cow: “Sunset Boulevard” at 75 (01:01:14-01:42:46)
Credits / New Releases (01:42:47-01:45:58)
Links:
-Cinema Interruptus: “The Player”
https://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/interruptus
-"AngelHeaded Hipster” Screenings
https://greenwichentertainment.com/film/angelheaded-hipster-the-songs-of-marc-bolan-t-rex/
Feedback:
-Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net.
-Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content.
Support:
-Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.
http://filmspottingfamily.com
-T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop.
https://www.filmspotting.net/shop
Follow:
https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting
https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting
https://facebook.com/filmspotting
https://twitter.com/filmspotting
https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm
https://www.instagram.com/larsenonfilm
https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 1, 2025 • 2h 19min
#1025: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at 50, Top 5 Jack Nicholson Scenes
Milos Forman’s Best Picture-winning ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST turns 50 this year, which gives Adam and Josh an excuse to revisit the film (which is already in the Filmspotting Pantheon) and to celebrate the long and illustrious career of its charismatic star with their Top 5 Jack Nicholson Scenes. Plus, Adam recommends the new doc ARCHITECTON and Massacre Theatre.
This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits.
(Timecodes and chapter starts may not be precise with ads.)
Intro (00:00:00-00:01:38)
Review: "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" (00:01:39-00:42:25)
20th Anniversary Messages (00:42:26-00:48:03)
Review (AK): “Architecton” (00:48:04-00:55:29)
Next Week / Notes (00:55:30-01:01:00)
Massacre Theatre (01:01:01-01:07:20)
Top 5: Jack Nicholson Scenes (01:07:21-02:11:06)
Credits / New Releases (02:11:07-02:14:22)
Links:
-Cinema Interruptus: "The Player"
https://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/interruptus
Feedback:
-Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net.
-Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content.
Support:
-Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.
http://filmspottingfamily.com
-T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop.
https://www.filmspotting.net/shop
Follow:
https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting
https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting
https://facebook.com/filmspotting
https://twitter.com/filmspotting
https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm
https://www.instagram.com/larsenonfilm
https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 25, 2025 • 1h 59min
#1024: Eddington, The Fantastic Four, Sunlight, Top 5 Joaquin Phoenix Performances (2023)
Josh welcomes Michael Phillips to discuss Ari Aster’s divisive pandemic-set movie EDDINGTON – a review that appropriately includes the phrase, "I couldn’t agree less with you…" Plus, Michael shares thoughts on THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS; Josh gives the "non-cringe ventriloquist comedy" SUNLIGHT a Golden Brick nomination; and, from 2023, the Top 5 Joaquin Phoenix Performances.
This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits.
(Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.)
Intro (00:00:00-00:01:54)
Review: “Eddington” (00:01:55-00:27:05)
Spoiler Talk: “Eddington” (00:27:06-00:35:52)
Filmspotting Family (00:35:53-00:38:51)
Review (MP): "Fantastic Four: First Steps" (00:38:52-00:45:18)
Golden Brickspotting (JL): “Sunlight” (00:45:19-00:50:55)
Next Week / Notes (00:50:56-00:57:35)
Poll (00:57:36-01:02:30)
Top 5: Joaquin Phoenix Performances [2023] (01:02:31-01:48:44)
Credits / New Releases (01:48:45-01:54:38)
Links:
-Josh on “Eddington”
https://larsenonfilm.com/eddington
-Michael Phillips on “Eddington”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/16/eddington-joaquin-phoenix-pedro-pascal/
-Cinema Interruptus: “The Player”
https://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/interruptus
-Poll: Actresses Playing Actresses Going Through it
https://poll.fm/15787235
-Josh's Ari Aster Ranked
https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm/list/ari-aster-ranked/
-Top 5 Joaquin Phoenix Performances
https://www.filmspotting.net/top-5-lists-archive/2023/2/24
-“Soundtrack” on WFMT with Michael Phillips
https://www.wfmt.com/programs/soundtrack/
Feedback:
-Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net.
-Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content.
Support:
-Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.
http://filmspottingfamily.com
-T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop.
https://www.filmspotting.net/shop
Follow:
https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting
https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting
https://twitter.com/filmspotting
https://facebook.com/filmspotting
https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm
https://www.instagram.com/larsenonfilm/
https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 23, 2025 • 45min
From the Archive: Her
Coming up on episode #1024, Josh welcomes Michael Phillips for a review of Ari Aster's EDDINGTON. We'll also replay Adam and Josh's Top 5 Joaquin Phoenix Performances from April 2023. Notably absent from that Top 5? Phoenix's Theodore from Spike Jonze's HER. That's because the 2013 film was in the 'penalty box', having been the subject of a recent bonus show shared exclusively with Filmspotting Family members. Here it is for the first time in the main feed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 18, 2025 • 1h 47min
#1023: Superman Review, Top 5 Superman Movie Moments
Adam and Josh reckon with James Gunn’s SUPERMAN and then consider all the Supermen for their Top 5 Superman Movie Moments. Plus Massacre Theatre and more.
This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits.
(Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.)
Intro (00:00:00-00:01:52)
Review: “Superman” (00:01:53-00:37:29)
Filmspotting Family (00:37:30-00:41:28)
Next Week / Notes (00:41:29-00:49:32)
Massacre Theatre (00:49:33-00:54:56)
Top 5: Superman Moments (00:54:57-01:39:31)
Credits / New Releases (01:39:32-01:42:55)
Links:
Cinema Interruptus: “The Player”
https://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/interruptus
SNL's Space, The Infinite Frontier: Dr. Kent Wahler
https://www.tiktok.com/@thealmanac77/video/7339217301218086149?lang=en
Top 5 Batman/Superman Moments with Glen Weldon and Chris Klimek
https://www.filmspotting.net/episodes-archive/2016/4/1/579-batman-v-superman-top-5-batman-superman-moments-madness-elite-8
https://www.filmspotting.net/episodes-archive/2016/4/1/579-batman-v-superman-top-5-batman-superman-moments-madness-elite-8
Feedback:
-Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net.
-Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content.
Support:
-Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.
http://filmspottingfamily.com
-T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop.
https://www.filmspotting.net/shop
Follow:
https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting
https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting
https://twitter.com/filmspotting
https://facebook.com/filmspotting
https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm
https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm
https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 16, 2025 • 42min
From the Archive: In the Mood for Love
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Wong Kar-Wai's intoxicatingly romantic film returns to theaters in select cities. Adam and Josh discussed the film, which placed 4th on the New York Times' recent list of the 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century, as part of a 2021 marathon devoted to the filmmaker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices