Wesley Morris, critic at large at The New York Times, discusses this year's Academy Award nominations. Topics include the omission of Greta Gerwig from Best Director, the 'perversely effective' nature of Killers of the Flower Moon, Bradley Cooper's Maestro upending the biopic genre, the indie film boom of the late '90s, the rise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Todd Haynes' new film May December, Ava DuVernay's Origin, the Academy's relationship to diversity, and the erosion of the 'middle' in film and culture.

Over the past decade, writer and actor Dan Levy rose to prominence for his work on Schitt’s Creek. After co-creating the series with his father, Eugene Levy, he turned to a more personal project. Said project is his heartfelt directorial debut, a film entitled Good Grief (4:40). At the top of our conversation, Dan shares the origin of this story (13:22) and we discuss the importance of friendship (15:18), his experience working as a director (18:30), and a pivotal, full-circle moment from his time in London (20:32). Then, we discuss how he charted his course as a co-host on MTV Canada (28:00), the red carpet experience that clarified his path forward (35:22), and his ultimate arrival at making Schitt’s Creek (37:40). On the back-half, we unpack the pure, timeless nature of the hit series (45:25), Dan’s journey to making Good Grief after the show’s momentous conclusion (49:15), a powerful scene from the film (52:18), the universality of loss (56:40), and the responses that encourage him to continue creating (1:00:00). For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, reach me at sf@talkeasypod.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay discusses her creative adaptation of the book 'Caste' and the questions she hopes to pose in 2024. She reflects on her formative years as an underground emcee, the making of her first narrative feature, and the past year in Hollywood. She also shares her hopes for ARRAY and the words of Angela Davis that keep her moving forward.

Brilliant actor Michelle Williams discusses her partnership with director Kelly Reichardt, her upbringing in Montana and San Diego, and her experiences on the sets of Dawson's Creek and Brokeback Mountain. She reflects on the healing power of Rebecca Solnit's book and shares insights into her performances in Blue Valentine and My Week with Marilyn. Williams also talks about her journey as a mother and creating from a place of peace.

Journalist and podcast host Sam Sanders discusses the stories of the summer; director and actor Natasha Lyonne shares her experience as a child actor in New York City; Tom Hanks talks about the Stanley Kubrick film that propelled his career; critic Hilton Als reflects on the late Joan Didion; novelist Zadie Smith discusses the politics of writing.

Bradley Cooper and David Remnick discuss Cooper's new film Maestro, his fascination with music, and his portrayal of Leonard Bernstein. They also talk about conducting, preparing for scenes, and Cooper's transition from actor to director.

David Remnick, Editor of The New Yorker, discusses the Israel-Hamas war and the challenges of polarized communication. He shares his personal history in journalism and the state of journalism today. He cautions against despair in 2024 and pays tribute to Joni Mitchell's creativity. They also explore the suffering in the Middle East and the conflation of criticism and fanaticism. Remnick shares stories about Ben Bradlee and his love for music.

Willem Dafoe, experienced actor known for shapeshifting roles, discusses his role in 'Poor Things', his upbringing in Wisconsin, his love of B-movies, and his task-based approach to acting. He also reflects on memorable performances in 'To Live and Die in L.A.', 'Platoon', and 'The Florida Project', and his desire to continue creating in years to come.

Nobel Peace Prize-winner Maria Ressa has spent the past decade advocating for the protection of journalists. Today, we return to our urgent conversation with the trailblazing author and activist. We begin by unpacking the fragmenting effects of social media (6:08), how the internet gave power to authoritarian regimes around the globe (8:49), and Ressa’s five years uncovering those operations (9:20). Then, we walk through her early years: moving from the Philippines to suburban New Jersey at age ten (14:08), three lessons from childhood (16:52), and her discoveries at Princeton (22:10). On the back-half, we discuss Ressa’s serendipitous entry to the newsroom (32:18), why she founded Rappler in 2012 (35:12), and her critical reportage on President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war (36:52), which led to her arrest by the Filipino government in 2019 (41:22). Now, she’s charted this fight in her book, How to Stand Up to a Dictator (47:12). To close, we unpack her continuous pursuit of the truth (50:03), her recognition as a 2021 Nobel Laureate (52:37), and an ode to a lifelong friend (56:11). For questions, comments, or to join our mailing list, drop me a line at sf@talkeasypod.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director and actor Benny Safdie discusses his collaboration with comedian Nathan Fielder, their satirical black comedy series The Curse, and Safdie's history of capturing real-life personalities on film. He also talks about his early connection to the movie Kramer v Kramer, his encounters with photographer Robert Frank, and how directors Robert Bresson and Frederick Wiseman inspired him. Safdie dives into his co-directing work with his brother, their debut feature Daddy Longlegs, and projects like Good Time and Uncut Gems. He shares why he worked as a boom operator while directing and his recent pivot to acting. Safdie also discusses playing an astrophysicist in Oppenheimer.