Jews on Film: Exploring Jewish Stories & Themes in Cinema

Batter Up! Daniel & Harry welcome film maker Daniel Robbins to discuss the 2011 film, "Moneyball" directed by Bennet Miller and starring Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.They discuss the notions of tradition vs progress in baseball as well as Judaism, the use of statistics and negotiating depicted in the film, and discuss which biblical figures Billy Beane and Peter Brand most resemble.Finally, they end the episode by selecting their most Jewish scenes, “stretches of the pod,” debating if the movie is “good for the Jews” and ranking the film’s overall Jewishness.IMDb - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1210166/Movie Trailer - https://youtu.be/D1R-LwHbld4Daniel Robbin's LinksWatch "Bad Shabbos" at Tribeca Film Festival - https://tribecafilm.com/films/bad-shabbos-2024Follow Daniel on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danrobb11/Follow Daniel on TwitterConnect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

In honor of 4/20, Daniel and Harry are joined by friend of the podcast, Meir Zwanziger, to discuss the 2015 film Dough starring Jonathan Pryce and Jerome Holder.Before diving into the movie, they share their experiences with cannabis and explore the possible historical connections between Judaism and cannabis. Then the trio discusses the depiction of Jewish and Muslim religious traditions in the film, as well as the portrayal of socio-economic and generational divides among the various characters.Finally, they end the episode by selecting their most Jewish scenes, “stretches of the pod,” debating if the movie is “good for the Jews” and ranking the film’s overall Jewishness.IMDb - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517471/Movie Trailer - https://youtu.be/Y7b4IoNRhtkMeir's LinksSababoosh PodcastSababoosh SubstackConnect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry don their chef whites and sharpen their kitchen knives as they welcome food writer Leah Koenig for their biggest meal yet: a hearty discussion of 1996's "Big Night" co-directed by Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci.Join them as they go on a spiritual journey through the film and celebrate the divine nature of a great meal.Leah's LinksBuy Leah's cookbook PorticoThe Jewish Table (Leah's Substack)Leah Koenig on InstagramMovie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQQhoYLsoHIIMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115678/Connect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Join Harry, Daniel, and their guest Jason Zinoman, critic at large for The New York Times, as they share a plate of ginger prawns (Kosher of course) at their favorite Chinese Restaurant and unpack the Jewishness of Barbet Schroeder’s “Reversal of Fortune,” starring Glenn Close, Ron Silver, and Jeremy Irons in an Oscar winning performance.Tune in to hear them discuss the way protagonist Alan Dershowitz is faced with positive and negative stereotypes of his Jewishness, debate Judaism’s perspective on upholding the law when things get morally ambiguous, and answer the question of whether or not Claus Von Bulow has a good sense of humor.Finally, they end the episode by selecting their most Jewish scenes, “stretches of the pod,” debating if the movie is “good for the Jews” and ranking the film’s overall Jewishness.IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100486/Movie Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU7cBiiYcUgJason’s LinksThe Martin Chronicles Podcast - https://martinchronicles.buzzsprout.com/Jason on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zinomanj/Jason on Twitter - https://x.com/zinomanConnect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

In their season four debut, Harry and Daniel welcome musician extraordinaire Yoshie Fruchter to discuss "This is Spinal Tap,” the 1984 directorial debut from Rob Reiner. They debate the introspective Jewishness of the mockumentary format, compare the travails of the band to those of the Jews lost in the desert, and crank things up to 11 as they celebrate they tow the line between stupid and clever!As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.Spinal Tap on imdbThis is Spinal Tap TrailerCheck out the new Sandcatchers album, The LinesYoshie Fruchter on InstagramConnect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry are joined by Pamela Lavitt, Director of the Seattle Jewish Film Festival.Pamela shares her insights on what makes a film Jewish, reveals the latest trends in Jewish movies, covers a few notable films playing this year, and makes a surprising pitch for a Jewish read of "Barbie" and “The Matrix.”Check out the full festival schedule (March 2-17) and buy tickets here: https://seattlejff.org/Connect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

This week, Daniel and Harry are joined by Temim Fruchter, author of "City of Laughter" out now! They discuss the classic 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally..." starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan directed by Rob Reiner.First, they touch on why the film has sustained as one of the best Rom-Coms, pointing to the improvisation and natural conversations that drive the film's narrative. Then they discuss coincidence and synchronicity related to Harry and Sally's run ins throughout the film.They also answer one of the most controversial questions in food lore: What is your bagel order?As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.When Harry Met Sally TrailerWhen Harry Met Sally on IMdBTemim's LinksCity of Laughter on Bookshop.orgTemim Fruchter on TwitterTemim Fruchter on InstagramConnect with Jews on Film online:Jews on Film Merch - https://jews-on-film.printify.me/productsInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry are joined by Adam Mansbach, author of Golem of Brooklyn, to talk about the 1991 Bruce Willis film, Hudson Hawk.They explore themes of moral relativism, as it relates to sin and crime in the film, argue for Hawk’s role as a Jewish stand-in left behind by an ever changing world, and make the case for the film’s irreverent tone, arguing its intention and merit (and possible Jewishness) against the outsized criticism it has received.As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.Hudson Hawk on IMdBHudson Hawk TrailerAdam Mansbach LinksAdam's Book The Golem of Brooklyn Adam Mansbach on TwitterAdam Mansbach on InstagramConnect with Jews on Film online:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry welcome writer, comedian, and performer Gil Ozeri to discuss "Defending You Life" written and directed by Albert Brooks.First, they discuss Albert Brooks and his groundbreaking work as a comedian and film maker leading up to this stage in his career.Then they dive into the film and discuss what the Jewish perspective on heaven and hell, biblical references in the bottomless sushi, how intellectual improvement is depicted in the film, and finally they each consider what the afterlife may look like.As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.IMDb Page"Defending Your Life" TrailerFollow Gil Ozeri on TwitterFollow Gil Ozeri on InstagramConnect with Jews on Film online:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod

Daniel and Harry welcome journalist, film critic, and author Noah Gittell to discuss the 2000 film "Meet The Parents" directed by Jay Roach.Before discussing the film, Noah talks about his personal connections to the film's themes and filming locations.Then they touch on the importance of and emphasis on honesty in the film, what happens when Jewish and WASP cultures collide with one another over dinner and how that provides an apt frame for the Jewish American experience.As always, they close out the episode by ranking the film's "Jewishness" in terms of its cast & crew, content, and themes.Meet The Parents TrailerMeet The Parents on IMDbFollow Noah Gittell on InstagramFollow Noah Gittell on TwitterPre-Order Baseball: The MovieConnect with Jews on Film online:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jewsonfilm/Twitter - https://twitter.com/jewsonfilmpodYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jewsonfilmTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jewsonfilmpod