Movies 101: Recent Episodes
Dan Webster, Mary Pat Treuthart, Nathan Weinbender
Movies 101 began mid-1999, as Spokane Public Radio's KSFC started establishing itself as a separate news and information service. As KSFC as matured, so did Movies 101. The show has also been picked up on KPBX and has a loyal fan base, Friday evenings at 6:30pm. Movies 101 is produced by Spokane Public Radio Music and Arts Producer, Jim Tevenan.
Life, as we all know, can be a struggle. The key to peace, if not necessarily happiness, comes from how you deal with it. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a trio of films exploring characters and the struggles confronting them. The films are Sean Baker’s “Anora,” Steve McQueen’s “Blitz” and the Irish feature “Small Things Like These.”
Time, Einstein told us, is relative. And that’s a perspective that most of us bear in mind as each hour, each minute and even each second passes by. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a pair of movies in which time, and reactions to its passing, play a large role. The movies are the religious suspense study “Conclave” and the aptly titled love story “We Live in Time.”
In 1975, a show titled “Saturday Night” debuted on the NBC television network. And so began what would turn out to be a 50-year run of a comedy show few thought would last a season. On this week’s show, Dan Webster and Nathan Weinbender discuss Jason Reitman’s narrative capturing of that first night of “SNL,” as well as the documentary “Will & Harper,” and the streaming offering “Lee,” starring Kate Winslet.
Life struggles can be debilitating, which is why they tend to make for scintillating movie plotlines. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two films that key on personal struggles. The first is “The Outrun,” which stars the Irish actress Saoirse Ronan, while the second is the sister set-to titled “His Three Daughters.”
Like life itself, movies always seem to come down to a question of character. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a pair of films that offer up characters who end up questioning their very selves. The first is “Joker: Folie à Deux,” while the second is “A Different Man.”
On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a pair of films that roll over boundaries as if they were so much roadkill—Francis Ford Coppola’s reach into the fantastic titled “Megalopolis” and French-born filmmaker Coralie Fargeat’s feminist study “The Substance.”
If Hollywood is known for anything, it’s that it reeks with glamor, especially as personified by its more notable movie queens. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two streaming documentaries that explore the lives and careers of two such stars: Elizabeth Taylor and Faye Dunaway. They also list their choices for their favorite film performances of both.
Far from Hollywood, any number of independent filmmakers continue to ply their trade, making movies that range from high-intensity action-adventures to slow, meditative explorations of everyday life. On this week’s show, Dan Webster and Nathan Weinbender discuss a couple of movies that are nothing if not independent, in both spirit and execution. First up is the theatrical release “Good One,” followed by the Netflix streamer “Rebel Ridge.”
On this week’s show, Dan Webster and Nathan Weinbender discuss two films designed to give us night chills—one a long-awaited sequel to the 1988 comedy-horror exercise “Beetlejuice,” the other a delving into the mind of a serial killer, titled “Strange Darling.”
On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss favorites and hidden gems from 1999, one of the greatest years for 20th-century film.
In the world of movies, the genre of crime covers a wide range of themes and tones, from comic-mystery murder to the travails of those locked up for the acts they have committed. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two such films that, though loosely linked through the theme of crime, couldn’t be more different in tone—Zoë Kravitz’s idiosyncratic murder mystery “Blink Twice” and Greg Kwedar’s men-behind-bars saga titled “Sing Sing.”
On this week's show Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a pair of films that, each in its own way, deals with some aspect of characters coming of age. The first is titled, simply, "Kneecap" and the second is titled the equally succinct "Dìdi."
Like all art forms, the object of a film is—or at least should be—to hold an audience’s attention. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a pair of films that, each in its own particular way, tries to do exactly that. The first is the offbeat exercise in existential horror, “Cuckoo,” while the second is a film about the chance relationship between a young woman and an older cab driver titled “Daddio.”
We’re all prey to our emotions, whether we’re talking about pangs of fear, the warmth of connection or the angst of loss. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two movies that take their audiences on a virtual road trip through a maze of emotions—the latest from writer-director M. Night Shyamalan, titled “Trap,” and the Oscar-nominated animated film from 2023, “Robot Dreams.”
We’re well into the summer-movie season, and the blockbusters just keep coming. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two of those summer-movie specials, “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Twisters.”
Who among us, when as a child, didn’t at least once feel chills run down our spine as we walked alone, at night, along some dark hallway? On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a pair of movies that are designed to re-create that feeling. The first is “MaXXXine,” the third installment in writer-director Ti West’s so-called “X” series. The other is “Longlegs,” a film by Oz Perkins that stars Nicolas Cage as a kind of demonic serial killer.
As everyone knows, or should know, the 1960s comprised a decade full of tempestuous energy and a drive toward social change. As captured by the movies, though, it lives on in our minds more as an idea than anything resembling reality. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two movies that are set in the 1960s. The first is the space-race romantic comedy “Fly Me to the Moon” and the second is the engine-driven drama “The Bikeriders.”
On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two surreal movies that delve into the complexities of life. The first is “Kinds of Kindness,” the latest from the Greek-born filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos. And the second is “Janet Planet,” the debut feature film from playwright Annie Baker.
It’s been 50 years since the film “Chinatown” was released, and yet it still remains one of the best crime sagas every splashed across a big screen. Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss the qualities of “Chinatown,” which are many, and add to that a general discussion about those responsible for it.
On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss three movies that attempt to tell stories about the inner workings of our personal lives. One is the intrepid grandma study “Thelma,” one is the theater-as-therapy exploration “Ghostlight” and one is the who-is-the-real-person project “Hit Man.”
Imagination, if not entertaining actual fantasy, is a standard moviemaking staple. The question always is, does it work? On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a trio of movies that, each in its own distinctive way, explore the realms of imaginative fantasy—some, as always, better than others. The films are the theatrical releases “Inside Out 2” and “Tuesday,” followed by the streaming documentary “Brats.”
The summer movie season is in high gear, as you can tell from all the noises of crashing cars and gunshots emanating from your local multiplex. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss three films that are currently in release—the first being “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” the second being George Miller’s prequel “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” and the third being the re-release of Tom Tykwer’s imaginative and energetic action film “Run Lola Run.”
Most movie fans may mourn what seems to be the slow demise of theaters. But these days missing some new release at your local multiplex doesn’t necessarily mean missing out. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two recent releases that are now available for online streaming, namely “The Fall Guy” and “Sasquatch Sunset.”
We all have favorite movies, the kind that we can slip into as if they were a favorite pair of shoes. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart share with you some of what they’re calling their "comfort movies"—the kinds of films that they go to over and over again.
The old saw is that opposites attract, though that notion doesn’t necessarily hold true for the movies we watch. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two movies, both streaming documentaries, that couldn’t be more different. The first is “Spermworld,” which delves into the unregulated world of sperm donating, while the second is “Girls State,” a follow-up to the 2020 film “Boys State.”
One of the things that makes life the adventure it is involves facing the various challenges that it poses. Which is convenient for us here at Movies 101 because the very concept of challenges is this week’s theme. In this episode, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two films that involve that very theme. The first is “Challengers,” director Luca Guadagnino’s look at a three-way relationship among tennis players. The second is a challenge to our very senses, director Bertrand Bonello’s head-scratching study “The Beast.”
Those of us with consciences may not care about killers—but as movie fans, we sure seem to love them. They certainly show up enough on screens both big and small. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss the work of Patricia Highsmith, an author who made a career out of imagining the inner lives of various sociopaths—including one Tom Ripley, who is the protagonist in the new Netflix series titled, simply, “Ripley.” In this episode, they talk about the series and their other favorite Highsmith adaptations.
Movies have the power to give us a pointed view of America, both good and bad. This has always been true. But it may be more important than ever in today’s polarized atmosphere. Writer-director Alex Garland seems to think so, given the theme of his latest movie, titled “Civil War.” On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss Garland’s film, which stars the likes of Kirsten Dunst and Cailee Spaeney as photojournalists covering what is a second American war between the states and the federal government. After that, they move on to the film “La Chimera,” which is playing at the Magic Lantern Theatre.
Some of us enjoy surprises, others not so much. But when it comes to movies, it all depends on what we end up seeing. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss an event they attended on Monday called Screen Unseen. They also talk about a documentary, “Richland,” that is playing at the Magic Lantern, and Nathan regales us with his reaction to the movie “Monkey Man.”
Yes, we could spend time reviewing the latest horror flick or romantic comedy. But sometimes we here at Movies 101 lust to talk about something far more, for want of a better term, substantial. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart do just that, delving into their respective personal libraries of favorite films and sharing what we like to call buried, or forgotten, cinematic treasures.
Here at Movies 101, we like to say that we seek out great cinema wherever we can find it. How we define “great,” though is always up for debate. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two films that defy standard critical summation. The first is Doug Liman’s re-envisioning of the 1989 movie “Road House,” and the second is Rose Glass’ neo-noir “Love Lies Bleeding.”
Yes, the "-heimer" half of the "Barbenheimer" conglomerate tallied its share of gold during the recent Oscars broadcast. But the also-rans and near-misses had their night as well. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a pair of films that were at least mentioned during the broadcast. One, “20 Days in Mariupol,” was named Best Documentary Feature, while the other, “Io Capitano,” was one of the nominees for Best International Feature Film.
One of the most dependable movie genres is science fiction, and the best sci-fi films boast a lot more content than mere Flash Gordon adventure. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two recent films that blend sci-fi with relevant social issues. The first is “Dune: Part Two,” which is Denis Villeneuve’s second contribution to Frank Herbert’s novel saga. And the second is “Spaceman,” the Netflix streamer that features Adam Sandler in yet another dramatic role.
In a year marked by the likes of Barbenheimer, Paul Giamatti’s wall-eyed stare, deadly flowers in Oklahoma and the musical mastery of Leonard Bernstein, it should make for an interesting night on Sunday for the annual Academy Awards fiesta. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart run down their guesses as to who will walk away with Oscar gold versus who they think should win.
When the names of certain filmmakers are mentioned, expectations among movie fans are bound to rise. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss the work of two such filmmakers: Wim Wenders, director of the Oscar-nominated International Feature Film “Perfect Days,” and Ethan Coen—yes, half of the moviemaking duo with brother Joel—this time directing on his own the offbeat comedy noir “Drive-Away Dolls.” They also mention “Rustin,” a biopic that is powered by an Oscar-nominated performance by Coleman Domingo.
The Bee Gees sang about “Night Fever,” but this time of year the main feeling among movie fans is "Oscar fever." On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss still more Oscar nominees, specifically the Live Action and Animated Short Film programs. But before that, they talk about the sumptuous French blend of cuisine and amour titled “The Taste of Things.”
We’re still a month away from the Super Bowl for movie fans, which is how Movies 101 typically views the annual Oscars broadcast, so there’s still plenty of time to catch up with the various nominees. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss one of those nominees, the German film “The Teachers’ Lounge,” which is up for Best International Feature Film, and then shift direction to talk about the Netflix documentary “The Greatest Night in Pop.”
It’s been over two decades now and the Spokane International Film Festival (SpIFF), despite a number of obstacles, continues to thrive. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss what to expect from the 2024 Spokane International Film Festival, which begins its eight-day run this weekend. Prior to that, though, they discuss “The Zone of Interest,” a German-language film—written and directed by British filmmaker Jonathan Glazer—that has been nominated for five Academy Awards.
On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a big-screen feature titled “Origin” and a Hulu streamer titled “Self Reliance,” and also give a quick preview of the coming Spokane International Film Festival.
One of the most admirable human characteristics is that of endurance—the ability to forge on despite dire circumstances. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss three movies, each of which tackles some variation on that theme. “All of Us Strangers” stars Andrew Scott as a man haunted by a tragedy he suffered as a pre-teen, “Society of the Snow” is another retelling of the 1972 Andes airplane crash, and “Remembering Gene Wilder” is an exploration of the late comic actor’s life—which at one point involved the loss of a beloved partner and at another was challenged by a crippling disease.
More than halfway through the month of January, and we at Movies 101 are still catching up with the movie releases from 2023. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss three films from last year: the social commentary “American Fiction,” the study of dysfunctional family and professional wrestling titled “The Iron Claw” and the Tunisian documentary “Four Daughters.”
It’s already a new year, and yet we here at Movies 101 central are still catching up with the gaggle of late releases from 2023. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss three of those releases. First up is “Poor Things," a bizarre blend of feminism and—as Leslie Kelly terms it—“arty soft-core porn.” Next, the biopic of the late carmaker Enzo Ferrari, titled succinctly “Ferrari,” and then a Finnish study of an off-again, on-again would-be love affair called “Fallen Leaves.”
It’s that time again—when along with looking ahead to a new year, we look back at the one we just lived through. And for movie fans, that means recalling what wonders we saw on screens both big and little. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart run down their picks for what each of them thought were the best films of the last year. They also list some of the rest of what they thought made 2023 the year that it was, for good and bad.
We’re deep into the Oscar calendar now, what with film producers releasing the projects that they hope, if not expect, will garner them those consummate, golden movie awards. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss one of those projects, the Bradley Cooper film “Maestro,” which Cooper didn’t just direct and co-write, but which he also stars in the title role as the late Leonard Bernstein. They discuss, too, a Netflix release, “Leave the World Behind,” that stars not just one, but two past Oscar winners, Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali.
As we all know, winning an Oscar is Hollywood gold, literally and figuratively. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two films that represent Oscar status in a number of ways. The first film is “The Boy and the Heron,” the latest animated feature from Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, winner of a Best Animated Feature Oscar for his 2001 film “Spirited Away.” The second is “May December,” which was directed by Oscar Nominee Todd Haynes and stars not one but two Best Actress alumnae: Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman.
Comedy, as we all know, evokes personal reactions. Some people laugh at the stand-up goofiness of Brian Regan, while others laugh at the dead baby jokes of Anthony Jeselnik—and some yawn at both. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a pair of movies that take widely diverse views of comedy. One, titled “Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain,” is clear farce. The other, “Dream Scenario,” may not strike some viewers as comic at all.
As we head into the final month of 2023, our movie schedule starts to include some of the year’s most highly touted releases. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two of those much-anticipated films: Ridley Scott’s biopic “Napoleon” and Emerald Fennell’s exploration of family and class titled “Saltburn.”
After nearly a century of being included in popular cinema mainly as an afterthought, a comic foil or even as a villain, the LGBTQ+ community is finally defining itself on its own terms. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing a trio of films featuring LGBTQ+ characters. First up is the American teen comedy “Bottoms,” followed by two foreign efforts: Morocco’s “The Blue Caftan” and England’s “Blue Jean.”
Sometimes even movie fans don’t want to leave the house. That’s the kind of mood that struck Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart this last week, so they turned to their respective streaming services and watched a pair of films that couldn’t be more different to discuss for this week's show. First up is “The Eight Mountains,” a somber Italian-language exploration of a long-term friendship, and following that is the Jennifer Lawrence attempt at comedy titled “No Hard Feelings.”
Even if you’re not a Buddhist, you’re probably familiar with the concept of karma: the belief that anything you say or do, positively or negatively, will affect your future—either in this life or the next. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing a pair of films that focus on characters who, through their actions, create their own hellish personal landscapes. First up is "Passages," a film featuring a movie director who can’t control his emotions, followed by the 20th-anniversary release of Chan-wook Park’s "Oldboy," a film that gives new meaning to the notion of long-simmering revenge.
With all the pain and sadness in the world, it’s nice to know that some movies are here to help us forget—if for the moment—our worries and cares. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing two films that do mostly that. One is “Theater Camp,” an often-hilarious send-up of a struggling summer camp for would-be thespians, while the other is “Wham!” a Netflix documentary detailing the rise of the duo that was so much a part of the 1980s music landscape.
Diversity is a loaded term nowadays, particularly for those in charge of deciding what to teach in school. But it’s been a boon for Hollywood, particularly most recently for fans of Asian culture. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing a pair of films that feature all-Asian casts. One is a blend of rom-com and character study titled “Shortcomings,” while the other is a “Bridesmaids”/“Girls Trip” clone titled “Joy Ride.”
On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing two movies whose main characters exhibit bad behavior that reflects their inner conflicts, behavior that only gradually gets explained, if at all. First up is “Dreamin’ Wild,” the based-on-a-real-story of a pair of Eastern Washington musicians, followed by “Amanda,” an Italian-language study of a woman in her mid-20s whose personality seems as stunted as it is brittle.
It’s not often that two films so radically different share the same release date and get classified under a single label. But that’s what happened with “Barbenheimer.” On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing the pair of films that make up “Barbenheimer”—Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.”
Yes, we’re in the midst of the summer-movie season, which means that the theaters are full of exploding cars and dashing do-gooders. But there’s still room for intimate stories, too. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing a pair of films that are small enough to pass right by many movie fans without so much as a murmured response. One is “The Lesson,” a neo-noir involving literary theft, and the other is “L’immensitá,” an Italian-language film starring Penelope Cruz as a mother whose love for her children is the main thing holding her marriage together.
You know you’re square in the summer-movie season when releases from two of the biggest franchises in history are playing in theaters at the same time. On this week’s show, Dan Webster and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing both the latest “Mission: Impossible” offering, “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” and the latest “Indiana Jones” release, “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.”
Even though the glow of the Disney-Pixar partnership has dimmed a bit in recent years, that pairing still represents the pinnacle of American animation. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing the latest Disney-Pixar offering, “Elemental.” Then they’ll explore the whole realm of animated features and divulge their choices for the best animated movies ever made.
As movie fans, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will take a chance on pretty much anything that opens. But it’s always gratifying when they get to see, and review, movies that truly are worth discussing. On this week’s show, they will be tackling two such worthy films. The first is Celine Song’s tale of nostalgia and romance, “Past Lives,” while the second is “Asteroid City,” Wes Anderson’s latest exercise in his trademark brand of quirk.
At one point or another, all of us encounter situations that seem overwhelming. And we tend to ask, can I get through this? On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing two films that feature characters facing such trying situations. One is the title character of the film adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Another is the woman played by former Seinfeld co-star Julie Louis-Dreyfus in Nicole Holofcener’s You Hurt My Feelings.
History is full of stories about men on a mission. These days, however, stories of men are far more likely to highlight women as well. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing two films that fit that bill: the latest offering by writer-director Paul Schrader, “Master Gardener,” and by brothers Austin and Meredith Bragg, co-writer-directors of “Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game."
Ever since Steven Spielberg’s ode to the great white shark “Jaws” opened in July 1975, summer has been one of the go-to seasons for the film industry. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing another of Spielberg’s summer blockbusters, 1993’s “Jurassic Park,” which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. And they’ll look back at summers past and offer up their recommendations for best views, plus take a look at what’s coming for summer in 2023.
Now that the seasonal dirge we know as a Northwest Winter has finally faded, it’s time get back outside. But if you’re a movie fan, you can enjoy the sun and your favorite cultural pastime courtesy of any number of streaming services. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing two streaming specials. First up is the urban drama “A Thousand and One,” followed by the documentary “Little Richard: I Am Everything.”
Movies come and go, as do those who direct them. But the unfair part about this process is that some filmmakers gain long-lasting fame—even if they don’t necessarily deserve it—while others end up seemingly lost to the ages. On this week’s show, Dan Webster and Nathan Weinbender will be doing their parts to correct the historical record on four filmmakers who they think are underappreciated, especially considering their contributions to the art of cinema.
On this week’s show, Dan Webster and Nathan Weinbender will be discussing Ari Aster’s “Beau Is Afraid” and Cristian Mungiu’s “R.M.N.”
On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” another of Marvel Studio’s popular franchises, and “Showing Up,” another study of human foibles written and directed by Kelly Reichardt.
On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be previewing a couple of upcoming movie events. One is the 49th Seattle International Film Festival, the other is the Garland Theater's 65th anniversary screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s film “Vertigo.”
On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing movies that they like so much they’d be willing to queue them up for a second, maybe even a third time.
On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing two films that feature completely different attitudes toward some aspect of love. First up is “Air,” a study of how a single shoe saved the Oregon company symbolized by a swoosh, followed by a tender Hulu romance titled “Rye Lane.”
The motto of Hollywood these days seems to be: if you can’t create something new and original, then just make it louder and longer. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing two films that fit the bill perfectly. First up is “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” followed by “John Wick: Chapter Four.”
We’re all familiar with the concept of myth, whether we’re talking about a story involving heroes and their attendant quests, or a popularly accepted tale that masks actual truth. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing a pair of movies that are steeped in myth. First up is the Chinese import “Full River Red,” followed by the Hulu drama “Boston Strangler.”
The concept of race is a touchy topic in America. So, too, is family dysfunction. In this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be discussing two movies that explore both Black life in America and how family turmoil isn’t confined to any single racial group. First up is the big-screen offering “Creed III,” followed by a streaming choice, titled simply: “Bruiser.” In addition, they’ll offer their reactions to Sunday’s Oscar broadcast.
The Oscars are coming on Sunday, and the question is—as has been true for the past couple of years—will the annual broadcast offer up any surprises? On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart will be offering up their picks, both who they think will win and who they think should win. They’ll also review one of the Feature Documentary nominees, Laura Poitras’ “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed.”
Despite the occasional exception, European cinema has always felt different from American cinema. Call what they do more experimental, more serious, more thoughtful, whatever, European filmmakers—the best ones, at least—distinguish themselves by refusing to pander to mainstream tastes. This week Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a pair of European films that are prime examples of the European filmmaking ethos. First up is the Polish-made EO followed by the Belgian-made Close.
He burst upon the mainstream moviemaking scene in 1999 with a thriller called “The Sixth Sense.” Since then, M. Night Shyamalan’s career has had its ups and down. This week Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss Shyamalan’s latest effort, “Knock at the Cabin,” before tackling the Oscar-nominated live-action and animated short films, which are screening at the Magic Lantern.
Actions, as the great philosophers often preached, have consequences. Some are good, some are bad and others … well, any or all of them can make for great cinema. This week Dan Webster, Mary Pat Treuthart and Nathan Weinbender discuss a trio of films focusing on characters who make decisions and then are forced to endure what comes next. The films are “Resurrection,” “Benediction” and “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.”
Whether we’re referring to a lust for romantic love, an ardent need for acceptance or the simple quest for a peaceful, happy life, desire is a staple movie theme. This week, Dan Webster, Mary Pat Treuthart and Nathan Weinbender discuss a trio of movies, each of which features characters – in one case real-life people – whose life journey involves one or the other of the afore-mentioned yearnings. Those movies are “Three Thousand Years of Longing,” “Prey” and “The Territory.”
If you were given a choice between serving 10 years in a minimum-security prison or transferring to a far more dangerous facility to complete a mission that might earn you your freedom, which would you choose? This week, Dan Webster, Mary Pat Treuthart and Nathan Weinbender discuss a based-on-real-events miniseries titled “Black Bird” in which a guy is given that very choice. They also review the Iranian film “Hit the Road.”
There have been many golden eras of cinema. One of the most universally recognized eras, though, is the 1950s. And it was out of that decade that the actors Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward emerged. This week, Nathan Weinbender, Mary Pat Treuthart and Dan Webster discuss Ethan Hawke’s six-part HBO Max series titled “The Last Movie Stars.” Afterward, we’ll run down some of the married couple’s greatest achievements on screen.
Getting from destination to the next is a staple of existence. And that’s true whether we’re talking about moving literally or figuratively. This week, Mary Pat Treuthart, Nathan Weinbender and Dan Webster discuss two films that represent the two different aspects of movement: “Bullet Train," and “Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey a Song.”
Hollywood defines success first and foremost by box-office grosses. But a lot of good films don’t make hardly a mark at the bank. This week, Nathan Weinbender, Mary Pat Treuthart and Dan Webster will discuss three movies that may be small in earnings but are big in quality. First up is the independent feature “Vengeance” followed by the documentary “Fire of Love” and the French-language “My Donkey, My Lover & I.”
It’s no secret that we here at Movies 101 central seek out cinema both in theaters and, increasingly, in the comfort of our own homes. On this week’s show, Nathan Weinbender, Mary Pat Treuthart and Dan Webster will be discussing two films that are playing in area theaters and one that is streaming. First up is the latest from Jordan Peele, simply titled “Nope,” followed by the Spanish-language film “Official Competition” and the Netflix offering “The Gray Man.”
No literary genre is more overheated than that of the steamy Southern gothic. And when you combine the essentials of that genre with a plucky character like author Delia Owens’ Marsh Girl … well, you’re likely to end up with a best-seller. This week, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss Olivia Newman’s adaptation of Owens’ best-selling novel “Where the Crawdads Sing.” Then we’ll tackle a Netflix true-crime documentary titled “Girl in the Picture.”
People think, not unreasonably, of critics as … well, people who complain. They forget that, first and foremost, at heart we movie critics are movie fans. This week, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two movies that movie beyond art and fall mostly in the let’s-just-have-fun category. First up is the newest Marvel feature “Thor: Love and Thunder” followed by the British import “The Phantom of the Open.”
Every week, Nathan Weinbender, Mary Pat Treuthart and Dan Webster discuss movies that usually, but not always, boast some sort of a common theme. This will be one of those "off" weeks. First up, the coming-of-age study “Cha Cha Real Smooth” then the thriller “Kimi” and finally the drama “The Forgiven.”
Opportunists exists in all genres of art. Some are good, some are bad and – all often – some are both. This week, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two movies that features opportunists of the first order. First up is the the big-screen biopic “Elvis” followed by the Netflix sport film “Hustle.”
No art form is more personal than comedy. Just ask the standup comic Chris Rock. This week, Dan Webster, Mary Pat Treuthart and Nathan Weinbender discuss a couple of comedy studies, both now streaming online. One is the HBO Max two-part documentary “George Carlin’s American Dream,” the other Hulu’s narrative romantic comedy “Fire Island.”
Blockbusters come in all shapes and sizes, from action-packed frenzy to upper-crust fantasy. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two films, each a prime example of frenzy and/or fantasy. First up is “Top Gun: Maverick” followed by “Downton Abbey: A New Era.”
Though overly simplistic, our modern view of stage plays is symbolized by the pair of classic memes, one signifying tragedy, the other comedy. This week, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two movies that, at least at first glance, fall fairly easily into one or the other categories. First up is a curious blend of the serious and the horrific titled succinctly “Men.” Following that will be the mostly lighthearted retelling of a serious event titled “The Duke.”
For the most part, 20th-century cinema belonged to men. The 21st century? So far, not nearly as much. On this week’s show, two films, both hailing from France, that represent a new generation of women filmmakers.
On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender and Mary Pat Treuthart will reflect on a few films that deserve to be remembered.
While Hollywood keeps churning out its theatrical blockbusters, some movie fans remain interested in seeing smaller, independently made films, many of which are available through one streaming service or another.
Expectations are the enemy of artistic criticism. Why? Because they tend to get in the way of honest appraisal. This week Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two films that carry with them an almost obligatory sense of expectation. First up is the Nicolas Cage vehicle “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” followed by the Viking saga “The Northman.”
Post-pandemic life is returning to something close to normal. This week, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss their respective experiences navigating the most recent Seattle International Film Festival, and offer their view of the film “The Outfit."
We’re still a couple of months from the official start of summer, but that doesn’t mean that summer-type movies aren’t already upon us. This week, the Michelle Yeoh vehicle “Everything Everywhere All at Once” followed by the Agatha Christie adaptation “Death on the Nile.”
On this week’s show, Nathan Weinbender, Mary Pat Treuthart and Dan Webster discuss writer-director Richard Linklater’s work, beginning with a review of his latest film, the animated memoir of 1969 Houston, Texas, titled “Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood.”
We all fear something. Ghosts, serial killers, UFOs, enclosed spaces or – Hitchcock famously – birds. Fear makes for a great movie theme. This week, two films whose narratives depend on inherent human fears: The succinctly titled “X” followed by the Irish feature “You Are Not My Mother.”
In the midst of March Madness, Movies 101 traditionally entertains a different kind of brain fever: Oscar Mania!
On this week’s Movies 101, we discuss "The Batman," which features “Twilight” star Robert Pattinson. Then the new animated Disney-Pixar feature film “Turning Red.”
Grief comes in many forms, from the personal to the universal. This week on Movies 101, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a pair of films that traffic in both kinds of grief.
On this week’s special edition of Movies 101, our favorite books-to-movies adaptations. And maybe one or two that rank at the other end of the spectrum.
On this week’s show, Nathan Weinbender, Mary Pat Treuthart and Dan Webster will be discussing three of the five animated films nominated as Best Animated Feature Film of 2021. First up are two Disney offerings, “Encanto” and “Raya and the Last Dragon,” followed by the Sony Pictures film “The Mitchells vs. the Machines.”
Movies that transmit powerful emotions comes in many forms, but two main categories are those that trend toward the mysterious and those that dwell in the realm of the intensely realistic. This week Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss two films that portray emotional power in two different ways: Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of the 1946 noir novel “Nightmare Alley,” and writer-director Fran Kranz’s film “Mass,” which is a study of two couples forever connected because of a tragedy.