Filmspotting

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Top 5 Movie Summers | Archive Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

The transition from spring to summer has long meant more than just a change in the weather; it marks the arrival of the definitive movie‑going season. In May 2022, Adam and Josh looked back at the most significant stretches of cinematic history for their Top 5 Movie Summers, ranked by the strength of their legendary slates, their cultural impact, and that unmistakable feeling of a sweltering July afternoon at the multiplex.

Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you ⁠join the Filmspotting Family⁠.

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Apex and The Netflix House Style | SVU Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

This week on Filmspotting: SVU, Matt and Jordan tackle the new Netflix action-thriller Apex, starring Charlize Theron and Taryn Egerton. Inspired by Matt Damon’s recent comments on "the Netflix note," the duo investigates whether this Australia-set survival story is better than the average streaming title or another victim of Netflix's "house style" that caters to people doing the dishes.

Plus, Jordan uncovers a bizarre cinematic trend involving beef jerky, Matt pays homage to the "undisputed queen of Netflix action," and the guys launch their first-ever Personalized Recommendation segment to help a listener find some deep-cut noirs. The episode wraps with a high-stakes, all-Charlize edition of "Letterboxd-ing," where producer Sam attempts to break his losing streak. (Ep. #170)

(Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.)

Intro (00:00:00-00:02:00)

Apex (00:02:01-00:27:10)

Rec Seg! (00:27:11-00:39:35)

Radical Streaming Honesty (00:39:36-00:53:33)

Personalize Recommendations: Deep Cut Noir (00:53:34-01:03:58)

Game: Letterboxd-ing (01:03:59-01:22:40)

New to Streaming / Credits (01:22:41-01:31:03)

Notes:

Now Streaming on Bazooga - A Filmspotting: SVU Archive

https://letterboxd.com/samvanhallgren/list/now-streaming-on-bazooga-a-filmspotting-svu/

Matt's book "Funny Business: The Old-School Wedding Crashers and Knocked-Up Virgins Who Changed Comedy Forever" comes to bookstores everywhere in October

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790241/funny-business-by-matt-singer/

Feedback:

-Email us at feedback@filmspottingSVU.com⁠⁠

Follow:

https://www.instagram.com/superpulse/

https://www.facebook.com/FilmspottingSvu

https://letterboxd.com/superpulse/

https://letterboxd.com/jhoffman6/

https://bsky.app/profile/mattsinger.bsky.social

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Christophers: Art Is Hard. People Are Harder. Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

Adam is joined by critic Chris Klimek to discuss Steven Soderbergh's latest, The Christophers. Starring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel, the film centers on the uneasy power dynamic between a once-celebrated artist and the forger drawn into his orbit. The conversation focuses on McKellen’s bracing late-career performance, Coel’s controlled counterpoint, and Soderbergh and screenwriter Ed Solomon’s refusal to resolve the film’s ideas into sentiment.

Links:

Follow Chris: Instagram | Bluesky | X

Feedback:

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https://filmspottingfamily.com

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https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠

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Citizen Kane vs. Casablanca and '40s Madness Final | #1061 Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

Is Casablanca the best film of the 1940s? Adam and Josh put it to the test in a head‑to‑head showdown with its fiercest competitor: Citizen Kane. As part of the Filmspotting Pantheon Project — and on the occasion of Kane’s 85th anniversary — the conversation digs into what each film says about America, power, and the promise (or illusion) of individualism. They also trace how the ’40s Madness bracket led to this championship matchup.

This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off.

(Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.)

Intro (00:00:00-00:01:53)

Kane vs. Casablanca (00:01:54-00:46:28)

Filmspotting Family (00:46:29-00:50:57)

Notes / Filmspotting Fest On Sale (00:50:58-00:59:42)

'40s Madness: Final (00:59:43-01:10:06)

Credits / New Releases (01:10:07-01:13:17)

Links:

-Filmspotting Pantheon

https://www.filmspotting.net/pantheon

-Filmspotting Fest

https://www.filmspotting.net/filmspotting-fest

-Social Media Asst. Role

https://www.filmspotting.net/social

-Filmspotting Madness

https://www.filmspotting.net/madness/

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.
https://filmspottingfamily.com

-T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop.
https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠

Follow:

⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/larsenonfilm.bsky.social⁠⁠

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A24 Draft | Archive Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

A24 may have launched modestly in the early 2010s, but it didn’t take long for the indie distributor to reshape American cinema. To mark the company’s first decade — spanning Spring Breakers and The Bling Ring through Moonlight, Lady Bird, The Florida Project, and more — Adam and Josh convened the debut Filmspotting Draft in August 2022: ten A24 titles each, no shared picks, no trades, no fighting.

Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you ⁠join the Filmspotting Family⁠.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Balls Up: The High Stakes of Low-Brow Comedy | SVU Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

Matt and Jordan return with a review of Balls Up, debating if the Peter Farrelly formula still works on the small screen and whether they can actually recommend a movie involving cocaine-addicted crocodiles. Later, Matt revisits Empire Records, Jordan goes back to 1935 with The 39 Steps, and the team plays the first-ever round of "Key Chain." (Ep. #169)

(Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.)

Intro (00:00:00-00:02:58)

Balls Up (00:02:59-00:34:13)

Rec Seg + Radical Streaming Honesty (00:34:14-01:11:40)

Game: Key Chain (01:11:41-01:29:18)

New to Streaming / Credits (01:29:19-01:37:28)

Notes:

Now Streaming on Bazooga - A Filmspotting: SVU Archive

https://letterboxd.com/samvanhallgren/list/now-streaming-on-bazooga-a-filmspotting-svu/

Matt's book "Funny Business: The Old-School Wedding Crashers and Knocked-Up Virgins Who Changed Comedy Forever" comes to bookstores everywhere in October

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790241/funny-business-by-matt-singer/

The Reddit thread that explains how the poster for Nirvana The Band The Show The Movie ripped off Marty Supreme (and how this all related to the Balls Out poster):

https://www.reddit.com/r/blankies/comments/1qk7av1/marketing_for_nirvanna_the_band_the_show_the/

Feedback:

-Email us at matt@filmspottingSVU.com⁠⁠

Follow:

https://www.instagram.com/superpulse/

https://www.facebook.com/FilmspottingSvu

https://letterboxd.com/superpulse/

https://letterboxd.com/jhoffman6/

https://bsky.app/profile/mattsinger.bsky.social

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top 5 Robert Duvall Scenes and '40s Madness Final 4 | #1060 Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Adam and Josh honor the late Robert Duvall with a Top 5 discussion of the scenes that best capture his range, authority, and restraint. From iconic bravura moments to quieter displays of control and vulnerability, the conversation traces performances that continue to define Duvall’s place in American cinema. Plus, the ’40s Madness bracket narrows to its Final 4 contenders.

This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off.

(Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.)

Intro (00:00:00-00:01:48)

Top 5 Robert Duvall Scenes (00:01:49-01:21:05)

Filmspotting Family (01:21:06-01:30:10)

Notes / Filmspotting Fest Announcement (01:30:11-01:47:45)

'40s Madness: Final 4 (01:47:46-02:00:12)

Credits / New Releases (02:00:12-02:02:30)

Links:

-Sidney Lumet watches Network

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3zsLMUHhLo

-Filmspotting Fest

https://www.filmspotting.net/filmspotting-fest

-Filmspotting Madness

https://www.filmspotting.net/madness/

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.
https://filmspottingfamily.com

-T-shirts and more available at the Filmspotting Shop.
https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠

Follow: