Stuff We’ve Seen

Portrait of a Lady on Fire: A Look at Women Film Directors

This week Jim and Teal focused on women filmmakers, and to help them out with their mission they spoke with Carrie Chalmers, Communications Specialist at Cornell University's Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research.

Chalmers brought her photographic eye, and love of movies, to the discussion, which centered on the movies of French filmmaker, Celine Sciamma. Although Sciamma's made four feature films the first dating back to 2007, Jim and Teal only caught up with them in the past week. Sciamma's first three films are available on the Criterion Channel, and Hulu has an exclusive showing of Sciamma's latest, the critically acclaimed 2019 film, Portrait of a Lady on Fire.

On Chalmers' suggestion, Jim and Teal dove into the world of Sciamma, and came out very much rewarded. Portrait of a Lady on Fire makes a late entry onto Jim's top 10 for 2019. He found it to be one of the most rewarding love stories he's seen put on screen in many years. 

During the podcast Chalmers provided keen insight as to why she feels it is important, as a woman, to support the movies of women filmmakers, and she gave Jim and Teal several great suggestions for further viewings.

This is an episode one might say is thirty years in the making, and you'll have to take a listen to find out why.

Blow the Man Down: Jim and Teal Go Fishing for Some Stuff to Watch

Blow the Man Down! Good Cod almighty! A person might just go stir crazy cooped up in the house all day with nothing to watch. Don't worry, Jim and Teal have got you covered. Well...Jim does anyway. Teal is still trying to find his grove with this whole self-distancing thing.

Jim was craving a film mission. And for his sins, Teal gave him one. And when it was over, Jim never wanted another. Leviathan is the name of a pretty bad late 80s Alien under the sea movie, and it is also the name of a well-regarded Russian film from 2014. But the Leviathan Teal's been chatting up on several episodes is an 85 minute sensory ethnography documentary about deep-sea fisherman from New Bedford, and for that this can be said: Teal was right, there isn't another film quite like it.

Jim insists that this movie does not qualify as a best of the decade movie, because it isn't a narrative film. However, Jim does insist it qualifies for best dedicated 6 minutes of screen time to a dented can of Seagrams Ginger Ale.

To balance Leviathan, Jim took in another sea-themed movie this week, and it is the Amazon Prime offering, Blow the Man Down. This independent neo-noir set in a coastal fishing village in Maine won't set the awards calendar ablaze, but it might just be quirky enough to pass the time while you're stuck inside for the next month or so.

Want to know what to look out for on the Criterion Channel this month? Jim and Teal highlight a few things you might want to check out in April.

Academy Awards? Academy Awards did you say? If you've been following along the past few episodes, you know that Jim and Teal have been walking down the garden of yesteryear by dissecting the Academy's Best Picture pics in various decades. Last week they made it half-way through the 80s. This week they finish the decade, and realize there are a lot of movies nominated for Best Picture that no one talks about anymore. But if you are looking for some movies to catch up on, and fill your streaming queues, this episode is going to help you out.

Enjoy!

Bonus: Can you name this week's opening film dialogue, and film score track?

Quaran-Streaming - Jim and Teal Get You Through The Lockdown

Quaran-Streaming while social distancing doesn't have to be hard. Jim and Teal discuss some of the things they are watching while on lockdown. Also, if you are a film lover now is a great time to invest in the Criterion Channel. While you are indoors, you can get an entire film education by watching the greatest movies of all time right on the Criterion streaming service.

And since we love lists, and we know you do, Jim and Teal continue their journey through the Academy Award Best Picture pics. They've moved on to the 1980s, a crucial decade for Jim and Teal, and their movie educations. How far into the list will they make it? You'll have to listen to find out, but if you are looking for some noted films to catch up on while holed up indoors, this episode will give you plenty of considerations.

S. Craig Zahler Drags Jim and Teal Across Concrete

S. Craig Zahler, the B-movie action schlock genre movie director whose been stirring up the critics these past few years is the main subject of this week's episode of Stuff We've Seen. After Teal's glowing review of Dragged Across Concrete, Zahler's latest, Jim decided it was time to crack open that free week of Cinemax and see what the fuss was all about. Hear Jim and Teal dive into this film, and talk about Zahler's other two movies, Brawl in Cell Block 99, and Bone Tomahawk.

But first--Listener John Ford, no not the long gone legendary film director, sent Jim and Teal his top ten list of the decade, and the two could not resist the opportunity to discuss. There are some interesting picks, and the list provides yet more viewing possibilities for those stuck inside riding out the COVID 19 virus.

And for those who tuned into last week's episode, you'll remember Jim's Academy Award Best Picture Nominees of the 1960s quiz--you know, the one where we all found out how few of the nominated films Teal's seen? Well, Jim is back with the 1970s, and this segment provides a great opportunity to learn what movies the Academy liked in one of the most important decades of film.

Just like the films of S. Craig Zahler, this is a super-sized episode, 80 minutes, and yet that still makes it a good forty minutes less than the typical Zahler flick. Enjoy!!!

Best Films of the Decade: Jim and Teal reveal their top 10 movies from 2010-2019

This episode is the one you've been waiting for, and craving for. Teal is back, and he's ready to reveal his top ten films of the past decade. Along with Jim, the two tackle their lists, and share their experiences of seeing these films that stand above all others in the past ten years.

First, Jim decided to test Teal's knowledge of films nominated for Best Picture and Director by the Academy for the decade of the 1960s. Teal said he wasn't an Oscar completionist, but Jim wanted to test that theory. Hear all the titles and figure out which movies you've seen, or still need to see.

Then before revealing their top ten lists, Jim and Teal have their first paid sponsor. You won't want to miss who that is.

And then on with the countdown. How many of Jim and Teal's choices have you seen? Do you agree? Disagree? Let them know at feedback@stuffweveseen.com

 

Better Call Saul: Teal is MIA

Better Call Saul. It's the prequel series to Breaking Bad, and it just launched its 5th season. Jim is a huge fan of the show starring Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, and Jonathan Banks. Hear how he came to watch the show, and why he was a fan of Saul before he broke some bad.

But wait...why is Jim talking about television at all? Doesn't Teal only want to talk about movies? Aha! Surprise, surprise! Teal is MIA. Well...not really. He's on assignment. Tune in and find out the crazy reason Teal could not make the show. Or at least tune in and fine out the crazy reason Jim gives for Teal not making the show.

This is definitely going to be a different episode with Jim taking on the podcast all by his lonesome. It's something he doesn't want to have to do often (or maybe ever again), but as they say in Hollywood--The show must go on.

Enjoy this different episode, but still complete with all the warmth and laughs you've come to expect.

 

1917 and Jim and Teal's Top Ten Films of 2019

Jim and Teal each reveal their top ten films of 2019 (Teal only has a top nine), but first there is some business to take care of. Teal caught up with 1917 and gives Jim his take. Jim wasn't a superfan of the Academy favorite. So what does Teal think? You'll want to listen to this.

Then it's on to the top films of 2019. Most of the films on the lists were talked about on the podcast throughout the year, but Jim and Teal still have a few surprises up their sleeves.

Have a listen. And maybe you'll have some new recommendations to search out after listening.

The Lighthouse, Ford V Ferrari, and Post Oscar Nominations

Jim and Teal kicked off this episode with a discussion about the state of this year's Academy Awards more than a week after the nominations were announced. Jim provided his thoughts on Judy, the Renee Zellweger film about Judy Garland. Then Teal gave his review of The Lighthouse, which Jim saw a few months ago. Teal also caught up with Ford V Ferrari, and Jim recommended another quirky 70s scifi film from the Criterion Channel's month-long salute to 70s Science Fiction. 

Academy Award Nominations 2020: Oscar's so Jim and Teal

The nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards were announced this morning, and Jim and Teal got together to discuss. If you haven't yet heard all of the nominations, get ready for some fun. It's always a good time hearing Teal's reactions (he stayed away from hearing them ahead of time.) Which movies and performances made the cut, and which ones did not?

Overall, Jim and Teal were pleased with the results, but there are still a few inclusions and omissions that have them scratching their heads. Agree? Disagree? Jim and Teal want to hear your thoughts.

Little Women: The Great White Hype

Little Women. Is it the second coming of Christ or just the upteenth version of the classic book back on the silver screen? To hear it from some critics, it's the former, not the latter.

Jim went in with open arms, but left the theater with them decidedly folded. So what's with all the non-stop critical buzz? Could it be some people on social media have an agenda? Jim throws on his conspiracy theory hat as he discusses Little Women with Teal.

Next up is Uncut Gems, which both Jim and Teal feel confident will not only crack their top tens, but find itself firmly planted on them. Listen to what they have to say about Adam Sandler's non-Netflix offering.

And it isn't all about quality on Stuff We've Seen. Jim and Teal talk about two turkeys. For Teal, it's the latest Rambo film, and for Jim it's all about IT: Chapter 2. If you are looking for movies to steer clear of, or test your film pallets of good taste, you may want to check them out. If not, listen to the fellas.

All this, plus Jim takes a trip to 70s sci-fi land courtesy of The Criterion Channel, on the first episode of Stuff We've Seen in 2020. Happy New Year listeners!