Movie of the Year

Movie of the Year: Best of the Year 2025Best TV Show of the YearThe Best Television Shows of 2025 Enter the ArenaThe Best Television Shows of 2025 didn’t rise to the top by accident. They survived hype cycles, second-season expectations, streaming saturation, and cultural overload.In this episode of Movie of the Year, Greg hosts a 16-seed competitive bracket—with play-ins—to determine the Best Television Shows of 2025. Joining him are Cassie, Ryan, Mackenna, and Mike, ready to debate prestige drama, ambitious limited series, breakout comedies, and the year’s most talked-about streaming hits.This isn’t just a 2025 TV year in review.It’s a showdown.Sixteen scripted contenders enter.One show leaves as the best TV show of 2025.What Counts as the Best Television Shows of 2025?This bracket includes:Returning seasons like Andor (Season 2) and Severance (Season 2)Limited series such as AdolescenceBold new scripted debutsComedy, drama, satire, and genre televisionNetwork, cable, and streaming releasesInternational series (though primarily English-language)If it aired in 2025 and was scripted, it was eligible. The goal: determine the top television series of 2025 across all platforms.The 16-Seed Bracket and Play-In RoundsBefore the bracket locks, two play-in battles determine the final spots in the field. The play-ins ensure that no prestige favorite automatically advances and that breakout surprises earn their place.Once finalized, the bracket includes:The PittAndor (Season 2), one of the most anticipated streaming shows of 2025PluribusThe Rehearsal (Season 2), pushing formal experimentationAdolescence, a standout limited series of 2025Severance (Season 2), a defining second seasonThe LowdownDying for SexLong Story ShortThe StudioEvery matchup forces hard choices. Reputation means nothing without performance.Bracket Battles: Prestige vs RiskAs the eliminations unfold, several themes emerge:Can a second season surpass its original impact?Does a limited series compete differently from an ongoing drama?Is cultural buzz equal to narrative...

Movie of the Year: Best of the Year 2025Best Unscripted TV Show of the YearThe Best Unscripted Shows of 2025The Best Unscripted Shows of 2025 reflect a television landscape that is bigger, stranger, and more carefully constructed than ever. In this episode of Movie of the Year, Mike hosts a high-stakes bracket to determine which unscripted series truly stood above the rest, joined by panelists Cassie, Greg, and Mackenna.Eight shows enter the bracket, spanning competition series, long-running institutions, comfort viewing, and chaos engines. What follows is a sharp, opinionated unscripted TV year in review, focused on craft, format, and why these shows continue to dominate the cultural conversation.Why “Unscripted” Matters More Than “Reality” in 2025Early in the episode, the panel draws a clear distinction: unscripted is the better word.In 2025, unscripted television includes:competition shows built on structure and fairnessformats refined through years of iterationpersonality-driven series that reward consistencyshows designed for communal viewingThe Best Unscripted Shows of 2025 aren’t judged on mess alone. They’re judged on execution.The 8-Show Bracket: All Platforms RepresentedThe contenders competing for the title of Best Unscripted Show of 2025 are:The TraitorsGame ChangerThe Great British Baking ShowProject RunwayNot Her First RodeoTaskmasterLove Island USABelow DeckNetwork, cable, streaming, and niche platforms all collide here. No show advances on nostalgia alone, and no platform gets preferential treatment.Bracket Battles: Competition, Comfort, and ChaosAs eliminations begin, the debates sharpen quickly.Some unscripted shows dominate through:airtight format designfairness and repeatabilitylong-term audience trustOthers succeed through:personalityescalationsocial dynamicscontrolled chaosMike pushes the panel to separate enjoyment from achievement. Cassie argues for innovation and tone. Greg interrogates...

Movie of the Year: Best of the Year 2025Century of the YearA 2025 Year in Review in Real TimeEvery year tells a story — but rarely this fast.In this special episode of Movie of the Year, the panel presents 2025 – Century of the Year, a bold and chaotic 2025 year in review that attempts something simple, ambitious, and wildly entertaining: 100 of the biggest moments of the year, discussed in just 100 minutes.This isn’t a countdown.It isn’t a competition.It’s a real-time replay of the year as it unfolded.If you’re looking for a 2025 year-in-review podcast that values memory over rankings and chaos over consensus, this episode delivers.What This 2025 Year in Review CoversAcross 100 minutes, the episode touches on a wide range of moments that defined the year, including:major film releases and pop-culture eventsTV moments that dominated conversationinternet and media chaosstories that felt huge in the momentrobot chickensThe goal isn’t to judge what mattered most — it’s to remember what actually happened, when it happened.The Format: 100 Moments, 100 MinutesUnlike traditional year-end lists, Century of the Year moves chronologically, creating a true 2025 year in review rather than a retrospective ranking.Each moment gets:one minuteone burst of conversationOne chance to capture why it mattered thenJanuary flows into February, February into March, and suddenly the year is racing by. The format mirrors how 2025 actually felt: relentless, noisy, and impossible to fully process in real time.Who’s on the MicTo keep pace with the format, Movie of the Year brings together a full PopFilter lineup:GregMikeRyanCassie, host of The Superhero Show ShowKatelynnMackennaWith six voices rotating through the moments, the episode becomes a rolling conversation — jokes collide with reflection, and no one has time to overthink. The result is a loose, funny, and surprisingly emotional 2025 year-in-review podcast.Why Century of the Year Is a 2025 Year in Review Unlike Any OtherThere are no winners.No awards.No arguments to settle.Instead, this episode leans into playful chaos. One minute forces instinct. Tangents get cut short. Opinions are stated boldly and sometimes abandoned just as quickly. That’s not a flaw —...

Movie of the Year: Best of the Year 2025The MixtapeThe 2025 Mixtape as a Time CapsuleEvery year leaves behind more than movies — it leaves a sound.In this episode of Movie of the Year, the Taste Buds come together to create the 2025 Mixtape, a curated playlist designed to capture what the year felt like through music. Rather than ranking songs or chasing chart placement, the panel builds a living soundtrack that reflects the moods, moments, and cultural undercurrents of 2025.The goal of the 2025 Mixtape isn’t consensus.It’s memory.What the 2025 Mixtape Is (and Is Not)The 2025 Mixtape isn’t about declaring “the best songs of the year” in isolation. It’s about sequencing, contrast, and flow — how songs interact when placed side by side, how energy builds or collapses, and how a playlist can tell a story.This episode explores questions like:What song opens the year?Where does the emotional peak land?When does the mixtape need to slow down?And what track closes the door on 2025?The playlist is treated as a narrative, not a ranking.Choosing Songs That Define 2025As selections are made, the panel debates what qualifies a song for inclusion on the 2025 Mixtape. Is it cultural impact? Longevity? Personal obsession? Or the ability to instantly transport listeners back to a specific moment in the year?The conversation weighs:singles versus deep cutsmainstream hits versus discoveriessongs that grew over time versus immediate standoutsTogether, the picks form a portrait of how music functioned in daily life throughout 2025.Genre, Mood, and the Shape of the YearOne of the episode’s central tensions is the extent to which the musical landscape of 2025 is truly diverse. The 2025 Mixtape moves across genres, tones, and emotional registers, reflecting a year that resisted easy categorization.The discussion touches on:pop’s evolving extremeship-hop’s shifting centerIndie music’s changing rolegenre-blurring experimentationand songs that moved from background noise to personal anthemsThe result is a playlist that mirrors the year’s complexity rather than flattening it.Flow Matters: Sequencing the 2025 MixtapeMore than any single song, sequencing becomes the battleground. A great track can still feel wrong if it breaks momentum or disrupts the mood. The panel debates transitions, tonal shifts, and the extent to which a listener can handle emotional whiplash.This is where the episode gets deeply nerdy — and deeply satisfying.The 2025 Mixtape isn’t just assembled.It’s designed.Why the 2025 Mixtape MattersYears blur together.Playlists don’t.The 2025 Mixtape

Movie of the Year: Best of the Year 2025Best Horror Movie of the Year2025 Horror Movies and the Fight to Crown a ChampionThe world of 2025 horror movies is a battlefield, and in this episode of Movie of the Year, Mike, Ryan, and Taylor wage war over which film deserves to stand above the rest. Instead of assembling a list or reading off favorites, the panel builds a brutal bracket to determine the best horror movie of 2025 — from studio monsters to indie nightmares to streaming shocks.This isn’t just a celebration — it’s a confrontation.Sixteen titles enter.One claims the crown.What Horror Means in 2025: Defining the GenreBefore the eliminations begin, the panel confronts the evolution of horror in 2025.Is horror now:a metaphor for social collapse?a space for spiritual terror?a conduit for bodily dread?Or simply the movie that makes your heart race and palms sweat?2025 horror movies refuse to stay in one lane.The conversation traces how audiences now crave:original horror films over sequelsdaring stylistic swingsunpredictable storiesatmosphere over explanationnew monsters and mythologiesThis episode takes seriously the project of defining what horror in 2025 feels like.The 16 Films Competing for Best Horror Movie of 2025This year’s bracket includes a mix of theatrical releases, streaming originals, and buzzy festival darlings hoping to break through.The contenders for best horror film of 2025 include:Sinners (religious terror with real teeth)The Ugly Stepsister (fairy tale dread reimagined)Good Boy, a streaming sleeper hit with clawsThe Monkey, a Stephen King adaptation built for nightmaresFrankenstein, prestige monster cinema rebornDeath of a Unicorn, indie black magic meets satireBring Her Back, folk horror with biteWolf Man, classic creature feature updatedWeapons, conceptual terror from filmmakers pushing boundaries

The 2025 Season Begins with the Oscar DraftMovie of the Year is back with a brand-new season, and there’s no better way to kick things off than with our first-ever Oscar Draft 2025. Hosted by Cassie, this episode sees panelists Ryan, Mike, Greg, and Taylor engage in a deadly serious competition to predict which films will dominate awards season.Each drafter is tasked with assembling a roster of films they believe will rack up the most Academy Award nominations—across any and all categories—once Oscar morning finally arrives. It’s prediction, strategy, taste, and fortune-telling rolled into one.The Taste Buds are back, and this time they’re playing for keeps.Draft Rules: How the Oscar Draft 2025 WorksTo ensure fairness—and maximize tension—the draft follows a snake format, meaning the order reverses each round.Key Rules:Drafters select movies, not individuals or categoriesAny film is eligible—first half, festival darling, delayed release mystery, whateverNo two panelists can draft the same filmFive rounds totalThe winning team is the one whose final slate earns the most nominations when the Academy announces themEvery pick is a bet—on the movies themselves, their campaigns, their distributors, their word of mouth, and even the voters’ unpredictable tastes.Prediction vs Taste: Two Ways to PlayOne wrinkle that defines the episode: panelists must decide what kind of drafter they want to be.Do you swing for awards-season favorites blessed with early buzz? Or gamble on late-breaking discoveries nobody else notices yet?Some draft with spreadsheets and precedent. Others reach for films they want to see recognized. Every strategy has holes—and every smart pick someone else was eyeing can change the entire board.Stakes, Tension, and Oscar BloodsportUnlike the usual Movie of the Year chaos, this one is deadly serious. No bit is too small, no argument too granular, and no accusation too petty.Ryan, Mike, Greg, and Taylor:block each other’s pickssteal films out of sheer spiteargue over festival credibilitynegotiate control of the boardand, occasionally, wonder if they’ve made a catastrophic mistakeWith no immediate winner declared, the true victor won’t be revealed until Oscar nominations are announced. Which makes the waiting—and the trash talk—that much sweeter.Bonus Conversation: The State of the 2025 RaceBetween picks, Cassie guides the panel through the critical questions that define this year’s awards landscape, including:Are we preparing for a heavyweight Best Picture category?Does streaming still have power?Are studio campaign budgets shrinking—or...

Movie of the Year: 1971The DevilsWhy The Devils (1971) Still ProvokesIn this episode of Movie of the Year, Ryan and Mike confront The Devils, Ken Russell’s incendiary historical drama that remains one of the most controversial films ever made. More than fifty years after its release, the film continues to shock and challenge audiences—not simply for its imagery, but for its ruthless examination of power and religion as intertwined systems of control.Set in 17th-century France but unmistakably modern in its fury, this 1971 production exposes how institutions weaponize belief, morality, and fear. The conversation centers on why its reputation for scandal has so often eclipsed its intelligence, craft, and relevance.Guest Spotlight: Brian Eggert of DeepFocusReview.comJoining Ryan and Mike is special guest Brian Eggert, editor and lead writer at DeepFocusReview.com. Brian brings a historically grounded, analytical perspective that helps reframe the movie beyond its notoriety.Brian discusses Ken Russell’s place in 1970s cinema, the long history of censorship surrounding the film, and why its critique of power and religion feels increasingly urgent today. His insight clarifies why this work endures not as shock cinema, but as a rigorously argued piece of political art.Power and Religion as Systems of ControlAt its core, this film is about power and religion—and how faith becomes an instrument of domination when fused with political authority. What begins as a case of alleged demonic possession in Loudon evolves into a portrait of institutional violence, where truth is irrelevant and spectacle is essential.Ryan and Mike, with Brian’s input, analyze how religious authority operates alongside the state. Confessions are coerced, belief is staged, and punishment is public. Spiritual language masks political intent, turning faith into theater and theater into violence.Russell and Jarman: Cinema Built to ConfrontOne of the most radical elements of the movie is the collaboration between Ken Russell and Derek Jarman. The pairing of Russell and Jarman produces a visual world that rejects period realism in favor of aggressive symbolism.The episode breaks down how this partnership:replaces historical authenticity with stark modernist designuses white, brutalist architecture to deny comforttransforms religious iconography into provocationemploys excess as both aesthetic strategy and political critiqueThis is not cinema designed to immerse—it is cinema designed to unsettle.The Citizens of Loudon and Collective ResponsibilityBeyond its powerful figures, the story is deeply concerned with the citizens of Loudon. Crowds gather, whisper, watch, and ultimately participate in the machinery of destruction.Ryan and Mike explore how the film portrays moral panic as a communal process. Fear spreads socially. Violence becomes normalized. The narrative suggests that institutional cruelty only succeeds because ordinary people allow it to happen. The townspeople are not just victims of authority—they are active participants in its enforcement.Sex, Blasphemy, and the Machinery of ScandalMuch of the controversy surrounding this work stems from its...

Movie of the Year: 1971The Panic in Needle ParkWhy Panic in Needle Park Still ResonatesIn this episode of Movie of the Year, Ryan, Greg, and Mike revisit Panic in Needle Park (1971), an unflinching and immersive portrait of addiction, intimacy, and desperation etched into the grit of New York in the 70s. The film’s stark realism and emotional rawness turn what might have been exploitation into something astonishingly human — and absolutely unforgettable.The Taste Buds explore how Schatzburg’s shots and the fraught dynamics of Bobby and Helen place Panic in Needle Park among the most honest depictions of addiction and dependency in American cinema.SCHATZBURG’S SHOTS: Cinematic Realism Without ArtificeDirector Jerry Schatzberg crafts Panic in Needle Park with a visual language that refuses escape. Rather than offering stylized glamour, Schatzburg’s shots are observational and immersive — handheld, close, and relentlessly present. These techniques force viewers into the characters’ world, where discomfort isn’t cinematic but immediate and visceral.The Taste Buds discuss how Schatzberg uses tight framing, real location shooting, and a documentary-like approach to blur the line between performance and lived experience — making addiction feel as suffocating onscreen as it must in reality.Bobby and Helen and Al: Love, Dependency, and CollapseAt the emotional core of the film lies the complex, destructive relationship of Bobby and Helen. Bobby and Helen’s relationship is not romanticized — it’s transactional, codependent, and shaped by survival on the margins. Al looms as both enabler and inevitability, a reminder that escape is always temporary.Ryan, Greg, and Mike explore how the film treats love and addiction as mirrors: Bobby and Helen cling not to hope, but to each other because they have nowhere else to turn. The cycle of dependency becomes the story’s most heartbreaking theme.New York in the 70s: A City That Sees It AllFew films capture New York in the 70s with the same unvarnished clarity as Panic in Needle Park. The city is at once backdrop and silent character — indifferent, worn, and sprawling. Parks, streets, and subways become interchangeable landscapes of desperation and anonymity.The Taste Buds discuss how Panic in Needle Park uses real locations to root its story in a specific urban moment — a New York fraught with economic hardship, social upheaval, and the grinding anonymity that shapes these lives.Guest Spotlight: Mark Searby — Scholar, Podcaster, and Al Pacino ExpertThis episode features special guest Mark Searby, a seasoned film critic, broadcaster, and author with deep expertise in character-driven cinema. Mark is best known as the host of All About Al: The Pacino Podcast, a series dedicated to exploring the film, television, and stage career of Al Pacino. The show offers in-depth discussions with critics, scholars, and collaborators about Pacino’s work and influence. AcastMark is also the author of Al Pacino: The Movies Behind The Man, a comprehensive guide to Pacino’s filmography that examines the actor’s artistic evolution — from his breakout performance in Panic in Needle Park through classics like The Godfather and Dog Day Afternoon. Apple...

Movie of the Year: 1971DuelWhy Duel Still Defines Steven SpielbergIn this episode of Movie of the Year, Ryan, Greg, and Mike hit the highway with Duel, the 1971 television movie that announced the arrival of Steven Spielberg as a filmmaker to watch. Long before Jaws turned Spielberg into a household name, Duel showcased his instinctive command of suspense, visual storytelling, and cinematic geography.Though made for television, Duel feels relentlessly cinematic. The Taste Buds explore how Steven Spielberg transformed a simple premise—a man pursued by a truck—into a nerve-shredding examination of fear, pride, and survival, and why Duel remains one of the most influential thrillers of the 1970s.Steven Spielberg’s Duel: The Blueprint for a Legendary CareerViewed today, Duel plays like a rough draft of Steven Spielberg’s entire career. Even at this early stage, Spielberg demonstrates the techniques that would come to define his work:crystal-clear visual storytellingtension built through movement rather than dialogueempathy for ordinary protagonistsaction staged with escalating precisionRyan, Greg, and Mike break down how Duel anticipates Spielberg’s later films, from Jaws to War of the Worlds, in which everyday people confront overwhelming, often mechanical forces. Duel is not just Spielberg’s breakthrough—it’s his mission statement.Duel, Masculinity, and the Fragile American MaleAt the center of the film is Dennis Weaver’s David Mann, a character whose name underscores the film’s obsession with masculinity. Spielberg presents masculinity not as strength, but as something brittle—constantly tested by humiliation, fear, and wounded pride.The Taste Buds analyze how Steven Spielberg uses the relentless chase to strip Mann of social niceties and self-image. Each confrontation with the truck becomes a confrontation with his own identity, forcing Mann to decide whether masculinity means dominance, endurance, or simply surviving long enough to escape.This uneasy portrait of masculinity would echo throughout Spielberg’s career, particularly in his depictions of anxious men pushed to emotional and physical extremes.America as a Hostile Landscape in DuelFew films capture the anxiety lurking beneath the promise of America’s open spaces as effectively as Duel. Spielberg transforms highways, diners, and gas stations into zones of menace, where authority is absent and help never arrives.Ryan, Greg, and Mike discuss how Steven Spielberg’s vision of America in Duel reflects a growing cultural unease: freedom becomes isolation, mobility becomes vulnerability, and technology becomes an anonymous threat. The truck itself is never humanized—it’s industrial, faceless, and unstoppable, embodying a uniquely American nightmare.Guest Spotlight: Eric Vespe (Formerly Quint) from The SpielThis episode features special guest Eric Vespe, a veteran film journalist and podcaster with decades of experience covering cinema and genre filmmaking. Eric is formally known to many longtime film fans as Quint, the byline he used during his...

Movie of the Year: 1971Action Figure Draft, Part 2The Chaos Continues in the Action Figure Draft 1971In this week’s Movie of the Year, Ryan, Greg, Mike, and Taylor conclude the most brutal, strategic, and downright unhinged draft of the season: the Action Figure Draft 1971.Every Taste Bud continues to choose characters from 1971 movies (or TV productions), imagining them as highly posable, battle-ready action figures. These figures must then be assigned to six RPG-inspired roles: bard, cleric, druid, fighter, wizard, and wild card.The goal?Build a team capable of winning an all-out fight against the other rosters.And the twist that changes everything:Once a character is drafted from a movie, no one else can draft anyone else from that same movie.No backups. No consolation picks. Once it’s gone, it’s GONE.If you thought last season’s drafts were chaotic…you ain't heard 1971.The Draft Rules: One Year, One Movie Per Pick, Zero MercyTo keep this battle as ruthless as possible, the Taste Buds lock in the following rules:Snake Draft FormatThe order reverses each round, forcing careful planning and last-second gambits.Draft RolesEach team must fill:Bard – charm, chaos, charismaCleric – healer, protector, mystical weirdoDruid – nature, magic, unpredictable energyFighter – the bruiser, tank, or martial artistWizard – supernatural, cerebral, or ranged powerhouseWild Card – whatever you dare unleashEligibility: 1971 Movies (and TV Productions) [and Musicians probably] OnlyIf it hit screens in 1971 (big screen, small screen, arthouse, grindhouse), it’s fair game.The Killer Rule: One Character Per MovieAs soon as a player drafts any character from a movie or TV title, that entire production is locked out forever.Pick a character from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? The rest of Wonka’s weirdos vanish.Choose someone from A Clockwork Orange? Say goodbye to Alex’s droogs.Reach into The French Connection? No detective backup for anyone.This rule transforms the draft into a battlefield where stealing a movie is every bit as important as drafting the right character.The ObjectiveCreate a team of 1971 action figures capable of absolutely wrecking the others in a hypothetical battle royale.Selecting the Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Wizard, and Wild CardThe Taste Buds dive deep into the weird, violent, soulful, experimental year that is 1971 cinema. With each category requiring a different kind of fighter, strategy becomes key:A bard might be a charming con artist, a manipulative cult leader, or someone who just screams enough to cause psychic damage.A cleric might heal, preach, or haunt.A druid might commune with nature or be a chaos gremlin.A fighter is your tank — your blunt instrument of violence.A wizard could be supernatural…or simply smarter and more dangerous than anyone else.And...

Movie of the Year: 1971Action Figure Draft, Part 1The Chaos Begins in the Action Figure Draft 1971In this week’s Movie of the Year, Ryan, Greg, Mike, and Taylor enter the arena for the most brutal, strategic, and downright unhinged draft of the season: the Action Figure Draft 1971.Every Taste Bud must choose characters from 1971 movies (or TV productions), imagining them as highly posable, battle-ready action figures. These figures must then be assigned to six RPG-inspired roles: bard, cleric, druid, fighter, wizard, and wild card.The goal?Build a team capable of winning an all-out fight against the other rosters.And the twist that changes everything:Once a character is drafted from a movie, no one else can draft anyone else from that same movie.No backups. No consolation picks. Once it's gone, it’s GONE.If you thought last season’s drafts were chaotic…welcome to 1971.The Draft Rules: One Year, One Movie Per Pick, Zero MercyTo keep this battle as ruthless as possible, the Taste Buds lock in the following rules:Snake Draft FormatThe order reverses each round, forcing careful planning and last-second gambits.Draft RolesEach team must fill:Bard – charm, chaos, charismaCleric – healer, protector, mystical weirdoDruid – nature, magic, unpredictable energyFighter – the bruiser, tank, or martial artistWizard – supernatural, cerebral, or ranged powerhouseWild Card – whatever you dare unleashEligibility: 1971 Movies (and TV Productions) OnlyIf it hit screens in 1971 (big screen, small screen, arthouse, grindhouse), it’s fair game.The Killer Rule: One Character Per MovieAs soon as a player drafts any character from a movie or TV title, that entire production is locked out forever.Pick a character from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? The rest of Wonka’s weirdos vanish.Choose someone from A Clockwork Orange? Say goodbye to Alex’s droogs.Reach into The French Connection? No detective backup for anyone.This rule transforms the draft into a battlefield where stealing a movie is every bit as important as drafting the right character.The ObjectiveCreate a team of 1971 action figures capable of absolutely wrecking the others in a hypothetical battle royale.Selecting the Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Wizard, and Wild CardThe Taste Buds dive deep into the weird, violent, soulful, experimental year that is 1971 cinema. With each category requiring a different kind of fighter, strategy becomes key:A bard might be a charming con artist, a manipulative cult leader, or someone who just screams enough to cause psychic damage.A cleric might heal, preach, or haunt.A druid might commune with nature or be a chaos gremlin.A fighter is your tank — your blunt instrument of violence.A wizard could be supernatural…or simply smarter and more dangerous than anyone else.And the wild card?Well, 1971 produced some bizarre characters. Anything can happen here.And because each movie gets only one character drafted, every pick is a race to snatch a film before someone else steals it out from under...

Movie of the Year: 1971McCabe and Mrs. MillerMcCabe and Mrs Miller and the Birth of the Revisionist WesternIn this episode of Movie of the Year, Ryan, Greg, and Mike dive into McCabe and Mrs Miller, one of the most enduring and atmospheric films of the 1970s. Hailed as a defining entry in The Revisionist Western, Robert Altman’s subversive frontier tale reshaped the genre with its melancholy tone, snowy landscapes, and the unforgettable chemistry of Beatty and Christie.More than 50 years later, McCabe and Mrs Miller still captivates audiences with its blending of realism, capitalism, romance, and tragedy. The Taste Buds explore how the film dismantles the myth of the cowboy and replaces it with something far more human — and far more haunting.McCabe and Mrs Miller and the Evolution of The Revisionist WesternAs one of the foundational films of The Revisionist Western, McCabe and Mrs Miller stands in opposition to classic Hollywood frontier mythology. Instead of rugged heroes conquering the wilderness, Altman gives us a world where power is fragile, capitalism is violent, and survival depends less on grit and more on negotiation, luck, and vulnerability.The Taste Buds analyze how the film:challenges Western tropes through vulnerability instead of bravadoreplaces heroic gunfights with corporate brutalityforegrounds community, compromise, and human frailtyuses McCabe’s tragic arc to critique capitalist expansionThis isn’t the West as legend — it’s the West as lived experience.Robert Altman and Gordon Willis: Sound, Snow, and Cinematic SubversionMcCabe and Mrs Miller bears the unmistakable imprint of Robert Altman, whose improvisational direction and overlapping soundscape helped reinvent American cinema in the 1970s. Working with cinematographer Gordon Willis, known for his moody, shadow-rich images, Altman transforms the Western into a dreamlike, fog-drenched meditation.The Taste Buds highlight how Altman and Willis shape the film’s signature aesthetic:Overlapping dialogue and naturalistic sound that create a bustling, lived-in communityDiffused, foggy lighting and filters that give the film its iconic “sepia snowdream” lookLong, drifting shots that emphasize the vulnerability of characters lost in a harsh landscapeLeonard Cohen’s mournful soundtrack, underscoring the film’s quiet despairAltman and Willis built not just a Western — but a world.Beatty and Christie: The Heart of McCabe and Mrs MillerAt the emotional center of the film are Warren Beatty and Julie Christie, whose complex, understated dynamic elevates McCabe and Mrs Miller into something approaching tragic romance.The Taste Buds explore:Beatty’s portrayal of McCabe as a man confused by his own legendChristie’s luminous, grounded performance as Mrs. Miller — the true brains of the operationThe subversion of the “cowboy and madam” tropeTheir crackling chemistry and the off-screen relationship that deepened their on-screen connectionTogether, Beatty and Christie redefine intimacy within the Western genre, offering partnership instead of power fantasy.Themes of McCabe and Mrs Miller: Capitalism, Community, and ControlRyan, Greg, and Mike unpack the themes that give McCabe and Mrs Miller its enduring...

Movie of the Year: 1971KluteWhy Klute Still Captivates AudiencesIn this episode of Movie of the Year, Ryan, Greg, and Mike examine Klute, Alan J. Pakula’s groundbreaking 1971 thriller that fused noir, feminist character study, and political paranoia into a single atmospheric masterpiece. From its haunting portrayal of loneliness to its razor-sharp critique of power and control, Klute remains one of the most influential films of the 1970s — a tense, stylish, and unsettling work anchored by unforgettable performances.The Taste Buds explore how Klute uses mood, silence, and perspective to reimagine what a thriller can be, and why its themes still resonate decades later.Pakula and Willis: Crafting the Look and Fear of KluteAlan J. Pakula, working with cinematographer Gordon Willis, created in Klute what would become the visual and tonal blueprint for 1970s paranoia cinema. The Taste Buds discuss how the Pakula/Willis partnership shaped not only this film, but future classics as well.Pakula’s direction emphasizes psychological distance, moral ambiguity, and bureaucratic dread.Willis — the legendary “Prince of Darkness” — saturates the film with deep shadows, cold light, and voyeuristic framing that makes the audience feel watched.The collaboration results in a thriller where silence is suspense, space is threat, and every frame hints at danger you can’t quite see.This visual strategy becomes the DNA of Pakula’s later films, but Klute is where the paranoia begins.Bree Daniels: Jane Fonda’s Defining PerformanceNo element of Klute is more celebrated than Jane Fonda’s performance as Bree Daniels, a character whose complexity transformed the possibilities for female roles in crime and thriller cinema.Ryan, Greg, and Mike explore how Bree’s character:serves as the emotional center of Klutenavigates trauma, agency, sexuality, and survivalresists the stereotypes typically imposed on sex workersexpresses her inner life most vividly in her therapy scenes, where the film slows down and lets Bree define herself in her own wordsFonda delivers a portrait of a woman who is both vulnerable and fiercely self-aware — a character fighting for autonomy in a world designed to control her.John Klute: Donald Sutherland’s Quiet DetectiveWhile Bree is the heart of the film, Donald Sutherland’s John Klute is the unstable axis around which the mystery turns. His restrained, almost withdrawn performance contrasts sharply with Bree’s vivid emotional life.The Taste Buds discuss how John Klute:subverts noir detective tropes by being passive rather than dominantreflects the unease and disillusionment of early 1970s masculinitybecomes both protector and threat, comfort and menaceheightens the film’s tension simply by what he doesn’t sayHis quietness becomes the film’s most unsettling element — the fear that danger might come not from action, but from inaction.Klute's Themes: Power, Paranoia, and the Performance of IdentityThe Taste Buds analyze the movie as a story deeply invested in the forces that shape who we become and how we behave:Power — who has it, who wants it, who is crushed by itParanoia — the constant hum of surveillance that defines the film’s worldIdentity and performance — especially in Bree’s...

Movie of the Year: 1971MixtapeThe Mixtape Reaches Its Final FormIn the second and final installment of the Movie of the Year: Mixtape 1971, Mike, Greg, Ryan, and special guest Taylor reunite to complete the ultimate playlist of songs released in 1971. What began as a nostalgic, free-wheeling journey through one of the greatest years in music now becomes a decisive act of curation. Each Taste Bud must make their final selections, shaping the last pieces of a mixtape that captures the sound, soul, and spirit of 1971.This isn’t a draft. This isn’t a competition. It’s a collaborative act of musical archaeology—a mission to create a playlist worthy of an era that changed everything.Finishing the Playlist: Drama, Dissent, and DedicationThe tension rises as the Taste Buds fill the final open slots on the mixtape. The stakes aren’t about winning—they’re about getting it right. Which tracks deserve early placement? Which songs have earned the privilege of closing out the mix? And which hidden gems from 1971 demand to be heard?With every selection, the Mixtape becomes more defined and more surprising, balancing iconic hits with deep cuts, genre-spanning favorites, and songs that shaped both cinema and culture.This episode leans into the drama: passionate defenses, sudden reversals, and the kind of decisive playlist-building energy that only the Taste Buds can bring.The Themes That Emerged from 1971As the Mixtape locks into place, the Taste Buds uncover the unexpected themes that emerged from their selections.Rebellion and protest—echoes of a generation reckoning with war, justice, and identity.Introspection and vulnerability—songwriters unearthing new emotional territory.Genre expansion—rock, soul, folk, funk, and country all exploding in new directions.Together, these tracks tell a story of a year that didn’t just produce great music—it reshaped the cultural landscape.Guest Spotlight: Taylor Returns for the FinaleSpecial guest Taylor returns for Part Two, bringing strong musical instincts and a fearless approach to finishing the playlist. Her choices add emotional depth, tonal variety, and bold color to the final tracklist—helping shape Mixtape 1971 into something that feels alive, resonant, and unmistakably right.Conclusion: The Definitive 1971 MixtapeWith the final songs selected and the playlist complete, Mixtape 1971 stands as a testament to the sound of the era—rebellious, soulful, experimental, and unforgettable. Whether you lived through it or discovered it decades later, these tracks offer a time capsule of a world changing in real time.🎧 Listen now to the dramatic conclusion of Mixtape 1971 and experience the playlist as it comes together moment by moment.📬 Email your own 1971 song selections—or your personal Mixtape 1971—to popfilterco@gmail.com.🔔 And don’t forget to subscribe to Movie of the Year for more 1971 episodes, deep dives, and debates.

Movie of the Year: 1971MixtapeThe Sound of 1971The Taste Buds are trading film reels for vinyl grooves in this week’s episode of Movie of the Year, as Mike, Greg, Ryan, and special guest Taylor create the ultimate 1971 Mixtape. It’s the year of protest songs, psychedelic experimentation, soul anthems, and singer-songwriter confessionals—and the Taste Buds are here to decide which tracks define it all.Each host takes turns drafting their favorite songs from 1971 and placing them into the perfect playlist order. What emerges is not just a collection of hits, but a sonic time capsule—capturing the emotion, rebellion, and rhythm of a year when music and culture collided in unforgettable ways.The Rules of the MixtapeHere’s how it works:Only songs released in 1971 are eligible.Each participant takes a turn selecting a song. The chooser not only selects the song but also decides where it goes in the lineup, although the choosers of the opener and closer are pre-determined. The result? A carefully chaotic playlist that reflects the Taste Buds’ unique blend of passion, humor, and deep-cut expertise.The Music of 1971: A Revolution on Record1971 wasn’t just another year in music—it was a creative explosion. From the poetic introspection of the singer-songwriter era to the gritty pulse of funk and soul, 1971 became a soundtrack to a generation in transition.As the Taste Buds debate their picks, they uncover how the sounds of this year—across rock, R&B, country, and beyond—captured the cultural aftershocks of the 1960s and set the stage for the music that defined the decade to come.Whether it’s an anthem of rebellion or a quiet moment of heartbreak, every song chosen for the 1971 Mixtape tells part of the story of who we were, and who we were becoming.Guest Spotlight: Taylor Joins the MixtapeThis episode features special guest Taylor, who brings his own distinctive taste and flair to the playlist. A longtime friend of the show and a sharp musical mind, Taylor adds energy, insight, and a few unexpected curveballs to the draft. His picks remind the crew—and listeners—why music isn’t just heard, it’s felt.Conclusion: Press Play on the PastBy the end of the episode, the Taste Buds have built something more than a playlist—they’ve created a living archive of sound, heart, and memory. The 1971 Mixtape is a reminder of why this era of music still resonates, decades later: it was honest, fearless, and timeless.🎧 Listen now to hear Mike, Greg, Ryan, and Taylor craft the ultimate 1971 Mixtape. Subscribe to Movie of the Year, and email your own playlist picks to popfilterco@gmail.com—because your favorite 1971 song deserves a spot on the record.

Movie of the Year: 1971The ConformistRevisiting The Conformist (1971) – Power and Identity in Italian CinemaIn this episode of Movie of the Year, Ryan, Greg, and Nate take on Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Conformist (1971), a visual and psychological masterpiece that defined the aesthetics of 1970s cinema. Through its haunting beauty and moral ambiguity, The Conformist examines how a man’s need to belong leads him down a path of destruction.As the Taste Buds explore, Bertolucci’s film is more than a political allegory—it’s an intimate portrait of repression, desire, and the fragile nature of identity.Bertolucci’s The Conformist and the Politics of StyleFew filmmakers balance ideology and artistry as masterfully as Bernardo Bertolucci. The Taste Buds discuss how his direction turns politics into visual poetry, using color, shadow, and architecture to mirror the internal lives of his characters.Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro creates a world of geometric perfection and emotional chaos, where fascist Italy becomes both stage and metaphor. Every shot in The Conformist (1971) is deliberate—an expression of control, guilt, and the terror of individual thought in a conformist world.(Learn more about Bertolucci’s visual approach on Criterion’s Bertolucci essay.)Marcello Clerici: The Psychology of FascismAt the center of The Conformist is Marcello Clerici, portrayed by Jean-Louis Trintignant with quiet dread. Marcello longs to fit in, to appear normal, to bury the parts of himself that don’t conform. His fear of difference drives him toward fascism—not out of conviction, but out of insecurity.Ryan, Greg, and Nate explore how Marcello’s repression and guilt become political acts. His story reveals how ordinary people become instruments of ideology—not through belief, but through cowardice and the seductive comfort of belonging.Anna and Giulia: Women, Desire, and RebellionThe women of The Conformist (1971)—Anna (Dominique Sanda) and Giulia (Stefania Sandrelli)—represent opposing forces in Marcello’s life and Italy’s cultural psyche. Anna is sharp, enigmatic, and politically aware—a woman whose defiance threatens to unravel Marcello’s carefully constructed identity. Giulia is complacent, beautiful, and submissive, embodying the illusion of safety and control.The Taste Buds analyze how Bertolucci frames both women as agents of desire and symbols of rebellion, showing that even within oppressive systems, resistance can take many forms—some loud, others quietly devastating.Guest Spotlight: Nate Ragolia from Debut BuddiesThis episode features special guest Nate Ragolia, co-host of the hit podcast Debut Buddies. Known for celebrating pop-culture firsts—from debut albums to first films—Nate brings his trademark blend of insight and humor to The Conformist (1971). His deep appreciation for cinema’s evolution adds a new dimension to the discussion, connecting Bertolucci’s exploration of identity and conformity to the creative risks artists still face today.🎧 Check out Debut Buddies wherever you get podcasts to hear Nate’s take on the beginnings of cultural phenomena.FAQ: The Conformist (1971) ExplainedWho directed The Conformist (1971)?Italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci directed The Conformist, adapting it from Alberto Moravia’s novel of the same name.What is The Conformist...

Movie of the Year: 1971WandaRediscovering Wanda (1971) – A Landmark of Feminist CinemaIn this episode of Movie of the Year, the Taste Buds—Mike, Ryan, and Greg—begin their deep dive into 1971 cinema with Barbara Loden’s raw, groundbreaking film, Wanda. Once dismissed and now celebrated as a cornerstone of feminist filmmaking, Wanda (1971) captures the alienation and quiet rebellion of a woman trying to survive in a world that refuses to see her.For movie lovers and film historians alike, this episode explores how Wanda transformed independent film, redefined the female gaze, and challenged the capitalist structures of both life and art.The Character of Wanda: Feminism and Alienation in 1971 CinemaAt the heart of Wanda (1971) lies a protagonist unlike any other. Wanda Goronski, portrayed by Barbara Loden herself, is a woman out of step with the world around her—drifting through Pennsylvania coal country with little purpose, no plan, and even less hope.The Taste Buds explore how Wanda’s detachment becomes a quiet act of resistance. She isn’t empowered in the conventional sense, but her refusal to conform to the expectations of wifehood, motherhood, and labor gives her a radical presence. Her story asks: is true freedom even possible for someone like Wanda in a capitalist, patriarchal society?Barbara Loden’s Direction and Legacy in WandaBarbara Loden—actor, writer, and director—crafted Wanda as an intensely personal response to the limitations placed on women in both Hollywood and everyday life. The Taste Buds examine how her minimalist style and vérité realism broke from the conventions of the era, situating Wanda as one of the earliest examples of American independent cinema’s feminist movement.Shot on a shoestring budget with nonprofessional actors, Wanda captures authenticity without sentimentality. Loden’s direction feels lived-in, intimate, and unsparing—her camera refuses to judge Wanda even as society does. The Taste Buds discuss how Loden’s work paved the way for later filmmakers exploring identity, alienation, and the female experience.Feminism vs. Capitalism: The Political Core of WandaWanda (1971) isn’t just a character study—it’s a political statement. The Taste Buds unpack how the film critiques the intersections of feminism and capitalism, showing how both liberation and exploitation exist within the same system.For Wanda, the American Dream is a nightmare: men exploit her, work dehumanizes her, and freedom always comes with a price. The Taste Buds discuss how Wanda’s raw honesty about poverty, gender, and survival resonates today, reflecting an America where independence remains conditional and fleeting.FAQ: Wanda (1971) on Movie of the YearWho directed Wanda (1971)?Barbara Loden wrote, directed, and starred in Wanda, making it a pioneering example of feminist independent cinema.Why is Wanda considered a feminist film?It rejects Hollywood’s idealized portrayals of women, instead depicting a complex, flawed woman navigating systemic oppression and limited choices.Where can I watch Wanda (1971)?Wanda is available through the Criterion Collection and select streaming platforms dedicated to classic and independent cinema.Conclusion: Why Wanda Still MattersMore than fifty years later, Wanda (1971) endures as a defining work of feminist and independent filmmaking. With Barbara Loden’s fearless direction and the haunting performance at its core,...

Movie of the Year: 1971The 16 Films Are ChosenThe Battle Heats UpIn Part Two of the Movie of the Year: 1971 season, the Taste Buds—Mike, Ryan, and Greg—return to slice the bracket from 64 films down to 16. What began as a celebration of early-1970s experimentation has become a cinematic bloodbath. This is where masterpieces clash, cult favorites fall, and only the strongest survive.1971 continues to reveal its soul: a year defined by disillusionment, moral decay, and the desperate search for meaning in a changing world. The Taste Buds wrestle with these themes as they try to separate the timeless from the forgotten in one of the most volatile brackets in podcast history.The Cultural Turmoil of 1971The deeper the Taste Buds dive into 1971, the clearer it becomes that this was a year unlike any other. The optimism of the ’60s had curdled into cynicism; art was bleeding into protest, and filmmakers were pushing boundaries few dared cross.This episode isn’t just about elimination—it’s about exploration. Each cut exposes a tension between old Hollywood and the daring voices of New Hollywood. The moral clarity of the past gives way to ambiguity, violence, and alienation. Even in defeat, these films feel alive—vibrant reflections of a restless nation on the edge of transformation.The Bracket: From 64 to 16The Taste Buds take no prisoners as they slash the field in half. Beloved underdogs and prestigious heavyweights alike fall victim to the bracket’s brutality.The discussion spans the full spectrum of 1971 cinema—from intimate character studies to radical experiments in form. What emerges is a portrait of a year obsessed with freedom and consequence, where the line between hero and villain, beauty and ugliness, grows thinner with every decision.By the end, only 16 films remain—each a contender for the title of 1971 Movie of the Year.Conclusion: The Revolution ContinuesIf Part One was discovery, Part Two is devastation. The Taste Buds have drawn blood, but the fight is far from over. As 1971 reveals its cinematic DNA—grit, daring, and rebellion—the question grows sharper: what kind of film deserves to define an era?🎧 Listen now to Movie of the Year: 1971, Part Two. Subscribe, share your reactions, and email your predictions for the next round to popfilterco@gmail.com—because the bracket waits for no one, and 1971 isn’t done breaking hearts.

Movie of the Year: 1971A New Season BeginsWelcome to 1971—The Year Hollywood Broke the RulesThe Taste Buds—Mike, Ryan, and Greg—are back, and this time they’re traveling to one of the most daring and unpredictable years in film history: 1971. With the studio system collapsing and the counterculture in full swing, filmmakers were rewriting the rules, blending art and rebellion into something thrillingly new.In this season premiere, the Taste Buds launch the 1971 Movie of the Year bracket, cutting 96 movies down to 64 in a massive showdown of ambition, artistry, and pure cinematic chaos. From cult curiosities to forgotten gems, this first round is where history’s deep cuts get their moment in the spotlight.The Cultural Crossroads of 19711971 wasn’t just another year—it was a cultural collision. The Vietnam War raged, Nixon ruled the airwaves, and young directors were taking cameras into uncharted territory. As the Taste Buds remind us, this was the year American cinema shifted from polished studio spectacle to gritty realism, giving rise to New Hollywood.Every film in this season premiere carries that revolutionary spark. Some came from the underground; others from studios trying desperately to keep up with changing times. Together, they form a portrait of a moment when film wasn’t just entertainment—it was rebellion.Deep Cuts and Dangerous Roads: The Films of Round OneBefore the heavy hitters arrive in later rounds, the Taste Buds dig into the unsung heroes of 1971—the strange, the soulful, and the subversive.Two-Lane Blacktop: A road movie stripped down to its raw nerves, where the open highway is both promise and punishment.Wake in Fright: An Australian fever dream that makes the outback feel like purgatory.The Hired Hand: Peter Fonda’s quiet Western about regret, redemption, and a way of life that’s already dying.Taking Off: Miloš Forman’s offbeat exploration of American youth, alienation, and generational divide.Each of these films tells part of the story of 1971: a year where cinema stopped being polite and started getting real.The Bracket BeginsWith 96 contenders on the board, the Taste Buds must make impossible choices. Which obscure masterpieces deserve to advance? Which early casualties will haunt the rest of the season? The first round is brutal, brilliant, and full of surprises—as only a Movie of the Year bracket can be.The Revolution Will Be Screened1971 was a year of upheaval, experimentation, and discovery—and this season premiere captures that spirit perfectly. As the Taste Buds trim the list to 64, they set the stage for one of the richest and most unpredictable seasons in Movie of the Year history.🎧 Listen now to the Movie of the Year: 1971 Season Premiere. Subscribe to the show, share your bracket predictions, and email your early favorites to popfilterco@gmail.com—because the revolution of 1971 has just begun, and only one film will rise to the top.

Movie of the Year: 1999The Grand Finale (Finale)The End of the 1999 RoadThe moment has arrived. After months of debates, shocking eliminations, and unforgettable arguments, the 1999 Movie of the Year Finale comes to its climactic conclusion. The Taste Buds—Mike, Ryan, and Greg—step into the ring one last time to decide which film will take home the crown as the ultimate 1999 Movie of the Year. Two iconic movies remain. Only one will survive.The Final Showdown: The Best of 1999The bracket began with dozens of contenders, but it is now down to two giants. The Taste Buds give every moment the dramatic weight it deserves, breaking down performances, set pieces, and cultural impact. Expect arguments that land like body slams, counterpoints that hit like steel chairs, and a final decision that could shock listeners everywhere. The question remains: Which 1999 film will become the undisputed champion?The Ultimate 1999 AwardsBefore the crown is placed, the Taste Buds hand out the most outrageous and most coveted awards of the season. These categories highlight the wild, unforgettable moments that made 1999 a year like no other:Best SexBest ViolenceBest Musical MomentBest ActorBest ActressEach award sparks passionate debate, hilarious takes, and surprising winners, ensuring the finale delivers both celebration and chaos.FAQ About the 1999 Finale PodcastWhat is the 1999 Movie of the Year?The Taste Buds crown the single film that defines 1999 as the greatest movie year of all time.Which awards are given in the finale?The finale features awards for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Sex Scene, Best Violence, and Best Musical Moment.Who are the Taste Buds?Mike, Ryan, and Greg—hosts of the Movie of the Year Podcast, where movies battle for cultural immortality.A Crown Worth Fighting For1999 gave us masterpieces, cult classics, and blockbusters that defined a generation. But only one film can be crowned 1999 Movie of the Year. Will it be the movie with the strongest performances? The wildest twist? The boldest direction? The Taste Buds decide, and the final verdict is in.Listen now to Part Three of the finale. Subscribe to Movie of the Year, share the episode with fellow movie lovers, and email us your reactions at popfilterco@gmail.com. Did the Taste Buds get it right, or did your pick for Best 1999 Movie get robbed? Let the debate continue.