This Movie Saved My Life

On this episode, John and Miles explore the world of NC-17 rated films and whether that rating means what it used to.

Michael Mann’s Manhunter (1986) brought Thomas Harris’s Hannibal Lecter universe to the screen years before The Silence of the Lambs became a cultural phenomenon, and did it with neon light, synths, forensic procedure, and an overwhelming sense of loneliness. John and Miles revisit Mann’s cult classic to discuss William Petersen’s haunted Will Graham, Tom Noonan’s terrifying and unexpectedly vulnerable Francis Dollarhyde, Brian Cox’s remarkably understated Hannibal Lecktor, and a film in whic...

This week, we're heading from ancient Greece to the kitchen as we pair Christopher Nolan's forthcoming The Odyssey with the final season of The Bear. We reflect on how one of television's defining dramas concludes, asking whether its ending ultimately rewards years of emotional investment. Along the way, we explore work, ambition, burnout, perfectionism, and why stories about impossible standards continue to resonate so deeply, before looking ahead to why The Odyssey remains one of the f...

It's a reunion episode! After reuniting in person during John's summer holiday, we catch up on the films we've been watching before diving into a Fourth of July conversation about Hamilton. As Miles confronts his well-known skepticism of musicals, we explore how the film uses music, casting, and storytelling to reimagine America's founding and challenge the way we think about history, nationhood, and collective memory. Along the way, we reflect on what historical films can teach us about the ...

This week, John and Miles take a close encounter with Disclosure Day, a film that asks big questions about evidence, secrecy, belief, and the search for truth. Along the way, they discuss what the film shares with investigative classics like The Conversation, All the President's Men, and even Memories of Murder, exploring why unresolved mysteries continue to fascinate us. Whether you're a skeptic, a believer, or simply curious about the unknown, join us for a conversation about what happens w...