Awesome Movie Year
Awesome Movie Year is a podcast co-hosted by film critic Josh Bell and filmmaker and comedian Jason Harris. Each season examines a specific year and why it was an awesome movie year. Each episode focuses on a different film from that year. The podcast is produced by David Rosen of the Piecing It Together Podcast for the All Points West Podcast Network.
Episodes
The Southerner (1946 Venice Film Festival Winner)
The tenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1946 features the Venice International Film Festival Golden Lion winner, Jean Renoir’s The Southerner. Directed and co-written by Jean Renoir and starring Zachary Scott, Betty Field, J. Carrol Naish, Beulah Bondi and Charles Kemper, The Southerner is the fourth of six movies that Renoir made during his time in Hollywood.The contemporary
The Killers (1946 Jason's Pick)
The ninth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1946 features Jason’s personal pick, Robert Siodmak’s The Killers. Directed by Robert Siodmak and starring Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Edmond O’Brien and Sam Levene, The Killers is based on the 1927 short story by Ernest Hemingway.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Bosley Crowther in The New York Times (https://ww
Make Mine Music (1946 Animated Film)
The eighth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1946 features our animation pick, Disney’s Make Mine Music. Directed by Jack Kinney, Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske, Joshua Meador and Robert Cormack, Make Mine Music is the third of six anthology films that Disney released during a break from producing full-length features.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Bosle
Beauty and the Beast (1946 Foreign Film)
The seventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1946 features our foreign film pick, Jean Cocteau’s Beauty and the Beast. Written and directed by Jean Cocteau and starring Jean Marais, Josette Day and Marcel André, Beauty and the Beast is the first feature-film adaptation of the classic French fairy tale.Check out more info and the entire archive of past episodes at https://www.awes
Cluny Brown (1946 Josh's Pick)
The sixth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1946 features Josh’s personal pick, Ernst Lubitsch’s Cluny Brown. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch and starring Jennifer Jones, Charles Boyer, Peter Lawford, Helen Walker and Richard Haydn, Cluny Brown was the last film Lubitsch completed before his death.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from James Agee in The Nation, A.H.
Let There Be Light (1946 Documentary)
The fifth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1946 features our documentary pick, John Huston’s Let There Be Light. Directed by John Huston and featuring patients from Mason General Hospital, Let There Be Light was commissioned by the U.S. Army but barred from release until 1981.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from James Agee in The Nation, Vincent Canby in The
Brief Encounter (1946 Cannes Award Winner)
The fourth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1946 features one of the Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix winners, David Lean’s Brief Encounter. Directed and co-written by David Lean and starring Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey and Cyril Raymond, Brief Encounter was one of 11 films to tie for the Grand Prix at the first-ever Cannes Film Festival.The contemp
Boom in the Moon (1946 Box Office Flop)
The third episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1946 features the year’s biggest flop, Buster Keaton comedy Boom in the Moon. Directed and co-written by Jaime Salvador and starring Buster Keaton, Ángel Garasa and Virginia Serret, Mexican production Boom in the Moon marked Keaton’s final leading role in a film.Check out more info and the entire archive of past episodes at https://www.a
Crisis (1946 First Feature)
The second episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1946 features our pick for a notable debut feature, Ingmar Bergman’s Crisis. Written and directed by Ingmar Bergman and starring Inga Landgré, Stig Olin, Marianne Löfgren and Dagny Lind, Crisis is adapted from a Danish radio play by Leck Fischer.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode (https://www.ingmarbergman.se/en/production/
Duel in the Sun (1946 Box Office Champ)
The first episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1946 features the box-office champion, King Vidor’s Duel in the Sun. Directed by King Vidor and starring Jennifer Jones, Gregory Peck, Joseph Cotten, Lillian Gish and Lionel Barrymore, Duel in the Sun was producer David O. Selznick’s effort to match his success and acclaim with Gone With the Wind.The contemporary reviews quoted in this e
Dirty Harry (1971 Bonus Episode)
This bonus episode for our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features Don Siegel’s Dirty Harry. Directed by Don Siegel and starring Clint Eastwood, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni, Andrew Robinson and John Vernon, Dirty Harry is the first of five movies featuring Eastwood as San Francisco Police Inspector Harry Callahan.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (htt
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971 Bonus Episode)
This bonus episode for our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features Mel Stuart’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Directed by Mel Stuart and starring Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrum and Jack Albertson, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is based on the novel by Roald Dahl.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/willy-won
1985 Epilogue
In this epilogue to our season on the awesome movie year of 1985, we talk about alternate movies we considered including in all of our different categories this season, and read suggestions from some listeners about their favorite 1985 movies.Check out more info and the entire archive of past episodes at https://www.awesomemovieyear.com and visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/awesomemo
He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword (1985 Audience Choice)
The finale of our season on the awesome movie year of 1985 features our audience choice pick, animated toy adaptation He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword. Directed by Ed Friedman, Lou Kachivas, Marsh Lamore, Bill Reed and Gwen Wetzler and starring the voices of John Erwin, Melendy Britt, Alan Oppenheimer and Linda Gary, He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword defeated two other animated
Gymkata (1985 Future Cult Classic)
The thirteenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1985 features our cult classic pick, Kurt Thomas action movie Gymkata. Directed by Robert Clouse and starring Kurt Thomas, Tetchie Agbayani, Richard Norton and Buck Kartalian, Gymkata is the first and only film featuring world champion gymnast Kurt Thomas.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert and Laur
The Return of The Living Dead (1985 Dave's Pick)
The twelfth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1985 features our producer David Rosen’s pick, Dan O’Bannon’s The Return of the Living Dead. Written and directed by Dan O’Bannon and starring Clu Gulager, James Karen, Thom Mathews and Don Calfa, The Return of the Living Dead is the first installment in a long-running horror franchise.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode co
Out Of Africa (1985 Best Picture)
The eleventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1985 features the Academy Awards Best Picture winner, Sydney Pollack’s Out of Africa. Directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Klaus Maria Brandauer and Michael Kitchen, Out of Africa is based on the life and writings of Karen Blixen.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (ht
Blood Simple (1985 Sundance Film Festival Award Winner)
The tenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1985 features the Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner, Joel and Ethan Coen’s Blood Simple. Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen and starring John Getz, Frances McDormand, Dan Hedaya and M. Emmet Walsh, Blood Simple was the Coen brothers’ debut feature.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert
The Goonies (1985 Jason's Pick)
The ninth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1985 features Jason’s personal pick, Richard Donner’s The Goonies. Directed by Richard Donner from a screenplay by Chris Columbus and starring Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen and Ke Huy Quan, The Goonies is based on a story by producer Steven Spielberg.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebe
The Adventures Of Mark Twain (1985 Animated Film)
The eighth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1985 features our animation pick, Will Vinton’s The Adventures of Mark Twain. Directed by Will Vinton and starring James Whitmore, Michele Mariana, Gary Krug and Chris Ritchie, The Adventures of Mark Twain is the first and only feature film directed by stop-motion animation pioneer Vinton.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode
Ran (1985 Foreign Film)
The seventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1985 features our foreign film pick, Akira Kurosawa’s Ran. Directed and co-written by Akira Kurosawa and starring Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryu and Mieko Harada, Ran is adapted from William Shakespeare’s King Lear.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.co
Desperately Seeking Susan (1985 Josh's Pick)
The sixth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1985 features Josh’s personal pick, Susan Seidelman’s Desperately Seeking Susan. Directed by Susan Seidelman from a screenplay by Leora Barish and starring Rosanna Arquette, Aidan Quinn, Madonna, Mark Blum and Laurie Metcalf, Desperately Seeking Susan marked the feature film debut of pop singer Madonna.The contemporary review quoted in t
The Statue Of Liberty (1985 Documentary)
The fifth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1985 features our documentary pick, Ken Burns’ The Statue of Liberty. Directed by Ken Burns and narrated by historian David McCullough, The Statue of Liberty was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.The contemporary review quoted in this episode comes from John Corry in The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/
When Father Was Away On Business (1985 Cannes Palme d'Or Winner)
The fourth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1985 features the Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner, Emir Kusturica’s When Father Was Away on Business. Directed by Emir Kusturica and starring Moreno De Bartoli, Miki Manojlović, Mirjana Karanović, Mustafa Nadarević and Mira Furlan, When Father Was Away on Business was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language
Clue (1985 Box Office Flop)
The third episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1985 features the year’s biggest flop, Jonathan Lynn’s Clue. Written and directed by Jonathan Lynn and starring Tim Curry, Martin Mull, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Eileen Brennan, Michael McKean and Lesley Ann Warren, Clue is based on the perennially popular board game.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger
Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985 First Feature)
The second episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1985 features our pick for a notable debut feature, Tim Burton’s Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Directed by Tim Burton and starring Paul Reubens, Elizabeth Daily, Diane Salinger and Mark Holton, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure is the first movie featuring Reubens’ long-running Pee-wee Herman character.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode c
Back To The Future (1985 Box Office Champ)
The first episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1985 features the box-office champion, Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future. Directed and co-written by Robert Zemeckis and starring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson, Back to the Future launched an enduring franchise that includes two sequels.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episo
Boyhood (2014 Bonus Episode)
This bonus episode for our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features Richard Linklater’s Boyhood. Written and directed by Richard Linklater and starring Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke and Lorelei Linklater, Boyhood was filmed over the course of 12 years.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Manohla Dargis in The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/20
1971 Epilogue
In this epilogue to our season on the awesome movie year of 1971, we talk about alternate movies we considered including in all of our different categories this season, and read suggestions from some listeners about their favorite 1971 movies.Check out more info and the entire archive of past episodes at https://www.awesomemovieyear.com and visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/awesomemo
Daughters Of Darkness (1971 Audience Choice)
The finale of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features our audience choice pick, Harry Kümel’s Daughters of Darkness. Directed and co-written by Harry Kümel and starring Delphine Seyrig, Danielle Ouimet, John Karlen and Andrea Rau, Daughters of Darkness prevailed over six other horny lady vampire movies in our audience choice poll.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come f
Billy Jack (1971 Future Cult Classic)
The fifteenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features our future cult classic pick, Tom Laughlin’s Billy Jack. Directed and co-written by Tom Laughlin and starring Laughlin, Delores Taylor, David Roya, Clark Howat and Julie Webb, Billy Jack was at one point the highest-grossing independent film of all time.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebe
The Corpse Grinders (1971 Dave's Pick)
The fourteenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features our producer David Rosen’s personal pick, Ted V. Mikels’ The Corpse Grinders. Directed by Ted V. Mikels from a screenplay by Arch Hall and Joseph Cranston and starring Sean Kenney, Monika Kelly, Sanford Mitchell, J. Byron Foster and Warren Ball, The Corpse Grinders built a cult following that led to two sequels decades
The French Connection (1971 Best Picture Winner)
The thirteenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features the Academy Awards Best Picture winner, William Friedkin’s The French Connection. Directed by William Friedkin, based on the book by Robin Moore, and starring Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, Fernando Rey and Tony Lo Bianco, The French Connection was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won five, including Best Picture.Th
The Garden of the Finzi-Continis (1971 Berlin Film Festival Winner)
The twelfth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features the Berlin Film Festival Golden Bear winner, Vittorio De Sica’s The Garden of the Finzi-Continis. Directed by Vittorio De Sica, based on the novel by Giorgio Bassani, and starring Lino Capolicchio, Dominique Sanda, Helmut Berger and Fabio Testi, The Garden of the Finzi-Continis won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Langu
Santa Claus: The Movie (1985 Christmas Bonus)
This special Christmas preview of our upcoming 1985 season features holiday favorite Santa Claus: The Movie. Directed by Jeannot Szwarc from a screenplay by David Newman and starring David Huddleston, Dudley Moore, John Lithgow, Judy Cornwell, Christian L. Fitzpatrick and Carrie Kei Heim, Santa Claus: The Movie was the final major release from Superman franchise producers Alexander and Ilya Salkin
Harold and Maude (1971 Jason's Pick)
The eleventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features Jason’s personal pick, Hal Ashby’s Harold and Maude. Directed by Hal Ashby from a screenplay by Colin Higgins and starring Bud Cort, Ruth Gordon, Vivian Pickles and Charles Tyner, Harold and Maude was a critical and commercial failure that has since become an enduring classic.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episo
The Point (1971 Animated Film)
The tenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features our animation pick, Fred Wolf’s The Point. Directed, animated and co-written by Fred Wolf and starring the voices of Mike Lookinland, Paul Frees, Lennie Weinrib, Bill Martin and Joan Gerber, The Point features songs from Harry Nilsson’s album of the same name.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Kevin T
The Big Boss (1971 Foreign Film)
The ninth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features our foreign film pick, Bruce Lee in The Big Boss. Written and directed by Lo Wei and starring Bruce Lee, James Tien, Maria Yi and Han Ying-chieh, The Big Boss marked Lee’s return to Hong Kong cinema after launching his career in the United States.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from J. Oliver Prescott i
Let's Scare Jessica To Death (1971 Josh's Pick)
The eighth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features Josh’s personal pick, John D. Hancock’s Let’s Scare Jessica to Death. Directed by John D. Hancock and starring Zohra Lampert, Barton Heyman, Kevin O’Connor, Gretchen Corbett and Mariclare Costello, Let’s Scare Jessica to Death was Hancock’s debut feature following a career in theater.The contemporary reviews quoted in this
On Any Sunday (1971 Documentary)
The seventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features our documentary pick, Bruce Brown’s On Any Sunday. Directed and narrated by Bruce Brown and featuring Mert Lawwill, David Aldana, Malcolm Smith and Steve McQueen, On Any Sunday is credited with helping popularize motorcycle sports in the U.S.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://ww
The Go-Between (1971 Cannes Award Winner)
The sixth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features the Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner, Joseph Losey’s The Go-Between. Directed by Joseph Losey from a screenplay by Harold Pinter and starring Dominic Guard, Julie Christie, Alan Bates, Margaret Leigthon and Edward Fox, The Go-Between is based on the 1953 novel by L.P. Hartley.The contemporary reviews quoted in this ep
The Last Movie (1971 Box Office Flop)
The fifth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features the year’s biggest flop, Dennis Hopper’s The Last Movie. Directed and co-written by Dennis Hopper and starring Hopper, Stella Garcia, Don Gordon, Julie Adams and Tomas Milian, The Last Movie put Hopper’s directorial career on hold for nearly a decade.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (htt
A Bay Of Blood (1971 Halloween Bonus)
The fourth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 is a Halloween special featuring Mario Bava’s A Bay of Blood. Directed and co-written by Mario Bava and starring Claudine Auger, Luigi Pistilli, Claudio Camaso and Laura Betti, A Bay of Blood is a key early influence on the slasher genre.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Kevin Thomas in the Los Angeles Times
Duel (1971 First Feature)
The third episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features the second of two picks for a notable debut feature, Steven Spielberg’s Duel. Directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Richard Matheson (based on his short story) and starring Dennis Weaver, Duel aired as an ABC TV movie in the U.S. and was released theatrically in Europe and Australia.The contemporary review quote
THX 1138 (1971 First Feature)
The second episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features the first of two picks for a notable debut feature, George Lucas’ THX 1138. Directed and co-written by George Lucas and starring Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasence, Maggie McOmie and Don Pedro Colley, THX 1138 is based on Lucas’ student film Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode co
Fiddler On The Roof (1971 Box Office Champ)
The first episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1971 features the box-office champion, Norman Jewison’s Fiddler on the Roof. Directed by Norman Jewison and starring Topol, Norma Crane, Rosalind Harris, Michele Marsh, Leonard Frey and Neva Small, Fiddler on the Roof is an adaptation of the hit Broadway musical by Joseph Stein, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick.The contemporary reviews quo
Suspicion (1941 Bonus Episode)
This bonus episode for our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features Alfred Hitchcock’s Suspicion. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Nigel Bruce, Cedric Hardwicke and Mae Whitty, Suspicion was loosely adapted from the novel Before the Fact by Francis Iles.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Bosley Crowther in
2014 Epilogue
In this epilogue to our season on the awesome movie year of 2014, we talk about alternate movies we considered including in all of our different categories this season, and read suggestions from some listeners about their favorite 2014 movies.Check out more info and the entire archive of past episodes at https://www.awesomemovieyear.com and visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/awes
A Walk Among The Tombstones (2014 Audience Choice)
The finale of our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features our audience choice poll winner, Liam Neeson thriller A Walk Among the Tombstones. Written and directed by Scott Frank (from the novel by Lawrence Block) and starring Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, Brian “Astro” Bradley, Boyd Holbrook and David Harbour, A Walk Among the Tombstones defeated two other Liam Neeson thrillers in our audienc
Edge Of Tomorrow (2014 Future Cult Classic)
The thirteenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features our cult classic pick, Doug Liman’s Edge of Tomorrow. Directed by Doug Liman and starring Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Brendan Gleeson and Noah Taylor, Edge of Tomorrow is based on the Japanese novel All You Need Is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Manohla Da
John Wick (2014 Dave's Pick)
The twelfth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features our producer David Rosen’s pick, Chad Stahelski and David Leitch’s John Wick. Directed by Chad Stahelski and an uncredited David Leitch from a screenplay by Derek Kolstad and starring Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Willem Dafoe, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki and Ian McShane, John Wick launched one of the most successful a
Birdman (2014 Best Picture Winner)
The eleventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features the Academy Awards Best Picture winner, Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman. Directed and co-written by Alejandro González Iñárritu and starring Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis and Andrea Riseborough, Birdman was nominated for nine Oscars and won four, including Best Picture.Th
Whiplash (2014 Sundance Award Winner)
The tenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features the Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner, Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash. Written and directed by Damien Chazelle and starring Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser and Melissa Benoist, Whiplash won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.The contemporary reviews quoted in
Ping Pong Summer (2014 Jason's Pick)
The ninth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features Jason’s personal pick, Michael Tully’s Ping Pong Summer. Written and directed by Michael Tully and starring Marcello Conte, Myles Massey, Emmi Shockley, Joseph McCaughtry and Susan Sarandon, Ping Pong Summer premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Jeannette Cats
The Lego Movie (2014 Animated Film)
The eighth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features our animation pick, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s The Lego Movie. Written and directed by Lord and Miller and starring Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Ferrell, Morgan Freeman and Will Arnett, The Lego Movie is the first feature film inspired by Lego building toys.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come
Force Majeure (2014 Foreign Film)
The seventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features our foreign film pick, Ruben Östlund’s Force Majeure. Written and directed by Ruben Östlund and starring Johannes Bah Kuhnke, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Clara Wettergren, Vincent Wettergren, Kristofer Hivju and Fanni Metelius, Force Majeure premiered at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episod
A Most Violent Year (2014 Josh's Pick)
The sixth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features Josh’s personal pick, J.C. Chandor’s A Most Violent Year. Written and directed by J.C. Chandor and starring Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, Albert Brooks, Elyes Gabel and David Oyelowo, A Most Violent Year was Chandor’s third film as a writer-director.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from A.O. Scott in Th
Life Itself (2014 Documentary)
The fifth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features our documentary pick, Steve James’ Life Itself. Directed by Steve James and featuring Roger Ebert, Life Itself is based on Ebert’s 2011 memoir.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Ann Hornaday in The Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/life-itself-movie-review-an-absorbi
Winter Sleep (2014 Cannes Award Winner)
The fourth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features the Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner, Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s Winter Sleep. Directed and co-written by Nuri Bilge Ceylan and starring Haluk Bilginer, Melisa Sözen, Demet Akbağ and Ayberk Pekcan, Winter Sleep was Ceylan’s fourth film to win a major award at Cannes.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from
Transcendence (2014 Box Office Flop)
The third episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features the year’s biggest flop, Wally Pfister’s Transcendence. Directed by Wally Pfister from a screenplay by Jack Paglen and starring Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Paul Bettany, Cillian Murphy and Morgan Freeman, Transcendence is longtime cinematographer Pfister’s first and only film as a director.The contemporary reviews quoted in
Faults (2014 First Feature)
The second episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features our pick for a notable debut feature, Riley Stearns’ Faults. Written and directed by Riley Stearns and starring Leland Orser, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Beth Grant, Chris Ellis and Lance Reddick, Faults premiered at the 2014 South by Southwest film festival.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from John DeFor
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014 Box Office Champ)
The first episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 2014 features the box-office champion, James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Directed and co-written by James Gunn and starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Lee Pace, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel, Guardians of the Galaxy is the tenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come f
Le Samourai (1967 Bonus Episode)
This bonus episode for our retrospective 20th season looks back to the awesome movie year of 1967 with Jean-Pierre Melville’s Le Samourai. Written and directed by Jean-Pierre Melville and starring Alain Delon, François Périer, Nathalie Delon, Caty Rosier and Jacques Leroy, Le Samourai was the one movie that Josh, Jason and producer David Rosen all had as a possible pick in our movie draft for the
1941 Epilogue
In this epilogue to our season on the awesome movie year of 1941, we talk about alternate movies we considered including in all of our different categories this season, and read suggestions from some listeners about their favorite 1941 movies.Check out more info and the entire archive of past episodes at https://www.awesomemovieyear.com and visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/awes
The Little Foxes (1941 Audience Choice)
The fourteenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features our audience choice poll winner, William Wyler’s The Little Foxes. Directed by William Wyler from a screenplay by Lillian Hellman (based on her play) and starring Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, Teresa Wright, Charles Dingle, Dan Duryea and Carl Benton Reid, The Little Foxes defeated two other Davis films in our 1941 au
Hellzapoppin’ (1941 Future Cult Classic)
The thirteenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features our future cult classic pick, H.C. Potter’s Hellzapoppin’. Directed by H.C. Potter and starring Ole Olsen, Chic Johnson, Martha Raye, Hugh Herbert, Jane Frazee, Robert Paige and Mischa Auer, Hellzapoppin’ was based on Olsen and Johnson’s hit Broadway revue.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from T.S.
Hold That Ghost (1941 Dave’s Pick)
The twelfth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features our producer David Rosen’s pick, Abbott and Costello in Hold That Ghost. Directed by Arthur Lubin and starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Joan Davis, Richard Carlson and Evelyn Ankers, Hold That Ghost was Abbott and Costello’s third feature film of 1941.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Thomas M. Pr
How Green Was My Valley (1941 Best Picture)
The eleventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features the Academy Awards Best Picture winner, John Ford’s How Green Was My Valley. Directed by John Ford from a screenplay by Philip Dunne and starring Roddy McDowall, Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O’Hara, Anna Lee, Sara Allgood and Donald Crisp, How Green Was My Valley was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won five, including Bes
Citizen Kane (1941 New York Film Critics Circle Winner)
The tenth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features the Best Film pick from both the National Board of Review and New York Film Critics Circle, Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane. Directed and co-written by Orson Welles and starring Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore, Everett Sloane, Ruth Warrick and William Alland, Citizen Kane is widely considered the greatest film ever made
The Philadelphia Story (1941 Jason's Pick)
The ninth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features Jason’s personal pick, George Cukor’s The Philadelphia Story. Directed by George Cukor and starring Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, James Stewart and Ruth Hussey, The Philadelphia Story was adapted from the hit Broadway play by Philip Barry.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Bosley Crowther in The New
Dumbo (1941 Animation)
The eighth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features our animation pick, Disney’s Dumbo. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen and starring the voices of Edward Brophy, Verna Felton, Cliff Edwards and Herman Bing, Dumbo was Disney’s fourth animated feature film.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Bosley Crowther in The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/1941/
Ornamental Hairpin (1941 Foreign Film)
The seventh episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features our foreign film pick, Hiroshi Shimizu’s Ornamental Hairpin. Written and directed by Hiroshi Shimizu and starring Kinuyo Tanaka, Chishū Ryū and Tatsuo Saitō, Ornamental Hairpin was adapted from a short story by Masuji Ibuse.Check out more info and the entire archive of past episodes at https://www.awesomemovieyear.com and
Sullivan's Travels (1941 Josh's Pick)
The sixth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features Josh’s personal pick, Preston Sturges’ Sullivan’s Travels. Written and directed by Preston Sturges and starring Joel McCrea and Veronica Lake, Sullivan’s Travels was one of two Sturges films released in 1941.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Bosley Crowther in The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.
Target For Tonight (1941 Documentary)
The fifth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features our documentary pick, Harry Watt’s Target for Tonight. Written and directed by Harry Watt and starring members of the Royal Air Force, Target for Tonight was the first documentary feature to be awarded an Oscar.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Variety, the Monthly Film Bulletin (http://www.screenonl
All That Money Can Buy (1941 Box Office Flop)
The fourth episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features the year’s biggest flop, William Dieterle’s All That Money Can Buy. Directed by William Dieterle and starring James Craig, Walter Huston, Edward Arnold, Anne Shirley and Simone Simon, All That Money Can Buy was co-written by Stephen Vincent Benét, based on his short story “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” and later rerelease
The Iron Crown (1941 Venice Film Festival Winner)
The third episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features one of the Venice Film Festival’s top award winners, Alessandro Blasetti’s The Iron Crown. Directed and co-written by Alessandro Blasetti and starring Massimo Girotti, Gino Cervi, Elisa Cegani and Luisa Ferida, The Iron Crown was awarded the Mussolini Cup for best Italian film at the 1941 Venice Film Festival.The contempora
The Maltese Falcon (1941 First Feature)
The second episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features our pick for a notable debut feature, John Huston’s The Maltese Falcon. Written and directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet, The Maltese Falcon is the third adaptation of Dashiell Hammett’s 1930 novel.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Bosl
Sergeant York (1941 Box Office Champ)
The first episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1941 features the box-office champion, Howard Hawks’ Sergeant York. Directed by Howard Hawks and starring Gary Cooper, Joan Leslie, Walter Brennan, Margaret Wycherly and George Tobias, Sergeant York is based on the diaries of real-life World War I veteran Alvin York.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Bosley Crowthe
Easy Rider (1969 Bonus Episode)
This special bonus episode of our season on the awesome movie year of 1969 features Dennis Hopper’s Easy Rider. Directed and co-written by Dennis Hopper and starring Hopper, Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson and Luke Askew, Easy Rider is a key touchstone of 1960s counterculture.The contemporary reviews quoted in this episode come from Roger Ebert (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/easy-r
Airplane! (1980 Audience Choice)
The twelfth episode of our special retrospective 20th season looks back to the awesome movie year of 1980 with our audience choice winner, the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker production Airplane!. Written and directed by Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams and David Zucker and starring Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack and Lloyd Bridges, Airplane! was producer David Rosen’s pick for our audie
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