Episodes
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âHe was the most trigger-happy man I had ever met.â â Badlands (1973)
This week, we hit the open road with guest Tom Augustine to explore Terrence Malickâs stunning debut, Badlands. Based loosely on the real-life killing spree of Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate, the film casts Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek as drifting outsiders caught between detachment and violence, beauty and brutality.
With its lyrical narration, haunting imagery, and philosophical detachment, Badlands marked the arrival of a singular voice in American cinema. Tom joins us to discuss Malickâs influence, the filmâs unsettling calm, and how it carved a new path for the American New Wave.
Episode Notes
Badlands (1973) was written and directed by Terrence Malick, starring Martin Sheen and Sissy SpacekSelected to the National Film Registry in 1993Loosely inspired by the 1958 Starkweather-Fugate murdersDiscussion topics include:
How Badlands redefined the true-crime genreThe filmâs romanticized nihilism and its critique of American mythmakingThe influence of Badlands on later filmmakers and Malickâs own careerSissy Spacekâs voiceover and the use of classical music as emotional counterpointFollow the Show:
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Music by Mike Natale
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âIf only the wind would stop!â â The Wind (1928)
This week, we return to the silent era with a full-length commentary track for Victor Sjöströmâs haunting 1928 drama The Wind. Starring Lillian Gish in one of her most intense and vulnerable performances, the film tells the story of a woman slowly unraveling on the harsh, wind-swept plains of the American frontier.
As we watch along, we unpack the filmâs eerie atmosphere, groundbreaking visual effects, and the psychological complexity that makes The Wind one of the finalâand finestâmasterpieces of the silent era. Itâs a slow-burn descent into isolation, madness, and survival, and a striking example of how silent cinema could deliver deeply cinematic storytelling without a single spoken word.
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Music by Mike Natale
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This week, we saddle up for a conversation about Shane (1953) with screenwriter, producer, and podcast host Kenny Neibart. A formative Western and a film that helped define American masculinity on screen, Shane gives us plenty to dig into, from its mythic final shot to the complex tension between pacifism and violence. Kenny joins us to unpack the genre tropes, cultural context, and emotional resonance that make Shane a cornerstone of classic cinema, and why its legacy still rides on today.
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Music by Mike Natale
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âI just had the unpleasant sensation of hearing you referred to as my husband.â â It Happened One Night (1934)
This week, returning guest Andrew Daniels joins us to break down the original screwball sensation: Frank Capraâs It Happened One Night. As the first film to ever sweep the âBig Fiveâ Oscars, this charming romantic comedy set the template for the genre, with pitch-perfect performances from Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, and enough innuendo, wit, and roadside bickering to fuel decades of imitators.
We explore how Capraâs Depression-era romance struck a chord with audiences, changed the course of Hollywood stardom, and remains as irresistibly funny and tender today as it was in 1934.
Episode Notes:It Happened One Night (1934) was directed by Frank Capra and stars Clark Gable and Claudette ColbertSelected to the National Film Registry in 1993First film to win all five major Academy Awards: Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and ScreenplayNotable for:
Launching the screwball comedy genreIconic scenes like the hitchhiking lesson and the âwalls of JerichoâBridging escapism and social commentary during the Great DepressionDiscussion topics include:
The filmâs influence on romantic comedies for generationsHow it reshaped the public personas of Gable and ColbertCapraâs blend of populist ideals and sharp dialogueWhy the film continues to resonate with modern audiencesFeaturing returning guest:
Andrew Daniels, author of The Barstool Book of Sports: Stats, Stories, and Other Stuff for Drunken DebateFollow the Show:
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Music by Mike Natale
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âThe film you have just seen was an improvisation.â â Shadows (1959)
This week, returning guest Robert Bellissimo joins us for a conversation on John Cassavetesâ Shadows,, a landmark of American independent cinema. Shot on the streets of New York with a semi-improvised style and a raw, jazz-infused energy, Shadows broke all the rules and opened new possibilities for personal filmmaking in the U.S.
We explore how Cassavetes challenged Hollywood norms, foregrounded race and identity in ways ahead of its time, and crafted a film that still feels immediate and alive decades later. Shadows isnât just a turning point in film history, itâs the spark that lit the indie movement.
Episode Notes
Shadows (1959) was written and directed by John CassavetesSelected to the National Film Registry in 1993Known for:
Pioneering an improvisational, vérité-inspired approach to filmmakingDepicting interracial relationships in a candid and progressive lightLaunching the American independent film movementDiscussion topics include:
Cassavetesâ creative process and legacyThe tension between scripted and unscripted storytellingNew York City as a character in the filmHow Shadows opened doors for generations of indie filmmakersFeaturing returning guest:
Robert Bellissimo, actor, filmmaker, and host of Robert Bellissimo at the MoviesFollow the Show:
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Music by Mike Natale
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In this special bonus episode, we sit down with Congressman Robert Mrazek, the man whose legislation led to the creation of the National Film Preservation Board. Without his efforts, the National Film Registry as we know it wouldnât exist.
Mrazek shares the inside story of how film preservation became a congressional priority, the cultural battles that shaped the legislation, and why preserving Americaâs cinematic heritage is a matter of national importance. From the first films selected to the political resistance he faced, this conversation is an essential companion to everything we cover on Youâre Missing Out.
If youâve ever wondered how movies like Do the Right Thing, The Godfather, or Meshes of the Afternoon ended up in the National Film Registry, this is where it all started.
Episode Notes:A conversation with Congressman Robert Mrazek, sponsor of the National Film Preservation Act of 1988Mrazekâs legislation created the National Film Preservation Board and the National Film RegistryDiscussion topics include:
The political and cultural climate that made film preservation urgentThe origins and goals of the National Film RegistryEarly champions of the legislation in Congress and the film industryThe ongoing importance of preserving culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant filmsReflections on:
The evolving definition of American cinematic heritageHow preservation efforts safeguard not just movies, but national memoryThis episode offers essential historical context for our entire podcast
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Music by Mike Natale
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âHe was some kind of a man. What does it matter what you say about people?â â Touch of Evil (1958)
This week, weâre crossing into the shadowy borderlands of noir with special guest Ryan Luis Rodriguez to unpack Orson Wellesâ Touch of Evil. From its legendary opening tracking shot to Wellesâ haunting turn as the corrupt Hank Quinlan, the film stands as a dark, complex swan song to the classic noir era.
Together, we explore the filmâs bold visual language, its controversial casting choices, and the fascinating story behind the restored cut that finally honored Wellesâ original vision. Touch of Evil isnât just a masterwork of styleâitâs a film that continues to challenge how we think about authority, morality, and the boundaries we draw.
Episode Notes:Touch of Evil (1958) was directed by Orson Welles and stars Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, and Welles himself
Selected to the National Film Registry in 1993
Famous for:
A 3+ minute opening tracking shot widely regarded as one of the best in cinemaWellesâ portrayal of the morally bankrupt Captain Hank QuinlanA studio-meddled post-production process that was later corrected by a 1998 restoration using Wellesâ notesDiscussion topics include:
The filmâs place at the end of the classic noir eraInnovations in camera movement, sound design, and lightingHow Touch of Evil navigates race, identity, and law enforcement on the U.S.âMexico borderThe legacy of the restored version and its impact on Wellesâ reputationFeaturing special guest:
Ryan Luis Rodriguez, film podcaster and host of The Coolness Chronicles and Reels of JusticeFollow the Show:
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Music by Mike Natale
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ââS Wonderful! âS Marvelous!â â An American in Paris (1951)
This week, we step into the dreamlike Technicolor world of An American in Paris with special guest Arlene Hellerman. A Publications Associate for Broadway Licensing Global, Arlene brings a multifaceted perspective shaped by a career spanning theatre, film, television, broadcast news, and print journalism.
Together, we explore how Vincente Minnelliâs 1951 musical turned Gershwinâs music and Gene Kellyâs choreography into a lavish cinematic spectacleâculminating in one of the most ambitious ballet sequences in film history.
An American in Paris (1951) was directed by Vincente Minnelli and stars Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron
Selected to the National Film Registry in 1993
Known for:
Its 17-minute ballet finale inspired by French impressionist artA seamless blend of Gershwinâs music with vivid choreography and designWinning six Academy Awards, including Best PictureDiscussion topics include:
The filmâs legacy in shaping the movie musicalIts stylized depiction of postwar ParisThe interplay between fine art and popular culture in Minnelliâs visionFeaturing special guest:
Arlene Hellerman, Publications Associate for Broadway Licensing Global, whose career spans theatre, film, TV, broadcast news, and print journalismFollow the Show:
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Music by Mike Natale
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Boop-Oop-a-Doop! In this special bonus episode, we present A Brief History of Betty Boop: From the Inkwell to the Musical. We begin with the story of Fleischer Studiosâthe groundbreaking animation house behind Betty Boop, Popeye, and Koko the Clownâand trace how their surreal, adult-oriented cartoons challenged the norms of early animation and stood in stark contrast to Disneyâs wholesome image.
In the second half, we turn our attention to Boop: The Musical, the new Broadway-bound show reimagining Betty for a modern audience. From pre-Code symbol to pop culture icon, we explore how Bettyâs spirit survives onstage and what it means to bring her back in 2025.
A bonus episode tracing Betty Boopâs evolution from 1930s animation to the Broadway stage
First Half
The founding and influence of Fleischer StudiosBetty Boopâs origins and status as a pre-Code symbolUse of rotoscoping, music, and surrealism in Fleischer cartoonsThe studioâs decline and its cultural afterlifeSecond Half
Overview of Boop: The Musical and its creative teamHow the stage production updates Betty for new generationsThe challenges of adapting vintage animation for live theaterReflections on the enduring appeal of Betty BoopFollow the Show:
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Music by Mike Natale
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âYou are mineâbody and soul!â â The Cheat (1915)
This week, weâre traveling back to 1915 with returning guests Amanda Rush and Jae Kim for a deep dive into Cecil B. DeMilleâs The Cheat. A landmark of early American cinema, The Cheat helped shape visual storytelling through its pioneering use of lighting, editing, and narrative tension. But alongside its technical innovation lies a deeply troubling legacyâparticularly in its portrayal of race and power.
Amanda and Jae help us unpack the filmâs lasting influence, Sessue Hayakawaâs complex role in Hollywood history, and how The Cheat fits into the broader conversation about preserving films that reflect both the artistry and the prejudices of their time.
âą The Cheat (1915) was directed by Cecil B. DeMille and stars Fannie Ward and Sessue Hayakawaâą Selected to the National Film Registry in 1993
âą Celebrated for its dramatic lighting, narrative structure, and early use of cross-cutting
âą Discussion topics include:
âą The visual legacy of The Cheat
âą Sessue Hayakawaâs breakthrough role and its cultural implications
âą Representations of race and gender in early Hollywood
âą The importance of preserving films that capture both cinematic milestones and historical biases
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Music by Mike Natale
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âWhich one of you nuts has got any guts?â â One Flew Over the Cuckooâs Nest (1975)
This week, we check into the ward with special guest Ben Hosley, producer of Blank Check with Griffin and David, to take on MiloĆĄ Formanâs One Flew Over the Cuckooâs Nest. One of only three films to sweep the âBig Fiveâ Oscars, this anti-establishment classic remains a cultural touchstone. We dive into Jack Nicholsonâs electric performance, Louise Fletcherâs chilling turn as Nurse Ratched, and how the film captures the shifting American psyche of the 1970s.
New audio episodes drop every Monday at 12am EST, with video premieres on YouTube the same day at 12pm EST.
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Music by Mike Natale
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âWe must be brave enough to look truth in the face.â â Where Are My Children? (1916)
This week, we return to the public domain vault for a full-length commentary track on Where Are My Children?, the provocative 1916 silent drama from Lois Weber and Phillips Smalley. As one of the earliest American films to tackle topics like birth control, abortion, and eugenics, it remains a landmark of progressive intent and moral complexityâalbeit through a lens thatâs deeply of its time.
Watch along with us as we break down the filmâs bold messaging, cultural context, and the pioneering role of Lois Weber in early Hollywood.
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Music by Mike Natale
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âAnd now, I shall entertain you!â â Magical Maestro (1952) Animation aficionado and producer Jordan Beck returns to the show to tackle Tex Averyâs Magical Maestro, one of the most frenetic and technically dazzling cartoons of the Golden Age. With its relentless visual gags and groundbreaking use of the âwipeâ technique, this controversial short is both a masterclass in animation and a challenging relic of its time. Join us as Jordan helps us unpack the artistry and the baggage of this chaotic classic.
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"You can't fool me! There ain't no Sanity Claus!"
David Bluvband (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) returns to the show to discuss the Marx Brothers' first film for MGM, A Night at the Opera. We talk Otis B. Driftwood, Riccardo Barone, and the eternal Paramount vs. MGM debate.
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"The star of "RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK" and the director of "ALIEN" take you on a spectacular journey to the savage world of the year 2019!!"
Phil Iscove (Sleepy Hollow, Podcast Like It's...) returns to the show for the fifth time to kick off Season 5 with a seismic sci-fi story whose history is as complex as the future it depicts: 1982's Blade Runner. We'll talk Ridley, Harrison, replicants, and all those different cuts.
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Music by Mike Natale
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In this fifth edition of You're Missing Out's annual Oscar special, we're doing a two-parter, just like Wicked and Dune.
Last episode, we talked through each of the 10 Best Picture nominees (Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Done Part 2, Emilia Perez, I'm Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, Wicked).
Now, in Part 2, we'll rank not just the Best Picture nominees, but every film in every category.
Season 5 of You're Missing Out officially starts in two weeks!
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Music by Mike Natale
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In this fifth edition of You're Missing Out's annual Oscar special, we're doing a two-parter, just like Wicked and Dune!
On this episode, we'll talk through each of the 10 Best Picture nominees (Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune Part 2, Emilia Perez, I'm Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, Wicked). In Part 2, we rank not just the Best Picture nominees, but every film in every category.
Season 5 of You're Missing Out officially starts in two weeks!
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Music by Mike Natale
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Another year, another batch of 25 (give or take) titles added to the National Film Registry, and another live reaction episode from You're Missing Out. As is tradition, hosts Mike Natale and Tom Lorenzo jumped on mic mere hours after the list was made public. Neither host knew what titles were inducted until producer Kyle kicked off a YouTube livestream at noon on 12/17 and read the list off one by one. There was excitement, confusion, and the constant question "Did any of the films we submitted get in?" Will the titles this year have us 'dirty dancing' or will all our hopes go 'up in smoke'? Find out in this special episode!
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Mike, Tom, Kyle, and Amanda commemorate hitting 100 movies covered on the show, reflect on the fourth class of 25 films inducted into the registry, give out superlatives to the standout performances and craftspeople, reflect on their registry submissions, and look ahead to new adventures in Season 5.
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Music by Mike Natale
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"It Will Make You a Better Southerner"- tagline from the Birmingham Age-Herald in 1916
We've now hit 100 National Film Registry titles covered on this podcast, and for this milestone episode, we decided to tackle the National Film Registry inductee that has most ominously loomed above this show since we began: D.W. Griffith's vile, hateful, and unfortunately influential 1915 blockbuster The Birth of a Nation.
Longtime friend of the show, and our resident "war movie" correspondent, Action for Everyone's VyceVictus, sat down with us for a wide-ranging discussion on this controversial title that's still being debated more than a century after its release. We'll take a look at the film's source material, talk about exactly why the National Film Registry chose to preserve this film, and the surprising Oscar-nominated director who led the charge for its induction.
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Music by Mike Natale
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