Vulture critic Roxana Hadadi joins Adam to break down the first theatrical Star Wars feature in eight years, The Mandalorian and Grogu. They discuss whether its wall-to-wall action reveals true character, how the helmet creates a literal performance straitjacket, and if the film works for anyone walking into the theater without three seasons of television homework. Then, they pivot to a very different kind of crew in Boots Riley’s politically uncompromising sophomore feature I Love Boosters.

This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off.

(Timecodes will vary with ads.)

Intro (00:00:00-00:02:11)

The Mandalorian and Grogu (00:02:11-00:35:33)

Filmspotting Family (00:35:34-00:41:54)

Poll: Paul Rudd's MVP Supporting Role (00:41:55-00:49:05)

'20s/'30s Madness, Filmspotting Fest II (00:49:06-00:54:52)

I Love Boosters (00:54:53-01:27:53)

New Releases / Outro (01:27:53-01:34:43)

Links:

-Roxana Hadadi at Vulture

https://www.vulture.com/author/roxana-hadadi/

-Matt Singer’s review of The Mandalorian and Grogu 

https://screencrush.com/mandalorian-and-grogu-review/

-Filmspotting Fest II: June 27-28, 2026

https://www.filmspottingfest.com

-Roxana on the ending of I Love Boosters

https://www.vulture.com/article/i-love-boosters-ending-and-skins-explained.html

Feedback:

-Email us at [email protected]⁠⁠.

⁠⁠⁠⁠-Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content.

Support:

-Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.

https://filmspottingfamily.com

-Filmspotting Shop for T-shirts and more.

https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠

Follow:

-Watch Filmspotting on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/filmspotting

-Adam/Filmspotting:

Letterboxd | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

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Letterboxd | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the suffocating tension of open-ocean survival and alcohol-fueled marital warfare, to the isolated terrors of demonic cabins and haunted bedrooms, Adam and Josh break down their Top 5 Single Location Movies.

Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you ⁠join the Filmspotting Family⁠.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt and Jordan punch their tickets to an alternate reality to review Ladies First, the new Netflix comedy starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike. They break down the film's (mostly good!) relentless barrage of gags, its terrifyingly plausible marketing pitches, and whether it successfully navigates the edgy tightrope of workplace comedy.

But before they talk Ladies First, they have to talk about leaving the couch. Matt recounts his mind-bending, leaf-in-the-face trip to the Las Vegas Sphere watching The Wizard of Oz, while Jordan counters with an equally dramatic story about his allergy-inflicted screening ofThe Mandalorian and Grogu at his local AMC.

For Rec Seg!, the multiversal madness continues as the duo pairs Ladies First with Jet Li martial arts mayhem and surrealist cinema from Fellini. Plus, a listener writes in looking for a sleek, under-the-radar romantic thriller, prompting two very different caper recommendations. Finally, Producer Sam takes over the board as "Dungeon Master" to premier a brand-new, slow-teasing visual trivia game called Strip Poster. (Ep. #173)

(Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.)

Intro, Wizard of Oz at Sphere, The Mandalorian & Grogu (00:00:00–00:15:05)

Ladies First (00:15:06–00:35:26)

Rec Seg! (00:35:27–00:50:23)

Personalized Recs (00:50:24–01:02:16)

Game (01:02:17–01:16:36)

New to Streaming / Credits (01:16:37–01:29:00)

Notes:

Matt on “The Wizard of Oz” at Sphere

https://screencrush.com/wizard-of-oz-sphere-review/

Now Streaming on Bazooga - A Filmspotting: SVU Archive

⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/samvanhallgren/list/now-streaming-on-bazooga-a-filmspotting-svu/⁠⁠

Matt's book "Funny Business: The Old-School Wedding Crashers and Knocked-Up Virgins Who Changed Comedy Forever" comes to bookstores everywhere on October 6th. Pre-Order now! ⁠⁠https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790241/funny-business-by-matt-singer/⁠⁠

The Flop House Podcast: “The One”

https://www.flophousepodcast.com/2025/11/episode-467-the-one-with-michael-shanks/

Feedback: -Email us at [email protected]⁠⁠

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Adam sits down with legendary actor Tony Leung (In the Mood for Love, Chungking Express) to discuss his brilliant career and his new starring role in Ildiko Enyedi’s Silent Friend. Then Adam and Josh share their thoughts on the meditative multi-era drama itself, followed by reviews of Alberto Vasquez’s Spanish animated feature Decorado and Olivier Assayas's The Wizard of the Kremlin, which features Jude Law's terrifyingly charismatic portrayal of Vladimir Putin. Plus, Massacre Theatre!

This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off.

Intro (00:00:00-00:04:34)
Interview: Tony Leung (00:04:35-00:18:33)
Filmspotting Family (00:18:34-00:23:59)
Silent Friend (00:24:00-00:48:25)
Decorado (00:48:26-01:02:23)
The Wizard of the Kremlin (01:02:24-01:10:40)
Massacre Theater (01:10:41- 01:19:31)
Credits/New Releases (01:19:32- 01:23:48)

Note:

-Gary Jules, of course, performs a cover of Tears for Fears' “Mad World” in Donnie Darko.

Links:

-Filmspotting Fest II: June 27-28, 2026
https://www.filmspottingfest.com

-Josh's photo of the holm oak at University of St. Andrews: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYXUjKgjcPt/?img_index=1

Feedback:

-Email us at [email protected]⁠⁠.

⁠⁠⁠-⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content.

Support:

Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. https://filmspottingfamily.com
Filmspotting Shop for T-shirts and more. https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠

Follow:

-Watch Filmspotting on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/filmspotting

-Adam/Filmspotting:

Letterboxd | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

-Josh/LarsenOnFilm:

Letterboxd | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the timeless, unadorned perfection of early cinematic icons to the textured, battle-tested tactical gear of modern blockbusters, Adam and Josh (and some special guests) share their Top 5 Superhero Costumes and explore what makes a costume truly legendary.

Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you ⁠join the Filmspotting Family⁠.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first installment of a semi-regular series, Matt and Jordan take a break from reviewing a single film in order to interrogate an entire streaming platform: the industry juggernaut, Netflix. They dissect it across five crucial categories—library size, playback interface, reliability, originals, and price. The goal? Nothing less than determining the greatest service of all time.

Then for Rec Seg, Jordan attempts to track down a forgotten, star-studded 2020 musical drama buried deep in the Netflix sub-basement, while Matt stakes a claim for Adam Sandler's finest 2020s streaming achievement. Plus, they answer a listener mailbag question with two exceptional, music-centric recommendations currently streaming on Mubi.

(Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.)

Intro (00:00:00-00:02:23)

The State of Streaming: Netflix (00:02:24-00:43:09)

Rec Seg! (00:43:09-00:57:30)

Personalized Recs: Music Movies on MUBI (00:57:31-01:08:25)

Game: Netflix Capacitor (01:08:26-01:16:13)

New to Streaming / Credits (01:16:14-01:23:09)

Notes:

Now Streaming on Bazooga - A Filmspotting: SVU Archive

⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/samvanhallgren/list/now-streaming-on-bazooga-a-filmspotting-svu/⁠⁠

Matt's book "Funny Business: The Old-School Wedding Crashers and Knocked-Up Virgins Who Changed Comedy Forever" comes to bookstores everywhere in October. Pre-Order now!

⁠⁠https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790241/funny-business-by-matt-singer/⁠⁠

Jordan at Foreign Policy Magazine

https://foreignpolicy.com/author/jordan-hoffman/

Matt at ScreenCrush

https://screencrush.com/author/mattsinger/

Feedback:

-Email us at [email protected]⁠⁠

Follow:

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/superpulse/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/FilmspottingSvu⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/superpulse/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/jhoffman6/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/mattsinger.bsky.social⁠⁠

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 years after its release, Adam and Josh return to the 1950s Waco of Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life. They discuss Malick’s bold attempt to voice the divine, mapping the books of Job and Genesis onto his narrative, and his attempt to reconcile the beauty of creation with the reality of suffering. Plus, details about Filmspotting Fest II: 68 Weeks Later, and a new poll that attempts to gauge listeners' enthusiasm for the upcoming Mandalorian and Grogu.

This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off.

(Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.)

Intro (00:00:00-00:03:32)

The Tree of Life at 15 (00:03:33-00:55:50)

Filmspotting Family (00:55:51-01:00:07)

Next Week / Cannes Film Festival (01:00:08-01:04:44)

Polls (01:38:17-01:13:15)

Credits / New Releases (01:13:16-01:17:20)

Correction:

-Adam actually saw The Thin Red Line upon its release in 1998, making it his first Malick. The New World, then, was the first Malick he got.

Links:

-Filmspotting Fest II: June 26-27, 2026

https://www.filmspotting.net/filmspotting-fest

-Jake Cole on The Tree of Life

https://letterboxd.com/jakepcole/film/the-tree-of-life-2011/

-Cannes Film Festival

https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/

Feedback:

-Email us at [email protected]⁠⁠.

-⁠⁠⁠⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content.

Support:

-Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.
https://filmspottingfamily.com

-Filmspotting Shop for T-shirts and more.
https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠

Follow:

-Watch Filmspotting on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/filmspotting

-Adam/Filmspotting:

Letterboxd | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

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Letterboxd | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam and Josh review Sophy Romvari’s debut feature Blue Heron, a semi-autobiographical "memory piece" that follows a Hungarian immigrant family on Vancouver Island in the late 1990s. They discuss Romvari’s distinct "observational elegance," the film’s striking meta-elements, and how it stacks up against other recent memory-focused masterworks like Aftersun. Plus, a look at why this is already a frontrunner for the 2026 Golden Brick.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the outlaw poetry of Badlands to the cosmic spirituality of The Tree of Life, this week's Archive episode has Adam and Josh counting down the five most indelible moments from one of cinema's most elusive auteurs. Expect plenty of hushed voiceovers and magic-hour cinematography.

Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you ⁠join the Filmspotting Family⁠.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Matt and Jordan flip for the conch to discuss the BBC’s new four-part adaptation of The Lord of the Flies, now streaming on Netflix. The duo dives deep into Jack Thorne’s "cinematic" take on the classic novel, debating the effectiveness of its character-focused structure and its haunting visual palette.

For Rec Seg!, they've got Flies-inspired recommendations that range from the whimsical to the harrowing, and in response to listener emails, a deep-cut horror recommendation and an experimental short (that may just scratch that jam-band itch). Plus, Matt faces his fears as Producer Sam takes over as "Dungeon Master" for this week's game, The Streaming Limited, testing the hosts’ knowledge of literary-inspired miniseries. (Ep. #172)

(Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.)

Intro (00:00:00-00:02:50)

Lord of the Flies (00:02:51-00:35:19)

Rec Seg! (00:35:20-00:55:40)

Personalized Recs: Deep Cut Horror, Jam Band Scores (00:55:41-01:13:13)

Game: The Streaming Limited (01:13:14-01:35:42)

New to Streaming / Credits (01:35:43-01:49:17)

Notes:

Now Streaming on Bazooga - A Filmspotting: SVU Archive

⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/samvanhallgren/list/now-streaming-on-bazooga-a-filmspotting-svu/⁠⁠

Matt's book "Funny Business: The Old-School Wedding Crashers and Knocked-Up Virgins Who Changed Comedy Forever" comes to bookstores everywhere in October. Pre-Order now!

⁠⁠https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790241/funny-business-by-matt-singer/⁠⁠

Feedback:

-Email us at [email protected]⁠⁠

Follow:

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/superpulse/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/FilmspottingSvu⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/superpulse/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/jhoffman6/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/mattsinger.bsky.social⁠⁠

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam and Josh continue Filmspotting’s Dissident Cinema Marathon with its second entry, Roberto Rossellini’s Rome, Open City. Made in the immediate aftermath of Nazi occupation and against the backdrop of a country still in crisis, the film merges neorealist observation with the tension and structure of a spy thriller. The conversation explores how the movie captures resistance not as myth but as lived experience, examining its radical immediacy and why the film stands as a blueprint for what revolutionary cinema could become.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.