Le Film

The OA - Part 1, Chapter 2: New Colossus

In Part 1, Chapter 2's "New Colossus", we continue to recap OA's story as she recounts her childhood and arrival to America before a chance encounter with the man that will twist her fate forever. Standout performances from Brit Marling and Zoey Todorovsky as Nina/Prairie remain a highwater mark for "New Colossus" as well as Jason Isaacs as the mysteriously enigmatic Dr. Hunter Aloysius Percy. As the story slowly unravels, we get closer to the answers we seek, in addition to more questions about Prairie/OA's whereabouts for the past seven years. 
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” 
The poem, "The New Colossus", by Emma Lazarus, is recited by famous American poet himself, Yusef Komunyakaa, a Pulitzer prize winner in 1994 for his work in poetry, also lent his incredible voicework for this beautiful scene.
We hope you enjoyed this episode's recap and reaction by @patbertmcgill and @actuallyrichy. Thank you again for listening, and continue to keep your front doors open. 🕊️
 
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Where to watch:
Netflix (Streaming)
 
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lefilmpodcast
 
Twitter:
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Send us questions, comments, feedback, and tv/film recommendations at:
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Back to Back: Possibly in Michigan (1983) // Impostors (1979) Ft. Benz Doctolero

Welcome to the first installment of our "Back to Back" series, where we pair a short film with a feature-length to build a one-of-a-kind discussion surrounding the juxtaposition and exploration of two distinct narratives. In this episode, our guest is a local filmmaker and friend of the podcast, Benz Doctolero. Benz picked both movies that we discussed: one being a short viral internet sensation, and the other being a near-impossible find.
 
We start with a short horror musical, Possibly in Michigan, directed by American video artist Cecelia Condit. First released in 1983, it has since gained both a resurgence in popularity and achieved cult status among the video art, experimental, and feminist communities after being made available online for mass audiences to discover.
 
Eerie and emanating from what feels like an alternate universe, this transgressive short film lures the viewer in with its macabre operatic tale of two women followed in a shopping mall by a masked killer named Arthur, where the pursuer becomes the pursued. What ensues is a shocking and desensitized commentary on violence in hyperconsumerist America in the 1980s.
 
Following the short, we discuss, Impostors, an eccentric anti-realism mystery/comedy feature from 1979 directed by a legend in American underground/independent cinema, Mark Rappaport. The film centers on a pair of depraved magicians who may or may not be twins in pursuit of Egyptian jewels, along with an obsessive audience member who becomes infatuated with the magicians' assistant. The swirling and ever-shifting dynamics between the characters only help to solidify its knack for the bizarre.
 
As it stands now, the film has become near-impossible to find, and we hope to shed light on one of the many movies that go missing year after year until another fortunate soul stumbles upon it only to keep the light of it alive for just a bit longer.
 
As always, thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy the discussion.
 
Where to watch Possibly in Michigan (1983):
YouTube (Stream)
Vimeo (Stream)
 
Where to watch Impostors (1979):
Unfortunately, this film is not available online.
 
Instagram:
@lefilmpodcast
 
Twitter:
@lefilmpod
 
Send us questions, feedback, and film recommendations at:
lefilmpodcast@gmail.com

The OA - Part 1, Chapter 1: Homecoming

Hey Le Film listeners! We’ve decided to try something new where we recap and breakdown a television series we’re currently watching. In this episode, @patbertmcgill and @actuallyrichy go over episode 1 of Netflix’s The OA (2016). 
After 7 years of her mysterious disappearance, Prairie Johnson suddenly returns to her community with a newfound purpose and strange abilities. Before her disappearance, she was blind, and upon her return she can now see. However, she refuses to tell her story to anyone except for the 5 strangers with whom she recruits for a peculiar mission.
According to IMDB, the introduction credits to The OA’s pilot episode “Homecoming” don’t appear until 57 minutes and 13 seconds, making it auspiciously one of the longest, if not, the longest intro for a television series ever. 
The OA not only stars Brit Marling as the titular character, she also co-wrote, co-created, and executively produced the show. With her, Zal Batminglij co-wrote, co-created, and executively produced while directing all 8 episodes of part I. 
We hope those who are familiar and unfamiliar to Netflix's mind-bending series stay tuned, as we continue to recap, react, and give our thoughts. Thank you for listening, and keep your front doors open. 🕊️
Where to watch:Netflix (Streaming)
Instagram:
@lefilmpodcast
Twitter:@lefilmpod Send us questions, comments, feedback, and tv/film recommendations at:lefilmpodcast@gmail.com

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)

Join us in discussing the groundbreaking sequel to the 1995 film Ghost in the Shell. This episode we attempt to dive deep into the films meaning, the course of our own world and the creeping progressive cyberization of us all. If your reading this you to have already been made into a cyborg so please let your online self share and support us in building the podcast into a living organism that can go around and share our film picks.  
 
As always, thank you all for listening and we hope you enjoy the discussion. 
 
Where to watch:
Funimation app (Stream in the US)
Amazon (Rent or Buy)
 
Instagram:
@lefilmpodcast
 
Twitter:
@lefilmpod
 
Send us questions, feedback, and film recommendations at:
lefilmpodcast@gmail.com

There Will Be Blood (2007)

Built from the ground up, entrepreneur and oil miner, Daniel Plainview finds himself on a daunting journey to sap oil from the land beneath his feet and from those around him no matter the cost. Through tears and bloodshed, Plainview sees this endeavor as a means to an end, even if it suggests sacrificing his family and virtues along the way. 
Paul Thomas Anderson's 2007 American epic, There Will Be Blood, is a fascinating character study about a man on a mission to supersede his competition while successfully achieving the American Dream. As a result, we see the rise of a powerfully captivating enigmatic figure. Bolstered by the performance of a lifetime in Oscar-winner, Daniel Day Lewis, There Will Be Blood is a masterpiece in epic filmmaking and will be forever among the ranks of one of the best films of all time. 
 
We'd like to thank our friend @abilund10 for being our special guest for today's episode. In any case, it's a pleasure to have you! And as always, thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy the discussion.
 
Where to watch:
Netflix (streaming)
YouTube (streaming, edited version)
Vudu (Rent or Buy)
Amazon (Rent or Buy)
iTunes (Rent or Buy) 
 
Instagram:
@lefilmpodcast
 
Twitter:
@lefilmpod
 
Send us questions, feedback, and film recommendations at:
lefilmpodcast@gmail.com
 
We have Tyler's epic introduction and Abi joins us once again! (00:02:00), asking Abi about her experiences teaching film (00:08:20), There Will Be Blood discussion (00:14:57), ratings of the film (00:32:20), and our spoiler discussion (00:42:05).

Mass (2021)

Welcome to the new year, as we begin 2022 talking about our favorite films and television series in 2021 and giving our thoughts on Fran Kranz's directorial debut, Mass (2021), starring Reed Birney, Ann Dowd, Jason Isaacs, and Martha Plimpton. Mass is story about two couples that reconcile for the first time to discuss a tragic event that tore them apart six years prior. Kranz's film is an amalgamation of grief, forgiveness, acceptance, and empathy that is weaved together so intimately through emotionally powerful performances from its four-character ensemble. 
 
Recapping our favorite films and television series from 2021 (00:01:25), discussing Fran Kranz's Mass (00:33:26), our ratings for the film (00:43:10), spoiler discussion (00:53:25).
 
Where to watch:
Vudu (Rent or Buy)
YouTube (Rent or Buy)
Amazon (Rent or Buy)
iTunes (Rent or Buy) 
Google (Rent or Buy)
 
Instagram:
@lefilmpodcast
 
Twitter:
@lefilmpod
 
Send us questions, feedback, and film recommendations at:
lefilmpodcast@gmail.com
 

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

“How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! The world forgetting, by the world forgot. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd.”
 
For every memory savored there is one endured, and if the act of remembering is neither a blessing nor a curse — then how are we to know what to make of these fragments? To forget the past and not give a single thought to the future is but a fool’s errand, but the art of being present and ever accepting of that which finds us — is that the ultimate goal or just another spoke on the wheel of realization, turning over and over again?
 
Love finds us at many different stages in our lifetime, for some of us, we make the mistake of searching for wholeness in the other instead of finding it within ourselves first. The curse of moving forward is that we can only understand our actions by looking backwards, leaving an infinite number of possibilities in the time it takes for us to look forward again. In rumination, do we fall victim to our own patterns — a myriad of failed blueprints, schematics, and pathways created at too early an age to even realize?
 
Perhaps by living again for a second time, or rather by choosing to not forget that which ails us, and accepting the process of overcoming these blunders, do we achieve another chance at oneness, until we eventually get it right.
 
As always, thank you all for listening and we hope you enjoy the discussion. 
 
Review starts at 00:44:00
 
Meet us in Montauk.
 
Where to watch:
Peacock (Stream in the US)
Vudu (Rent or Buy)
YouTube (Rent or Buy)
Amazon (Rent or Buy)
iTunes (Rent or Buy) 
 
Instagram:
@lefilmpodcast
 
Twitter:
@lefilmpod
 
Send us questions, feedback, and film recommendations at:
lefilmpodcast@gmail.com

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

Brace yourselves as we sit in the calm of the eye of the storm upon a small dinghy off the coast of a small island. All we have is a blank canvas, a fine green dress and love, so imprint this calm into your soul for this brief respite will soon end and all we will have is this memory.
 
This episode we are joined by a special guest to discuss the 2019 film Portrait of a Lady on Fire. France, 1770. Marianne, a painter, is commissioned to do the wedding portrait of Héloïse, a young woman who has just left the convent. Héloïse is a reluctant bride to be and Marianne must paint her without her knowing. She observes her by day, to paint her secretly.
 
Where to watch:
Hulu (Stream in the US)
YouTube (Rent or Buy)
Vudu (Rent or Buy)
iTunes (Rent or Buy) 
 
Instagram:
@lefilmpodcast
 
Twitter:
@lefilmpod
 
Send us questions, feedback, and film recommendations at:
lefilmpodcast@gmail.com

Upgrade (2018) Ft. Connor Delgado

A tragic robbery leaves leaves Grey Trace paralyzed from the neck down, and his beloved wife dead. A philanthropist inventor offers Trace a cure, for his paralysis. An artificially intelligent spinal implant called STEM. Now able to walk again, Grey discovers that he now has superhuman skills and agility to seek vengeance on his enemies. 
This weeks choice made by first time guest, huge fan of the podcast, and one of my best buds Connor Delgado! Special thanks to Connor for coming on and blessing us with his insight!
Where to watch: 
Vudu (Rent or Buy) 
Amazon Prime (Rent or Buy)
YouTube (Rent or Buy)
iTunes (Rent or Buy) 
Instagram:@lefilmpodcast
Twitter:@lefilmpodcast
Send us questions, feedback, and film recommendations at:
lefilmpodcast@gmail.com

Possession (1981)

“Do you know the difference between love and obsession? And what’s the difference between obsession and desire?” 
 
Żuławski’s English-language debut of a 1981 horror film is an inside look at the pitfalls of marriage and divorce. A star-making turn from Isabelle Adjani is a jaw-dropping audacious performance that will be forever ingrained in your memory. 
 
Where to watch:
Unfortunately, this film is not available to stream online.
 
Send us questions, feedback, and film recommendations at:
lefilmpodcast@gmail.com
Introduction: We are back! (:25) Updates, working for Amazon (1:10), Talking about Netflix’s Squid Game and breaking through the one-inch barrier of subtitles (5:20), Mixed reactions and thoughts on seeing Halloween Kills (17:30), Quick honorable mentions and what we’ve been watching: Over the Garden Wall, Courage the Cowardly Dog, The Campaign (2012) (28:30), Matrix Resurrections is coming (33:25), Favorite Halloween-themed Films (36:20), Non-spoiler discussion for Andrzej Żuławski’s Possession (38:11), Ratings for Possession (51:10), Spoiler Discussion for Possession (1:00:18)