On episode 142 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter are joined by film critic Bilge Ebiri discuss the latest film in their Powell and Pressburger series, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943).

Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love.

The latest film in the boy’s P&P series is a showcase of when filmmakers don’t go for propaganda, and instead try to tell a version of their own truth. During WWII, the filmmaking duo did films for audience’s tailor-made to provoke the political agenda of their country. For The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, they take a look inward at their own countrymen and system and how destructive is has been on the war as much as the enemies they are fighting across Europe, even making our protagonists best friend a German character, causing uproar about the inclusion of someone for whom the world was morally against. In doing this, they created one of their defining masterpieces where their thesis lies in someone who has given their whole life to fighting for their country, all for their wisdom and talent to be washed away as a new generation rises up, a brilliant work. Ryan, Jay, and Bilge break down their thoughts on the film, laserdisc physical media, the idea on romance at the heart of our main trio, showing no violence in a war picture, the films ending, and much more.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page.

This podcast runs 2h33m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger with a review of their next film, I Know Where I’m Going. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

On episode 141 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter discuss the first film in their Powell and Pressburger series, 49th Parallel aka The Invaders (1942).

Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to break down, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love.

Known as the most influential director duo of all time, and the greatest British filmmakers not named Hitchcock, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger were a powerhouse team in their era, creating some of the richest films of their time that have aged impeccably. But you don’t have to tell the Director Watch hosts this because they’ve covered these filmmakers before on a previous series, on their old show. That was during the pandemic, and now they have had time to settle on their motion pictures, and seen them multiple times, and thought it would be a wonderful chance to go back and review these films under a now familiar lens. In the first entry into their series, they take a look at their 1941 war picture (released in 1942 in the U.S.), where the duo subverts the expectations of the audience, and force us to examine a group of “protagonists” that were rather unconventional at the time; a group of Nazis on the run, attempting to cross into the then-neutral United States. Ryan and Jay breakdown their thoughts on the film, their vast respect for Powell and Pressburger, their use of the Germans as the main characters, the propaganda within films during the war, and the amazing talents of Leslie Howard, Laurence Olivier, Anton Walbrook; the latter who will be mentioned much more throughout this series.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h54m. The guys will be back next week to begin their series on the films of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger with a review of their next film, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it. 

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

On episode 140 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter discuss the final film in their Chantal Akerman series, A Couch in New York (1996).

Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love.

Chantal Akerman’s late 1960s to 1970s output is what she is known for and highly celebrated for a time where the director was tapping into something artistically personal that resonates for decades to come. But what happens the rest of her career is a bit of sad, as she tried to chase the glory of her past work, delivering work that is fascinating given her early films, but rather aimless exercises. As the boys look at her past, they take a look at Akerman’s attempt to make a Hollywood romantic comedy, with two leading stars of their times, but is missing the director’s signature point of view and patience, thus making it a weird exercise to explore within her filmography. Ryan and Jay give their thoughts on the film, the strange premise of the film, Hurt and Binoche’s lack of chemistry, if the ending makes sense, Akerman’s documentary work with News From Home that is a much more vital piece of work from the director covering her time in New York. They also give out their rankings for the series and tease the new series they will be starting next week.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen on the AW YouTube page.

This podcast runs 1h56m. The guys will be back next week to begin their series on the films of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger with a review of their film, 49^th Parallel. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

On episode 138 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter are joined by Morgan Roberts, host of the Female Gaze; The Film Club podcast, to discuss the next film in their Chantal Akerman series, Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975).

Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love.

The Director Watch duo have talked about some of the most important films of all time, but none bigger than Jeanne Dielman, the film voted as the number one film of all time by Sight and Sound back in 2022. Following the everyday life of a widower preparing meals for her and her son while also performing the occasional trick to make it by, Akerman dives deep into the soul of someone on the verge of falling apart, slowing showing a three-day meltdown that leads to shocking, heartbreaking conclusions. But is it the greatest movie of all time is the real question. Ryan, Jay, and Morgan break down their thoughts on the film, the methodical pace and structure of this portrait of a modern woman, her preparation for the various meals we see her make, her uneven relationship with her son, how missing someone you love has long term effects, the film’s controversial ending, and so much more that includes Ryan breaking down the entire plot of the 2011 sci-fi action picture In Time.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h43m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Chantal Akerman with a review of her next film, Les rendez-vous d'Anna (1978). You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

On episode 137 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter discuss the first film in their Chantal Akerman series, Je Tu Il Elle (1974).

Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to break down, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love.

Last week the guys said goodbye to the figure that is Warren Beatty, and switch things up by focusing on a director whose work has become discovered and evaluated more as her second feature was given the crown of the “greatest film of all time” from Sight and Sound; Chantal Akerman. Before next week’s examination of said greatest film, Ryan and Jay first take a look at her feature film, an experimental look at the life of a young woman (played by Akerman) and her journey of discovering her relationship with wanting to connect with someone and the damage it can have on her if it’s absent in her life. As thought provoking and patient of a debut feature as you will ever see, the boys breakdown their thoughts on the film, off the cuff Top 10 for the Sight and Sound list if they were ever asked, their marvel of Akerman’s use of the form, what eating pure sugar from a bag must be like, and how this film is the appetizer for the meal that is Jeanne Dielman on next week’s show.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more. You can also listen to it on our AwardsWatch YouTube page.

This podcast runs 1h38m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Chantal Akerman with a review of her next film, Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles. You can watch it on HBO Max or rent it via iTunes or Amazon Prime in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

On episode 136 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Trace Sauveur to discuss the final film in their Warren Beatty series, Rules Don't Apply (2016).

Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love.

In a Howard Hughes like move, for close to two decades, the world got used to see Warren Beatty more as the arm candy for his wife at award shows and less so as a direct. But in the mid-2010s, Beatty finally got back to the director chair to make his long-awaited dream project, a film about the famous Hughes. It was a box office, critical disaster of epic proportions, but in the time of its release, and in the process of going over his directorial achievements, it’s a bittersweet ending (potentially) to one of the most curious figures in Hollywood history, with the film becoming a meta commentary on where the world and Beatty see himself; it’s really the films only redeeming quality. Ryan, Jay, and Trace break down the film, their thoughts on it, how Beatty mirrors Hughes later years, how it almost continues the story after the events of The Aviator, cream jeans, the cinemas in the greater Georgia area, the 2016 Oscar fiasco, whose fault it really was, some justice for Alden Ehrenreich, and a mention or two about Rob Lowe singing with Snow White at the Oscars (yes, it really happened). Plus, the guys give out their rankings of the Beatty series and preview their next movie series starting next week.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h08m. The guys will be back next week to begin their series on the films of Chantal Akerman with a review of her first film, Je Tu Il Elle (1974). You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

On episode 135 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter are joined by Pop Culture Confidential host Christina Jeurling Birro to discuss the next film in their Warren Beatty series, Bulworth (1998).

Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love.

The year was 1998, and politics were on the mind, as in the same year as his old friend Elaine May was working with Mike Nichols on Primary Colors, Beatty was making his own political commentary; one that was sure to be one of the more controversial films within the director’s filmography. As Beatty grew tired and frustrated by the Democratic party, and feeling they had turned their back on their values and the people who voted for them, he made Bulworth, a satire about a politician that orders a hit on himself and as he is chasing his own death, he starts to unleash, telling the world what is really going on in Washington D.C., all the while being embraced by the black community, and rapping his message out. Sound crazy enough for you? Well that is just a fraction of what is going on in a film that thinks very highly of itself. Ryan, Jay, and Christina break down their thoughts on the film, if it has aged well, if it was an effective satire for the time, how Beatty can’t help but get the girl in the end, why everyone was trying to make the great satire of the time, why many fail, and why Bamboozle did what this movie is trying to do, but better.  

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 1h58m. The guys will be back next week to conclude their series on the films of Warren Beatty with a review of his last film, Rules Don’t Apply. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

On episode 134 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter are joined by Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson and Izzy of Be Kind Rewind to discuss the next film in their Warren Beatty series, Dick Tracy (1990).

Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love.

It took Beatty nine years to return to the director’s chair after winning his Oscar for Reds, but when he did, he made a flashy, bold, audacious crime caper straight from the beloved comic book of the same name. Donning the iconic yellow trench coat, Beatty brought the world of Dick Tracy to life with music, vibrant colors, insane make-up design, and memorable supporting characters (an all-time Al Pacino), but in making the film, Beatty connected with the titular police detective grew larger than life, as he completed his mission he set out since 1975 to make. Finally getting the rights, he was able to shoot for the fences with this one, and make an entertaining picture that still holds up to today. Ryan, Jay, Erik, and Izzy break down their thoughts on the film, Beatty’s relationship with his co-star Madonna, how wild Pacino gets within the film, if Beatty is right for the part of Dick Tracy, the production design, the recurring videos Beatty releases to keep the film rights, and if they like the original songs in the film from the legendary Steven Sondheim.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 2h16m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Warren Beatty with a review of his next film, Bulworth. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

On episode 133 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter are joined by Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello discuss the next film in their Warren Beatty series, Reds (1981).

Welcome back to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision-making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love.

After a successful directorial debut, Beatty pushed all of his chips into the middle of the table to make the passion project he wanted to make for the entire 1970s. In making Reds, he told the story of the life and career of John Reed, the journalist and writer who chronicled the October Revolution in Russia, and creative and passionate relationship with activist Louise Bryant. By making this epic, he showcased a sense of command of the camera in the midst of rewrites and on set fights with his leading lady and girlfriend of the time, the late Diane Keaton. With this, he created his masterpiece, resulting in an Oscar for Best Director and cementing his case for auteur status. Ryan, Jay, and Sophia break down their thoughts on the film, if Beatty is good in this film, if this is Keaton’s best performance, the legend that is Jack Nicholson, the rewrites by Elaine May, and which steamy quote about Beatty’s love life will Jay read before talking about one of the defining epics of the 1980s.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h57m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Warren Beatty with a review of his next film, Dick Tracy. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

On episode 132 of the Director Watch Podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter discuss the first film in their Warren Beatty series, Heaven Can Wait (1978).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, the boys attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love.

One of the biggest movie stars on the planet from the 1970s was Warren Beatty, who was known not only for being the ultimate ladies’ man, but an actor with extreme taste, charisma that rivals very few on screen, and was friends with just about everyone (even though he was a pain in the ass to work with). By the end of Hollywood’s greatest decade, Beatty, alongside the help of acclaimed writer Elaine May, stepped back from in front of the camera and into the director’s chair to tackle his first film as an auteur filmmaker, Heaven Can Wait, a remake of Here Comes Mr. Jordan from 1941, based on the Harry Segal play. By doing this, Beatty created a smash hit comedy that reigns supreme as the definitive adaptation of Segal’s play, even if it also has some problems within the third act. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, thoughts on Beatty, the flaws of this material, why the film’s central romance doesn’t work, the comedic genius that is Charles Grodin, and Jay reveals something about Beatty that will set up a very interesting theory the boys will be exploring over the next few weeks about Beatty the movie star turned director.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 2h04m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Warren Beatty with a review of his next film, Reds. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 131 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch Associate TV Editor Karen Peterson to discuss the final film in their Claire Denis series, High Life (2019)

In the final look into the cinematic world of Claire Denis, we see the guys, alongside Karen, give into what is widely known as the director's most celebrated modern film, about a futuristic, sci-fi film that examines the flaws and humanity of those who have harmed or destroyed other human beings. Set on a spaceship travelling to the ends of our galaxy, carrying a group of dangerous group criminals being experimented on by a crazed, horned up doctor, Denis examines if these humans who have committed the most heinous crime should be treated like decent members of society, and what it is life to care for life at the end of the space and time; it’s simple beautiful as well as complexly unique in terms of style and story, essentially Denis at her best. Ryan, Jay, and Karen break down their thoughts on the film, Robert Pattinson’s performance, if these characters deserve a second chance, “the box” scenes, what this film says about being a parent, as well as the boys’ rankings of Denis’ filmography and a preview of their newest series.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 2h03m. The guys will be back later this week to begin their series on the films of Warren Beatty with a review of his first film, Heaven Can Wait. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 130 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the next film in their Claire Denis series, Let the Sunshine In (2017).

Over the last couple of years, Denis has had a bit of a renaissance with her contemporary work, exploring complex stories with female characters at the forefront, mostly portrayed by the incredible Juliette Binoche. In their first collaboration together, the duo takes us on a journey of a woman who is uncertain in the male relationships she’s in, but knows that she wants more than ever to not be alone, forcing herself into situations that aren’t healthy. By doing this, they show how heartbreaking it can be to grow old alone without someone to share a life with. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, how grateful they are in the relationships they are in, how lonely it must be to grow old without a partner, Binoche’s performance, and a couple of fun tangents as well.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 1h55m. The guys will be back next week to conclude their series on the films of Claire Denis with a review of her film, High Life. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 129 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the next film in their Claire Denis series, White Material (2009).

Within the latest film of the Denis series, she heads back to Africa to explore a family drama set in the background of an unstable, unknown country, but as the film plays out, seems to be more interested in what is in the background rather than the characters that are focused on within the film. Instead of making a “white savior” movie, Denis is using this film as a honest, reflective look at her own place within this world as a white woman, commenting on the violent world that surrounds these white characters, and mirrors her own childhood. While it’s not her best film, it’s her most personal, and a bold piece of filmmaking that isn’t looking for a pat on the back, but rather exposing the flaws within power dynamics in a part of the world we will never be able to fix or understand. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, Denis’ relationship to the source material, the violence in the background of the film, the lingering questions about the open ending, as well as plenty of fun tangents post-Thanksgiving for the boys, highlight some of their favorite films they’ve been catching up with lately.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 1h57m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Claire Denis with a review of her film, Let the Sunshine In. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision-making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 128 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the next film in their Claire Denis series, 35 Shots of Rum (2008).

Sometimes when you are planning a series, you don’t think about the connections between the directors and their films, so this week is a happy surprise as Denis’ 35 Shots of Rum is inspired by Yasujirō Ozu's film Late Spring, a film they covered earlier this year. Following a father-daughter relationship that is challenged by the arrival of a younger man who wants to date the daughter, Denis uses Ozu’s masterpiece to reflect the racial, societal changes within France and Japan, as well as the differences between the two co-dependent family members, and the need for both to move on with their lives, no matter how heartbreaking it is. Ryan and Jay breakdown their thoughts on the film, its relationship to Ozu, how each film is different, as well as random thoughts on films from this year, Thanksgiving food, Jay’s recent family vacation, and the pull quote that broke the internet this past week.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h50m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Claire Denis with a review of her film, White Material. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 127 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson discuss the next film in their Claire Denis series, Beau Travail (1999).

Jumping ten years into Denis’ filmography, the boys hit the film of the series with Beau Travail, a film that follows the story of a section of French Foreign Legion soldiers training in the desert of Djibouti. What can seem like a macho, male dominate setting it quickly, slowly shown to be a memory piece about longing, desire, regret, attention, and more as she centers the film on a Adjudant-Chef Galoup and his evolutionary yet repressive time within the group. In doing this, Denis created a defining piece of filmmaking that cemented her legacy in cinema, giving us one of the greatest films of all time. Ryan, Jay, and Erik break down the film, its themes of sexual repression, how things that are super straight and masculine can be something else entirely, the ending featuring "The Rhythm of the Night," and an update on where Madonna was at in 1999.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 2h07m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Claire Denis with a review of her film, 35 Shots of Rum. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 126 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the first film in their Claire Denis series, Chocolat (1988).

One of the most singular, influential filmmaker of modern independent, French cinema is the subject of the boy’s new series, Claire Denis. Known for making immersive, emotional films about repression and love, Denis’ first film explores her childhood through the lens of a young girl who sees her country, France, imposing their will onto the people of Africa, at the same time her Mother’s starts a longing, flirtatious relationship with the family’s household servant. It’s a stunning debut, instantly setting the bar high for the series and Denis’ career. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, the idea of who this film is being shown through, Denis’ personal connection to the story, the central romance, their cultural, racial ties at the center of the film’s conflict, and a story about Ryan’s recent trip to the theater that you’ll want to hear.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 1h29m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Claire Denis with a review of her film, Beau Travail. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 125 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the final film in their Hughes Brothers series, The Book of Ell (2010).

In their final collaboration as an artist pair, the Hughes Brothers take a dive into the end of the world, action genre where a man is roaming from town to town, searching for the haven of humanities last chance for hope within a broken country, where water is a privilege and knowledge is a weapon. In a making a film about the hunt for the last bible on Earth, the brothers tackle the rotten core of our humanity when faced up against each other, and the lust for power something as simple as a book can bring out of people. This plus it’s just a cool idea for an action movie where Denzel Washington is being the best movie star on the planet and Gary Oldman is doing his villain thing that he does so well. But the real question with The Book of Eli is, why isn’t it an all timer, why does it look the way it does, and why was this the last film the Hughes Brothers made together? Ryan and Jay breakdown all these questions, as well as look at the careers of Washington, Oldman, and Mila Kunis, what they learned from this series, what the Hughes Brothers are doing now, give their series rankings for the sibling duo, and preview their next director series.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h22m. The guys will be back next week to begin their new series on the films of Claire Denis with a review of her film, Chocolate. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 124 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Josh Parham to discuss the next film in their Hughes Brothers series, From Hell (2001).

After making two independent films that feel very much like the Hughes Brothers announcing their style and cinema language to the world, they took a detour to making a studio film, one that had been in development for some time. Based on the beloved Alan Moore graphic novel, From Hell centers around a renowned detective who is hunting down Jack the Ripper and using his helpful powers of deduction to save the girls being harmed by this mad man before it’s too late, while also discovering the truth around who the Ripper is. Convoluted and silly, From Hell is a piece of early 2000s nostalgia for millennial audiences that works more as a fun, disposable period thriller than the next film within the Hughes Brothers’ filmography, as it seems that they were directors for hire and doesn’t have much of their voice found within their first two films. Ryan, Jay, and Josh talk about their thoughts on the film, how it fits in the Hughes Brothers filmography, the careers of Johnny Deep and Heather Graham, Josh’s connection to the history of Jack the Ripper, how much a nice guy Alan Moore seems (sarcasm), and what the hell is going on with the James Bond franchise and plenty of more tangents.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 2h19m. The guys will be back next week to conclude their series on the films of the Hughes Brothers with a review of their last film, The Book of Eli. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 123 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the next film in their Hughes Brothers series, Dead Presidents (1995).

After their astonishing debut feature film, the Hughes Brothers took a big swing with their next project, making a coming of age, period piece that is equal parts war film, heist film, and historical fiction, all set within the late 1960s to early 1970s. The scope of Dead Presidents is expansive, larger than their previous film, showing an elevation of filmmaking from the duo at such a young stage in their career. But the problem within the film lies its aimless pace, and the fact that most of their ideas don’t gel as one, leading to a fascinating second feature that doesn’t reach the heights of debut, which also leads the duo away from making mostly African American stories after this feature; a move that seems very disheartening upon retrospect. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, which section they think is the best one, how the influences of the past shape the narrative of the film as well as how influential this seems to be for future filmmaking, if they were the right age to tell this story, how this is a pivotal point in their filmography, and how Jay’s trip to Europe went along with his hot takes on the state of modern pop music. 

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 1h55m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of the Hughes Brothers with a review of their next film, From Hell. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decisionmaking process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 122 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the first film in their Hughes Brothers series, Menace II Society (1993).

Leaving the world of Ozu, the boys return to a more contemporary setting by explore the films of Allen and Albert Hughes, identical twin brothers who became known for their bold music videos in the late 1980s, early 1990s for artists like Tone Loc and Tupac Shakur. But it was their first feature, Menace II Society, that took the world by storm as it followed the life young black men in LA trying to making it out the neighborhood they lived in, surrounded by the accepted violence that’s systemic, perpetrated by a country willing to allow this section of the world fall apart from within. Released a few years after Boyz in the Hood, this is a sharper, edgier, meaner, realist look at the Watts and Crenshaw neighborhoods that we’ve ever seen before on screen, introducing the world to a duo of vital voices in cinema. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, it’s comparisons to other African American coming of age films made in the early 1990s, the violence found within the film, the strong directorial voices found within this debut feature, the strong cast that make up the film, and their relationship with the directors and their filmography.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 1h53m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of the Hughes Brothers with a review of their next film, Dead Presidents. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 121 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the final film in their Yasujirō Ozu series, An Autumn Afternoon (1962).

The boys have come full circle within the end of their Ozu series, as the director takes a similar story structure of a father wanting his daughter to get married, and elevates to beyond what he’s shown before on screen; a lasting note within a masterful filmography. In An Autumn Afternoon, Ozu explores what the future holds not just for his characters, but his country as a whole, while also examining the events and actions of his characters in the film through the lens of someone grieving the idea of losing their parent, as Ozu’s mother had passed away shortly around the making of this film. A heartbroken director crafted his most personal family drama yet, and a beautiful note to end his career and this series on. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, get personal with what Ozu is showing here one last time, look at how the past shapes the present and future of Japan and their cinema, while also giving their Ozu rankings and previewing their new exciting directors’ series that begins next week.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 2h01m. The guys will be back next week to begin their new series on the films of The Hughes Brothers with a review of their first film, Menace II Society. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 120 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the next film in their Yasujirō Ozu series, Floating Weeds (1959).

On the penultimate episode of the Ozu series, the boys take a look at the second feature film form 1959 from the Japanese director that was also a remake of his own work from 1934, A Story of Floating Weeds. In retelling this tale of an estranged father that returns with his theater company to the city former love and their son live in, Ozu explores the dynamics of jealousy and how the decisions of the past shaped the present and there is no fixing them because explore them could lead to even more disastrous outcomes that shape the future of the characters. Heartbreaking and real, Ozu perfected this storyline the second go-round with a prickly film about how keeping things a secret might be best for all. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, the idea of a director remaking their own work, how harmful the ending is to all involved, films releasing in the Fall that Jay will love, their thoughts on the packaging of the new Wes Anderson box set, and so much more.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 1h38m. The guys will be back next week to conclude their series on the films of Yasujirō Ozu with a review of his next film, An Autumn Afternoon. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 119 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson and AwardsWatch Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello to discuss the latest film from director Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another (2025).

On the podcast, Ryan and Jay love nothing more than sitting back and seeing a passion project from a major director be given the greenlight to be shown to the masses, and such is the case for One Battle After Another, the latest invention from PTA, who has spent nearly twenty years tinkering away at this story, making it perfect for the big screen. Loosely based off the novel Vineland by Thomas Pynchon, the film follows an ex-revolutionary who must find his daughter once a dangerous, evil enemy resurfaces after 16 years. What seems like a simple premise evolves into the grandest feature film PTA has made, combining social, political commentary with a wicked, sharp sense of humor, and centering it all around a father, mother, and daughter dynamic that heartwarming, sincere, and emotionally profound. By doing this, Anderson has made a successful odyssey that is the culmination of his career so far while pushing the director do things he’s never done before and also things audiences have never seen on the big screen. It’s the movie of our time and there was no way the boys weren’t going to talk about it. Ryan, Jay, Erik, and Sophia breakdown their thoughts on the film, the various formats they’ve seen the film in, PTA’s sentimental heart clashing with his audacious direction, how timely the film feels, how every performance is pitch-perfect, thoughts on the Christmas Adventurers club, and so much more including a new wrinkle in Jay’s Oscar game where we put his expertise to the test and make him predict how many Oscars this film will be nominated for. It’s a fun, long, wild ride full of SPOILERS, so if you haven’t seen the film, you’ve been warned.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 3h09m. The guys will be back later this week to continue their series on the films of Yasujirō Ozu with a review of his next film, Floating Weeds. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 118 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Ross Bonaime, Senior Movies Editor of Collider, discuss the next film in their Yasujirō Ozu series, Good Morning (1959).

In the ultimate transition for Ozu, the rest of the films in this series goes from his elegant black and white filmmaking to the world of technicolor, as he slowly transitions into more modern forms of visual storytelling. By doing this, he’s also going back in time, reimagining his own work, as Good Morning is a loose remake of his own 1932 silent film I Was Born, But..., and follows the story of two boys going on a silent strike against their parents in order to get a television. In what is an innocent film, is slowly morphs in a tale of gossip within a community and how perception by some doesn’t make it a reality, leaving the film an introspective look at the shifting times in Japan. Ryan, Jay, and Ross break down their thoughts on the film, Ozu’s evolution within the form, the running fart gags, the defiance of a stubborn child, and so much more.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 1h50m. The guys will be back next week to continue their new series on the films of Yasujirō Ozu with a review of his next film, Floating Weeds. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision-making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 117 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Matthew Huff, Senior Editor of Parade Magazine, discuss the next film in their Yasujirō Ozu series, Tokyo Twilight (1957).

Following up an all-time masterpiece is always a task for the Director Watch hosts but Ozu strikes again with another beautiful, dark film about two sisters finding out the existence of their long-lost mother, exploring parental history and hidden secrets in a way only the master director could. This brilliant examination of a broken family is heartbreaking, but also the most mature film in the series to date, tackling an issue not normally discussed at the time in Japan, much less the rest of the world. Ryan, Jay, and Matthew breakdown their thoughts on the film, the impact this revelation has on each sister, how Ozu demonstrates the passage of time, how patient the film is as it is slowly building up to the finale, childhood backgrounds, VeggieTales, and more.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 1h55m. The guys will be back next week to continue their new series on the films of Yasujirō Ozu with a review of his next film, Good Morning. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 116 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Kevin L. Lee discuss the next film in their Yasujirō Ozu series, Tokyo Story (1953).

Sometimes you see a film and it’s so incredible, you wonder why you never saw it before you first screen. Such is the case with the transcendent film Tokyo Story, one of the greatest films of all time about an aging couple who travel to Tokyo to visit their family and see how they all turned out after moving away from home and growing up. Tender, reflective, and personal, Ryan, Jay and Kevin breakdown the dozens of layers found in this masterpiece, telling reflective, emotional stories of their past as they dive deep into explore the human themes found in this masterpiece from Ozu.  

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h33m. The guys will be back next week to continue their new series on the films of Yasujirō Ozu with a review of his next film, Tokyo Twilight. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 115 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the next film in their Yasujirō Ozu series, Early Summer (1951).

Coming off of seeing and discussing Late Spring, the boys dive deep into the next evolution of a similar story for Ozu, about a family changing their culture post-WWII. In Early Summer, it is less so about a woman not wanting to leave her father for a new life with a husband, but more so about a young girl choosing the match for herself that she wants rather than the set life her family arranged for her, causing strife within her family. Hilarious, insightful, and heartwarming, Ozu’s evolution as a storyteller grows stronger and stronger with each project, leading up to next week’s masterpiece with Tokyo Story. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, the expanded scope of this story, if it’s as emotionally relevant to them as Late Spring, early football predictions from the guys as well as what would Ozu have served at a Super Bowl party, and more.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h49m. The guys will be back next week to continue their new series on the films of Yasujirō Ozu with a review of his next film, Tokyo Story. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 114 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the first film in their Yasujirō Ozu series, Late Spring (1949).

Known as one of the defining directors of Japanese cinema, Yasujirō Ozu is a staple of slow-burn, emotionally impactful cinema that evolved over time as his nation was coming to terms with what their identity was going to be post-World War II. Ozu, a popular director of domestic dramas and comedies before the war, made propaganda pictures for his country during the world struggle to entertain the people of Japan while the horrific violence of war played on throughout multiple countries over many years. The events of the war changed the country forever, and so did the director, as he started to question in his later films the traditions of the past with the western ideas that would become a part of modern culture around the world. In Late Spring, he does this within a father, daughter dynamic about when is the right time to leave one’s family to create their own life, and when is it okay for a parent to let go of their child. In reviewing this first film, Ryan and Jay not only review the film and its themes, but explore their own personal relationships within the decisions Ozu makes within the framework of the narrative, making for one of their most personal podcasts to date as they start this new discovery into the world of Ozu.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 1h39m. The guys will be back next week to continue their new series on the films of Yasujirō Ozu with a review of his next film, Early Summer. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 113 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello discuss the last film in their Paul Verhoeven series, Benedetta (2021).

For Verhoeven’s latest film, the director reteamed with his Elle collaborator David Birke, to make a religious film, as he’s an expert scholar of the Jesus Seminar, even writing a book in 2007 entitled Jesus of Nazareth. Though his adaptation of his book, along with several other projects, didn’t come to head, he was able to make Benedetta, a loose adaptation of Judith C. Brown’s Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy, following the life of a nun (Virginie Efira) who joins the Italian convent while she was a young child and later has a forbidden love affair with another nun, while also seeing religious visions that make her seem like she has direct contact with Jesus. Wickedly hilarious, sensual, and fascinating, Benedetta is a thorny tale of the complexities of faith, as well as Verhoeven’s critique of the church, an institution that he’s examined for all of his life. Ryan, Jay, and Sophia break down their thoughts on the film, just how funny the film is, if it has more to say than what Verhoeven is bringing up on the surface, the dream sequences, Benedetta’s struggles with temptation, Jay’s love of The Great Gatsby, Sophia’s story about seeing the film at the world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, and splinters. And seeing that it is the end of the series, the boys give out their Paul Verhoeven rankings as well as preview their new director series starting new week.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 2h44m. The guys will be back next week to begin their new series on the films of Yasujirō Ozu with a review of his film, Late Spring. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 112 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Dan Bayer discuss the latest film in their Paul Verhoeven series, Elle (2016).

After a full decade without making a film, Verhoeven returned to the big screen doing what he does best; pushing buttons. With Elle, he made one of his most talked about, controversial films of his entire career about a successful businesswoman who get caught up in a dangerous, sexual game of cat and mouse with the man whom she believes raped her. Blurring the lines between a female’s liberation, sexual desire, and abuse, Elle explores the complex emotions attached to those who have been abused. Ryan, Jay, and Dan break down their thoughts on this complex masterpiece, the performance from Isabelle Huppert, the sexual politics presented in the film, how controversial the film was at the time, if this would’ve been embraced more by the Academy if it was released today, how the film foreshadows the film will cover next week on the show, and the differences between video games now and the ones made from our childhood in terms of the graphics.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h32m. The guys will be back next week to conclude their series on the films of Paul Verhoeven with a review of his film, Benedetta. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 111 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by film critic Ben Miller discuss the latest film in their Paul Verhoeven series, Black Book (2006).

After a six-year absence from the film world following Hollow Man, Verhoeven resurfaced with a World War II drama about a young Jewish woman in the Netherlands who becomes a spy for the resistance. In doing so, as she gets deeper behind enemy lines, she starts to fall in love with one of the high ranking members of the Nazi military. As scandalous and provocative as Verhoeven usually is, this is a whole other level and reminds his audience of the director that he once was before he went to Hollywood; asking questions and pushing buttons with sophisticated intrigue. In the years since its release, it’s not only become one of his more underrated film of his filmography that people have discovered as genius work, but the Dutch public voted it the best Dutch film ever made, which is very high praise. Ryan, Jay, and Ben breakdown their thoughts on the film, the performance of Carice van Houten, the murkiness of the love interests in the film, the depictions of violence and sex, how both sides of the fight mirror each other, the interesting final shots of the film, and what kind of cake do the host think the Germans made for their leader’s birthday depicted in the film.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 2h05m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Paul Verhoeven with a review of his film, Elle. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 110 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Josh Parham discuss the latest film in their Paul Verhoeven series, Hollow Man (2000).

In his final project within the Hollywood system, Paul Verhoeven entered the new millennium looking to make a new take on a classic horror film, about a scientist working on a special government project that turns you invisible by taking a special serum. In aiming to make a more conventional blockbuster, the director made one of his most controversial, thorny pictures as the main protagonist of the film is a downright psycho, hell bent on staying invisible despite being told how dangerous he has become by his long time co-workers on the project. It’s a mostly entertaining throwback to the 2000s with excellent special effects as well as a deeply disturbing commentary attached to it. Ryan, Jay, and Josh break down their thoughts on the film, the creepy nature of tech-bros, the unfocused nature of who really is the lead of this film, the filmography of Kevin Bacon, how cool this movie poster was at a Blockbuster video, and just how many jokes can Josh make about Jay relating to the main characters of this film.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h23m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Paul Verhoeven with a review of his film, Black Book. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 109 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Trace Sauveur discuss the latest film in their Paul Verhoeven series, Starship Troopers (1997).

After making a cult classic with Showgirls, Verhoeven took to space to go back to his political, social satire with an adaptation of Robert A. Heinlein’s novel, Starship Troopers. The director readapted the book heavily, not liking the politics of the book, making his film more aware that these characters were fascists in a fascist country that didn’t know that they are fascists. By using this tool, he made a masterpiece grilling the military industrial complex, and our countries obsession with concurring other nations. Ryan, Jay, and Trace break down their thoughts on the film, their thoughts on the films politics, the casting in the film, the visual effects that have aged well and are horrific, the spin-off sequels, how relevant the film is in the modern era, and how clever Verhoeven is able to mix the horror of war with his usual, twisted humor found in his films.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 2h08m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Paul Verhoeven with a review of his film, Hollow Man. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 108 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson discuss the latest film in their Paul Verhoeven series, Showgirls (1995).

Following the massive cultural, commercial success of Basic Instinct, Verhoeven and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas turned their eye to the world of professional dancing as a young, ambitious girl, with a mysterious past, sets her sights on becoming a star as the main showgirl in over-the-top production set on the Las Vegas strip. The film was set up with massive expectations and the largest budget ever for an NC-17 film ($45m), Showgirls was hailed as one of the worst films of the 1990s, a box office bomb, and ruined star Elizabeth Berkley chances at becoming a star on the big screen like she was on television. But the film became a cult classic, and has now been fully reevaluated as a “masterpiece” of excess and the dangers women face within the entertainment industry; Verhoeven’s The Red Shoes. Ryan, Jay, and Erik breakdown their relationship with the film, their favorite lines within the movie, the definition of “camp,” Berkley’s rocky relationship with the film, how horrifying the sex is within the film, the legendary performance given by Gina Gershon, which characters they relate to, and which modern day pop-star Jay says has had a better 21^st century success on the Billboard Charts than Madonna; a move that might see the end of the co-host as we know. Listen now to find out who mentions.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h45m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Paul Verhoeven with a review of his film, Starship Troopers. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 107 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by film critic Brandon Streussnig discuss the latest film in their Paul Verhoeven series, Basic Instinct (1992).

We enter a new chapter in the Verhoeven series, as the guys talk about one of the most iconic erotic-thrillers of all time with the most iconic image of the genre. But beyond that one scene lies an ode to Hitchcock, as we follow a sleazy detective down a rabbit hole of deception, sex, and murder as he investigates the death of a wealthy rock star, and the prime suspect is his old girlfriend, a writer whom wrote about his death in her latest book. Purposive, wild, and slightly progressive and regressive at the same time, Basic Instinct is the crown jewel of a type of film that audiences used to obsess over, perfectly made by a director at the height of his powers, featuring an all-time performance from Sharon Stone. Ryan, Jay, and Brandon breakdown their thoughts on the film, the history of the erotic thriller, the controversy over the iconic scene, how sex is weaponized throughout, the introduction to Joe Eszterhas as a writer to the world, the laughable sequel made several years later, ice picks, and just how good of a cop is Michael Douglas’ Nick Curran.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h56m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Paul Verhoeven with a review of his film, Showgirls. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental or stream on HBO Max in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 106 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by the host of The Waffle Press Movie Podcast, Diego Crespo discuss the latest film in their Paul Verhoeven series, Total Recall (1990).

Following up the massive success of RoboCop, Verhoeven turned his attention to another world, the planet Mars and the work of Philip K. Dick to make another commentary on our military obsessed culture with Total Recall. Following the story of a construction worker who finds out he is actually a super spy who has been planted with false memories of his past and who he is, setting off a chain of events that leads he into a war between the powerful elites of our world and the newly formed colony on Mars. Thought provoking then as it is now, Verhoeven taps into our ongoing paranoia of who is in-charge of our world, and questions whether their leadership is more relevant than a body of citizens willing to fight for their place in the world. Ryan, Jay, and Diego breakdown their thoughts on the film, if its commentary is as strong as RoboCop, the visual effects, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s performance, the meaning of the film’s ending, and so much more.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 2h3m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Paul Verhoeven with a review of his film, Basic Instinct. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 105 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the first film in their Paul Verhoeven series, RoboCop (1987).

Known for being one of the most provocative directors of our lifetime, Paul Verhoeven has expertly used genre to tackle strong satirical elements of our society in ways his counterparts have never been able to. From the late 1960’s to the early 1980s, the Dutch director mostly worked on films from his side of the world, slowly making his way to American productions by the end of the 80s. His first big introduction to commercial audiences was RoboCop, a futuristic examination on the power of corporations, corruption, crime, and lawlessness left unchecked by justice. Centering on a former police officer turning into the ultimate killing machine, Verhoeven delivers one of the most damning criticisms of American capitalism, as well as a signature film of the era. Ryan and Jay breakdown their thoughts on the film, their favorite lines in the movie, the over-the-top action set pieces, Murphy’s (Peter Weller) journey and his reckoning with who he has become at the hands of those who harmed him, the episodic logistics of crime shows, and why no one can make a good satire, political commentary anymore.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Paul Verhoeven with a review of his film, Total Recall. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 104 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Editor-In-Chief of InSession Film Dave Giannini to discuss the last films in their Peter Jackson series, The Hobbit Trilogy (2012/2013/2014).

After the failure of The Lovely Bones, Jackson and company turned their attention back to a familiar place, Middle Earth. First starting as a producer, The Hobbit would find Jackson getting back in the director’s chair for the prequel to his acclaimed The Lord of the Rings series, taking over the project from Guillermo del Toro, who seemed to struggle to get his vision of the film to mash with what the studio wanted. Instead of the initial two films suggested to tell the story, Jackson set out to make another trilogy, drawing from other texts of J. R. R. Tolkien in order to expand on this smaller story, giving it a grander history to the original trilogy, as well as adding new characters and elements to the classic tale. But Jackson can’t capture the magic of The Lord of the Rings, making a messy, CGI heavy collection of films that become more and more tedious as the trilogy goes on; wasting solid performances because the story is now in the hands of a director more focused on his creative toys than making something as spectacular as the trilogy that made him a household name. Ryan, Jay, and Dave breakdown their thoughts on the films, why they look so ugly, the unnecessary love story found in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, how cool dragons are, how there aren’t five armies in The Battle of the Five Armies, why these films turn into being a chore by the time they were released, and wonder if Jackson will ever go back to making feature films. The guys also give out their rankings on the Jackson series and reveal who they will be covering for their next movie series.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 2h42m. The guys will be back next week to begin their series on the films of Paul Verhoeven with a review of his film, RoboCop. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 103 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Karen Peterson to discuss the next film in their Peter Jackson series, The Lovely Bones (2009).

Oh how the mighty fall. By the end of the 2000s, director Peter Jackson was still riding off the high of The Lord of the Rings and King Kong, as he looked to make his next project. In finding the novel The Lovely Bones, Jackson connected with the idea of a young girl using the afterlife to process her death as well as help her family heal after said tragedy, and attempt to catch the person who killed her. Using CGI and green-screen for the in-between world and the afterlife, Jackson tried to bring together one of the most popular young-adult novels of the time, but in doing so, got distracted by his special effects and new techniques for these sequences, and instead, he created an emotionless slog of a film that was (and still is) considered by all to be a massive misstep within his career. Ryan, Jay, and Karen breakdown the film, how Jackson and his team did in adapting the novel to the big screen, the major casting shift at the center of the film, the current status of Saoirse Ronan’s career, how Stanley Tucci should never have hair in a movie, and how massive of a misstep it is from the same mind that brought us Heavenly Creatures.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h21m. The guys will be back next week to conclude their series on the films of Peter Jackson with a review of his set of other Middle Earth films, The Hobbit trilogy. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 102 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by the Head of Content for The Ringer and co-host of The Big Picture podcast Sean Fennessey to discuss the next film in their Peter Jackson series, King Kong (2005).

After making one of the most successful trilogies of all time, winning dozens of Oscars, making billions of dollars at the box office, and defying all odds due to the inadaptability of the source material, Peter Jackson was on top of the cinematic world. Following up The Lord of the Rings was going to be no small task, but the director had essentially created an opportunity that very few artists get to have in a career; he earned a blank check to make whatever he wanted. In doing this, he came back to a project he had been trying to make years before his work in Middle Earth; a remake of one of the most iconic films in the history of cinema, King Kong. In making a direct remake of the 1939 classic, Jackson was able to recreate and expand a film that changed his life when he first saw it as a child in a local theater with his mother. But in doing so, he made a heavily CGI'd spectacle filled with dinosaurs that bogs down the emotional, fantastical elements at the core of the original story, and an effort that showed the problematic signs of what happens when total creative control is handed to those that need a little bit of a guiding hand. Ryan, Jay, and Sean breakdown their thoughts on the film, the other versions of King Kong, the career of Naomi Watts, how Jack Black is still a giant movie star, Adrian Brody’s Oscar speech, why no one can make a good dinosaur film outside the first Jurassic Park, why this movie didn’t work, why Sean picked this film to come on and talk about, and how nice a guy David Cronenberg seems.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 1h43m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Peter Jackson with a review of his next film, The Lovely Bones. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 101 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Griffin Schiller to discuss the next film in their Peter Jackson series, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003).

One final time, in the winter of 2003, the world ran to the theaters to see the final chapter in what was the greatest, most important cinematic trilogy with The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. In the climatic ending of Peter Jackson’s masterpiece, we find the war for Middle Earth taking full effect as Frodo and Sam get closer and closer to destroying the ring of power once and for all. With many memorable moments (and a few too many endings?), Jackson was able to stick the landing, resulting the movie event of the 21^st century, the highest grossing film of 2003, and performing a clean sweep as Return of the King went on to win eleven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Jackson. Ryan, Jay, and Griffin break down their thoughts on the third film in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, if the extended cut of the film adds anything but runtime to the final film, the ending controversy, every character’s arc and how they are wrapped up, how emotional the film is, if this is the most important, best blockbuster of the 21^st century, and so much more.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h25m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Peter Jackson with a review of his next film, King Kong. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 100 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello to discuss the next film in their Peter Jackson series, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002).

Once The Fellowship of the Ring released into theaters, and became the biggest film of the year, audiences didn’t have to wait too long to go back and continue the journey in Middle Earth as the winter of 2002 brought the second chapter of The Lord of the Rings to the big screen. Continuing the events of the saga just after the separation of the fellowship, our heroes venture off into three separate but vital storylines for the ultimate destination of destroying the ring of power and saving Middle Earth from a dark war. Though the middle chapter, many, including Ryan, hold The Two Towers as their favorite entry into the trilogy, one with heart, action, and a new, game changing character in Gollum that makes for one of the most important villains in modern film. Ryan, Jay, and Sophia break down their thoughts on the film, the revolutionary work on Gollum, casting what ifs, the introduction to the Kingdom of Rohan and its incredible characters, why Jay doesn’t think Legolas isn’t that cool, what the gang was like in high school, space missions, favorite type of potato, and so many more thing about and not about the film. It’s the 100^th episode and it’s a damn good one.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h54m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Peter Jackson with a review of his next film, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 99 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Cody Dericks to discuss the next film in their Peter Jackson series, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001).

After making The Frighteners, Peter Jackson set out to make an epic, and had the blessing of the Hollywood studio system to do so. He spent a lot of his time trying to come up with an idea to remake the monster movie classic King Kong (more on that in a couple of weeks). After a failed attempt to get that project off the ground, he set off to make an action adventure film in the vein of The Lord of the Rings, and after a first draft, his partner Fran Walsh told Jackson that a lot of what he was writing basically was J.R.R Tolkien’s trilogy of books. From that moment, Jackson decided to make his version of a collection of novels that were deemed unadaptable for the big screen, and in doing so, created one of the single most influential trilogies in cinema history. Ryan, Jay, and Cody break down their thoughts on the first entry into The Lord of the Rings saga, the behind the scenes drama leading up to making the film, re-casting what ifs, the earnestness of these films, the building and breaking apart of the fellowship, who is the character they relate to the most, and we finally find out after fifteen years of being agnostic to this trilogy if Jay now likes Lord of the Rings. You’ll have to listen to find out.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 2h30m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Peter Jackson with a review of his next film, The Lord of the Rings: The Tw Towers. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

 to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 98 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Brian Tallerico, Managing Editor of RogerEbert.com, to discuss the next film in their Peter Jackson series, The Frighteners (1996).

The critical success of Heavenly Creatures proved to put Jackson on the map, with Hollywood calling for him to start making bigger pictures. In writing a treatment in 1992 for an idea that would become The Frighteners, Oscar winning director Robert Zemeckis viewed their idea as a chance to be a spin off to the television series Tales from the Crypt, centering on a small town private eye who can see and speak to the dead. In working with Jackson and Fran Walsh, Zemeckis liked the idea of the young director making the film, and thus became the last film he would make before the biggest project of his life. But is it good, is it successful, or is it a forgotten relic that doesn’t make sense within Jackson’s filmography. Ryan, Jay, and Brian debate where The Frighteners lands, the importance of Weta Digital, the career of Michael J. Fox, Jackson getting the movie filmed in New Zealand even though it takes place in America, and preview the start of the boys’ journey to Middle Earth over the next couple of weeks.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more.

This podcast runs 1h21m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Peter Jackson with a review of his next film, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 97 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by film critic Jesse Nussman to discuss the next film in their Peter Jackson series, Heavenly Creatures (1994).

After making a name for himself as a horror director, Jackson took a different route for his next film, incorporating his genre sensibilities for a drama about a real life murder case in New Zealand. Centered around two young girls who become friends and a tight bond that is threatened by their parents, who find it stranger than your average friendship. In an attempt to be with each other forever, the two girls come up with a plan to run away, and in doing so, commit a heinous crime that shocked the entire country. By tackling this subject, Jackson was able to embody a magical realism to the entire film, particularly in the imaginative world the girls have built for each other, and in doing so, created a one of a kind bio-pic that is haunting and heartbreaking. Ryan, Jay, and Jesse breakdown their thoughts on the film, if running away was a good plan, the murder weapon used in the crime, the breakout performances for Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet as well as the different paths each actress took, Jackson’s imagery in the dream world, if the extended cut adds anything new to the story, and how hard it is to find this film on streaming and physical media. 

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h20m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Peter Jackson with a review of his next film, The Frighteners. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 96 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the first film in their Peter Jackson series, Braindead (1992).

The journey for the boys to talk about Peter Jackson has taken a long road, winding road to get here, much like the director’s acclaimed trilogy. But in one of the more fascinating careers of the last thirty years, Peter Jackson saw a rise to fame after years of making scrappy, independent horror-leaning films that landed him a couple of big checks that became some of the most known films of the 21^st century. By 1992, Jackson had already made two films; lesser known titles Bad Taste and Meet the Fables (which the guys give their brief thoughts on at the beginning of the episode). But it was his third film, Braindead, that was his breakout; a zombie comedy splatter film about a son’s relationship with his needy mother that turns gory when she is bitten by a hybrid rat-monkey creature and begins to transform into a zombie. In the vein of the Evil Dead franchise, Jackson goes all out with the gore and mayhem to allow for a unique, memorable horror experience like no other. Ryan and Jay breakdown their thoughts on the film, the level of gore and blood in Braindead, ponder how this guy went on to make the films that he did, discuss their favorite kills in the film, preview the rest of the Jackson series and explain why this was the right time to finally do this series.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h48m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Peter Jackson with a review of his next film, Heavenly Creatures. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision-making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 95 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the final film in their Elaine May series, Ishtar (1987).

It had been a few years since Elaine May had been behind the camera, and her return to the big screen was likely her most talked about film, as Ishtar was considered by many at the time to be one of the worst films of all time, and a financial calamity. Following two down on their luck singers who take a gig in the Middle East and get caught up in international espionage, on paper, these films had two big movie stars in a what could be comedy gold. But the behind-the-scenes turmoil mixed with studio interference caused the film to be a disaster, and thus became the final film the director has ever directed. But is it as bad as history made it out to be? Ryan and Jay give their thoughts on the film, the music sung throughout the runtime, Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty’s careers, why May hasn’t been able to make another film, and give out their rankings of her films within the series and how they rank against her pal, Mike Nichols.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h. The guys will be back next week to begin their series on the films of Peter Jackson with a review of his film, Braindead. You can rent it via YouTube in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 94 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Trace Sauveur to discuss the next film in their Elaine May series, Mikey and Nicky (1976).

Just a few years after the second film, Elaine May set out to make her follow-up to The Heartbreak Kid, and in doing so, made one of the most memorable films of the 1970s in Mikey and Nicky. While the movie was another step forward for the director as a visual storyteller and featured to dynamite performances from Peter Falk and John Cassavetes, its journey to the big screen was wild, as it took May years to hand the studio a finished edit of the film, as she tinkered with it until she was forced to hand it over. Even after its release, she still wasn’t fully satisfied with the final film, reworking on it some when it got into the Criterion Collection. In the end, what she gave us is an intense, heartbreaking looking into a crumbling friendship set over the course of one night. Ryan, Jay, and Trace breakdown their thoughts on the film, May’s direction, the behind the scenes stories of the making of the film, their thoughts on the main character’s friendship, the harsh ending, and the fall of auteur driven cinema of the 1970s. 

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h53m. The guys will be back next week to conclude their series on the films of Elaine May with a review of her final film, Ishtar. You can rent it via YouTube in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 93 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by film critic Jake Tropila to discuss the next film in their Elaine May series, The Heartbreak Kid (1972).

It didn’t take long for Elaine May to make her second feature, as she released The Heartbreak Kid just a year after A New Leaf was released. But much like her longtime friend and collaborator Mike Nichols, May elevated just about every aspect of her skills from behind the camera to make one of the greatest comedies of all time; a film that follows a newly married salesman who falls in love on his honeymoon with another woman, and will do whatever it takes to fix the “mistake” he has made. Written by great Neil Simon, May’s sophomore feature is a great mirror to Nichol’s The Graduate, and represents the same determination but ultimate sadness found within the decisions of the heart found within the younger generation of the 1970s. Ryan, Jay, and Jake break down their feelings on this masterpiece, how they were able to few this film given its copyright issues, the hilarious dialogue, the performance from Charles Grodin, the film’s ending, the 2007 remake feature Ben Stiller, who would Hollywood cast as Lenny if The Heartbreak Kid was made today, and the importance of pecan pie.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h2m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Elaine May with a review of her film, 1976's Mikey and Nicky. You can rent it via YouTube in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision-making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 92 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Karen Peterson to discuss the first film in their Elaine May series, A New Leaf (1971).

The first series of 2025 covered one half of the dynamic comedy duo of Nichols and May, so it only seemed right the guy’s new auteur deep dive explored the fantastic (yet limited) work of Elaine May. Known as a renowned playwright and actress in the 1950s and 1960s, May turned in a script for A New Leaf based on the short story by author Jack Ritchie, about a New York City playboy has run out of money and decides to find a wealthy bride, and in doing so, finds a shy heiress who becomes fond of him. May never intended to direct the film, much less being one of the leading performances in the picture, but studio convinced her to do it, paying her much less than male counterparts at the time to create the project. While over-budget and with tons of delays withstanding, the film is a hilarious, sometimes heartwarming picture about opposites attracting to each other, while also maturing into the person you were meant to be. Ryan, Jay, and Karen break down their thoughts on the film, all the behind-the-scenes mess of the film’s production, Walter Matthau and Elaine May’s performances, the film’s ending, finding May’s films on physical media, and the impeccable screenplay at the heart of this debut. 

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h52m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Elaine May with a review of her film, The Heartbreak Kid. You can rent it via YouTube in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 91 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss a miniseries event for their Mike Nichols series, the multi-Emmy winning Angels in America (2003).

There were a lot of films and stage productions that made Mike Nichols the household name that he was in Hollywood, but when HBO's Angels in America came out in the early 2000s, he introduced himself to a brand new audience with one of the most important pieces of television to ever be created. Following the lives of multiple individuals as they navigate life in 1980s New York City during the AIDS epidemic, Nichols examined the social, sexual, and religious implications of the deadly illness, and delivered a profound piece of art that remains just as vital today as it was back in 2003.

Led by an all-star Emmy-winning cast of Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Jeffrey Wright and Mary-Louise Parker, who swept all four main acting wins, Angels in America is a definitive achievement found within Nichols’ career and there was no way the boys were going to pass up the chance to talk about it. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the six-hour television event, who they think gave the best performance, Nichols direction, what the show is trying to say about humans, AIDS, and forgiveness, and tease their upcoming series on the films of Elaine May.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h21m. The guys will be back next week with to begin their next movie series covering the films of Elaine May with a review of her first film, A New Leaf. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 90 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by film critic Tom O’Brien to discuss the final film in their Mike Nichols series, Charlie Wilson’s War (2007).

For the last film in Mike Nichols’ filmography, he attempts again to try and make a political commentary that will stand out as one of best to ever get made. As someone who has tackled the human condition so well throughout his films, Nichols has also chased the idea of making a political film from his films of the 70s, to even a film on this series in Primary Colors. This time working with a script from Aaron Sorkin, Nichols does his best to tell the story of a Texas congressman and the CIA who worked together on a covert operation to support the Afghan mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War. Led by Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman’s stellar performances, Charlie Wilson’s War is mostly the best political film Nichols made; you just wonder if he ever needed to chase this whale in the first place considering this film is still a lesser script from the acclaimed screenwriter behind it. Ryan, Jay, and Tom break down their thoughts on the film, Sorkin as a figure in Hollywood, how uneventful the film feels, Hanks wanting Nichols for this film, the greatness of Hoffman, as well as the guys final rankings of Nichols’ filmography, and a reminder of the next film series the guys will be covering after their upcoming bonus episode for Nichols’ Angels in America.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h. The guys will be back next week with a bonus episode for the Mike Nichols’ series with a review of his acclaimed miniseries, Angels in America. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental or stream on Max in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 89 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Josh Parham to discuss the next film in their Mike Nichols series, Closer (2004).

Things got a little rough for Mike Nichols at the start of the 2000s, with one of the worst films of his career and the decade with What Planet Are You From?; an horrendous idea of a film from the mind of comedian Garry Shandling. Just a few short years later though, Nichols returned to the big screen with a film adaptation of the popular play Closer, about four people entangled in a romance in rather sadistic ways. A controversial piece of work, this is a call back for Nichols, who much like earlier in his career, was fascinated by relationship dynamics and the idea of sex, as covered in films previously in this series, i.e. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Carnal Knowledge. Led by an excellent ensemble, Closer feels somewhat like the culmination of filmmaker, though no everyone on this episode will agree with that statement. Ryan, Jay, and Josh break down their thoughts on the film, if it has aged well, which of the four actors gives the best performance, the dated needle drops to throughout the film, and how Closer uses the idea of time passing throughout the film.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h28m. The guys will be back next week to conclude their series on the films of Mike Nichols with a review of his last film, Charlie Wilson’s War. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 88 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by film critic Ben Miller to discuss the next film in their Mike Nichols series, Primary Colors (1998).

Released shortly before one of the biggest political scandals in American history, director Mike Nichols reteamed with writer Elaine May to release their latest film, Primary Colors, based on the best-selling novel about of the same name about a southern governor’s rise to becoming President of the United States. Though the book was deemed a work of fiction, it was based around Bill Clinton and his run to the White House, which made for a topical, fascinating subject to dissect, so much so Nichols paid a million dollars for the rights of the book to make it into a film. But as we all know, while Nichols was a hardcore member of the Democratic party and engrossed himself into politics, he struggled in his filmography to land a film that landed a punch when talking about the issues facing our country, and Primary Colors is another mixed bag. Ryan, Jay, and Ben break down their thoughts on the film, the behind the scenes of making the film, if Henry (Adrian Lester) is written poorly, John Travolta’s over the top performance, the greatness of Kathy Bates and Billy Bob Thornton, if the film was made too soon during the Clinton administration’s time in the White House, if the scandal’s in the film are a walk in the park compared to today, and how each of the guys navigate talking politics and making the turkey at Thanksgiving.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h05m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Mike Nichols with a review of his next film, Closer. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 87 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by our Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson to discuss the next film in their Mike Nichols series, The Birdcage (1996).

For the better part of two decades, Mike Nichols was chasing the idea of directing some version of the iconic play, La Cage aux Folles. Nichols called the play “one of the greatest comedy structures” of all time, and knew he to be involved with it somehow. So in the mid-1990s, he was able to convince the studios and producers to let him make an American remake of the play and have his longtime, iconic stage collaborator, Elaine May, to write the script; and thus The Birdcage was born. Centering around a gay Miami couple whose son is set to marry the daughter of a conservative U.S. senator, The Birdcage is a groundbreaking, iconic comedy that remains hilarious and timely to this day thanks to the incredible ensemble cast, May’s sharp script, and Nichols steady direction bringing it all together. Ryan, Jay, and Erik discuss their thoughts on the film, what their favorite performance is in the movie, how Nichols was able to wrangle Robin Williams’ persona in, the dozens of iconic lines, the entire third act of the film, and tangents, tangents, tangents.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h55m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Mike Nichols with a review of his next film, Primary Colors. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 86 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Pop Culture Confidential host Christina Jeurling Birro to discuss the next film in their Mike Nichols series, Postcards from the Edge (1990).

As we enter the 1990s, Mike Nichols is coming off one of the most successful films of his career, and with his follow-up to Working Girl, he brings to life the deeply honest, humorous, personal story of Carrie Fisher’s autobiographical novel, Postcards from the Edge. Based on Fisher’s novel inspired by real life events from her childhood, relationship with her mother Debbie Reynolds, her acting career post Star Wars, and her battle with substance abuse, Nichols is expertly able to bring every element of Fisher’s life together with a brilliant performance by Meryl Streep, and the excellent work by Shirley MacLaine playing her version of Reynolds, and the tragic yet relatable bond the real mother-daughter had while going through the Hollywood machine. Ryan, Jay, and Christina break down their thoughts on the film, their connection to Fisher and Reynold’s careers, how different a role like this is for both Streep and MacLaine, the perfect use of Gene Hackman, the film’s depiction of substance abuse and if it goes deep enough on the matter, and the what might possibly be the funniest moment in the history of the show with the discovery of the plot of a Disney Channel original movie from 2004 and how it all ties to the career of Debbie Reynolds. And no, we aren’t talking about Halloween Town. You will have to listen to find out, and trust us, it’s worth it.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h48m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Mike Nichols with a review of his next film, The Birdcage. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision-making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 85 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello to discuss the next film in their Mike Nichols series, Working Girl (1988).

By the late 1980s, Mike Nichols was back to being a steady force in the industry. After the moderate success of Heartburn, and while filming his other 1988 feature film, Biloxi Blues, he found the script for the next big hit of his career, Working Girl. In finding a tale of an ambitious secretary from Staten Island working her way up the corporate ladder, pretending to be in her boss’s role and proving herself valuable while also falling in love with the man she partners with on a big deal for both of their companies. Working Girl is not only a staple within Nichols’ filmography, but it is a defining film of the 1980s led by extraordinary performances, zippy dialogue, and just the right amount of earnestness to make it a classic. Ryan, Jay, and Sophia talk about their thoughts on the film, Melanie Griffith’s career best performance, just how complex the story is, the hotness of Harrison Ford, the elegance of Sigourney Weaver, which beer brand is the king of cheap beer, discussions on modern popstars, and over a dozen fun tangents that make this episode so long, yet so great.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h44m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Mike Nichols with a review of his next film, Postcards from the Edge. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 84 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Izzy of Be Kind Rewind to discuss the next film in their Mike Nichols series, Silkwood (1983).

While most directors from the 1970s flourished during this time period, Mike Nichols struggled through the decade trying to find himself. With two lackluster pictures under his belt, Nichols went back to the theater, look for inspiration and a chance to make something meaningful again. After making some successful plays, he came back to cinema in the early 1980s with one of his most celebrated films to date, a biopic about Karen Silkwood, a a nuclear whistleblower and a labor union activist who investigated alleged wrongdoing at the Kerr-McGee plutonium plant where she worked. The story was all over the news in the late 70s, and the rights to make the film went through hell and back again in the courts, but when it was all set and down, Nichols and company got the chance to make a vital picture that would become a blueprint for Hollywood in telling stories like this for decades to come. Ryan, Jay, and Izzy breakdown their thoughts on the film, how well it holds up, Meryl Streep’s incredible performance at the center of the film, queer identity displayed through the eyes of Dolly played by Cher, how smoking hot Kurt Russell was at the time, their thoughts on the current state of physical media, and the worst foods to eat in a movie theater.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h54m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Mike Nichols with a review of his next film, Working Girl. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 83 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Awards Connection writer Andrew Carden to discuss the next film in their Mike Nichols series, Carnal Knowledge (1971).

After starting off on a hot streak with his first two films, Mike Nichols hit a bit of bad luck for his third film, with an adaptation of the renowned novel Catch-22. Considering it was released after the smash hit that was Robert Altman’s M*A*S*H, audiences didn’t respond to the film at all, but the following year, audience did discuss Nichols’ fourth film, the controversial Carnal Knowledge. Focusing on the troubled relationship between two men who meet in college, become friends, and their journey through the sexual relationships they have and share along the way. Might sound like a simple summary but the film is far thornier with the way these men and their relationship with each other and others evolve as the film plays out; making for a fascinating film. Ryan, Jay, and Andrew break down their thoughts on the film, Nicholson’s unhinged performance, the idea of an unlikeable protagonist, Ann-Margret’s vulnerable work, the film’s battle with censorship, the final, controversial scene of the movie, and more.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h45m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Mike Nichols with a review of his next film, Silkwood. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision-making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 82 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Cody Dericks to discuss the final film in their Mike Nichols series, The Graduate (1967).

Just a year after his impressive, celebrated debut film, Mike Nichols returned with one of the most important American films of all time; an era defining feature film that is still as vital, thorny, and thematically rich as it was in the late 1960s. The Graduate was a signature film that ushered in what would become the “New Hollywood,” and showcased a generational anxiety of growing up and growing beyond the ease of one’s college life, and the refusal to want to accept your place in the world. It also is a hilarious comedy featuring sexy, memorable performances anchored by the most confident, boundary-pushing directorial work from Nichols in his career. Simply put, it is a masterpiece. Ryan, Jay, and Cody break down their thoughts on the film, Nichol’s camera work, their favorite moments of hilarity, the iconic soundtrack, the film’s remarkable ending, the films of 1967, the relationship dynamics found in the film and share where they were at in their life post their time in school.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h52m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Mike Nichols with a review of his next film, Carnal Knowledge. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 81 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by 'Keep It' cohost and 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' writer Emmy nominee Louis Virtel (for writing the Oscars, no less), to discuss the first film in their Mike Nichols series, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966).

New year, new series, as the guys take a stroll down the career of one of the most famous, influential directors of the last sixty years, Mike Nichols. Known for his excellent reputation with actors and his work on the stage, Nichols first came on the film scene with one of the best debuts in cinema history with the explosive adaptation of the great American play, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Following the events of one evening spent with two couples, one being much more naive than the other, we watch a thrilling chess match of devilish wit, psychological damage, and imploding relationships bubble to incendiary results, with four incredible performances at the center of it. Ryan, Jay, and Louis break down their thoughts on the film, Nichols’ rise to becoming a director, Burton and Taylor’s relationship on and off screen, the historical relevance of this film, the importance of going to sleep, and more.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h35m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Mike Nichols with a review of his next film, 1967's The Graduate. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 80 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by film critic Ema Sasic to discuss the final film in their Nancy Meyers series, The Intern (2015).

It’s hard to imagine that the Nancy Meyers’ series is already coming to an end, as the director feels like she has so many stories to tell, but alas here the boys are with the (for now) final film in the director’s filmography. Six years after her last film, Meyers returned with a workplace dramedy about a retired widower that signs up to becoming a ‘senior intern’ for an up and coming, online clothing company. Over the course of the film, we see generations collide and a true friendship arise, making for one of the most delightful, heartwarming entries in the series so far, and one of Meyers’ best films to date. Ryan, Jay, and Ema break down their thoughts on the film, if Meyers is a fan of Workaholics, how genuine these characters are, riding a bike in the office, Robert De Niro’s incredible performance, why people need to stop hating on the great Anne Hathaway, and why the world needs more Nancy Meyers movies. They boys also give their personal ranking of Meyers’ filmography and announce the next director movie series they will be covering.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h48m. The guys will be back next week to begin their series on the films of Mike Nichols with a review of his first film, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 79 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly Content Update Editor and host of the And the Runner Up Is podcast, to discuss the latest film in their Nancy Meyers series, It’s Complicated (2009).

Divorce can be really tough, but getting back with your ex while he is married to the woman he left you for…sounds complicated. This is the premise to the latest film from Nancy Meyers, about a successful bakery owner who starts an affair with her ex-husband while also becoming romantically involved with her architect that is building her the kitchen she’s always wanted. If you are thinking this is the ultimate Nancy Meyers fever dream of a film, well you would be one hundred percent correct, and it’s a lot of fun. Ryan, Jay, Kevin break down their thoughts on the film, just how complicated this movie is, how this narrative could connect to Meyer’s own life, smoking in the guest bathroom, Streep’s killer comedic performance, how Baldwin and Martin work alongside her in the film, the elegant kitchen at the center of this film and how it doesn’t need to be replaced.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h36m. The guys will be back next week to finish their series on the films of Nancy Meyers with a review of her film, The Intern. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 78 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Karen Peterson to discuss the latest film in their Nancy Meyers series, The Holiday (2006).

Tis the season at Director Watch, as the boys and Karen have come together to talk about one of the most popular modern holiday classics, The Holiday. Billed as a house swap story of two heartbroken women wanting to leave their world’s behind after terrible encounters with the men in their lives, Meyers sets a more dramatic, sweet tale of finding love and confidence during the holiday season. In what feels like her version of Love Actually, Meyers is able to deliver a much more compelling, romantic film than that British film from just a few years before, lead by an all-star cast of Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, and Jack Black. Ryan, Jay, and Karen break down their thoughts on the film, what their holiday traditions are with their families, who character gets a better deal within the house swap, Jude Law’s summer tan, singing in a Blockbuster video, the charming Eli Wallach, and, of course, the most important person in cinema history, Mr. Napkin Head.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h06m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Nancy Meyers with a review of her film, It’s Complicated. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 77 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello to discuss the latest film in their Nancy Meyers series, Something’s Gotta Give (2003).

With her third feature film, Nancy Meyers reunited with Diane Keaton and recruited Jack Nicholson to star in a romantic comedy about famous, neurotic playwright and elder playboy, philanthropist falling in love with each other, despite being complete opposites. Considered to be the best film in her filmography, Meyers’ signature attention to detail and charm is matched by two incredible performances by Keaton and Nicholson, all wrapped within a hilarious, steamy screenplay that makes this film extremely rewatchable and quotable. Ryan, Jay, and Sophia extensively dive into why they love this movie, wearing turtleneck sweaters in the summers, the birth of the Nancy Meyers’ kitchen obsession, the food in the film, how time works in this story, Nicholson’s star power, how Keaton’s character reflects Meyers’ personality, the performances of Keanu Reeves and Frances McDormand, if Keaton picks the right man at the end of the film, and a new movie franchise “pitch” for the ages.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h34m. The guys will be back next week to begin continue their series on the films of Nancy Meyers with a review of her film, The Holiday. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 76 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Dan Bayer to discuss the first film in their Nancy Meyers series, What Women Want (2000).

Following up her success of The Parent Trap, Nancy Meyers’ second feature film follows an chauvinistic advertising executive who gains the ability to hear the inner thoughts of women, truly finding out what women want. A simple, amusing premise formed into the biggest box office hit of the director’s career, with stars Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt lighting up the screen together. But over two decades later, the film, while successful, has become the most divisive film of her filmography, given her lack of involvement in the film’s script, leading to some of the strangest storytelling decisions you’d see in a romantic comedy. What Women Want feels like a movie stuck between eras of time where most of the jokes don’t work, characters and plot devices haven’t aged well, and yet the premise is still interesting enough to keep things moving; it’s a fascinating film to talk about. Ryan, Jay, and Dan break down their thoughts on the film, what still works within the film and what doesn’t, the message Meyer’s might be saying about her own personal life, the careers of Gibson, Hunt, and Marisa Tomei, if Nick Marshall is a redeemable character, and if hearing the thoughts of a female dog makes sense.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h06m. The guys will be back next week to begin continue their series on the films of Nancy Meyers with a review of her film, Something’s Gotta Give. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 75 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Pop Culture Confidential host Christina Jeurling Birro to discuss the first film in their Nancy Meyers series, The Parent Trap (1998).

After nearly two decades of writing acclaimed screenplays that earned top dollar at the box office as well as an Oscar nomination, Nancy Meyers set out in the late 1990s to make her directorial debut with a remake of the 1961 Disney family film, The Parent Trap. Centering around two identical twins who discover each other while they are at summer camp who switch places on their return home in order to get their parents back together, Meyers used this property to not only establish her special cinematic we’ve all come to love, but as a vessel to handle her divorce from her co-collaborator for many years, director Charles Shyer. In doing this, she made a film that is far superior than the original, while also finding a star in the making with newcomer Lindsay Lohan. Ryan, Jay, and Christina break down their thoughts on the film, the plot of the film, Lohan’s incredible performance, if Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson play the worst parents in the history of film, best camp movies, and the Disney live action film era of the late 1990s to early 2000s.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h34m. The guys will be back next week to begin continue their series on the films of Nancy Meyers with a review of her film, What Women Want. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 74 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the next film in their Krzysztof Kieślowski series, Three Colours: Red (1994).

In the last entry in his acclaimed trilogy, Kieślowski turns to the color red, which focuses on the idea of fraternity. In this drama, we find two characters, a young, curious girl and a reclusive older man, become interconnected within each other’s lives and form a familiar bond that transforms into a surprising friendship. As other characters come in and out of their story, the film forms into a coming of age story for the younger protagonist and a redemption story for her male counterpart, making for a beautiful, profound piece of filmmaking from the director that saw him receive critical acclaimed, leading to several Oscar nominations. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, surveillance being a strong aspect of the story, it’s connection to Blue and White, if the film’s ending adds anything to the overall experience of the trilogy, Irène Jacob and Jean-Louis Trintignant performances, closing thoughts on Kieślowski, their rankings of his films, and how old some of our favorite directors are.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h29m. The guys will be back next week to begin their new series on the films of Nancy Meyers with a review of her film, the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 73 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the next film in their Krzysztof Kieślowski series, Three Colours: White (1994).

The next entry into Kieślowski trilogy might go down as one of the most surprising films the guys have covered so far, as this anti-comedy is a completed shift from the tone and ideas covered in Blue. Following a couple from two different countries playing a manipulative game of chess with one another over time, Kieślowski is able to use this duo as a personification of geo-political warfare and how smaller countries have to react and fight in order to relevant in the world. It makes for a fascinating examination of European ideals wrapped within a twist tale of love and country. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, how the logic of it only makes sense from a non-literal perspective, shifting point of views throughout the film, the film’s ending, if these two really do love each other, what they each like to put on a sandwich, and what a “dumpster Whopper” is.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h16m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Krzysztof Kieślowski with with a review of his film, Three Colours: Red. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 72 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the next film in their Krzysztof Kieślowski series, Three Colours: Blue (1993).

Moving right along into the trilogy that made Kieślowski a legend in the cinematic community, the director set out to make a trio of films based around the colors found in the French flag, the country to which he could get funding for the film. With Blue, we enter his first phase, liberty, and in the case of the film, a complex look into a woman recovery as she tries to go on living her life after a tragic car accident kills her husband and daughter. In turning cold on the world and everyone around her, Julie (Juliette Binoche in a masterful performance) slowly opens back up, and it is within the final act of the film we see her recover beyond her understandable, heartbreaking grief. It makes for a wonderful start to this important trilogy. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, the idea of grief and how everyone handles it differently, the use of the color blue throughout the film, the balance of the loss of Julie’s husband and daughter, the guy’s thoughts on Binoche’s career and what type of reality, trash television shows people are watching today.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h42m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Krzysztof Kieślowski with a review of his film, Three Colours: White. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 71 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the first film in their Krzysztof Kieślowski series, The Double Life of Veronique (1991).

Known for being a documentarian in the 1970s and making smaller, personal films and television shows in the 1980s, Polish director Krzysztof Kieślowski broke through in the 1990s with four films that became some of the most influential films of the last 30 years. For the first film in this month long series, Kieślowski dives into the world of two young girls (both played by Irène Jacob) who feels connected to each other, a bond that transcends time, language and geography. In a unconventional, beautiful version of a coming of age story, Ryan and Jay talk about their relationship with Krzysztof Kieślowski, thoughts on the film, the differences between Weronika and Véronique, sex used as a vital tool for storytelling, the film’s haunting tone and ending, and many stories about Jay’s recent family Disney trip.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h04m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Krzysztof Kieślowski with a review of his film, Three Colours: Blue. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 70 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the next film in their Carl Franklin series, Out of Time (2003).

After the box office failure of Devil in a Blue Dress, and making a Meryl Streep movie (One True Thing) and a standard legal thriller starring Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman (High Crimes), Carl Franklin’s last feature film was his last effort at trying to make a entertaining popcorn films starring Denzel Washington, Out of Time. What sounds like an interesting premise of a small town cop racing against the clock when the woman he is seeing ends up the prime murder suspect in his area of Florida, with the team investigating the crime run by his ex-wife (Eva Mendes). In what feels like a discount Tony Scott film, Franklin isn’t able to elevate the movie beyond just being a decent film that Denzel carries to the finish line. Ryan and Jay talk about their thoughts on the film, diving into some heavy Jimmy Buffett references, Dean Cain’s filmography, the illogical ending of the film, how much they’ve loved talking about Denzel Washington films this year, the sad reality behind where Franklin’s career is now, as well as give their ranks of the films within this short but important series.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h03m. The guys will be back next week to begin their series on the films of Krzysztof Kieślowski with a review of his film, The Double Life of Veronique. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 69 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the next film in their Carl Franklin series, Devil in a Blue Dress (1995).

Following the massive success of One False Move, Franklin turned down the opportunity to work on bigger studio films to adapt a neo-noir mystery thriller based on the popular series of books by Walter Mosley. With an Oscar winning star, Denzel Washington, on the poster to go along with an impressive ensemble cast around him, detailed production design and world building within the script, this movie was destined to be the start of a new Hollywood movie series. But sadly, we never go to see more stories of Easy Rawlins on the big screen, with the film earning a cult status since its release, becoming another gem in Franklin’s filmography. Ryan and Jay break down their thoughts on the film, the history behind the making of this movie, their continued love for Denzel, the amazing performance from Don Cheadle, the film’s SAG nomination, the racial dynamics of the film, and answer why they think audiences didn’t connect with it when it came out.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h43m. The guys will be back next week to conclude their series on the films of Carl Franklin with a review of his film, Out of Time. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 68 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys discuss the first film in their Carl Franklin series, One False Move (1992).

Much like Terrence Malick, the subject of the last Director Watch series, director Carl Franklin came out of the AFI Conservatory ready to take the world on fire as a force behind the camera. In his first couple of films, he was taken under the wing of producer Roger Corman, who saw something in a young Franklin and gave him the necessary experience to then make something of his own. By the early 1990s, when the American indie film era was beginning, Franklin made one of the most vital crime thrillers of the decade with One False Move, a film centered around a small town sheriff waiting for three killers to enter his town, with a connection to who they are leading to a dangerous conclusion. With a script written by Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson, Franklin was able to tap into the insecurities of being in a small town position as a police officer, the danger of being a fugitive on the run, and the racial dynamics (and insecurities) at the heart of the story. Ryan and Jay break down Franklin’s early work, their thoughts on the overall film, Bill Paxton and Cynda Williams’ performances, the film’s shocking ending, the tragic final shot of the film, Thornton’s career as a writer, and how influential a movie like this was for the decade.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h53m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Carl Franklin with a review of his film, Devil in a Blue Dress. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 67 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Dave Giannini, Editor-In-Chief of InSession Film, to discuss the final film in their Terrence Malick series, A Hidden Life (2019).

The time has come for the Malick series to come to an end, and it is ending with yet another beautiful look to the past by the director after years of making personal films about the present. In taking a journey back to the past, the director was able to search into a man’s personal, religious reasoning for not wanting to go to war for the Nazis. Shot beautifully cinematographer Jörg Widmer, Malick has created another masterpiece of epic, poetic masterpiece, contrary to many who thought it was just another Malick film; this one is just as special as the rest. Ryan, Jay, and Dave break down their relationship with the film, Malick’s stance on religion, the film’s beautiful score, the excellent performance from August Diehl, give their final thoughts on the series, their final Malick rankings, and announce their next series they will be doing starting next week.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h26m. The guys will be back next week to begin their series on the films of Carl Franklin with a review of his film, One False Move. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 66 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by hosts of the Screen Drafts podcast Clay Keller and Ryan Marker to discuss the next film in their Terrence Malick series, Song to Song (2017).

The final film in Malick’s modern, personal trilogy finds the director searching for love, loss, inspiration and faith in the music scene set in Austin, Texas. Filmed over multiple years, and at various music venues and festivals, Malick was able to explain the dirtiness that surrounds being in an artistic industry and how much of your soul you have to give up in order to find success. At the same time, he displays a location of this country that is evolving from it’s “weird” roots and becoming more conventional, losing the very thing that makes the fabric of a town like Austin so unique. In one of the liveliest DW episodes the boys have ever had, Ryan, Jay, Clay, and Ryan break down the thoughts on the film, the use of real life musician’s as actors throughout the film, Malick’s relationship with casting movie stars, their love for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, first reactions to seeing a Malick film, which one of the guys on the show is actually in the film, who got cut from the film, how it is showcases Austin, and what is the best Malick movie to show someone if they have never seen one of his films.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h11m. The guys will be back next week to conclude their series on the films of Terrence Malick with a review of his next film, A Hidden Life. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 65 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by film critic Jesse Nussman to discuss the next film in their Terrence Malick series, Knight of Cups (2015).

The second entry in Malick’s modern, personal trilogy finds the director exploring fame, love, family, faith, and one’s purpose in the city of angles with Knight of Cups. Centered around the idea of chapters in a person’s life, he uses tarot cards and their meanings to reflect on his own life, using Christian Bale as a surrogate to funnel the pain, love, and loss of his life. The result is a beautiful odyssey through the chaos and confusion of life that has been fully lived in, and doesn’t know where to go next upon reflection of the past. Ryan, Jay, and Jesse break down the film, explore Bale’s filmography, discuss the meaning behind each tarot card talked about in the film, examine Malick’s thoughts on LA and Las Vegas as his version of hell, the use of comedians throughout the film, and a special surprise at the end of the episode that you aren’t going to want to miss.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h59m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Terrence Malick with a review of his next film, Song to Song. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “Malick Mode” by Jesse Nussman (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 64 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Managing Editor of RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico to discuss the next film in their Terrence Malick series, To the Wonder (2012).

A year after his most celebrated film was released, Malick returned with something new, experimental for even his own standards. The director had looked to turn away from even more traditional storytelling, filming hours on end, searching for the meaning of his film in the edit as he made his first contemporary setting about a couple’s troubled marriage. Mirroring a lot of his own personal life, Malick examines his role in his past marriage and in turn, makes one of his saddest, brutally open films of his filmography. Ryan, Jay, and Brian breakdown their feelings on the film, why it might be considered Malick’s least successful work, the weight of expectations a movie can have on its shoulders, the wild career of Benjamin Affleck, how faith and love are tested to their ultimate limits, and how the director sees himself in this film, and if he is successful in pointing the finger at his past transgressions to make a compelling narrative.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h38m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Terrence Malick with a review of his next film, Knight of Cups. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 63 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson to discuss the next film in their Terrence Malick series, The Tree of Life (2011).

We’ve come to the midpoint mark of the Malick series and have hit the most important film in the filmography of the director, not just in terms of accolades and being known as one of the most important films of the 2010s, but it is also the film Jay claims as his favorite film of all time. A very personal episode of Director Watch is in store as the guys, alongside Erik, break down Malick’s most personal film to date about a journey through time, our place in the universe, what our stamp on history is, and what the meaning of life is through the eyes of a family living in a small Texas town. Ryan, Jay, and Erik talk about their relationship with The Tree of Life, how well the film has aged from when they first saw it due to growth and experience in their lives, the masterful imagery conveyed by cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, the work of Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain as not just parents to the boys in the film but as the personification of nature vs. nurture, the dinosaur sequence, the glorious ending mixed into the fascinating scenes feature Sean Penn as a grown up version of Jack, how Malick is able to evoke the viewer’s memories of their past and juxtapose it to what he is showing on screen through his characters and setting, and of course, talk about the wild Oscar season that covered the films of 2011.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h17m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Terrence Malick with a review of his next film, To the Wonder. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 62 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Karen Peterson to discuss the next film in their Terrence Malick series, The New World (2005).

Entering a new millennium, Malick embarked on a mission to create a vision of timeless story that he had been trying to make since the 1970s. After finally getting the financing to create The New World, he sent out to create a definitive take on the story of historical figures Captain John Smith (Colin Farrell), Pocahontas of the Powhatan tribe (Q'orianka Kilcher), and Englishman John Rolfe, without having to hold true to being one hundred percent accurate to their history. He uses this love story to breakdown our human relationship with exploration and nature, and how when these worlds collide, it provides change that irreversible, beautiful, and tragic. In short, he created another masterpiece. Ryan, Jay, and Karen give their reaction and relationship to the film, speak about how hot Colin Farrell was during this era of his career, Emmanuel Lubezki luscious cinematography, Q'orianka Kilcher’s transformational performance, the movie’s connection with the past, present, future via water and boats, the poor animated Disney version of this story, and how the freedom, if the extended version of this film is worth it, and how the experimental filmmaking of this movie set a path for the modern Malick we’ve come to know.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h02m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Terrence Malick with a review of his next film, The Tree of Life. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision-making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 61 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by film critic Jake Tropila to discuss the next film in their Terrence Malick series, The Thin Red Line (1998).

After making two of the most celebrated, respected films of the 1970s, Terrence Malick spent the next twenty plus years crafting multiple projects, with nothing to show for it. Towards the beginning of the 1990s, the director was approached with the idea of crafting an adaptation of the World War II novel The Thin Red Line, which intrigued Malick enough to start working on this film, which seemed to spark every male actor in Hollywood to audition for him so they could be a part of this epic. The results of being gone from cinema for two plus decades gave us not only one of Malick’s most signature films, but what some consider to be the greatest war film of all time. Ryan, Jay, and Jake discuss their thoughts on the film, the insane roster of actors in this film, how Malick cut Adrian Brody mostly out of the film to create a new vision from the original source material, the brutality of war and what it does to a soldier’s morality, how it compares from Saving Private Ryan which came out from the same year, how something as so necessary as water becomes vital for the everyone involved, and the continued look into the career of Jim Caviezel.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h58m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Terrence Malick with a review of his next film, The New World. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 60 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello to discuss the next film in their Terrence Malick series, Days of Heaven (1978).

Five years after delivering one of the best debut films of all time, Terrence Malick returned with an essential piece of art within his filmography, and one of the best films of the 1970s, Days of Heaven. Shot mostly in Alberta, Canada, Malick’s epic follows lovers who travel to the Texas Panhandle for work harvesting crops for a wealthy grain farmer, only for the three of them to turn into a love triangle of biblical, spiritual proportions. While the shoot and edit of the film ran so long that additional editors and crew members had to be added to the film in order to get the film to the finish line, Malick was able to deliver a mesmerizing, lyrical cautionary tale about love, lust, greed, anger, desire, and finding your sense of freedom in a new world forming around. In other words, a masterpiece. Ryan, Jay, and Sophia breakdown their relationship with the film, the beautiful house built by Jack Fisk, the logistics of the locus scene, the film’s incredible performances led by Richard Gere, Sam Shepard, and Brooke Adams, the troubled production of the film, the director’s relationship with water, the insightful narration, if Malick’s career relates to any other modern director, and how the film’s ending full encapsulates all the themes suggested or mentioned throughout the film.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h16m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Terrence Malick with a review of his next film, The Thin Red Line. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 59 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Dan Bayer to discuss the first film in their Terrence Malick series, Badlands (1973).

With the summer of Tony Scott in the rearview mirror, the newest Director Watch takes a look at one of the most celebrated, unique, creative, innovative, and important American directors of all time, Terrence Malick. Within Malick’s filmography lies questions about nature, spirituality, creativity, violence, conflicting internal and external human emotion, and the longing for purpose in life. He is not only the perfect director to explore for a series, but he also happens to be Jay Ledbetter’s favorite director, setting the expectations for this director deep dive at higher levels than usual. With Malick’s first film, Badlands, the director took his first crack at tapping into the soul of the American culture he grew up in with a tale about a two young lovers who go on a killing spree in the summer of 1959. While it may seem as the most straight forward of Malick’s narrative feature film, Badlands is an engrossing examination of the past that reflects the unstable, violent world we create amongst the love and beauty that surrounds us. Ryan, Jay, and Dan discuss their thoughts on the film, what they think of Malick overall, Sheen and Spacek’s incredible performances, the exquisite, detailed work of production designer Jack Fisk, the narration sprinkled throughout the film, the loss of innocence between each of the main character and how that effects their overall love for one another, and the final fifteen minutes of the movie, which features one hell of a car chase sequence. A good start to a promising new series that is lengthy, but filled with tons of insightful detail (mostly to make sure the guys attempt to sound like they are smart when talking about the thematically heavy films of Terrence Malick).

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h25m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Terrence Malick with a review of his next film, Days of Heaven. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 58 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Kevin L. Lee to discuss the last film in their Tony Scott series, Unstoppable (2010).

In 2009, Tony Scott received a script based on a real life event where a runaway freight train ran uncontrolled through a small, rural area of Ohio. The true story saw two men, who worked for the railroad company, chase down the coaster on their own train, saving thousands of civilians from the danger of the toxic chemicals on board the runaway train that could lay waste to a unspeakable amount of devastation. Thus laid the premise for Scott’s last film, Unstoppable, starring his longtime actor, collaborator Denzel Washington and Chris Pine (whom Washington and Scott personally wanted to do this film), which is not only one of the best action films of the 2010s, but is a top-tier film in Scott’s filmography due to its blend of incredible practical effects and a deeply earned emotional story found at the heart of this movie. Ryan, Jay, and Kevin break down their relationship to the film, Washington and Pine’s chemistry, the film’s chaotic behind the scene’s production, the film’s edge of your seat pacing, their thoughts on the lasting legacy of Tony Scott, as well as give out their rankings of the filmmaker’s filmography.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h17m. The guys will be back next week to begin their series on the films of Terrence Malick with a review of his first film, Badlands. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 57 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by InSession Film podcaster and film critic Brendan Cassidy to to discuss the latest film in their Tony Scott series, Déjà Vu (2006).

There have been many types of films Tony Scott has wanted to make throughout his celebrated career, but one of them wasn’t science fiction. Scott didn’t like the idea of the focus being taken away from the characters in exchange for a high concept idea like the one at the heart of Déjà Vu. But after some convincing from frequent collaborators Denzel Washington and Jerry Bruckheimer, Scott was able to get on board, as the sci-fi, time travel thriller slowly morphed into a character piece on one man’s journey to save an innocent girl, along with a boat full of murdered Navy soldiers, from an attack by a psychopath. Scott also used the film as a chance to make a love letter to the city, spirit, and people of New Orleans, and in doing so, made one of his best films the guys have talked about in the series so far. Ryan, Jay and Brendan break down the logic of the film, their love for it, Denzel’s stellar low-energy performance, the incredible chase sequence between both the past and the present, make a couple of Tenent jokes, and marvel at the blockbuster era of the early 2000s.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h07m. The guys will be back next week to conclude their series on the films of Tony Scott with a review of his last film, Unstoppable. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 56 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Managing Editor of RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico to discuss the latest film in their Tony Scott series, Domino (2005).

In the early 1990s, Tony Scott was sent an article about a young English woman who was the daughter of a movie star that turned into a bounty hunter, hunting down wanted people in the greater Los Angeles area. This intrigued the director so much that he tracked down Domino Harvey and spoke with her about turning her life story into a film. After getting her permission, and going through two versions of a screenplay, Scott and screenwriter Richard Kelly set out to make a thorny, sex, over-the-top action crime drama about the seedy underbelly of America through the lens of Harvey and her counterparts adventures, some real and some fictional. It made for one of the most divisive films in Scott’s filmography and one of the more anticipated films to talk about within the series. Ryan, Jay, and Brian break down their relationship to the film, Kelly’s screenplay and other directorial work, Scott’s wild visual language throughout the film, Knightley’s bold performance, and why a movie like this would never get made by modern studios.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h28m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Tony Scott with a review of his next film, Déjà Vu. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 55 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Editor-In-Chief of InSession Film Dave Giannini to discuss the latest film in their Tony Scott series, Man on Fire (2004).

Back in 1980, when Tony Scott was trying to make his first film, he grew fond of a book series written by author A. J. Quinnell about an American-born former member of the French Foreign Legion. He wanted to make it as his follow-up to The Hunger, but studios didn’t think he had enough experience to make this movie work. Twenty years later, Scott finally got the chance to make his passion project, and alongside his frequent collaborator Denzel Washington, set out and made one of the defining films of their careers and one of the great action films of the 21^st century. Updating the story for the protagonist John Creasy, we see a one-man death machine reborn looking for closure and peace after the abduction of the young girl he was in charge of is kidnapped. In doing this, Scott creates a cathartic, violent, uniquely visual experience very rarely found in modern cinema. Ryan, Jay, and Dave break down the film, the film’s visual style, Denzel Washington’s performance and where is ranks in his career, the emotionally beautiful ending, why Rotten Tomatoes is frustrating, if Creasy earns his redemption, and the complicated shout out to the country of Mexico in the end credits of Man on Fire.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h27m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Tony Scott with a review of his next film, Domino. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 54 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Kelsi and Trey of The Extra Credits podcast to discuss the latest film in their Tony Scott series, Spy Game (2001).

There is a phrase the Director Watch hosts like to use a lot when it comes to films starring two movie stars where one of the stars is a legend of the past and the other is a future star in the making that goes on to be one for their generation. This is called the “baton passing” film; think of Paul Newman and Tom Cruise in The Color of Money and you will understand the kind of film Spy Game is should be because it should not just be a passing of the movie star mantel, but it should also be a movie to showcase what makes these two actors so special; with Spy Game being that for Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. Instead, director Tony Scott gives us a political spy thriller that feature the duo less than one would want, making this more a vehicle for late career Redford to take center stage and face both the realities of his life as a spy, and the protégé (Pitt) he misguided on his way into the field. It makes for a messy, complicated, fascinating film to break down as Ryan, Jay, Kelsi and Trey talk about their reactions to the film, the release of this film post 9/11, the poorly written love interest played by Catherine McCormack, the lack of veteran actors that made Scott’s other films shine, an examination of Redford and Pitt’s career, and some remarks on the better spy movie from 2001, Robert Rodriguez’s Spy Kids.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h51m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Tony Scott with a review of his next film, Man on Fire. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 53 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Robert Daniels, Associate Editor of RogerEbert.com, to discuss the latest film in their Tony Scott series, Enemy of the State (1998).

The paranoid conspiracy, political thriller seemed like a perfect vehicle for Tony Scott at this moment in his career, and with Enemy of the State, it turned out to be the excellent choice after Crimson Tide. Based on a script by David Marconi, with additions by writers Aaron Sorkin, Henry Bean and Tony Gilroy, Scott and his team set out to create on the great paranoid thrillers that existed in a pre-9/11 world, using one of the biggest movie stars in the world, Will Smith, and pairing him with veteran actor Gene Hackman, who is no stranger this genre as his performance in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation was an inspiration on the film. Ryan, Jay, and Robert break down their thoughts on the film, the stacked supporting cast of the film, how Will Smith’s career seems like a massive missed opportunity, Hackman’s incredible work in Enemy of the State, and reminiscing on the nominations for the 1999 MTV Movie Awards.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h33m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Tony Scott with a review of his next film, Spy Game. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision-making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 52 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello to discuss the latest film in their Tony Scott series, Crimson Tide (1995).

Back in 1993, the U.S Navy allowed studio executives to come in and film their day-to-day operations in the hope of Hollywood making a submarine film in the vein of Top Gun. But what director Tony Scott and producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer took from their experience was a much more serious, deeper connection to the mindset of the officers below, thus became the beginning of a research process that would result in one of the great action thrillers of the 1990s, Crimson Tide. Based on a script by Michael Schiffer (with significant additions by Quentin Tarantino), Scott crafted a masterpiece in tension, pitting two generational actors, Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington, against each other for the battle of not just the ship they are on or the idea of going to all-out war with their enemy, but an examination of who people really are when they are faced with pressure, and just how dangerous or stubborn they can become in the name of having to be provide right. Ryan, Jay, and Sophia break down their feelings on the film, talk way too much about college football, the behind-the-scenes disagreement between Washington and Tarantino, dive deep into Hackman’s career at this time, the racial component at the core of the film, the stacked supporting cast, and even sing a little bit of Seal once they get to the Oscar conversation at the end of the episode.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h13m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Tony Scott with a review of his next film, Enemy of the State. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision-making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 51 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by the host of Two Peas On A Pod Podcast, Gerald Morris to discuss the latest film in their Tony Scott series, True Romance (1993).

Continuing his trend of gravitating towards collaborations with in-demand screenwriters, Tony Scotts next project following The Last Boy Scouts has him teaming up with one of the most celebrated writers of the last thirty years right as he is breaking out, Quentin Tarantino. Coming off the heels of Reservoir Dogs releasing, Scott was able to direct the film after Tarantino sold the screenplay to the studio after losing interest himself in directing it. However, Tarantino is on record of saying that True Romance is one of his most autobiographical films to date, and while he tussled with Scott over aspects of the final cut, including the ending, Tarantino and Scott respected the hell out of each other by the end of this. The result was a cult classic about two cinema loving newlyweds on the run from the Mafia after stealing a shipment of drugs, and another signature film in Scott’s filmography. Ryan, Jay, and Gerald talk about their thoughts on the film, the career of Christian Slater, the film’s ending, the incredible supporting cast of veteran actors, Tarantino’s controversial dialogue, the score by Hans Zimmer, and just how long should a movie really be.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h11m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Tony Scott with a review of his next film, Crimson Tide. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 50 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by the host of The Waffle Press Movie Podcast, Diego Crespo to discuss the latest film in their Tony Scott series, The Last Boy Scout (1991).

After the mild success of Days of Thunder, Tony Scott transitioned away from the protective arms of producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer to move over to a Joel Silver project with a script pinned by screenwriter Shane Black, who was coming off of writing Lethal Weapon and turning that into a franchise. But Black was kicked off the second installment of Lethal Weapon, and the script for The Last Boy Scout, a buddy action sports comedy about a private eye and a former pro Quarterback teaming up to stop corruption involving professional football and the US government, became the hottest thing in Hollywood (Black earned a record $1.75 million for the script, with over a $1 million guaranteed up front), and intrigued Scott immensely because of Black’s overall vision. Led by the impeccable duo of Bruce Willis and Damon Wayans, this dark, even dystopian vision of 1990s Los Angeles is a relic of 90s action films with tons of politically incorrect, problematic moments of humor that is a cult classic and is a wildly impressive piece of filmmaking within Scott and Black’s careers. Ryan, Jay, and Diego break down this complicated film, their history with it, kid acting, the body of work by its two stars Willis and Wayans, their relationship with the game of football, and why we don’t get movies like this made anymore.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h03m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Tony Scott with a review of his next film, True Romance. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

On episode 235 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by AwardsWatch Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello and AwardsWatch contributors Dan Bayer, Cody Dericks, and Josh Parham conclude their tier ranking of the 97 Best Director winners from the Academy Awards.

In the second part of the Best Picture tier rankings (listen to Part 1 here), the AW team start in the 1980s and go all the way to the most recent winners of Best Director. This is where our hosts and audience are able to talk about the films they have most likely seen the most, and see the expansion of the limited “S tier,” where compromise and sacrifices of some member’s favorites are placed lower than you would be expected. But there are plenty of surprises amongst the team, leading to a fascinating final ranking of these 97 winners, including Ang Lee, Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Sam Mendes, Steven Soderbergh, Christopher Nolan and Chloé Zhao. This was another fun exercise getting to talk about some of the best (and not so great) winners of all time and the team really hopes you enjoy this part as much as part one.

You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 3h06m. We will be back next week to review Richard Linklater’s latest film Hitman and participate in a fun draft to determine who are the greatest movie stars of all time. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: “Modern Fashion” from AShamaleuvmusic (intro), “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision-making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 49 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Karen Peterson to discuss the latest film in their Tony Scott series, Days of Thunder (1990).

Four years after making the monster hit that was Top Gun, Tony Scott reteamed with Tom Cruise and producers Dom Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer to take their collaboration from the skies to the racetrack with Days of Thunder. After making Beverly Hills Cop II and Revenge (which are discussed briefly on the show), Scott was tapped to recreate the magic of his 1986 hit, this time with his leading man a bigger star and co-writer on the project, inspired by Cruise falling in love with racing, as well as the producers loving this new idea. While Scott clashed with Simpson and Bruckheimer throughout the production, the end result is an entertaining sports action drama with tremendous performances by Cruise and Robert Duvall, as well as the breakout role for Nicole Kidman. Ryan, Jay and Karen (the biggest Tom Cruise fan we know) discuss the film, their relationships to the sport of racing and their overall love of sports, Karen’s favorite Tom Cruise movie, the overt boyish behavior the characters have throughout the film, if the ending/John C. Reilly side plot works, the racing scenes, the infamous wheelchair race scene between Cruise and Michael Rooker, and if this movie is better than Top Gun.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h05m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Tony Scott with a review of his next film, The Last Boy Scout. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 48 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by founder and podcast host at InSession Film JD Duran to discuss the latest film in their Tony Scott series, Top Gun (1986).

The Tony Scott series heads into the DANGER ZONE this week at Ryan, Jay and JD dive into one of the most popular films of the 1980s, Top Gun. After The Hunger, Scott was brought on to make a film fighter pilots in the Navy after a successful profile article done in “California” magazine. Used as both a vessel to entertain audiences and recruit young Americans into the military, Scott ultimately made a subversive, deeply emotional action packed spectacle that launch himself and the film’s star, Tom Cruise, into the figures we know them today. In this lengthy, entertaining discussion, the guys talk about their relationship with Top Gun, famous aerial warfare moments in history, Cruise’s rise as a movie star, the beach volleyball scene, the film’s soundtrack, the homosexual, hyper masculine undertones throughout the film. They also talk about how the film handles grief, the modern phenomenon that was Top Gun: Maverick, and what the guys call signs would be.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h25m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Tony Scott with a review of his next film, Days of Thunder. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 47 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by AwardsWatch contributor Josh Parham to discuss the first film in their Tony Scott series, The Hunger (1983).

Director Watch is entering the summer of Tony Scott, as they dive deep into the career of one of the most prolific directors of blockbuster entertainment of the last forty years. But before all the big budget, action packed spectacle, he started his career with an independent erotic, vampire thriller centered around two vampires (the insanely hot David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve) who have been together for hundreds of years. But when one starts to age in a rather hasty fashion, the other must finds their next companion in the form of a doctor (Susan Sarandon) in 1980s New York City. Known for being a controversial film at the time of release due to its steamy sex scene and being a commercial failure at the box office, The Hunger has been revaluated over the years as the first step in Scott’s career of being known for mastering tone, and visually separating himself from his brother. Ryan, Jay, and Josh break down their thoughts on the film, the incredible vibes throughout the film, the logic around the film’s nonclinical ending, some sports comparisons, and the forming of a question that will be asked to every guest throughout this series; whose filmography would you choose, Ridley or Tony Scott?

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h14m. The guys will be back next week to continue their series on the films of Tony Scott with a review of his next film, Top Gun. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 46 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by film critic Ema Sasic to discuss the final film in their Sofia Coppola series, Priscilla (2023).

2023 brought us Sofia Coppola’s latest examination of the past, as she dives into the life of one of the most famous spouse’s in music history, Priscilla Presley. Adapting the film from Presley’s autobiography titled Elvis and Me, Coppola’s showcases the real life story about how an American teenager girl met, fell in love with, and married the “King of Rock and Roll”, all the while become a caged birded trapped within Graceland while Elvis was on the road. In making the perfect counterweight to Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, Coppola added one of best films of her filmography, continuing her examination of women trapped within a world of powerful, dangerous men. Ryan, Jay and Ema break down the film, their relationship with Elvis’s music, the stunning performances from Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi, the film’s production design, a little Austin Butler talk, what the characters eat in the Dune franchise, as well as giving out their Sofia Coppola rankings and teasing their Tony Scott movie series that starts next week.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h52m. The guys will be back next week to begin their series on the films of Tony Scott with a review of his debut film, The Hunger. You can rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch.. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 45 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Oscar Wild co-host and film critic Nick Ruhrkraut to discuss the next film in their Sofia Coppola series, On the Rocks (2020).

We needed places to escape to during the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020, and leave it to Sofia Coppola to deliver an easy, breezy father-daughter hang out movie. On the Rocks not only feature fantastic chemistry between Rashida Jones and Bill Murray, but it has Coppola going back to the ideas she explored within the beginning of her career; the relationship she had with her father and where she is at currently in life as an artist as well as a parent and a spouse. What she delivers is a hilarious, insightful look at someone’s life who is seeking too much instead of appreciating the good things they have in front of them. Ryan, Jay, and Nick break down their reactions to the film, Bill Murray’s charm, Rashida Jones’s career, what it’s like to pal around in New York City, where this ranks in Coppola’s filmography, and if they’d like to see this story continue or not.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 1h45m. The guys will be back next week to conclude their series on the films of Sofia Coppola with a review of her most recent film, Priscilla. You can stream the film on MAX, as well as rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).

Welcome to Director Watch! On this AwardsWatch podcast, co-hosts Ryan McQuade and Jay Ledbetter attempt to breakdown, analyze, and ultimately, get inside the mind of some of cinema’s greatest auteurs. In doing so, they will look at their filmographies, explore what drives them artistically and what makes their decision making process so fascinating. Add in a few silly tangents and a fun game at the end of the episode and you’ve got yourself a podcast we truly hope you love. On episode 43 of the Director Watch Podcast, the boys are joined by Nicole Ackman to discuss the next film in their Sofia Coppola series, The Bling Ring (2013).

Following her most subtle work to date, Sofia Coppola took a full swing the other way in tackling a larger than life, true story that is all about how we consume celebrity culture and consumerism. The Bling Ring follows a group of young, fame-obsessed teenagers in the late 2000s, that use the internet to track where their favorite movie and reality stars are so they can rob their homes while the stars are away. Led by Emma Watson, Taissa Farmiga, and a mostly unknown cast, Coppola examines the newest generations obsessions with the figures and institutions that she grew up around, how this mindset has gotten worse since the actions seen in the film, and how it all seems inconsequential in the grand scheme of things once all the dust settles on the robbers. Ryan, Jay, and Nicole break down their impressions on the film, if Coppola was the right choice to tackle this modern subject matter, Watson’s career path (a lively, respectful argument between Ryan and Jay), the minimalist approach to the screenplay, the sharp contrast in the cinematography between the day and night sequences, what is the best sandwich they’ve ever had, and is this the best social film commentary released in 2013.

You can listen to the Director Watch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music and more.

This podcast runs 2h01m. The guys will be back next week to begin their new series covering the films of Sofia Coppola with a review of her next film, The Beguiled. You can stream the film on Netflix, as well as rent it via iTunes and Amazon Prime rental in preparation for the next episode of Director Watch. Till then, let’s get into it.

Music: MUSICALIFE, from Pond5 (intro) and “B-3” from BoxCat Games Nameless: The Hackers RPG Soundtrack (outro).