Lessons in Film
Lessons in Film
Julia and Pete
Julia hasn't seen a lot of movies, but Pete's seen way too many. Follow them as they explore film history, theory, and criticism.
Brokeback Mountain and the Vulnerability of Machismo
Julia and Pete watch Brokeback Mountain and discuss the film's message about masculinity and repression, how the culture received it at the time, and the incredibly restrained performances from Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Dec 18, 2025
48 min
Johnny Mnemonic and the Birth of the Cyberpunk Genre
Julia and Pete watch the cyberpunk classic Johnny Mnemonic and discuss how it still resonates today, from the fear of technological omnipresence, to the film's anti-corporate, anti-capitalist message.
Dec 4, 2025
54 min
Alien: Resurrection and the Necessity of a Good Foundation
Julia and Pete close out their look at the Alien series by watching Alien: Resurrection, a film that's very damp and very French. They discuss the movie's confused tone, languid pacing, and uneven performances.
Nov 20, 2025
46 min
Alien³ and the Tension of Differing Opinions
Julia and Pete watch David Fincher's much-maligned Alien³... only to discover it's Julia's favourite of the trilogy! They discuss the film's troubled production and the sour reaction from fans as Julia tries to defend her unconventional opinion,
Nov 20, 2025
59 min
Aliens and the Trouble with Sequels
Julia and Pete watch James Cameron's Aliens and discuss the inherent difficulty with creating a sequel to such a ground-breaking film... and how that sequel became as beloved as the original.
Oct 23, 2025
53 min
Alien and the Importance of Set Design
Julia and Pete watch Ridley Scott's Alien, and discuss how the film favours atmosphere over plot, and how the impeccable set design shaped the movie's mood and tone.
Oct 9, 2025
1 hr 1 min
Rope and the Importance of Subtext
Julia and Pete watch Alfred Hitchock's Rope, marvel at its camera tricks and technical wizardry, and discuss the movie's obvious gay subtext.
Oct 9, 2025
1 hr 11 min
The Shape of Water and the Eclectic Career of Guillermo del Toro
Julia and Pete watch The Shape of Water and discuss the career of director Guillermo del Toro, with a focus on his work in Toronto.
Sep 11, 2025
54 min
Double Feature: The Addams Family and the Marriage Between Camera and Frame
Julia and Pete watch 1991's The Addams Family and its 1993 sequel, Addams Family Values. They discuss the strange career of Barry Sonnenfeld, his unlikely transition from cinematographer to director, and the difficulty of adapting a TV sitcom into a feature film.
Aug 28, 2025
58 min
Jaws and the Birth of the Blockbuster
Julia and Pete watch Jaws and discuss the film's troubled production and its fifty-year legacy.
Aug 14, 2025
1 hr
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