The Best of 2023

It's our annual wrap-up of the best movies of the previous year as we dive into our favorite films of 2023. Listen as we rationalize why acclaimed "perfect" films didn't make it on our lists and praise the courage of actors willing to let it rip onscreen. Our movie choices feature debauched adventures of the perverted rich, triumphant big-screen adventures of our childhood heroes (whether plastic, geriatric, or atomic), and return appearances by auteurs such as Emerald Fennell, Ari Aster, and Brandon Cronenberg. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and multiple appearances by Larry Fessenden (yay!!).

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Interested in getting more from this episode? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Any 2023 movies you think we should have included in our lists? Want to discuss cinematic depictions of class conflict? Is Sandra Hüller having a great year or what? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

The Best of 2022

 

We're back to run down our list of the best movies released during 2022. Listen in as we discuss how the accessibility of movies led us toward some off-beat films, the surge of great horror movies this year, and the value of rewatchability. Our favorite flicks include desperate quests for fame, risk-taking animated films, harrowing looks at the culinary world, and forays into strange performance art. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and praise for the great James Hong.

Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing.

CinemaSpection is now part of the Fireside Alliance. Check out the many awesome shows available through the network here. 

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Interested in getting more from this episode? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Any films you think we should have included in our lists? Would you want to work in a kitchen after seeing some of this year's movies? What criteria do you use to determine your favorite movies? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Pitch Black - Supplement

While we try to cover as much as we can in our episodes, there's always more to see, hear, and read about a movie that can enhance your viewing experience. If you enjoyed our episode on Pitch Black, here's a few extra bits you might find interesting...

The Little Mermaid - Supplement

While we try to cover as much as we can in our episodes, there's always more to see, hear, and read about a movie that can enhance your viewing experience. If you enjoyed our episode on The Little Mermaid, here's a few extra bits you might find interesting...

Episode 73: The Little Mermaid

Chris and Sarah join us again to explore the watery depths of the Disney animated classic The Little Mermaid. We discuss the film's mixed messages regarding women's autonomy and body image, speculate on the Lovecraftian origins of merfolk, and discuss the movie's role in bringing about Disney's second golden age of animated films. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and some disturbingly phallic castle architecture.

Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Interested in getting more from this movie? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Have you ever seen a mermaid? Spot any other Disney cameos you'd like to point out? Have a great recipe for cooking les poisson? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit - Supplement

While we try to cover as much as we can in our episodes, there's always more to see, hear, and read about a movie that can enhance your viewing experience. If you enjoyed our episode on Who Framed Roger Rabbit, here's a few extra bits you might find interesting...

Episode 52: Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Chris and Sarah join us as we try to solve that classic cinematic mystery, Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Digging beneath the gags and guffaws of this groundbreaking mix of animation and live-action, we investigate its clever use of film noir conventions, uncover the movie's racial subtext, and count the passive-aggressive attacks on former Disney CEO Michael Eisner. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and eye daggers.



Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Interested in getting more from this movie? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Is there a vital clue we overlooked? Want to confess any lustful thoughts about playing pattycake with toon characters? Need to contribute your two bits to our shave and a haircut? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Fantastic Planet - Supplement

While we try to cover as much as we can in our episodes, there's always more to see, hear, and read about a movie that can enhance your viewing experience. If you enjoyed our episode on Fantastic Planet, here's a few extra bits you might find interesting...

Episode 49: Fantastic Planet / La planete sauvage

In this episode, Corinne, Polly, and Tim are off their leashes as they explore the bizarre alien landscape of René Laloux's animated sci-fi masterpiece Fantastic Planet AKA La planete sauvage. The resulting discussion touches on the political symbolism of the film's story, Laloux and artist Roland Topor's amazing animation work, and the proper treatment of household spiders. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and foggy recollections of Twilight Zone episodes.



Subscribe to our podcast here.

Listen to us on Stitcher here.

Interested in getting more from this movie? Check out supplemental material for this episode here.

Do you enjoy dressing your pets in strange, demeaning clothing? Is radioactive cheese your hors d'oeuvre of choice when hosting religious orgies? Want to weigh in on cephalopod headwear? Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

A Christmas Carol (1951) - Supplement

While we try to cover as much as we can in our episodes, there's always more to see, hear, and read about a movie that can enhance your viewing experience. If you enjoyed our episode on A Christmas Carol, here's a few extra bits you might find interesting...

Movie In-Jokes: The Iron Giant

One of the fun games when watching movies is to spot references, secret messages and gags that filmmakers, film crews and actors can slip into movies to pay tribute to films they love, have a bit of fun with their previous work, or give the cinematic equivalent of a shout-out. Here's a spotter's guide to these inside jokes.

This time animator Brad Bird pays tribute to two masters of the art in his adorable sci-fi masterpiece The Iron Giant.

Review - Monsters University (2013)