The Sleepless Cinematic Podcast

The Sleepless Cinematic Podcast
  • 5.0 (14)
  • FILM HISTORY

Emilio, Madeline, and Julian love music, and spend their afternoons and evenings working for and teaching at a music school in midtown Manhattan.  But they also really love movies.  A lot.  So when they're done teaching, they stay up late and discuss a movie, sometimes a few, that they've all agreed to see recently.  Opinions, musings, personal stories, and sincere film enthusiasm ensue.    

  1. 5D AGO

    Arrival of an Ingenue: 'Roman Holiday' (1953) and 'Pretty Woman' (1990)

    This week, Julian, Emilio, and Madeline are joined by comedian Sydney Duncan to discuss two films that launched their leading ladies to superstardom - William Wyler’s “Roman Holiday” from 1953 and Garry Marshall’s “Pretty Woman” from 1990. The group draws comparisons both salient and subtle, and examines the aspects of Audrey Hepburn and Julia Roberts’ performances that solidify these roles as their breakouts. The group also discusses the role that class plays in each of these films and the relationships at their center. Among the many similarities, they also observe that one of the best-known scenes in each film features a kindred improvisatory moment. You can follow Sydney Duncan on Instagram and TikTok @sydneyduncanonem, and catch her on the Maude and Betty house teams at UCB NY. If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian @julian_barthold and Madeline @patronessofcats

    2h 6m

  2. FEB 25

    Remembering Rob Reiner with Matt Friedman

    2025 ended with a real gut punch for us film lovers - the sudden and shocking death of Rob Reiner, alongside his wife Michele Singer.  This week, Emilio, Julian and Madeline welcome back friend of the pod and musician extraordinaire Matt Friedman to the table to talk about Reiner and his legacy as one of the most beloved and important American filmmakers of the last forty years.  The group discusses some of the famous individual scenes he helmed, unforgettable performances, Reiner's standout moments as an actor, the films of his that are  most personally resonant, and much more. You can check out Matt's incredible band, and see where he is playing next, by visiting their website: https://stilettobandnyc.com/ You can also follow Matt and the band on Instagram @stilettobandnyc If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

    1h 41m

  3. FEB 18

    A Human Interest Story: 'Broadcast News' (1987) with David Schwartz

    This week, Madeline, Emilio and Julian continue making their way through Oscar Worthy Rom Coms and tune into 'Broadcast News', James L. Brooks' beloved 1987 film starring Holly Hunter, William Hurt and Albert Brooks.  The group is joined by accomplished NYC-based film programmer David Schwartz to discuss at length what is special about this romantic comedy, and the ways in which it is both conventionaly satisfying and also subverting genre expectations.  The strong lead performances, Brooks' extensive research of the media and news, the clever writing, the layered characterizations, the "non-ending" ending... the group covers these topics and much more in this enthusiastic discussion about one of the great films of the 1980s.   David Schwartz is a New York-based film curator and writer who is currently the Director of Film Programming at The Barrymore Film Center in Fort Lee.  You can read his work and see where and what he is programming next at his website www.david-schwartz.net If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

    1h 59m

  4. FEB 4

    'The Apartment' (1960): Keys to Success, RomCom-Wise

    Julian, Madeline, and Emilio continue their cycle of Oscar-Worthy Rom-Coms with a Suggestion Box episode focusing on "The Apartment," Billy Wilder's unforgettable multi-Oscar-winning film from 1960. The trio dig into this classic tale of work-related romance by discussing its iconic performances from Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray, the dynamics of the love triangle it portrays, and how the film's transgressive qualities stand the test of time. Anchoring the conversation are a slew of favorable comparisons to other films, new and old, along with appreciations of film's fine-tuned aesthetic details and a tally of a word Wilder and co-writer I.A.L. Diamond clearly relished in, suffix-wise... If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

    2h 5m

  5. JAN 21

    Starry-Eyed Bard: 'Shakespeare in Love' (1998) with Anna Stone

    If podcasting be the food of love, record on!  Continuing with their cycle of "Oscar Worthy Rom Coms", Madeline, Emilio and Julian fire up 1998's Best Picture winning 'Shakespeare In Love', directed by John Madden, starring the likes of Joseph Fiennes, Colin Firth, and Geoffrey Rush, with performances by Gwyneth Paltrow and Dame Judi Dench that also won them Oscars.  It's a Mise-Unseen episode, so this is the main hosts' first time seeing this movie, but it's a rewatch for their guest Anna Stone, she of the delightful movie podcast Stone's Top Tens.  Together the group digs into the historical "fan" fiction conceit of the story, speculate as to why this movie was so well-received when it was first released, turn to an oft-consulted non-fiction book to provide context for its controversial Oscars awards campaign,  discuss the many engaging performances, enjoy the film's many nods to modernity, and much more.  Anna leaves with some new additions to her watchlist, and everyone leaves with some appreciation for one of the more decorated romantic comedies of the last thirty years.  Anna Stone is the host of the always enjoyable movie podcast Stone's Top Tens.  You can follow her and keep up with the podcast on the socials @stonestoptens   If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

    1h 44m

  6. JAN 7

    Gnomes, Pay Phones and Deux Moulins: 'Amelie' (2001) with Anu Valia

    It's a new year, and Emilio, Madeline, and Julian kick off a new episode cycle of "Oscar Worthy Rom Coms" with 'Amelie', Jean-Pierre Jeunet's 2001 film starring Audrey Tautou that is as well-crafted as it is refreshing and life-affirming.  They are joined by a guest that, like the film itself, blends meaningful personal connection with great insight and sincerity - Anu Valia, film/TV writer and director extraordinaire, and a dear friend of Emilio's through high school and college.  The group discusses this film's reputation and influence on film students in the 2000s, its delightful focus on small personal quirks and sensory input, how the film deviates from more traditional romantic comedies, the way it feels both timeless and very rooted in the moment and setting it depicts, the film's messages about optimism and human goodness, and so much more!    Anu Valia is a wonderful human and talented filmmaker whose work on shows like Shrill, And Just Like That, Interior Chinatown, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Shrinking can be streamed and enjoyed, and her feature film 'We Strangers' can currently be streamed on Amazon Prime and rented digitally where ever you get your movies.   If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

    1h 51m

  7. 12/24/2025

    Dolls in Toyland: 'Tangerine" (2015) with Edo Choi

    Madeline, Emilio, and Julian wrap up their cycle of Unorthodox Holiday Movies with a film befitting of a Christmas Eve episode - Sean Baker’s “Tangerine”, released in 2015. Joining Emilio as a first-time-watcher is Edo Choi, Film Programmer at the beloved NYC independent theater, Metrograph. The group reflects on the way this film catapulted Sean Baker to prominence in the cinematic world, and discusses the unique style that comes through via Baker’s use of iPhone cameras. They also take time to appreciate the variety of performances in this film, from newcomers to Baker regulars to social media stars. And, of course, they attempt to answer the question on everyone’s minds: why is this film titled “Tangerine”? **Programming note: This conversation was recorded approximately ten days before the news of James Ransone’s passing. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this time. If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

    1h 46m

  8. 12/18/2025

    The Criterion Disc Holiday Share

    This week, Emilio, Madeline and Julian make good on something that has been in works for over two years - a conversation about the movies they gifted each other back in 2023!  To be specific, these were discs from The Criterion Collection, acquired during Barnes and Nobles summer 50% Criterion sale.  Madeline gifted Emilio 'House', Nobuhiko Obayashi's wild inventive horror/comedy from 1977.  Julian gifted Madeline 'Being John Malkovich', Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman's breakout film from 1999.  Emilio gifted Julian 'Ikiru' from 1952, Akira Kurosawa's influential meditation on life and imminent mortality.  The group gets a chance to talk spolier free about these three films, what motivated their decision to give what they did, some details and themes that stick out to them about each film, and what kind of cinephile would be ideal recipient of these films.  They also take a moment to reflect on their year in podcasting, and gift each other a new Criterion disc to discover in 2026!   Happy holidays listeners, thanks for a great year! If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice.  This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

    1h 52m
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Emilio, Madeline, and Julian love music, and spend their afternoons and evenings working for and teaching at a music school in midtown Manhattan.  But they also really love movies.  A lot.  So when they're done teaching, they stay up late and discuss a movie, sometimes a few, that they've all agreed to see recently.  Opinions, musings, personal stories, and sincere film enthusiasm ensue.    

Information

  • Creator
    The Sleepless Cinematic Podcast
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    86
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Sleepless Cinematic Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Sleepless Cinematic Podcast

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