Gimme Three Podcast - A Series For Cinephiles

Nicholas Ybarra & Bella Efstratis
  • 5.0 (7)
  • FILM REVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Gimme Three is a love letter to one of the most powerful mediums of artistic expression—a love letter to the films that moved us and to the great experiences we've had watching them. In each episode, hosts Nicholas Ybarra and Bella Efstratis (and frequent special guests) will pick three incredible movies based on a selected theme. The Gimme Three podcast aims to encourage people to return to the theater and expand their watch lists through fun banter and passionate analysis. 

  1. 3D AGO

    117 - Alice Guy-Blaché: Cinema’s First Woman Director (Madame's Cravings, The Consequences of Feminism, & A Fool and His Money)

    For Women’s History Month, the Gimme Three Podcast is spotlighting a filmmaker whose name was nearly lost to history: Alice Guy-Blaché. Before Hollywood existed, before the language of cinema had even fully formed, one woman was already experimenting with storytelling on screen—directing hundreds of films and helping shape what movies could become. So why don’t more people know her name? In this episode, Nick and Bella explore three of Alice Guy-Blaché’s fascinating and wildly entertaining short films: Madame’s Cravings (1906), The Consequences of Feminism (1906), and A Fool and His Money (1912).  Along the way, they uncover the remarkable story of a filmmaker who was decades ahead of her time—pushing the boundaries of comedy, visual storytelling, and social satire in the earliest days of cinema. More than a century later, these films are still funny, inventive, and clearly influential. Join Nick and Bella as they rediscover the work of a true cinematic trailblazer—and ask how someone so important could almost disappear entirely from film history. Also! Sonja Mereu's Movie Minute spotlights the great Chloé Zhao for her extraordinary work on Hamnet. For an instant mood boost, check out this video from her Hamnet set: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusfeatures/video/7597484850001612087  ❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE ❗️ Support the show Sign up for our Patreon for exclusive Bonus Content. Follow the podcast on Instagram @gimmethreepodcast You can keep up with Bella on Instagram @portraitofacinephile or Letterboxd You can keep up with Nick: on Instagram @nicholasybarra, on Twitter (X) @nicholaspybarra, or on Letterboxd Shout out to contributor and producer Sonja Mereu. A special thanks to Anselm Kennedy for creating Gimme Three's theme music. And another special thanks to Zoe Baumann for creating our exceptional cover art.

    53 min

  2. MAR 9

    116 - Oscar Isaac Spotlight: Inside Llewyn Davis, The Card Counter & Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein

    Today, we celebrate the birthday of a tremendous actor who elevates every film that he’s in. Of course, we are talking about Mr. Oscar Isaac. In his prolific career, Isaac has helmed many blockbuster franchises. Still, he hasn’t shied away from layered, mysterious, and sometimes horrifying characters - those are the type of performances that we tackle in this week’s episode.  We start with Oscar Isaac’s star-making performance as a struggling folk singer in the Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis. Next, in what is perhaps Isaac’s most haunting and complex performance to date, he plays William Tell, a mysterious gambler with a nightmarish past in Paul Schrader’s The Card Counter. Finally, Isaac tackles a role that many great actors have tackled before: Victor Frankenstein. But in Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein, Oscar Isaac breathes new life and pain into the iconic character.  Have you seen these films? Which is your favorite? What is your favorite Oscar Isaac film? ❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE ❗️ Support the show Sign up for our Patreon for exclusive Bonus Content. Follow the podcast on Instagram @gimmethreepodcast You can keep up with Bella on Instagram @portraitofacinephile or Letterboxd You can keep up with Nick: on Instagram @nicholasybarra, on Twitter (X) @nicholaspybarra, or on Letterboxd Shout out to contributor and producer Sonja Mereu. A special thanks to Anselm Kennedy for creating Gimme Three's theme music. And another special thanks to Zoe Baumann for creating our exceptional cover art.

    1h 25m

  3. MAR 2

    115 - The Lord of the Rings Trilogy: Return of the King (feat. Sonja Mereu)

    In the third and final installment of our Lord of the Rings episodes, co-host Nicholas Ybarra and producer Sonja Mereu discuss the epic finale to one of the most impactful trilogies in cinematic history.  Return of the King concludes the epic tales of Middle-earth, Frodo, Gollum, Gandalf, Samwise, and Aragorn.  Join us as we get Nicholas' final verdict on the trilogy and another gushing tale of love from Sonja. Also, hear loads of trivia and fun facts from Return of the King and the trilogy as a whole.  Have you seen Return of the King? Which Lord of the Rings film is your favorite? ❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE ❗️ Support the show Sign up for our Patreon for exclusive Bonus Content. Follow the podcast on Instagram @gimmethreepodcast You can keep up with Bella on Instagram @portraitofacinephile or Letterboxd You can keep up with Nick: on Instagram @nicholasybarra, on Twitter (X) @nicholaspybarra, or on Letterboxd Shout out to contributor and producer Sonja Mereu. A special thanks to Anselm Kennedy for creating Gimme Three's theme music. And another special thanks to Zoe Baumann for creating our exceptional cover art.

    56 min

  4. FEB 24

    114 - The Lord of The Rings Trilogy: The Two Towers (feat. Sonja Mereu)

    We return with our Lord of the Rings deep dive. This week, we explore the pulse-pounding second installment, The Two Towers. Peter Jackson and team raise the stakes, sharpen their skillset, and deliver a whollop of a sequel.  In this episode, co-host Nicholas Ybarra and producer Sonja Mereu discuss their favorite moments from the film, Andy Serkis's incredible performance as Gollum, and the painstaking effort the cast and crew put into making this film happen.  Where does The Two Towers rank for you? Is it your favorite Lord of the Rings film? Let us know! ❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE ❗️ Support the show Sign up for our Patreon for exclusive Bonus Content. Follow the podcast on Instagram @gimmethreepodcast You can keep up with Bella on Instagram @portraitofacinephile or Letterboxd You can keep up with Nick: on Instagram @nicholasybarra, on Twitter (X) @nicholaspybarra, or on Letterboxd Shout out to contributor and producer Sonja Mereu. A special thanks to Anselm Kennedy for creating Gimme Three's theme music. And another special thanks to Zoe Baumann for creating our exceptional cover art.

    47 min

  5. FEB 16

    113 - The Lord of the Rings Trilogy: Fellowship of the Ring (feat. Sonja Mereu)

    For the first time, the Gimme Three Podcast is slowing things down and taking it one movie at a time. Co-host Nick Ybarra and producer Sonja Mereu began their in-depth analysis of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.  In this episode, we take a look at 2001's Fellowship of the Ring.  Peter Jackson's hypnotic and game-changing fantasy film broke the mold and set the stage for one of the most impactful trilogies ever made.  ❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE ❗️ Support the show Sign up for our Patreon for exclusive Bonus Content. Follow the podcast on Instagram @gimmethreepodcast You can keep up with Bella on Instagram @portraitofacinephile or Letterboxd You can keep up with Nick: on Instagram @nicholasybarra, on Twitter (X) @nicholaspybarra, or on Letterboxd Shout out to contributor and producer Sonja Mereu. A special thanks to Anselm Kennedy for creating Gimme Three's theme music. And another special thanks to Zoe Baumann for creating our exceptional cover art.

    58 min

  6. FEB 10

    112 - Monsters in Love (feat. Jessica McLaughlin): Ganja & Hess, Good Manners, & Bones and All

    Love is in the air… and it just might kill you. We’re celebrating Valentine’s Day early with a trio of unconventional love stories from the horror-romance genre. The twisted sisters are back at it again. Special guest Jessica McLaughlin joins co-host Bella Efstratis to gush over some of our favorite monster love stories—films about obsession, intimacy, and connection that push romance to its most extreme ends. From vampires to werewolves to cannibals, there’s truly something—or someone—for everyone in this episode. Up first, Jess introduces Bill Gunn’s influential cult classic Ganja & Hess (1973), a hypnotic, genre-defying vampire love story unlike anything else. Next up is Good Manners (2017), a Brazilian dark fairytale about romance, motherhood, and what it really means to embrace your inner wolf. Finally, Bella brings us home with Luca Guadagnino’s Bones and All (2022), starring Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet as two star-crossed cannibals willing to fight for their love or die trying.It’s a Valentine’s Day episode for anyone who likes their romance a little messy, a little dangerous, and very memorable. What's your go-to Valentine's Day movie? ❤︎⁠ ❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE ❗️ Support the show Sign up for our Patreon for exclusive Bonus Content. Follow the podcast on Instagram @gimmethreepodcast You can keep up with Bella on Instagram @portraitofacinephile or Letterboxd You can keep up with Nick: on Instagram @nicholasybarra, on Twitter (X) @nicholaspybarra, or on Letterboxd Shout out to contributor and producer Sonja Mereu. A special thanks to Anselm Kennedy for creating Gimme Three's theme music. And another special thanks to Zoe Baumann for creating our exceptional cover art.

    1h 19m

  7. FEB 5

    111 - Favorites of 2025 pt. 3 (feat. Jessica McLaughlin): Eephus, Queens of Drama, & Bring Her Back

    It’s the final installment of Favorites of 2025! We’re closing out the series with a very special guest: writer and filmmaker Jessica McLaughlin.  In this episode, the trio brings their individuality, passions, and distinct cinematic taste to the table with three wildly different films that captured their hearts and minds in 2025. Up first, Nick hits it out of the park with Carson Lund’s charming debut, Eephus. Next, Jessica invites us into the glittering chaos of Alexis Langlois' Queens of Drama, a queer French musical jam-packed with bangers that will be stuck in your head for days. Finally, Bella delivers the final blow with the morbidly tragic and deeply horrifying Bring Her Back, the latest entry in the Philippou brothers’ ever-growing horror filmography.If you loved these films, it’s guaranteed you’ll love this episode. And if you haven’t seen them yet, hopefully we’ve inspired you to check them out—and pass the recommendations along to your friends. Let us know what you thought of these films, and tell us your Top 3 of 2025 using the link below!  ❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE ❗️ Support the show Sign up for our Patreon for exclusive Bonus Content. Follow the podcast on Instagram @gimmethreepodcast You can keep up with Bella on Instagram @portraitofacinephile or Letterboxd You can keep up with Nick: on Instagram @nicholasybarra, on Twitter (X) @nicholaspybarra, or on Letterboxd Shout out to contributor and producer Sonja Mereu. A special thanks to Anselm Kennedy for creating Gimme Three's theme music. And another special thanks to Zoe Baumann for creating our exceptional cover art.

    1h 27m

  8. JAN 26

    110 - Favorites of 2025 pt. 2 (feat. Stephanie Weber): Sorry, Baby, Train Dreams, & If I Had Legs I'd Kick You

    This week, we’ve got more favorite films from 2025.  Nick and Bella are honored to be joined by actress, comedian, writer, paranormal investigator, and host of the Directora podcast, Stephanie Weber.  The trio dives deep into three of the most emotionally gripping films released last year.  We start with Eva Victor’s directorial debut—the impeccably written Sorry, Baby.  Second, Joel Edgerton stars in the hypnotic, ethereal, and stunning Train Dreams.  Finally, Mary Bronstein directs Rose Byrne in one of the most potent performances you’ll find in 2025, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.  Have you seen these films?! What did ya think of them? And what were some of your favorite movies of 2025? ❗️SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE ❗️ Support the show Sign up for our Patreon for exclusive Bonus Content. Follow the podcast on Instagram @gimmethreepodcast You can keep up with Bella on Instagram @portraitofacinephile or Letterboxd You can keep up with Nick: on Instagram @nicholasybarra, on Twitter (X) @nicholaspybarra, or on Letterboxd Shout out to contributor and producer Sonja Mereu. A special thanks to Anselm Kennedy for creating Gimme Three's theme music. And another special thanks to Zoe Baumann for creating our exceptional cover art.

    1h 19m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Gimme Three is a love letter to one of the most powerful mediums of artistic expression—a love letter to the films that moved us and to the great experiences we've had watching them. In each episode, hosts Nicholas Ybarra and Bella Efstratis (and frequent special guests) will pick three incredible movies based on a selected theme. The Gimme Three podcast aims to encourage people to return to the theater and expand their watch lists through fun banter and passionate analysis. 

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