The Essential Films Podcast

Adolfo Acosta
  • 5.0 (4)
  • FILM REVIEWS

A podcast devoted to the discussion of the greatest movies ever made, or The Essential Films. From the beginning of cinema history to present day, these films are crucial to the education of anyone who loves the art of film making. adolfoacosta.substack.com

  1. 04/04/2025

    The Essential Films Podcast #63: FARGO (1996)

    Oh yahh, You betcha! Adolfo and Mark discuss The Coen Brothers' 1996 black comedy thriller, FARGO! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adolfoacosta.substack.com

    2h 8m
  2. The Essential Films Podcast #62: NORTH BY NORTHWEST Commentary Track

    07/14/2024

    The Essential Films Podcast #62: NORTH BY NORTHWEST Commentary Track

    We're back! On today's podcast adventure, Adolfo and Mark record a commentary track for the 1959 Alfred Hitchcock classic: NORTH BY NORTHWEST, accompanied by other movie discussions. To skip right to the commentary, go to the 30:10 mark. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adolfoacosta.substack.com

    2h 54m

  3. 12/02/2023

    Episode #61 - Short Subjects: INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (2009)

    Taking a look at Quentin Tarantino's 2009 modern classic INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adolfoacosta.substack.com

    7 min
  4. Essential Film Podcast Episode #60: Short Subjects: LICENCE TO KILL (1989)

    10/08/2023

    Essential Film Podcast Episode #60: Short Subjects: LICENCE TO KILL (1989)

    When CIA operative Felix Leiter is left for dead by vicious drug kingpin, Sanchez, James Bond makes it his personal vendetta to take him down… going so far as becoming a rogue agent.Links:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@adolfojacosta/ Substack: https://adolfoacosta.substack.comTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adolfojacostaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEssential...Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kOLC5r...Linktree: https://linktr.ee/adolfoacostaWebsite: https://essentialfilmspodcast.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adolfoacosta.substack.com

    4 min
  5. The Essential Films Podcast Episode #59: THE GRAPES OF WRATH (1940)

    09/28/2023

    The Essential Films Podcast Episode #59: THE GRAPES OF WRATH (1940)

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION We're back! After an unplanned hiatus, we are back on your podcast app of choice. On this week's adventure Adolfo and Mark discuss John Ford's THE GRAPES OF WRATH.On Today's Show: * Mark’s Hollywood Journey * Mark wins an Oscar! * Walt Disney Archives * How to properly hold an Oscar * The glory days of VHS * “A Very Special Epsidoe” * The heaviness of The Grapes of Wrath * Watching the movie instead of reading the book for school * The differences between the movie and the novel * Quick turnaround from the novel’s publishing to the release of the film * Very socialist messaging, which is odd in the times of communist scapegoating * The Great Henry Fonda * “Just following orders” * Tom’s family thinking he broke out of jail * Heartbreaking shots * Grandpa’s medicine * Holding out hope for meager rewards * The brotherhood of the working class * Giving Grandma the Weekend at Bernie’s treatment * The dwindling of the family * Movie is clearly pro-Union * The Company Store scam * Tom’s sense of dignity, duty and self respect won’t allow him to be bullied * The government working camp is good for them, but it only lasts temporarily * Tom’s sacrifice for his family and following his calling to do good * Is tom a christ figure? * “We’re the people” * The power of the work and anti corporation - basically tenets of communism * Grapes of Wrath was woke before woke was a thing * Grapes of Wrath’s Academy Award nominations and wins, stealing the Best Director from Hitchcock who never got an Oscar * An inspirational but depressing movie * Will AFI update their lists? Films Referenced: * Rebecca (1940) * The Philadelphia Story (1940) * The Ten Commandments (1956) * White Wilderness (1958) * Some Like it Hot (1959) * The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) * The House That Dripped Blood (1971) * On Golden Pond (1981) * ET: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) * Return of the Jedi (1983) * Punky Brewster (TV Series, 1984-1988) * Diff'rent Strokes (TV Series, 1978-1986) * Full House (TV Series, 1987-1995) * ​​Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue (1990) * Dinosaurs (TV Series, 1991-1994) * Boy Meets World (1993-2000) * Kill Bill: Vol 1 (2003) * Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) * Beau Is Afraid (2023) Links: Substack: adolfoacosta.substack.comYouTube: youtube.com/@adolfojacosta Website: essentialfilmspodcast.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adolfoacosta.substack.com

    1h 56m
  6. Episode 58: The Essential Films Podcast Episode #58: A CHRISTMAS CAROL @ THE MOVIES!

    12/23/2022

    Episode 58: The Essential Films Podcast Episode #58: A CHRISTMAS CAROL @ THE MOVIES!

    Are you the podcast whose coming was foretold to me? On today's podcast adventure, Adolfo and Mark play Podcast Hosts of Christmas Past as they look at the long history of screen adaptations of Charles Dickens' immortal classic A CHRISTMAS CAROL!  Movies discussed include: A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1938), SCROOGE (1951), SCROOGE (1970), SCROOGED (1988), THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL (1992) and many more! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adolfoacosta.substack.com

    1h 47m
  7. Episode 57: The Essential Films Podcast Episode #57: BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935)

    12/13/2022

    Episode 57: The Essential Films Podcast Episode #57: BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935)

    On today's podcast adventure, Adolfo and Mark discuss the wonderful weirdness of BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1935) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adolfoacosta.substack.com

    1h 35m
  8. Episode 56: The Essential Films Podcast Episode #56: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953)

    11/20/2022

    Episode 56: The Essential Films Podcast Episode #56: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953)

    On today's podcast adventure, Adolfo and Mark return to discuss the 1953 Academy Award winning FROM HERE TO ETERNITY! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adolfoacosta.substack.com

    1h 41m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A podcast devoted to the discussion of the greatest movies ever made, or The Essential Films. From the beginning of cinema history to present day, these films are crucial to the education of anyone who loves the art of film making. adolfoacosta.substack.com

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