Filmspotting

Adam Kempenaar & Josh Larsen
  • 4.6 (3.9K)
  • FILM REVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Filmspotting

Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen review new and classic movies, offering "affable, insightful film analysis since 2005" (NY Times).

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Presence, Pantheon Candidates, Oscar Nominations

    Adam and Josh start with the good, the bad, and the ugly of the 2025 Oscar nominations before diving into Steven Soderbergh’s ghost POV film PRESENCE, saving some spoiler talk for the end of the show. Then producer Sam Van Hallgren joins to talk Filmspotting Pantheon and nominate nine new titles for induction. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Intro (00:00:00-00:01:56) Oscar Nom Reactions (00:01:57-00:14:08) Review: “Presence” (00:14:09-00:27:24) Filmspotting Family (00:27:25-00:32:33) Next Week / Notes (00:32:34-00:38:10) Massacre Theatre (00:38:11-00:46:52) Pantheon Nominations (00:46:53-01:38:16) Show Credits, New Releases (01:38:17-01:43:01) “Presence” Spoiler Talk (01:43:02-01:54:10) Notes/Links: Filmspotting Fest https://www.filmspottingfest.com Filmspotting Pantheon https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting/list/filmspotting-pantheon/detail/ Filmspotting Guide to the Archives https://letterboxd.com/wjmclaughlin/list/the-filmspotting-guide-to-the-archives/ Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Follow: https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 59m

  2. JAN 24

    Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2025

    Adam and Josh make their picks for the most promising films of the movie year and share details about upcoming show plans, including news on Marathons, Madness, and the Pantheon Project. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Intro (00:00:00-00:01:41) David Lynch Tribute (00:01:42-00:14:03) 2025 Preview (00:14:04-00:39:46) 2025 Show Plans / Notes (00:39:47-00:55:14) 2025 Preview, cont. (00:55:15-01:11:21) Notes/Links: Filmspotting Fest https://www.filmspottingfest.com "In David Lynch’s Dreams, Cinema Cracked Open a Little Wider" https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/17/appreciation-in-david-lynchs-dreams-cinema-cracked-open-a-little-wider/ "David Lynch Offered a Peace that Passes Understanding" https://thinkchristian.net/david-lynch-offered-a-peace-that-passes-understanding “Andrei Rublev” at Doc Films https://docfilms.org/calendar/Winter_2025/inner-voyages#screening-3 Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Follow: https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 20m

  3. JAN 17

    The Best Scenes of 2024

    It’s the annual Filmspotting Wrap Party with Adam and Josh sharing their favorite scenes of the year for a live Chicago audience. Joined by the Chicago Tribune’s Michael Phillips. Plus, the announcement of the 2024 Golden Brick winner! This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Intro (00:00:00-00:04:25) Opening Scenes (00:04:26-00:19:12) Funniest Scenes (00:19:13-00:29:14) Moving Moment (00:29:15-00:37:03) 2024 Golden Brick Award (00:37:04-00:47:26) Music Moment (00:47:27-01:06:05) Scenes of the Year (01:06:06-01:33:35) Notes/Links: L.A. Wildfire Relief: World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/ L.A. Wildfire Relief: World Renew https://worldrenew.net/disasters/responding-to-california-fires Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Follow: https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 42m

  4. JAN 10

    A Complete Unknown, Nosferatu, Babygirl, September 5

    Adam and Josh catch up with a trio of end-of-year releases, including the Dylan biopic A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU, and Nicole Kidman in the provocative BABYGIRL, plus the new docudrama SEPTEMBER 5. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:02:18) Review: “Nosferatu” (00:02:19-00:23:13) Review: “A Complete Unknown” (00:23:14-00:50:34) Notes, Polls (00:50:35-00:55:30) Massacre Theatre (00:55:31-01:01:49) Review (AK): “September 5” (01:01:50-01:05:35) Review: “Babygirl” (01:05:36-01:22:49) Notes/Links: Jennifer Milich’s Review of Nosferatu https://letterboxd.com/jennifermilich/film/nosferatu-2024/ "Nosferatu and the Absence of God" https://thinkchristian.net/nosferatu-and-the-absence-of-god "A Complete Unknown Isn’t About Bob Dylan" https://slate.com/culture/2024/12/bob-dylan-movie-complete-unknown-timothee-chalamet.html Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Follow: https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 32m

  5. 12/20/2024

    Top 10 Films of 2024 with Michael Phillips and Marya Gates

    Adam and Josh get out the Allen wrench and reassemble the Filmspotting roundtable for the Top 10 Films of 2024 with Michael Phillips (Chicago Tribune) and film and culture writer Marya Gates.   This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:13:57) Top Outliers (00:13:58-00:41:58) Consensus Picks – Pt. 1 (00:41:59-01:25:21) Notes, Polls (01:25:22-01:40:16) Golden Brick Finalists (01:40:17-02:02:38) Consensus Picks – Pt. 2 (02:02:39-02:38:10) More Outliers (02:38:11-02:58:42) Notes/Links: Top 10 Films of 2024 https://www.filmspotting.net/top-5-lists-archive/995-top-10-films-of-2024 Filmspotting Fest https://filmspottingfest.com 2024 Wrap Party Live https://filmspotting.eventbrite.com/ 2024 Golden Brick Finalists/Vote https://www.filmspotting.net/bricks Michael Phillips at the Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/michael-phillips/ Marya Gates's Substack: Cool People Have Feelings, Too https://oldfilmsflicker.substack.com/ Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Follow: https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    3h 5m

  6. 12/13/2024

    Best Performances of 2024, Flow, Maria

    The best of 2024 conversation begins with Adam and Josh sharing their favorite lead and supporting performances, plus thoughts on the acclaimed animated film FLOW and Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in MARIA. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:01:41) Big Announcement (00:01:42-00:14:32) Supporting Actor (00:14:33-00:32:20) Supporting Actress (00:32:21-00:47:54) Review (JL): “Flow” (00:47:55-00:51:44) Review (AK): “Maria” (00:51:45-00:59:06) Next Week, Notes (00:59:07-01:06:07) Polls (01:06:08-01:12:40) Lead Actress (01:12:41-01:27:46) Lead Actor (01:27:47-01:44:52) Notes/Links: Filmspotting Fest https://www.filmspotting.net/filmspotting-fest Chicago Film Critics Association Winners https://chicagofilmcritics.org/blog/2024winners 2024 Wrap Party https://www.eventbrite.com/e/filmspottings-2024-wrap-party-live-at-regal-city-north-tickets-1096469994269 Richard Brody’s review of “Maria” https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/maria-angelina-jolie-review Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Follow: https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 50m

  7. 12/06/2024

    Nosferatu, Nightbitch, Top 5 Movie Moms Going Through It

    Thoughts on Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU (coming 12/25) and Marielle Heller’s NIGHTBITCH, plus the Top 5 Movie Moms Going Through It with Adam and guest Marya Gates. This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:01:26) Review (JL): “Nosferatu” (00:01:27-00:11:11) Review (AK): “Nightbitch” (00:11:12-00:16:29) Next Week, Notes (00:16:30-00:21:49) Top 5: Movie Moms Going Through It (00:21:50-01:04:00) Notes/Links: Filmspotting 2024 Wrap party in Chicago https://www.eventbrite.com/e/filmspottings-2024-wrap-party-live-at-regal-city-north-tickets-1096469994269?aff=oddtdtcreator “Cinema Her Way: Visionary Female Directors In Their Own Words” https://www.rizzoliusa.com/buy-online/9780847846610/ Refocus Film Festival https://refocusfilmfestival.org/ Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Follow: https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 8m

  8. 11/27/2024

    Gladiator II w/Rico Gagliano, Moana 2, The Seed of the Sacred Fig

    MUBI’s Rico Gagliano joins Adam and Josh for a review of Ridley Scott’s GLADIATOR II, plus Josh’s take on MOANA 2 and Adam on the new political thriller from Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof, THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG.  This episode is presented by Regal Unlimited, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. (Timecodes will not be precise with ads; chapters may start early.) Opening (00:00:00-00:02:49) MUBI's Box Office Poison (00:03:34-00:09:45) Review: “Gladiator II” (00:09:46-00:43:14) Next Week, Notes (00:43:14-00:46:19) Polls (00:46:20-00:54:34) Review (JL): “Moana 2” (00:54:35-00:57:54) Review (AK): “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” (00:57:55-01:05:42) Notes/Links: MUBI Podcast https://mubi.com/en/notebook/posts/author/842 Cinema Interruptus: "Phantom Thread" https://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/interruptus Feedback: Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net. Ask Us Anything and we might answer your question in bonus content. Support us: -Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and complete archive access. http://filmspottingfamily.com -T-shirts (and more) on sale at the Filmspotting Shop. https://filmspotting.net/shop Follow: https://www.instagram.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/filmspotting https://twitter.com/filmspotting https://facebook.com/filmspotting https://letterboxd.com/larsenonfilm https://twitter.com/larsenonfilm https://facebook.com/larsenonfilm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 11m
See All (55)

Hosts & Guests

4.6
out of 5
3,897 Ratings

About

Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen review new and classic movies, offering "affable, insightful film analysis since 2005" (NY Times).

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Kempenaar & Josh Larsen
  • Years Active
    2005 - 2025
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Telegraph Road Productions, 2005-
  • Show Website
    Filmspotting

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