The Sleepless Cinematic Podcast

The Sleepless Cinematic Podcast

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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 12/10/2025

    There You Are Peter!: 'Hook' (1991) with Rob McClure

    Bangarang!  Emilio, Madeline, and Julian fly, fight, and crow their way through this next "Unorthodox Holiday Movie" suggestion, and this is a special one, a movie suggested to them by multiple guests - "Hook", Steven Spielberg's take on the story of Peter Pan, released in 1991 starring Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts and more.  The group welcomes back Tony-nominated performer, teacher, father, and "Hook" enthusiast and suggester Rob McClure to discuss this film from all angles.  How do you square your experiences with the film as a kid versus revisiting it as an adult?  Does Spielberg have good reason to dislike it?  How much Peter Pan background is needed to fully enjoy 'Hook', or does it stand alone?  The group discusses Spielberg's knack for getting great performances from children, Robin Williams' incredible range, Rufio's undeniable appeal, the elaborate sets, John Williams' underrated score, and its messages related to parenthood.  Rob even brings a robust background in the J.M. Barrie's original text (and a collectible trading card) to the conversation, and even pulls out his highlighted copy to try to get to bottom of a pressing question.  It's a great discussion about one of the 1990s most rewatched VHS tapes, and more beloved childhood favorites.         Rob McClure has earned Tony nominations for his roles in the Broadway productions of Mrs. Doubtfire and Chaplin, and has also appeared in Something Rotten!, Mary Poppins, Hello Dolly, Beetlejuice, and many more productions On- and Off-Broadway. You can follow him on Instagram @mcclurerob 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 at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

    2h 7m
  4. 12/03/2025

    'Wicked for Good' (2025) Reactions with Down The Yellow Brick Pod and Courtney Iventosch

    This week, Madeline, Emilio and Julian discuss the recently released 'Wicked For Good', the second part of a pair of films that together have brought the beloved Broadway musical to the big screen.  After chatting a bit themselves, the co-hosts  invite back their guests from last year’s conversation about 'Wicked Part 1' - EmKay and Tara from the popular Oz-themed podcast Down The Yellow Brick Pod, and Courtney Iventosch, a Broadway performer with years of experience in the cast of the stage musical of 'Wicked'.  How does this film stack up against Part 1?   What do we make of the new songs?  Standout performances?  Disappointing moments or takeaways?  What moments and small details are particularly captivating?  And what other musical would they like to see get the spare-no-expense theatrical treatment?   Hear us talk 'Wicked Part 1' with Down the Yellow Brick Pod and Courtney here!https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269866/episodes/16231889 Hear us talk about John Waters' 'Desperate Living' and 'Wizard of Oz'! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269866/episodes/15109178 Hear us talk early 'Wicked' thoughts and 'Crazy Rich Asians' here! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1172138/episodes/15117944 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 at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

    1h 40m
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.