Have You Ever Seen

I found this show while wanting to take a deep dive on a particular title, and found it an enjoyable enough listen that I’m working my way through their back catalog of episodes. Bev is ostensibly the sidekick but she really makes the show a worth listening to. She’s witty and knowledgeable and well-read, so her insights are fresh and interesting. I don’t like it when Ryan sings. A nightmare.

When they’re in their wheelhouse, it’s a great listen. Certain movies are just a great fit for them to review, but if they happen to not like a movie, boy, do they pout and nag. I think there’s this balance that movie podcasts need to adhere to, in regards to opinion and information. And often, they let their personal opinions of movies really prevent them from just being objective, especially when it comes to morality. They’re not as bad as many of the other podcasts, but they can get really petulant when they don’t agree with something in a movie, especially considering their ages. But like I said, when they review a movie that’s right in their comfort zone, that’s when they really shine.

It feels like I have wandered in the desert of movie review sites for years since the death of Roger Ebert. Every time I think I have found a comfy place to hear and share thoughts on movies some genre or trend emerges that leads me to ask myself “what did I ever see in you “ After finding and thoroughly enjoying THE TOP 100 PROJECT during COVOD, I now feel like I have a place to call home where I can take a load off and listen to thoughtful movie commentary that gels with my sensibilities. Bev and Ryan magically balance the scales between artistic insights and practical entertainment - that’s no easy job and they are masterful at it. As important, is their entertaining curation of each episode. Each of them prepare for an episode that maximizes the discussion without being stilted. The basic design of the show cleverly moves the conversation along in a spirited and never cumbersome way. IN A NUTSHELL, awards & recognitions and Ryan’s aspect ratio comments really offer helpful insight for a devout movie fan like me that doesn’t possess the the critical technical knowledge of film. The mere fact that they include comments in each episode about the score alone elevates their show above 98% of all other movie criticism podcasts. Finally and most importantly for me:: I have finally found in Bev my movie soul mate. She forthrightly understands the need for movies to be art. We agree on nearly every artistic aspect of films from the development of characters and dialogue to the use of visuals and sound. It isn’t that I frequently differ from Ryan’s takes on movies but to say I never disagree with Bev’s reviews. Bev has confirmed so many of my thoughts on films that I previously thought I held alone. Better yet, she has pointed out scores of elements that I missed and end up adding depth to my sentiments and to the film. A Big Thanks to Bev! All of this is to say: Happy 500th Episode!!!! To everyone out there searching for a podcast that will increase your appreciation of films through out history , this is the podcast for you. Not a single clunker in the 500 episodes. Great thanks from a big fan. John

Knew I'd stumbled into a twitch-leftist podcast when heroes of 'Once Upon a Time in the West' (Harmonica, Sergio Leone) were derided for Harmonica 'me-too-ing' Jill, forcefully ripping her sleeves and tearing off her collar. Attention, childlike floaters [spoilers]: Harmonica knew Frank had assassins outside waiting for Jill, so he arranged appearances and Jill's fear/demeanor, setting them up to ride into his trap and be killed, saving the life of Jill — a woman he didn't harm at any point in the movie… a woman he restored as heiress to a fortune. But Harmonica didn't understand CurrentYear politics, and that's what these people consider more important than elegant plot and honor. Clicked off and deleted when that foolishness was repeated soon after, another somewhat subtle point flying over their heads into the setting sun while they signal synchronized incredulous scorn.