On this episode, Shadan and Erica discuss their predictions for this year's Critics Choice Awards! We also talk about the Oscar prospects for MARTY SUPREME and reveal our favorite movies of 2025.

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On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss Park Chan-wook's latest film NO OTHER CHOICE, starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin!

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On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss Mona Fastvold's new musical THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE, starring a hypnotic Amanda Seyfried!

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On this episode, we continue our critic spotlight series as we get to know Andrew Corns of the The Revisionist's Almanac and his journey to becoming a film podcaster!

Panel: Kristin Battestella

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On this episode, Shadan is joined by Jaylan Saylan to discuss DIE MY LOVE, HAMNET and how these films portray the various complications of motherhood and grief!

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Articles mentioned:

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a69646299/hamnet-die-my-love-motherhood-rage-movies/ 

https://variety.com/2025/film/awards/one-battle-after-another-hamnet-parenthood-1236612430/

https://insessionfilm.com/monstrous-motherhood-in-horror-films/

https://insessionfilm.com/list-jaylan-salahs-top-10-performances-of-2025/

This week on the InSession Film Podcast, we keep it pretty simple and simply discuss a bunch of 2025 movies that we've caught up with over the last the last few week weeks that we haven't had a chance to review on the show yet! Happy Holidays everyone!

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On this episode, JD and Brendan are joined by the great Jay Ledbetter to discuss Josh Safdie's new film MARTY SURPREME, starring a phenomenal Timothée Chalamet!

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On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss James Cameron's latest adventure in Pandora with AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH!

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On this episode, we discuss the state of the industry and how it's affected our passions for film and covering film. As everything continues to evolve, while there are some things to be excited about, there's also plenty that feels bleak. 

Panel: Kristin Battestella, Megan Kearns, Jaylan Salah

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This week on the InSession Film Podcast, we remember the late-great Rob Reiner and the all-time classics he made early in his career. We also give our thoughts on the Oscar shortlists and then dive into the Warner Bros. debacle as they look to settle with their bid with Netflix.

- Opening Banter (0:30)
- Rob Reiner (2:07)
- Clooney Draft Results (20:11)
- Stingray Update (25:15)
- Oscar Shortlists (40:02)
- Warner Bros/Netflix (1:15:15)

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On this episode, Shadan is joined by Luis A. Mendez to discuss their reactions to the 2026 Oscar shortlists that were recently released!

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On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss Kleber Mendonça Filho's latest film THE SECRET AGENT, starring a sensational Wagner Moura!

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On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss Bradley Cooper's latest film IS THIS THING ON?, starring a really great Will Arnett and Laura Dern!

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On this episode, we discuss the great Dutch filmmaker Halina Reijn and her recent rise as a visionary filmmaker in the last few years! In particular, we discuss her 2022 horror-comedy BODIES BODIES BODIES.

Panel: Kristin Battestella, Megan Kearns, Julia Sirmons

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This week on the InSession Film Podcast, the great Ryan McQuade joins us to discuss the 2025 awards season! We talk about the Golden Globes nominations, the acting categories and what to expect from Best Casting. We also lament the annual, and always ironic, discourse around film awards.

- Opening Banter (0:30)
- Awards Discourse (4:33)
- 2025 Awards Update (38:08)
- Best Actress (1:02:31)
- Best Actor (1:22:16)
- Best Casting (1:33:06)

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On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss Kelly Reichardt's new film THE MASTERMIND, starring an incredible Josh O'Connor!

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On this episode, we lament the state of the industry and the lack of opportunities women directors have had comparatively to their male couterparts. While it has gotten better in recent years, the gap hasn't closed as much as you might think.

Panel: Kristin Battestella, Megan Kearns, Jaylan Salah, Zita Short

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On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss Nia DaCosta's new film HEDDA, starring an electric Tessa Thompson!

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On this episode, we discuss all the great, and not so great, adaptations of WUTHERING HEIGHTS we've seen in film over the decades!

Panel: Kristin Battestella, Emily Malek (of the Adapt Me Podcast)

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On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss Mary Bronstein's incredible sophomore effort IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU, starring a riveting Rose Byrne!

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On this episode, we discuss the legendary Olivia de Havilland and her remarkable 1949 film THE HEIRESS! It's an astounding film that we really love and Havilland has never been better in her Oscar-winning role.

Panel: Kristin Battestella, Amy Thomasson, Jaylan Salah

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On this episode, Shadan and Erica talk about the 2025 awards race and how it's shaping up now that festival season is over and most of the "big" releases have already been seen!

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On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss Guillermo del Toro's new film FRANKENSTEIN, starring a phenomenal Jacob Elordi!

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This week on the InSession Film Podcast, we catch up with movies we missed earlier in the year, including KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, SPLITVILLE, THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND, THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR and more! Plus, JD talks about an incredible new development in his life and we talk about the CALL OF DUTY news.

- Opening Banter (0:30)
- JD's Story (5:50)
- Call of Duty (32:00)
- The Mummy 4 (39:17)
- 2025 Movie Catch-Up (53:09)

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On this episode, continuing the spirit of spooky season, we discuss our favorite zombie movies and why they have remarkable staying power!

Panel: Kristin Battestella, Megan Kearns

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On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss Kathryn Bigelow's latest film A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE! 

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On this episode, Megan and Shaurya discuss Scott Cooper's new film SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE, starring Jeremy Allen White!

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This week on the InSession Film Podcast, in anticipation of Richard Linklater's new film BLUE MOON, we discuss our Top 5 hangout movies! We also discuss the latest Star Wars news, Warner Bros. selling itself off and a new Fast & Furious update.

- Opening Banter (0:30)
- Star Wars / Steven Soderbergh (10:50)
- Warner Bros. (38:54)
- Fast & Furious (48:36)
- Top 5 Hangout Movies (1:01:42)

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On this episode, JD and Brendan are joined by Megan Kearns to discuss Ronan Day-Lewis' directorial debut ANEMONE!

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On this episode, we discuss the great author Agatha Christie and the film adaptations of her work over the decades!

Panel: Kristin Battestella, Jaylan Salah, Julia Sirmons

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On this episode, we continue our critic spotlight series as we get to know Zach Youngs and his journey to becoming a film critic and writer!

Panel: Kristin Battestella, Jaylan Salah

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On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss Kogonada's new film A BIG BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY, starring Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie!

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On this episode, Shadan talks with Erica about the best movies she saw at this year's Toronto International Film Festival!

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Films that will be discussed in our TIFF Recap:

1. A Private Life (Rebecca Zlotowski)
Release: November 14 (Limited)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNUkW6ywV-c
2. Arco (Ugo Bienvenu)
Release: November 14 (Select Theaters)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNUkW6ywV-c
3. Ballad of a Small Player (Edward Berger)
Release: October 29 (Netflix)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVuAfgSLFI4&t=8s
4. Blue Moon (Richard Linklater)
Release: October 17 in NY & LA theaters; Nationwide October 24
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo7gRHip0lI
5. Charlie Harper (Mac Eldridge, Tom Dean)
6. Dead Man’s Wire (Gus Van Sant)
7. Dinner With Friends (Sasha Leigh Henry)
8. Diya (Achille Ronaimou)
9. Eternity (David Freyne)
Release: Limited November 14, Wide November 26
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irXTps1REHU
10. Frankenstein (Guillermo del Toro)
Release: November 7 (Netflix, limited before wide)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x--N03NO130
11. Hamlet (Aneil Karia)
12. Hamnet (Chloé Zhao)
Release: December 12 (Wide theatrical)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2xtmPkuksA
13. Hedda (Nia DaCosta)
Release: October 29 (Amazon Prime Video)
14. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (Mary Bronstein)
Release: October 10
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywFDoT7LBbQ
15. It Was Just an Accident (Jafar Panahi)
Release: October 15
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF04v-ze2Yc
16. Memory of Princess Mumbi (Damien Hauser)
17. No Other Choice (Park Chan-wook)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U77zLDDdjc
18. Obsession (Curry Barker)
19. Rental Family (HIKARI)
Release: November 21
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0pqP6ClcE8
20. Roofman (Derek Cianfrance)
Release: October 10 (Theatrical)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXecSGmQDEI
21. Sacrifice (Romain Gavras)
22. Sentimental Value (Joachim Trier)
Release: November 7
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKbcKQN5Yrw
23. The Lost Bus (Paul Greengrass)
Release: October 3 (Apple TV+)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSDHjkuwaic&t=5s
24. The Secret Agent (Kleber Mendonça Filho)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nNAVGX8n7w
25. The Smashing Machine (Benny Safdie)
Release: October 3
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRpnP3LZ99g
26. The Son and the Sea (Stroma Cairns)
27. The Testament of Ann Lee (Mona Fastvold)
28. The Wizard of the Kremlin (Olivier Assayas)
29. Train Dreams (Clint Bentley)
Release: November 21 (Netflix)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyRdazbYKgY
30. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (Rian Johnson)
Release: December 12 (Netflix)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHM1K1JByBI

Other TIFF 2025 Titles Mentioned:

Bad Apples (Jonatan Etzler)
Christy (David Michôd)
Release: November 7
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSHwFDPfeV8
Eleanor The Great (Scarlett Johansson)
Release: September 26
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ6l2ue--KA
John Candy: I Like Me (Colin Hanks)
Release: October 10 (Amazon Prime Video)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrcQRsrBcCk
Nouvelle Vague (Richard Linklater)
Release: November 14 (Netflix)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=795BXtBR2u4
The Voice of Hind Rajab (Kaouther Ben Hania)

On this episode, JD and Brendan discuss Francis Lawrence's new film THE LONG WALK, starring Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson!

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On this episode, Shadan and Erica talk about more summer movies they've caught up with over the last few months and if any of them have any Oscar prospects this year!

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This week on the InSession Film Podcast, in anticipation for our upcoming 1999 retrospective, we bring on Julia Sirmons of 1999: The Podcast to talk about the legacy of 1999 and why it stands out as an all-time year for cinema!

- Opening Banter (0:30)
- 1999 in Film (8:45)
- Julia's Top 10 Movies of 1999 (1:25:36)

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On this episode, Brendan is joined by ISF Awards Editor Shadan Larki to discuss Ethan Coen's new film HONEY DON'T!

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On this episode, Shaurya Chawla and JD's son Sam join the show once again as we dig into Yu Yang's global phenomenon NE ZHA 2! 

If you want to skip ahead of Sam's segment, the main review starts at 17:54

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On this episode, we continue our critic spotlight series as we get to know Megan Kearns and her journey to becoming a film writer/podcaster!

Panel: Kristin Battestella, Jaylan Salah

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On this episode, Brendan is once again joined by Shaurya Chawla to discuss the new horror film from Michael Shanks in TOGETHER!

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This week on Women InSession, we analyze the popular Australian comedy from 1997 THE CASTLE and discuss its impact on Australian culture!

Panel: Zita Short, Kristin Battestella

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