Episodes

Joel and Ethan Coen's Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) is one of the great American films of the 21st century—and arguably their best. In part one of this special two-part episode of They Shoot Films, we dig deep into Joel and Ethan Coen's most haunting and misunderstood film—and make the case that it's an all-time masterpiece. What makes Inside Llewyn Davis so hard to shake? Why does the film begin and end with the same scene? What is the cat actually doing in this movie? And why does Llewyn—clearly...

Everyone knows Dazed and Confused. The stoner comedy. The hangout film. The movie that launched Matthew McConaughey. But what if that reputation is exactly the camouflage writer/director Richard Linklater intended? In this episode of They Shoot Films, we take a deep look at the 1993 coming-of-age classic that launched the careers of McConaughey, Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, and Milla Jovovich, introduced the world to McConaughey’s iconic Wooderson, and gave us one of the greatest soundtracks in c...

Sean Penn’s The Pledge isn’t a detective film. It’s a detective film being systematically dismantled from the inside — and one of the most underrated American movies of the 21st century. In this episode, we go deep on Penn’s haunting 2001 adaptation of Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s novella, starring Jack Nicholson as a retiring detective who makes a sacred oath to a grieving mother — and is destroyed by it. We trace the film’s philosophical backbone, its connection to Chinatown, and untangle the film’s...

What does it mean to get away with murder — and live with it? In this episode, we dive deep into Woody Allen’s Crimes and Misdemeanors, widely considered one of the greatest American films of the 20th century and Allen’s most philosophically ambitious work. We unpack the film’s dual narratives: Judah Rosenthal’s (played by Martin Landau) desperate, darkening spiral after arranging the murder of his mistress, and Cliff Stern’s (played by Woody Allen) bittersweet, comic pursuit of meaning in a wo...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Mildred Pierce (1945), directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Joan Crawford in her Academy Award–winning role. Mildred Pierce tells the story of a fiercely determined mother who builds a restaurant empire during the Great Depression—only to be undone by ambition, class anxiety, and a toxic mother-daughter relationship. Crawford’s performance as Mildred remains one of the defining portrayals of female ambition in 1940s Hollywood. We explore the origins...

In this episode, we dive headfirst into Uncut Gems (2019), the Safdie Brothers’ nerve-shredding thriller that redefined modern cinematic anxiety. Starring Adam Sandler in a career-best dramatic performance, Uncut Gems is a chaotic blend of crime film, character study, and high-stakes morality play set in New York City’s Diamond District. We break down the film’s relentless pacing, immersive sound design, and kinetic camerawork, exploring how the Safdie Brothers use style to mirror the compulsiv...

A special year-end announcement from Ken Mercer and FT Kosempa about the future of They Shoot Films.

In this episode, we dive deep into L.A. Confidential (1997), Curtis Hanson’s modern noir masterpiece and one of the defining crime films of the 1990s. Set against the corruption-soaked backdrop of 1950s Los Angeles, L.A. Confidential blends classic Hollywood noir with sharp, contemporary filmmaking. We explore how the film adapts James Ellroy’s novel, and how it draws key plot elements from Los Angeles history. From its intricate screenplay and unforgettable dialogue to its career-defining perf...

In this episode, we step inside the golden glow of rock-and-roll nostalgia as we dive deep into Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous. We break down the iconic coming-of-age classic and explore how Crowe transformed his real-life experiences at Rolling Stone into one of the most heartfelt, music-soaked films of the 2000s. We’ll discuss the film’s unforgettable performances by Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup, Patrick Fugit, and Frances McDormand; the timeless soundtrack curated by Crowe; and the movie’s core ...

In part two of this special two-part episode, we fall back into Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958). Tune in as we explore the recurring motifs of Vertigo, the deleted ending, and the controversy surrounding the scene that contains a flashback to the murder of Gavin Elster's wife. Vertigo is one of the most haunting and psychologically complex movies ever made. From its hypnotic visuals and Bernard Herrmann’s swirling score to its exploration of obsession, identity, and control, Vertigo remains a...

In part one of this special two-part episode, we fall into Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958) — one of the most haunting and psychologically complex movies ever made. From its hypnotic visuals and Bernard Herrmann’s swirling score to its exploration of obsession, identity, and control, Vertigo remains a masterpiece that still fascinates critics and filmmakers decades later. Tune in as we explore the making of Vertigo, its critical reception, and why it continues to rank among the greatest films ...

What happens when David Cronenberg trades body horror for psychological horror? In this episode, we break down A History of Violence—a tense, haunting look at identity, brutality, and the masks people wear to survive. We explore how Viggo Mortensen’s haunting performance captures dual identity, buried pasts, and the thin line between peace and brutality. From its shocking opening to its chilling final scene, this film asks: can we ever escape who we really are? A deep dive into violence, moral...

We break down Paul Thomas Anderson’s debut film, Hard Eight (1996) — the sharp, atmospheric crime drama that quietly launched one of the great modern directors. From Philip Baker Hall’s haunting performance to Anderson’s early hints of the visual and emotional style that would define Boogie Nights and Magnolia, this episode explores how Hard Eight set the stage for everything to come. Join us as we analyze standout performances from Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Samu...

Step into the unsettling world of Jordan Peele’s groundbreaking horror film Get Out. In this episode, we break down the movie’s chilling themes, unforgettable performances, and innovative use of psychological tension. From the Sunken Place to the film’s biting social commentary, we explore why Get Out became both a critical and cultural phenomenon. Whether you’re a longtime fan or revisiting the film for the first time, this deep dive unpacks the layers of symbolism, the impact on modern horror,...

In this episode, we break down Michael Mann’s Collateral (2004), the stylish thriller starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx. We explore how Collateral transformed Los Angeles into a glowing, dangerous character through Mann’s groundbreaking digital cinematography, and why Cruise’s cold, calculated hitman remains one of his most unforgettable roles. From the tense cab ride setup to the film’s themes of morality, chance, and survival, we dive into what makes Collateral one of the best crime thrillers...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Albert Brooks’ 1985 classic 'Lost in America,' a comedy about chasing freedom and crashing into reality. We break down the film’s biting satire of the American Dream, its critique of 1980s consumer culture, and why the unforgettable “nest egg” scene has earned a place in comedy history. Along the way, we discuss Albert Brooks’ influence as a filmmaker, the movie’s place in the road film tradition, and if its themes still resonate in today’s world. The...

Orson Welles' Touch of Evil marked the director’s return to Hollywood and contains what is widely considered one of the greatest shots in cinema. In this episode, we dive into the difficulties involved in getting that shot, the origins of the movie, and the inside story of how Welles and Charlton Heston celebrated after the final night of the shoot. The cast of the 1958 film includes Welles, Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Joseph Calleia, Akim Tamiroff and Marlene Dietrich.

William Friedkin's Sorcerer is now considered an unsung masterpiece but was a critical and box office failure when it was first released in 1977. Quentin Tarantino has called Sorcerer one of his favorite films and Stephen King has named it as his favorite film. In this episode, Ken Mercer and FT Kosempa look at the origins of the film, tell some harrowing tales from the set, and discuss the career of director William Friedkin. The film also stars Roy Scheider.

Writer/Director Damien Chazelle’s Academy Award winning drama Whiplash was voted number 17 in the The New York Times reader’s poll of the top 100 movies of this century. Peers, critics, and other industry insiders ranked it first among all the films ever screened at the Sundance Film Festival. Miles Teller and J. K. Simmons star with Paul Reiser and Melissa Benoist in supporting roles.

Marathon Man, starring Dustin Hoffman and Lawrence Olivier as a Nazi war criminal, created a sensation when it was released in 1976. In this episode, Ken Mercer and FT Kosempa examine the film’s infamous dental torture scene, the contributions of writer William Goldman, and the movie’s connection to the Coen brother's The Big Lebowski. The thriller was directed by John Schlesinger and features Roy Scheider, William Devane and Marthe Keller in supporting roles.

The Sweet Smell of Success is now considered one of the classics of American cinema but was a critical and box office failure when it was first released in 1957. In this episode, Ken Mercer and FT Kosempa dive into the making of the film, the contributions of Clifford Odets and James Wong Howe, and the shadow that the McCarthy-era blacklist cast over the production. They also try to answer the question: is it Film Noir? The film stars Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis and was directed by Alexander Mac...

The Master is considered one of director Paul Thomas Anderson‘s finest films. In this episode, Ken Mercer and F.T. Kosempa untangle the layers of hidden meaning that reward multiple viewings of this 2012 film. The movie stars Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams.

The Departed was the film that finally won Director Martin Scorsese his long overdue Academy Award. In this episode, Ken Mercer and FT Kosempa discuss the origins of the film, where it ranks in the pantheon of Boston films, and ask why actors keep insisting on doing over-the-top Boston accents. The 2006 film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Vera Farmiga, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, and Martin Sheen.

In part two, Ken Mercer and FT Kosempa continue to investigate the many mysteries of Roman Polanski's Chinatown . In part two of this special two-part podcast, Ken and FT pick their favorite scenes, favorite lines... and watch as Jack Nicholson becomes a movie star. The 1974 film stars Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and John Houston.