Madeline, Emilio, and Julian wrap up their cycle of Unorthodox Holiday Movies with a film befitting of a Christmas Eve episode - Sean Baker’s “Tangerine”, released in 2015. Joining Emilio as a first-time-watcher is Edo Choi, Film Programmer at the beloved NYC independent theater, Metrograph. The group reflects on the way this film catapulted Sean Baker to prominence in the cinematic world, and discusses the unique style that comes through via Baker’s use of iPhone cameras. They also take time to appreciate the variety of performances in this film, from newcomers to Baker regulars to social media stars. And, of course, they attempt to answer the question on everyone’s minds: why is this film titled “Tangerine”?

**Programming note: This conversation was recorded approximately ten days before the news of James Ransone’s passing. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this time.

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This week, Emilio, Madeline and Julian make good on something that has been in works for over two years - a conversation about the movies they gifted each other back in 2023! To be specific, these were discs from The Criterion Collection, acquired during Barnes and Nobles summer 50% Criterion sale. Madeline gifted Emilio 'House', Nobuhiko Obayashi's wild inventive horror/comedy from 1977. Julian gifted Madeline 'Being John Malkovich', Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman's breakout film from 1999. Emilio gifted Julian 'Ikiru' from 1952, Akira Kurosawa's influential meditation on life and imminent mortality. The group gets a chance to talk spolier free about these three films, what motivated their decision to give what they did, some details and themes that stick out to them about each film, and what kind of cinephile would be ideal recipient of these films. They also take a moment to reflect on their year in podcasting, and gift each other a new Criterion disc to discover in 2026!

Happy holidays listeners, thanks for a great year!

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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

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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!

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On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

Madeline, Emilio, and Julian continue their seasonal cycle of Unorthodox Holiday Movies with a discussion about "Eyes Wide Shut," Stanley Kubrick's enigmatic final feature from 1999. Marking their first discussion about a Kubrick film, the trio take an appropriately late-at-night stroll journey through the many layers of EWS, including its touches of dream logic, commentary on class and wealth, and what the film has to say about observation and participation in potential acts of transgression, romantic and otherwise. Also along the way are nods to the film's admirable fake New York City, musician-specific considerations about gigs akin to one taken by character Nick Nightingale, and a shout-out to friend-of-the-show Jamie Homs, originally slated to be the guest for this episode.

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On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

Julian, Madeline, and Emilio are rejoined by Brendan McDonald, former producer of the iconic podcast WTF with Marc Maron, for a bonus episode about Paul Thomas Anderson's latest masterpiece, One Battle After Another. Kicking off with a check-in on Brendan's life following WTF's end this past October, the group roll through the many hills of PTA's new film, including its roots in Thomas Pynchon's novel Vineland, numerous thematic and aesthetic connections to his greater filmography, and its balancing of political commentary and the personal struggles that coincide. Much time is also spent praising of the film's phenomenal cast, be it Leonardo DiCaprio delivering comic and dramatic beats with equal prowess, Chase Infiniti commanding the screen with her evocative breakout performance, or Teyana Taylor using limited screentime to maximal effect, among other examples. Keeping track of the time and remembering the password, with or without format punch-cards, the group draw from their many combined viewings to highlight a film that truly shines like a beacon with its expansive worldview, sincerity, and attention to detail in the uncertainty-laden present of 2025.

Listen to the WTF archives and look back on the podcast's legacy at wtfpod.com.

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!

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To kick off the latest cycle of "Unorthodox Holiday Suggestions", Emilio brings the original 'Black Christmas', Bob Clark's other holiday themed masterpiece from 1974, to the group just in time for spooky season. Joining the usual three cohosts is James Codoyannis, fellow cinephile and editor for film/TV who worked on the well-received, recently released indie film "We Strangers". The group digs into this proto-slasher classic, highlighting the way this movie is in such great control of its tone and atmosphere, the changing nature of the POV shots, at iconic atonal piano sound design/score, the amazing voice acting work by Nick Mancuso as Billy, and much more. The group also discusses the many ways 'Black Christmas' intersects with and diverges from John Carpenter's 'Halloween', the much more popular and influential slasher film from the 1970s, and discusses the filmmaking decisions that implicate Peter as the killer, and whether or not it works for building suspense. It's a great conversation about what makes 'Black Christmas' such a important entry in the horror canon!

Follow James on his socials:

INSTAGRAM: @codboyannis

LETTERBOXD: jcodoyannis

BLUESKY: @codboyannis.bsky.social

WE STRANGERS now available on rent & buy at AMAZON, APPLE TV, and other places

Follow @westrangersthefilm on INSTAGRAM

SEAWEED STORIES now available to watch on Leo DiCaprio's YouTube Channel

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

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For their Audience Interrogation cycle "Close Up" episode, Emilio, Julian and Madeline hit record and explore a genre that they are, admittedly, not as familiar with: Found Footage Films. They are joined by writer/director/teacher/musician Shaun Seneviratne, a fellow cinephile whose been historically lukewarm on Found Footage films, but enthusiastic to dive in and open minded to the ways this filmmaking style can tell unique, cinematic stories. The group selects three representative films from different eras. First, they unpack 1999's 'The Blair Witch Project', considered the codifier of the genre, and note how the film balances a growing sense of unease with naturalistic, improvised acting and dialogue. Then they discuss Patrick Brice's 2014 film 'Creep', its unavoidable connection to mumblecore, and the ways it intentionally plays with long-standing horror tropes. They complete the conversation digging into 'Searching', Aneesh Chaganty's 2018 screen life thriller that concerns itself with the finding of footage, and manages to capture emotion and intention through computer use in surprisingly effective ways.

Shaun Seneviratne can be found and followed on the socials at thebrownshaun

His feature film 'Ben and Suzanne: A Reunion in 4 Parts' is streaming now on Fandor and available for rent on digital.

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