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1999

“8mm” is still up to snuff in delivering shock and repulsion

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Joel Schumacher’s sleazy, sweaty neo-noir of porn and pain remains a bizarre artifact for the director’s filmography, and it hasn’t lost its bite.

Liam Carroll Posted on July 17, 2020July 17, 2020

“The Talented Mr. Ripley” benefits from Hoffman’s skill

The Talented Mr. Ripley
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It’s good, but Anthony Minghella’s 1999 adaptation really comes alive when Philip Seymour Hoffman’s scumbag enters the picture.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on July 6, 2020July 3, 2020

The Hip-Hop Bushido Code of “Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai”

Ghost Dog Way of the Samurai
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Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai sees Jim Jarmusch integrating hip-hop atmosphere with samurai genre trappings to create a dorm-room favorite.

David Rollison Posted on January 18, 2020January 18, 2020

“American Beauty” as the Ultimate Boomer Opus

American Beauty
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Sam Mendes’ Best Picture winner is a flawed but evocative time capsule of ’90s middle-age anxiety.

Tim Stevens Posted on December 8, 2019December 8, 2019

Hall of Faces: Who’s the Greatest Character on “The West Wing”?

The West Wing
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From Jed Bartlet to CJ Cregg to Losh Lyman, we elect one of Aaron Sorkin’s quick-witted White House wonks from The West Wing to our Hall of Faces.

Clint Worthington Posted on October 31, 2019November 3, 2019

“Fight Club”, “Fleabag” and The Battle Against Toxicity

Fight Club
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A look back at the movie that inadvertently launched a toxic movement & the TV series that better understood postmodern pain.

Sarah Gorr Posted on October 15, 2019October 15, 2019

Hall of Faces: Who’s the Greatest Character on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”?

Star Trek Deep Space Nine
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Twenty years after the show’s finale, we sit down to determine which of Deep Space Nine’s deep bench of great characters earns our favor.

Clint Worthington Posted on August 26, 2019August 26, 2019

“The Sixth Sense” & the Weight of Childhood Trauma

The Sixth Sense
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Haley Joel Osment’s gripping performance elevated M. Night Shyamalan’s second feature to a horror masterpiece.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on August 6, 2019August 5, 2019

Hall of Faces: Who’s the Greatest Character on “SpongeBob SquarePants”?

SpongeBob SquarePants
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Our monthly TV podcast returns to find Bikini Bottom’s favored son for the twentieth anniversary of Nick’s seminal kid’s show.

The Spool Staff Posted on July 30, 2019July 30, 2019

How Frank Ocean’s “nostalgia: ULTRA” Shines New Light on “Eyes Wide Shut”

Eyes Wide Shut
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Stanley Kubrick’s mercurial erotic drama gets some much-needed context thanks to one of Frank Ocean’s most infamous mixtapes.

Jonah Koslofsky Posted on July 24, 2019July 23, 2019

Are You Not Scared Enough?: “The Blair Witch Project” Turns 20

blair witch project
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The no budget fake documentary that ushered in the “found footage” craze still holds up, like it or not.

Gena Radcliffe Posted on July 16, 2019July 16, 2019

The Unconventional Heroism of “The Matrix”

The Matrix
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The film that made the Wachowskis a household name balanced dazzling special effects with a profound message about self-discovery.

Douglas Laman Posted on June 15, 2019August 11, 2020
© 2021 The Spool. Podcast logo by Josh Hollis. Made with love by Pixelgrade
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