Film critics Devin Faraci (BIRTH. MOVIES. DEATH.) and Amy Nicholson (MTV News) have a weekly conversation about if a film is worthy to enter the Canon. They will put it up to fan vote at the end of the show, and the legacy of each movie will be officially decided forevermore. [This show is currently on hiatus]. Looking for the archives? All episodes older than 6 months can be found exclusively on Howl.FM, ad-free. Use promo code 'Earwolf' for a 30-day free trial.
This week, Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson joins Amy to discuss the Academy Award-winning Algerian-French film “Z.” They discuss the film’s strong stance on Greek politics, the concept of film as activism, and the vilification of pacifism. Plus, we hear why “Z” reminds Amy and Richard of all the lost great works of the world and why the movie is essential viewing for young Americans. Does “Z” belong in The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now!
Entertainment reporter for The Daily Beast Ira Madison III joins Amy this week to discuss the 1987 Coen Brothers film “Raising Arizona.” They each make their case for why “Raising Arizona” should or shouldn’t enter The Canon, noting what the film says about people born “on the wrong foot,” how the Coen Brothers deliberately lean into cartoonishness, and the impressive structuring of dialogue. Does “Raising Arizona” deserve a place in The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now!
Director Edgar Wright joins Amy this week to discuss the 1978 crime thriller "The Driver." Edgar explains why it's the perfect 90-minute movie and how it influenced his new film "Baby Driver," as well as the trickiest part of directing a car chase. They pick apart the root of actor Ryan O'Neal's stoicism, praise the power of Walter Hill's script work, and finally they cast their votes on whether "The Driver" should be let into The Canon. Will it? You decide! Head to the Earwolf forums now to vote!
Actress Heather Matarazzo joins Amy this week to discuss the 1987 thriller "Fatal Attraction." They break down Michael Douglas's tough shell and take familial lessons from the film, focusing especially on director Adrian Lyne's in-your-face imagery. Then, they examine "Fatal Attraction" from a modern female perspective, noting how drastically the conversation has changed since its release. Finally, Amy and Heather dissect the incredibly complex performance by Glenn Close. Will "Fatal Attraction" find its way into The Canon? Head to the Earwolf forums to vote now!
Michael Nordine of IndieWire joins Amy this week to honor the Twin Peaks revival with a special David Lynch head-to-head! They pit the enigmatic director's 1977 horror film "Eraserhead" against the 1986 neo-noir "Blue Velvet," touching on the foreshadowing of body horror trends, male postpartum depression, Jack Nance's captivating face, why Kyle MacLachlan screams leading man, and Isabella Rossellini's portrayal of the ultimate femme fatale. Which Lynch film will take the honor of being inducted into The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now! This episode is brought to you by The Harold Ramis Film School.
Writer Jake Fogelnest returns to The Canon this week along with his pick, the 1974 dark comedy "Female Trouble." Jake explains how seeing the film at a young age shaped his perspective on life and led to a penpalship with director John Waters. Then, he and Amy discuss what makes the film so inclusive, the discrepancies of an NC-17 rating, and the difference between "good" bad taste and "bad" bad taste. Should "Female Trouble" be entered into The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now! This episode is brought to you by the Harold Ramis Film School.
Actor Pat Healy joins Amy to make the case for the classic 1950 noir "Where the Sidewalk Ends." They discuss the moral complexity of its characters and the troubled history of the production. We hear about Dana Andrews' haunted presence, what film noir tropes work for the film, and the richness of writer Ben Hecht's female characters before Amy and Pat make their closing arguments. Will "Where the Sidewalk Ends" end up in The Canon? Head to the Earwolf forums to vote!
Joanna Robinson (Vanity Fair) and David Chen (/Film) join Amy this week to pit the bookends of The Lord of the Rings trilogy against one another in the ultimate battle for Middle-Earth canonization. They discuss and debate the relative technological strides each film achieved, the narrative significance of central character arcs, and Peter Jackson's masterful (and sometimes questionable) retooling of key scenes from the books. Is FOTR or ROTK the one film to rule The Canon? Head to the Earwolf forums to cast your vote now!
Indiewire's Senior Film Critic David Ehrlich joins Amy this week to discuss the 1998 Best Picture winner, "Shakespeare in Love." David points to the film's ability to straddle the line between fantasy and reality, the nuanced appearances by Colin Firth and Ben Affleck, and the expressed theme of "performative love." Then, Amy and David figure out what Shakespeare and BuzzFeed have in common. Is "Shakespeare in Love" to be, or not to be in The Canon? Head to the Earwolf forums to vote now!
