Episodes

  • Episode 29: Cinematic Immunity (w/ Micheal Lee Nirenberg)

    Episode 29: Cinematic Immunity (w/ Micheal Lee Nirenberg)
    Jul 1 2026
    My guest today is scenic artist, filmmaker, and writer Michael Lee Nirenberg, who wrote the book Cinematic Immunity, an oral history told from the perspective of New York film crews, from the 50s to the 2000s. When I came across this book I knew I had to get it right away, it's exciting to learn film history from a completely different perspective! We spoke about how Michael got into the film crew business, the wild days of New York filmmaking, what crews had to say about the likes of Sidney Lumet and William Friedkin, and a whole lot more!Show Notes:CinematicImmunity: An Oral History of New York Filmmaking As Told by the Crews That Got the Shot / Michael Lee NirenbergMicheal Lee Nirenberg’s instagramMichael Lee Nirenberg’s IMDBFrankenhooker (1990)Back Issues: The Hustler Mag Story (2014)Richard KoszarskiOn the Waterfront (1954)Boris KaufmanThe Out of Towners (1970)The Incident (1967)The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)Michael Lee Nirenberg’s book Earth A.D.The Godfather (1972)The Exorcist (1973)Do the Right Thing (1989)Max’s Kansas CityAfter Hours (1985)Midnight Cowboy (1969)Amos PoeSidney LumetWilliam FriedkinNetwork (1976)Dog Day Afternoon (1975)12 Angry Men (1957)Spike LeeRandy JurgensenThree Days of the Condor (1975)The French Connection (1971)Maniac Cop (1988)Law & OrderTrading Places (1983)John Landis Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)Twilight Zone AccidentPaul ReubensMalcolm X (1992)All That Jazz (1979)Bob Fosse Mariska HargitayIce-TMy Mom Jayne (2025)I Love Boosters (2026)Backrooms (2026)The Sopranos (1999-2007)We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)The Wrestler (2008)The Knick (2014-2015)Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014)Girls (2012-2017)Please Give (2010)The Seven-Ups (1973)Mad Men (2007-2015)Too Much (2025)Taxi Driver (1976)Death Wish 3 (1985)John WatersDesperate Living (1977)Vincent PeranioFollow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • Episode 28: Kate Hagen (The Black List)

    Episode 28: Kate Hagen (The Black List)
    May 27 2026
    Kate Hagen is a film writer, screenwriter, producer, and the senior vice president of The Black List. Kate is a cinephile with great taste, and I don't just say that because a lot of what she likes - I like. This episode, we get into many of Kate's interests: the importance of video stores, the representation of fat women on screen, sex scenes in cinema, and more!Show Notes:Kate’s websiteKate’s LetterboxdThe Black ListThe Last Great Video Store Spreadsheet Fat Girls On Film Letterboxd EssayKate Hagen’s Playboy Article „On Sex, Cinema and the Female Gaze“The Wizard of Oz (1939)Addams Family Values (1993)The Breakfast Club (1985)Pretty in Pink (1986)Showgirls (1995)Angelica Jade BastiénFresh Horses (1988)VidiotsBabycakes (1989)Zuckerbaby (1985)Euphoria (2019-2026)The Whale (2022)Joan Didion Crash (1996)Secretary (2002)Cocaine: One Man’s Seduction (1983)Lincoln (2012)Spotlight (2015)Leonard MaltinJane CampionAnora (2024)Sinners (2025)One Battle After Another (2025)Babygirl (2024)Industry (2020-2027)We Kill For Love (2023)Take This Waltz (2011)Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)In the Cut (2003)In the Realm of the Senses (1976)Damage (1992)Dead Ringers (1988)Lovely & Amazing (2001)Nicole HolofcenerBound (1996)Border (2018)Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001)Crimes of Passion (1984)Wild Things (1998)Candyman (1992)Shortbus (2006)Body Heat (1981)9 Songs (2004)A Walk on the Moon (1999)After Dark, My Sweet (1990)Don’t Look Now (1973)The Last Seduction (1994)Desert Hearts (1985)The Sheltering Sky (1990)The Hunger (1983)Bug (2006)Lust, Caution (2007)The Handmaiden (2016)Breaking the Waves (1996)Romance (1999)Faces of Death (2026)CinematographeTerms of Endearment (1983)Follow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Episode 27: Zelluloid42 (w/ Audrey Biasucci & Tarek Strauch)

    Episode 27: Zelluloid42 (w/ Audrey Biasucci & Tarek Strauch)
    Apr 27 2026
    I live in Berlin, and something very cool is happening here right now - the film collective Zelluloid42 has been programming film events that this town has sorely needed. In the spirit of the German "Bahnhofskino" (a grindhouse cinema located in or next to a train station, very popular in the 70s and 80s), Zelluloid42 gleefully shows exploitation, horror, and other wonderfully strange obscurities in 16mm & 35mm. I spoke with two collective members, Audrey and Tarek, about their work, German attitudes towards their own film heritage, what's next for them, and a whole lot more!Show Notes:Zelluloid 42⁠⁠Zelluloid 42 Instagram⁠Tarek’s LetterboxdAudrey’s LetterboxdFilmrauschpalast CinemaThe Evil Dead (1981)The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)Cannibal Holocaust (1980)Vampyros Lesbos (1971)Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion (1972)ZeughauskinoDouglas SirkLumiere Film Festival in LyonIl Cinema Ritrovato Vinegar SyndromeSamm Deighan’s PatreonBFIDuck, You Sucker! (1971)Der Fan (1982)Deutsche Kinemathek Weimar RepublicYorck KinogruppeCinevilleZ-inemaMoviementob-ware! LadenkinoCity Kino WeddingThe Devil in Miss Jones (1974)SO36Videodrom VideostoreMan Behind the Sun (1988)Water Power (1977)Mondo FilmJörg ButtgereitCombat Shock (1984)Buddy GiovinazzoMuscle DistributionVigilante (1982)William LustigPink FilmBeyond Hypothermia (1996)The Killer (1989)Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)Dr. Lamb (1992)Biggi (1980)Female Trouble (1974)Thriller: A Cruel Picture (1973)Nightmare USALisa, Lisa (1977)The Last House on Dead End Street (1973)Let’s Scare Jessica to Death (1971)The Beyond (1981)The Image (1975)Meiko KajiHisasayu SatoA Woman’s Torment (1977)Through the Looking Glass (1976)Jamie Gillis L.A. Plays Itself (1972)Golden Age of PornKommkinoFollow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • Episode 26: Janeane Garofalo (w/ Vibe Kiil)

    Episode 26: Janeane Garofalo (w/ Vibe Kiil)
    Mar 30 2026
    This episode is dedicated to the inimitable stand-up comedian and actress Janeane Garofalo. My guest Vibe Kiil and I chat about her influence on comedy, why she was such a fixture of the 90s, our favorite Garofalo roles, and more. Heather Mooney forever!**Apologies for the wonky sound on my end**Show Notes:Vibe Kiil’s WebsiteVibe Kiil’s InstagramReality Bites (1994)Daria (1997-2002)The Ben Stiller Show (1992-1995)Marc MaronThe Larry Sanders Show (1992-1998)Saturday Night LiveRomy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)Suspicious (1995 short film)Wonderland (2003)Wet Hot American Summer (2001)24 (2001-2010)I Shot Andy Warhol (1996)The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996)The MatchMaker (1997)Mystery Men (1999)Ween Housekeeping (2001)Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)The Independent (2000)Jerry Stiller Alan CummingA Bread Factory, Part One (2018)Feel This Book Roseanne Interview HBO Half Hour Special Indie Outing with Elliot SmithJaneane Garofalo Never Sold Out. What a Relief.Follow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @somebodyspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • Episode 25: Long-Term Films w/ Marion Biet

    Episode 25: Long-Term Films w/ Marion Biet
    Feb 26 2026
    Film academic Marion Biet came on the podcast to talk about long-term films (aka longitudinal films) with me since it's her expertise - making her one of the first to analyze this type of film within an academic framework. Long-term films are films that capture a long passage of time, the most prominent example of this is Michael Apted's Up Series which I refer to a lot during our conversation. We spoke about international long-term films, the ethical dimensions of these films, and their socio-political potential. Show Notes:Marion Biet’s Uni WebsiteMarion's Film L'usine, c'est particulier quand même (2017)Marion’s book DokumentwerdenUp Film SeriesChildren from Golzow (1961-2007)Helena TrestikovaDEFARene (2008)The Bend Episode – Tony (The Up Series)Neil Hughes from The Up Series7 Up South Africa (1992)7 Up Japan (1992)Born in the USSR (1991-)21 Up New Generation (2014-)Born To Be Different (2003-)Daldongne 33 Up (2020)Before Trilogy (1995-2013)Boyhood (2014)Over the Years (2015)Michael AptedKatka (2010)dafilms.comAnny (2020)Private Universe (2012)Quest (2017)Profiles of Farmers: Daily Life (2005)Cow (2021)Minding the Gap (2018)Follow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @somebodyspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Episode 24: Winona Ryder with Soraya Roberts

    Episode 24: Winona Ryder with Soraya Roberts
    Dec 16 2025
    I spoke with culture writer Soraya Roberts about the hyper-literate, captivating Queen of Gen X cool Winona Ryder. We spoke about Winona's incredible run from the late 80s to the late 90s, her tricky transition into more adult roles, the meta quality of her current work, and more. Show Notes:Soraya’s WebsiteSoraya’s BlueskySoraya’s article on WinonaDefectorWinona in the Criterion ClosetMojo Nixon video Dr. Katz Professional Therapist – Episode with Winona RyderTavi Gavinson interviewing Winona RyderLucas (1986)Beetlejuice (1988)Heathers (1989)Mermaids (1990)Greer Garson Random Harvest (1942)Timothy LearySquare Dance (1987)Jason Robards Jane Alexander1969 (1988)Reality Bites (1994)Edward Scissorhands (1990)Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael (1990)Holden CaulfieldBram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)The Age of Innocence (1993)The Crucible (1996)Little Women (2019)The Iceman (2012)Alien: Resurrection (1997)Girl, Interrupted (1999)Susanna KaysenAmerican Pie (1999)Autumn in New York (2000)Night on Earth (1991)A Scanner Darkly (2006)Black Swan (2010)Gen XMy So-Called LifeJaneane GarofaloThe Winona BookGreat Balls of Fire! (1989)Cher – The Shoop Shoop SongMr. RobotFollow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @somebodyspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • Episode 23: Sitges 2025

    Episode 23: Sitges 2025
    Nov 25 2025
    I took the opportunity during my third time at Sitges Film Festival to chat with some fine people who came to this gargantuan annual celebration of horror. You'll hear from film professor Alison Peirse and film journalist Daniela Urzola who were on Sitges juries (different juries, there are quite a few at this fest), genre filmmakers Arianne Hinz and Avalon Fast as well as film programmers Sabina Pujol and Sara Neidorf, who is also the co-director of Final Girls Berlin with me. I hope this gives you a glimpse of what being at the largest genre film festival in the world is like and that it motivates you to go in the future!Show Notes:Alison Pierse’s WebsiteAlison Pierse’s InstagramDoing Women’s Global Horror Film HistoryDaniela Urzola’s InstagramDaniela Urzola’s LetterboxdArianne Hinz’s WebsiteArianne Hinz’s InstagramAvalon Fast’s WebsiteAvalon Fast’s InstagramSabina Pujol’s InstagramB-Retina Film FestivalFilmetsCryptshow FestSara Neidorf’s WebsiteSara Neidorf’s InstagramMellowdeath BandcampWeapons (2025)The Monkey (2025)Barbarian (2022)House of Psychotic Women Kier-La Janisse1000 Women in Horror (2025)Zodiac Killer Project (2025)Catherine GrantBeyond Clueless (2014)Doing Women’s Film HistoryThe ‘Burbs (1989)Piranha (1978)The Fog (1980)Nancy LoomisJoe DantePicnic At Hanging Rock (1975)Melies D’OrFilm Madrid FestivalCAMP (2025)Fucktoys(2025)Queens of the Dead (2025)Alice Maio MackayVera DrewJane SchoenbrunWoman in Fan The Plague (2025)Arianne Hinz’s new film MarionettesSystem Crasher (2019)E.T. the Extraterrestrial (1982)Rabbit Trap (2025)Tornado (2025)Lesbian Space Princess (2024)Honeycomb (2022)Slamdance FestivalThe Virgin Suicides (1999)American Beauty (1999)Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)Anything That Moves (2025)Lucid (2025)Mother of Flies (2025)Hellbender (2021)Castration Movie I (2024)The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)Fuck My Son! (2025)Alpha (2025)Buffet Infinity (2025)Dead Lover (2025)Frauen Film FestivalJennifer ReederToby PoserSadie LunePorn Film Festival BerlinMiranda July – All FoursDollhouse (2025)Touch Me (2025)Gregg Araki But Film FestivalThe Degenerate: The Life and Films of Andy Milligan (2025)Seeds (1968)Fleshpot on 42nd Street (1972)The Python Hunt (2025)Occupy Cannes! (2025)Mag Mag (2025)Mary HarronI Shot Andy Warhol (1996)American Psycho (2000)Follow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @somebodyspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com
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    2 hrs and 30 mins
  • Episode 22: James Spader with Amber T

    Episode 22: James Spader with Amber T
    Oct 29 2025
    The off-kilter, libidinous, captivating actor James Spader doesn't get the attention he deserves and this episode is here to rectify that. I spoke with (new) Spader fan and horror journalist Amber T about the talented and unforgettable actor. Welcome to the fold, Amber. We spoke about Spader’s appeal, the sexuality he brings to his roles, why we think he hasn’t received a lot of critical attention, our favorite James Spader films, and more!Show Notes:Amber’s instagramAmber’s blueskyAmber T’s James Spader Letterboxd ListMy James Spader Letterboxd ListCrash (1996)Secretary (2002)Pretty in Pink (1986)Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)Team-Mates (1978)Spader in Team MatesEndless Love (1981)Tuff Turf (1985)The New Kids (1985)Supernova (2000)A Killer in the Family (1983)Starcrossed (1985)Brat PackBad Influence (1990)John HughesPatrick BatemanLess Than Zero (1987)Wolf (1994)The Whale (2022)Dream Lover (1994)Brendan FraserDavid DuchovnyCrash novelMaggie GyllenhaalBabygirl (2024)Bret Easton Ellis Midnight Cowboy (1969)Jack’s Back (1988)Curtain Call (1998)The Music of Chance (1993)Sex, Lies, and Videotape criterion articleFollow Somebody's Watching here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @somebodyspod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @somebodyswatchingpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: somebodywatchingpod@gmail.com
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    1 hr and 29 mins