Filmspotting

Vulture critic Roxana Hadadi joins Adam to break down the first theatrical Star Wars feature in eight years, The Mandalorian and Grogu. They discuss whether its wall-to-wall action reveals true character, how the helmet creates a literal performance straitjacket, and if the film works for anyone walking into the theater without three seasons of television homework. Then, they pivot to a very different kind of crew in Boots Riley’s politically uncompromising sophomore feature I Love Boosters.
This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off.
(Timecodes will vary with ads.)
Intro (00:00:00-00:02:11)
The Mandalorian and Grogu (00:02:11-00:35:33)
Filmspotting Family (00:35:34-00:41:54)
Poll: Paul Rudd's MVP Supporting Role (00:41:55-00:49:05)
'20s/'30s Madness, Filmspotting Fest II (00:49:06-00:54:52)
I Love Boosters (00:54:53-01:27:53)
New Releases / Outro (01:27:53-01:34:43)
Links:
-Roxana Hadadi at Vulture
https://www.vulture.com/author/roxana-hadadi/
-Matt Singer’s review of The Mandalorian and Grogu
https://screencrush.com/mandalorian-and-grogu-review/
-Filmspotting Fest II: June 27-28, 2026
https://www.filmspottingfest.com
-Roxana on the ending of I Love Boosters
https://www.vulture.com/article/i-love-boosters-ending-and-skins-explained.html
Feedback:
-Email us at [email protected]⁠⁠.
⁠⁠⁠⁠-Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content.
Support:
-Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access.
https://filmspottingfamily.com
-Filmspotting Shop for T-shirts and more.
https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠
Follow:
-Watch Filmspotting on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/filmspotting
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From the suffocating tension of open-ocean survival and alcohol-fueled marital warfare, to the isolated terrors of demonic cabins and haunted bedrooms, Adam and Josh break down their Top 5 Single Location Movies.
Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you ⁠join the Filmspotting Family⁠.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt and Jordan punch their tickets to an alternate reality to review Ladies First, the new Netflix comedy starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike. They break down the film's (mostly good!) relentless barrage of gags, its terrifyingly plausible marketing pitches, and whether it successfully navigates the edgy tightrope of workplace comedy.
But before they talk Ladies First, they have to talk about leaving the couch. Matt recounts his mind-bending, leaf-in-the-face trip to the Las Vegas Sphere watching The Wizard of Oz, while Jordan counters with an equally dramatic story about his allergy-inflicted screening ofThe Mandalorian and Grogu at his local AMC.
For Rec Seg!, the multiversal madness continues as the duo pairs Ladies First with Jet Li martial arts mayhem and surrealist cinema from Fellini. Plus, a listener writes in looking for a sleek, under-the-radar romantic thriller, prompting two very different caper recommendations. Finally, Producer Sam takes over the board as "Dungeon Master" to premier a brand-new, slow-teasing visual trivia game called Strip Poster. (Ep. #173)
(Timecodes/chapters may not be precise with ads.)
Intro, Wizard of Oz at Sphere, The Mandalorian & Grogu (00:00:00–00:15:05)
Ladies First (00:15:06–00:35:26)
Rec Seg! (00:35:27–00:50:23)
Personalized Recs (00:50:24–01:02:16)
Game (01:02:17–01:16:36)
New to Streaming / Credits (01:16:37–01:29:00)
Notes:
Matt on “The Wizard of Oz” at Sphere
https://screencrush.com/wizard-of-oz-sphere-review/
Now Streaming on Bazooga - A Filmspotting: SVU Archive
⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/samvanhallgren/list/now-streaming-on-bazooga-a-filmspotting-svu/⁠⁠
Matt's book "Funny Business: The Old-School Wedding Crashers and Knocked-Up Virgins Who Changed Comedy Forever" comes to bookstores everywhere on October 6th. Pre-Order now! ⁠⁠https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790241/funny-business-by-matt-singer/⁠⁠
The Flop House Podcast: “The One”
https://www.flophousepodcast.com/2025/11/episode-467-the-one-with-michael-shanks/
Feedback: -Email us at [email protected]⁠⁠
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⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/FilmspottingSvu⁠⁠
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Adam sits down with legendary actor Tony Leung (In the Mood for Love, Chungking Express) to discuss his brilliant career and his new starring role in Ildiko Enyedi’s Silent Friend. Then Adam and Josh share their thoughts on the meditative multi-era drama itself, followed by reviews of Alberto Vasquez’s Spanish animated feature Decorado and Olivier Assayas's The Wizard of the Kremlin, which features Jude Law's terrifyingly charismatic portrayal of Vladimir Putin. Plus, Massacre Theatre!
This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off.
Intro (00:00:00-00:04:34)
Interview: Tony Leung (00:04:35-00:18:33)
Filmspotting Family (00:18:34-00:23:59)
Silent Friend (00:24:00-00:48:25)
Decorado (00:48:26-01:02:23)
The Wizard of the Kremlin (01:02:24-01:10:40)
Massacre Theater (01:10:41- 01:19:31)
Credits/New Releases (01:19:32- 01:23:48)
Note:
-Gary Jules, of course, performs a cover of Tears for Fears' “Mad World” in Donnie Darko.
Links:
-Filmspotting Fest II: June 27-28, 2026
https://www.filmspottingfest.com
-Josh's photo of the holm oak at University of St. Andrews: https://www.instagram.com/p/DYXUjKgjcPt/?img_index=1
Feedback:
-Email us at [email protected]⁠⁠.
⁠⁠⁠-⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content.
Support:
Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. https://filmspottingfamily.com
Filmspotting Shop for T-shirts and more. https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠
Follow:
-Watch Filmspotting on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/filmspotting
-Adam/Filmspotting:
Letterboxd | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky
-Josh/LarsenOnFilm:
Letterboxd | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the timeless, unadorned perfection of early cinematic icons to the textured, battle-tested tactical gear of modern blockbusters, Adam and Josh (and some special guests) share their Top 5 Superhero Costumes and explore what makes a costume truly legendary.
Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you ⁠join the Filmspotting Family⁠.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.