Films for Today
Hosted by Jimmy Bernasconi (‘Sacred Cinema’, ABC Radio), ‘Films for Today’ explores how the art of cinema can help us understand the social, cultural and political issues that currently trouble us. Each week, Jimmy selects a seminal film and contemplates its profound insights into the most pressing challenges of our time. For questions or enquiries about the show, you can reach Jimmy at [email protected] or on Instagram by searching ‘filmsfortoday’.
Are you too smart for stories? | "Easy A" (2010)
This week's episode coalesces recent discussions on the weaponisation of morality, the constricting effects of optimising/maximising behaviours on romance and the omnipresence of narrative through the lens of Will Gluck's 2010 romantic comedy, Easy A.
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Are you good at love? | "500 Days of Summer" (2009)
This week's episode further develops last week's contemplations about the tension between making egoistic evaluations and respecting fate through the lens of the once iconic, but now somewhat controversial, 2009 romantic comedy 500 Days of Summer."
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Is life ever tragic? | "Life Itself" (2018)
Having gained something of (rightful) cult following despite mixed reviews upon its release, Dan Fogelman's 2018 dark comedy, Life Itself, is the focus of today's conversation.
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Are you a loser? | "The Wolf of Wall Street" (2013)
Our recent discussions about enjoying things vicariously through cinema gets taken to something of a logical conclusion in this week's episode as we examine how Martin Scorsese depicts the notorious escapades of former multimillionaire Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street.
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Does ordinary life have an underlying narrative? | "Dazed and Confused" (1993)
Following last week's discussions about enjoying things vicariously through cinema, this week's episode focuses on what some have called the greatest hangout movie of all time—Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused.
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Do you know how to chill? | "A Summer's Tale" (1996)
In light of recent discussions about the burden of (supposed) human intelligence, this week's episode contemplates the impact of optimisation tactics in the search for love through the lens of Éric Rohmer's 1996 realist romance, A Summer's Tale.
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Will AI kill us all? | "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991)
As the development of AI continues to accelerate, this week's episode attempts to identify the deeper roots of humanity's proclivity for self-endangerment via automation by reference to James Cameron's iconic sci-fi action film, Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
We also briefly discuss:
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die (2026) d. Gore Verbinski
Bugonia (2025) d. Yorgos Lanthimos
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Should you get divorced? | "Is This Thing On?" (2025)
Following recent discussions about the art of articulating feelings and emotions in adult relationships, this week's episode centres on Bradley Cooper's recent dramedy, Is This Thing On?, in contemplating the symbolic qualities of stand-up comedy and divorce.
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Where is God? | "Through a Glass Darkly" (1961)
Featuring a couple of rather obscure symbols and plot points that films discussed in previous weeks have also used, Ingmar Bergman's 1961 existential drama is at the centre of today's conversation as we contemplate the concept of God's hiddenness.
We also briefly discuss:
The Exorcist (1973)
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How far-reaching is everyday irresponsibility? | The Ice Storm (1997)
This week's episode consolidates on recent discussions about the symbolism of house design and ignoring looming psychological baggage by examining such ideas through the lens of Ang Lee's 1997 suburban drama, The Ice Storm.
We also briefly discuss:
The End of Oak Street (2026) d. David Robert Mitchell
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What is the true value of the soul? | "Angel Heart" (1987)
After we examined a different Alan Parker film also focused on the soul a few week's ago, this week's episode centres on his 1987 crime thriller, Angel Heart, and carries on last week's discussion on living in ignorance of the darker, yet immediately apparent, aspects of human existence.
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Should we fear "the end"? | "The Life of Chuck" (2024)
Following some recent (rather austere) contemplations on the idea of passing things forward through time, this week's episode takes the conversation into slightly more poetic territory in examining Mike Flanagan's recent profound sci-fi drama, The Life of Chuck.
We also briefly discuss:
Backrooms (2026) d. Kane Parsons
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Are we destined to be cheated? | "Touki Bouki" (1973)
Following last week's (unrelated) discussions about the concept of deception and films with identical bookends, this week's episode had to centre on Djibril Diop Mambéty's 1973 Senegalese film, Touki Bouki (also known as Journey of the Hyena).
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What is the true power of fiction? | "The Odyssey" (2026) d. Christopher Nolan
Being a true film for today in many more ways than one, Christopher Nolan's newest box office hit, The Odyssey, is the focus of this week's episode, igniting contemplation about how much the concept of deception underlies the human condition.
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Is there a meaningful distinction between moderate and extreme desire? | "Obsession" (2026) d. Curry Barker
This week's episode is a well-overdue examination of Curry Barker's theatrical debut, Obsession, which reignites discussions from earlier this year about the potentially self-corrupting nature of wanting.
We also briefly discuss:
Her (2013) d. Spike Jonze
Lars and the Real Girl (2007) d. Craig Gillespie
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What is the future of AI filmmaking? | OMNI “HYPERPHANTASIA” International AI Film Festival w/ Aryeh Sternberg & Travis Rice
In this week's episode, we sit down with the with the founders of the OMNI International AI Film Festival, to discuss all the pressing issues central to current debates concerning AI filmmaking, from intellectual property protection to the democratisation of art-making.
We also briefly discuss:
A Face Only a Mother Could Love (2026) d. Robert Gaudette
Guardians of the Burrow (2026) d. Jodie Heenan
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Is life invariably predictable? | "The Commitments" (1991) d. Alan Parker
Following last week's discussions about the elusiveness of certain political ideas, this week's episode contemplates the tension between the experience of socioeconomics versus something more transcendent, through the lens of Alan Parker's 1991 comedy, The Commitments.
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How should we conserve? | WALL·E (2008) d. Andrew Stanton
Films for Today returns this week with a refreshed discussion about the seemingly thin line between progressivism and conservatism through an examination of Pixar's 2008 dystopian satire, WALL·E .
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Can we break free of deviance? | "Catch Me if You Can" (2002) d. Steven Spielberg
Building on recent discussions of authenticity in storytelling and relationships, this week's episode examines Steven Spielberg's depiction of the infamously dishonest American conman Frank Abagnale Jr. in Catch Me If You Can.
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Should storytellers strive for authenticity? | "Blue Heron" (2025) d. Sophy Romvari w/ Sophy Romvari
In this week's special episode we are joined by writer-director Sophy Romvari to discuss her new film, Blue Heron, and its explorations of therapy, fiction and personal storytelling.
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What does evolution have in store for modern man? | "Jurassic Park" (1993) d. Steven Spielberg
Following recent conversations about the dangers of the archetypal meek masculine neglecting its shadow, this week's episode introduces the concept of the inner primeval to this conversation in examining Steven Spielberg's 1993 innovative action/adventure classic, Jurassic Park.
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Can you outgrow evil? | "Forbidden Planet" (1956) d. Fred M. Wilcox
In consolidating on last week's discussions, specifically those about the colossal consequences of an un-integrated shadow, this week's episode dives deeper into the themes and aesthetics of 1950s science fiction cinema through the lens of Fred M. Wilcox's Forbidden Planet.
We also briefly discuss:
Dr. Strangelove (1964) d. Stanley Kubrick
Akira (1988) Katsuhiro Otomo
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What does it take to be a real man? | "Little Shop of Horrors" (1986) d. Frank Oz
In light of the ongoing cultural conversation regarding the crisis of masculinity, this week's episode builds on last week's discussion about 'nice guys' and violence by examining Frank Oz's 1986 dark comedy musical, Little Shop of Horrors.
We also briefly discuss:
Oppenheimer (2023) d. Christopher Nolan
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Is violence ever justifiable? | "Tyrannosaur" (2011) d. Paddy Considine
Following last week's discussions on the complexities of applied piety, this week's episode contemplates the apparent limits on human grace and forgiveness through the lens of Paddy Considine's 2011 drama, Tyrannosaur.
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What is the truest form of love? | "Breaking the Waves" (1996) d. Lars von Trier
Following last week's contemplations about the inevitably communal aspect of moral life, this week's episode contemplates the inevitable difficulties of piously living for others in its examination of Lars von Trier's 1996 drama, Breaking the Waves.
We also briefly discuss:
The Sacrifice (1986) d. Andrei Tarkovsky
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) d. Peter Jackson
Project Hail Mary (2026) d. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
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Does personal ambition have a limit? | "We Need to Talk About Kevin" (2011) d. Lynne Ramsay
Following recent discussions about edgy young men and in light of a recent trend in movies depicting high-strung mothers, this week's episode considers nature, nurture, confusion and chaos through the lens of Lynne Ramsay' adaptation of Lionel Shriver's chilling 2003 novel, We Need to Talk About Kevin.
We also briefly discuss:
Nitram (2021) d. Justin Kurzel
Day of the Beast (1995) d. Álex de la Iglesia
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Who triggers societal collapse? | "Escape from New York" (1981) d. John Carpenter
Following recent discussions about the precariousness of elaborate abstract human thought, this week's episode examines the hypocrisies that seem inherent to human governance in John Carpenter's 1981 cult classic, Escape from New York.
We also briefly discuss:
Mad Max (Various) d. George Miller
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How can we get what we want? | "Groundhog Day" (1993) d. Harold Ramis
Following recent discussions about the pursuit of attachments and idols, this week's episode centres on Harold Ramis' iconic 1993 comedy, Groundhog Day, to contrast the various iterative strategies that pose as means to achieve our ultimate desires.
We also briefly discuss:
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die (2025) d. Gore Verbinski
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Does everything need to be solved? | "Under the Silver Lake" (2018) d. David Robert Mitchell
Following recent discussions about accumulating wisdom, particularly through the consumption of art and cinema, this week's episode centres on David Robert Mitchell's 2018 dark comedy, Under the Silver Lake, to simulate the experience of pursuing answers to immeasurably complex mysteries.
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Where might overthinking lead us? | "The End of the Tour" (2015) d. James Ponsoldt
Following recent conversations about the difference between thoughts and deeper intuition, this week's episode contemplates the profoundly dangerous aspect of overthinking through the lens of The End of the Tour, James Ponsoldt's psychological drama about the acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace.
We also briefly discuss:
Köln 75 (2025) d. Ido Fluk
The Mosquito Coast (1986) d. Peter Weir
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Who should we listen to? | "Donnie Darko" (2001) d. Richard Kelly
Following recent conversations about the trickiness of listening to one's conscience and the appeal of the alien and in a oppressively absurd world, this week's episode examines the competing sources of motivation depicted in Richard Kelly's 2001 cult classic, Donnie Darko.
We also briefly discuss:
The Man Who Wasn't There (2001) d. Joel and Ethan Coen
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Are you The One? | "The Fisher King" (1991) d. Terry Gilliam
Following recent conversations about the disposability of material attachments and the generative aspect of consciousness, this week's episode examines the nature of the self and identity through the lens of Terry Gilliam's underrated masterpiece from 1991, The Fisher King.
We also briefly discuss:
On the Waterfront (1954) d. Elia Kazan
What is the participatory aspect of cinema and reality itself? | "Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One" (1968) d. William Greaves w/ Bhenn Tonks
In this week's episode, we are joined by special guest Bhenn Tonks to contemplate the relationship between the observer and the observed in examining William Greaves’ 1968 experimental triumph, Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One."
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How do you overcome the alpha male? | "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" (2004) d. Rawson Marshall Thurber
Following recent conversations about ambition and masculinity, this week's episode compares the pop psychology archetypes of the alpha and omega males in examining the 2004 comedy classic Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.
We also briefly discuss:
Step Brothers (2008) d. Adam McKay
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What is the fate of the basic man? | "The Man Who Wasn't There" (2001) d. Joel Coen
Following a recent conversation about the fate of the exceptional, this week's episode asks a similar, yet almost completely opposite question, in its examination of Joel Coen's 2001 drama, The Man Who Wasn't There.
We also discuss:
Edward Scissorhands (1990) d. Tim Burton
Office Space (1999) d. Mike Judge
American Beauty (1999) d. Sam Mendes
Fight Club (1999) d. David Fincher
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How might we respond to an uninspiring world? | "The Shining" (1980) d. Stanley Kubrick
As post-festive season depression kicks in (for some), this week's episode contemplates the downwind effects of a chaotic worldview in examining the disorienting cinematic blizzard that is Stanley Kubrick's 1980 horror classic, The Shining.
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2025: A Year in Review
As 2025 comes to a close, we conclude this year's discussions with our annual roundup episode.
Big thanks to everyone who has tuned in this year. We hope to see you again in 2026!
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What is the fate of the exceptional? | "Edward Scissorhands" (1990) d. Tim Burton
With Christmas just days away and 2025 coming to a close, this week’s episode brings together many of this year's recurring topics, while exploring the underlying themes of the season, by exploring Tim Burton’s 1990 masterpiece, Edward Scissorhands.
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Do we truly see what we already have? | "Eyes Wide Shut" (1999) d. Stanley Kubrick
It's Christmas, and in light of recent discussions about the allure of debauchery and seeking justice from our romantic partners, it is only fitting that we spend some time this festive season discussing Stanley Kubrick's 1999 erotic drama, Eyes Wide Shut.
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Can a lot come from a little? | "Fantasia" (1940) d. Various
In light of past conversations about weaponised intellect and the relatively dramatic times in which we are living, this week's episode focuses on Disney's original dialogue-free musical anthology film, Fantasia.
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