Second Opinion - Films and Society

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about the 2013 French film “Young & Beautiful” by François Ozon.  

The film follows young Isabelle, who spends her summer vacation in southern France. Back in Paris, Isabelle begins a double life.  

The movie paints a slow, profound picture of Isabelle and her search for self-worth without empathy. Many questions remain unanswered, especially the 'why' behind her choices, and the film offers no easy answers or moral judgments.  

We highlight “Young & Beautiful” as a significant coming-of-age film that deals with themes of identity and loneliness.

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” (UK 2025) with Renée Zellweger in the lead role, while also taking a look at the first three films in the franchise.  

We praise Renée Zellweger's continued portrayal of the beloved character and note the return of Hugh Grant, though in a less substantial role, and the limited appearance of Colin Firth.  

We find the new film entertaining, balancing humor and heart, even if it doesn't reach the heights of the original, suggesting fans of the series will likely en...

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about the German/Swiss classic thriller “It Happened in Broad Daylight” from 1958.  

We describe the film as a classic thriller with an original story about a serial killer and highlight the acting performances, especially those of Gert Fröbe. We discusse the suspense of the film, its atmospheric design and the morally ambiguous use of a child as bait.  

Additionally, we see the film as a time capsule that offers an insight into society at the time. Finally we compare the movie to the much darker book.  <...

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about “McVeigh” (USA 2024), directed by Mike Ott. We examine the psychological thriller that chronicles the radicalization of Timothy McVeigh leading up to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.  

The film depicts his planning and interactions, including with Terry Nichols, while highlighting his growing hatred for the U.S. government after the Waco incident.  

We note Alfie Allen's strong portrayal of McVeigh and the film's minimalist approach, though we point out instances where the plot feels underdeveloped.  

Plot:  

"McVeigh" follows Timothy McVeigh i...

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about Sam Mendes’ film “American Beauty” from 1999. We describe the film as an ironic and at the same time sad portrayal of a midlife crisis of Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), who fundamentally questions and changes his marriage, his career and his life.  

The film sheds light on the dysfunctional relationships within the family and the neighborhood and addresses social criticism of consumerism and the search for beauty in the everyday.  

We emphasize the acting performances, especially that of Kevin Spacey, and mention the film's numerous Oscar awards.  ...

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about the 2024 biographical drama “A Complete Unknown” (USA 2024), directed by James Mangold.  

We praise the film's immersive portrayal of the 1960s, Timothée Chalamet's performance as Bob Dylan, and James Mangold's direction. While acknowledging some fictionalization, we conclude that it's a top-tier music film that captures the era's energy and the artist's evolution, despite receiving eight Oscar nominations without any wins.  

Plot:  

“A Complete Unknown” is a biographical drama directed by James Mangold, loosely based on the life of Bob Dylan. Set in...

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about two early works of French Nouvelle Vague director Eric Rohmer: “The Bakery Girl of Monceau” and “Suzanne’s Career” – both films from 1963.  

“The Bakery Girl of Monceau” tells the story of a student who is caught between a woman he adores and a bakery saleswoman and focuses on relationships and chance. “Suzanne's Career” examines the complicated relationship between two friends and a student, focusing on exploitation and emotional development.  

Both films are early examples of Rohmer's style, focusing on the interpersonal relationships of young people and their emotional dev...

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about “The Idea of You” by director Michael Showalter from 2024. We highlight the film's unexpected shift in tone: from an initially light romantic comedy to an examination of the protagonists' age difference, the challenges of their relationship in the spotlight and the ugliness of online bullying.  

Although we praise Anne Hathaway's acting performance, we criticize the fact that her potential is not fully exploited. Overall, we rate the film as worth seeing due to its more profound themes.  

Plot:  

The art gall...

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy. We describe the three films “Before Sunrise” (1995), “Before Sunset” (2004) and “Before Midnight” (2013) in detail, summarizing their plot and tracing the development of the relationship between the main characters Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) over a period of 18 years.  

We pay particular attention to the realistic dialog and the long, uncut scenes. We praise the films as absolute classics of the romantic genre and emphasize the quality of the sequels.  

Plot:  

Before Sunrise (USA/AUT 1995...

Content:

In this podcast, we talk about the German film “From Hilde with Love”, German title “In Liebe, Eure Hilde”, from 2024 by director Andreas Dresen.  

The film tells the story of Hilde Coppi, a resistance fighter in an anti-Nazi group in Berlin in 1942. We highlight Liv Lisa Fries' performance, but criticizes the slow pace and superficial narrative style. We compare the film with other works about the Nazi resistance and find it less gripping and profound. We also criticize the fact that the Rote Kapelle (Red Orchestra) is hardly mentioned if at all in the film...

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about Alfred Hitchcock's film “Psycho” from 1960 which has, without exaggeration, changed cinema and is a milestone in film history.  

We analyze the film's innovative cinematic techniques, such as the camera work, the use of music and the surprising plot development. The groundbreaking shower murder scene and the film's influence on later thrillers and slasher films are particularly emphasized. We also talk about Hitchcock's ability to manipulate the audience and establish a new genre. We mention the film's significance for film history and its lasting impact on modern cinema.  

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about “Flight Risk” by director Mel Gibson from 2025. Set almost entirely in a small plane over Alaska, the movie is about a pilot, a U.S. Marshal and a prisoner, though not everyone on board is honest.  

We criticize the uneven pacing and mediocre execution, but praise the performances of Michelle Dockery and Topher Grace. We find Mark Wahlberg's performance polarizing and exaggerated.   Overall, we rate “Flight Risk” as a functional but forgettable thriller with visual and production flaws.  

Plot  

In this thriller, Mar...

Content:

In this podcast, we talk about the French film La Belle Neusoise by Jacques Rivette from 1991.  

The film, which exists in two versions (four and two hours), depicts the creation of a painting and the complex relationships between the ageing painter Edouard Frenhofer, his wife and his model Marianne.  

The podcast highlights the film's slow-paced narrative and philosophical depth, focusing on the importance of art and the sacrifices it demands. The film eschews a romantic relationship between painter and model, focusing instead on the souls of the protagonists and their artistic pr...

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about the 2025 sci-fi thriller “Companion” by director Drew Hancock.  

We highlight the movie's blend of dark comedy, social satire, and exploration of AI anxieties. We praise the performances of Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, and the film's brisk pacing and surprising plot twists. We also note some shortcomings, such as a predictable third act and underdeveloped supporting characters.  

Despite these flaws, we deem "Companion" a well-crafted and entertaining debut, suggesting Hancock is a filmmaker to watch. The film uses a pastel aesthetic to balance the gore with hu...

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about the Italian romantic comedy “Madly in Love” (1981) by the directors Castellano & Pipolo starring Ornella Muti as a bored princess and Adriano Celentano as a charming bus driver.  

The film is a homage to “Roman Holiday” (1953) by William Wyler, but unlike its role model, it mainly offers slapstick humor. We praise Celentano's comedic talent and Muti's screen presence, see the film as entertaining and, in our opinion, surpassing its predecessor “The Taming of the Scoundrel”.  

Plot:  

Cristina, played by Ornella Muti, is the pri...

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about “The Brutalist” by director Brady Corbet from 2024. The film tells the story of architect László Tóth, who starts a new life in the USA after the Second World War. We praise the acting performances, especially by Adrien Brody, and the impressive cinematography in VistaVision format. However, we criticize the film's overlong running time and excessive symbolism, which unnecessarily complicate the narrative. “The Brutalist”, that won two Oscars for Best Male Lead and Best Cinematography is impressive and has potential but is an imperfect film.  

Plot...