OUR PODCASTS
Fest Recap: Sundance 2024 Podcast Discussion with Aaron Neuwirth
With the 2024 Sundance Film Festival wrapped up, it's time for a debrief and recap. Every year for the past few years, I hop on a podcast with my friend Aaron Neuwirth to discuss the festival and the films we watched – comparing notes and opinions. It's always refreshing to take some time to reflect on the festival, on all of the the films, on the filmmakers, and on the experience of Sundance in January every tear. After 10 intense days of watching, watching, watching, it's a relief to kick back & chat about what was superb, what was bad, and everything else good about this snow festival and its always intriguing selection of new films. My 2024 recap podcast with Aaron (recorded as a bonus episode of his podcast show "Out Now with Aaron & Abe") is out now and can be listened to online or via any podcast platform around. I've included a Spotify embed below for anyone who wants to listen. It runs a bit long because we have to talk about so many films.
› Posted on February 1 in Indies, Podcasts, Review, Sundance 24 | Comments
Listen to Alex Chatting About Movies on 'The Cinematique' Podcast
Let's talk about movies! I recently recorded a podcast episode with a new friend from Twitter named Reece Beaumont (follow him @ReosPositivePOV). Based in London, Reece (aka "Reo") is a die hard film lover just like me, who also recently launched a movie website called The Cinematique. Along with the website, he's launching a new podcast series also called "The Cinematique", chatting about all things movies and the movie industry with any guests he can get on for an episode. It was an honor to be Reece's very first guest on the podcast, which is now out to listen to if anyone is interested. I'm happy to support Reece, and it's always fun to chat about movies. This podcast was more of an interview, where I discuss running FirstShowing and some of my experiences in the industry, working as a critic, and much more. Listen in now if you're curious.
Podcast: Discussing 'The Matrix Resurrections' Theories with M Sayibu
What does it all mean?! Now available for listening: one hour-long podcast chat with M Sayibu discussing theories and thoughts about The Matrix Resurrections. After the first trailer dropped a few weeks ago, my mind was abuzz with so many thoughts. What's going on here, who is that in this shot? Is that really Neo and Trinity? Where is Agent Smith? I've been looking forward to hopping on a podcast to geek out about all things The Matrix, so I recently connected with M Sayibu on Twitter (@msayibu1) and we plugged in and started talking. I've been a hardcore fan of The Matrix movies since the early days, scouring the forums and websites during the release of the sequels in 2003. Almost two decades later and it's time to examine every little last detail and throw out every crazy fun theory we've got. Download the podcast episode and join us.
› Posted on September 30 in Discuss, Podcasts, Sci-Fi | 2 Comments
The First Word Podcast - 'Vivarium' & 'The Platform' Sci-Fi, feat. John Bleasdale
"There are three kinds of people: the ones above, the ones below, and the ones who fall." On this episode of The First Word podcast we reconnect for a discussion about two small scale, contained sci-fi films now available to watch: Vivarium, directed by Lorcan Finnegan, starring Jesse Eisenberg & Imogen Poots; and also The Platform (aka El Hoyo in Spanish), directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, starring Ivan Massagué & Zorion Eguileor. Both worth watching. Friends Alex Billington (@firstshowing) and Mike Eisenberg (@Eisentower30) team up to bring you a podcast providing in-depth discussion, analysis, and interviews about the latest movies, and some old ones too. For this chat, we're joined by film writer John Bleasdale as our guest (he also joined us for our episode on James Gray's Ad Astra last year). Listen to our discussion.
› Posted on April 7 in Podcasts, Sci-Fi, The First Word | 1 Comment
The First Word Podcast - Revisiting Wolfgang Petersen's 'Outbreak'
"You have to admire its simplicity. It's one billionth our size and it's beating us." Grab this latest podcast episode for a live discussion about the 1995 virus outbreak action thriller Outbreak, directed by Wolfgang Petersen. With the coronavirus pandemic on everyone's minds, we revisited one of our favorite virus movies - Outbreak starring Dustin Hoffman & Rene Russo. Both of us grew up watching this movie, so we decided to have a chat about why it's so good. In addition to commenting on the state of cinema at the moment and our hope that we'll be able to get this virus under control and open the theaters again soon. Friends Alex Billington (@firstshowing) and Mike Eisenberg (@Eisentower30) team up to bring you a podcast with in-depth discussion, analysis, and interviews about the latest movies, and some old ones too. Tune in below.
› Posted on March 27 in Podcasts, The First Word | Comments Closed
The First Word Podcast - JJ Abrams' 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'
"People keep telling me they know me. No one does." Tune in to our latest podcast episode for a discussion about the long-awaited, highly anticipated sci-fi finale Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, directed by J.J. Abrams. The conclusion to Rey and Kylo Ren's stories. For this episode of The First Word podcast, Mike & Alex dive into a chat about what we love, like, and dislike about the movie, as well as the discourse surrounding it. Not just a review, and not any typical discussion. We also briefly discuss the first trailer for Nolan's Tenet. Friends Alex Billington (@firstshowing) and Mike Eisenberg (@Eisentower30) team up to bring you a podcast providing in-depth discussion, analysis, and interviews about the latest movies, and some old ones too. Our guest couldn't make it on but we recorded our conversation anyway. Listen in below.
› Posted on December 23 in Podcasts, Star Wars, The First Word | 3 Comments
The First Word Podcast - James Gray's 'Ad Astra', feat. John Bleasdale
"I'm steady, calm. I slept well, no bad dreams. I am active and engaged..." On this episode of The First Word podcast we sit down for a full-on discussion about the meditative sci-fi thriller Ad Astra, directed by James Gray and starring Brad Pitt as an astronaut on a secret mission. This premiered at the Venice Film Festival (my review) and finally opened in theaters in September. Friends Alex Billington (@firstshowing) and Mike Eisenberg (@Eisentower30) team up to bring you a podcast providing in-depth discussion, analysis, and interviews about the latest movies, and some old ones too. For this episode, we're joined by film writer John Bleasdale as our guest for a discussion about Ad Astra - critiquing and examining it in an attempt to figure out what it all means. What does Brad Pitt find out there? Nothing? Something? Listen in.
› Posted on October 29 in Podcasts, Sci-Fi, The First Word | 2 Comments
The First Word Podcast - Todd Phillips' 'Joker', feat. Katie Smith-Wong
"I used to think that my life was a tragedy, but now I realize, it's a comedy." On this episode of The First Word podcast we sit down for a full-on discussion about the controversial, box office smash, R-rated comic book movie Joker, directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix as the iconic Gotham villain. Everyone else has been talking about it, we had to speak our minds about it, too. Friends Alex Billington (@firstshowing) and Mike Eisenberg (@Eisentower30) team up to bring you a podcast providing in-depth discussion, analysis, and interviews about the latest movies, and some old ones too. For this episode, we're joined by film writer Katie Smith-Wong based in London as our guest for a discussion about Joker - and all the good & bad sides. Is it a great movie? Is there "nothing" it has to say or is there something? Listen in.
› Posted on October 18 in Podcasts, The First Word | 1 Comment
The First Word Podcast - Film Festivals & Embargoes, feat. Daniel Joyaux
"I thought we should talk." Grab our latest podcast episode for a discussion about film festivals, embargoes, cinema, and our favorites from this fall season so far. For this episode of The First Word podcast, Alex is joined by film industry journalist Daniel Joyaux for a debate about embargoes (in relation to Alex's Venice letter) and a talk about the best films we've seen at the fall film festivals so far - from Toronto and Venice. Friends Alex Billington (@firstshowing) and Mike Eisenberg (@Eisentower30) team up to bring you a podcast providing in-depth discussion, analysis, and interviews about the latest movies, and some old ones too. This episode we had to take a moment to talk openly about film festivals, so join us and listen in below.
› Posted on October 9 in Podcasts, The First Word | 1 Comment
The First Word Podcast - A Summer 2019 Recap + Quick Fall Preview
"I am alone now, truly alone, and absolutely isolated from any known life." Tune in to our latest podcast episode for a fun discussion about the end of the 2019 summer movie season, as well as a quick preview of what's coming up this fall. For this episode of The First Word podcast, Mike & Alex catch up for a chat about how the summer movies were this year, with a few big highlights. We also discuss the new trailers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Lucy in the Sky, as well as what we're excited about seeing over the next few months. Friends Alex Billington (@firstshowing) and Mike Eisenberg (@Eisentower30) team up to bring you a podcast providing in-depth discussion, analysis, and interviews about the latest movies, and some old ones too. A breezy, shorter-than-usual catch up episode for everyone to enjoy! Listen in below.
› Posted on August 31 in Podcasts, The First Word | 1 Comment
The First Word Podcast - 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood', feat. Aaron Neuwirth
"It's official, old buddy. I'm a has been..." On this episode of The First Word podcast we jump right into an analysis and discussion about Quentin Tarantino's latest film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, his ninth feature, this one set in Los Angeles in 1969 following buddies Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) and Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio). Read our original Cannes review for a bit more to chew on. Friends Alex Billington (@firstshowing) and Mike Eisenberg (@Eisentower30) team up to bring you a podcast providing in-depth discussion, analysis, and interviews about the latest movies, and some old ones too. For this episode, our friend and fellow podcaster Aaron Neuwirth (@aaronsps4 of the Out Now podcast) join us as our guest for this discussion about Tarantino's new film and why he loved it so much (read his review). We talk about everything, including the end of the movie and the impact of it, so watch out for spoilers. Listen in below.
› Posted on July 30 in Podcasts, The First Word | 3 Comments
The First Word Podcast - 'Avengers: Endgame', feat. Alisha Grauso & Amon Warmann
"You could not live with your own failure, and where did that bring you? Back to me." Welcome back for another Avengers chat. Our latest episode of The First Word podcast is a full-on, spoiled-filled discussion about Marvel Studios' grand finale Avengers: Endgame, directed by the Russo Brothers. For this episode we brought back the same two guests we had on for our Infinity War episode one year ago - Alisha Grauso and Amon Warmann. We discuss all the incredible, jaw-dropping moments, our favorite scenes, a few of our criticisms, Alan Silvestri's tremendous score, and much more in this epic Marvel appreciation episode. Friends Alex Billington (@firstshowing) and Mike Eisenberg (@Eisentower30) team up to bring you a podcast providing in-depth discussion, analysis, and interviews about the latest movies, and some old ones too. This is a passionate, joyful chat about Endgame and everything about that made us so happy. Listen in.
› Posted on May 1 in Marvel, Podcasts, The First Word | 1 Comment
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