Director's Club

What a year. Thank God it's over. For a nearly five-hour long conversation among my two dearest friends and fellow podcasters, we reveal 25 our of favorite films of 2025. One of our guests mainly focuses on the horror genre while I decide not to rank the titles and simply list them in alphabetical order. Obviously, my number one is a film we talked about earlier this year in its entirety as a separate bonus episode (below). But there are 24 more films to celebrate as well (many more from my guests too).Joining me as always are film historian/podcaster/commentator Bill Ackerman (Supporting Characters) and the co-host of 96 Greers and the host of Tracks of the Damned, Patrick Ripoll. We all have opinions, lots of surprises to share and so many titles for you to seek out. I wish I was a bit more enthused about the year in film but I am very happy to share 25 titles that I certainly think are well worth your time. Hoping you feel this episode is also worth your time! And so grateful to my two passionate cinephiles for returning to nerd out on New Year's Day!Special thanks to guest contributor and friend Chloe Waryan (of Not Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast) for sharing her picks at around the 18 minute mark too!Follow Bill: Supporting CharactersFollow Patrick: 96 Greers // Tracks of the DamnedListen To Us Discuss One Battle After Another: My Favorite Film of 2025Other Year-End Episodes From Previous Guests I Recommend:The Nick D PodcastGenre GrinderNot Scared: A Horror Movie Podcast

What the hell is Bloodbeat?? From one-and-done French filmmaker Fabrice-Ange Zaphiratos, filmed in Wisconsin. A young woman travels to rural Wisconsin to meet her boyfriend's family, but she becomes possessed by the spirit of a Japanese samurai who goes on killing spree anytime she becomes aroused. You read that synopsis correctly which is precisely why I decided to concoct a special holiday bonus episode featuring friends Matt Greene & Jesse Oliver for an experimental episode on a truly bizarre holiday horror film that has become a favorite. You can still watch the movie after listening to us describe it in detail because you won't believe your eyes. It is available to find in its entirety on YouTube; I recommend blind buying the Vinegar Syndrome Blu-Ray linked below.For this deep dive rabbit hole, I edited together excerpts of Matt & Jesse describing it along with excerpts from other podcasts/YouTube videos sprinkled throughout. Clips from the film and director! There is a lot of synth music, robot voices, an edited/compressed version of me talking about this one-of-a-kind movie. Happy holidays and see you in 2026 for the year-in-review favorites of 2025 episode soon!More interesting info: https://www.wisconsinfrights.com/blood-beatBuy it here: https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Beat-Blu-ray-DVD-Combo/dp/B075427Q6Q

Happy Bonus Episode to all and to all a good listen. Here are some of my favorite songs of 2025 that you can enjoy as an 80-minute playlist here in the feed. YouTube and Spotify won't likely keep it up for long (if at all) but it'll be here in the official feed for now as a gift to the listeners who want to hear some new tunes that I really enjoyed in a stellar year for new music. Support these artists! Happy holidays and thank you for your kindness and support this past year.2025 SongsPretrial (let her go home) - Fiona AppleAu Pays du Cocaine - GeeseLove Takes Miles - Cameron WinterSo Be It - ClipseDancing in the Club - This is Lorelei & MJ Lendermen2468 - HorsegirlCicada - The OpheliasYUHDONTSTOP - De La SoulHeadphones On - Addison RaeTotal euphoria - CarolineNora - Case OatsCadillac - Colin MillerWasteland - SnocapsElderberry Wine - WednesdayBeyond That Moon - Madison CunninghamDidn’t I - Liam KazarDivinize - LuxMonte Carlo / No Limits - Ryan Davis and the Roadhouse BandBetter Be Quiet Now - Brad MehldauApple Music Playlist: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/2025-songs/pl.u-DKD5czlda3

Side note: In the midst of the migration from Substack to Ghost, this episode got lost in the shuffle somehow so it's back in the feed now. Apologies for the confusion / repost. There may be bugs but hopefully few and far between. Thanks again for the support, all!Returning guest, Chicago film critic, and regular contributor to the Movie Madness podcast is back for a long overdue third appearance. His most memorable one being well over a decade ago when he took the pro-side on the infamous Brian De Palma episode.None other than the talented and hilarious Peter Sobczynski volunteered to discuss the (mostly) underrated works of satirist Michael Ritchie (no relation to Guy) who had a career with high highs and low lows. We talk mainly about three of his most under-appreciated films and skim through the majority of his filmography (despite the return to the old format change). Thank you so much Peter for coming back and stay tuned next month for another episode of B-Side Me and another returning Chicago film critic and podcaster as well to discuss another legendary comedy director!00:00 - 13:06 - Introduction with Peter (awards season is coming)13:07 - 45:49 - Prime Cut + Early Ritchie45:50 - 01:16:50 - The Island! 01:16:51 - 01:47:21 - Other Ritchie Titles01:47:22 - 01:58:02 - The Positively True Adventures…01:58:03 - 02:09:54 - Top 3 Ritchie Films / OutroFollow Peter!Read Peter at RogerEbert.comSubscribe to Peter’s Substack

In addition to the monthly movie talk regarding directors (for Director’s Club), I am happy to present the latest episode of the music version of that same format! Only this time - all about bands/musicians that we think are worth discussing. Along w/co-host Sharon Gissy, we both can’t wait for you to listen to us nerd out about music each month. This time, it's all about the remarkably talented Fiona Apple! Without further ado, here is the 3rd episode of B-Side Me.The format is simple: each of us pick an A-side to discuss (a more popular well-known song) and then we choose a B-side (a song that’s more obscure) that we think you should listen to ASAP. Add our choices to playlists, listen to us talk about another art form we both adore just as much as film! Thank you so much to Sharon for joining me on this nerdy podcasting journey and can’t wait for 2026 (next year - we will also have guests on too).Patrick Podcast - Uptown Song Club (more Fiona talk): https://www.buzzsprout.com/2039079/episodes/11190527-1-we-are-all-just-meat