Playlist: Movie Series and Pieces
Compiled By: PRX Editors
Indie and mainstream, actors and producers — here are movie series on PRX of various lengths.
Got a movie series not on this list? Email our editorial address.
Filmspotting (weekly series) (Series)
Produced by WBEZ
"Filmspotting" is an hour-long program about film, including: movie reviews, interviews, top 5 lists, listener feedback and insightful film talk. Filmspotting is available on PRX by noon (CST) on Fridays. Promos are available on PRX earlier in the week.
Most recent piece in this series:
Filmspotting 983 (09/20/24): The Shawshank Redemption / Fail Safe
From WBEZ | Part of the Filmspotting (weekly series) series | 54:00
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- Filmspotting 983 (09/20/24): The Shawshank ...
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- WBEZ
For its 30th anniversary, Adam and Josh give the Sacred Cow treatment to "The Shawshank Redemption," a Best Picture nominee turned cable TV staple. And the Sidney Lumet Marathon continues with 1964’s Cold War thriller "Fail Safe."
Sounds Familiar #5: Sex, Death and Morals in Horror.
From Blake Cooper | Part of the Sounds Familiar series | 17:00
In 1980, during a “very special episode” of Siskel & Ebert, Roger Ebert made a provocative claim about the emerging genre of “slasher” horror films: “these films hate women.” Whether that’s true—and why—is a little more complicated.
Indie Outlook (Series)
Produced by Matt Fagerholm
Chicago film critic Matt Fagerholm highlights the latest and greatest in modern independent cinema.
Most recent piece in this series:
Duncan Riddell on "Older Children"
From Matt Fagerholm | Part of the Indie Outlook series | 23:10
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- Duncan Riddell on "Older Children"
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Filmmaker Duncan Riddell joins host Matt Fagerholm to discuss his new film, "Older Children," which premieres in Chicago November 10th. The program was produced at Columbia College Chicago. Technical producer was Rebecca Nystedt. An Indie Outlook production.
Behind the Scenes (Series)
Produced by Andrea Chase
Filmmakers and actors talk with Andrea Chase. New insights, unexpected revelations, and a wry sense of humor. Series pieces are various lengths from 8 to 25 minutes.
Most recent piece in this series:
HINCKLEY: I SHOT THE PRESIDENT -- Neil McGregor Interview
From Andrea Chase | Part of the Behind the Scenes series | 27:20
Neil McGregor didn’t realize that the Dylan cover he was listening to online was recorded by someone already famous, but not for singing. We got to that amazing story later in our conversation via Zoom on August 26, 2024, not too long after the more recent assassination attempt on a political figure.
Before we got to that, though, I wanted to discuss how his portrait of John Hinckley, Jr. is about so much more than that one moment in history and becomes something much more profound. The questions raised in considering how our society addresses issues of mental health and of rehabilitation are more than just troubling. They get to the heart of what justice means, and if it is ever something that can be achieved in an imperfect world.
The film itself, for which McGregor had extraordinary access to Hinckley, is as thorough as it is thought-provoking, and was made with only one proviso from Hinckley: that it includes some of the songs he has written. A music career, we learn, was always his dream, even before that fateful day when he wandered into a cinema in Los Angeles to watch TAXI DRIVER and became obsessed with its co-star, Jodi Foster. Moving between archival footage and present day interviews with Hinckley, McGregor eschews the usual roster of experts and talking heads to allow us to focus on Hinkley, the impact of his actions on himself, on those affected most directly by them, and his effect on history.
The idea that McGregor, an Australian who wasn’t around in 1981, wanted to humanize his subject can be seen as a provocative idea in and of itself. He succeeds, though, without manipulating his audience, and without minimizing what he did. That’s what makes HINCKLEY: I SHOT THE PRESIDENT not just a fine piece of filmmaking, but also a necessary one as we grapple with the notion that not everyone is afforded the luxury of fully paying one’s debt to society in anything but the strict legal definition of same.
For such an audacious approach, McGregor has launched a different distribution plan. He has bypassed the traditional streaming services and brings the film directly to its audience via Hinckley | Launchpad. Not only does Launchpad bring you the film, it also includes the sorts of extras that used to be found on DVD/Blu-Ray releases, and for a film like HINCKLEY, the extras are extraordinary.
N.B. There were two seconds of crossed channels at the start of my interview with him.
The Indie on Demand Movie Review (Series)
Produced by Daniel Persons
A short, weekly review show dedicated to highlighting independent films available via on-demand platforms. Produced and hosted by film journalist and critic Dan Persons.
Most recent piece in this series:
Indie on Demand Reviews FIGHTVILLE
From Daniel Persons | Part of the The Indie on Demand Movie Review series | 01:59
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- Indie on Demand Reviews FIGHTVILLE
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Film critic Dan Persons reviews FIGHTVILLE, an intense and intimate documentary focusing on the brutal sport of mixed martial arts.
THE INDIE ON DEMAND MOVIE REVIEW is a short, weekly, module-style review show dedicated to highlighting independent films available via on-demand platforms. Produced and hosted by film journalist and critic Dan Persons (The Huffington Post, IFC, Air America), each 2-minute episode will feature a review of an independent film that has recently debuted on-demand, incorporating cleared audio clips and Dan's detailed analysis to provide listeners with an entertaining and insightful glimpse into the exciting and innovative world of independent film, with all titles available immediately for viewing at home.
Reel Discovery (Series)
Produced by Kristin Dreyer Kramer
Each week on Reel Discovery, host Kristin Dreyer Kramer takes a quick look at the latest in movies -- from the hottest new blockbusters to little-known indies and even Blu-ray releases. Whether you prefer explosive action movies or quiet dramas, you're sure to discover something worth watching. On the latest show, Kristin takes a look at the horror homage of Tim Burton's Frankenweenie.
Most recent piece in this series:
Reel Discovery: Little Brother
From Kristin Dreyer Kramer | Part of the Reel Discovery series | 03:00
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- Reel Discovery: Little Brother
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- Kristin Dreyer Kramer
Each week on Reel Discovery, host Kristin Dreyer Kramer takes a quick look at the latest in movies -- from the hottest new blockbusters to little-known indies and even Blu-ray releases. Whether you prefer explosive action movies or quiet dramas, you're sure to discover something worth watching. On the latest show, Kristin sets out on a cross-country road trip with two very different brothers in Little Brother.
To read more, visit NightsAndWeekends.com.
It's Movie Time (Series)
Produced by Kristin Dreyer Kramer
A weekly five-minute film review series with critics John DeSando and Kristin Dreyer Kramer.
Most recent piece in this series:
It's Movie Time; July 6, 2012: The Amazing Spider-Man, To Rome with Love
From Kristin Dreyer Kramer | Part of the It's Movie Time series | 05:00
Films reviewed: The Amazing Spider-Man, To Rome with Love
Spoiler Alert Radio (Series)
Produced by MergingArts Productions
Toni Pennacchia discusses all things film with independent directors, writers, producers, composers, cinematographers, editors, promoters, and more, in this 29-minute series.
Most recent piece in this series:
Claudius Rauch - Special Effects Supervisor - Look Who's Back, Frantz, In the Fade, Chernobyl, Tar, Babylon Berlin
From MergingArts Productions | Part of the Spoiler Alert Radio series | 29:00
Claudius Rauch - Special Effects Supervisor - Look Who's Back, Frantz, In the Fade, Chernobyl, Tar, Babylon Berlin