Film Curious

In this episode of Film Curious, Pete chats about catching a midnight screening of Hokum at the Florida Film Festival before its wide release; Damian McCarthy's follow-up to Oddity, starring Adam Scott in a role unlike anything you've seen from him before. We discuss why this folk horror haunted hotel film genuinely scared Pete despite knowing every trick in the book, why you don't need to have seen Oddity to enjoy it but there’s a clear connection, and how Hokum fits into the recent golden era of emotional journey driven horror.And then there are a few tangents on the bizarre online criticism that certain horror films are bad because they actually deliver on their premise and there’s no “twist,” and why tells work in certain stories but not in others. 🍿Pro Tip: Skip the trailer entirely with this one and just watch the film. Guest Co-Host | Pete Tedone - Instagram⏱️Timestamps00:00 Intro - Brief Episode Info & Film Curious Theme Music00:36 Hokum Plot Overview (No Spoilers) & Seeing It in a Packed Theater03:14 Hokum: Another Great Horror Film That Is About the Emotional Journey04:41 Ashley & Pete’s Tangent on Movies Not Needing to Have a Twist13:37 Pete’s Rant on the Obvious Give Away in Marvel’s Iron Heart 14:57 Difference Between Giving the Bag Away vs. Only Catch It If You’re Paying Close Attention19:40 Wrap Up - Definitely a Must See & Try to Watch Oddity Beforehand20:49 Outro - Thanks for Listening! Don’t Forget to Subscribe! This is a spoiler-free review. ⛔⚠️🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery!#Hokum #FolkHorror #FilmPodcast

In this episode of Film Curious, we're reviewing The Mummy (2026), the latest Universal monster reimagining directed by Lee Cronin (Evil Dead Rise), starring Jack Reynor, Leah Acosta, and May Calamawy. Not to be mistaken for the 1999 Mummy starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. This is an entirely new one. We debate whether this fresh take on The Mummy works, why Pete couldn’t shake the feeling he was watching an Evil Dead or Exorcist film, how the demon Nasmaranian has zero roots in Egyptian mythology, and whether the 2 hour and 14 minute runtime was necessary. We also briefly touch on Universal's ongoing series of monster reboots, how it compares to The Invisible Man and Wolf Man, and what Mike Flanagan’s upcoming Exorcist film might mean for this corner of horror.Guest Co-Host | Pete Tedone - Instagram⏱️Timestamps00:00 Highlight Clip from Episode00:30 Intro - The Plot (No Spoilers), Director, & Cast Breakdown03:59 Ashley’s Overall Feelings on the Film05:01 Pete’s Overall Feelings on the Film06:03 Is This Just an Evil Dead Movie? 07:30 Some Stipulations with a Major Plot Point09:44 The Movie's Success So Far & How It Compares to Universal’s Other Monster Reboots11:15 ⚠️Spoilers⚠️ - The Demon & The Ending18:39 Wrap Up - Evil Dead & Halloween Horror Nights20:49 Outro - Thanks for Listening! Don’t Forget to Subscribe! 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery!#TheMummy #HorrorMovies #FilmPodcast

In this episode of Film Curious, we're reviewing The Christophers, the NEON dark comedy directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Ed Solomon, starring Ian McKellen as a once famous aging artist and Michaela Coel as an art forger hired by his children (played by James Corden and Jessica Gunning) to complete some of his unfinished, long-abandoned work so they’ll have an inheritance when he dies.We discuss how McKellen and Coel's chemistry and performances are at the heart of the film, how Soderbergh quietly does some of his most superb directing through subtlety, why this feels like watching a play in the best possible way, and how this film has rightly earned its 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Things We Mention in the Episode:Ian McKellen in Mr. HolmesNEON Shop | The Christophers’ Art PosterGuest Co-Host | Pete Tedone - Instagram⏱️Timestamps00:00 Highlight Clip from Episode00:27 Intro - The Christophers Synopsis, Cast, + Details05:23 Steven Soderbergh’s Direction - Invisible But Brilliant07:45 ⚠️SPOILERS⚠️ The Heart of the Film - Ian McKellen + Michaela Coel’s Performances09:53 James Corden & Jessica Gunning - The Perfect Pair of Assholes10:29 Little Moments Spread Throughout the Film with Great Payoffs12:40 Ian McKellen is One of the Greats and Doing Some of His Best Work Later in Life15:18 How This Film Would Work Great as Stage Adaptation 16:35 Soderbergh Quietly Putting Together a Great Catalog of Work Over the Years18:07 NEON’s Shop Having The Christophers Artwork as a Poster Available19:57 Find and Support a Small Theater Near You and Go See This Film 22:29 Outro - Thanks for Listening! Don’t Forget to Subscribe!🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery!#TheChristophers #IanMcKellen #MichaelaCoel #FilmPodcast 

After watching Project Hail Mary (2026) in theaters and having our deep dive review of it, we decided to do a little Andy Weir novel adaptation comparison with a rewatch of The Martian (2015)—directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon eleven years ago. Same screenwriter Drew Goddard, same lone astronaut premise… but are these movies the same? We talk about what makes The Martian’s puzzle box storytelling so satisfying, why Ridley Scott’s controlled direction still holds up, the two films' major differences, and whether we prefer Project Hail Mary or The Martian.Guest Co-Host | Pete Tedone - InstagramTimestamps00:00 Highlight Clip from the Episode00:12 Intro - Why Compare The Martian to Project Hail Mary01:28 The Martian’s Storytelling & Pacing03:20 The All-Star Cast You Forgot About04:10 Where the Similarities End and Difference Begin10:52 Ridley Scott’s Direction vs. Project Hail Mary11:19 Are the stakes high enough? 12:14 Which One Do We Prefer?15:41 David Bowie Starman Needle Drop Moment18:51 The Ending of The Martian20:35 Space Travel is Wild and Terrifying - Astronauts are Impressive 25:44 Outro - Thanks for Listening! Don’t Forget to Subscribe!🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery!#TheMartian #ProjectHailMary #FilmPodcast 

This episode of Film Curious, Pete gives a brief, non-spoiler review of Merrily We Roll Along (2025)—the filmed version of the smash 4-time Tony Award-winning Broadway revival, starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez, directed for the screen by Maria Friedman now on Netflix. He discusses the direction of the pro shot format, the actors' brilliant performances, and how this Tony-winning musical translates to the screen overall. We also chat about what these stage to screen adaptations will look like going forward since there seems to be more and more of them being made, as well as go on a little side tangent about getting quality at-home movie viewing with 4K formats and OLED TVs. Guest Co-Host | Pete Tedone - InstagramTimestamps00:00 Intro - Midweek Mini Review for Merrily We Roll Along00:53 What Is Merrily We Roll Along? Synopsis + Background02:05 Daniel Radcliffe’s Career - Harry Potter to Now03:13 Stage to Screen Shot Choices & Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez, + Daniel Radcliffe's Performances12:12 Getting to Experience Theatre through Filmed Stage Performances + Filming Stage Productions Going Forward13:37 4K Releases, OLEDs and At-Home Movie Watching Tangent18:15 Outro - Thanks for Listening! Don’t Forget to Subscribe! + Upcoming Episodes🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery!#MerrilyWeRollAlong #Sondheim #FilmPodcast 

In this episode of Film Curious, we cover one of A24’s latest theatrical releases, The Drama, starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as a happily engaged couple who is put to the test when an unexpected revelation sends their wedding week off the rails. We do a deep dive on this story’s psychological, anxiety-driven and, at times, darkly humorous sprint down the aisle, as well as pose questions the film seems to be asking, like who really is the terrible character here and are certain thoughts ever as bad or equal to actions? Things We Mention in the Episode:“I Don’t Like Mondays” Song by Boomtown RatsBowling for Columbine (Documentary)Before Midnight (2013)Unbreakable (2000) & Split (2016)Remember Me (2010)Guest Co-Host | Pete Tedone - InstagramTimestamps00:00 Highlight Clip from Episode00:00:20 Intro - The Drama Background + Synopsis00:02:44  SPOILERS⚠️ - The Drama’s “Wild Twist” - The Inciting Incident + Emma’s Revelation00:9:08 The Drama Deep Dive Spoiler Discussion00:59:01 Does The Drama Marketing Mislead Viewers + Does Its Twist Deserve a Trigger Warning01:04:12 Side Story - Robert Pattinson Being in Another Movie w. Controversial American Moment - Remember Me01:11:15 Wrap Up + Why You Should See The Drama in Theaters01:13:26 Outro - Thanks for Listening! Don’t Forget to Subscribe! + Upcoming Episodes🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery!

In this episode of Film Curious, we’re exploring Amazon MGM Studios’ latest theatrical release, Project Hail Mary. From tangents debating Ryan Gosling’s “movie star” prowess (being at the helm of yet another major blockbuster), to fun homages and similarities to other space films, we review the joy Project Hail Mary brings to the big screen and how this story is the win we all need at the box office. Things We Mention in the Episode:Andy Weir (Author)Adam Savage Behind the Scenes of Project Hail Mary!NASA Artemis II Moon MissionClose Encounters of the Third Kind (Film)The Martian (Film)Planet of the Apes (1968)2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)Explorers (1985)Ryan Gosling Won’t Eat His Cereal Compilation by Ryan McHenryGuest Co-Host | Pete Tedone - InstagramTimestamps00:00:00 | Highlight Clip from Episode0:00:36 | Intro - Project Hail Mary Background + Synopsis00:01:49 | Guest Co-Host Intro - Pete Tedone Background00:03:59 | Project Hail Mary - Major Blockbuster + Ryan Gosling’s “Star Power”00:13:25 | Amazon MGM Studio’s Most Ambitious Project Yet - Production Budget + Production Design & VFX00:22:54 | ⚠️SPOILERS⚠️ - Project Hail Mary’s Homage to Close Encounters of the Third Kind00:24:15 | Close Encounters of the Third Kind & Project Hail Mary Comparison00:27:01 | Project Hail Mary Deep Dive Spoiler Discussion00:50:36 | Phil Lord & Chris Miller’s Next Project00:52:47 | Outro - Thanks for Listening! Don’t Forget to Subscribe! + Upcoming Episodes🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery!

Welcome to Film Curious, the movie review podcast that lets curiosity lead the way, exploring great films across genres and time. Whether you’re a devoted film buff, a casual weekend moviegoer, or someone endlessly scrolling for something to watch, this is your podcast. No gatekeeping. Just a genuine love for the craft and an open mind about where it takes us. This intro episode is for you to get to know what we’re all about and what you can expect from us. 🎬Subscribe so you never miss a new film discovery!