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We're diving deep into Alex Proyas' 1998 neo-noir sci-fi thriller Dark City — and we came out the other side completely won over. This one is a full recommendation from both of us, and if you've been sleeping on it, this episode is your sign to finally watch it.

We start at the beginning with a conversation about the film's complicated theatrical release, including the infamous studio-mandated voiceover that opens the original cut and how the Director's Cut restores Proyas' intended vision. It's a fascinating case study in how test screenings and studio interference can shape — and sometimes undermine — a film's impact, and we get into all of it.

From there we work through the film itself: Rufus Sewell's compelling lead performance, a career-best turn from Kiefer Sutherland as the hunched and unsettling Dr. Schreber, and Jennifer Connelly bringing real emotional weight to what could have been an underdeveloped role. We also spend time on the Strangers — their design, their purpose, and the genuinely eerie mythology Proyas builds around them.

At its core, Dark City is a film about memory and identity — what makes us who we are, and whether those things can be manufactured or taken away. We explore how those themes hold up today and why they give the film a philosophical depth that sets it apart from other genre films of the era.

We also get into the production side — the remarkable practical effects work, the budget constraints that paradoxically pushed the filmmakers toward more creative solutions, and the clear cinematic DNA connecting Dark City to everything from Metropolis to Blade Runner to The Matrix (which filmed on the same sets just a year later). And we close out celebrating the film's legacy, its critical reappraisal over the years, and why physical media is still the best way to experience this one properly.

Dark City deserved a much bigger audience in 1998. Better late than never.

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We're back with a full review of Marty Supreme, one of the most talked-about Oscar-nominated films of the year — and honestly, one we'd been looking forward to digging into since the nominations dropped. We break down everything: Timothée Chalamet's career-redefining performance, the Safdie Brothers' meticulous directorial vision, the stunning period authenticity of the set design, and what makes this film feel like something genuinely different in the current landscape of hustle-driven storytelling.

The conversation covers the real-life influences behind the film, the themes of ambition and dreaming big that run through every scene, and what makes Josh Safdie's solo direction so compelling: a meticulous, choreographed visual style that gives Marty Supreme its distinct energy. We also get into the supporting cast, some surprising cameos, and what A24's continued awards success means for the kinds of films that are getting made and celebrated right now.

We don't agree on everything — the ending sparked some debate — but both of us came away feeling like this was one of the stronger entries in this year's Oscar class. If you haven't seen Marty Supreme yet, this episode will give you plenty of reasons to change that. And if you have, we think you'll find a lot to agree with — and maybe a few things to push back on.

We also spend some time in the back half of the episode talking about the broader state of cinema: what AI means for the future of filmmaking, how marketing shapes public perception of prestige films, and why we still believe a great year at the movies is worth celebrating. All 10 Best Picture nominees this year are worth your time, and Marty Supreme is near the top of that list.

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We're reviewing Hamnet, the 2025 historical drama directed by Chloé Zhao and starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. The film is based on Maggie O'Farrell's bestselling novel and tells the story of William Shakespeare's family — specifically his wife Agnes and their 11-year-old son Hamnet, whose death from plague in 1596 is widely believed to have inspired the creation of Hamlet.

It's a film about grief, marriage, and what it costs to make art while the people around you are suffering. Buckley won the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance here, and it's the kind of role that stays with you long after the credits roll.

We break down everything — the performances, Chloé Zhao's direction, the emotional gut-punch of the third act, and whether the film lives up to the enormous awards season buzz it generated. Does Hamnet earn its reputation as one of the best films of 2025? We get into it.

New episodes drop every Wednesday for all listeners. Subscribe to get early access every Monday.

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We sit down to review The Secret Agent (O Agente Secreto), the Brazilian political thriller that earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture and had Wagner Moura — best known for playing Pablo Escobar in Narcos — winning awards on the international circuit for his performance.

Set in 1977 in Recife, Brazil, the film follows a tech expert with a shadowy past who returns to his hometown hoping to find refuge, only to discover the corruption there runs too deep to hide from. It's a slow-burn, character-driven thriller that draws comparisons to films like The Conversation, and it clocks in at a hefty two hours and 41 minutes — so is it worth your time?

We break down the plot, the performances, the stunning period filmmaking, and what makes this one so hard to pin down. We also dig into the ambiguity baked into the story — the loose ends, the unanswered questions, and whether a second viewing might be necessary to fully appreciate what director Kleber Mendonça Filho is doing. Plus, Mike has some strong opinions about whether a foreign film should have been in the Best Picture race at all.

It's currently streaming on Hulu, so if you've got a free night and nothing to watch, this one might be exactly what you're looking for.

New episodes every week at ohbpodcast.com. Watch the video version on YouTube @ohbrotherpodcast and follow us on Instagram @ohbpodcast.

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We're breaking down the 98th Academy Awards — every major winner, the biggest upsets, and the snubs that had everyone talking. From Best Picture to the moments that had Hollywood buzzing, we're sharing our unfiltered takes on the biggest night in film. Whether you watched every minute or just want the highlights, this is your complete Oscars 2026 recap.

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Joachim Trier's Sentimental Value swept awards season with a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 19-minute standing ovation at Cannes — but does it live up to the hype? This week we dig into this intimate Norwegian drama about estrangement, art, and the complicated love between fathers and daughters. Starring Stellan Skarsgård, Renate Reinsve, and Elle Fanning, it's the kind of film that lingers long after the credits roll. We break down what works, what doesn't, and why this might be one of the best films of 2025.

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Dan calls Mike from the car for another edition of Cruisin' — the Oh Brother limited series where the brothers hash out whatever Hollywood can't stop talking about. This time: the internet spirals over Jim Carrey's appearance at the César Awards (was that really him?), the deeply uncomfortable moment at the BAFTAs involving Tourette's campaigner John Davidson, and the SNL sketch that followed that had a lot of people asking "too soon… or too far?"

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In this exclusive episode, we interview Oscar-nominated VFX Supervisor Michael Ralla about his groundbreaking work on Sinners.

Michael takes us behind the scenes of one of this year’s most talked-about films, breaking down the visual effects process, the creative challenges of bringing Sinners to life, and what it means to earn an Academy Award nomination. From early concept development to final render, we explore how the film’s most jaw-dropping sequences were crafted.

We also discuss:

• The most technically demanding scenes in Sinners
• Collaborating with directors and production teams
• The evolving role of VFX in modern cinema
• Awards season pressure and Oscar night anticipation
• Advice for aspiring visual effects artists

If you love filmmaking, behind-the-scenes movie insights, or awards season coverage, this is a must-listen episode.

Subscribe for more exclusive interviews, movie reviews, and deep dives into the biggest films of the year.

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