The Sleepless Cinematic Podcast

Actors Who Should Play Dual Roles

As our Twins and Doppelgängers cycle comes to a close, Julian, Madeline and Emilio discuss actors they think are over due to play a dual roles in a film. They also share the portions of conversations with guests from this most recent cycle where they share their picks for actors they believe would be great playing multiple characters in the same narrative. A HUGE thank you to our guests this cycle for coming on to talk movies with us: - Maria Elena Tostado - Michaela Brady, on IG @leatrice_write or @jillnjeff11, and check out her writing and blog at leatrice-author.com. - Sarah Ungerlieder, on IG @sarahdelapu - Mariquita Reese, on IG, Tik Tok and Letterboxd at keeta_babe - and check out Post Film Clarity, her podcast with cohost Lindsey Strickland, at postfilmclaritypod If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! We have a monthly newsletter! Subscribe at sleeplesscinematicpod.substack.com Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

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Our 100th Episode! Staying Up For 'Sleepless in Seattle' (1993)

For the podcast's 100th episode, Madeline, Julian and Emilio fire up Nora Ephron's classic rom com from 1993 'Sleepless in Seattle', starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan as strangers separated by thousands of miles who, if their subconsciouses and their curious companions have their way, may just have a date with destiny on Valentine's Day at the top of the Empire State Building. The group explores the underrated meta qualities of the film when it comes to media-influenced romance, the nature of para-social relationships now and then, the way the film explores the themes of fate and love, the 'An Affair To Remember' of it all, the ubiquity of Bill Pullman and his undisputed status as the "Baxter" of the 90s, favorite little details, and much more. The group then reflects on what moments and films have stuck with them the most from the last 100 episodes and shouts out several of the people who have made this podcast possible! We want to thank our guests over these last 100 episodes: Anthony Hollock, Matt Friedman, Lily Desmond, Jamie Homs, Mike Duquette, Michaela Brady, Idris Goodwin, Maggie Hill, Sydney Duncan, Madeline’s dad Richard, Tara and Emily from Down the Yellow Brick Pod, Courtney Iventosch, Rob Mitzner, Ron Piretti, Jess LeProtto, Rob McClure, Sharyn Rothstein, Prof Zhen Zhang, Mariquita Reese, Brendan McDonald, Julian’s cousin Sylvie, Emilio's sister Maria-Elena, Prof Michael Cramer, Shaun Seneviratne, James Codoyannis, Edo Choi, Anu Valia, Anna Stone, David Schwartz, Christian Garcia, Will Reynolds, Lexi Amoriello, Kelly Autry, and Sarah Ungerleider. Getting to have you join us to talk movies has been a true pleasure! A HUGE thanks go out to our families, friends, and our listeners and subscribers - your love and support has made this podcast journey so far so very worth it! To check out Julian's representative past episode moment when we talked 'Dazed and Confused', listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269866/episodes/14983408 To check out Madeline's representative past episode moment when we talked 'That Thing We Do!' and the music of Adam Schlesinger, listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269866/episodes/15769063 To check out Emilio's representative past episode moment when we talked 'Amelie' with Anu Valia, listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2269866/episodes/18469464 If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! We have a monthly newsletter! Subscribe at sleeplesscinematicpod.substack.com Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

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The Many Faces of Tilda Swinton: 'Orlando' (1992), 'Okja' (2017), and 'Suspiria' (2018) with Sarah Ungerleider

To wrap up their cycle dedicated to films featuring Twins and Doppelgängers, Emilio, Madeline, and Julian are joined by Emilio’s longtime friend Sarah Ungerleider as they hone in on an actor who has played dual, triple, and even quadruple roles: the great Tilda Swinton. They first discuss Sally Potter’s 1992 film ‘Orlando’, based on the Virginia Woolf novel from 1928. Although Swinton plays a single character in ‘Orlando’, the title character’s very nature is something of a dual role in itself. The group then jumps forward 25 years to 2017 for Bong Joon Ho’s ‘Okja’, which may have been something of a vegetarian awakening for Madeline. They discuss how this film balances its bleak subject matter with an incredible amount of heart, and how Tilda’s characters have a clear handoff from one to another. To round off the evening, they jump ahead just one year to Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Suspiria’, which credits Tilda not only under her own name, but also under the pseudonym Lutz Ebersdorf. The group discusses Tilda's approach to her three contrasting roles in this film, and how her mastery of multiple characters has solidified her as a frequent collaborator of many trusted directors. If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! We have a monthly newsletter! Subscribe at sleeplesscinematicpod.substack.com Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

"We're Americans" - 'Us' (2019) and 'Sinners' (2025) with Mariquita Reese

Continuing their cycle dedicated to Twins and Doppelgängers, Julian, Madeline and Emilio welcome friend of the pod and always delightful guest Mariquita Reese for their "Two Shot" episode to discuss two recent horror-coded films rich with metaphors and themes pertaining to race in America, Jordan Peele's 2018 film 'Us' and Ryan Coogler's critical and commercial hit 'Sinners' from 2025. Though genre conventions and mainstream thrills are at the heart of both of these films, there is A LOT there to discuss, and the group hones in on the ways dualities present themselves throughout these movies. Dual roles, dichotomies, and conflicting characteristics are abound throughout 'Us' and 'Sinners', and the group finds comparisons between the films regarding how characters process religion, notable scenes that feature music, and antagonists that are there to induce more than just scares. It's a lively discussion about two of the more well regarded films from recent years, and milestone entries from their respective auteur's filmographies. Follow Mariquita on IG, Tik Tok and Letterboxd at keeta_babe - and check out Post Film Clarity, her podcast with cohost Lindsey Strickland, at postfilmclaritypod If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! We have a monthly newsletter! Subscribe at sleeplesscinematicpod.substack.com Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

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RIP Glen Hansard

July 29, 2026 was a heartbreaking day for music lovers, as we learned of the sudden and tragic death of Irish singer/songwriter Glen Hansard. His breakthrough performances in the 2007 film 'Once' are always front of mind for movie lovers, but Emilio was fortunate enough to have a core musical memory care of Hansard himself. That moment turned into a casual friendship for several years, where Hansard and his musician friends became a great source of encouragement to pursue a career in music. Even this podcast has its roots in the presence Glen played in Emilio's life. Though he is no longer with us, Hansard's music and his huge heart live on, and will continue humbling and inspiring us for years to come. If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! We have a monthly newsletter! Subscribe at sleeplesscinematicpod.substack.com Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

'Dead Ringers' (1988): Brothers' Keepers and Irons Men

Julian, Emilio, and Madeline continue their episode cycle focusing on Twins and Doppelgängers with a "Suggestion Box" episode about "Dead Ringers," David Cronenberg's film from 1988 which stars Jeremy Irons in an iconic dual role as identical twin gynecologists Beverly and Elliot Mantle. Loosely inspired by the true story of Stewart and Cyril Marcus, the film examines how a romantic entanglement disrupts the equilibrium of these two brothers in their shared profession as well as an illicit side exploit, giving way to a powerful meditation on brotherhood, addiction, and co-dependency in its many forms. The three co-hosts explore Cronenberg's portrayal of twindom by digging into the film's evocative and technically savvy visuals, the often intentionally confusing tableaus which carry the story forward, and the technical and emotional mastery of Jeremy Irons in a career-defining role that, despite not winning an Oscar, certainly paved the way for accolades and great roles to come. If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! We have a monthly newsletter! Subscribe at sleeplesscinematicpod.substack.com Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

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Many Lives To Live: 'Cloud Atlas' (2012) with Emilio's Sister!

For the Twins and Doppelgängers cycle "Mise-Unseen", Madeline, Julian and Emilio strap in and tackle 'Cloud Atlas', the 2012 film directed by The Wachowskis and Tom Tykwer, based on David Mitchell's novel. It features a truly head spinning array of actors playing multiple different characters spanning several centuries, and with help of Emilio's sister Maria-Elena, the group digs into the many different stories, the parallel editing, the way reincarnation seems to return these souls to Earth in new and distinct ways, and the different journeys of these souls take us on. It's a conversation that is critical of some of the choices made in the film, but also very much along for the ride these filmmakers constructed. If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! We have a monthly newsletter! Subscribe at sleeplesscinematicpod.substack.com Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

When Life Gives You Orchids: 'Adaptation' (2002) with Michaela Brady

Julian, Madeline, and Emilio welcome back writer, performer, and Julian's longtime friend Michaela Brady to discuss the iconic meditation on the creative process that is "Adaptation" (2002), written by Charlie Kaufman, directed by Spike Jonze, and starring Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, and Chris Cooper in an Oscar-winning role. As the "View-nanimous" entry in a new episode cycle focusing on Twins and Doppelgangers in film, the group members all re-watch this exceptionally meta movie to discuss its relationship to reality, both in the literary process and its specific characters, as well as how its fusion of sincerity and irony produces an inimitable outcome, and how having a dual performance at the center actualizes the film's messages. And while the main four participants generally praise "Adaptation," they also consider a hot take from friend of the pod Idris Goodwin, for whom the distinct qualities of this film landed a little differently compared to many others. Follow Michaela Brady on IG @leatrice_write or @jillnjeff11, and check out her writing and blog at leatrice-author.com. Follow Idris Goodwin on IG at idrisgoodwin, and learn more about his latest book "King of the Neuro Verse" as well as his plays, music, published works, and varied artistic endeavors at http://www.idrisgoodwin.com/ If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! We have a monthly newsletter! Subscribe at sleeplesscinematicpod.substack.com Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

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Offbeat Movie Musicals We'd Love To See

We've spent the last several episodes discussing interesting existing Offbeat Musicals, but what about the ones that we'd love to see get made? For a bonus episode, Madeline, Emilio, Julian, and all the guests from our most recent episode cycle share their picks for movies they'd love to see adapted and turned into "offbeat" musicals, for film or for the stage, or both. We want to thank our guests for this cycle who joined us to talk movies and share their perspectives and picks! Will Reynolds - see where he is performing next at his website willreynoldsonline.com and on IG @willcreynolds Lexi Amoriello - check out her website movierecsbylex.com and on IG, Tik Tok, and YouTube @movierecsbylex Kelly Autry - follow him on IG: @kelly_a_autry We have a monthly newsletter! Subscribe at sleeplesscinematicpod.substack.com If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

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The Movie Musicals of Paul Williams: 'Phantom of the Paradise' (1974), 'Bugsy Malone' (1976), & 'The Muppet Movie' (1979)

To wrap up our episode cycle featuring "Off-Beat Musicals", Madeline, Julian and Emilio close in on a prolific songwriter whose career has notably dovetailed with film over the years: Paul Williams. An unconventional public figure with the gift of gab and an ear for making timeless music, Williams left his mark on the 1970s, penning memorable scores for some truly unique movie musicals. First, we cover 'Phantom of the Paradise', Brian De Palma's 1974 rock musical featuring Williams in a lead role, the nefarious music producer Swan whose deal with the devil sets the stage for a WILD mix of camp, vengeance, and glam rock swagger. Then there's 'Bugsy Malone', Alan Parker's 1976 gangster film satire with a cast of nothing but children, yet another wild ride of fun performances and some era-specific songs. And we wrap up the conversation with a look at 'The Muppet Movie' from 1979, one last off-beat musical featuring puppets with a witty script and several equally clever heartfelt tunes from Williams and collaborater Kenneth Ascher. It's an earnest look back on the work of one of the more influential songsmiths of his era, with an off-beat musical performance of our own just for kicks! We have a monthly newsletter! Subscribe at sleeplesscinematicpod.substack.com If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

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Walkin' on the Wild Side: 'Velvet Goldmine' (1998) and 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' (2001)

Madeline, Julian, and Emilio continue their cycle of Offbeat Musicals with a "Two-Shot" on a pair of turn-of-the-millennium glam-rock extravaganzas: Todd Haynes' "Velvet Goldmine" (1998) and John Cameron Mitchell's "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" (2001). Marking their fifth - yes, fifth - discussion on a Todd Haynes film, the trio begin by unpacking "Velvet Goldmine" and its refraction of the legacies of 1970s glam-rock icons such as David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, T. Rex, and Roxy Music. Presented in "Citizen Kane"-like fashion, the film conveys a distinct impression of a well-known popular music era without ever mentioning any of the aforementioned artists by name, and wandering in and out of the realms that often classify a musical. Premiering around the same time off-Broadway was the show that would then be adapted into the second film of focus, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," unambiguously a musical, but one for people who may less typically gravitate to the genre. Drawing from many of the same influences in music, "Hedwig" portrays the unique story of the titular performer, from her fraught upbringing in East Berlin to her stateside music career with backing band the Angry Inch, and the numerous experiences that fan her rock-and-roll flames along the way. Listen to Dougie's Glam-a-Rama here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOjsoFA6he4_bWfjlCtNFoPf9Xr2cOofn&si=Vth2DPJed7RKNa7x If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

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So May We Spark(s): 'Annette' (2021) with Kelly Autry

Continuing with the cycle theme of “Offbeat Musicals”, Julian and Madeline draw from the conception of their friendship with a joint suggestion - Leos Carax’s “Annette” (2021). Joining Emilio as a first-time viewer is actor and puppeteer Kelly Autry, a friend of Madeline’s since tweendom. Our two seasoned Sparks fans share their background with the musical duo, who write and compose the music for this film, and try their best to initiate those who are new to the band’s unique musical style. Although many may know “Annette” as “the Adam Driver puppet musical”, the group digs into themes of originality, self-sabotage, and the nature of performance. Their opinions of the film may vary, but the group agrees that “Annette” becomes richer with a discussion among friends, and in the value of “simple stories expressed unconventionally”, in the words of past guest Shaun Seneviratne. Kelly Autry is an actor, singer, dancer, and puppeteer, who can be seen performing around New York City. Follow him on IG: @kelly_a_autry If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

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All "Inn" The Family: 'The Happiness of the Katakuris' (2001) with Lexi Amoriello

For the "Offbeat Musical" cycle's Mise-Unseen episode, Emilio and Julian come in brick cold (and Madeline a tad less frigid) to their selected film for discussion - 'The Happiness of The Katakuris', Takashi Miike's surreal horror/dramedy/musical from 2001' about a down-on-their-luck family banding together to run a struggling roadside inn, only to endure a string of unfortunate events. They are joined by cinephile and film recommender extraordinaire Lexi Amoriello, who had seen this wacky film before, to get into their initial feelings on this film. The group discusses the subjective role the musical numbers occupy in the story, digest the film's look and feel, share bits from this film's commentary track (notably not easy to find!), examine what messages about family and familial responsibilities run through the film, have fun noticing wardrobe choice, and take part in one of the more freewheeling rounds of Unlikely Shared Universe yet! Lexi's movie recommendations, a wonderful and much appreciated service to film lovers everywhere, can be found at her website movierecsbylex.com and on IG, Tik Tok, and YouTube @movierecsbylex If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian @julian_barthold and Madeline @patronessofcats

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Don't Feed The Plants: 'Little Shop of Horrors' (1986) with Will Reynolds

This week, Madeline, Julian and Emilio kick off a new cycle dedicated to "Offbeat Musicals" with perhaps the pre-eminent offbeat musical movie: 'Little Shop of Horrors', released in 1986, directed by Frank Oz, featuring standout performances from Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, and Levi Stubbs as Audrey II, anchored by the iconic score from Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. It's a Viewnanimous pick, and they are joined by composer/performer/teacher/great human/"Little Shop" enthusiast Will Reynolds to break down what is weird and wonderful about the film and its music. The group digs into the touching performances, the elite puppetry, its playful yet clear adherences to classic Broadway musical conventions, how the period setting becomes a backdrop for the themes, that very bleak original ending vs. the happy theatrical release ending, and much more! Will Reynolds is an accomplished composer, coach, and performer. His score for The Violet Hour can be found where ever you stream music. You can follow his goings on, learn about his Inspired Actions Method, and see where he is performing next at his website willreynoldsonline.com and on IG @willcreynolds If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

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Seventy Years of 'Written On The Wind' (1956) with Christian Garcia

This week, Emilio, Madeline, and Julian welcome in fellow podcaster Christian Garcia for a bonus episode to discuss 'Written on the Wind', Douglas Sirk's seminal romantic melodrama from 1956 starring Rock Hudson, Lauren Bacall, Robert Stack, and Dorothy Malone in an Oscar-winning performance. This was a first watch for everyone involved, but a welcome initiation to the aesthetic and thematic paths on which Sirk often tread. The group digs into the reach and influence that this film had on modern filmmakers, how the film chooses to portray masculinity, the captivating performances, the blend of genres it manages to balance, and the many subversive touches Sirk sneaks into the film that give it so much staying power. Christian Garcia is a co-host of the podcast That Ol' Gay Classic Cinema. Along with co-host Luke Delmar, the podcast takes a loving look back at classic films from Hollywood's Golden Age through a queer lens. You can listen and follow @thatolgayclassiccinema Programming Note: This conversation was recorded in 2025. If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

A Neil Simon Rom-Com Trio, with James Codoyannis: 'Barefoot in the Park' (1967), 'The Heartbreak Kid' (1972), and 'The Goodbye Girl' (1977)

Madeline, Emilio, and Julian are rejoined by film editor and all-around great cinephile hang James Codoyannis to wrap up their cycle of Oscar-Worthy Rom-Coms with a "Close-Up" on three films written by the prolific Neil Simon. For the first "Close-Up" episode devoted to a screenwriter, the group bring their varied histories with Simon's body of work, on screen and on stage, to viewings of 1967's "Barefoot in the Park," directed by Gene Saks, 1972's "The Heartbreak Kid," directed by Elaine May, and 1977's "The Goodbye Girl," directed by Herbert Ross. Despite the common threads of Neil Simon's writing style (such as speedy couplings of main characters, eccentric supporting roles, and impromptu moments of singing), these films make for an eclectic mix; whereas "Barefoot in the Park" channels an of-its-time comedy of errors from stage to screen, "The Heartbreak Kid" thrives on friction between Simon's romanticism and Elaine May's offbeat directorial style, and "The Goodbye Girl" goes back to matching Simon's vision while reflecting a newfound wisdom that comes with age. All of these films received Oscar nominations or wins in their respective years, most prominently in the acting categories, but awarded or not, they give us memorable performances from Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Mildred Natwick, and Charles Boyer in "Barefoot in the Park," Charles Grodin, Jeannie Berlin, Cybill Shepard, and Eddie Albert in "The Heartbreak Kid," and Richard Dreyfuss, Marsha Mason, and Quinn Cummings in "The Goodbye Girl," all of whom helped bring Neil Simon's evolving screenplays to life. Follow James on his socials: INSTAGRAM: @codboyannis LETTERBOXD: jcodoyannis BLUESKY: @codboyannis.bsky.social WE STRANGERS now available on rent & buy at AMAZON, APPLE TV, and other places Follow @westrangersthefilm on INSTAGRAM SEAWEED STORIES now available to watch on Leo DiCaprio's YouTube Channel Rent/Purchase RON DELSENER PRESENTS at: https://linktr.ee/rondelsenerpresents Watch BOB OF THE PARK on NYT's Op-Docs Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLQUC7_wtFg If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

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Our Rom Com Oscar Snubs

We've been breaking down Oscar Worthy Rom Coms for several weeks now, but what about movies that didn't get nominations or wins but absolutely should have? This week, Madeline, Julian and Emilio, along with their guests from our latest cycle, share their picks for romantic comedies that never got the Oscar love they deserved. These selections range from obvious snubs to cult classics misunderstood upon initial release to unapologetic personal picks from the heart. A huge thanks to our guests this cycle who shared their picks: writer/director Anu Valia, Anna Stone of the film podcast Stone's Top Tens, writer and film programmer David Schwartz, and filmmaker/editor James Codoyannis. If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian @julian_barthold and Madeline @patronessofcats

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Arrival of an Ingenue: 'Roman Holiday' (1953) and 'Pretty Woman' (1990) with Sydney Duncan

This week, Julian, Emilio, and Madeline are joined by comedian Sydney Duncan to discuss two films that launched their leading ladies to superstardom - William Wyler’s “Roman Holiday” from 1953 and Garry Marshall’s “Pretty Woman” from 1990. The group draws comparisons both salient and subtle, and examines the aspects of Audrey Hepburn and Julia Roberts’ performances that solidify these roles as their breakouts. The group also discusses the role that class plays in each of these films and the relationships at their center. Among the many similarities, they also observe that one of the best-known scenes in each film features a kindred improvisatory moment. You can follow Sydney Duncan on Instagram and TikTok @sydneyduncanonem, and catch her on the Maude and Betty house teams at UCB NY. If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian @julian_barthold and Madeline @patronessofcats

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Remembering Rob Reiner with Matt Friedman

2025 ended with a real gut punch for us film lovers - the sudden and shocking death of Rob Reiner, alongside his wife Michele Singer. This week, Emilio, Julian and Madeline welcome back friend of the pod and musician extraordinaire Matt Friedman to the table to talk about Reiner and his legacy as one of the most beloved and important American filmmakers of the last forty years. The group discusses some of the famous individual scenes he helmed, unforgettable performances, Reiner's standout moments as an actor, the films of his that are most personally resonant, and much more. You can check out Matt's incredible band, and see where he is playing next, by visiting their website: https://stilettobandnyc.com/ You can also follow Matt and the band on Instagram @stilettobandnyc If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

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A Human Interest Story: 'Broadcast News' (1987) with David Schwartz

This week, Madeline, Emilio and Julian continue making their way through Oscar Worthy Rom Coms and tune into 'Broadcast News', James L. Brooks' beloved 1987 film starring Holly Hunter, William Hurt and Albert Brooks. The group is joined by accomplished NYC-based film programmer David Schwartz to discuss at length what is special about this romantic comedy, and the ways in which it is both conventionaly satisfying and also subverting genre expectations. The strong lead performances, Brooks' extensive research of the media and news, the clever writing, the layered characterizations, the "non-ending" ending... the group covers these topics and much more in this enthusiastic discussion about one of the great films of the 1980s. David Schwartz is a New York-based film curator and writer who is currently the Director of Film Programming at The Barrymore Film Center in Fort Lee. You can read his work and see where and what he is programming next at his website www.david-schwartz.net If you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice. This really helps us find new listeners and grow! Follow us on YouTube, IG and TikTok: @sleeplesscinematicpod Send us an email at sleeplesscinematicpod@gmail.com On Letterboxd? Follow Julian at julian_barthold and Madeline at patronessofcats

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