Alex Withrow & Nick Dostal
A podcast for people who LOVE movies. Filmmakers/best friends, Alex Withrow and Nick Dostal, do their part to keep film alive. Thanks for listening, and happy watching!
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Alex and Nick rave about Christopher Nolan’s latest film, “The Odyssey.” The guys break down the huge cast, IMAX 70mm screenings, Matt Damon’s best performances, the movie’s astounding set pieces, the score, the practical effects, Oscar chances, and so much more. Later in the episode, the guys re-rank all of Christopher Nolan’s films. Visit waywpodcast.com Join WAYW Bonus Features on Patreon Buy WAYW Merch Support the show
“Whiplash” contains Nick’s favorite movie ending. Ever. This episode begins with Alex and Nick breaking down Damien Chazelle’s “Whiplash.” The guys discuss the film’s lasting popularity, Paul Reiser’s face, cruel brothers, evil teachers, sociopathic bosses, and why J.K. Simmons’ Oscar-winning performance is one of the greatest villains in cinema. In the second half (01:35:20), the guys discuss the ending of “Whiplash” in depth and list their favorite movie endings. Visit our website waywpodcast.com Join WAYW Bonus Features on Patreon Buy WAYW Merch Support the show
Our first official Steven Spielberg episode! Alex and Nick begin by describing the first Spielberg film they saw, and how it impacted them (04:42). Next, the guys (briefly) review Spielberg’s latest film, “Disclosure Day” (23:20). In the back half of the episode, Alex quickly goes through Spielberg’s entire filmography (46:06) before both guys list their Top 10 favorite Steven Spielberg films (01:19:09). Visit our brand new website waywpodcast.com Join WAYW Bonus Features on Patreon Buy WAYW Merch Support the show
This episode features the most scorching NDHT (Nicholas Dostal Hot Take™) in the history of the pod. Few modern directors have been as impactful as Damien Chazelle. Alex and Nick have a blast diving into Chazelle’s small but remarkable filmography. Stray topics include Justin Hurwitz’s score in “Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench,” the “Whiplash” short film, the lasting magic of “La La Land,” the sound in “First Man,” the cultural reclamation of “Babylon,” and much more. Visit our brand new website waywpodcast.com Buy WAYW Merch Join WAYW Bonus Features on Patreon Support the show
This mixed-bag episode has it all. Alex and Nick begin by introducing their new website, wawypodcast.com, where you can find every episode, buy merch, donate, join Patreon (!), and more. Then Alex reveals a scorching new hot take concerning the Academy Award for Best Picture. Lastly, the guys review new Broadway shows, “The Drama,” “Mother Mary,” Season 3 of “Euphoria,” “Face/Off” on the big screen, the best-looking 4K discs, and more. Visit our brand new website waywpodcast.com Buy WAYW Merch Join WAYW Bonus Features on Patreon Support the show
Nick and Alex discuss the career of one of Nick’s favorite directors, the singular Jim Jarmusch. As the guys break down each Jarmusch film, stray topics include style vs. fashion, making the mundane cool, slow cinema, revelatory film structure, anthology films, and much more. Visit our BRAND NEW website waywpodcast.com for episode categories, merch, donations, comments, social media, and more! Support the show
Watch Paul Thomas Anderson’s BEST PICTURE WINNING film right along with Alex and Nick. The guys discuss the movie's brisk pace, Sean Penn’s performance, a critical mistake in the film’s subtitles, stealth long takes, its Oscar wins, and so much more. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com Support the show
Ocean waves, ocean waves. Recorded immediately after the 98th Academy Awards, Alex and Nick absolutely lose their minds as Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” wins six Oscars. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com Support the show
This oversized Oscar episode has it all: unhinged rants, passionate appeals, analytic predictions, and friendly arguments. In Part 1 (00:23:16), Alex and Nick trash the shoddy award shows so far this year, before predicting the winners for every category of the 98th Academy Awards. Part 2 (01:43:33) is the WAYW Oscars, where the guys each pick their own nominees and winners for every major Oscar category. Join our Instagram Live at WAYW_Podcast on the day of the awards for our final Oscar picks! Sunday, March 15, 2025, 2:00 p.m. PST. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com Support the show
Alex completed his 2025 movie challenge of watching John Carpenter’s “Halloween” once a week for the entire year. In Part 1 (00:01:10) of this episode, Alex does a solo commentary on the film, reporting all the fun things he learned by watching the movie so much. In Part 2 (01:32:03), Alex brings Nick on to talk about every “Halloween” sequel, the four franchise timelines, John Carpenter’s music, the worst “Halloween,” Sam Raimi’s “Send Help,” and much more. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com Support the show
Alex and Nick break down the 2026 Oscar nominations. The guys discuss “One Battle After Another” landing 13 nominations (!!), “Sentimental Value’s” surprise showing, and how Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” smashed the Oscar nomination record and will likely go on to win Best Picture. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com Support the show
Alex and Nick list their favorite films of 2025. The guys discuss all the foreign, indie, and mainstream films that worked for them, a few bigger movies that did not, probable Oscar nominees, and so much more. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com Support the show
Alex and Nick end season 1 of the WAYW New Hollywood Film Project with Alan J. Pakula's Paranoid Thriller Trilogy: “Klute,” “The Parallax View,” and “All the President’s Men.” The guys break down each film, Pakula’s career, Gordon Willis’ astonishing work as a cinematographer, the current state of journalism, Watergate, “Deep Throat,” JFK, sex work, and so much more. Part 10 of the WAYW New Hollywood Film Project. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com Support the show
Alex and Nick discuss alcoholism, depression, losing parents, Ben Affleck’s best work, and Gavin O’Connor’s “The Way Back”. This episode is as real as What Are You Watching gets. Watch Alex and Nick's film, "I Am Alive," for free online. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com Support the show
Assassin’s focus. Gritted teeth and fixed bayonets. The “Licorice Pizza” commentary is here! Hang out with Alex and Nick as they watch Paul Thomas Anderson’s love letter to LA. Stray topics include PTA/Haim music videos, favorite Haim albums/songs, Bradley Cooper’s career, Oscar chances for “One Battle After Another,” peanut butter sandwiches, and much more. “I’m coming, Nancy!” Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com Support the show
John Badham’s “Saturday Night Fever” is so much more than a fun disco movie. Alex and Nick break down the film’s hilarious dinner conversations, John Travolta’s thrilling dance scenes, and the movie’s unexpected sequences of real life. Early in the episode, Alex shares his radical theory about “Pulp Fiction” that he’s been afraid to share for years. Part 9 of the WAYW New Hollywood Film Project. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com Support the show
The WAYW New Hollywood Film Project continues with a ‘70s classic, Sidney Lumet’s “Serpico.” Alex and Nick discuss Al Pacino in his first starring role, Lumet’s 50-year career, police corruption, whistleblowers, roast beef sandwiches, the real Frank Serpico, the maniac who co-wrote the screenplay, and much more. For WAYW, the guys briefly review new films from Benny Safdie, Guillermo del Toro, Richard Linklater, and Yorgos Lanthimos. Part 8 of the WAYW New Hollywood Film Project. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com Support the show
There are no spoilers in this episode. As Alex and Nick give their glowing review of Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” topics include attending an LA premiere, the film’s Oscar chances, Alex’s recent brush with death, Nick’s recent brush with death, Top 5 Leonardo DiCaprio performances, re-ranking PTA’s filmography, meeting Colin Farrell, and much more. For WAYW, the guys review new movies from Daniel Day-Lewis(!), Derek Cianfrance, Kathryn Bigelow, Luca Guadagnino, Rebecca Miller, Paul Greengrass, Edward Berger, and more. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com Support the show
“Hey, listen, baby, I'm a star.” Alex and Nick discuss the ‘70s hangout movie masterpiece, “Shampoo.” Alex explains why star/writer/producer Warren Beatty set the film on Election Day 1968, before the guys break down the film’s production design, costumes, and hair, the unique charms of Julie Christie, Goldie Hawn, and Jack Warden, how the great Lee Grant was blacklisted from Hollywood and came back to win an Academy Award for the film, and much more. Part 7 of the WAYW New Hollywood Film Project. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Instagram / Letterboxd / X Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com Support the show
Alex looks back at the 60-year career of Robert Redford. Topics include Redford’s best acting performances, his Oscar-winning directing work, the meme to end all memes, and how he helped start the careers of many of the best film directors working today. Follow @WAYW_Podcast on Twitter / Instagram / Letterboxd Send mailbag questions to whatareyouwatchingpodcast@gmail.com Support the show