Movies 101

And so the year 2024 closes out, which leave us here at Movies 101 to celebrate that fact by reviewing a final three films. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a trio of films that feature complex and/or familiar characters, in one case a study of real-life celebrity, in another a woman confronted by her sexual desires, and in a third a remake of a classic creature feature. The first is James Mangold’s “A Complete Unknown,” the second is Halina Reijn’s “Babygirl,” and the third is Robert Eggers’ remake of the vampire flick “Nosferatu.”

We’re approaching the end of the year, the time when movie producers are releasing the last few potential award-winners. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss one such candidate: the Golden Globe-nominated animated film "Flow." They pair that with Paul Schrader’s adaptation of Russell Banks' novel "Foregone," which Schrader retitled "Oh, Canada"—and which was among the slate of critically acclaimed films at May’s Cannes Film Festival.

On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a pair of films featuring actors who take on challenging roles that, at least in one case, is far different than what the actor is best known for. First up is “Queer,” starring Daniel Craig, followed by “Maria,” starring Angelina Jolie.

Most of the basic themes that face movie protagonists tend to be situations that meld anxiety with a sense of purpose. On this week’s show, Dan Webster, Nathan Weinbender, and Mary Pat Treuthart discuss a pair of films that key on characters who, when facing something or someone, have to dig deep to figure out what to do. Those films are Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the Broadway musical “Wicked” and the latest from director Cint Eastwood, “Juror #2.”