Cinema in Context

The good, the average and the weird. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss their film and television highlights of the year.

Episode 93: Highlights of 2023 The good, the average and the weird. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss their film and television highlights of the year, including each of their best film of the year, their biggest

Our latest episode is here and we decided to give you the whole, extended episode this month. Tune in to hear William, Sarah and Jeremy discuss two Ridley Scott historical epics starring Joaquin Phoenix: Gladiator and Napoleon!

Episode 92: Napoleon & Gladiator [Extended] Ridley Scott historical epics starring Joaquin Phoenix. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Napoleon (2023) and Gladiator (2000). We begin by discussing Gladiator and our initial and m

Episode 91 is here. We discuss two dystopian Sci-Fi films: The Creator and Children of Men. Enjoy!

Episode 91: The Creator & Children of Men Dystopian prejudiced world, where a male protagonist escorts a young woman across war-torn lands. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss The Creator (2023) and Children of Men (2006). We

Episode 90 is here! We discuss two mockumentaries that send up amateur theatre, a topic close to all our hearts.

Episode 90: Theater Camp & Waiting for Guffman Amateur theatre mockumentaries. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Theater Camp (2023) and Waiting for Guffman (1996). We begin by hearing William's fresh take on Waiting For Guffman

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Our Barbenheimer discussion is here! We unpack the recent Box Office-smashing phenomenon: Barbie and Oppenheimer. Enjoy

Episode 89: Barbenbeimer Barbie and Oppenheimer. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Barbie (2023) and Oppenheimer (2023). We begin by discussing the Barbenheimer phenomenon and the influences that contributed

In this month's episode, William shares the most significant films in his life so far. Check our Episode 88 and the latest edition of the Movies That Made Us.

Episode 88: Movies That Made Us 2 Movies that made William. Jeremy and William discuss the most significant films in William's life in our series of Movies That Made Us. He talks about Who Am I (1998), The Iron Giant (1999), Les Trip

Our latest episode is here, discussing two Michael Keaton Batman films: Batman Returns (1992) and the recent blockbuster The Flash (2023). Enjoy!

Episode 87: The Flash & Batman Returns Michael Keaton Batman films. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss The Flash (2023) and Batman Returns (1992). We begin by discussing the Tim Burton films in the late 80s and early 90s,

Our latest episode is here comparing Argo (2012) and Tetris (2023). Enjoy!

Episode 86: Tetris & Argo Cross-political pop culture thrillers. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Tetris (2023) and Argo (2012). We begin by discussing Tetris: the game, the book and the film. We explore the

Full of spoilers, but of two films where the spoilers don't really matter. We had a heap of fun discussing the two Mario adaptations from 30 years ago and earlier this year. Enjoy!

Episode 85: Super Mario Bros. (featuring Billy Revell-Siō) Super Mario Bros. films. Jeremy Downing and William Chen are joined by friend to the podcast Billy Revell-Siō to discuss the recent The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) and the 30-year old Super Mario B

Our latest episode is here, discussion triangle-named films set at sea! Recent Oscar-nominated Triangle of Sadness and 2009 low-budget time-loop thriller Triangle. Enjoy!

Episode 84: Triangle of Sadness & Triangle Triangle named films at sea. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Triangle of Sadness (2022) and Triangle (2009). We begin by discussing Triangle and how the successful the fils works o

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Our recent episodes on Titanic + Avatar Way of Water and M3GAN + Housebound have some great extra discussion (20 minutes+ each). We also discuss our hot takes and predictions for the upcoming Oscars in a minisode.

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Our latest episode is live, comparing two Gerard Johnstone films: M3GAN and Housebound. Check out our Patreon for an extra 20 minutes of discussion. Enjoy!

Episode 83: M3GAN & Housebound Gerard Johnstone horror comedies. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss M3GAN (2023) and Housebound (2014). We begin by discussing the strengths of Housebound, especially how it referenc

We had a great time kicking off the new year with our latest episode, comparing two James Cameron, water-based, $2 billion epics, Avatar: The Way of Water and Titanic. William's artwork is also a crack up, haha.

Episode 82: Avatar: The Way of Water & Titanic James Cameron two billion dollar epics. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and Titanic (1997). We begin by discussing the themes of James Cameron films

Our end of year wrap up is here! We cover our best and worst films of 2022, our biggest surprises and best times in the cinema. We even capture our favourite seasons of television as well. Sending all the very best of cinema-loving vibes as you head into this holiday season. Ngā mihi nui.

Episode 81: Highlights of 2022 Highs and lows of the year. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss their film and television highlights of 2022, including best film of the year (and runner-ups for best film of the year)

Episode 80 is here - comparing two detective films from great heights. Enjoy!

Episode 80: Decision to Leave & Vertigo Detective thrillers from great heights. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Decision to Leave (2022) and Vertigo (1958). We begin by expressing our reactions to Alfred Hitchcock's Vert

The Cinema in Context crew have been jet-setting around the world and watching a bunch of films in the process. In this minisode we talk about the films we saw abroad. Enjoy!

Minisode: Films Abroad Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the films they watched while abroad, jet setting around the world. They discuss the following films: Lapsis (2020); Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Ma

Episode 79 is here! We had heaps of fun chatting about two Florence Pugh films: Don't Worry Darling and Midsommar. Enjoy.

Episode 79: Don't Worry Darling & Midsommar Florence Pugh thrillers. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Don't Worry Darling (2022) and Midsommar (2019). We begin by talking about our experiences and reactions watching Midsommar

Our latest episode, discussing two jam-packed genre films starring Chris Hemsworth. Thor: Love and Thunder and The Cabin in the Woods.

Episode 78: Thor: Love and Thunder & Cabin in the Woods Jam-packed genre films with Chris Hemsworth. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) and Cabin in the Woods (2011). We begin by sharing our honest reactions t

A magical return to bygone era, exploring Baz Luhrmann's Elvis (2022), Strictly Ballroom (1992) and his entire oeuvre. Enjoy!

Episode 77: Elvis and Strictly Ballroom Baz Luhrmann's oeuvre. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the most recent Luhrmann film Elvis (2022) and his first film Strictly Ballroom (1992). We begin by discussing Baz's visual s

Sarah and Jeremy are joined by Dan Eichblatt to talk about the five films that have played a significant part of their cinema watching lives. Check out our latest podcast talking about the movies that made us

Episode 76: Movies That Made Us (featuring Dan Eichblatt) Looking back at the key films in our lives. Sarah Watt and Jeremy Downing are joined by special guest Dan Eichblattt to talk about the movies that made us: key films that have had an impact on our liv

Episode 75 is here! Discussing two sequels made to 80s films. We had a great time chatting away about these two films and their predecessors - it was also great to have Sarah back on the podcast. Enjoy :-)

Episode 75: Top Gun: Maverick & TRON: Legacy 80s films return! Directed by Joseph Kosinski. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Top Gun: Maverick (2022) and TRON: Legacy (2010). We begin by welcoming Sarah back to the podcast, he

Our latest episode is here, comparing two recent multiverse films. Enjoy!

Episode 74: Everything Everywhere All at Once & Doctor Strange 2 (featuring Billy Revell-Siō) Multiverse motherhood films. Jeremy Downing and William Chen are joined by Billy Revell-Siō to discuss Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022).

Episode 73 is here, comparing two female-led Pixar films: Turning Red and Brave!

Episode 73: Turning Red and Brave (featuring Phoebe Shum) Female-led Pixar films. Jeremy Downing and William Chen are joined by Phoebe Shum to discuss Brave (2012) and Turning Red (2022). We begin by discussing Turning Red, especially the strengths of its th

Episode 72 is here! Comparing two animated refugee biographies - a niche genre, indeed. Enjoy!

Episode 72: Flee and Persepolis Animated refugee biographies. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Flee (2021) and Persepolis (2007). We begin by discussing Persepolis and our experiences of seeing the film, rewatchin

Our latest episode is here, comparing the new Scream (2022) to its original Scream (1996). We are joined again by special guest Doug Dillaman to discuss this meta slasher horror franchise.

Episode 71: Scream and Scream (featuring Doug Dillaman) Meta slasher films. Sarah Watt and Jeremy Downing, with special guest Doug Dillaman, discuss Scream (1996) and Scream (2022). We begin by discussing the self-referential and meta qualities of the Scre

Our 70th episode focuses on 7 films from over the summer: Don't Look Up, Encanto, The French Dispatch, House of Gucci, The Matrix: Resurrections, The Power of the Dog and West Side Story.

Episode 70: Seven Films From Summer Seven films from the summer for our 70th episode. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the following 2021 films: Don't Look Up, Encanto, The French Dispatch, House of Gucci, The Matrix:

Our end of year wrap up is here! The highs and lows of film and television in 2021. Have a great holiday season, everybody.

Episode 69: Highlights of 2021 Highs and lows of the year. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss their highlight films of 2021, including their biggest surprises, disappointments, wildcards, recommendations, runner-up

Our latest episode is here, comparing two Tong Leung films. We look at Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and compare it to 2000s In the Mood For Love.

Episode 68: Shang-Chi & In The Mood for Love Tony Leung films. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) and In the Mood for Love (2000). We begin by discussing Tony Leung's work in Shan

Ooooooh we had a great time this month, discussing two films that take place in virtual worlds: Free Guy and The Matrix!

Episode 67: Free Guy and The Matrix Virtual reality worlds. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Free Guy (2021) and The Matrix (1999). We begin by praising The Matrix, directed by Lilly and Lana Wachowski aka "The Wachow

Our latest episode is here, focusing on the HBO satirical comedy The White Lotus. If you've jumped into the six episode limited-series over this lockdown, then check out what Sarah, William and Jeremy have to say, with reflections that admit that some of the satire nips a little close to the bone.

Episode 66: The White Lotus The White Lotus. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the latest HBO limited series The White Lotus, created, written and directed by Mike White. We begin by sharing our initial thought

Episode 65 is here, comparing two action adventure films Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Jungle Cruise. We had a whole lot of fun this time, even recording virtually, each in the comfort of our own homes.

Episode 65: Pirates of the Caribbean & Jungle Cruise Disney theme park films. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Jungle Cruise (2021) and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), two action adventure films based on

Sarah and William looking for episode content at the premiere of Jungle Cruise. Keep a look out for our August episode to hear their thoughts.

Our latest episode is here, discussing the Fast and Furious saga. We focus on the most recent F9 and the original The Fast and the Furious. Enjoy!

Episode 64: The Fast and the Furious & F9: The Fast Saga The Fast & Furious saga. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss F9: The Fast Saga (2021) and The Fast and the Furious (2001), the latest and initial films in the Fast and the Furious saga

Our latest episode is here, comparing two musicals that explore the strength of culture amidst changing times: In the Heights and Fiddler on the Roof!

Episode 63: In The Heights & Fiddler on the Roof Cultural change musicals. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss In The Heights (2021) and Fiddler on the Roof (1971), two musical films exploring the upholding of culture amidst social c

Our latest episode is here, all about robot apocalypse films. We compare the classic Terminator 2: Judgement Day (which came out 30 years ago) with the new animated Netflix flick The Mitchells vs The Machines. Enjoy!

Episode 62: The Mitchells vs the Machines & Terminator 2: Judgement Day Robot uprising films. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss The Mitchells vs the Machines (2021) and Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991), two films detailing the robot apocalypse and dysf

Episode 61 and our five year anniversary is here! This month, we look at the spectrum of versus films, with Gozilla vs. Kong at one end and 1979's Kramer vs Kramer at the other.

Episode 61: Godzilla vs. Kong & Kramer vs. Kramer Versus films. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) and Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), two films at the ends of the 'versus films' spectrum. We jump into Godzilla vs.

Check out our latest minisode unpacking the nominations for the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony. Enjoy!

Minisode: Oscars 2021 Academy Awards 2021. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the Oscar nominations for 2021 a few weeks before the awards ceremony.

Our 60th episode is here, discussing two films set on the road with houseless protagonists - Nomadland and Into The Wild. Enjoy!

Episode 60: Nomadland and Into The Wild Houseless on the road. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Nomadland (2020) and Into The Wild (2007), two films with protagonists who are houseless and on the road. We begin by discuss