Psycho. #56
Normies have feelings, too.
Latest
‘F1’ and ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’
Two massive stars fight for relevance in two of this summer’s blockbusters: Brad Pitt in Joseph Kosinski’s F1, and Tom Cruise in Christopher McQuarrie’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Both have things to hide, and things to prove. In this episode of Hard Truths, Elena and Manuela
Psycho. #55
True story.
Psycho. #54
An individual voice.
Il Cinema Ritrovato
Recording together in the same room for the first time in Hard Truths history, Elena and Manuela discuss the wonders of Il Cinema Ritrovato directly from Bologna, Italy, where the annual repertory cinema festival organised by Cineteca di Bologna takes place. Talking about some of the prints and restorations playing
Psycho. #53
Tom's fans.
Psycho. #52
Caspar has seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Love Hurts: Four by Max Ophüls
In Letter From an Unknown Woman (1949), a young woman spends the better part of her life fantasising about a man who barely knows of her existence. It is difficult to imagine the pleasure-seeking characters from La Ronde (1950) or Le Plaisir (1952) ever adopting such an impractical view of
Psycho. #51
Cage-i-ness.
Bleak Week: London
The sun of June can be oppressive in its own way. For the fourth year in a row, the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles has given local cinephiles a refuge from the mirth of spring-summer months with Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair — a week-long season of soul-crushing and gruelling masterpieces.
What a Gamble! On Martin Scorsese's New York, New York (1977)
At a time when film can be schematic and timid, the huge risks taken by Scorsese have a spicy tingle about them; feeling such deep regret at a missed opportunity is likewise unusual now.
Psycho. #50
Looking for the "best" "croissant" in Cannes this year.
Psycho.
Psycho. #49
The Cannes experience.
Hard Truths
'Sinners'
This third episode of Hard Truths, about Ryan Coogler's Sinners (2025), is a lot less about twins than we expected — but that's only because the film is so rich. Elena and Manuela talk about Coogler's far-reaching vision for the possibilities of IMAX and cinema
Psycho.
Psycho. #48
God's lonely protagonist.
Hard Truths
Three Westerns
In this second episode of Hard Truths, Elena and Manuela discuss three fantastic, very different films, all of them westerns: Forty Guns (Sam Fuller, 1957), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (John Ford, 1962), and Ride Lonesome (Budd Boetticher, 1959). They recently screened in Paris as part of the Cinémathèque
Psycho.
Psycho. #47
Too much fun?
Psycho.
Psycho. #46
Talking acting.
Hard Truths
‘Holy Cow’ and ‘Misericordia’
In this first episode, we come up with the name of the podcast on the spot, and go on to discuss two differently delightful French films, both of which stand out from the usual French output for being set in the countryside: Alain Guiraudie’s Misericordia, and Louise Courvoisier’s
Extras
Touch Grass: Louise Courvoisier discusses Holy Cow (2024)
An unexpected box office success in France, this debut feature shot in the countryside challenges strict divisions between the popular French comedy and the arthouse drama.
Psycho.
Psycho. #45
What gives a good movie the juice?
Extras
In a Minor Key: On Alain Guiraudie's Misericordia (2024)
A heady potion, Alain Guiraudie's Misericordia possesses a very subtle derangement.
Extras
Prévert for Perverts: A Glossary of Dirty Discourse in Café Flesh
As Stephen Sayadian's cult post-apocalyptic film Café Flesh premieres in a new 4K restoration, Daniel Bird offers a guided tour through some of its most memorable lines.
Psycho.
Psycho. #44
Canon blast.