Episode 101: One Battle After Another

This week on Philosophy in Film, the gang locks in on Paul Thomas Anderson's sprawling, darkly funny, and relentlessly restless epic, One Battle After Another. Inspired by Thomas Pynchon's Vineland, the film follows Bob, a washed-up former revolutionary played by Leonardo DiCaprio, who's forced back into a life he thought he'd escaped when his daughter disappears and an old enemy resurfaces. Craig kicks off the revolution with Producer's Notes (11:36). Alain tackles the Beauclair Synopsis (25:20), charting Bob's return to dangerous terrain where revolution, paranoia, and fatherhood overlap in uneasy ways. From the Philosopher's Corner (49:18), Chris traces how the film wrestles with paternal responsibility and competence. The gang then sits at the Round Table (56:24) where they attempt to reveal the film's galactic roots while relating it to Star Wars. The episode follows a crest and dip in the road as Reviews (1:37:06) and Mailbag (2:02:55) close us out. As always, we explore the philosophical and non-philosophical terrain of the film, because when every battle leaves a mark, the hardest fight is often with what you carry forward.

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🍻 Featured Beer 🍻 - Chiquita Mexican Cerveza by Town Square Brewing (Edmonton, AB)

Episode 100: Miracle on 34th Street

Ho ho ho! For our 100th episode, the gang celebrates Philosophy in Film's centenary by stepping into the warm glow of a holiday classic with the original Miracle on 34th Street (1947). This timeless courtroom tale explores whether faith, goodwill, and a touch of magic still have a place in a modern, skeptical world. Craig lights the tree with Producer's Notes (11:49), spreading seasonal cheer with stories of reflection and festive mischief. Alain unwraps the story with the Beauclair Synopsis (20:47), laying out the film's gentle clash between legal rationality and childlike wonder as Kris Kringle finds himself on trial for being Santa Claus. Chris then settles into Philosopher's Corner (47:40), reflecting on the divinity of Santa and gods, and how choosing to believe in simple goodness can quietly generate hope without demanding miracles. The gang gathers at the Round Table (59:11) to share memories, arguments, and warm takes on belief and cynicism, before Reviews (1:37:08) and the Mailbag (1:43:12) shed light on our listeners' most hard-hitting questions. As always, we explore the philosophical and non-philosophical heart of the film, reminding ourselves that sometimes the most radical act is simply believing in good.

‼️December 21 @ Metro Cinema‼️

🌲This Sunday, Philosophy In Film will be at the Metro Cinema for another classic showing! Cozy up with us as we revisit the holiday classic and this week's focus film: Miracle on 34th Street🎄🎄

Details: https://metrocinema.org/event/miracle-on-34th-street-1947/

🍻 Featured Beer 🍻 - Unplugged Oatmeal Stout by Yukon Brewing (Whitehorse, YT)

Episode 99: A House of Dynamite

This week, the gang steps into the explosive tension of A House of Dynamite, a modern pressure-cooker thriller where family secrets, fraying loyalties, and a single terrible night threaten to blow everything apart. Craig sounds the alarm and readies for attack with Producer's Notes (9:16), while Alain scorches a few eyebrows with the Beauclair Synopsis (18:44), laying out the film's tightly coiled timeline and the slow, heavy crack of inevitability beneath it. Chris then tiptoes into Philosopher's Corner (32:13), following the movie's dual phenomenology as inner lives and outside impressions slowly misalign. The gang holds their breath as the Round Table (43:13) ignites debates whether A House of Dynamite is commentary, catharsis, or just a really well-timed spark. Before annihilation, Reviews (1:23:30) and the Mailbag (1:35:16) blow the doors open for closing thoughts. As always, join us as we sift through the philosophical and non-philosophical aspects of the debris left smoldering in the film's wake.

🌲Our next Philosophy In Film Metro Cinema showing will be on December 21! Join us as we cozy up with the holiday classic: Miracle on 34th Street!🎄🎄

🍻 Featured Beer 🍻 - Fire Bloom Honey Lager by Best of Kin Brewing (Calgary, AB)