The Film Hobbyist

Join Lydia in her basement, surrounded by video game consoles and controllers, as she makes the unconventional argument that 1917 might accidentally be the best video game movie ever with how it abandons the strengths of editing to rely on immersive, environmental storytelling.Next Episode: Movies That Make Me ThankfulAttributions:Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain.Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License.Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

It's spooky season, and though Lydia has a pretty low scare tolerance, she is profoundly moved by the stunning stop-motion film ParaNorman. Avoid the neighborhood murderous statues and come join Lydia for a discussion on bullying, neurodivergence, and Puritan zombies.Next movie: 1917 (2019)Available for streaming on Netflix, to rent on Apple TV and Amazon Prime, and to borrow from your local library (as a recent best picture nominee, there should be plenty of copies).Attributions:Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain.Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License.Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

On this damp fall day, come hear Lydia recount the long journey of Coyote vs Acme from a silly article to a sincere film that, in a meta move, ended up being an important anti-corporate statement.Next Film: ParaNormanThis film is available to stream on Disney+, and to rent on YouTube, AppleTV, and Prime. You can also probably find it at your local library.Attributions:Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain.Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License.Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

On this hot September morning, come prepared for a hot take. Lydia finally watched an Important Film and, while acknowledging its craftsmanship, explains why she believes it's indulging the very problem it highlights.Next film: Coyote vs ACMEThis film is in theaters now. Please go support it. It's very funny and surprisingly heartfelt.Attributions:Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain.Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License.Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

On this sticky August night, come join Lydia around the firepit in her backyard to discuss a formational film in both American culture and her personal life, particularly her opinion that Master Yoda, considered the wisest teacher both in story and real world, was wrong.Next film: 8 1/2 This film is available for free (with ads) on both Tubi and Pluto TV, as well as to stream on HBO MAX, YouTube premium, and Hulu. It should also be fairly easy to find through the local library.Attributions:Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain.Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License.Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

On this hot, July day, stop by Lydia's attic for an ice cold beverage and a discussion of The Pitt, a medical drama whose innovative structure allows it to explore the concept of burnout.Next Episode: The Empire Strikes Back, available on Disney+, at any library, or in your friends' DVD collectionAttributions:Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain.Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License.Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

On an oppressively hot day, come join Lydia in the attic for a conversation about a very silly film that accidentally became important.Next Episode: The Pitt Season 2 (2026)It is available on HBO Max.Attributions:Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain.Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License.Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

It's wedding season. In honor of the occasion, join Lydia for a discussion about the faux documentary filmmaking Jonathan Demme used to turn what could have been a twisty family drama into a thoughtful character study.Next Episode: Duck Soup (1933)It is available to rent YouTube, AppleTV, and Prime and is easy to find at a local library.Attributions:Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain.Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License.Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

It's the beginning of summer movie season and Lydia is giddy to share how important a sense of adventure is to a good Blockbuster by outlining the many similarities between a corny Disney film and 1977's Star Wars.Next episode: Rachel Getting Married (2008)Attributions:Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain.Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License.Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

Due to a fallen tree and a downed power line, Lydia's attic room is out of commission. So join her in her hotel suite for a discussion on a film she watched as a child, too young to understand the complex historical context and pychological realities depicted, and how that changing perspective is key to this movie's legacy.Attributions:Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain.Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License.Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.