The TÁR discussion continues with a special spoiler episode. Murtada Elfadl welcomes actor Wyatt Fenner, from the upcoming movie Chrissy Judy, to dig deeper into Cate Blanchett's latest towering performance, where director Todd Field places the POV, spoiling the film and in particular three big scenes that form the thesis of the film including the rather divisive ending. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl Guest: Wyatt Fenner Support the show

Like all good things, the TÁR season comes to an end. Murtada Elfadl welcomes writer and podcaster Manish Mathur, host of It Pod To You podcast, to discuss the thematic correlations between TÁR and Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut. They also delve into how repeated viewings of the film reveal deeper meaning and the popularity and memefication of Lydia Tár. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl Guest: Manish Mathur Support the show

The time has come to discuss TÁR . This week Murtada Elfadl welcomes critic and prgrammer Rafa Sales Ross to discuss Cate Blanchett's latest towering performance, Todd Field's elsusive jigsaw puzzle script and Nina Hoss' fantastic reaction shots. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl Guest: Rafa Sales Ross Support the show

Our celebration of the release of TÁR continues. This week it's Todd Field's second film as a writer / director, Little Children. For this conversation Murtada Elfadl welcomes back Kevin Jacobsen host of And The Runner-Up Is podcast, to discuss what makes Field's movies entralling, Kate Winslet quintessentially American roles, why Patrick Wilson never became a big star, suburban ennui and Madame Bovary. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl Guest: Kevin Jacobsen Support the show

The podcast is back! There's a new Cate Blanchett movie in theaters soon so a conversation must be had. To celebrate TÁR we will have a few episodes to discuss the movies that preceded it and the ones that inspired it. This week it's Todd Field's first film as a writer / director, In the Bedroom. In this episode Murtada welcomes programmer and podcaster Desmond Thorne to discuss what makes Field's movies entralling, and the mode, tension and outsize performances of Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson in this chamber drama. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Guest: Desmond Thorne. Support the show

We have come to the end of this podcast project. In this episode Murtada puts a bow on the podcast and briefly talks about how and why it started, what was learned and recommends a few episodes as an entry to the project. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show

We are in the final stretch of the podcast series. This week it's another of Cate Blanchett's many titular roles and Charlotte Gray (2001). In this episode Murtada discusses Gillian Armstrong's World War II film, the many loving close ups she affords Balnchett and whether the film works as both a sweeping epic romance and a narrative about life in occupied France during the war. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show

This week we go back to almost the beginning of Cate Blanchett’s illustrious career with Pushing Tin (1999). To discuss Mike Newell’s film and the performances of Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton, Murtada welcomes to the podcast Mitchell Beaupre, senior editor at Letterboxd. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show

This week we tackle one of Cate Blanchett’s weirdest roles, that of an injured American tourist traveling in Morocco in Babel (2006). To discuss Alejandro González Iñárritu’s film and Blanchett’s penchant to sometimes take on small supporting parts, Murtada welcomes to the podcast Zita Short, critic for InSession Film and Jumpcut Online and host of The 300 Passions Podcast. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show

2015 film masterpiece. From those acknowledged by the director Todd Haynes - David Lean's Brief Encounter - to others we gleaned from watching the film many times - the films of George Cukor, Deborah Kerr in The End of the Affair and Haynes' own Far From Heaven. For this conversation Murtada welcomes back Izzy from Be Kind Rewind to discuss these topics and how forming a relationship with a film changes the way you view over time. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show

In this bonus episode we are discussing the 2022 Oscar Nominations. Our take on the acting categories and best picture. The discussion touches on the performances of Kristen Stewart, Nicole Kidman, Olivia Colman, Andrew Garfield and Denzel Washington. We lament the exclusion of Ruth Negga and raise a glass to Lady Gaga's fun and fascinating press tour for House of Gucci. For this conversation Murtada welcomes back Izzy from Be Kind Rewind. Other movies discussed include West Side Story, The Power of the Dog and Parallel Mothers and of course the two Cate Blanchett movies that were nominated for best picture Don’t Look Up, and Nightmare Alley. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show

Cate Blanchett’s the top is so many ways. The top star, the top actress. And in Carol she plays the top. In the third of our multiple episodes about Carol (2015), the topic is the perfect merge of actor and role with Blanchett as Carol Aird. For this conversation, Murtada welcomes Maggie Larkin to discuss how Blanchett’s screen persona makes her the ideal actor to play this role. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show

In this bonus episode we are discussing the many films we screened at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. For this conversation Murtada welcomes Li Lai, founder and editor in chief of Mediaversity Reviews to discuss a few films including Bill Nighy in Living, Emma Thompson in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande and two films for both Dakota Johnson (AmI OK? and Cha Cha Real Smooth) and Regina Hall (Master and Honk for Jesus Save Your Soul). Other movies discussed include Rebecca Hall in Resurection, Fire of Love, Palm Trees and Power Lines, Nanny, After Yang, Call Jane, Free Chol Soo Lee, and Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power. We also discuss whether the selection reflected a diversity of voice. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show

This week we go back to Cate Blanchett's early career and another one of her "titular" roles, playing Irish journalist Veronica Guerin (2003). To discuss Joel Schumacher's film, Murtada welcomes illustrator and designer Dash Silva to the podcast. This wide ranging conversation also covers Blue Jasmine, The Aviator, the accent work of Meryl Streep and a few of this year's best actress awards contenders including Lady Gaga, Jessica Chastain and Kristen Stewart. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show

A witch and a warlock teach an orphan boy how to becme a magician in The House with a Clock in its Walls, one of Cate Blanchett's more curious film choices. We discuss her performance, what makes co-star Jack Black special on screen and briefly touch on the response to her two films on release. For this conversation Murtada welcomes filmmaker and podcaster Chels, from Untitled Cinema Gals to the podcast. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show

In the second of multiple episodes about Carol (2015), the topic is the cultural impact the film had on queer people. From memes to comedy routines, Carol was adored. For this conversation, Murtada welcomes writer and film programmer Shayna Maci Warner of Critically Queer, to review the film and talk about its queer legacy. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show

There’s a comet hurtling towards earth and a bunch of movie stars at trying to not look up at it. To discuss Cate Blanchett’s second movie this holiday season – Adam McKay’s climate change satire Don’t Look Up – Murtada welcomes critic Boyd van Hoeij from The Film Verdict to the podcast. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show

In the first of multiple episodes about Carol (2015), the topic is the love story. How Therese and Carol fell in love, how Todd Haynes visualizes falling in love and the scorching chemistry between Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. For this conversation, Murtada welcomes filmmaker Luke Willis to discuss all the above as well as rank the best line reading uttered by Blanchett. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show

Cate Blanchett is back in cinemas this holiday season. And the podcast is back for a final season of episodes. We kick things off with the first of the two Cate movies coming out this month, Guillermo del Toro's Nightmare Alley. For this conversation Murtada welcomes film critic Leila Latif, to discuss the film, how it differs from 1947 version, and the performances of Cate as a femme fatale, Rooney Mara, Bradley Cooper and Toni Colette. Hosted, Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show

The podcast returns on Sunday December 19th for a fourth and final season. Listen to this short announcement where the first film discussed will be revealed. Includes a snippet from The Good German episode with host Murtada Elfadl and guest Megan McGurk, host of Sass Mouth Dames podcast. Produced and Edited by Murtada Elfadl. Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/sundayswithcate) Support the show