Best Nicholas Ybarra Podcasts (2025)

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81 - Steven Spielberg Summer Blockbusters 1:27:55

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5d ago1:27:55

1:27:55

It’s summer! And for the cinephile community, that means it’s blockbuster season. In this episode, we tip our hat to the godfather of the summer blockbuster, Mr. Steven Spielberg. To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the industry-changing classic, Jaws, we highlight three of Spielberg’s most iconic blockbusters. We start with 1975’s Jaws, the sum…

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80 - 1995 Films Revisited 1:16:23

14d ago1:16:23

1:16:23

This week, in a really fun compilation episode, we travel back to 1995! Thirty years ago! Nick and Bella (and a friend or two along the way) chat about the magical year of ’95 and some of the blockbuster movies that accompanied it. On the list today: From our Pixar Films episode, guest Max Sopkin and the gang discuss the OG Pixar movie, Toy Story. …

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79 - Category Is: Drag History (feat. Bailey Katler) 1:30:17

21d ago1:30:17

1:30:17

We’re keeping the Pride celebration going this week with an episode all about the history of drag! Bella Efstratis is joined by a very special returning guest, Bailey Katler, to break down three essential documentaries that celebrate the art, power, and evolution of drag culture. First up: The Queen, which takes us inside the 1967 Miss All-America …

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78 - Gregg Araki's Teenage Apocalypse Trilogy 1:24:18

28d ago1:24:18

1:24:18

This week, Bella is joined by special guests Melia and Henry Chendo to celebrate Pride with a look at Gregg Araki’s Teen Apocalypse Trilogy: Totally F***ed Up (1993) The Doom Generation (1995) Nowhere (1997) A trailblazer of New Queer Cinema, Araki captured the chaos of queer youth in the ’90s like no one else. These films are loud, sexy, surreal, …

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77 - The View Askewniverse - Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma (feat. Max Sopkin) 1:41:16

1M ago1:41:16

1:41:16

To celebrate the re-release of Dogma (which is celebrating its 25th Anniversary), Bella and Nick took a field trip to see the Kevin Smith classic on the big screen. We were joined by our good friend and returning guest, Max Sopkin. The trio discusses their theater experience and does a deep dive on Kevin Smith’s early career work. First up, we expl…

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76 - Sinister Beaches: The Dark Side of Paradise 1:05:03

1M ago1:05:03

1:05:03

This week, we’re heading to the shore—but not for the sunshine. Returning guest Michel Eljaiek joins co-host Bella Efstratis to explore the darker side of paradise through three beach-set thrillers that reveal just how quickly bliss can turn into terror. First up is Old (2021), M. Night Shyamalan’s eerie tale of a secluded beach where visitors age …

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75 - Mission: Impossible? Mission: Accomplished! (feat. Sonja Mereu) 1:23:28

2M ago1:23:28

1:23:28

This week, we’re celebrating the release of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, which highlights three films with the biggest stunts, highest stakes, and most pulse-pounding, applaud-worthy finishes of the Mission: Impossible franchise. We start at the beginning, with Brian De Palma’s now legendary spy thriller. 1996’s Mission: Impossible. S…

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74 - A Bear Called Paddington 1:16:05

2M ago1:16:05

1:16:05

This week, Paddington is officially joining the Gimme Three Podcast family! Join us as we dive into these three magical films that feel like storybooks brought to life! We start at the beginning with Paddington (2014), where a little bear from darkest Peru arrives in London and teaches the Brown family—and all of us—how kindness and a little marmal…

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73 - Great Mother Characters (pt. 3) - Immigrant Mothers 57:18

2M ago57:18

57:18

In celebration of Mother’s Day, we are revisiting one of our favorite themes: Great Mother Characters (our third installment). In this episode, we are highlighting immigrant mothers with three powerful and inspiring films. We start with the epic tale of generational courage, trauma, and perseverance in the 1993 classic Joy Luck Club. Second, an und…

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72 - Three Amigos: Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo Del Toro, and Alejandro González Iñárritu 1:20:41

2M ago1:20:41

1:20:41

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, three real-life friends broke into the Mexican and International film scenes and made their mark on the art form. Since then, Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo Del Toro, and Alejandro González Iñárritu have delivered several masterpieces and won several Academy Awards. In this episode, we highlight three of the filmmaker'…

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71 - Barbra Streisand Films (feat. Max Sopkin) 1:36:37

3M ago1:36:37

1:36:37

Returning guest and friend of the show, Max Sopkin, returns for an in-depth episode on the legendary Barbra Streisand. After watching all nineteen of Streisand's films, Max has selected three that highlight the range, talent, and overall superstardom that Barbra possesses. - We start with Barbra Streisand's on-screen debut, her Oscar-winning perfor…

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70 - Baseball Films 1:26:04

3M ago1:26:04

1:26:04

With Baseball season in full swing, we thought it’d be appropriate to dive into classic films that find a home on the diamond. America’s Favorite Pastime is the pastime of the Gimme Three Podcast this week. Listen to host Nicholas Ybarra's torment over his love/hate relationship with the sport, and find out if host Bella Efstratis was finally able …

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69 - Val Kilmer Films 1:16:26

3M ago1:16:26

1:16:26

On this episode of the Gimme Three Podcast, we discuss the career of the late, great actor Val Kilmer; a life and saga cut short, but left several iconic performances. We explore a few here: First, Val Kilmer transforms every fiber of his being into Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone’s hypnotic masterpiece, The Doors. In one of the most memorable and quo…

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68 - Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival Greatest Hits (vol. 2) 1:01:59

3M ago1:01:59

1:01:59

The Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival will return to the big screen this August. Save the dates: August 22nd - 24th, 2025. Visit LADFF.com to join the festival’s mailing list and stay current with venues and programs. On today’s episode of the Gimme Three Podcast, we revisit some of the greatest hits from LADFF’s 10-year history. First, a flashba…

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67 - Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival Greatest Hits (vol. 1) 1:02:10

3M ago1:02:10

1:02:10

The Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival will return to the big screen this August. Save the dates: August 22nd - 24th, 2025. Visit LADFF.com to join the festival’s mailing list and stay current with venues and programs. On today’s episode of the Gimme Three Podcast, we revisit some of the greatest hits from LADFF’s 10-year history. First, a flashba…

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66 - American Pie Trilogy 1:17:13

4M ago1:17:13

1:17:13

In 1999, the teen sex comedy was revitalized with the release of the shocking and wildly successful film American Pie. The box office juggernaut would become a modern classic and spark a franchise akin to the National Lampoon series. On today’s episode of the Gimme Three Podcast, we explore the first three American Pie films. The gang’s all here: J…

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65 - Gene Hackman Films 1:11:27

4M ago1:11:27

1:11:27

On today’s episode of the Gimme Three Podcast, we honor the legendary Gene Hackman, who recently passed away. Whether it was through comedy, drama, or action, Hackman brought a stern energy and a grounded approach to each and every one of his pictures. Today we discuss three of Hackman’s most memorable performances. We start with Gene Hackman’s Aca…

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64 - Bong Hits! Bong Joon-ho Films 1:22:33

4M ago1:22:33

1:22:33

To celebrate the release of Mickey 17, The Gimme Three Podcast is exploring the work of director Bong Joon-ho. Nicholas Ybarra and Bella Efstratis dissect some of his most potent and memorable Korean films and his auteurist visual language. We start with the neo-noir, edge-of-your-seat thriller from 2003, Memories of Murder. Second, Bong uses a cla…

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63 - Claudette Colbert Films 1:10:13

4M ago1:10:13

1:10:13

Today's episode spotlights Claudette Colbert, a genuine icon of cinema. Colbert's career traversed multiple eras in Hollywood: the Silent Era, the Pre-Code Era, and the Golden Age. To kick it off, we discuss what is widely considered one the of all-time greats, It Happened One Night. Claudette Colbert co-stars opposite Clark Gable in this genre-def…

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62 - Daniel Kaluuya Spotlight 1:16:21

5M ago1:16:21

1:16:21

In this week’s episode, we highlight the impactful career of actor Daniel Kaluuya. In his young career, Kaluuya has delivered several performances that will be cemented in the cinematic lore. We start with the under-seen, under-appreciated film Judas and the Black Messiah, in which Daniel Kaluuya plays activist and Black Panther chairman Fred Hampt…

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61 - Favorites of 2024 pt. 3 1:11:49

5M ago1:11:49

1:11:49

In the third and final installment of our Faves of 2024 series, Nicholas Ybarra, Bella Efstratis, and Sonja Mereu select three of the year’s most talked-about pictures. Nicholas starts with the haunting gothic horror film Nosferatu by Robert Eggers. Second, Bella selects the new and widely discussed Sean Baker gem, Anora. Finally, Sonja picks one o…

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60 - Denzel Washington x Spike Lee (feat. Trey Armstrong) 1:21:12

5M ago1:21:12

1:21:12

To celebrate our first anniversary, we are spotlighting two of our favorite filmmakers and artists. In today’s episode, we explore the collaborations of Spike Lee and Denzel Washington, a potent and mesmerizing cinematic duo. You, our listening audience, voted for our first film - the surprising and gripping heist film Inside Man. Second - Spike an…

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59 - Favorites of 2024 pt. 2 1:24:52

5M ago1:24:52

1:24:52

Aaaand we're back! Co-hosts Nicholas Ybarra and Bella Efstratis return with special guest Sonja Mereu for Favorites of 2024: Part II! This week, we’re revealing our second picks for last year's best films, and trust us—each one belongs on your "must-watch movies" list. First up, The Wild Robot, DreamWorks’ breathtaking adaptation of Peter Brown’s b…

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58 - David Lynch Tribute 1:33:56

6M ago1:33:56

1:33:56

In this episode, we celebrate the life and work of the late David Lynch. Mr. Lynch was one of the most innovative and intuitive artists who tackled cinema. Co-hosts Nicholas Ybarra and Bella Efstratis discuss the inspiring approach from David Lynch and three of his most memorable films. We start with Lynch’s audacious debut feature film, Eraserhead…

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57 - Favorites of 2024 pt. 1 1:13:30

6M ago1:13:30

1:13:30

It’s that time of year. Nominations are announced. Top Ten lists are published. And cinephiles far and wide decipher which films from 2024 blew their hair back. Today, co-hosts Bella Efstratis and Nicholas Ybarra are joined by producer Sonja Mereu. Each provides one of their favorite films from 2024 (in the first of three 2024 episodes). First, Seb…

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56 - Pray for LA + (Previously Only Available on Patreon) Summer Discoveries 56:17

6M ago56:17

56:17

We want to send our love, prayers, and condolences to the beautiful city of LA as it battles these horrendous and devastating wildfires. We also want to express our gratitude to our firefighters, first responders, and volunteers for helping our city overcome this immense disaster. In lieu of a new episode this week, we are sharing an episode previo…

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55 - Nick & Bella's Letterboxd Year In Review (2024) 59:28

6M ago59:28

59:28

In this episode of the Gimme Three Podcast, Nick and Bella go through the fascinating 2024 statistics from their Letterboxd accounts. The dynamic duo compares notes on the number of films they watched, their most watched actors and filmmakers, and much, much more. Throughout this discussion, we learn more about Nick and Bella’s film-watching habits…

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54 - Virgil Williams Interview (2019) from the Austin Film Festival 42:13

7M ago42:13

42:13

Nicholas Ybarra, co-host of the Gimme Three Podcast, recently saw Malcolm Washington's tremendous film The Piano Lesson. Virgil Williams co-wrote the outstanding August Wilson adaptation. In this episode, we revisit a 2019 interview with Virgil Williams and Nicholas Ybarra, recorded live at the Austin Film Festival. Virgil discusses his process, jo…

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53 - Holiday Romances 1:14:13

7M ago1:14:13

1:14:13

Happy Holidays from the Gimme Three Podcast! ’Tis the season - not just for the Holiday spirit, but also for love. This week’s episode explores three romantic comedies perfect for the holiday season. First, we gab about one of Bella’s favorites: Nancy Meyers’ cross-pond modern classic The Holiday. Second, the ever-charming Sandra Bullock stars in t…

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52 - Fall Finds '24 (feat. Sonja Mereu) 53:49

7M ago53:49

53:49

It is the season of giving, and co-host Bella Efstratis and producer Sonja Mereu are here to recommend three films each! Usually - our monthly discovery episodes are reserved for our Patreon subscribers. However, it is the holiday season, so we are presenting it to you - our lovely listeners free of charge. Bella and Sonja deliver a total of six sp…

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51 - Christmas Movie Or Not? 1:10:23

7M ago1:10:23

1:10:23

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the annual debate in the cinephile community. Many a movie aficionado frequently asks, “Is this a Christmas Movie or Not?” Well, The Gimme Three Podcast has you covered. On today’s episode, we examine three hotly debated films to answer the burning question once and for all. We start with Billy Wilde…

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50 - 50th Anniversary of Blazing Saddles, Chinatown, & The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 1:07:32

7M ago1:07:32

1:07:32

We’ve made it to Episode 50! Join us as we celebrate our 50th episode by revisiting some of the most beloved classics from 1974—these films are celebrating their 50th anniversary. 1974 was an unforgettable and impactful year in cinema - but we picked three films that not only defined their genres but also helped define American cinema for decades t…

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49 - 2004 Indie Darlings (feat. Ryan Lacen) 1:09:58

8M ago1:09:58

1:09:58

It’s hard to believe that our favorite 2004 films are turning 20 this year! So you already know we had to celebrate with a spotlight on three of our favorites from the year. But with so many incredible and timeless films to choose from, we're narrowing it down to three outstanding indie darlings of 2004! Enjoy a little recap of 2004's biggest and b…

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48 - Maggie Smith Tribute 1:08:36

8M ago1:08:36

1:08:36

Last month, the film industry lost one of the most prolific actresses in history, Dame Maggie Smith. With a stage and screen career that spanned seven decades, it was nearly impossible to pick only three films to highlight Maggie Smith's outstanding career, but we did our best. We start with Maggie Smith's Academy Award Winning performance as the e…

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47 - Demi Moore Spotlight 1:20:19

8M ago1:20:19

1:20:19

On this episode of The Gimme Three Podcast, we celebrate Demi Moore's birthday and her cinematic comeback! With her breathtaking performance in The Substance taking the cinephile world by storm, there’s no better time to revisit some of the fantastic highlights of Demi Moore’s career. We start with the supernatural romance classic Ghost, the film t…

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46 - Presidential Films (feat. David Chiu) 1:22:43

8M ago1:22:43

1:22:43

**Enhance Your Election Week Experience with The Gimme Three Podcast!** It’s Election Week! As we all know, this week can be both exhilarating and highly stressful. So, if you need a break from doom scrolling and news coverage, The Gimme Three Podcast has you covered. In this week’s episode, co-host Nicholas Ybarra and guest David Chiu tackle Gimme…

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45 - Katt Shea Interview (Poison Ivy, The Rage: Carrie 2, Rescued By Ruby) 38:29

9M ago38:29

38:29

We round out our weeks-long celebration of female horror directors by revisiting a 2022 interview with the great Katt Shea, one of Nicholas Ybarra's favorite filmmakers. Katt Shea started as an actress and worked her way into the director's chair, starting under the Roger Corman umbrella. Her films Stripped To Kill, Streets, and The Rage: Carrie 2 …

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44 - Horror Films Directed by Women pt. 2 (feat. Jess McLaughlin) 1:13:53

9M ago1:13:53

1:13:53

And we’re back with Part II! In this episode, Nick, Bella, and Jess return to discuss three more brilliant horror films directed by women, each from a different era and offering a distinct twist on the genre. - Jess picked Tiger Stripes (2023), Amanda Nell Eu’s bold coming-of-age body horror. - Nick selected The Slumber Party Massacre (1982), Amy H…

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43 - Horror Films Directed by Women pt. 1 (feat. Jess McLaughlin) 1:09:40

9M ago1:09:40

1:09:40

Are you loving Gimme Three's horror content this month? Well, get ready for even more because we're bringing you six killer horror film recommendations in our newest two-part series: Horror Films Directed by Women! Over the next two weeks, Nick, Bella, and returning special guest Jess McLaughlin have curated a fantastic lineup showcasing the extrao…

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42 - Hispanic Horrors (feat. Felix Martiz) 59:17

9M ago59:17

59:17

We kick off our month-long horror film extravaganza by also celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. In this episode (a re-release from a 2020 Film Forward episode), co-host Nicholas Ybarra chats with award-winning filmmaker Felix Martiz, and they each provide three outstanding horror films by Hispanic filmmakers. Ybarra and Martiz discuss these incred…

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41 - Jokers Are Wild - Batman, The Dark Knight, Joker 1:24:49

9M ago1:24:49

1:24:49

Once again, Joker is the talk of the town. To mark the recent release of Joker: Folie à Deux, Nick and Bella are exploring the history of the iconic character and the tremendous actors who have donned the face paint. We open with the performance that changed the game. Jack Nicholson steals the show in Tim Burton's Batman with his unforgettable take…

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40 - James Earl Jones: Deep Voice. Deeper Legacy. 1:15:55

10M ago1:15:55

1:15:55

Earlier this month, on September 9th, the legendary stage and screen actor James Earl Jones passed away at the age of 93. Jones made his film debut in 1964 with Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove, and continued to grace the screen for nearly 60 more years. Beyond the screen, his brilliance shone on stage, earning him two Tony Awards, and his incredi…

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39 - The Cornetto Trilogy / Shaun Of The Dead's 20th Anniversary (feat. Daniel Ott) 1:13:26

10M ago1:13:26

1:13:26

September 24th, 2024, marks the 20th Anniversary of Shaun Of The Dead's US Release. The forever-fresh cult classic not only launched Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost to mega-stardom, but the film also kicked off a trilogy of brilliant collaborations between the three artists. In this episode, Bella and Nick are joined by Daniel Ott to discu…

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38 - Philip Seymour Hoffman In Supporting Roles 1:20:04

10M ago1:20:04

1:20:04

This week, we conclude our tribute series to the legendary Philip Seymour Hoffman. Nick and Bella spotlight three of Hoffman’s most memorable supporting performances. Philip Seymour Hoffman never needed an exuberant amount of screen time to leave his mark on a film. Often, his supporting roles left as big of an impact as the leading characters. Fir…

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37 - Philip Seymour Hoffman x Paul Thomas Anderson: A Match Made In Heaven 1:25:51

10M ago1:25:51

1:25:51

Continuing our tribute to the legendary Philip Seymour Hoffman, this week Nick and Bella spotlight three of the most powerful collaborations between Hoffman and visionary director Paul Thomas Anderson. Hoffman and Anderson shared a profound friendship and creative bond, built on deep mutual respect, admiration, and a dynamic artistic synergy. Hoffm…

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36 - Philip Seymour Hoffman In Leading Roles 1:17:56

10M ago1:17:56

1:17:56

ANOTHER LEGENDARY ACTOR'S TRIBUTE! This week on the Gimme Three Podcast co-hosts Bella Efstratis and Nicholas Ybarra celebrate the life and career of Philip Seymour Hoffman. As hard as it is to believe, this year marks a decade since Philip Seymour Hoffman's tragic passing. In this episode, the duo discusses some of Hoffman's pivotal leading perfor…

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35 - Gena Rowlands Tribute 1:17:49

11M ago1:17:49

1:17:49

Earlier this month, we lost one of the most important, innovative, and courageous actors in American cinema, Gena Rowlands. Gena left behind a collection of jaw-dropping performances and an unforgettable approach to her craft. In this episode, co-hosts Nicholas Ybarra and Bella Efstratis discuss three of Gena’s memorable characters, all collaborati…

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34 - Concert Films pt. 2 (feat. Sonja Mereu & Max Sopkin) 50:45

11M ago50:45

50:45

In the exciting conclusion to our series on concert films, Nick, Max, and Sonja delve into three more concert films. In this episode, the trio discuss: The Spike Lee and David Byrne collaboration of American Utopia The raucous 75,000+ attended Queen: Live At Wembley Martin Scorcese's gorgeous Rolling Stones film Shine A Light In addition to these i…

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33 - Concert Films pt. 1 (feat. Sonja Mereu & Max Sopkin) 1:07:37

11M ago1:07:37

1:07:37

Co-host Nicholas Ybarra returns to the show while Bella Efstratis takes a well-deserved week off. Nicholas is joined by the familiar voices of Sonja Mereu and Max Sopkin. They'll be discussing some conversation-worthy concert films – and not just any concert films, but those featuring some of the most controversial artists of the last half-century.…

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32 - The War Within - America's Love/Hate Relationship with War (feat. Matt Cochran) 2:04:25

11M ago2:04:25

2:04:25

This week on The Gimme Three Podcast, co-host Bella Efstratis is joined by her good friend Matt Cochran, a cinephile and history buff, for a deep dive into America’s complex relationship with war in cinema. Together, they explore three films that arguably blur the line between being anti-war and glorifying it. Matt’s three film recommendations for …