1001 by 1

Adam St. John

Each week, we take a film from the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, discuss it, analyze it, and ultimately decide whether or not it should be in the book. read less
TV & FilmTV & Film

Episodes

Episode 130: Withnail & I
24-09-2021
Episode 130: Withnail & I
I don’t have anything very witty to say about this episode: we end our “Tribute to Ian” series by talking about his favorite film “Withnail & I”. I was so honored to have Liz Woodington (Ian’s wife and guest on our “The Dark Knight” episode) join me to discuss a film so beloved to Ian and so many others. We discuss the peculiarities of Bruce Robinson, the immense quotability of the script, and the wonderful payoff of that final Hamlet speech. Talking about this film without Ian is not the way that anybody wants to hear it, but Liz brought her unique perspective and Ian’s love for this film to the discussion and I could not have hoped for a better episode. This week, Liz recommends “The Boat that Rocked” (available to rent on most major platforms) and Adam recommends “Life Itself” (available on Prime, Kanopy, & Hoopla). I wish I could say that “1001 by 1” is going to continue, but I’m not sure if it will. Please continue to follow us and stay tuned as we slowly re-release our entire back catalog so that Ian’s legacy can live on.Want to suggest a film for us to review on the show? You can support us at patreon.com/1001by1. You can listen to us on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, & Google Play. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/1001by1. You can find us on Twitter at twitter.com/1001by1. You can send us an email at 1001by1@gmail.com. Intro/Outro music is “Bouncy Gypsy Beats” by John Bartmann.0:00 – Intros/Ian & Liz7:36 – “The Boat that Rocked”12:15 – “Life Itself”15:37 – “Withnail & I” Stats/History33:18 – “Withnail & I” Plot/Thoughts1:45:34 – Final Thoughts
#121 - Secrets and Lies
21-05-2021
#121 - Secrets and Lies
Our second week of International features keeps us in the English language but across the pond as we discuss Mike Leigh’s award-winning film from 1996: “Secrets and Lies”. Adam and Ian dive DEEP into this film discussing everything from what it means to devise scripts, if Brenda Blethyn’s performance is “too much”, and are all of these tangents necessary. The guys of 1001 by 1 go toe-to-toe on this film and ultimately come to a split decision (the first one since “Birdman”) – but who says “yay” and who says “nay”. Also, this week Adam recommends “The Mist” (available to rent on most major platforms) and Ian recommends “Vera Drake” (available on Starz). Want to suggest a film for us to review on the show? You can support us at patreon.com/1001by1. You can listen to us on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, & Google Play. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/1001by1. You can find us on Twitter at twitter.com/1001by1. You can send us an email at 1001by1@gmail.com. Intro/Outro music is “Bouncy Gypsy Beats” by John Bartmann.0:00 – Intros/Feelin’ Better1:36 – “The Mitchells vs. the Machines”5:19 – “Josie and the Pussycats”8:55 – “Waterworld”/ “Fighting with my Family”/ “Wag the Dog”11:56 – “Changing Lanes”15:58 – “The Mist”23:27 – “Vera Drake”29:28 – “Secrets and Lies” Stats/History38:27 – “Secrets and Lies” Plot/Thoughts1:33:56 – Final Thoughts & Replacements
#119 - The Philadelphia Story
07-05-2021
#119 - The Philadelphia Story
Last season, the guys at 1001 by 1 dove into their first Katherine Hepburn film: the Howard Hawks directed “Bringing Up Baby” – and needless to say they weren’t happy with it. Well, it’s a new dawn and this time they’ve brought a guest (Zita Short from The 300 Passions podcast) to journey with them into their next Hepburn film: this time it is the George Cukor directed “The Philadelphia Story”. Tune in to hear them discuss the plight of being rich in the 1940s (please catch the sarcasm there), Jimmy Stewart’s makeup Oscar, and the interesting relationship between Tracy Lord and her father. Also, this week Zita recommends “Pandora and the Flying Dutchman” (currently on The Criterion Channel), Adam recommends “13 Assassins (currently on Hulu), and Ian recommends “Boom Town” (available to rent on most major platforms).Want to suggest a film for us to review on the show? You can support us at patreon.com/1001by1. You can listen to us on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, & Google Play. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/1001by1. You can find us on Twitter at twitter.com/1001by1. You can send us an email at 1001by1@gmail.com. Intro/Outro music is “Bouncy Gypsy Beats” by John Bartmann.0:00 – Intros/“Pandora and the Flying Dutchman”4:36 – “13 Assassins”8:25 – “Boom Town”13:57 – “The Philadelphia Story” Stats/History36:45 – “The Philadelphia Story” Plot/Thoughts1:15:26 – Final Thoughts & Replacements
#118 - Ranking Mendes' Filmography
30-04-2021
#118 - Ranking Mendes' Filmography
Sam Mendes is a tried and true director – starting in the theatre and working his way to the attention of Steven Spielberg. His films have been honored all across the world and he has been coveted with some of the industry’s highest honors (including the Academy Award). This summer when the newest edition of “1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die”, Sam Mendes will no longer be represented in the book…and we think that sucks. So tune in to hear Adam and Ian discuss every film he’s ever made: American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Jarhead, Revolutionary Road, Away We Go, Skyfall, Spectre, & 1917. This episode ends the only way it ever could…we the definitive Sam Mendes ranking – so tune in and see where your favorite lands.Want to suggest a film for us to review on the show? You can support us at patreon.com/1001by1. You can listen to us on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, & Google Play. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/1001by1. You can find us on Twitter at twitter.com/1001by1. You can send us an email at 1001by1@gmail.com. Intro/Outro music is “Bouncy Gypsy Beats” by John Bartmann.0:00 – Intros/Why is Sam Mendes not going to be in the book?4:40 – Mendes History & Films14:58 – Mendes Collaborators24:25 – “Spectre”41:08 – “Jarhead”1:02:37 – “American Beauty”1:24:30 – “Away We Go”1:40:50 – “Revolutionary Road”1:59:57 – “Skyfall”2:15:00 – “Road to Perdition”2:27:14 – “1917”2:44:13 – The Definitive Ranking/Final Thoughts
#114 - Roman Holiday
02-04-2021
#114 - Roman Holiday
After spending so much time in the last few decades of film, we at 1001 by 1 decided to jump back to the 1960s. Our first William Wyler film; our first Audrey Hepburn film; and our first time with this guest. Adam and Ian welcome Kieran B. from the “Best Picture Cast” to discuss the romantic comedy “Roman Holiday”. Join the gang as they discuss Hepburn’s breakout role, black & white filming vs. shooting on location, and the iconic of the Vespa scene. Also, this week Kieran brings us a gaggle of “east coast” recommends as well as his classic recommend of “The Lost Weekend” (available to rent on most major platforms), Adam (kind of) recommends “Raya and the Last Dragon”(in theaters or with Disney+ Premier), and Ian recommends “Charade” (available on Prime, Hoopla, VUDU, and many other).0:00 – Intros/Best Picture Cast/East Coast Films10:48 – Adam’s Theater Adventure & Ian’s recommend “Charade” 17:26 – Kieran’s recommend “The Lost Weekend”22:10 – “Roman Holiday” Stats/History45:08 – “Roman Holiday” Plot/Thoughts1:23:56 – Final Thoughts & Replacements Want to suggest a film for us to review on the show? You can support us at patreon.com/1001by1. You can listen to us on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, & Google Play. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/1001by1. You can find us on Twitter at twitter.com/1001by1. You can send us an email at 1001by1@gmail.com. Intro/Outro music is “Bouncy Gypsy Beats” by John Bartmann.
#113 - Ranking Iñárritu's Filmography
26-03-2021
#113 - Ranking Iñárritu's Filmography
We are merging our discussion on “Birdman” into a larger, more comprehensive look at the films of Alejandro González Iñárritu: “Amores Perros”, “21 Grams”, “Babel”, “Biutiful”, “Birdman”, and “The Revenant”. Join Ian and Adam as they talk about Iñárritu’s past, his frequent collaborators, and major themes he likes to explore. They also discuss whether or not Iñárritu’s work falls into the minds of regular movie-goers. And then get ready because the guys of 1001 by 1 tackle their first definitive director ranking of the year – where will your favorite film land on their list? The only way to find out is to listen in!0:00 – Intros/Revisiting the Films/ Iñárritu History12:39 – Filmography & Frequent Collaborators 23:05 – “21 Grams” (Is this film just too messy?)35:36 – “Babel” (Who’s story is the important one?)57:18 – “Amores Perros” (Character vs. Story)1:15:51 – “The Revenant” (Simplicity of the Story & the Mastery of Film Technique)1:32:53 – “Biutiful” (Is this Bardem’s Best Performance?)1:54:08 – Our Definitive RankingWant to suggest a film for us to review on the show? You can support us at patreon.com/1001by1. You can listen to us on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, & Google Play. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/1001by1. You can find us on Twitter at twitter.com/1001by1. You can send us an email at 1001by1@gmail.com. Intro/Outro music is “Bouncy Gypsy Beats” by John Bartmann.