221 - Nickel Boys & The Girl with the Needle

·1 hr 27 min·5 clips

Ewan and Lachlan dive into two Oscar-nominated films shot in non-cinematic aspect ratios, starting with the harrowing 'Nickel Boys'.

The episode begins with hosts Ewan Graf and Lachlan Teely introducing a double feature week focused on two Oscar-nominated films shot in non-cinematic aspect ratios. Ewan shares personal updates, including attending a film convention under embargo and watching action films for a video. Lachlan discusses his birthday week and drinking habits. The first film reviewed is 'Nickel Boys', directed by Rommel Ross, adapted from Colson Whitehead's novel. The hosts praise its first-person perspective cinematography, editing, and performances, noting its heavy themes about institutional violence against Black teenagers. They debate its Oscar snubs and difficulty to recommend. The second film is 'The Girl with the Needle', directed by Magnus von Horn, a Danish period piece about a pregnant woman in post-WWI Copenhagen. The hosts highlight its eerie atmosphere, score, and exploration of evil masked as good, particularly regarding infanticide and women's rights. They compare both films' themes of historical trauma and technical achievements. The episode includes double feature recommendations like 'Sing Sing' and 'Sugarcane' for 'Nickel Boys', and 'Anora', 'Broker', and 'Frida's Case' for 'The Girl with the Needle'. The hosts briefly discuss what they've been watching, including 'Baby Assassins', 'Relay', and 'Fright', and preview upcoming releases like 'Hard Ice Killer', 'Almond', and 'Parasite' IMAX re-release. They also mention Netflix's 2025 slate, including 'Frankenstein' and 'Havoc.

As heard by us

A double-feature review where Nickel Boys makes first-person filmmaking feel both formal and deeply personal.

Episode 221 frames its double feature around the way form can hold feeling. Ewan Gruff and Lachlan Teely pair Nickel Boys with The Girl with the Needle for a squared-off aspect-ratio week, with Oscar-season catch-up sitting behind the choice.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want Oscar catch-up conversation that treats Nickel Boys' first-person perspective as a feeling, not a stunt.

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