February 12, 2018

EP. 141 — Midnight Cowboy vs. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Film critic Russ Fischer joins Amy for the second week of Oscars Month with a showdown from the 1970 Academy Awards: “Midnight Cowboy” vs. “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” First, they discuss the Texas cowboy identity, X-rating, and treatment of homosexuality in “Midnight Cowboy.” Then they tackle “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” noting what it pulls from Greek myth, its combined star power of Paul Newman and Robert Redford, and how it set the blockbuster paradigm. Should “Midnight Cowboy” or “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” enter The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now!

This episode is sponsored by MUBI and RXBAR (code: CANON)

Recent Episodes

August 12, 2018

Amy announces the winner of the final Canon call-in showdown, before presenting an episode of Unspooled, all about 1998’s Titanic. Don’t forget to subscribe to Unspooled on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts!

July 15, 2018

We asked, and you nominated! For the final episode of the season, Amy and Engineer Sam take listener calls to hear arguments as to which of these films should enter The Canon: David Fincher’s 2007 thriller “Zodiac;” the first film in the Cornetto trilogy, 2004’s “Shaun of the Dead;” or the 1999 Paul Thomas Anderson drama “Magnolia.” Which film will round out this edition of The Canon? Head over to the Earwolf forums now to cast your vote!

July 2, 2018

Vox film critic Alissa Wilkinson joins Amy this week to discuss the 1975 documentary “Grey Gardens.” They break down the film’s more difficult moments, examining the relationship between Big Edie and Little Edie as well as the undercurrent of latent sadness. Plus, they consider the direction and vision of Albert and David Maysles, themes of capitalism and decay, and how “Grey Gardens” encapsulates the central question of documentary. Should “Grey Gardens” enter The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now!