From sports fans to parents, cyclists to archaeologists, the podcast world has thousands of sub-communities. One of its most robust is the community of film enthusiasts. Over the past month, Guardian commenters have suggested a range of film and entertainment podcasts, so we've compiled a list of our five favourites here.
Don't forget to keep sharing your favourite podcasts with us in the comments –tell us why they're great, and highlight few standout episodes.
1. The Q&A with Jeff Goldsmith
In The Q&A, Goldsmith gets behind the scenes of feature films by talking to a key – but surprisingly forgettable – player: the screenwriter. According to one of our commenters:
I just recently found this and it became an instant favourite. Goldsmith interviews screenwriters (nobody ever interviews them) about some pretty big movies. He gets into motivations for films and how people make a living as screenwriters. It really is a good show
Why it's great: Jeff Goldsmith is a thoughtful interviewer. His questions feel like a casual conversation, but he pulls his subjects into the territory you want them in. The show is just as interesting to people who like movies and want a peek behind the scenes as it is for people who like writing, and want a peek into the creative process behind a successful script.
Where you should start: Zeeke suggests one of Goldsmith's first episodes (not on iTunes) with Jonathan Nolan about The Prestige and The Dark Knight. You should also check out #128: Woody Allen on Midnight in Paris, and #26: Frozen, with Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee (their co-creators and screenwriters) – you'll suddenly understand the mammoth process of creating an animated feature film.
(Listen on his website / iTunes)
2. Slate Spoiler Special
This podcast was repeatedly mentioned in passing, and it's certainly worth a highlight. Slate movie critic Dana Stevens hosts a conversation with guest critics about films and TV seasons that (spoiler alert!) should only be listened to after watching.
Why it's great: If you didn't get to debrief on a movie or TV show with your friends, this podcast will scratch that itch. And these people are professionals. The way they talk about movies is just truly delightful – they are great drivers.
Where you should start: Start with the movies and shows you've recently seen. The episode on Boyhood is meaty and thought provoking. So are the episodes on 12 Years a Slave and the Breaking Bad finale.
(Listen on their website / iTunes)
3. Box Angeles
Mike "Box" Elder moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry – but, like most others, hit roadblocks. So he started a podcast to talk to others in the entertainment industry about the struggle to succeed in LA. Writes one commenter:
This is a little gem indie that I really enjoy. Mike Elder has gotten a number of successful people from all different facets of the business - actors, comedians, dancers, voiceover people - to share some very intimate stories and open up about why they chose to uproot and throw themselves into the controlled chaos of greater LA
Why it's great: Box is still on the daily grind of auditions, improv shows, and more auditions – and that experience informs his questions. He and his guest end up analyzing what it means to "make it." It's a nice reflective look at show business.
What you should know: Box and his podcast definitely haven't made it yet – he's got 34 episodes and less than 400 Twitter followers. He describes himself as "just like the box elder tree; soft wood and little commercial value." You'll see sad comment- and like-free posts on his Facebook page ("Very important Friday morning question – where can one find the best burger in LA?? "), but these are the things that make Box so endearing.
Where you should start: Our commenter's favourite is #22, with How I Met Your Mother writer Dan Gregor: "Dan shares an amazing story of being at NYU while the 9/11 attacks were happening and how – as the second plane was hitting the WTC, he was in the process of making a feeble attempt at morning sex with a co-ed." Also consider #26 with Betsy Baker. She is a 59-year-old actor – not a voice you hear often in interview-style podcasts. Also, she's condescending to Box in the best way.
(Listen on their website / iTunes)
4. The Flophouse
In this podcast, three friends (Daily Show writers Elliott Kalan and Dan McCoy, and comedian Stuart Wellington) watch a bad movie and talk about it. They choose a movie if it's considered a "critical or commercial flop." According to one of our commenters:
The Flop House is the single best podcast I listen to. It has me crying with laughter
What you should know: The podcast comes out twice a month. They definitely seem to get drunker as the hour goes on. They go on many tangents. And you don't have to watch any of these movies to enjoy it.
Why it's great: These three have a deep knowledge of movies. They're great friends. You get the sense that they are deeply happy to be together – which makes you happy to be involved.
Where you should start: In an interview with the AV Club, the hosts name their favourites as #14: Bratz, #34: Mirrors, and #124: Stolen. Bratz is definitely legendary.
5. Bonnie and Maude
Bonnie and Maude (of Bonnie and Clyde and Harold and Maude) is film criticism from a female perspective. This one was a Twitter suggestion, elaborated by email:
Being a film criticism podcast that is hosted by women and often boasts female guests makes Bonnie and Maude worth a listen. The fact that it is also an excellently produced podcast featuring hosts who clearly know their stuff in the realm of entertainment and feminism and just happen to women is the icing on the cake. Bonnie and Maude explores familiar films, shows, and tropes in a way that makes them fresh again and shines a light on aspects of entertainment that other podcasts rarely do – or rarely do – with as much depth
In sum, they're smart girls talking about interesting themes in film and TV.
Why it's great: With Eleanor and Kseniya, you'll contemplate the idea of ugly women in cinema, see examples of the male gaze and notice moments when sexuality is actually absent from films. They review major classics like Drop Dead Gorgeous and Rosemary's Baby, but also new releases like Frances Ha and Girls.
Where you should start: Our reader's favourites are #14- Mrs. Anti-Hero ("It explores the different ways wives and girlfriends of bad guy protagonists are criticized and castigated"), #18: Frozen, and #22: Batman Returns. Other great episodes include #21: The Craft and #16: Women in Space, which discusses Gravity, Alien, and Barbarella. All the episodes can be found here.
(Listen on their website / iTunes)
Your turn
Let's talk about your favourite podcasts below. Why do you like them? What makes them unique?
