Advertise on podcast: THE FIXATE & BINGE PODCAST, with Host, Joe Curdy: Deep dives into cinema and storytelling with voices who create it

Send us Fan Mail Can movies be a form of self-therapy? We all have those films we return to when life gets difficult. Not necessarily the happiest movies or the ones with the most uplifting endings, but the stories that speak to us personally, offer a little perspective, or remind us that there's still plenty worth celebrating in life. In this personal and hopeful episode of The Fixate & Binge Podcast, host Joe Curdy explores the restorative power of cinema, sharing five films he turns to for comfort, encouragement, and inspiration when life feels particularly overwhelming. From LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE and 3:10 TO YUMA to FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF, DEAD POETS SOCIETY, and GOOD WILL HUNTING, Joe reflects on how certain movies can lift our spirits, challenge our perspectives, and help us reconnect with what matters most. The episode also touches on the importance of caring for our mental health, including a meaningful message from the late RJ Mitte about paying attention to our emotional well-being. Plus, Joe shares his impressions of HBO's inspiring new film THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH and offers two bonus television recommendations for horror fans: CRYSTAL LAKE on Peacock and CARRIE on Prime Video. And Joe leaves listeners with a question worth considering: What movies do YOU turn to when life gets difficult? Because while movies aren't a substitute for professional mental health care, sometimes the right film at the right moment can offer exactly the comfort, perspective, or encouragement we need. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast

Send us Fan Mail Two friends. Ten years apart. A 330-mile journey through the breathtaking Scottish Highlands. On this episode of The Fixate & Binge Podcast, we're joined by writer/director Bart Schrijver and stars Bart Harder and Carles Pulido for a fascinating conversation about their extraordinary new film, THE NORTH (2025) — a beautifully understated, deeply immersive, and profoundly moving exploration of friendship, reconnection, and the healing power of nature. Set against some of the most spectacular landscapes ever captured on film, THE NORTH follows Chris (Harder) and Lluis (Pulido), two longtime friends who reunite after a decade apart to embark on an ambitious 330-mile trek along Scotland's legendary West Highland Way and Cape Wrath Trail. Drawing from Schrijver's own experiences as a long-distance hiker, the film takes audiences on a remarkable journey through the rugged Scottish wilderness, where breathtaking scenery, unpredictable weather, quiet reflection, and the physical demands of the trail become the backdrop for something far more intimate: two friends rediscovering their connection, confronting the passage of time, and perhaps learning something about themselves along the way. In our conversation, Schrijver shares the inspiration behind his deeply personal film and the extraordinary challenges of shooting on location with a remarkably small cast and crew. Meanwhile, Harder and Pulido reflect on their experiences bringing Chris and Lluis to life, including the genuine friendship that developed between them during production — a beautiful parallel to the relationship at the heart of the film. The result is an engaging, thoughtful, and often heartwarming discussion about independent filmmaking, the power of authentic storytelling, and the ways nature can help us reconnect with ourselves and one another. Join us as we venture behind the scenes of a remarkable film that reminds us that sometimes the greatest discoveries aren't found at the end of the trail, but in the people who walk beside us. 🎬 THE NORTH (2025) 🎙️ Featuring: Writer/Director Bart Schrijver and actors Bart Harder and Carles Pulido 🎧 The Fixate & Binge Podcast — Celebrating the films, filmmakers, and stories worth discovering. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast

Send us Fan Mail Filmmaker, actress and provocateur Kansas Bowling joins The Fixate & Binge Podcast to revisit her audacious film CUDDLY TOYS, now returning to audiences with a striking new 35mm print. Originally shot on Super 16mm, CUDDLY TOYS adopts the deceptively innocent language of 1960s and ’70s educational films to present a surreal, unsettling series of vignettes featuring a cast of 100 actresses. The result is a film that can be funny, shocking, disturbing and deliberately difficult to pin down. Kansas joins Joe to discuss the film’s unusual production, its distinctive visual language, working with such an enormous ensemble, and what it means to see CUDDLY TOYS given a new life on 35mm. But what does CUDDLY TOYS actually mean? Bowling isn’t particularly interested in answering that question for us. In a conversation about authorship, interpretation and the sometimes dangerous temptation to explain art, Kansas discusses why she prefers to leave CUDDLY TOYS in the hands of the audience — allowing viewers to wrestle with its images, provocations and contradictions and ultimately decide for themselves what they’ve just experienced. 🎙️ Kansas Bowling joins The Fixate & Binge Podcast to discuss CUDDLY TOYS — and why sometimes the filmmaker’s final word is letting the audience have theirs. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast

Send us Fan Mail Can we actually learn to be happier? And if we want a more peaceful world, does that change have to begin within ourselves? This week on The Fixate & Binge Podcast, Joe welcomes acclaimed filmmaker Barbara Miller, producer and co-director of WISDOM OF HAPPINESS — the extraordinary new documentary offering audiences an intimate encounter with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and his deeply human message of compassion, inner peace, and our shared responsibility for one another. Barbara takes us behind the making of the film and her remarkable experience working with His Holiness, while exploring the ideas at the heart of WISDOM OF HAPPINESS: Why do we struggle to find happiness? How much of our suffering begins within our own minds? And can changing ourselves ultimately change the world around us? What follows is an illuminating conversation about filmmaking, compassion, self-reflection, and the difficult—but hopeful—journey toward inner peace. In a world increasingly defined by division, anxiety, anger, and uncertainty, WISDOM OF HAPPINESS offers something remarkably simple: Perhaps peace in the world begins with finding peace within ourselves. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your scheduled guest cancels at the last minute? You throw out the script and start talking about whatever the hell you've been watching. That's exactly what happened on this week's episode of The Fixate & Binge Podcast — and it turned into one of our most wide-ranging conversations yet. First up: Zach Cregger's RESIDENT EVIL. I went in expecting a fun horror movie and came away convinced it may be the best horror film I've seen all year. I'll explain why — completely spoiler-free — and why Cregger's wildly entertaining take on the iconic video-game franchise worked so much better for me than I ever expected. Then we take a very different turn with Russell Crowe's THE GET OUT, a film that got me thinking about the increasingly strange career trajectories of some of Hollywood's most acclaimed movie stars — from Liam Neeson and John Travolta to Nicolas Cage, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro — and why so many actors who once headlined major theatrical releases are now turning up in streaming movies. That leads naturally to one of television's great exceptions: Gary Oldman in SLOW HORSES. And speaking of Slow Horses… I've got a prediction. I think Jack Lowden may be the next James Bond. I'll explain exactly why I think River Cartwright has demonstrated many of the qualities that could make Lowden an intriguing successor to Daniel Craig — and why his work on Slow Horses may be the audition we've been watching without realizing it. And finally, because apparently I needed to restore my wounded ego after watching Jeopardy! Masters, I wrap things up with a brief comparison between that brain-melting display of knowledge and The Nation's Dumbest Celebrity — one show that made me feel very, very stupid… and another that restored my confidence. A canceled guest. A surprisingly great RESIDENT EVIL. Russell Crowe. The changing movie-star economy. Gary Oldman. Jack Lowden. James Bond. Jeopardy! And some truly questionable celebrity intelligence. Sometimes the best episodes are the ones you didn't plan. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast

Send us Fan Mail Hollywood has run out of ideas. We’ve all heard it: sequels, remakes, reboots, franchises, adaptations, spin-offs and prequels. But what if we’re asking the wrong question? In this episode of The Fixate & Binge Podcast, we tackle the increasingly common complaint that Hollywood has “run out of ideas” and ask whether originality itself may be overrated in cinema. Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: how many truly original stories are there? Shakespeare didn’t invent every story he told. George Lucas didn’t invent the Hero’s Journey. Quentin Tarantino has built an entire career by borrowing, remixing and reinterpreting the movies that came before him. Yet Shakespeare, Star Wars and Tarantino are hardly examples of uninspired filmmaking. So what actually makes something original? We explore the difference between novelty and originality, and why perspective, execution, combination and voice may matter far more than inventing a story nobody has ever told before. From Star Wars and Quentin Tarantino to contemporary films including HEEL / THE GOOD BOY, FUZE, ONSLAUGHT, BUDDY, HOPE and THE GENTLEMEN, we ask a deceptively simple question: Do filmmakers really need a new story—or do they need a new way of telling an old one? Because maybe originality isn't about whether every ingredient is new. Maybe it's about whether the recipe is. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast

Send us Fan Mail What if the technology threatening Hollywood could actually protect some of its most vulnerable performers? Film producer Elizabeth Caddy returns to The Fixate & Binge Podcast for a provocative, wide-ranging conversation that begins with Gore Verbinski’s GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON'T DIE and quickly evolves into something much bigger: the rapidly changing—and increasingly unsettling—relationship between artificial intelligence, entertainment, and humanity. Elizabeth and Joe dive into the dangers AI poses to filmmaking, creativity, performers, and society itself, while also confronting an idea that is considerably harder to dismiss: Could AI actually be used to replace child actors—and in doing so, protect children from an entertainment industry with a long and disturbing history of exploitation, bullying, addiction, abuse, and trauma? It’s an uncomfortable proposition. And Elizabeth doesn’t shy away from it. The conversation also includes Joe’s review of HOKUM (which Elizabeth thinks may have been a little too generous), along with Elizabeth’s recommendations for HEEL, starring Stephen Graham, and STOP! THAT! TRAIN!, starring RuPaul. But ultimately, this episode becomes a much deeper discussion about where we draw the line with AI—and whether the technology we fear might, in some circumstances, actually be capable of protecting the people Hollywood has historically failed to protect. It’s provocative. It’s uncomfortable. And it’s a conversation Hollywood desperately needs to have. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast

Send us Fan Mail For decades, movie theaters have been more than places to watch films—they’ve been gathering places, community landmarks, and an essential part of the American experience. But across the country, many of those theaters are disappearing. Award-winning, National Emmy-winning documentarian, writer, and producer Rustin Thompson set out to see them before they’re gone. In his new film, THE LAST PICTURE SHOWS, Rustin takes an extraordinary 10,825-mile road trip through the American West, traveling through Washington, Utah, Montana, Nevada, and Arizona and visiting small towns and independent movie theaters that are struggling to survive—or closing their doors altogether. On this episode of The Fixate & Binge Podcast, Rustin and I talk about the journey behind the film, the people and communities he encountered along the way, and what we lose when these theaters disappear. We also discuss the changing moviegoing experience, the challenges facing small-town cinemas, and why preserving these seemingly ordinary places may actually mean preserving something extraordinary about America itself. Because when the last picture show ends, what else disappears with it? This is the story of a filmmaker who drove 10,825 miles to find out. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast

Send us Fan Mail Why do we keep rooting for people who do terrible things? From Tony Soprano and Walter White to Dexter Morgan, Billy Butcher and Daemon Targaryen, television has become extraordinarily good at making us understand morally compromised characters. We know their trauma. We understand their motivations. We see their vulnerabilities. And somehow, the better we understand them, the easier it becomes to forgive them. But when does understanding become justification? In this nearly hour-long solo episode of The Fixate & Binge Podcast, Joe Curdy explores our fascination with television's antiheroes—and the uncomfortable possibility that the moral reasoning we use to defend fictional characters may not be so different from the reasoning we use to defend real people. Joe begins with a look at Paramount+'s THE AGENCY, starring Michael Fassbender, before diving into the evolution of television's morally complicated protagonists and asking why charisma, competence, power, trauma and even humor can make us surprisingly forgiving of terrible behavior. Then Hulu's new FURIOUS, starring Emmy Rossum and Lola Petticrew, takes the conversation somewhere darker: What happens when legitimate trauma and righteous anger become the justification for violence? And then fiction collides with reality. Joe examines the extraordinary public reaction surrounding Luigi Mangione following his recent guilty plea in the federal case stemming from the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson—and the larger debate over whether anger toward America's healthcare system can ever justify murder. But this isn't a Left-versus-Right argument. Because that's the uncomfortable part. We all do it. We forgive the people we believe are fighting for our side. We minimize behavior when we agree with the cause. We find reasons to excuse people we admire, people who entertain us, people who look the part, and people who are fighting someone we dislike even more. We've all heard—or perhaps said—the dangerous sentence: "I don't approve of everything they do, BUT..." So what comes after the but? Maybe television didn't destroy our moral compass. Maybe it simply taught us how easy it is to understand the villain. And maybe the most dangerous thing about the antihero isn't that we become like them—it's that we become convinced they're right. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast

Send us Fan Mail DO US PART: The Rom-Com Isn’t Dead — Reed Arnold Just Proved It For decades, the romantic comedy was one of Hollywood’s most dependable—and beloved—genres. Then streaming changed the theatrical landscape, horror took over the multiplex, and the mid-budget rom-com seemingly disappeared. Enter Reed Arnold. In this episode of The Fixate & Binge Podcast, Joe Curdy sits down with Arnold—the writer, director, and star of DO US PART, his impressive feature-film debut—to talk about bringing a genuinely funny, heartfelt romantic comedy back to the big screen. Set against the increasingly chaotic backdrop of a countryside wedding, DO US PART follows a best man desperately trying to keep a celebration from completely unraveling when buried feelings, complicated friendships, and one very unexpected confession threaten to derail everything. But beneath the laughs is something much more meaningful: a story about unrequited love, enduring friendship, sacrifice, and the painful question of what might have been. Joe recently gave DO US PART a 4.5/5-star review, calling it “a breath of fresh air” and a welcome reminder that the theatrical rom-com “hasn’t lost its mojo—Hollywood has simply forgotten how much we still need it.” In this wide-ranging conversation, Reed talks about writing, directing, and starring in his debut feature; the origins of DO US PART; translating the story from stage to screen; creating authentic chemistry between his three leads; balancing escalating comedy with genuine emotional stakes; and why romantic comedies still matter. DO US PART is currently playing in select theaters and arrives on Apple TV on August 14, 2026. If you’ve been waiting for Hollywood to remember how to make you laugh, fall in love, and maybe even shed a tear along the way, this episode—and this movie—are for you. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast

Send us Fan Mail Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY is already being celebrated for its breathtaking IMAX photography and epic scope—but is its greatest achievement something far more intimate? In this solo episode of The Fixate & Binge Podcast, Joe Curdy moves beyond the spectacle to explore the film's deeper philosophical questions. Is Odysseus' voyage really about crossing the Mediterranean... or confronting the man he has become? What does "coming home" truly mean after years of war, violence, moral compromise, and unbearable loss? Joe also offers an honest—and perhaps controversial—take on experiencing the film in 70mm IMAX versus standard digital IMAX, questioning whether the premium format ultimately enhanced or distracted from the emotional experience. From Matt Damon's quietly devastating performance to the haunting presence of Athena, Zeus' Law, survivor's guilt, and the unforgettable metaphor of the Sirens' "delicious itch," this episode explores why THE ODYSSEY may be Nolan's most reflective and emotionally resonant film to date. Sometimes the longest journey isn't across an ocean. It's the one that leads us back to ourselves. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast

Send us Fan Mail Twenty-five years after its release, GYPSY 83 has become something rare in independent cinema: a film that grew more meaningful with time. On this special episode of The Fixate & Binge Podcast, I am joined by writer/director Todd Stephens and actor Birkett Turton to celebrate the enduring legacy of a film that has evolved from an overlooked independent release into a beloved cult classic. Todd Stephens has long been recognized as a trailblazer in Queer Cinema, creating deeply personal stories centered around identity, belonging, friendship, and the search for connection. With GYPSY 83, he introduced audiences to an unforgettable road movie about two young people discovering themselves, finding confidence, and creating their own chosen family. We revisit the making of the 2001 film starring Sara Rue as Gypsy and Birkett Turton as Clive, exploring the incredible chemistry between its two leads, the challenges of bringing the story to life, and how a movie that was not initially embraced by critics has gone on to inspire generations of fans. Todd and Birkett share behind-the-scenes memories from production, reflect on the film's cultural impact 25 years later, and discuss why GYPSY 83 continues to resonate with audiences searching for stories about acceptance, individuality, and finding your place in the world. Before welcoming my guests, I also have a little fun discussing the early backlash toward Christopher Nolan's upcoming THE ODYSSEY and offering a playful message to those already writing off a film before they've even seen it. This episode is a celebration of independent filmmaking, Queer Cinema history, and the rare films that become more powerful as the years go by. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast

Send us Fan Mail Writer-director Lauren Meyering and breakout star Lillian Carrier join The Fixate & Binge Podcast to discuss one of 2025's most heartfelt independent films, HORSEGIRLS, which debuted at New York's 2025 Tribeca Film Festival.  Inspired by a true story, HORSEGIRLS follows Margarita, a 22-year-old autistic woman navigating adulthood while caring for—and being cared for by—her fiercely protective mother, played by Gretchen Mol. As Margarita discovers the unexpected world of competitive hobby horse riding, she begins to find confidence, community, and her own identity at a pivotal moment in both of their lives. Joe sits down with Meyering and Carrier for an honest conversation about adapting a deeply personal true story for the screen, the importance of authentic neurodivergent representation, collaborating with Gretchen Mol, balancing humor with emotional honesty, and why the film refuses to rely on familiar Hollywood clichés. Carrier also reflects on bringing her own lived experience as an autistic actor to the role of Margarita and what it meant to portray a character with such sincerity and authenticity. Plus, Joe shares why HORSEGIRLS became one of his favorite discoveries of the year, praising the remarkable performances from Carrier and Mol and the film's compassionate portrait of family, independence, and acceptance. If you love character-driven independent cinema and conversations about authentic storytelling, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast

Send us Fan Mail As we reach the halfway point of 2026, it's the perfect time to look back at the movies and television shows that have made the biggest impact so far this year. In this special solo episode, Joe Curdy shares his favorite films and television series of 2026—from big studio releases and prestige television to independent gems that deserve a wider audience. Along the way, he reflects on the year's biggest surprises, a few disappointments, and the common themes that seem to be resonating with audiences today. Featuring discussion of Project Hail Mary, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Toy Story 5, The Sheep Detectives, Omaha, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die, Obsession, The Furious, The Bear, The Pitt, House of the Dragon, Silo, Jury Duty: Company Retreat, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Widow's Bay, and Cape Fear, this episode goes beyond reviews to explore why these stories matter—and what they might say about the kinds of stories we're seeking in 2026. Whether you're searching for your next great movie, the next television series to binge, or simply enjoy thoughtful conversations about film and television, this mid-year check-in has something for every movie and TV fan. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast

Send us Fan Mail In Part 2 of our special WATCHING THE SKIES series, what began as a continuation of our exploration of cinema's fascination with UFOs and UAPs takes an unexpected turn when award-winning filmmaker Vito Trupiano (HELLBENT ON BOOGIE) joins the conversation. A lifelong student of the UAP phenomenon—and currently developing a passion project centered on the subject—Vito brings a filmmaker's perspective and an enthusiast's curiosity to one of humanity's greatest mysteries. Together, we dive deep into Steven Spielberg's DISCLOSURE DAY, discussing what resonated, what left us wanting more, and how the film compares to decades of UFO storytelling on screen. Our conversation quickly expands beyond the movies into documented encounters, government disclosures, military testimony, and the enduring questions surrounding unexplained aerial phenomena that continue to captivate scientists, skeptics, and believers alike. Along the way, we also revisit several modern classics that have shaped the genre—including DISTRICT 9, ARRIVAL, THE VAST OF NIGHT, UNDER THE SKIN, NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU, NOPE, and PROJECT HAIL MARY—while exploring why UFO cinema continues to mirror humanity's hopes, fears, and fascination with the unknown. Whether you're a lifelong believer, an open-minded skeptic, or simply a fan of great science fiction, this free-flowing conversation offers an engaging look at where film, imagination, and the unexplained intersect. Thank you for listening! You can find and follow us with the links below! Read our Letterboxd reviews at: https://letterboxd.com/fixateandbinge/ Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/fixateandbingepodcast/?hl=ms Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@fixateandbingepodcast