The American Cinematheque believes that cinema is a communal experience with the power to entertain, enlighten and inspire. The American Cinematheque Podcast is a show about movies, movie culture, and the people who make it all happen.https://acpodcast.com/en-ushttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/john-earlys-life-at-the-movies/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/john-earlys-life-at-the-movies/John Early (MADDIE’S SECRET, SEARCH PARTY) joins us on this episode of the podcast to talk about his directorial debut and the movies that shaped him! From unexpected tragedy surrounding a Christmas watch of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, seeing TEA WITH MUSSOLINI and realizing Cher was a genius, to life changing viewings of MURIEL’S WEDDING and DEATH OF A CHEERLEADER, we’re talking queer cinema, TV movies, camp (a la Susan Sontag), and so much more. MADDIE’S SECRET is in theaters now!Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/sean-fennesseys-life-at-the-movies-the-big-picture/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/sean-fennesseys-life-at-the-movies-the-big-picture/On this episode, we’re joined by Sean Fennessey: writer, host of The Big Picture, and head of content at The Ringer! We’re talking about growing up in the birthplace of Walt Whitman, and everything from hooting and hollering at the JACKASS movies to falling in love with ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST as a teen.Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/patton-oswalts-life-at-the-movies/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/patton-oswalts-life-at-the-movies/Actor, comedian, and movie lover Patton Oswalt (RATATOUILLE, YOUNG ADULT, I LOVE MY DAD, GOAT) joins us on the podcast! We’re talking about everything from 70s low budget genre films to CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND and PEE-WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE, from multiplexes in Virginia to the pre-Tarantino days at the New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles.Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/diego-calvas-life-at-the-movies/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/diego-calvas-life-at-the-movies/Actor Diego Calva (BABYLON, CLUB KID, HER PRIVATE HELL, THE NIGHT MANAGER, ON SWIFT HORSES) joins the podcast to tell us about his life at the movies! From growing up seeing movies at the Cineteca in Mexico City to accidentally becoming an actor, he tells us all about the films that shaped and inspired his career. We’re talking about everything from rapturous applause at a screening of AKIRA to the classics of Mexican cinema like Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN, and the films of Leos Carax and John Cassavetes.Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/a-very-special-bleak-week-bonus-episode/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/a-very-special-bleak-week-bonus-episode/The American Cinematheque’s annual festival celebrating the cinema of despair is back for its fifth year and GLOBAL for the first time! Chris LeMaire, director of programming at the American Cinematheque, joins the podcast to talk about the festival’s history, formative screenings, and highlights and special events coming to an independent cinema near you.Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/karyn-kusamas-life-at-the-movies/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/karyn-kusamas-life-at-the-movies/Filmmaker Karyn Kusama (JENNIFER’S BODY, YELLOWJACKETS, DESTROYER, THE INVITATION, GIRLFIGHT) joins the podcast! Her life at the movies includes everything from odd jobs before her first Sundance premiere to interviewing William Friedkin for cinematic car chase secrets on stage at the American Cinematheque. From ERASERHEAD and SATANTANGO to VALLEY GIRL, she shares stories about the films and experiences that shaped her and her work.Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/walter-murchs-life-at-the-movies/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/walter-murchs-life-at-the-movies/Acclaimed film editor, sound editor and director Walter Murch (RETURN TO OZ, THE GODFATHER, APOCALYPSE NOW, AMERICAN GRAFFITI, THE CONVERSATION, THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY) joins us on the podcast to talk about his life at the movies. From DUMBO to LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, he shares stories about the films and movie-going experiences that shaped him, and ultimately shaped cinema as we know it.Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/tatiana-maslanys-life-at-the-movies/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/tatiana-maslanys-life-at-the-movies/Actress of stage and screen Tatiana Maslany (ORPHAN BLACK, DESTROYER, SHE-HULK, THE MONKEY, MAXIMUM PLEASURE GUARANTEED) joins the podcast! We’re talking about going to the drive-in in Saskatchewan, private noir screenings in Toronto, working on horror movies as a kid, and everything in the world of film from the sound design of UNDER THE SKIN to the practical effects in SOCIETY and the Marx Brothers’ faces in A NIGHT AT THE OPERA. Why is TMNT: SECRET OF THE OOZE so important? Let’s find out. MAXIMUM PLEASURE GUARANTEED is streaming on Apple TV starting on 5/20.Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/lee-cronins-life-at-the-movies/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/lee-cronins-life-at-the-movies/Filmmaker Lee Cronin (THE HOLE IN THE GROUND, EVIL DEAD RISE, LEE CRONIN’S THE MUMMY) joins us on the show to chat comedy, horror, Ireland, historic theaters, and the sound design that haunted him as a child as we talk through his life at the movies. We’re talking everything from PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES to BUG and THE EXORCIST. What do TERMINATOR 2 and THE COMMITMENTS have in common? Let’s find out. LEE CRONIN’S THE MUMMY is in theaters now.Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/sophy-romvaris-life-at-the-movies/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/sophy-romvaris-life-at-the-movies/Filmmaker Sophy Romvari (BLUE HERON) joins us on the podcast to discuss her stunning debut feature, working at movie theaters, and the delight of dogs in movies. She programs the film festival of her life featuring everything from A.I. to THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY. What do JEANNE DIELMAN and BRIGADOON have in common? How many Canadian filmmakers can our host name? Let’s find out.Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/david-lowerys-life-at-the-movies/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/david-lowerys-life-at-the-movies/Writer/director David Lowery (AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS, A GHOST STORY, PETE’S DRAGON, THE GREEN KNIGHT, MOTHER MARY) powers through laryngitis to join the podcast and program the film festival of his life. From getting hit by a car while lost in thought after seeing INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE to falling in love at a screening of PINOCCHIO, we’re talking goth phases, getting fired from movie theaters, and loving DUMB AND DUMBER.Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/daniel-goldhabers-life-at-the-movies/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/daniel-goldhabers-life-at-the-movies/Filmmaker Daniel Goldhaber (CAM, HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE) joins the podcast to talk about his new film, FACES OF DEATH, and program the film festival of his life. From the importance of local critics and programmers to seeing screens on film, we’re talking about movies like UNFRIENDED, WHIPLASH, and SHOWGIRLS. What do THE DARK KNIGHT and THIEF have in common? What’s one of the most important films of the 2020s? What screening will Daniel regret missing for the rest of his life? Let’s find out.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/bendavid-grabinskis-life-at-the-movies/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/bendavid-grabinskis-life-at-the-movies/Writer/director BenDavid Grabinski (MIKE & NICK & NICK & ALICE, SCOTT PILGRIM TAKES OFF, HAPPILY, ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?) joins us on the podcast to program the film festival of his favorite movie-going experiences and talk about his love for 4DX screenings, action comedies like MIDNIGHT RUN, the earnest love story of MIAMI VICE, and left-turn sequels like BATMAN RETURNS.Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/mary-bronsteins-life-at-the-movies/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/mary-bronsteins-life-at-the-movies/Director, writer and actor Mary Bronstein (IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU, YEAST) joins us on today’s episode to walk us through her life at the movies and program the highlights as her personal film festival, from WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE to I LOVE LUCY, with a side quest into TRAINSPOTTING, SCREAM and REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE.Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://acpodcast.com/episodes/edgar-wrights-life-at-the-movies/https://acpodcast.com/episodes/edgar-wrights-life-at-the-movies/Director Edgar Wright (HOT FUZZ, SHAUN OF THE DEAD, SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD, WORLD’S END, BABY DRIVER, LAST NIGHT IN SOHO, THE RUNNING MAN) joins us for the first episode of this podcast and programs the film festival of his favorite and formative movies across his life, from STAR WARS to the obscure RIKI OH: THE STORY OF RIKI to a double-feature pairing GOODFELLAS and DELICATESSEN.Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT