Movie of the Year

• 1971 - Mixtape

  Movie of the Year: 1971MixtapeThe Sound of 1971The Taste Buds are trading film reels for vinyl grooves in this week’s episode of Movie of the Year, as Mike, Greg, Ryan, and special guest Taylor create the ultimate 1971 Mixtape. It’s the year of protest songs, psychedelic experimentation, soul anthems, and singer-songwriter confessionals—and the Taste Buds are here to decide which tracks define it all.Each host takes turns drafting their favorite songs from 1971 and placing them into the perfect playlist order. What emerges is not just a collection of hits, but a sonic time capsule—capturing the emotion, rebellion, and rhythm of a year when music and culture collided in unforgettable ways.The Rules of the MixtapeHere’s how it works:Only songs released in 1971 are eligible.Each participant takes a turn selecting a song. The chooser not only selects the song but also decides where it goes in the lineup, although the choosers of the opener and closer are pre-determined. The result? A carefully chaotic playlist that reflects the Taste Buds’ unique blend of passion, humor, and deep-cut expertise.The Music of 1971: A Revolution on Record1971 wasn’t just another year in music—it was a creative explosion. From the poetic introspection of the singer-songwriter era to the gritty pulse of funk and soul, 1971 became a soundtrack to a generation in transition.As the Taste Buds debate their picks, they uncover how the sounds of this year—across rock, R&B, country, and beyond—captured the cultural aftershocks of the 1960s and set the stage for the music that defined the decade to come.Whether it’s an anthem of rebellion or a quiet moment of heartbreak, every song chosen for the 1971 Mixtape tells part of the story of who we were, and who we were becoming.Guest Spotlight: Taylor Joins the MixtapeThis episode features special guest Taylor, who brings his own distinctive taste and flair to the playlist. A longtime friend of the show and a sharp musical mind, Taylor adds energy, insight, and a few unexpected curveballs to the draft. His picks remind the crew—and listeners—why music isn’t just heard, it’s felt.Conclusion: Press Play on the PastBy the end of the episode, the Taste Buds have built something more than a playlist—they’ve created a living archive of sound, heart, and memory. The 1971 Mixtape is a reminder of why this era of music still resonates, decades later: it was honest, fearless, and timeless.🎧 Listen now to hear Mike, Greg, Ryan, and Taylor craft the ultimate 1971 Mixtape. Subscribe to Movie of the Year, and email your own playlist picks to [email protected]—because your favorite 1971 song deserves a spot on the record.

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• 1971 - The Conformist

  Movie of the Year: 1971The ConformistRevisiting The Conformist (1971) – Power and Identity in Italian CinemaIn this episode of Movie of the Year, Ryan, Greg, and Nate take on Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Conformist (1971), a visual and psychological masterpiece that defined the aesthetics of 1970s cinema. Through its haunting beauty and moral ambiguity, The Conformist examines how a man’s need to belong leads him down a path of destruction.As the Taste Buds explore, Bertolucci’s film is more than a political allegory—it’s an intimate portrait of repression, desire, and the fragile nature of identity.Bertolucci’s The Conformist and the Politics of StyleFew filmmakers balance ideology and artistry as masterfully as Bernardo Bertolucci. The Taste Buds discuss how his direction turns politics into visual poetry, using color, shadow, and architecture to mirror the internal lives of his characters.Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro creates a world of geometric perfection and emotional chaos, where fascist Italy becomes both stage and metaphor. Every shot in The Conformist (1971) is deliberate—an expression of control, guilt, and the terror of individual thought in a conformist world.(Learn more about Bertolucci’s visual approach on Criterion’s Bertolucci essay.)Marcello Clerici: The Psychology of FascismAt the center of The Conformist is Marcello Clerici, portrayed by Jean-Louis Trintignant with quiet dread. Marcello longs to fit in, to appear normal, to bury the parts of himself that don’t conform. His fear of difference drives him toward fascism—not out of conviction, but out of insecurity.Ryan, Greg, and Nate explore how Marcello’s repression and guilt become political acts. His story reveals how ordinary people become instruments of ideology—not through belief, but through cowardice and the seductive comfort of belonging.Anna and Giulia: Women, Desire, and RebellionThe women of The Conformist (1971)—Anna (Dominique Sanda) and Giulia (Stefania Sandrelli)—represent opposing forces in Marcello’s life and Italy’s cultural psyche. Anna is sharp, enigmatic, and politically aware—a woman whose defiance threatens to unravel Marcello’s carefully constructed identity. Giulia is complacent, beautiful, and submissive, embodying the illusion of safety and control.The Taste Buds analyze how Bertolucci frames both women as agents of desire and symbols of rebellion, showing that even within oppressive systems, resistance can take many forms—some loud, others quietly devastating.Guest Spotlight: Nate Ragolia from Debut BuddiesThis episode features special guest Nate Ragolia, co-host of the hit podcast Debut Buddies. Known for celebrating pop-culture firsts—from debut albums to first films—Nate brings his trademark blend of insight and humor to The Conformist (1971). His deep appreciation for cinema’s evolution adds a new dimension to the discussion, connecting Bertolucci’s exploration of identity and conformity to the creative risks artists still face today.🎧 Check out Debut Buddies wherever you get podcasts to hear Nate’s take on the beginnings of cultural phenomena.FAQ: The Conformist (1971) ExplainedWho directed The Conformist (1971)?Italian filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci directed The Conformist, adapting it from Alberto Moravia’s novel of the same name.What is The Conformist...

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• 1971 - Wanda

  Movie of the Year: 1971WandaRediscovering Wanda (1971) – A Landmark of Feminist CinemaIn this episode of Movie of the Year, the Taste Buds—Mike, Ryan, and Greg—begin their deep dive into 1971 cinema with Barbara Loden’s raw, groundbreaking film, Wanda. Once dismissed and now celebrated as a cornerstone of feminist filmmaking, Wanda (1971) captures the alienation and quiet rebellion of a woman trying to survive in a world that refuses to see her.For movie lovers and film historians alike, this episode explores how Wanda transformed independent film, redefined the female gaze, and challenged the capitalist structures of both life and art.The Character of Wanda: Feminism and Alienation in 1971 CinemaAt the heart of Wanda (1971) lies a protagonist unlike any other. Wanda Goronski, portrayed by Barbara Loden herself, is a woman out of step with the world around her—drifting through Pennsylvania coal country with little purpose, no plan, and even less hope.The Taste Buds explore how Wanda’s detachment becomes a quiet act of resistance. She isn’t empowered in the conventional sense, but her refusal to conform to the expectations of wifehood, motherhood, and labor gives her a radical presence. Her story asks: is true freedom even possible for someone like Wanda in a capitalist, patriarchal society?Barbara Loden’s Direction and Legacy in WandaBarbara Loden—actor, writer, and director—crafted Wanda as an intensely personal response to the limitations placed on women in both Hollywood and everyday life. The Taste Buds examine how her minimalist style and vérité realism broke from the conventions of the era, situating Wanda as one of the earliest examples of American independent cinema’s feminist movement.Shot on a shoestring budget with nonprofessional actors, Wanda captures authenticity without sentimentality. Loden’s direction feels lived-in, intimate, and unsparing—her camera refuses to judge Wanda even as society does. The Taste Buds discuss how Loden’s work paved the way for later filmmakers exploring identity, alienation, and the female experience.Feminism vs. Capitalism: The Political Core of WandaWanda (1971) isn’t just a character study—it’s a political statement. The Taste Buds unpack how the film critiques the intersections of feminism and capitalism, showing how both liberation and exploitation exist within the same system.For Wanda, the American Dream is a nightmare: men exploit her, work dehumanizes her, and freedom always comes with a price. The Taste Buds discuss how Wanda’s raw honesty about poverty, gender, and survival resonates today, reflecting an America where independence remains conditional and fleeting.FAQ: Wanda (1971) on Movie of the YearWho directed Wanda (1971)?Barbara Loden wrote, directed, and starred in Wanda, making it a pioneering example of feminist independent cinema.Why is Wanda considered a feminist film?It rejects Hollywood’s idealized portrayals of women, instead depicting a complex, flawed woman navigating systemic oppression and limited choices.Where can I watch Wanda (1971)?Wanda is available through the Criterion Collection and select streaming platforms dedicated to classic and independent cinema.Conclusion: Why Wanda Still MattersMore than fifty years later, Wanda (1971) endures as a defining work of feminist and independent filmmaking. With Barbara Loden’s fearless direction and the haunting performance at its core,...

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• 1971 - The 16 Films Are Chosen

  Movie of the Year: 1971The 16 Films Are ChosenThe Battle Heats UpIn Part Two of the Movie of the Year: 1971 season, the Taste Buds—Mike, Ryan, and Greg—return to slice the bracket from 64 films down to 16. What began as a celebration of early-1970s experimentation has become a cinematic bloodbath. This is where masterpieces clash, cult favorites fall, and only the strongest survive.1971 continues to reveal its soul: a year defined by disillusionment, moral decay, and the desperate search for meaning in a changing world. The Taste Buds wrestle with these themes as they try to separate the timeless from the forgotten in one of the most volatile brackets in podcast history.The Cultural Turmoil of 1971The deeper the Taste Buds dive into 1971, the clearer it becomes that this was a year unlike any other. The optimism of the ’60s had curdled into cynicism; art was bleeding into protest, and filmmakers were pushing boundaries few dared cross.This episode isn’t just about elimination—it’s about exploration. Each cut exposes a tension between old Hollywood and the daring voices of New Hollywood. The moral clarity of the past gives way to ambiguity, violence, and alienation. Even in defeat, these films feel alive—vibrant reflections of a restless nation on the edge of transformation.The Bracket: From 64 to 16The Taste Buds take no prisoners as they slash the field in half. Beloved underdogs and prestigious heavyweights alike fall victim to the bracket’s brutality.The discussion spans the full spectrum of 1971 cinema—from intimate character studies to radical experiments in form. What emerges is a portrait of a year obsessed with freedom and consequence, where the line between hero and villain, beauty and ugliness, grows thinner with every decision.By the end, only 16 films remain—each a contender for the title of 1971 Movie of the Year.Conclusion: The Revolution ContinuesIf Part One was discovery, Part Two is devastation. The Taste Buds have drawn blood, but the fight is far from over. As 1971 reveals its cinematic DNA—grit, daring, and rebellion—the question grows sharper: what kind of film deserves to define an era?🎧 Listen now to Movie of the Year: 1971, Part Two. Subscribe, share your reactions, and email your predictions for the next round to [email protected]—because the bracket waits for no one, and 1971 isn’t done breaking hearts.

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• 1971 - A New Season Begins

  Movie of the Year: 1971A New Season BeginsWelcome to 1971—The Year Hollywood Broke the RulesThe Taste Buds—Mike, Ryan, and Greg—are back, and this time they’re traveling to one of the most daring and unpredictable years in film history: 1971. With the studio system collapsing and the counterculture in full swing, filmmakers were rewriting the rules, blending art and rebellion into something thrillingly new.In this season premiere, the Taste Buds launch the 1971 Movie of the Year bracket, cutting 96 movies down to 64 in a massive showdown of ambition, artistry, and pure cinematic chaos. From cult curiosities to forgotten gems, this first round is where history’s deep cuts get their moment in the spotlight.The Cultural Crossroads of 19711971 wasn’t just another year—it was a cultural collision. The Vietnam War raged, Nixon ruled the airwaves, and young directors were taking cameras into uncharted territory. As the Taste Buds remind us, this was the year American cinema shifted from polished studio spectacle to gritty realism, giving rise to New Hollywood.Every film in this season premiere carries that revolutionary spark. Some came from the underground; others from studios trying desperately to keep up with changing times. Together, they form a portrait of a moment when film wasn’t just entertainment—it was rebellion.Deep Cuts and Dangerous Roads: The Films of Round OneBefore the heavy hitters arrive in later rounds, the Taste Buds dig into the unsung heroes of 1971—the strange, the soulful, and the subversive.Two-Lane Blacktop: A road movie stripped down to its raw nerves, where the open highway is both promise and punishment.Wake in Fright: An Australian fever dream that makes the outback feel like purgatory.The Hired Hand: Peter Fonda’s quiet Western about regret, redemption, and a way of life that’s already dying.Taking Off: Miloš Forman’s offbeat exploration of American youth, alienation, and generational divide.Each of these films tells part of the story of 1971: a year where cinema stopped being polite and started getting real.The Bracket BeginsWith 96 contenders on the board, the Taste Buds must make impossible choices. Which obscure masterpieces deserve to advance? Which early casualties will haunt the rest of the season? The first round is brutal, brilliant, and full of surprises—as only a Movie of the Year bracket can be.The Revolution Will Be Screened1971 was a year of upheaval, experimentation, and discovery—and this season premiere captures that spirit perfectly. As the Taste Buds trim the list to 64, they set the stage for one of the richest and most unpredictable seasons in Movie of the Year history.🎧 Listen now to the Movie of the Year: 1971 Season Premiere. Subscribe to the show, share your bracket predictions, and email your early favorites to [email protected]—because the revolution of 1971 has just begun, and only one film will rise to the top.

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