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Director's Club

Jim Laczkowski
Horror Films
Alfred Hitchcock
A Nightmare On Elm Street
Fiona Apple
Bloodbeat
Beach House
Film Criticism
Michael Bay
Mike Flanagan
Smashing Pumpkins
Jackie Chan
Freddy Krueger
Elaine May
Belle & Sebastian
2025
Nostalgia
Bad Boys
The Rock
Transformers
Ross Mcelwee

A monthly show that reviews one film director per episode with the occasional bonus episode. Episodes 123-172 were hosted by Brad & Al. As of 2022, new episodes will be hosted by Jim and/or Bill. The spin-off show, B-Side Me, is also here (for now) which is all about music/bands!

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Artwork for Director's Club

Latest Episodes

It's the first B-Side Me/Director's Club crossover (and the last if you listen to the intro). One of the other yearly traditions occurs when I step away from film and turn to my other favorite art form: music, alongside returning guests and lifelong ... more

At first I was going to simply just write about my love of Phil Alden Robinson's spy thriller, Sneakers (1992), but then I decided it was time to start recording my voice again in hopes of returning to our regularly scheduled program next month. Sinc... more

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Good evening. Welcome to Dial P for Podcast, Patrick Ripoll's year-long chronological voyage through the films of Alfred Hitchcock. Every month Patrick will be watching four Hitchcock features and talking about them here, from The Pleasure Garden to ... more

YouTube

Good evening. Welcome to Dial P for Podcast, Patrick Ripoll's year-long chronological voyage through the films of Alfred Hitchcock. Every month Patrick will be watching four Hitchcock features and talking about them here, from The Pleasure Garden to ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Erik Childress
Chicago Film Critics, host of Movie Madness, co-host of The Friendship Dilemma
Movie Madness; The Friendship Dilemma
Episode: Bonus Episode: Sneakers Commentary Track (feat. Erik Childress)
Heather Drain
Film historian/expert on Jodorowsky
Heather Drain (independent)
Episode: Episode 246: Alejandro Jodorowsky (feat. Mike White & Heather Drain)
Mike White
Host of Projection Booth, writer/critic
Projection Booth
Episode: Episode 246: Alejandro Jodorowsky (feat. Mike White & Heather Drain)
Matt Greene
Film professor
Episode: Bonus Episode: Bloodbeat (1983)
Jesse Oliver
Librarian
Episode: Bonus Episode: Bloodbeat (1983)
Rachel Bellwoar
Accomplished writer and pop culture expert
Physical Media Advocate
Episode: Episode 236: Jack Clayton (feat. Rachel Bellwoar)
Nick Digilio
A celebrated film critic known for his work on WGN Radio and currently hosting the Nick D podcast.
Nick D podcast
Episode: Episode 234: Nick Digilio (Celebrating 40 Years As A Film Critic)
Bill Ackerman
Film commentator, writer, and podcaster
Supporting Characters
Episode: Episode 232: Favorite Films of 2024 (feat. Bill Ackerman)
Gabe Powers
Genre enthusiast and host of Genre Grinder.
Genre Grinder
Episode: Episode 231: Jackie Chan (feat. Sam Inglis & Gabe Powers)

Hosts

Patrick Ripoll
Host who guides conversations and provides narration across episodes.
Jim Lazkowski
Co-host and main facilitator in several episode eras; often leads discussions and brings critical perspective.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 233 ratings
  • 👌🏻

    Love this guys reviews of Hitchcock movies . No stones under turned, so to speak . He takes you through every little aspect ,movement,meaning ,explanation and trivia of each film . Worth a listen 😎

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mart leafy
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Alex from Portland

    Thank you Jim for all of this content that has enhanced my life for years now. As a fellow member of the Dead Dad Club your views in particular on that subject are very comforting. I’ll get back to work and shut up now… Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ethan's eyebrows
    United States6 months ago
  • Great podcast for cinephiles

    Very well recommended! I like movie podcasts with lengthy episodes when they are entertaining and have something to say. I usually agree with Jim's takes on films. The normal format of focusing on a director is also insightful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    blacklodge18
    United States2 years ago
  • The podcast that turned me into a bigger cinephile

    I’ve been listening since the original Jim and Patrick run and they’re still two of my favorite film critics. I’ve been turned onto countless incredible films and directors because of this entertaining podcast. It’s gone through lots of changes over the years but I still really look forward to new episodes, especially the ambitious ongoing “year in review” retrospectives.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sc197
    United States2 years ago
  • Wow

    The lengthy episodes look intimidating with their running time but sometimes they’re even better than the regular director-centric ones. Kind of a must-listen for movie nerds that isn’t as obnoxious as other shows tend to get. The host Jim seems sincere in his love of film and that goes a long way. I am glad I just subscribed to this show even if some of the early episodes are completely different in format and style.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DanDadRock
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise deep, thorough director-focused discussions and entertaining host banter.
Fans value the breadth of guests and long-form exploration of film histories.
The series is described as approachable for cinephiles and a solid entry point for learning about filmographies.
Positive sentiment around the show's depth and guest expertise is common.
Listeners note the show's cumulative evolution and consistent passion for cinema, even when formats shift.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bonus Episode: Sneakers Commentary Track (feat. Erik Childress)
Q: How does Sneakers fare in terms of its legacy and influence on later genre films?
The discussion points to Sneakers as a landmark for team-based thrillers, influencing later heist films and fan communities, while acknowledging its standalone cleverness and the way it aged without losing its charm.
Bonus Episode: Sneakers Commentary Track (feat. Erik Childress)
Q: What makes the central relationship between Redford and Kingsley so compelling in this film?
They're portrayed as two former allies with diverging methods—one pragmatic and wary, the other idealistic and radical—whose evolving dynamic drives the plot's tension and raises questions about trust and power.
Bonus Episode: Sneakers Commentary Track (feat. Erik Childress)
Q: All right, where to begin with Sneakers? What drew you to the film from the start?
The two hosts share their initial appreciation for the ensemble and the way the movie blends thrills with genuine humor, while Erik adds context about its screenplay origins and the real-life hacker history that inspired its title.
Bonus Episode: Chicago Film Critic Nick Digilio (40 Years 40 Films - LIVE)
Q: Are you able to tell within the first five or 10 minutes of a movie whether you're going to like it or not?
Nick acknowledges that he carries baggage into movies related to directors or actors, which can influence his early impressions, but sometimes surprises himself with the outcome of a film.
Bonus Episode: Chicago Film Critic Nick Digilio (40 Years 40 Films - LIVE)
Q: What do you think represents Chicago the best in film?
Nick mentions 'The Blues Brothers' as a film that represents Chicago, though he expresses mixed feelings about the movie itself.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Director's Club

What is Director's Club about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Director-focused conversations that orbit around a single filmmaker per episode, with occasional bonus installments and spin-offs. Long-form discussions mix rigorous film analysis, production history, and contextual storytelling with personal anecdotes from hosts and guests. The most notable pattern is deep dives into directors' bodies of work, often tracing evolution across periods, studios, and collaborations, accompanied by thoughtful guest perspectives from critics, historians, and industry professionals. A standout element is the balance between scholarly film critique and accessible, passionate conversation, making it appealing to cinephiles who enjoy richly detailed director chronologies. This show also leans into nostalgia and fando... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Director's Club?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Director's Club:

1. The Projection Booth
2. Pure Cinema Podcast
3. This American Life
4. Up First from NPR
5. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

How many episodes of Director's Club are there?

Director's Club launched 16 years ago and published 362 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Director's Club?

Recent guests on Director's Club include:

1. Erik Childress
2. Heather Drain
3. Mike White
4. Matt Greene
5. Jesse Oliver
6. Rachel Bellwoar
7. Nick Digilio
8. Bill Ackerman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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