The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever
Film, TV & Pop Culture
About
The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever features experts and enthusiasts and, well, their favorite films of every year ever. Host Tristan Ettleman sits down with a new guest every week to dive into the history and beauty of some of the best movies to ever come out of the cinematic medium.
Episodes
- 1912 E3 - Alison Strauss
Alison Strauss, director of HippFest, discusses the history of Scottish filmmaking, silent films, and the prevalence of short films in 1912. The conversation includes examples of films from the era and concludes with a discussion of animat…
- 1912 E2 - Tanya Goldman
Tanya Goldman, Assistant Professor of Film at Missouri State University, discusses nontheatrical films, minor cinema, and useful films, including sponsored films. The conversation also covers morbid humor in 1912 shorts, encompassing both…
- 1912 E1 - Hollywood Incoming
This episode explores the industrial, technological, and social changes within the global film industry during 1912. It references several films from that year, including "Queen Elizabeth" and multiple adaptations of "Oliver Twist."
- 1911 E7 - The Shorts Continue
This episode discusses the continued prevalence of short films in 1911, and how they reflect the evolving cinematic form of the early and middle 1910s. The episode mentions films including The Strange Bird, Animated Putty, Temptations of a…
- 1911 E6 - Casper Tybjerg
Casper Tybjerg, Associate Professor of Film Studies at the University of Copenhagen, selects five films from 1911. He discusses their reflection of narrative cinematic drama and the international refinement of the cinematic medium.
- 1911 E5 - Eva Hielscher
Eva Hielscher, head of film-related collections at Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum, discusses a global selection of 1911 films, encompassing various countries and genres. She covers French comedy, animation shorts, an Italian epic, a G…
- 1911 E4 - Thomas Christensen
Thomas Christensen, Curator at the Danish Film Institute, discusses Danish films from 1911. He highlights selections that reflect Denmark's advancements in film grammar, subjects, and character psychology during a crucial transitional peri…
- 1911 E3 - Patrick Friel
Patrick Friel, an educator and programmer, shares his selections of non-narrative and experimental films from 1911. He discusses various titles, including "Little Nemo" and "I.P. Müller."
- 1911 E2 - Kathy Feeley
Professor Kathy Feeley discusses early cinema, highlighting the contributions of women in various roles. She focuses on films featuring Mary Pickford and other pioneering women in the industry.
- 1911 E1 - The Feature Begins?
This episode discusses the emergence of the feature film in 1911, highlighting experimental films from various countries. It also mentions several films including L’Inferno, L’Odissea, and The Black Dream.
- 1910 E7 - Legitimacy and Controversy
This episode discusses 1910s films, exploring the transitional era of cinema development. It covers the diverse global medium of film with various modes, genres, and subjects from that period.
- 1910 E6 - Kathy Rose O'Regan
Kathy Rose O'Regan, Executive Director of San Francisco Film Preserve, discusses the international nuances of 1910 filmmaking. She also shares her experience as a film restorer for the San Francisco Silent Film Festival and the Bay Area Vi…
- 1910 E5 - Kynan Dias
Kynan Dias, Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, discusses films from 1910, focusing on literary adaptations and Native American filmmaking. He is also a co-host of film history podcasts on the TruStory.FM network.
- 1910 E4 - Laura Horak
Laura Horak, Professor of Film Studies, discusses early cinema, focusing on cross-dressing women in film and transgender media. The conversation covers films from 1910 such as "The Red Girl and the Child" and "The Abyss" and mentions her w…
- 1910 E3 - David Morton
David Morton discusses the American film industry's migration to Florida and other locations, as well as censored films. He is a Lecturer at the University of Central Florida and author of Motion Picture Paradise: A History of Florida’s Fi…
- 1910 E2 - Ned Thanhouser
Ned Thanhouser, president of Thanhouser Company Film Preservation and grandson of film pioneers, discusses the founding of his family’s studio, classic literature adaptations, and film preservation. He has been active in film preservation…
- 1910 E1 - The Beginning of a Decade
This episode discusses films from 1910, focusing on the early forms of narrative cinema and notable productions. It mentions films such as "The Broken Oath," "The Actor's Children," and "Frankenstein."
- 1909 E7 - A Funny Year
This episode concludes the 1909 season of "The 5 Best Films of Every Year Ever" with a selection of diverse films, emphasizing the universal appeal of comedy in early cinema. It examines how these films rose above efforts to legitimize the…
- 1909 E6 - Paul Flaig
Paul Flaig, a lecturer in Film Studies at University of St Andrews, is featured in this episode. He discusses early German, American, and French comedy films, connecting them to his book "Weimar Slapstick and Hollywood Comedy Transformed."
- 1909 E5 - Yuki Irikura
Yuki Irikura, Assistant Professor at Waseda University, discusses her 1909 film selections, focusing on D.W. Griffith films and the debut of Japan’s first film star. Her research includes Japanese and American silent film history, with a f…
- 1909 E4 - Kathy Fuller-Seeley
Professor Kathy Fuller-Seeley discusses early cinema, specifically focusing on films from 1909. She shares her research on early cinema audiences and mentions specific films such as "The Sealed Room" and "A Corner in Wheat."
- 1909 E3 - Donald Crafton
Donald Crafton, author and scholar of early animation history, discusses his 1909 film picks. His selections include examples of early animation, live-action films with editing innovations, trick films, and actualities. Crafton also discus…
- 1909 E2 - Paddy Adamson
Paddy Adamson, an Associate Lecturer in Film Studies at the University of St Andrews, discusses film comedy and his research on 1920s Westerns. He also mentions specific films from various countries and directors.
- 1909 E1 - The End of a Decade
This episode reflects on the cinematic medium and industry in 1909, discussing established genres and techniques alongside the refinement of composition, effects, narratives, and screen acting. Films mentioned include Hiawatha, Disinherite…
- 1908 E7 - Prestige and Spectacle
The episode discusses a variety of films from 1908, including the directorial debut of D.W. Griffith. The selections for the year are eclectic, representing the prestige and spectacle of 1908 cinema.
- 1908 E6 - Benjamín Schultz-Figueroa
Benjamín Schultz-Figueroa, Associate Professor of Film and Media at Seattle University, discusses films and his research on scientific filmmaking, nontheatrical film, and animal studies. He is the author of The Celluloid Specimen: Moving I…
- 1908 E5 - Donald Sosin
Donald Sosin, a composer and performer of silent film music, discusses his experiences and several films from 1908. He also mentions various other films from different years.
- 1908 E4 - Ivo Blom
Ivo Blom, a lecturer in Comparative Arts & Media Studies at Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, discusses 1908 films, international aesthetics, and film industry markets. His work includes books on Jean Desmet and early Dutch film, Italian sile…
- 1908 E3 - Don McHoull
Don McHoull, known for @silentmoviegifs, joins the podcast to discuss his picks for influential silent films from 1908. He shares his enthusiasm for silent movies and how they still resonate today.
- 1908 E2 - Tracey Goessel
Tracey Goessel, author and preservationist, discusses early D.W. Griffith films and other silent era cinema. She also speaks on film preservation and her work with the Film Preservation Society.
- 1908 E1 - Yes, Griffith Is Here
This episode discusses films from 1908, including the start of D.W. Griffith’s directorial career. It also covers other artistic, technical, and business developments in film during that year.
- 1907 E7 - Old Styles Reign Supreme
This episode discusses the prominent film genres of 1907. It explores how familiar styles coexisted with new cinematic approaches during this period.
- 1907 E6 - Randy Haberkamp
Film historian Randy Haberkamp discusses film preservation and silent films. He highlights hard-to-find films and famed stars from his experience with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- 1907 E5 - Agata Frymus
Agata Frymus, Senior Lecturer in Film and Television Studies at Monash University Malaysia, selects mostly comic films to represent 1907. She also includes a historical drama and the first Japanese selection of the show, illustrating the m…
- 1907 E4 - Sean Guinan
Filmmaker and musician Sean Guinan discusses his film selections for the year 1907, encompassing a range of topics from eroticism and comedy to social commentary. He also mentions films such as Bridge Jump with Handcuff Escape and El Satar…
- 1907 E3 - Liz Clarke
Associate Professor Liz Clarke explores the global film industry in 1907 through five film selections. Her picks include "Race for the Sausage," "The "Teddy" Bears," and "The Doll's Revenge."
- 1907 E2 - Matt Page
Matt Page, a film historian, discusses films from 1907. He covers film adaptations of the Bible and other films like "The Race for the Sausage" and "Life and Passion of Jesus Christ."
- 1907 E1 - Studios, Legal Battles, Criticism, Oh My!
This episode discusses the historical developments in film during 1907, including legal battles and studio foundings. It also covers various film selections from that year, such as chase films, bizarre gems, and an animation milestone.
- 1906 E7 - A Trip Down History Lane
The episode discusses the top films of 1906. It examines the balance of narrative and actuality in early cinema, with a focus on films like "A Trip Down Market Street Before the Fire" and "The Merry Frolics of Satan."
- 1906 E6 - Coraline Refort
Coraline Refort, a postdoc fellow at the University of Sassari, discusses films from 1906. Her selections offer feminist readings, and she also examines an animation milestone and early film tricks. Coraline holds a PhD in Film History and…
- 1906 E5 - Joshua Yumibe
Professor Joshua Yumibe, a researcher of color in silent film, discusses films with notable color elements. He authored "Moving Color" and co-authored "Fantasia of Color in Early Cinema" and "Chromatic Modernity."
- 1906 E4 - Oliver Gaycken
Oliver Gaycken, an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland, shares his five film picks for 1906. His selections include both fiction and nonfiction films, reflecting his interest in early cinema and popular science.
- 1906 E3 - Mario Slugan
Mario Slugan, a Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, discusses early cinema and films from 1906, specifically focusing on narrative and "nonfiction" films. He shares insights from his research on fiction in early cinema.
- 1906 E2 - Carl Bennett
Carl Bennett, publisher and editor of silentera.com, selects five films from 1906. He discusses the growing trend of narrativization of cinema.
- 1906 E1 - Firsts and Finance
This episode explores the landscape of global filmmaking in 1906, focusing on changes in distribution, exhibition, and formal firsts. It highlights films such as The Story of the Kelly Gang and Humorous Phases of Funny Faces.
- 1905 E7 - The Experiments Continue
This episode explores the varied filmmaking landscape of 1905, noting how experimental approaches resulted in unique cinema experiences. Guests discussed films such as "The Misadventure of a French Gentleman Without Pants at the Zandvoort…
- 1905 E6 - Mary Mallory
Mary Mallory, a film historian and author, discusses early cinema and the unappreciated figures in the motion picture business. She selects films that demonstrate new cinematic inventions and traditions, including works by Georges Méliès a…
- 1905 E5 - Chris O'Rourke
Chris O'Rourke, Associate Professor at the University of Warwick, discusses the early history of film acting and cinema. He explores UK innovations, French spectacle, and American actuality in early films, focusing on the year 1905.
- 1905 E4 - Scott Curtis
Scott Curtis, a professor at Northwestern University and author, discusses early cinema, focusing on its use in scientific and medical contexts. The conversation also explores the spectacle of sound and fantasy in film.
- 1905 E3 - Shawn Hall
Shawn Hall explores 1905 silent films, discussing serious topics, comedy, and feel-good stories from the era. He also reviews films from Silent Era’s Top 100 Silent Movies List on his Shawn Toks Silents TikTok account and writes for The Ev…