The characters in director Wong kar-Wai's "In the Mood for Love," which recently ranked No. 5 on the BFI's Sight and Sound poll of the Greatest Films of All Time, crave human connection -- but they'll settle for a good meal.

In this episode, Mike and Brian explore physical vs. emotional hunger; the various ways that Wong kar-Wai uses framing, color and slow-motion to communicate desire and/or loneliness; and how playing make-believe can draw us closer while simultaneously distancing us from deep life experiences.

Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL bestpicturethis@gmail.com.

Duality. Facades! Identity!? It's all underneath the microscope in director Ingmar Bergman's "Persona" (1966), which ranked No. 18 on the BFI's Greatest Films of All Time Sight and Sound poll.

In this episode, Mike and Brian dive into the subconscious to explore the links between authenticity and art, desire and security, intimacy and acting, secrets and the Self. They gush over the film's black-and-white cinematography, discuss how horror stylings work to guide viewer expectations, then debate what's "real" in "Persona," and how much literal truth even matters in movies obsessed with intuition and the fine lines that divide competing forces within ourselves.

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Ranked No. 31 on the British Film Institute's Greatest Films of All Time poll is director Federico Fellini's surrealist meta-project "8 1/2" (1963). 

To really do the movie's vision justice, Mike and Brian intended to podcast about podcasting for a straight hour, but their producer (the illustrious Marc Gilliland) wouldn't allow it. Instead, the two discuss why we're drawn to movies about movies and the creative process, talk the power of images to fill logical gaps in the subconscious and explore what it means to make "authentic" and "important" art.

Want to choose an movie for a future episode? BECOME A PATRON.

Agree or disagree with our takes? EMAIL bestpicturethis@gmail.com.