Which classic films still work for audiences today? On Film Generations, two guys born in the middle of 20th Century movie culture select a classic film to share with a panel of young film lovers — and see how it plays for today's generation.
Along the way we discuss the making of each film, the state of the world when it was made, its reception by critics and public when originally released, and how its reputation has grown over the years. Discussions cover changes in representation, storytelling styles and the world itself since each film came out. At the end of every episode each panelist rates the movie and reveals whether they would recommend it to a friend.
Join us on Film Generations as we explore the greatest classic movies through the eyes of film lovers young and old.
An ElectraCast Production.
By the mid-1970’s the old Hollywood studio system was on life support, allowing new filmmakers to break through with unusually provocative features, none more so than Martin Scorsese’s surprise 1976 hit, Taxi Driver.
With its perversely lost and disconnected “hero”, remorseless dive into the most degraded aspects of a dying New York City, and shocking violence, Taxi Driver was unique. Leonardo DiCaprio has described it as the greatest independent film ever made, even though it was financed and distributed by a major studio.
Half a century later and with a steady diet of screen violence and horror, how has this great film’s cultural meaning and impact changed?
Listen in to hear the viewpoints of film lovers who were there when it was released — and those seeing it for the first time with 21st century eyes.
Hosts: Mark Netter & David Tausik
Panelists: Guy Lewis, Olive Goldberg & Sonia Howell
An ElectraCast Production
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5IligQP7Fo
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxi_Driver
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075314/
Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/taxi_driver
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27 Jul 2026
309. The Princess Bride (1987)
In the wake of Director Rob Reiner’s tragic death, Film Generations examines The Princess Bride, a 1987 favorite with a magical cast, that came amid an astonishing string of hits that transformed Reiner’s public image from sitcom star “Meathead” to one of Hollywood’s most esteemed and beloved directors.
Our young panelists were introduced to this film on video at early ages, making it a childhood memory formed long before they became film buffs. How does that affect their opinions of this comedy/fantasy/satire, and is their lens hopelessly different from the hosts, who saw the film when initially released in theaters as adult aspiring filmmakers?
Find out as our swashbuckling panel weighs in, only on Film Generations.
Hosts: Mark Netter & David Tausik
Panelists: Guy Lewis, Kylee LaRue & Jake Flowers
An ElectraCast Production
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Princess_Bride
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/
Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/princess_bride
Roger Ebert: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-princess-bride-1987
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9 Jun 2026
308. Persona (1966)
To cineastes of the 20th century, Ingmar Bergman was a fixture on the Mount Rushmore of World Cinema. His cultural presence receded in the decades following his death but Gen Z interest in his films, driven by streaming and Letterboxd, is suddenly on the rise. We couldn’t wait to pick one of his most challenging movies to see how it plays to a younger audience.
Persona (1966), made smack-dab in the middle of Bergman’s career, has delighted and perplexed audiences from the day it was released. Some of the issues it tackles — identity, motherhood, sexuality — are perennial. Others -- Jungian duality and the artificiality of filmmaking — seem ripe for a comeback.
Hearing different generations of film lovers grapple with this masterpiece illuminates how our culture has changed and what continues to endure. Listen in for the surprising results.
Hosts: Mark Netter & David Tausik
Panelists: Guy Lewis, Kylee LaRue, Olive Goldberg & Brennan Guntang
An ElectraCast Production
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEfJopPIbQg&t=163s
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persona_(1966_film)
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060827/
Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/persona
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Who has been a guest on Film Generations
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Guy Lewis
Kylee LaRue
Masha Yuzhakov
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
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