Jen Johans
@filmintuition
A 3x nat'l award-winning writer, film critic, essayist, & historian @ , I host the podcast Watch With Jen™
Watching PREDATOR for the Schwarzenegger pod ep. For some reason, every time Carl Weathers is onscreen, I hear this scene, lol
It's Disability Pride Month. I have conflicting thoughts about that, but since the name of the game is pride, I'm offering solidarity & advice I hope will make you feel better the next time someone tells you that you and your life as a disabled or chronically ill person are "too much" for them.
#Podcast: #WatchWithJen - S7: E17 - Game of Death Movies with Jed Ayres Encyclopedic cinephile, writer, & pal @maybejed.bsky.social joins me to discuss the action-horror subgenre + THE HUNGER GAMES, READY OR NOT, SELF-RELIANCE, & more. Available everywhere or www.patreon.com/FilmIntuitio...
My friend, Brooklyn Bard & fellow Calabrian countryman @wmboyle4.bsky.social is 1 of literary character driven crime fiction’s best kept secrets. His work reads like a collaboration of John Fante & Sidney Lumet. Neighborhood pasta dinners with secret sauce & a side of mischief. Out January 2027.
Always a joy chatting with one of my all-time favorite people, @sheilakathleen.bsky.social! I always learn so much listening to her dissect what sets actors apart & it was a joy to dig into Dana Andrews’ remarkable filmography with her, You'll hear it in the coming weeks on #WatchWithJen pod.
This week, I went oddly viral on Threads & Instagram for 2 different posts. If you’re new here too, hey, I’m Jen! (I’m also @FilmIntuition on the other platforms + Letterboxd too.)
#Podcast: #WatchWithJen - S7: E16 - Joan Cusack with Nell Minow The Roger Ebert writer-editor returns to the pod to discuss the performances of the great Chicago character actress in SCHOOL OF ROCK, WORKING GIRL, the TOY STORY franchise, MY BLUE HEAVEN, & more. www.patreon.com/FilmIntuitio...
Since this joke is going around this morning, here is where I originally saw it on Threads two weeks ago. The wording here is better!
I was asked for Independence Day film recs beyond Jaws, Zodiac, Nashville, & Blow Out. I feel like right now, Do the Right Thing still has the most urgent & vital things to say about America, but my go-to is The Right Stuff, featuring Sam Shepard as Chuck Yeager in the goddamn hero shot of all time.
#Podcast: #WatchWithJen - S7: E15 - Early Jonathan Demme with Mike Miley Film scholar & author @mikemiley.bsky.social returns to discuss the life & career of the director, plus the films STOP MAKING SENSE, SOMETHING WILD, & MARRIED TO THE MOB. Available Everywhere www.patreon.com/FilmIntuitio...
That thing when your friends Bill & Ian at the bookstore snag the advance reader copy of the upcoming Scorsese bio for you, so you wear your Thelma Schoonmaker tee to pick it up like it’s a band tee at a concert. If you asked the topic I could give an impromptu 2 hr Ted talk on, it’d be Scorsese.
New Arrival: Okay, kids, let’s get all Dutch, mathematical, & weird.
#Podcast: #WatchWithJen - S7: 14 - Girls of Summer '96 with Kate Hagen My good friend @thathagengrrl.bsky.social returns to discuss the role of women in film from '96 from WALKING & TALKING to STRIPTEASE! It's a blast (& accidentally my 300th episode?!). www.patreon.com/FilmIntuitio...
Seriously, my favorite thing in the world is just talking to creative people about art so that's celebration enough for me! Happy 300, I hope you enjoy listening!
I have no why this vintage dress I found for $12 gives off She-ra: Princess of Power vibes, but maybe it’s because the shape & color (goldish beige) in the design remind me of her bodice? Whatever reason, it’s wild how much our early childhood viewing imprints on us.
I love vintage book cover art & found this great box set of movies reimagined as old paperback covers at Poisoned Pen Bookstore that is super cool. Also, a few months back, my buddy @swierczy.bsky.social sent me this gorgeous book of gothic ‘60s & ‘70s style paperback covers he stumbled on in LA.
Father’s Day provides my annual excuse to post this pic of my dad looking like a Miami Vice villain, + a snap of him pulling a MacGyver with gorilla tape to hold my ancient ride together. Wishing all of the fathers, uncles, brothers, coaches, teachers, neighbors, & father figures a nice wknd!
Happy Father’s Day Weekend from your Brunette Dad with Bangs! (And, lol, yes, this shirt is missing a comma, but I love it anyway.)
Great pod recording session with knowledgeable film historian @mikemiley.bsky.social! We talked early Jonathan Demme, genre explosions, character reinvention, & bringing joy back to filmmaking. You’ll hear it on #WatchWithJen pod soon.
James Burrows was the most gifted, reliably inventive sitcom director we’ve had in this country. TAXI, CHEERS, FRASIER, FRIENDS… it got to the point where Burrows directing your pilot was said to be a good luck charm that you’d get picked up. He knew funny, & brought out the best in his casts. #RIP
Two new roommates. The one on the left is fake (& a lamp), so I’m calling it the lavender orchid’s Emotional Support Flower so it doesn’t feel left out.
One of the hardest left hand turns in cinema is Ray Liotta’s face dancing into the right side of this frame in Jonathan Demme’s SOMETHING WILD. Melanie Griffith’s entire posture, energy, & expression changes as soon as he calls her “baby,” & this ‘30s screwball comedy slides into Lynchian terrain.
#Podcast: #WatchWithJen - S7: E 13 - Steven Spielberg w/ Barbara VanDenburgh Spielberg scholar, film critic, & fellow AZ gal, @babsvan.bsky.social joins me to discuss the dir's life & historic career, w/ special emphasis on JAWS, JURASSIC PARK, & A.I. You'll love it! www.patreon.com/FilmIntuitio...
May was Mental Health month, Military Appreciation month, June is Men’s Mental Health month, & Brain Health month. I’m related to 8 vets, 1 who worked with PTSD vets, & 1 no longer here due to mental health. I gathered as many numbers as I could find for you to keep & share, no matter the situation.