Osama (2003) – Film Analysis | Soldiers of Cinema

Osama

This episode, Clark and Cullen discuss the 2003 Afghan film Osama, which follows a preteen girl living in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime who disguises herself as a boy to support her family. Clark and Cullen also chat about Cullen’s experience shooting a documentary in Afghanistan and how the film struck him having been there recently.

Subscribe to Soldiers of Cinema for honest, wide-ranging conversations on film, from cult favorites to award-winners - with two filmmakers, decades apart.

Soldiers of Cinema

Osama

Sweet Smell of Success (1957) – Film Analysis | Soldiers of Cinema

Sweet Smell of Success

Sweet Smell of Success is a 1957 American film noir satirical drama film directed by Alexander Mackendrick, which tells the story of powerful and sleazy newspaper columnist J.J. Hunsecker who uses his connections to ruin his sister's relationship with a man he deems unworthy of her. Clark and Cullen discuss the ins and outs the film and breakdown nearly every element of it in this week’s episode!

Subscribe to Soldiers of Cinema for honest, wide-ranging conversations on film, from cult favorites to award-winners - with two filmmakers, decades apart.

Soldiers of Cinema

Sweet Smell of Success

Zodiac (2007) – Film Analysis | Soldiers of Cinema

Zodiac

Directed by David Fincher, Zodiac is a mystery thriller that has the elements of both a newspaper and a police procedural film. The film tells the story of the Zodiac Killer, a serial killer who terrorized Sand Francisco in the 1960-1970’s and was never caught by police. As always, Clark and Cullen discuss their personal experiences with the film and breakdown nearly every element of it in a thorough deep five into one of Fincher’s best films.

Subscribe to Soldiers of Cinema for honest, wide-ranging conversations on film, from cult favorites to award-winners - with two filmmakers, decades apart.

Soldiers of Cinema

Zodiac

The Cell (2000) – Film Analysis | Soldiers of Cinema

The Cell

The Cell is a 2000 fantasy thriller directed by Tarsem Singh - Join Clark and Cullen as they discuss the film from start to finish, focusing closely on the unique storytelling and fascinating visual effects!

Subscribe to Soldiers of Cinema for honest, wide-ranging conversations on film, from cult favorites to award-winners - with two filmmakers, decades apart.

Soldiers of Cinema

The Cell

The Descendants (2011) – Film Analysis | Soldiers of Cinema

The Descendants

This week, we’re looking at Alexander Payne’s The Descendants - a layered, bittersweet story about family, change, and confronting the past. With George Clooney at the center, Clark and Cullen explore how Payne’s low-key style brings quiet emotional weight to a story set against the backdrop of a changing Hawaii.

Subscribe to Soldiers of Cinema for honest, wide-ranging conversations on film, from cult favorites to award-winners - with two filmmakers, decades apart.

Soldiers of Cinema

The Descendants

Network (1976) – Film Analysis | Soldiers of Cinema

Network

This week we discuss the classic 1976 political satire, Network, Directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Faye Dunaway and William Holden, the film brings Clark and Cullen’s discussion from the technical to the political, and about the lasting impact (and relevance) the film still holds.

Whether you’re discovering Network for the first time or revisiting a masterpiece, this deep-dive episode offers thoughtful film analysis and historical context.

Subscribe to Soldiers of Cinema for in-depth discussions on classic films, hidden gems, and the craft of filmmaking — from two passionate filmmakers, decades apart.

Soldiers of Cinema

Network

Drive (2011) – Film Analysis | Soldiers of Cinema

Drive

This week we discuss Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive, a tonal film which defined the film aesthetics of the early 2010’s, and how Clark and Cullen experienced the rise of this film’s influence in their different generational experiences.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or watching Drive for the first time, this discussion highlights what makes the film a modern classic in both form and feeling.

Subscribe to Soldiers of Cinema for deep film analysis, director breakdowns, and passionate discussion from two filmmakers with decades between them.

Soldiers of Cinema

Drive