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The Film Hobbyist

The Film Hobbyist

by Lydia

Season 2

The Empire Strikes Back (1980): Yoda was Wrong

On this sticky August night, come join Lydia around the firepit in her backyard to discuss a formational film in both American culture and her personal life, particularly her opinion that Master Yoda, considered the wisest teacher both in story and real world, was wrong. Next film: 8 1/2 This film is available for free (with ads) on both Tubi and Pluto TV, as well as to stream on HBO MAX, YouTube premium, and Hulu. It should also be fairly easy to find through the local library. Attributions: Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain. Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License. Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

The Pitt Season Two (2026): Spinning Its Wheels on Purpose

On this hot, July day, stop by Lydia's attic for an ice cold beverage and a discussion of The Pitt, a medical drama whose innovative structure allows it to explore the concept of burnout. Next Episode: The Empire Strikes Back, available on Disney+, at any library, or in your friends' DVD collection Attributions: Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain. Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License. Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

Duck Soup (1933): When Silly Becomes Serious

On an oppressively hot day, come join Lydia in the attic for a conversation about a very silly film that accidentally became important. Next Episode: The Pitt Season 2 (2026) It is available on HBO Max. Attributions: Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain. Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License. Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

Rachel Getting Married (2008): Obscured in Naturalism

It's wedding season. In honor of the occasion, join Lydia for a discussion about the faux documentary filmmaking Jonathan Demme used to turn what could have been a twisty family drama into a thoughtful character study. Next Episode: Duck Soup (1933) It is available to rent YouTube, AppleTV, and Prime and is easy to find at a local library. Attributions: Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain. Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License. Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

Swiss Family Robinson (1960) : A Prototype for the Blockbuster

It's the beginning of summer movie season and Lydia is giddy to share how important a sense of adventure is to a good Blockbuster by outlining the many similarities between a corny Disney film and 1977's Star Wars. Next episode: Rachel Getting Married (2008) Attributions: Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain. Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License. Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

Journey for Margaret (1942): The Changing Perspective of Time

Due to a fallen tree and a downed power line, Lydia's attic room is out of commission. So join her in her hotel suite for a discussion on a film she watched as a child, too young to understand the complex historical context and pychological realities depicted, and how that changing perspective is key to this movie's legacy. Attributions: Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain. Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License. Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

Wake Up Dead Man (2025): Subverting Subversion

Grab your cardigan and a cup of tea, and join Lydia on her front porch to discover Rian Johnson's career spanning love of subversion and irony, why it makes him such a good master of mystery, and how Lydia was surprised by how he chose to tackle a thorny subject in his most recent film. Attributions: Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain. Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License. Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

Little Women (1994): The Grief of Growing Up

As the world longs for the warmth of spring, join Lydia in her attic room for a discussion of one of her favorite films, how it echoes parts of her growing up, fills out the adaptation with historical context, and captures the melancholy inherent in maturity. Attributions: Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain. Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License. Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

Season 1

Behind the Scenes: A Season Finale

Today, Lydia celebrates the first year of The Film Hobbyist by taking some time to answer frequently asked questions about the attic, how she picks films, and what she hopes to accomplish in the next year. https://bsky.app/profile/thefilmhobbyist.bsky.social Attributions: Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain. Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License. Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

In the Heat of the Night (1967): Anger and Empathy

As the heaps of snow persist outside, join Lydia for a discussion of hotly debated Oscar winners and the value of rage in humanization. Attributions: Opening music: Struggling performed by the Johnny Dodds Trio, obtained from the Open Music Archive, licensed under the Public Domain. Closing music: Beautiful Cinematic Piano Music by Denis-Pavlov-Music used with permission under the Pixabay License. Soundscape: Various clips used with permission under the Pixabay License. Mourning dove sound clip by Spanac used with permission from the Free Sounds Library under the Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

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