Episodes – THE DIRECTORS SERIES

May 25, 2026

Exploring Time in Christopher Nolan’s INTERSTELLAR

Christopher Nolan has spent his entire career dismantling our relationship with time. In this video essay, we explore how Nolan’s INTERSTELLAR represents one of his most fully-realized artistic statements — informed by his signature obsessions with time, architecture, mathematics, and literature. Watch the full breakdown on INTERSTELLAR — as well as other longform breakdowns on…

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May 8, 2026

Why THE SHINING’s Overlook Hotel Defies Reality

THE SHINING’s Overlook Hotel is one of the most analyzed locations in cinema. But most people focus on what happens inside it… and not on the fact that it physically cannot exist. Stanley Kubrick and his team designed a hotel whose corridors loop back on themselves, where windows appear where walls should be, and geography…

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August 11, 2023

Paul Thomas Anderson [Part 8]: Dystopian Dreamscapes

PART 8: DYSTOPIAN DREAMSCAPES is the eighth installment of THE DIRECTORS SERIES’ examination into the films and careers of director Paul Thomas Anderson, covering his experimental Netflix collaboration with Thom Yorke, 2019’s ANIMA. This video is made possible in part by our generous supporters on Patreon. If you enjoyed this video, please consider supporting us!

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August 11, 2023

Paul Thomas Anderson [Part 9]: “Summer Girls”

PART 9: SUMMER GIRLS is the ninth installment of THE DIRECTORS SERIES’ examination into the films and careers of director Paul Thomas Anderson, covering his series of collaborations with Haim via several music videos and his 2021 throwback feature, LICORICE PIZZA. If you enjoyed this video, please consider supporting us on Patreon!

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September 13, 2022

Martin Scorsese [Part 9] – The Passion Project

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June 30, 2022

Martin Scorsese [Part 8]: “Growing Pains”

PART 8: GROWING PAINS (PREVIEW) The eighth installment in our deep-dive into the craft and career of Martin Scorsese, covering a pair of erratic pushes towards mainstream fare: 1985’s AFTER HOURS and 1986’s THE COLOR OF MONEY. Watch the full episode exclusively on Special.tv!

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April 22, 2022

Martin Scorsese [Part 7]– Tough Crowd

PART 7: TOUGH CROWD is the seventh episode of our multi-part documentary series on Martin Scorsese, covering his expansion into new comic territory with 1983’s THE KING OF COMEDY. Watch the full episode on Special.tv!

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April 22, 2022

Martin Scorsese [Part 6]– Down, But Not Out

PART 6: DOWN, BUT NOT OUT is the sixth episode of our multi-part documentary series on Martin Scorsese, covering his retreat into experimental documentary films like THE LAST WALTZ and AMERICAN BOY as well as his uncompromising return to former glory with 1980’s RAGING BULL. Watch the full episode now on Special.tv!

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April 22, 2022

Joel & Ethan Coen [Part 8] — Tales From A New Frontier

PART 8: TALES FROM A NEW FRONTIER breaks down Joel & Ethan Coen’s THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS (2018), their first production under Netflix– and quite possibly, their last collaboration ever.

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April 22, 2022

Christopher Nolan [Part 6] Mission: Invertible

PART 6: MISSION: INVERTIBLE is the sixth episode of our multi-part documentary series on Christopher Nolan, covering his physics-defying spy thriller TENET (2020) and the global health crisis that threatens the theatrical experience– the core of Nolan’s artistry. Watch the full episode on Special.tv!

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April 22, 2022

Martin Scorsese [Part 5] Grit & Glamor

Watch the full episode exclusively on Special.tv!

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April 22, 2022

Martin Scorsese [Part 4]: A Woman’s Touch

PART 4: A WOMAN’S TOUCH is the fourth episode of our multi-part documentary series on Martin Scorsese, covering his foray into the American Southwest and romantic drama with 1974’s ALICE DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE. Watch the full episode exclusively on Special.tv!

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