What if one of the most important films ever made is also one of the hardest to bring yourself to watch?

Writer and filmmaker Joey Paul Calhoun joins What If I Don't Like It? to discuss Schindler's List, exploring why its reputation can feel intimidating and what makes Steven Spielberg's Holocaust drama endure more than 30 years later.

At its core, this episode is about the difference between a film's importance and the experience of actually watching it. We explore why Schindler's List carries so much emotional weight before you ever press play, how Spielberg approached one of history's darkest chapters, and why the film continues to resonate with audiences decades after its release.

Joey and I also talk about historical storytelling, filmmaking, and the responsibility of adapting real events for the screen. Rather than asking whether Schindler's List is "good," we discuss what it means to create a film that challenges, educates, and moves its audience.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why so many people put off watching Schindler's List
• The difference between an important film and an entertaining one
• Steven Spielberg's approach to telling a true story
• Oskar Schindler as one of cinema's most unexpected protagonists
• The role of hope in stories about unimaginable tragedy
• Why historical films continue to matter

Follow Joey Paul Calhoun:🎬 YouTube: @followthevoid🎥 TikTok: @v0idech0📸 Instagram: @the_vi0dech0

Joey is a writer and filmmaker whose work explores character-driven storytelling, and he brings a thoughtful perspective to one of cinema's most widely discussed films.

Films and filmmakers mentioned include Steven Spielberg, Schindler's List, The Pianist, Life Is Beautiful, Saving Private Ryan, The Zone of Interest, and other films that explore history, war, memory, and the Holocaust.

Did Schindler's List live up to its reputation? More importantly, why has this film remained essential viewing for more than three decades? Listen to find out.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow Kt Baldassaro / MovieRuntime:🎬 YouTube: @MovieRuntime📸 Instagram: @movieruntime🎞️ Letterboxd: @MovieRuntime

What if Interstellar isn’t actually as intimidating as its reputation suggests? Filmmaker Riley Cosby joins What If I Don’t Like It? to watch Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi epic for the first time and unpack whether its emotional core lives up to the hype or the legend around it.

At its core, this episode is about expectation versus experience, and how “big” movies often come with a lot of baggage before you ever press play. We dig into why Interstellar feels larger than life, and whether its emotional core hits harder than its science-heavy reputation suggests.

We also talk about filmmaking, film festivals, and the shift from consuming movies to creating them, as Riley shares his path from aspiring YouTuber to independent filmmaker working across horror, comedy, and experimental film.

In this episode we discuss:• Why “film bro” recommendations shape how we approach movies• Horror as a tool for processing fear and emotion• Independent filmmaking and the festival circuit• The balance between science fiction and emotional storytelling• Whether Interstellar is actually as complicated as people claim• Why every movie connects differently depending on the viewer

Was Riley won over by one of the most talked-about sci-fi films of the last decade? Listen to find out.

Riley’s work:Mercy, Queen of the UndeadThe Art of DescentOpening KillDie TogetherAizo (festival release)

Follow Riley Cosby:YouTube: @cabbageboyInstagram: @riley_is_Cabbage

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts
Follow Kt Baldassaro / MovieRuntime:🎬 YouTube: @MovieRuntime📸 Instagram: @movieruntime🎞️ Letterboxd: @MovieRuntime

Films and filmmakers mentioned include Christopher Nolan, Interstellar, The Matrix, Arrival, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and more across sci-fi and genre cinema.