Nostalgium Arcanum - Episodes Tagged with “John Williams”

Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope

Doug Lief — Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, specifically in 1977, audiences flocked to a blockbuster that would become the largest IP in history. While George Lucas' brainchild has become a sprawling multimedia franchise, the original film still stands as a testament to adventure and craftsmanship. We're joined by guest filmmaker Alex Sosin ("The Canyon") to celebrate why the Force of this film still surrounds us and binds us.

Check out the teaser for The Canyon here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFFWbNbdtKA

Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod).

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You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All score from Star Wars by John Williams

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Doug Lief — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:15:00 -0700

Anything goes in Indiana Jones' second (but technically first) outing. The film is flawed, but relentlessly entertaining, buoyed by engaging performances from future Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan and villain expert Amrish Puri. We make a meal out of this classic with filmmaker Alex Sosin (The Canyon) and fondly reminisce about a movie that has its heart in the right place - Mola Ram's fist.

Check out the teaser for The Canyon here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFFWbNbdtKA

You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
Anything Goes - Cole Porter, as sung by Kate Capshaw
All score from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom by John Williams

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Doug Lief — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 00:15:00 -0700

If adventure has a name, it must be Indiana Jones. The first film in the franchise pits archaeology against the Third Reich as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, John Williams, and of course, Harrison Ford unearth an icon. We're joined by "top men" comedian Dan Oster (MadTV, A Podcast But Evil) and filmmaker Alex Sosin (The Canyon) to excavate the origins of a cinematic legend, whip cracking dialogue, and just plain whip cracking.

Check out the teaser for The Canyon here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFFWbNbdtKA

You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All score from Raiders of the Lost Ark by John Williams
I Am The Monarch of the Sea - Gilbert & Sullivan

Hook

Doug Lief — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 00:15:00 -0700

On this podcast we generally refuse to grow up, but this time we're thinking especially happy thoughts as we head back to Neverland for Hook with filmmaker Ken Cole. Steven Spielberg and Robin Williams' love letter to Peter Pan remains forever young, buoyed by John Williams' inimitable score, and best-in-class character work from Dustin Hoffman and Bob Hoskins.

Find more of Ken's fantastic content at https://www.youtube.com/@KenCole

Also, I was honored to be a guest on KenCast. You can subscribe to KenCast to hear it, or watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc8eh4010YA

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content.

Musical Credits:
Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All songs and score from Hook by John Williams
Hook - Blues Traveler

Jaws

Doug Lief — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:15:00 -0700

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the podcast, writer/director of horror short "The Canyon" Alex Sosin joins us to swim with sharks as we celebrate Steven Spielberg's aquatic horror blockbuster, Jaws. The film elevates a b-horror premise to an all-time maritime masterpiece.

Check out the teaser for The Canyon here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFFWbNbdtKA

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All score from Jaws by John Williams
Show Me The Way To Go Home (Jimmy Campbell and Reg Connelly, performed by Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw)