‘Fantasy Life’: Escape the news to a very Jewy NY Upper West Side

ToI’s movie maven and deputy editor weigh in on the new film by Matthew Shear, starring Amanda Peet and a whole lot of tribe. Plus, we (re)watch ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’

With:
  • Amanda Borschel-Dan
    Amanda Borschel-Dan

    Deputy Editor Amanda Borschel-Dan is the host of The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, What Matters Now and The Reel Schmooze podcasts, and heads up The Times of Israel’s features.

  • Jordan Hoffman
    Jordan Hoffman

    Jordan Hoffman, a member of the New York Film Critics Circle, is The Times of Israel’s long-time film reviewer and the co-host of The Reel Schmooze.

Welcome to The Reel Schmooze with ToI film reviewer Jordan Hoffman and host Amanda Borschel-Dan, where we bring you all the entertainment news and film reviews a Jew can use.

In today’s escapism episode, movie maven Hoffman begins with a recommendation of a new, very Jewy podcast, Classical Music Happy Hour with pianist Emanuel Ax.

WATCH this episode here:

We then discuss the 2025 independent film, “Fantasy Life,” written and directed by Matthew Shear. His directorial debut is produced by and stars Amanda Peet, Shear, and a slew of Jewish (or Jew-ish) actors, including Alessandro Nivola, Judd Hirsch, Bob Balaban, Andrea Martin and Zosia Mamet.

Next, we turn to the classic Larry David series, “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which Borschel-Dan had never seen. Hoffman assigned her the iconic “Palestinian Chicken” episode. See how she liked it.

Check out who got the “oy,” the “meh” and the “not bad” marks in this week’s The Reel Schmooze.

The Reel Schmooze is produced by Ari Schlacht and can be found wherever you get your podcasts.

Check out last week’s The Reel Schmooze here:

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