A collaborative exploration of cinematic rhetoric.
Guest Andrea Millard joins Alex and Jonathan this week to talk about the career of writer/director Nancy Meyers with Baby Boom (1987), The Parent Trap (1998), and The Intern (2015). We talk female protagonists, growing from a writer to a director, and refining development of themes over time. Also on iTunes Skip to: Baby Boom (7:45), The Parent Trap (27:41), The Intern (53:47), Overall (1:17:35), Coming Attractions (1:26:54)… Continue reading Episode 19. Maternal Meyers Feat. Andrea Millard
This has all been pre-recorded. Bringing last week's surrealism discussion into the modern day, Alex and Jonathan take a look at three films by contemporary surrealist David Lynch: Eraserhead (1977), Blue Velvet (1986), and Mulholland Drive (2001). We discuss the Lynch's use of color and sound, varying degrees of surrealist influence, and atmospheric storytelling. Also on iTunes Skip to: Eraserhead (4:46), Blue… Continue reading Episode 18. Lying Lynch
Social conventions are broken and non-sequiturs abound in our movies this week as Alex and Jonathan discuss Luis Buñuel's L'Age d'or (1930), The Exterminating Angel (1962), and The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972), with Un Chien andalou (1929) thrown in for good measure. We talk the social temper tantrum of the Surrealists, scene-driven plots, and the ripple effect of… Continue reading Episode 17. Bougie Buñuel [Video]
Reach for the play button! This week Alex and Jonathan cover the first true series of films on the podcast with the listener-suggested Toy Story trilogy: Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010). We talk the evolution of computer animated film, children's entertainment that isn't childish, and sequels that build on the story advancements… Continue reading Episode 16. Toy Story or: How Alex Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Pixar
Grab some ice cream and switch off with us this week as Alex and Jonathan talk through Edgar Wright's Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy: Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), and The World's End (2013). We talk blending genres, what makes a "thematic trilogy," and comedy with layered dimensions. Also on iTunes Skip to: Shaun of… Continue reading Episode 15. Cornetto Crash Course
Once again we pit sword-masters against gunslingers in part two of our Samurai and Sombreros series. This week Alex and Jonathan discuss Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo (1961) and Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars (1964). We talk about tonal changes in adaptations, visual character development, and varied uses of violence and humor. https://youtu.be/LpTGp0zlTZA https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bQ4rPmsJFwAwwiIRQVJq0?si=spsjROY4Ro6djX_z9n3KDw Also on iTunes Skip to: Yojimbo (3:33), A Fistful… Continue reading Episode 14. Samurai and Sombreros Vol. 2
You're not dreaming, we have a new podcast! Plug us into your head and listen as Alex and Jonathan invite friend Jason Harden to the show to talk about three Japanese cyberpunk films: Akira (1988), Ghost in the Shell (1995), and Paprika (2006). We talk about the impact of hand-made animation, the influence of anime on western… Continue reading Episode 13. Cyberpunk Chaos Feat. Jason Harden
Let us be your vehicle to escape your problems this week as Alex and Jonathan talk through three of John Hughes' high school films: Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), and Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986). We discuss how comedy ages, use and critique of stereotypes, and unique character dynamics in a high school setting. Also… Continue reading Episode 12. The High School Hughes
Don't bring a six-shooter to a katana fight. Samurai and Sombreros won our recent Twitter poll so Alex and Jonathan take a look at Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (1954) and its western adaptation The Magnificent Seven (1960). We talk about archetypal stories, cultural influence on art, and using inspiration to create a new and distinct work. https://youtu.be/UFiZSP-1jDY… Continue reading Episode 11. Samurai and Sombreros
In our first exclusively animation episode, friend of the podcast Hayden Chauffe joins Alex to talk about three films by Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki: My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Spirited Away (2001), and The Wind Rises (2013). We discuss the unique possibilities of animation, children's entertainment that doesn't sugar coat the world, and reflection of Miyazaki's life in his… Continue reading Episode 10. Mystical Miyazaki Feat. Hayden Chauffe
The Filmlings 