Movie Musing: Recent Episodes
Quentin Hoffman
Movie Musing is a film podcast for discussing and debating current and classic cinema (and sometimes TV). Co-hosts Quentin, Demetrios, & Matt hope to share some knowledge of film and to find people with unique perspectives- this way we can learn more about the world of movies and what movies can tell us about the real world. The analysis is clean but not always conventional.
"The Matrix" is a popular, beloved classic of the Sci-Fi and Action genres, still holding up to this day. What is equally as impressive is just how rich it is in big philosophical and scientific ideas. In this episode, Quentin is joined by Thomas, a scientist who explores some of the concepts hinted at in the Matrix universe and explains what it (largely) gets right.
Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
Another year, another series of controversies surrounding Oscar nominations. We start by discussing the big names at the Academy Awards before venturing into our pick for snub of the year: "Uncut Gems."
Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
After touching upon this year's round of Golden Globe nominations, we explore the epic, yet intimate crime saga that is The Irishman. Don't let the long run time fool you, it is hardly a drag and it may be a high point of Scorsese's later career.
Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
"Ford v Ferrari" is a popular film that we were not expecting to like due to the subject matter, but we were won over by compelling characters and world-class racing photography.
We first open by discussing the onset of Disney+ and what it will mean for content, consumers, and competition.
Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
"The Lighthouse" is a masterful followup to Robert Eggers' "The Witch" and while this one offers similar tension and historic authenticity, it includes something we didn't get in his debut: laughs.
We explore how his self-described "dark comedy" thrives in spite of its small budget, minimalist cast, and one-of-a-kind insanity.
Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
The 2017 Oscars are most remembered for the Best Picture Winner announcement debacle where 'La La Land' was briefly named the champion, before 'Moonlight' getting the nod. But this gaffe overshadows what was a truly impressive year of cinema.
In this episode we will reevaluate the major nominated categories by assessing how they played out, whether we would have nominated a different selection from that year, and what our winner would have been. Debates ensue.
Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
Believe the hype, "Barry" is one of the best shows on television. We break down what makes this show so unique, funny, and shocking from a stylistic standpoint, then explore the thought-provoking ideas.
First, we deal with some know-it-all who has a bone to pick with super hero movies: Martin Scorsese(0:40), then discuss Barry (11:40), and finally Fall content hype (42:50).
Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
"Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" is a recent adaptation of the acclaimed children's book series by Alvin Schwartz and unlike recent horror titles featuring children, it is truly made for a young adult audience. Though we felt some parts were better than others, we felt individual scenes merit a lot of discussion. Eventually this opened up a discussion about what other media moments truly frightened us when we were young (30:00).
Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
Ari Aster took the indie circuit by storm with his mighty horror debut 'Hereditary,' and lightning may have struck twice because he seems to have shaken off any semblance of a sophomore slump. In 'Midsommar,' we explore how the trauma can radically change people, the horror that follows, and whether social and cultural barriers can mask underlying truths.
Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
Why do we identify as "a fan" when we like something? Sure, we may love the content associated with a fictional world, but there is often something about it that resonates with us in our daily lives. This has been a unique opportunity for cinema goers and television aficionados in the online era and it has ushered in many new opportunities. Some are good, such as creating a community, sharing insight, and even influencing studios to produce good content with them in mind. But there are two sides of the coin. Studios now can't escape the fan formula when filming new flicks and sometimes the work suffers for it. And not to mention that the loudest fan voices can be amplified in bad ways. Join us as we explore the in's and out's of what it is to be a fan in the 21st century.
Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
What's true in a fictional world and when are interpretations valid? That all depends on who you ask. There are certainly times when creators get overzealous (looking at you, J.K. Rowling), but what about when the audience is out of line and the author is validating concepts that are being overlooked? We analyze several examples of this in film, television, and literature to take a closer look.
Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
After a decade-long run and becoming the biggest show in the world, Game of Thrones finally concluded in a massive, yet divisive season. In this episode, we touch upon the crowd response to this show and assess what it did so well and where the misfires were.
Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
After 11 years and 22 movies, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has produced the most epic of converging climaxes with Endgame. We have differing thoughts on how this compares to Infinity War, but what we can agree on is that the character development was unbelievable and we even reflect on thoughts from the Russo Brothers from a recent Q&A session we attended.
Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
The 2018 Oscars brought us the coronation of Guillermo Del Toro for "The Shape of Water" in an unexpected twist of a three-horse race between "Get Out," and "Lady Bird," and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri." In this episode we will reevaluate the major nominated categories by assessing how they played out, whether we would have nominated a different selection from that year, and what our winner would have been. Debates ensue. Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
The 2019 Oscars brought us the best of times and the worst of times, but it's not enough to just complain about it. Instead, we will recap the 2018 year of film (1:15), discuss how steaming will impact the creation of present and future nominees (4:00), and then recap on strange decisions on the night of the awards (9:25). Finally, we will introduce a new segment: "Oscar Revisionist," a bit where we will remove one nominee, add a new one in their place from the same year of film, and name our winner- whether the same or not(20:10). Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
This week in controversies... we start with why 'Green Book' has gotten backlash and whether it warrants assessing its qualities as a movie (0:45)but then we dive into the mind of Adam McKay in his sweeping post-modern critique of Dick Cheney and the Bush administration in 'Vice' (11:00). Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
This year's Oscar nods had a few good surprises, but this may be the weakest year for nominations of the decade. We discuss our feelings overall and how the Best Picture category speaks to the political dynamic of the moment.
'The Favourite' is the latest bleak, but enchanting work from the maverick filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos. We begin by discussing its one win at the horrific 2019 Golden Globes (0:40)before venturing into the strange, twisted, yet hilarious tapestry that Lanthimos wove in this iconoclastic period piece (9:30). Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
Do we take the Golden Globes seriously? No. But the nominations tend to be a useful forecast for the Oscars, which has left a huge space to debate which nominations we liked and which we loathed (0:40) . Then we discuss Overlord, the most underrated film of the year (34:05). Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
Damien Chazelle's 'First Man' is a riveting blend of suspense, heart, and politics that shows this country at its finest hour. We have different takes on where this film soars and where it comes short, but one thing we know for certain is that the flag controversy was... nonexistent. Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
Bo Burnham's 'Eighth Grade' is a great timely drama and should be accessible by home media soon. First we discuss Burnham's eclectic career (1:45) before exploring the unique territory this thoughtful flick covers (5:00). Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
With this first comeback podcast segment, we will discuss the films we are most anticipating this Fall (1:10), feature a retroactive discussion of the controversial "Achievement in Popular Film" category(13:00), and reflect upon what Moviepass became and what its future looks like (27:00). Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
'Her' is in incredibly powerful, emotional film that hits the highs of both the Romance and Sci-Fi genres. First we discuss Director Spike Jonze's career and the technical elements of this masterpiece before reflecting on the plot (16:00). Later on we compare and contrast 'Her' with a movie that has a surprising amount in common: 'Blade Runner 2049' (47:20)! Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
We loved Infinity War and we had an opportunity to sit in on a Q&A with the directors Joe and Anthony Russo. This is a long breakdown of the film and whether the critiques hold up or not.
'Call Me By Your Name' is a sprawling romance that deals with the pain of closeted gay relationships, but also the wonder of being young and in love. We disagree about the pacing and strength of the direction (3:30), but there is no question that the acting is outstanding. Later, have another Guess the Rotten Tomato Score(42:30)! Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
In a battle that appeared to be between 'Three Billboards' and 'Get Out,' dark house 'The Shape of Water' came through to win Best Picture. Listen to hear our thoughts on the the highs and lows of the night! Music courtesy of Vernon West https://www.vernonwest.com/
Martin McDonagh's 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' is a dark comedy that manages to be sad, painful, and thought-provoking, all being downright funny. We first discuss catching the Oscar Nominated Live Action Shorts(1:00) before moving on to 'Three Billboards' (10:00)where we will explore the role of violence, the characters, and contrast its style with McDonagh's other gem 'In Bruges'. Lastly, we will pick up with another Guess the Rotten Tomato Score(44:30)! Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
Guillermo del Toro's 'The Shape of Water' is an acclaimed fantasy film that is both beautiful to look at and thought-provoking in nature. We first discuss catching the Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts (2:00) before moving on to 'Shape of Water's' elements that work so well and debate whether this is the highest point in GDT's illustrious career (11:00). Finally, we kick off a new era of Guess the Rotten Tomato Score with a new member of the team (46:00)! Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/
We're back! Time to talk Academy Awards!
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded January 25, 2018)
'Lady Bird' is an indie film that has gotten tons of buzz and critical acclaim, garnering a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Does it live up to the hype? For this episode, we had a live take immediately after a screening and have some different thoughts on this fascinating debut from Greta Gerwig.
Timestamps: Lady Bird- 1:00 Award Possibilities- 47:00 How We Connect to the Movie- 53:30 Our Favorite Coming-of-Age Movies- 56:30
Recommended Links:
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded December 7, 2017)
There is no cartoon as wild and irreverent as 'Rick and Morty' and at the risk of being another "Wubbalubbadubdub" fanboy rant, we think there's a lot to be said about why it's so funny and innovative.
Timestamps: What We've Been Watching - 1:05 Rick and Morty - 10:30
Recommended Links:
Why Adult Swim's 'Rick and Morty' Is Millennials' Favorite TV Show http://fortune.com/2017/09/30/why-adult-swims-rick-and-morty-is-millennials-favorite-tv-show/
Scary Terry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EWqTKQ4a0Q
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded December 3, 2017)
Time to chat about vampires! For this episode, we discuss the history and mythos of vampires and what their stories say about the culture of their time. We focus on the silent classic 'Nosferatu,' but we also cover some modern titles and even bring in some zombie commentary, so it was a spooky time all around.
Timestamps: Monsters in Our Childhood - 1:40 Nosferatu - 8:50 How Vampirism Connects to Real Life - 24:25 Twilight - 32:00 Let the Right One In - 37:15 A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night - 41:40 How Are Vampires Made? - 45:40 Dracula - 48:05 The Historical Origins of the Vampire Myth - 49:40 The Future of Monster Movies - 51:45 Vampires vs Zombies - 54:35 Mutant Vampire Zombies from the 'Hood'! - 57:30
Recommended Links: Ermahgerd Girl http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/ermahgerd
Lore Podcast on Vampire Mythos http://www.lorepodcast.com/episodes/30
Nosferatu Sequel Details http://www.indiewire.com/2017/08/nosferatu-remake-robert-eggers-anya-taylor-joy-the-witch-1201866720/
Mutant Vampire Zombies from the 'Hood'! Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2Pms5ft034
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded October 28, 2017)
In this episode we cover 'Blade Runner 2049,' the long-awaited sequel to the sci-fi classic. We discuss the whole world established by Ridley Scott, the themes, technical elements, and performances.
Timestamps: Original Blade Runner Recap - 1:00 Blade Runner 2049 - 16:30 Is This An All-Time Great Sequel? - 50:00 How Does This Look for Awards Season? - 57:55
Recommended Links:
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing (Recorded October 18, 2017)
After a two month hiatus, we have returned to discuss box office sensation 'It,' with acclaimed horror novelist and LGBT writer Andrew Wolter. We spend time dissecting the new take on the iconic source material, but take a broader look at the horror genre and what angles in the genre make for the most compelling stories and characters.
Timestamps: Andrew's Background - 1:00 The State of Modern Horror - 7:00 It - 10:30 What Makes Stephen King So Different? - 27:00 Should We Debate Creatives' Decisions? - 32:00 When Genre Filmmakers Try New Styles - 33:55 What Would Be the Worst Universe to Live in? - 37:40 Andrew's Unpopular Opinions - 39:20 Intended and Unintended Comedy in Horror - 44:00 Quentin's B-Horror Concept - 47:00 The Unexpected Virtue of the Babadook - 49:00 Nosferatu - 51:40 Alfred Hitchcock -52:50
Recommended Links: 'The Internet Has Made The Babadook Our New Queer Icon And Just, Yes' https://www.buzzfeed.com/tomvellner/i-am-babashook?utm_term=.ooYkM4V8a#.boleNPlaj
Andrew Wolter: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAndrewWolter
https://www.amazon.com/Andrew-Wolter/e/B002F31WPC
https://twitter.com/andrew_wolter?lang=en
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing (Recorded September 22, 2017)
We are wrapping up our Nolanography Countdown by discussing the newly released Dunkirk, an WWII film that has been met with much acclaim and brings much to the discussion of Nolan's greater works.
Timestamps: News - 0:50 Dunkirk - 4:40 Technical Elements - 17:00 Storytelling - 19:00 Casting - 22:00 The Soundtrack - 26:20 Sound Problems - 29:00 Harry Styles - 31:50 Survival - 34:00 Artistic Liberties - 37:15 Brexit - 42:00 The Weak Points - 44:00 What This Means for Nolan - 47:50
Recommended Links: 'The Dunkirk Exit Survey' https://theringer.com/dunkirk-exit-survey-christopher-nolan-harry-styles-tom-hardy-turtlenecks-6b3b17b8bda8
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing (Recorded July 23, 2017)
Wonder Woman has been a huge box office success and it has established Gal Gadot is marketable action star. While some have lauded this DC film for its quality, it has been a conduit to a larger discussion about social issues, so we pull each element apart and try to view this flick for what it is, good and bad.
Timestamps: News - 0:40 Gal Gadot - 3:30 The Plot - 11:05 Spoilers - 29:20 Wonder Woman's Allegories - 35:50 The Social Issues - 38:00 Guess the Rotten Tomatoes Score - 45:00
Recommended Links: "How ‘Wonder Woman’ Solved the Superhero Love Interest" theringer.com/wonder-woman-steve…erest-7dbf81626016
Interesting read about the Fearless Girl statue gregfallis.com/2017/04/14/seriou…-guy-has-a-point/
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing (Recorded July 16, 2017)
With 'Dunkirk' approaching, we have decided to revisit all the works of Christopher Nolan leading up to his newest release. For this episode, we discuss Interstellar
Timestamps: News - 1:00 Interstellar's Background - 8:40 Interstellar's Strengths - 11:30 Interstellar's Weaknesses - 28:10 The Twist - 40:20 The Ending - 49:50
Recommended Links: http://time.com/3572988/interstellar-science-fact-check/
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded June 25, 2017)
With 'Dunkirk' approaching, we have decided to revisit all the works of Christopher Nolan leading up to his newest release. For this episode, we discuss Inception- specifically how it became a household name and what how much it deserves its status as a classic.
Timestamps: News - 0:45 Inception's Background - 3:10 Inception's Themes and Style - 17:15 Inception's Characters - 23:40 Inception's In-Universe Rules - 32:10 The Ending - 38:15 Guess the Rotten Tomatoes Score - 41:00
Recommended Links: http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/24949/1/christopher-nolan-explains-the-spinning-top-in-inception
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded June 19, 2017)
With 'Dunkirk' approaching, we have decided to revisit all the works of Christopher Nolan leading up to his newest release. For this episode, we discuss Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy and break down every reason why 'Dark Knight Rises' is such a trainwreck compared to the first two.
Timestamps: Some Troubling News - 0:50 The Dark Knight Trilogy - 4:45 Dark Knight Rises: Pros - 16:10 Dark Knight Rises: Cons - 26:45
Recommended Links: https://soundcloud.com/moviemusing/04-batman-begins-v-the-dark-knight
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded May 25, 2017)
With 'Dunkirk' approaching, we have decided to revisit all the works of Christopher Nolan leading up to his newest release. For this episode, we discuss Nolan's underappreciated 'Insomnia' and break down his acclaimed thriller 'The Prestige'.
Timestamps: Strange Times at Cannes Film Festival - 0:45 Insomnia - 3:30 The Prestige - 19:10
Recommended Links: 'No Sleep: Revisiting The Christopher Nolan Movie No One Seems to Remember' https://filmschoolrejects.com/no-sleep-revisiting-the-christopher-nolan-movie-no-one-seems-to-remember-6d543df0995d/
'Hiding in Plain Sight' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d46Azg3Pm4c
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded May 21, 2017)
Guardians of the Galaxy is a favorite amongst Marvel fans for its fun characters, notable comic departure in tone, and memorable mixtape soundtrack- but some are higher on it than others. Mark and Quentin weigh in on how good Volume 2 was while debating what worked and what didn't.
Timestamps: GotG 2 - 1:00 Guess the Rotten Tomatoes Score - 41:05
Recommended Links: 'The Marvel Symphonic Universe' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vfqkvwW2fs
'Chris Pratt is Not a Movie Star' https://theringer.com/chris-pratt-movie-star-leading-man-guardians-of-the-galaxy-99a6cb775e8c
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded May 14, 2017)
With 'Dunkirk' approaching, we have decided to revisit all the works of Christopher Nolan leading up to his newest release. For this episode, we start with Nolan's earliest works, including 'Doodlebug,' 'Following,' and the acclaimed 'Memento.' It was a hard call, but we decided not to edit this episode out of chronological order.
Timestamps: What We've Been Watching - 1:00 Nolan's Style - 7:10 Doodlebug - 12:35 Following - 14:00 Memento - 19:55
Recommended Links: 'Doodlebug' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WhKt_CkXD0
'Nolan Breaks Down Memento' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYScJZWhaHA&t=3s
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded April 30, 2017)
Like him or loathe him, Tarantino is one of the most acclaimed directors working today and he launched his career in epic fashion with his debut 'Reservoir Dogs.' What sets his work apart? It certainly isn't originality. It is his slick style and brilliant screenwriting- and in spite of having next to no budget, 'Reservoir Dogs' is an absolute classic, since all it needed was Tarantino's touch.
Timestamps: News - 0:40 The Origins of Quentin Tarantino - 5:00 The Production of Reservoir Dogs - 13:40 The Characters - 19:15 Spoiler Territory - 30:15
Recommended Links: "Empire Magazine on 'Reservoir Dogs'" http://www.empireonline.com/movies/empire-essay-reservoir-dogs/review/
"Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio & Robert De Niro May Reteam For ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon’" http://theplaylist.net/martin-scorsese-leonardo-dicaprio-robert-de-niro-looking-may-reteam-killers-flower-moon-20170421/
"Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio & Robert De Niro Eyeing ‘Killers Of The Flower Moon’ From Eric Roth Adaptation" http://deadline.com/2017/04/martin-scorsese-leonardo-dicaprio-eric-roth-killers-of-the-flower-moon-movie-david-grann-book-1202073488/
"Steven Spielberg Pentagon Papers Drama Gets 2017 Oscar Season Release" http://variety.com/2017/film/news/steven-spielberg-tom-hanks-meryl-streep-oscars-1202392948/
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded April 23, 2017)
It seems like every week we're getting another live action Disney remake or a familiar children's story back on screen. Naturally, most of these are frustrating cash-ins, but what separates the good from the bad?
Timestamps: The Jungle Book - 2:30 Alice in Wonderland - 14:55 Where the Wild Things Are - 19:50 Snow White and the Huntsman - 29:00 All the Incoming Live Actions Disney Remakes - 33:30 Guess the Rotten Tomatoes Scores - 41:20
Recommended Links: Upcoming Live Action Disney Remakes https://moviepilot.com/p/every-upcoming-live-action-disney-movie-remake-release/4120337
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded April 13, 2017)
Lots of movies have lawyers and courtroom sequences, but which ones get it right? Demetrios is a third year law student, so he's able to pinpoint which portrayals are accurate and how others are so misinformed that it's embarrassing.
Timestamps: Demetrios's Experience with Law - 1:35 Better Call Saul - 5:05 My Cousin Vinny - 9:24 To Kill a Mockingbird - 13:33 Chicago - 17:30 Liar Liar - 21:30 Legally Blonde - 24:23 How to Get Away with Murder - 27:10 A Few Good Men - 27:56 What Real Case Deserves a Film Adaptation? - 33:10 What Fictional Villain Would You Defend in Court? - 35:00 What Fictional Hero Would You Prosecute? - 36:40
Recommended Links:
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded April 10, 2017)
As the fledgling Terminator franchise continues to stumble, we wonder why these movies seem so creatively bankrupt, and to do so, we look back to when Terminator was synonymous with "Smart," "Cool," and "James Cameron."
Timestamps: News - 0:26 The Terminator - 8:25 Terminator 2: Judgment Day - 15:40 Avatar - 37:05 Guess the Rotten Tomatoes Scores - 40:35
Recommended Links:
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded March 26, 2017)
'Logan' is an unsettling film and perhaps one of the great comic book adaptations in modern cinema. It is gritty, focused, unrelenting, and a marvelous deconstruction of so many tropes we have seen in super hero movies. We discuss the state of the X-Men franchise and breakdown why this movie works so well.
Timestamps: News - 0:32 The X-Men Franchise - 7:00 Logan - 20:25 Guess the Rotten Tomatoes Scores - 46:50
Recommended Links:
"Has HBO Found a Way to Save True Detective Season 3?" http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/03/true-detective-season-3-david-milch
"Logan" http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/movies/2017/02/logan_hugh_jackman_s_final_wolverine_film_reviewed.html
"Hugh Jackman Wanted 'Logan' to End Like 'Unforgiven'" https://www.yahoo.com/movies/hugh-jackman-wanted-logan-to-end-like-unforgiven-173140331.html
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded March 27, 2017)
'Get Out' is a tense horror that has a surprising amount of laughs and even poignant social commentary. We explore the strengths of the narrative, the nuances of each performer, and we analyze the wisdom we can take away from Director Jordan Peele.
Timestamps: News - 0:37 The Performances in 'Get Out' - 3:35 Plot Spoilers - 16:45 Social Commentary - 26:07
Recommended Links: HipHopDX, Jordan Peele Explains Why Childish Gambino's "Redbone" Was Perfect For "Get Out", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1YAdd6ERBs
Damon Young, The Disturbing Truth That Makes Get Out Depressingly Plausible, http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/03/10/get_out_and_america_s_many_missing_black_people.html
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded March 12, 2017)
What just happened? The 2017 Oscars just concluded and we're in shock with the Best Picture Debacle. Listen to our full thoughts!
Hell or High Water is a great modern Western that asks some truly thought-provoking questions... and it's also a lot of fun. The most interesting element, however, is that every character is a victim and there isn't a clear villain. Listen to us breakdown why it's so compelling and a unique genre blend.
Film News - 0:33 Hell or High Water - 5:51 Guess the Rotten Tomatoes Score - 38:14
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded February 9, 2017)
Now that we're making our way into 2017, we have a clear vision of the year 2016 in film, so it's time for our definitive countdown. Mark and Quentin have sent their rankings to Demetrios, who averaged the placements into one solo list, so neither of them know what the placements will be.
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded February 16, 2017)
In this episode, we discuss 'Fences.' It's a memorable adaptation of the classic play and boasts some incredible performances- but notably, it has an amazing amount of depth about family, race in America, and how prison impacts people for the rest of their lives.
Timestamps: Film News - 0:33 Fences - 8:45 Guess the Rotten Tomatoes Score - 37:00
Recommended Reading: Alyssa Rosenberg, "The 2017 Oscar nominations remind Americans what we have in common," https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2017/01/24/the-2017-oscar-nominations-remind-americans-what-we-have-in-common/
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded February 9, 2017)
In this lost segment from our 'Rogue One' episode, Quentin argues that 'The Revenge of the Sith' is a better Star Wars film than 'The Force Awakens'. Maybe he's spent a little too much time on r/PrequelMemes.
Recommended links:
South Park on 'The Force Awakens': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM2zcv5AfaM
r/PrequelMemes: https://www.reddit.com/r/PrequelMemes/
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded January 2, 2017)
Oscar season is here and it's time to chat about this year's nominees! After that, Quentin opines on what the Academy could do differently to improve their categories and maintain their integrity.
Timestamps: The Nominations - 0:20 The Lobster - 15:31 Guess the Rotten Tomatoes Score- 18:00 What the Oscars should change - 24:03
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded January 24, 2017)
In this episode we weigh in on some topical events, opine on the 'La La Land' vs 'Moonlight' race, and consider why Moonlight is such an impactful, introspective film- along with a new surprise segment.
Timestamps: Film News - 0:20 Guess the Rotten Tomatoes Score- 11:45 The Moonlight vs La La Land Oscar Race- 17:30 Moonlight - 26:30
Recommended Links: Matthew Schnipper, "Director Barry Jenkins on the Music That Made Moonlight," November 29, 2016, http://pitchfork.com/thepitch/1377-director-barry-jenkins-on-the-music-that-made-moonlight/
Tre'vell Anderson, "Before the buzz began on 'Moonlight,' the coming-of-age story started with playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney," October 21, 2016, http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-moonlight-playwright-tarell-mccraney-20161017-snap-story.html
La La Land Interrogation - SNL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abn6cPxrc5w
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded January 22, 2017)
In this episode we are joined by actor Daniel Ellis to discuss the Golden Globes, Manchester by the Sea, and what goes into an authentic acting performance.
Timestamps: This Valley of Dying Stars - 1:11 Authenticity in Acting - 7:08 Blue Valentine - 9:55 The Golden Globes - 12:33 Manchester by the Sea - 25:06 The Relationship of Filmmakers and Critics - 52:58
Recommended Links: Follow 'This Valley of Dying Stars' https://www.facebook.com/ThisValleyofDyingStars/
Follow Daniel Ellis https://www.facebook.com/danielcooperellis/
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded January 10, 2017)
In this episode we discuss some of our favorite titles leaving 2016, then go into how La La Land has gotten so much acclaim and how it is not just a memorable musical, but great cinema.
Timestamps: Manchester By the Sea - 2:22 Hail, Caesar! - 9:22 OJ: Made in America - 12:22 The Hunt for the Wilderpeople - 13:48 La La Land - 16:50 The Umbrellas of Cherbourg - 47:44 Why Musicals are Hit or Miss - 56:34
Recommended Links: "12 Movies and Musicals to Watch After ‘La La Land’" http://www.thewrap.com/13-movies-and-musicals-to-watch-after-seeing-la-la-land/
"La La Land director breaks down the movie’s amazing opening" http://ew.com/movies/2016/12/21/la-la-land-freeway-musical-number-damien-chazelle/
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded January 1, 2017)
In this episode, we are joined by our editor and Star Wars superfan Demetrios Festa. We evaluate Rogue One and explore the series as a whole.
Timestamps: Demetrios's favorite 2016 films- 4:30 The Star Wars Franchise - 7:37 Rogue One - 26:00
Recommended Links: Patton Oswalt "At Midnight I Will Kill George Lucas with a Shovel": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0rkntJgkQ4
Death Sticks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiiGJq4IFvo
The Power of Myth: Creating Star Wars’ Mythos with Joseph Campbell https://indiefilmhustle.com/the-power-of-myth-star-wars-joseph-campbell/
Music courtesy of Vernon West www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded January 2, 2017)
Mark is joined by Daniel Febrizio to discuss one of their favorite shows, Documentary Now! They dive into the general features and structure of the series as well as highlight some favorite episodes to check out. Documentary Now! is a great example of how parody can be crafted in a way that respects the source material and adds its own unique humor and perspective. Even though it’s a show with a niche focus, it’s actually quite accessible and funny to the average viewer and people should check it out.
Timestamps: What’s Documentary Now!? – 3:25 Sandy Passage – 15:10 Dronez – 20:05 Globesmen – 24:55 Juan Likes Rice & Chicken – 28:20
Recommended Links: Watch Documentary Now!, http://www.ifc.com/shows/documentary-now
Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya, "Documentary Now! brings compelling father-son drama to the table," AV Club, http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/documentary-now-brings-compelling-father-son-drama-242976
David Fear, "Inside Bill Hader and Fred Armisen's Soft-Rock Supergroup," Rolling Stone, http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/news/inside-bill-hader-and-fred-armisens-soft-rock-supergroup-20150924
Music courtesy of Vernon West : www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ @vernonwestmusic www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded December 18, 2016)
In this episode, we are joined by Kevin Samy, a former speechwriter from the Obama Administration. We explore how movies like Zootopia can be a catalyst for discussing important social issues.
Timestamps: Kevin's Obama Story - 1:12 Films of 2016 - 7:40 Zootopia - 9:54 Fern Gully - 48:00 The Jungle Book (2016) - 51:12 Harry Potter - 53:16
Recommended Links: "Try Everything- Shakira" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6rP-YP4c5I
"Ron is Racist - and That's Great" http://emmagrant01.tumblr.com/post/46072225420/ron-is-racist-and-thats-great
Kevin Samy: twitter.com/kevinsamy44
Music courtesy of Vernon West https://www.facebook.com/vernonwestmusic/ https://soundcloud.com/vernonwestmusic https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/vernonwest1
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded December 10, 2016)
Mark and Quentin are joined by their friend Matt Osborn to discuss the acclaimed sci-fi, 'Arrival.' Using Matt's background in cross-cultural communications, they explore the conversation surrounding Arrival and measure its successes on screen. Later on, they expand on the innovative editing techniques in this film and debate whether similar structures worked as well for other films.
Timestamps: Arrival - 1:28 Non-linear storytelling - 42:10
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded December 1, 2016)
Here's an unreleased segment from Quentin's discussion with Alex covering some dark moments in film history and whether these titles are worth the ride.
Timestamps:
The Human Centipede Part 2 - 0:08 A Serbian Film - 0:45 Martyrs - 4:20 Cannibal Holocaust - 7:07 Cannibal Ferox - 12:40 Eli Roth - 14:00 The Green Inferno - 14:35 Hostel - 15:30
(Recorded October 18, 2016)
Mark and Quentin chat about two new shows that have emerged this fall: Marvel's Luke Cage (Netflix) and Donald Glover's Atlanta (FX Networks). Although quite different in tone and style, both shows have a lot to offer and portend great things both for Glover's creative genius and Marvel's more conventional fare.
Timestamps: Fan Question - 0:33 Luke Cage - 3:20 Atlanta - 35:33
Recommended Readings:
Fred Topel, "ATLiens: Donald Glover Explains 10 Big Ideas Behind Atlanta," September 2, 2016, https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/atliens-donald-glover-explains-10-big-ideas-behind-atlanta/
Alison Herman, "What the Rest of TV Can Learn From ‘Atlanta’," November 1, 2016, https://theringer.com/fx-atlanta-season-1-tv-industry-e0efdcc404bf#.e2sf4pstu
Micah Peters, "The First Season of ‘Atlanta’ Was About Everything and Nothing At All," November 2, 2016, https://theringer.com/the-first-season-of-atlanta-was-about-everything-and-nothing-at-all-bd9df1b708ab#.1pz1wlok6
The Watch Podcast via The Ringer, "All Things FX Re-up With Nick Grad," November 3, 2016, https://theringer.com/the-watch-podcast-andy-greenwald-chris-ryan-ab903a3278de#.vcppo3rwz
Contact: medium.com/movie-musing twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing moviemusing.com @moviemusing
(Recorded November 20, 2016)
In this episode, Quentin discusses war films with Caleb Hoffman-Johnson, an Infantry Officer in the Marine Corps. Using films about WWII and the conflicts in the Middle East, they explore authenticity on screen and how each movie speaks to an important reality about the nature of war.
Timestamps: Hacksaw Ridge - 2:17 Saving Private Ryan - 18:16 Fury - 23:24 Eye in the Sky - 29:55 The Hurt Locker - 38:57 American Sniper - 44:46 Generation Kill - 49:50 When "SEAL" Becomes a Brand - 54:38 Star Wars: Rogue One - 59:02 The Worst Movie We've Ever Seen - 1:02:27
Recommended links:
Fury from a Tank Officer's Perspective: http://www.historynet.com/fury-a-tankers-eye-view.htm
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusing
(Recorded November 13, 2016)
In this episode, we discuss the recent Magnificent Seven remake, John Wayne vs Clint Eastwood, and how Western films have more depth to them than you might think.
Timestamps: The Magnificent Seven (2016) - 2:40 The Magnificent Seven (1960) - 18:55 Western Aesthetics - 22:30 John Wayne vs. Clint Eastwood - 23:18 True Grit (2010) - 28:04 Spaghetti Westerns - 29:05 The Dollar Trilogy - 31:00 Unforgiven - 38:17 A History of Violence - 45:49 How the West Was Won - 48:30
Recommended Reading:
Anderson, Terry L., and P.J. Hill. "American Experiment in Anarcho-Capitalism: The Not So Wild, Wild West." Journal of Libertarian Studies 3, No.1 (1979): 9-29. https://mises.org/library/american-experiment-anarcho-capitalism-not-so-wild-wild-west
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusing
(Recorded November 1, 2016)
In this Halloween episode, Quentin has a one-on-one conversation with Caleb Larson, a NY-based film production assistant who loves John Carpenter and understands what goes into creating effective horror visuals and memorable soundtracks.
Timestamps: John Carpenter's Style and Soundtracks - 3:56 Balancing Practical Effects - 11:00 Horror Is An Introspective Experience - 14:35 What Scares Us? - 21:45 Alien - 24:03 An American Werewolf in London - 26:28 When and When Not to Use Music - 28:25 Serial Killers - 30:50 The Cabin in the Woods - 36:41 Scares from Non-Horror Movies - 39:08 Exploring the Slasher Genre - 41:28 Michael Doherty - 43:25 Doing Remakes Right - 44:54 Horror Punishes Desire - 47:15 Artists Should Stick to What They Do Best - 48:20 George Romero - 51:12
Recommended links:
American Werewolf in London - Complete Transformation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFLQS12z8K4
Aliens - Mother Alien Fight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSrcMaid0mg
The Thing - Masterful Special Effects https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVgqhPqHPa4
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusing
(Recorded October 23, 2016)
In this episode, Quentin has a one-on-one conversation with Alex Kraljic, a film aficionado who wrote his college thesis on horror. We explore some of our favorites, examine their historical context, and also discuss why scary movies are so subjective.
Timestamps: What Got us into Horror? - 4:25 The REC Franchise- 5:14 Psycho - 9:02 Watching Horror with a Group - 9:35 Jack Nicholson in The Shining - 12:10 American Psycho - 13:00 Wolf Creek - 17:22 Why "Scary" is Subjective - 20:52 The Saw Franchise - 24:02 Allegories in Horror Films - 30:26 Are There ANY Good Remakes? - 33:03 The Influence of Japanese Cinema - 34:58 In Defense of Rob Zombie - 38:24 Exploring Some Modern Titles - 41:27
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusing
(Recorded October 18, 2016)
Our friend Alex has some strong feelings about movie hecklers- and we have some funny stories to share.
(Human Centipede Warning)
In this episode, we explore some of our favorite Sci Fi films and discuss why they're not only great cinema, but also bring about thought-provoking ideas.
Timestamps: Star Trek vs Star Wars - 1:11 Minority Report - 5:49 Blade Runner - 9:52 Children of Men - 17:52 The Truman Show - 23:15 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - 28:24 Aliens - 32:09 Avatar - 40:23 Metropolis - 42:01 Her - 44:53 Equilibrium - 49:15 I, Robot - 51:13 Wall-E - 52:31 Interstellar - 53:22 Inception - 54:38 Christopher Nolan's Flaw - 55:38
Suggested viewing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fQ5wOSLPvI
Show Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingspod www.facebook.com/moviemusings MovieMusingsPodcast@gmail.com @moviemusings
(Recorded September 24, 2016)
In this episode, we have an in-depth discussion about the Netflix phenomenon 'Stranger Things'. We ask the crucial questions like, "Is it worth watching?" and "Is it really Sci-Fi?"
Recommended Reading: Geoff Berkshire, "‘Stranger Things’ Finale: Duffer Brothers Talk Cliffhangers, Death and Season 2," Variety, July 18, 2016, http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/stranger-things-finale-duffer-brothers-interview-season-2-1201816664/
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusings
(Recorded September 24, 2016)
Quentin goes off on why he can't stand films like The Blind Side, The Theory of Everything or Crash. Meanwhile, Tom can't keep track of the years.
The Blind Side - 0:00 The Theory of Everything - 3:00 Crash - 4:20
Mark and Quentin are joined by sportswriter Tom Rende for a healthy mix of witty banter and serious discussion. From OJ: Made in America to Space Jam to , we talk about how different sports translate to the big (or small) screen and comment on movies that blur the lines between athletics and drama.
Timestamps:
OJ: Made in America - 6:29 Remember the Titans - 12:24 Space Jam - 16:20 The Sandlot - 20:13 Rudy - 24:09 Tom's Heart is Broken - 26:57 Foxcatcher - 27:47 Moneyball - 35:34 Raging Bull - 40:04 The Rocky Franchise - 45:40 Creed - 52:23 Concussion - 56:12
Relevant Links: Cracked, "Rocky IV: The Version They Saw in Russia," April 8, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBZwJ6kogJg
Grantland, "You're Killing Us, Smalls: The Only ‘The Sandlot’ Character Rankings You’ll Ever Need," April 8, 2015 http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/youre-killing-us-smalls-the-only-the-sandlot-character-rankings-youll-ever-need/
Tom Rende Contact: https://medium.com/@Trende19 https://twitter.com/Trende19
Show Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusings
(Recorded September 5, 2016)
For this episode, Mark and Quentin each assemble their own “Suicide Squad” of five villains and debate which team would be better equipped to stop Darth Vader and the Empire from invading Manhattan (without making things worse, of course!).
To build up to this debate, they give their thoughts on the second major film to be released this year in the DC Cinematic Universe, Suicide Squad. We gave it a fair shot, and there’s plenty of both good and bad aspects to discuss, but this movie seems to be another example of style over substance from Zack Snyder and crew. Then, after briefly offering opinions, predictions, and hopes for Rogue One and its new trailer.
Timestamps: Suicide Squad Analysis – 0:28 Rogue One Trailer – 20:52 Debate: Assembling Our Own Suicide Squad – 28:39
Relevant Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZf7XhlKls
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusings
(Recorded August 17, 2016)
Revisiting the topic of anti-heroes, Quentin and Mark discuss characters and films that provoke different reactions and opinions. When does an anti-hero become likable or unlikable, and what can we learn about ourselves from such sympathy or disgust?
Timestamps: Opening – 0:30 The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - 1:57 Vertigo - 5:00 Cool Hand Luke - 9:00 Streetcar Named Desire - 13:57 In Bruges - 18:05 Nightcrawler - 23:04 Whiplash - 27:07 The Social Network - 31:05 Raging Bull - 36:43
Relevant Links: Jaycee McCarthy, "On The Lips: The Censorship of A Streetcar Named Desire," Colby Sawyer College, http://colby-sawyer.edu/currents/streetcardesire.html
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusings
(Recorded July 24, 2016)
No matter how well you know someone's tastes, they always seem to like that one movie you wouldn't expect- or just flat out hate it.
In this episode, we discuss our opinions on films where we're higher or lower than the average critic or audience member.
Timestamps: Transformers – 3:30 War of the Worlds (2005) – 5:35 The Village – 8:10 Signs – 11:15 Beverly Hills Cop – 14:40 Secret Window – 16:05 Shutter Island – 17:50 Pulp Fiction – 20:25 V for Vendetta – 26:15 Amadeus – 29:50 Forrest Gump – 37:40 The Untouchables (1987) – 43:40 Primer – 49:00 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – 50:55
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusings
(Recorded July 5, 2016)
Mark and Quentin are joined by their good friend Conor Bigley to discuss one of the greatest and most singular directors of the 20th century: Stanley Kubrick. Crafting definitive films in multiple genres, Kubrick and his filmography offer a rich topic for discussion and analysis.
Timestamps: Opening Thoughts – 1:20 Early Work / The Killing (1956) – 6:50 Paths of Glory (1957) – 10:15 Spartacus (1960) – 15:05 Lolita (1962) – 18:35 Dr. Strangelove (1964) – 19:50 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – 27:55 A Clockwork Orange (1971) – 35:10 Barry Lyndon (1975) – 40:40 The Shining (1980) – 45:40 Full Metal Jacket (1987) – 57:10 Eyes Wide Shut (1999) – 1:03:50 Closing Analysis – 1:07:25
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusings
Relevant Links: Kubrick on A Clockwork Orange, An interview with Michel Ciment, http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/amk/doc/interview.aco.html Eric Schlosser, Almost Everything in "Dr. Strangelove" Was True, January 17, 2014, The New Yorker, http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/almost-everything-in-dr-strangelove-was-true
(Recorded June 29, 2016)
We're in a time in film history where remakes are a dime a dozen. Mark and Quentin run through some good examples and some bad examples of movie remakes before launching into a discussion of how an audience's expectations can shape a viewing experience. Finally, Mark and Quentin discuss and debate the polarizing question, can a film go too far? To put it another way, as critics, is it more important to contemplate and respect a filmmaker's artistic vision or consider the impact of controversial or offensive content on viewers?
Segments: 1. Remakes – 0:30 2. Expectations – 27:00 3. Debate: Too Far? – 35:45
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusings
Relevant Links: Tony Zhou, Martin Scorsese - The Art of Silence, https://vimeo.com/98240271 Matt Zoller Seitz, The Hateful Eight, http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-hateful-eight-2015
(Recorded June 9, 2016)
Mark and Quentin are joined by Anya Crittenton, host of the Millennial Falcon podcast, to discuss their thoughts on Captain America: Civil War, Marvel and comic book films in general. Further, the group evaluates the recent revelation that Marvel producers forced a script re-write of Iron Man 3 to remove a female villain, opening up a broader discussion on gender bias within the film industry.
Segments: 1. Captain America – 0:55 2. Gender Bias – 33:15
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusings https://twitter.com/falconpodcast https://twitter.com/anyacrittenton https://millennialfalconpodcast.wordpress.com/
(Recorded May 26, 2016)
What if the Oscars recognized the best in film over the course of a decade, rather than just for a particular year? That's the question that Mark and Quentin answer during this retrospective discussion covering the best of the 1970s. This episode focuses on the remaining two of the five major Academy Awards: Director and Best Picture. After considering all of the "nominations" presented, they each submit a hypothetical "ballot" with their picks for the greatest in film for the 1970s.
Segments: 1. Directors – 1:08 2. Pictures – 20:40 3. Ballot Submission – 40:46
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusings
(Recorded April 21, 2016)
What if the Oscars recognized the best in film over the course of a decade, rather than just for a particular year? That's the question that Mark and Quentin answer during this retrospective discussion covering the best of the 1970s. This episode focuses on three of the five major Academy Awards: Screenplay (Adapted & Original), Best Actor, Best Actress.
Segments: 1. Introduction and Key Considerations – 0:30 2. Screenplays – 5:20 3. Actors – 24:10 4. Actresses – 43:15
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusings
(Recorded April 21, 2016)
Mark and Quentin share their thoughts on the most recent Zack Snyder film, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. After discussing some of the issues with the movie, they contrast the weaknesses of BvS with the strengths of Marvel's work, particularly in Daredevil (Netflix). The podcast ends with a debate over which is the better film from Christopher Nolan: Batman Begins (2005) or The Dark Knight (2008).
Segments: 1. BvS Thoughts – 0:30 2. Daredevil – 13:35 3. BB v TDK – 25:45
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusings
(Recorded Apr. 7, 2016)
Mark and Quentin return, briefly sizing up the 2016 Oscars and acknowledging the impressive performances by child actors this past year. Continuing on this theme, they dive into past examples of great child performers and discuss how good direction can be a critical factor to success. For the debate segment, Mark and Quentin argue who's the more compelling anti-hero: Michael Corleone (Godfather Trilogy) or Walter White (Breaking Bad).
Segments: 1. Opening Thoughts – 0:30 2. Child Performers – 3:55 3. Debate – 17:15
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusings
(Recorded Mar. 10, 2016)
In anticipation of the upcoming Academy Awards, Mark and Quentin discuss notable nomination snubs throughout history. They finish with a debate over which non-nominated film should be in the running for Best Picture.
Segments: 1. Opening Oscar thoughts – 0:50 2. Historical Nomination Snubs – 9:25 3. Debate – 26:20
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusings
(Recorded Feb. 15, 2016)
For the podcast's first full episode, Mark and Quentin are joined by Daniel Febrizio (Mark's brother) to discuss movie franchises rejuvenated by new additions (think: Star Wars) and film noir.
Segments: 1. Franchises – 2:55 2. Film Noir – 28:30 3. Debate – 53:10
Contact: twitter.com/moviemusingpod facebook.com/moviemusing @moviemusings
(Recorded Jan. 7, 2016)