Exploring the intersections of cinema
Music and movies have always been linked, but today Jason Harden joins the show once again to talk with Alex and Jonathan about three films which detail the life of three modern music legends, What's Love Got to Do with It (1993), Ray (2004), and Love & Mercy (2014). We talk about when depicting a… Continue reading Episode 113. Music and Manipulation Feat. Jason Harden
Friend of the podcast Aaron Johnson joins the show today to talk about three animated films from Europe about various animals: Watership Down (1978), The Plague Dogs (1982), and Felidae (1994). We discuss how animals are used to depict very mature thematic stories, the distinction between Martin Rosen's animation style and the classic Disney look,… Continue reading Episode 107. Brutal Beasts Feat. Aaron Johnson
Friend of the podcast Jason Harden joins the show once again to talk with Alex and Jonathan about the animation of Don Bluth in The Secret of NIMH (1982), The Land Before Time (1988), and Anastasia (1997). We discuss Bluth's beginnings with his short film Banjo the Woodpile Cat (1979), the darker tone in his… Continue reading Episode 98. The Bluthian Blues Feat. Jason Harden
Jonathan sits down with Hayden Chauffe today to discuss the career of the modern filmmaker's filmmaker, Quentin Tarantino, in the films Reservoir Dogs (1992), Inglourious Basterds (2009), and The Hateful Eight (2015). We talk about Tarantino's literary story structure, the controversies that tend to follow his films, and the way he breaks various rules of… Continue reading Episode 91. Quintessential Quentin Feat. Hayden Chauffe
Resident animaniac Aaron Johnson joins Alex and Jonathan today to talk about a very particular period in the history of Disney animation in The Black Cauldron (1985), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), and The Little Mermaid (1989). We talk about how The Black Cauldron almost killed Disney, the homages and innovations of Who Framed Roger… Continue reading Episode 87. Disney Doesn’t Die Feat. Aaron Johnson
Benjamin Angrisano joins Alex and Jonathan once again, this time to take a look at one of the most famous of all film trilogies: The Godfather (1972), The Godfather: Part II (1974), and The Godfather: Part III (1990). We talk about the thematic resonance of the series, the ways the third film differs from the… Continue reading Episode 81. An Episode You Can’t Refuse Feat. Benjamin Angrisano
In proper Halloween spirit, Alex and Jonathan invite Jason Harden back to the podcast to talk about some of the darker films by director Tim Burton: Edward Scissorhands (1990), Sleepy Hollow (1999), and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007). They discuss the way Tim Burton blends dark and whimsical tones, the evolution of Johnny Depp's… Continue reading Episode 72. Bloody Burton Feat. Jason Harden
Returning guest Benjamin Angrisano joins Alex and Jonathan to discuss the early film collaborations between director Martin Scorsese and actor Robert DeNiro in Mean Streets (1972), Taxi Driver (1976), and Raging Bull (1980). We talk about the American New Wave, recurring themes in Scorsese's work, and DeNiro's ability to adapt to different roles. https://youtu.be/QQfcqkttOAo?si=DvtBhc3n5x8vLvEK https://open.spotify.com/episode/62J5HieIjzVbVkBsdRACn0?si=AI5gsDxZQQe1JfdNaTFlog Also on… Continue reading Episode 66. Shooting Scorsese Feat. Benjamin Angrisano
Aaron Johnson, the podcast's inaugural guest, joins Alex and Jonathan again today to discuss the parodical world of Mel Brooks in Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974), and High Anxiety (1977). We talk about Brook's way of parodying different forms of film, using meta-humor, and his split love for directing and performing. https://youtu.be/l40qYhFTzO4?si=nC-a8_9Rgx5-8Vv8 https://open.spotify.com/episode/4oJRfqwRHXzSB2tZYTTiQL?si=7kq8nqTvScG1AkYLobeZFw Also on iTunes Skip… Continue reading Episode 59. Bonkers Brooks Feat. Aaron Johnson
Friend of the podcast, Hayden Chauffe, returns to talk with Alex and Jonathan about the feature film works of one of his biggest influences, Jim Henson: The Great Muppet Caper (1981), The Dark Crystal (1982), Labyrinth (1986). We talk about the history of Henson's puppet work, building fantasy worlds in miniature, and the modern use of muppets and… Continue reading Episode 45. Happy Henson Feat. Hayden Chauffe
It's the spookiest time of the year, and this week Alex and Jonathan invite special guest Emily Geringer to discuss three hallmark horror films from Japan and Korea: Audition (1999), Ju-on: The Grudge (2002), and A Tale of Two Sisters (2003). We discuss manipulating time to build mystery and suspense, how a compelling story can transcend recycled cinematic elements,… Continue reading Episode 43. Eastern Eeriness Feat. Emily Geringer
Benjamin Angrisano, long-time friend of the Filmlings and Coen Brother's enthusiast, joins Alex and Jonathan to talk about some of the Coen's darker films: Blood Simple. (1984), Fargo (1996), and No Country for Old Men (2007). We talk about infusing humor into darker themes, opposing mindsets and worldviews of characters, and how ambiguity can make a film more… Continue reading Episode 36. Body Count Coen Brothers Feat. Benjamin Angrisano
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. https://youtu.be/zFIXbsq_7-c?si=VZgm2yzlp4CJePyK https://open.spotify.com/episode/5p2FKKg2TVpci9ibYk1gAQ?si=KIOWE0AJQb22xi2-Wl1Q4Q Also on iTunes Skip to: Baby Boom (7:45), The Parent Trap (27:41), The Intern (53:47), Overall (1:17:35), Coming… Continue reading Episode 19. Maternal Meyers Feat. Andrea Millard
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
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
What makes sound, and is informative? The Filmlings film analysis podcast! Alex and Jonathan welcome their first guest, Aaron Johnson, to the podcast to talk about four major reboots of the cinematic portrayal of Batman: Batman: The Movie (1966), Batman (1989), Batman Begins (2005), and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). We talk about how the comics influence the… Continue reading Episode 7. Holy Reboot, Batman! Feat. Aaron Johnson
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