Film Nuts

Taylor D. Adams

Your host Taylor D. Adams talks to artists, musicians, writers and others about their favorite films and shows, and asks them to share how they have been inspired or affected. Hopefully we can get to the root of why we love what we watch, why we’re crazy about a movie or *nuts* about a show…get it?

  1. 1 day ago

    THE LORD OF THE RINGS with Matias Faundez

    You know that rare feeling when a movie doesn’t just entertain you, it quietly rewires what you think is possible? That’s the energy we chase here, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the perfect case study. I’m joined by content strategist and producer Matias Faundez to talk about why Peter Jackson’s Middle earth still looks and feels alive, how Tolkien’s story lands with real emotional weight, and why the craftsmanship behind these films continues to inspire filmmakers and everyday viewers alike. We get personal fast: Matias shares the first time Fellowship of the Ring pulled him in via a small town library VHS, the exact moments that made the world click, and how rewatching as an adult reveals the insane intention behind cinematography, practical effects, costuming, and production design. From chain mail realism to character choices that earn your investment, we break down what “movie magic” actually is when it’s built on thousands of deliberate decisions. Then we bridge fantasy to real life content creation. If you’re building a YouTube channel or making video marketing for a business, we unpack two principles that scale: genuine passion for the topic and authentic on camera connection that viewers can feel. We also talk fan culture, including Matias’s experience meeting Andy Serkis, plus what Aragorn teaches about leadership, loyalty, and a grounded version of masculinity that isn’t driven by ego. If you’ve been feeling behind, the Gandalf quote about choosing what to do with the time you’re given hits different here. Press play, share this with a friend who loves film or YouTube, and leave a review if the show helps you see your own creative path more clearly. Get to know Matias! https://www.youtube.com/@NerdGateMedia https://www.youtube.com/@matitravels https://www.linkedin.com/in/matiasfaundez/ https://www.instagram.com/matfaundez/ Support the show Watch Film Nuts on Youtube Support us through PayPal @filmnuts Back Film Nuts on Patreon! Get in touch by emailing filmnutspodcast@gmail.com or following us on Instagram and TikTok @filmnutspodcast.

    THE LORD OF THE RINGS with Matias Faundez
  2. 3 Jun

    ANTHONY BOURDAIN: PARTS UNKNOWN with Justin Cook

    What made Anthony Bourdain more than just a TV host — and why does his work still matter? In this episode of Film Nuts, I sit down with climate journalist and photographer Justin Cook to dig into the lasting legacy of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, the CNN docuseries that turned food into a lens for understanding people, place, and power. Justin breaks down why Bourdain's storytelling never really felt like travel television — it was actual journalism, and really good journalism at that. We talk about the Charleston episode, Waffle House, why the Jerusalem episode hits different right now, and how watching Bourdain sit at a grandma's kitchen table in Gaza and tell a story through food changed the way Justin thinks about his own reporting. Justin is a solutions journalist covering climate change across the American South, and the parallels between his work and Bourdain's approach are honestly kind of wild. We also get into why there are whale skeletons buried in the Tar River in North Carolina, which I absolutely needed answers to after stalking his Instagram. This one is about storytelling, journalism, the power of showing up somewhere with genuine curiosity, and yes — a very passionate defense of Waffle House. Justin's work: Justin’s Portfolio https://www.justincookphoto.com/ Justin’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justincookphoto/ Origins: Climate Change and Solutions in Princeville, North Carolina, America's Oldest Incorporated Black Town https://www.originsclimatestories.com/ Tide and Time: Sea Level Rise and Solastalgia on North Carolina's Outer Banks https://stories.pulitzercenter.org/tide-and-time/ Support the show Watch Film Nuts on Youtube Support us through PayPal @filmnuts Back Film Nuts on Patreon! Get in touch by emailing filmnutspodcast@gmail.com or following us on Instagram and TikTok @filmnutspodcast.

    ANTHONY BOURDAIN: PARTS UNKNOWN with Justin Cook
  3. 08/10/2025

    BERGMAN ISLAND with Adam Protz

    Check out Mubi! A calm film that still hits like a memory. We head to Faro for a slow, sunlit walk through Mia Hansen-Løve’s Bergman Island and talk about why a “vibe movie” can carry more emotional weight than a dozen plot twists. With composer and interviewer Adam Protz, we unpack the gentle shock of moving beyond IP-driven habits into cinema that breathes—where sweaters match ferries, windmills hold quiet revelations, and a film-within-a-film mirrors the delicate strain of a creative partnership. Adam traces his journey from easy-listening piano into the textured worlds of Nils Frahm, Ólafur Arnalds, and Hania Rani, then draws a line to Bergman Island’s unshowy craft. We dig into how place becomes an instrument, why the inner story burns hotter than the outer romance, and how boundaries in feedback can feel both defensive and necessary. Along the way, we explore sampling as a metaphor for cinema literacy—discovering echoes in Seventh Seal, then chasing the source to hear the original heartbeat. What emerges is a portrait of taste in motion: keeping love for superhero spectacle while making room for small, precise choices that invite a second look. No Bergman syllabus required; the references land without gatekeeping, and the meta touches stay human. If you’re curious how a quiet film can feel restorative, or how partners create without smothering each other’s endings, you’ll find a warm, thoughtful companion here—part travelogue, part craft talk, part love letter to watching closely. If this conversation resonates, tap follow, share it with a friend who loves slow-burn cinema, and leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts so more thoughtful listeners can find us. Support the show Watch Film Nuts on Youtube Support us through PayPal @filmnuts Back Film Nuts on Patreon! Get in touch by emailing filmnutspodcast@gmail.com or following us on Instagram and TikTok @filmnutspodcast.

    BERGMAN ISLAND with Adam Protz
  4. 09/07/2025

    THE TRUMAN SHOW with Derick McDuff

    What if your entire life was a television show? The very thought sends chills down your spine, doesn't it? That's the premise that captivated audiences in 1998 with The Truman Show, and continues to resonate powerfully today. This groundbreaking film arrived during a fascinating moment in American culture—the pre-9/11 twilight of the 90s that gave rise to similarly existential works like The Matrix, Fight Club, and Dark City. My conversation with writer and podcaster Derek McDuff explores how this Jim Carrey vehicle transcended its star's comedic reputation to deliver what Derek calls "baby's first existential crisis." We unpack the film's remarkable prescience in predicting reality television, social media culture, and our society's obsession with authenticity. The meticulously crafted world of Seahaven—an amalgamation of different American eras designed to evoke an idealized but ultimately artificial "American Dream"—serves as perfect metaphor for the comfortable lies we sometimes choose over difficult truths. One of the most striking aspects of our discussion centers on The Truman Show's religious dimensions. Ed Harris's Christof functions unmistakably as a god figure, controlling his creation from a literal position in the heavens. When Truman ultimately chooses to leave his artificial paradise for the uncertainties of the real world, the film makes a profound statement about human agency and free will. That iconic final scene—where Truman ascends a staircase to the sky and exits his dome—still delivers emotional catharsis decades later. Whether you're revisiting this classic or discovering it for the first time, our exploration illuminates why The Truman Show maintains its cultural relevance. In an era where we voluntarily broadcast our lives through social media and reality television increasingly blurs the line between authentic and manufactured experiences, Truman's journey from blissful ignorance to conscious liberation feels more meaningful than ever. Join us as we examine how this seemingly simple premise evolved into one of cinema's most thought-provoking meditations on reality, authenticity, and what it truly means to be free. Derick's Podcasts! Underrated Movie Podcastthe one with me yapping about HerculesThe Midnight Film SocietyInfinity Stones and Dragon Bones PodcastDerick's Work for WatchMojoSupport the show Watch Film Nuts on Youtube Support us through PayPal @filmnuts Back Film Nuts on Patreon! Get in touch by emailing filmnutspodcast@gmail.com or following us on Instagram and TikTok @filmnutspodcast.

    THE TRUMAN SHOW with Derick McDuff
  5. 18/06/2025

    LOST with Taylor Morden

    Ever wondered what makes a TV show more than just entertainment? Filmmaker Taylor Morden joins me to explore how Lost became a cultural touchstone that transformed television and connected millions of viewers worldwide. Morden, director of the documentary Getting Lost, shares his journey from skeptical viewer to devoted fan after properly watching the series from the beginning. What started as curiosity about a popular show became a six-year obsession that formed friendships he maintains to this day. His documentary captures not just the creative impact of the series but the profound human connections it fostered: people who met spouses through fan forums, formed lifelong friendships, and even found career inspiration through their shared love of the island's mysteries. Our chat delves into what made Lost revolutionary: its cinematic production values, complex mythology, and emergence at a unique moment when the internet was evolving but hadn't yet fragmented our collective cultural experiences. Unlike today's algorithm-fed content streams where "no one agrees on what the thing is," Lost represented perhaps the last major shared cultural phenomenon that united viewers across demographics. The weekly release schedule, online theories, and emerging podcast culture created a community experience that feels increasingly rare in our on-demand world. Beyond Lost, Morden and myself explore the changing landscape of media consumption, from the death of video rental stores to the dwindling theatrical experience. We reflect on our favorite Lost characters (from Charlie and Hurley to Locke and Rose & Bernard), standout episodes, and the show's lasting impact on television storytelling. Ready to revisit the island or discover it for the first time? Grab your Dharma beer, press play and remember—if we can't live together, we're gonna die alone. Pick it Up! Ska in the ‘90sGetting LOST The Last Blockbuster Support the show Watch Film Nuts on Youtube Support us through PayPal @filmnuts Back Film Nuts on Patreon! Get in touch by emailing filmnutspodcast@gmail.com or following us on Instagram and TikTok @filmnutspodcast.

    LOST with Taylor Morden

Trailers

About

Your host Taylor D. Adams talks to artists, musicians, writers and others about their favorite films and shows, and asks them to share how they have been inspired or affected. Hopefully we can get to the root of why we love what we watch, why we’re crazy about a movie or *nuts* about a show…get it?