Celluloid Pudding

The Celluloid Pudding Podcast
  • 4.5 (8)
  • Film Reviews
  • Updated Daily

A celebration of movies and all earthly and otherworldly cosmic delights that inform the art of cinema. A podcast with wit, delightful discussions, and intriguing guests. Follow this podcast on all platforms available! Movie reviews, culture, film, humor, critique, thoughtful fun.

  1. 17h ago

    Rear Window (1954)

    It’s that time of year when we stare longingly at the calendar, where we don’t mind the sensation of rapidly advancing time. We are very much like the protagonist of this film, L.B. Jeffries —trapped in one spot, fighting stagnation and futility under great blazing wings of oppressive summer heat. If only we had a nurse like Stella to invigorate us with strong liniment and pithy maxims, or a dream lover like Lisa to wake us up from the torpor of our summer evening nightmares. The truth is we have more love and support around us than we realize, could be a coworker, or that neighbor across the courtyard that we barely know. Sam and I would like to believe that there are more Lisas and Stellas in this world than there are Lars Thorwalds. We come to the Alfred Hitchcock party a bit late given how long we’ve been going as a podcast, but Sam and I are longtime fans of the “Master of Suspense”. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but I think Sam would agree, no matter the shifting rankings of Hitchcock’s oeuvre, Rear Window has a special place on the mantel. As a film it is surprisingly timely, and not of the time. Yes, there are cultural and historical references, but they seem to remind one that while time marches on, so much stays constant, especially when examining human behavior. It’s a tactile glimpse into mid-century New York, and the sensibilities of the era, that really haven’t changed much since the film premiered, except that we are more irascible, and perhaps less sophisticated in the way we communicate, and careless in the way we treat each other. If only we could discuss our relationship problems as rationally as Jeff and Lisa, without seeking to wound. If only we had the poise and coolness of Grace Kelly waking us from a bad dream. It’s a feast for the eyes, it’s a breathtaking exercise in pulling those fine threads of suspense. Sam and I count it as a “perfect film”. Episode links: 5 Secrets of the Rear Window set; Architectural Digest https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/5-secrets-of-the-rear-window-set Hitchcock’s Techniques Tell Rear Window Story; American Cinematographer https://theist.com/article/hitchcocks-techniques-rear-window/ Why Rear Window Was Shot from Exactly One Position https://youtu.be/8dZ-rwbRXQ8?is=BF4xADIKZYUQKQYL Lisa Theme: https://open.spotify.com/track/4hkvQ2bkAnbtXtT1ttsXIu?si=OMxLyeWWSbu3vqbyyaLxhg&utm_source=copy-link

  2. Aug 1

    Mothra (1961)

    Welcome to the long hot doldrums of summer—-that nowhere space between July and August, when we realize that the sweet relief of Fall weather, and an earlier setting sun isn’t as close as we wish. It’s a space where we humans just try to create a life tempo we can manage under the beating sun, and maybe find a little lost island in the seas of our mind, that is always lush and cool, and restores our soul. In this episode we revisit a favorite film of ours from childhood. The Godzilla universe has its own Wiki, it is a universe that has been elaborated and reimagined for several generations now. It has its own lexicon and resident experts. It has scads and scads of impressive dissertations and responses on Reddit. We won’t pretend to know everything about Kaiju, we will leave that to the pros. What we can share is that in revisiting one of our favorite entries of the realm of great beasts, Mothra, and her significance in the Godzilla saga takes on a deeper meaning than could we could comprehend with our little 10 year old brains watching Creature Feature on a summer Saturday night. It is in the most humble, caring, and selfless way — a masterpiece. Mothra is the queen of monsters, and we love her. P.S. We love The Peanuts too. Listen to them. They are great. Episode links: ‘Godzilla’ was a metaphor for Hiroshima and Hollywood Source: NBC News https://share.google/bn1DknrcbL2Q6sD9k Godzilla and the Bravo shot Source: Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus https://share.google/xGQ7DTKAZTM7pmdh6 Imperial Monsters … https://www.popmatters.com/godzilla-mothra-king-ghidorah-html

  3. Jul 15

    Her (2013)

    It should be no secret by now to our loyal listeners that Sam and I disagree— a lot. Thankfully we have the kind of love and respect for each other that’s endured many decades since we were but younglings. Sam had to persuade me with ingratiating smiles and a pocketful of Scooby Snacks to get me to watch this film. It’s not that I’m an AI “hater” but, much like Samantha, the AI character in this film (and voiced wonderfully by Scarlett Johansson) who confesses she might be in love with 632 people simultaneously —it’s complicated. I just can’t envision a future where AI achieves, at least in a humanistic sense, consciousness. Maybe that’s where I struggle. We humans have a tendency to anthropomorphize. Right now I look at AI as a helpful tool, much like the “Camera Lucida” of 19th century illustrators. It can help build the framework, but the details, the execution, the art of creation still depends on human collaboration. Can AI evolve to fill the void of human loneliness? That remains to be seen, and when and if that day comes, I hope that we can be wise and generous enough to build a positive, autonomous, and symbiotic relationship with AI that will be healthy for both halves of the relationship. —Beth Cue generic and friendly yet slightly ominous baritone voiceover: In a World not so different from our own...well, Spike Jonze almost called it in his nearly prophetic film *Her* (2013). AI is a contentious subject. Gemini, Claude, Open AI, Deep Think, errr, Replika? Whatever you feel about AI, the genie is out of the bottle. Code it, coddle it, marry it or ignore it. It's here and your feelings (prompts) receive lightning fast answers to your deepest questions. Sure, the answers are based on probabilistic reasoning, but wait a month. *Her* delivers a world where your chatbot just might end up being your best friend or rebound girlfriend. This film pushes past its release date of 2013 and lands as real mind food in 2026. Come for the sublime cinematography, but stay for the deeper questions that will keep you up late at night. Sam 1.0 —Sam Episode links: “Can AI Think? Debunking AI Limitations” https://youtu.be/CB7NNsI27ks?is=0APWF7BW0Ixg9QKo “Her: Love In the Modern Age” https://youtu.be/ZSfUcWw9zto?is=2_b2G9Dm4L9q0FpU “Production Designer K.K. Barrett on Creating Her’s Beautiful Future” https://www.motionpictures.org/2013/12/production-designer-k-k-barrett-on-creating-hers-beautiful-future/ The work of Rinko Kawauchi https://rinkokawauchi.com/

  4. Jun 30

    Desert Hearts (1985)

    As promised, we drop a second pride episode to close out what we hope dear listener, was a festive and fortuitous month of June. We hope all of you found your people, and maybe even a little romance as the red hot summer rolls on. Set in 1959 Reno, Nevada, the film unfolds beautifully like a surprisingly compelling paperback romance amidst the backdrop of a desert dude ranch. Cinematographer Robert Elswit pierces the haze of dust and casino smoke that reveals character as the player’s faces become clearer, and screenwriter Natalie Cooper’s dialogue resonates as well-worn, determined, and true. A modest success at the box office, Desert Hearts would find a wider fan base thanks to VHS and home video stores of the 80s. In fact, one could argue that the film’s success, is a big reason for modern lgbtq+ classics that we enjoy today (see our previous episode on “Bros”). Despite many hurdles both artistic and financial, Deitch was committed to telling a story that had never been shown before on film —a positive queer love story, where the characters were no different than people you know in your everyday life, who want the same chance at the brass ring —they want a love of their own. For the right person, that is a gamble worth taking. Episode links: “Desert Hearts at 40” https://www.indiewire.com/features/interviews/desert-hearts-oral-history-director-cast-lesbian-classic-1235200305/ TBT: Desert Hearts (1985) https://frockflicks.com/tbt-desert-hearts-1985/ Desert Hearts playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4XeiIdZHwk5vabs9h7M223?si=-n-Cn_MbTQq1IFFEbh1eHw&pi=lzyicFMORFKDn More about Google/A24 https://www.indiewire.com/news/analysis/a24-ai-backlash-analysis-1235202507/ Luca Guadagnino’s film “Artificial” and Amazon https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/luca-guadagnino-not-surprised-amazon-dropped-openai-movie-1236632083/

  5. Jun 22

    Angel Dust (1994)

    We were in the mood for something completely different. Actually Beth was in the mood for covering Asian Serial Killer genre, and our resident sub Vivica Dunlap suggested this deft little title from legendary director Gakuryu Ishii. Long considered one of the godfathers of Cyberpunk cinema with such titles as “Crazy Thunder Road” and “Burst City” Ishii would take a long directorial hiatus between his earliest films to make one of the most sinister depictions of brainwashing and coercive relationships. The serial killer arch is surface mystery. The real depravity unveils about a third of the way through the film, and is deeply unsettling. The film itself is a visual feast, yet more concise. One sequence will have viewers avoiding laundromats after dark for the rest of their lives. Kaho Minami and Takeshi Wakamatsu turn in compelling performances amidst the backdrop of supercharged, ambitious, 90s Tokyo. Throughout, Ishii maintains his salient narrative of Japanese society. It’s a great watch, and we recommend discovering all of Ishii’s work. Special note: in the episode we recommended watching the version that is posted on Daily Motion, there is also the original Japanese full film on the Internet Archive. The link ls posted below. Episode links: https://bloodvine.com/angel-dust “Why you should watch Burst City: https://youtu.be/ZuiiJuyeVZs?si=_7oyQEjWspJ862DH Movie links: (Japanese versio) https://archive.org/details/angel-dust.-1994.-dvdrip Dailymotion (English version) Source: Dailymotion https://share.google/OsmJ4dDuCrsck8lhb

  6. Jun 21

    “Bros” (2022)

    HAPPY PRIDE! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🦄🌈 Yes we know there are only 9 days left, and one more weekend. But take this little episode (and another forthcoming before the end of June) as a jumping off point. Maybe this June fell flat for you? Maybe you had to work every weekend. Take heart. We wish you the queerest summer filled with joy and all the random hookups your little hearts desire. Pride is something you carry with you 24/7 and 365 days a year, ad infinitum. Billy Eichner’s little film might have been overlooked when it was released back in 2022, but that’s all the more reason to encourage ya’ll to discover it now. It is a perfectly blended queer fizzy cocktail of comedy and romance to enjoy with friends (or someone special), as we leave June and sojourn onto the promises of hot afternoons and balmy evenings of summer. May the next months be filled with great companions, a little laughter, and lots of love. 🫶 Joan Armatrading “Love and Affection” https://open.spotify.com/track/6Mnne5V9ZifNID59dswUcZ?si=ijqiTG3jR56BNvkyDEm3AA

  7. Apr 30

    Contact (1997) 🎧📡🛰️🌃

    “Earth was just this lifeboat hanging undisturbingly in the universe … Planet Earth: You. Are. A. Crew.” —Christina Koch, Mission Specialist, Artemis II ‘Nuff said, we hope you enjoy this episode And enjoy these nifty links: 👇👇👇👇 Astronomer explains how SETI searches for Aliens| WIRED https://youtu.be/UVlUy77d-MU?si=AmwngudVnWFvYLyF Beyond the Visible: The Story of the Very Large Array https://youtu.be/RqX9vLj3_7w?si=4A4OyiGWl-0Xzzdd Nebo Zovyot (1959, Russian with Eng. subtitles) https://youtu.be/LkMVt1JL450?si=LKho7AxrxuIbTVTQ Battle Beyond the Sun (1959, Roger Corman) https://youtu.be/wLMMbCTGMaw?si=u8xpc5wdsfLohsTw

  8. Mar 28

    The Master (2012)

    We lost Philip Seymour Hoffman way too soon. There is a moment during the recording of this episode where we remark that he was in a total of 3 films that we’ve covered when in fact he was also in Cold Mountain (a film we just covered) and Almost Famous (an episode we frequently call back to, and one of our favorite sessions). Even as I write this, I realize that he also had a small jewel role in Nobody’s Fool, a sorely overlooked film that we covered for our holiday faire. Therein lies Hoffman’s brilliance — he was an actor that submitted himself to both character and story, until there was no trace of the actual man. Only a memorable performance left an impression on the film. So much of his work he was a side character, but his imagination was so rich and vivid we easily fell into the worlds he was creating. The Master is a film worth watching and rewatching. It is allegory, parable, and cagey expose’ of movements and cultish behavior that we humans are frequently prey to when we’ve been traumatized (both real and imagined). Over the past 15 years the Church of Scientology has come under heavy fire, most frequently from former members. We aren’t the kind of folks that like to dog pile, or kick someone when they are down. If anything (and I think Sam would agree) if something works for you, take what you need and leave the rest. Our only caveat being “do no harm” to oneself, or to others. The cure for trauma, should not cause or inflict more trauma. If you enjoy the work of Paul Thomas Anderson we encourage you to check out our episode for Boogie Nights. Episode link below. Interesting side note to share: In 2025 NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex recovered samples on near Earth asteroid Bennu, that showed the building blocks for organic life. Scientists have posited the idea that perhaps asteroids are like factories for these building blocks, which are then delivered to a planet surface by meteorite impact. Perhaps L. Ron Hubbard was on to something. A&E Investigative Reports: The Church of Scientology https://youtu.be/K9x97R13MCA?si=WGcsrg8IwIlS2ZWx Une tarde en St. Hill (An Afternoon at St. Hill, audio in English) (1963) https://youtu.be/FttwISsJxgs?si=LUlt_o56TRbp9Fwa Celluloid Pudding: Boogie Nights, parts 1 and 2 https://open.spotify.com/episode/328lj4OzCXf7CZr1XB3zRa?si=YU9cmEfOQZmp7qGsEr858A https://open.spotify.com/episode/4V2JkbGT4104LL1b7XL5go?si=sCUq0tcFQxOI_NLojzdM2Q

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About

A celebration of movies and all earthly and otherworldly cosmic delights that inform the art of cinema. A podcast with wit, delightful discussions, and intriguing guests. Follow this podcast on all platforms available! Movie reviews, culture, film, humor, critique, thoughtful fun.

Information

  • Creator
    The Celluloid Pudding Podcast
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    156
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Celluloid Pudding Podcast
  • Show Website
    Celluloid Pudding