What If I Don’t Like It? - A Movie Discussion Podcast

Kt Baldassaro

What If I Don’t Like It? is a movie podcast and film discussion hosted by actress and filmmaker Kt Baldassaro. Each episode, a guest finally watches a movie they’re sure they won’t like, despite never having seen it. Together they break down the film, exploring surprises, bias, and how personal taste shapes the way we judge and experience movies.

  1. Heavy Metal with Brett Kelley - Episode 44

    2D AGO

    Heavy Metal with Brett Kelley - Episode 44

    This episode, we’re discussing the animated cult classic Heavy Metal. A strange, influential, and often controversial film that helped push adult animation into mainstream conversation. Host Kt Baldassaro is joined by illustrator Brett Kelley for a deep dive into Heavy Metal (1981) : its origins, its visual style, and why the movie still has a devoted following more than four decades later. In this Heavy Metal (1981) review and discussion, we explore: • How the film grew out of the French sci-fi comic magazine Metal Hurlant• The artistic influence of legendary illustrator Jean Giraud• The movie’s unusual anthology format and multiple animation studios• Why the Harry Canyon segment feels like a visual predecessor to The Fifth Element• The cult reputation of the Tarna storyline• How modern anthology animation like Love, Death & Robots echoes its style and structure If you’re curious about the history of adult animation, cult sci-fi films, or the legacy of Heavy Metal (1981), this episode breaks down why the movie still sparks debate among film fans, artists, and animation lovers. 🎨 Follow Brett Kelley & see his artwork Shop: https://ko-fi.com/bkartmerc/shopInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bkartworks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BKArtMerc/ 🎧 Follow Kt Baldassaro (@MovieRuntime) Instagram & TikTok: @MovieRuntimeYouTube: @MovieRuntimeLetterboxd: @MovieRuntime 00:00 Theme Song 00:51 Why You May or May Not Like Heavy Metal (ep Teaser) 04:28 Welcome to the Episode! 10:05 The Evolution of Animation and Storytelling 15:38 The Role of Music in Heavy Metal 19:18 Characterization and Themes in Heavy Metal 25:00 Cultural Reflections and Critiques 25:50 Soft Landing 32:34 Grimaldi 36:18 Harry Canyon 45:15 DEN 58:54 The Evolution of Heavy Metal Magazine 01:06:58 Heavy Metal 2000: A Sequel's Journey 01:12:56 The Shift in Heavy Metal's Audience 01:13:37 Captain Sternn 01:17:45 B-17: A Horror Segment 01:23:43 So Beautiful and So Dangerous: Absurdity in Animation 01:33:42 The Best Scene in the Movie 01:42:11 The Character of Tarna and Her Agency 01:55:48 Heavy Metal's Evolution and Future 02:01:49 TAARNA 02:02:02 The Ending and Its Significance 02:07:09 Exploring Iconic 80s Fantasy Films 02:13:40 The Possibility of a Remake 02:21:11 Community and Heavy Metal Culture 02:25:58 The Heavy Metal Collective and Local Impact Movies Mentioned on this episode:Mean Streets (1973) The Lord of the Rings (1978) Wizards (1977) Alien (1979) Heavy Metal (1981) Dragonslayer (1981) Tron (1982) Conan the Barbarian (1982) Ghostbusters II (1989) The Abyss (1989) Pulp Fiction (1994) The Fifth Element (1997) Blueberry (2004)

    2h 35m
  2. MAR 1 · BONUS

    Napoleon Dynamite: 10 Obscure Facts That Change Everything | What If I Don’t Like It?

    Ever wondered why Napoleon Dynamite feels so strangely specific — and why that awkwardness actually works? In this trivia segment from What If I Don’t Like It? (Episode 43), filmmaker Victoria Roccaforte and I break down 10 obscure behind-the-scenes facts about Napoleon Dynamite that reveal how carefully constructed this “random” movie really is. We get into:• Why Jon Heder drew all of Napoleon’s sketches himself• The deliberate choice behind that monotone delivery• How real Preston High students shaped the film’s texture• Why Pedro’s speech was simplified at the last minute• How silence in the edit became one of the movie’s sharpest comedic tools• And the subtle ending tweak that gives the story emotional staying power What looks accidental is intentional. What feels awkward is engineered. And understanding the architecture behind the comedy makes the film even more fascinating — whether you love it or still don’t quite “get it.” 🎧 Listen to the full episode for our complete conversation about why this indie breakout still divides audiences decades later. — #NapoleonDynamite #MovieTrivia #FilmTrivia #IndieFilm #CultMovies #FilmPodcast #MoviePodcast #WhatIfIDontLikeIt #FilmCommentary #JonHeder Timestamps:00:00 – Exploring the Depths of Napoleon Dynamite00:33 – ONE: Napoleon’s drawings were Jon Heder’s own01:30 – TWO: The monotone voice was deliberate02:24 – THREE: Real Preston High students in the film03:18 – FOUR: The real origin of the tater tots04:04 – FIVE: Pedro’s speech was simplified at the last minute04:53 – SIX: The film changed real-world behavior05:41 – SEVEN: Silence engineered in post-production06:20 – EIGHT: Limited coverage shaped the aesthetic06:54 – NINE: Regional and cultural rhythm behind the humor07:30 – TEN: The ending was refined for emotional durability08:11 – Want to go deeper? Full episode discussion

    9 min
  3. Napoleon Dynamite with Victoria Roccaforte - Episode 43

    FEB 16

    Napoleon Dynamite with Victoria Roccaforte - Episode 43

    I finally watched Napoleon Dynamite, and I need to talk about it! With returning guest and filmmaker Victoria Roccaforte, we break down how this tiny Sundance film turned into a cultural juggernaut, why it made over $130 million in home video sales, and how its awkward sincerity separates it from the mean comedies of its era. We get into: – The origin of the character from Peluca – The bizarre hand-model credit sequence – The Rex Kwon Do scene – Pedro’s surprisingly emotional arc – The spectrum-coded comfort of the film – Meme oversaturation and cultural fatigue – And whether this movie actually holds up Is it overhyped nostalgia? Or a genuinely radical indie comedy? Press play. 🔗 Follow & Watch Victoria Roccaforte Website: victoriaroccaforte.com Films: victoriaroccaforte.com/films Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/vrocca Instagram: @vrocca_ TikTok: @vrocca YouTube: @vroccafilms Bluesky: vroccafilms.bsky.social 🎧 Follow Kt Baldassaro (@MovieRuntime) Instagram & TikTok: @MovieRuntime Letterboxd: @MovieRuntime 00:00 Welcome to the Episode! 04:43 Cultural Impact of Queer Media 10:45 The Future of Queer Cinema 16:41 Reflections on Film Awards 22:48 Concluding Thoughts on Film and Media 27:15 The Challenge of One-Location Stories 33:20 Streaming Availability and Recommendations 38:25 Exploring Paul Thomas Anderson's Work 40:24 The Evolution of Napoleon Dynamite 44:33 Cultural Context and Comedy Preferences 50:39 Cultural Judgments and Film Preferences 53:10 Personal Connections to Iconic Films 55:11 Family Ties and Film Legacy 58:50 The Quirkiness of Dads and Their Viewing Choices 59:51 Relatability in Quirky Comedies 01:03:04 The Impact of Quotability in Film 01:05:40 Echolalia and Representation in Film 01:09:08 The Comfort of Being Seen in Cinema 01:11:31 Production Insights and Dance Scenes 01:16:06 Realism and Character Development in Comedies 01:20:16 Timeless Comedy and Its Context 01:21:40 Character Dynamics and Relationships 01:23:55 Connections in the Film Industry 01:26:45 Cultural References and Their Impact 01:29:29 Character Growth and Development 01:31:23 Themes of Acceptance and Individuality 01:33:56 Subverting Stereotypes in Film 01:37:37 The Importance of Open Endings 01:39:51 The Evolution of Audience Engagement 01:41:01 The Impact of Home Media Sales 01:46:34 The Layers of Identity: Elvis Costello and Napoleon Dynamite 01:48:20 Favorite and Least Favorite Scenes: A Deep Dive 01:51:30 Casting Choices and Character Development 01:56:56 The Unique Humor of Napoleon Dynamite 01:59:15 Rewatching Nostalgia: Does It Hold Up? 02:02:47 Recommendations and Cultural Impact of Napoleon Dynamite Master Chronological List of all Films Mentioned in this Episode The Wizard of Oz (1939) Revenge of the Nerds (1984) Sixteen Candles (1984) St. Elmo’s Fire (1985) Boogie Nights (1997) Magnolia (1999) Donnie Darko (2001) Napoleon Dynamite (2004) The Benchwarmers (2006) Blades of Glory (2007) There Will Be Blood (2007) The Lobster (2015) Call Me by Your Name (2017) Phantom Thread (2017) Uncut Gems (2019) Elvis (2022) Poor Things (2023) Blue Moon (2024) Last Showgirl (2024) Marty Supreme (2024) Sorry Baby (2024) Wicked (2024) Begonia (2024) One Battle After Another (2024)

    2h 7m
  4. Night of the Hunter with Carl Gustafson (@CarlTheFilmCritic) - Episode 41

    12/15/2025

    Night of the Hunter with Carl Gustafson (@CarlTheFilmCritic) - Episode 41

    What If I Don’t Like It? – Season Two Finale: The Night of the Hunter (1955) For the season two finale, I’m joined by film critic Carl Gustafson ("@Carlthefilmcritic") to talk about The Night of the Hunter (1955), a classic horror film often called one of the greatest and most influential movies ever made. Why do filmmakers love it? Why did it fail on release? And why can it feel intimidating to first-time viewers? This episode is perfect for anyone who has avoided this classic because it feels lofty or intimidating. Carl and I break down the film’s direction by Charles Laughton, Robert Mitchum’s iconic performance, its expressionist cinematography, and why it remains a genuinely tense, emotional, and influential movie. Whether you’re a horror fan, a classic film lover, or just curious about this famous movie, this conversation is a friendly guide to The Night of the Hunter. Where You Can Find Us Kt Baldassaro (@MovieRuntime) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@movieruntime Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movieruntime YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieRuntime Carl Gustafson (@Carlthefilmcritic) TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@carlthefilmcritic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlthefilmcritic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarlTheCritic 00:00 Introduction to The Night of the Hunter and Episode Overview 11:15 Film Reviews, TikTok, and How We Talk About Movies 16:58 First Movie Memories, Comfort Films, and Horror Origins 22:31 The American Dream and Classic Hollywood Themes 27:32 The Night of the Hunter Plot Overview and First Reactions 31:57 Film Noir, Expressionism, and Cinematic Style 36:00 Cinematography, Shadows, and Visual Storytelling 39:40 Influence on Modern Horror and Filmmakers 42:04 Women in The Night of the Hunter: Sexuality and Power 45:50 Religion, Good vs Evil, and Moral Fear 48:20 Iconic Scenes and Lasting Imagery 52:37 Pacing, Structure, and Narrative Choices 56:07 Character Development and Child Protagonists 01:00:49 Robert Mitchum’s Performance as a Horror Villain 01:04:42 Film Score, Sound Design, and Atmosphere 01:11:22 Why The Night of the Hunter Still Matters 01:18:33 Corrections, Context, and Extended Discussion 01:19:34 True Story Influences and Charles Laughton’s Direction 01:21:02 Release Problems, Critical Reception, and Reevaluation 01:27:14 Final Thoughts, Legacy, and Season Wrap-Up Movies Referenced in This Episode Listed by year of release The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) Nosferatu (1922) Frankenstein (1931) The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) Dumbo (1941) The Night of the Hunter (1955) Marty (1955) Lady and the Tramp (1955) East of Eden (1955) Cape Fear (1962) My Fair Lady (1964) Onibaba (1964) Eraserhead (1977) Suspiria (1977) The Fox and the Hound (1981) Das Boot (1981) Blue Velvet (1986) Do the Right Thing (1989) Edward Scissorhands (1990) Perfect Blue (1997) The Big Lebowski (1998) Requiem for a Dream (2000) No Country for Old Men (2007) Coraline (2009) Black Swan (2010) The Shape of Water (2017) Suspiria (2018) Midsommar (2019) Us (2019) Bo Is Afraid (2023) Lisa Frankenstein (2024)

    1h 29m
  5. Fried Green Tomatoes with Brian Cottington (Filmmaker, Critic, and Co-host of The Cinema Psychos Show) - Episode 40

    11/15/2025

    Fried Green Tomatoes with Brian Cottington (Filmmaker, Critic, and Co-host of The Cinema Psychos Show) - Episode 40

    Is Fried Green Tomatoes secretly the beginning of a Wendigo movie?A fun and heartfelt deep dive into Fried Green Tomatoes with Brian Cottington from Cinema Psychos. We break down the film’s queer subtext, Southern Gothic themes, adaptation changes, VHS nostalgia, and why this 1991 classic still resonates. Plus: Hellraiser, food in movies, 90s comfort rewatches, and way too many cannibalism jokes. We get into:• why Fried Green Tomatoes still hits emotionally• book vs. film changes (and what got censored)• queer coding, agency, abuse, and Southern Gothic vibes• VHS nostalgia, NES cartridges, and growing up on tapes• comfort rewatches, horror gateways & Brian’s love for Hellraiser• how movies shape food culture (Tampopo, Wonka bars, fried green tomatoes)• the Christina Ricci movie we absolutely blanked on• plus… more cannibalism jokes than anyone asked for 😅 If you love movies, film history, weird trivia, and totally unhinged tangents—welcome home. New episodes drop monthly.Subscribe for long-form deep dives with equal parts heart and chaos. Follow Brian Cottington (Cinema Psychos)Instagram: @CinemaPsychosTikTok: @CinemaPsychosPodcast: Cinema Psychos Show Follow KT Baldassaro (What If I Don’t Like It?)Instagram: @MovieRuntimeTikTok: @MovieRuntimeYouTube: @MovieRuntime Timestamps 00:52 – Cold Open + Intro01:41 – Guest Intro: Brian from Cinema Psychos05:44 – Writing Episodes: Script Process & Workflow08:32 – TikTok Growth, Visual Style & On-Camera Tips12:57 – Audio Quality Talk: Mics, Sound Design & Best Practices17:07 – VHS Nostalgia: Watching 2001: A Space Odyssey on Tape22:22 – Brian’s Film Habits & Comfort Rewatches28:22 – Hellraiser: Cenobites, Clive Barker & Franchise Evolution30:30 – Fried Green Tomatoes: Adaptation Choices31:21 – Oscars History: What Beat It That Year32:50 – Queer Representation: Coding, Tropes & Supermarket Sweep42:62 – Gender, Abuse, Identity & Agency55:12 – Food in Movies: Tampopo, Wonka Bars & More1:00:07 – Christina Ricci Tangent (Now and Then)1:06:73 – Cannibalism Running Gag + Ravenous1:08:24 – Righteous Gemstones: Danny McBride Archetypes1:22:42 – Final Thoughts Movies Mentioned2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)Tampopo (1985)Hellraiser (1987)The Little Mermaid (1989)Batman (1989)Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)A Goofy Movie (1995)Now and Then (1995)May (2002)Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)No Country for Old Men (2007)Avatar (2009)Batgirl (unreleased, 2022)Wile E. Coyote vs. Acme (unreleased, 2023)

    1h 49m
  6. Little Shop of Horrors with Horror Critic @Taylor Complains - Episode 39

    10/15/2025

    Little Shop of Horrors with Horror Critic @Taylor Complains - Episode 39

    Horror film reviewer Taylor Complains (@taylorcomplains) joins host Kt Baldassaro (@MovieRuntime) to dig into Frank Oz’s 1986 cult horror musical classic Little Shop of Horrors. Killer plants sing, Rick Moranis charms, and the bleak alternate ending is somehow more expensive than Aliens.  Kt and Taylor dive into what happens when a horror fan with zero patience for musicals meets one of the campiest cult classics of the 1980s. From killer plants to killer performances, they debate whether Little Shop of Horrors deserves its legacy, or if it’s all just Muppet-fueled madness. We also dig into:  🎭 Frank Oz’s Muppet DNA and why his practical effects still hold up 40 years later  💀 That infamous alternate ending… the one test audiences couldn’t handle  🎥 Rick Moranis’s “lovable loser” energy and why it somehow works every time  🧵 Why horror and comedy blend perfectly, but musicals can drive even die-hard horror fans insane  🌆 The original 1960 version with Jack Nicholson, and how it evolved from B-movie to Broadway hit  😂 Taylor’s brutal honesty, his case for bleak endings, and why he rates this one a "2… maybe 2.5, but only because it eats everyone at the end.” Whether you’re a Little Shop devotee or a proud musical hater, this episode delivers sharp film analysis, chaotic humor, and a surprisingly heartfelt appreciation for practical effects and bad decisions. 🔗 Follow Taylor Complains  TikTok: @taylorcomplains  YouTube: @taylorcomplains  Instagram: @taylorcomplains 🎧 Follow Kt Baldassaro (@MovieRuntime)  Instagram & TikTok: @MovieRuntime  Letterboxd: @MovieRuntime  YouTube: @MovieRuntime #LittleShopOfHorrors #FrankOz #RickMoranis #HorrorMusical #FilmPodcast #CultCinema #MovieRuntime #WhatIfIDontLikeIt #80sMovies #PracticalEffects #SteveMartin #JackNicholson #PodcastInterview #FilmCritic #HorrorTikTok #TaylorComplains #HorrorCommunity #FilmAnalysis #ComedyPodcast #cultmovies  Master Chronological List of all Films Mentioned in this Episode Go Ask Alice (1973) Little Shop of Horrors (1960) The Dark Crystal (1982) The Thing (1982) Gremlins (1984) Ghostbusters (1984) The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984) The Fly (1986) Little Shop of Horrors (1986) Spaceballs (1987) Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989) Arachnophobia (1990) Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993) Pulp Fiction (1994) Natural Born Killers (1994) Vampires (1998) Ravenous (1999) Magnolia (1999) Boondock Saints (1999) Rush Hour (1998) Blade (1998) The South Park Movie (Bigger, Longer & Uncut) (1999) The Descent (2005) Brokeback Mountain (2005) There Will Be Blood (2007) [REC] (2007) No Country for Old Men (2007) Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008) Quarantine (2008) Antichrist (2009) Cabin in the Woods (2011) Melancholia (2011) Evil Dead (2013 The Voices (2014) The Lure (2015) Call Me By Your Name (2017) Anna and the Apocalypse (2017) The House That Jack Built (2018) Licorice Pizza (2021) Him (2024) Longlegs (2024) Sinners (2024) Chapters: 00:00 Intro & Guest Introduction 01:00 Why Horror Musicals Are Hard to Love 03:00 Anna and the Apocalypse vs. Little Shop 05:00 Theater Kids, Performance, and Authenticity 08:00 Taylor’s Horror Background & Top Films 13:00 Film Critique and Letting People Like What They Like 17:00 Nihilism, PTA, and Modern vs. Classic Horror 28:00 Why the Bleak Ending of Little Shop Works 31:00 Frank Oz, The Muppet Aesthetic, and Practical Effects 35:00 The Alternate Ending and Test Audiences 42:00 American Audiences’ Obsession with Happy Endings 44:00 Despair, Self-Indulgence, and What Makes Art Work 47:00 Puppetry, Performance, and the Magic of Lip Syncing 53:00 Character Voices, Archetypes, and Rick Moranis’ “Lovable Loser” 01:35:00 Final Thoughts: Why the Film Endures Despite Its Flaws

    1h 37m
  7. A Scanner Darkly with Filmmaker Victoria Roccaforte - Episode 38

    09/15/2025

    A Scanner Darkly with Filmmaker Victoria Roccaforte - Episode 38

    Independent filmmaker Victoria Roccaforte joins host Kt Baldassaro (@MovieRuntime) to dive deep into Richard Linklater’s rotoscoped sci-fi masterpiece A Scanner Darkly and the world of Philip K. Dick. ▶️ From the mind-bending animation process to the film’s eerily prescient themes of surveillance, addiction, and identity, this conversation is packed with insight for cinephiles and casual viewers alike. We also explore: 🎬 Victoria’s award-bound short Only Time Heals, shot across all four New England seasons and premiering at LAVA Film Festival 🎥 How Linklater’s naturalistic directing style compares to filmmakers like James Cameron, Sofia Coppola, and Gus Van Sant 🎨 Rotoscoping history, Robert Downey Jr.’s improvisation, and why A Scanner Darkly remains one of the most faithful Philip K. Dick adaptations 🌈 Queer representation in cinema: from Bend It Like Beckham to Fried Green Tomatoes; and the compromises filmmakers face to get stories on screen Whether you’re here for film analysis, animation talk, or indie filmmaking inspiration, this episode has it all. 🔗 Follow & Watch Victoria Roccaforte Website: victoriaroccaforte.com Films: victoriaroccaforte.com/films Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/vrocca Instagram: @vrocca_ TikTok: @vrocca YouTube: @vroccafilms Bluesky: vroccafilms.bsky.social 🎧 Follow Kt Baldassaro (@MovieRuntime) Instagram & TikTok: @MovieRuntime Letterboxd: @MovieRuntime #AScannerDarkly #RichardLinklater #PhilipKDick #FilmPodcast #IndieFilm #Rotoscope #Animation #MoviePodcast #VictoriaRoccaforte #WhatIfIDontLikeIt #MovieRuntime #KeanuReeves #PodcastInterview #FilmAnalysis #IndependentFilm Master Chronological List of all Films Mentioned in this Episode 1914 – Coco the Clown (rotoscope shorts) 1968 – Belladonna of Sadness 1975 – Trilogy of Terror 1978 – The Lord of the Rings (animated, Ralph Bakshi) 1982 – Blade Runner 1983 – The Big Chill 1988 – Who Framed Roger Rabbit 1991 – Terminator 2: Judgment Day (James Cameron reference) 1994 – Anna: 6–18 1994 – The Lion King (quick Disney mention) 1995 – Before Sunrise 1997 – Titanic 1997 – Perfect Blue * 1998 – Quest for Camelot 1998 – Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas * 1998 – Run Lola Run (side mention in discussion of time/structure) 1999 – The Matrix (Philip K. Dick influence discussion) 1999 – Fight Club (quick cultural mention) 2000 – Requiem for a Dream * 2000 – American Psycho (mentioned alongside Fight Club) 2001 – A.I. Artificial Intelligence 2001 – Waking Life 2002 – Blue Crush * 2003 – Oldboy (mentioned in extreme cinema context) 2004 – Before Sunset 2006 – A Scanner Darkly 2009 – Avatar (James Cameron’s tech/water discussion) 2010 – Black Swan 2013 – Before Midnight 2013 – Under the Skin (Scarlett Johansson alien reference) 2014 – Boyhood 2015 – Ex Machina 2017 – Loving Vincent 2022 – Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood 2023 – Hit Man (Linklater, Netflix)

    2h 10m
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

What If I Don’t Like It? is a movie podcast and film discussion hosted by actress and filmmaker Kt Baldassaro. Each episode, a guest finally watches a movie they’re sure they won’t like, despite never having seen it. Together they break down the film, exploring surprises, bias, and how personal taste shapes the way we judge and experience movies.