1 of my Stories 1 of my Stories

Music by Introvoid, vocals by Lindsey Dunn, written by Stomper, mixed by Steve Barnes.

My podcast partner Steve Barnes and I have recapped every episode of the Netflix series, Dark. We wanted to express our love of the show by recording some music from the show. This track is Season 1, episode 8: As You Sow, So You Shall Reap (S1E8).

The song is about the ability of the human heart to keep believing they will be united with the one they love one day. The storyteller describes going to the wishing well to call for their darling. In their heart, they know this person isn't coming back (There's a creeping doubt run up my spine). Yet a part hopes against hope (Gonna find you down in the wishing well). They are stuck hoping for a happy ending that may never come true.

A bleak sentiment, to be sure, but haven't we all been there?

Jason Kleeberg of the Force Five podcast joins Steve and I in a trip down nostalgia lane with Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. It’s about five years since this film came out, and with QT announcing his decision to shelve with his “last” film, The Movie Critic, it seemed the perfect time to revisit a film we all consider a new classic.

We talk about the true stories that shaped the movie, including the good, the bad, and the ugly of spaghetti westerns. We also talk about what makes it such a great film and what we think it all means.

About the film: Actor Rick Dalton gained fame and fortune by starring in a 1950s television Western but is now struggling to find meaningful work in a Hollywood that he doesn't recognize anymore. He spends most of his time drinking and palling around with Cliff Booth, his easygoing best friend and longtime stunt double. Rick also happens to live next door to Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate -- the filmmaker and budding actress whose futures will forever be altered by members of the Manson Family.

About Jason Kleeberg: Kason Kleeberg is the host, writer, producer, and editor of the Force Five Podcast. In addition to being a podcaster, he’s a Blacklist screenwriter (The Gumshoe, Powerbomb, Anglerfish), filmmaker (Clarks), and Telly Award winner (2005) from the San Francisco Bay Area. You can find him on all the channels at https://www.forcefivepodcast.com/.

About Steve Barnes: Steve Barnes is guitarist for stoner metal band Introvoid, and also plays guitar for the cover band Rebecca Crow. All of Steve's stuff can be found at https://sweetchildoftime.com/.

About Lindsey Dunn: Lindsey Dunn is a film critic with membership in both NC Film Critics and Southeastern Film Critics. She loves all things Cobra Kai, Netflix Dark, indie horror, and any stories about complicated relationships. You can find her at 1ofmystories.com and at her linktree: https://linktr.ee/1ofmystories.

In this special episode, we learn what happens when a life coach and a film critic get together to talk about movies.

I'm joined by life coach Anna Gonowon to talk about the movie Perfect Days, directed by German filmmaker Wim Wenders. I introduce Anna and her services and what makes her different as a life coach. We then pivot to talking about the main character in Perfect Days, Hirayama, and how Anna would coach him. Hirayama's simple life of routines and hard work suggest a life of contentment, yet underneath the surface, we discover a hidden well of grief and loss that is perhaps beginning to bubble by the end of the film.

This episode really shows off Anna's expertise. Anna is an evidence-based, scientifically grounded coaching strategist with over 6000 one-on-one coaching hours of experience. She can help you with many challenges including:

Healing disconnections with romantic partners, family members, and friends
Improving your relationship with yourself by identifying your key values.
Conquering limiting beliefs.
Setting goals to get you where you want to be.

About Perfect Days: For those of you who haven't heard of the film, it's the story of Hirayama, a man who cleans public toilets for a living. He starts his day at dawn and follows a carefully scheduled routine of rituals. Yet he does all of this with a sense of contentment and pride. His routines do eventually get interrupted, which helps to reveal more about his character. In this slice of life film, we observe what makes Hirayama tick and where the fault lines lie in his carefully constructed life. Perfect Days was shortlisted for the Best International Feature Oscar for 2023.

To connect with Anna or book her for a session, find her @RhymeandReasonCoaching on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. Or email her at Anna@Gonowon.com

EoM contributor Lindsey Dunn speaks with Julio Quintana, the director of "The Long Game," debuting in its world premiere at SXSW 2023. "The Long Game" was written by Quintana, Jennifer C. Stetson, and Paco Farias, based on the novel "Mustang Miracle" by Humberto G. Garcia. This interview was originally posted on the Elements of Madness YouTube Channel on March 10, 2023. The Long Game is in theaters in April of 2024.

Quintana started his career working under the direction of Terrence Malick. In this interview, they talk about lessons he gleaned from working with Malick and how he then went on to create his own unique style of filmmaking. They also discuss how his own background informed the way he framed the movie, as well as how he approached filming the sport of golf in a way that viewers would find engaging.

Official Synopsis:
JB Peña arrives in Del Rio, TX, eager to start his new job as school superintendent at San Felipe High School and thrilled at the prospect of playing golf at the prestigious Del Rio Country Club. But when the club management rejects his application due to his skin color, JB takes comfort in training a group of Latino caddies how to excel at perhaps the most exclusive game of all. Based on a true story, The Long Game is a feel-good, triumphant story about an underdog team who became state champions. The movie stars Jay Hernandez, Dennis Quaid, Cheech Marin, Julian Works, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Brett Cullen, Oscar Nuñez, Richard Robichaux, and Paulina Chavez.

Steve Barnes invited me onto his show to talk about my top 10 movies list of 2023. He then gave his unabashed opinion about my top choices. I also got the chance to comment on his top movies. Our respectful conversation is recorded here for your enjoyment.

Steve Barnes is guitarist for stoner metal band Introvoid, and also plays guitar for the cover band Rebecca Crow. All of Steve's stuff can be found at linktr.ee/introvoid.

Lindsey Dunn is a film critic with membership in both NC Film Critics and Southeastern Film Critics. She loves all things Cobra Kai, Netflix Dark, indie horror, and any stories about complicated relationships. You can find her at 1ofmystories.com and most social channels @1ofmystories.

Steve Barnes and I held a Facebook Live Q & A with 1899 cast member Jonathan Walrus. Jonathan played a third-class passenger who was often seen on screen in scenes with Tove, Anker, and Iben.

Steve and I asked him questions about being on set and his experience working on the set of the Volume. Steve also asked him questions about his live as a musician and frontman of two bands, The Recalls and The Blackbirds. Jonathan was a gracious and engaging guest and was happy to answer any questions thrown at him. The Facebook live was recorded on March 16, 2024 and includes questions asked by a live audience.

About Jonathan Walrus: Jonathan was born in Chile, later moved to Barcelona, and now lives in Germany. He was interested in music from a young age and began a career as a performer and song writer. He performs in two bands, The Recalls and The Blackbyrds. But he’s also an actor and has landed roles in both The Queen's Gambit and 1899, plus a German film called Trash Detective. You can find his credits on IMdb under the name Jonathan Neira. Find Jonathan on IG @JonathanWalrus.

Steve Barnes is guitarist for stoner metal band Introvoid, and also plays guitar for the cover band Rebecca Crow. All of Steve's stuff can be found at linktr.ee/introvoid.

Lindsey Dunn is a film critic with membership in both NC Film Critics and Southeastern Film Critics. She loves all things Cobra Kai, Netflix Dark, indie horror, and any stories about complicated relationships. You can find her at 1ofmystories.com and most social channels @1ofmystories.