How to Make Films and Influence People

Andrew Curzon and Peter Kimball
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Film Reviews

In this podcast, we talk about our own approach to screenwriting and filmmaking, discuss great works of cinema, and blasphemously imagine how they could be remade. Each week we tackle a movie widely considered to be a "great film". We ask the important questions: How would you remake this as a family film? What's the no-budget version? How do you turn this into a 10-episode Netflix series? Join us as we walk through our creative process, share updates from our screenplay, and talk about what we've been watching lately.

  1. 5d ago

    Children of Men

    Peter and Andrew unpack Alfonso Cuarón's 2006 dystopian masterpiece Children of Men , exploring how its gritty, ground-level visual style and masterful "show, don't tell" world-building elevate it beyond a standard action thriller. They discuss the film’s themes of societal collapse, the moral complexities of revolution, and the balance between random chance and miraculous faith, and debate whether its deeply cynical yet hopeful view of humanity still resonates in a modern world. In their remake scenarios, they tackle an apocalyptic challenge: How do you adapt a bleak story about the end of human reproduction for families? Could it work as a fun adventure where a motley crew of animals helps the last pregnant sea turtle reach a sanctuary, or a quest to save the last growing plant? What would a no-budget version set entirely inside an abandoned Michigan strip mall look like? Would it be better as a gritty 10-episode sci-fi retelling of the biblical Nativity story? The hosts also share their current viewing habits, including The Invite , while referencing The Godfather trilogy, Star Wars: A New Hope, The Lord of the Rings, 22 Jump Street, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, Pusher, Der Vorname, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Carnage, Closer, The Bourne Identity, and Seinfeld in their discussion. Topics covered: The rarity of truly great movie sequels, the effectiveness of a reluctant "common man" hero over an action superstar, the intricate background details of a collapsing society, and why some cinematic masterpieces are easily misjudged on a first watch because of their superficial accessibility.

    Children of Men

  2. Jul 17

    Donnie Darko

    Peter and Andrew unpack Richard Kelly's 2001 genre-bending cult classic Donnie Darko , exploring how its bizarre time-traveling rabbit and its ambiguous blend of sci-fi, horror, and dark comedy left a lasting mark on early 2000s cinema. They discuss the film’s themes of the isolating teenage experience, the blurred lines of mental illness, and the impact of personal sacrifice, and debate whether its cynical view of corrupt adults still resonates in a modern world. In their remake scenarios, they tackle an apocalyptic challenge: How do you adapt a dark story about an imaginary doomsday rabbit for families? Could it work as a positive adventure where a happy bunny helps a teen fix his neighbors' hidden problems? What would a no-budget, computer screen-only "Screen Life" version look like? Would it be better as an ongoing TV series expanding the 28-day timeline to explore the bizarre lives of the town's side characters? The hosts also share their current viewing habits, including HyperNormalisation and Jackass Best and Last , while referencing Zelig , What's Up, Tiger Lily? , Forrest Gump , It's a Wonderful Life , Mulholland Drive , Fight Club , 2001: A Space Odyssey , Ferris Bueller's Day Off , The Shining , and Missing in their discussion. Topics covered: The creative use of archival footage in documentaries, the Buster Keaton-level visual comedy of Jackass stunts, the sinister camera framing used to introduce Donnie, and why some movies are destined to be subjective personal favorites rather than objectively the greatest films of all time.

    Donnie Darko

  3. Jul 10

    The Truman Show

    The Truman Show Peter and Andrew unpack Peter Weir's 1998 high-concept classic The Truman Show , exploring how its predictive look at reality television and its deeply philosophical allegory left a lasting mark on modern culture. They discuss the film’s themes of what constitutes reality, the ethics of entertainment, and the desire for genuine human relationships, and debate whether its premise of a 24/7 unedited observation still resonates in a modern world. In their remake scenarios, they tackle an existential challenge: How do you adapt a story about a completely fabricated life for families? Could it work as a summer camp movie where the friendships are staged? What would a no-budget single-room birthday revelation version look like? Would it be better as a TV series about the backstage drama of the actors and crew producing the show? The hosts also share their current viewing habits, including Voicemails for Isabelle and All Her Fault , while referencing The Matrix, The Real World, Edtv, The Hunger Games, The Running Man, Total Recall, Good Bye Lenin!, The Manchurian Candidate, and The Adjustment Bureau in their discussion. Topics covered: The future of micro-payments and independent media, the logistical nightmare of a 30-year acting gig, the responsibility directors owe to their subjects, how the film introduced new vocabulary for existential delusions, and why some movies are essential to watch for their cultural significance even if you don't return to them often.

    The Truman Show

  4. Jul 3

    Cinema Paradiso

    Peter and Andrew journey through Tornatore's 1988 Italian classic Cinema Paradiso , exploring how its deep love for the theater experience and its sentimental coming-of-age story left a lasting mark on film lovers everywhere. They discuss the film’s themes of the magic of movies, the limitations of growing up in a small town, and the censorship of human expression, and debate whether its straightforward, sentimental narrative still resonates in a modern world. In their remake scenarios, they tackle a nostalgic challenge: How do you adapt a story about a kid growing up loving film for families? Could it work as a Pixar-style animated movie where films on the wall come to life, or an un-family-friendly bloodbath over censorship? What would a no-budget projection booth version focused on Alfredo look like? Would it be better as a period TV series exploring the eccentric characters of postwar Sicily, or a mystery series about the adult Toto returning to face his past? The hosts also share their current viewing habits, including Four Weddings and a Funeral and Disclosure Day , while referencing Notting Hill , Nine Months , The Running Man , War of the Worlds , Alien , Arrival , Good Will Hunting , Inglourious Basterds , Luca , and Coco in their discussion. Topics covered: The physical danger of early film reels, the universal desire to escape your hometown, the Hollywood reliance on clear villains, the subjective nature of rom-com chemistry, and why some movies are an easy recommendation even if they aren't considered the greatest of all time.

    Cinema Paradiso

  5. Jun 26

    Mulholland Drive

    Peter and Andrew journey through David Lynch's 2001 surreal psychological thriller Mulholland Drive, exploring how its dream logic and masterful subversion of cinematic language left a lasting mark on modern cinema. They discuss the film’s themes of identity, the dark side of the Hollywood system, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy, and debate whether its highly open-ended, subjective narrative still resonates in a modern world. In their remake scenarios, they tackle a surreal challenge: How do you adapt a dark story about Hollywood dreams and nightmares for families? Could it work as a straightforward mystery where helping an imaginary friend builds self-confidence? What would a no-budget, single-location version set entirely in a dingy office building look like? Would it be better as a world-expanding TV series exploring the bizarre backstories of side characters like the Cowboy and the hitman? The hosts also share their current viewing habits, including the new season of Scrubs and the indie horror hit Obsession, while referencing The Usual Suspects, Swingers, Sunset Boulevard, La La Land, Nashville, Inception, Beau Is Afraid, I'm Thinking of Ending Things, He Loves Me... He Loves Me Not, Eraserhead, The Straight Story, All About Eve, Tully, Twin Peaks, and Good Will Hunting in their discussion. Topics covered: Taking the leap to shoot your first short film, how David Lynch manipulates audience expectations with pacing and camera movement, writing scenes to showcase an actor's range, and why some movies are meant to be rewarding homework rather than casual viewing.

    Mulholland Drive

  6. Jun 19

    Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

    Peter and Andrew unpack Edgar Wright's 2010 hyper-kinetic cult classic Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, exploring how its video game-inspired aesthetic and perfectly synced visual comedy left a lasting mark on modern cinema. They discuss the film’s themes of adolescent narcissism, romantic baggage, and fighting for affection, and debate whether its highly stylized "you against the world" message still resonates with audiences today. In their remake scenarios, they tackle a combo-breaking challenge: How do you adapt a stylized story about fighting evil exes for families? Could it work as an Inside Out-style story where Scott literally fights Ramona's fears and doubts? What would a no-budget, quiet room version focused on offering closure to the exes look like? Would it be better as a world-expanding TV series exploring the lives of all the side characters and their own relationship baggage? The hosts also share their current viewing habits, including Perfect Blue and Inside Man (and their disappointment with Havoc), while referencing Black Swan, Den of Thieves, Blade Runner, Call Me By Your Name, and Napoleon Dynamite in their discussion. Topics covered: The value of shooting 60-second micro-short films, capturing the emotional intensity of youth, comparing Edgar Wright's visual storytelling to traditional invisible editing, and why some comedies become generational touchstones while others fade away.

    Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

  7. Jun 12

    Ran

    Peter and Andrew journey through Akira Kurosawa’s 1985 historical epic Ran, exploring how its breathtaking use of bold primary colors and massive practical battle sequences created an unparalleled visual spectacle. They discuss the film’s masterful adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear, its complex family dynamics, and debate whether its bleak, karmic message about building an empire on violence makes it a flawless masterpiece or a challenging watch. In their remake scenarios, they tackle an epic challenge: How do you adapt a bloody tragedy about succession for families? Could it work as a Redwall-style animated animal adventure or a Viking coming-of-age story? What would a no-budget version focused solely on Lady Kaede's backroom political manipulations look like? Would it be better as a Game of Thrones-style TV epic or a prequel series exploring the warlord's initial rise to power? The hosts also share their current viewing habits, including Rooster and The Audacity, while referencing The Office, Shrinking, Ted Lasso, Succession, Game Night, 10 Things I Hate About You, Lord of the Rings, The Departed, Seven Samurai, Gladiator, Braveheart, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Ladyhawke, The Secret of NIMH, Watership Down, How to Train Your Dragon, Shogun, Game of Thrones, Yellowstone, The Crown, and High School Musical in their discussion. Topics covered: How watching films improves your own screenwriting, the value of mimicking writers like Aaron Sorkin to find your voice, the brilliant use of color to aid storytelling, the timeless impact of practical effects, and why some films are worth watching purely for their visual pageantry.

    Ran

  8. Jun 5

    10 Things I Hate About You

    Peter and Andrew unpack Gil Junger's 1999 teen romantic comedy 10 Things I Hate About You, exploring how its smart adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew and its fast-paced, trope-filled character dynamics made it a defining film of the era. They discuss the film’s themes of teenage rebellion, dating expectations, and high school social hierarchies, and debate whether its stylized view of late-90s youth still resonates in a modern world. In their remake scenarios, they tackle a structural challenge: How do you adapt a story about high school dating for families? Could it work as a much darker, R-rated thriller? What would a no-budget, one-location Breakfast Club-style version look like? Would it be better as an ongoing TV series about the fallout of Cameron's disastrous first date, or a sketch-comedy anthology of modern Shakespeare adaptations? The hosts also celebrate their 30th episode by handing out awards to their past ten covered films, and share their current viewing habits, including The Celebration (Festen) and Deliver Me From Nowhere, while referencing Clueless, American Pie, The Breakfast Club, Milk and Cereal, and Fight Club in their discussion. Topics covered: The value of Dogme 95 filmmaking restrictions, the challenges of writing realistic high school movies, the benefits of shooting a short film in Iceland, and why some movies are highly rewatchable and enjoyable even if they aren't considered traditional masterpieces.

    10 Things I Hate About You
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About

In this podcast, we talk about our own approach to screenwriting and filmmaking, discuss great works of cinema, and blasphemously imagine how they could be remade. Each week we tackle a movie widely considered to be a "great film". We ask the important questions: How would you remake this as a family film? What's the no-budget version? How do you turn this into a 10-episode Netflix series? Join us as we walk through our creative process, share updates from our screenplay, and talk about what we've been watching lately.

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