Who Was This For?

Tanner Mastaw
  • 5.0 (7)
  • TV & Film
  • Biweekly

Film, TV, and theater pull wildly different reactions from each person. The box office and critics often move in polar opposite directions. Join us biweekly as we stick around after the credits roll or the curtains close and ponder the question "Wait...who was this for?"

  1. 5h ago ·  Video

    Ep. 12: Is Die Hard an Action Masterpiece...or Propaganda?

    Die Hard has long been an action flick fave for movie buffs and casual fans alike. But does it hit a little deeper than we like to let on? Elyse and Tanner discuss the traits of a good action movie, and poke a bit at the politics of "Die Hard" Show Notes: Die Hard As of recording, streaming on Amazon Prime WWTF Sweeney Todd Episode: https://youtu.be/zgqLDcKT3f4 John McTiernan on masculinity: https://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/2016/07/die_hard_predator_captain_amer.htmlJust an Observation, Die Hard - How Alan Rickman Created the Perfect Antagonist:  https://youtu.be/PZtOC-sANi4?si=a4YPsfTHgqoFTrkF Alan Rickman interview: https://youtu.be/fHTvyYC8tZ0?si=UXKHdBTgp0TwHLHX Brad Bird and John McTiernan prison saga: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/die-hard-director-john-mctiernan-683407/WWTF Blue Moon Episode https://youtu.be/fobiSTxE52g Savage Books Literary Editing on Senseless Sexualization of Men Through Muscles: https://youtu.be/IlT1SZAtUj4?si=t_HerSUqVkkxnMz9 Dumbsville’s Letterboxd https://boxd.it/8a2MbJ Patrick Willems’s Letterboxd https://boxd.it/cgmccn  Follow us: Instagram Letterboxd YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts Facebook Or email us at whowasthisforpod@gmail.com

  2. Oct 22 ·  Video

    Ep. 11: Why Did Stephen Sondheim Love Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd"?

    Show Notes: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street References: FaceTime with My Mom https://youtu.be/_WJDio2lJwk?si=t7JuEEnpLLTNftBr Sideways: How the Music Spoils Sweeney Todd (and why that's a good thing!) https://youtu.be/a4K-9Ekzc2A?si=CMk0cWku0wkd4g4k Sondheim teaches ‘My Friends’ https://youtu.be/DBCVaFqGJwg?si=3j60NcxovdyecexF Sondheim’s Philosophy:  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/12/theater/stephen-sondheim-composer.html  “Being Alive” Evolution: https://web.archive.org/web/20120206080044/http://www.carlinamerica.com/newsletter/intune2.html Why Sondheim Wanted to Adapt Sweeney Todd: https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/sweeney-todd-stephen-sondheim-favorite-movie-musical/ Sweeney Todd trailer https://youtu.be/acHBq_oZm-8?si=BK5qtZoSUKp5X-2e Roger Ebert’s Review https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/sweeney-todd-the-demon-barber-of-fleet-street-2007 Sondheim and Psychology: https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/01/arts/music/01sondheim.html What Gen Z Knows About Stephen Sondheim https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2022/12/stephen-sondheim-gen-z-american-musical/672615/ Erin Letterboxd https://boxd.it/UyjqJ allie bug Letterboxd https://boxd.it/10oN0P nikkikc98 Letterboxd https://boxd.it/7wZHjh sophiejunge Letterboxed https://boxd.it/bebKD5 Follow us: Instagram Letterboxd YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts Facebook Or email us at whowasthisforpod@gmail.com

  3. Oct 8 ·  Video

    Ep. 10: What Makes "Nightmare Before Christmas" a Classic?

    Show Notes: The Nightmare Before Christmas As of recording, streaming on Disney+ Jack Skellington Easter Egg (https://www.tiktok.com/@nostalgiamountain/video/7557034831608106248) Sideways (https://youtu.be/w0GQlIOSi60?si=NLGH0xJ-M8M7Y9zO) The Bunny Song: https://youtu.be/k1eSUsaIugE?si=sd04LGAg8u1vVmjwTim Burton poem (https://youtu.be/XbPCwc_Cdz0?si=933mgl8I8DP86yaU) Frankenstein at Shakespeare Theatre Company (https://shakespearetheatre.org/events/frankenstein-24-25/) More on the Satanic Panic (https://www.christianitytoday.com/podcasts/devil-and-the-deep-blue-sea/) Branson Reese Letterboxd (https://boxd.it/wNk5h) Emily Rugburn Letterboxd (https://boxd.it/3heamL)  Follow us: Instagram Letterboxd YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts Facebook Or email us at whowasthisforpod@gmail.com

  4. Sep 24 ·  Video

    Ep. 9: How "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl" Revived a Dying Genre

    Show Notes: "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" was a dark horse success story. The studio was convinced it would flop and even tried to downsize the role of Jack Sparrow. What are the key ingredients that helped it succeed against all odds and revive the swashbuckling adventure drama? We dig deeper on Episode 9 of "Who Was This For?" As of recording, streaming on Disney+ References: Tentpole (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/tentpole)Four Quadrant (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-quadrant_movie) In Camera (https://www.starwars.com/news/the-mandalorian-stagecraft-feature) Swashbuckling (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Swashbuckler) Rule of Three (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_three_(writing)) Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio (https://creativescreenwriting.com/pirates-caribbean/) 99% Invisible “The Megaplex!” (https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/435-the-megaplex/) Just Write (https://youtu.be/YtEYWMuw5c8?si=ENVVZJsS6n8V40h7) Kit Lazer Review (https://boxd.it/dkIsVh) Olivia Review (https://boxd.it/1PMlFH) Matt Singer Review (https://boxd.it/8fNJO3) johnpclayton Review (https://boxd.it/dpOC8B) Bonus video: The Lonely Island’s “Captain Jack Sparrow”: https://youtu.be/hqidLUQhI_E?si=kl_MPvm70lW3aFQS  Follow us: Instagram Letterboxd YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts Facebook Or email us at whowasthisforpod@gmail.com

  5. Sep 10 ·  Video

    Ep. 8: Does Pride and Prejudice's (2005) Mr. Darcy Pass the Serial Killer Test?

    Show Notes: Elyse and Tanner discuss the role that Jane Austen has played in shaping romantic fantasy over the years. Find It: "Pride & Prejudice" 2005 As of recording, for rent on Amazon Prime References: Bridget Jones’ DiaryPride and Prejudice and ZombiesPride and Prejudice (1995)Little Women (2019)Las Culturistas Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/las-culturistas-with-matt-rogers-and-bowen-yang/id1092361338) A Jane Austen Kind of Guy (https://theamericanscholar.org/a-jane-austen-kind-of-guy/)Matthew Macfadyen interview (https://youtu.be/BXY1GFfY6wg?si=tCgnkgehfparxNWk&t=197) Mia’s Review (https://boxd.it/9sQu91)Russman’s Review (https://boxd.it/8SjOp)Preet’s Review (https://boxd.it/6s5KbT)  Bonus video: Pride and Prejudice but everything is explained by John Mulaney https://youtu.be/eU_Gh0LIG64?si=RkkcaVLBtaQ5k3MK Follow us: Instagram Letterboxd YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts Facebook Or email us at whowasthisforpod@gmail.com

  6. Aug 27 ·  Video

    Ep. 7 EMMA. (Mean to Her in a Different Way?)

    Description:In today’s episode, Tanner takes on his first Jane Austen piece. Together, Tanner and Elyse make sense of the intricate character web, ask whether Emma Woodhouse is really just in it for the drama, and investigate what people really want from their leading men.  References: Education Matrix Character Diagram and Guide to Regency Romance: (https://www.matrix.edu.au/mod-b-the-ultimate-emma-study-guide-pt-1-understanding-emma/) “Clueless” (1993) as an “Emma” Adaptation: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clueless#Comparison_to_Emma )“Bridgerton” and Jane Austen Overlap: (https://screenrant.com/bridgerton-jane-austen-female-character-counterparts/) Comedy of Manners: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comedy_of_manners)“Fire Island” (2022) as a Jane Austen Adaptation: (https://janeausten.co.uk/blogs/film-reviews-media-reviews/fire-island-2022-film-review?srsltid=AfmBOopGCP417w9bnR6EV1c2g3AUj6TIPrvdzed420fbJG6zQ4g7FkC1) “Love Kernels”: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkAjUBtn_TM) “Emma Approved”: (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_ePOdU-b3xcKOsj8aU2Tnztt6N9mEmur) Jane Austen and “The Irish Question”: (https://janeausten.co.uk/blogs/regency-history/irish-i-dare-say-ireland-in-jane-austens-novels?srsltid=AfmBOoqCWz5LdCMBiO6XXbJ17RguKSzCCWvaR7mzR36FrGfKAmTaa6Yl)  Follow us: Instagram Letterboxd YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts Facebook Or email us at whowasthisforpod@gmail.com

  7. Aug 16

    Ep. 6 Wake Up Dead Man (Hot for Priests?)

    Wake Up Dead Man As of recording, streaming on Netflix Murder on the Orient Express WWTF EpisodeRian JohnsonCharlotte Vassel on cozy mysteriesRian Johnson’s Personal FaithNoah Kahan: Out of BodySomebody SomewhereBridget Everett's Big T*****s, Big Dreams TourGrantchesterColumboFleabagRian Johnson reveals how a dinner with 6 Catholic priests shaped his new Knives Out movie, Wake Up Dead ManEverything, Everywhere All at Oncejoj66's Letterboxd Reviewjoereid's Letterboxd ReviewHBO's HacksThe Green KnightDavid Lowery’s “Mother Mary” Follow us: Instagram Letterboxd YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts Facebook Or email us at whowasthisforpod@gmail.com

  8. Jul 30

    Ep. 5 Murder on the Orient Express (A Reboot for... No One?)

    Show Notes: Murder on the Orient Express  As of recording, for rent on Amazon Agatha Christie (Author)Jamie TarttThe Lindbergh CaseAnd Then There Were None“The Butler Did It!”Kenneth BranaghWhat is a Cozy Mystery?Miss MarpleRichard OsmanThursday Murder ClubDavid Suchet Sydney Lumet’s Murder on the Orient ExpressMichael Green (Screenwriter)Color Saturation in the 2010sWes AndersonDutch AnglesElyse’s favorite Letterboxd Review https://boxd.it/2M3Ldb Tanner’s favorite Letterboxd Review https://boxd.it/1Und7x  Follow us: Instagram Letterboxd YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts Facebook Or email us at whowasthisforpod@gmail.com

See All (13)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Film, TV, and theater pull wildly different reactions from each person. The box office and critics often move in polar opposite directions. Join us biweekly as we stick around after the credits roll or the curtains close and ponder the question "Wait...who was this for?"

Information

  • Creator
    Tanner Mastaw
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tanner Mastaw
  • Show Website
    Who Was This For?