Least Important Things

Least Important Things

A podcast about movies, friendship, and finding meaning in the most important of the least important things in our lives. 

  1. The Comfort of Movie Soundtracks

    -5 J

    The Comfort of Movie Soundtracks

    In this essay episode, Luke Ferris explores the evocative power of film scores and why we find such deep resonance in the music that follows us long after the credits roll. Luke will examine how soundtracks allow us to rewatch movies in our minds and provide thematic connection beyond the screen. We’ll dive into: A Mental Rewatch: Why listening to a score allows your mind to wander back into the mood, era, and story of a favorite film.The Soundtrack of Productivity: How ambient compilations—from Blade Runner to The Lord of the Rings—provide clarity and focus during study and work.Beyond the Script: Why a movie’s musical landscape is just as vital to the cinematic experience as the actors on the poster or the words on the page--- Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Support Least Important Things on Patreon You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. You can email the show at leastimportantthings@gmail.com or reach out via social media at the links below. Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com --- Sources for this episode: Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.comSend us Fan Mail Follow Least Important Things:  Letterboxd InstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebook All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

    12 min
  2. Spring Break at the Movies

    14 AVR.

    Spring Break at the Movies

    For those of us in northern climates, spring break is a strange American pastime—a desperate search for vitamin D to escape the "sprinter" (spring-winter) slush. But for the "holdovers" who stay behind, the empty streets and gray skies offer a different kind of magic: the cinema. In this essay episode, Luke Ferris explores the unique nostalgia of the spring break movie season. From childhood memories to the recent "quadrant-bursting" success of Project Hail Mary, Luke discusses why the theater remains the ultimate escape for those left behind. He’ll dive into: The Escapism of the Spring Break at the Movies: Why being a "holdover" feels like a secret club for movie-goers.Project Hail Mary and The Return of the (Non-Comic Book) Event Film: A look at why the Andy Weir adaptation (starring Ryan Gosling) is the perfect "four-quadrant" spring break hit.The Drama of The Drama: A celebration of big movie stars making adult movies for adults. The "Sprinter" Survival: Why a packed Tuesday night screening in Grand Rapids feels more rewarding than a tropical beach.--- Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Support Least Important Things on Patreon You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. You can email the show at leastimportantthings@gmail.com or reach out via social media at the links below. Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com --- Sources for this episode: Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.comProject Hail Mary | Final TrailerThe Drama | Official Trailer HD | A24TMNT (2007) - TrailerSend us Fan Mail Follow Least Important Things:  Letterboxd InstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebook All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

    13 min
  3. Waiting for Guffman

    31 MARS

    Waiting for Guffman

    Pack your bags and grab your "Remains of the Day" lunchbox. This week on Least Important Things, we are traveling to the "Stool Capital of the World"—Blaine, Missouri—to rewatch the 1997 mockumentary masterpiece, Waiting for Guffman. Mike Wynne returns to the podcast with Luke Ferris to discuss the ambitious musical celebration Red, White and Blaine and the man with the dream: Corky St. Clair. From the improvised genius of Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy to the late Catherine O'Hara, we break down why this film is the blueprint for every modern self-aware comedy. In this episode, we discuss: The Mockumentary Lineage: Why modern hits like The Office and Parks & Rec owe a massive debt to the unique style of Guest.A 16mm Juggernaut: How the team worked from a 25-page "beat sheet" rather than a script, and how editor Andy Blumenthal whittled 60 hours of footage down to 84 minutesBest Lines: The most stacked "Bestie" category to date. O'Hara's Legacy: Mike and Luke share their love for the late-great Catherine O'Hara and her legacy of joy. --- Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Support Least Important Things on Patreon You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. You can email the show at leastimportantthings@gmail.com or reach out via social media at the links below. Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com --- Sources for this episode: Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.comWaiting for Guffman (1996) Official Trailer - Christopher Guest, Deborah Theaker Movie HD Send us Fan Mail Follow Least Important Things:  Letterboxd InstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebook All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

    1 h 1 min
  4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (25th Anniversary Rewatch)

    24 MARS

    The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (25th Anniversary Rewatch)

    We are journeying back to Middle-earth to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film that changed cinema forever: Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. In this special rewatch, Luke Ferris is joined by his two older siblings—the people responsible for his Tolkien obsession—Jay Ferris and Anna Guerink. Together, they discuss the theatrical release of the first film in the greatest trilogy of all time.  We’ll venture into: The legacy of why this adaptation shouldn’t have worked, but somehow did. Discussing the most difficult changes from book to screen. The grimy moments from the film that define Peter Jackson’s style.  Celebrating the perfect casting of Viggo Mortensen. The Ferris family's history with this movie. Justice for the character of Boromir.Best props, lines, and scenes. And much more…Listen to our other LOTR episode: What The Lord of the Rings Taught Me About Life and Death.  --- Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Support Least Important Things on Patreon You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. You can email the show at leastimportantthings@gmail.com or reach out via social media at the links below. Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com --- Sources for this episode: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Official Trailer #2 - (2001) HDRoyalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com Send us Fan Mail Follow Least Important Things:  Letterboxd InstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebook All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

    1 h 40 min
  5. The Oscars Are My Super Bowl

    10 MARS

    The Oscars Are My Super Bowl

    The Academy Awards is a dramatic cocktail of pop culture obsession and a rare "monoculture" experience. In this episode, Luke Ferris explores why we still tune in 70 years later, even as the "magic" of movie-star mystery has been replaced by social media intimacy. Luke explains the mechanics of the show and why the most moving moments often happen far away from the headlines. In this episode, we discuss: The Lore of the Movie Star: How the Oscars originally served as a rare window into the lives of the industry's most ambiguous figures.The Modern Draw: Why we trade movie star mystery for "watercooler" viral moments. The Host Factor: Why hosting is the toughest gig in showbiz and how it sets the tone for the night.Politics and Platforms: How the Oscars create a platform for artists to speak on the “now.” The Heart of the Show: Why the “In Memoriam” segment and the speeches from short film and documentary winners remain the most soulful parts of the broadcast. --- Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Support Least Important Things on Patreon You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. You can email the show at leastimportantthings@gmail.com or reach out via social media at the links below. Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com --- Sources for this episode: Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.comThe First Oscar Broadcast in Color: 1966 Oscars'Flow' Wins Best Animated Feature Film | 97th Oscars Speech (2025)A history of unscripted moments at the OscarsJOHN TRAVOLTA THE BIGGEST OSCAR FAIL EVER! Idina Menzel BUTCHEREDConan O'Brien's Hilarious Opening Monologue | 97th Oscars 2025Send us Fan Mail Follow Least Important Things:  Letterboxd InstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebook All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

    13 min
  6. Does It Hold Up?

    3 MARS

    Does It Hold Up?

    It's time to crank up the pop culture oven in the kitchen of nostalgia because this week, Luke Ferris is joined by Zach Hall to deconstruct the "Secret Recipe" for media that stands the test of time—and the ingredients that cause others to sour. From the rediscovered love of The Mummy to the questionable lineage of Monopoly, we’re diving deep into the vault to see what still holds a candle to the flame and what needs to be relegated to a "cautionary tale". In this episode, we discuss: The Secret Recipe for "Holding Up": Breaking down the essential ingredients, including "2 cups of Fandom," "3 oz of Relatability," and the crucial "1 tsp of Benchmarking".The 20-Year Bake: Why media needs significant "breathing room" to be lost to culture and then rediscovered by a new generation.The Modern Lens: Running the classics against modern theories like the Bechdel Test and scanning for biases that might take a modern viewer out of the art.The Case of the "Cringe": Why films like Slap Shot provide a complicated case study in contrast to modern storytelling like Heated Rivalry. The Vault: A rapid-fire look at the movies, games, and music that still work, from lost sequels to a George Michael classic. The Evaluation List: Identifying things that require a "wiser" reassessment, including the Bond franchise, 2000s comedies, and Ska music. --- Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Support Least Important Things on Patreon You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. You can email the show at leastimportantthings@gmail.com or reach out via social media at the links below. Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com --- Sources for this episode: Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.comSend us Fan Mail Follow Least Important Things:  Letterboxd InstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebook All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

    1 h 15 min
4,7
sur 5
11 notes

À propos

A podcast about movies, friendship, and finding meaning in the most important of the least important things in our lives.