30 episodes
Middlebrow Madness Isabelle Arf and Derek Godin
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- TV & Film
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4.6, 8 Ratings
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Isabelle Arf and Derek Godin use the tried and true method of the single-elimination bracket to find out which movie from the IMDb Top 250 is the best one.
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Internet of Toilets
We’re a little late, but no worse for wear, sports fans! This time around, our intrepid hosts ponder whether the crew of Sunrise actually got a pig drunk, the concept of audience manipulation in cinema, and contend with Derek’s wild, earth-shattering take about Ridley Scott. Plus, a new chapter in the Untitled Isabelle Arf Fan Fiction Project (that I swear Derek didn’t sandbag; there were some recording shenanigans at play, I promise). In short, another classic episode!
This week’s matchups: Amadeus v. Sunrise Gladiator v. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale
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Join the Middlebrow Madness Discord!
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See the bracket [SPOILERS AHEAD] Drop us a line: middlebrowmadness@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter: @middlebrowpod Follow Isabelle on Twitter: @spacejamfan Follow Derek on Twitter: @derek_g -
Isabelle's Philosophy Corner, Episode 2: The Judicial Theory of Carl Schmitt
Hot off our viewing of Judgment at Nuremberg, Isabelle schools us on the work of German political theorist Carl Schmitt and how they intersect (or don’t) with Stanley Kramer’s film.
NOTE: It was raining during the recording of this episode, so please forgive the sound quality. And yes, Isabelle knows that “Weimar” is pronounced with a “V,” she was just very tired.
Political Theology Four Chapters on the Concept of Sovereignty by Carl Schmitt
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See the bracket [SPOILERS AHEAD] Drop us a line: middlebrowmadness@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter: @middlebrowpod Follow Isabelle on Twitter: @spacejamfan Follow Derek on Twitter: @derek_g -
Show Me the Wizards
Sports fans, this one’s got everything you can ask for: weird bits, charlatanry, amphibian Messiahs, v i b e s, nostalgia, smart stuff, dumb stuff, and what is probably the single most shocking scene in any film we’ve covered so far. Here’s a hint: it has something to do with the movie with the word “Nuremberg” in the title. in the bracket. In short, another classic episode!
This week’s matchups: Heat vs. Judgment at Nuremberg The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King vs. Dog Day Afternoon
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See the bracket [SPOILERS AHEAD] Drop us a line: middlebrowmadness@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter: @middlebrowpod Follow Isabelle on Twitter: @spacejamfan Follow Derek on Twitter: @derek_g -
Big L for Atreyu
Sports fans, Derek knows he f****d up the number of the show in the intro, don’t worry about it. But despite that rocky start, our intrepid hosts navigate between the twin poles of Wild Digressions (conspiracy theories! the recorded output of the Decemberists!) and Hard-Hitting Film Criticism (the lingering effects of propaganda! agreeing in bad faith! the Cable Hall of Fame career of Wolfgang Petersen!). Plus, chapter 2 of the Untitled Isabelle Arf Fan Fiction Project. In short, another classic episode!
This week’s matchups: Das Boot v. Platoon The Lives of Others v. The Wages of Fear
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See the bracket [SPOILERS AHEAD] Drop us a line: middlebrowmadness@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter: @middlebrowpod Follow Isabelle on Twitter: @spacejamfan Follow Derek on Twitter: @derek_g -
Ass-Slap Sam
We’re back with a vengeance, sports fans! We talk about the why of the dudebro canon, director market correction, the funny side of Ingmar Bergman, and the motion picture with the credits that have perhaps aged the worst of all the movies we’ve covered so far. Plus, Isabelle introduces a new node in her increasingly elaborate web of bits. In short, another classic episode!
This week’s matchups: Snatch v. Wild Strawberries The Usual Suspects v. La haine
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See the bracket [SPOILERS AHEAD] Drop us a line: middlebrowmadness@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter: @middlebrowpod Follow Isabelle on Twitter: @spacejamfan Follow Derek on Twitter: @derek_g -
The 'Rona Special
Sorry for the radio silence, sports fans! Derek and Isabelle are here to bring you to up to speed with the goings-on in their lives, the ongoing pandemic, and gauge interest in a potential fan Discord (among other things).
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See the bracket [SPOILERS AHEAD] Drop us a line: middlebrowmadness@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter: @middlebrowpod Follow Isabelle on Twitter: @spacejamfan Follow Derek on Twitter: @derek_g
Customer Reviews
Middlebrow madness, the series ( up to now)!
This is a discussion series which usually makes me watch deeper into movies than I ever have before. Typically movies are like art, I don’t know much but I know what I like.
I defer to these two for the in-depth minutiae that I have no energy to unearth. My digging time is spent with the political battle between humanity and Insanity.
This road has become a favorite trail for me to take but there are 3 points I need to make.
1) Derek, under no circumstances is “Two Lane Blacktop” to be referred to as a good movie even as it relates to engines. “Grand Prix” is what you should reference when comparing the F1 movie “RUSH” motor photography.
2) Isabelle, The Stargate sequence in 2001 a space “Oddity” is 4:57 of wasted film, Additionally, the first Star Trek movie has a scene where the Enterprise’s approach to V’ger’s core, lasts as long as one would think crossing 82 Astronomical Units (82x93million miles), in a Yugo might take. Finally I don’t understand how HAL didn’t even get a best actor nomination, he ruled!
Combine the 2 and you now understand why movies are now shot and stored digitally. there is a finite limit to how much celluloid exists and how much this population actually cares or is willing to waste.
3)Both of you! I liked “3 billboards...”. Yes it’s confused by its attempt to glean any moral messages however it is no more confused than “Machete Kills” which I accept is more fun to watch.
Isabelle, you often make my head hurt. I love you to death but if you’re gonna continue your sex life on air, please send me a powerful jar of medical marijuana. Derek, you hang around a bad crowd but you’re an adult!
Stay happy, watch movies!
Fun hosts, fun premise.
I began listening because I think the hosts are enjoyable people with interesting and informed perspectives, but I've also found this podcast to be genuinely useful as I've always avoided what actually makes up the Top 250 bro-list (from what I understand none are directed by women). This gives me a chance to analyze some of the gems that are buried within and build a deeper understanding of film history. And it's simply a fun premise.
now that’s a podcast!
i am going to destroy marc maron
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