76 episodes
The Popcorn Auteur Chris Staron & Jon Dickey
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- TV & Film
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4.1 • 19 Ratings
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Jon and Chris get a film education, one filmmaker at a time. Each month, we pick a famous filmmaker and watch every film that he or she wrote and directed. Then, we research the filmmaker’s history and critical assessments of their work. Finally, we talk about the films, consistent themes throughout, and answer definitively: Are they an auteur and do we like them?
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Shane Black
Shane Black was once Hollywood's hottest screenwriter. After some rough times, he transitioned into the director's chair and has helmed a Marvel Cinematic Universe film (Iron Man 3) and 2018's The Predator. Nonetheless, we were most excited to talk about his other films - Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Nice Guys.
In this episode we were joined by Shane Black enthusiast and always busy podcaster Jay Cluitt. Listen as we talk through the highs and one significant low of Black's career.
Find more from Jay here:
https://lifevsfilm.com/
Deep Blue Sea - The Podcast
Con Air - The Podcast
@LifeVsFilm
Show Notes/Sources:
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/shane-black-interview-predator-2018-lethal-weapon-kiss-bang-director-a8531186.html
https://trailersfromhell.com/podcast/shane-black/
https://podcasts.apple.com/my/podcast/shane-black/id827905050?i=1000368780081
https://www.scriptapart.com/episodes/episode-38-kiss-kiss-bang-bang-shane-black-interview
https://podcasts.apple.com/al/podcast/shane-black-christmas-the-nice-guys-w-frank-and-geoff/id1508135944?i=1000588456290
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David Cronenberg - Part 2
In part 2 of our journey through the films of David Cronenberg, we get away from the horror. In this episode, we examine the controversial (Crash), the confusing (Naked Lunch), and the upsetting (Cosmopolis). Paul Kowalski is back for a fun draft of all 15 films written and directed by Cronenberg.
As always let us know what we got wrong on Facebook, on Twitter, @PopcornAuteur, or email us at popcornauteur@gmail.com.
Show Notes/Sources:
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/crash-1997
https://www.criterion.com/shop/browse?director=cronenberg-david -
David Cronenberg - Part 1
For our Halloween episode, Paul Kowalski is back to delve into a 2-parter on body horror master David Cronenberg. In part 1, we go from the oddities of his early experimental films to cult classics Scanners and Videodrome. Listen as we explore these wild films and try to reach some consensus on his best body horror film.
Staff Notes/Sources:
https://nymag.com/nymetro/movies/features/14547/
https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/1678-videodrome-the-slithery-sense-of-unreality
https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/3739-the-brood-separation-trials
https://soundcloud.com/the-important-cinema-club/229-david-cronenbergs-vanilla-sex-life
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086541/criticreviews
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Nora Ephron
Nora Ephron may have been the master of the romantic comedy (Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, & When Harry Met Sally), but her filmography is far more diverse and at times supernatural (angels and witches). Listen as we discuss the variety of films she wrote and directed during her career.
As always let us know what we got wrong on Facebook, on Twitter, @PopcornAuteur, or email us at popcornauteur@gmail.com.
Show notes/sources:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/08/22/the-nora-ephron-we-forget
https://www.rogerebert.com/features/her-own-story-a-nora-ephron-appreciation
https://youtu.be/3HhXgLux6iw
https://youtu.be/mCBdWwnGDhs
https://www.theringer.com/2019/8/7/20757318/nora-ephron-julie-and-julia-anniversary -
Lawrence Kasdan - Part 2
We are back to finish up the filmography of Lawrence Kasdan. His second half may not include the hits and critical successes of the first half, but we came into this episode hopeful. Listen to hear whether that hope was paid off or if Kasdan lost his fastball in his later works.
As always let us know what we got wrong on Facebook, on Twitter, @PopcornAuteur, or email us at popcornauteur@gmail.com.
Show Notes/Sources:
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/darling-companion-2012
https://screenrant.com/tombstone-vs-wyatt-earp-movies-best-biopic/ -
Lawrence Kasdan - Part 1
Lawrence Kasdan is best known for his screenwriting credits in the Star Wars and Indiana Jones universe, but he's an accomplished filmmaker in his own right. In this episode, we start our exploration of Kasdan's filmography from Body Heat to Grand Canyon.
As always let us know what we got wrong on Facebook, on Twitter, @PopcornAuteur, or email us at popcornauteur@gmail.com.
Chris's Scene from Silverado: https://youtu.be/QxXbtzn-6PE
Show Notes/Sources:
https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/3250-the-big-chill-these-are-your-parents
https://medium.com/@saramurphyme/why-you-no-longer-have-to-hate-the-big-chill-bd1419d9033d
https://youtu.be/x9-0O8_obNc
https://youtu.be/rhtF8lK0IWg
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/grand-canyon-1992
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-accidental-tourist-1989
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-big-chill-1983
Customer Reviews
Great pod, but needs more POC
Gives a great perspective on a large range of films across so many different times. I love that you watch the films before you record in order to keep the experience fresh. I’ve learned about so many directors listening to this and have added multiple films to my library. While I feel you do a great job with calling out some of the social complexities in films, whether it’s Sam Peckinpah and his treatment of women or how Wes Anderson can be a bit of a cultural tourist, I would love to see more episodes about POC writer/ directors, especially as a black film student and writer director myself. Great show, already recommended it to hella classmates.
And here’s a list of a few that I would love to hear analysis on: Barry Jenkins, Ava Duvernay, Taika Waititi, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Guillermo del Toro, Spike Lee, Jordan Peele, John Singletary.
I look forward to the new episode each month!
Two articulate but down to earth guys talking about a different movie writer/director each month. Not only is the podcast entertaining and insightful but the films and directors I've been guided to as a result of it have also provided many hours of awesome entertainment.
women are 51% of the population...
i guess that would be news to you guys...