83 episodes

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?

The Popcorn Auteur Chris Staron & Jon Dickey

    • TV & Film
    • 4.1 • 19 Ratings

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?

    Alexander Payne

    Alexander Payne

    In this episode, we are joined by high school teacher and wine drinker (not at the same time), Mark Staron, to discuss the films of Alexander Payne. We had a fun discussion covering everything from voiceovers and Omaha to which film made us cry the most. We also drank some wines featured in Sideways, so all in all a successful podcast.
    As always let us know what we got wrong on Facebook, on Twitter, @PopcornAuteur, or email us at popcornauteur@gmail.com.
     
    Show Notes/Sources:
    One Man's Trash
    Next Picture Show - Sideways
    Next Picture Show - Election
    DGA - Downsizing
    Happy Sad Confused - Alexander Payne
    Maltin on Movies - Alexander Payne
     
     

    • 1 hr 43 min
    Jordan Peele

    Jordan Peele

    Happy Halloween! This October 31st, we delve into thinking-man's horror with the films of Jordan Peele. We welcome back Paul Kowalski for this fun conversation.
     
    As always let us know what we got wrong on Facebook, on Twitter, @PopcornAuteur, or email us at popcornauteur@gmail.com.
     
    Staff Notes/Sources:
    https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/nope-is-one-of-the-great-movies-about-moviemaking
    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/067-pt-2-get-out-people-under-the-stairs/id1057714949?i=1000382395226
    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nope-with-jordan-peele/id1439252196?i=1000570855194
    https://www.filmspotting.net/episodes-archive/2019/3/22/721-us-elite-8-filmspotting-madness-cassavetes-4
    https://allthingscomedy.com/podcasts/episode-85-jordan-peele-is-our-goat
     

    • 1 hr 47 min
    Greta Gerwig

    Greta Gerwig

    Greta Gerwig's career is firing on all cylinders. She has the biggest film of 2023, Barbie, consistent critical acclaim, and Academy love. But will she get the Popcorn Auteur badge of approval? Join us as we review Gerwig's career as a filmmaker, starting with the oft-overlooked Nights and Weekends. 
    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.filmspotting.net/episodes-archive/2023/7/27/929-barbie-oppenheimer
    https://soundcloud.com/thedirectorscut/lady-bird-with-greta-gerwig-and-spike-jonze-ep-111
    https://www.theringer.com/2023/7/27/23809449/barbie-deep-dive-with-greta-gerwig
    http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-869-greta-gerwig
    https://wondery.com/shows/smartless/episode/9280-greta-gerwig/
    https://www.wgaeast.org/onwriting/greta-gerwig-little-women/
    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/march-madness-pt-2-little-women-2019/id1057714949?i=1000463219698 
    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fantasy-women-pt-2-barbie/id1057714949?i=1000623763017 

    • 1 hr 29 min
    James Mangold

    James Mangold

    James Mangold has one of the more eclectic filmmaking careers. From indie dramas to romantic comedies to R-rated superheros and now Indiana Jones, Mangold's films run the gamut. We were excited to explore this filmography and shocked to discover that Mangold lifts the time travel dynamics directy from Kate & Leopold for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
    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://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=20000111&id=DYs0AAAAIBAJ&pg=4204,6160375
    https://www.filmspotting.net/episodes-archive/2023/7/6/926-dial-of-destiny-top-5-indiana-jones-moments
    https://www.andrewjupin.com/posts-native/2023/7/1/now-in-release-indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-destiny-ndwe2
    https://screenrant.com/indiana-jones-dial-destiny-time-travel-antikythera-explained/
    https://www.dga.org/Events/2017/Apr2017/Logan_QnA_0317.aspx
    https://sites.libsyn.com/478023/james-mangold
     

    • 1 hr 28 min
    Sarah Polley

    Sarah Polley

    Fresh off of winning the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for Women Talking, Sarah Polley is posed to become a major voice in modern filmmaking. In this episode, we review Polley's short but impressive list of films. Warning: We also talk rickshaws.
    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.indiewire.com/awards/consider-this/sarah-polley-women-talking-interview-oscars-1234811960/
    https://www.vogue.com/article/women-talking-sarah-polley-interview
    https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/11/21/sarah-polleys-journey-from-child-star-to-feminist-auteur
    https://www.wgaeast.org/onwriting/episode-106-sarah-polley-women-talking/
    http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-1403-sarah-polley
    https://movingimage.us/programs/sarah-polley/
     

    • 1 hr 9 min
    Benson & Moorhead

    Benson & Moorhead

    Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead are filmmakers that embody independent filmmaking. There latest film, Something in the Dirt was made largely by just three people. In this episode, we have a blast jumping into their micro-budget Lovecraftian multiverse. 
     
    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://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mortalpodkast/episodes/Justin-Benson--Aaron-Moorhead-vs--Baraka-e1msgei
    https://content.libsyn.com/p/6/0/a/60a38baf727565fd/SynchronicQandAJustinBensenAaronMoorhead.mp3
    https://variety.com/2015/film/features/10-directors-to-watch-justin-benson-aaron-moorhead-1201391322/
    https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/justin-benson-aaron-moorhead-interview-moon-knight-into-the-dirt
    https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/justin-benson-and-aaron-moorhead-on-la-covid-and-conspiracies
    https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-endless-aaron-moorhead-and-justin-benson-interview/

    • 1 hr 20 min

Customer Reviews

4.1 out of 5
19 Ratings

19 Ratings

dlk904 ,

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.

Ryan Schoop ,

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.

cmdm ,

women are 51% of the population...

i guess that would be news to you guys...

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