The Popcorn Auteur

Chris Staron & Jon Dickey
  • 4.1 (19)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED MONTHLY
The Popcorn Auteur

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?

  1. 12/16/2024

    Alejandro G. Iñárritu

    Why did it take us this long to cover the last of the three amigos? Perhaps it was the memories of Babel or a fear of bear attacks. Or perhaps the fact that Alejandro G. Iñárritu wasn't always a screenwriter. No matter the reason, in this episdoe we have a spolier-filled discussion of the four films written and directed by Iñárritu. As an added bonus, you get to hear Chris mispronounce a number of Spanish words (in addition to the usual French words). 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://thedissolve.com/reviews/1152-birdman/ https://youtu.be/t0stsBzS30E?feature=shared https://open.spotify.com/episode/1OCuKjqUKgbCzko76Qh6yD?si=kFwHmg6jSmWOcmOsTp2vFA https://youtu.be/qSiNDcOoay8?feature=shared https://youtu.be/JgP8HkhRwqQ?feature=shared

    1h 14m

  2. 10/31/2024

    Ari Aster

    Happy Halloween! This year, Paul Kowalski is back to help us examine the films of Ari Aster. Come for the dread and decapitations, stay for the unified Ari Aster theory. Plenty of spoilers in this discussion.  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://letterboxd.com/samvanhallgren/film/midsommar/ https://www.gq.com/story/ari-aster-martin-scorsese-interview-beau-is-afraid-a24 https://a24films.com/notes/2019/07/deep-cuts-with-robert-eggers-and-ari-aster https://slate.com/culture/2023/04/beau-is-afraid-movie-ending-explained-maybe.html

    1h 40m

  3. 10/21/2024

    Duncan Jones

    Duncan Jones has a famous father, but he's attempted to blaze his own trail as an artist. Once a rising star in sci-fi filmmaking, Jones has struggled to find success as of late. In this espisode, we discuss the highs and lows of his filmography. As always let us know what we got wrong on Facebook, on Twitter, @PopcornAuteur, or email us at popcornauteur@gmail.com. Show Notes: https://www.theverge.com/2016/6/9/11885594/warcraft-movie-review-duncan-jones-blizzard-film-adaptation https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/viscosity-in-the-early-80s-with-chris-nashawaty/id1525039108?i=1000664689578  http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-892-duncan-jones-brendon-small https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/moon-2009 https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/02/mute-netflix-duncan-jones-review/554126/

    1h 13m

  4. 09/25/2024

    Sofia Coppola

    Sofia Coppola's surname means a lot in filmmaking, and yet she's been able to blaze her own distinct trail. She's a particular filmmaker intent on executing her particular vision. Listen as we discuss what did and did not connect with us from Coppola's filmography.  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://slate.com/culture/2017/06/sofia-coppolas-whitewashed-new-movie-the-beguiled.html https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/somewhere-2010 https://youtu.be/1r3FkR5rziY?feature=shared http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episode-822-sofia-coppola https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sofia-coppola-rankings-and-on-the-rocks/id1439252196?i=1000495723544 https://www.wgaeast.org/onwriting/sofia-coppola-on-the-rocks/ https://www.npr.org/2023/11/06/1197958330/fresh-air-draft-11-06-2023 https://www.filmspotting.net/episodes-archive/2023/11/9/df9b15h7fdcdq1mwf4uwa8mkjoiz9z https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coppolas-queens-pt-1-marie-antoinette/id1057714949?i=1000634860682 https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coppolas-queens-pt-2-priscilla/id1057714949?i=1000635510881

    1h 34m

  5. 06/14/2024

    Don Bluth

    The talented Jonathan Sundy joins us to discuss the films written and directed by Don Bluth (No Littlefoot or Fievel here). Bluth is famous for leaving Disney and then giving them a run for their money in the late 80s and early 90s. In this episode, we look at the highs and lows of Bluth's career.  Check out Jonathan Sundy's books here.  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://youtu.be/j0CrEhFIH2I?feature=shared https://youtu.be/WKCLqeh0fjw?feature=shared https://youtu.be/Jt2YG-T9Njk?feature=shared https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-08-21/don-bluth-career-secret-of-nimh-anastasia-disney

    1h 21m

  6. 04/03/2024

    Tom McCarthy

    Tom McCarthy co-wrote and directed Spotlight, which took home the Oscar for Best Picture. McCarthy won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The next time McCarthy returned to the director's chair was for the direct to Disney+ Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made (since pulled from the platform). McCarthy has spent his career attempting to make films for grown-ups while also dabbling in children's movies, getting a story credit on Up. In this episode, we try to make sense of this ping-ponging. As always let us know what we got wrong on Facebook, on Twitter, @PopcornAuteur, or email us at popcornauteur@gmail.com.   Show Notes: https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/11/spotlight-tom-mccarthy-film-review/414588/ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/awards-chatter-podcast-tom-mccarthy-867386/ https://soundcloud.com/thedirectorscut/episode-8-spotlight-with-tom-mccarthy-and-jonathan-levine?in=ozkzeqspksam/sets/dga

    1h 27m

  7. 01/22/2024

    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

    1h 43m

  8. 10/31/2023

    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

    1h 48m
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4.1
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

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?

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Staron & Jon Dickey
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2024
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    The Popcorn Auteur

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