Celluloid Pudding

The Celluloid Pudding Podcast
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  • FILM REVIEWS
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A celebration of movies and all earthly and otherworldly cosmic delights that inform the art of cinema. A podcast with wit, delightful discussions, and intriguing guests. Follow this podcast on all platforms available! Movie reviews, culture, film, humor, critique, thoughtful fun.

  1. 5D AGO

    The Master (2012)

    We lost Philip Seymour Hoffman way too soon. There is a moment during the recording of this episode where we remark that he was in a total of 3 films that we’ve covered when in fact he was also in Cold Mountain (a film we just covered) and Almost Famous (an episode we frequently call back to, and one of our favorite sessions). Even as I write this, I realize that he also had a small jewel role in Nobody’s Fool, a sorely overlooked film that we covered for our holiday faire. Therein lies Hoffman’s brilliance — he was an actor that submitted himself to both character and story, until there was no trace of the actual man. Only a memorable performance left an impression on the film. So much of his work he was a side character, but his imagination was so rich and vivid we easily fell into the worlds he was creating. The Master is a film worth watching and rewatching. It is allegory, parable, and cagey expose’ of movements and cultish behavior that we humans are frequently prey to when we’ve been traumatized (both real and imagined). Over the past 15 years the Church of Scientology has come under heavy fire, most frequently from former members. We aren’t the kind of folks that like to dog pile, or kick someone when they are down. If anything (and I think Sam would agree) if something works for you, take what you need and leave the rest. Our only caveat being “do no harm” to oneself, or to others. The cure for trauma, should not cause or inflict more trauma. If you enjoy the work of Paul Thomas Anderson we encourage you to check out our episode for Boogie Nights. Episode link below. Interesting side note to share: In 2025 NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex recovered samples on near Earth asteroid Bennu, that showed the building blocks for organic life. Scientists have posited the idea that perhaps asteroids are like factories for these building blocks, which are then delivered to a planet surface by meteorite impact. Perhaps L. Ron Hubbard was on to something. A&E Investigative Reports: The Church of Scientology https://youtu.be/K9x97R13MCA?si=WGcsrg8IwIlS2ZWx Une tarde en St. Hill (An Afternoon at St. Hill, audio in English) (1963) https://youtu.be/FttwISsJxgs?si=LUlt_o56TRbp9Fwa Celluloid Pudding: Boogie Nights, parts 1 and 2 https://open.spotify.com/episode/328lj4OzCXf7CZr1XB3zRa?si=YU9cmEfOQZmp7qGsEr858A https://open.spotify.com/episode/4V2JkbGT4104LL1b7XL5go?si=sCUq0tcFQxOI_NLojzdM2Q

    2h 36m

  2. MAR 14

    Slap Shot (1977) 🏒🥅

    Sam and Beth opt for a little levity this episode, after 2 historic gold medal and thrilling performances by U.S. Women’s and Men’s Hockey in the Olympics. The playoff chase is also coming down to the wire in the NHL and PWHL. Consider this episode our tribute to those winsome rapscallions- the kings and queens of municipal ice rinks, or frozen solid mill ponds, as well as their insanely devoted fan base. No other duo has quite the unique talent of breaking the fourth wall without breaking it— taking us along for the ride on the inside, with a wink and a nod, to show us how things really are. This is Hill’s and Newman’s super power. Nancy Dowd’s script is alive with the language of the locker room and the chirping of the ice. The film isn’t mired in the sentimentality of a bygone era of steel mills, union halls, and local minor league hockey. It lives and breathes, and is self-aware that the simplicity of that the microcosm, by 1977, was quickly slipping away. In subtle ways, Slap Shot is prophetic. It’s a tale of Sisyphean struggle, and sometimes the only way out, is by using a little imagination. Episode links: “Slap Shot revisited with Dave Hanson” https://youtu.be/xA8G6omkAwI?si=n40YKWU53bEwGC3T Author Says Her ‘Slap Shot’ , New York Times, Mar. 3, 1977. https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/03/archives/author-says-her-slap-shot-talk-is-realistic.html?smid=url-share Johnstown Hockey History https://youtu.be/EhxRR6mdtbs?si=l-4KXU9cTZ8M6nna

    1h 53m

  3. FEB 22

    Cold Mountain (2003)

    First of all, a plethora of apologies in advance for the technical difficulties we had both recording and editing this episode. We always try to do our best with every deposit we make in our listeners pod banks. We thought this film would be a fitting entry as winter (hopefully soon) comes to its conclusion. With spring comes renewed hope, and new chances to start again—to grow in a new direction. Episode links: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/crater Source: National Park Service (.gov) https://share.google/oqwjlkwZQsvlCmmwn https://youtu.be/0C0mDzFviro?si=pdwVab_jAHyk4Ef4

    1h 47m

  4. FEB 5

    Reds (1981)

    There is so much going on in the world right now, that Sam and I aren’t even going to attempt feigning blissful ignorance. Suffice to say that certain patterns in history repeat. Empires may rise and fall, and while it is frequently the so-called “small” lives that suffer and bear the burden of humanity’s hubris, it is those same small lives that pick up the pieces, one by one, to survive, to make, and to renew another day. Please enjoy what we think is a timely episode—Warren Beatty’s magnum opus, Reds. Episode links: Emma Goldman “An exceedingly dangerous woman” https://youtu.be/BviTcbeRz8o?si=N26oNL-FIOCHhsaM Jerzy Kosinski’s fall from grace: Investigating a literary smear campaign https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/11/jerzy-kosinski-fall-from-grace Red Milwaukee: America’s socialist experiment https://youtu.be/h8EmRZ3n9LQ?si=20VbHLlO3oT0bpj1 The Farmer Labor Movement: a Minnesota Story https://youtu.be/0jZi1BvK3-A?si=ergV62tJsiFpeq7z What is Anarchism? https://youtu.be/5Ocv71Nt-Lo?si=sxJwcigc_jriKbjR The Mischief of George Plimpton The Mischief of George Plimpton https://medium.com/@andrewszanton/the-mischief-of-george-plimpton-106b85b2abfe

    2h 33m

  5. JAN 15

    Lost Horizon (1937)

    2026 is here. Like many of you, Sam and I had both hoped that we could sweep up the negative detritus of the past year and heave it in the dustbin along with the torn bits of ribbon and holiday wrapping paper. In less than 30 days 2026 already feels like a future spiraling headlong and out of control. It makes one want to escape, and seek out a peaceful place where all of humanity can be welcome, but also healed. Shangri-La is such a place. Please join Sam and I for this in depth discussion of Frank Capra’s masterpiece based on James Hilton’s bestselling novel from 1933. Human history has a very strange way of repeating itself. Episode links: Lost Horizon DVD-Special Feature https://youtu.be/3s6p5weJrwE?si=y6EoBdrL_igBIJ7- The Road to Shangri-La https://youtu.be/Xrpo1_GQp04?si=loTJGS9OrXBm11ia Shangri-La Lost Treasures of Tibet https://youtu.be/HSSU58ZrqwE?si=7MoG0jW7EpZc70Bj Three Dog Night - Shambala (song) https://open.spotify.com/track/0P6fEgTn3cxLLyYTJYoYGj?si=Rou6YezLRgqGvkmT1Z3opg

    2h 8m

  6. 12/23/2025

    “Scrooge” aka A Christmas Carol (1951) 🎄👻

    Sam and Beth have pulled out all the stops for this Christmas Special EXTRAVAGANZA! We take a meandering deep dive into the 1951 Christmas classic, and make our lists for some of the best versions of this time honored tale, as well as examine the ancient traditions celebrated during this time of year. But wait, there’s more! We have fashioned, by our own humble hands and feeble minds—Christmas gifts for you dear listeners, that await you, and that we lovingly tucked under the tree. Please grab a cup of warming grog or nog, and sit with us by the fire, won’t you? May all your holiday prayers and wishes be realized with the coming of the New Year.

    2h 40m

  7. 12/14/2025

    DEAD END (2003)

    Kids, it’s that time of year again. Who needs hunky bachelors decked out in flannel in some quaint little New England or Midwestern hamlet oozing Christmas drip? Not us. Sam picked out a nice alternative to the typical film faire for the Yuletide season. Dead End is a strange little film, but well crafted given its modest budget, and wonderfully acted by veterans Ray Wise and Lin Shaye. The film plays with the gruesomeness possessed in one’s imagination. It doesn’t go for the cheap jump scares, but instead builds on atmosphere and the tension of the mundane, like getting lost on a never ending lonely two lane road, and wondering what will happen in the dark when the needle hits “E” . For those of you who are purists about your Christmas scares, fear not, because we have a classic to follow up this episode, right before the fat man in the red suit arrives. Have fun this holiday season, be safe, and most of all, don’t take any shortcuts.

    1h 34m

  8. 11/25/2025

    Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)

    Welp it’s that time of year again, when the panoply of denizens of this great country hustle and bustle to jump to that first flag drop that sets us all on course for the madness that is the holiday season. Some will sojourn home from school, some will head to the airport, and some will cram the spousal and kids (both furry or unfurry) into the car and head up the road, or maybe just around the block, to partake in the gustatory bacchanalia we know as Thanksgiving. Sam and I have picked out a special film that we hope will whet and prep our listener’s appetites for the holiday onslaught. Thanksgiving has a complicated history, and maybe that’s why the very nature of this holiday forces us as good citizens, to be tolerant and civil towards our drunken and opinionated kinfolk over the green bean casserole. It’s only one day out of the year, and there is always something to be thankful for (like maybe not having to host the chaos). We hope everyone has a warm, safe, and contented celebration surrounded by the people that matter the most to them. Episode links: “Tasting History with Max Miller” https://youtu.be/ixTkzBuD-cw?si=Vexgk1vZ8tGhDhR5 Film locations Hannah and Her Sisters https://www.woodyallenpages.com/2015/02/votw-every-location-hannah-sisters-architecture-tour/ “BA Kitchen makes the perfect Thanksgiving” https://youtu.be/iV3p2P7jA2A?si=GlwYCKKaBi8hmURO

    2h 18m
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A celebration of movies and all earthly and otherworldly cosmic delights that inform the art of cinema. A podcast with wit, delightful discussions, and intriguing guests. Follow this podcast on all platforms available! Movie reviews, culture, film, humor, critique, thoughtful fun.

Information

  • Creator
    The Celluloid Pudding Podcast
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    149
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Celluloid Pudding Podcast
  • Show Website
    Celluloid Pudding