We party with Sofia Coppola’s “The Virgin Suicides” and discuss: Story & Writing, metaphors, rule of repeats; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “It’s always more intriguing to imagine what’s happening, as opposed to seeing everything, because then you can use your imagination. I always wanted to be at a distance.“ – Sofia […]

The post Ep 373: “The Virgin Suicides” appeared first on The Pestle.

We play Pixar’s “Toy Story 5” and discuss: Story & Writing, thematic cohesion, subplots, play; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.“ – Mr. Rogers Notes […]

The post Ep 372: “Toy Story 5” appeared first on The Pestle.

We sneak up on Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” and discuss: Cinematography, blocking cars; Story & Writing, modern vs classic cinema; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “When you’re young, you look at television and think, there’s a conspiracy. The networks have conspired to dumb us down. But when you get a little older, you […]

The post Ep 371: “Disclosure Day” appeared first on The Pestle.

We play in Kane Parson’s “Backrooms” and discuss: Production design and set decoration; Story & Writing, symbolism; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Perhaps home is not a place but simply an irrevocable condition.“ – James Baldwin Notes & References: Supports us on our Patreon here! Creep trailer (YouTube) Juneteenth (wiki) The Neverending […]

The post Ep 370: “Backrooms” appeared first on The Pestle.

We capture Jon Favreau’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu” and discuss: The problem with Star Wars’ endless faceless bad guys; Story & Writing, kick the dog storytelling, cute gimmicks, what makes for a good fight scene; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Use only that which works, and take it from any place you […]

The post Ep 369: “The Mandalorian and Grogu” appeared first on The Pestle.

We thirst for Curry Barker’s “Obsession” and discuss: Cinematography, story-motivated silhouettes; Sound Effects, revealing story through sound; Story & Writing, obsessions; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.“ – W.B. Yeats Notes & References: Supports us on our […]

The post Ep 368: “Obsession” appeared first on The Pestle.

We uncover “The Blair Witch Project” and discuss: Story & Writing, opening, ending; Experiencing the original release; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Whatever you now find weird, ugly, uncomfortable and nasty about a new medium will surely become its signature. CD distortion, the jitteriness of digital video, the crap sound of 8-bit […]

The post Ep 367: “The Blair Witch Project” (1999) appeared first on The Pestle.

We coordinate with Eddie Murphy’s “Boomerang” and discuss: Directing, Wardrobe as symbolism and as character; Story & Writing, intercutting sequences; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “If you are silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it.“ – Zora Neale Hurston Notes & References: Supports us on our Patreon […]

The post Ep 366: “Boomerang” appeared first on The Pestle.