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 […]

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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 […]

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We unravel “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” and discuss: Cinematography, sound design, creating a horror experience; Story & Writing, opening sequence, respecting the horror audience; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “I’ve always been faithful to monsters. I’ve always felt they are the patron saints of our blissful imperfection.“ – Guillermo Del Toro Notes […]

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We serve up Zendaya’s “Challengers” and discuss: Cinematography, Editing, Music, creating energy and fun; Story & Writing, sports as a metaphor; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Luck has nothing to do with it because I have spent many, many hours, countless hours, on the court working for my one moment in time.“ […]

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We find Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” and discuss: Story & Writing, finding purpose, using your inner voice; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived […]

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We launch into Andy Weir’s “Project Hail Mary” and discuss: Story & Writing, starting with tone; How budget affects storytelling; Science and art impacting the world; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “There are no nations! There is only humanity. And if we don’t come to understand that right soon, there will be […]

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We rescue Dustin Hoffman’s “Hero” and discuss: Cinematography, revelation shots, exposure; Story & Writing, news reporting, human nature; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.“ – Plato Notes & References: Supports us […]

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We celebrate Ray Mendoza + Alex Garland’s “Warfare” and discuss: Sound design, perspective, realism vs heightened sound effects; Story & Writing, screenplay notes on flow and authenticity; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Every film about war ends up being pro-war“ – Francois Truffaut Notes & References: Supports us on our Patreon here! […]

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