What if one of the most iconic movies ever made just... isn't your thing?

Filmmaker, actress, and writer Lindsey Deland watched Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (1994) for the first time. Her verdict? ½ star.

I loved it. She... really didn't.

In this episode of What If I Don't Like It?, Lindsey and I take a deep dive into Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino, and the very different ways we experienced one of the most influential movies of the 1990s.

Why did Pulp Fiction feel disjointed and meaningless to Lindsey? How much does knowing the older movies Tarantino references change the experience? And can you recognize that a movie is influential, beautifully constructed, and important to film history while still simply... not liking it?

Because Lindsey is a filmmaker, actress, and writer herself, we also look at Pulp Fiction from a filmmaking perspective. We talk about Tarantino's cinematic influences and use of bricolage, nonlinear storytelling, cinematography, reaction shots, monologues, iconic scenes, and the filmmaking choices Lindsey appreciated even when the story didn't work for her.

We also get into film fandom and gatekeeping, the pressure to love movies considered “masterpieces,” gender and lived experience when watching violent films, and the difference between appreciating a filmmaker's choices and actually enjoying a movie.

Before we get to Pulp Fiction, Lindsey talks about finding her path in film, screenwriting, her current creative projects, her first movie memories, and the films that shaped her.

So how does a filmmaker give Pulp Fiction half a star while I still love it? Listen and find out!

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

03:24 Meet Lindsey Deland

04:20 Finding a Path in Film

18:19 Current Projects & Creative Influences

23:20 First Movie Memories & Comfort Films

37:04 First-Time Viewing: Pulp Fiction

43:26 First Reactions to Pulp Fiction

59:49 Monologues, Cinematography & Iconic Scenes

01:19:58 Fandom, Gatekeeping & Film Culture

01:38:14 Art, Artists & Interpretation

01:41:55 Final Verdict & Filmmaking Takeaways

02:00:35 Writing for Yourself & the Audience

About Lindsey Deland

Lindsey Deland is a filmmaker, actress, and writer currently developing her own feature film. You can watch her film Dark Places on Tubi.

Instagram: @lindzthenerd

Letterboxd: @lindzthenerd

YouTube: @lindzthenerd

🎬 Watch Dark Places on Tubi:https://tubitv.com/movies/100053018/dark-places

About What If I Don't Like It?

What If I Don't Like It? is a movie podcast hosted by Kt Baldassaro where people watch films they think they won't enjoy and then unpack what happens when they finally press play.

Follow Kt @MovieRuntime:

TikTok: @movieruntime

Instagram: @movieruntime

Letterboxd: @MovieRuntime

Listen to What If I Don't Like It? on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

What if one of the most important films ever made is also one of the hardest to bring yourself to watch?

Writer and filmmaker Joey Paul Calhoun joins What If I Don't Like It? to discuss Schindler's List, exploring why its reputation can feel intimidating and what makes Steven Spielberg's Holocaust drama endure more than 30 years later.

At its core, this episode is about the difference between a film's importance and the experience of actually watching it. We explore why Schindler's List carries so much emotional weight before you ever press play, how Spielberg approached one of history's darkest chapters, and why the film continues to resonate with audiences decades after its release.

Joey and I also talk about historical storytelling, filmmaking, and the responsibility of adapting real events for the screen. Rather than asking whether Schindler's List is "good," we discuss what it means to create a film that challenges, educates, and moves its audience.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why so many people put off watching Schindler's List
• The difference between an important film and an entertaining one
• Steven Spielberg's approach to telling a true story
• Oskar Schindler as one of cinema's most unexpected protagonists
• The role of hope in stories about unimaginable tragedy
• Why historical films continue to matter

Follow Joey Paul Calhoun:🎬 YouTube: @followthevoid🎥 TikTok: @v0idech0📸 Instagram: @the_vi0dech0

Joey is a writer and filmmaker whose work explores character-driven storytelling, and he brings a thoughtful perspective to one of cinema's most widely discussed films.

Films and filmmakers mentioned include Steven Spielberg, Schindler's List, The Pianist, Life Is Beautiful, Saving Private Ryan, The Zone of Interest, and other films that explore history, war, memory, and the Holocaust.

Did Schindler's List live up to its reputation? More importantly, why has this film remained essential viewing for more than three decades? Listen to find out.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Follow Kt Baldassaro / MovieRuntime:🎬 YouTube: @MovieRuntime📸 Instagram: @movieruntime🎞️ Letterboxd: @MovieRuntime

What if Interstellar isn’t actually as intimidating as its reputation suggests? Filmmaker Riley Cosby joins What If I Don’t Like It? to watch Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi epic for the first time and unpack whether its emotional core lives up to the hype or the legend around it.

At its core, this episode is about expectation versus experience, and how “big” movies often come with a lot of baggage before you ever press play. We dig into why Interstellar feels larger than life, and whether its emotional core hits harder than its science-heavy reputation suggests.

We also talk about filmmaking, film festivals, and the shift from consuming movies to creating them, as Riley shares his path from aspiring YouTuber to independent filmmaker working across horror, comedy, and experimental film.

In this episode we discuss:• Why “film bro” recommendations shape how we approach movies• Horror as a tool for processing fear and emotion• Independent filmmaking and the festival circuit• The balance between science fiction and emotional storytelling• Whether Interstellar is actually as complicated as people claim• Why every movie connects differently depending on the viewer

Was Riley won over by one of the most talked-about sci-fi films of the last decade? Listen to find out.

Riley’s work:Mercy, Queen of the UndeadThe Art of DescentOpening KillDie TogetherAizo (festival release)

Follow Riley Cosby:YouTube: @cabbageboyInstagram: @riley_is_Cabbage

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts
Follow Kt Baldassaro / MovieRuntime:🎬 YouTube: @MovieRuntime📸 Instagram: @movieruntime🎞️ Letterboxd: @MovieRuntime

Films and filmmakers mentioned include Christopher Nolan, Interstellar, The Matrix, Arrival, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and more across sci-fi and genre cinema.

First time watching Con Air (1997)… and somehow this absurd action movie actually works.

Is Nicolas Cage the reason this chaotic ‘90s classic still holds up, especially for first-time viewers?

In our newest episode of What If I Don’t Like It?, I’m joined by multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker Jaina Cipriano for her first-ever viewing of Con Air... and the results are not what we expected!

We break down:

- Jaina’s honest first reaction to Con Air

- Why the movie’s absurd tone actually works

- How ‘90s action films differ from modern blockbusters

- The role of humor in high-stakes storytelling

- Nicolas Cage’s performance—and why it carries the film

- Whether this movie is secretly… good?

Plus, we talk about Jaina’s work as a multidisciplinary artist, immersive storytelling, and how fear can shape creative work.

🎧 ABOUT THE PODCAST What If I Don’t Like It? is a film podcast where guests confront their biases by watching movies they think they won’t enjoy, and then we unpack what actually happens!

📍 FOLLOW Jaina Cipriano

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jainastudio/

Website: https://www.jainaciprianophotography.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jainaphoto

X (Twitter): https://x.com/jainastudio

📍 FOLLOW Kt Baldassaro ( @MovieRuntime )

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@movieruntime

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movieruntime/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieRuntime

Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/MovieRuntime/

🎬 MORE EPISODES YOU’LL LIKE Check out our episodes on Heavy Metal and Bad Boys for more unexpected movie deep dives.

👇 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more film analysis, movie deep dives, and filmmaker conversations.

Timestamps:

00:00 First Time Watching Con Air?!

01:10 Meet Jaina Cipriano

04:30 Art, Photography & Filmmaking

10:45 Storytelling Across Mediums

16:30 Fear, Creativity & Immersive Work

24:50 First Movie Memories

27:15 Comfort Movies & Favorites

30:50 Movies That Should Be Made

33:00 Why Jaina Avoided Con Air

35:30 First Impressions of Con Air

39:00 Nicolas Cage Performance Breakdown

44:30 Why the Movie Actually Works

49:30 90s Action vs Modern Blockbusters

54:30 Cinematography & Visual Style

58:30 The Absurdity Factor

1:02:00 Favorite Scenes

1:05:30 Final Thoughts: Does It Hold Up?

Two weeks ago, I dropped the full deep-dive episode on Heavy Metal with illustrator/ artist Brett Kelley, and if you haven’t checked that out yet, this is your sign.

Today’s as part of our new formatting in Season 3, I have a standalone trivia segment packed with some of the wildest behind-the-scenes facts, obscure details, and straight-up insane production stories from this cult classic. From lost music rights that kept the film off home video for YEARS, to the truth behind Taarna’s flying steed, to the real bones used in the animation… yeah, it gets weird.And trust me, this is just the appetizer.🎧 Watch / Listen to the FULL episode by visiting the show page!If you’re into cult films, animation history, or chaotic production stories, this one’s for you.👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more film deep dives, trivia, and behind-the-scenes breakdowns.#HeavyMetal #filmfacts #MovieTrivia #FilmTrivia #80scartoons #CultClassic #animationhistory #filmcommunity #1980sMovies #FilmPodcast #WhatIfIDontLikeIt #cultfilm #filmtok #filmdiscussion #movietok #filmpodcast

This episode, we’re discussing the animated cult classic Heavy Metal. A strange, influential, and often controversial film that helped push adult animation into mainstream conversation.

Host Kt Baldassaro is joined by illustrator Brett Kelley for a deep dive into Heavy Metal (1981) : its origins, its visual style, and why the movie still has a devoted following more than four decades later.

In this Heavy Metal (1981) review and discussion, we explore:

• How the film grew out of the French sci-fi comic magazine Metal Hurlant
• The artistic influence of legendary illustrator Jean Giraud
• The movie’s unusual anthology format and multiple animation studios
• Why the Harry Canyon segment feels like a visual predecessor to The Fifth Element
• The cult reputation of the Tarna storyline
• How modern anthology animation like Love, Death & Robots echoes its style and structure

If you’re curious about the history of adult animation, cult sci-fi films, or the legacy of Heavy Metal (1981), this episode breaks down why the movie still sparks debate among film fans, artists, and animation lovers.

🎨 Follow Brett Kelley & see his artwork

Shop: https://ko-fi.com/bkartmerc/shop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bkartworks/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BKArtMerc/

🎧 Follow Kt Baldassaro (@MovieRuntime)

Instagram & TikTok: @MovieRuntime
YouTube: @MovieRuntime
Letterboxd: @MovieRuntime

00:00 Theme Song

00:51 Why You May or May Not Like Heavy Metal (ep Teaser)

04:28 Welcome to the Episode!

10:05 The Evolution of Animation and Storytelling

15:38 The Role of Music in Heavy Metal

19:18 Characterization and Themes in Heavy Metal

25:00 Cultural Reflections and Critiques

25:50 Soft Landing

32:34 Grimaldi

36:18 Harry Canyon

45:15 DEN

58:54 The Evolution of Heavy Metal Magazine

01:06:58 Heavy Metal 2000: A Sequel's Journey

01:12:56 The Shift in Heavy Metal's Audience

01:13:37 Captain Sternn

01:17:45 B-17: A Horror Segment

01:23:43 So Beautiful and So Dangerous: Absurdity in Animation

01:33:42 The Best Scene in the Movie

01:42:11 The Character of Tarna and Her Agency

01:55:48 Heavy Metal's Evolution and Future

02:01:49 TAARNA

02:02:02 The Ending and Its Significance

02:07:09 Exploring Iconic 80s Fantasy Films

02:13:40 The Possibility of a Remake

02:21:11 Community and Heavy Metal Culture

02:25:58 The Heavy Metal Collective and Local Impact

Movies Mentioned on this episode:Mean Streets (1973)

The Lord of the Rings (1978)

Wizards (1977)

Alien (1979)

Heavy Metal (1981)

Dragonslayer (1981)

Tron (1982)

Conan the Barbarian (1982)

Ghostbusters II (1989)

The Abyss (1989)

Pulp Fiction (1994)

The Fifth Element (1997)

Blueberry (2004)

Ever wondered why Napoleon Dynamite feels so strangely specific — and why that awkwardness actually works?

In this trivia segment from What If I Don’t Like It? (Episode 43), filmmaker Victoria Roccaforte and I break down 10 obscure behind-the-scenes facts about Napoleon Dynamite that reveal how carefully constructed this “random” movie really is.

We get into:
• Why Jon Heder drew all of Napoleon’s sketches himself
• The deliberate choice behind that monotone delivery
• How real Preston High students shaped the film’s texture
• Why Pedro’s speech was simplified at the last minute
• How silence in the edit became one of the movie’s sharpest comedic tools
• And the subtle ending tweak that gives the story emotional staying power

What looks accidental is intentional. What feels awkward is engineered. And understanding the architecture behind the comedy makes the film even more fascinating — whether you love it or still don’t quite “get it.”

🎧 Listen to the full episode for our complete conversation about why this indie breakout still divides audiences decades later.

—

#NapoleonDynamite #MovieTrivia #FilmTrivia #IndieFilm #CultMovies #FilmPodcast #MoviePodcast #WhatIfIDontLikeIt #FilmCommentary #JonHeder

Timestamps:
00:00 – Exploring the Depths of Napoleon Dynamite
00:33 – ONE: Napoleon’s drawings were Jon Heder’s own
01:30 – TWO: The monotone voice was deliberate
02:24 – THREE: Real Preston High students in the film
03:18 – FOUR: The real origin of the tater tots
04:04 – FIVE: Pedro’s speech was simplified at the last minute
04:53 – SIX: The film changed real-world behavior
05:41 – SEVEN: Silence engineered in post-production
06:20 – EIGHT: Limited coverage shaped the aesthetic
06:54 – NINE: Regional and cultural rhythm behind the humor
07:30 – TEN: The ending was refined for emotional durability
08:11 – Want to go deeper? Full episode discussion