Cinema in Context
102 episodes - English - Latest episode: 22 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingPodcast by Cinema in Context
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Episodes
Episode 50: Extraction and The Bourne Identity
May 31, 2020 03:19 - 45 minutes - 38.3 MBChase action films. Sarah Watt, William Chen and Jeremy Downing discuss the Netflix film Extraction and 2002 film The Bourne Identity. We begin by pulling Extraction apart, highlight many of its floors. We highlight the brilliant photography, production design and direction of the film, and spent time celebrating the action and stunt choreography. We compare the long shot in Extraction to Children of Men and Atomic Blonde. We talk about the classic qualities of The Bourne Identity, and how th...
Episode 49: Four Best Fourth Films
April 26, 2020 04:47 - 50 minutes - 31.3 MBOur fourth anniversary, celebrating by discussing the greatest Number 4 films. Sarah Watt, William Chen and Jeremy Downing discuss Toy Story 4 (2019), Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), and Star Wars (1977), which was retrospectively assigned the subtitle Episode 4: A New Hope. Each are great examples of the fourth film being a great work of cinema, despite other fourth films typically being sub-par. We begin discussion around Star Wars and the way they if b...
Episode 48: Films to Stream on Lockdown
March 31, 2020 08:52 - 48 minutes - 30.1 MBStreaming options during our Covid-19 crisis. Sarah Watt, William Chen and Jeremy Downing discuss films that you can watch while stuck at home, during the Covid-19 lockdowns occurring around the world. We have split our discussion into five categories: Film for the family: William: How to Train Your Dragon (2010, Netflix) Sarah: The Adventures of TinTin: The Secret of the Unicorn (2011, Netflix) Jeremy: Hairspray (2007, Netflix) Classic to rewatch: Sarah: Sense and Sensibility (1995, Netfli...
Episode 47: Oscar Debrief 2020
February 22, 2020 21:05 - 47 minutes - 39.7 MBPost Oscars discussion. Sarah Watt, William Chen and Jeremy Downing discuss the 2020 Academy Awards. We begin by discussing our expectations going into the ceremony, our general apathy towards the ceremony in general and our collective surprise as to how things rolled out. The biggest and best surprise was Parasite, the Cinema in Context film of 2019, winning Best Picture. We discuss the Netflix representation in the ceremony, with lack of awards for Marriage Story, The Irishman and Klaus, as...
Episode 46: 1917 and Birdman
January 27, 2020 06:58 - 44 minutes - 38.6 MBContinuous shot films. Sarah Watt, William Chen and Jeremy Downing discuss two films that use a continuous shot throughout most of their films: 1917 (2019) and Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014). We begin by discussing the way each film utilises the continuous shot affect. We compare the two films to other films that explore long takes, including Gravity (2013), Dunkirk (2017), The Adventures of Tintin (2011), Searching (2018), Children of Men (2006), and Roma (2018). Rog...
Episode 45: Best of 2019
December 21, 2019 00:00 - 53 minutes - 44.8 MBBest films of 2019. Sarah Watt, William Chen and Jeremy Downing discuss their top films of the year, in the following categories: Biggest surprise, biggest disappointment, most anticipated film yet to come out (this episode was recorded in mid-November), wildcard, runner up films and each of our film of the year. Biggest Surprise: William: Midsommar Sarah: The Cameraman (1928) Jeremy: Doctor Sleep Biggest Disappointment: Sarah: Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood William: Us Jeremy: Once Upon...
Episode 44: Jojo Rabbit and Inglourious Basterds
November 30, 2019 02:19 - 46 minutes - 38.1 MBComedic World War Two. Sarah Watt, William Chen and Jeremy Downing discuss two films that focus on Nazi-occupied Europe during World War Two that have a comedic or satirical edge: Jojo Rabbit (2019) and Inglourious Basterds (2009). We begin by discussing the situations and ways we first watched Inglourious Basterds, highlighting key reactions we had to the film the first time and upon rewatching it. We then move into a discussion of Jojo Rabbit, beginning with a comparison of music between t...
Episode 43: Joker and The King of Comedy
October 28, 2019 03:11 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBDark comedian stories. Sarah Watt, William Chen and Jeremy Downing discuss two films that centre around wannabe comedians, with a story that follows a dark trajectory: Joker (2019) and The King of Comedy (1982). We begin by discussing the clear connections between the two films, particularly how clearly Joker is riffing on The King of Comedy. The discussion moves onto the mythology of Joker and how it weaves in the existing threads of Batman stories, while fabricating new storylines and ideas...
Episode 42: Parasite and Snowpiercer
September 28, 2019 23:40 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MBBong Joon-ho directed films. Sarah Watt, William Chen and Jeremy Downing discuss Bong Joon-ho's films Parasite and Snowpiercer. We begin by discussing Parasite, particularly its status as the winner of the 2019 Palm d'Or and the way an audience should come into the watching of the film, mainly with no spoilers. We compare Parasite to the work of Tarantino, particularly Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood and Inglourious Basterds, and how the both directors are working within the realms of build...
Episode 41: Films From Abroad
August 25, 2019 09:28 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBCinema experiences, the world over. Sarah Watt, William Chen and Jeremy Downing discuss the various films and cinema experiences from their trips around the world. Sarah opens the discussion by outlining her trip around Europe. She mentions La Dolce Vita, Drive and Avengers: Endgame. She talked about multiple masterclasses, including with steadicam inventor Garrett Brown, one with Rutger Hauer, another with Joe Dante and later with Francis Ford Coppola. William then shared about his trip to t...
Episode 40: Toy Story 4 (with special guests)
July 21, 2019 02:51 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBToy Story 4. Jeremy Downing and William Chen have separate conversations in different parts of the world. The first is with Georgie Swan and the second is with Jon Portinga. The first conversation is lead by Jeremy, talking with Georgie Swan, during a conference focused on Indigenous Education, hosted in Auckland, New Zealand. The discussion begins about the first three Toy Story films and what they mean to both Georgie and Jeremy, specially around the social conscience of Pixar films. They ...
Episode 39: Dark Phoenix and X-Men (featuring Adam Spedding and Sinead Fitzgerald)
June 28, 2019 22:50 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBThe X-Men universe. Special guests Sinead Fitzgerald and Adam Spedding join Jeremy Downing and William Chen to discuss X-Men, Dark Phoenix and all the X-Men films in between. Discussion starts with ripping into Dark Phoenix and discussing how the original X-Men film established the world. We then work our way through the other X-Men films, starting with X-Men: Days of Future Past and the moving through X-Men: First Class, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Wolverine, Logan, X-Men: Apocalypse, X2, ...
Episode 38: Game of Thrones (with special guests)
May 26, 2019 04:51 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MBA Song of Ice and Fire. Special guests Sarah Cullen, Jeremy Foster, Katy Roose, Phoebe Shum and Rewa Worley join Jeremy Downing and William Chen to discuss the HBO television series Game of Thrones. We start by focusing on whether people were satisfied or dissatisfied by the series finale and unpacking why. We then move into discussing specific character arcs, starting with a general discussion of Daenerys Targaryen and whether the creators succeeded with her arc or it was a fail. We then pr...
Episode 37: The Lego Movie 2 and Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (featuring Katy Roose)
April 27, 2019 01:51 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBPhil Lord and Christopher Miller films. Special Guest Katy Roose joins Jeremy Downing and William Chen to discuss two films produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller: The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Discussion starts with looking into Lord and Miller's work being focused on what things aren't, and subverting expectations. We jump into a chat about Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, specifically focusing on the character of Sam Sparks. This leads int...
Episode 36: Oscar Debrief 2019 (featuring Phoebe Shum)
March 27, 2019 00:11 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBPost Oscars discussion. Special Guest Phoebe Shum joins Jeremy Downing and William Chen to discuss the 2019 Academy Awards. Our discussion touches on the selected films this year in contrast to previous years. We mention The Shape of Water, Moonlight and La La Land. We talk about the lead up to the ceremony, with the suggestions around the "Popular Oscar" category and shifting certain awards to the ad breaks, and the outcome of not having a dedicated host. We unpack the Best Picture winner an...
Episode 35: Alita Battle Angel and Avatar (featuring Sinead Fitzgerald)
February 24, 2019 11:55 - 45 minutes - 41.7 MBJames Cameron Science Fiction. Special Guest Sinead Fitzgerald joins Jeremy Downing and William Chen to discuss two films written by James Cameron: his 2009 Box Office breaking Avatar and his most recent script Alita: Battle Angel. Discussion starts with looking into Cameron's career, including his multiple cinematic hits and even his work in theme park rides. We then get into talking about Avatar, the world building, the special effects and the soundtrack. The use of 3D in films comes into o...
Episode 34: Glass and The Happening
January 30, 2019 05:28 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MBM. Night Shyamalan films. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing, Doug Dillaman and William Chen discuss two M. Night Shyamalan films: his 2008 clunker The Happening and his most recent film Glass. Discussion starts with a discussion about Glass and looking at its connections to Unbreakable and Split. The chat then moves onto The Happening and covers some of the many pitfalls of the film. The conversation then explores the history of Shyamalan's career and the placement of his films in the wider cinema l...
Episode 33: Best of 2018
December 19, 2018 03:57 - 48 minutes - 44 MBSarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss their top films of the year. This year, they have split their top films into five categories: Biggest Surprise, Biggest Disappointment, Most Anticipated (still come to come out, at the time of recording), Wildcard, and Film of the Year. Biggest Surprise: William: Annihilation Sarah: Filmworker Jeremy: Avengers: Infinity War Biggest Disappointment: Sarah: BlacKkKlansman William: Hereditary Jeremy: Incredibles 2 Most Anticipated (still to ...
Episode 32: Fantastic Beasts 2 and Harry Potter 3
November 28, 2018 05:58 - 45 minutes - 42 MBWizarding World sequels. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the second Fantastic Beasts film, The Crimes of Grindelwald, and the third Harry Potter film, subtitles The Prisoner of Azkaban. Our discussion begins by discussing the Wizarding World logo and the franchise quality of these films, and then quickly develops into how the two stories are structured. We compare the casts in both films, and praise the commitment and calibre of the performances. The world-building is impr...
Episode 31: A Star Is Born and Cabaret
October 22, 2018 01:31 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBDiegetic musicals. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss A Star Is Born and Cabaret. We begin by discussing the prowess of both Lady Gaga and Liza Minelli in the opening of each film. We unpack the narrative structure of A Star Is Born, looking at the first and second half, and stylistic throw-backs to other directors, which include Richard Linklater and David O. Russell. We talk about the heightened nature of Cabaret, particularly the sharp cuts that add to the irony in the fil...
Episode 30: Crazy Rich Asians and My Big Fat Greek Wedding
September 22, 2018 20:59 - 46 minutes - 42.1 MBCulture clash wedding films. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Crazy Rich Asians and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, two romantic comedies that have broken Box Office records. Our discussion begins with acknowledging that My Big Fat Greek Wedding has not aged very well, so we try and find redeemable qualities in the film. We burst out in outrage at the poor Health and Safety protocols of John Corbett's teacher character. As teachers, we were not amused. The film is not pretty to l...
Episode 29: Mission Impossible Fallout and Top Gun
August 26, 2018 07:51 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MBTom Cruise action films. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Mission: Impossible - Fallout and Top Gun. We jump straight into a discussion about the Mission: Impossible films, highlighting the strength of the director talent for each of the films, comparing it to the James Bond and Harry Potter films. Our chat then moves to Top Gun and how out of date the film feels in retrospect. Gender representation, hard-body masculinity and homoerotica is talked about in regards to Top Gu...
Episode 28: Skyscraper and Die Hard
July 29, 2018 05:51 - 42 minutes - 39 MBAction films in a building. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Die Hard and Skyscraper. We begin by comparing Skyscraper to other films, like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Galaxy Quest, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, MacGyver, and even the musical Annie. Dwayne Johnson does a great job as the "every man" action hero and Neve Campbell does a great job as his calm and collected wife. We then discuss whether Skyscraper was taking itself seriously or self-aware silly. Discus...
Episode 27: Ocean's Eight and Ocean's Eleven
June 23, 2018 00:04 - 42 minutes - 39 MBOcean's Eleven franchise films. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Ocean's Eight and Ocean's Eleven, starting with acknowledging that the two films are very similar. We talk about the strength of the cast in Ocean's Eight, especially with the film's focus on character. We talk about the cinematography in both films, with the strength of cinematography in Ocean's Eleven and the straightforward, functional camerawork in Ocean's Eight. We talk about the possible "coming out" of ...
Episode 26: Isle of Dogs and Battle Royale
May 28, 2018 07:02 - 45 minutes - 41.5 MBSocial satire set in Japan. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Isle of Dogs and Battle Royale. Discussion starts by comparing Battle Royale to our teaching experience, to The Hunger Games and to the current popularity of Battle Royale genre computer games, like Fortnite. We shift discussion to Isle of Dogs and commend the beautiful imagery, the tonal darkness of the story and how that relates to our world, and the joy of some of the gags in the film. Both films introduce roma...
Episode 25: A Quiet Place and Signs
April 26, 2018 00:44 - 45 minutes - 41.9 MBScience Fiction thrillers. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss A Quiet Place and Signs, two films with a lot of similarities, with the most obvious connections being that they are about small families surviving in the midst of an invasion by hostile creatures. We start by discussing the merits of A Quiet Place and the dated qualities of Signs. We discuss the history of cinema around the release of Signs and where M. Night Shyamalan's career headed. Discussion then moves into t...
Episode 24: Black Panther and every other superhero film *SPOILERS*
March 23, 2018 22:58 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBSuper hero films. *SPOILER ALERT FOR MANY SUPERHERO FILMS* Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Black Panther and any of the superhero films made in cinema history. We jump right into the discussion around black representation in Black Panther and if it does enough for representation. We compare representation of race with similar representation in Wonder Woman and District 9. We then talk about the cast in Black Panther, the strength of the talent on screen and the complexity ...
Episode 23: Oscar Special 2018
February 24, 2018 00:33 - 48 minutes - 44.1 MBOscar Special 2018. Sarah Watt, Max Tarrant, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the films nominated for Academy Awards this year. Here are our picks: - Best Picture: Dunkirk - Actor in a Leading Role: Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour - Actress in a Leading Role: Frances McDormand, Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri - Actor in a Supporting Role: Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri - Actress in a Supporting Role: Allison Janney, I, Tonya - Animated Feature Film: Coco (2 ...
Episode 22: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri & Fargo
January 27, 2018 20:02 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MBFrances McDormand. Sarah Watt, Max Tarrant, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the films Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Fargo. We begin by praising Fargo, particularly the performances of the actors and the balancing of tones in the film. We then compare the merits, similarities and differences between the two McDormand characters. The discussion then moves onto the merits and weaknesses of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, touching particularly on the messy race ...
Episode 21: Top Films of 2017
December 11, 2017 21:44 - 43 minutes - 39.4 MBTop films of 2017. Max Tarrant, Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss each of their top three films of the year. Max’s top three: 1. The Square 2. The Killing Of A Sacred Deer 3. Get Out Sarah’s top three: 1. Manchester by the Sea 2. The Killing of a Sacred Deer 3. Baby Driver Jeremy’s top three: 1. Alien: Covenant 2. Blade Runner: 2049 3. War for the Planet of the Apes William’s top three: 1. Dunkirk 2. The LEGO Batman Movie 3. War for the Planet of the Apes (4. LOGAN) Cin...
Episode 20: Thor: Ragnarok & Hunt For The Wilderpeople
November 17, 2017 23:10 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBTaika Waititi films. Sarah Watt, Max Tarrant, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the films Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Hunt For The Wilderpeople (2016). The discussion starts by talking about the wonderful pace and opening of Hunt For The Wilderpeople and Waititi’s knack for pathos. All of his films balance both sadness and joy extremely well. We talk about Taika Waititi’s status as an auteur and his strength as a visual storyteller. The cast in Thor: Ragnarok is very strong, with highlig...
Episode 19: Blade Runner & Blade Runner 2049 (SPOILERS)
October 15, 2017 03:28 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBTwo Blade Runners. Sarah Watt, Max Tarrant, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the films Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049. Our discussion starts by discussing the bold visual choices in both films, particularly the mastery present in the lighting, as well as the complimenting iconic music. We talk about some of the story elements, particularly the opening, and the keeping of Hampton Fancher as the writer from the original film to the sequel. We then delve into the box office returns on...
Episode 18: mother! & Mother
September 30, 2017 01:24 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBMother times two. Sarah Watt, Max Tarrant, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the films mother! (2017) and Madeo, or Mother (2009). The discussion starts around mother! (2017) and unpacks its more horrific elements. We then have a back and forth discussion around the merits of Jennifer Lawrence’s character and the strength of her performance. We then jump into the allegory of the film, wondering whether it is a commentary on the experience of women, a commentary on Darron Arronofsky’s ro...
Episode 17: Valerian & The Fifth Element
August 25, 2017 04:48 - 44 minutes - 40.4 MBLuc Besson Space Operas. Sarah Watt, Max Tarrant, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the films Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) and The Fifth Element (1997). The discussion touches on gender politics and romance stories in both films. We talk about the connections to other films, like Blade Runner, Stars Wars, Avatar, Indiana Jones and Singin’ in the Rain. Luc Besson clearly loves the story he is telling in both films. We discuss other visual directors, like Peter Jacks...
Episode 16: Baby Driver & Reservoir Dogs
July 29, 2017 05:16 - 42 minutes - 39 MBHeist films with music. Max Tarrant, William Chen and Jeremy Downing discuss the films Baby Driver (2017) and Reservoir Dogs (1992). The discussion begins by talking about the tightly woven nature of both films and a clear confidence in each. We focus initially on Reservoir Dogs, talking about the strength of the characters and relationships, particularly the work of Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen and Steve Buscemi. We then talk about how the narrative is constructed, with the large ...
Minisode: Best and Worst Cinema Experiences
July 16, 2017 22:43 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBWilliam, Jeremy, Max and Sarah discuss their best and worst cinema experiences.
Episode 15: Wonder Woman & Barbarella
June 26, 2017 10:54 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBComic book action heroines. Sarah Watt, Max Tarrant, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the films Wonder Woman (2017) and Barbarella (1968). The discussion touches on the fun to be had in both films, as well as its exploration of female empowerment, sexual politics and the qualities of both title characters. Sex plays a prominent role in the cult classic sexploitation Barbarella, while careful discussion of sex is explored in the mainstream Wonder Woman. The production design in Barbarel...
Episode 14: Get Out & Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
May 23, 2017 10:17 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBBringing racial tension home. Sarah Watt, Max Tarrant, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the films Get Out (2017) and Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner (1967). The discussion touches on: uncovering racial prejudices in society that both films investigate; how the films shift social perceptions on issues like interracial marriage, and both the problematic and successful aspects of that; the gap between generations, when social expectation ideals are different between parent and child; the con...
Minisode: Alien: Covenant (2017) (SPOILER WARNING)
May 20, 2017 06:31 - 20 minutes - 19 MBWilliam, Jeremy and Max discuss Alien: Covenant (2017). Warning: Spoilers!
Episode 13: The Salesman & La Strada
April 21, 2017 21:59 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBOscar winners of the Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award: the first winner and the latest winner. Jeremy Downing, Max Tarrant and Sarah Watt discuss the films The Salesman (2016) and La Strada (1954). The discussion touches on the treatment of the women in the films and the meta quality of Federico Fellini. The connection between the theatrical in both films is discussed, with the travelling circus in La Strada and the play “Death of a Salesman” in The Salesman. Both films are working ju...
Episode 12: A Cure For Wellness & Repulsion
March 25, 2017 02:17 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBProtagonists struggle with sanity. William Chen, Jeremy Downing and Max Tarrant discuss the films A Cure For Wellness (2016) and Repulsion (1965). The discussion focusses on protagonists that struggle with their sanity or their perception of sanity. The conversation touches on a number of different areas, starting off with a discussion around Roman Polanski’s cinematic work, how his films endure beyond their time and connections to other director’s works, such as David Lynch and Alfred Hitchc...
Episode 11: T2: Trainspotting & Trainspotting
February 25, 2017 20:09 - 42 minutes - 39.2 MBTrainspotting times two. Jeremy Downing, Max Tarrant and Sarah Watt discuss the films T2: Trainspotting (2017) and Trainspotting (1996). The discussion touches on the films of Danny Boyle and his fall out with Ewan McGregor. The strength of T2 as a sequel, with themes of reconciliation and redemption, as well as the questioning of one’s past and how they have spent their time. Talk then continues into the uncomfortably of films dealing with drugs, but then Danny Boyle’s mastery in creating a...
Episode 10: La La Land & Singin’ In The Rain
January 30, 2017 05:17 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBMusicals on film. William Chen, Jeremy Downing, Max Tarrant and Sarah Watt discuss the films La La Land (2016) and Singin’ In The Rain (1952). Both films are movie musicals about filmmaking. The discussion touches on the magic of musicals, while both films deconstructing the magic of cinema. Nostalgia for older cinema, in both films. The suspension of disbelief in musical films and the grey area between fantasy and reality. The Academy being behind the eight-ball and taking a year or so to ca...
Episode 9: Top Films of 2016 (DOUBLE EPISODE)
December 09, 2016 22:28 - 1 hour - 75.1 MBTop 2016 films. In this double episode William Chen, Jeremy Downing, Max Tarrant and Sarah Watt share their top films for 2016. Max’s picks: 1. The Salesman 2. The Lobster 3. Zootopia 4. Tickled 5. The Handmaiden Wildcard: Eat That Question: Frank Zappa In His Own Words William’s picks: 1. The Handmaiden 2. Hunt For the Wilderpeople 3. Kubo and the Two Strings 4. 10 Cloverfield Lane 5. Green Room Wildcard: Gods of Egypt; League of Gods Sarah’s picks: 1st equal: The Revenant; Green Room 3. ...
Episode 8: Arrival & Close Encounters of the Third Kind
November 19, 2016 20:36 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MBFirst alien encounters. William Chen, Jeremy Downing and Max Tarrant discuss the films Arrival (2016) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). Both films have the premise of human first contact with aliens. The discussion touches on connection between humanity’s fascination with aliens being metaphor for relationships. We also talk about the exploration of mental health issues in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Fantastic cinematography and lighting. The balance of having a lyrical p...
Episode 7: Café Society and Manhattan
October 22, 2016 03:35 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBOur discussion of these two Woody Allen films touches on Allen’s films touring around the world, female characters used as a trope to motivate the male characters, the laws of relationships in Allen’s films, bad use of voiceover, quantity producing quality, Allen’s storytelling style, the beautiful photography in both films, the complication of reading a film in a disconnected way from the director’s private life, our commitment as teachers to young people and how that impacts on our reading ...
Episode 6: Captain Fantastic and A History of Violence
September 17, 2016 01:52 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBSarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the films Captain Fantastic (2016) and A History of Violence (2005), two films that star Viggo Mortensen in unorthodox father roles. The discussion touches on the talents of Viggo Mortensen, the brilliant children actors in Captain Fantastic, what matters in raising children, the tension between discussing heavy issues and telling the audience what to think, David Cronenberg’s cinematic style, copycat musical scores, issues with temp track f...
Episode 5: Ghostbusters & Ghostbusters
August 04, 2016 08:57 - 45 minutes - 41.7 MBSarah Watt, Max Tarrant, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss the films Ghostbusters (2016) and Ghostbusters (1984). The discussion touches on nostalgia, the strangeness of the original film, the baffling sexism the stars of the new film have been facing, the radicalisation of pop culture, Ghostbusters hate stepping into Gamer Gate territory, the new film’s meta quality of addressing the kick back towards the film, the logic of ghost busting, the influence of women collaborating in film, t...
Episode 4: Independence Day & Independence Day: Resurgence
July 02, 2016 00:19 - 55 minutes - 51.2 MBWilliam Chen, Jeremy Downing and Max Tarrant discuss the films Independence Day (1996) and its sequel Independence Day: Resurgence (2016). We discuss nostalgia, fast food, over-the-top-ness, practical visual effects being more tangible that CGI, Roland Emmerich’s connection to Steven Spielberg, pacing, films both pre and post 9/11, international box office strategies, diversity and globalisation, and the future of blockbusters.
Episode 3: Tickled & Catfish
June 02, 2016 05:53 - 1 hour - 55.1 MBWilliam Chen, Jeremy Downing, Max Tarrant and Sarah Watt discuss the films Tickled (2016) and Catfish (2010). Both films are documentaries and deal with online manipulation. The discussion touches on a number of topics, including: how film creates a sense of place; the universal struggle of bullying; how truth is created in documentary filmmaking; creating online personas with varying levels of resources; differences in class; tension in documentary; the desire to investigate the truth when y...