Imitating Art with Don & Chuck

Judas and the Black Messiah: The Only Thing That Matters is Water and Escape

Who is the Black Messiah?   Don and Chuck discover a piece of history they'd previously known nothing about while watching Shaka King's searing tragedy chronicling the assassination of Fred Hampton, the leader of the Chicago Black Panther Party. While he fought to bring peace to his city, his culture and his country, the FBI worked tirelessly to end his hard work and, eventually, his life. Don and Chuck learn the story of Chairman Fred Hampton, Bill O'Neal and the other freedom fighters an...

The Wolf of Wall Street - A Real Donald Trump Vibe

Who is the Wolf of Wall Street? Turns out, he’s more than just a Leonardo DiCaprio meme. This week, Don and Chuck make their first foray in Martin Scorsese films to find out why it’s trending again seven years after its release. As it turns out, it’s because rich people dicking around with other people’s money is always topical. Join our hosts as they discuss the pitfalls of capitalism, the ways in which the legal system favors the rich, and why Cristin Milioti keeps getting so much work as ...

Clerks - Kevin Smith is a Wordy Motherf*cker

Clerks was the film that introduced the world to Kevin Smith - and what better way to honor him than geeking out and talking at length about the real-world implications of incredibly fictional people? This week, Don and Chuck discuss one of their favorite films, apologize for incessantly quoting it, dissect why it doesn't hold up today and, also, why it does. So, join the 90s nostalgia trip and learn what Dante Hicks can teach you about owning your decisions, trying to appear responsible when...

The Birdcage - F--- What the Senator Thinks (feat. Alejandro)

25 years ago, Robin Williams and Nathan Lane came together with a fantastic backing cast to bring us the wonderfully charming and funny film, The Birdcage. Joined by Alejandro (Philadelphia's 19th-funniest comedian), Don and Chuck dive into what made them laugh, why Val was the unexpected antagonist of the film, and why Chuck is wrong to disparage Robin Williams' moustache. As an added bonus, hear Alejandro (rightfully) cancel Chuck! Music by Nathan Terry nterrymusic.com Follow Alejandro ...

Jojo Rabbit - Let's Talk About Nazis

Taika Waititi's Jojo Rabbit is the heartwarming coming-of-age story about a young, cowardly, fanatical Hitler Youth boy encountering the greatest monster he's ever known - a young Jewish girl. Waititi masterfully blends genres together to deliver a wildly funny and earnestly poignant film that has garnered accolades from some of the greatest film institutions in the world. And also from Don and Chuck. This week, our host discuss personal freedom, the problem with echo chambers, and confronti...

Marriage Story - Advice from Easy-Going Dr. Charles

Noah Baumbach's Marriage Story explores a divorce that becomes messier and messier as the two involved (Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver) become more and more hurt. It is both hilarious and heartbreaking. Don and Chuck relate their own experiences in romance as they dive into the film's themes of broken communication, unrealistic expectations and emotional revenge (okay... that last one just occurred to us in the writing of this description). Tune in to find out why Noah Baumbach's Oscar-nomi...

Soul - All the Small Things

Soul asks a lot of big questions without giving a lot of big answers - but that's why Don and Chuck are here. Come listen to the answers to questions such as, "What was Soul's climax missing?", "What sound does Chuck make when he sees pizza on TV?", and "What channel did MTV used to be?"  Soul drives home that life is all about the small things, but Don and Chuck find many more lessons to discuss in Pixar's newest animated film starring Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey. Music by Nathan Terry nterr...

Tenet - Make It Make Sense

Sometimes, reviewing a movie is easy: talk a bit about the characters, discuss the things you like, and dissect what does and doesn't work about the plot. Other times, you try to review Tenet. Come listen to Don and Chuck do their best to enumerate a plot that some have referred to as a convoluted mess because, well, it kind of is. But, although the movie itself may be a highly confusing first watch, Don and Chuck still find plenty to enjoy about Christopher Nolan's latest sci-fi action fl...

Recap 2020 - Dissecting Ourselves

Don and Chuck wrap up everyone's favorite year by turning their eyes on the podcast and themselves. They discuss favorite episodes and plans for the future of the show as we move into the new year. As a bonus, the two play a game where they pitch movie ideas to each other based on common phrases! Thanks for listening, stay safe, and have a great 2021, everybody! Music by Nathan Terry nterrymusic.com

Elf - How Ferocious Is Your Belief In Santa Claus?

Dickory dock, it's the holiday season! This week, Don and Chuck celebrate the Yuletide with the modern Christmas classic, Elf, starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel. In addition to this hilarious, sweet movie, our hosts discuss their Christmas traditions (spoiler alert: Chuck has far more), Jon Favreau's apparent love of traditional Christmas movie imagery, and the power of infectious happiness. Music by Nathan Terry nterrymusic.com

Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse - Do It Scared

Don and Chuck venture into the world of animation with Chris Miller and Phil Lord's groundbreaking Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse. Miles Morales already finds adolescence difficult enough. Receiving a radioactive spider bite and gaining difficult-to-control superpowers makes his life even harder. Don and Chuck Marvel (TM) at this tightly-plotted, wonderfully-animated movie and discuss how overcoming your fears, putting in the work, and taking a leap of faith can turn anyone into a hero. M...

Whiplash - You Don't Want To Learn That You Can Destroy Yourself

Boy meets drums, boy falls in love with drums, boy destroys himself to become the greatest drummer of all time; it's a tale as old as time. This week, Don and Chuck are joined by voice-of-the-podcast Nathan Terry to discuss Damien Chazelle's Whiplash. Nate uses his experience as a drum student to debunk the fiction of the story as the trio discusses self-destruction, striving for greatness, and the catch-22 of seeking perfection. Music by Nathan Terry nterrymusic.com

The Invisible Man (2020) - If You Don't Hear Their Stories, You're Not Going To Know

The Invisible Man is a simple story exploring the complexities of moving on from an abusive relationship and dealing with the trauma that comes with it. Don and Chuck take their time with this one - though, it's mostly an effort to identify as many definitions of "invisible" as they can. Things get weird and go off the rails - but it's all in the name of discovering why, in 2020, the Invisible Man could only be remade the way it was. Music by Nathan Terry. nterrymusic.com

The King of Staten Island - I Guess He's Jay-Z Now

Judd Apatow's newest film, a collaboration with SNL's Pete Davidson, is an entertaining-but-flawed coming-of-age story inspired by Davidson's life. Though a tonal departure for Apatow, it still features his signature brand of improvised dialogue - which is an unfortunate detriment to what otherwise may have been a good film. Don and Chuck still find the good within it, though, and muse on the movie's similarities to Good Will Hunting, how Bill Burr is the perfect movie stepdad, and how the l...

The Trial of the Chicago 7 - A People's History

Don and Chuck get political, y'all! In Netflix's new film, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Aaron Sorkin weaves a well-plotted, true-life story to show how the cards stacked against well-intentioned protesters made doing the right thing nearly impossible. Don and Chuck use this as a springboard to talk about the war against ideas, the ideals of America as an institution, and how the struggles faced by those who would do the right thing haven't changed in the over fifty years since. Also, hear so...

The Rock - Of Course There's A Yellow Ferrari

A Michael Bay movie? What in the name of Zeus' BUTTHOLE are Don and Chuck thinking?! This past week, the world lost Sean Connery, and while the man may have had many great and iconic performances throughout his decades-long career, Michael Bay's slick action flick The Rock is the one the two hosts grew up with. And, boy, was revisiting it ever a fun ride! Don and Chuck take a break from their weighty and fright-filled Spooky Season (that lasted right up until election day) to turn their thi...

The Ides of March - Eventually, You Have To Play Politics

It's Election Day! And, to celebrate, Don and Chuck watch a film about a young, idealistic political campaign media manager slowly learning that if he wishes to stay in the game and help enact real change, he must compromise his own morality and start backstabbing, blackmailing, and screwing over those he cares about. When it was released in 2011, The Ides of March was an interesting peek behind the scenes of a charming politician on the campaign trail. But, in 2020, it's become a most relev...

Get Out - Seeing Through Someone Else's Eyes (Literally)

Already a living comedy legend, Jordan Peele proved himself to be a thoughtful, original filmmaker with his directorial debut, the instant horror classic Get Out. Focusing less on jump scares and more on building tension, Get Out shows us what it's like for a young black man to meet the family of his white girlfriend. Though things seem pleasant enough at first, Peele lets a growing sense of unease and dread build to a horrifying conclusion. Don and Chuck may not be horror fans, but Peele's t...

Us - Building Success on Others' Pain

Don and Chuck are not horror movie people. But, as Halloween draws ever nearer, they dive headfirst into another film that just so happens to have horrifying themes - and is it ever a doozy. On the surface, Jordan Peele's Us is about a family's home being invaded by attackers who appear to be just like them. But, much like the world of the movie itself, there's much more hidden below the surface. As a bonus, in this week's AMA, Don and Chuck are asked about their most embarrassing moment - a...

A Quiet Place - Humans Are Quite A Hopeful Bunch

To celebrate spooky season, Don and Chuck review what technically counts as a horror movie! A Quiet Place may be a family drama disguised as a genre piece, but its introspective tone, intentional pacing, and fantastic visual storytelling have made it a modern film classic. Don't be fooled by its surface-level simplicity - there's plenty here for our hosts to sink their teeth into. So, come hear how much Don loves John Krasinsky's scared face, how many times Chuck can use the word "genius," an...

The Big Sick - Share Yourself

Romantic comedies - even the well-made, enjoyable ones - tend to be cliche and predictable. Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, Emily, give us their true-life romance, picking only the cliches the story necessitates and a second half an audience has no chance of guessing. Listen to Chuck fall in love with the movie (and Zoe Kazan's character) after his first viewing - and discover if Don and Chuck have any pickup lines as smooth as Kumail's! Music by Nathan Terry nterrymusic.com

Joker - Empathy Breeds Understanding

What do you get when you cross two amateurish podcasters and a weighty critique of capitalist society's relationship to its lowliest citizens? An episode constantly threatening to split apart at the seams! This week, Don and Chuck dissect Joaquin Phoenix's Oscar-winning turn as the ultimate villain and discuss perspective, empathy, and the responsibility society has for its lowest classes. Clearly, an area ripe for comedy! Hey, at least the jokes are on par with Arthur Fleck's! Music by Nat...

City of God - Maia Makes Us Sad (feat. Maia from The Films Trip)

Featuring a sprawling, non-linear story and complex social themes, City of God proved that Brazil could make films to rival Hollywood. Taking on poverty, government corruption, and the cycle of violence, it also proved that Brazil's local problems are extremely universal. This week, Maia (from the upcoming The Films Trip), tells us why this movie is so important to her heritage, schools us on the history of Brazil - and makes us extraordinarily depressed when we face the realities of the wor...

Booksmart - Stop Taking Notes and Enjoy The Movie

A teen comedy about two high school best friends deciding they need to go to at least one fun party before college. No, it's not Superbad - it's the hilarious 2019 film Booksmart. Needing a break from some of the weightier movies they've been dissecting, Don and Chuck spend most of the episode forgetting what they're supposed to be doing (a critical analysis of the film) and recount all the things about this movie that made them laugh out loud, instead - because there's just so damn many fun...

Nightcrawler - Learning How I Don't Want To Be

Nightcrawler is the chilling tale of a sociopath who films crimes as they happen to sell to news stations. Jake Gyllenhaal gives a frighteningly believable performance as a man who preys upon peoples' worst moments for monetary gain - making this drama-thriller far scarier than any horror movie. With very few characters exuding actual morality, will Don and Chuck be able to glean any usable life lessons from this one? Music by Nathan Terry. nterrymusic.com instagram.com/nterrymusic

Imitating Art Recap - What Have We Learned So Far?

This week, Don and Chuck take the time to sit down and talk about what life lessons they've already discussed that they've tried to implement into their lives. They also figure out what kinds of perspectives they've been missing. They even read their first listener mail! Music by Nathan Terry nterrymusic.com instagram.com/nterrymusic

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Asking A Question You Think Is Stupid

Since its release, Eternal Sunshine (because who ever calls it by its full name) has pulled on the heartstrings of the emo and otherwise heartbroken. Though relatively short on running time, the film is dense with text, subtext, and emotion that keep Don and Chuck dissecting its intricacies far longer than they intended - and even find a few things they'd never discovered while discussing this lovely film. Find out why Chuck hates Charlie Kaufman (jealous), what happens outside of Don's hote...

Mr. Nobody - Life is a Playground or Nothing

Have you ever wondered what it'd be like if Michel Gondry directed Jake Gyllenhaal in a movie conceived by Christopher Nolan? Well, none of those people are associated with this movie - but it sure feels like it. Mr. Nobody is a dense, complex exploration about the necessity and impossibility of choice - so, clearly, Don & Chuck laugh their way through this one. Come learn how Chuck only gets recognized out in the wild on Belgian Independence Day - and finally here the two boys profess their...

The Matrix - There Is No Trashcan (feat. Max, "Chris' College Roommate")

The Matrix. If you haven't heard of it, what cave have you been living in the last 20 years?! This week, we invite our friend Max to offer his vast expanse of Matrix trivia and knowledge as we discuss this seminal sci-fi action movie. Beyond its advances in visionary filmmaking, The Matrix offers a well-told story rife with philosophy and life lessons well worth absorbing. Oh, and loads of cheesy dialogue that only really works because the actors know what they're doing. Unlike Don. Music b...

Sleepwalk With Me - Let's Be Honest

Mike Birbiglia has made a career for himself as a comedian, storyteller, and filmmaker by bringing a fresh and engaging dose of honesty into his work - at times, speaking frankly about the things most of us would keep secret. His semi-autobiographical film Sleepwalk With Me tells the story of the genesis of his discovery that this would be the key to his art. Join Don and Chuck as they discuss this sweet little film, dissect the lessons it so graciously gives us, and reminisce about the time...

Say Anything, High Fidelity, and Healthy Relationships

What are your top five favorite life lessons from movies of all time? Don and Chuck may disagree on which John Cusack movie stands as his best, but one thing is for sure: both films can teach us a lot what does and doesn't belong in a healthy relationship. As an added bonus, hear Chuck rail against Rob Gordon's repugnant personality! Lloyd Dobler would be disappointed, Rob. Music by Nathan Terry. nterrymusic.com instagram.com/nterrymusic

Don't Get Greedy, Parasite!

Don and Chuck dissect the lessons of Best Picture winner Parasite and reflect on its themes of wealth, greed, and the inherent value of human life.  Oh, and they discover they're no good at figuring out the complexities of symbolism, too.  Music by Nathan Terry nterrymusic.com instagram.com/nterrymusic

The Hate U Give - Your Voice is a Weapon (feat. CJ from IndieDigs)

Don and Chuck are joined by CJ of IndieDigs (and director of The Things We Do When We're Alone) to discuss The Hate U Give, how it explores the current struggles of black lives in America, and how we might ever move forward.   Check out IndieDigs for more of CJ’s thoughts on music & film, curated playlists, and what’s next at IndieDigs.wordpress.com   Music by Nathan Terry  nterrymusic.com instagram.com/nterrymusic

Good Will Hunting and Making Decisions That Scare You

For our first episode, we talk about one of our favorite movies of all time - Good Will Hunting. We talk Robin Williams’ iconic performance, Titanic robbing this film of some Oscars, and, most importantly, what we can learn from a troubled youth’s journey from fear of the unknown to freedom of choice. Music by: Nathan Terry  nterrymusic.com instagram.com/nterrymusic

Imitating Art with Don & Chuck (Trailer)