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RELEASE

34 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratings

Telling the history of film year by year starting in 1924.
We curate and dissect 2 emblematic films every other week
- with unwieldy mini episodes in between.

Film History TV & Film
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Episodes

Minisode 18: Ken Russell

February 15, 2024 08:33 - 1 hour - 103 MB

This week we are breaking down a LEGEND. Ken Russell gave us so much... musical, debauchery, camp, skewering of the status quo. We chose three very different films to dissect: The Boy Friend (1971), The Devils (1971) and Whore (1991). These films were tough to find for some years but now loads of Ken Russell are streaming on Criterion. Get into them. ... Instagram: ⁠@release_pod⁠ Website: ⁠release.pictures⁠ Music by ⁠⁠René j Núñez⁠

Minisode 17: Gregg Araki Teenage Apocalypse

June 29, 2023 07:30 - 1 hour - 95.6 MB

This week we are ruminating about teen angst and catastrophe as seen thru the thoughtful lens of Gregg Araki. Take a treacherous walk thru his Teenage Apocalypse Trilogy with us: Totally F***ed Up (1993), The Doom Generation (1995), Nowhere (1997). It's gonna be lonely. But it'll look cool. ... Instagram: @release_pod Website: release.pictures Music by ⁠René j Núñez⁠

1935

March 16, 2023 10:33 - 1 hour - 161 MB

We hit on what was happening in cinema in 1935. We have 2 epic films this week. First, we get into the final collaboration between one of the greatest muse/auteur duos in film history. Second, we chat about a real neorealist revelation. THE DEVIL IS A WOMAN released 03.15.1935 in the United States directed by Josef von Sternberg starring Marlene Dietrich TONI released 02.22.1935 in France directed by Jean Renoir See supplemental material: Instagram: @release_pod Website: release.p...

Minisode 16: Mamie Van Doren & 1950s Teen Flicks

February 23, 2023 08:33 - 1 hour - 85 MB

This week we are getting into the filmography of one of the so-called Three M’s of the 1950s (along with Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield). Mamie ended up firmly in the teen delinquent lane, playing rock n roll rebel babes (to great effect). We had a lot of fun watching Untamed Youth (1957), High School Confidential (1958), Guns, Girls, and Gangsters and Girls Town (1959). And of course we get into all that factored into the teen exploitation film explosion of the 1950s. You can watch all...

Minisode 15: Night Flight

January 19, 2023 10:33 - 1 hour - 92.8 MB

This week we are together on Paul’s couch talking about Night Flight! Specifically we are talking over the epic Night Flight episode “’Take Off’ To Women In Rock II”. Tina Turner, Sheila E., The Pointer Sisters, Madonna, Wendy O. Williams… it rules. And we are big fans of Night Flight in general. Subscribe to Night Flight and watch this episode and tons of other amazing content here. - Music by René j Núñez Instagram: @release_pod Website: release.pictures

Minisode 14: Haunted House

October 27, 2022 07:33 - 1 hour - 102 MB

Happy Halloween! We talk about many horror movies that we watched and recommend (both of us on a real binge for eerie season). But really dig into Suspiria (1977), House (1977) and the The Funhouse (1981). See supplemental material: Instagram: @release_pod Website: release.pictures Music by René j Núñez

Minisode 13: David Fincher Music Videos

October 06, 2022 07:33 - 55 minutes - 51.5 MB

Before directing big-time feature films like ALIEN³ (1992), Se7en (1995), Fight Club (1999), Panic Room (2002), Zodiac (2007), The Social Network (2010) and Mank (2020), David Fincher was a music video director, working with mega-watt stars like Madonna, George Michael, Jody Watley and Paula Abdul.  Paul curated a list of his favorite Fincher vids that you can watch here. And we talk over them a la Mystery Science Theater 3000 because we were together IRL in Tucson, Arizona this week. At ...

Mini 13: David Fincher Music Videos

October 06, 2022 07:33 - 55 minutes - 51.5 MB

Before directing big-time feature films like ALIEN³ (1992), Se7en (1995), Fight Club (1999), Panic Room (2002), Zodiac (2007), The Social Network (2010) and Mank (2020), David Fincher was a music video director, working with mega-watt stars like Madonna, George Michael, Jody Watley and Paula Abdul.  Paul curated a list of his favorite Fincher vids that you can watch here. And we talk over them a la Mystery Science Theater 3000 because we were together IRL in Tucson, Arizona this week. At ...

Minisode 12: Scarfaces

August 25, 2022 07:33 - 1 hour - 111 MB

We had to sneak a pre-code American gangster film in here at the mid-season break for the 1930s. So we did the classic 1932 SCARFACE, directed by Howard Hawks and produced by Howard Hughes. And we compare it to the 1983 iconic remake by Brian De Palma with Al Pacino. We are into this format. We hope you like it too. Later we talk Across 110th Street (1972) and The Last Movie Stars (2022). Instagram: @release_pod Website: release.pictures Music by René j Núñez

1934

August 04, 2022 13:15 - 2 hours - 214 MB

We talk thru 1934 film history and get deep into the nitty gritty of the Production Code which began to be enforced this year (long story short: huge bummer for creativity). Then we get into an incredible Busby Berkeley musical number, attached to a pretty okay film with the incredible Bette Davis (lots to say about her journey in this episode). And then we get completely dumbstruck by the talent of Jean Vigo and his short but amazing film career. FASHIONS OF 1934 released 02.14.1934 in t...

1933

July 21, 2022 17:02 - 1 hour - 139 MB

We talk thru 1933 film history and the fascinating effects of the Great Depression and an onscreen female orgasm. And then we talk about 2 films great movies. THE EMPEROR JONES released 09.29.1933 in the United States directed by Dudley Murphy and starring renaissance man Paul Robeson (who we also discuss in our 1930 episode) DRAGNET GIRL released 04.27.1933 in Japan directed by Yasujirō Ozu and starring trailblazer Kinuyo Tanaka  See supplemental material: Instagram: @release_pod...

1932

July 07, 2022 12:31 - 2 hours - 166 MB

We walk thru the 1932 cinema landscape. And then we talk about 2 films that changed our lives.  FREAKS released 02.12.1932 in the United States directed by Tod Browning THE BLOOD OF A POET released 01.20.1932 in France directed by Jean Cocteau See supplemental material: Instagram: @release_pod Website: release.pictures Music by René j Núñez

1931

June 23, 2022 07:34 - 1 hour - 151 MB

We talk about what was happening around film in 1931. And then we dissect one film we both loved and one Paul hated... MATA HARI released 12.26.1931 in the United States directed by George Fitzmaurice starring our girl Greta Garbo + Ramon Novarro LE MILLION released 04.15.1931 in France directed by René Clair with cinematography by Georges Périnal (who also worked with Jean Cocteau, see more of his work with our 1932 pick BLOOD OF A POET) See supplemental material: Instagram: @rel...

1930

June 09, 2022 07:33 - 1 hour - 144 MB

 We talk 1930 cinema history. And then talk through two important films for very different reasons. BORDERLINE released 10.13.1930 in the United Kingdom directed by Kenneth Macpherson starring Paul Robeson (we will dive deeper into him in 1933) L’AGE D’OR released 11.29.1930 in France directed by Luis Buñuel + written with Salvador Dalí See supplemental material: Instagram: @release_pod Website: release.pictures Music by René j Núñez

Minisode 11: Laura Dern

May 19, 2022 07:33 - 1 hour - 88.1 MB

This week, we are talking about our love Laura Dern! And specifically 2 favorites (a great double feature!): Smooth Talk (1985) directed by Joyce Chopra + Citizen Ruth (1996) directed by Alexander Payne. Plus a bit about the Enlightened series (2011). And lots about artistic process.  And we talk about our love for Black Lady Sketch Show and Kendrick Lamar's latest Mr. Morale & Big Steppers. Also, The Staircase with queen Toni Collette and Colin Firth.  Instagram: @release_pod Website: re...

Minisode 10: New Wave Punk

April 14, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 95.5 MB

This week, we are talking about New Wave punk films of the late 70s-80s! We cover a lot of terrain and parse how the punk ethos were represented in film, and the reaction to it. We get into these films specifically: Jubilee (1978), Liquid Sky (1982), Smithereens (1982), Stop Making Sense (1984) and True Stories (1986). There’s also a documentary about Jubilee from 2003 that we recommend. It’s called Jubilee: A Time Less Golden. It is worth checking out. And watch Jerrod Carmichael’s 2022 s...

Minisode 10: New Wave Punk Movies

April 14, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 95.5 MB

This week, we are talking about New Wave punk films of the late 70s-80s! We cover a lot of terrain and parse how the punk ethos were represented in film, and the reaction to it. We get into these films specifically: Jubilee (1978), Liquid Sky (1982), Smithereens (1982), Stop Making Sense (1984) and True Stories (1986). There’s also a documentary about Jubilee from 2003 that we recommend. It’s called Jubilee: A Time Less Golden. It is worth checking out. And watch Jerrod Carmichael’s 2022 s...

Minisode 9: Trixie & Katya

March 31, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 107 MB

This week, we are talking about another iconic set of collaborators! One of the first thing Paul interested to Caroline was the incredible YouTube series UNHhhh. If you haven't seen it, you've got to. In it, the two RuPaul's Drag Race stars riff on a broad theme (Death, Space, Roommates, etc.) as the green screen their placed in front of allows their brilliant editors to punch up the conversation. It's truly one of the most delightful things you can watch. And out oft he gate, the duo had ju...

Minisode 8: Michelangelo Antonioni + Monica Vitti

March 24, 2022 07:00 - 54 minutes - 75 MB

This week we are talking about the most incredible European New Wave duo! Italian actress Monica Vitti and Italian filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni were collaborators and lovers in the 1960s and made some of the most indelible films of all time so far.  We watched and loved: L'Avventura (1960), La Notte (1961), L'Eclisse (1962) and Red Desert (1964). Because you gotta go beyond Blow-Up (1966) and his other MGM films. Those are good too but, ya know. Also these 2 documentaries are worth ch...

Minisode 7: Hal Hartley

January 13, 2022 23:39 - 1 hour - 94.6 MB

This week Caroline pushes Paul to explore Hal Hartley and the original indie queen herself Adrienne Shelly. And they (we) both loved it.  Highly recommend the 2 films we discuss as a double feature: The Unbelievable Truth (1989) and Trust (1990) from Hartley's Long Island Triology. We also discuss the documentary Adrienne (2021) about the amazing life and tragic death of Hartley's star.

Minisode 6: Hungarian Animation

December 02, 2021 11:00 - 50 minutes - 69.9 MB

This week we are talking about Hungarian animation - specifically the legendary Pannonia Film Studio. Started in 1951, they were home to some of the most pioneering animators. We cover: Son of the White Mare (1981) - Marcell Jankovics epic feature that combines folk art sensibilities & psychedelia  Panic (1978) - Sándor Reisenbüchler a futuristic short that features cool salamanders  Gobble-Gobble (1977) - István Bányai a gluttonous dude consumes it all and then is consumed I Like L...

Minisode 5: Scary Movies

October 28, 2021 10:00 - 50 minutes - 69 MB

This week we are recommending and dissecting a couple of eerie movies Carnival of the Souls (1962) and Cat People (1942). But we also talk all things spine-tingling and film, with resident horror fan Paul and super scaredy cat Caroline. Happy Halloween. 

1929

October 07, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 162 MB

We talk 1929 cinema history And then tackle a couple of really great, very dark films. ARSENAL released 02.25.1929 in the Soviet Union THE LETTER released 04.13.1929 in the United States See supplemental material: Instagram: @release_pod Website: release.pictures Music by René j Núñez

Minisode 4: New York City

September 30, 2021 10:00 - 51 minutes - 70.7 MB

We are together in New York City this week! So we are talking NYC on film. We take it all over the place but the 2 films we watched together are Ciao! Manhattan (1972, starring Edie Sedgwick) and The Queen (an incredible documentary about the 1967 Miss All-American Camp Beauty Pageant). Both are a part of the Criterion Channel's "New York Stories" series.

Mini 4: New York City Movies

September 30, 2021 10:00 - 51 minutes - 70.7 MB

We are together in New York City this week! So we are talking NYC on film. We take it all over the place but the 2 films we watched together are Ciao! Manhattan (1972, starring Edie Sedgwick) and The Queen (an incredible documentary about the 1967 Miss All-American Camp Beauty Pageant). Both are a part of the Criterion Channel's "New York Stories" series.

Minisode 4: New York City Movies

September 30, 2021 10:00 - 51 minutes - 70.7 MB

We are together in New York City this week! So we are talking NYC on film. We take it all over the place but the 2 films we watched together are Ciao! Manhattan (1972, starring Edie Sedgwick) and The Queen (an incredible documentary about the 1967 Miss All-American Camp Beauty Pageant). Both are a part of the Criterion Channel's "New York Stories" series.

1928

September 16, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 137 MB

We detail what was happening in film in 1928. And we dive into these 2 extraordinary movies. THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC released 10.25.1928 in France Fritz Lang's THE WIND released 11.23.1928 in the United States See supplemental material: Instagram: @release_pod Website: release.pictures Music by René j Núñez

1927

September 02, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 152 MB

We talk film history from 1927. And we dissect these 2 classics: F. W. Murnau's SUNRISE: A SONG OF TWO HUMANS released 09.23.1927 in the United States Fritz Lang's METROPOLIS released 01.10.1927 in Germany See supplemental material: Instagram: @release_pod Website: release.pictures Music by René j Núñez

Minisode 3: Goldie Hawn & Melanie Griffith

August 26, 2021 10:00 - 40 minutes - 55.4 MB

All things Goldie and Melanie go down in this episode.  Because we're redeeming ourselves from a minor case of mistaken identity. We talk:  Laugh-In Cactus Flower Deceived Shampoo Body Double Cecil B. Demented and lots more. 

1926

August 12, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 123 MB

We talk movie happenings of 1926 - funerals, technology, gossip. And we get way into these 2 movies: steamy twisted romance FLESH AND THE DEVIL released 12.25.1926 in the United States haunting art house film A PAGE OF MADNESS released 09.24.1926 in Japan See supplemental material: Instagram: @release_pod Website: release.pictures Music by René j Núñez

Minisode 2: Stop-Motion Animation

August 05, 2021 08:00 - 25 minutes - 34.9 MB

We are talking stop motion animation in music videos!  Including: Peter Gabriel - “Sledgehammer” (We couldn’t find out how many 16-hour days that took to create, btw. Let us know.) CSS - “Alala” Brothers Quay Tierra Whack - “Unemployed” Cat Solen “The Shivering Truth” With tangents about: Kate Bush Tori Amos Tool - “Sober”  This Kurt Cobain interview Brothers Quay in the Criterion Closet Janet Jackson - “What Have You Done for Me Lately” Madonna - “Express Yourself” Find us ...

1925

July 29, 2021 16:38 - 1 hour - 118 MB

We talk what was happening in cinema in 1925. And we plumb the depths of these 2 movies: epic stop-motion film THE LOST WORLD released 02.02.1925 in the United States super influential war drama THE BIG PARADE released 11.05.1925 in the United States See supplemental material: Instagram: @release_pod Website: release.pictures Music by René j Núñez

Minisode 1: Zola

July 22, 2021 07:00 - 32 minutes - 44.2 MB

This week we are talking ZOLA! We've been waiting on the edge of our seats for this film directed by Janicza Bravo. Written by Janicza Bravo and Jeremy O. Harris, based on tweets by A'Ziah King and an article by David Kushner. It stars Taylour Paige, Riley Keough, Colman Domingo and Nicholas Braun.  Tangents include: working in movie theaters, nachos, movies that boys want to talk about and more. 

1924

July 15, 2021 07:00 - 1 hour - 127 MB

Our first episode!  We talk why we wanted to do the pod and why we started in 1924. We get into what was happening in film in 1924. And we deep dive into 2 movies: HE WHO GETS SLAPPED released 11.09.1924 in the United States AELITA: QUEEN OF MARS released 09.25.1924 in the Soviet Union See supplemental material: Instagram: @release_pod Website: release.pictures Music by René j Núñez.