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Soldiers of Cinema

61 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratings

Clark Coffey and Cullen McFater discuss film, those who make them, different philosophies of filmmaking, the creative process, and life as a Soldier of Cinema.

Arts TV & Film Film History
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Episodes

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 059 - Billy DaMota

December 19, 2022 21:31 - 2 hours - 117 MB

Clark and Cullen sit down with the first guest in the history of the podcast, the wonderful Billy DaMota! Billy got his start in the industry in 1985 in casting. He’s worked on such films as Predator, The Running Man, and The Three Amigos, and Dennis Hopper’s Colors. He became an independent casting director with the gem of a film, Miracle Mile. Since then, he’s cast hundreds of films, tv shows, and commercials, casting a lot of actors at the start of their careers, including James Franco, C...

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 058 - Alien

December 07, 2022 17:54 - 1 hour - 84.5 MB

Clark and Cullen discuss Cullen's pick, Ridley Scott's 1979 horror/sci-fi masterpiece, Alien. Written by Dan O'Bannon and starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Harry Dean Stanton, and John Hurt, this episode's film highlights the power of visual story telling and is an art and production design powerhouse. Enjoy as we break it all down!

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 057 - Barfly

November 18, 2022 18:48 - 52 minutes - 72.5 MB

Clark and Cullen discuss Clark’s pick, the 1987 Charles Bukowski penned and Barbet Schroeder directed Barfly. This hidden gem of a movie stars Mickey Rourke, Fay Dunaway, and Frank Stallone and was shot on location in LA in and around the MacArthur Park area.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 056 - Fat City

November 04, 2022 00:15 - 53 minutes - 72.8 MB

Clark and Cullen discuss Cullen’s pick - John Huston’s 1972 sports drama Fat City. This film, shot on location in good ol’ (and stinky) Stockton, CA, stars Stacy Keach, an extremely young Jeff Bridges, and Susan Tyrrell (who was nominated for an Oscar for her performance. Sit back and relax as we discuss this hidden gem of a flick!

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 055 - The Deer Hunter

October 11, 2022 21:28 - 1 hour - 84.1 MB

Clark and Cullen discuss Clark’s pick, The Deer Hunter (1978). Directed by Michael Cimino, starring Robert De Niro, John Cazale (his final film), Christopher Walken, and Meryl Streep.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 054 - Heat

September 22, 2022 23:25 - 1 hour - 105 MB

Clark and Cullen discuss Cullen’s pick, director Michael Mann’s 1995 crime drama, Heat. The film stars Al Pacino, Robert De Nero, and Val Kilmer and features what was at the time an extremely hyped first scene between both Pacino and Di Nero. Our discussion is just in time for the release of the sequel in novel form. Enjoy!

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 053 - Pulp Fiction

September 01, 2022 21:19 - 1 hour - 128 MB

Clark and Cullen discuss Clark’s pick, the 1994 masterpiece Pulp Fiction. Quintin Tarantino’s sophomore effort was a huge critical and commercial success and made the director a household name. The film helped make Miramax a powerhouse studio and brought John Travolta’s career back from the dead. The film was the Palme d'Or winner at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and both Tarantino and Roger Avery won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Sit back and enjoy as we break the record f...

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 052 - My Neighbor Totoro

August 11, 2022 20:35 - 1 hour - 85.1 MB

Clark and Cullen discuss Cullen’s pick, the 1988 animated film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and animated by Studio Ghibli. We chose to watch the English version of the film starring Dakota and Elle Fanning

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 051 - Amadeus

July 05, 2022 19:57 - 53 minutes - 73.5 MB

Clark and Cullen breakdown Clark’s pick Milos Forman’s 1984 masterpiece and eight-time Academy Award wining film, Amadeus, starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, and Elizabeth Berridge.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 050 - Our Top 5 Films Special Episode

June 15, 2022 14:05 - 1 hour - 86 MB

Clark and Cullen celebrate 50 episodes by sharing their top 5 films with each other.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 049 - Ed Wood

May 18, 2022 21:02 - 1 hour - 83.9 MB

This week Clark and Cullen discuss Cullen’s pick - the 1994 Tim Burton film starring Johnny Depp, Bill Murray, Martin Landau, and Sarah Jessica Parker - Ed Wood!

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 048 - Three O'Clock High

April 23, 2022 22:35 - 55 minutes - 75.9 MB

This week Clark and Cullen discuss Clark’s pick, Three O’Clock High, the 1987 teen cult classic directed by Spielberg protégé Phil Joanou.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 047 - Enemy

April 12, 2022 23:14 - 58 minutes - 80.7 MB

Clark and Cullen discuss Cullen’s pick, Enemy, the 2013 Canadian psychological drama film directed by Denis Villeneuve.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 046 - The Color of Money

February 22, 2022 22:59 - 56 minutes - 78.1 MB

Clark and Cullen break down Martin Scorsese’s (underrated, in Clark’s opinion) 1986 film, The Color of Money starring Paul Newman, a feisty young Tom Cruise, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 045 - The Fly (1986)

January 28, 2022 22:31 - 58 minutes - 80.9 MB

Clark and Cullen discuss and dissect David Cronenberg’ s body-horror classic! Prepare to be Cronenberged!

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 044 - My Own Private Idaho

December 28, 2021 00:51 - 46 minutes - 64.5 MB

Cullen and Clark discuss Clark’s pick - Gus Van Sant’s 1991 film My Own Private Idaho starring one of Clark’s childhood inspirations, River Phoenix, and Keanu Reeves.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 043 - Notes From Cullen's Production Volume 2 - Daylight Again

December 05, 2021 23:24 - 57 minutes - 79.2 MB

In this episode, we follow up with Cullen and the production of his first feature film, the Hitchcockian thriller, Daylight Again.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 042 - Robocop

November 19, 2021 19:58 - 57 minutes - 79.1 MB

In this episode, we luxuriate in the joy that is Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 (dare we say it) masterpiece, Robocop. We discuss darn near every aspect of this film - a film that punches well above its weight and ended up a much better film than it had any right to be.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 041 - Notes From Cullen's Production, Daylight Again

November 04, 2021 17:22 - 30 minutes - 41.5 MB

In this episode, I grill Cullen about his experiences in pre-production and the first day of shooting on his first feature film, the Hitchcockian thriller, Daylight Again..

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 040 - The Long Goodbye

October 19, 2021 17:03 - 59 minutes - 81.6 MB

In this episode, we discuss Robert Altman’s 1973 neo-noir film, The Long Goodbye, starring Elliot Gould, Nina van Pallandt, and Sterling Hayden.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 039 - Inside Cullen's First Feature Film: A Very Special Episode

September 18, 2021 00:29 - 44 minutes - 61 MB

In this episode, we discuss the making of Cullen's first feature film, Daylight Again. We get an insiders view into the filmmaking process as Cullen shares with us his pre-production decision making process.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 038 - Shallow Grave

August 26, 2021 17:01 - 46 minutes - 63.8 MB

In this episode, we discuss Danny Boyle’s 1994 British black comedy crime film starring Kerry Fox, Christopher Eccleston and Ewan McGregor.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 037 - Memories of Murder

August 12, 2021 17:21 - 1 hour - 84.3 MB

In this episode, we discuss Bong Joon-ho’s 2003 film, Memories of Murder. Joon-ho came to the attention of mainstream movie goers in the USA with his more recent film Parasite but we take a look at this earlier work which is considered one of the best South Korean films of all time.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 036 - Carrie

July 26, 2021 23:39 - 1 hour - 79.3 MB

In this episode, we discuss Brian De Palma’s 1976 film adaptation of Stephen King’s first published novel by the same name. Carrie stars Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie who were both nominated for an extremely rare for the horror genre Academy Award.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 035 - The Thin Red Line

July 07, 2021 17:36 - 1 hour - 101 MB

In this episode, we discuss Terrance Malick's 1988 film, The Thin Red Line, starring Sean Penn, Jim Caviezel. Nick Nolte and many others.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 034 - Rumble Fish

June 22, 2021 00:23 - 1 hour - 84.9 MB

In this episode, we discuss Clark's favorite film of all time - Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 film, Rumble Fish. We delve into our personal experiences with the film and explore it from every angle we could think of - the performances, cinematography, Coppola's direction and more!

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 033 - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

June 08, 2021 16:56 - 1 hour - 92.2 MB

In this episode, we discuss Cullen’s all-time favorite film. Released in 1969, directed by George Roy Hill and starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. We dive in and in our own, special, super-nerdy way dissect the heck out of this masterpiece.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 032 - The Elephant Man

May 26, 2021 18:15 - 57 minutes - 65.4 MB

In this episode, we discuss a film that had a significant impact on Clark growing up, David Lynch’s 1980 The Elephant Man starring Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, and Anne Bancroft.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 031 - The Silence of the Lambs

May 17, 2021 21:02 - 1 hour - 95.7 MB

In this episode, we discuss the one of Cullen’s all-time favorite films - Jonathan Demme’s 1991 thriller, Silence of the Lambs starring Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 030 -Mad Max, Mad Max 2 The Road Warrior, and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

May 06, 2021 21:05 - 1 hour - 96.4 MB

In this episode, we discuss the greatest trilogy cinema has ever seen (this is Clark talking here, not sure Cullen would agree!). In all seriousness though, since their release in the 80’s, these three films have only grown in stature, especially after the much more recent fourth film brought these original three into focus for a whole new generation. We discuss our personal relationship with these films, what they meant to us growing up,. and the impact they had on our cinema sensibilities.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 029

April 28, 2021 22:19 - 57 minutes - 78.9 MB

The podcast’s horizons expand! We move beyond the discussion of Herzog to discuss other filmmakers. In this episode, we take a look at Spielberg’s first feature, the made-for-tv thriller Duel, and compare and contrast that work with what we consider Spielberg’s quintessential film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Soldiers of Cinema - Episode 029 - Spielberg’s Duel and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

April 28, 2021 22:19 - 57 minutes - 78.9 MB

The podcast’s horizons expand! We move beyond the discussion of Herzog to discuss other filmmakers. In this episode, we take a look at Spielberg’s first feature, the made-for-tv thriller Duel, and compare and contrast that work with what we consider Spielberg’s quintessential film, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 028

April 15, 2021 17:48 - 1 hour - 83.4 MB

We discuss our personal experiences with cinema in general. We share stories and discuss where our love for film come from, early film inspirations, and when we were first exposed to Herzog and what his films meant to us in our formative years.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 027

March 26, 2021 22:52 - 54 minutes - 74.2 MB

We explore Herzog's 2006 film, Rescue Dawn, starring Christian Bale. This is the second part of our examination of Herzog's films about Dieter Dengler - a German-born United States Navy aviator during the Vietnam War and friend of Herzog's.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 026

March 18, 2021 21:16 - 1 hour - 84.9 MB

In this episode we discuss Herzog’s 1997, Little Dieter Needs to Fly., a documentary about German-American pilot Dieter Dengler’s extraordinary experiences and escape as a POW in Vietnam. Herzog would later go on to direct a narrative feature, Rescue Dawn, starring Christian Bale, about the same subject.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 025

March 05, 2021 20:03 - 54 minutes - 74.8 MB

In this episode we discuss Herzog’s 1999 documentary, My Best Fiend. Herzog explores his love/hate relationship with infamous actor Klaus Kinski and what that relationship might say about himself, filmmaking, and the human condition in general.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 024

February 23, 2021 04:06 - 57 minutes - 78.5 MB

We dive into Herzog’s masterpiece of documentary filmmaking, his 2005 film, Grizzly man. Using footage shot by Timothy Treadwell as well as newly-shot interview footage of those who knew Treadwell, Herzog presents yet another window through which to peer into the Human Condition. Treadwell lived among grizzly bears for 12 seasons in a national park in Alaska before being attacked and killed by one of the Grizzlies. Join us as we explore yet another Herzogian Landscape of the Soul.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 023

February 12, 2021 19:00 - 59 minutes - 81.7 MB

We discuss the themes, technical aspects, and the stories behind the making of Nosferatu the Vampyre, (1979). We dig into Herzog’s homage to Murnau’s 1922 Nosferatu.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 022

February 05, 2021 19:32 - 1 hour - 104 MB

We discuss the themes and technical aspects of Family Romance, LLC. (2019), Herzog’s narrative film that stars the real-life owner of a Japanese company that offers family and friends for rent.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 021

January 29, 2021 22:05 - 1 hour - 88.6 MB

We discuss Herzog’s film, Nomad: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin (2019) - We discuss the themes Herzog explores as well as the technical aspects of Herzog’s fantastic film about Herzog’s friend and the importance of traveling on foot.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 020

January 23, 2021 07:07 - 1 hour - 91.7 MB

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 24 & 25 - Career Strategy & Life as a Filmmaker. Short films can be your film school. Take initiative! Handling rejection (of which you will receive a lot) . Specificity in your career goals is vital. Thinking long term. Making what you want and ignoring the rest. Keeping your curiosity awake. Experiencing the essential moments. You are alone and all you have are your dreams.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 019

January 12, 2021 16:38 - 1 hour - 93 MB

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 22 & 23 - Dealing with Human Beings and Truth in Nonfiction. There are no clear rules, but you must know yours and respect ethical boundaries. Being exploitive isn’t generally ethical and it doesn’t make for good film anyway when it comes to documentaries. Getting to the heart of people quickly - learning how and when to push your subject - never forget they are human beings! Documentaries are movies - they don’t have to be all truth. As a matter of fac...

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 018

December 28, 2020 19:56 - 58 minutes - 80.3 MB

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 20 & 21 - Documentary Filmmaking: Making the Conversation & Eliciting Difficult Stories. It’s not a interview, it’s a conversation! We aren’t journalists, so don’t act like one. We discuss conversation strategies. Knowing your subjects’ hearts, making your subjects human, managing your own emotions while remaining present and engaged, getting to the heart of the story, and how to shape the story and get the essentials.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 017

December 18, 2020 21:16 - 50 minutes - 69.4 MB

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 18 & 19 - Invaded By Images. How to choose subjects for films? Ideas are like invaders who come to you in the middle of the night! The importance of traveling on foot - both literally and figuratively. When you are grabbed by an idea - be sure to capture it - but how? Keep opened to the unplanned. Let ideas come to you in unexpected ways. Gather your ideas and give them time.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 016

December 10, 2020 20:37 - 1 hour - 88.8 MB

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 17 - Editing. Be careful not to force your intentions on your footage, consider it as if you hadn't shot it - what is it trying to tell you? Watch less and remember more - use a log book to make notes as you watch your footage the first time, don't ignore takes (you never know) and don't make yourself numb to the footage by watching it over and over. Be ruthless with your footage - don't be afraid to be decisive! Listen to your audience, but know when ...

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 015

December 03, 2020 17:25 - 48 minutes - 66 MB

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 16 - Music. In this episode, we discuss Herzog's always fascinating usage of music in film and what we can learn from him for our own films. We discuss how emusic informs our entire filmmaking process and offer suggestions on working with composers.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 014

November 24, 2020 21:37 - 44 minutes - 60.7 MB

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 15 - Sound. Learn from Herzog's mistakes (her couldn't show his first few films to an audience the sound was so bad). Take the time to learn the basics. Be sure to have sound in mind when location scouting. ADR vs. Location sound. Foley. Thinking of sound like a special effect. Diegetic vs. extradiegetic. Going above just the competent recording of sound and adding stylization to your work. Listen for the remarkable.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 013

November 18, 2020 23:23 - 1 hour - 58.6 MB

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 14 - Working with Actors on Set. There are no stars on set, but whoever is front of the camera is royalty - even extras. To rehearse or not? And what do we mean by rehearsal. Be careful of too many takes. Do acting classes hurt an actor? Herzog claims yes, we argue only in the beginning.

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 012

November 12, 2020 00:50 - 55 minutes - 51.1 MB

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 13 - Working with Actors, Creating the Character. We discuss the importance of selecting the right actor, understanding chemistry, and knowing the hearts of others. We have a lively debate on Herzog's philosophy that all that matters is what ends up on screen. "Everybody has the same chance in front o the camera!"

Soldiers of Cinema - Exploring the Works and Philosophies of Filmmaker Werner Herzog - Episode 011

November 03, 2020 22:28 - 44 minutes - 40.9 MB

We discuss Herzog’s Masterclass Lesson 12 - Camera Techniques and spatial orientation. Your audience must be able to orient the action and characters We on screen! What's the 180 rule? Ever hear of the Kinski Spiral or the Nazarian Walk? When is it okay to disorient your audience? Iguanas!!!