Episodes

We’re ON THE WAY through Brad Pitt’s “Fury” and discuss: Cinematography, contrast, motivating light; Story & Writing, Norman’s arc; Sound design; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “I’ve always felt that movies are an emotional medium — that movies are not the way to make an intellectual argument.“ – Roger Ebert Notes & References: Reddit discussion about Ebert’s view on intellectual arguments in film “On the way!” – according to the screenplay this is what Boyd yells when firing the ...

We slowly watch Zack Snyder’s “300” and discuss: Cinematography, slomo; Story & Writing, dramatic effect; Not quite true history; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “It is better by noble boldness to run the risk of being subject to half the evils we anticipate than to remain in cowardly listlessness for fear of what might happen.“ – Herodotus Notes & References: “300” graphic novel was released over 5 issues (wiki) Corridor Crew 300 breakdown “Then we will fight in the shade” (wiki)...

We process Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master” and discuss: Cinematography, contrast and eye shadows; Story & Writing, Freddie’s potion, the master; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich.“ – Napoleon Bonaparte Notes & References: Addendum: The highlights definitely near blowing out, but since this was shot on film there’s always at least a little detail in the highlights. Some DPs even say that it’s not even possible to over expose...

Two hungry boys devour Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Phantom Thread” and discuss: Cinematography without a cinematographer; Directing, sound design; Story & Writing; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “There is no time for cut-and-dried monotony. There is time for work. And time for love. That leaves no other time!“ – Coco Chanel Notes & References: Phantom Thread was shot on 35mm but was blown up to 70mm prints (iMDB.com) Watch us on YouTube! This Week’s Recommendations: The post Ep 263:...

We investigate Denzel Washington’s “Fallen” and discuss: Cinematography, exposition, eye lights; Story & Writing, theme; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Never pick a fight with an ugly person, they’ve got nothing to lose.“ – Robin Williams Watch us on YouTube! This Week’s Recommendations: The post Ep 262: “Fallen” (1998) appeared first on The Pestle.

We wrestle Zac Efron’s “The Iron Claw” and discuss: Story & Writing, exposition, bittersweet salve; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “In order to be the man, you have to beat the man.“ – Ric Flair Watch us on YouTube! This Week’s Recommendations: Versa Gripps Pro (on Amazon) The post Ep 261: “The Iron Claw” appeared first on The Pestle.

We check in to Drew Goddard’s “Bad Times at the El Royale” and discuss: Cinematography, unmotivated light, motivated coverage; Story & Writing, true faith, honoring the dead; Special Guest Hamish Purdy, set decorator on Bad Times at the El Royale; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “A well constructed plot, therefore, must neither begin nor end at haphazard“ – Aristotle Notes & References: Hamish Purdy (iMDB) Addendum: On further reflection, I think “El Royale” is a reference to Pulp...

We cancel Nicolas Cage’s “Dream Scenario” and discuss: Cinematography, selling the absence of something; Story & Writing, structure, blending in, viral fame; New Mad Valley track, “I Don’t Want to Be Careful”; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “The most powerful force ever known on this planet is human cooperation – a force for construction and destruction.“ – Jonathan Haidt Notes & References: Listen to Todd’s band Mad Valley on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Instagram The best-suppo...

We invade Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” and discuss: Cinematography, fight sequence; Story & Writing, nudity, Josephine; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.“ – Sun Tzu Notes & References: “Threads” Light Ranger 2 Ridley Scott’s 1984 Apple Super Bowl Commercial Watch us on YouTube! This Week’s Recommendations: The post Ep 258: “Napoleon” appeared first on The Pestle.

We deserve Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven” and discuss: Cinematography, contrast; Story & Writing, Will vs Bill, deserve’s got nothing to do with it; New Mad Valley Track “All Of Me”; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Being good is easy, what is difficult is being just.“ – Victor Hugo Notes & References: “Unforgiven” is not based on a book, Todd was probably thinking of “The Unforgiven” which is an old Burt Lancaster film adapted from a novel of the same name Kanye West “Through the Wi...

We flip a coin on the Coen Brothers’ “No Country for Old Men” and discuss: Cinematography & Editing; Story & Writing, luck, fate, and evil; Actor Trent Moore discusses his role in No Country for Old Men and working with the Coen Brothers; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.“ – Carl Jung Notes & References: Trent Moore’s acting website Trent Moore iMDB Deakins said he used 9-12 18k HMIs to light...

We grow into Charlie Kaufman’s “Adaptation” and discuss: Wes discusses losing his grandmother (00:00-13:38); Cinematography; Story & Writing, subplots vs settings, Charlie’s twin; New Mad Valley track “Come Back Down”; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “There’s this inherent screenplay structure that everyone seems to be stuck on, this three-act thing. It doesn’t really interest me. To me, it’s kind of like saying, ‘Well, when you do a painting, you always need to have sky here, the ...

We scan Gareth Edwards’ “The Creator” and discuss: Story & Writing, humanizing the enemy; Performance; Music & Sound Design; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ever to the blinder critics and philosophers of today – but the core of science fiction, its essence has become crucial to our salvation if we are to be saved at all.“ – Isaac Asimov Watch us on YouTube! Art Spotlight: Byron Reese speaker demo reel This Week’s Recommen...

We shake hands with RackaRacka’s “Talk To me” and discuss: Directing & Cinematography, visceral storytelling; Story & Writing, keeping us off-balance, possessing the hand; New Mad Valley track “Take It All”; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.“ – Edgar Allan Poe Notes & References: Danny & Michael Philippou “We made a horror film” (Rackaracka YouTube channel) Listen to Todd’s band Mad Valley on Spo...

We stalk “Paranormal Activity” and discuss: Cinematography, combining style and story; Writing & Story, selling the world, slow burns and slow payoffs; Directing and Editing, fast facts; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “The key to a good horror movie is what happens between the scares. The scares aren’t the tricky part. If you’re involved in what’s going on in between, the scare is going to trick you. If you’re not, the best scare in the world will not be scary.“ – Jason Blum Notes...

We grab a Twinkie, call the “Ghostbusters” and discuss: Story & Writing, efficient storytelling, comedy; Sound & Music, soundtrack; New Mad Valley track: “Only Good Things”; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Don’t think about your errors or failures; otherwise, you’ll never do a thing.“ – Bill Murray Notes & References: Listen to Mad Valley music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, IG Mick Smiley “Magic” (YouTube) Music Supervisor was Kevin Benson *Ghostbusters was released in 1984 ...

We float through M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Sixth Sense” and discuss: Cinematography, reveals, coverage and theatrical flair; Writing & Directing, pacing; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “I have found little that is ‘good’ about human beings on the whole. In my experience most of them are trash, no matter whether they publicly subscribe to this or that ethical doctrine or to none at all. That is something that you cannot say aloud, or perhaps even think.“ – Sigmund Freud Watch us on ...

We bear down on Leonardo DiCaprio’s “The Revenant” and discuss: Cinematography, immersive storytelling; Guest Sergio Trejos, sound engineer joins us; New Mad Valley track!; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “A man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green.“ – Francis Bacon Notes & References: Check out Sergio’s work as a sound designer and engineer Mad Valley music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, IG “Mannequin Challenge” freeze frame meme (wiki) Watch us on YouTube! This W...

We concur with Denzel Washington’s “Crimson Tide” and discuss: Cinematography, dutch angles for dramatic effect and for the setting; Story & Writing, betrayals, conversations about horses, command, duty, and doing what’s right; Performances, Music by Hans Zimmer, Random Crimson Tide facts; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “It is even better to act quickly and err than to hesitate until the time of action is past.“ – Carl von Clausewitz Notes & References: Crimson Tide filming (wiki) ...

We loop through Jake Gyllenhaal’s “Source Code” and discuss: Cinematography, contrast, breaking the 180º rule; Story & Writing, details, theme, stakes; Todd’s new single from Mad Valley “Ready to Fall” (links below!!); and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Don’t gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold.“ – Bob Marley Notes & References: Mad Valley music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, IG “Mannequin Challenge” freeze frame meme (wiki) Watch us on YouTub...

We fly over Craig Mazin’s “Chernobyl” and discuss: Cinematography, lens flares, stabilizing a handheld shot; Story & Writing, horror, tragedy, tension, threats; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “I am one of those who think like Nobel, that humanity will draw more good than evil from new discoveries.“ – Marie Curie Notes & References: Chernobyl Show vs Reality – Footage Comparison (YouTube) Chernobyl Anatoly Dyatlov’s real interview (YouTube) Iodine blocks radiation from your thyroi...

We float into Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and discuss: Cinematography, wides, closeups; Story & Writing, pop culture references, Ken, Ruth, Gloria & Sasha; Performances, Set Design; Special guest Hannah Hartman joins us; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “I must quit marrying men who feel inferior to me. Somewhere there must be a man who could be my husband and not feel inferior.“ – Hedy Lamarr Notes & References: Check out Hannah’s photography work at Hannah-Hartman.com and @hannahhart...

We sail through Russell Crowe’s “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” and discuss: Cinematography, night scenes, camerawork; Story & Writing, friendship vs duty, weight of command; Directing & Editing, reaction shots, dynamic audio; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Success is the most convincing talker in the world.“ – Napoleon Bonaparte Notes & References: The hippocratic oath became nearly universally used in the early 19th century (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) Watch us on YouTu...

We wreck Tom Cruise’s “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning part 1” and discuss: Story & Writing, motivated storytelling, exposition; Action, consequential chases; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Sequels are generally done in a rush. They’re done with a sense of urgency. The first time, you spend a long time developing to get it over the line. The second time, you don’t. Your expectations are different, and your motivations are different.“ – Alex Garland Watch us on YouTube! This We...