AKAPAD the FILM BUFF Podcast

For the 2024 Presidents Day Film Buff episode, the featured film is Truth (2015). In this episode, Peter explores the filmography of writer-director James Vanderbilt, who is prominently featured in the podcast. He also delves into the historical context of the film and its significance.

Truth (2015) is a political drama based on the 2005 memoir Truth and Duty: The Press, the President, and the Privilege of Power by journalist Mary Mapes. The film follows the controversial events surrounding a 2004 60 Minutes report on CBS, which questioned then-President George W. Bush's military service in the Texas Air National Guard. Cate Blanchett stars as Mapes, the producer of the segment, while Robert Redford portrays veteran news anchor Dan Rather. As the story unfolds, Mapes and her team face intense scrutiny when the authenticity of their key documents is called into question, leading to a media firestorm, professional repercussions, and a broader discussion about journalism, politics, and corporate influence over the news.

The 2024 Oscar nominee Flow gets the AKAPAD treatment—and it's nothing like you’d expect!

Today's weekend animation is a one-of-a-kind LEGO story—a musical biography of Pharrell Williams, brought to life in the world of LEGO. This film redefines creative collaboration, blending music, storytelling, and iconic brick animation like never before!

Those who brought us Piece by Piece.

Voice Cast

Pharrell Williams as himself

Morgan Neville as himself

Gwen Stefani as herself

Kendrick Lamar as himself

Timbaland as himself

Justin Timberlake as himself

Busta Rhymes as himself

Jay-Z as himself

Snoop Dogg as himself

Pusha T as himself

Missy Elliott as herself

Nigo as himself

Teddy Riley as himself

Tyler, the Creator as Mr. Thoroughgood (Pharrell’s teacher)

Chad Hugo, Shay Haley, N.O.R.E., Daft Punk, Jimmy Iovine, and members of Pharrell’s family also make appearances as themselves

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Crew

Director: Morgan Neville

Producers: Morgan Neville, Caitrin Rogers, Mimi Valdés, Pharrell Williams

Writers: Morgan Neville, Jason Zeldes, Aaron Wickenden

Supervising Sound Editor: Al Nelson

Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Pete Horner

Original Music Composer: Michael Andrews

What’s an appropriate Film Buff movie for a Valentine’s Day Film Buff podcast drop? How about a Steven Spielberg film that cinephiles around the world have largely overlooked—or even dismissed? Always (1989) comes from an incredibly productive and competitive era in Hollywood, yet it deserves to be viewed as a film in its own right, rather than judged solely by the time in which it was made.

Today's love story is about a film that isn't really about love at all. While searching for new romance movies to feature in the Valentine's Day lineup, AKAPAD The Film Buff stumbled upon Your Monster. What seemed like a typical romance turned out to be something far more profound—a tragic, layered story that must be experienced to be fully understood.

Those who brought us Your Monster:

Cast

Melissa Barrera – Laura Franco

Tommy Dewey – Monster

Edmund Donovan – Jacob

Kayla Foster – Mazie

Taylor Trensch – Scotty

Brandon Victor Dixon – Will

Meghann Fahy – Jackie Dennon

Ikechukwu Ufomadu – Don

Matthew Lamb – Young Benji / Benji

Lana Young – Ellyn Michaelson

Brian McCarthy – Dr. Kaufman

Megan Haley – Taylor

Katy Grenfell – Nurse Benny

Woody Fu – Nurse Roger

Jawan M. Jackson – Patient Transporter

Kasey Bella Suarez – Young Laura Franco

Jake Nordwind – Amazon Guy

Peter Falls – Mazie's Date

Meghan Manning, Silken Kelly, Victoria Ann Fiore – Ensemble Dancers

Reese Grande – Young Mazie

Crew

Directing & Writing

Caroline Lindy – Director & Writer

Production

Caroline Lindy, Kayla Foster, Shannon Reilly, Kira Carstensen, Melanie Donkers, Jackson Sinder, Jack Taylor Cox – Producers

Bob Potter, Clelia Mountford, Sharon Horgan – Executive Producers

McKarah Dreyfous – Associate Producer

Scotty Anderson – Casting

Cinematography & Editing

Will Stone – Director of Photography

Daysha Broadway, Jon Higgins – Editors

Art & Costume

Brielle Hubert – Production Design

Bamike Ogunrinu – Makeup Department Head

Music & Sound

Tim Williams – Original Music Composer

The Lazours – Songs

For Valentine’s Day, we revisit the film that Titanic overshadowed—the beautifully shot, Great Depression-era circus romance Water for Elephants. The Film Buff breaks down what makes this film so expertly crafted while also rooting for an elephant to take down the villain.

Those who brought us Water for Elephants.

Main Cast:

Reese Witherspoon – Marlena Rosenbluth

Robert Pattinson – Jacob Jankowski

Hal Holbrook – Older Jacob Jankowski

Christoph Waltz – August Rosenbluth

Tai – Rosie, the Elephant

Supporting Cast:

James Frain – Rosie's Caretaker

Paul Schneider – Charlie O'Brien

Ken Foree – Earl

Tim Guinee – Joe "Diamond Joe"

Mark Povinelli – Kinko / Walter

Scott MacDonald – Blackie

Jim Norton – Camel

Richard Brake – Grady

Sam Anderson – Mr. Hyde

John Aylward – Mr. Ervin

Brad Greenquist – Mr. Robinson

Uggie – Queenie, the Terrier

Crew:

Direction & Production:

Director: Francis Lawrence

Producers: Gil Netter, Erwin Stoff, Andrew Tennenbaum

Writing:

Screenplay: Richard LaGravenese

Based on the novel by: Sara Gruen

Cinematography & Editing:

Cinematographer: Rodrigo Prieto

Editor: Alan Edward Bell

Music & Sound:

Composer: James Newton Howard

Sound Designer: Addison Teague

Production Design:

Production Designer: Jack Fisk

Art Direction: David Crank

Set Decoration: Jim Erickson

Costume & Makeup:

Costume Designer: Jacqueline West

Makeup Artist: Felicity Bowring

Visual & Special Effects:

VFX Supervisor: Edson Williams

Special Effects Coordinator: Matt Kutcher

In 1990, Peter A. DeLuca, also known as AKAPAD The Film Buff, saw a poster for an upcoming Captain America movie. From that moment on, everything changed.

For Valentine's Day, AKAPAD takes a deep dive into the 1970 masterpiece Love Story, exploring its production, cultural impact, and its role in shaping the rebellious spirit of 1970s filmmaking.

Those who brought us Love Story.
Main Cast
Ali MacGraw as Jennifer "Jenny" Cavilleri
Ryan O'Neal as Oliver Barrett IV
John Marley as Phil Cavilleri
Ray Milland as Oliver Barrett III
Russell Nype as Dean Thompson
Tommy Lee Jones as Hank Simpson
Main Credits
Director: Arthur Hiller
Writer: Erich Segal (screenplay & novel)
Producer: Howard G. Minsky
Cinematography: Richard Kratina
Editor: Robert C. Jones
Music: Francis Lai (won an Academy Award for Best Original Score)
Production Company: Paramount Pictures

The Philadelphia Eagles have clinched their second Super Bowl title, and the Philly Film Buff has plenty to say aboutSilver Linings Playbook—its cultural context, director David O. Russell’s career, and the bigger question: Do sports truly contribute to society?

By the time the '90s arrived, Captain America had fallen out of favor in the comic book and media world. However, as noted by AKAPAD The Film Buff, something remarkable happened during his appearance in X-Men: The Animated Series. This moment not only revived interest in the character but also inspired an entire generation to think more deeply about the Marvel Universe.