American Scene

It's our first minisode for Phase 2 of the pod! We discuss the first episode of "Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later" and share a couple camp stories from our youth. Then we name some of our favorite stageplay-to-film adaptations and recast the roles of Don and Teach from "American Buffalo" with actors from other "American" movies we covered so far. And finally we rank our top five tracks from the incredible "American Graffiti" soundtrack and pick apart the trailer for the ill-advised sequel "More American Graffiti."

Buckle up for a trip down memory lane in the Oscar-nominated and critically acclaimed 1973 film American Graffiti directed by George Lucas. We discuss coming of age in a peaceful moment just before the world is turned upside down, the myths we hold onto (and those we must confront), and our cultural obsession with nostalgia as comfort food. And as always, the most American moments from the film!

Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman and Emmy winner Dennis Franz star in American Buffalo, the 1996 adaptation of the 1975 David Mamet play set in a seedy second-hand junk shop about a couple streetwise losers who plot the robbery of a valuable coin. Very much a contemporary inner city riff on Waiting for Godot, we discuss the toxic traits of the central characters that keep them stuck in a cycle of failure and the cynical portrayal of the American hustle. PLUS: our American moments and a teaser for what's to come in our first Phase 2 minisode!

References:
LETTER FROM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ON AMERICAN BUFFALO (Steppenwolf.org)

Return with us to Camp Firewood for the 20th anniversary of the cult classic directed by David Wain and starring Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Michael Showalter, Marguerite Moreau, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Molly Shannon, Ken Marino, Joe Lo Truglio, Michael Ian Black, Amy Poehler, and Bradley Cooper. We discuss the history of summer camps in America, the universality of summer camp experiences, and riffs on camp movies and summer crowd-pleasers. Plus, Allen does not know the lyrics for Jason Mraz's "The Remedy," Ben doesn't know who won at the 1980 Summer Olympics, and as always, we run down our favorite American moments. And Allen shares a heartfelt tribute to the late Norm Macdonald. (recorded September 14, 2021)

References:

"The Way We Live Now: Questions for David Wain and Michael Showalter; Camping it Up" (New York Times Magazine, August 5 2001)

"Summertime Switch - 1994 ABC Family Movie" (YouTube)

American Gigolo takes place in late 1970's Los Angeles almost exclusively in upscale locales and centers on a white heterosexual cisgender male escort played by Richard Gere. Journey Out's Director of Communications Mary David joins us to address what it is really like in Los Angeles for victims and survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. She discusses how individuals are affected by the sex trade, issues involving law enforcement, and the influence of media. While contemporary reality diverges much from what is portrayed in the film, she also draws some interesting parallels. Learn more about Journey Out online at https://journeyout.org/

Before we dive into a new crop of American movies, we remind you of the 19 films we've covered so far and hand out awards for Best Supporting Actor & Actress, Best Lead Actor & Actress, Best Director, and Best Picture. We shout out a plethora of honorable mentions and engage in lighthearted debate as we discuss our choices for the winners. These are the American Scene Awards: Phase 1.

Sometimes there's so much Beauty in the podcast... we feel like we can't fit it all in one episode. So we recorded a special minisode just for American Beauty! We add to our previous conversation on the theme of maintaining appearances, discuss some interesting alternate casting ideas, and redo the 1999 Best Supporting Actor & Actress categories. We also touch on the script's original ending, some IMDb trivia, and one more great American moment.

References:

"How Not to Start an Interview"

While we're on a break for the summer, enjoy this minisode where we discuss the varied career of American Outlaws star Colin Farrell and why did Kathy Bates end up in that movie. We touch on the relevant timing of our American Violet episode and take a look at the still blossoming career of star Nicole Beharie. Finally, Allen goes gaga for Goggins, and, as promised, Ben analyzes the deeper themes of Pineapple Express. (recorded June 23, 2021)

It's our last full episode before a summer hiatus, and it's time for the big kahuna of American movies. American Beauty made over $350 million worldwide and won FIVE Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director for Sam Mendes, and Best Original Screenplay for Alan Ball. We discuss the suburban soap as a unique sub-genre, how appearances and sex are central to each character's story, and we briefly touch on the year 1999 and a unifying element to certain films from that year. And stick around for American moments!

References:

Why All Movies From 1999 Are The Same - Now You See It

Being John Malkovich and the Office Movies of 1999 - Eyebrow Cinema

Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart re-teamed six years after Adventureland for this well-acted and mostly entertaining stoner action movie also starring Topher Grace, Connie Britton, Walton Goggins, and Bill Pullman. We discuss the stoner movie sub-genre, obedience versus free will, and American ultra-violence. And as always, we pick out the film's American moments. (recorded May 13, 2021)