An Invitation Productions

A.I.P. Tapes invites new release recommendations and concise film analysis into your feed.

Today, you're invited to watch WOMAN OF THE HOUR (2024) — the feature film directorial debut of Anna Kendrick. The based-on-a-true-story thriller is effective, affecting, and at its best when conveying how seemingly “benign” men winge (Pete Holmes), flatter (Tony Hale), and venerate (Daniel Zovatto) as a way to manipulate women. 

Ultimately, WOMAN OF THE HOUR is a rich text that is expressed with equally impressive craft. Hopefully Kendrick's time as a filmmaker well exceeds a mere 60 minutes.

RSVP now.

Written, produced, and hosted by Jim Penola.
Original music by John Penola.

An Invitation Productions is now on TikTok!

Support the show

•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Jane Penola, and Joseph Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: [email protected]•••

A.I.P. Tapes invites new release recommendations and concise film analysis into your feed.

Today, you're invited to watch THE SHADOW STRAYS (2024) — the latest blood-spattered-action-symphony from writer/director Timo Tjahjanto, now streaming on Netflix. THE SHADOW STRAYS, through its many ecstatic set pieces, provokes not-insignificant questions of mortality (not to mention the reason we even welcome the action genre into our viewing diet). Tjahjanto himself even endorsed host Jim Penola's take over on Twitter/X. 

RSVP now.

Written, produced, and hosted by Jim Penola.
Original music by John Penola.

An Invitation Productions is now on TikTok!

Support the show

•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Jane Penola, and Joseph Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: [email protected]•••

A.I.P. Tapes invites new release recommendations and concise film analysis into your feed.

Today, you're invited to watch SMILE 2 – the glossy, inventive sequel to 2022's biggest Horror movie. Though the film doesn't fully explore its new setting, writer/director Parker Finn still manages to inject his sharp direction with noteworthy symbols and imagery.

RSVP now.

Written, produced, and hosted by Jim Penola.
Original music by John Penola.

An Invitation Productions is now on TikTok!

Support the show

•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Jane Penola, and Joseph Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: [email protected]•••

Thematic Content is a series about the themes that define film history—across eras, genres, and filmmakers—even mediums.

Episode #03 takes an unexpected (but welcome) detour towards the world of contemporary electronic music with special guest Big Black Delta, a.k.a. Jonathan Bates, the prolific recording artist with credits on BILL AND TED FACE THE MUSIC, THE SINNER, HALT & CATCH FIRE, and more. 

During the episode, host Jim Penola not only guides listeners through Big Black Delta’s unmistakable sound and history, but spotlights Bates commitment to sheer sonic emotion. What’s revealed is a fascinating kinship with Christopher Nolan’s TENET, and how each occupy an interest in the ineffable power of feeling and service. 

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Thematic Content is written, produced, edited, mixed, and hosted by Jim Penola.

Original music by John Penola.

Original artwork and illustrations by NoNo Flores.

Executive produced by John Penola and Jane Penola. 

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• The Zebrah (4:07)

• Lord Only Knows (5:02)

• Steer The Canyon (6:23)

• Huggin & Kissin (7:14)

• Politics of Living - Acoustic (8:50)

• whoRU812 (19:48)

• Politics of Living - Acoustic (24:03)

Support the show

•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Jane Penola, and Joseph Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: [email protected]•••

Thematic Content is a series about the themes that define film history—across eras, genres, and filmmakers—even mediums.

Episode #02 continues this inaugural season's exploration of a "Los Angeles Horror of Manners" with a vivid look at polarizing 80s neo-noir, 8 MILLION WAYS TO DIE, starring Jeff Bridges and Andy Garcia. Arguing in favor of the film’s many virtues, along with host Jim Penola, is esteemed guest, Philip Gawthorne – a prolific screenwriter (Underwater, Modern Life Is Rubbish), podcaster (Die Hard on a Blank), and all-around cinephile. 

Throughout the episode, Jim and Phil investigate the film's portrayal of permissible conduct in a world of crime, the way our mistakes inform that lifestyle, and the iterative nature of self-actualization. 

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Thematic Content is written, produced, edited, and hosted by Jim Penola.

Original music by John Penola.

Original artwork and illustrations by NoNo Flores.

Executive produced by John Penola and Jane Penola.

Additional voiceover this episode by John Rowles.


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I Live In A World I Didn't Make: Recovering 8 Million Ways to Die by Travis Woods.

8 Million Ways to Die on Blu-ray. 

Support the show

•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Jane Penola, and Joseph Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: [email protected]•••

Thematic Content is a series about the themes that define film history—across eras, genres, and filmmakers—even mediums.

This inaugural episode takes a look at Ridley Scott's 1982 film, BLADE RUNNER, and features special guest Dom Nero—a writer, a video editor, and the co-host of the excellent film podcast Eye of the Duck. Throughout their discussion, Dom and host Jim Penola examine the colossal influence of BLADE RUNNER through the unique lens of dystopian etiquette, pervasive noir trappings, near-future fascism, and the horrors of (in)humanity that these conditions create.

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Thematic Content is written, produced, edited, and hosted by Jim Penola.

Original music by John Penola.

Original artwork and illustrations by NoNo Flores.

Executive produced by John Penola and Jane Penola. 

Support the show

•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Jane Penola, and Joseph Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: [email protected]•••

Karyn Kusama is the writer/director of GIRLFIGHT (2000), the director of JENNIFER'S BODY (2009), THE INVITATION (2015), and of course, DESTROYER (2018). She is also an Emmy nominated director of television that includes work on YELLOWJACKETS, DEAD RINGERS, THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY, and much more.

During this very special episode of ELLIPSIS, Karyn and I discuss the slippery yet operatic nature of time, the unique moment that Nicole Kidman had never experienced on any other film set, and the importance of telling stories about complicated people.

Support the show

•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Jane Penola, and Joseph Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: [email protected]•••

In episode #08 of "An Invitation to DESTROYER," host Jim Penola examines the nocturnal foot chase between Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman) and Arturo Guerrero (Zach Villa), an ex-criminal and former friend of Bell's. The ensuing discussion breaks down the significant narrative/stylistic choices of their relationship—including a fourth-wall-breaking close-up, the difference between doing good versus undoing bad, and a visual echo of THE INVITATION's indelible climax. 

Support the show

•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Jane Penola, and Joseph Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: [email protected]•••

Please enjoy this unlocked episode of my Patreon-exclusive series "Ellipsis" – the official companion podcast to "An Invitation to DESTROYER" – where I discuss the movie with fellow superfans, critics, and the creators themselves. 

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Matt Manfredi is an Emmy nominated screenwriter with decades of experience inside both the independent and studio systems. His credits include CRAZY/BEAUTIFUL, RIDE ALONG 1&2, THE INVITATION, DESTROYER, and Disney+'s THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY among others.

During this episode of ELLIPSIS, Matt and I cover considerable ground – discussing the ways family life influenced DESTROYER, what the mental toll of shooting the ill-fated MINA HARKER might have been, and why Matt is more optimistic than not when it comes to the capricious future of screen stories. 

Support the show

•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Jane Penola, and Joseph Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: [email protected]•••

In the 7th proper episode of "An Invitation to DESTROYER," host Jim Penola continues to assess the fragile heart of the film: the contentious relationship between Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman) and her teenage daughter, Shelby (Jade Pettyjohn). Through a dramatic reading of pages 38–41 of the DESTROYER screenplay, Penola spotlights the ordinary ways that long term resentment festers, the satisfaction of unbridled female rage, and the subsequent ruin that both these emotional blast radiuses can create.

Support the show

•••Shout-out to some of my lovely & amazing patrons: Rupa dasGupta, John Penola, Jane Penola, and Joseph Penola. ⚫ Get early access, extended episodes, and the Patreon-exclusive companion podcast "Ellipsis" only at Patreon.com/jimpenola ⚫ Follow us on Twitter: @AnInvitation and Instagram: @Invitation2Invitation ⚫ Email us: [email protected]•••