Changing Reels

As Moonlight continues to astonish audiences in theatres, one of our listeners suggested that we consider discussing Barry Jenkins’ directorial debut Medicine for Melancholy. We loved the idea so much that we decided to throw away our usual format and do a “Listener’s Choice” episode. While we don’t talk about any short films this week (don’t fret, they will be back in the next episode), we do take some time to show Jenkins’ Moonlight and Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room love before diving into the romantic and social themes of Medicine for Melancholy.

Do you have a film in mind that you would like hear us to discuss in a future “Listener’s Choice” episode? If so, be sure to submit you suggestion to us via twitter (@ChangingReelsAC) or by email ([email protected]). Also, you can subscribe to our show on iTunes, SoundCloud or Stitcher!

It can be argued that Sofia Coppola is easily one of the most respected female directors of this generation. Growing up within the film industry, it is no surprise that many of her films touch on themes regarding the nature of fame. In episode five of Changing Reels we weigh the merits of The Bling Ring, Coppola’s 2013 ripped from the headlines film about celebrity obsessed teens whose love of fame leads to them stealing from the very same stars they adore. We also discuss our short films picks of the week: Hiro Murai’s Clapping for the Wrong Reasons and David Raboy’s Giant.

Roger Ebert once wrote in his review of the romantic comedy “Love Jones” that the film makes us “realize how painfully limited the media vision of urban black life is. Why do the movies give us so many homeboys and gangstas and druggies and so few photographers, poets and teachers?” In this episode we revisit Theodore Witcher’s “Love Jones” and discuss its portrayal of black artists, weathering the storm in relationships, and how the film is being revived this month as a musical.

We also share our short film picks: Miguel Arteta’s “Are You the Favorite Person of Anybody?” and Danny Sangra’s “Odile et Michel.”

Martin Scorsese has crafted many iconic dramas so it easy to forget he has a funny bone as well. In episode three of Changing Reels we explore Scorsese’s dark comedy After Hours. The film follows an office worker who, in an attempt to woo a girl he meets in a coffee shop, encounters the worst night of his life in Soho. We also discuss our short films picks of the week: Dony Permedi’s Kiwi! and Bradley Tangonan’s High Rider.

In episode two of Changing Reels we turn our focus to Kasi Lemmons’ 2001 thriller The Caveman’s Valentine. The film follows a homeless man, Romulus (Samuel L. Jackson), who was once a promising composer but now lives in a cave in New York City. When the frozen body of a young man ends up in a tree near his dwelling, the paranoid schizophrenic Romulus ignores the police’s assessment, of it being an accidental death, and embarks on a quest to find the killer.

We also discuss our short films picks of the week Ryan Coogler’s Locks and Sara Kenney’s Angels and Ghosts.

Welcome to Changing Reels! A bi-weekly podcast that revisits overlooked and underappreciated films and explores their pop culture significance. In episode one of the show, hosts Andrew Hathaway and Courtney Small spend time with Justin Lin's sophomore feature "Better Luck Tomorrow". The pair also discuss their individual short film picks of the week "Real Talk" and "Evidence."