Cinema Bones

In this episode, Masie & Stuart take a flight back to 2002 to examine Paul Thomas Anderson's romantic comedy film Punch-Drunk Love. Part of Stuart's pairing of manic-pixie dream girl films, they went in expecting to find more to critique, but mostly have positive things to say! From the considered and striking cinematography, to the excellent lead performances by Adam Sandler and Emily Watson, they find plenty to love about this quirky early 2000's romp. Listen as our hosts analyze the autistic-coded protagonist Barry Egan and gush about Jon Brion's lush and ecclectic score.

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In this episode, Masie & Stuart take a look at an alternate vision of 2025 in Spike Jonze's 2013 sci-fi romance film Her. The second part of their examination of the divorce films of Spike Jonze and Sofia Coppola, our hosts scroll through to find a film made up of beautiful surfaces with a cynical view of romance beneath the surface. Listen as they discuss the film's beautiful production design and general aesthetics, while also getting frustrated when talking about its portrayal of women and (not-so-subtle) self-insert qualities.

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Additional Reading/Sources:

Interview with Production Designer K.K. Barrett

In this episode, Masie & Stuart take a (imaginary) trip to Japan to examine the 2003 Oscar-darling film, Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation. The first part of a duology covering the divorce films of Sofia Coppola and Spike Jonze, our hosts find themselves treading in familiar Coppola-territory. How does this story of two priveleged people experiencing isolation and existential crises in Tokyo hold up today? Does Coppola portray the city and Japanese culture with care and sensitivity? The answers likely won't shock you based on her track record, but our hosts still find plenty to discuss and enjoy in the film's moody atmosphere and aesthetics.

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Additional Reading/Sources:

Lost in Translation 20th Anniversary Interview

Sofia Coppola's Defense Against Criticism Over the Film's Depiction of Japan

In this episode, Masie & Stuart return to the Green Hills of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise to discuss its second live-action feature film Sonic the Hedgehog 2. How does this sequel compare to the first? Is it faster and stronger, or does it struggle to get off to a speedy start? Listen as our hosts discuss the film's many improvements from its predecessor as well as its repeated failures.

Then, stay tuned in to the end for a year-end wrap up where Masie & Stuart discuess their favorite and least favorite movies covered for Cinema Bones in 2024 in addition to their favorite first watches from the year outside of the podcast!

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In the episode, Masie & Stuart gotta run (not so fast) through the 2020 film Sonic the Hedgehog in preparation of the video game adaptation franchise's third installment releasing this month. Along the way, our hosts discuss the film's surprising strengths as well as its annoyingly Millenial sense of humor. Listen as they ponder over the interesting implications of Sonic's film backstory and how the film is oddly emblematic of the modern state of children's media.

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In this episode Malkovich Malkovich Malkovi--**cough cough

Excuse me.

In this episode, Masie & Stuart rediscover the surreal 1999 dramedy film Being John Malkovich: the feature film debut of both director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlier Kaufman. Crossing the small threshold into the film's strange world, our hosts find a bevy of amazing actor performances and a compelling set of themes. Listen as our hosts dive into these topics as well as the film's unexplored gender moments.

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Additional Reading/Sources:

The two primary sources referenced are the 2011 Criterion interview with actor John Malkovich and the on-set documentary "All Non-Combatants Off Set", which are both featured on the Criterion Collection blu-ray/DVD editions of the film. Check them out from your local library!

In this episode, Masie & Stuart return to the aisles of 2000's feminine cinema with the 2005 film adaptation of Jennifer Weiner's sibling drama novel In Her Shoes. Perusing the film's selection of pairs, our hosts discover a shockingly compelling family melodrama that thoughtfully tackles themes of mental illness and generational trauma in a way uncommon for other films of its era. Listen as our hosts discuss the film's compelling central sibling relationship as well as its weird 2000's beauty standards and portrayal of Toni Collette's character.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cinema_bones

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Additional Reading/Sources:

In Her Shoes - Screen Queens Retrospective

Curtis Hanson NPR Interview

In this episode, Masie & Stuart take a trip back to Italy where they explore the warm and fuzzy 2003 film adaptation of Frances Mayes' memoir Under the Tuscan Sun. Searching through the streets of Tuscany presented on screen, our hosts find a lot to enjoy about director and writer Audrey Wells' film. Listen as they discuss the charming performances of Diane Lane and Sandra Oh, the film's generally lovely vibes, as well as some of its weirder romcomy and heteronormative qualities.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cinema_bones

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Additional Reading/Sources:

Under the Tuscan Sun Costume Design Retrospective

Audrey Wells' Unreleased Film "The Fugees"

In this episode, Masie & Stuart take a trip to the cruel and twisted realm of Ryan Murphy with his wildly successful 2010 film adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert's bestselling memoir Eat Pray Love. Garnering its fair share of criticism over the years, our hosts sample the film's bizarre brand of white feminism and its often racist portrayal of countries in the Global South, while trying to find the parts of its menu that are worthy of praise.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cinema_bones

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Additional Sources & Reading:

Confessions of a Seduction Addict

Eat Pray Spend

In this episode, Masie & Stuart return to the realm of space operas with the Wachowski sisters' sci-fi blockbuster film Jupiter Ascending. A critical and finacial failure upon release, the reputation of this movie is often quite negative in online film circles. However, our hosts are here to argue that it might have some compelling ideas... some 90's shojo isekai ideas in fact. Listen as our hosts try to argue in favor of this film's charming, feminine, anime-esque version of a power fantasy, and why maybe the script probably could've used a couple more drafts.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cinema_bones

Follow Us on Social Media @ Cinema_Bones on Instagram, Twitter, and Letterboxd and Cinema-Bones on Tumblr for podcast updates.

Additional Sources & Reading:

Jupiter Ascending - Toronto Sun Director Article

Wachowski Sisters' Video Interview