Cinema Bones

In this episode, Masie & Stuart revisit the Wachowski Sisters' & Tom Tykwer's 2012 epic Cloud Atlas. Developing a cult-following since its initial divisive release, how does this messy conceptual adaptation of the 2004 David Mitchell novel of the same name hold up? Well, our hosts return from their autopsy with some unfortunate findings! Listen as they delve into the film's fascinating creative choices, its blatant racism, and the many strange adaptation changes made across its nearly 3 hour run time.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cinema_bones

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In this episode, Masie & Stuart excavate the queer lesbian historical drama film Ammonite (2020) directed by Francis Lee. Sparking minor discourse on social media upon its release, the film received negative comparisons to its genre contemporary from the previous year, A Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Are these comparisons fair though? Listen as our hosts dissect Ammonite's own unique tonal, aesthetic, and character writing strength, in addition to its interesting, if messy, attempts at queering the historical life of British paleotologist Mary Anning.

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:

Francis Lee Q&A (Ammonite) Writer & Director - Bournemouth Film School

Ammonite - Q&A | TIFF 2020

Francis Lee's comments on historical accuracy

Costume Design Breakdown

In this episode, Masie & Stuart discuss the gay cult classic film My Own Private Idaho as part of their (belated) look at queer cinema for Pride Month. What are the bones that make this quirky road trip film so iconic? Is its strangness a strength, or has it made it age poorly? Listen to find out as our hosts examine the movie's stunning fashion, the captivating performance of the character Mike Waters from the late River Phoenix, and more!

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 Reading/Sources:

Check Out the Criterion Collection DVD/Blu-Ray from your local library! There is even more special features than the two we primarily reference in this episode. Those special features should also now be available to stream on the Criterion Channel at the time of this episode's release for a limited time.

In this episode, Masie & Stuart have gone to their local theaters and returned with spicy takes about Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, the prequel and follow up to Max Mad: Fury Road. How does the same creative team prelude that iconic 2015 action film 9 years after its initial release? Does it hold a candle to it or spin out crash on the side of the road? Listen as our hosts dissect the movie's various ups and downs and how their reactions contrast with Furiosa's uproarious critical reception.

Correction Note:

We talk about how Anya Taylor Joy was told not to cut her hair by George Miller, but there is some additonal production context worth noting in this Variety Youtube video. As explained by Anya Taylor Joy, she ended up not shaving her head due to the film's shooting schedule. In another short clip that I originally saw, it's more in line with our framing in the episode, but it seems the primary reasons were due to concerns around scheduling and potential reshoots.

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 Reading/Sources:

Variety Article about technique used for the Anya-child face melding

Proof Anya Taylor Joy was wearing a bald cap

In this episode, Masie & Stuart delve into the metallic, guzzoline-fueled post-apocalypse of Mad Max Fury Road (2015). Critically beloved on its release in 2015 and with a new prequel out this year in the form of Furiosa: A Mad Saga, how does this original film hold up 9 years later? Listen as our hosts struggle to find a flaw in this film's irradiated desert wastelands in a shockingly positive episode of Cinema Bones.

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.

In this episode, Masie & Stuart discuss Sofia Coppola's 2023 biopic film Priscilla. Following up on their previous episode's discussion of Elvis (2022), how does Coppola's depiction of the life of Priscilla Presley compare to Bahz Luhrmann's high octane approach? Listen as our hosts discuss the film's compellng aesthetics and performances, but also its softening of its autobiographical source material.

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 Reading/Sources:

Hammer Museum Costume Design Interview

Broey Deschanel Priscilla Video Essay

Lisa Marie Presley's Reaction to Priscilla (2023) Script

In this episode, Masie and Stuart rummage through the glittery remains left in the wake of Bahz Luhrmann's musical biopic film Elvis (2022). Along the way they find a handful of positives, but mostly a lot strange script and directorial decisions. Listen as our hosts dissect the film's bizarre interpretations of historical figures and events and its slate of captivating and terrifying actor performances.

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.

In this episode, Masie and Stuart discuss Sofia Coppola's satirical true crime film The Bling Ring. Divisive among critics upon its release in 2013, the movie has since received a positive post-release reappraisal on social media sites like Letterboxd. Which side of the discourse do our hosts land on? Tune in to find out!

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 Reading/Sources:

The Suspects Wore Louboutins by Nancy Jo Sales

In this episode, we discuss the original 1984 film incarnation of Dune directed by David Lynch. With such a critically beloved director behind it, how does this version compare to Dune (2021)? Listen as hosts Masie and Stuart dissect the various ups and downs of this off-kilter 80's sci-fi cult classic.

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.

Hello folks!

In this first episode of Cinema Bones, we cover Denis Villenueve's Dune (2021), the first of the two part sci-fi film series that is currently taking the world by storm. We examine its big successes, but also the frustrating limitations that come with it being a modern sci-fi blockbuster.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cinema_bones

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