Cinema in Context

Amateur theatre mockumentaries. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Theater Camp (2023) and Waiting for Guffman (1996). We begin by hearing William's fresh take on Waiting For Guffman (we had just watched the film together before our recording). We collectively praise Waiting for Guffman and trace its influence upon comedy for the following 25-plus years. We shift our conversation to Theater Camp and praise its composition, characters and comedy. We consider the connections in our own lives to both films, specifically amateur theatre experiences.

If you enjoy our podcast then consider joining our Patreon. Listen to an extended version of this episode, access additional minisode content and have an opportunity to join us for one-on-one discussions about your favourite films. You can find us on Patreon at: patreon.com/CinemaInContext

Barbie and Oppenheimer. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Barbie (2023) and Oppenheimer (2023). We begin by discussing the Barbenheimer phenomenon and the influences that contributed to making this cinema event happen. We talk about the musical qualities of Barbie, as well as the cinema homages. We move to discuss the representation of politics and characters in Oppenheimer. We critique elements of Barbie, including the ending, the world-building and its intended audience. We discuss the details of Oppenheimer and consider its storytelling position, its technical choices and whether the film lands. We excitedly discuss all the actors in Oppenheimer and then the various Barbie products.

If you enjoy our podcast then consider joining our Patreon. Listen to an extended version of this episode, access additional minisode content and have an opportunity to join us for one-on-one discussions about your favourite films. You can find us on Patreon at: patreon.com/CinemaInContext

Movies that made William. Jeremy and William discuss the most significant films in William's life in our series of Movies That Made Us. He talks about Who Am I (1998), The Iron Giant (1999), Les Triplettes de Belleville | The Triplets of Belleville (2003), Fantasia (1940), and Back to the Future (1985).

If you enjoy our podcast then consider joining our Patreon. Listen to an extended version of this episode, access additional minisode content and have an opportunity to join us for one-on-one discussions about your favourite films. You can find us on Patreon at: patreon.com/CinemaInContext

Michael Keaton Batman films. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss The Flash (2023) and Batman Returns (1992). We begin by discussing the Tim Burton films in the late 80s and early 90s, including Batman (1989), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Batman Returns (1992), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and Ed Wood (1994). We talk about the ideas and influences in Batman Returns, including German Expressionism and the imagery around The Penguin, Catwoman, Max Shreck and Batman in the film. We then move our conversation to The Flash and how its troubled history kept it from being released for a number of years... perhaps too late? We talk about the range of references and performances in the film, including its homage to a number of films that were never made. We discuss the "multiverse" and how The Flash explores familiar territory, as well as other films that take place in their versions of multiple dimension storytelling. We move our conversation to the controversies of Ezra Miller and how such controversies affected the film, both narratively and commercially. We discuss the ethics of recreating actors who have died in films using digital tools.

If you enjoy our podcast then consider joining our Patreon. Listen to an extended version of this episode, access additional minisode content and have an opportunity to join us for one-on-one discussions about your favourite films. You can find us on Patreon at: patreon.com/CinemaInContext

Cross-political pop culture thrillers. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Tetris (2023) and Argo (2012). We begin by discussing Tetris: the game, the book and the film. We explore the wider world of video gaming and the development of technology. We shift to Argo and our initial reactions and our rewatching reactions. We discuss the 2013 Academy Award ceremony and Argo winning Best Picture. We talk about other connected texts, like Air (2023), Yellowjackets (2021-), Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) and Good Will Hunting (1997).

If you enjoy our podcast then consider joining our Patreon. Listen to an extended version of this episode, access additional minisode content and have an opportunity to join us for one-on-one discussions about your favourite films. You can find us on Patreon at: patreon.com/CinemaInContext

Super Mario Bros. films. Jeremy Downing and William Chen are joined by friend to the podcast Billy Revell-Siō to discuss the recent The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) and the 30-year old Super Mario Bros. (1993). We begin by discussing our bafflement by the 1993 film... what did we watch?! We discuss the mythology of the Mario games and wider Nintendo game lore. We talk about the success of adaptation in both films. We discuss the female characters and writing in both movies. We finish by discussing the music in both films and their place in pop culture.

If you enjoy our podcast then consider joining our Patreon. Listen to an extended version of this episode, access additional minisode content and have an opportunity to join us for one-on-one discussions about your favourite films. You can find us on Patreon at: patreon.com/CinemaInContext

Triangle named films at sea. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Triangle of Sadness (2022) and Triangle (2009). We begin by discussing Triangle and how the successful the fils works on building the narrative on a small budget. We talk through the time loop logic in Triangle and how the central character is represented throughout. We discuss our reactions to Triangle of Sadness, especially the scatological sequence in the film. We talk about the ethics and experiences of being on a cruise ship. We discuss the various acts and how each contribute to the overall effect of the film. We return to Triangle and discuss the torture of the main character, continue to unpack the time loop and compare to a range of other films.

If you enjoy our podcast then consider joining our Patreon. Listen to an extended version of this episode, access additional minisode content and have an opportunity to join us for one-on-one discussions about your favourite films. You can find us on Patreon at: patreon.com/CinemaInContext

Gerard Johnstone horror comedies. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss M3GAN (2023) and Housebound (2014). We begin by discussing the strengths of Housebound, especially how it references to many other horror classics. We talk through the horror tropes throughout the film and how successfully these moments intersect with the character moments. We move the conversation over to M3GAN, starting with key cast connections, discussing Gerard Johnstone's work, and the pros and cons of the script, gore and design of the film. We discuss the use of Auckland, New Zealand as a filming location for M3GAN and the recognisability of the locations in the film. We consider the reality of New Zealand filmmaking, filmmakers and the state of the industry.

If you enjoy our podcast then consider joining our Patreon. Listen to an extended version of this episode, access additional minisode content and have an opportunity to join us for one-on-one discussions about your favourite films. You can find us on Patreon at: patreon.com/CinemaInContext

James Cameron two billion dollar epics. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and Titanic (1997). We begin by discussing the themes of James Cameron films and how he captures big emotions in his films, and how these intersects with the representation of indigenous peoples. We discuss the performance capture of Avatar 2 and Cameron's focus on the work of the actors. We move to compare Avatar: The Way of Water with Titanic and consider the overarching connecting themes. We praise Titanic and its various story beats, characters, performance and how Cameron walks the line of a romantic period drama and disaster horror film. We explore the special effects and visual effects of Titanic, and marvel at the work from 25 years ago, and weave in considerations of the ground-breaking effect work of Avatar: The Way of Water.

Highs and lows of the year. Sarah Watt, Jeremy Downing and William Chen discuss their film and television highlights of 2022, including best film of the year (and runner-ups for best film of the year), biggest surprise of the year, worst film of the year, best time we had at the cinema and the best season of television of the year (and runner-ups for best season of television this year).

Here are the films we discussed:

• Runner-ups for best film of the year: Athena, Elvis, and Good Luck to you, Leo Grande (Sarah); Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, The Bad Guys, The House, Barbarian, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Turning Red, Top Gun: Maverick, Decision to Leave, and Everything Everywhere All At Once (William); Turning Red, Thirteen Lives, Trainwreck: Woodstock '99, and anticipating Avatar: The Way of Water to be a runner-up or even film of the year (Jeremy).

• Best film of the year: Ennio (Sarah); Athena (William); and Everything Everywhere All At Once (Jeremy).

• Biggest surprise of the year: Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (William); Ambulance (Sarah); and Top Gun: Maverick (Jeremy).

• Worst film of the year: Dog (Jeremy); In Snows in Benidorm (Sarah); and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (William).

• Best time at the cinema: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (Sarah); RRR (William); and Scream (2022; Jeremy).

• Runner-ups for best season of television of the year: The Bear - Season 1, The Rehearsal - Season 1, and Peacemaker - Season 1 (William, shared earlier in the episode when talking about runner-ups to best film); Russian Doll - Season 2, House of Dragon - Season 1, Sex Education - Season 3, The White Lotus - Season 2, and Hacks - Season 2 (Jeremy); and Succession - Season 3 and Better Call Saul - Season 6 (Sarah).

• Best season of television of the year: Andor - Season 1 (William); Stranger Things - Season 4 (Jeremy); and Ozark - Season 4 (Sarah).