Ryan Coogler’s recent hit movie, Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, has sparked a lot of buzz. What is the appeal of vampires and what adds credibility to a vampire production? In this episode, we dive into the mystique of this century-long cinematic spectacle. After sharing our thoughts on the new blockbuster, we discuss the classic vampire movies, like Dracula and Nosferatu, as well as the contemporary hit shows, such as Buffy and The Vampire Diaries.

Send us a note to let us know your favorite vampire production. Also, if there’s a topic you would like us to cover, text us your idea.

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In this episode, we delve into cinema on difficult topics and social issues. Be aware that samples of these works and some aspects of our discussion may be triggering for some listeners. Many movies and TV series mirror real‑life circumstances and experiences. When handled deftly, the works often resonate with us or at minimum inform our perspectives about aspects of life or life encounters that are unfamiliar to us. We hope you find our talk on these issues affirming, comforting, and informative. Below, we have compiled a list of hotlines obtained from endcan.org and psychiatry.org should you be in need of support.

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) - 1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673)

Teen Dating Violence & Abuse (Love is Respect hotline) - 1-866-331-9474

National Suicide Hotline - 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

National Alliance on Mental Illness - 1-800-950-NAMI (1-800-950-6264)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 800-273-8255 or Chat with Lifeline.

Crisis Textline – Text TALK to 741741.

Veterans Crisis Line - Call 800-273-8255 or text 838255.

Is there a topic you would like us to cover? Text us your idea.

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• For comments and questions, email us at [email protected].

Have you ever wanted to remove your name from something that turned out badly? Maybe it was a group project, a paper you wrote, or a decision with an undesirable outcome. A little-known pseudonym adopted by the Directors Guild of America has allowed its members to do just that when their films don’t turn out as planned. In this episode, we dive deep into the Alan Smithee moniker, exploring its history and debating its merits. The question at the core of Alan Smithee is ‘should we really disown our mistakes?’ 

What is your Alan Smithee moment? Text to let us know, so we can give you a shout‑out on the show.

For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subscribe to our website using the link below:

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References

Amber, Katelyn (Host). (2024 April 28). Directed by Alan Smithee: Death to Smithee (Season 5, Episode 16), [Audio podcast episode]. In The Tinsel Factory: A Film History Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/directed-by-alan-smithee-death-to-smithee/id1518589138?i=1000653803759

Dubi, S. (2022 August 22). One of Hollywood’s Most Prolific Directors Doesn’t Actually Exist. Vice. https://www.vice.com/en/article/one-of-hollywoods-most-prolific-directors-doesnt-actually-exist/

Siskel and Ebert - An Alan Smithee Film : Burn Hollywood Burn review (1998). (1998 February 28). (Season 12, Episode 26). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzm5svmI0zc

Wallace, A. (2000 January 15). Name of Director Smithee Isn’t What It Used to Be. The Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jan-15-ca-54271-story.html

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Music can certainly exist outside of movies, but do you think movies can thrive without music? Have you ever thought about the crucial role that music plays in film? Or is music so integrated into film today that it is tough to think about the latter without the former? In this show, we take a deep dive into the undeniable value of music in film, beginning with early movie industry strategies to blend the two art forms to the contemporary and varied methods of scoring films. After listening, think of your favorite films without the music. Do you enjoy them more or less? Text to let us know, so we can give a shout‑out on the show.

For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subscribe to our website using the link below:

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References

Brand, Neil (Presenter). (2013). Sound of Cinema [Film]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUoL6Jtj4Lo.

Chaisson, Chris. (2023). “A Conversation with Film Composer Greg Sgammato.” Cup of Tea Critiques. https://www.cupofteacritiques.com/team/greg-sgammato.

Chaisson, Reba. “What’s that Sound?” Cup of Tea Critiques. https://www.cupofteacritiques.com/crumpets/what's-that-sound%3F.

Schrader, Matt (Director). (2016).  Score [Film]. Prime Video. https://www.score-movie.com/.

Soundfly. (2023). A Brief History of Film Scoring [Film]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lSM0jmhq4w.

Thomas, Pete. Taming the Saxophone. https://tamingthesaxophone.com/about/credits.

Waletzky, Joshua (Director). (1992). Music for the Movies: Bernard Herrmann [Film]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36Bej6w8yXQ. 

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Do you consider the rating of a film before deciding if you will go to the theater to see it? While they may be useful now, those seemingly benign letters that make up the ratings carry a lot of historical weight. For much of the 20th century, they were used as a means of defining morality for the movie-going public while suppressing freedom of speech and expression for filmmakers. Based on the Cup of Tea Critiques article, “A Clash of Knuckles,” which can be found in the Crumpets section on cupofteacritiques.com, this podcast continues our discussion of the Motion Picture Association’s (MPA) movie ratings system, its tension with filmmakers, and its efforts to suppress the hearty cinematic appetites of then movie-goers. 

How important is the movie rating to your decision-making process? Leave us a review and share your thoughts!

A Clash of Knuckles: Movies and the System of Rating Them

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• For comments and questions, email us at [email protected].

Do you consider the rating of a film before deciding if you will go to the theater to see it? While they may be useful now, those seemingly benign letters that make up the ratings carry a lot of historical weight. For much of the 20th century, they were used as a means of defining morality for the movie-going public while suppressing freedom of speech and expression for filmmakers. Based on the Cup of Tea Critiques article, “A Clash of Knuckles,” which can be found in the Crumpets section on cupofteacritiques.com, this podcast covers the history of the Motion Picture Association’s (MPA) movie ratings system, its tension with filmmakers, and its efforts to suppress the hearty cinematic appetites of then movie-goers. 

How important is the movie rating to your decision-making process? Leave us a review and share your thoughts!

A Clash of Knuckles: Movies and the System of Rating Them

For future updates, subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen, and for email updates on all things COTC, subscribe to our website using the link below:

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We hope you enjoyed listening as much as we enjoyed sharing. Join us again for another deep look with a deep brew!

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In 2023, filmmaker Rhys Frake-Waterfield set off a frenzy when he released his film, Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, which presents the iconic cuddly bear as something more repulsive than inviting. His transformation of Pooh was enabled by the character’s recent release into the public domain archives. Public domain is a category of creative works that are unprotected by intellectual property law. In some cases, the work was never protected, and in others, the term of protection for said work has expired. In this episode, COTC explores public domain, viewed by some as a treasure trove and others as an opportunity to exploit historically iconic characters and shows. Which camp do you think you fall in? Leave us a review and share your thoughts! 

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Links

Winnie the Pooh and the Public Domain 

How to Obtain Copyright Permission

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Can you distinguish between a sequel and a serial? In this episode of the Cup of Tea Critiques Podcast, we define and explore the two concepts, with examples of familiar films from past and present. We also delve into the question of whether our expectations for a sequel/serial influence our positive or negative evaluation of it. What are some of your favorite sequels and multi-part franchises? Which ones disappointed you?  Leave us a review and share your thoughts! 

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After watching a film, consider for a moment how it looked and just as important, how it made you feel. If you stay past the movie’s credits, you get an indication of just how the filmmakers were able to achieve these effects, because they provide details about the cameras that were used during the shoots. After listening to the podcast, think about which film gauge has produced the most movies that are your cup of tea: 8, 16, 35, 70? Write us a review and share your preference!

Reference

https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/how-digital-conversion-is-killing-independent-movie-theaters-89265/

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Many talented filmmakers lack the resources to produce expansive projects that can gain the attention of influential representatives or studios. So, what’s the best use of the underdog’s modest means? Many go the route of what’s known as a “short film.” Check out our article on this topic on the Cup of Tea Critiques Crumpets page. What short film is your cup of tea?  Write us a review and share some of your favorites!

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