Episode 100: Stars and Stripes Face

Prompts: Switcheroo

We made it to Episode 100! What an awesome accomplishment that couldn't have happened without all of your support. Whether you are a Patreon supporter, devoted listener, or just joined our journey, from the bottom of our hearts we want to say thank you for helping us get to 100 episodes.

LT and Neal start the proceedings off by talking about Lauren's upcoming move, air conditioning, how it warms their hearts that travelers to the US are having a great time, Neal's quirky dream, and more! In this episode the pair switches what they typically do so LT talks about a movie (chosen by you) that has been talked about before and Neal picks an artist to talk about it.

First, LT shares her thoughts on Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon and has a hot take about Ryan O'Neal. We hear about some of the artists that were inspirations for some of her favorite shots. LT also talks at length about how accurate the costuming was.

Neal delves deep into a Chicago art legend who doesn't get a lot of notice in Richard Hunt. His upbringing, inspiration to become an artist and choose a discipline, and how he he became one of the most prolific artists in history. The more you know...

Help our show in our 50/50 campaign! 50 reviews on Apple, 50 reviews on Spotify!

If you'd like to support Neal on his new book ⁠Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Fan Guide⁠⁠ ⁠please pre-order a copy and spread the word to your friends or loved ones who might like it for a holiday gift as it comes out December 1st! Pre-orders count as first week sales and are the greatest metric for publishers to consider letting Neal do another book!

Pre-order here: ⁠https://www.globepequot.com/9781493096152/mission-impossible/⁠

Next Week's Prompts: Paper, Cerulean, 94

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Episode 99: Jesus Visits The Criterion Collection

Prompts: Raspberry, Criterion, 549

We are ONE EPISODE AWAY from 100 episodes! We did it curators! Never thought we'd make it to 100, but we're so close. Thank you for all of your support. Lauren kicks off things talking about moving updates and why she never ended up doing improv professionally. Neal offers an alternative, Art History Improv, and since we didn't have video, you weren't able to see the look LT gave Neal!

Neal starts us off this week taking the word Criterion and 549 on the nose. He gives us a historical background of every cinephile and film nerds favorite closet: The Criterion Closet. Neal talks about origins, who started it, the first discs that were released, how a movie is even added to the collection, and badly makes a plea to go inside the closet himself. To check out the viral web app designed to make it feel like you're in the closet, go to: https://the-criterion-closet.vercel.app/#closet

LT takes over for a super informative look at Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet by Tintoretto. Lauren praises the wide nature of the piece (almost like Cinemascope, talking about film) and details each of the Disciples and how they are rendered down to the tiniest detail. Neal contributes with a comment and a question, and asks LT to rate his interpretation of one particular fashion item that may interest you!

Next week is our 100th episode! We want to hear FROM YOU!

What movie from the past 100 episodes that Neal has talked about should Lauren watch and talk about for next week's episode. YOU get to decide. E-mail us, DM us on Instagram, or message us on Patreon.

Is there a piece of art you want to hear Neal talk about? Send the same messages.

SEND US YOUR AUDIO MESSAGES! We want to hear from you. If you'd like to send a message that we will listen and react to live on air, please record a voice note on your phone or .mp3 on your computer and e-mail us at: [email protected] If you need help in figuring that out, reach out and we'll help you!

Help our show in our 50/50/50 campaign! 50 reviews on Apple, 50 reviews on Spotify, and 50 Patrons at: patreon.com/curatedbychance

If you'd like to support Neal on his new book ⁠Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Fan Guide⁠⁠ ⁠please pre-order a copy and spread the word to your friends or loved ones who might like it for a holiday gift as it comes out December 1st! Pre-orders count as first week sales and are the greatest metric for publishers to consider letting Neal do another book!

Pre-order here: ⁠https://www.globepequot.com/9781493096152/mission-impossible/⁠

Next Week's Prompts: NO PROMPTS! Listener picked, and audio files played!

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Episode 98: #ManCrushMonday

Prompts: Lamp, 60, Dark Gray

This week's episode is coming in hot! Lauren is trying to figure out how to get rid of a bunch of her stuff and Neal talks about getting injections in his neck. For the record, it was not injected with Portillo's beef juice! Then Neal talks a bit about Spielberg and surprisingly knows how old he is and when his birthday is off the dome. Lauren reiterates that for a Patreon bonus she's going to really do a "Bernini or Bust Bonus" to continue the discussion about Bernini so make sure to look out for that if you're a Patron!

Lauren kicks things off by introducing listeners to a deep dive into artist Isamu Noguchi! Lauren talks about some of his famous mentors. Hint: one of them did a bunch of famous faces! Lauren covers how Noguchi made portrait busts to support himself, shifted toward abstraction after seeing inspirational work in Paris, his many collaborations across various forms of art, and how his Akari lamp and other mass-produced pieces have made him basically a household name. Lauren officially crowns Noguchi #ManCrushMonday and invites listeners to come learn more at The MAG.

Then Neal takes us to 1960 and talks about one of the most famous Best Picture winners ever: The Apartment by Billy Wilder. Starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacClaine, Neal talks about Wilder's writing/directing style, why this was such an important film, and how it even inspired a musical adaptation that became meaningful to both him and his wife Colleen.

Help our show in our 50/50/50 campaign! 50 reviews on Apple, 50 reviews on Spotify, and 50 patrons at patreon.com/curatedbychance

If you'd like to support Neal on his new book ⁠Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Fan Guide⁠⁠ ⁠please pre-order a copy and spread the word to your friends or loved ones who might like it for a holiday gift as it comes out December 1st! Pre-orders count as first week sales and are the greatest metric for publishers to consider letting Neal do another book!

Pre-order here: ⁠https://www.globepequot.com/9781493096152/mission-impossible/⁠

Next Week's Prompts: Raspberry, Criterion, 549

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Episode 97: The Legend of Big Boy

Prompts: Nun, Rim, Olive, 411

We have some BREAKING NEWS...

Lauren bought a house! Congratulations to Lauren, Steve, and Isaac on their new home. We'll be sure to give you updates on the move and all the other hijinks!

This week's pod starts with the news of the house, Neal (kind of) sees Big Boy for the first time and is surprised everyone knows it's called Big Boy. If you don't know what we're talking about, you will when you listen.

To start things off, Neal goes back to his childhood and first, tells a crazy story of a coach that he had in basketball and then talks about 1994's Above the Rim starring Duane Martin, Leon, Tupac Shakur, Marlon Wayans, and Bernie Mac. He talks about the origin of the movie and how its soundtrack practically eclipsed the movie itself.

Then Lauren talks about the progression of the David sculpture from Rodin to Michelangelo and ultimately lands on the works of Gian Lorenzo Bernini. From his version of the David sculpture, to his controversial depiction of a nun in ecstasy (it was the power of God!) Lauren breaks down all things Bernini with so much left on the floor that perhaps a bonus is in our future!

Help our show in our 50/50/50 campaign! 50 reviews on Apple, 50 reviews on Spotify, and 50 patrons! To join Patreon just go to: ⁠www.patreon.com/curatedbychance

If you'd like to support Neal on his new book Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Fan Guide please pre-order a copy and spread the word to your friends or loved ones who might like it for a holiday gift as it comes out December 1st! Pre-orders count as first week sales and are the greatest metric for publishers to consider letting Neal do another book!

Pre-order here: https://www.globepequot.com/9781493096152/mission-impossible/

Next Week's Prompts: Lamp, 60, Dark Gray

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Episode 96: The Soft Hands of an Influencer

Prompts: Golden Rod, Nordi, 537

This week's discussion begins with a small update on house hunting and Neal reveals information about why so many people must be driving the Mercedes G Wagons, especially celebrities and realtors apparently.

Lauren kicks things off by exploring the fascinating world of Nordic and Scandinavian art. She talks about artists like Anders Zorn, Hammershoy, and Hannah Hirsch Pauly. After breaking down these artists and their great work, Lauren calls for more appreciation for our Scandinavian friends!

Neal also goes Nordic by talking about one of the best Norwegian thrillers that not many people have heard about. It's called Headhunters and it stars Game of Thrones standout Nikolaj Coster-Waldau before he got notoriety on the show and is directed by Morten Tyldum. Neal chose the movie, though, because of its connection to the world of fine art to get Lauren interested!

Help our show in our 50/50/50 campaign! 50 reviews on Apple, 50 reviews on Spotify, and 50 patrons! To join Patreon just go to: ⁠www.patreon.com/curatedbychance

If you'd like to support Neal on his new book Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Fan Guide please pre-order a copy and spread the word to your friends or loved ones who might like it for a holiday gift as it comes out December 1st! Pre-orders count as first week sales and are the greatest metric for publishers to consider letting Neal do another book!

Pre-order here: https://www.globepequot.com/9781493096152/mission-impossible/

Next Week's Prompts: Nun, Rim, Olive, 411

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Episode 95: If Your Eyes Don't Weep, Your Organs Do

Prompts: 4891, Frog, Pumpkin

This week's episode talks about Lauren (and her snazzy hat) washing and cleaning the bronze artwork in front of the museum. This conversation turns into the absolute need for an art calendar and slow motion commercial of museum workers toothbrushing bronze crack and wiping sculpted muscles in slow-motion.

Neal starts this week's episode by not talking about one movie... but a single year: 1984. He talks about the influences that have permeated pop culture since that fateful year and highlights several films like Beverly Hills Cop, Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom, Gremlins, and more! This year proves why it's an underrated king.

Lauren, not the most ardent supporter of adult cartoons, was completely transfixed (after a few viewings and the insistence of Isaac) to watch Over the Garden Wall starring Elijiah Wood, Melanie Lynskey, Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, and... Chris Isaak? Lauren talks about the development, the tone, and that while it took a few viewings, it has the perfect vibe to welcome you back into the fall spirit.

Help our show in our 50/50/50 campaign! 50 reviews on Apple, 50 reviews on Spotify, and 50 patrons! To join Patreon just go to: www.patreon.com/curatedbychance

If you'd like to support Neal on his new book Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Fan Guide please pre-order a copy and spread the word to your friends or loved ones who might like it for a holiday gift as it comes out December 1st! Pre-orders count as first week sales and are the greatest metric for publishers to consider letting Neal do another book!

Pre-order here: https://www.globepequot.com/9781493096152/mission-impossible/

Next Week's Prompts: Golden Rod, Nordic, 537

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Episode 94: Curly-Wurly Mustache

Prompts: Tin, Mark, Cream, 487

This week's episode begins with Neal talking about his much-need day off and if it was really a day off or something else entirely. Both the hosts thank YOU the listeners for engaging with the show and repeat the call to help get 50 reviews on Apple and Spotify and 50 patrons!

Lauren starts this week's episode by talking all about the Pop Art movement. The history, the major players, the misconceptions, and the post-war ideologies at play in both the United States and England. She then chooses to focus on perhaps the most famous pop artist of all time, or at least most recognizable, Andy Warhol.

Neal takes over and decides to KISS (keep it simple stupid) and uses tin to get him to Tin Cup the 1995 romantic sports movie all about golf starring Kevin Costner, Rene Russo, and Don Johnson. He discusses the origins, the film's writer-director, declares Kevin Costner the king of sports movies, and reveals the "inspiration" behind the film's character which prompt Neal and Lauren to have a bit of fun when they see who it actually is.

If you'd like to support Neal on his new book Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Fan Guide please pre-order a copy and spread the word to your friends or loved ones who might like it for a holiday gift as it comes out December 1st! Pre-orders count as first week sales and are the greatest metric for publishers to consider letting Neal do another book!

Pre-order here: https://www.globepequot.com/9781493096152/mission-impossible/

Join us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/curatedbychance

Next Week's Prompts: 4891, Frog, Pumpkin

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Episode 93: I Thought it was Pearl!

Prompts: Neptune, Pastel Blue, 991

This week's episode begins with Lauren recounting her conference that felt like a night out in Las Vegas complete with backlit menus and highly priced steak! Neal talks about handing in his book and making a video for Colleen's students before our dynamic duo hop into their respective topics.

Neal begins and takes the word Neptune to inspire a conversation about Veronica Mars, the Rob Thomas-created (no, not that Rob Thomas) television show that had early 2000s TV viewers in a chokehold and thrust Kristen Bell into superstardom. He highlights the origins of the project, talks about the heart of the show (the father-daughter relationship) and covers how the TV series became a movie and then a reboot.

Lauren then admits that she completely botched one of the prompts Chance provided last week and could have sworn that the word "pearl" was one of them. She goes in-depth on Vermeer, his painting The Girl with the Pearl Earring, the documentary Tim's Vermeer and how it's received in the art community, and even tells us an absolutely fascinating factoid about the famous portrait that you won't want to miss.

If you'd like to support Neal on his new book Mission Impossible: The Ultimate Fan Guide please pre-order a copy and spread the word to your friends or loved ones who might like it for a holiday gift as it comes out December 1st!

Pre-order here: https://www.globepequot.com/9781493096152/mission-impossible/

Next Week's Prompts: Tin, Cream, Mark, 487

Join in supporting the show with our listeners by becoming a member of our Patreon at www.patreon.com/curatedbychance for ad-free episodes, book clubs, stickers, and more!

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Episode 92: Three Sports Cars in a Culver's

Prompts: Beast, Emerald, 9

Welcome to an all-new and endlessly entertaining (we hope) episode of Curated by Chance. The episode starts off with a bang, or, more literally, a CUT, as Neal accidentally cuts himself and shows blood. He's okay, but after you hear the rest of the episode, it actually all comes together in relation to his topic and it was unplanned. Neal talks about a freaky moment watching the new movie APEX on Netflix and a quick NYC update, and Lauren gives an update on her house hunting. Both of the hosts send out the call to help them reach 50 reviews on Apple and Spotify and 50 patrons!

To start this week, Lauren takes us on a deep dive into the Fauvist art movement and how artists like Henri Matisse used color with emotion rather than realism. LT talks about controversial paintings like Blue Nude and The Green Stripe and breaks down the themes of gender ambiguity, colonialism, sexuality, and color. This movement, evolving out of Impressionism and Pointillism rejected realism and inspired negative reactions from audiences at the time but ultimately became influential in modern art.

Neal then takes the word beast very literally, chronicling the infamous cult film Roar (1981) often called "the most dangerous movie ever made." Neal talks about producer Noel Marshall living and filming with real lions, tigers, and other big beasts and talks about the absolutely insane behind-the-scenes stories of a years-long filming process that resulted in dozens of serious injuries, near-death experiences, escaped animals and more. The film did result in a real-life big cat sanctuary but what happened on set seems too crazy to be true and is something you have to witness at least once in your movie going journey!

Next Week's Prompts: Neptune, Pastel Blue, 991

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Episode 91: Mother's Book Club

Prompts: Hell, Gray, 106, Baby Blue

This week's episode starts out with a joyous exclamation by LT that she is FREE from classes for the summer! Well, at least she thought so, but that'll be on next week's episode. Neal then recounts babysitting his two nieces with his wife, Colleen, and how quickly caring for your nieces can turn expensive. We've all been there right? Anyone? Bueller?

Since Neal pulled Chance last week, he's up first, and he discussed Hell of High Water the 2016 neo-noir Western crime drama with great performances from Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges, and Gil Birmingham. Neal takes the time to talk about the film's themes of economic collapse and predatory banking, the moral gray areas of the film (no true heroes or villains) and how generational struggle affects small-town America. He then turns the discussion over to an exploration of Taylor Sheridan, the film's writer whose career has absolutely blown up and taken Hollywood by storm.

LT takes the mantle and gushes about a book she's recently read called Catabasis by R.F. Kuang, a dark academia/fantasy/horror that's inspired by Dante and mythology and absolutely enraptured her. The story follows two grad students who travel to hell to retrieve their dead professor for a recommendation letter of all things. LT talks about the themes of language, math, and magic and gives us the tea on her "Mother's Book Club" which actually isn't called that.

Oh, and Chance is definitely in a dark and brooding mood.

Next Week's Prompts: Beast, Emerald, 9

Thank you to all of our patrons who make this show possible! We're on a road to 50 patrons, and 50 reviews on Spotify and Apple, give us a hand if you're willing and able! And come join us by donating today for the price of a cup of coffee a month!

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