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The magic of filmmaking often lies in that sweet spot between meticulous planning and creative spontaneity. Andrew "Ducky" Dutkiewiczz embodies this balance as he joins us to discuss his upcoming short film "Call This Land Mother" – a story about an Irish immigrant recalling his first summer in America and the mysterious girl who can speak to his dead mother.

Ducky pulls back the curtain on his crowdfunding journey through Seed&Spark, revealing both the struggles and unexpected joys of this process. "Crowdfunding alone is a career," he explains, describing the constant anxiety of outreach while still needing to function as director and maintain a day job. Yet despite these challenges, he's found a beautiful camaraderie with other filmmakers in similar positions, all "trying so hard to scrape together pennies" for their art.

What makes this conversation particularly fascinating is Ducky's exploration of how personal meaning emerged from what began as a simple creative impulse. The film, which blends realistic storytelling with magical elements, eventually connected to his experience as the child of an immigrant. "My mom's an immigrant... I started talking to her and understanding that feeling," he shares, revealing how artists often discover themselves within their work through the creative process.

Film buffs will delight in Ducky's breakdown of his top five cinematic influences for this project, ranging from Japanese animation masterpieces to indie darlings like "Submarine" and "Aftersun." These selections offer a window into his artistic vision – one that values the delicate balance between reality and magic, the power of memory, and the significance of place.

Ready to support independent filmmaking and be part of bringing this unique vision to life? Visit seedandspark.com/fund/call-this-land-mother or find Andrew on Instagram @AndrewDuckowitz. Every contribution makes a difference, and starting soon, donations will be matched until the project reaches its green light goal!

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When 17 children from the same third-grade classroom vanish into the night, a small suburban town becomes the epicenter of a nightmare that defies explanation. "Weapons," Zach Crager's sophomore directorial effort following his breakout hit "Barbarian," delivers a masterclass in atmospheric horror that will leave you checking the locks on your doors.

The film's brilliance lies in its unconventional structure, following multiple characters whose lives have been upended by the mass disappearance. We begin with Julia Garner's haunting portrayal of the children's teacher, quickly becoming the town's primary suspect as suspicion and paranoia mount. Just as we settle into her perspective, the narrative shifts to Josh Brolin's grief-stricken contractor, whose son was among the missing. Brolin delivers one of his most compelling performances in years, particularly during nightmarish sequences that blend reality and the supernatural with disturbing fluidity.

What sets "Weapons" apart from standard horror fare is how it balances genuine terror with moments of unexpected humor. Crager demonstrates remarkable control over tone, crafting scenes that can transform from laugh-out-loud funny to skin-crawling terror within seconds. The cinematography enhances this unsettling quality, with the camera constantly in motion, creating a voyeuristic feeling that makes viewers complicit in the unfolding horror.

The film lovingly channels influences from horror masters – Spielberg's suburban wonderment turned sinister, Carpenter's patient tension-building, Lynch's dream logic – while establishing Crager's unique voice. The soundtrack, featuring both perfectly chosen needle drops and original compositions, elevates each scene whether building dread or amplifying emotional moments.

As the mystery deepens and the film ventures into more overtly supernatural territory, "Weapons" asks us to consider what truly lurks behind the façade of suburban normalcy. While some viewers may debate the effectiveness of its third act, the journey is undeniably gripping from start to finish. Don't miss this theatrical experience that reminds us why watching horror with an audience remains one of cinema's most primal pleasures.

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What defines the greatest films of our still-young century? When The New York Times published their reader-selected Top 100 Films of the 21st Century, we couldn't resist diving into this cultural touchstone that had over 200,000 cinephiles weighing in on what matters most in modern cinema.

With Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" claiming the top spot and Christopher Nolan dominating with five entries (including both "Interstellar" and "The Dark Knight" in the top 10), the list reveals fascinating patterns about what resonates with today's audiences. We explore the international appeal of the selections, from "Spirited Away" at #8 to "In the Mood for Love" at #12, while questioning the noticeable absence of Black filmmakers like Spike Lee and the limited representation of female directors.

The conversation takes unexpected turns as we debate which films deserve higher placement (could "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" crack the top 10?), which should be removed entirely (does "Everything Everywhere All at Once" belong at #13?), and what crucial omissions we'd add to create a more representative canon. From questioning the recency bias that elevates new releases like "Oppenheimer" and "Dune Part Two" to lamenting the underrepresentation of horror and comedy, we offer our unfiltered takes on what this list gets right and wrong.

Whether you're a casual moviegoer or a dedicated cinephile, this episode provides both a roadmap for essential viewing and a framework for thinking critically about what makes a film truly stand the test of time. Join us for this passionate celebration and critique of the films that have defined our century so far – and let us know which rankings you'd fight to change!

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The theatrical landscape of 2025 tells a fascinating story through its box office patterns and creative trends. Animation continues its unstoppable theatrical dominance across multiple studios, while long-running franchises like Mission Impossible and Jurassic World show unmistakable signs of fatigue. Has the time come to put these decades-old properties to rest?

Our midyear film roundup reveals a striking preference for original storytelling over franchise continuation. From the breathtaking coastal beauty of Paolo Sorrentino's Parthenope to the inventive shark thrills of Dangerous Animals, our top picks demonstrate cinema's continued ability to surprise and captivate. Steven Soderbergh's spy thriller Black Bag showcases masterful craftsmanship, while Tim Robinson's Friendship brings his distinctive comedic sensibilities to feature length with remarkable success.

The conversation turns passionate when discussing Ryan Coogler's Sinners and Ari Aster's Eddington – films that blend genres with extraordinary confidence while delivering profound thematic depth. Both represent bold, auteur-driven visions that resonated deeply with audiences seeking thoughtful, challenging cinema.

Looking ahead, the remainder of 2025 promises an embarrassment of riches from acclaimed filmmakers including Park Chan-wook, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Jim Jarmusch. Their upcoming works, alongside anticipated releases like Edgar Wright's The Running Man and Blumhouse's Weapons, suggest our year-end lists may undergo significant transformation.

What films have captured your imagination in 2025? Join our conversation about this remarkable year in cinema and share your own discoveries and disappointments. The theatrical experience continues to evolve, but the power of original storytelling remains undiminished.

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Sheriff Joe Cross patrols a small New Mexico town where tension simmers beneath the surface. It's May 2020, and the pandemic has unleashed a torrent of fear, conspiracy, and mistrust that threatens to tear Eddington apart.

When we meet Joaquin Phoenix's Sheriff Cross, he's a man grasping for control – of his town, his marriage to Emma Stone's increasingly distant wife, and the looming threat of COVID-19. His power struggle with Pedro Pascal's Mayor Ted Garcia initially plays as absurdist comedy, filled with mask debates and protocol disputes that feel simultaneously ridiculous and unnervingly familiar. But Aster isn't interested in simple pandemic nostalgia or pointed finger-wagging.

As protests ignite following George Floyd's murder, the film transforms into something far more dangerous. Phoenix's fragile authority figure, obsessed with maintaining power he never truly possessed, descends into paranoia and violence. What follows is a white-knuckle thriller that examines how quickly social order can collapse when trust erodes and technology weaponizes our worst impulses.

Aster's genius lies in refusing to choose sides. His unflinching camera examines everyone – from performative activists to conspiracy theorists, from power-hungry officials to corporate puppeteers. The result feels like a definitive artistic statement about America's fractured landscape, where phones replace six-shooters and the true villains might not be who we expect.

Darius Khondji's breathtaking cinematography captures both the vast emptiness of the New Mexico desert and the claustrophobic tension of a community at war with itself. The performances, particularly Phoenix's slow-burning descent into madness, elevate this beyond typical genre exercises into something genuinely haunting.

Eddington is that rare film that feels immediately essential – a time capsule created in the moment, yet with the clarity that usually comes only with distance. It leaves us with troubling questions about where we've been and where we're headed. Watch it now and be part of the conversation about one of the year's most provocative cinematic achievements.

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Dinosaurs and box office numbers find a way, even when creativity doesn't. The latest Jurassic installment stomped through theaters with a staggering $318 million global opening, proving once again that this prehistoric franchise remains Hollywood's gold standard for bankable intellectual property.

Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali headline Jurassic World Rebirth, bringing star power to a franchise that's circling the creative drain yet continues to draw massive audiences. We dissect what works in this seventh installment – primarily Gareth Edwards' undeniable talent for spectacular visual set pieces – and what falls flat. From the breathtaking Titanosaurus sequence in tall grass to the genuinely thrilling underwater T-Rex chase (finally realizing a sequence from Crichton's original novel), the film delivers exactly what audiences expect from the franchise: dinosaurs hunting humans in increasingly elaborate scenarios.

But beneath the impressive technical achievement lies familiar franchise fatigue. Characters feel underdeveloped despite the talented cast, emotional beats are undercut by the need to move to the next set piece, and the film's structure often feels algorithmically designed to hit nostalgic beats from previous entries rather than charting bold new territory. As this film kicks off another planned trilogy, we question where the franchise can possibly go from here without completely rehashing familiar territory.

We also discuss Christopher Nolan's mysterious Odyssey trailer that premiered exclusively before Jurassic World screenings and look ahead to next week's Superman release – another major franchise reboot that faces similar challenges in balancing fan expectations with creative revitalization. Can James Gunn deliver something fresh in a crowded superhero landscape, or are we destined for another case of franchise fatigue? Join us as we explore these questions and more on this week's Excuse the Intermission.

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When the throttle opens and Led Zeppelin's iconic riffs fill the theater, you know you're in for something special. F1 roars onto the screen with the perfect fusion of high-stakes racing drama and human storytelling that makes your heart race as fast as the cars themselves.

Brad Pitt delivers one of his most compelling performances in years as Sonny Hayes, a former champion dragging the weight of past failures behind him like a parachute. What makes this performance remarkable isn't just Pitt's natural charisma, but his willingness to embrace vulnerability and aging on screen. We see him dunking his face in ice water before races, collapsing in exhaustion afterward, and bearing the physical and emotional scars of a brutal career. It's a masterclass in portraying the cost of greatness.

Director Joseph Kosinski brings the same technical innovation that made Top Gun: Maverick soar, putting viewers directly into the cockpit with brilliant camera work that captures both the speed and precision of Formula One racing. With Hans Zimmer's pulse-pounding score amplifying every moment and real F1 events as backdrops, the film achieves an authenticity that racing fans will appreciate while remaining accessible to newcomers. The supporting cast shines equally bright, with Damson Idris as a hotshot rookie, Javier Bardem as a visionary team owner, and Kerry Condon delivering a steely, scene-stealing performance as the team principal.

What elevates F1 beyond mere spectacle is its understanding that great sports films are fundamentally about craft – the difference between raw talent and refined skill, between ambition and wisdom. As Sonny mentors his young teammate through the intricacies of racing lines and split-second decisions, we're treated to a story about redemption that never feels formulaic despite following classic sports movie contours. When someone says "he's flying" in the film's climactic moments, you'll feel it too – both in the exhilaration of the race and the emotional journey that makes this more than just another movie about going fast.

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Father's Day 2025 finds our podcast fathers contemplating the curious state of cinema, where animation remakes break box office records while prestige directors struggle with creative stagnation.

Wes Anderson's "The Phoenician Scheme" becomes the focal point for a larger conversation about directorial signature styles calcifying into self-parody. Even devoted Anderson defenders are feeling fatigue as his meticulously composed dollhouses and deadpan performances edge closer to parody than innovation. Despite the welcome presence of Benicio Del Toro and glimpses of experimentation with violence and sports sequences, the film ultimately disappoints by prioritizing aesthetic consistency over emotional resonance.

Meanwhile, "Ballerina" emerges as a surprising standout in the John Wick universe. Ana de Armas commands the screen with physical prowess and surprising comedic timing, elevating creative action sequences featuring improvised weapons from ice skate nunchucks to television remotes. The film's narrative structure might be front-loaded with unnecessary exposition, but once it finds its rhythm, it delivers the kind of inventive, visually striking action that established the franchise while carving its own identity.

Family-friendly features continue their theatrical dominance, with "How To Train Your Dragon" joining "Minecraft" and "Lilo & Stitch" as box office champions. This enduring trend speaks volumes about audience priorities in an era of rising ticket prices – when families invest in theater outings, they gravitate toward reliable entertainment with broad appeal. On the horizon, Danny Boyle's "28 Years Later" promises to revitalize the rage virus saga with innovative iPhone cinematography and the return of original writer Alex Garland.

Join us next week as we dive deep into Danny Boyle's filmography and explore how his latest compares to the groundbreaking original that helped redefine zombie cinema for a new generation.

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May 2025 marked a historic turning point for theatrical exhibition with box office numbers approaching $1 billion on just 128 releases – half the number required to hit that mark pre-pandemic. This stunning 75% year-over-year growth signals what could be the full recovery of theatrical moviegoing after years of uncertainty.

Behind this remarkable surge were five films crossing the $100 million domestic threshold, led by Disney's surprisingly dominant "Lilo and Stitch" ($260M domestic) and Marvel's "Thunderbolts" ($180M). Perhaps most unexpected was "Final Destination: Bloodlines," the sixth entry in a long-dormant franchise that managed to earn over $200M worldwide – proving audiences still hunger for inventive horror when executed properly.

The hosts dissect several recent releases, finding much to be desired in "Bring Her Back," the sophomore effort from the directors behind A24's "Talk to Me." Despite strong performances and effective sound design, the film's telegraphed storytelling undermines its potential for genuine suspense. Similarly disappointing is Guy Ritchie's "Fountain of Youth," described as a "dollar store version of Indiana Jones and National Treasure" despite its star-studded cast. Netflix's "Fear Street: Prom Queen" fares better as a fun but lesser entry in the franchise, while HBO's tech billionaire satire "Mountainhead" delivers mixed results.

Looking forward, excitement builds for Wes Anderson's "The Phoenician Scheme," the Ana de Armas-led "Ballerina," and Ty West's vampire film premiering at Tribeca. The hosts also share news of Luca Guadagnino directing an AI business comedy and James Cameron tackling a dark fantasy project called "The Devils." These developments, alongside the emergence of AI-themed narratives as a distinct subgenre, reflect how cinema continues to process our collective anxieties and fascinations.

Catch Alex and Max each week as they explore theatrical releases, streaming debuts, and industry developments with insight and enthusiasm that reminds us why movies still matter.

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In a world teetering on the brink of nuclear annihilation, Ethan Hunt faces his most formidable adversary yet—not a terrorist mastermind or rogue agent, but an all-seeing artificial intelligence known simply as "the Entity." Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning delivers the breathtaking stunts and globe-trotting adventure fans have come to expect, while simultaneously offering a surprisingly thoughtful meditation on humanity's place in an increasingly technological world.

The stakes have never been higher as Hunt reunites with his loyal team—the tech wizard Benji (Simon Pegg) and the steadfast Luther (Ving Rhames)—for what may be their final mission together. From the depths of the Arctic's Bering Sea to a doomsday vault in South Africa, each spectacular set piece pushes the boundaries of practical filmmaking. Tom Cruise, at 62, performs death-defying stunts that would intimidate performers half his age, including an extraordinary biplane sequence that must be seen to be believed. When Gabriel says he has the only parachute before his demise, you'll grip your seat wondering how Hunt possibly survives.

What elevates this final chapter above mere spectacle is its willingness to engage with contemporary anxieties about artificial intelligence. As the Entity analyzes every possible outcome before making its move, Hunt's human unpredictability becomes his greatest weapon. The film suggests that our capacity for self-sacrifice, loyalty, and split-second emotional decisions might be what ultimately saves us from cold, calculating perfection.

Legacy fans will appreciate the surprise return of characters from earlier films, creating a satisfying sense of narrative closure while honoring the franchise's 28-year history. The emotional farewell between Hunt and Luther delivers one of the series' most poignant moments, acknowledging the brotherhood formed through impossible missions shared.

Whether you've followed Ethan Hunt since 1996 or are new to the IMF, The Final Reckoning delivers summer blockbuster thrills with unexpected emotional resonance. As the mission appears to conclude, one thing remains certain—Tom Cruise has cemented his legacy as one of cinema's greatest action stars. Don't miss what might be the last impossible mission on the biggest screen possible.

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