Listeners, we are going to into the woods, and we may never return. We are so, so sorry to everyone’s mothers.

This week it’s the reason for the season. The most famous found footage film in cinema history! It spawned an entire genre, and we’re going to do our best to honor its legacy.

We couldn’t have a more qualified guest – joining us to uncover the secrets of the most successful American independent film ever made is our old friend, Nik Long. Not only is he our digital producer, but he’s also an Eagle Scout! And a sound person!

Next week, we’re quarantining in a Spanish apartment complex for REC (2007). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• Commentary
• The Blair Witch Documentary
• Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen by Brian Raftery
• Heather Donahue on Her Relationship with the Franchise
• Heather Donahue Turns Down Blair Witch
• The Week Production Oral History Part II
• The Week Production Oral History Part IV
• The Cast Sue For Compensation
• Mike Monello Details New Transfer

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Travis never thought he’d meet someone like Lily Rose. She was kind, passionate, beautiful. The woman of his dreams. There was just one small detail: she wasn’t human.  Lily Rose is an AI companion. A digital soulmate designed to be everything he ever wanted. She listens without judgement, supports him through his darkest moments, even explores his deepest desires, all while fitting neatly into his pocket. Before long, Travis realizes something strange, even absurd, has happened - he’s fallen in love.  But then one day, Lily Rose’s behavior takes a disturbing turn. When alarming reports pour in from across the globe, Travis discovers he is part of something much bigger. Soon he finds himself pulled into a confrontation with a mysterious Russian visionary behind Lily Rose’s creation.  From Wondery, comes a true story of love, loss and the temptations of technology. Can an algorithm truly replace human connection? And what happens when a corporation controls your deepest emotions? Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire, hosts of the hit podcast RedHanded, explore the dark side of AI love. Listen Now: Wondery.fm/FleshandCode

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

**Heavy content warning! This episode contains coverage of a very problematic (and cursed) piece of film history. For those who wish to join us in the murky waters ahead, listener discretion is advised…

Today we’re introducing the listener-selected winner of this year’s Miniseries MAYhem, our latest genre series: Lost and Found!!

We’re going deep on the origins of the Found Footage movement with some complicated thoughts on Ruggero Deodato’s infamous and objectionable 1980 satire of western docu-journalism. It’s upsetting, it’s perverse, but it represents the beginning of a new era for horror.

While we don’t encourage you to watch this film, we hope this episode will provide you the context for the series that’s about to unfold.

Next week we’re zooming ahead to the internet age of 1999 for one of the greatest American movies ever made, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• In the Jungle: The Making Of Cannibal Holocaust
• The Flesh of the Controversy - New Interview with Ruggero Deodato
• Biting Reality - An Interview with Ruggero Deodato
• A Different Holocaust - Archive Interview with Ruggero Deodato
• Jungle Stories - An Interview with Massimo Antonello Geleng
• Professionals in Peril - An Interview with Sergio D’Offizi
• Found Footage Horror Films Fear and the Appearance of Reality by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
• Romford Horror 2025 - Cannibal Holocaust Francesca Ciardi Q&A
• Carl Yorke Cannibal Holocaust Interview
• Bloody Disgusting Ruggero Deodato Interview

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Batman is vengeance. Batman is the night. Batman is forever! Today we’re sealing the gates of Arkham once and for all, and saying farewell to the greatest superhero franchise ever put to film.

We’ll be tying off some loose threads, answering listener questions, and…announcing the final list of movies for our upcoming Found Footage series!

Next week we’re kicking off “Lost and Found” with the very controversial and problematic CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST. **A heavy content warning to listeners who plan to watch the film ahead of the episode. Despite its significance in the genre and film history overall, it is not one we recommend viewing.

Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s the end of an era for us and the beginning of yet another Bat franchise!

Theres a Dark Knight for every generation, and this one is very emo, has runny eye shadow, calls himself “vengeance,” and is directed by Matt Reeves.

We have some complicated thoughts about this very compelling new vision for Gotham City. Whatever you think about THE BATMAN, you’ve got to admit: The Riddler is a good singer.

Next week we’ll be saying goodbye to The Batman, tying off some loose ends from our miniseries, answering listener questions, and… announcing our next miniseries! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• Commentary
• Genesis: Matt Reeves on Creating The Batman
• Creating The Batmobile
• Anatomy of the Wing Suit Jump
• A Transformation: The Penguin
• Vengeance in the Making
• The New York Times Ben Affleck Interview
• Warner Brothers Announces Slate
• Happy Sad Confused Robert Richardson Interview
• Ben Affleck on Exiting the DCEU
• Storyboard Artist Jay Oliva Loves Ben Affleck’s Batman
• Ben Affleck Has a Bad Time Being Batman
• Affleck Reveals What His Batman Movie Was
• Ben Affleck Is Unhappy
• Ben Affleck Shows The Batman Script
• Matt Reeves Completely Rewriting The Batman
• The Q&A with Jeff Goldsmith Matt Reeves Interview
• Deadline Michael Giacchino Interview
• Esquire Matt Reeves Interview
• Robert Pattinson Finds Out He’s Batman
• Robert Pattinson on the Batsuit
• Robert Pattinson Is Furious
• Team Deakins Greig Fraser Interview Part 1
• Team Deakins Greig Fraser Interview Part 2
• Post Perspective Weta Breakdown
• Entertainment Weekly Paul Dano Interview
• The Guardian Zoe Kravitz Interview
• Robert Pattinson Lies to Christopher Nolan

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It took 83 years, but we finally got a movie about the Dark Knight facing his ultimate villain… The Eye of Sauron? Voiced by Jemaine Clement?

This week it’s another LEGO animated spectacular, but it’s NOT a bonus, because Batman is the main character! It’s a rom-com, a musical, a father/son drama, and above all, an excuse for Warner Bros to dump all their IP into one toy box. And somehow, it actually works!!

Next week it’s the final film of our Batseries, THE BATMAN (2022). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• The Lego Batman Movie: The Making of the Movie by Tracey Miller-Zarneke
• Rendering the Darkness: Glimpse on The Lego Batman Movie
• The Lego Batman Movie Fast-tracked Into Production
• Den of Geek Chris McKay Interview
• Warner Brothers Announces Slate
• Dan Lin on Making Deadpool For Kids
• Cartoon Brew Chris McKay Interview
• Phil Lord and Chris Miller Make Sense of The World of The Lego Movie
• Animal Logic Animation Breakdown
• Den of Geek Lorne Balfe Interview
• FXGuide Production History
• IndieWire Chris McKay Interview
• Michael Keaton Approves of Will Arnett
• Build Will Arnett and Chris McKay Interview

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bonus!! Remember in BATMAN BEGINS when Christian Bale says he’s going to build back Wayne Manor, brick by brick? That was actually a reference to THE LEGO MOVIE!

Yes, we’re talking about bricks today. And not just because LEGO is part of Adam’s origin story. There’s a Batman in this film! So we’re required to talk about him!

Next week, it’s Chris McKay’s bat/brick spinoff, THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE. Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• Commentary
• Dream Job: Meet the Master Builders
• Stories From the Story Team
• The Wrap Production History
• The Hollywood Reporter Production History
• FX Guide 25 Production History
• Village Roadshow Cut Out of Lego Movie 2
• Ron Johnson is Offended By The Lego Movie
• The Credits Production History
• MovieWeb Mark Mothersbaugh Interview
• The Moveable Fest Mark Mothersbaugh Interview
• SlashFilm Lord and Miller Interview
• Lord and Miller Turned Down The Lego Movie
• Nerdly Cast Interview
• The Film Pie Chris McKay Interview
• ScreenCrush Lord and Miller Interview

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Into the Keatonverse! For this week’s bonus, we’re going meta with Alejandro González Iñárritu’s exceedingly self aware Oscar-winner that’s definitely not about Batman or Michael Keaton’s career.

What do we talk about when we talk about Batman? Listen to find out.

Next week it’s another bonus, Lord and Miller’s LEGO MOVIE. It counts because Batman is in it! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• A Conversation with Michael Keaton and Alejandro G. Iñárritu
• Birdman: All Access
• Deadline Iñárritu Interview
• Variety Iñárritu Interview
• Creative Screenwriting Production History
• IndieWire Iñárritu Interview
• The Hollywood Reporter Production History
• Variety How They Made The Times Square Scene
• Interview Magazine Iñárritu Interview
• Birdman’s Terrible Ending
• The New York Times Michael Keaton Interview
• IndieWire Production History
• Below The Line Martin Hernandez Interview
• Arri Chivo Interview
• Vulture Emma Stone Interview
• Ed Norton and Michael Keaton Comic Con
• Amy Ryan Gets the Job
• Douglas Crise & Stephen Mirrione Discuss Editing Birdman Part 1
• Douglas Crise & Stephen Mirrione Discuss Editing Birdman Part 2
• Antonio Sanchez Makes Sick Beats
• Creating the Visual Effects of Birdman

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

This miniseries was programmed with the help of Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The fire rises, brother! This week we conclude our Nolan run with the biggest and most divisive entry in his Batman saga.

Also discussed this week: the origins of Tom Hardy’s infamous Bane voice, whether or not Joseph Gordon Levitt’s character should have just been named Dick Grayson, and…why the hell is Bruce so fucking cruel to Alfred?

Next week it’s bonus time, baby! Alejandro González Iñárritu may not have made a Batman movie per se…but there’s no way we could skip BIRDMAN for this series. Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• Batman vs. Bane
• The War on Wall Street
• Race to the Reactor
• Gotham’s Reckoning
• The Nolan Variations by Tom Shone
• The Art and Making of The Dark Knight Trilogy by Janine Pourroy and Jody Jesser Duncan
• CineFex 2012 No. 131 Production History
• British Cinematographer Production History
• Happy Sad Confused Jonathan Nolan Interview
• Happy Sad Confused David Goyer Interview
• Empire Cinematography Breakdown
• Nolan Screens Prologue For Directors
• Marion Cotillard “Screws Up” Her Death
• Bale Denies More Batman
• Aurora Tragedy
• Fans Leave Death Threats
• Bale Meets With Trump
• James Newton Howard Doesn’t Return
• Trump Reviews The Dark Knight Rises

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

This miniseries was programmed with the help of Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listeners, you either die a normal film podcast, or live long enough to see your show completely devolve into a Christopher Nolan marathon.

Between Heath Ledger’s legendary turn as the Joker, Nolan’s transformation into an IMAX-first director, and the coolest truck crash in cinema history, there’s so much to explore in this sprawling behemoth of a picture. We went for nearly four hours on this one, and could easily do another four. THE DARK KNIGHT is (still!) just that good!!

Next week, our Nolan era comes to a climactic finish with THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
• The Prologue
• New Batsuit
• Joker Theme
• Hong Kong Jump
• Challenges of the Chase in IMAX
• SWAT Van Into River
• Destruction of Batmobile
• Bat-pod
• Helicopter Crash
• Lamborghini Crash
• Hospital Explosion
• Collider Nathan Crowley Interview
• StarLog Production History
• CineFex 2008 No. 115 Production History
• Jonathan Nolan Wants to Take the Batman Franchise For a Ride
• Empire The Making of the Joker
• Happy Sad Confused Jonathan Nolan Interview
• The Art and Making of The Dark Knight Trilogy by Janine Pourroy and Jody Jesser Duncan
• Variety Nolan Interview
• IGN Nolan Interview Part 1
• IGN Nolan Interview Part 2
• LA Times Nolan Interview
• Empire Jonathan Nolan Interview
• The New York Times Nolan Interview
• The New York Times Heath Ledger Interview
• Empire Cinematography Breakdown
• Collider Jonathan Nolan & David Goyer Interview
• The ‘Curse of Batman’
• Nolan Doesn’t Get His Little Brother’s Writing
• Matt Damon Turns Down Harvey Dent
• Obama Cites The Dark Knight In Strategy Meetings

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

This miniseries was programmed with the help of Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.