Film School

Not everyone is aware that Hitchcock actually started making movies all the way back in Britain's 1920s silent era. Now that we've watched all of those films (that are available, anyway), we take a look back and think about what we've learned. What takeaways can we glean, not just about Hitchcock, but about the film industry in general, and–dare we say–ourselves? We discuss!

Also, Josh recommends Peaky Blinders on Netflix, and Ira recommends Andor on Disney+.

(note: for anyone listening along as we publish these, this CRF was actually recorded back in August of 2023, last year--so, some of the personal updates are a little outdated at this point)

Das ist kein Theaterstück, das ist das Leben.

The 1930s were a wild era in film. The industry was exploding; there was a ton of money to be made, especially in foreign markets...if you could figure out a way to get your movie into the local language...like German! Because sound couldn't be added after the fact yet, this meant literally making your movie over again with a different (German) script, different (German) actors, on the same sets. Hence, Mary, the German version of Murder!, a movie Hitchcock made twice. We've watched Murder! Now...the German version. Wonder how it compares...

Happy New Year!

Lots of fun stuff to come on the podcast this year, and for Josh and Ira personally. We talk about what the year-to-come has in store. What's on the horizon for you?

As we turn the page on 2023, we take a look back on the last FIVE YEARS that we've done this exercise, and we consider how far we've come, and how that affects what we think of this year. It was a banner year in some ways, and a difficult one in others. We discuss what this year means for us, and we invite you to consider how 2023 has been for you. How far have you come? What will you remember 2023 for? What were the highs and lows? We talk about it all. Join us in!

God bless us, everyone!

Jim Henson's Muppets take on the Dickens classic holiday tale of the humbug-miser who discovers that generosity is not only the way to live Christmas, but to live your entire life. Michael Caine plays Scrooge, Kermie plays Bob Cratchit, and Gonzo is our narrator...shenanigans, hilarity, and life lessons ensue. It was the first muppet movie made without Jim. Is the magic still there? (yes.) We discuss!

I'm dreaming of a white christmas...

Kinda wild we haven't watched this classic yet. Not all old musical, romantic comedies translate to the modern era. So much has changed in how we feel about love, what is good comedy, and the holidays. AND YET...there is something absolutely magical about the way old movies are able to transport us somewhere warm, fuzzy, charming, and irresistable. White Christmas certainly falls into that category. It's a must-watch, and worthy of a place on our TV screens every holiday season.

Does what you watch, read, or listen to influence what you're creating? YES! So, is that a good thing? A bad thing? Perhaps both? What does that depend on? And how exactly does it influence our work in those ways? If that influence is tehre, SHOULD we be watching, reading, and/or listening to stuff while we're working? We discuss all the above for ourselves.

Also, Josh recommends The Rings of Power which is streaming on Amazon Prime, and Ira recommends Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, which is also on Amazon Prime.

Any answer to that, sir John???

See, now this seems like something Hitchcock: a woman is found beside a dead body with the knife that killed them in her hand. But...did she do it? One juror doesn't think so, even after agreeing to convict her. So, he launches his own investigation. Can he discover the truth in time? THIS is the Hitchcock premise we're used to. The question is: does it work? How does young Alfred do with it? We watch to find out!

Now that we're decently far into our second filmmaker deep dive, let's take a moment to think about what we've seen thus far. What are the differences and similarities between the two of them. Are there any patterns we can see between David Lynch and Alfred Hitchcock? Where to do they align, and where do they depart? And what can we as writers, filmmakers, and film lovers learn or take away from that? We discuss!

Also, Josh recommends AEW wrestling which is on TBS/TNT and Pay-Per-View, and Ira recommends Andor which is streaming on Disney+, and The Name of the Wind, which is available as an eBook and Audiobook.

It's miraculous. Whenever he senses a job in front of him, his legs begin to fail him.

Alfred takes on the beloved (at the time) play about the Irish Civil War and modern times with this one. There's fast talking, heavy drinking, rags and riches, frivolity and tragedy, slaptstick and drama. It's a lot. Is it too much? And just what in the feck are they saying, anyway?