Film School

As soon as we learned there was ANOTHER version of Hitchcock's Blackmail--the silent version, which was actually more popular at the time than the "talkie" version was--we knew we had to set aside the time to watch it. It's not exactly a different movie. Most of the cast is the same. Most of the shots are the same. But it IS different. Substantially so; it's the original way the film was shot, and it's silent. Even though its not its own movie, not really, a deep dive into Hitchcock's filmography wouldn't be complete without it, so we're sitting down to watch it. Join us :)

Morning, Alice. 'Eard about the murder?

The talkies have arrived! Alfred Hitchcock has the distinction of making Britain's very first. So, how does Hitch do with a full-on script, and TALKING actors? The subject certainly seems like Alfred's cup of tea. So...how does it turn out? We watch and find out. A particularly fascinating watch and discussion this week; not to be missed!

Get away from her you bitch!

Cameron drags us back, kicking and screaming, to the world of the Aliens. And yes, this time, there is more than one. There's a whole outpost full of them. But we have marines! Guns! Explosives! We'll be fine...right? It has the reputation of being one of those rare sequels that might actually be better than the original. Does it live up to that? We watch and discuss.

Before you die, you see...the ring

Spooky season 2023 bringing the noise. US gets hit with its own version of The Ring. So, how similar is it to the Japanese version? What did they change? The movie was a sensation at the time--especially with that four-quadrant-friendly PG-13 rating...so how does it hold up 20 years later? We watch and find out!

In space, no one can hear you scream.

This movie. THIS. MOVIE. It's one of those unicorns--it could have been so bad, so cheesy, so forgettable. And yet, through that incredible collision of luck and execution, we got a masterpiece. HR Giger's creature design is still the scariest monster ever created, almost 50 years later. Dan O'Bannon's script is still so tight, so perfectly constructed, we still make this movie to this day. And Ridley Scott's direction is still flawless. It's STILL terrifying, all these years later, which is kind of wild. We discuss it all, this week on Spooky Season!

You will die in one week...

The original. This was one of--if not THE--films that kickstarted a renaissance in Japanese (and Korean, and Hong Kong, and more) horror. Old world ghosts and curses meet new world anxieties when our protagonist Reiko finds herself sucked into the mystery of how four teenagers died on the same day. Can she solve it in time to save her own life? And how does this film hold up almost 30 years later, in addition to being remade by Hollywood? We discuss!

The book is written. The film is shot. Now, it's time to edit, it's time to rewrite, it's time to turn it into the finished product that you send out to your audience. So, how do you do that? And what about that advice we've all heard: "kill your darlings." What does that mean? We tackle the question "what's next?" this week on the Cutting Room Floor.

Also, Josh recommends the documentary Dave Not Coming Back which is currently on-demand on Pluto TV, and Ira recommends Band of Brothers which is on HBO.

Ira mentions a rewriting process he uses, which you can find here.

What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?

It's Hitchcock's LAST silent film (at least that was released only as silent). He turns to the sticks. Small fishing town. Love triangle. Secrets and lies. Will it all work out in the end? And how is old Hitch progressing in terms of his abilities as a filmmaker, and as a storyteller. We discuss!

So, you've finished the big project. Whew! What a monster effort that was. Now...what next? How do you handle the inevitable let-down to come? You're exhausted. Zonked. Burned out. Suddenly, the purpose for your days, weeks, or months, has disappeared. What's the best way to navigate the post-finish vacuum? We discuss what's worked and not worked for us.

Also, Josh recommends Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which is currently playing re-runs on PlutoTV or on demand on Paramount+, and Ira recommends Dave Not Coming Back, which is on-demand on PlutoTV.

I must have come in the wrong door - but it's all the same to me if you can give me a job.

Hitch takes a second whack at comedy. This time, a young heiress apparently needs to be taught a lesson in squalor and humility. Is is successful? We watch and talk about it.