Get Your Popcorn

Ending our Summer of Spielberg with a film that I feel he was the wrong director for.

TW: This episode is a heavy one guys. The Color Purple is the 1985 film adaption of Alice Walkers novel of the same name. It deals with topics of child sexual abuse, incest, and spousal abuse.

Steven Spielberg a controversial director of this film given the nature of the story being about predominantly African American characters. The film and the book have been criticized by the NAACP for the depiction of black men as abusers with little redeeming qualities. This must be acknowledged and respected. Although Spielberg has been defended and praised heavily by the cast for the last 40 years for his work, and the care he took in telling a story that for them felt sincere, he received criticism from audiences.

He also shied away from the queer relationships in the book at his admission of being out of his depth, which is such a pivotal and important part of the novel.

I think it’s important to discuss this film, as it has had a huge impact on cinema. I think it’s important to criticize directors for their missteps even when it seems to be done with good intentions. We also need to acknowledge white washing of narratives, and call out when white directors have been given opportunities that were not given to equally talented black directors.

Institutional racism needs to be broken down from within, not just from the outside.

Steven Spielberg was not the best choice for director for this film, and through this Summer of Spielberg series I feel it would do a disservice to only discuss his wins, I need to cover the controversies of his career as well. Which includes an opportunity that should have been given to someone else.

I will try to handle this as sensitively as I can and I want to ensure I take as much care with this review as possible.

This is not to take away from the actors in the film that are incredible, including but not limited to Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover and Oprah. Their performances are what make this film as good as it is. And they deserves their flowers for their accomplishments in truly making an emotionally moving motion picture.

Along with the film itself references used in the creation of this episode are linked below

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/color_purple

https://letterboxd.com/film/the-color-purple/

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-color-purple-1985

https://www.blackfilm.com/20030321/features/alicewalker.shtml

https://www.sfgate.com/books/article/alice-walker-on-the-making-of-the-film-the-color-3000001.php

https://youtu.be/TN34IySTNlg?si=EwrImCgmfiSdW0DF

In this episode, I chat with Christian from Dragon Talks Filmz 🐉 🍿 about our shared love for cinema. We dive into the timeless legacy of The Godfather and the influence of 1970s and 1980s movies on modern storytelling. Christian reflects on growing up with the Disney Channel and how those early experiences shaped his love of film. We also explore the surprising benefits of TikTok, how it connects film lovers across continents and creates a global community for movie discussions.

Please make sure to give Christian’s TikTok a follow!

https://www.tiktok.com/@christian.x551?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

This week I deep dive The Fabelmans. This incredibly personal film based on the real story of Steven Spielberg's childhood. This 2022 masterpiece hit so close to home for me, and it has now made it to my Letterboxd Top 4. This film is a 40 million dollar therapy project as declared by Spielberg himself. It lets us as the audience look behind the magic to the real person underneath.

Along with this film itself references used in the creation of this episode are listed below.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-fabelmans-movie-review-2022

https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/the-fabelmans-review-steven-spielberg-1235368194/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/steven-spielberg-on-making-the-fabelmans/

https://newsletter.oscars.org/news/post/the-fabelmans-steven-spielberg-academy-conversations

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-making-of-steven-spielberg-180981184/

You talking to me?

This week I’m joined by Dan from @reeltakesreviews. We discuss our shared love of movies, upcoming projects, and swap stories about our favourite actors and performances that have stayed with us. We also explore how film and politics often intersect, shaping stories, influencing audiences and sparking conversations that go way beyond the silver screen. 

This was such a fun conversation, thank you again Dan for joining me! 

Make sure you give him a follow! Below are links to his content/socials. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reeltakesreviews?igsh=MTJ2aHdkNmQwcmI4Mg==

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reel.takes?_t=ZS-8ytzG2GHdRZ&_r=1

Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/6Mfv5

Good Will Podcasting 

https://open.spotify.com/show/1uzrYBxA9oX6Cclr12WOJ2?si=BSPpggz0QjqSJnifvh2Vbg

In this bonus episode, Dan Jean joins me to discuss all things film and tv. I had an absolute blast with this one!  We talk about our mutual respect of the horror and comedy genres, Academy Awards Politics and the hot take that Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is the best one.

Dan is a creator I connected with through Instagram and Tik Tok, his content is awesome guys please check it out, handles are below! 

Tik Tok: @movieswdan

Letterboxd: @movieswdan

Instagram: @movieswdan

Hold onto your butts! For this week's episode I’m deep diving Jurassic Park! This 1993 action packed cinematic achievement takes us along for the ride as we watch what happens when life finds away. A classic example of what Spielberg has to offer, arrested development, tight sequences and a whole lot of heart. 

Join me for some nostalgia and remember they can only see you if you move. 🦖 

Along with the film itself, references used in the creation of this episode are listed below.

The making of Jurassic Park

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ymqb4

https://variety.com/1993/film/reviews/jurassic-park-2-1200432562/

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/jurassic-park-1993

https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1994

Junior! Brian from @midnightfilmreview joins me to deep dive Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade! The third instalment in the franchise and the last one covered on my Summer of Spielberg. The film gets back to the series roots of religious mysticism and punching Nazis.  I hope you have as much fun listening to this episode as I had recording it! Thanks again Brian for joining me! 

I’ve linked Brian’s social media links below, please follow him if you aren’t already and give his podcasts Midnight Film Review and Late Fees Files a listen as well. 

And don't forget your Charlemagne…

Tik tok 

 https://www.tiktok.com/@midnightfilmreview?_t=ZM-8yLJN1wi43E&_r=1

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/midnightfilmreview/

Spotify 

https://open.spotify.com/show/1synIuzB27rihic8pDePjZ

https://open.spotify.com/show/05zxNbLdirB5kg9lXw1NDA?si=QcAw5qupSuKfCrvh2sKzVg

Along with the film itself references used in the creation of this episode are listen below 

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade-1989

https://scrapsfromtheloft.com/movies/indiana-jones-last-crusade-1989-review-pauline-kael/#google_vignette

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNLUB_9XhAo&t=12s

Hold onto your potatoes for this one. Today we deep dive into Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, the second film released but is actually a prequel to Raiders. This action packed darker in tone film has a number of elements that haven't aged well, however there is no denying it has the best action sequences of the entire franchise. So let's journey together to Pankot Palace, and keep your wits about you, after all anything goes.

As well as the film itself sources used in the creation of this episode linked below, as always all opinions are my own

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYWn0ugqqsw&t=77s

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/indiana-jones-and-the-temple-of-doom-1984

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/article/2024/may/23/indiana-jones-temple-of-doom-anniversary

https://movieweb.com/indiana-jones-temple-of-doom-why-banned-india/

Grab your fedora and whip! This week our adventure is  Raiders of the Lost Ark! We unpack the thrill and charm of Indiana Jones' first big-screen adventure, from snakes and booby traps to ancient treasures and nonstop action. Harrison Ford is peak action hero!  Steven Spielberg’s masterful direction for this 1981 classic helped shape modern adventure films. Plus, we talk about the iconic Disney park ride that keeps the Indy magic alive and why this film still makes us feel like kids on the edge of our seats. Trust me after this one you’ll be writing love you on your eyelids.

Along with the film itself below are the resources used in the creation of this episode, as always all opinions are my own.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmNsn-kiogE

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/raiders-of-the-lost-ark-1981

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/raiders_of_the_lost_ark

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jul/23/the-making-of-raiders-of-the-lost-ark-film-1981

Come fly with me in our Summer of Spielberg here at the Get Your Popcorn Podcast. I am joined today by special guest Brooklyn Mellson to discuss her favourite of his films Catch Me if You Can. This 2002 cat and mouse inspired by a “true” story, tells the self embellished story of con-man Frank Abagnale Jr.  This fun film has an all star cast and is of course directed by the man himself Steven Spielberg!

Please enjoy this bonus episode.

As well as the film itself, sources used in the creation of this episode are linked below. All opinions are my own.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/catch-me-if-you-can-2002

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/feb/02/philipfrench

https://nypost.com/2023/03/13/catch-me-if-you-can-conman-frank-abagnale-lied-about-his-lies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GXCxfZsBlM

https://whyy.org/segments/the-greatest-hoax-on-earth/