GoodTrash GenreCast

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! This week, the GoodTrash GenreCast has been taken over by those wacky Muppets. Caleb Master's used his host pick power to make us break our "No Christmas Films" rule and forces us to bring film analysis to The Muppet Christmas Carol. Is it a trip down nostalgia lane? Or, does the adaptation have us saying, bah! Humbug!

The discussion gets underway as we highlight our desired Muppet Literary Adaptations. There are a lot of great suggestions, but we'd also love to hear your ideas on social media. Analysis gets underway as Caleb gives us a rundown of the Muppets and what they're about. Alex chimes in with the rules of portraying the Muppets in media. Dalton applauds the Muppets for their ability to introduce young children to classic art and literature. He claims that it is important to grow culturally and that having these art pieces as vocabulary is key to that. 

Alex presents her analysis and looks at the production of The Muppets Christmas Carol and the editing of the film. She expounds on the history of the productions and explores why certain songs were cut from the film. Dustin wraps up the analysis of The Muppets Christmas Carol by talking about Charles Dickens and charity. Dustin then brings up Bleak House and how people can make a proper change and truly help those in need. 

And there you have it! The 2016 GTGC Express is nearing the station. The Muppets Christmas Carol will be our last film of 2016, but we have one more episode in the works for you next week. So, until next time, remember to be nice, and put the Ghostbusters on speed dial, just in case. 

00:38 - Welcome and Introductions

Drop the needle and spin the vinyl, we're back! The GoodTrash GenreCast returns to bring a healthy dose of film analysis to Stephen Frears' High Fidelity. This one is Dalton's host pick. It is one of his favorite movies, but does the rest of the gang agree? You'll have to tune in to find out.

On this week's episode, we kick off with our weekliy game. The game this week is our Top 5 Break Up Songs. We go through all the tunes that got us through those tough times and heartbreaks. We also admit a few guilty pleasures. Following our game, we take High Fidelity off the shelf and out of the sleeve to give it a spin on the analysis table. 

Dalton kicks things off with a character study of John Cusack's character, Rob. He explains that by casting ourselves as the wounded protagonist in our minds, we often become our own worst enemy. He argues that the film encourages reflection about how we should behave as humans. Caleb looks at Frears' use of music throughout the film. He looks closely at the connection between music and memory. He argues that Frears' is using the audience's relationship with these songs to trigger a nostalgia trip. Dustin takes the analysis home as he brings up two ideas. First, he mentions a bit of critical theory by talking Walter Benjamin. He then ties these ideas into Rob's search for love and the object of desire. 

Alright dear listener, there you have it. What are your Top 5 Break Up Songs? Let us know! So, until next time, go arrange your music chronilogicaly in the order that you met your friends. 

00:36 - Welcome and Introductions

The walk is over, and we've arrived at the GoodTrash destination. This week, on our Patreon sponsored episode, we discuss The Way. Nathaniel Masters, brother of co-host Caleb Masters, donated enough to be able to choose a movie for us. But, that doesn't mean we have to love it. Dustin, Dalton and Caleb try and find the deeper conversation within The Way, but a couple of our hosts are a bit iffy on the quality of the film. 

As the discussion gets under way, Caleb appears live via satellite to share his thoughts. The hosts play the weekly game and talk about their favorite and desired family collaborations. Afterwards, they put The Way on the table for analysis. Dalton makes things personal and talks about fathers and sons. He mentions that art is good at critiquing and highlighting familial relationships. He then lifts the veil and reveals the story about the men who raised him and the impact they had on his life.

Caleb talks about the multicultural element of the film. He reinforces the idea of community and working together towards a comman goal. Dustin looks at the bourgeoisie angle the film takes towards spirituality. He draws out the key element of going on a pilgrimage to become a better person. But, he mentions that not everyone can just go on this journey due to economic shortcomings. He says that pilgrimages of the sort within the film are designed for people of privelege. 

That's the show, dear listener. Again, we want to say thank you to Nathaniel Masters. If you're interested in becoming a patron and financial supporter, go here. Don't worry, you won't have to make any sort of pilgrimage to donate. Now, get your walking shoes and get ready to go on this journey with us. 

00:36 - Welcome and Introductions

We watched Drive. After four years and 200 episodes, it finally happened. We are thankful to our listeners and friends who helped us get to 200, and here's to 100 more. On episode 200, Alex, Caleb, Dalton and Dustin gather around to disect a film that has become the GTGC mascot. The hosts love Drive, but is it all style and no substance? That's what GTGC is determined to find out. 

This week sees the hosts looking forward. The gameplay involves naming movies the hosts would like to see before episode 300. We would love to hear your thoughts on our suggestions. We then shift into overdrive and move into analysis. Caleb kicks things off by talking about the generic Western tropes that shape Drive. He highlights the similarities between the Driver and the nameless gunsllingers of old. He also presents an outline of plot beats that match up narratively with the Western genre. Alexandra takes over to talk about Drive's commentary on action film. She discusses the film within the film and how it is juxtoposed with the intense yet intimate violence present in the Driver's life. She argues that this approach brings more levity to action cinema and violence. This is contrasted with PG-13 action films and the notorious "sleepy-time bullets". 

Dalton builds off of these readings by presenting a new opinion on the action hero. He corrrelates Driver with the recent character played by Ben Affleck in The Accountant. He discusses these nameless, socially awkward characters who may be on the spectrum. A point which is blatantly raised in The Accountant, but he argues it can be found in the subtext of Drive. Dustin wraps up the analysis of episode 200 with a breakdown of three key components of genre. He defines prestige, art house, experimental, and avant-garde cinema. He then tries to find a place to put Drive. 

And with that, we wrap episode number 200. Thank you for all of your encouragement over the years, Dear Listener. Grab your gloves, sharpen your straight razor, and let's Drive. 

00:37 - Welcome and Introductions

On this week's show, the game may be one of our more ridiculous efforts. We try and pitch "Where in the World is an American Werewolf" movies. The answers are fun, and Dalton loves saying the name of the game. Afterwards, the full moon shines and we open the film up for analysis. Dustin runs a roundtable for this episode. The first question is in regards to sympathetic antagonists and why the protagonist in werewolf films often become the antagonist.

Next, Dustin questions the connection between sexuality and werewolf-ism. Dustin first draws allusions to sex and vampire, but is curious about the connection here. The gentlemen then move into a look at the Jewish themes running through the narrative. The idea of survivor’s guilt comes up as well. Also, Dustin makes Holocaust and War connections. A discussion of the history of the werewolf tale comes up as Arthur inquires as to why the UK has so many werewolves. Finally, the segment ends with a discussion of the other.

00:35 - Welcome and Introductions

03:15 - Synopsis and Reviews

10:43 - The Game - Where in the World is an American Werewolf

17:25 - Social Media

19:39 - Analysis

40:27 - Shelf or Trash/Else or Instead

Dear Listener, prepare yourself. On this week's show, Dustin takes us down the rabbit hole of French New Extremity with his host pick Martyrs (2008) – this discussion relates to the original French version, not the recent American remake. Dustin always tries to torture his friends with his host picks, and he certainly succeeded this week. He was partially inspired by Alexandra West from the Faculty of Horror, who recently published a book on the sub-genre. So, prepare yourselves for this week's pick!

Caleb, Dalton and Dustin ease into the conversation this week by playing a game. This week, the hosts talk about their favorite Cinematic Female Duos and Teams. So, if you want to find out who really digs on Fried Green Tomatoes you have to tune in. Alright, when the game is over we put Martyrs on the analysis table. Or, does Martyrs put us on the analysis table?

Dalton starts things off and discusses how Martyrs takes some religious ideals and places them in a scientific world and examines them from a clinical standpoint. Also, he argues that the film takes aim at the western world's fascination with violence in general. Caleb takes the reins and examines what sets this film apart from torture porn. Finally, Dustin rounds things out with an examination of torture. He delves into the film's exploration of the topic and how it is addressed in both halves of the film.

So, Shocktober 2016 rolls on. The GoodTrash GenreCast has reached a place of transcendence. But, if you want to know what was on the other side, you must hit that play button and tune in now!

00:36 - Welcome and Introductions

02:59 - Synopsis and Reviews

14:32 - The Game

21:32 - Social Media

24:59 - Analysis

46:46 - Shelf or Trash/Else or Instead