Imitating Art with Don & Chuck

What can you say about Macbeth that hasn't already been said? Well, Don and Chuck aren't exactly sure. But they do their best, anyway.

Joel Coen's new adaptation of the classic Shakespeare tragedy stars Denzel Washington as Macbeth and Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth. Together, their ambitions lead to murder, an ascendance to the throne--and madness. It's well-acted and visually striking. But Shakespeare is traditionally hard to understand for modern ears. Can Don and Chuck enjoy watching a movie without understanding the dialogue?

Probably! Though, it might not be this one. They can at least understand enough to talk about some lessons, including:

For a more understandable version of Macbeth, check out:

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Music by Nathan Terry

Listen to Don's solo podcast: don't worry, i'm finite

For two guys who both went to art school, it sure took Don and Chuck a long time to review a Jim Jarmusch (Jar-moosh?) movie. Paterson's story is so simple, any plot description falls short. In examining a week in the life of a quiet, unassuming bus driver with the soul of a poet, it beautifully explores themes of duality and simple beauty. 

And Don and Chuck remember to rate this one.

LESSONS:

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Music by Nathan Terry

Check out Don's solo podcast: don't worry, i'm finite

As a production company, A24 has been killing it for many years now. So, it's about time Don and Chuck got around to reviewing one of their movies. Minari is a simple drama about a Korean family. When the patriarch decides to move from California to Arkansas so they can start a farm, it ushers in an era of change for the family. Even more, they move in his mother-in-law to help raise the kids. The film tells the story of the year (or so) after they make the move, living in an area where they have no friends or resources, and shows how they struggle to build a successful farm and stay together as a cohesive family unit. It's a well-made and poignantly-acted film, particularly the performances from the young actors playing the family's two children.

The film also helps Don and Chuck discuss lessons such as:

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Music by Nathan Terry

Check out Don's solo podcast: don't worry, I'm finite

In the early 2000s, people started learning that Adam Sandler was more than just Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, and the Wedding Singer. He had range! He could drama!

Punch Drunk Love was one of the movies that helped turn Sandler from a comedian into an actor. And, at the time, it was pretty good. If you'd asked early 2000s Don and Chuck what they thought of the movie, they'd have probably said so themselves.

But this podcast is not hosted by early 2000s Don and Chuck. As it turns out, the movie hasn't exactly aged with them. They speak at length about what doesn't work for them, what rings true, and what questions the film leaves them with. Punch Drunk Love does let them talk about some important lessons, however. 

Lessons include:

Welp, Christmas finally killed the streak. Without much time to put an episode together, Don and Chuck (mostly Chuck) decided to take a little holiday break this week. Here, we bring you a rerun of one of our most-listened-to episodes: our review and dissection of the classic film The Matrix, written and directed by the Wachowskis. Joining us was Chuck's college roommate, Max—who just so happens to be one of the Matrix's biggest fans.

We're sorry that there's no new episode this week, but we hope you enjoy hearing us talk about the Matrix again—or, if you haven't heard it, we hope you enjoy it for the first time!

If you want to hear us talk about the newest Matrix movie, please contact us:

Follow Don & Chuck on Instagram: @ImitatingArtPod

Music by Nathan Terry

Listen to Don's solo podcast: don't worry i'm finite

The Muppet Christmas Carol. A classic from the 90s that takes one of the darker and more dramatic Christmas tales of all time and transforms it into a hilarious and heartwarming family musical fit for all ages. It might sound like a tough feat, but when you introduce the Muppets into any story, the silly comes with it. Pretty effortlessly, it seems. 

Michael Caine (Real name: Mickelwaite? Something like that?) plays Ebeneezer Scrooge in this adaptation about an aging miser (and right dickhead, to be honest) who undergoes a haunting specifically designed to help him change his dastardly ways just in time to spend all his money on Christmas presents. Statler and Waldorf even show up to make fun of one of Chuck's favorite jokes from the 1800s. A group of penguins puppets ice skate through the streets of London. Look, if you don't know the story of A Christmas Carol, we can't do any better than that at explaining it to you.

And then, there's the lessons. Don and Chuck do their best, but with this story, there are lessons around every corner. Some of the lessons they do touch on include:

...And probably a few more!

Follow Don & Chuck on Instagram: @ImitatingArtPod

Music by Nathan Terry

Check out Don's solo podcast: don't worry, i'm finite

Hey, a true story that's not fiction!

Don and Chuck tackle their first documentary with Free Solo. Alex Honnold likes to climb things. Specifically, he likes to free solo climb—or, climb very steep things with no ropes or aid of any kind. His white whale, a cliff named El Capitan, has never been free soloed.

And he hopes to be the first.

The film documents Alex's attempts to study and practice the climb so he can execute it safely and accurately. It also depicts his personal life, where it intersects with his passion for climbing—and where they conflict.

The film helps Don and Chuck discuss universal life lessons, such as facing your fears, following your passions, and how making a plan can help you reduce danger, subvert fear, and meet your goals.

Follow Don & Chuck on Instagram: @ImitatingArtPod

Music by Nathan Terry

Check out Don's solo podcast: don't worry, i'm finite

Blindspotting is a film about the way we think we are, the way society perceives us, and figuring out which one is true. Collin is a charming young back man and convicted felon in the last few days of his probation. He's making an honest attempt to turn his life around and prove he's a human worthy of love and respect. His best friend, Miles, has plenty to prove, too--unfortunately, it's often at odds with Collin's goals. After Collin witnesses a young black man killed by cops, he battles his emotions about growing up in a changing town and tries to find his place. It's funny, tough, sweet, and heartbreaking. Don and Chuck discuss its themes of personal identity, viewing others as humans, and how hard it is to shake personal biases.

Follow Don & Chuck on Instagram: @ImitatingArtPod

Music by Nathan Terry

Listen to Don's solo podcast: don't worry, i'm finite

Birbigs is back with salt in his attitude AND his beard!

That's right! Don and Chuck revisit one of their favorite creative people: Mike Birbiglia. In Don't Think Twice, Birbigglebug once again takes a turn as writer/director/actor in a story about the lives of those within a struggling improv comedy troupe. As their theater prepares to close, each member in the troupe must confront the lies they tell themselves about who they are, what they want, and what they deserve. It's a funny, sad, and often uncomfortable look at when to let go of your dreams in order to move forward in life. As for lessons, Don and Chuck get to dissect how the rules of improv can help the characters--and the audience--lead a more fulfilling life.

Visit Don and Chuck on Instagram: @ImitatingArtPod

Music by Nathan Terry

Listen to Don's solo podcast: don't worry, i'm finite

Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy of the early 2000s helped solidify the superhero genre as one that could make boatloads of money--and tell good stories all the way to the bank. (Okay, maybe not the third one. But you get the idea.) Don and Chuck were both young men when Spider-Man 2 (arguably the best in the trilogy) came out, and think fondly of it to this day. Its combination of superhero action, personal drama, and (quite frankly) cheesy, comic book silliness makes it both a blast to watch and a generally well-made, well-told story. It also does a great job on conveying some important life lessons for Don and Chuck to deconstruct: how important heroes can be, how honesty (or the lack thereof) can affect relationships, and how doing good can become a habit if you let it.

So, stick around (ha! get it? [sigh]) and swing your way over!*

Follow Don & Chuck on Instagram: @ImitatingArtPod

Check out Don's solo podcast: don't worry, i'm finite

Music by Nathan Terry

*I'm not proud of this one, but it's staying in.