Imitating Art with Don & Chuck

Romantic comedies - even the well-made, enjoyable ones - tend to be cliche and predictable. Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, Emily, give us their true-life romance, picking only the cliches the story necessitates and a second half an audience has no chance of guessing. Listen to Chuck fall in love with the movie (and Zoe Kazan's character) after his first viewing - and discover if Don and Chuck have any pickup lines as smooth as Kumail's!

Music by Nathan Terry

What do you get when you cross two amateurish podcasters and a weighty critique of capitalist society's relationship to its lowliest citizens? An episode constantly threatening to split apart at the seams! This week, Don and Chuck dissect Joaquin Phoenix's Oscar-winning turn as the ultimate villain and discuss perspective, empathy, and the responsibility society has for its lowest classes. Clearly, an area ripe for comedy! Hey, at least the jokes are on par with Arthur Fleck's!

Music by Nathan Terry

Featuring a sprawling, non-linear story and complex social themes, City of God proved that Brazil could make films to rival Hollywood. Taking on poverty, government corruption, and the cycle of violence, it also proved that Brazil's local problems are extremely universal. This week, Maia (from the upcoming The Films Trip), tells us why this movie is so important to her heritage, schools us on the history of Brazil - and makes us extraordinarily depressed when we face the realities of the world.

Follow The Films Trip on Instagram at www.instagram.com/the.films.trip

Music by Nathan Terry

A teen comedy about two high school best friends deciding they need to go to at least one fun party before college. No, it's not Superbad - it's the hilarious 2019 film Booksmart. Needing a break from some of the weightier movies they've been dissecting, Don and Chuck spend most of the episode forgetting what they're supposed to be doing (a critical analysis of the film) and recount all the things about this movie that made them laugh out loud, instead - because there's just so damn many funny parts in this movie. They get to feel old when all of the adults are played by comedians they've loved for years, talk about why Jared's face seems so familiar, and even discuss whether they attended any epic, blow-out parties in high school. And, hey, they even discuss their favorite number between 1 and 7.

Music by Nathan Terry.

Nightcrawler is the chilling tale of a sociopath who films crimes as they happen to sell to news stations. Jake Gyllenhaal gives a frighteningly believable performance as a man who preys upon peoples' worst moments for monetary gain - making this drama-thriller far scarier than any horror movie. With very few characters exuding actual morality, will Don and Chuck be able to glean any usable life lessons from this one?

Music by Nathan Terry.

This week, Don and Chuck take the time to sit down and talk about what life lessons they've already discussed that they've tried to implement into their lives. They also figure out what kinds of perspectives they've been missing. They even read their first listener mail!

Music by Nathan Terry

Since its release, Eternal Sunshine (because who ever calls it by its full name) has pulled on the heartstrings of the emo and otherwise heartbroken. Though relatively short on running time, the film is dense with text, subtext, and emotion that keep Don and Chuck dissecting its intricacies far longer than they intended - and even find a few things they'd never discovered while discussing this lovely film. Find out why Chuck hates Charlie Kaufman (jealous), what happens outside of Don's hotel room (??) and why you shouldn't tweak Chuck's nipples. Oh, and how good the movie is, too, we guess.

Music by Nathan Terry,

Have you ever wondered what it'd be like if Michel Gondry directed Jake Gyllenhaal in a movie conceived by Christopher Nolan? Well, none of those people are associated with this movie - but it sure feels like it. Mr. Nobody is a dense, complex exploration about the necessity and impossibility of choice - so, clearly, Don & Chuck laugh their way through this one. Come learn how Chuck only gets recognized out in the wild on Belgian Independence Day - and finally here the two boys profess their love for each other. And, just when you thought you wouldn't see another sentence interrupted by a hyphen - it happens again.

Music by Nathan Terry.

The Matrix. If you haven't heard of it, what cave have you been living in the last 20 years?! This week, we invite our friend Max to offer his vast expanse of Matrix trivia and knowledge as we discuss this seminal sci-fi action movie. Beyond its advances in visionary filmmaking, The Matrix offers a well-told story rife with philosophy and life lessons well worth absorbing. Oh, and loads of cheesy dialogue that only really works because the actors know what they're doing. Unlike Don.

Music by Nathan Terry.

Mike Birbiglia has made a career for himself as a comedian, storyteller, and filmmaker by bringing a fresh and engaging dose of honesty into his work - at times, speaking frankly about the things most of us would keep secret. His semi-autobiographical film Sleepwalk With Me tells the story of the genesis of his discovery that this would be the key to his art. Join Don and Chuck as they discuss this sweet little film, dissect the lessons it so graciously gives us, and reminisce about the time they assaulted Birbiglia for a photograph.

Music by Nathan Terry.