Plot Mechanics

Three Films! One Killer Episode!

This week, we look at all 3 Fear Street movies, directed by Leigh Janiak and written by Janiak, Phil Graziadei, Zak Olkewicz & Kate Trefry.

Join us as we analyze each film individually as well as the trilogy as a whole. We talk about the pros and cons of structuring the story in this way and we tell you which instalment works best, which one works least and why...

This week, we start our series of Daniel Craig Bond films with Casino Royale.

In the film, we see the beginning of James Bond's story: in his first adventure, our favourite secret agent goes all in against Le Chiffre, a terrorist banker, at the poker table.

The film is spectacularly directed by Martin Campbell (GoldenEye, The Mask of Zorro) from a script by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Paul Haggis.

The cast is pretty stellar: Daniel Craig as 007 is accompanied by Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Jeffrey Wright, Caterina Murino, Tobias Menzies and Jesper Christensen.

Join us as we dissect the plot of this film and analyze how it successfully reinvents an iconic character for a new era...

Gunpowder Milkshake is among the most watched films on Netflix this week. But is it any good?

The movie takes us into the world of a woman assassin, who is hunted by her employers. It is also a Mother-Daughter story, which is rare in mainstream cinema.

Join us as we dissect the plot and discuss under what circumstances 'style over substance' works...

After 11 years and 7 films as a supporting character, Natasha Romanoff finally gets her own movie.

Black Widow, written by Eric Pearson and directed by Cate Shortland, is the first film in Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It stars Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, David Harbour, Olga Kurylenko and Ray Winstone.

Join us as we look how the timing of the film's release impacts its story, as well as how it was inspired by other spy films...

Promare is a Japanese animated film about Superhero Firefighters who fight fire terrorists and do a lot of other crazy stuff!

Despite not having had a big success at the box office, the film has gathered a cult following since its release.

Join us as we try to understand the film's appeal and explore its bonkers plot...

Today, we celebrate Independence Day, the movie!

Directed by Roland Emmerich, written by Emmerich and Dean Devlin, and starring Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Vivica A. Fox, Randy Quaid, Judd Hirsch, Harvey Fierstein, and many others.

You may wonder what there is to analyze in a 'popcorn flick' like this one... but you may be surprised.

We look at the hidden meanings behind the film, and what messages Roland Emmerich tried to convey...

Santa Mozzarella! We're doing Pixar's new film!

Written by Jesse Andrews & Mike Jones, and directed by Enrico Casarosa, Luca tells a beautiful story about friendships that help us find ourselves.

We look at whether the film is effective in telling that story.

And, yes, we do explore any Queer reading of the plot.

So... Andiamo Ragazzi! Join the conversation!

In the Heights, I take my coffee and I goooo...

Set my sights, on the New Podcast Episoooode!

This week, we look at the newly released In the Heights, written by Quiara Alegría Hudes & Lin-Manuel Miranda, and directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians).

We discuss the constraints of adapting a Broadway Musical; what works and what doesn't.

This is our most musical episode yet! That's right, one of us will be singing through it. And you don't want to miss it...

"I listen to my podcasts a quarter minute at a time!"

F9 is about to come out. Perfect time to revisit the film that launched this franchise... twenty years ago!!!

Rob Cohen's The Fast and the Furious may be different from what the series has turned into, but it does set up some of the trademarks of the series.

Join us as we look at what the movie meant then, and how it paved the way for what we know today...

There is no gene for the human spirit!

This week, we're looking at Gattaca, the dystopian science fiction film written and directed by Andrew Niccol; starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Jude Law.

Join us as we explore the DNA of this groundbreaking film. We talk about why the film's structure works, how it efficiently explains its world, and how it blends elements of film noir into its sci-fi story.

While we all agree that it's an expertly constructed film, as well as one of the best sci-fi films ever made, not all of us loved it. Find out why...