Tray Epps dissects Kill—the train-bound action film that weaponizes violence as narrative. We explore how evolving fight choreography, crushing foley work, and immersive camerawork turn every bruise and heartbeat into story. Drawing connections to The Raid, Oldboy, and RRR, this episode shows filmmakers how to harness rhythm, emotion, and consequence in genre cinema. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts—and pick up full show notes and bonus resources at requiredwatching.com.

Required Watching is your curriculum for cinematic literacy. We deconstruct the art and craft of filmmaking to help you become a sharper storyteller.

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Tray Epps dissects Bottoms, Emma Seligman’s razor-sharp, bloodiest teen satire. We unpack how heightened absurdity, messy queer protagonists, and raw fight choreography carry emotional weight without a single set-piece feeling gratuitous. Learn how this film walks the tightrope between meta-comedy and genuine stakes, and why it’s a must-study for any filmmaker pushing genre boundaries. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. Full show notes and resources at requiredwatching.com.

Required Watching is your curriculum for cinematic literacy. We deconstruct the art and craft of filmmaking to help you become a sharper storyteller.

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Tray Epps explores Martin Scorsese’s cult classic The King of Comedy—the original parasocial horror story. We discuss Rupert Pupkin’s delusional quest for fame, Jerry Lewis’s poignant straight-man role, and how this film foresaw our current influencer culture.

Episode Highlights:

– Scorsese’s use of silence and dread to build tension

– Robert De Niro’s portrayal of ambition vs. delusion

– Satire on celebrity obsession long before social media

– Takeaways for storytellers on character, tone, and satire

Whether you’re editing your next short or mapping out your feature, this breakdown offers cinematic insights you won’t want to miss. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, and visit requiredwatching.com for full show notes, timestamps, and exclusive filmmaker resources.

Required Watching is your curriculum for cinematic literacy. We deconstruct the art and craft of filmmaking to help you become a sharper storyteller.

▶️ Subscribe for new video essays every week: 

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This episode explores why 'Rush Hour' endures as a beloved film 25 years after its release, dissecting the dynamic partnership between Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. The video delves into how the film combines action and comedy, the smart pacing, and its respectful handling of cultural differences. It discusses the director's role in creating a movie with perfect balance, the chemistry between the stars, and the film's lasting impact on the buddy cop genre. Concluding with a call for viewers to rewatch the film with a critical eye, the episode emphasizes 'Rush Hour' as essential viewing for understanding action comedies.

00:00 Introduction: Is Rush Hour a Buddy Cop Classic?

00:18 The Dynamic Duo: Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker

00:56 Balancing Act: Action and Comedy

01:33 Smart Pacing and Editing

01:56 Cultural Exploration and Respect

02:34 Director's Touch and Film Structure

03:01 Legacy and Impact

03:26 Conclusion: Why Rush Hour is Required Watching

Required Watching is your curriculum for cinematic literacy. We deconstruct the art and craft of filmmaking to help you become a sharper storyteller.

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This isn’t about Iron Man. It’s about what happens when the biggest film franchise in the world chooses nostalgia over risk, legacy over originality, and comfort over challenge.

In this raw and personal episode, Tray Epps breaks down what RDJ’s return to the MCU really signals:

• Disney’s ongoing shift away from originality toward safer, proven IP
• The erasure of newer creative voices in favor of familiar icons
• The unspoken moral inconsistencies behind casting decisions
• And why the art of superhero cinema may be quietly dying

We also touch on:

• Jonathan Majors and the uncomfortable optics of replacement
• The moral posturing Disney tries to maintain (and where it fails)
• Why it’s time to give new talent real chances — and real redemption

This isn’t a hot take. It’s a call for accountability, nuance, and better storytelling — on screen and off.

🎤 New episodes coming soon with filmmaker Kate Driver and more.

🎥 Subscribe and stay tuned for deeper dives into film, culture, and the future of media.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

Are we watching the MCU reset or collapse?

Should we separate the art from the artist — or hold studios to a higher standard?

Let’s talk: @RequiredWatching on socials or drop a YouTube comment.

Required Watching is your curriculum for cinematic literacy. We deconstruct the art and craft of filmmaking to help you become a sharper storyteller.

▶️ Subscribe for new video essays every week: 

▶️ Website

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▶️ Letterboxd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you take a classic spy thriller and remix it with Bollywood flair?

In this episode, Tray Epps explores how Ek Tha Tiger redefines espionage cinema through a uniquely Indian lens. From high-octane action and political undertones to an emotionally layered romance, Ek Tha Tiger is more than just a blockbuster—it’s the foundation of the YRF Spy Universe.

We unpack:

• Why Salman Khan’s Tiger is part action hero, part myth
• How Katrina Kaif’s Zoya reshapes the damsel trope
• The subtle politics between India and Pakistan
• What makes the action operatic, not just over-the-top
• And why this film matters for anyone interested in global filmmaking

Required or not? Absolutely. This is a case study in adaptation, scale, and storytelling beyond Hollywood’s shadow.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

Have you joined the YRF Spy University yet? Is Ek Tha Tiger a guilty pleasure or a cultural milestone?

Let us know on YouTube or @RequiredWatching on socials.

Subscribe to Required Watching wherever you get your podcasts.

Let’s watch better, together.

Required Watching is your curriculum for cinematic literacy. We deconstruct the art and craft of filmmaking to help you become a sharper storyteller.

▶️ Subscribe for new video essays every week: 

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Speed has one of the cleanest high-concept premises in movie history: A bomb on a bus that can’t drop below 50 MPH. And somehow, that one idea gave us 116 minutes of nonstop tension, character chemistry, and genre-defining moments.

In this episode, Tray Epps breaks down why Speed is more than a 90s action movie — it’s required watching for anyone learning to write or direct films.

We talk about:

• Why a simple, focused concept is the key to tension
• What makes Keanu & Sandra’s dynamic work without leaning on romance
• Dennis Hopper’s villain as a case study in controlled chaos
• Editing that mirrors the heartbeat of the film
• The emotional weight behind every action beat
• Speed’s influence on everything from Die Hard 3 to Bullet Train

Filmmaker Takeaways:

• Simplicity sells — and sustains story
• Use pacing as a structural device
• Write action that’s character-first
• Less exposition, more stakes
• Make your villain a pressure cooker, not a monologuer

Related Episodes:

• Die Hard
• Ek Tha Tiger
• Godzilla Minus One
• Mission: Impossible (coming soon)

QUESTION:

What’s your favorite Speed moment — and what did it teach you about storytelling?

Subscribe to Required Watching for weekly cinematic deep dives with lessons filmmakers can actually use.

Required Watching is your curriculum for cinematic literacy. We deconstruct the art and craft of filmmaking to help you become a sharper storyteller.

▶️ Subscribe for new video essays every week: 

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No budget. No experience. No film school. Just vision.

In this episode, Tray Epps explores Pather Panchali, Satyajit Ray’s quiet epic that became a landmark of world cinema.

We unpack:

• Why Pather Panchali is essential for filmmakers
• The deeply human story of Apu and his family
• How natural lighting and real locations created visual poetry
• Mumblecore before mumblecore
• The sound of wind, footsteps, and Ravi Shankar’s sitar
• Why slow pacing might be the point
• The global impact and lasting legacy of Ray’s debut

This isn’t just a film. It’s a lesson in how to move people with less.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

Does Pather Panchali still hold up?

Have you seen it recently—or is it still on your list?

Tell us on YouTube or @RequiredWatching.

Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly deep dives into global films and essential cinematic lessons.

Required Watching is your curriculum for cinematic literacy. We deconstruct the art and craft of filmmaking to help you become a sharper storyteller.

▶️ Subscribe for new video essays every week: 

▶️ Website

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▶️ Letterboxd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Required Watching, Tray Epps breaks down Godzilla Minus One and its black-and-white Minus Color version to explore why this movie hits harder than most modern monster films.

This isn’t your dad’s Godzilla.

We talk about:

• Why Minus One is a return to emotional, allegorical filmmaking
• How a $15M budget delivered better results than most blockbusters
• The deeper meaning behind Koichi’s arc and Godzilla as trauma
• The difference color makes in storytelling
• Takashi Yamazaki’s masterful direction and use of light/shadow
• What filmmakers can learn about scale, theme, and heart

This is more than spectacle. This is what monster movies should strive to be.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

Did you see the color version or Minus Color?

Let us know what you thought in the comments or @RequiredWatching on social media.

Subscribe for more global film deep dives.

Let’s watch better. Let’s make better films.

Required Watching is your curriculum for cinematic literacy. We deconstruct the art and craft of filmmaking to help you become a sharper storyteller.

▶️ Subscribe for new video essays every week: 

▶️ Website

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▶️ Letterboxd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beyond music, Michael Jackson crafted groundbreaking short films. We dive into his cinematic influence, his storytelling techniques, and how his work reshaped music videos into an art form.

Required Watching is your curriculum for cinematic literacy. We deconstruct the art and craft of filmmaking to help you become a sharper storyteller.

▶️ Subscribe for new video essays every week: 

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.