Retro Grade Podcast

“EVEN THE SMALLEST PERSON CAN CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE FUTURE.“

On this episode, we cover the one high fantasy film franchise to rule them all, The Lord of the Rings. Specifically, The Fellowship of the Ring, directed by Peter Jackson released in December of 2001. Yeah, this movie came out 20 years ago (feel old yet?) We talk about how we both liked this movie as kids, but missed so much of what it was about and what individual journeys the characters were on. Looking back on the film we fill in those gaps from past and current experiences that gives us an enriched experience in watching this film again. But one question eludes us. What does the One Ring do other than turn you invisible?

Does the film still succeed in transforming the very real landscape of New Zealand into the fictional Middle-Earth? The 5’6” Elijah Wood into a 3’6” hobbit? How about computer generated image from 2001 into the Balrog of Morgoth? Does the cinematography, stage blocking and computer still hold up enough to take us on this journey to Mordor?

We also talk about how Peter Jackson’s film language fits in with J. R. R. Tolkien’s writing. After all, this is the same director that gave us the kung-fu preacher from Dead Alive and gave a handful of audiences nightmares (or laughs) about Orson Wells in Heavenly Creatures. How does a “campy“ director make a film adaptation of a beloved high fantasy series? By not being afraid to get a little silly sometimes.

We also talk about the dedication put in by the “size doubles” that stood in place of the principle cast playing the dwarves and hobbits. Sophisticated camera tricks and sets were constructed to trick audiences into believing the varying heights of our characters, but for some of the shots, children and little people were called upon to stand in for the typically-sized stars of the film. We talk about the dedication from one size double in particular, Brett Beattie, and how his co-stars chose to honor him.

One does not simply talk about Lord of the Rings. Thankfully, we are joined by Lord of the Rings super-fan, Becky Kralle! She gives us great insight onto the hard labor on the production set, the extensive pre-production on the Peter Jackson trilogy, knowledge on why the Hobbit prequel trilogy wasn’t as kindly looked upon by fans, behind the scenes trivia, what we might expect (or be worried about) from the upcoming Amazon series, and some LOTR hot takes!

Hope you enjoy the episode!

PS - Sorry to any LOTR fans that get annoyed by us calling Aragorn, Aragon.

Music is from Triune Digital and audio clips pulled from movies we will be reviewing in other episodes.

Artwork by @jannelle_o

“THERE IS NO SPOON.“

On this episode we cover one of the most influential sci-fi action films of all time: The Matrix (1999,) written and directed by the Wachowski sisters, starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Lawrence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving.

Most likely, there is not a person reading this blog post that hasn’t experienced The Matrix in some way. Be it the film series itself, a parody of the film’s revolutionary special effects, the famous lines of dialogue working their way into every day speech, or it’s themes permeating into our meme culture through a virtual osmosis (for better and worse.) And just like every other movie that has such a huge footprint in our pop culture, it has a new sequel coming out with one of the directors of the original, Lana Wachowski, returning a the helm with some of the original cast, making it the perfect time to go back to where it all began.

We talk about how influential the film was in our personal lives, from Jorge being traumatized by the tracking bug scene and how Austin desperately wanted to find out what The Matrix was having his access to R- rated films very limited. And while we both liked the movie when we saw it, being mind blown by the special effects and growing up on the cusp of the age of the internet, we now have the experience with watching and studying film to put to words why this film was so revolutionary. What distinguishes the fight choreography in The Matrix from other Hollywood films? Why do the slow motion and “bullet-time“ scenes work so well in The Matrix?

We also do some digging on the myth that The Matrix was the first film to use the “bullet-time” effect and also the myth that The Matrix and Terminator being stolen from an underdog writer who had to sue to get her residuals. We talk about indisputable things like how amazing Hugo Weaving plays Agent Smith, how effective the film feeds us exposition, and the advanced and almost prophetic story about our relationship with technology.

To say The Matrix is a sci-fi action film might be accurate, but the film also borrows imagery and themes from Westerns, Anime, Cyberpunk, Philosophy, Spirituality, Kung Fu and the ever present question of identity that exists in all of the Wachowskis works. Since Lana and Lilly have come out as transwomen and our understanding of the transgender experience grows, going back to The Matrix with this in mind, is it possible to see the film as a trans allegory? Is Neo waking up in the “real world“ recognizing the disconnect from who the system tells him he is versus he who he actually is, a metaphor for his “egg” hatching? A metaphor for recognizing his self being exploited by a ruling class? A metaphor for realizing his own potential? Or perhaps all of the above? After all, The Wachowskis can only show us the door. It is up to us to walk through.

Joining us on this episode is friend of the podcast and professional in film distribution: Dillan Damodar!

Music is from Triune Digital and audio clips pulled from movies we will be reviewing in other episodes.

Artwork by @jannelle_o

“I AM A ROCKER, I AM A ROLLER, I’M AN OUT-OF-CONTROLLER!”

On this episode of Retro Grade Podcast, we talk about the most prestigious high-octane, post-apocalyptic film franchise in cinema history. We are talking about where is all began in Mad Max, from 1979, directed by George Miller, produced by the late Byron Kennedy, and starring the infamous Mel Gibson. With a very humble budget of about 350,000 dollars, this film would go on to make 100 million dollars, putting Australian cinema on a global scale. In fact, Mad Max became the most profitable film ever made until the mid nineties when it would be dethroned by The Blair Witch Project.

We talk about how much this film means to Austin, who has been a fan of the series ever since he caught a glimpse of Mad Max on TV as a kid with his dad, and how Jorge has never seen any of the old Mad Max’s despite being a huge fan of Fury Road. We talk about the undeniable impression the films have had on pop culture with their unique quotes and terminology, and becoming the measuring stick for all post-apocalyptic films and video games to come out after Mad Max 2.

We talk about how the film was a labor of love from people who really wanted to make a movie. Inspired by the 1973 Oil Crisis, George Miller’s experience while working as a medical doctor in emergency rooms, and the desire to make a “kinetic picture” that could be understood on an international level without subtitles, you could tell that the film was made by someone destined to be a film director. Shot on used camera lenses, stunt men directing crazy stunts from wheelchairs, and edited on a homemade rig in a borrowed apartment, the film is definitely rough around the edges but is it enough to keep it from being appreciated today? (Spoiler alert: Hell no.)

One of the highlights of doing this podcast is talking to people who are equally, if not more, passionate about the films in discussion. On this episode, we are fortunate enough to be joined on this episode by amazing Twitch streamer and Mad Max expert, Nebula!

Music is from Triune Digital and audio clips pulled from movies we will be reviewing in other episodes.

Artwork by @jannelle_o

“YOU’RE A WIZARD HARRY.”

On this episode of Retro Grade Podcast, we talk about the most famous wizarding world in cinematic history. We are talking about Harry Potter! Specifically, we are talking about where it all began with 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone directed by Chris Colombus, based off of the book series by the world’s first billion dollar author, and documented transphobe, JK Rowling. 

We talk about our unorthodox relationship to the film franchise and why we enjoyed them so much despite never having read the books. We talk about the inevitability of movie adaptations being different from the books they were based on due to the nature of their respective mediums, and how that can cause fans to become upset, sometimes unreasonably so. 

There’s a lot to love and talk about when it comes to Harry Potter. The amazing sets, quirky magical world, unforgettable characters, iconic performances and dialogue. We talk about Quidditch, and how it kinda makes no sense. We argue about Hermione’s intelligence. How fun and silly the ending is and well, how the movie reminds us of… other movies on HBO Max.

However, the whole point of this podcast is to look back on things with what we know now. We must acknowledge what JK Rowling has said about the trans community. What was it that she said, and how do trans people feel about it, particularly those who are/were Harry Potter fans? Is it okay to still love Harry Potter despite the harm that it’s author has caused? 

If you are unfamiliar with TERFs or Gender Critical Feminists, we will post some links below providing insight from transgender people themselves. We are both cis-gendered, heterosexual guys who are trying to learn more about these issues ourselves. If you don’t want to listen to us that’s fine, but please listen to them. They are the ones who are being effected by all of this. (If the hyperlinks below don’t work, you can visit our blog post on our website.)  

Jessie Gender’s Breaking Down JK Rowling’s Transphobic Essay

Oakwyrm’s Looking Back at Harry Potter a Transperson’s perspective

Washington Posts’ Queer Harry Potter fans respond to J.K. Rowling's comments on transgender women

Music is from Triune Digital and audio clips pulled from movies we will be reviewing in other episodes.

Artwork by @jannelle_o

“THE WORST THING THAT’S HAPPENED TO YOU HAS ALREADY HAPPENED AND YOU’RE STILL HERE.“

On this week’s episode of Retro Grade Podcast, we talk about a horror gem from the mid 2000’s, The Descent. Directed by Neil Marshall, the film is about a group of women who go exploring  remote underground caves, and find that they are not the only ones there. We go into depth about the story, how the film leans on the main characters internal conflict to drive the film instead of letting the creatures be the main draw, and why that is a GOOD thing.

We talk about how people complain about horror movie characters “acting stupid,” and why that is no longer a valid excuse given how some people in the world have responded to a global pandemic. We also get into how the characters of The Descent behave in a way that is true to their respective personalities laid out before a monster ever appears in the movie. We talk about how it was extremely rare to cast an entire film with female characters, and how they are written with nuance over stereotypes.

We go into the making of the film, how the director and production had to get creative in order to make the most of their 4 million dollar budget, without compromising the quality and how these restrictions lead to some of the boldest decisions we would see in a horror film from recent memories. Shooting a film in the dark isn’t easy. How do you make sure it’s not too dark for the audience to see what’s happening, and not dark enough so that it compromises the atmosphere of claustrophobia?

We also talk how this film would go on to influence future films and video games. So join us for this special Halloween episode of Retro Grade Podcast!

Music is from Triune Digital and audio clips pulled from movies we will be reviewing in other episodes.

Artwork by @jannelle_o

“OH MY GOD! WE HIT A BOOT!“

On this episode of Retro Grade Podcast, we take a look at a movie that meant a lot to the theater-going audiences of 2000. A movie that also meant a lot to Jorge’s childhood. A movie that revived the spoof genre itself. We are talking about none other than, Scary Movie, directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans.

This movie was one of the highest grossing films of 2000, earning more than ten times it’s humble budget of 19 million dollars. The movie was so successful, a sequel was rushed out within the next year, and similarly themed spoof movies to follow suit until the genre eventually wore out its welcome with audiences, long after it did with critics. Not only was this important for the genre, but also, at the time of it’s release, the highest grossing movie from a black director. It turned relatively unknown actors Anna Farris and Regina Hall, into movie stars.

On the other side, re-watching this film in 2021, the film definitely doesn’t hit the same. In fact, it might be the one movie that’s aged the most, despite only being 21 years old. We talk about how the film relies on shortcuts by poking fun at marginalized groups (Doofy, Miss Man, and Ray) in an unsophisticated, almost mean-spirited way that just makes the film very hard to watch at times. We also talk about how some of the classic spoof gags work, but so many of them just seem to fall flat.

How can a movie that has made people laugh so hard, and served as a launching point for people that Hollywood is definitely better for having, leave us feeling so icky? Give us a listen and find out!

Music is from Triune Digital and audio clips pulled from movies we will be reviewing in other episodes.

Artwork by @jannelle_o

“THIS IS THE GIRL“

On this episode of Retro Grade Podcast, we talk about David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive from 2001. This is a special episode, as it is the first time we talk about a film from Austin’s favorite film director of all time. It’s also one of the few times our podcast has a shorter run time than the actual movie. We talk about the effect Lynch’s surreal, atmospheric and sometimes comedic style has on us, and why he is one of the best filmmakers of all time. He is famous, or perhaps, infamous for making films that are left up to audience interpretation. He often uses dream logic, genre tropes to give audiences a false sense of security, and brings out unique performances out of his actors to tell stories that are both “wonderful and strange.“

In time for the 20th anniversary of Mulholland Drive, we talk about what we think the film means. On the surface, it is a neo-noir mystery thriller about the Hollywood. It’s filled with all sorts of characters, an up-and-coming actress, an amnesic bombshell, a film director losing control of his film, a mysterious cowboy, mobster-like movie moguls and perhaps maybe the world’s worst assassin. As if the list of characters wasn’t enough, film also has a twist that left casual film-goers and film critics confused as to what it all meant. What was even “real?” Although David Lynch refuses to ever explain his films, he did leave behind 10 clues in the DVD release of the film, so we use them as guidelines to try and help each other understand this film and exchange theories as to what the film meant to us. If our film degrees mean anything, it was for this episode right here.

We also talk about how the film is an authentic window into someone pursuing the Hollywood dream. What does the life of a person trying to “make it” in the film industry actually look like? What happens if our dreams come true? What happens if they never do? What do our dream reveal about us as people? Find out on this episode!

Music is from Triune Digital and audio clips pulled from movies we will be reviewing in other episodes.

Artwork by @jannelle_o

“THIS ISN’T FLYING, THIS IS FALLING WITH STYLE “

On this week’s episode of Retro Grade Podcast we talk about the beloved children’s animated film, Toy Story. Released in 1995, this is the first feature length film released by Pixar Studios, directed by John Lasseter. We revisit the classic film from most of our childhoods, we reminisce about all the toys we had from this film and our memories of watching each film in the franchise and how they impacted our lives. This week’s episode is organized in a much different way than it normally is, with us going into the production first and talking about the creation of Pixar the studio and the development struggles the animators went into making this film. We reference the documentary film The Pixar Story, and we use that to not only talk about the making of Toy Story, but also the film industry as a whole and how studio executives see the creative process, and how Hollywood has a tendency to romanticize long hours of labor and crunch an how we are still talking about this in our modern world.

We talk about what we each love about the story, and how the evolution of Woody came about, and how in earlier versions of the film, Woody was a truly horrible character past the point of redemption. We go into the dialogue, the jokes, the set up and payoff of multiple story elements, and all the themes that are present for children and adults to appreciate.

And lastly, we go over the serious allegations against people who worked on the film, including the director John Lasseter, screenwriter Joss Whedon, and early investor Steve Jobs, and how their images in the public eye have deteriorated since the release of the original film. So stay tuned, because this episode of Retro Grade Podcast just might change the way you see this classic film.

Music is from Triune Digital and audio clips pulled from movies we will be reviewing in other episodes.

Artwork by @jannelle_o

YOU PUT THIS KID BEHIND THE WHEEL, THERE’S NOTHIN’ HE CAN’T DO.

On this episode of Retro Grade Podcast, we talk about one of Jorge’s top 3 favorite films, 2011’s Drive, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Ryan Gosling. A film shot on a humble 15 million dollar budget that made a huge impact amongst those that saw it, earning 81 million at the box office, and made Refn an indie darling overnight. What was it about this film about a mysterious man of few words, played by the guy who restored Rachel McAdams’ house in The Notebook just 7 years before, that left such a strong impression on young Jorge? And why didn’t Austin feel the same?

We talk about the film’s impeccably crafted cinematography, the amazing synth wave soundtrack and score, and how the film makes us feel about violence. While there are so many films about getaway drivers, Drive’s conventional crime thriller plot is accompanied by an undeniably cool aesthetic and arthouse feel that separates it from the rest. The ingenuity of the car chases shot on location in LA was no easy feat for such a low budget film, so we get into how they went about doing that as well.

We also talk about it’s potential shortcomings with its willing sacrifices of substance for style, plot development for mood, and character depth of its female characters for it’s male target audience.

While we might not agree on how much we like the film, we always keep it civil. In the days of internet rage, hot take click baits and toxic-stan culture, we’ve tried to make Retro Grade Podcast a safe place where we can talk about why we like stuff, why don’t like stuff, laugh and geek out over stuff, and just have a great time talking about movies. However, we do talk about a certain someone who REALLY didn’t like Drive and may have taken things a bit too far.

Hope you enjoy this episode!

Music is from Triune Digital and audio clips pulled from movies we will be reviewing in other episodes.

Artwork by @jannelle_o

NOBODY PUTS BABY IN A CORNER

On this episode of Retro Grade Podcast, we go back to 1987 (again) and watch Dirty Dancing, directed by Emile Ardolino, written by Eleanor Bergstein, starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze! We talk about how this film with a small budget went on to become the biggest films of the year, with a firm place within the pop culture zeitgeist.

Not only is the film a coming-of-age, romantic dance drama with one of highest selling soundtracks of all time, but it is also a film about social class status, the importance of accessible abortions, sex work, and what it really means to help others in need.  

We talk about the film’s controversial abortion plot point that screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein not only refused to compromise, but wrote it so deep into the films story that it could not be removed at all. The on screen chemistry between Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey is perhaps the highlight of the film, so naturally we get into why it was so good. We also talk about Grey’s unforgettable performance, and what happened to her career after the world fell in love with Baby.

We also get into how we feel about the potentially inappropriate age differences between the two characters, and whether or not it takes us out of the film. Why was is something that bugged us in Scott Pilgrim but not in Call Me By Your Name?

We hope you enjoy this episode and have as much fun as we did making it!

Music is from Triune Digital and audio clips pulled from movies we will be reviewing in other episodes.

Artwork by @jannelle_o