Scene by Scene

We’re sorry for the delay on this episode, but we hope you enjoy the looser discussion. We’ll be back on March 1st, discussing Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Three Colors: Blue.

In this episode, we discuss our favorite films featured on the podcast. We also discuss the best and worst films we watched in 2023, lessons learned, and our 2024 film resolutions.

Additional Music from Charlotte Wells' Aftersun.

If you'd like to support the show, subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share the podcast with someone who might enjoy it.

If you have any thoughts, comments, or questions about the show, you can email us at [email protected]

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In this episode, we discuss Charles Poekel's Christmas, Again, including Poekel's extensive research, Kentucker Audley's naturalistic performance, and the film's lack of traditional exposition.

See where Christmas, Again is available to watch.

Supplemental Material:

Factory 25's Christmas, Again Blu-ray

Christmas, Again Kickstarter

Christmas, Again Q&A with Film at Lincoln Center

Charles Poekel & Kentucker Audley Interview with No Film School

Kentucker Audley, Hannah Gross, & Charles Poekel Interview

Meet the Artist '15: Charles Poekel - Sundance Film Festival

CIFF39 Meet the Filmmakers - Director Charles Poekel from Christmas Again

Charles Poekel on "Christmas, Again" | MoMA Film

Building a Christmas Tree Stand to Make a Movie: Charles Poekel on Christmas, Again by Charles Poekel

Need Funding? Sell Christmas Trees: Charles Poekel Lived Christmas, Again Before He Shot It (on Super-16) by Carlos Aguilar

Meet the (New) Director: Charles Poekel, 'Christmas, Again' by Rachel Del Giudice 

Springboard: Why ‘Christmas, Again’ Filmmaker Charles Poekel Freaked Out Over His Spirit Award Nomination by Kate Erbland

Christmas, Again Review by Richard Brody

Additional Audio Sources:

Christmas, Again Trailer

Factory 25's Christmas, Again Blu-ray

Charles Poekel & Kentucker Audley Interview with No Film School

Christmas, Again Q&A with Film at Lincoln Center

Charles Poekel on "Christmas, Again" | MoMA Film

Meet the Artist '15: Charles Poekel - Sundance Film Festival

If you'd like to support the show, subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share the podcast with someone who might enjoy it.

If you have any thoughts, comments, or questions about the show, you can email us at [email protected]

Follow us on Letterboxd: Joe | Justin

This episode features discussion of suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

https://988lifeline.org/

In this episode, we discuss Edson Oda's Nine Days, including multiple interpretations of Will, the questions the story raises, and the film's various editing techniques.

See where Nine Days is available to watch.

Supplemental Material:

Edson Oda's Portfolio

Behind the Scenes of Nine Days with Director Edson Oda

Sound + Image Lab | Asking the Big Existential Questions with "Nine Days" (Podcast)

Nine Days Q&A with Film Independent Presents

Nine Days Full Conversation with American Film Institute

Tonebenders Podcast | Nine Days with Mac Smith & Brandon Proctor

Edson Oda's Top 10

Additional Audio Sources:

Nine Days Trailer

Nine Days Blu-ray

In Conversation with Nine Days Writer/Director Edson Oda

If you'd like to support the show, subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share the podcast with someone who might enjoy it.

If you have any thoughts, comments, or questions about the show, you can email us at [email protected]

Follow us on Letterboxd: Joe | Justin

In this episode, we discuss Hirokazu Kore-eda's After Life, including the film's documentary aesthetic, how Kore-eda communicates information visually, and the way exposition is made engaging.

See where After Life is available to watch.

Supplemental Material:

The Criterion Collection's After Life Blu-ray

BFI's After Life Blu-ray

After Life: In Memoriam by Viet Thanh Nguyen

On the Novelistic Afterlife of After Life by Hirokazu Kore-eda

After Life Press Kit

Additional Audio Sources:

After Life Trailer

The Criterion Collection's After Life Blu-ray

If you'd like to support the show, subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share the podcast with someone who might enjoy it.

If you have any thoughts, comments, or questions about the show, you can email us at [email protected]

Follow us on Letterboxd: Joe | Justin

In this episode, we discuss Neil Marshall's The Descent, including the film’s lighting, the mistakes made in the first act, and whether the creatures help or harm the film. 

See where The Descent is available to watch.

Supplemental Material:

The Descent Blu-ray

Additional Audio Sources:

The Descent Trailer

"The Descent: Beneath the Scenes" on The Descent Blu-ray

"DescENDING: Interview with Neil Marshall" on The Descent Blu-ray

If you'd like to support the show, subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share the podcast with someone who might enjoy it.

If you have any thoughts, comments, or questions about the show, you can email us at [email protected]

Follow us on Letterboxd: Joe | Justin

In this episode, we discuss John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness, including the screenplay's missteps, the effective use of insects, and Carpenter's visual techniques.

See where Prince of Darkness is available to watch.

Supplemental Material:

Scream Factory's Prince of Darkness Blu-ray

John Carpenter on Managing to "Survive" Hollywood (Variety Interview)

Additional Audio Sources:

Prince of Darkness Trailer

Scream Factory's Prince of Darkness Blu-ray

John Carpenter Interview with BBC

If you'd like to support the show, subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share the podcast with someone who might enjoy it.

If you have any thoughts, comments, or questions about the show, you can email us at [email protected]

Follow us on Letterboxd: Joe | Justin

In this episode, we discuss Trey Edward Shults' It Comes at Night, including the film's marketing, our interpretations of "it", and the film's use of traditional horror conventions and iconography.

See where It Comes at Night is available to watch.

Supplemental Material:

It Comes at Night Blu-ray

Anatomy of a Scene: Trey Edward Shults Narrates a Scene From ‘It Comes at Night’

Trey Edward Shults & Cast Interview with BUILD Series

It Comes at Night DP Drew Daniels on New Lenses, Old Dogs and Using Actors as Bounce Cards by Matt Mulcahey

Why the Director of 'It Comes at Night' Hopes Audience "Don't Catch On" to his Technological Tricks by Tasha Robinson

Deeply Personal 'It Comes at Night' is the Anti-Horror Film of Summer by Patrick Ryan

Cinematography Techniques: Cinematic Flattening in Profile by David Goodman

Additional Audio Sources:

It Comes At Night Official Trailer

It Comes at Night Blu-ray

Trey Edward Shults & Cast Interview with BUILD Series

If you'd like to support the show, subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share the podcast with someone who might enjoy it.

If you have any thoughts, comments, or questions about the show, you can email us at [email protected]

Follow us on Letterboxd: Joe | Justin

In this episode, we discuss Andrzej Żuławski’s Possession, including our interpretations of the film's creature and doppelgängers, the expressive actor blocking, and the abrasive (yet successful) performances.

See where Possession is available to watch.

Supplemental Material:

Mondo Vision's Possession Blu-ray

Additional Audio Sources:

Possession Official Trailer

Mondo Vision's Possession Blu-ray

Audio Commentary on Mondo Vision's Possession Blu-ray

"The Other Side of the Wall" on Mondo Vision's Possession Blu-ray

If you'd like to support the show, subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share the podcast with someone who might enjoy it.

If you have any thoughts, comments, or questions about the show, you can email us at [email protected]

Follow us on Letterboxd: Joe | Justin

In this episode, we discuss Charlie Kaufman’s Synecdoche, New York, including the lack of subtlety, the execution of numerous themes and ideas, and whether the film encapsulates the human experience. 

See where Synecdoche, New York is available to watch.

Supplemental Material:

Synecdoche, New York Blu-ray

Charlie Kaufman | BAFTA Screenwriters’ Lecture Series

Charlie Kaufman Interview with WGA West

Charlie Kaufman and Catherine Keener Interview with movieweb

Charlie Kaufman Interview with DP/30

Additional Audio Sources:

Synecdoche, New York Trailer

Synecdoche, New York Blu-ray

"In and Around Synecdoche, New York" on the Blu-ray

"The Story of Caden Cotard" on the Blu-ray

"NFTS/Script Factory Masterclass" on the Blu-ray

Charlie Kaufman Interview with WGA West

If you'd like to support the show, subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share the podcast with someone who might enjoy it.

If you have any thoughts, comments, or questions about the show, you can email us at [email protected]

Follow us on Letterboxd: Joe | Justin

In this episode, we discuss Werner Herzog's Aguirre, the Wrath of God, including Herzog's process, the unconventional storytelling, and the masterful approach to perspective.

See where Aguirre, the Wrath of God is available to watch.

Supplemental Material:

Shout! Factory's Aguirre, the Wrath of God Blu-ray

Werner Herzog's MasterClass

Werner Herzog: A Guide for the Perplexed (Book)

Aguirre, the Wrath of God Review by Roger Ebert 

Bill Hader on Aguirre, the Wrath of God

Additional Audio Sources:

Aguirre, the Wrath of God Trailer

Shout! Factory's Aguirre, the Wrath of God Blu-ray

Werner Herzog's MasterClass

If you'd like to support the show, subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share the podcast with someone who might enjoy it.

If you have any thoughts, comments, or questions about the show, you can email us at [email protected]

Follow us on Letterboxd: Joe | Justin