Podcast influencers Daniel Barnes and Corky McDonnell recorded this episode while under the influence of Gena Rowlands’ powerhouse performance in this naturalistic yet weirdly wacky domestic drama. Your hosts can talk the talk, but can they Falk the Falk?

Sight & Sound 2022 Critics Poll Ranking: #114 [tied]

World premiere: Nov. 18, 1974

IMDB synopsis: “Although wife and mother Mabel is loved by her husband Nick, her mental illness places a strain on the marriage.”

Original theatrical trailer for A Woman Under the Influence

Drunk kids

Family dinner

On the beach

Gena and Peter 30 years after

Orlando (1992; Dir.: Sally Potter)

IMDB synopsis: “After Queen Elizabeth I commands him not to grow old, a young nobleman struggles with love and his place in the world.”

Our review of Orlando comes out Tuesday, March 3!

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IMDB Synopsis: “A passionate and tumultuous love story set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, exploring the intense and destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.”

IMDB Synopsis: “In 1990s Iraq, 9-year-old Lamia must bake the President’s birthday cake. She scrambles to find ingredients for this compulsory task while facing potential punishment if she fails.”

Intermittently disgraced film critic Daniel Barnes returns with another episode of his wildly popular Single Take podcast. A beloved entertainer famed for his distinctively campy comedic delivery, Daniel is perhaps best known for dishing out witty one-liners as the long-time “center square” on…You know what, never mind, I was thinking of Paul Lynde. Daniel Barnes is just some guy who reviews movies.

This week, Daniel offers his Single Take on Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in Emerald Fennell’s horny-as-hell update of Wuthering Heights. He also reviews The President’s Cake from Iraqi director Hasan Hadi. Daniel also talks for a few minutes about the most celebrated films from this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Listen as Daniel ruffles his own feathers about farmers market discoveries, fish fingers, pet zones and dictator desserts.

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The first film in Kiarostami’s so-called “Koker trilogy,” Where Is the Friend’s House? is a universally recognizable yet culturally and regionally specific slice-of-life with surprising moments of comedy and suspense. Abbas made what seems like a Canon-worthy no-brainer, but did this winner take it all, or did your hosts disagree the way old friends do?

Sight & Sound 2022 Critics Poll Ranking: #157 [tied]

World premiere: Feb. 1987 (Fajr International Film Festival)

IMDB synopsis: “Eight-year-old Ahmed has mistakenly taken his friend Mohammad’s notebook. He wants to return it, or else his friend will be expelled from school. The boy determinedly sets out to find Mohammad’s home in the neighbouring village.”

Official trailer for Where Is the Friend’s House?

The journey begins

Views on parenting

“Good work.” [final scene]

A Woman Under the Influence (1974; Dir.: John Cassavetes)

IMDB synopsis: “Although wife and mother Mabel is loved by her husband Nick, her mental illness places a strain on the marriage.”

Our review of A Woman Under the Influence comes out Tuesday, Feb. 17!

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IMDB Synopsis: “An employee and her insufferable boss become stranded on a deserted island, the only survivors of a plane crash. Here, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, will they make it out alive?”

IMDB Synopsis: “A group of Miami cops discovers a stash of millions in cash, leading to distrust as outsiders learn about the huge seizure, making them question who to rely on.”

Occasionally disgraced film critic Daniel Barnes returns with another episode of the Single Take podcast. One of the nation’s foremost political satirists, Daniel is best known for his hilarious musical parodies of current events, frequently performing on Meet the Press with his American flag-themed piano. Hang on, that’s Mark Russell. Daniel Barnes is just some guy who reviews movies.

This week, Daniel offers his Single Take on Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien in Send Help, a survival-ry showdown that marks a sort-of return to form for Sam Raimi. He also reviews Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in Joe Carnahan’s crime thriller The Rip.  Listen along as Daniel talks to himself about gonzo fluids, bad baseball movies, social pariahs and ultra-efficient mediocrity.

The post Single Take – “Send Help” & “The Rip” appeared first on Dare Daniel Family of Podcasts.

IMDB Synopsis: “Follows an aspiring actress working on a U.S. military base that simulates an Iraqi war zone.”

IMDB Synopsis: “In the near future, a detective stands on trial accused of murdering his wife. He has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to the advanced A.I. Judge he once championed, before it determines his fate.”

It’s a new year and a new podcast for world-famous film critic Daniel Barnes! Known for his provocative yet family-friendly brand of humor, Daniel brings along his beloved cast of puppet characters, including grumpy old man Walter, the irascible Achmed the Dead Terrorist, and Bubba J, a stereotypical NASCAR enthusiast…oh wait, that’s ventriloquist Jeff Dunham. Daniel Barnes is just a guy who reviews movies.

This week, Daniel offers his Single Take on Alia Shawkat in Atropia, an overstuffed yet underdeveloped satire about an ambitious actress role-playing revolutionaries in elaborately staged war games. He also looks at Mercy, a sci-fi whodunit starring Chris Pratt as a cop-on-the-edge trying to find “the real killers” before artificial intelligence seals his fate.

Listen along as Daniel begs mercy for January unicorns, CD-ROM murder mysteries and 20-year-old The Daily Show jokes.

The post Single Take – “Atropia” & “Mercy” appeared first on Dare Daniel Family of Podcasts.

Daniel and Corky go on the lam with Jean-Paul Belmondo and Anna Karina to review Jean-Luc Godard’s apocalyptic road movie Pierrot le Fou. But were your hosts Vague-ly entranced by Godard’s Nouvelle vision, or did they act the Fou?

Sight & Sound 2022 Critics Poll Ranking: #85 [tied]

World premiere: Aug. 29, 1965 (Venice Film Festival)

IMDB synopsis: “Pierrot escapes his boring society and travels from Paris to the Mediterranean Sea with Marianne, a girl chased by hit-men from Algeria. They lead an unorthodox life, always on the run.”

Official trailer for Pierrot le Fou

A Galaxie in the ocean

“A film is like a battleground.”

Kissing cars

Where Is the Friend’s House? (1987; Dir.: Abbas Kiarostami)

IMDB synopsis: “Eight-year-old Ahmed has mistakenly taken his friend Mohammad’s notebook. He wants to return it, or else his friend will be expelled from school. The boy determinedly sets out to find Mohammad’s home in the neighbouring village.”

Our review of Where Is the Friend’s House comes out Tuesday, Feb. 3!

The post Canon Fodder – Pierrot le Fou appeared first on Dare Daniel Family of Podcasts.

Quasi-disgraced pseudo-critic Daniel Barnes takes a solo excursion through the year in cinema to share his best and worst films of 2025. Daniel also discusses some of the awards contenders, blockbusters and bombs that did not make either of his lists. He also previews next week’s new Canon Fodder episode, in which Daniel and Corky review Jean-Luc Godard’s Pierrot le Fou.

CLIPS & CLIPPINGS

Daniel’s 2025 Ranked list on Letterboxd

Daniel’s 2025 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Awards ballot

Pierrot le Fou (1965; Dir.: Jean-Luc Godard)

IMDB synopsis: “Pierrot escapes his boring society and travels from Paris to the Mediterranean Sea with Marianne, a girl chased by hit-men from Algeria. They lead an unorthodox life, always on the run.”

Our review of Pierrot le Fou comes out Tuesday, Jan. 20.

The post Daniel’s Best & Worst Films of 2025 appeared first on Dare Daniel Family of Podcasts.

Film critic Daniel Barnes and comedy legend Corky McDonnell review their favorite films and moments from the last year of the Canon Fodder podcast. Your hosts also offer bonus mini-reviews and rulings on disputed films such as Distant Voices, Still Lives, The Long Day Closes, Bound, Salvatore Giuliani and Pale Flower.

Episodes released in 2025: 23

First film reviewed: India Song

Last film reviewed: Metropolis

Most popular episode: Videodrome

Pierrot le Fou (1965; Dir.: Jean-Luc Godard)

IMDB synopsis: “Pierrot escapes his boring society and travels from Paris to the Mediterranean Sea with Marianne, a girl chased by hit-men from Algeria. They lead an unorthodox life, always on the run.”

Our review of Pierrot le Fou comes out Tuesday, Jan. 20. Join us next week when Daniel shares his Best and Worst Films of 2025!

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Daniel and Corky crank up the city lights for the jaw-dropping dystopia of Fritz Lang’s fully restored Metropolis (1927). Directly or indirectly influencing a century of pop culture from Blade Runner to Diamond Dogs, Lang’s film continues to amaze and inspire. But did your hosts appreciate Lang’s outstanding vision, or are they on the Fritz?

Sight & Sound 2022 Critics Poll Ranking: #67 [tied]

World premiere: Jan. 10, 1927

IMDB synopsis: “In a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city’s mastermind falls in love with a working-class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.”

Official trailer for Metropolis (1927)

The Moloch!

Maria’s transformation

Metropolis cityscape

Pierrot le Fou (1965; Dir.: Jean-Luc Godard)

IMDB synopsis: “Pierrot escapes his boring society and travels from Paris to the Mediterranean Sea with Marianne, a girl chased by hit-men from Algeria. They lead an unorthodox life, always on the run.”

Our review of Pierrot le Fou comes out Tuesday, Jan. 20! Join us in two weeks for our Best of Canon Fodder 2025 episode!

The post Canon Fodder – Metropolis (1927) appeared first on Dare Daniel Family of Podcasts.

Daniel and Corky keep it Neo-Real with their review of Italian Neo-Realist icon Roberto Rossellini’s highly influential Paisan. Rather than simple tales of heroes at war, Rossellini offers bitterness-tinged stories of tenuous brotherhood along the Allied path to victory. But did this WWII anthology leave your hosts battling a bulge, or do they have their heads up their Anzio?

Sight & Sound 2022 Critics Poll Ranking: #196 [tied]

World premiere: September 1946 (Venice Film Festival)

IMDB synopsis: “American military personnel interact warily with a variety of Italian locals over a year and a half in the push north during the Italian Campaign of WWII as German forces make their retreat.”

Martin Scorsese presents Paisan

The opening scenes

“You can’t cross the road now.”

Just watch the whole movie

Metropolis (1927; Dir.: Fritz Lang)

IMDB synopsis: “In a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city’s mastermind falls in love with a working-class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.”

Our review of Metropolis comes out Dec. 16!

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