The Desert of the Reel: A Movie Podcast

In the fifth Harry Potter movie, Harry is placed into a teacher role, and Voldemort is on the rise. Jason, who refuses to see big-blockbuster movies, is pleasantly surprised. He actually likes this one. He hated the fourth movie, but thinks this might be the pinnacle of what Harry Potter movies have to offer.

Does this movie have bigger ideas than the other HP films? Is Professor Umbridge the worst villain in the franchise? Does it have the most real-world connections?

We discuss: The importance of asking "Why?" We go over the tools of critical thinking to defend our brains. We look at the dangers of bureaucracy, the power of fear, go over some of the differences from the book, and use the Mind-Body theory (posthuman) lens to analyze Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

It's a good time. Newfound appreciation for this movie. Also, there is a significant time when Ryan's baby is on his lap!

What do you think? Where does this movie fall in your HP rankings?

Send us anything and everything at [email protected]

In this episode about Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005), both Jason and Ryan recognize that this probably isn't the best of the Harry Potter movies. Aside from the logical flaws that Jason is obsessed with, the plot-heavy, character-light approach the film takes leaves us without a deepening attachment to most of the characters. Interestingly, it also leaves out a lot of the plot of the novel, which also weakens the film.

We discuss rule-bound ethics, rebellion against unjust or illogical laws, death studies, and the need for us to be aware of our strengths and weaknesses so we can be effective in life, and have the power to attack the injustice in the world.

What are your thoughts on this movie? share us your review or anything else at all at [email protected]

In this episode about War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), Jason complains about the logical flaws in the sewer system. Ryan completely changes Jason's mind about the arc of Caesar and the main meaning of the film. We discuss the essential nature of both logos and pathos components in our quest to de-other, and we examine the ethics of the Colonel's choice to kill his son.

What are your thoughts on this movie? share us your review or anything else at all at [email protected]

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) should swap names with Rise. But this is seriously one of the best sequels of all time. This movie is the follow-up to Caesar and all the escaped apes, 10 years after the events of the first film. The apes are met with humans, and both groups are just trying to survive and do what is best for their groups. The result? ETHICAL PROBLEMS!

Perfect for this podcast. Some of the questions we ask about this movie are: Is hate more powerful than love? What happens when hate enters a community of love? What happens when you do nothing? How do we avoid one person or one example to represent an entire group? 

We explore some it the ideas of rewiring our brain to "de-other," inaction vs action, weaponizing love, rewiring our brains, and what makes someone truly human?

What are your thoughts on this movie? share us your review or anything else at all at [email protected]

Jason's rebellion against the tyranny of Harry Potter has been successful! Welcome to the DOTR Planet of the Apes episodes. In this episode, we discuss possible reasons why this trilogy doesn't show up in the discussion of the best trilogies of all time.

Ryan introduces the critical animal studies lens and we explore how it help us more effectively interact with the concept of the Other.

Jason explores what various ethical schools of thought might say about animal testing. They also explore the idea of rage as a vehicle for change.

We hope you enjoy this episode and exploring the Planet of the Apes with us!

A very special thank you and shout-out to Toon My Heart Podcast for their lovely gift!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 2004) is the third Potter film where we find dementors, Sirius Black, and patronus spells! Is Jason says that this movie doesn't bring anything new from the previous Harry Potter films. Is he right?

Ryan jumps right in and talks about Alfonso Cuaron's directing style and use of cinematography. Jason has a list of pros and cons and discusses the themes of fear and its role in our lives.

We look at the lens of the Fantastic by Tzvetan Todorov and discuss what it is. We examine key motifs dealing with glass/mirrors and time/cycles. Jason has issues with "illogical" things the characters do, and we have a good time!

Is this the best Harry Potter movie?

What film is your favorite?

Next week, we are changing gears and watching Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011). Jason needed a break from the wizarding world.

Send us an email at [email protected]

Sure love ya!

Back to Hogwarts, and this time into the Chamber of Secrets. For the second Harry Potter film, we are welcomed back with another mystery. However, Jason argues that this is just a retread of the first film, and Ryan argues that the lore and story is expanding and deepening. What do you think?

We go over pros and cons. According to Jason, some of this film's major flaws are several logical flaws (most of which surround the basilisk) and Ron's "whiny voice." But there is still a lot to love!

And we explore the deeper meanings and insights we had while watching. We explore the ideas behind the concept of our choices vs our abilities, structuralism and binary opposites, and use a post-humanist lens.

What are your thoughts on the second Harry Potter film?

What HP movie do you think is the worst one?

Email us your thoughts, reviews, and anything else at [email protected]

Despite Jason not wanting to watch the Harry Potter movies because "they are all the same," he can't deny that there is something special about this movie.

Harry Potter is clearly a huge and successful franchise, and we attempt to understand why it is so.

We go over our positives and favorite lines, talk about negatives, and find a lot of deep ideas to talk about. We go over the themes of fate, love, character archetypes, personality types, and explore character motivation and what philosophies they align with from Machiavelli to Sartre.

Have you read Walden by Henry David Thoreau?

What are your thoughts on the Harry Potter franchise? Do you like this first film of the franchise?

Email us at [email protected]

Thank you for listening to us for 100 episodes!

For our 100th episode special, we watch and analyze three episodes of the children's show Bluey: "Flat Pack," "Bin Night," and "Sleepytime."

We explore what these episodes (and the show as a whole) are doing in their short 7-minute segments. From encouraging imagination to teaching parents how the creators feel parents should be, Bluey definitely isn't a socially-neutral show. Is that bad? Is that good? Are there socially-neutral shows? Is it possible to think critically about children's television?

Come with us as we look for the answers to those questions.

Next week, Harry Potter!

E-mail us with comments and questions at [email protected].

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)! We have one of our most heated debates about this movie. Ryan and Jason have not argued like this since the days of Tony Stark.

We spend a little bit of time talking about the technical aspects of this film, but we spend a very long time arguing back and forth if this is a good movie, or a remake and awful movie. Who do you agree with? Is this an example of a great film and an excellent sequel? Or is it a classic example of a sequel not doing anything new?

Jason (and special guest Martin) are under the impression that there is nothing deep or philosophical like the first one. But Ryan says that there are enough changes made and interesting depths explored that it IS a worthy successor for the first.

We look at this movie with a Media Ecology/Techno theory, Narrative Theory, whether there is enough character change and growth, and what the movie says (or doesn't say) about happiness.

Share us your thoughts about Avatar 2, because we'd love to hear your thoughts! [email protected]

Up next, our 100th episode special, where we will take a fun look at Bluey, hurray!

And then we will step into Hogwarts with taking Jason on a magical trip with Harry Potter!