This week Alex and Jonathan cover the first true series of films on the podcast with the listener-suggested Toy Story trilogy: Toy Story (1995), Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010). We talk the evolution of computer animated film, children's entertainment that isn't childish, and sequels that build on the story advancements from the previous films.

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10:18 - The Shorts

19:36 - Toy Story

36:15 - Toy Story 2

53:16 - Toy Story 3

1:08:42 - Overall

1:23:00 - Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions:

L'Age d'Or (1930)

The Exterminating Angel (1962)

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)

For links to things we talked about, visit the blog:

https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2017/04/25/toy-story/

Grab some ice cream and switch off with us this week as Alex and Jonathan talk through Edgar Wright's Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy: Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), and The World's End (2013). We talk blending genres, what makes a "thematic trilogy," and comedy with layered dimensions.

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8:30 - Shaun of the Dead

21:38 - Hot Fuzz

32:23 - The World's End

48:11 - Overall

1:08:22 - Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions:

Toy Story

Toy Story 2

Toy Story 3

For links to things we talked about, visit the blog:

https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2017/04/18/cornetto-crash-course/

Once again we pit sword-masters against gunslingers in part two of our Samurai and Sombreros series. This week Alex and Jonathan discuss Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo (1961) and Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars (1964). We talk about tonal changes in adaptations, visual character development, and varied uses of violence and humor.

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3:33 - Yojimbo

34:31 - A Fistful of Dollars

50:43 - Overall

1:12:32 - Coming Attractions

For links to things we talked about, visit the blog:

https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2017/04/11/samurai-and-sombreros-vol-2/

Plug us into your head and listen as Alex and Jonathan invite their friend Jason Harden to the show to talk about three Japanese cyberpunk films: Akira (1988), Ghost in the Shell (1995), and Paprika (2006). We talk about the impact of hand-made animation, the influence of anime on western blockbusters, and the philosophical diversity of themes in Japanese film.

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5:14 - Akira

24:51 - Ghost in the Shell

40:44 - Paprika

1:03:03 - Overall

1:11:00 - Coming Attractions

Coming up next week:

Yojimbo (1961)

A Fistful of Dollars (1964)

To find links to things we talked about visit the blog:

https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/episode-13-cyberpunk-chaos-feat-jason-harden/

Let us be your vehicle to escape your problems this week as Alex and Jonathan talk through three of John Hughes' high school films: Sixteen Candles (1984), The Breakfast Club (1985), and Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986). We discuss how comedy ages, use and critique of stereotypes, and unique character dynamics in a high school setting.

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3:13 - Sixteen Candles

23:10 - The Breakfast Club

43:23 - Ferris Bueller's Day Off

1:10:45 - Overall

1:19:41 - Coming Attractions

Next week we'll be talking about Akira (1988), Ghost in the Shell (1995), and Paprika (2006).

For more information visit the blog:

https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2017/03/28/episode-12-the-high-school-hughes/

The results of our Twitter poll are in and the winning category was Samurais and Sombreros! Alex and Jonathan take a look at Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (1954) and its western adaptation The Magnificent Seven (1960). We talk about archetypal stories, cultural influence on art, and using inspiration to create a new and distinct work.

Skip to:

5:29 - Seven Samurai

25:54 - The Magnificent Seven

50:51 - Overall

1:11:45 - Coming Attractions

For links to things that we talked about visit the blog:

https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2017/03/21/samurai-and-sombreros/

In our first exclusively animation episode, friend of the podcast Hayden Chauffe joins Alex to talk about three films by Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki: My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Spirited Away (2001), and The Wind Rises (2013). We discuss the unique possibilities of animation, children's entertainment that doesn't sugar coat the world, and reflection of Miyazaki's life in his films.

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8:56 - My Neighbor Totoro

31:30 - Spirited Away

45:50 - The Wind Rises

58:35 - Overall

1:08:00 - Coming Attractions

For links to things we talked about, visit the blog:

https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2017/03/14/mystical-miyazaki/

Wes Anderson takes a perfectly framed center-stage this week as Alex and Jonathan talk Rushmore (1998), The Life Aquatic (2004), and Moonrise Kingdom (2012). We discuss self-aware storytelling, how style can divert criticism, and the recycling of iconic art.

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6:36 - Rushmore

24:18 - The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

43:10 - Moonrise Kingdom

57:46 - Overall

1:13:59 - Coming Attractions

To find links to things that we talked about, visit the blog:

https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2017/03/07/episode-9-the-whimsy-and-woe-of-wes-anderson/

In honor of the Oscars this past weekend Alex and Jonathan take a look back at the last three Best Picture winners at the Academy Awards: 12 Years a Slave (2013), Birdman (2014), and Spotlight (2015). We discuss what kinds of films tend to seek out and win awards, the techniques these films employ, and in what ways we should think about award shows and award winners.

Skip to:

2:12 - 12 Years a Slave

20:28 - Birdman

37:53 - Spotlight

47:44 - Overall

1:02:11 - Coming Attractions

For links to things that we talked about visit the blog:

https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2017/02/28/episode-8-oscar-bait-or-the-unexpected-virtue-of-tragedy/

Our first guest, Aaron Johnson, joins Alex and Jonathan this week to talk about four major reboots of the Batman character in film: Batman: The Movie, Batman (1989), Batman Begins, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. We discuss the influence of the comics on the films (and vice versa), stylistic changes in each adaptation, and the steady darkening of tone over time.

For links to things that we talked about visit the blog post:

https://thefilmlings.wordpress.com/2017/02/21/episode-7-holy-reboot-batman-feat-aaron-johnson/