THE FIXATE & BINGE PODCAST, with Host, Joe Curdy: Deep dives into cinema and storytelling with voices who create it

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On this episode of The Fixate & Binge Podcast, writer/director Jonathan Rosado joins the show to discuss his surreal new feature MATADOR BOLERO — a hypnotic midnight-art-house experience blending dream logic, symbolic imagery, exploitation cinema, and cosmic mystery.

Shot on Super 8mm and starring experimental music artist Yves Tumor in a mesmerizing acting debut, the film evokes the psychosexual nightmare logic of David Lynch and the surrealist symbolism of Alejandro Jodorowsky while carving out a strange identity all its own.

Jonathan discusses the film’s visual language, retro grindhouse aesthetic, underground influences, fragmented storytelling, and the challenge of crafting a cinematic experience driven more by mood, texture, and emotional immersion than conventional narrative structure.

We also explore cult cinema, surrealism, midnight movies, and why films like MATADOR BOLERO feel increasingly rare in modern independent filmmaking.

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What if television didn’t just reflect America’s changing morals… but helped shape them?

For over two decades, audiences have celebrated antiheroes like Tony Soprano, Walter White, Dexter Morgan, and Ray Shoesmith — deeply flawed men whose violence, corruption, and manipulation become strangely acceptable because we understand their motivations.

In this provocative solo discussion, Joe Curdy explores the rise of morally gray storytelling and asks an uncomfortable question:

Did America become so conditioned to rooting for antiheroes that we started doing the same thing in real life?

Connecting prestige television to modern politics, celebrity culture, and the growing belief that “the ends justify the means,” this episode examines how the antihero became America’s favorite archetype — and what that says about us now.

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Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Doug Pray joins The Fixate & Binge Podcast to discuss his powerful new film, LOUDER THAN GUNS, created on the road alongside Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show.

Following the tragic 2023 Covenant School shooting in Nashville, Secor embarked on a deeply personal journey to bridge America's seemingly impossible divide over gun rights and gun violence. Traveling across the country during Old Crow Medicine Show's concert tour, the filmmakers transformed barbershops, barbecue joints, churches, and gun stores into spaces for honest, compassionate conversation.

Doug shares the origins of the documentary, the challenges of navigating one of America's most emotionally charged issues, and how music became an unlikely vehicle for empathy, healing, and meaningful dialogue. We also explore the unique role Ketch Secor played in disarming participants, finding common ground, and proving that civil discourse remains possible—even in our most polarized times.

This is a thoughtful, timely conversation about documentary filmmaking, storytelling, and the urgent need to rediscover how to talk to one another.

Joe also shares a spoiler-free reaction to Damian McCarthy's latest folk horror film HOKUM.

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Few films capture the beauty, heartbreak, and humor of family quite like KANGAROO ISLAND, and this week, writer Sally Gifford and director Timothy David join The Fixate & Binge Podcast for a wonderful conversation about their acclaimed 2025 drama.

Fresh off my 4.5-star review, Sally and Tim joined me from their beachfront vacation home in Maui to discuss the inspiration behind this moving story of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the complicated ties that bind us. We explore Sally's richly layered screenplay, Tim's assured feature directorial debut, and how the film expertly balances emotional drama with moments of genuine levity—including that unforgettable lost luggage running gag.

We also dive into the extraordinary performances from Rebecca Breeds, Adelaide Clemens, and Erik Thomson, the breathtaking beauty of Australia's Kangaroo Island, and the unique creative partnership that comes from making a deeply personal film as husband and wife.

If you love intelligent family dramas, behind-the-scenes filmmaking stories, and passionate conversations about great cinema, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

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🎙️The A Cappella Documentary Everyone’s Talking About — JUST SING (with Its Creators)

After an incredible conversation, host Joe is joined by co-directors and cinematographers Abraham “Abie” Troen and Angelique Molina to dive into their electrifying new documentary JUST SING — hitting theaters nationwide on April 24, 2026.

This isn’t just a music documentary.

It’s a front-row seat to ambition, vulnerability, and the emotional highs and lows of college performers chasing something bigger than themselves.

Shot in an intimate vérité style, JUST SING puts you inside the journey — from cramped dorm rooms to the high-stakes final competition in New York City. With a striking blend of cinematic precision and raw, handheld immediacy, Troen and Molina capture both the spectacle and the deeply personal moments in between.

In this episode, we explore:

• 🎬 The filmmaking approach behind the documentary’s immersive style
• 🎶 The balance between performance and personal struggle
•  🎥 What it means to document real people in real, vulnerable moments

It’s a conversation about storytelling, artistry, and the courage it takes to put yourself out there — on stage and behind the camera.

If you love documentaries, music, or stories about chasing something meaningful… this one hits.

CINEMATOGRAPHERS STATEMENT

JUST SING is a vérité documentary that immerses viewers in the world of its characters, capturing intimate, up-close moments in their college lives. From cramped dorm rooms to the wings of performance venues, the camera acts as a fly on the wall, quietly observing pivotal moments for both the individual singers and the team as a whole.As co-directors and co-cinematographers, we opted for prime lenses to create a high-end, observational style that evokes the feel of an indie narrative film. Each lens choice, made on the fly, reflects the duality of the journey—the weight of chasing big dreams and the raw joy of singing. A wide 15mm lens and drone shots convey the looming sky over New York City's final competition, while a 125mm lens captures intimate, nervous moments behind the scenes, where the stakes are personal. This balance between the big picture and small, emotional moments reflects the essence of the story.For camerawork, we used a mix of steady, polished shots with the Alexa Mini for campus scenes, paired with smaller, handheld cameras for vérité moments. The goal was to stay close to our participants, allowing the camera to move with them, unobtrusive yet present, so the audience feels like part of the team.Interviews were filmed on-the-fly, often while our subjects were in transit or preparing for class, and in intimate sit-down settings where they felt comfortable—dorm rooms or rehearsal spaces with soft, natural lighting. The intent was to keep the look unpolished yet flattering, allowing viewers toconnect with the subjects on a deeper, more empathetic level, rooting for them as they navigate their coming-of-age journey.

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After nearly two years away, original co-creator and co-host Jared Clavin returns to Fixate & Binge for a long-overdue reunion—and it’s like he never left.

In this special episode, we catch up, swap stories, and dive right back into what we do best: breaking down what we’ve been watching. Jared brings a stacked lineup, including HOMELAND, LANDMAN, FALLOUT, INVINCIBLE, and SHRINKING, sharing what’s hooked him, what’s surprised him, and what’s worth your time.

We also get into the shows he’s walked away from—yes, including THE BOYS and THE GOOD PLACE—and unpack why even great series don’t always stick.

Plus, Jared shares his thoughts on the film A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY, rounding outa conversation that’s equal parts insight, nostalgia, and the kind of effortless back-and-forth that made this podcast what it is four years ago.

Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or you’re just jumping in, this episode is a reminder of why we started—and why we’re still not done.

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With travel plans on hold and gas prices soaring, Spring Break and Easter Weekend are looking a little different this year—but that doesn’t mean they can’t be unforgettable.

In this special episode, we’re turning your living room into the ultimate entertainment hub with acarefully curated lineup of family-friendly favorites, meaningful Easter classics, and binge-worthy series for every age group.

From the emotional storytelling of GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO and the high-energy fun of ROALD DAHL'S MATILDA: THE MUSICAL, to timeless comfort watches like Pixar's RATATOUILLE and deeper, thought-provoking picks like SOUL — there’s something here for everyone in the family.

We’ll also highlight powerful Easter selections like THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, plus full-blown binge marathons including ANDOR, LOKI, and epic journeys through Middle-earth with THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy (extended cuts, of course!).

So whether you’re entertaining kids, planning a relaxing weekend, or just looking to escape into great storytelling, this episode is your go-to guide for making the most of a Spring Break spent at home.

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In this episode of The Fixate & Binge Podcast, we dive deep into PROJECT HAIL MARY—the ambitious sci-fi adaptation of Andy Weir’s bestselling novel, brought to the screen by Drew Goddard and directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

Starring Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller, the film blends the awe of INTERSTELLAR with the wit and problem-solving ingenuity of THE MARTIAN—but ultimately becomes something far more unexpected.

This episode explores how PROJECT HAIL MARY uses science not just as spectacle, but as a pathway to something deeply human. From its inventive structure and practical effects to its emotional core—centered on an unlikely friendship between man and alien—we break down why this film stands among the most meaningful sci-fi stories in years, echoing classics like CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND and E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL.

We also touch on early Oscar buzz, the film’s philosophical themes of survival and sacrifice, and why its biggest surprise isn’t its science—but its heart.

Plus, quick streaming recommendations to kick things off, including PRIMAL and Season 2 of JURY DUTY PRESENTS: COMPANY RETREAT.

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In this deeply personal solo episode of The Fixate & Binge Podcast, I take a moment to reflect on the life and legacy of Chuck Norris following his passing at age 86.

I share my firsthand experience working with Chuck on the 1993 film SIDEKICKS, where I spent six days on set as a featured extra—interacting with him, observing his professionalism, and witnessing the humility and kindness that defined him behind the scenes.

I also talk about a lesser-known chapter of my journey—auditioning for the pilot of WALKER, TEXAS RANGER, and how that opportunity ultimately slipped away before filming began.

In the second half of the episode, I shift gears to break down the 2026 Academy Awards—owning up to what I predicted correctly, what I completely missed, and what surprised me most from this year’s ceremony.

I also briefly weigh in on READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME and whether the sequel lives up to the bite of the original.

A tribute, a reflection, and a reality check—all in one episode.

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On the 200th episode of The Fixate & Binge Podcast, Joe Curdy and DiAnte Jenkins sit down with actor SAM TROUGHTON for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at working with two of the most iconic filmmakers in the world: David Fincher and Ridley Scott.

Having appeared in MANK and NAPOLEON, Sam breaks down the stark contrast between Fincher’s meticulous, detail-obsessed approach and Scott’s fast-moving, large-scale filmmaking style—offering insight into how each director shapes performance, tone, and the on-set experience.

Beyond the director deep dive, the conversation explores Sam’s acting roots as the grandson of Patrick Troughton and son of David Troughton, and how he’s carved out his own path across stage, television, and film.

Plus, the hosts revisit Sam's other film and television work:

• THE RITUAL (2017)
• ALIEN VS. PREDATOR (2004)
• HBO's: CHERNOBYL (2019)

A must-listen for film lovers, this milestone episode celebrates 200 installments of Fixate & Binge with an inside look at two radically different masters of modern cinema.

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