Send us a text

In today's episode, I interview Sarah Goeke and Julia Sears, the writer and director of the web series "Forked," a story of a woman recovering from the purity culture of the Bible Belt through sobriety and dragon fantasy erotica.

Listen to hear about Sarah trusting her director on the shoot for And Through the Portal We Go, keeping the cast of "Forked" very much in the family, and finding humor in some of life's most serious moments.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• The Lilies by Quinn Diacon-Furtado
• The Chromatic Fantasy by H. A.
• Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
• Wolfsong by TJ Klune 

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• "Forked" directed by Julia Sears and Carolyn Braver
• And Through the Portal We Go directed by Mike Hayhurst
• Practical Magic directed by Griffin Dunne
• Drop Dead Gorgeous directed by Michael Patrick Jann
• Spice World directed by Barnaby Thompson and Bob Spiers
• Little Miss Sunshine directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
• Sunshine Cleaning directed by Christine Jeffs
• The Big Lebowski directed by Joel Coen
• Waiting for Guffman directed by Christopher Guest
• Sinners directed by Ryan Coogler
• Severance (series)
• Wicked directed by Jon M. Chu
• Fleabag (series)

Follow Sarah on Instagram @sgerk, Julia @juliacsears and the series @forkedwebseries.

Support the show

Send us a text

Today's episode is my conversation about the 1928 film In Old Arizona. My friend Joanne Thornborough from the POP! Goes My Brain newsletter joins me to discuss the film and we talk about how some traditional western stereotypes are turned on their heads in this film, the ingenious uses of sound in the film at the dawn of the talkie, and yet another love triangle in late 1920s film.

You can watch In Old Arizona on YouTube or purchase a copy for your collection and be sure to check out Joanne's newsletter.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• The Wizard of Oz directed by Victor Fleming
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone directed by Chris Columbus
• Three Amigos directed by John Landis
• The Big Trail directed by Louis R. Loeffler and Raoul Walsh
• Armageddon directed by Michael Bay
• Arthur directed by Steve Gordon
• The Birth of a Nation directed by D. W. Griffith
• Back to the Future directed by Robert Zemeckis
• The Valiant directed by William K. Howard
• The Great Gatsby (1926-lost) directed by Herbert Brenon
• 42nd Street directed by Lloyd Bacon
• Dinner at Eight directed by George Cukor
• I Love You Again directed by W.S. Van Dyke II

Other referenced topics:

•  "The Caballero's Way" (short story) by O. Henry available on Project Gutenberg
• "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion
• "Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith
• "Arthur's Theme" by Christopher Cross
• The Cisco Kid comics
• Variety review of In Old Arizona
• Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
• Mad Men (series)
• Breaking Bad (series)
• The Sopranos (series)

Find out more information about the Barrymore Theatre.

Support the show

Send us a text

In today's episode, I interview Jessica J. Rowlands, the director of the short film "Rise," a heartwarming story of resilience and determination set in Zimbabwe. The film will make its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival this June.

Listen to hear about the individual who inspired the film, the importance of using local talent both in front of and behind the camera to tell the story, and how the film uses local music to help establish an authentic local identity.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• Rotten Row by Petina Gappah
• The Book of Memory by Petina Gappah
• An Elegy for Easterly: Faber Stories by Petina Gappah

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• "Rise" directed by Jessica J. Rowlands
• Mayfair Witches (series)
• Transformers: Rise of the Beasts directed by Steven Caple Jr.
• Mr. Bones directed by Gray Hofmeyr
• City of God directed by Ktia Lund and Fernando Meirelles
• It's a Wonderful Life directed by Frank Capra
• Billy Elliot directed by Stephen Daldry
• Shawshank Redemption directed by Frank Darabont
• The Big Lebowski directed by Joel Coen
• Mad Max: Fury Road directed by George Miller

Musical Artists mentioned in this episode include:

• Hope Masike
• Flying Bantu

Follow Jessica on Instagram @jessiejrowlands and the film @rise.zimbabwe. And if you're in the New York in June, check out the film at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 8th at 12 PM, June 14 at 8:30 PM and June 15th at 2:30 PM.

Send us a text

Today's episode is my conversation about the 1928 film A Woman of Affairs. My friend Amanda Kusek from the The 90-Minute Movie newsletter joins me to discuss the film and we talk about a complex web of love triangles, the expressive, over-the-top performance of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. as Jeffry, and whether or not the source material truly was as scandalous as history has made it out to be.

You can watch A Woman of Affairs on YouTube or purchase a copy for your collection and be sure to check out Amanda's newsletter.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• "Steamboat Willie" directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks
• Tempest directed by Sam Taylor
• The Patriot directed by Ernst Lubitsch
• Wonder of Women directed by Clarence Brown
• Madame X directed by Lionel Barrymore
• The Count of Monte Cristo directed by Tom Persons and Francis Boggs

Other referenced topics:

• The Green Hat (novel) by Michael Arlen (also available on Project Gutenberg)
• An American in Paris by George Gerswhin
• The Great Gatsby (novel) by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Variety review of A Woman of Affairs
• New York Times review of A Woman of Affairs
• A Woman of Affairs on silentsaregolden.com

Send us a text

In today's episode, I interview Madison Hatfield, the director and star of the short film "I Could Dom," a laugh a minute sex comedy about a young woman trying to figure out what exactly she wants in a relationship.

Listen to hear about how the film was a bit of self discovery for Madison when it came to her people-pleasing personality, the importance of getting her male lead just right, and how important it is to help other artists whenever possible as we are all on our own journeys.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life by George Saunders
• Tenth of December: Stories by George Saunders
• Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel by George Saunders
• The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden (first book in the Winternight Trilogy)

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• "I Could Dom" directed by Madison Hatfield
• Singin' in the Rain directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
• Amelie directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
• When Harry Met Sally directed by Rob Reiner
• My Cousin Vinny directed by Jonathan Lynn
• Moonstruck directed by Norman Jewison
• Twisters directed by Lee Isaac Chung
• Twister directed by Jan de Bont
• "Bob's Funeral" directed by Jack Dunphy
• "Holiday House" directed by Alex Heller
• "Debaters" directed by Alex Heller
• "Make Me a Pizza" directed by Talia Shea Levin

Other media mentioned:

• "Kiss From a Rose" by Seal
• What Am I Making Podcast-Episode #85 w/guest Beth Lisogorsky

Follow Madison on Instagram @madhat31 and the film @icoulddom. And if you're in the Atlanta area, check out Banshee where the opening and closing scenes of the film were shot.

Send us a text

Today's episode is my conversation about the 1928 film White Shadows in the South Seas. My friend Matthew Brady from the Warren Peace newsletter joins me to discuss the film and we talk about why this film was almost a shoe in for winning Best Cinematography at the 2nd Academy Awards, how interesting it was to be able to see some aspects of indigenous life on the South Pacific islands of around 100 years ago, and the cautionary tale that is this film.

You can watch White Shadows in the South Seas on YouTube or purchase a copy for your collection and be sure to check out Matthew's newsletter.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• Nanook of the North directed by Robert J. Flaherty
• Moana directed by Frances H. Flaherty, Robert J. Flaherty, and Monica Flaherty Frassetto
• The Birth of a Nation directed by D. W. Griffith
• Intolerance directed by D. W. Griffith
• Sadie Thompson directed by Raoul Walsh

Other referenced topics:

• White Shadows in the South Seas (novel) by Frederick O'Brien (also available on Project Gutenberg)
• "Rain" (short story) by W. Somerset Maugham
• Los Angeles Times article about Raquel Torres performing a voice test
• Motion Picture Magazine review
• The Film Spectator review

Send us a text

In today's episode, I interview Allison Moy Hayhurst and Mike Hayhurst, the producer and director of the film And Through the Portal We Go. The film is a genre-bending time loop story that takes an earnest look at faith, friendship, and the search for belonging.

Listen to hear about the some of the research that was required for the film (and the dubious online searches that entailed), the level of detail required to keep everything straight in a time loop film, and how bloopers can sometimes lead to useable takes in a film like this.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life by Brian Grazer
• Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
• A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers
• Not Even Nominated: 40 Overlooked Costars of Oscar-Winning Performances by John DiLeo

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• And Through the Portal We Go directed by Mike Hayhurst
• “BEAT” directed by Mike Hayhurst
• “Cook With the Heart” directed by Mike Hayhurst
• “Oma” directed by Mike Hayhurst
• The Trip to Bountiful directed by Michael Wilson
• Forked (web series)
• Groundhog Day directed by Harold Ramis
• Palm Springs directed by Max Barbakow
• Happy Death Day directed by Christopher Landon
• The Map of Tiny Perfect Things directed by   directed by 
• The Mandalorian (series)
• Noises Off directed by Peter Bogdanovich
• Waiting for Guffman directed by Christopher Guest
• Everything Everywhere All At Once directed by Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan
• Withnail and I directed by Bruce Robinson
• Goldeneye directed by Martin Campbell
• Casino Royale directed by Martin Campbell
• Romeo + Juliet directed by Baz Luhrmann
• The Birdcage directed by Mike Nichols
• Tomorrow Never Dies directed by Roger Spottiswoode
• Her Majesty, Mrs Brown directed by John Madden

Check out the film this weekend at the Fisheye Film Festival in High Wycombe, UK this weekend on May 2nd at 7PM. You can also follow Evening Squire on Instagram @eveningsquire and the film @andthroughtheportalwego for more screening information.

Send us a text

Today's episode is my conversation about the 1928 film Our Dancing Daughters. My friend Vicki Lesly from the Meandering Over the Pebbles newsletter joins me to discuss the film and we talk about some incredible cinematography choices that absolutely merited a nomination in that category at the 2nd Academy Awards, how this film began Joan Crawford's rise to stardom, and subsequent films that have been influenced by Our Dancing Daughters.

You can watch Our Dancing Daughters on YouTube and be sure to check out Vicki's newsletter.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• 2001: A Space Odessey directed by Stanley Kubrick
• Dr. Strangelove directed by Stanley Kubrick
• From Here to Eternity directed by Fred Zinnemann
• Babylon directed by Damien Chazelle
• What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? directed by Robert Aldrich
• The Last Command directed by Josef von Sternberg
• Rebecca directed by Alfred Hitchcock
• The Brutalist directed by Brady Corbet
• Our Modern Maidens directed by Jack Conway
• Our Blushing Brides directed by Harry Beaumont
• The Atom: A Love Affair directed by Vicki Lesley

Other referenced topics:

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• Motion Picture Magazine review of Our Dancing Daughters
• Motion Picture Classic review of Our Dancing Daughters
• Our Dancing Daughters on joancrawfordbest.com

Send us a text

In today's episode, I interview Lauren Melinda, the director of the short film "Before You." The film tells the story of a young couple dealing with the loss of a pregnancy while simultaneously expressing joy about an upcoming birth.

Listen to hear about the film's basis in Lauren's own experience of loss, the importance of looking back on difficult memories while also looking for the positives in life, and how she and her crew went about putting together some incredible practical effects shots in the film.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt

Films and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:

• "Before You" directed by Lauren Melinda
• Echoes directed by Lauren Melinda
• Legends of Tomorrow (series)
• Last Year at Marienbad directed by Alain Resnais
• Lola Montes directed by Max Ophuls
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind directed by Michel Gondry
• The Double Life of Veronique directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski
• Muriel's Wedding directed by P. J. Hogan
• I Am Love directed by Luca Guadagnino
• Amelie directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
• "I Could Dom" directed by Madison Hatfield
• Satisfaction directed by Alex Burunova

Follow Lauren on Instagram @laurenmelindafilm and the film @beforeyouthefilm. You can also follow her production company on Instagram @simbelleproductions and on YouTube @SimbelleProductions.

Send us a text

Today's episode is my conversation about the 1928 film Glorious Betsy. My friend Enrico Banson from the Director's Notes newsletter joins me to discuss the film and we talk about how the viewing experience would be substantially different with the partial talkie segments that are now missing, Conrad Nagle's involvement in the creation of the Academy Awards, and where Glorious Betsy fits in with other films of the era that were experimenting with sound. I also have an unexpected guest on this episode with my dog barking at a squirrel outside while we were recording! We also touch briefly on the 1928 film The Cop which was supposed to be our topic on this episode, but is currently unavailable.

You can watch Glorious Betsy on YouTube and be sure to check out Enrico's newsletter.

Other films mentioned in this episode include:

• Riley the Cop directed by John Ford
• The Magnificent Ambersons directed by Orson Welles
• The Jazz Singer directed by Alan Crosland
• Don Juan directed by Alan Crosland
• 7th Heaven directed by Frank Borzage
• Pandora's Box directed by G. W. Pabst
• Wings directed by William A. Wellman

Other referenced topics:

• Glorious Betsy (novel) by Arline De Haas
• Glorious Betsy (play) by Rida Johnson Young
• New York Times review of the film
• Listen to Pasquale Amato's singing voice on Wikipedia