Trade Movies

HAPPY ELECTION DAY! Please go vote and go vote for the good guys. HOPEFULLY this turns out well, but we got a fantastic guest, someone I've been wanting to talk to for a long time: New York Times columnist and moviewatcher extraordinaire Jamelle Bouie! Jamelle, in addition to his writing work, hosts the Unclear and Present Danger podcast with John Ganz, where they delve into the world of 90s post-Cold War thrillers. So I had him come on to discuss one of the great Jack Ryan movies as well as one of our favorite underrated directors in Andrew Davis. Was super fun! Hope you enjoy please go follow Jamelle:

https://jamellebouie.net/

https://www.nytimes.com/column/jamelle-bouie

https://www.patreon.com/unclearpod

CHAPTERS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:31 Election Predictions

00:22:25 Andrew Davis and Action Cinema

00:32:59 Tommy Lee Jones

00:39:59 Arnold

00:56:01 American Political Discourse

01:12:52 Early 90s Movies

01:20:07 Art, Politics, and Subversion

RIO PODDO continues with the second of the CORE WESTERNS, which is, of course, John Ford's landmark 1939 film Stagecoach. Really happy to have discussed this one! We talk a lot about it + Ford's outsize influence on the Western genre. Follow Michael here:

https://linktr.ee/sharkeyflor

CHAPTERS

00:00:00 Introduction to Stagecoach and Its Significance

00:07:24 Class Relations

00:19:18 The Myth of American Unity

00:39:21 Redemption Arcs

00:53:57 The Politics of John Ford and John Wayne

01:18:14 Race and Class

01:29:00 Recommendations and close

Was so fun to talk with ODETTE ALDRICH, who made an absolutely INCREDIBLE movie that is hopefully playing near you ASAP. Really excited for people to see this one, I loved it! It is playing at LES CAVES ST SABIN in Paris, France on October 16th at 2300 local time, I am so jealous I don't get to go to a medieval night club and see this. One day though!! Follow the movie and stuff here:

https://www.ransomwaremovie.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ransomware.mov/

https://www.instagram.com/odette4ldrich/

https://www.tiktok.com/@scrambledeggluvr

CHAPTERS

00:00:00 Introduction to Odette Aldrich and Her Work

00:06:29 The Modern Monster

00:21:27 Gaming and Cinema

00:39:32 Alienation and the Immigrant Experience

00:58:13 Video Games

01:05:03 Vaporwave and Digital Art

01:24:22 Influences

01:40:31 Recommendations

DADS GOING CRAZY! This was a fun episode, apologies as always for talking WAY too much because when listening back I was like "DANG I wanted to hear from Tiff more!". She really is excellent and has great writing + videos, follow her her:

tiffchat.substack.com

tiktok.com/@tiffchat

https://www.instagram.com/tiffchat1/

CHAPTERS

00:01:18 Introduction to Tiffany and Her Work

00:07:02 Brecht

00:15:59 Dissatisfied Dads

00:26:20 Death of a Salesman and Its Adaptations

00:33:57 The Illusion of Productivity in Tech

00:45:44 Discontent in Work

00:56:58 Masculinity

01:01:05 The American Frontier and the Quest for Meaning

01:16:50 Women

01:32:53 Societal Expectations

RIO PODDO is a new series with me and Michael aka Sharkeyflor in which we're gonna go through WESTERNS. Think of it as like a lil miniseries on a specific subgenre. Planning on doing more of these, let us know what you think! Follow Michael here:

https://linktr.ee/sharkeyflor

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Rio Poddo

00:11:09 Kleos: The Ancient Concept of Glory

00:19:58 Themes of Violence and Redemption

00:35:14 Fences and Doorways: The Symbolism in Shane

00:42:30 Colonization and the Settler Playbook

00:49:34 The Fight Against Big Banks

01:00:06 The Myth of the Noble Warrior

01:06:08 Cold War Paranoia and Allegories in Shane

01:13:42 John Ford, John Wayne, and the Evolution of Westerns

01:20:20 Alienation and Pride

01:35:32 The Kid

01:52:42 Modern Film Criticism

01:57:53 Looking ahead: Stagecoach

SCI-FI MADNESS!!!! SCI-FI MYSTERY??? SCI-FI SOVIET AND AMERICAN STUFF!!! I am VERY pleased to have my good friend bridgeonfilm_, my ally in the fight against sensitive billionaires and the entire capitalist pigdog class. So we are going to 2011 and 1986 to watch a VERY fun pair of movies. Please follow Bridge:

https://www.tiktok.com/@bridgeonfilm_

https://www.instagram.com/bridgeonfilm_

THEMES

sci-fi, film analysis, cultural influence, Soviet cinema, Hollywood, social commentary, genre films, storytelling, film critique media analysis, propaganda, Soviet cinema, American politics, societal control, film critique, conspiracy theories, cultural analysis

CHAPTERS

00:00:00 Introduction to bridgeonfilm_

00:15:36 Cult Followings in Sci-Fi

00:18:52 Social Commentary in Sci-Fi and Westerns

00:30:56 Another Earth and Coherence

00:50:00 Soviet Cinema: Social Commentary and Absurdity

01:08:05 Fascism and American Identity

01:24:40 Military and Political Absurdities

01:38:00 Voting, Disenfranchisement, and Democracy

01:51:16 Film Recommendations and Artistic Exploration

WHAT AN EP! I say that a lot but seriously folks: this one was intense and so rewarding. Many thanks to Cameron Mitchell for showing me is excellent documentary DISPOSABLE HUMANITY (2026), which is coming out TODAY! Please go support it:

The premiere is September 4th at 4pm Eastern:

https://watch.eventive.org/disposablehumanity/play/6a7868d1bdb10f0bb45affc6

And you can also find it permanently here:

https://www.disposablehumanity.com/

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Cameron Mitchell and Disposable Humanity

00:05:00 The Stumbling Upon Key Moments in the Filmmaking Process

00:13:00 American Eugenics Laws and Their Global Influence

00:21:13 Parallels Between Nazi and Modern Policies

00:28:54 Propaganda in Normalizing Eugenics

00:35:11 Observation and the Gas Chamber

00:48:39 Memory Keepers and Memorials

00:57:34 Growing Up in a Disabled Family

01:03:07 Ongoing Resistance

01:16:31 Human Dignity

01:20:09 The Human Cost

01:34:30 Documentaries

01:50:00 Media Theory and Closing Thoughts

shoutout to all the QUEENS who may or may not have [redacted] their husbands thereby turning them into prophets/leaders/et cetera. We get a rundown of that phenomenon as well as two HIGHLY RELEVANT movies from last year and 1960. Super fun episode, I could listen Kristina talk for hours! Please follow her:

https://www.kristinareinis.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@kristina.reinis

https://www.instagram.com/kristina.reinis/

https://www.youtube.com/@kristina.reinis

TOPICS

Shakers, Ann Lee, religious history, ecstasy, film analysis, religious movements, American history, spirituality, utopian communities, religious trauma charismatic religion, American religious history, evangelicalism, Pentecostal, Shakers, Ann Lee, religious influence, gender roles, religious scandals, cults religious fundamentalism, charismatic leaders, gender dynamics, American history, film analysis, cults, televangelism, Ann Lee, Amy McPherson, Elmer Gantry

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Kristina Reinis and Her Work

00:05:57 The Historical Accuracy of the New Ann Lee Movie

00:12:05 Cultural Context: Shakers vs. Other Religious Movements

00:18:02 Choreography and Historical Representation in the Movie

00:25:55 Frustrations with Narrative Complexity

00:30:57 The Shakers' Approach to Theology

00:37:04 Ecstatic Experiences in Religion

00:43:00 The Split of Evangelicalism

00:48:43 Modern Charismatic Traditions

00:55:25 Empowerment in Conservative Religious Movements

01:02:47 The Complexity of Women's History and Accountability

01:09:07 Historical Figures and the Quest for Power

01:25:42 Dissolution of Family Structures

01:34:34 Character Dynamics and Power

01:48:03 The Nature of Deception and Trust

01:53:56 The Evolution of Fundamentalism

02:10:34 Concluding Thoughts on Gender Dynamics

THE COOLEST THING YET FOR THE POD! Thank you so much to Emma and the crew for hosting me back in February. I loved talking about the documentary, Highlander, the mission, movies, and everything else! Emma will be back on FOR SURE to talk Cyd Charisse, and I can't wait!

Topics

Highlander Center, social movements, community organizing, activism, intersectionality, history, civil rights, education, social change

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Highlander Center and its significance

00:08:21 Intersectionality in social movements and community building

00:22:53 The influence of media and film on social consciousness

00:34:53 The story of Dorothy Cotton and her role in civil rights

00:43:43 Getting involved locally: talking to neighbors and community

00:53:19 The power of individual skills and community action

00:55:35 The emotional and psychological aspects of social change

01:04:14 The importance of diverse stories and voices in activism

01:14:31 Media, film, and storytelling in social movements

SPEAK A LIL JOHN WATERS FOR EM MEGAN. We are BACK with returning guest and irl spouse of mine Megan aka Magenta Elogy, who is boldly popping my John Waters cherry as though a giant lobster would: showing up out of nowhere and saying "WE MUST POD ON JOHN WATERS" until I become truly in a mania and start scaring some people. What a friend!!! Today we are taking a trip to THE CUCK LABORATORY

GO READ MEGAN'S WRITING AND FOLLOW HER AT:

https://magentaelogy.substack.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@magentaelogy

TOPICS

John Waters, Multiple Maniacs, queer cinema, film analysis, cult movies, Divine, independent film, transgressive art, film history, underground cinema film analysis, cult movies, director insights, cultural commentary, absurd cinema, Megan and Geoff, movie discussion, show notes, deep dive, entertainment film analysis, underground cinema, camp, John Waters, Delmer Daves, movie remastering, melodrama, cult films, movie analysis, filmmaking

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to the Guests and Themes

00:05:40 Exploring John Waters and His Influence

00:10:37 Diving into 'Multiple Maniacs' and Its Impact

00:15:35 The Aesthetic of John Waters and Divine

00:20:38 Cultural Commentary and Personal Reflections

00:25:18 Nostalgia and the Impact of Jackass

00:30:33 Queerness in Film

00:40:33 The Role of Taste in Art

00:49:37 The Duality of Characters in The Sopranos

00:54:12 The Portrayal of Idiocy in Cinema

01:03:26 Empathy for the Foolish: A Discussion on Class and Society

01:11:22 Absurdity in Film: The Baby on Fire Scene

01:17:15 Exploring Delmer Daves' Directorial Style

01:28:18 The Cuck Laboratory and Family Dynamics

01:35:35 Exploring the Unconventional in Film

01:38:16 The Complexity of Melodrama and Irony

01:40:41 Earnestness in Camp Cinema

01:44:25 Celebrating the Outsiders in Film

01:52:16 The Artistry Behind Classic Melodrama

02:05:02 Final Thoughts and Future Film Discussions