The Returners

Jesse and I were in a gloomy place when we walked in to to see the “Triangle of Sadness” by Ruben Östlund. We were ready to walk out at any second but this turned out to be the best possible film to see, our moods completely changed. One of the best films of the year.

Things discussed:

• The trailer is deceiving.
• Characters we liked and why we do.
• Capitalism vs Socialism – the absurdity of that argument.
• The film indulges in watching the rich suffer.
• Switching gender roles was enlightening to Ajit.
• The invisible help.
• The amazing sound design.
• The modern argument.
• Watch it in a group setting and in a theater, if possible.

Ajit returns to the theater with Amory and Carlos to watch Pearl, the prequel/sequel to the film X.  After the screening, we talk to another moviegoer about the film who had watched the original and thus had a completely different experience from us.

Other notes:

• Told in the style of Wizard of Oz
• Spanish Flu of 1918
• Gone Girl
• Carlos’ favorite moments in theater: The Matrix, American Pie
• Amory’s favorite moments in theater: Titanic, Bridesmaids

This is a packed episode. First, we talk to Randi Emerman, the founder of the Film Fest 919 and the now defunct Caraway Drive-In-Theater. The conversation covers a lot of topics:

• The origins of the Caraway drive-in-theater and why it was ultimately closed.
• Starting up the Film Fest 919 and the impact it has had and will have on Chapel Hill and the Triangle.
• The theater business vs the festival business.
• The benefits of watching films in theaters.
• Lumina theater opens up again.

Then Jesse and a couple of his family members attend the last screening at the Caraway theater. The film is Thor: Love & Thunder. The conversation is less about the movie and more about experiencing movies including the drive-in experience which can be an experience in itself.

The new Top Gun is out, 38 years after the original blockbuster in 1986. Chris, an Air Force vet, joins Ajit to discuss the film and to share his insights into the world of the Top Gun.

Show notes:

• Plane in the original Top Gun: F-14 Topcat
• Plane in the new film: F-18 Super Hornet
• Plane porn: P-15 Mustang
• Bike porn: Kawasaki GPz900R
• What is g-LOC?
• What does a Combat systems officer (Wizzo) do?
• Video that shows 633 Squadron influence on Star Wars and Top Gun: Maverick

Erin Upson Cuevas, a collaborator with Ridley & Tony Scott,  joins Ajit to discuss one of the most adventurous films that have come out in a long time.

Things discussed:

• The Daniels (the directors), Rolling Stone article about them.
• Charlie Kaufman’s films that kinda compare: Being John Malkovich, Synecdoche, New York.
• Wong Kar-wai’s In The Mood Of Love.
• Ke Huy Quan‘s performance is amazing.

To celebrate the 50 year anniversary of The Godfather, the film is currently screening in theaters across the country.  Since Jesse and Ajit have seen the film countless times, our discussions go into a lot of the stories around the production of this great film.  

Things discussed: 

• Francis Ford Coppola commentary track for the Film
• The Godfather party two and three
• Nayakan starring Kamal Hasan
• Goodfellas
• Coppola’s Notebook on ‘The Godfather’
• Coppola breaks down his films
• Al Pacino on meeting Coppola
• Robert Duvall on Coppola
• Deleted scene: The Transition of Power begins
• GQ article on Coppola
• Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (documentary on Apocalypse Now)
• Casting for the film, more tape.

Jesse & Ajit are joined by Tripp Jarvis to watch the newest Batman iteration. The conversation gets sabotaged by bagel metaphors and Yelp reviews conversation. Overabundance of  laughing.

Things discussed:

• Introducing Tripp, his website.
• Ajit’s film on Tripp “Temple of the Heart“.
• Which Batman does the panel prefer?
• The Batman is almost three hours!!
• Seven by David Fincher.
• Watchmen (2009 Film).
• Inherent nihilism in this iteration.
• The power of story.

We are both big fans of Paul Thomas Anderson so Licorice Pizza was a must watch for us.  

Things we discuss:

• Has PTA not playing to his strengths? Ajit has some takes. 
• Early career films: Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch Drunk Love, There Will Be Blood.
• More recent films: The Master, Inherent Vice, Phantom Thread
• More on the eye tracking conversation
• Rushmore 
• Out of Sight
• Taxi Driver
• There is so much running in this film, does it work?
• The Bear
• City Lights

The film that started this podcast and our return to the theater. On this podcast, Jesse and Ajit discuss:

• How the trailer got us excited about this film!
• Our feelings about Shakespeare…
• Our love for Denzel Washington, seriously, we love him!
• 4:3 aspect ratio vs 16:9
• Ingmar Berman‘s influence
• Bruno Delbonnel‘s amazing cinematography
• David Lean
• Akira Kurosawa

Other Links

• Ethan Coen’s review of his brother’s film

An instant classic by Mike Mills.  Synopsis of film: When his sister asks him to look after her son, a radio journalist embarks on a cross-country trip with his energetic nephew to show him life away from Los Angeles.

A lot of the conversation centers around relationships, family, Joaquin Phoenix, the use of drone shots, use of sound and us gushing over this film.

Show notes:
Mike Mills (Director)
Mike Mills (Musician)
The Master
George Washington (2000 Film that has a similar vibe)
Good Will Hunting – (Here is the crying scene)