Criterion On The Couch

Adam and Jim have finally tunneled out of their respective trash heaps to discuss the 2008 Pixar film Wall-E. SHOWNOTES Wall-E - Criterion Directing Andrew Stanton, (Writer / Director) A Bug's Life (1998) Finding Nemo (2003) Acting Ben Burtt - WALL·E / M-O Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) Elissa Knight - EVE (Also Benn Burtt) Cars (2006) Up (2009) Inside Out (2015) Jeff Garlin - Captain Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000 - 2021) (Larry David's Agent in the show) Arrested Development (2005-2013) Fred Willard - BNL CEO Best in Show (2000) Anchorman (2004) Kathy Najimy - Mary Sister Act (1992) Sister Act II (1993) Hocus Pocus (1993) John Ratzenberger - John Cheers (1982-1993) Sigourney Weaver - Ship's Computer Alien (1979) Gorillas in The Mist (1988) Avatar (2009) Misc Team Deakins podcast Roger and James Deakins' closet picks - Criterion Youtube channel Safety Last! (1923) Häxan (1922) Buster Keaton - The Art of the Gag - Every Frame a Painting Psych - High Noon-ish (Season 4 episode 3) - Buster Keaton gag Taylor Kitsch movies: John Carter (2012) Based on the book A Princess of Mars Battleship (2012) Apple MacInTalk Criterion On The Couch - episode #4 - Brazil Hello Dolly (1969) Heat (1995) 2001 A Space Odyssey (1968) Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - Subspace Rhapsody (Season 2 episode 9) - Status Report Foundation (2021)- Apple TV Weta's "Massive" software A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again - David Foster Wallace The Tank Chair - by Brad Soden

Join Adam and Jim as they have an old friend for dinner, and discuss the 1991 crime thriller, The Silence of The Lambs. SHOWNOTES The Silence of The Lambs - Criterion Directing Jonathan Demme, Ethan Coen (Writer / Director) Philadelphia (1993) Something Wild (1986) The Manchurian Candidate (2004) Acting Jodie Foster - Clarice Starling Anthony Hopkins - Dr. Hannibal Lecter Scott Glenn - Jack Crawford Ted Levine - Buffalo Bill Brooke Smith - Catherine Martin Anthony Heald - Dr. Frederick Chilton Darla - Precious (the dog) Cinematography Tak Fujimoto - Director of Photography Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) Gladiator (1992) The Sixth Sense (1989) Music / Audio Howard Shore - Score That Thing You Do! (1996) High Fidelity (2000) The Lord of The Rings Trilogy (2001) Goodbye Horses - Q Lazzarus American Girl - Tom Petty Misc Team Deakins podcast - episode 93 Interview with Sound Designer Skip Lievsay First Aid Fail - The Office Donaghy can’t read Kenneth at Poker - 30 Rock Spooky Sunday Funday - You’re The Worst

A seedy Texas bar, a dangerous love affair, and a murder-for-hire gone bad. What’s there not to love? Join Adam and Jim on their examination of Joel and Ethan Coen’s first feature-length movie, Blood Simple. SHOWNOTES Blood Simple - Criterion Directing Joel Coen, Ethan Coen (Writer / Director) Miller's Crossing (1990) The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) Fargo (1996) Acting John Getz - Ray Frances McDormand - Abby Dan Hedaya - Julian Marty M. Emmet Walsh - Loren Visser Samm-Art Williams - Meurice Cinematography Barry Sonnenfeld - Director of Photography Raising Arizona (1987) Big (1988) When Harry Met Sally (1989) Music / Audio Carter Burwell - Score Rob Roy (1995) Being John Malkovich (1999) Serenity (2005) It’s The Same Old Song - The Four Tops Misc Paul Thomas Anderson (Director) Magnolia (1999) “Raining frogs” scene Punch-Drunk Love (2002) There Will Be Blood (2007) The Master (2012) Inherent Vice (2014) Phantom Thread (2017)

Longing to get outdoors? Looking for an escape from your home office? Then head on out to the ballgame with Adam and Jim. This time they’re heading out to see the Durham Bulls in Ron Shelton’s 1988 iconic sports dramedy, Bull Durham. SHOWNOTES Pocket Casts - Addressing Racism Bull Durham - Criterion Directing Ron Shelton (Writer / Director) White Men Can’t Jump (1992) Blue Chips (Writer) (1994) Tin Cup (1996) Acting Crash Davis - Kevin Costner The Big Chill (1983) Criterion On The Couch episode #002 Dances With Wolves (1990) Field of Dreams (1989) For the Love of The Game (1999) Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) The Bodyguard (1992) Waterworld (1995) Tin Cup (1996) The Postman (1997) Annie Savoy - Susan Sarandon The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) The Witches of Eastwick (1987) Thelma & Louise (1991) Ebby Calvin ‘Nuke’ LaLoosh - Tim Robbins The Shawshank Redemption (1994) The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) Mystic River (2003) Skip (Manager) - Trey Wilson (died 1 year later in 1989) Love Is A Battlefield (Pat Benatar’s Dad) (1983) Raising Arizona (1987) Twins (1988) Jimmy (the religious one) - William O’Leary Marty Taylor (Tim’s youngest brother) - Home Improvement (1991 - 1999) Millie - Jenny Robertson Maggie Winters (1998 -1999 TV Series) Rude Awakening (1998 -2001 TV Series) Reno 911! (2003 - ) Other baseball movies The Natural (1984) A League of Their Own (1992) The Sandlot (1993) Rookie of The Year (1993) Little Big League (1994) Angels in The Outfield (1994) Cinematography Bobby Byrne - Director of Photography Sixteen Candles (1984) Mad About You (1992-2019) Music / Audio Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets Only A Memory - The Smithereens Born To Be Bad - George Thorogood & The Destroyers I Idolize You - Ike & Tina Turner Middle of Nowhere - House of Schock La Vie En Rose - Edith Piaf Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien - Edith Piaf Try A Little Tenderness - Otis Redding I Got Loaded - Los Lobos When will I be loved - The Everly Brothers Centerfield - John Fogerty Sixty Minute Man - Billy Ward & The Dominoes A Woman Loves A Man - Joe Cocker Misc The real Durham Bulls

Lock your doors, hide your kids, and stay inside. There’s a murderer on the loose! Join Adam and Jim as they hunt the elusive killer that has all of Berlin in a panic. In episode 23 we’re discussing the 1931 “talkie” classic from director Fritz Lang: M. SHOWNOTES Criterion on The Couch - Episode #023: M M - Criterion Directing Director: Fritz Lang Metropolis (1927) Acting Peter Lorre (Hans Beckert) The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) Criterion On The Couch episode #005 Casablanca (1942) Ellen Wildmann (Frau Beckmann) Inge Landgut (Elsie Beckmann) Otto Wernicke (Inspector Karl Lohmann) Theodor Loos (Inspector Groeber) Gustaf Gründgens (Schränker) Friedrich Gnaß (Franz) Cinematography Fritz Arno Wagner (Cinematography) Nosferatu (1922) Music Adolf Jansen (Sound) Titanic (1943) Propaganda film by Germany Paul Falkenberg (Sound editor) Vampyr (1932) In the Hall of The Mountain King - Trent Reznor, The Social Network (2011) Twisted Nerve - Bernard Herrmann, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) Theme from Jaws - John Williams, (1975) Other  Based on Peter Kurten, “The Vampire of Düsseldorf” aka “The Düsseldorf Monster.”

Join Adam, and Jim as they delve down the incinerator chute, on the mine car, through the tunnels to the power plant, under the steam engine and into the cistern through the intake pipe. That’s right, in episode 22 it’s time to retake The Rock along with special guest: former U.S. Navy Seal - Joe. SHOWNOTES Criterion On The Couch - Episode #22 - The Rock The Rock - Criterion Directing Director: Michael Bay Armageddon (1998) Criterion On The Couch episode #019 Acting John Patrick Mason - Sean Connery Also Executive produced Stanley Goodspeed - Nicolas Cage General Francis X. Hummel Ed Harris F.B.I. Director Womack - John Spencer Tom Baxter - David Morse Ernest Paxton - William Forsythe Chief Justice - Philip Baker Hall Bookman the Library Cop - Seinfeld (1989) Senator Matt Hunt - 3 episodes of The West Wing (1999) Commander Anderson - Michael Biehn Carla Pestalozzi - Vanessa Marcia Marvin Isherwood - Todd Louiso Dick - High Fidelity (2000) Captain Frye - Gregory Sporleder Marine Captain Hendrix - John C. McGinley Dr. Perry Cox - Scrubs (2001) Private McCoy - Steve Harris Sergeant Crisp - Bokeem Woodbine Captain Darrow - Tony Todd CIA Director Graham - Chuck (2007) Francis Reynolds - Willie Garson Jade Angelou - Claire Forlani Mystery Men (1999) The President - Stanley Anderson Music Hans Zimmer Pirates of The Caribbean (2003) Rocket Man - Elton John A World Without Love - Peter and Gordon San Francisco - Scott McKenzie Leaving On A Jet Plane - Frank Sinatra Other Media Put the bunny back in the box: is Nicolas Cage the best actor since Marlon Brando? - Steve Rose, The Guardian

Get out your vision boards and lock up your jewelry! In episode #21 Adam and Jim are discussing the 1981 classic heist movie, Thief. (starring James Caan and directed by Michael Mann) SHOWNOTES Thief - Criterion Directing      Director: Michael Mann           Miami Vice (2006)           Manhunter (1986)           Heat (1995) Acting      Frank - James Caan           The Godfather (1972)           Las Vegas (2003-2007)           Elf (2003)      Jessie - Tuesday Weld           The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959-1962)           Once Upon a Time in America (1984)      Barry - Jim Belushi           According to Jim (2001-2009)      Okla - Willie Nelson      Leo - Robert Prosky           The Natural (1984)           Miracle on 34th Street (1994)      Mechanic # 3 - John Kapelos           The Breakfast Club (1985) Music      Tangerine Dream           Thief soundtrack      Craig Safan           Confrontation Other Criterion on The Couch episodes      Episode #16: The Breakfast Club           Apple           Stitcher Other Media      The Home Invaders:Confessions of A Cat Burglar           By Frank Hohimer Other Movies      The American (2010)           Featuring George Clooney      The Blues Brothers (1980)           Featuring John Belushi      Spider-Man (2002)           Featuring Toby Maguire

School’s out for summer! Break out the 8-tracks, put on your favorite bell bottoms, and join Adam and Jim as they travel back to May 28, 1976 to get Dazed and Confused. SHOWNOTES Dazed and Confused - Criterion Directing    Director: Richard Linklater    Where’d You Go Bernadette (2019)    BoyHood (2014 - Criterion)    Before Sunrise / Sunset / Midnight (1995, 2004, 2013 - Criterion)    Slacker (1991 - Criterion) Acting    Randall “Pink” - Jason London       To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar       Aerosmith videos for Crazy and Amazing    Pickford - Shawn Andrews    Mitch - Wiley Wiggins    Don - Sasha Jenson       29 years old when the movie came out.    O’Bannion - Ben Affleck    Wooderson - Matthew McConaughey    Mike - Adam Goldberg       How to Lose A Guy In 10 Days (with Matthew McConaughey)    Slater - Rory Cochran       Empire Records    Simone - Joey Lauren Adams    Michelle - Milla Jovovich       The Fifth Element       Resident Evil    Darla - Parker Posey    Cynthia - Marissa Ribisi       Pleasantville    Clint - Nicky Klatt    Hirshfelder (Mitch’s friend) - Jeremy Fox       Gilmore Girls, Dawson’s Creek, Beverly Hills 90210 Music    Dazed and Confused Soundtrack       iTunes       Spotify Other Media    Recent interview on The Guardian with Richard Linklater and Wiley Wiggins Other Movies    American Graffiti (1973)       Directed by George Lucas    The Big Chill (1983)       Directed by Lawrence Kasdan

It’s the end of the world, and you’re all invited! Join Adam and Jim and a group of roughneck oil drillers as they travel to the edge of space (and their sanity) in order to save the Earth from Armageddon. SHOWNOTES Armageddon - Criterion Director: Michael Bay      Bad Boys      The Rock Acting:      Harry Stamper: Bruce Willis      Grace Stamper: Liv Tyler           The Leftovers      A.J. Frost: Ben Affleck      Dan Truman: Billy Bob Thornton      Chick: Will Patton      Rockhound: Steve Buscemi      Lev Andropov: Peter Stormare           Steve and Peter previously appeared together in the 1996 movie Fargo      Colonel Willie Sharp: William Fichtner      Oscar: Owen Wilson           The Royal Tenenbaums       Bear: Michael Clark Duncan      Jennifer Watts: Jessica Steen      Flight Director Clark: Chris Ellis           Apollo 13           That Thing You Do      Psychologist: Udo Kier           Melancholia      Guest Comedians           Eddie Griffin           Mark Curry                Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper Movies:      Independence Day      Deep Impact      The Right Stuff Cinematography:      5 Things That Happen In Every Michael Bay Movie(including slow motion) Music:      Bon Jovi - Mister Big Time      Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion      Ben Affleck sings “Leaving On A JetPlane” to Liv Tyler

Adam and Jim are discussing The Princess Bride? Inconceivable! Join us in episode #18 as we travel with Westley, Fezzik and Inigo Montoya across the countryside of Florin, past the Cliffs of Insanity, to rescue Princess Buttercup from the castle of Prince Humperdinck, all the while avoiding the shrieking eels, flame spurts, lightning sand and Rodents of Unusual Size. SHOWNOTES The Princess Bride - Criterion Director: Rob Reiner    This Is Spinal Tap    A Few Good Men    Sleepless in Seattle    The American President Writer: William Goldman    Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid    All the President's Men    Misery    Absolute Power    The General's Daughter Actors:    Westley - Carry Elwes    Psych - Pierre Despereaux       Extradition - British Columbia       Extradition II - The Actual Extradition Part       Indiana Shawn and the Temple of the Kinda Crappy Rusty Old Dagger       Lock, Stock, Some Smoking Barrels, and Burton Guster’s Goblet of Fire    Inigo Montoya - Mandy Patinkin       Homeland    Buttercup - Robin Wright       Forrest Gump       House of Cards    Vizzini - Wallace Shawn       My Dinner with Andre (Criterion #479)       COTC episode #12       Toy Story - Dinosaur    Fezzik - Andre the Giant    Humperdinck - Chris Sarandon    Count Ruben - Christopher Guest       This is Spinal Tap (Criterion #12)       Waiting for Guffman       Best in Show    Miracle Max - Billy Crystal    Valerie - Carol Kane    The Albino - Mel Smith    Clergyman - Peter Cook    Fred Savage & Peter Falk have no names       Wonder Years       Columbo

Hazel, Dandelion, Blackberry and Clover? No, we’re not making a salad, instead we’re discussing the 1978 animated retelling of the Richard Adam’s novel Watership Down. Join us in episode #17 as we heed Fiver’s warnings and search for our new warren. SHOWNOTES Watership Down - Criterion Director - Martin Rosen    The Plague Dogs (1982)       Theme Song - “Time and Tide”  by Alan Price (original keyboardist for The Animals)          The House of the Rising Sun          Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood Hazel - John Hurt (Died Jan 25, 2017)  (207 acting credits)    Alien (1979)    The Elephant Man (1980)    The Plague Dogs as Snitter (1982)    Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)    Hellboy (2004)    V for Vendetta (2005)    Melancholia (2011)    Doctor Who as The War Doctor in 3 episodes (2013)    Watership Down mini-series as General Woundwort (1999 -2000) Fiver - Richard Briers (Died Feb 17, 2013 Bigwig - Michael Graham Cox (Died Apr 30, 1995) Captain Holly - John Bennett (April 11, 2005) Chief Rabbit - Ralph Richardson (Died Oct 10, 1983) Blackberry - Simon Cadell (Died March 6, 1996) Silver - Terence Rigby (Died August 10, 2008) Pipkin - Roy Kinnear (Died September 20, 1988) Dandelion - Richard O’Callaghan (Still Alive?) Cat - Lynn Farleigh (Still Alive?) General Woundwort - Harry Andrews (Died March 6, 1989) Cowslip - Denholm Elliott    Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) Clover - Mary Maddox Kehaar (Bird) - Zero Mostel (comedian) The only black man (Clifton Jones) plays a character named “Blackavar” Watership Down references in the TV Show “Lost” Movies with similar stories / plots include Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Secret of NIMH Other movies mentioned:    Raiders of The Lost Ark    The Dark Crystal    Floyd Norman - An Animated Life    The Inbetweeners

A brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal walk into school… No this isn’t the beginning of a joke, it’s the opening of John Hughes trend-setting 1985 dramedy, The Breakfast Club. (starring Emilio Estevez, Paul Gleason, Anthony Michael Hall, John Kapelos, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, and Ally Sheedy). Join us in episode #16 for a memorable Saturday detention at Shermer High School. SHOWNOTES The Breakfast Club - Criterion John Hughes - Director    Sixteen Candles (1984)    The Breakfast Club (1985)    Pretty In Pink (1986)    Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)    Uncle Buck (1989) Emilio Estevez (as Andrew Clark) Anthony Michael Hall (as Brian Johnson) Judd Nelson (as John Bender) Molly Ringwald (as Claire Standish) Ally Sheedy (as Allison Reynolds) Paul Gleason (as Richard Vernon) John Kapelos (as Carl) A Charlie Brown Christmas dance All Psych episodes featuring cast members from The Breakfast Club    Judd Nelson       Season 4 Episode 13 - “Death is in the Air”    Molly Ringwald       Season 6 Episode 6 - “Shawn Interrupted”    Ally Sheedy       Season 3 Episode 16 - “An Evening With Mr. Yang”       Season 4 Episode 16 - “Mr. Yin Presents…”       Season 5 Episode 16 - “Yang 3 in 2D”       Season 7 Episode 15 - “Psych: The Musical”   Anthony Michael Hall       Season 7 Episode 14 - “No Trout About It”       Season 8 Episode 2 - “S.E.I.Z.E. the Day”       Season 8 Episode 4 - “Someone’s Got a Woody”   John Kapelos       Season 7 Episode 10 “Santa Barbarian Candidate”       Season 8 Episode 6 “1967: A Psych Odyssey”   This American Life (episode 526, Act Three)    Molly Ringwald and her daughter watch The Breakfast Club together for the first time. Music    Don’t You Forget About Me - Simple Minds    Fire In the Twilight - Wang Chung    We Are Not Alone - Karla Devito    I’m The Dude - Keith Forsey The “naked blonde” joke that Bender tells himself (while in the ceiling) never had a punchline. Additional Movie references    David Margulies       As The Mayor in Ghostbusters    William Atherton       As Walter Peck in Ghostbusters       As Richard Thornburg in Die Hard and Die Hard 2       As Professor Jerry Hathaway in Real Genius  

Corruption? Scandal? A rigged election? In episode #15 we discuss director Alexander Payne's high school political dramedy, Election (starring Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon). SHOWNOTES Election - Criterion Alexander Payne - Director    Citizen Ruth (1996)    Starring Laura Dern    About Schmidt (2002)    Sideways (2004)    Paris, je t’aime (2006)    The Descendants (2011)    Nebraska (2013) Matthew Broderick (as Jim McAllister)    Also starred in Godzilla (1998) and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) Reese Witherspoon (as Tracy Flick) Chris Klein (as Paul Metzler) Jessica Campbell (as Tammy Metzler) Mark Harelik (as Dave Novotny) Phil Reeves (as Principal Walt Hendricks) Delaney Driscoll (as Linda Novotny) - also played Ruth’s sister in Citizen Ruth Holmes Osborne (as Dick Metzler) - also played Donnie’s Dad in Donnie Darko Movie Trivia    Thora Birch, who starred in Ghost World (2001) was originally cast to play Tammy    Election was filmed in Papillion LaVista High School in Papillion, Nebraska Josie and The Pussycats (2001) was also a Universal Pictures/MTV Films production Unlike “Stadium High School” in 10 Things I Hate About You, the high school in Election seems pretty realistic Tom Perrotta (who originally wrote Election) also wrote the novel The Leftovers which was later turned into an HBO series starring:    Justin Theroux    Liv Tyler    Janel Moloney    Scott Glenn (not to be confused with David Carradine)    And written by Damon Lindelof Election - Alternate Ending Three Times A Lady - The Commodores Navajo Joe - Ennio Morricone (from the 1966 movie Navajo Joe starring Burt Reynolds) Mystery Men (starring Ben Stiller and Janeane Garofalo)    Wes Studi as Sphinx Paul falls asleep reading The Celestine Prophecy (by James Redfield)

In episode #14 we discuss Dustin Hoffman's break out role in The Graduate. Based on the novel by Charles Webb and featuring the music of Simon & Garfunkel, The Graduate tells the tale of one young man's struggle to start the next chapter of his life while also becoming involved in a forbidden affair. SHOWNOTES The Graduate - Criterion Mike Nichols - Director    Charlie Wilson’s War    Wit    Regarding Henry    Working Girl    Closer Anne Bancroft - Mrs. Robinson Katharine Ross - Elaine Robinson Murray Hamilton - Mr. Robinson Dustin Hoffman - Ben Braddock William Daniels - Mr. Braddock Elizabeth Wilson - Mrs. Braddock Simon & Garfunkel    The Sound of Silence    Mrs. Robinson    Scarborough Fair / Canticle    Bookends (not featured in The Graduate) The Simpsons - Lady Bouvier’s Lover (The Graduate spoof) 1966 Alfa Romeo Series 1 Spider 1600 The Giver (movie) Home School (sequel to The Graduate) Donnie Darko Harper Simon    Berkley Girl - Official Video (featuring Jena Malone) Overlord - J.J. Abrams’ new supernatural WWII movie Carly Simon    Let the River Run (from Working Girl) A Christmas Story Group photo of MGM stars Criterion on the Couch episodes referenced:    Harold & Maude    Easy Rider

In episode #13 we discuss the 1987 science-fiction classic: RoboCop, the original movie that spawned numerous sequels, television series, video games and reboots. Set in a Detroit city plagued by crime, officer Alex J. Murphy is a revenant cop who's been given a second chance to protect and serve. SHOWNOTES RoboCop - Criterion Paul Verhoeven - Director Starship Troopers Total Recall Hollow Man   Peter Weller - RoboCop Nancy Allen - Officer Lewis Ronny Cox - Dick Jones Kurtwood Smith - Clarence J. Boddicker (widely known as Red from That 70’s Show) Miguel Ferrer - Bob Morton Robert DoQui - Sergeant Reed Ray Wise - Leon Nash Dan O’Herlihy - The Old Man Paul McCrane - Emil M. Antonowsky The Soundtrack Show Podcast Still Untitled: The Adam Savage Podcast 3/13/2018 - Discussing Cain from RoboCop 2 (starts at 1:46) The initials “OCP” in RoboCop stand for Omni Consumer Products   Adam’s pictures from the RoboCop TV Series: Police Cruiser Explosion Stuntman

In episode #12 we discuss the 1981 cerebral motion-picture, My Dinner With André. Wallace, a struggling actor/playwright from NYC, attends an intimate dinner with his old acquaintance André. As the two catch up on lost time, their conversation shifts into the social, emotional, physical and metaphysical concerns of the modern world. At once both outrageous and grounded, My Dinner With André explores the relationships between people, their environment, and the universe. SHOWNOTES My Dinner With Andre - Criterion Director - Louis Malle André Gregory as André Wallace Shawn as Wallace (widely known for his role as Vizzini in the movie The Princess Bride) Another movie about playwrights: Synecdoche, New York - starring Philip Seymour Hoffman One of Adam’s favorite books:The Fuck Up by Arthur Nersesian John Adams mini-series on HBO Rabbit Starvation (a.k.a. Protein poisoning) Survivorman (featuring Les Stroud) Primitive Technology - Youtube Channel (NOT Les Stroud) Gymnoépdie No. 1 by Éric Satie (also used in The Royal Tenenbaums) Other philosophical movies (that Jim couldn’t name): The Man From Earth (2007) The Invitation (2015) Parodies Community - Season 2 Episode 19 - “Critical Film Studies” a.k.a. My Dinner with Abed

In episode #11 we discuss one of the most star-studded, high-flying action/comedies of all time: It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Interrupted from a leisurely drive through the California desert, five men bear witness to the last words of a dying criminal, revealing the location of his hidden loot. What follows is a no-holds-barred-comedic-mad-dash to see who can get to the money first and claim it as their own. SHOWNOTES It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World - Criterion Director - Stanley Kramer Capt. T. G. Culpepper - Spencer Tracy J. Russell FInch - Milton Berle Melville Crump - Sid Caesar Benjy Benjamin - Buddy Hackett Mrs. Marcus - Ethel Merman Ding Bell - Mickey Rooney Sylvester Marcus - Dick Shawn Otto Meyer - Phil Silvers J. Algernon Hawthorne - Terry-Thomas Lennie Pike - Jonathan Winters Monica Crump - Edie Adams Emeline Marcus - Finch Dorothy Provine Man in Car - Jack Benny Cab Driver - Eddie ‘Rochester’ Anderson Cab Driver - Peter Falk Colonel Wilberforce - Paul Ford Tower Controller at Rancho Conejo - Carl Reiner 2001’s Rat Race was a modern remake The West Wing: Season 4 Episode 9 - Swiss Diplomacy The First Lady and President Bartlet talk about Mrs. Wilberforce The Simpsons: Season 5 Episode 11 - Homer the Vigilante Bart tricks the driver The Big T

In episode #10 we discuss Guillermo del Toro's Oscar-Winning masterpiece: Pan's Labyrinth. Set just after the Spanish Civil War, young Ofelia is thrown into two very different worlds; one of soldiers and violence and one of faeries and magic. Now to protect her own life and that of her mother, she must carefully navigate the border between fantasy and reality. SHOWNOTES Pan's Labyrinth - Criterion Collection Directed by Guillermo Del Toro who also directed and/or wrote: Cronos (Criterion) Crimson Peak Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark Hellboy Hellboy II: The Golden Army The Devil’s Backbone (Criterion) The Strain (TV Series) Pan’s Labyrinth - Happy Trailer Other violent movies Inglourious Basterds (Tarantino) Reservoir Dogs (Tarantino) Pulp Fiction (Tarantino) Saw Non-violent Thrillers Psycho The Decemberists’ album: The Hazards of Love Doug Jones plays both Pan and the Pale Man Day for night cinematic technique In the Bible, King David is responsible for the death of Bathsheba’s husband. Harry Potter: Mandrakes in herbology class Books: S (Ship of Theseus) The Jolly Postman The Minotaur Takes A Cigarette Break Labyrinth with David Bowie

In episode #9 we discuss Dennis Hopper's directorial debut: Easy Rider. Wyatt and Billy are two bikers with an anti-establishment lifestyle. After netting a big score in a drug deal, the two friends set off on a cross-country journey where they'll experience the best and worst that society has to offer.  SHOWNOTES Easy Rider - Criterion Collection Directed by Dennis Hopper Written by Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda and Terry Southern Notable Cast: Dennis Hopper - Billy Peter Fonda - Wyatt Jack Nicholson - George (young Jack Nicholson looks similar to Walter Goggins known for Justified and Vice Principals) Family Connections: Peter Fonda (Henry’s son) Bridget Fonda (Peter’s daughter) Jane Fonda (Henry’s daughter) Henry Fonda (was featured in episode #1: 12 Angry Men) American Chopper was a television documentary series that aired on the Discovery Channel Top Gear (BBC) aired an episode (series 9 - episode #3) where the hosts had a dangerous encounter in the American south. Training Day (starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke) was another movie with a weird drug scene. Requiem for a Dream was another movie with many weird drug scenes. Mad Men (season 5 episode 6 - Far Away Places) featured Roger and Jane Sterling take LSD Trail Magic is a hiking tradition of doing charity unto others Music that we mention (not necessarily in the movie): Born to Be Wild - Steppenwolf Wasn’t Born to Follow - The Byrds Signs - Five Man Electrical Band Slow Ride - Foghat (written in 1975) Product placements: Jim Beam Enco Gas Coca-Cola Pepsi Co Pabst Blue Ribbon Budweiser Citgo CAT

In episode #8 we discuss our second Terry Gilliam movie: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Raoul Duke and his Samoan attorney Dr. Gonzo embark on a drug-filled trip through Las Vegas. Based on the story by Hunter S. Thompson, starring Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro. SHOWNOTES Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - Criterion Collection Directed by Terry Gilliam (who also directed Brazil which we discussed in episode #4). Terry Gilliam also directed the movie Twelve Monkeys Based on the Novel by Hunter S. Thompson which itself began as a two-part series in Rolling Stone magazine Notable Cast: Johnny Depp also appeared in: The Rum Diary (not Rum Punch) - was another movie based on a Hunter S. Thompson novel Pirates of The Caribbean (where he based his character on Keith Richards) Mortdecai Benny and Joon Benicio Del Toro Tobey Maguire Tobey was made up in a similar manner to Chris Elliott (who appeared in There’s Something About Mary and Groundhog Day) Also starred in The Cider House Rules with Charlize Theron Cameron Diaz Christopher Meloni Gary Busey also appeared in Rookie of The Year Flea (from the Red Hot Chili Peppers) Penn Jillette Verne Troyer Mark Harmon Katherine Helmond (appeared in Who’s The Boss and Brazil) David Brisbin (appeared in Hey Dude on Nickelodeon) Christina Ricci Raiders of the Lost Ark was originally rated PG The Royal Tenenbaums was rated R (which we discussed in episode #6) Powder (produced by Disney) was rated PG-13 The Journey of Natty Gann was rated PG (even though it featured dog fighting) The Hangover was another drug-filled Las Vegas based movie Vegas Vacation also featured some sketchy Las Vegas casinos Adaptation was another movie based on a writer (Charlie Kaufman) Music: White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again - Bob Dylan Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Hollyridge Strings (Originally by The Beatles) Viva Las Vegas - The Dead Kennedys One Toke Over The Line video from the Lawrence Welk Show. (Originally by Brewer & Shipley) Justified (FX television series) was based on the short story Fire In The Hole by Elmore Leonard The Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas

In episode #7 we discuss Terrence Malick's first full-length film: Badlands. Kit, a captivating loner from "the wrong side of town" falls in love with Holly before beginning a murderous crime wave. Based on the real life story of Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate. Starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek. SHOWNOTES Badlands - Criterion Collection Directed by Terrence Malick who has several other films in the Criterion Collection including Days of Heaven (1978) The Thin Red Line (1998) The New World (2005) Malick’s The Tree of Life starring Jessica Chastain and Brad Pitt is NOT in the Criterion Collection Martin Sheen stars as Kit Sissy Spacek stars as Holly Sissy also starred in The Help (2011) along with Allison Janney who appeared as C.J. Cregg on The West Wing with Martin Sheen Badlands was based on the real life story of Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate The movie Natural Born Killers also depicted the sensationalism surrounding a pair of serial killers Kit (Martin Sheen) has a heavy resemblance to James Dean The plastic trash bag was invented in 1950 Warren Oates played the role of Holly’s father Warren also starred as Sergeant Hulka in Stripes with Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, and John Candy Another great example of a memorably narrated movie is The Shawshank Redemption Martin Sheen dancing in Badlands sort of resembles The Bluths doing their best impressions of a chicken The Badlands in Montana Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood is another movie that follows two outlaws on the run from the authorities Gassenhauer by Carl Orff was also used in Finding Forrester and Monster (starring Charlize Theron) Kit and Holly dance in the dark to A Blossom Fell by Nat King Cole The Sheen’s have a strong family resemblance Martin Sheen was 32 during the filming of Badlands Platoon featured Martin Sheen’s son Charlie Sheen aged 21 Apocalypse Now featured Martin Sheen aged 36 Martin Sheen’s other son Emilio Estevez starred in The Mighty Ducks at age 29 and The Breakfast Club at age 22

In episode #6 we discuss Wes Anderson's comedic drama The Royal Tenenbaums. With a star studded cast, this detailed world delves in the dysfunctional lives of the Tenenbaum family. Starring Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, Luke Wilson, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson and Danny Glover. SHOWNOTES The Royal Tenenbaums - Criterion Collection The Apple Cube Wes Anderson movies: Bottle Rocket Rushmore The Royal Tenenbaums The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou The Darjeeling Limited Fantastic Mr. Fox Moonrise Kingdom The Grand Budapest Hotel Burn After Reading The Wilson brothers Owen Wilson Luke Wilson Andrew Wilson (who appeared in Whip It with Ellen Page) Narrated by Alec Baldwin 30 Rock A compilation of Wes Anderson slow motion shots Eric Chase Anderson (brother of Wes Anderson) Some of Eric Anderson’s drawings Property Masters Wes Anderson miniatures Bill Murray plays Margo’s husband Stars as Bob Harris in Lost in Translation Stars as Peter Venkman in Ghosbusters Anjelica Huston plays Etheline Tenenbaum Danny Glover plays Henry Sherman, Etheline’s love interest Futura Bold is the font of choice in this movie. Also used exclusively by Field Notes Helvetica Documentary The Warriors Music from The Royal Tenenbaums Soundtrack Hey Jude - The Mutato Muzika Orchestra 111 Archer Avenue - Mark Mothersbaugh (Royal Tenenbaum Theme) Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard - Paul Simon Christmas Time is Here - The Vince Guaraldi Trio These Days - Nico (Not to be confused with Neko Case) Judy is a Punk - The Ramones Gymnoépdie No. 1 by Éric Satie Goodbye Ruby Tuesday - The Rolling Stones Baz Luhrmann also has very stylized films Romeo + Juliet Moulin Rouge! The Great Gatsby FilmStruck - One of the easiest ways to stream Criterion movies online

In episode #5 we discuss one of Alfred Hitchcock's first major films: The Man Who Knew Too Much. On vacation in Switzerland, Bob and Jill Lawrence get caught up in a secretive world of spies and assassins. With time running out, they must follow a cold trail to save their daughter and prevent a world war. Starring Leslie Banks, Edna Best and Peter Lorre. SHOWNOTES The Man Who Knew Too Much - Criterion Collection Alfred Hitchcock Gaumont-British Picture Corporation The 39 Steps The Lady Vanishes The character’s name is Bob Lawrence, not Bill Peter Lorre Foley Effects The Free Irish State Chekhov’s Gun (not to be confused with Pavel Chekhov) The Jazz Singer (first film with sound, a talkie) Gallows Humor National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration commercial Glasses without earpieces are known as Pince-nez glasses Casablanca M (criterion collection) Hey Abbott Remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much (starring Jimmy Stewart) Star Wars THX 1138 starring Robert Duvall Wipe Transition intentionally used in Star Wars and Raiders of The Lost Ark Royal Albert Hall Leverage (S03E04) - The Scheherazade Job Scheherazade by Korsakov Rear Window and Psycho are not Criterion Collection Classic Hitchcock Criterion box set: The Man Who Knew Too Much, The Lady Vanishes, The 39 Steps, and Foreign Correspondent The Woody Allen movie Shadows and Fog (starring John Cusack) Also stars the Julie Kavner who does Marge Simpson’s voice (and who is Not in Sleepless in Seattle)

In episode #4 we discuss the comedic dystopia "Brazil" from director Terry Gilliam. Sam Lowry, an average employee at the Ministry of Information, gets caught up in a quest to solve a bureaucratic mistake while simultaneously searching for the literal woman of his dreams. Starring Jonathan Pryce, Robert De Niro and Kim Greist. SHOWNOTES Brazil - Criterion Collection Terry Gilliam directed Brazil (as well as Twelve Monkeys starring Bruce Willis) Back to The Future Part I (directed by Robert Zemeckis) did not show a dystopian future Back to The Future Part II did show a dystopian future The Ministry of Information in Brazil should not be confused with the Ministry of Magic in Harry Potter Monty Python - Dead Parrot sketch Gilliam has referred to Brazil, Time Bandits, and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen as his Imagination Trilogy Blade Runner (starring Harrison Ford) was based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? The Hudsucker Proxy - starring Paul Newman, Tim Robbins and Jennifer Jason Leigh Sucker Punch - starring Emily Browning also featured a battle with a giant samurai Clue starring Tim Curry (which was also released in 1985) featured a young Jane Wiedlin as a singing telegram girl Chris Tucker’s character (Ruby Rhod) in The Fifth Element (which also starred Iam Holm and Bruce Willis and was directed by Luc Besson) had a similar outfit as Katherine Helmond (Mrs. Ida Lowry) in Brazil. Kurt Vonnegut Jr. wrote Cat’s Cradle, another ironic look at a dystopian future George Orwell’s 1984 popularized the phrase Big Brother in reference to surveillance The Hunger Games starring Jennifer Lawrence made dystopian futures popular again While Jonathan Pryce (Sam Lowry) is known for his work in the Pirate’s of The Caribbean and Game of Thrones series, his most memorable role (per Adam) was as media mogul Elliot Carver in Tomorrow Never Dies In order, the Pierce Brosnan / James Bond movies were: 1995 - GoldenEye (which also became a classic Nintendo 64 game) featuring Famke Janssen as Xenia Onatopp 1997 - Tomorrow Never Dies featuring Michelle Yeoh as Wai Lin 1999 - The World is Not Enough featuring Denise Richards as Christmas Jones 2002 - Die Another Die featuring Halle Berry as Jinx Johnson Terry Gilliam screened the entirety of Brazil for a film class at the University of Southern California Robert De Niro played Harry Tuttle the “Heating Engineer” Martin Lawrence and Will Smith starred in Bad Boys Michael Palin (Jack) was a regular in Monty Python Other regulars from Monty Python such as John Cleese, Terry Jones and the late Graham Chapman (who died in 1989) were not in Brazil Peter Vaughan (Mr. Helpman) also played Uncle Alfie in Death at A Funeral and Master Aemon in Game of Thrones American Psycho featured Christian Bale as lovable serial killer Patrick Bateman The weird monsters in Sam’s dreams looked like skeksis from Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal The scene where Sam unmasks the samurai seemed similar to the unmasking of Darth Vader in the swamp in Empire Strikes Back Ian Holm (Mr. Kurtzmann) is well known for his roles as Bilbo Baggins in The Lord of The Ringsand Sir William Gull in From Hell The music in Brazil was scored by Michael Kamen who also scored the Lethal Weapon movies (with Eric Clapton) as well as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (which featured the song Everything I Do, I Do It for You by Bryan Adams The mythology of Oedipus The mythology of Icarus Sam Lowry’s face looked suspiciously similar to Ziggy Stardust

In episode #3 we discuss the romantic dark comedy drama "Harold and Maude." A young man, fascinated with death, meets a venerable woman who teaches him what life is really about. Starring Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort. SHOWNOTES While this movie (and episode) deals with the topic of suicide in a humorous manner, if you or someone you know is struggling with suicide please visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call 1-800-273-8255 Harold and Maude - Criterion Collection Not to be confused with Maude starring Bea Arthur Cat Stevens composed and performed the soundtrack including the two hits If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out and Miles from Nowhere The 4 non-Cat Stevens songs: Greensleeves (Author unknown) Piano Concerto No. 1 - Tchaikovsky An der Schönen, Blauen Donau (On the Beautiful Blue Danube), Op. 314 - Johann Strauss II Sobre las Olas (Over the Waves) - Juventino Rosas Velveeta cheese commercial - Velveeta Melts Better Than Cheddar The Jaguar driven by Harold was a 1965 Jaguar XK-E; the hearse was a 1959 Cadillac Superior 3-way Jay Leno’s incredible car collection Nathan Hale was the first American Spy to be captured and executed A&E’s Turn: Washington's Spies is a war drama NOT a documentary We can all agree that black licorice is disgusting The police officer was played by Tom Skerritt who also starred as Viper in Top Gun Bud Cort (Harold) appeared as Pvt. Lorenzo Boone in the movie MASH Suicide Is Painless (written by Johnny Mandel and Mike Altman) was the theme to both the movie and TV series M*A*S*H The Omen was NOT a prequel to Harold and Maude (however writer Colin Higgins did imagine a prequel called Grover and Maude) Music and Films: Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead scored the music for There Will Be Blood and The Master Trent Reznor collaborated with fellow NIN member Atticus Ross for the soundtracks of The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo(2011), and Gone Girl Sondre Lerche composed the majority of the music for Dan in Real Life(starring Steve Carell) Carly Simon is credited with the soundtrack to Working Girl (starring Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver, Melanie Griffith, and Joan Cusack) including the theme song “Let the River Run” John Williams composed and conducted the music for Raiders of the Lost Ark The soundtrack to Real Genius (starring Val Kilmer) featured multiple artists including Don Henley, Bryan Adams, and Tears for Fears Arthur B. Rubinstein scored the music for WarGames starring Matthew Broderick Melancholia (written and directed by Lars von Trier) heavily features the prelude to Tristan und Isolde by German composer Richard Wagner Mychael Danna and the band DeVotchKa wrote the score for Little Miss Sunshine, however the soundtrack also featured the songs No Man’s Land and Chicago by Sufjan Stevens (who is NOT related to Cat Stevens) Butterflies Are Free starring Goldie Hawn is another fantastic 1970s dramedy

In episode #2 we discuss Lawrence Kasdan's classic "The Big Chill." The death of one of their own reunites seven former college friends for a weekend of memories, music, sorrow and love. Starring Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt and Kevin Kline. SHOWNOTES The Big Chill - Criterion Collection The Big Chill - Soundtrack on vinyl More Songs from The Big Chill on vinyl Joy to The World by Three Dog Night Bookends by Simon & Garfunkel America by Simon & Garfunkel Saginaw, Michigan (NOT an island) I Heard it Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye Life As A House - starring Kevin Kline and Hayden Christensen You Can’t Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones Simpsons episode #132 “Bart Sells his Soul” where Bart tricks the church organist into playing In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly When A Man Loves A Woman by Percy Sledge Jeff Goldblum starred in both The Fly and Jurassic Park (sans glasses) Blood Diamond starring Leonardo DiCaprio Rutledge Fellowship at the University of Michigan The Raiders March - theme from Raiders of the Lost Ark Death at a Funeral - starring Matthew Macfadyen Lawless Heart - starring Bill Nighy This is Where I Leave You - starring Jason Bateman and Tina Fey Almost Famous - starring Billy Crudup and Kate Hudson Dreyer’s Ice Cream is REAL! High Waisted Men’s Pants by Historical Emporium

In our inaugural episode we discuss Sidney Lumet's classic drama 12 Angry Men where high stakes lead to high tensions and a sole dissenter fights to save an accused man. SHOWNOTES 12 Angry Men - The Criterion Collection 12 Angry Men - 1997 Remake starring Jack Lemmon. Juror 8 - Henry Fonda Juror 5 - Jack Klugman starred in both The Odd Couple and Quincy, M.E. Juror 7 - Jack Warden starred in The Replacements 12 Angry Men was originally broadcast as a Teleplay in 1954 Nine ways to get out of Jury Duty - Business Insider The first modern electrical air conditioner was invented in 1902 but did not become common in U.S. homes until the 1960s A brief history of capital punishment in New York City Juror 3 - Lee J. Cobb Juror 9 - Joseph Sweeney The Greatest Generation refers to those who grew up during the Great Depression and fought and served during WWII and the war effort The style of speech used by actors in older movies is called the Mid-Atlantic or Transatlantic accent Transformers - directed by Michael Bay Taxi Driver and The Departed - directed by Martin Scorsese If a juror becomes incapacitated during a trial, an alternate juror will take his/her place on the jury Runaway Jury - starring John Cusack Jury Duty - starring Pauly Shore Juror 6 - Edward Binns Juror 1 (The Foreman) - Martin Balsam Jim’s poor decision to wear a tie with a polo shirt Giant brand bakery cookies, the unofficial cookie of Criterion On The Couch Juror 12 - Robert Webber Mad Men - starring Jon Hamm In 1957 the Civil Rights Act gave women the right to serve on federal juries, but they were not able to serve on state level juries in all fifty states until 1973 Juror 11 - George Voskovec The Marvel Symphonic Universe by Every Frame a Painting Juror 2 - John Fiedler Sidney Lumet IMDB page