Enter The Void

Believe it or not, we have arrived at the 100th and longest and final episode of ENTER THE VOID. On today's episode, your hosts Bill and Renan sit down together in person to reminisce about how they originally came up with the idea for this podcast, how they launched their earlier show KubrickCast, and even how they met in the first place. Next, they revisit their definition of a mindfuck movie for the last time, and then name their mindfuck "Mt. Rushmore" for both the greatest films covered on the series and their favorites... and a few of their least favorites. Plus, what are some films this show would cover if there was a season X+1? Which episodes were the most popular? They also take listener questions, addressing what kind of mindfuck movie they might make, what was the first mindfuck film, and could there still be a book in the future? You'll just have to listen! Finally, a massive thanks to all of Enter the Void's listeners and guest hosts and friends who helped to make this show far more popular than we could have ever imagined. Episode links: KubrickCast S1E1: Phantom of the Paradise S1E2: Primer S1E6: Lost Highway S1E9: Enter the Void S1E10: Synecdoche, New York S2E1: Eraserhead S2E2: Brazil S2E10: The Tree of Life S3E7: Chungking Express S3E8: World of Tomorrow S4E6: Last Year at Marienbad S5E1: Solaris S5E8: Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me S6E1: Donnie Darko S6E8: Mulholland Drive S7E8: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind S8E1: American Psycho S8E5: The Holy Mountain S9E1: Total Recall S9E2: Raw SXE6: Mindfuck Television SXE11: Blue Velvet Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm 

For our final regular episode of the podcast (yep, the whole thing) we finally come to one of the essential films of the mindfuck movie discussion, David Lynch's breakthrough as a popular artist, 1986's BLUE VELVET. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Laura Dern, and of course Dennis Hopper, it was highly controversial upon release, and soon became the favorite film of academics and critical theorists—not to mention the late David Foster Wallace—and today stands as a film classic. But how challenging is it 33 years later? What are we to make of the multi-layered symbolism, the sexual violence, how much was borrowed into Twin Peaks, Lynch's Reaganism, its 50-plus minutes of deleted scenes, and its place in David Lynch's filmography? For the last time, your hosts Bill and Renan take on one film and see where it takes them. Then in two weeks, we'll return for our grand finale, a recap / retrospective of the entire podcast project. Episode links: Blue Velvet on IMDb Blue Velvet on Wikipedia Roger Ebert initial review Roger Ebert's follow-up column Janet Maslin original NYT review Slate retrospective review in 2011 AV Club retrospective review in 2011 Mental Floss list of Blue Velvet factoids YouTube: Siskel & Ebert on Blue Velvet David Lynch's "eye of the duck" concept Cinephilia & Beyond essay on Blue Velvet Sheila O'Malley on Dean Stockwell as Ben BBC essay on Blue Velvet's cultural context Stephanie Lam on BV's exploration of duality Dennis Lim on Blue Velvet and the Reagan 80s Book: Dennis Lim's The Man from Another Place 1990 NYT article on Twin Peaks, uses "Lynchian" Freudian analysis of the characters' favorite beers 27,000 words on BV symbolism at Idyllopus Press DFW discusses Blue Velvet on Charlie Rose Blue Velvet shooting script as of 8-24-84 YouTube: Blue Velvet deleted scenes Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

Our pick for this episode is not your usual, bog standard time travel psychological horror... but then again, maybe it is? Today we are doing GROUNDHOG DAY, the 1993 romantic comedy directed by Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. A sleeper of a mindfuck, Groundhog Day warmed hearts and tickled funny bones when it debuted early in the Clinton era, but by the 21st century it had come to be recognized for its theological significance—and then YouTube got hold of it, and the rest is history. Today, we discuss: whether it's a proper mindfuck; how long Phil actually spends in the time loop; connections to Buddhism, Catholicism and Judaism; its relationship to Camus, Sisyphus and existentialism; its place in the comedy pantheon; plus: is Ned Ryerson actually the devil? Episode links: Groundhog Day on IMDb Groundhog Day on Wikipedia Roger Ebert 2005 review NYT on Groundhog Day's religious themes National Review cover story on Groundhog Day Mental Floss roundup of popular interpretations Film School Rejects: DVD commentary highlights IFC: How long does Phil spend in the time loop? ShortList: Is Ned Ryerson the Devil? Original Reddit Ryerson-as-Devil post Den of Geek on the original Danny Rubin script Michael Faust essay for Philosophy Now NPR on the philosophy of Groundhog Day Empire ranks it as top all-time comedy Fan edit: Every Day in One Day Fan edit: How Rita Experienced Groundhog Day TV Tropes discussion about "we'll rent to start" Edge of Tomorrow on Wikipedia Russian Doll on Wikipedia Friday Black on Wikipedia Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

So this episode was supposed to be just about PERFECT BLUE, Satoshi Kon's 1997 animated psychological thriller. But we couldn't stop at just one! So Renan and Bill went ahead and watched PAPRIKA, his 2006 science-fiction opus too, which also sadly would be his last feature film. Today, your hosts talk about the life and career of Satoshi Kon, his incredible imagination and mastery of technique, and how both films examine themes of dual identities. Also discussed: Perfect Blue on the internet and celebrity culture; Paprika on dreams and filmmaking; how Darren Aronofsky borrowed well and Christopher Nolan borrowed poorly—and borrow they did; plus, are these films definitely anime? Episode links: Satoshi Kon on Wikipedia Perfect Blue on IMDb Perfect Blue on Wikipedia Paprika on IMDb Paprika on Wikipedia Satoshi Kon interview on PerfectBlue.com Little White Lies on the optimism of Perfect Blue Roisin Kiberd on Perfect Blue and internet celebrity Peach's Almanac tries to explain Perfect Blue SyFyWire tries to explain what happens in Paprika ThatMomentIn also tries to explain Paprika Badass Digest on Black Swan vs. Perfect Blue Film School Rejects on Inception and Paprika "Screaming in a bathtub" side-by-side "Shattered reality" side-by-side Luke Thompson on Kon as anime Satoshi Kon - Editing Space & Time by Tony Zhou Dazed Digital on The Dreaming Machine The Guardian obituary for Satoshi Kon Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

How have we got this far without discussing anything by the original film surrealist, Luis Buñuel? Well, today we rectify the situation and discuss not one but four films from the Spanish exile / expatriate moviemaking legend. In this episode, your hosts examine the previously promised UN CHIEN ANDALOU (1929), THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL (1962), and THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISIE (1972), plus one of his more accessible films, BELLE DE JOUR (1967) with Catherine Deneuve. Among the topics for discussion: Buñuel's peripatetic life and unpopular politics, his roles in both the Surrealist and French New Wave movements, his use of dreams and the subconscious, the targets of his satire, and connections to the works of David Lynch and Last Year at Marienbad. Episode links: Luis Buñuel on IMDb Luis Buñuel on Wikipedia Surrealism on Wikipedia French New Wave on Wikipedia J. Hoberman on Buñuel's politics in The Nation Un Chien Andalou on IMDb Un Chien Andalou on Wikipedia Un Chien Andalou on YouTube Roger Ebert review of Un Chien Andalou The Exterminating Angel on IMDb The Exterminating Angel on Wikipedia Roger Ebert review of The Exterminating Angel Criterion essay on The Exterminating Angel Senses of Cinema on The Exterminating Angel The Take on The Exterminating Angel The Cinephile Fix on The Exterminating Angel Belle de Jour on IMDb Belle de Jour on Wikipedia Roger Ebert review of Belle de Jour The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie on IMDb The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie on Wikipedia Roger Ebert review of Discreet Charm Pauline Kael review of Discreet Charm Celluloid Wicker Man on walking in Discreet Charm The Outline on DFW and literary journalism S9E5: JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

At long last we get around to a movie that was on our mind when we started this podcast: FIGHT CLUB, the 1999 David Fincher film  starring Edward Norton, Brad Pitt and Helena Bonham Carter, based on the 1996 Chuck Palahniuk novel of the same name. If you don't like politics with your movies, then today's show isn't for you, because Fight Club was born in controversy, released to Boomer acrimony, and then, once it attained cult status, attracted the unwanted—but not altogether surprising—approval of some of the most loathsome ideologues of the 21st century. Today, Bill and Renan take on their most problematic fave, discussing themes of consumerism, capitalism, fascism, toxic masculinity, intergenerational animosity, violence in the media, the culture wars, the WTO, Columbine, Donald Trump, Jeff Bezos' mistress, the death of satire, and much more. Episode links:  Fight Club on IMDb Fight Club on Wikipedia Fight Club (novel) on Wikipedia Roger Ebert negative review in CST David Denby negative review in NYer Liza Schwarzbaum negative review in EW Janet Maslin positive review in NYT Jim Emerson contemporaneous defense Dennis Lim 2009 positive reappraisal in NYT Garin Pirnia 2016 positive reappraisal in Esquire Best. Movie. Year. Ever. excerpt in The Ringer NYT op-ed: "The End of Satire" Poe's law on Wikipedia Maggie Mae Fish: "Cultural Fascism" video ContraPoints: "What's Wrong With Capitalism" video 2009 NYC attack blamed on Fight Club Broadly on Fight Club's appeal to the alt-right New Statesman on why Fight Club isn't fascist The Guardian on Fight Club, Brexit, and Trump Analysis of Fight Club's Marxist content Junkee on Fight Club's "bad fans" FSR summary of DVD commentary 11 Hidden Secrets in Fight Club Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

This episode is a little different: rather than taking on a single film or even the work of one director, the scope in this extra-long bonus episode is the greatest mindfucks across more than 50 years of TV history. In three separate segments, Bill and Renan each make their "Mount Rushmore" picks for the greatest television series, single episodes and standout moments in mindfuck TV. Shows discussed in this episode include: Twin Peaks, Black Mirror, LOST, The Leftovers, The X-Files, The Prisoner, The Good Place, Wild Palms, Russian Doll, Dark, The Sopranos, Star Trek, The Twilight Zone, Tales from The Darkside, Friday the 13th: The Series, St. Elsewhere, Newhart, Mr. Robot, and Get a Life. Episode links: Alex Pappademas on Wild Palms BFI on The Prisoner's cultural influence Keith Phipps on Harlan Ellison's Star Trek episode Uproxx on The Sopranos' dream sequences The Tommy Westphall Universe Hypothesis AV Club on The Good Place's season 1 plot twist YouTube clips: Wild Palms miniseries trailer LOST: "We have to go back" Twin Peaks: "How's Annie?" The Sopranos: "Funhouse" dream sequences  St. Elsewhere: Snow globe ending The Good Place: Eleanor's revelation Game of Thrones: Red Wedding Twin Peaks: Wally Brando The Sopranos: series finale conclusion Friday the 13th: "Vanity's Mirror" full episode Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

In today's episode, Bill and Renan return to the work of David Cronenberg—a director twice before discussed on this podcast—to consider the 1986 film many believe to be his masterpiece: THE FLY, starring Jeff Goldblum as a scientist who accidentally fuses his genes with a common housefly, and Geena Davis as the woman who loves him. So: is it actually Cronenberg's best film? Is this movie about aging, disease, and AIDS specifically? Or is it a cautionary tale about science and the nuclear age? What does this movie want us to make of Stathis Borans? Do we think The Fly got Jeff Goldblum his famous role in Jurassic Park? All these questions will be answered, plus an incomplete discussion of Cronenberg's filmography, and whether it's already complete. Episode links: The Fly on IMDb The Fly on Wikipedia Matt Zoller Seitz review of The Fly Collider review of The Fly The Fly review at RogerEbert.com Den of Geek calls it Cronenberg's masterpiece GEEKS on The Fly as the greatest remake ever FSR summary of director's commentary Is Stathis Borans the hero of The Fly? Evaluating the science of The Fly Variety review of The Fly opera Butterfly baby alternate ending The big reveal from the 1958 version CGP Grey on Star Trek teleporters Chinese scientists teleport particles... kind of The Atlantic on the "unethical female journalist" trope ENTER THE VOID S1E2: MAPS TO THE STARS ENTER THE VOID S2E4: VIDEODROME Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

In the waning months of the 20th century, a remarkable little film from a pair of unknown filmmakers arrived in US cinemas, and it became a bona fide sensation. That was BEING JOHN MALKOVICH (1999), written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze, starring John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, and of course, John Malkovich. It was a formative film experience for your hosts, and twenty years later Bill and Renan revisit it for you today. Among the topics discussed: the film's reception at the time and how it looks now that the novelty has worn off; was 1999 the greatest year in cinema history, and what happened to indie films after?; how great art becomes problematic faves; what comes after after postmodern irony?; how it compares to Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine, and other Kaufman-Jonze work; plus, Bill's very much not good Orson Bean story and the BJM / Get Out fan theory that might yet prove to be true. Episode links: Being John Malkovich on IMDb Being John Malkovich on Wikipedia Roger Ebert review of BJM in 1999 Variety review of BJM in 1999 Film Comment review / essay in 1999 Scott Tobias DVD review of BJM in 2012 "16 heady facts" about BJM from Mental Floss Vulture's Cameron Tung on BJM and celebrity obsession Amy Nicholson on 1999 being the greatest year in cinema THR: Charlie Kaufman on struggling to get films made Variety: Charlie Kaufman's upcoming Netflix series John Malkovich "blowjob" quote in Rolling Stone Jordan Peele on the BJM / Get Out theory The Script Lab on BJM / Get Out theory Interiors on the 7 1/2 floor Being Charlie Kaufman Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

How has this show never done a Christopher Nolan film before? Today your hosts rectify that and discuss his 2010 film INCEPTION, a $800 million-grossing summer blockbuster with no pre-established IP, unless being the next film by the guy who made The Dark Knight somehow counts. In this episode, Renan and Bill discuss: whether this and other Nolan features are truly mindfucks or mere puzzle films; whether they work on a second time viewing; how Nolan uses time, editing, and music to achieve his ends; defending Nolan from the haters on film Twitter; whether it's OK for the dialogue to be pretty much all exposition; whether Mal is actually a villain and if Dom should be considered one—in fact, isn't Dom a little bit like Red Dead's Dutch van der Linde? Episode links: Inception on IMDb Inception on Wikipedia Roger Ebert review of Inception AO Scott review of Inception Vulture interview with Dileep Rao Christopher Nolan's hand-drawn dream map Itzkoff interview with Christopher Nolan Deadline interview with Nolan Bilge Ebiri on the end of Inception Christopher Nolan on the film's ending More Nolan explaining the films ending ScreenRant video on the ending Big Other critical evaluation of Inception The Ringer on Inception's legacy The Ringer Rewatchables episode on Inception Alissa Wilkinson on Nolan's career overall Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

Today Renan and Bill lose their neorealist chains and grapple with the 1963 Federico Fellini film 8½, hailed by armchair film scholars as one of the greatest films of all time. More than 50 years on, how does it hold up? Undoubtedly and deservedly a classic, 8½ today looks different than it did in the 1960s, or even the 1990s. In this episode: 8½'s attitudes toward women; Pauline Kael's critical review; Guido's heirs including Don Draper; Fellini's virtuosic filmmaking; whither the imperial film director; and other films about filmmaking. Also, Bill offers some hot Sundance tips, and we highlight a listener's electronic music project providing an alternate score to Eraserhead. Episode links: 8½ on IMDb 8½ on Wikipedia Pauline Kael original 8½ review Stanley Kaufman original 8½ review Roger Ebert 8½ review from 2000 Michael Newton 8½ essay from 2015 Criterion dream sequence roundup Tullio Kezich essay on Fellini and 8½ Bilge Ebiri on 8½'s influence at 50 Brian Morton on reading old books in NY Times Henry alternate Eraserhead soundtrack on Bandcamp Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

We're back with the first of our last run of episodes, and today's episode is a two-for-one deal: we mostly discuss Terry Gilliam's 1996* time travel thriller 12 MONKEYS, with Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe and Brad Pitt, and weave throughout discussion of the 1962 French featurette that inspired it, LA JETÉE. Discussed in this episode: how does time travel work (or not) in these movies? What do we think happens after the events of 12 Monkeys? Is there anything La Jetée does better? What lessons do these movies have for modern audiences? Did you find all the character actors from The Wire in 12 Monkeys? How about the Nas Illmatic posters? And, what are we to make of Terry Gilliam's career overall? Episode links:  12 Monkeys on IMDb 12 Monkeys on Wikipedia La Jetée on IMDb La Jetée on Wikipedia Roger Ebert 1996 12 Monkeys review Scott Tobias 12 Monkeys appraisal for New Cult Canon Scott Tobias review for Criterion release of La Jetée Vulture essay on 12 Monkeys' continued relevance Den of Geek essay revisiting 12 Monkeys in 2012 Criterion essay on La Jetée by Jonathan Romney Little White Lies on 12 Monkeys, La Jetée and Vertigo Uproxx trivia tidbits about 12 Monkeys Philly and Baltimore locations from 12 Monkeys Tour of Port Richmond Power Station Lebbeus Woods lawsuit against 12 Monkeys The Devil's Advocate re-edit for similar reasons Time Travel at the Movies, by Isaac M Steinholz Novikov self-consistency principle on Wikipedia Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

Well, what have we here—it's the tenth season of ENTER THE VOID! Your patience has been rewarded: Bill and Renan are back for what we are gratuitously terming "Season X". (Multiple pronunciations accepted.) This time, we're doing things a little bit differently. The good news: we'll be doing 10 films instead of 8; we're going bimonthly, which may be bad if you need your fix, or good if you already have a lot of podcast obligations (we know the feeling); and we're doing a couple of bonus episodes, including a long-overdue discussion of mindfuck television, plus a finale / retrospective / wrap-up. And here's the bad: yep, about that finale—this will be the last season of ETV, at least for awhile, as Bill and Renan turn their attentions to new projects after this. We're not saying goodbye, we're saying "indefinite hiatus". But we're excited to go out with a bang, hit 100 total episodes, and we hope you'll come along for the ride. Here are the films we've got in store for you this season: 12 Monkeys (Gilliam) / La Jetée (Marker) 8½ (Fellini) Inception (Nolan) Being John Malkovich (Jonze) The Fly (Cronenberg) Fight Club (Fincher) Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie / Un Chien Andalou (Buñuel) Perfect Blue (Kon) Groundhog Day (Ramis) Blue Velvet (Lynch) Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

At last, it's the season 9 finale, and we go out with a bang: THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER by writer-director Yorgos Lanthimos and co-writer Efthymis Filippou is one of the most searing film experiences of the last few years. Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, and Barry Keoghan star in this family drama / suspense thriller / haunted house / horror film, which despite being a tough hang that no one's really sure what it's about, was also widely praised upon release in 2017. In this episode, your hosts discuss their experiences watching it a second time, the story's roots in Greek mythology, Lanthimos' cold but invigorating style, and appraise the slippery career of one Mr. Farrell. Also: RIP FilmStruck, the streaming service that was too good to live. Episode links: The Killing of a Sacred Deer on IMDb The Killing of a Sacred Deer on Wikipedia Brian Tallerico review for RogerEbert.com Anthony Lane review for The New Yorker Kevin Lincoln review for NY Mag A.O. Scott review for NY Times Iphigenia in Aulis at Wikipedia Trailer for Lanthimos' The Favourite Wired on the untimely end of FilmStruck Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

For the penultimate episode of season 9, your hosts alter their consciousness and explore ALTERED STATES, a 1980 sci-fi horror film written by Paddy Chayefsky, directed by Ken Russell, and today known as much for its far-out story as for its creators' infamous feud. William Hurt stars as Eddie Jessup, an academic whose experiments with sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic drugs lead him to "regress" to an earlier evolutionary state. (Literally!) Fully committed and totally bonkers, Altered States is something you have to experience for yourself, especially the wild, sexually charged religious visions; the preposterously verbose dialogue; not to mention that whole thing with the acrobatic caveman. Plus: did this movie make anyone else think of Ghostbusters?   Episode links: Altered States on IMDb Altered States on Wikipedia Altered States on TV Tropes Roger Ebert 1980 review NY Times 1981 story on Russell vs. Chayefsky 366 Weird Movies overview Dangerous Minds Altered States scrapbook Acidemic 2009 essay Den of Geek 2013 review Nerdist 2014 review Frieze essay on John Lilly John C. Lilly on Wikipedia SBS (Australia) 2017 essay Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

In today's episode, your hosts grapple with the Danny Boyle-directed, Alex Garland-written 2007 science-fiction horror-thriller SUNSHINE. A commercial failure at the time, with a mixed reception among critics, the film has over the past decade gained an appreciable cult following. But what do your hosts think? Is it a spooky, contemplative outer space film with some third act troubles? Is it a stylish but conceptually thin entertainment that needed a major rethink? Maybe both! You'll just have to listen and find out. Also discussed: which story elements worked and which ones didn't; how much we should care about scientific accuracy, the career arcs of Boyle and Garland; and whether it's ever a good idea for smart characters to do dumb things. Episode links: Sunshine on IMDb Sunshine on Wikipedia Roger Ebert 2007 film review Manohla Dargis 2007 reivew AV Club 2007 film review Anthony Lane 2007 review Mark Kermode 2007 review Vanity Fair 2009 essay on Sunshine Popular Mechanics Brian Cox interview IFC Danny Boyle interview Eye for Film Danny Boyle interview The Dissolve Alex Garland interview TechCrunch 2017 film retrospective Empire Online 2017 feature story "Sunshine (Adagio in D Minor)" on YouTube Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

Once nearly impossible to find and now... still pretty tough to obtain via legitimate means, Dalton Trumbo's JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN—the 1971 film he wrote and directed based on his own 1939 novel—is both legendary and forgotten at the same time. It tells the disturbing tale of a young soldier who loses his limbs and nearly all of his senses, but whose mind remains intact as he's trapped inside his own body in a military hospital. Adapted into Metallica's music video "One" and rubbing shoulders with the great anti-war and surrealist films, Johnny Got His Gun is not easy to watch. Also discussed: the film's most effective techniques; Trumbo's career and politics; other adaptations on stage and film; and its maybe-possible influence on Better Call Saul. Plus: does Metallica really own the film outright? Episode links: Johnny Got His Gun on IMDb Johnny Got His Gun (film) on Wikipedia Johnny Got His Gun (novel) on Wikipedia Roger Ebert 1971 film review New York Times 1971 film review TCM overview of Johnny Got His Gun PopMatters review of 2009 DVD release Keith Phipps in AV Club on 2009 release Lee Miller in Santa Fe Reporter on the novel New York Times review of 1982 stage version New York Times review of 2008 McKenzie film Variety review of 2008 McKenzie version Metallica "One" music video at YouTube Metallica "One" music video on Wikipedia  Column asserting Metallica owns film rights Pitchfork retrospective on "One" video Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

Alan Parker's 1987 ANGEL HEART contains explicit sex, voodoo rituals, amnesia, chickens, and a few shocking twists that your hosts figured out at different points. In today's episode, they reveal when they knew what and compare their impressions of this not-quite-successful but still semi-legendary Hollywood thriller, now more than thirty years old. Combining elements of gothic horror and film noir, featuring performances from early period Mickey Rourke, mid-period Robert DeNiro, and only-period Lisa Bonet, Angel Heart is worth considering for its religious motifs, keen historical detail, uncomfortable datedness, sometimes horrifying imagery, sometimes goofy dialogue, and its relationship to films like Devil's Advocate, Jacob's Ladder (which we covered in season 3) plus Sixth Sense and even Big Lebowski. Episode links: Angel Heart on IMDb Angel Heart on Wikipedia Roger Ebert 1987 review Little White Lies on Angel Heart Dread Central on Angel Heart Den of Geek on Angel Heart EitDoH on Angel Heart Angel Heart screenplay Alan Parker production diary On Angel Heart and Memento On Angel Heart and Bioshock Infinite Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

Our third episode this season is about the semi-obscure but recently-Criterioned 1973 French animated film FANTASTIC PLANET, or La Planète Sauvage (literally, "wild planet"), from the minds of René Laloux and Roland Topor, with music by Alain Goraguer, based on a novel by Stefan Wul. It's a psychedelic audiovisual trip, and tells the story of an advanced alien society of blue people who like to meditate almost as much as they like to toy with the fates of the comparatively-tiny humanoids who roam their planet. It's a film about interplanetary race relations, or maybe it's unfamiliar environmentalism, or telling the difference between pest control and genocide. Also discussed in this episode: what other animated works would you like to see get a Criterion release?  Episode links: Fantastic Planet on IMDb Fantastic Planet on Wikipedia Fantastic Planet on Filmstruck New York Times review from 1973 AWN obituary for René LaLoux Senses of Cinema review in 2005 LA Weekly evaluation in 2011 Weird Fiction Review in 2013 Criterion essay on Fantastic Planet Criterion essay on Roland Topor Slant review upon 2016 Criterion release PopMatters review upon Criterion release AV Club review upon Criterion release Nerdist review upon Criterion release Fantastic Planet trailer on YouTube Alain Goraguer score on Spotify Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

Is Julia Ducornau's 2016 film RAW (French: Grave) a coming of age film about cannibalism? A body horror film about family relationships? A tale of sexual discovery and veterinary practices? Yes, no, and maybe—but not necessarily in that order! In this episode, Bill and Renan consider a film they might not otherwise have been drawn to... with sexy results! Discussed: what the film has to say about cannibalism and teenage sexuality, not to mention college hazing rituals; whether Raw is a true horror movie or something else; references to Kubrick, PTA, and Cronenberg; other films about bloodthirsty teenage girls (and veterinarians); what would people say about Raw if a man directed it; and, Bill's own recent up-close experience with wild horses. Episode links: Raw on IMDb Raw on Wikipedia Variety Raw review Vulture Raw review Collider Raw review AV Club Raw review Vanity Fair Raw review RogerEbert.com Raw review Ducournau Film Comment interview Ducournau Independent interview Ducournau BFI interview Ducournau GQ interview 1,2,3 WTF!? scene breakdown AtZ Show YouTube explainer Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

It's not too often that we examine a major Hollywood blockbuster on this show, but it's not too often that the studios release something as baffling as TOTAL RECALL, and by that we mean the original 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger–Paul Verhoeven sci-fi schlockfest. Is it all a dream? Did he read Word Up! magazine? Did Quaid ever get his ass to Mars, or is he lobotomized in the chair at Rekall? We may never know for sure, but in this first episode of our ninth season, your hosts Renan and Bill go long to discuss the film's vision of the future, its context in our recent past, Ahnold vs. The Rock, Philip K. Dick's posthumous Hollywood takeover, the long adaptation process and many almost-was versions, and other big-budget mind-benders. Also: prefacing our discussion of the film, a conversation about how the films we watch for this show might reflect on the mind-bending real world we live in. Episode links: Total Recall on IMDb Total Recall on Wikipedia Roger Ebert 1990 TR review AV Club on Total Recall in 2016 Den of Geek on TR Blu-ray release Film Comment Verhoeven interview "Verhoeven FINALLY explains the ending" Comparison of 1990 and 2012 TR versions Wired on Philip K Dick's Hollywood ascension "We Can Remember it For You Wholesale" (PDF) Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

Get excited... the ninth season of ENTER THE VOID begins next week, and today we present our patented "episode zero" with a short preview of the eight films we'll be covering in the weeks ahead. Once again, major thanks to the ETV Podcast Club for helping pick the films for discussion. Here's what's we've got for you: Total Recall (Verhoeven, 1990) Raw (Ducournau, 2016) Fantastic Planet (Laloux, 1973) Angel Heart (Parker, 1987) Johnny Got His Gun (Trumbo, 1971) Sunshine (Boyle, 2007) Altered States (Russell, 1980) The Killing of a Sacred Deer (Lanthimos, 2017) Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

For the final episode of our eighth season, your co-hosts revisit a dorm room film classic, the 2000 action-adventure-thriller-satire BATTLE ROYALE, about a Japanese classroom forced to fight to the death on an abandoned island. Upon release in Japan, it was both hugely controversial and hugely profitable. But in most of the Western world, it didn't receive a proper release for another dozen years. In between, it both attained an exalted cult status and maybe (or maybe not?) inspired one of the biggest Hollywood franchises of the current decade. Discussed in the season finale: the generation gap in Japan and abroad, Tarantino's inspiration, our favorite scenes, some lingering questions, multiple versions, the lamentable sequel, comparisons to other novels and films, violence in the media, and yes of course The Hunger Games.  Episode links: Battle Royale on IMDb Battle Royale (film) on Wikipedia Battle Royale (novel) on Wikipedia Battle Royale (manga) on Wikipedia Variety film review from 2001 A.O. Scott review from 2012 Wesley Morris review from 2012 Slant (negative) review from 2012 Fukasaku interview in The Guardian The Atlantic on BR's cult status New Yorker on BR vs. Hunger Games WSJ on BR vs. Hunger Games NPR on BR vs. Hunger Games Kotaku on BR vs. Hunger Games Jet Fuel Review essay on BR Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

For the penultimate episode of our eighth season, we consider MOON, Duncan Jones' 2009 debut science fiction picture, starring Sam Rockwell, Sam Rockwell, and the disembodied voice of someone you probably now wish wasn't involved in this picture. Discussed in today's show: how the film deploys its twists; what it has to say about cloning and artificial intelligence; references to 2001: A Space Odyssey and other films; and, what has Jones been up to since? Episode links: Moon on IMDb Moon on Wikipedia Roger Ebert review NY Times review GQ retrospective Tor appreciation Wired on influences Jones io9 interview Den of Geek interview GERTY vs. HAL essay TV Tropes for Moon A Westworld theory Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

What did you think of Jonathan Glazer's 2013 minimalist sci-fi UNDER THE SKIN, starring Scarlett Johansson? Did it all make sense when you watched it the first time? Or did it only reveal it to yourself after another viewing? Today your hosts, Bill and Renan, come at it from different perspectives and have, well, different perspectives on it. Topics discussed include how the film was made and what it means, how it differs from the book and early scripts, and how it relates to ScarJo's stardom. Plus: other films that double as commentary on their actors, big stars in weird movies, and possible foreshadowing in Glazer's music video career.  Episode links: Under the Skin on IMDb Under the Skin (film) on Wikipedia Under the Skin (novel) on Wikipedia Matt Zoller Seitz review at RogerEbert.com Peter Bradshaw review in The Guardian Richard Brody review in New Yorker Geoffrey O'Brien review in NYROB Stephen Holden review in NYT Jake Cole review in Slant io9 interview with Glazer The Guardian interview with Glazer Filmmaker Mag on "Kubrickian" films Glazer's video for Blur's The Universal Glazer's video for Radiohead's Karma Police Glazer's video for UNKLE's Rabbit in Your Headlights Glazer's video for Radiohead's Street Spirit (Fade Out) Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

Wow, THE HOLY MOUNTAIN sure is something! Alejandro Jodorowsky's 1973 follow-up to El Topo is a wild psychedelic trip, a critique of the militarization of 20th century life, and even a satire of the counterculture that spawned it. At least, we think. Today, Bill and Renan try to explain to each other what they think happened in the movie, what it's supposed to be about, recount how the film was made, how it disappeared from public view, how it's influenced other artists in the years since—and discuss the perfectly understandable reason why George Harrison turned down the lead role. Episode links: The Holy Mountain on IMDb The Holy Mountain on Wikipedia 366 Weird Movies on The Holy Mountain Slant Magazine review of The Holy Mountain Scott Tobias on The Holy Mountain in AV Club Matt Zoller Seitz on The Holy Mountain in NYT Screening Notes on The Holy Mountain Electric Sheep on The Holy Mountain ABKO official site for The Holy Mountain City Paper on The Holy Mountain's mythical status The Guardian on The Holy Mountain's influence Complex on Jodorowsky and Kanye West Dazed interview with Jodorowsky Alessandra Santos' The Holy Mountain (Columbia University Press) Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

REPO MAN (1984) is a bit of a departure from our usual kind of film, and boy is it worth it: written and directed by Alex Cox and starring Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton, Repo Man is a gritty, funny, occasionally baffling ride through 1980s LA, through a wasteland of generic brands, smarmy televangelists, flying cars stuffed with aliens, and fears of nuclear annihilation. Your hosts explore these themes, plus: how the film was saved by punk and yet challenges the idea, what kind of kooky things Alex Cox has been up to lately, and offer a remembrance of the late, great Art Bell. Episode links: Repo Man on IMDb Repo Man on Wikipedia Criterion Repo Man essay Essay on Repo Man at Flixist Roger Ebert's Repo Man review LA Times: 25 best films about LA The Dissolve Repo Man "keynote" The Dissolve Repo Man roundtable Slate's Will Oremus on "you're the product" Alex Cox interview in Electric Sheep Alex Cox official Repo Man page Alex Cox United 93 review Trailer for Repo Chick Art Bell on Wikipedia Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

This week, the delightful motion picture under discussion is Takashi Miike's AUDITION (1999), which you definitely should not read about before you watch this movie—not to mention listen to this podcast. Once you're all caught up, rejoin us as your hosts attempt to explain the film's second half, discuss misogyny and #metoo as well as sympathy for flawed characters, torture porn and gearshift movies, creepy romantic comedy tropes, parental advisories, and whether your hosts have ever lied to get a date. Episode links: Audition on IMDb Audition (film) on Wikipedia Audition (novel) on Wikipedia Audition in the New Cult Canon ScreenAnarchy essay on Audition IndieWire on 10 best Miike films Essay in The Asian Cinema Blog LA Times on Audition rerelease Essay on the dream sequence DVD Talk thread on Audition AV Club on gearshift movies Parental advice website Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

For our second episode of the season, your hosts return to the eerie beauty, philosophical pondering, and deliberate pacing of Andrei Tarkovsky with STALKER (1979). Less a science fiction film than Solaris and more of an unconventional road movie, Stalker takes the viewer on a journey through a mysterious Zone where three protagonists seek the fulfillment of their greatest desires at risk of equally great peril. Or... do they? ¯_(ツ)_/¯ Meanwhile, Renan and Bill discuss the film's infamously troubled production, the film's influence on Annihilation and Blade Runner 2049, Tarkovsky's faith and defection from the Soviet Union, and what he might make of our relentless social media age. Episode links: Stalker on IMDb Stalker on Wikipedia Roadside Picnic on Wikipedia Geoff Dyer essay on Stalker More Geoff Dyer on Stalker J. Hoberman review of Dyer's Zona Mark Le Fanu essay on Stalker The Paris Review essay on Stalker Recollection from Stalker's sound designer A crew member's memories from the set Vox on Stalker and Blade Runner 2049 TNR on Stalker's relevance today Salon on Stalker's slow pacing Tarkovsky's message to young people Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

For the eighth season premiere of ENTER THE VOID, we're tackling Mary Harron's 2000 adaptation of AMERICAN PSYCHO, based on the Bret Easton Ellis novel of the same name. Originating as one of the most controversial novels of the 1990s to becoming one of the most iconic films of the 2000s, there's a lot to unpack here: the uneasy balance between satire and horror; how a dark fantasy of male rage became a feminist statement; how the novel and film differently present the character of Patrick Bateman; when exactly the movie becomes a mindscrew; what the film has to say about contemporary U.S. politics and society; and oh, by the way, are the murders even real? Also in this episode: your hosts revisit, update, and debate their criteria for describing the genre this podcast is meant to explore. Episode links: American Psycho on IMDb American Psycho (film) on Wikipedia American Psycho (novel) on Wikipedia Roger Ebert American Psycho review SF Chronicle American Psycho review The Guardian on the adaptation process Ain't it Cool News negative reviews Mary Harron NYT op-ed on American Psycho Dwight Garner on revisiting American Psycho Village Voice on American Psycho's feminism Bitch Flicks on American Psycho's feminism Cinema Blend on American Psycho's ending Wired on Trump's Facebook advertising IndieWire interview with Mary Harron Dazed interview with Guinevere Turner Shortlist interview with Bret Easton Ellis Movieline interview with Ellis Michelle LeClerc design portfolio Michelle LeClerc on Twitter Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm

Our long national nightmare is over! Wait, no it's not. But at least here's some good news: Season 8 of ENTER THE VOID is coming! Renan and Bill are back with today's preview episode, giving you the rundown on what you need to watch to keep up with us over the next eight weeks. And a big shout-out to our fans in our Podcast Club, who picked every single one of this season's films. Here's the lineup: American Psycho (Harron, 2000) Stalker (Tarkovsky, 1979) Audition (Miike, 1999) Repo Man (Cox, 1984) The Holy Mountain (Jodorowsky, 1973) Under the Skin (Glazer, 2014) Moon (Jones, 2009) Battle Royale (Fukasaku, 2000) Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Discuss: ETV Podcast Club Follow: Facebook + Twitter Archive: enterthevoid.fm P.S. Big thanks to Michelle LeClerc for the new logo! (The previous ones were hers, too.) You should follow her on Twitter @michelleleclerc.

For the final installment of the seventh season, Bill and Renan welcome back third season guest Ray Patnaude to discuss ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. Chances are good you not only have heard of it, but it's very possibly a favorite film of almost everyone you know. In this finale episode, the trio discuss how they felt about it on release and upon revisiting; the techniques director Michel Gondry and writer Charlie Kaufman deploy to make it both emotionally effective as well as dream-like and disorienting; Gondry's music videos and the film careers of his fellow video directors; plus, what else belongs in the list of best films of the century so far? Eternal Sunshine links: Eternal Sunshine on IMDb Eternal Sunshine on Wikipedia Roger Ebert's Eternal Sunshine review David Edelstein's Eternal Sunshine review IndieWire 10-year retrospective IndieWire on the deleted scenes Slate on the science of Eternal Sunshine Flavorwire on "manic pixie dream girl" trope TV Tropes entry for Eternal Sunshine Gondry's video for "Fell in Love With a Girl" Gondry's video for "Lucas With the Lid Off" Gondry's video for "Let Forever Be" NYT's best films of the 21st century Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

Which FUNNY GAMES is your favorite? Is it the Michael Haneke film about a bourgeois couple subjected to home invasion by a pair of sadistic killers from 1997, or the Michael Haneke film about a bourgeois couple subjected to home invasion by a pair of sadistic killers from 2007? Is either of these films your favorite telling of this particular story? In today's episode, Renan and Bill compare the two versions, try to understand what Haneke was trying to say with them, explore what is compelling about them in spite of the subject matter, make unexpected comparisons to the filmography of James O. Incandenza, and discuss other close remakes. Funny Games links: Funny Games (1997) on IMDb Funny Games (2007) on IMDb Funny Games (1997) on Wikipedia Funny Games (2007) on Wikipedia AO Scott review of Funny Games (2007) Anthony Lane review of Funny Games (2007) Jim Emerson on Funny Games as thesis Naomi Watts interview with MTV News AV Club on Funny Games remake Haneke interview with Filmmaker Haneke interview with CinemaBlend Haneke interview with EW Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

Today we're talking about arguably 2017's most controversial film, and one of the most controversial on this podcast: Darren Aronofsky's MOTHER! (technically, mother!) starring JLaw, JBard, Ed Harris, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Plus, joining us to bring a skeptical point of view is Vulture's movies editor, Rachel Handler! In this episode: mother! as Biblical allegory and environmental parable; or, is the movie actually all about being a demanding artist?; the religious concept of eternal return vs. scientific concept of the oscillating universe; plus: what's that yellow substance, and how obvious is it he wrote it in five days? mother! links: mother! on IMDb mother! on Wikipedia AO Scott review of mother! Richard Brody review of mother! Vulture on interpreting mother! Reddit on interpreting mother! NY Times profile with the principals Rachel's mother! quiz on Vulture Aronofsky interview at EW Aronofsky interview at Vulture Aronofsky interview at IndieWire W on mother!'s F CinemaScore Rachel Handler on Twitter Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

Jean-Luc Godard's 1967 WEEKEND (or WEEK-END, if you prefer) is a scathing political satire if you understand what's going on, or a long strange trip if you don't. Your hosts have been on both sides of this divide, and today they come together to talk about seeing the film as a clueless undergrad; Tarantino and Wheatley as JLG fans and other films it influenced; the automobile and capitalist society; anti-colonialist speeches with sandwiches; a digression on the legacies of Hunter S. Thompson and Jann Wenner; Black Mirror, Get Out and other contemporary satires; and the puzzles of Lewis Carroll. Weekend links: Weekend on IMDb Weekend on Wikipedia Roger Ebert review Pauline Kael review Renata Adler review Richard Brody review Criterion essay Columbia essay Pop Matters essay Senses of Cinema essay Ben Wheatley on Weekend Rolling Stone interview with Godard Sticky Fingers NYT review Solution to Lewis Carroll puzzle More Lewis Carroll puzzles Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

To discuss Ben Wheatley's 2015 dystopian drama HIGH-RISE—based on the J.G. Ballard novel of the same name, adapted for the screen by Amy Jump, and starring Tom Hiddleston and Jeremy Irons—we welcome to the show Simon Owens, a past colleague of Bill and Renan's and a journalist based in DC. The film looks and sounds amazing, the source material is first-rate, and the acting is all around superb. So why does this movie actually make less sense than some of the crazier movies we've talked about this season? Debate ensues. High-Rise links: High-Rise on IMDb High-Rise on Wikipedia Glenn Kenny review Mark Kermode review Peter Bradshaw review Vice on Ballard's High-Rise Ballardian on Wheatley's High-Rise Spectator UK on J.G. Ballard's politics The Paris Review on translating Ballard City Lab on High-Rise and luxury architecture Wikipedia: List of tallest residential buildings New York on "fancy prisons for billionaires" Simon Owens at Medium Simon Owens on Twitter Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

Today ENTER THE VOID considers its first (and maybe last?) Coen Brothers film, 1991's BARTON FINK, starring John Turturro and John Goodman. Examined in detail: how this movie swept Cannes and is somewhat overlooked today; what it has to say about about writers and writing; Barton Fink's real-life influences and Hollywood wrestling pictures; its amazingly detailed Wikipedia page; and, is this a classic mind-bender of the sort this podcast is supposed to be about? Barton Fink links: Barton Fink on IMDb Barton Fink on Wikipedia Roger Ebert favorable review Vincent Canby very favorable review Owen Gleiberman semi-favorable review The Atlantic unfavorable review Coenesque on Barton Fink Barton Fink film script Piotrowski essay on Barton Fink and writing Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

Nobuhiko Obayashi's 1977 HAUSU (or ハウス, or HOUSE) is possibly the most insane movie we've ever discussed on Enter The Void Podcast—and that's really saying something! This week Renan and Bill are joined by Teo Bugbee, who brought this psychedelic slapstick haunted house bubblegum horror comedy to our attention. And yet, as crazy as it is, it's also immensely enjoyable, and worthy of discussion for its distillation of childhood fears, commentary on the atom bomb, debatable feminist content, and of course its pure sensory overload. Hausu links: Hausu on IMDb Hausu on Wikipedia Hausu trailer Manohla Dargis NYT review AV Club review Kogonada video essay Lady Problems podcast io9 on Hausu's insanity Blcklst on Hausu's feminist content Smug Film on Hausu's questionable content Obayashi / Charles Bronson cologne ad Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

Alex Proyas' DARK CITY is a tough one to properly summarize. It's not just that it's part film noir, part horror and part science fiction. It's also that its critical esteem, cult status, and lasting influence have never really found a point of consensus. In this episode, Bill and Renan try to figure out how to regard the film's reputation, especially in light (so to speak) of the 2008 director's cut. Plus: if Dark City was made today, would it be a video game?; why Roger Ebert loved it so much; eerie similarities to The Matrix (and The Force Awakens); and so many questions left unresolved. Dark City links: Dark City on IMDb Dark City on Wikipedia Dark City theatrical trailer Roger Ebert's Dark City review Time interview with Alex Proyas CBR interview with Alex Proyas AV Club on Dark City Nerdist on Dark City Tor on Dark City BioShock and Dark City IndieWire on The Matrix vs. Dark City TV Tropes entry for Dark City Multiple discovery on Wikipedia Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter  

Season 7 of ENTER THE VOID is nearly upon us! In today's preview episode, Renan and Bill quickly run through the list of films to be discussed over the next eight episodes, so you can watch with us and get the most out of these discussions. The films are: Dark City (Proyas, 1998) Hausu (Obayashi, 1977) Barton Fink (Coens, 1991) High-Rise (Wheatley, 2015) Weekend (Godard, 1967) mother! (Aronofsky, 2017) Funny Games (Haneke, 1997) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Gondry, 2004) Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

For the last installment of our three-part special series on TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN, we have two more interviews: Bill talks with Alex Fulton, author of a widely-read essay arguing the final two episodes are meant to be watched in sync; and Renan has a conversation with writer Alex Pappademas, formerly of Grantland, GQ, SPIN and MTV News, about the the origins of his Twin Peaks fandom, his double reaction as a fan and critic, critical response to the show, analysis of episode 8, and Fire Walk With Me.  Twin Peaks links: Twin Peaks: The Return on IMDb Twin Peaks: The Return on Wikipedia Twin Peaks: The Return on Showtime Alex Fulton essay on syncing episodes 17 & 18 Alex Fulton at The Sync Book Alex Fulton's @cryptokubrology on Twitter Pappademas on Fire Walk With Me for Grantland Pappademas "preview" of then-forthcoming Showtime Peaks Vulture on whether Twin Peaks was worth it for Showtime Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

We're back with the second installment of our three-part series on TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN! In this episode, former guests Brian Gluckman (The Congress, Oldboy) and Mark Netter (Videodrome, Last Year at Marienbad) return to share their views on David Lynch's Showtime series. With Brian: the idea of television as art, whether or not there should be a season 4, and the possible influence of musicians Richard and Linda Thompson. With Mark: The Return as the summation of Lynch's career, connections to his filmography; and how elements of the new series inform our understanding of both. Twin Peaks links: Twin Peaks: The Return on IMDb Twin Peaks: The Return on Wikipedia Twin Peaks: The Return on Showtime Showtime's David Nevins on The Watch Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

Through the first 50+ episodes of its existence, ENTER THE VOID has kept its eye on the feature film. But today the show returns from its customary inter-seasonal hiatus for a very special reason: David Lynch's astonishing TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN is now over, and your hosts couldn't live with themselves if they didn't give it the consideration it deserves. In this first of three special episodes, Renan and Bill share their thoughts and feelings on the show's 18-episode run; offer their half-baked theories on its mind-breaking conclusion; run a mock draft of their favorite things from the show; consider Twin Peaks' revised position relative to other great TV shows; and ruminate on the inventive names of Peaks podcasts. Twin Peaks links: Twin Peaks: The Return on IMDb Twin Peaks: The Return on Wikipedia Twin Peaks: The Return on Showtime Jeff Jensen's lengthy Twin Peaks recap Sepinwall + Phipps on Twin Peaks finale Matt Zoller Seitz recaps Twin Peaks finale MZS on Twin Peaks as 2017's best TV show David Lynch interview in Entertainment Weekly Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

For the final episode of season 6, Renan and Bill tackle a biggie: it's David Lynch's 2001 masterwork MULHOLLAND DR., which many view as Lynch's greatest movie, and some critics even consider the best film of the young century. In this extra-long episode, your hosts get right down to it and explain how their views on it have evolved over repeat viewings; try to explain how Diane's real world and Betty's dream world are connected; examine a few of Lynch's "10 clues" to the film; recount the film's origins as a pilot for ABC television; admire the performance of Naomi Watts; and ruminate on Mulholland as movie industry commentary. Plus: did you know there is a real Club Silencio? Film links: Mulholland Drive on IMDb Mulholland Drive on Wikipedia Roger Ebert Mulholland review Mulholland-Drive.Net Film Crit Hulk on Mulholland Vanity Fair on the making of Mulholland David Lynch's 10 Clues ABC pilot vs. feature film version Mulholland ranks #1 in 2000s BBC poll Salon tries to explain Mulholland Blumhouse tries to explain Mulholland Vulture on Mulholland as horror film Film School Rejects on Winkie's Diner scene The Atlantic on David Lynch's influence Nerdwriter on Lynch's audience manipulation Tad Friend in New Yorker on ABC development Very Bad Wizards podcast on Mulholland The real Club Silencio via TripSavvy Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

Starring an early career Johnny Depp with a rogue's gallery of great American and British character actors, Jim Jarmusch's 1995 DEAD MAN is one of the coolest, independentest movies around. In this episode, your hosts discuss: the widely divergent critical reactions, the similarly divisive Neil Young soundtrack, the influences of English poet William Blake and surrealist Henri Michaux, and your hosts' differing thoughts on Western films. Plus, the greatness of Tommy Boy. Film links: Dead Man on IMDb Dead Man on Wikipedia Roger Ebert 1 1/2 star Dead Man review Owen Gleiberman C-minus Dead Man review Jonathan Rosenbaum in Chicago Reader Rosenbaum on Dead Man in Cineaste Dead Man in AV Club's New Cult Canon Slant on Dead Man Film School Rejects on Dead Man Greil Marcus loves Dead Man AO Scott video essay on Dead Man Jarmusch Lincoln Center Dead Man Q&A Briana Berg on William Blake and Henri Michaux Chinmayi Sharma on William Blake and Dead Man Robert Christgau on Neil Young's discography Gunfighter Nation by Richard Slotkin Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

Jim Henson and Frank Oz's 1982 film THE DARK CRYSTAL is dark, morbid, and yet still ostensibly for kids. Bill and Renan consider this movie's most terrifying elements, other beloved disturbing works intended for audiences of children, and how puppets and CGI characters can fall into the "uncanny valley." Does this movie need a Han Solo? How much can you buy a Henson puppet for? What's the deal with the upcoming Netflix series? Film links: The Dark Crystal on IMDb The Dark Crystal on Wikipedia Official Dark Crystal page Excerpts from Dark Crystal: The Ultimate Visual History Vincent Canby Dark Crystal review in the NYT Interview with puppet designer Brian Froud The Dark Crystal vs. Labyrinth in Consequence of Sound Analysis of The Dark Crystal in Ruthless Reviews Film School Rejects revisits The Dark Crystal Details on The Dark Crystal Netflix series Details on The Dark Crystal comic book Details on The Dark Crystal “original cut” fanedit Dark Crystal Netflix series teaser Dark Crystal trivia in Mental Floss Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

As the first film of a director who only made a half-dozen films in 50 years, 1971's THX 1138 might be an obscure discovery. But as it happens, it's the directorial debut of merchandising tie-in billionaire George Lucas, and it's just weird enough to merit analysis by your loyal hosts. Today Bill and Renan ask: is THX more like Nineteen Eighty-Four or Brave New World? is it visionary, derivative, or a combination of both? where did George Lucas find so many bald people? can we actually compare Lucas to Harmony Korine? and, is it possible THX is actually a film improved by its CGI special edition? Film links: THX 1138 on IMDb THX 1138 on Wikipedia THX 1138 official Lucasfilm site Roger Ebert THX 1138 review THX 1138 references in Star Wars  Comparison of THX 1138 versions on YouTube THX 1138 making-of documentary on YouTube Electronic Labyrinth – THX 1138 4EB on YouTube Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts  Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

This week your hosts consider Harmony Korine's infamous 1997 low-budget freak fest GUMMO, a hillbilly elegy of cat-killing, glue-sniffing, eyebrow-shaving and, most memorably, chair-wrestling. Loved and hated by critics, admired by one co-host as a nihilistic suburban teenager and previously avoided by the other, Korine's directorial debut is tough to get one's head around—but they try! Also addressed: Korine's career trajectory, his comic pastiche of a novel, and his legendary appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman. Film links: Gummo at IMDb Gummo at Wikipedia Gummo at Metacritic Gummo official website Korine interview in Filmmaker Magazine Korine interview in Vertigo Korine interview with IndieWire Gummo review in AV Club Art Threat revisits Gummo 366 Weird Movies on Gummo Film School Rejects on Gummo Little White Lies on what's great about Gummo Janet Maslin calls Gummo "worst film of the year" Lost and Othered Children in Contemporary Cinema Korine appearance on Letterman #1 Korine appearance on Letterman #2 Korine appearance on Letterman #3 Why Korine was banned from Letterman Rich Hill documentary official website A Crack-Up at the Race Riots official website Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts  Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

Good news: this week Bill and Renan talk about Shane Carruth's 2013 transcendent sci-fi romance UPSTREAM COLOR! Bad news: now they're all out of Shane Carruth films. Famously directed, written, starring, scored and edited by Carruth himself, UC is much different than his cult debut Primer—an ETV selection in season 1—a more ethereal, impressionistic, and even mature film. Questions your hosts attempt to answer in this episode: how much does the look and feel of this film owe to Terrence Malick?; we know what the movie is about, but what does it mean?; do we like it or not how willing Carruth is to explain anything about the film that he can?; how does UC contribute to the representation of pigs in Western culture?; how good is Amy Seimetz in this, huh?; and, will Shane Carruth ever have an actual movie career? Film links: Upstream Color on IMDb Upstream Color on Wikipedia IndieWire interview with Shane Carruth Slant review of Upstream Color Richard Brody UC review in The New Yorker Death and Taxes on Upstream Color Wired on Upstream Color io9: "Shane Carruth explains the ending of UC" Grantland gets drunk with Shane Carruth TV Tropes on the "Imagine Spot" Charles Farrell on Floyd Mayweather for Deadspin The Outline: "Did Humans Evolve from Pigs?" "Pigs for UC" by erbp on Vimeo Enter The Void Podcast S1E2: PRIMER Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts  Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

Shinya Tsukamoto's 1989 short feature TETSUO: THE IRON MAN borrows from Lynch's Eraserhead and Cronenberg's Videodrome—both films discussed in ETV's second season —and creates something entirely its own. Clocking in at a slender 67 minutes and blessedly shot in B&W to maximize gore while minimizing your hosts covering their eyes, Tetsuo is a cyberpunk-meets-splatterpunk anime come to life. Also discussed in this episode: Tsukamoto's encounters with Tarantino and Scorsese; comparisons to Evil Dead and Robert Mapplethorpe; a long digression on Japan's anxieties and its perpetually aging population; plus, could it possibly have influenced the Playstation 2 classic Katamari Damacy? Film links: Tetsuo: The Iron Man on IMDb Tetsuo: The Iron Man on Wikipedia Offscreen on Tetsuo 366 Weird Movies on Tetsuo Bleeding Cool on Tetsuo Washington Post review of Tetsuo Pixilation on Wikipedia Interview with Shinya Tsukamoto Dogs and Demons by Alex Kerr "Sexual Hysteria in Japan" at Blumhouse Hikikomori on Wikipedia Tetsuo and homosexuality The Phantom of Regular Size on YouTube Ninja Turtles cartoon transporter Katamari Damacy on Wikipedia Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts  Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter

If destruction is a form of creation, then what are we to make of the relationship between Donnie Darko (2001) and its controversial director's cut? In the first full episode of ENTER THE VOID season 6, your hosts Renan and Bill consider this box office flop and cult classic written and directed by Richard Kelly, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Jena Malone, featuring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, and even Seth Rogen. Topics discussed: the incredible soundtrack; the inexplicable changes to said music in the director's cut; fan theories and the value of fan theories; Kelly's confounding subsequent career; how much Bill and Renan each relate to Donnie as former teenage hellions; and other movies with terrible timing. Film links: Donnie Darko on IMDb Donnie Darko on Wikipedia Donnie Darko: The Director's Cut on Wikipedia Wired on Donnie Darko's legacy Vox interview with Richard Kelly Vulture on Donnie Darko's ending Quartz on the film as 80s artifact The Verge on Donnie Darko in 4K Salon Donnie Darko explainer Donniedarko.org.uk explainer Alternate theory on Reddit Donnie Darko as sequel to Dirty Dancing Richard Kelly interview about fan theories "These Donnie Darko Fan Theories Won’t Change the Fact that You’re 30 and Need to Get Your Shit Together" Show links: Subscribe: Apple Podcasts  Archives: enterthevoid.fm Follow us: Facebook + Twitter