Reel Review

CODA is a film that doesn't take a lot chances, with it's familiar tropes it doesn't stray from the formula. It's a remake of a 2014 French film, it's a coming of age film about a teenage girl breaking away from her family. Audiences get a teen romance or two, an inspiring teacher, and an uplifting ending. And yet ... CODA transcends the ordinary with solid performances, storytelling, and importantly, with its inclusion of amazing deaf actors - an opportunity the original French film missed. The importance of good storytelling is highlighted here. Listen as we discuss the charming film CODA. Featuring host Alex Ago and his guests, Donnajean Ward, Jonathan Schwartz, and Aubrey Hicks

Netflix's film Moxie brings riot grrrl punk feminism to a whole new generation: music, zines, and voices coming together to make the world a bit better. Is the world ready for riot grrrls to go mainstream?      

During our recent episode on Judas and the Black Messiah, Professor Bill Resh spoke about using the film as part of his course on citizenship. We thought it would be great to revisit the film and see how well this worked. So, today we're revisiting Judas and the Black Messiah with students from his course! We'll ask about the different theories of citizenship, how they felt the film portrayed the time, and their thoughts on today's BLM movement. Host Aubrey Hicks is joined by: Michael Nimer (Masters candidate, he/him) Nivea Krishnan (1st year undergraduate, she/her) Riley McMackin (3rd year undergraduate, she/her) Rene Del Bosque (2nd year undergraduate, he/him)  

Under the threat of prison, Bill O'Neal infiltrated the Black Panther Party in Chicago. Judas and the Black Messiah looks at the last three years of the Black Panther Party Chairman, Fred Hampton's life. While Hampton was falling in love , taking care of his people, and leading the city revolutionaries ... O'Neal  was forced to navigate the dilemma of the hold the FBI had over him, all while starting to believe in the movement the Black Panthers represented. Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Alex Ago, Aubrey Hicks, Bill Resh, and Erroll Southers. Beware of spoilers. Trigger warning: racial violence, gun violence, state violence, murder, death.   For links to some of the things we talk about, see our showpage.  

Today we’ll be doing something a bit different. We’re looking at two memoirs made into films in 2020: Between the World and Me, from HBO, based on the book of the same name written by Ta’Nehasi Coates. The film is directed by Kamilah Forbes, and the screenplay adaptation is by David Teague. Hillbilly Elegy is based on a book of the same name by JD Vance, published in 2016. Ron Howard directed the Netflix film, adapted for screen by Vanessa Taylor. Host Aubrey Hicks is joined by Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, William Resh, and Jonathan Schwartz.

Odds are that you know someone raving about the new Netflix coming of age limited series, The Queen's Gambit. Lifted from the novel of the same title, the series is a seven episode tale of a little orphan girl entering the competitive, very masculine, and very adult world of chess. From pawn to queen, what makes The Queen's Gambit irresistible? Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Alex Ago and Aubrey Hicks in today's episode of Reel Review.

On the Rocks, the latest film from Sophia Coppola, like many of the director's films, relies on dialogue and character interaction. This time the central relationship is between father and daughter, played by Bill Murray and Rashida Jones. How relevant do our panel find this depiction of lives of privilege? Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Alex Ago, Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, Aubrey Hicks  and William Resh to discuss On The Rocks!

Episode one of Lovecraft Country lets viewers know for sure that the question of reality and truth is at the heart of the series. In reality, H. P. Lovecraft was an overt White Supremacist. The series turns this on its head and gives a new generation a ring-side seat to revisiting history from the reality overlooked by textbooks. Reality is slippery. Truth can be hidden. What does it take to uncover the truth, share your reality, and make the world better for the next generation? "It would seem to me that the proposition before the house is a question hideously loaded, and that one's response to that question, or reaction to that question, has to depend on the effect of where you find yourself in the world, what your sense of reality is," James Baldwin spoke during a 1965 debate with William F. Buckley. We're talking about the whole season of Lovecraft Country on this episode of Reel Review. Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Alex Ago, Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, and Aubrey Hicks to discuss the horror, the scifi, the Easter eggs, the way genre can get at the heart of social issues, and more.

For our September film discussion, we decided on Disney's streaming release of the live-action remake, Mulan. It's a film that is surrounded by controversy both domestically and abroad. Yifei Liu, the actress who plays the titular character, sparked a boycott hashtag last August (2019) with a pro-police post on Weibo. More controversy hit the film as early viewers realized one of the filming locations is Xinjiang, where the Chinese government is holding Uygur (Muslim ethnic minorities) in "re-education" camps. Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Alex Ago, Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, and Aubrey Hicks to discuss the film, its controversies, and the possibilities of theater in the pandemic.

The 2020 Presidential Election brings us to an important tipping point in the American experiment. In July 2020, the New Yorker ran a piece called "How “Starship Troopers” Aligns with Our Moment of American Defeat," by David Roth. We thought that it would be a great excuse to revisit the 1997 film directed by Paul Verhoeven and the question of fascism in our time. "The anti-Fascism of 'Starship Troopers' is mordant and merciless, but Verhoeven advances his argument by making its every frame lavishly, overbearingly Fascist." What can the fascism of "Starship Troopers" tell us about autocracy and community? Do we fight for democracy or give over to the Federation? Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Alex Ago, Aubrey Hicks, and William G. Resh to think about the film and the question of fascism in our time.

"The story of the Negro in America is the story of America, and it is not a pretty story." - James Baldwin The year is 1979. James Baldwin writes a letter to his agent describing his next novel, "Remember this House." He describes a personal account of the lives of three of Baldwin's close friends: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. The letter is a history of civil rights in America. Baldwin never finished the book. The letter and 30 manuscript pages are all that were left when Baldwin died in 1987. This "masterpiece" documentary is filmmaker Raoul Peck's vision of the possibility of James Baldwin's "Remember this House."   Host Erroll Southers is joined by Alex Ago, Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, and Aubrey Hicks.

March 25, 2020 George Floyd is murdered by members of the Minneapolis Police department. Floyd's murder is the spark that reignites the continuing call for an end to extrajudicial murders perpetrated by the police. How do we talk about progress made without minimizing how far we need to work toward equity and a stronger democracy? Spike Lee's second film, Do the Right Thing is the perfect vehicle to spark conversation about the past, the present, and a future we can work together to strive toward. Plus ... it is an American classic, a must-watch for every American. Host Erroll Southers is joined by Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro and Aubrey Hicks   For links and more, check out the show page.

Released on Netflix March 20, 2020 The Platform is one of the more interesting films to discuss amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The film, directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, follows Goreng as he volunteers to spend six months in The Hole, a vertical prison of sorts. His first roommate, Trimagasis tells him, "There are three kinds of people: those on top, those on the bottom, and those who fall." What does this mean within The Hole? This allegorical tale pulls no punches, but leaves no easy answers. What is our responsibility to others? What agency do individuals have within systems? What is a fair distribution of wealth? Host Erroll Southers is joined by Alex Ago, Aubrey Hicks, & Jonathan Schwartz.

In this month's episode, we're covering a lot of dangerous ground with director Craig Zobel's latest satire, The Hunt. If you've seen the trailer, you likely already get the gist. Right wing conspiracy theories cost the livelihoods of some left wing elites, who decide a fitting punishment is to make the conspiracy come true. Ostensibly, this is a satire addressing conspiracism, partisanship, social media bullying, cancel-culture, and more. Twelve people wake up in a field, they're being hunted ... but why? Does The Hunt hit the bullseye, or does it fall short? Host Erroll Southers is joined by Jonathan Schwartz, Chrysa Perakis, Aubrey Hicks, and Alex Ago for this episode on The Hunt. Beware of ... spoilers!

In this month's episode, we're thinking about the latest adaptation of a graphic novel from Netflix originals: I'm Not Okay with This. Sydney seems like a normal, if awkward teenager. She has a best friend, feels like an outsider, hates the small town she's living in, is annoyed by her (adorable) little brother — but she also has a secret. Perhaps more than one secret. The graphic novel, written by Charles Forsman, who also brought The End of the Fxxxing World to life, steers the coming-of-age  story of the everyday struggle between trauma and control. I'm Not Okay with This is brought to screen by Jonathan Entwistle and Christy Hall for Netflix. Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Alex Ago, and Aubrey Hicks, to discuss another new venture from Netflix. We hope listeners understand that this podcast is full of spoilers, bloody spoilers!   Email: bedrosian.center@usc.edu Twitter: @BedrosianCenter

The latest to come out of the DC universe is the story of Harley Quinn. Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn ostensibly follows Quinn after her breakup from Puddin' (AKA The Joker) and her struggle to survive as the men she hurt in the past come for revenge. Margot Robbie gleefully leads the show as the notorious trickster, and is joined by a band of amazing women. Do they take "the man" down? Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Alex Ago, Aubrey Hicks, and Donnajean Ward to discuss the latest comic book movie. We hope listeners understand that this podcast is full of spoilers.   Email: bedrosian.center@usc.edu Twitter: @BedrosianCenter

We’re deviating from our normal episode structure today ... we’ll be channeling our inner Leslie Knope to celebrate Parks & Recreation and Galentine's Day. We all re-watched season 2 episode 16 of Parks & Rec to prepare - but we’re public service nerds, so we can't contain ourselves to just one episode. Listen as host Aubrey Hicks is joined by Chrysa Perakis, Donnajean Ward, Jovanna Rosen and Prof Nicole Esparza to share our joy of women’s friendships and Leslie Knope’s love of work for the public good.

The description of Jay Roach's Bombshell on IMDB says simply: "A group of women decide to take on Fox News head Roger Ailes and the toxic atmosphere he presided over at the network." What a stunning understatement. Bombshell dramatizes the story of Gretchen Carlson's lawsuit against Roger Ailes' repeated harassment and the women who finally told there stories during the ensuing investigation. Listen to our team talk about the pros and cons of the film, and whether we think it's a film of the moment (whitewashed quite a bit) or a testimonial that will live on for future generations. Host Erroll Southers is joined by Alex Ago, Aubrey L. Hicks, and Jonathan Schwartz. While we hope listeners already know this story, this podcast is full of spoilers.

Host Erroll Southers is joined by Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, Alex Ago, and Aubrey Hicks to discuss the first episode of the new HBO series Watchmen. Starring Regina King, Tim Blake Nelson, and an enormously talented ensemble cast, the series picks up beyond the first film and original DC comic series written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. We are in an alternate version of the world, one in which the war in Vietnam was won and Vietnam annexed as a state. A world in which reparations of some sort were paid. A world in which the police wear masks and the great masked vigilantes of the past are now legends of a different kind. We discuss the ability of pop culture to delved into deep societal issues, and what the responsibility of the creators is to historical content in a fictional setting. Twitter: @BedrosianCenter @AubreyHi, @AngeMarieH, @esouthersHVE Email: reel.review@usc.edu

"Just give that man money so he can make his films!" says an ardent fan of Terry Gilliam, director. We were intrigued at the idea of a retelling of the Cervantes classic Don Quixote, and from acclaimed filmmaker Terry Gilliam. With a film within the film, the work could be a tale of the quixotic nature of storytelling and the medium of film. It could be a tale of madness and exile, of hope and illusion. Join host Erroll Southers and guests Alex Ago, Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, and Jonathan Schwartz as they try to piece together the end result of Gilliam's 25+ years of work.

The film world is a completely different universe than it was when Better off Dead came out in August 1985. "Savage" Steve Holland's film about a jilted nerd, skiing, and the foreign exchange student who saves him, is perhaps the quintessential cult teen film of the 80s.  “Those video stores just completely saved Better Off Dead,” Holland told Fast Company. “It was always out at any Blockbuster Video I walked into, and then I’d talk to the guys who worked there and they were like, ‘You know, people rent it and they don’t bring it back.’” Is this a case of hindsight isn't so Pretty in Pink, or does it stand some of the tests of time? Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Alex Ago and Aubrey Hicks. Twitter: @reelreviewusc, @AubreyHi, @jonHLYP Email: reel.review@usc.edu

Depending on who you talk to, The Godfather is either a story of an "aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son" or, the "greatest gangster film of all time." We discuss why the film is still watched ... and loved almost 50 years later. Listen as host Erroll Southers discusses the first of the trilogy, The Godfather, with Carla Della Gatta, Aubrey Hicks, and Jonathan Schwartz.  Twitter: @reelreviewusc, @esouthersHVE, @CarlaDellaGatta @AubreyHi, @jonHLYP  

We've got a special "Warriors" episode of Reel Review for you today! We got together Lt. Col. Olivia Nelson and two female Air Force ROTC Cadets to discuss the first (!) Marvel movie to center a female superhero: Captain Marvel.  Warning: Spoilers! Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Lt. Col. Olivia Nelson, Tiana Grow (First year, Health & Human Sciences major), and Natalie Smith (First year, Aerospace Engineering)  Twitter: @reelreviewusc, @jonHLYP  This podcast is brought to you by Price Video Services and USC Bedrosian Center, and continues ongoing efforts to bring policy and its impact into the public discourse and is produced by Aubrey Hicks and Jonathan Schwartz. Sound supervision by the Brothers Hedden.

From the mind the brought us Get Out, is the new film scaring audiences across the states. In Jordan Peele's latest film, Us, doppelgängers menace a family trying to enjoy their summer vacation. But ... as in Get Out, everything isn't quite that simple. What mirror is Peele holding up for us now? Warning: Spoilers! Host Erroll Southers is joined by Alex Ago, Aubrey Hicks, & Keith Nelson. Twitter: @reelreviewusc, @esouthersHVE, @AubreyHi This podcast is brought to you by Price Video Services and USC Bedrosian Center, and continues ongoing efforts to bring policy and its impact into the public discourse and is produced by Aubrey Hicks and Jonathan Schwartz. Sound supervision by the Brothers Hedden.

  Based on a true story, Fighting with My Family is a British comedy meets WWE. Paige is born into a wrestling family. When she and her brother get a chance to try out for WWE (and meet Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) they are thrilled. Of course, there is a catch ... only Paige earns a spot. We're interested in how the story is translated to screen as well as the real complicated women portrayed. Host Erroll Southers is joined by Prof Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro and Alex Ago. Twitter: @reelreviewusc, @esouthersHVE, @AngeMarieH This podcast is brought to you by Price Video Services and USC Bedrosian Center, and continues ongoing efforts to bring policy and its impact into the public discourse and is produced by Aubrey Hicks and Jonathan Schwartz. Sound supervision by the Brothers Hedden.

Reel Review, formerly known as the Price Projection Room, invites you to tune in for a third season with a fresh new design and social media presence: Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram, via the handle @reelreviewusc

October 2018 brought us RBG, the documentary about the Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Now we have On the Basis of Sex, a biopic starring Felicity Jones as this iconic leader in the fight for gender equality and justice under the law. The film is directed by Mimi Leder. The film focuses on the period between RBG's first year in law school and the first case she tries in court.  Does the film work to humanize the subject, or perhaps to dehumanize the men who continuously tried to demean her? Perhaps most striking is how quickly some of us have forgotten what it was like to live through this transitional period, and how long people have been pursuing equal protection and rights under the law.  Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Alex Ago, Carla Della Gatta, and David Warshofsky to discuss the film, opening today. While you might know most of RBG's story, beware of spoilers. For links and more, check out the showpage.

2016 brought us back to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the prequel to the beloved books and movies: Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them. 6 fictional months and two real life years later, we return to in Yates' Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Reviews have been decidedly mixed. What do our geeks think of the new addition to the Potterverse?  Voldemort-lite or complex look at the "Banality of Evil?" If you haven’t seen the movie, beware, this conversation has spoilers. Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Alex Ago and Aubrey Hicks. Find us on Twitter:   @BedrosianCenter, @AubreyHi, @jonHLYP, @USCCinema, @USCSDA, @USCPrice Showpage: http://bit.ly/pprbeasts

Rhymes for Young Ghouls, written and directed by Jeff Barnaby is set on the Red Crow Mi'g Maq reservation in 1976. It follows 15 year old Aila as she navigates growing up in a country which imposes taxes and violence upon those who wish to preserve heritage, language, and way of living. She must also face the violence & addiction within her family, within her own community. The children of the Crow have a common enemy. The sadistic truancy officer, Popper. Popper torments the children with physical and psychological violence if they remain "truant."  Rhymes is a heist film, a revenge film, a coming of age film, and possibly one of the most relevant for policy films we've discussed on the podcast.  If you haven't seen the movie, beware, this conversation has a ton of spoilers. We highly recommend watching - it's streaming on multiple platforms. Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Chris Finley and Aubrey Hicks. Find us on Twitter: @BedrosianCenter, @AubreyHi,  @NDNCinema, @jonHLYP, @USCPrice ---   This podcast is part of a series on Indigenous films in partnership with the Red Nation Celebration Institute, and the Red Nation Film Festival. It is brought to you by Price Video Services and USC Bedrosian Center, and continues ongoing efforts to bring policy and its impact into the public discourse. Sound supervision by the Brothers Hedden.  

As follow up to our discussion of the film, Wind River, we are joined by partners in the Native Women in Film & Television organization. Native Women in Film & Television is  a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting equal opportunities for American Indian & Indigenous women, encouraging the creative narrative by native women, exploring and empowering portrayals of women in all forms of global media, expanding empowerment initiatives for native women and girls, in the arts, media, social justice, civic engagement, economic empowerment, research, training and international relations. We discuss why some organizations supporting Native Women find their struggle portrayed in Taylor Sheridan’s film. Why it resonates with many native women and how it might support the #WhyWeWearRed, #TimesUp, and #MeToo online movements to recognize trauma affecting millions of women. If you haven't seen the movie, beware, this podcast has spoilers. Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Chris Finley, Joanelle Romero, Michelle D. Schenandoah, and Lucy Simpson Find us on Twitter: @BedrosianCenter,  @NDNCinema,‏ @jonHLYP, @niwrc @MichelleSchena1 @USCDornsife For links and more, see the showpage.  The opinions of activists on this podcast are  expressed as those of the speakers individually, and do not necessarily reflect those of USC, the USC Bedrosian Center, or Price Video Services. This podcast is part of a series on Indigenous films in partnership with the Red Nation Celebration Institute, and the Red Nation Film Festival. It is brought to you by Price Video Services and USC Bedrosian Center, and continues ongoing efforts to bring policy and its impact into the public discourse. Sound supervision by the Brothers Hedden.

Wind River, written and directed by Taylor Sheridan, is the story of Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner), a wildlife officer who finds the body of an 18-year-old woman on an American Indian reservation in snowy Wyoming. Young FBI agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) arrives to investigate. This Florida native must work with Lambert as a guide, to get to the bottom of why a young woman would run miles, barefoot, in the late night snow. Cory is also haunted by the death of his teen daughter just a few years prior to the opening of the film. He finds that must help Banner confront the violence young women face on the Wyoming reservation. If you haven't seen the movie, beware, this podcast has spoilers. Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Chris Finley, Aubrey Hicks, and David Washofsky. Find us on Twitter: @BedrosianCenter, @AubreyHi,  @NDNCinema, @USCSDA ‏ @USCCinema @jonHLYP For links and more, see the showpage. This podcast is part of a series on Indigenous films in partnership with the Red Nation Celebration Institute, and the Red Nation Film Festival. It is brought to you by Price Video Services and USC Bedrosian Center, and continues ongoing efforts to bring policy and its impact into the public discourse.  Sound supervision by the Brothers Hedden.

For many indigenous people living in the US today, the past had been cut off from them. We Are Birds Director Albert Chacon discovered this history through the tradition of birdsinging – bird songs are the oral tradition of passing down the family’s story through song and dance. The old rituals designed to keep history and spirit of the family and tribe alive. “Ay, every generation, every man is a part of his past. He cannot escape it, but he may reform the old materials, make something new –“ – Rudolfo Anaya As Chacon discovered the traditions, he began talking with other birdsingers and discovered others in the same situation. There men and women were also finding out about their history through this tradition and building new ways to (re)create ritual and community meaning. We Are Birds is the result of interviews at powwows and other events on Southern California reservations. Here is our conversation with Chacon and several birdsingers in this documentary and you can watch the film on Vimeo or visit it’s Facebook page.   Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by: Albert Chacon (Writer, Director, Editor) Derek Duro (Head Birdsinger, Dancer) Frankie Morreo (Birdsinger, Dancer) Joanelle Romero (Founder, CEO Red Nation Celebration Inst, Red Nation Film Festival) Chris Finley (USC Assistant Professor of American Studies & Ethnicity)   This podcast is part of a series on Indigenous films in partnership with the Red Nation Celebration Institute, and the Red Nation Film Festival. It is brought to you by Price Video Services and USC Bedrosian Center, and continues ongoing efforts to bring policy and its impact into the public discourse. Sound supervision by the Brothers Hedden. Find more at www.usc.edu/ppr

The latest remake of A Star is Born is, well … is getting mixed reviews. Some are rapturous (like this, this, or this and especially this) others not so much (for instance: this, this, or this).  Our panel discuss this latest version in the "there is always a possibility of getting discovered" American myths. This version stars Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga with Cooper also directing. It is the story of a musician who meets and falls for a young singer. He helps her find fame, as age and addiction send his own career into a downward spiral. Jonathan Schwartz fills in for host Erroll Southers and is joined by veteran panelists Alex Ago, Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, and Anita Dashiell-Sparks @BedrosianCenter, @AngeMarieH, @AlessandroAgo Email: bedrosian.center@usc.edu This podcast is brought to you by Price Video Services and USC Bedrosian Center, and continues ongoing efforts to bring policy and its impact into the public discourse. Sound editing by the Brothers Hedden.

We are thrilled to share this conversation about Powwow Highway with you! A. Martinez, Amanda Wyss, Joanelle Romero, from the film join host Jonathan Schwartz and USC Profs Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro and Chris Finley in conversation about the making, legacy, and meaning of this cult classic. If you haven't seen it, be ware, there are a ton of spoilers. Powwow Highway is the story of two Native Americans, Philbert and Buddy (A. Martinez) who journey from Montana to Santa Fe to bail Buddy's sister Bonny (Joanelle Romero) out of jail. A classic road movie, Buddy and Philbert travel to Santa Fe by way of South Dakota and a few different Indian reservations as they go. Reaching Santa Fe the men find Bonny, her children, and her close friend Rabbit (Amanda Wyss). They travel the highways through a seemingly broken American Dream to the possibility of hope through friendship and family. @BedrosianCenter, @jonHLYP, @AngeMarieH, @_AmandaWyss, @ABoneMartinez, @NDNCinema,  @USCPrice This podcast is part of a series on Indigenous films in partnership with the Red Nation Celebration Institute, and the Red Nation Film Festival. It is brought to you by Price Video Services and USC Bedrosian Center, and continues ongoing efforts to bring policy and its impact into the public discourse.  Sound supervision by the Brothers Hedden. https://bedrosian.usc.edu/ppr/powwow-highway-cast

Powwow Highway is the story of Philbert and Buddy who journey from Montana to Santa Fe to bail Buddy's sister Bonny out of jail. For many indigenous peoples in the Americas, life can be grim. Much has been taken from them. In Powwow Highway, we begin with a view of the failed American Dram with the Northern Cheyenne tribe of Lame Deer, Montana. Buddy Redbow is a Vietnam veteran and activist looking to subvert a land-grab. His acquaintance and possible friend, Philbert Bono seems simple minded but might just be a spiritual guide to the rageful Buddy. When Bonny is framed and incarcerated in Santa Fe, the two men take Philbert's beat up '64 Buick, his 'war pony,' on a road trip via a Powwow gathering in South Dakota, Buddy's life may just be transformed. If you haven't seen the movie, be ware, this podcast has spoilers. Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by Chris Finley, Aubrey Hicks, and Lisa Schweitzer.   @BedrosianCenter, @AubreyHi, @drschweitzer, @NDNCinema , @USCPrice , @jonHLYP This podcast is part of a series on Indigenous films in partnership with the Red Nation Celebration Institute, and the Red Nation Film Festival. It is brought to you by Price Video Services and USC Bedrosian Center, and continues ongoing efforts to bring policy and its impact into the public discourse.  Sound supervision by the Brothers Hedden. https://bedrosian.usc.edu/ppr/powwow-highway

Does the biopic about a 19th century French writer Colette bring her to life? This episode features a conversation on a film which seems to be of the moment. Gender dynamics, intellectual property, relationships ... history. Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by podcast favorites Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, Anita Dashiell-Sparks, and Alex Ago. Let us know what you think of the film and our conversation at Facebook or Twitter. @BedrosianCenter, @AubreyHi, @AngeMarieH, @esouthersHVE, @jonHLYP, @USCPrice, @AlessandroAgo

Sorry to Bother You, written and directed by Boots Riley. The film follows a young Cassius (Cash) Green who joins an Oakland telemarketing company, adopting a white accent to thrive, propelling him up the ladder. He is faced with the dilemma of success and the ethics of what he's selling. The ensemble cast, the Oakland setting, the themes explored in this film make this one to talk about! Explore this nuanced film with us! Featuring host Erroll Southers and guests Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, Aubrey Hicks, and Jonathan Schwartz. Let us know what you think of the film and our conversation at Facebook or Twitter. @BedrosianCenter, @AubreyHi, @AngeMarieH, @esouthersHVE 

Sorry to Bother You, written and directed by Boots Riley. The film follows a young Cassius (Cash) Green who joins an Oakland telemarketing company, adopting a white accent to thrive, propelling him up the ladder. He is faced with the dilemma of success and the ethics of what he's selling. The ensemble cast, the Oakland setting, the themes explored in this film make this one to talk about! Explore this nuanced film with us! Featuring host Erroll Southers and guests Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, Aubrey Hicks, and Jonathan Schwartz. Let us know what you think of the film and our conversation at Facebook or Twitter. @BedrosianCenter, @AubreyHi, @AngeMarieH, @esouthersHVE 

Tully is the third collaboration of writer Diablo Cody and director Jason Reitman and its the story of motherhood. Charlize Theron plays expectant mother, Marlo. It is the birth of this third child that seems to push Marlo to a breaking point. While she seems to resent the gift of a night nanny from her wealthier brother, her exhaustion (and possibly a run-in with a college roommate) allows her to hire Tully (played by Mackenzie Davis) as a night nanny to help her sleep through the night. What does the film tell us about nostalgia, age, motherhood, parenting, and authenticity? Beware this podcast has spoilers! Featuring host Erroll Southers and guests Alex Ago, Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, and Lt. Col. Olivia Nelson. Let us know what you think of the film and our conversation at Facebook or Twitter. For links and more, visit the showpage.

The film follows a fictional hostage situation in Beirut, Lebanon at the height of the Lebanon Civil War. Our panel discusses the controversies surrounding the film including how Hollywood portrays the Middle East. Is it social commentary, an action thriller, or both? Listen now to find out how our all-star panel felt. Featuring host Erroll Southers and guests Lt. Col. Olivia Nelson, Jonathan Schwartz, and David Warshofsky. Let us know what you think of the film and our conversation at Facebook or Twitter. This podcast is sponsored by Price Video Services and USC Bedrosian Center, and continues ongoing efforts to bring policy and its impact into the public discourse. Special thanks to Dean Jack Knott, USC Price; Dean David Bridel, USC School of Dramatic Arts; and Dean Elizabeth Daley, USC Cinematic Arts for their support of this interdisciplinary conversation.  This podcast was produced by Aubrey Hicks and Jonathan Schwartz, recorded and mixed by The Brothers Hedden, Ryan & Corey Hedden.

Ava DuVernay's film A Wrinkle in Time has met with mixed reviews. The book the film adapts is both classic and beloved and also one of the most banned books in American schools and libraries due to Madeline L’Engle’s deeply Christian views on how faith and science can exist together. Not only does the film re-imagine those views from a lens of humanism, but in a first for Disney, the casting is color conscious. Our panel asks what is the importance of inclusion, self-awareness, and gender on audiences and critics? Our panel also discusses how the film portrays the nature of evil and asks - does the film has something to say about how to do good in the world given the polarization dominate in the current climate? Find out what our panelists think, featuring host Jonathan Schwartz and guests Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, Anita Dashiell-Sparks, and Eshan Zaffar. Let us know what you think of the film and our conversation at Facebook or Twitter. To listen to the Price Projection Room discussion of A Wrinkle in Time click the arrow in the player at the top of this post. Or download and subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, or Google Play. Follow us on Twitter!   @BedrosianCenter, @AngeMarieH, @Ezaffar For links and more, check out the showpage.   This podcast is sponsored by Price Video Services and USC Bedrosian Center, and continues ongoing efforts to bring policy and its impact into the public discourse. Special thanks to Dean Jack Knott, USC Price; Dean David Bridel, USC School of Dramatic Arts; and Dean Elizabeth Daley, USC Cinematic Arts for their support of this interdisciplinary conversation.  This podcast was produced by Aubrey Hicks and Jonathan Schwartz, recorded and mixed by The Brothers Hedden, Ryan & Corey Hedden.

Steven Spielberg's most recent film - The Post - has been wildly anticipated by audiences - especially considering the current challenges in our media and news landscape. Chronicling The Washington Post’s publishing of The Pentagon Papers during the tail end of the Vietnam War and starring Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep - does the film accurately portray this important time in American History where the very nature of the First Amendment and National Security were in direct contrast? What takeaways or parallels can we draw to today? Find out what our panelists think, featuring host Erroll Southers and guests Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro,  Jonathan Schwartz and Aubrey Hicks.   Let us know what you think of the film and our conversation at Facebook or Twitter. To listen to the Price Projection Room discussion of The Post click the arrow in the player at the top of this post. Or download and subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, or Google Play.   Follow us on Twitter!   @BedrosianCenter, @esouthersHVE, @AngeMarieH, @AubreyHi This podcast is sponsored by Price Video Services and USC Bedrosian Center, and continues ongoing efforts to bring policy and its impact into the public discourse. Special thanks to Dean Jack Knott, USC Price; Dean David Bridel, USC School of Dramatic Arts; and Dean Elizabeth Daley, USC Cinematic Arts for their support of this interdisciplinary conversation.  This podcast was produced by Aubrey Hicks and Jonathan Schwartz, recorded and mixed by The Brothers Hedden, Ryan & Corey Hedden.

Our nerd quotient is rising with the discussion of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The latest installment of the Star Wars series brings with it controversy. How well does The Last Jedi fit into the Star Wars franchise? How does this new film show how culture has changed since the first film (A New Hope, 1977)? Our talented panel discuss these questions and more in their nerdy discussion of the continuing saga of Luke, Leia, Kylo, Rey, Poe, Finn, and new characters we meet along the way. How might our own biases distort the way we view the storytelling?  Find out the journey our panelists took, featuring host Erroll Southers and guests Alessandro Ago, Carla Della Gatta, and Lt. Col. Olivia Nelson. Let us know what you think of the film and our conversation at Facebook or Twitter. To listen to the Price Projection Room discussion of Star Wars: The Last Jedi click the arrow in the player at the top of this post. Or download and subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, or Google Play. Follow us on Twitter!   @BedrosianCenter, @esouthersHVE, @AlessandroAgo ‏, @CarlaDellaGatta  What to read/watch next … Planet of the Apes: 50th Anniversary Exhibit and Film Retrospective Interview with Rian Johnson @ USC  Interview with Rian Johnson @ USC - working with Carrie Fisher Interview with Rian Johnson @ USC - working with Mark Hamill How Star Wars was saved in the edit The Star Wars Holiday Special (Complete Movie) Tales from The Mos Eisley Cantina This podcast is sponsored by Price Video Services and USC Bedrosian Center, and continues ongoing efforts to bring policy and its impact into the public discourse. Special thanks to Dean Jack Knott, USC Price; Dean David Bridel, USC School of Dramatic Arts; and Dean Elizabeth Daley, USC Cinematic Arts for their support of this interdisciplinary conversation.  This podcast was produced by Aubrey Hicks and Jonathan Schwartz, recorded and mixed by The Brothers Hedden, Ryan & Corey Hedden.

Gary Oldman is Winston Churchill in the new WWII film, Darkest Hour. The first month of Churchill's historic time as Prime Minister, he faced a great decision; one that would lead either to war or to a negotiated peace with Hitler. The compressed timeline of the film drops the viewer in the midst of the "darkest hour" of British history. The decisions made during these days could have changed the course of history. Find out what our panelists think, featuring host Erroll Southers and guests Lt. Col. Olivia Nelson, Jonathan Schwartz, and David Warshofsky.

Director Dee Rees' new film, Mudbound, follows two southern families before, during, and after World War II. One family is white, one black. Centering on the complex relationships between the two families, the film explores how different generations dealt with societal changes which inevitably followed the war. The multiple narrators bring a sense of both internal and external character development as the events unfold. Of the novel, Barbara Kingsolver said, "Her characters walked straight out of 1940s Mississippi and into the part of my brain where sympathy and anger and love reside, leaving my heart racing. They are with me still."  Strong female characters ground the story as it tells of the challenges returning soldiers with different world views as they return to family and a small Mississippi community that hasn't weathered the storms and triumphs they have seen half a world away. Listen to this conversation on this ensemble film about war at home and abroad. Warning: *spoilers!* Find out what our panelists think, featuring host Erroll Southers and guests Alex Ago, Lt. Col. Olivia Nelson, and Rodney To. For links to some of the things we talk about and further reading - please visit our showpage.

Is Blade Runner 2049 the sequel we didn't know we needed? Set in a dystopian future Los Angeles, Ryan Gosling's K is a replicant who hunts down dis-loyal replicants: a Blade Runner. When a secret is uncovered, he sets out on a quest. The journey becomes one to not only find the secret but to answer some of the fundamental questions. What does it mean to be alive, to be human? Did the film live up to its hype? Find out what our panel thinks, featuring host Erroll Southers and guests Leo Braudy, René Bruckner, and Aubrey Hicks. Let us know what you think of the film and our conversation at Facebook or Twitter. For more, check out the showpage.

Director Michael Cuesta brings the fictional hero of Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp novels to the big screen in the new film,American Assassin. The all-star cast includes Dylan O'Brien, Michael Keaton, and Taylor Kitsch as a threesome tied together through the specter of betrayal and revenge, set upon a backdrop of international espionage and nuclear threat.  We discuss the level of violence in the film, its portrayal of U.S. black-ops and anti-terrorism efforts, the film's space within the spy thriller genre, the motivations of the studio, the acting, the gender themes, how millennials may be viewing it, and so much more. Host Erroll Southers is joined by spectacular guests Alessandro Ago, Lt. Col. Olivia Nelson, and veteran actor David Warshofsky. Let us know what you think of the film and our conversation at Facebook or Twitter.

Hulu has adapted The Handmaid's Tale,  the classic novel by Margaret Atwood, into a 10 episode saga of life in the dystopia of Gilead. Gilead is a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States, ruled by a twisted Protestant fundamentalism in its ‘return to traditional values'. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (played to much acclaim by Elisabeth Moss) is forced into sexual servitude as part of a caste of women called Handmaids. In this terrifying society, Offred must navigate between the men who rule with iron fists, the Commanders, as well as the deeply divided casts of women wealthy but bored Wives, domestic Marthas, and her fellow Handmaids. Her goal is to survive, and one day find the daughter that was taken from her. Warning: *spoilers!* Host Jonathan Schwartz is joined by three fierce women of USC to discuss the series' timeliness, its narrative of motherhood, the fear of religious fundamentalism, and the absence of a discussion on race. Featuring host Jonathan Schwartz and guests Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, Melinda C. Finberg, and Tara McPherson. Special thanks to Dean Jack Knott, USC Price; Dean David Bridel, USC School of Dramatic Arts; and Dean Elizabeth Daley, USC Cinematic Arts for their support of this interdisciplinary conversation. The Price Projection Room (PPR) features engaging conversations about film and television with interesting folks and USC experts from across disciplines (public policy, governance, theatre, and cinema) to look at visual storytelling, media literacy, diversity, and the public good.  Sponsored by: USC Price Video Services http://www.usc.edu/pvs USC Bedrosian Center http://bedrosian.usc.edu  Content Partners: USC School of Dramatic Arts https://dramaticarts.usc.edu/  USC School of Cinematic-Arts https://cinema.usc.edu  Recorded at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy http://priceschool.usc.edu

Peter Berg’s The Kingdom is an action procedural which tries to also be a lesson in cross-cultural tolerance. Released in 2007, we wonder if this film makes the same amount of sense ten years later. The film follows an FBI team which travels to infiltrate and find a terrorist cell in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia following an attack killing many American citizens (as well as fellow FBI agent). If art is an imitation of life, have we moved on in the last ten years, or does this remain salient? Join us for a conversation on East/West cultural understanding, terrorism, FBI interaction with local law enforcement across the world, representation, and what remains universal in this film and how audiences have changed in the last 10 years. Warning: *spoilers!* Featuring Deirdre Fike (FBI), Ehsan Zaffar (DHS), Jeremiah O’Brian (USC School of Dramatic Arts), Alex Ago (USC School Cinematic Arts), and Erroll Southers (USC Price)

Wonder Woman is finally on the big screen! Raised on an island secluded from the world, Diana trained harder than any Amazon before her. Taught that the world of man was corrupted by Ares, the God of War, Diana sees an opportunity to kill Ares and set the world right after a pilot crashes on the island. She journeys into the world of man, accompanying Steve Trevor into the "war to end all wars." Soon, Diana learns that humankind is more complicated than the myths she knew. After dozens of superhero films, has director Patty Jenkins revitalized the DC universe with this superheroine? Amid all the "rep-sweats," did the film do justice to this classic comic heroine? Why is this film so important? What do we think of the women-only showings at Alamo Drafthouse? Did we enjoy this film? Warning: *spoilers!* Featuring Lt. Colonel Olivia Nelson, Carla Della Gatta, Tara McPherson, and Erroll Southers Special thanks to Dean Jack Knott, USC Price; Dean David Bridel, USC School of Dramatic Arts; and Dean Elizabeth Daley, USC Cinematic Arts for their support of this interdisciplinary conversation. The Price Projection Room (PPR) features engaging conversations about film and television with interesting folks and USC experts from across disciplines (public policy, governance, theatre, and cinema) to look at visual storytelling, media literacy, diversity, and the public good.  Sponsored by: USC Price Video Services http://www.usc.edu/pvs USC Bedrosian Center http://bedrosian.usc.edu  Content Partners: USC School of Dramatic Arts https://dramaticarts.usc.edu/  USC School of Cinematic-Arts https://cinema.usc.edu  Recorded at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy http://priceschool.usc.edu

This crowd pleasing film centers on the overlooked stories of women of color whose mathematical work contributed to NASA's first successful launch of a human being into orbit during the space race of the 1960s. We discuss how the film both illustrated the racial divide in America while showcasing the work & struggle of African American women. Though we all have some criticism of the work, in the end it may be the telling of a story we never knew and it's representation of strong, smart black women that matters most. Hidden Figures is directed byTheodore Melfi and stars the dream team of Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe among many others - including Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, and Mahershala Ali. Warning: *spoilers!* Featuring Alessandro Ago, Lt. Colonel Olivia Nelson, Anita Dashiell-Sparks, and Erroll Southers Special thanks to Dean Jack Knott, USC Price; Dean David Bridel, USC School of Dramatic Arts; and Dean Elizabeth Daley, USC Cinematic Arts for their support of this interdisciplinary conversation. The Price Projection Room (PPR) features engaging conversations about film and television with interesting folks and USC experts from across disciplines (public policy, governance, theatre, and cinema) to look at visual storytelling, media literacy, diversity, and the public good.  Sponsored by: USC Price Video Services http://www.usc.edu/pvs USC Bedrosian Center http://bedrosian.usc.edu  Content Partners: USC School of Dramatic Arts https://dramaticarts.usc.edu/  USC School of Cinematic-Arts https://cinema.usc.edu  Recorded at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy http://priceschool.usc.edu