Podcasts about American Beauty

ANA MARIA QUINTANA is a Script Supervisor with over 70 credits, working with world-class directors: ten with Steven Spielberg, four with Cameron Crowe, BLADE RUNNER with Ridley Scott. Credits include three HUNGER GAMES movies, two JURASSIC PARK movies, ANT-MAN AND THE WASP, THE REVENANT, AVATAR, INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL, WAR OF THE WORLDS, THE TERMINAL, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, MINORITY REPORT, A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, AMOST FAMOUS, AMERICAN BEAUTY, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and THE NATURAL. Host Jason E. Squire is Editor of The Movie Business Book and Professor Emeritus, USC School of Cinematic Arts. Music: “The Day it All Began and it All Ended” by Pawel Feszczuk (License: CC by 4.0).

The Crossing No.77 from RaidersBroadcast.com as aired in July 2025, and featuring the classic 1971 country-rock album “American Beauty”, from the Grateful Dead. TRACK LISTING: Donde Estabas Tu - Omara Portuondo; Zolnierz I Panna (The Soldier and the Maid) - Polish Song and Dance Ensemble; Slip Jigs: The Kid on the Mountain, An Phis Fhliugh - Planxty; St Patrick's Day - Young May Moon - Sam Sweeney; Box of Rain - Grateful Dead; Ripple - Grateful Dead; It's Just a Rumour - Dave Ellis & Boo Howard; Little Joe - Megson; Fire and Rain - James Taylor; Tapestry - Carole King; Till the Morning Comes - Grateful Dead; Candyman - Grateful Dead; Money in My Pocket - Dennis Brown; Wenhamo Haaneti - The Bhundu Boys.

Der Inhalt von Folge 76: In dieser Folge sprechen wir über die besten Filmenden aller Zeiten. Kommt mit uns an den Tisch und lasst euch für einige Highlights sensibilisieren. Fast & Furious 7 (2015) Sieben (1995) Good Will Hunting (1997) The Truman Show (1998) Braveheart (1995) E.T. (1982) American History X (1998) Fight Club (1999) Ziemlich beste Freunde (2011) Terminator 2 (1991) Ghost - Nachricht von Sam (1990) Die Höllenfahrt der Poseidon (1972) Convoy (1978) Tanz der Vampire (1967) Angel Heart (1987) Matrix (1999) The Darkness (2002) Martyrs (2008) Life (2017) American Beauty (1999) Der Nebel (2007) The Cube (1997) WALL*E (2008) The Black Phone (2021) Im Auftrag des Teufels (1997) The Sixth Sense (1999)

ReferencesBiochemistry. 2002 Jan 29;41(4):1398-408.ACS Omega 2021, 6, 17, 11122–11130Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science. 2016. Volume 22, April :99-107Langmuir 2019 35.30 9944-Guerra, DJ 2025. Unpublished Lectures.Plato 4th Century BC . Lesser Hippias dialogue.Winwood, Wood, and Capaldi. 1967. "Dear Mr. Fantasy" Live at the Canteen. lp.https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=_AUSfxQEcdw&si=XYeTQO_Ey-pESAxxHunter/ Garcia 1970. "Ripple" American Beauty lp.https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=sFBQSx_xc2o&si=86YVzrn23PbkOngZTaylor, J. 1971. "Highway Song" Mudslide Slim lp.https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv4pYbRK9tg&si=1JAusoY4LMmJnDHESchmelzer, J . 1680. "Victori der Christian" from Romanesque lp.https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=n3x1dIz0LFo&si=PsflEAE18eGlJJ9y

In this week's episode, I take a look at the frozen pizzas that I enjoyed in 2025, and give my recommendations for the best frozen pizzas. This coupon code will get you 25% off the ebooks in the Dragontiarna series at my Payhip store: WARDEN25 The coupon code is valid through July 14, 2025. So if you need a new ebook this summer, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates   Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 256 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is June 20th, 2025 and today we are looking at my favorite frozen pizzas from Winter and Spring 2025. Before we get to our main topic, we'll have Coupon of the Week, an update on my current writing progress, and then we will do Question of the Week this week.   First up, let's do Coupon of the Week. This week's coupon code will get you 25% off the ebooks in the Dragontiarna series at my Payhip store, and that coupon is WARDEN25. This coupon code is valid through July 14th, 2025. So if you need a new series of really long ebooks to read for this summer, we have got you covered and as always, the links to the store and the coupon code will be included in the show notes.   Now for an update on my current writing and audiobook projects. As I mentioned before, I want Summer 2025 to be my Super Summer of Finishing Things because I want to finish The Shield War, Stealth and Spells, and Ghost Armor series this summer before I start on new things. I'm pleased to report that I have reached a milestone of that. The rough draft of Shield of Power is done at 101,000 words. This will be the sixth and final book in the Shield War series. I am currently writing A Consort of Darkness, which will be a short story that newsletter subscribers will get a free copy of in ebook form when Shield of Power comes out. I am also 109,000 words into Stealth and Spells Online: Final Quest and hopefully that will come out very quickly after Shield The Power is out. I'm also 10,000 words into Ghost in the Siege, which will likewise be the sixth and final book in the Ghost Armor series.   In audiobook news, recording is still underway for Ghost in the Corruption, which will be narrated by Hollis McCarthy and Shield of Battle, which will be narrated by Brad Wills. Hopefully we will have some more updates on that soon and I don't think it'll be too much longer before both audiobooks are out and available.   00:02:02 Question of the Week   Now let's go to Question of the Week. Question of the Week is intended to inspire enjoyable discussions of interesting topics. This week's question: when was the last time you went to an actual movie theater to see a movie? No wrong answers, including “I don't go to movie theaters.”  As you can guess, we had a range of responses on this one.   Justin says: Last month we saw Monty Python and the Holy Grail (fifty year release) in the theater. Yes, we have the DVD.   David says: I guess Dune Two is the last time I went to a theater. For the price of going to the theater, I can wait and stream it later. If I don't like the price, I can even wait a few years. I'm not so quick to give them my money. Haven't gone to the theater yet in 2025. Nothing called out to me.   William says: Except for 2020-2021, I've been going to the movies frequently every year since the Hobbit movies first came out. It's not that my habits has changed, just that they started making the kind of movies I wanted to watch like Star Wars, Jurassic World, the Disney remakes, and so on. Before 2012, the last time I went was in 2006 for the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie. It probably helps that it's only two tickets each time and not four or five for a whole family.   Randy says: Top Gun: Maverick. It was a throwback to the days when movies were fun to watch. Everything doesn't have to have a deeper meaning and make us think. Just have an unlikely crew of misfits take out the bad guys. Bonnie says: Last one was Mary Poppins Returns with granddaughter in Spring 2019. I can't see spending the price for a one time deal.   Cheryl says: The last time I went to the cinema…when did American Beauty come out? That's how long ago it was and the movie was disappointing.   Jenny says: Thunderbolts! I wish movies weren't so pricey.   Elizabeth says: Last time I went to the movie theater was to see Jumanji 2 with my now husband as our first date because both of us are terrible at first date ideas.   I don't know- if Elizabeth's first date with her now husband was Jumanji 2, it seems like that was a very successful first date.   John says: War of the Rohirrim, December of last year.   A different John says: Dune Two and A Complete Unknown are the only two I've seen in the theater in the last two years. In both cases it was because A: the movie deserved to be experienced completely, and B: there was someone I wanted to share it with. Otherwise, modern tech in the home works just fine.   Michael says: Last movie I saw in an actual cinema was Avengers Infinity War, so that's going back a bit. I think the COVID lockdown just killed any desire to do so and haven't been back since.   Michael [A different Michael than the one listed above] says: It has been years.   For myself, the answer is quite simple. I went on May 31st to see Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning. The inspiration for this question was technological change. I only went to the theater twice in 2024, for Dune Part Two and The Fall Guy. In 2025, I've been to the theater twice so far, for Thunderbolts and Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning, but a long time ago when I was much younger and had far fewer demands in my time, I would usually go to the movies on Saturday afternoons if I saw something that looked at all interesting. I'd always go in the afternoons because afternoon matinees were cheaper and I usually preferred to spend Saturday night playing computer games anyway. Nowadays, like I said above, I only went twice in 2024 and twice in 2025 so far. I am not sure what changed. The obvious one is that I'm old enough to have enough to do week to week that giving up three hours on a Saturday afternoon can often be a problem. The other obvious answer is technological change in the form of streaming, which makes it a lot easier to see things at home and perhaps one's taste change as one gets older. For example, there is no way I would go to the theater to see the Minecraft movie, though I would probably watch it on streaming when it rolls around (and I did in fact watch it in streaming last week and thought it was pretty good. It'll be in my next Movie Roundup.) So that is it for Question of the Week.   00:05:52 Main Topic: Winter/Spring/Summer 2025 Frozen Pizza Roundup   Now onto our main topic this week, my Spring/Summer 2025 Frozen Pizza Roundup (though I suppose I've been working on this long enough that it should be the Winter/ Spring/Summer 2025 Frozen Pizza Roundup). I suppose it is a bit odd to talk about frozen pizza on a podcast ostensibly dedicated to indie publishing and indie writing, but I like frozen pizza and it's my podcast, so if I want to talk about frozen pizza, I'm going to talk about frozen pizza. Besides my previous pizza review roundup episode was pretty popular, so that's why I decided to do another one. Unlike a movie roundup, the pizza reviews will be in chronological order based on when I ate them. The grades are, as always, totally subjective and based on my own opinions. I'll also be rating the pizza by eating it hot and eating it cold, since cold pizza is a different experience than hot pizza. Cold pizza for lunch the next day is something to look forward to, especially during a busy day. I should also mention that I purchased each pizza myself with my own money. No one sent me any free stuff, so while my opinion may be subjective, it is nonetheless unbiased. Additionally, I exactly follow the preparation directions for each pizza since I wanted to avoid the phenomenon you sometimes see on recipe blogs where a commenter complains that a recipe didn't work and then admits that they took out the butter, cut the sugar in half, replaced the flour with corn starch, and substituted canola oil for frosting. So with those disclaimers, disclosures, and caveats out of the way, on to the pizzas.   The first one is Orv's Ultimate Rizer Three Meat Pizza, which I had on February 28th, 2025. Orv's is a pizza brand owned by Minnesota based pizza maker Bernatello's. In the last pizza roundup, I mistakenly said Bernatello's was based in Wisconsin (though they do in fact have numerous Wisconsin facilities) and Bernatello's also owns many different pizza brands I have mentioned the last roundup. I had never tried Orv's before, so I thought I would give it a try.   Eaten hot, the sausage, Canadian bacon, and pepperoni are quite good, as are the cheese and sauce. However, the crust really is quite bready and kind of overwhelmed the other tastes. This is a thick crust pizza and to be honest, I really prefer thin crust because it's generally less caloric and the crust has a greater chance to work in harmony with the other flavors and not overpower them.   Eaten cold, it's pretty much the same experience. This is definitely a pizza that would benefit from a bit of added oregano, garlic salt, or perhaps other spices. Overall, I do think I strongly prefer Bernatello's Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza pizza instead of Orv's, though I should mention that Orv's is in fact quite a bit cheaper. Overall Grade: C+   The next pizza is the Red Baron Four Meat Classic Crust Pizza, which I ate on March 7th, 2025. Red Baron is a frozen pizza brand that started in 1976 by the Schwan's Frozen Food Company of Minnesota. Currently, Schwan's is owned by a large Korean conglomerate. Whatever one might think of large corporate consolidation, the fact that the stylized World War I fighter pilot mascot of a Minnesota company is now owned by a Korean conglomerate is kind of hilarious in an absurdist sort of way. Anyway, the pizza!   Eaten hot, I liked the crust. It was a bit thicker than usual for thin crust pizza, but it was crisp and didn't get bready. The sauce was a bit sweeter than usual, but I still liked it. The various meats and the cheese were good as well. Eaten cold, it's still pretty good. The cheese and sauce set well and remained flavorful. Overall Grade: B+   Our next pizza is Good and Gather Pepperoni Pizza, which I had on March 14th, 2025. Store brand foods can be hit or miss, like if you go to a big box grocery store and they have their own store brand of essentials like coffee and cereal and bread and so forth. And as I said, those can be really hit or miss since it depends on the company that is actually supplying the food to the store. That said, I've had good results with Good and Gather, which is the store brand of Target, which is a major big box retailer in the United States. So I thought I'd give the Good and Gather Pepperoni Pizza a try. Eaten hot, I was pleasantly surprised. The crust was crisp, the cheese and sauce were good (if not outstanding), and the pepperoni was flavorful. A good workman like frozen pizza. Eaten cold, it still tastes quite good. An important detail is that this is a good deal cheaper than many of the more premium pizza brands I have mentioned in these pizza roundups. So I would say this is a good solid option for the budget minded consumer. Overall Grade: B     Next up we have Bellatoria's Ultra Thin Crust Meat Trio Pizza, which I ate on March the 21st, 2025. Bellatoria's is yet another brand of the Bernatello's Frozen Pizza Company, a frequent entry in these pizza roundups and it is a seems to be more of a premium brand compared to Orv's. It also has a less heavy load topping compared to Lotzza Motzza, which is another Bernatello's brand. Despite that, I quite like this one. Eaten hot, the crust was crisp and just a bit flaky in a good way and the cheese, sauce, and meat toppings were all good. Sometimes on a pizza you can't taste the crust. Other times you taste it too much, like with thick crust pizza, but I think this was a good crust that complemented the toppings, which were all flavorful. Eaten cold, it fares well. The thin crust doesn't get soggy and the meat and cheese remain flavorful. A very good pizza. I prefer a thin crust to a thick crust, but this was an excellent thin crust. Overall Grade: A   Our next pizza is the Totino's Party Pizza Triple Meat, which I ate March 26th, 2025. Totino's was famously one of the first companies to make frozen pizza and it was later acquired by General Mills. These days, Totino's is mostly known for its pizza rolls, but they still put out small individual pizzas and for the sake of historical continuity, I decided to give it a try. It was okay. It definitely tasted like pizza, but it didn't compare to the stronger ones I've tried like Heggie's or Pothole Pizza. You do need to cook it for a long time for the crust to be adequately crispy and not soggy. I didn't bother to try it cold since I didn't think it would be improved, and this is definitely a pizza where you might want to add some oregano or garlic salt. Its biggest advantage is that it's quite inexpensive, a cheap meal, but don't expect too much. Overall Grade: C+     Next up is Authentic Motor City Pizza Company Three Meat Pizza, which I had on March 28th, 2025. Authentic Motor Pizza Company is owned by the Ilitch billionaire family of Michigan who are the original founders of Little Caesar's Pizza. This pizza is a Detroit style pizza, which is essentially a square pizza cooked in a square pan with a thick crust and lots of cheese. The square shape comes from the fact that Detroit style pizza was originally cooked in a car oil drip pan since the commercially available pans at the time weren't suitable for the pizza. There is some dispute about what actually happened, but it seems Detroit style pizza started at a restaurant called Buddy's Rendezvous in the 1940s, which later became the local Michigan pizza chain Buddy's Pizza. I have to admit, I was originally only vaguely aware of Detroit style pizza, but in 2019 I went to the Detroit area for a funeral and had dinner at Buddy's Pizza, which was amazing. (There was also a guy getting arrested in the parking lot at the time, but thankfully that did not affect the dining experience.) If your travels ever take you to the Detroit area, you should definitely try Buddy's Pizza. Anyway, so after all this, when I happened across a Detroit style frozen pizza, I decided I needed to give it a try. Eaten hot, it is quite good. As I've said before, I'm generally not a fan of thick crust pizza, which this is, but it's a good thick crust, crispy on the edges and bottom without being bready or chewy. The toppings are all excellent, which is helped by the fact that the sauce is good and has a good garlic flavor to it. I was curious how it would hold up when eaten cold and I actually liked it a bit better than when it was hot. The cheese sets well and then everything holds together and so it's a very substantial, very tasty cold pizza. This is good pizza, though that said, I still prefer a thinner crust because the Detroit style of pizza is delicious, but dang, is it a heavy meal. Overall grade: A   Next up is Pothole Kitchen Sink Pizza, which I ate on April 4, 2025, and this is another pizza from the Midwestern convenience store chain Kwik Trip and features pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and red and green peppers. I really like this one, like the other Pothole varieties I've tried. It's quite good: good crust, good cheese, good sauce, and very flavorful toppings. This has a slight advantage over my other favorite version, the Pothole Meat Sweats Pizza, since the lesser amount of meat means it isn't as greasy. Eaten cold, it is likewise quite good. I think this ties with the Meat Sweats Pothole Pizza. They both represent excellent versions of two different pizza experiences. If you don't want mushrooms and vegetables on your pizza, get the Meat Sweats, but if you do want vegetables, go for the Kitchen Sink. Overall grade: A+     Next up is Heggie's Six Pack Pizza, which I tried on April 11th, 2025. This is another pizza from Minnesota company Heggie's, which had one of my favorite pizzas of the last roundup. Heggie's Six Pack Pizza comes with sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, regular bacon, mozzarella cheese, and cheddar cheese. Let's just say if you're eating this, you probably don't have a six pack.   Anyway. Eaten hot, it was quite good. I like the thin crust and all the meat was good. I would say the biggest weakness is that you can mostly taste the cheese and the Canadian bacon since they kind of drown out all the other flavors. Eaten cold, I would say it tastes better. You can taste all the individual toppings. The cheese, sauce, and crust are pleasant when cold as well. This was a good pizza, but I do like the pepperoni only version better since I think the taste is superior. Overall grade: A-   Next up is the Tombstone Tavern Style Meat Crumble Pizza, which I had on May 2nd, 2025, and this is a more upgraded version of the basic model Tombstone pizza with thinner crust, slightly different cheese, and a mixture of pepperoni and crumbled pork sausage. Honestly, it tasted about the same as the standard model Tombstone. The crust and meat were slightly better, but I thought the sauce was rather watery. Eaten cold, it was better since the watery flavor of the sauce wasn't as strong. That said, I do think the standard model Tombstone pizza is a better pizza. Overall grade: B-     Then we had a bit of a gap here because I had basically tried most of the pizza brands that I actually wanted to try for this review. There are some more lower cost brands out there, but I figured they'd be mostly similar to the cheaper ones I already tried.   Then I came across the final pizza for this review roundup, Screamin' Sicilian Mountain of Meat, which I had on June 6th, 2025. This is another pizza from the Screamin' Sicilian line, which is part of the Palermo Pizza Company of Wisconsin. I tried an all pepperoni version for the last pizza roundup and thought it was pretty good. It got an A-. I decided to try the Mountain of Meat, which has pepperoni, sausage, ham, and bacon, and has a stone fired crust. I liked it better than the all pepperoni version. The different meats blend together well, and I think this version of the crust is quite a bit better. It's a little bit thicker, but still quite crispy. Eaten cold, it likewise holds up quite well. The spiciness of the meat remains flavorful even when cold and the cheese holds it all together. Overall grade: A   So to sum up after two pizza review posts, here are my favorites.   Overall favorites: Pothole Meat Sweats and Pothole Kitchen Sink. Excellent strong runners-up: Heggie's Pepperoni Pizza, Lotzza Motzza, Bellatoria, and the Screamin' Sicilian Mountain of Meat. The downside of all these choices is that they tend to be expensive, usually $10 US or above. So with that in mind, here are best my choices for the best budget options, which would be Tombstone Pepperoni & Sausage and Target's Good & Gather Pepperoni.   Also, one advantage of frozen pizza is that you can add spices to flavor the taste. I found that frozen pizza in general frequently benefits from the addition of oregano or perhaps a dusting of garlic powder. So if you are looking for some frozen pizza, hopefully this will help you find one.   So that is it for this week. Next week I promise we will go back to writing and publishing topics instead of pizza. Thanks for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all the back episodes on https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and see you all next week.

(00:00-24:53) Songs for Doug continues. Paying off a big tease. A big name in the NHL crosshairs. If he just didn't hit that post. Evander Kane skipped the handshake line. The original "So What'd Your Grandma Think?" Mr. Lix checks in with us and he's not happy about flying public. Warm socks. The trash can wars of Ladue and Clayton. Talkin' to AI bots on the Fan Page. Mark sounds tall. Sheath that tootsie.(25:01-39:42) American Beauty. Kevin Spacey. Michael Kay is upset with the Yankees offense. Shutout three games in a row. Rafael Devers says he'll play wherever the Giants want him to play. Audio of Johnathan Papelbon weighing in on the situation. Bartolo Colon's pants. Tim's REM sleep. Jackson's face down sleeping. Roll call.(39:52-56:02) Happy Birthday Paul McCartney. Jackson's Harrison Mevis update brought into question. Steven Matz joins us. Logistics question to start things off. Feeling good after getting back on track last night. Not panicking after a rough stretch. Big series coming up against the Cubs. Thoughts on playing everyone versus having more games against division opponents. Embracing his role with this year's team. His name being mentioned in trade conversations. Big League Impact.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

LOOK UP IN THE SKY!! Superman Returns Full Reaction Watch Along:   / thereelrejects   Start your online business with a $1 per-month trial when you visit https://www.shopify.com/rejects! Andrew & Tara CONTINUE Their Road to James Gunn's Superman giving their Superman Returns Reaction, Recap, Commentary, Analysis, & Spoiler Review!! Join Andrew Gordon & Tara Erickson as they soar back to the Man of Steel's world in Bryan Singer's Superman Returns (2006). After a five-year absence, Clark Kent / Superman (Brandon Routh, Dodgeball, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) returns to Earth only to discover that his love, Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth, Blue Crush, 3000 Miles to Graceland), has moved on—and even has a young son, Jason. As Clark grapples with heartbreak, he uncovers a nefarious plot by Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey, American Beauty, The Usual Suspects) to use stolen Kryptonian technology to reforge the world in his image. Rounding out the stellar cast are James Marsden (Cyclops in X-Men, Enchanted) as Lois's fiancé Richard White, Parker Posey (the “Queen of Indies” in Party Girl, Best in Show) as tabloid editor Kitty Kowalski, Sam Huntington (Disturbia, I Am Number Four) as earnest photographer Jimmy Olsen, Frank Langella (Oscar-nominated for Frost/Nixon) as Perry White, and Kal Penn (Harold & Kumar, Designated Survivor) as Richard's brother, Stanford White. The spirit of Superman's father, Jor-El, is heard in archive audio of Marlon Brando (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now), tying this chapter back to the character's origins. Don't miss Tara & Andrew's breakdown of the film's most iconic moments—from the breathtaking sequence where Superman slows time to save Lois and Jason in that penthouse fall, to the jaw-dropping finale atop Lex's oceanic fortress, where Superman confronts a golden statue come to life. We'll discuss the soaring flight through Lois's apartment, the emotional “son of Krypton” reveal, and how Superman Returns balances nostalgia with new stakes for Earth's greatest hero. Follow Andrew Gordon on Socials:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieSource Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/agor711/?hl=en Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Agor711 Follow Tara Erickson: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TaraErickson Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/taraerickson/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/thetaraerickson Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Apparel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ Follow Us On Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/  Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reelrejects?lang=en Twitter: https://x.com/reelrejects Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad:  Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... POWERED BY @GFUEL Visit https://gfuel.ly/3wD5Ygo and use code REJECTNATION for 20% off select tubs!! Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow TheReelRejects On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM:  FB:  https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thegregalba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a surreal moment - getting to chat with Thomas Newman and Julia Newman! Whether you're a big film music fan or a casual film goer, I'll guess that you're familiar with Tom, having been nominated for fifteen Academy Awards (I accidentally say fourteen...) and scoring projects like The Shawshank Redemption, American Beauty, Finding Nemo & Finding Dory, 1917, and loads more. Now, Julia is picking up the family's film and tv scoring mantle, and the two of them recently co-scored Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, a dramatization of the Menendez brothers crimes. We use the series as a jumping off point for the conversation, regularly referring to and discussing it while also pivoting into broader conversations about collaboration, improvisation and working quickly, the use of theme and repetition, and plenty more. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is currently on Netflix, and Tom and Julia's score (as well as much of their other work) is available on all major platforms. 

Enjoying the Ride: On TourThe Deadcast season finale hits shows at 3 legendary venues, exploring Dick Latvala's transformative experience at Red Rocks ‘79, Hollie Rose's tour journal, the wonders of the Alpine Valley parking lot, & when Shakedown Street got its name.Guests: David Lemieux, Jay Kerley, Hollie Rose, Rebecca Adams, Bill Lemke, Phil Garfinkel, Jim Jonze, Tom Ryan, Art Moss, Lisa Hitchcock, David Van Divier, Scott Bauer, Julie Dock, Mobile SteeleSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we discuss the deeply suburban and highly neurotic dark dramedy American Beauty, directed by Sam Mendes. We follow Lester Burnham, an everyday executive, as he experiences a midlife crisis that tears at his familial bonds, while he falls deeper into his twisted obsession with his daughter's friend. Meanwhile, his materialistic wife Carolyn and alienated daughter Jane both grapple with their own suburban dysfunction. This middle-class tale from the turn of the millennium explores how warped self-fulfillment, rampant materialism, and spiritual imprisonment create a darkly hilarious combination in the form of a loneliness epidemic that breeds negativity beneath picture-perfect facades. As always, thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy our discussion. Where to watch the film: YouTube Amazon Send us film recommendations or feedback at: lefilmpodcast@gmail.com

Legit watch this movie... Samuel L. Jackson leads, Paul Giamatti supports, directed by F. Gary Gray (Friday, Fate of the Furious, "Waterfalls" by TLC)... this movie has everything! Gun fights, double crosses, conspiracies... erm, and Kevin Spacey... BUT it's worth the watch!DISCLAIMER: Language and Spoilers!! ... and Kevin Spacey...THE NEGOTIATORdir. F. Gary Graystarring: Samuel L. Jackson; David Morse; Kevin Spacey

Certainly there can't be anything problematic about #58 on the "film" list.Support us at our podcasting network, Podcastio Podcastius at https://www.patreon.com/podcastiopodcastius.  You'll get early episodes of this and out other podcasts, along with a live chat here and there.Speaking of our other podcasts - seriously, you could only listen to various other configurations of us:Luke Loves Pokemon: https://lukelovespkmn.transistor.fm/Time Enough Podcast (Twilight Zone): https://timeenoughpodcast.transistor.fm/Game Game Show (a game show gaming games): https://gamegameshow.transistor.fm/Occult Disney: https://occultdisney.transistor.fm/Podcast: 1999 (where Mark and Matt rap about 70's tv sci-fi): https://podcast1999.transistor.fm/And Matt makes music here:https://rovingsagemedia.bandcamp.com/Coming Soon:The Master of Disguise Avengers: Infinity War Gunday

Movie of the Year: 1999ElectionWhy Election Still Wins in 2025Election (1999), directed by Alexander Payne, is more than a high school satire—it's a prescient political commentary that resonates even more strongly today. In this episode of the Movie of the Year podcast, our panel dissects the themes, characters, and real-world connections that make the 1999 film Election a lasting cultural touchstone. Whether you're a cinephile, a political junkie, or just love smart storytelling, this episode is for you.Tracy Flick: Ambition MisunderstoodReese Witherspoon's portrayal of Tracy Flick has become iconic—a name synonymous with hyper-ambition. But is she the villain the culture made her out to be? Our hosts dig into Tracy's motivations, the pressures she faces, and why she remains such a lightning rod in discussions about women in power. We also explore how Tracy has been unfairly weaponized in political commentary and what her character says about gender dynamics in leadership.Related Link:Tracy Flick and the Misogyny of Ambition – The AtlanticMultiple Narrators: A Study in SubjectivityOne of Election's standout narrative techniques is its use of multiple unreliable narrators. The podcast explores how shifting points of view from characters like Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) and Tracy Flick enhance the story's depth. By hearing each character's internal monologue, viewers are invited to question their judgments and reconsider the "truth" behind every action.This layered storytelling approach reflects the film's central themes of bias, self-deception, and moral relativism—perfect fodder for a podcast discussion.The Real-Life Politics of ElectionAt its core, Election is a biting political allegory. Our panel draws parallels between the film's student election and the real-world electoral process, both in 1999 and today. We discuss how the film anticipates the rise of personality-driven campaigns, performative outrage, and the weaponization of narrative control.From Clinton-era scandals to 21st-century political polarization, Election serves as a surprisingly accurate mirror of American democracy. We also examine the cultural aftershocks of Tracy Flick's character, who continues to be cited in political discourse more than two decades later.External Resources:IMDb: Election (1999)Roger Ebert's Review of ElectionRevisiting the 1999 Season: American Beauty in the SpotlightAs part of their ongoing mission to revisit the films of their first 1999 season, The Taste Buds also take a fresh look at American Beauty in this episode. They reflect on how the film has aged, explore its themes in the context of today's culture, and consider how its reputation has evolved. This bonus discussion offers added value for long-time listeners and new fans exploring the best films of 1999 through a modern lens.Final Thoughts: Election Still Gets Our VoteMore than two decades after its release, Election remains eerily relevant and endlessly entertaining. Through nuanced performances, clever storytelling, and bold satire, Alexander Payne crafted a film that continues to spark debate. This episode of Movie of the Year unpacks all that and more, providing listeners with a thoughtful and engaging breakdown of why...

Lester Burnham, 42 anni, vive in una tipica villetta americana con la moglie Carolyn e la figlia Jane. Lavora in un'azienda pubblicitaria che disprezza, è annoiato, demotivato e invisibile nella propria vita. Carolyn è una donna ossessionata dal controllo e dalle apparenze, mentre Jane è un'adolescente introversa e distante. La narrazione si apre con la voce fuori campo di Lester, che ci dice apertamente che tra un anno sarà morto. È l'inizio di un racconto di disillusione e risveglio. Il quartiere appare perfetto in superficie, ma già si percepisce una profonda ipocrisia di fondo. La famiglia vive insieme, ma è separata emotivamente. L'arrivo dei nuovi vicini, i Fitts, mette in moto un lento cambiamento. Jane nota subito il figlio Ricky, uno strano ragazzo che filma tutto ciò che lo circonda. Intanto Lester comincia a osservare il mondo con uno sguardo cinico e rassegnato.Il film di questa puntata è American Beauty.Con la collaborazione di Fabiola Berretta (Curiosità), Mariangela Ungaro (Cinema d'ascolto), Giulio Tiezzi (Critica), Fernanda Cherubini (Cast), Marco Pieroni (voce narrante).

The Deadcast cruises down the eastern seaboard, including stops in Hartford, Hampton, Philadelphia, and Landover, featuring touring tips, another police chase, & a visit to the White House.Guests: David Lemieux, Sam Cutler, Dennis Alpert, Tyler Roy-Hart, David Leopold, John Leopold, Rebecca Adams, Brian Schiff, Gary Lambert, Chris Goodspace, Winslow Colwell, Scott Jones, Chad EylerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How available are our deepest emotions?Following recent episodes on the concept of 'style as substance', this week's episode looks to Sam Mendes' iconic 1999 drama, American Beauty, to contemplate how we can access the epitome of style.We also briefly discuss:Office Space (1999) d. Mike JudgePlaytime (1967) d. Jacques TatiContact UsEmail: contact@jimmybernasconi.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmsfortoday/

Lindsey Campbell interviews Julia Berman (producer) about the feature film GRIFFIN IN SUMMER. See it as part of Rainbow Visions Film Festival on Sat May 17th at 7:15 pm at the Metro Cinema. In GRIFFIN IN SUMMER an aspiring young playwright Griffin Nafly, summer break means it's time to stage another dramatic new play, this time an ambitious cross between "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" and "American Beauty." However, his producer and cast members are starting to get distracted by more trivial (aka: fun) teen pursuits, so Griffin's attention shifts toward the hunky handyman (Owen Teague) his mom has hired to do some light renos around the house. Finding himself utterly smitten, but also seeing Brad as a peer and kindred creative spirit, Griffin embarks on a potentially life-changing summer.

The decade wraps up with one beautifully crafted but disturbingly hollow Best Picture, and one beloved franchise returning with a controversial entry. Recurring guest/victim of scheduling Munsi Parker-Munroe is back for the takes, joining Claire, Erin, and Dan in being mad at how well made American Beauty is in spite of the troubling central themes and lead actor, then digging into Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, looking for the few good scenes and asking whether a story about how fascism takes root in a decadent democracy is aided or undermined by a CG fart clown. Tune in and find out how Phantom Menace does as a Star War, and which aged worse: American Beauty or Gone With the Wind?Find all of our episodes and the rest of Writing Therapy Productions' various entertainments at www.writingtherapyproductions.com

You're likely thinking of American Beauty, not American Pie. In American Beauty (1999), Kevin Spacey plays Lester Burnham, a disillusioned suburban father experiencing a midlife crisis. And yes, Lester is a strong example of involuntary psychological regression.Here's why:Involuntary Regression in Lester Burnham: • Reverting to an earlier identity: Lester tries to reclaim his youth by quitting his job, smoking weed, working out, and lusting after his teenage daughter's friend—behavior more typical of a reckless adolescent than a middle-aged man. • Coping with powerlessness: His regression is a reaction to feeling emasculated, bored, and trapped in a life devoid of meaning. Rather than confronting these feelings maturely, he slips into fantasy and impulsive behavior. • Midlife crisis as regression: His crisis is framed as a desperate escape into a glorified version of his past—when he felt freer, more desirable, and in control.So yes, Lester's arc is a textbook case of involuntary regression as a defense mechanism—attempting to avoid existential despair by fleeing into a younger, idealized version of himself.Would you like this broken down for podcast discussion or teaching notes?___________________________Regression and Mental HealthIn this episode, the hosts explore regression—psychological, social, and racial—and the importance of pivoting for personal growth.Topics Covered: • Psychological Regression: Understanding regression as a defense mechanism and the role of therapies like CBT in fostering positive change. • Personal Stories: Insights into self-sabotage, perfectionism, and strategies to overcome them. • Societal Regression: Discussion on racial regression in the U.S., including challenges to affirmative action and DEI initiatives. • Cultural Regression: Examination of individuals clinging to outdated roles, particularly in gang culture. • Popular Culture: Analysis of regression themes in films like American Beauty and commentary on celebrity cases. • Moving Forward: Emphasis on self-assessment, adaptability, and seeking support when needed.

The Deadcast makes a beeline for the northeast, focusing on shows from legendary venues in the Manhattan and Boston areas included on the new Enjoying the Ride box, including ESP experiments, weed smuggling, free jazz titans, multiple police chases, and more.Guests: David Lemieux, Ron Rakow, Sam Cutler, Richie Pechner, Allan Arkush, Ned Lagin, Gary Lambert, Blair Jackson, Stanley Krippner, Rebecca Adams, Johnny Dwork, John Scher, Michael Simmons, Tyler Roy-Hart, Henry K, Howie Levine, Kenny Schiff, Debbie RondeauSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nicky B is a comedian & producer working in Chicago, Illinois. Catch his latest production, TALKYOSHXT, once a month and have yourself a glorious evening!

Diving into the Grateful Dead album American Beauty. Email: songlinesandtanlines@gmail.com YouTube Nature Channel: Verse of Nature YouTube Horror Channel: Disembodied ScreamsInstagram: aparrotheaddad

The Deadcast's tour of Enjoying the Ride trucks all the way to the East Bay, exploring beloved venues including the Greek Theater & Kaiser Auditorium, with tales of the Hog Farm's Skeleton Crew & vintage field recordings from Oakland Coliseum Arena's parking lot. Guests: David Lemieux, Ron Rakow, Kevin Schmevin, Mark Pinkus, Blair Jackson, Steve Silberman, Rebecca Adams, David Gans, Johnny Dwork, Tyler Roy-Hart, Steven Bernstein, Robert Nyberg, Chad KroegerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Lauren and Michelle get candid about grief and the emotional rollercoaster that was their post-Zanies show high. With the sixth anniversary of their dead mom's passing, they open up about how loss has shaped them as women.They also get into the headlines (because why not feel all the emotions at once?), reflect on the wild ride of their latest Zanies show, and debate whether a "new mom bonus" is a real gift or just society's way of saying “good luck, you're on your own.”It's heartfelt, it's hilarious, and yeah—there might be tears... but also some belly laughs. Because even in the darkest moments, there's healing in humor.Hot Topics: Adolescence (Netflix), death anniversary rituals, and An American Beauty.Resources:Ballet Flats for DinnerCozy Convo MerchCozy AF Candle LineSign Up For Our NewsletterThank you to our sponsors, Crescent Moon Therapy and Lemolade

WELCOME TO THE BANK ROBBERY CAPITAL OF AMERICA!! The Town Full Reaction Watch Along: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects With The Accountant 2 Reviews, , Andrew & John are back for The Town Reaction, Recap, Commentary, Analysis, & Spoiler Review!! Download PrizePicks today at https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/RE... & use code REJECTS to get $50 instantly when you play $5! Join Andrew Gordon (Cinepals) and John Humphrey as they dive into The Town - the gritty 2010 crime thriller co‑written, directed by, and starring Ben Affleck. Set in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood, the film follows seasoned bank robber Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck, celebrated for Gone Baby Gone and Argo) as he masterminds high‑stakes heists while evading the relentless pursuit of FBI Agent Adam Frawley (Jon Hamm - Mad Men, Baby Driver)... However, after a tense opening Bank Robbery, Doug finds himself drawn to Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall - The Prestige, Vicky Cristina Barcelona), the bank manager-turned-hostage, striking up an unexpected relationship that forces him to question his life of crime. Rounding out the ensemble is Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) as Doug's loose-cannon right hand man, Pete Postlethwaite (The Usual Suspects, Inception) brings intensity as Doug's volatile employer, Fergie aka The Florist, Blake Lively (Gossip Girl, A Simple Favor) adds depth as Doug's childhood friend Krista, Chris Cooper (Oscar‑winner for Adaptation and American Beauty) grounds the family drama, and Titus Welliver (celebrated for Bosch and Lost) heightens the tension in a memorable supporting role. Andrew & John break down every unforgettable moment—from the pulse‑pounding opening heist with the skeleton masks, the nail‑biting Nun Robbery Sequence, and the climactic shootout beneath Boston's historic Fenway Park... Discover how Affleck's raw direction and the powerhouse performances elevate this character‑driven thriller into a modern Boston classic! Follow Andrew Gordon on Socials:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieSource Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/agor711/?hl=en Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Agor711 Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Apparel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ Follow Us On Socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/  Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reelrejects?lang=en Twitter: https://x.com/reelrejects Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad:  Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... POWERED BY @GFUEL Visit https://gfuel.ly/3wD5Ygo and use code REJECTNATION for 20% off select tubs!! Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow TheReelRejects On FACEBOOK, TWITTER, & INSTAGRAM:  FB:  https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/thegregalba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For their 195th episode, two imposter film critics, two murderous dads, and two non-Italian school teachers, Will Johnson and Don Shanahan, stay in the monumental year of 1999 for one more week with another cornerstone film. Lapped at the time by the likes of "The Matrix," "American Beauty," "Magnolia," and "Fight Club," stands the late Anthony Minghella's salacious "The Talented Mr. Ripley" starring the early white-hot coals of Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Minghella's follow-up to his Oscar-winning "The English Patient," might have aged better than those previously mentioned 1999 bangers, and our guys are here to dote on its top-to-bottom lavishness. Come learn more and stay for the mutual love and respect that fun movies encapsulate. Enjoy our podcast!https://discord.gg/N6MKWXU2https://www.teepublic.com/user/ruminationsradionetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/cinephilehissyfit/https://www.instagram.com/casablancadon/Twitter: https://twitter.com/CinephileFitwww.RuminationsRadioNetwork.comwww.instagram.com/RuminationsRadioNetworkTwitter: RuminationsRadioNetwork@RuminationsNProduction by Mitch Proctor for Area 42 Studios and SoundEpisode Artwork by Charles Langley for Area 42 Studios and Soundhttps://www.patreon.com/RuminationsRadiohttps://everymoviehasalesson.com/https://ruminationsradio.transistor.fm/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Voor het eerst een aflevering die actueel én vanop afstand is! Een eenmalig experiment via zoom dus, omdt vandaag iHostage te zien is op Netflix. Dat is een film van regisseur en vage kennis Bobby Boermans. De perfecte gelegenheid om elkaar nog eens te horen en hem 3 films te laten kiezen uit mijn kast. Zijn keuze viel op: Se7en (1995, Fincher) American Beauty (1999, Sam Mendes) Arrival (2016, Denis Villeneuve) Daarnaast hebben we het ook nog over iHostage, The Dark Knight en Daens, begot. Veel luisterplezier!

The Deadcast begins our virtual tour of the new Enjoying the Ride box, visiting the cradle of the Dead in Palo Alto/Menlo Park (with a detour to visit the Warlocks' earliest shows) before heading to San Francisco with stops at the Fillmore West and Winterland.Guests: Connie Bonner Mosley, Ron Rakow, Ned Lagin, Ron Pietrowski, Tyler Roy-Hart, Les Earnest, Doug Oade, Eric Schwartz, Blair Jackson, Michael Parrish, Dominic Stefano, David LemieuxSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is 'A Minecraft Movie' going to be the biggest hit of 2025? Do young people know or care about The Beatles? What was the inspiration behind Charlie Brooker's seminal 'Black Mirror'? Like many parents across the world, Marina watched the Jack Black and Jason Momoa fronted Minecraft movie on the weekend. How has a video game based off chopping wood become the biggest cultural phenomenon of the 21st century? Black Mirror returns to our screens this week, but what is the secret behind Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones' continued success with the Netflix hit? Finally, we look at the news American Beauty and Bond director Sam Mendes will release four Beatles biopics in the same month - starring heartthrobs Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Barry Keoghan and Joseph Quinn. But do Gen-Z even know who they are? Recommendations: Marina: The Accidental Soldier, Owain Mulligan Join The Rest Is Entertainment Club for ad free listening and access to bonus episodes: www.therestisentertainment.com Sign up to our newsletter: www.therestisentertainment.com Twitter: @‌restisents Instagram: @‌restisentertainment YouTube: @‌therestisentertainment Email: therestisentertainment@goalhanger.com Producer: Joey McCarthy
 Senior Producer: Neil Fearn Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude Video Producers: Kieron Lesley + Harry Swan + Charlie Rothwell
 Executive Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the 50th anniversary reissue of Tiger Rose, we explore the lost story of Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia's only full-length studio collaboration, the Dead lyricist's 2nd solo album, produced by Garcia & performed by an all-star cast including Garcia, Mickey Hart, & Donna Jean Godchaux.Guests: Kathy Veda Vaughan Bogert, Mickey Hart, Barry Melton, Ron Rakow, Howie LevineSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the 2nd part of the Deadcast's Phil Lesh tribute, we get deep into his singular bass playing with Phil's son & bandmate Grahame, Phish's Mike Gordon, & musicologist Rob Collier, while touring Phil's high adventures with Ned Lagin, radio co-host Gary Lambert, & other friends.Guests: Grahame Lesh, Mike Gordon, Ned Lagin, David Crosby, David Lemieux, Gary Lambert, Rob CollierSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Deadcast begins its 11th season with a celebration of the Grateful Dead's Phil Lesh, drawing on archival interviews to explore his unusual trajectory from jazz trumpet to avant-garde composition to rock and roll bass, and welcoming special guest Mike Gordon of Phish.Guests: Mike Gordon, Oteil Burbridge, Sam Cutler, David Lemieux, Gary LambertSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kelly is to talk with Paxton about vagrants you meet on the street and in the park. Do you get notifications on your watch, I hope not. We check in with Ken Yasger and talk American Beauty. Pick up your litter and get off the hands free phone guys, if you're of a certain age. https://linktr.ee/FromBehindTheBarcast

referencesGuerra DJ 2025. General Immuno-Neurobiochemical lecturesPlant&Page. "Rain Song" LZIV.https://open.spotify.com/track/3JLrri1xSCui3bzITDJbkk?si=c4ff9d466c2d455fHunter/Garcia. 1970 "Attics of my Life" American Beauty lp. GDhttps://open.spotify.com/track/6WeLHc9eLjVJqOKhd97vaK?si=efeead325f094519Schubert F. 1828. Piano Sonata in B flat Major. #15. D960https://open.spotify.com/track/7H3UCOtOQhmvKaC3QA0h7p?si=312dc808cbf64a5b

It's Oscars week and also the 25th anniversary of American Beauty somehow winning Best Picture for the all-time movie year that was 1999. On this week's episode, Seth attempts to suffocate Sam Mendes's dark dramedy with its stupid floating plastic bag (with the help of Jason Baxter). We get into the protagonist being a wannabe pedophile, the script's horrendous scenes, the lack of comedic editing, bad improv scene-level acting, it's regressive nature despite thinking it's super edgy, stolen Austin Powers bits, how many 1999 films do elements of what it's failing at way, way, way better, and more.

1999 was a golden year for movies.That year saw the release of The Matrix, American Beauty, and Fight Club - which remain some of my all time favourites.The latter two are particular compelling as I look through my present-day lens and what they had to say about men & masculinity at the end of the millennium.Both American Beauty & Fight Club depict similar themes of (white) men grappling with middle-class consumerism and a lack of potency, trapped in a meaningless existence.In American Beauty, Lester Burnham opens the film by detailing his boring life - from the teenager who hates him, to his wife who doesn't respect him, and his cubicle dwelling job sucking his soul. The high point of his day is “jerking off in the shower.”Tyler Durden, the rebellious bad boy in Fight Club, tells the Narrator (who lives a similar flat-line as Lester):"Men have become mortgages, marriages, car payments, and fucking cable bills. We are the middle children of history, no purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War is a spiritual war... our Great Depression is our lives.”We could label Lester & the Narrator as living the archetype of The Domestic Man.What's fascinating for me is to observe how each of these men respond to their intolerable condition, and how that relates to the theme of “finding the Wild Man” that Robert Bly speaks about in the fairy tale of Iron John.In one of the teaching sessions I attended with Stephen Jenkinson, he asked us once: what is the most dangerous kind of animal?Some ventured to say “a wild animal.”He made the case that was untrue. For while a wild animal may be hazardous to humans, it is living connected to its nature and the pulse of life. A more dangerous creature that is often unpredictable and malevolent in its behaviour?The name for that is “feral” he told us.This is a creature that has failed to be domesticated.I think of this in the arc of Tyler Durden and The Narrator in Flight Club. What begins as an underground men's group, committed to living raw and alive again, morphs into a revolutionary cell (Project Mayhem) that attacks the data centres of credit card companies, aimed at liberating a new society.It remains somewhat ambiguous whether this actually happens or if it's a fantasy of the Narrator's psychosis.Now, while you may agree that predatory debt needs to be unshackled from humanity (as I do) you may have issues with the tactics. And it's clear the tone of the revolutionary effort becomes poisoned with toxic ideology.You could call this response 'feral'.For Lester Burnham in American Beauty, his inner fire is reawakened by an encounter with his daughter's teenage friend, a nymph-like cheerleader that becomes an inspiration for his salvation. (You might say she has taken on his anima projection - the erotic feminine in him he has suppressed).Suddenly, he finds the courage to quit is job, start lifting weights, smoke pot, and tell off his wife. He's a middle-aged man regressing back to his teen years to remember what it was like to actually enjoy life.Lester is aided by the young Buddha-like neighbour Ricky Fitts, who operates within society from a place of conscious non-attachment, preferring to film every moment of beauty that he comes across - including the infamous plastic bag dancing in the wind.In the scene where Ricky is watching the footage with his girlfriend, he says:"There's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once. And it's beautiful. […] It's like God wants me to notice it. To recognize all this beauty. Maybe it's the secret that the whole universe is trying to tell us. Something, we all know deep down but we all kind of forgot. And I don't know if my heart is gonna explode or what. But I'm grateful. I am so grateful.”The moment itself is a portal into wonder, for the characters and for the millions of viewers who saw the film.It certainly was for me, watching the film at 18 years old.Near the end of the film, Lester Burham awakens from the spell he had cast upon his daughter's girlfriend. She was not the Goddess incarnate, just an insecure young girl who was terrified of rejection. His character softens to her and he becomes more like a supportive Father.Lester realizes he has no one else to blame for his life. He had abandoned himself, convinced that it was someone else's job to “save him.”Robert A. Johnson would call this finally slaying his inner Mother Complex.Robert Bly might say, he has freed the Wild Man from the cage.It is now his task to cultivate his own connection to the primal erotic foundation of life.Today, many men find themselves in a similar predicament.Buried under mortgages, parenting, the daily grind of a job, lacking a deeper sense of direction & purpose.These days, it's “easier” then ever to get lost in addictions, distractions, and despair.And yet, there are a growing number of men willing to “seek the golden ball” that they lost long ago, and step up to the Wild Man's cage.With this in mind, my collaborator Deus and I have crafted a 3 month online journey: The Deep Masculine.This immersion brings together over a decade of exploration into mythopoetic maps, somatic skills, ritual rhythm, and the power of brotherhood - for men to awaken their primal birthright.The doors re-open March 14th.Today more than ever, we need men ablaze with courage, fiercely in love with life, and willing to bow in service to beauty.Onwards,Ianp.s. For men able to join us on Vancouver Island, you are invited to our next Awakening the Wild Erotic (April 4-6, 2025). Get full access to The Mythic Masculine at themythicmasculine.substack.com/subscribe

En Cine de barra nos encanta el cine, pero también nos gusta desmontar mitos, y ese es el motivo de hablar sobre pelis sobrevaloradas. En este episodio, Plissken y Benalmadelman se han atrevido a poner en la diana algunas películas que, en nuestra humilde y cervecera opinión, están más infladas que el ego de Vin Diesel. Hemos hablado de La vida es bella, porque sí, es emotiva, pero si quieres llorar mejor córtate una cebolla. Belle Époque ganó un Oscar, pero… ¿alguien la recuerda realmente? El proyecto de la bruja de Blair nos enseñó que con una cámara temblorosa y mucho marketing se puede hacer historia. Luego está No es país para viejos, que más que un thriller parece una meditación sobre los malos cortes de pelo. Black Panther, no nos gustó… A ver, que sí, que representatividad y todo eso, pero la historia es una sucesión de tópicos reciclados, giros previsibles y momentos que parecen sacados de un manual de guion estándar de Hollywood. Un protagonista sin carisma, una trama política que no se sostiene y un conflicto resuelto de la forma más aburrida posible. Si esto es la revolución del cine de superhéroes, apaga y vámonos. Hable con ella y Todo sobre mi madre son el sello Almodóvar, pero con más premios que sustancia (que no falte el melodrama, claro). ¿Y qué me dices de En tierra hostil? ¿O Titanic, que nos vendió un romance imposible cuando claramente cabían los dos en la tabla? Avatar es azul y digital, sí, pero más vacía que una charla en Tinder. Mystic River y El gran Lebowski… bueno, Jeff Bridges mola, pero la peli no tanto. American Beauty nos intentó vender la bolsa de plástico como arte y Los otros… bueno, ya sabíamos todos que algo raro pasaba. Si quieres escuchar cómo desmontamos estos mitos con más humor que criterio, dale al play. Y recuerda: decir que una peli está sobrevalorada no es odio, es solo sentido común con una pizca de envidia cinematográfica.

ReferencesCells. 2020 Sep; 9(9): 2125.Cancer Res (2011) 71 (2): 293–297Sci Adv. 2024 Mar 13;10(11):eadg9278Hunter/Garcia. 1971. "Bertha" Skulls&Roses lp. Grateful Dead.https://open.spotify.com/track/3ZYSrBWQXYgTe4tyKKIZ0D?si=3764c0c011534774Hunter/Garcia.1970. "Ripple" American Beauty lp. Grateful Deadhttps://open.spotify.com/track/4aQ8mFkZU6dmHaZOOKdscc?si=ae193962cea14cb9Beethoven, LV. 1806. Violin Concerto in D Major. Op.61https://open.spotify.com/album/2mGui9Kkdq2lym2QxrdrL3?si=LMVX0n_6SCmnFhagRuMB8A

Carl Anderson is a singer-songwriter from Virginia. His song swirls around like that plastic bag in the scene from American Beauty. A surprising unassuming clandestine charm that catches you unawares and then settles at your feet until the wind kicks up again. I have been a fan of his ever since we played a show together at the Bluebird in Nashville maybe like seven years ago. The way he sings is like no one else. You have to hear it for yourself (in this episode, you will).I'm so excited he's part of this show we're doing in a few weeks, at the Five Spot in East Nashville. Saturday February 15th. Carl is sharing some music, as is next week's guest, Abby Jane. Then I'll play a set with my new band, and then we're going to screen a world-premiere of the music video for my new song Meet Me at the End of the World, directed by MCP alum Mila Vilaplana. Throughout, Ryan Rado, who was on the pod a few weeks ago, is doing some live immersive painting. It's gonna be a great night and I'm very excited. If you live in Nashville here is a link for tickets.I've started making a new effort here on the podcast, which is to insert chapters into the YouTube video. For you it makes it easier to see the contours and compartments of the conversation (see below). For me it requires I listen back through the entire talk, which makes me reflect on what we discussed and whether it was worth it. So I know what I'm saying when I say this was a truly insightful and dare I say FUN conversation with a person for whom art's calling occupies a central position. Carl is serious about songmaking and unserious about its purpose. That is to say he holds the sacred cows lightly in his hand and only pets them when they ask. I am reminded that so much of the value in any conversation lay in its style, and not just its substance.We play a song together, his original, Separate Ways. Listen to the way he sings.Carl talks about what got him started on the creative path, his love for dancing, the pleasure of watching bad acting, Bob Dylan as the original troll, his in-and-out habit of fitness and its relationship to creativity, the strange and healthy beauty of having a job outside the industry.I share a little as well. What happened when I moved to Nashville twenty years ago. Why I burst into tears last week on my couch watching Fred Again's Tiny Desk Concert. How being yourself gives everyone else permission to be themselves too.Carl Anderson is a real one of one. I hope this conversation makes you want to finish the song you're working on. The Morse Code with Korby Lenker is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my music, writing and the Morse Code Podcast, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.00:00:00 Introduction/ In praise of Rock Club Owners00:04:27 In praise of Carl00:06:00 Carl reflects on his approach to songwriting00:07:27 Korby asks a weird question00:08:22 A story about roommates and song analysis00:09:27 How Carl got started songwriting00:11:19 When you realize that music is something you can do too00:12:01 Carl likes dancing00:13:14 Songwriting is a serious pursuit00:14:37 If you have musical talent you need to explore that00:16:13 Beethoven can't write a song like John Prine00:18:10 The new Bob Dylan movie and influence00:21:27 "Last time I talked to you you were pretty sober"00:24:21 Carl's take on health, fitness, and creativity00:29:54 Why did you move to Nashville Carl?00:35:23 Carl and Korby perform Separate Ways00:39:32 The stigma of employment when you're young00:43:02 Korby talks about his wake up call when he moved to Nashville 20 years ago00:46:04 Korby describes why he's doing this podcast00:46:36 Trying to not look too closely at what motivates you00:49:05 Do you want your kids to be artists?00:51:32 Fallow periods in the Life of an Artist00:52:40 The wonderful Dick Cavett show00:55:06 Watching cringe acting fascinates Carl00:55:46 Bob Dylan was the original troll00:58:10 "I'm not learning anything valuable here"00:58:40 Korby talks about the collaborative nature of film01:00:38 How Fred Again has inspired Korby in his novel01:04:52 "I used to want to be famous, I still do" but connection now too01:06:54 Korby and Carl reflect on meeting at the Bluebird01:07:50 A new season of collaboration starting with Feb 15 show!01:09:32 I am a very earnest person01:11:33 We had to stop because Carl must drive to Virginia Get full access to The Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe

We are getting ready to ring in the new year of the Snake, but first… A look back. Today, lesser known histories of the Bay's Chinese American community. Then, a unique San Francisco tradition embedded in local Lunar New Year celebrations: The Miss Chinatown USA pageant. The national legacy of Chinese American communities The making of a Chinese American beauty queen

In this episode Tammy interviews actress Mena Suvari to talk about her experiences with childhood trauma and her inspiring and transformative pathway to healing. Mena is author of the book “The Great Peace” which speaks to her experiences in this interview. Mena is most well known as her role in American Beauty & American Pie, She is an American actress, producer, fashion designer and model. The accolades she has received include a Screen Actors Guild Award, along with a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.Suvari has been a model for Lancôme cosmetics and print ads for Lancôme Paris Adaptîve, as well as a long-time supporter and activist for the Starlight Children's Foundation and the African Medical and Research Foundation. She is married and has one child.Interested in more from the Institute?The Parenting Handbook: Your Guide to Raising Resilient Children is the ultimate guide to nurturing emotional regulation, resiliency, connection, and well-being in children. Find out more here .Our parenting membership comes with over 100 Parenting & Mental Health Courses and more!. Click here . Listeners can take 40% OFF their annual membership (or $19.99/m). Get your 7-Day Free Trial today!Our professional membership offers affordable, accessible training all in one spot for mental health professionals! Find out more here.We have amazing free parenting content on:YoutubeInstagramFacebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this very special episode of Tales from the Green Room - recorded backstage at Terrapin Crossroads' Sunday Daydream Vol. 3 in San Rafael, CA on July 21, 2024, on what turned out to be the late Phil Lesh's final performance -  hosts Dennis Strazulo and Tami Larson sit down with legendary musician Stanley Jordan, Greg Loiacono (Greg Loiacano and Stingray, Mother Hips, and Jerry Saracini (Forgotten Space) all who shared the stage with Phil that day.  The conversation is steeped in rich history and bittersweet emotions as the musicians reflect on their personal journeys, the profound impact of Terrapin Crossroads and the teachings of Phil Lesh From Stanley Jordan's innovative "touch technique" to Greg Loiacono's stories of community and camaraderie with The Mother Hips, and Jerry Saracini's perspective on channeling energy through music, this episode celebrates the intersection of creativity, tradition, and transformation. The artists share deeply personal insights, explore the healing power of music, and pay homage to Phil Lesh's monumental contributions to the music world and their careers.Photo Gallery from Sunday Daydream Vol. 3 by Gabriel David BarkinTales of The Mekong Delta Bluesman by Son VoEpisode Highlights:Stanley Jordan: Shares his unique approach to guitar through his touch technique, blending influences from piano and jazz. Stanley delves into his role in Grateful Dead tributes and reveals exciting details about his upcoming album, Feather in the Wind. Deborah Barsotti, Educator and Music Therapist, joins the conversation to discuss her collaboration with Stanley supporting the mission of MusicOne empowering youth to grow and thrive and enabling mindfulness through music and performance.Greg Loiacono: Reflects on his journey with The Mother Hips, his discovery of the Grateful Dead songbook, and the serendipitous connections that led him to Terrapin Crossroads.Jerry Saracini: Discusses his passion for drumming, improvisation, and connecting with audiences. Jerry opens up about the distinct dynamics of playing Grateful Dead music and leading his band, Forgotten Space.Phil Lesh's Legacy: The trio honors Phil Lesh's vision for preserving the Grateful Dead's legacy and passing it on to new generations through family, community, and musical tradition.The Healing Power of Music: A deep dive into how music brings people together, builds communities, and creates a sense of belonging, with insights from Deborah Barsotti's work in music therapy and Stanley's reflections on cosmic energy.https://www.musicone.org/ - Deb Barsotti - Learn about this impactful organization fostering youth creativity through music educationQuotes from the Episode:"Today I made a special point of listening in particular to Phil and making sure the lines I was playing were compatible with Phil.”  - Stanley JordanI put American Beauty in my cassette player and when I heard Box of Rain for the first time “I started weeping, I started crying, and I had this very emotional experience.”" – Greg Loiacono“I feel like one of the lucky ones who lived in another city and yet somehow got wired into the rotation" of Terrapin Crossroads – "it felt like a home away from home.” - Jerry SaraciniListen Now:

The Deadcast concludes its dive into Robert Hunter's 1962 book, The Silver Snarling Trumpet (and its 10th season), exploring teenage Jerry Garcia's adventures with his friends Alan Trist and Brigid Meier in Palo Alto, and how this early scene gave way to the Grateful Dead.Guests: Alan Trist, Brigid Meier, Dennis McNallySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The BTS team discusses the film's intricate character web, the competing themes of façade and self-discovery, and how the project evolved dramatically from script to post-production. Fall Favorites Season Schedule: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/posts/announcing-our-114142028

To celebrate the Deadcast's 100th episode, we begin a 2-part special joined by the co-stars of Robert Hunter's newly-published 1962 book, the Silver Snarling Trumpet, a startling in-the-moment account of his and Jerry Garcia's formative years in Palo Alto.Guests: Alan Trist, Brigid Meier, Dennis McNallySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Deadcast uncovers the long-lost tape of the Dead & San Francisco's Sufi Choir at Winterland in 1971, telling its untold story with composer Allaudin Mathieu, finding hidden connections to big band jazz, longform improv comedy, & spirituality, plus an appearance by Wavy Gravy.Guests: Allaudin Mathieu, Wavy Gravy, Michael Parrish, John “Tex” Coate, Erik Davis, Christopher CoffmanSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Deadcast crosses the Blue Ridge Mountains for the Dead's only show in Huntington, West Virginia, including close looks at the innovative fashion and LSD scenes then emerging in Dead parking lots, and the conclusion of a rare 1978 interview with Jerry Garcia.Guests: Kathy Sublette, Rob Bleetstein, Bob Wagner, Bob Minkin, Jay Blakesberg, David Lemieux, Steve Silberman, Erik Davis, Annabelle WalshSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.