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We continue with The HAMLET Project, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. To our knowledge, this is the first long-form, open rehearsal of this play available online! So yes, something new with Shakespeare.
Send a text In this episode, first time guest Derek Schlender ("Schlender 5 Productions") joins the podcast. He brings along the movie Dragonheart. Marty and Clif give Derek the movie Rollerball to watch.Season 4 kicks off with a guest, and a double feature that couldn't be more different.Marty and Clif are joined by Derek Schlender to break down two films connected by spectacle, ambition, and wildly different results: Dragonheart (1996) and Rollerball (1975).First up is Dragonheart. Rob Cohen's mid-'90s fantasy epic starring Dennis Quaid and featuring Sean Connery as the voice of Draco, the last dragon. The crew digs into peak-'90s CGI, bad medieval wigs and whether nostalgia is the only thing keeping this cult fantasy afloat. Is it a charming kid's adventure? A tonal mess? A necessary stepping stone between Jurassic Park and Lord of the Rings? All of the above?Then it's on to Norman Jewison's Rollerball (1975), a dystopian sports thriller about corporate control, violent spectacle, and individualism crushed under the system. What starts as futuristic world-building turns into a surprisingly talky meditation on power, celebrity, and manufactured entertainment. #TalkingPondo #Dragonheart #Rollerball #FilmPodcast #90sMovies #CultCinema #FantasyFilm #DystopianFilm End of show plug by MartySupport the showFind our films here: The Love Song of William H Shaw Revenge of Zoe Writing Fren-ZeeMaking Pondo on FacebookX (formerly Twitter):@MakingPondoInstagramMaking Pondo on Letterboxd:Season One Season Two Season Three Season Four Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ PacePhotos by Geoffrey Notkin
On this episode of Day by Day, reading through the Bible, Dr. Clif explores how the book of Numbers highlights both human failure and God's unending faithfulness as the Israelites journey toward the Promised Land, reminding us that while unbelief has consequences, God's mercy never fails. Stick with reading through the Bible. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day, our journey through Romans, Dr. Clif explores how humanity's core problem is not ignorance of God's will, but our knowing rejection of it, emphasizing that God's moral standard is written on every heart and that His judgment is always just and proportionate. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day, our journey through Romans, Dr. Clif explores how our conscience reveals guilt and points us toward our need for Christ, emphasizing that feeling convicted isn't enough—we need the righteousness found only in Jesus. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day, our journey through Romans, Dr. Clif highlights that simply hearing sermons or knowing Scripture isn't enough—genuine faith is shown through spirit-led obedience and transformation, not just knowledge or church attendance. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day, our journey through Romans, Dr. Clif explains how God's judgment goes beyond outward actions to examine the motives and secrets of our hearts, offering both a warning to pretenders and comfort to the faithful through the covering of Christ. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
We continue with The HAMLET Project, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. To our knowledge, this is the first long-form, open rehearsal of this play available online! So yes, something new with Shakespeare.
Send a text In this episode, Marty gives Clif the movie Withnail and I to watch and Clif gives Marty the movie The Commitments to watch. Season 3 wraps with a British/Irish cult double feature.First up is Withnail and I (1987) - Bruce Robinson's chaotic, quotable portrait of two struggling actors at the tail end of the '60s. Marty and Clif explore its “British Fear and Loathing” energy, cult status, and surprising influence on American indie cinema.Then it's The Commitments (1991) - Alan Parker's story of working-class Dubliners forming a soul band with big dreams and fragile egos. What starts as a scrappy music underdog story becomes something sharper: a brutally honest look at ambition, creative tension, and why great bands fall apart.Along the way, they talk British cult film, music realism, indie influence, creative partnerships, and closing out a season that covered 72 films in nine months.Season 4 starts next week.#TalkingPondo #WithnailAndI #TheCommitments #SeasonFinale #FilmPodcast #CultCinema #BritishFilm #IrishCinema #IndieFilm #AlanParker Support the showFind our films here: The Love Song of William H Shaw Revenge of Zoe Writing Fren-ZeeMaking Pondo on FacebookX (formerly Twitter):@MakingPondoInstagramMaking Pondo on Letterboxd:Season One Season Two Season Three Season Four Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ PacePhotos by Geoffrey Notkin
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans, Dr. Clif mphasizes that spiritual privilege increases accountability before God, but also extends a greater invitation to respond to His grace through Christ, urging listeners to seek humility, repentance, and faith regardless of their background. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day reading through the Bible, Dr. Clif explains that while Leviticus may seem unfamiliar, it is central to understanding how God's holiness shapes every aspect of life, showing how sinful people can live with a holy God through sacrifice, priesthood, and pointing forward to Christ. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans Dr. Clif urges listeners to recognize the urgency of repentance, warning that delaying is dangerous, as God's patience is mercy with a deadline—not indifference—and that we must seek grace today rather than accumulate judgment. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans, Dr. Clif emphasizes that conviction is not condemnation but an invitation from God, urging listeners to respond to truth and grace with repentance, faith in Christ, and prayer for others. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans Dr. Clif explains that, according to Romans 2, every person is on one of two roads—obedience to God leading to eternal life, or obedience to self leading to destruction—so it's crucial to examine which path your life is truly on. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans, Dr. Clif emphasizes that while good works don't earn salvation, they serve as vital evidence of genuine faith, reflecting the transformation brought by the Holy Spirit. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans, Dr. Clif emphasizes that God shows no favoritism, judging everyone by the same standard, which humbles the proud, comforts the overlooked, and points to Christ as the only true hope for all. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans, Dr. Clif emphasizes that having spiritual privileges increases our responsibility to live out our faith, warning that simply being close to spiritual truth without genuine repentance and action can actually become a spiritual liability. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
We continue with The HAMLET Project, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. To our knowledge, this is the first long-form, open rehearsal of this play available online! So yes, something new with Shakespeare.
Send us a text In this episode, Marty gives Clif the movie The Border to watch and Clif gives Marty the movie The Last Detail to watch. This week on Talking Pondo, Marty and Clif stumble into a theme they didn't plan but couldn't ignore: Talking Nicholson.The connective tissue between this double feature is Jack Nicholson, starring in two very different films from two very different eras: Hal Ashby's The Last Detail (1973) and Tony Richardson's The Border (1982): both centered on authority, systems, and men trapped inside them.They start with The Last Detail, a funny, deeply melancholy road movie that finds Nicholson escorting a young sailor to an eight-year prison sentence for a petty crime. They dig into Ashby's “fried-out” '70s tone, lived-in performances, stark realism, and why the film's matter-of-fact ending lingers long after the credits roll.Then they move to The Border, an early-'80s studio film that feels both rougher and conflicted with itself. Nicholson's morally compromised border agent drifts through corruption, half-hearted redemption, and a system designed to chew people up. Marty and Clif explore the film's uneven tone, British director perspective, TV-movie aesthetics and the way Nicholson and Harvey Keitel elevate material that never quite comes together.Support the showFind our films here: The Love Song of William H Shaw Revenge of Zoe Writing Fren-ZeeMaking Pondo on FacebookX (formerly Twitter):@MakingPondoInstagramMaking Pondo on Letterboxd:Season One Season Two Season Three Season Four Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ PacePhotos by Geoffrey Notkin
On this episode of Day by Day, Reading Through the Bible, Dr. Clif introduces the Book of Exodus, highlighting how God delivers His people from slavery, demonstrates His faithfulness and power, gives them the law after redeeming them, and ultimately dwells among them, emphasizing that salvation comes before obedience.
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans, Dr. Clif emphasizes that God's judgment is perfectly fair, unwaveringly righteous, and not influenced by favoritism or excuses, making our only hope the righteousness found in Christ. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
We continue with The HAMLET Project, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. To our knowledge, this is the first long-form, open rehearsal of this play available online! So yes, something new with Shakespeare.
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans, Dr. Clif emphasizes that our minds are always moving towards either spiritual renewal or rebellion, and true transformation comes through surrendering to God's work in us, not by our own effort. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans, Dr. Clif explores how the discomfort we feel about our spiritual condition is actually God's mercy inviting us to repentance and faith in Christ, who offers grace instead of condemnation. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
Send us a text In this episode, first time guest Ben Apuan joins the podcast. He brings along the movie Clerks. Marty and Clif give Ben the movie Say Anything to watch.This week on Talking Pondo, Marty and Clif are joined by Ben from Chasing the Whimsy for a deep dive into two landmark films that helped define independent cinema: Cameron Crowe's Say Anything (1989) and Kevin Smith's Clerks (1994).On the surface, these movies couldn't be more different. One is a heartfelt, romantic coming-of-age story, the other a black-and-white, foul-mouthed retail comedy. But together, they capture the shifting cultural moment between the late '80s and early '90s, when indie filmmakers proved you didn't need studio polish to say something real.The conversation digs into Clerks as a once-in-a-lifetime debut: it's handmade feel, sharp dialogue, budget-driven creativity, and the birth of the View Askewniverse. From newspaper machines and 37 infamous confessions to Jay & Silent Bob's unlikely legacy, the crew explores why Kevin Smith's $33,000 gamble still resonates decades later.They also connect the dots between both films through music, tone, first-time directors, and a shared DNA of alternative cinema that celebrate authenticity over perfection.Support the showFind our films here: The Love Song of William H Shaw Revenge of Zoe Writing Fren-ZeeMaking Pondo on FacebookX (formerly Twitter):@MakingPondoInstagramMaking Pondo on Letterboxd:Season One Season Two Season Three Season Four Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ PacePhotos by Geoffrey Notkin
On this episode of Day by Day Reading Through the Bible. Dr. Clif gives an overview of the book of Genesis, highlighting its role as the foundation of the Bible, its major themes and characters, and emphasizing how God's purpose and promises unfold from creation through the lives of imperfect people. Read the Bible, Stick With It "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.ord
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans, Dr. Clif urges believers to resist celebrating or approving what God condemns, emphasizing the importance of speaking truth and loving people well—even when it's difficult or unpopular. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
We continue with The HAMLET Project, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. To our knowledge, this is the first long-form, open rehearsal of this play available online! So yes, something new with Shakespeare.
Send us a text In this episode, Marty gives Clif the movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to watch and Clif gives Marty the movie Wind River to watch. This week on Talking Pondo, Clif Campbell and Marty Ketola celebrate the show's two-year anniversary with a wildly mismatched double feature.First up is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990), the surprise hit comic book movie that also happens to be the first film Clif and Marty ever reviewed together. They revisit its surprisingly dark tone, Jim Henson creature work, early appearances by future stars, and why this PG-rated movie still feels more adult than anyone remembers.Then things turn sharply with Wind River (2017), the haunting conclusion to Taylor Sheridan's unofficial frontier trilogy. The conversation digs into its themes of violence, justice, isolation, and why this powerful trilogy feels frustratingly unfinished.Along the way: listener mail, Pondo origin stories, movie nostalgia, and reflections on how 1990 impacted film. #TalkingPondo #TMNT1990 #WindRiver #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #ComicBookMovies #90sMovies #TaylorSheridan Support the showFind our films here: The Love Song of William H Shaw Revenge of Zoe Writing Fren-ZeeMaking Pondo on FacebookX (formerly Twitter):@MakingPondoInstagramMaking Pondo on Letterboxd:Season One Season Two Season Three Season Four Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ PacePhotos by Geoffrey Notkin
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans, Dr. Clif explains that God's judgment sometimes means letting people follow their own desires, but through Christ, God also offers grace that restores and redeems the human mind. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day, what to look for when looking for a church. Today Dr. Clif and his guest center on identifying and cultivating churches that are word centered, gospel centered, Christ centered, and missions focused, emphasizing that these foundational traits are essential for meaningful, lasting ministry and growth. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans, Dr. Clif explains that when humanity rejects God's rule over the mind, it experiences not just cultural decay but divine judgment—yet hope remains through the renewing power of the Gospel and prayer. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans, Dr. Clif mphasizes that for true renewal and stability in faith, God must be allowed to continually reign over our minds rather than being given only occasional acknowledgment. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
On this episode of Day by Day our Journey Through Romans, Dr. Clif explains that, according to Paul's teachings in Romans chapter one, humanity is not just touched by sin but entirely saturated with it, and only through fully confronting this condition can true healing and renewal through Christ begin. "Interested in becoming a devoted follower of Christ?" Go to follow.lifeword.org
We continue with The HAMLET Project, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. To our knowledge, this is the first long-form, open rehearsal of this play available online! So yes, something new with Shakespeare.
John E and Clif G share on the topic of conscious contact for part two at Vision For You Group in Cambridge, OH 2020
Send us a text In this episode, Marty gives Clif the movie The Party Animal to watch and Clif gives Marty the movie Bad Day At Black Rock to watch. This week on Talking Pondo, Marty and Clif take on two films that couldn't be more different, yet somehow define everything about the show.First up is Bad Day at Black Rock (1955), a tight, 82-minute neo-western starring Spencer Tracy. The conversation digs into its post-WWII paranoia, small-town hostility, and why the film's restraint and structure still feel refreshing nearly 70 years later.Then it's time for the main event: The Party Animal (1984), the movie that quite literally gave birth to Pondo. Marty and Clif break down the cult college comedy that shaped their sense of humor, introduced them to punk music, and inspired the name Pondo's Children Productions. From its skit-based structure and mock-documentary style to its outrageous gags, bizarre musical numbers, and infamous dream sequence, The Party Animal is examined both lovingly and mercilessly.#FilmPodcast #MovieDiscussion #CultClassic #80sMovies #ClassicFilm #TalkingPondo #ThePartyAnimal #BadDayAtBlackRock #CultMoviesSupport the showFind our films here: The Love Song of William H Shaw Revenge of Zoe Writing Fren-ZeeMaking Pondo on FacebookX (formerly Twitter):@MakingPondoInstagramMaking Pondo on Letterboxd:Season One Season Two Season Three Season Four Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ PacePhotos by Geoffrey Notkin
John E and Clif G share on the topic “Came To Believe” for the Vision For You Group in Cambridge, ON 2020
We continue with The HAMLET Project, where we explore one scene (or section) of Shakespeare's Hamlet - one month at a time. To our knowledge, this is the first long-form, open rehearsal of this play available online! So yes, something new with Shakespeare.
Send us a text In this episode, first time guest Robert Linden joins the podcast. He brings along the movie I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. Marty and Clif give Robert the movie Enter The Dragon to watch.Join us for a high-kick double feature that pairs martial arts legends with razor-sharp parody: Enter the Dragon (1973) and I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988).The episode breaks down why Enter the Dragon remains the gold standard of martial arts cinema, from Bruce Lee's unmatched screen presence, fight choreography, and the movie's lasting impact on action cinema.Then the crew pivots into full satire mode with Keenan Ivory Wayans' I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, a fearless, R-rated send-up of 1970s blaxploitation. With a stacked cast including Isaac Hayes, Jim Brown, Chris Rock, John Witherspoon and more, the film is unpacked as both a loving homage and a brutally funny critique of the genre's excesses.#TalkingPondo,#FilmPodcast,#MoviePodcast,#FilmDiscussion,#CultMovies,#EnterTheDragon,#BruceLee,#ImGonnaGitYouSucka,#KeenenIvoryWayans,#Blaxploitation,#MartialArtsMovies,#KungFuCinema,#ActionMovies,#ComedyFilmsSupport the showFind our films here: The Love Song of William H Shaw Revenge of Zoe Writing Fren-ZeeMaking Pondo on FacebookX (formerly Twitter):@MakingPondoInstagramMaking Pondo on Letterboxd:Season One Season Two Season Three Season Four Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ PacePhotos by Geoffrey Notkin
Dr Philip Smith, Digital and Education Editor of Gut and Honorary Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, UK interviews Professor Jun Li from the State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China on the paper "Performance of the China-CLIF framework in acute-on-chronic liver failure: a multicohort study across all aetiologies" published in paper copy in Gut in January 2026. Please subscribe to the Gut podcast on your favourite platform to get the latest podcast every month. If you enjoy our podcast, you can leave us a review or a comment on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/3UOTwqS) or Spotify (https://spoti.fi/3Ifxq9p).
Send us a text In this episode, Marty gives Clif the movie Hot Shots! to watch and Clif gives Marty the movie They Came Together to watch. In a special bonus to this episode Marty and Clif are joined by two very special guests, Kyle and Zuzu Weingart, to discuss their latest film "Cuisine de la 'Pocalypse".First up is Hot Shots!, the slick Top Gun spoof starring Charlie Sheen. The guys revisit the Zucker–Abrahams era of rapid-fire satire, debating diminishing returns, overextended gags, and why the film played like gangbusters in 1991 but lands very differently today.Then it's They Came Together, a rom-com parody that ambushes every romantic comedy cliché at once. Starring Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler and featuring an absurdly stacked cast, the film is discussed as a relentless, meta deconstruction of the genre and dismantles itself in real time.Bonus Interview: Marty and Clif sit down with Cuisine de la 'Pocalypse writer/director Kyle Weingart and actress Zuzu Weingart for a wide-ranging conversation about making an indie film at the end of the world. The discussion covers the movie's long development, building a creative community, casting surprising names, and balancing absurd comedy with genuine heart in a post-apocalyptic setting. Interview start at 59:43Watch Cuisine de la 'Pocalypse on Tubi now!Support the showFind our films here: The Love Song of William H Shaw Revenge of Zoe Writing Fren-ZeeMaking Pondo on FacebookX (formerly Twitter):@MakingPondoInstagramMaking Pondo on Letterboxd:Season One Season Two Season Three Season Four Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ PacePhotos by Geoffrey Notkin
Send us a text In this episode, Marty gives Clif the movie The Hudsucker Proxy to watch and Clif gives Marty the movie Sunset Boulevard to watch. In this New Year's special, Marty and Clif take on two classics where time, success, and self-delusion collide: The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) and Sunset Boulevard (1950).First up is the Coen Brothers' fast-talking corporate fairy tale The Hudsucker Proxy. Marty and Clif dive deep into the film's cartoon logic, rapid-fire dialogue, exaggerated performances, and elaborate set pieces. Along the way, they unpack the film's connections to Sam Raimi, Roger Deakins, Preston Sturges, Buster Keaton, and the Coens' evolving style.Then it's time for a much darker New Year's turn with Billy Wilder's Sunset Boulevard. Marty and Clif discuss Gloria Swanson's iconic performance as Norma Desmond, William Holden's doomed narrator, and the film's lasting influence on decades of cinema. #TalkingPondo #FilmPodcast #MoviePodcast #ClassicFilms #FilmAnalysis #TheHudsuckerProxy #SunsetBoulevard #CoenBrothers #BillyWilder #NewYearsMovies #FilmNoir #ClassicHollywoodSupport the showFind our films here: The Love Song of William H Shaw Revenge of Zoe Writing Fren-ZeeMaking Pondo on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087139659233X (formerly Twitter):@MakingPondoInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/makingpondo/Making Pondo on Letterboxd:Season Onehttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo/Season Twohttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo-season-2/Season Threehttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo-season-3/ Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ PacePhotos by Geoffrey Notkin
Send us a text In this episode, Jessica Stone joins the podcast. She brings along the movie Rare Exports. Marty and Clif give Jessica the movie The Ref to watch.This milestone episode gets it's start with Ted Demme's The Ref (1994). The trio breaks down Dennis Leary's breakout performance as a cat burglar forced into referee duty for a brutally unhappy family, discussing the film's sharp dialogue, performative holiday traditions, and why its mix of rage, therapy, and forced honesty still works decades later.The conversation then shifts north - way north - with Rare Exports (2010), a Finnish holiday horror film that re-imagines Santa Claus as something far older and far more dangerous. The group digs into what makes the film so effective, how it contrasts with The Ref, and why both movies ultimately tap into the same holiday anxieties in very different ways. It's funny, unhinged, thoughtful - and the perfect way to ring in 100 episodes of Talking Pondo. #TalkingPondo #FilmPodcast #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #ChristmasMovies #HolidayMovies #DarkChristmas #CultFilms #TheRef1994 #RareExports #DennisLeary #FinnishHorror #Episode100 #FilmAnalysis #MovieTalk Support the showFind our films here: The Love Song of William H Shaw Revenge of Zoe Writing Fren-ZeeMaking Pondo on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087139659233X (formerly Twitter):@MakingPondoInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/makingpondo/Making Pondo on Letterboxd:Season Onehttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo/Season Twohttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo-season-2/Season Threehttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo-season-3/ Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ PacePhotos by Geoffrey Notkin
Send us a text In this episode, Marty gives Clif the movie Return of the Jedi to watch and Clif gives Marty the movie Local Hero to watch. Clif and Marty revisit 1983 by pairing two very different films released just weeks apart: Return of the Jedi and Local Hero.They break down what makes this moment in movie history so unique: from the large-scale filmmaking and iconic imagery of Jedi to the quiet charm and character-driven storytelling of Local Hero. The conversation dives into performances, themes, and the shifting tone of early-80s cinema, with thoughtful insight into how both films have continued to influence audiences and filmmakers.#ReturnOfTheJedi #LocalHero #1983Movies #StarWars #FilmPodcast #MovieDiscussion #80sCinema #FilmAnalysis #TalkingPondo #ClassicFilms #PopCulturePodcast Support the showFind our films here: The Love Song of William H Shaw Revenge of Zoe Writing Fren-ZeeMaking Pondo on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087139659233X (formerly Twitter):@MakingPondoInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/makingpondo/Making Pondo on Letterboxd:Season Onehttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo/Season Twohttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo-season-2/Season Threehttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo-season-3/ Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ PacePhotos by Geoffrey Notkin
Send us a text In this episode, Marty gives Clif the movie The Empire Strikes Back to watch and Clif gives Marty the movie The Right Stuff to watch. This week on Talking Pondo, Marty and Clif dive into a double feature: the unaltered Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and the epic aviation drama The Right Stuff.From space chimps and Wampa attacks to the bleak brilliance of early-80s filmmaking, the guys break down why Empire still defines modern sci-fi and how The Right Stuff captures the birth of American spaceflight. They dig into deleted scenes, production quirks, the evolution of special effects, Yoda puppetry, Han-and-Leia chemistry, and why 1983 was such a weird, magical year for movies. It's film analysis mixed with nostalgia, overthinking, mild confusion, and emotional support Wampas. Classic Pondo chaos. #TalkingPondo #MovieReview #StarWars #EmpireStrikesBack #TheRightStuff #80sMovies #FilmPodcast #MovieDiscussion #CinemaTalk #PodcastClips #FilmNerds #FunnyPodcast #StarWarsHumor #MovieComedy #EmpireStrikesBack #SpaceChimpsEnergy Support the showFind our films here: The Love Song of William H Shaw Revenge of Zoe Writing Fren-ZeeMaking Pondo on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087139659233X (formerly Twitter):@MakingPondoInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/makingpondo/Making Pondo on Letterboxd:Season Onehttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo/Season Twohttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo-season-2/Season Threehttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo-season-3/ Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ PacePhotos by Geoffrey Notkin
In this episode, I catch up with my daughter and fellow Delirious W.E.S.T. 2026 runner, Nikki Frost, who's had a very… colourful four to six weeks of training. And by colourful, I mean she left half her stomach contents scattered across the Dandenongs.
Send us a text In this episode, Dylan J. Schlender (from Reels of Justice) joins the podcast. He brings along the movie Mixed Nuts. Marty and Clif give Dylan the movie Mazes and Monsters to watch. Clif and Marty return with special guest Dylan for a completely unhinged holiday double-feature: Mixed Nuts (1994) starring Steve Martin, and Mazes and Monsters (1982) starring a very young Tom Hanks.The trio digs into why Mixed Nuts, with its massive ensemble cast, still feels chaotic and uneven, why the French original didn't translate, and how the movie became one of the oddest entries in 90s holiday cinema. Then they turn to Mazes and Monsters, the infamous TV movie inspired by Dungeons & Dragons panic, filled with LARPing, melodrama and lots of spelunking.#TalkingPondo #MoviePodcast #MixedNuts #MazesAndMonsters #TomHanks #SteveMartin #ChristmasMovies #HolidayMovies #FilmDiscussion #PodcastEpisode #MovieReview #ComedyPodcast #DungeonsAndDragons #FiggyEpisode #IndieFilmmakers #CultMovies #YouTubePodcast #FilmNerds #MovieTalk #CinemaDiscussionSupport the showFind our films here: The Love Song of William H Shaw Revenge of Zoe Writing Fren-ZeeMaking Pondo on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087139659233X (formerly Twitter):@MakingPondoInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/makingpondo/Making Pondo on Letterboxd:Season Onehttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo/Season Twohttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo-season-2/Season Threehttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo-season-3/ Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ PacePhotos by Geoffrey Notkin
Send us a text In this episode, Marty gives Clif the movie The Last Waltz to watch and Clif gives Marty the movie My Cousin Vinny to watch. In this Thanksgiving episode of Talking Pondo, Clif and Marty serve up the perfect double feature: My Cousin Vinny (1992) and The Last Waltz (1978).They break down Joe Pesci's hilarious courtroom chaos, Marisa Tomei's Oscar-winning performance, and why Vinny is one of the most rewatchable comedies ever made. Then they pivot to Martin Scorsese's legendary concert film The Last Waltz: a raw, beautifully shot farewell to The Band, filmed on Thanksgiving night and packed with music icons like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell. #MyCousinVinny #TheLastWaltz #TalkingPondo #MartinScorsese #MarisaTomei #JoePesci #MoviePodcast #FilmDiscussion #ThanksgivingMovies #ClassicMovies #RockDocumentary #FilmNerds Support the showFind our films here: The Love Song of William H Shaw Revenge of Zoe Writing Fren-ZeeMaking Pondo on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087139659233X (formerly Twitter):@MakingPondoInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/makingpondo/Making Pondo on Letterboxd:Season Onehttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo/Season Twohttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo-season-2/Season Threehttps://letterboxd.com/marty_ketola/list/talking-pondo-season-3/ Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ PacePhotos by Geoffrey Notkin