Podcasts about film history

Listeners, the power of the Three Rings is ended. This week we fulfill our oath and complete the Peter Jackson LOTR trilogy!We're talking Denethor (aka Dennis Thor), the army of the dead, Aragorn's long sword, Eowyn being horny, the Mouth of Sauron being repugnant (put him back into the theatrical cut, cowards!) and how fun it is to see what Gandalf looks like when he sleeps.Also….Death! Death! Death!Next week, we're throwin' in a bonus! It's another super-important adaptation featuring many famous literary characters…THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN (2003). With a super secret very special guest! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPodReferences:Special FeaturesFrom Book to Script: Forging the Final ChapterDesigning Middle-earthHome of the Horse LordsCameras in Middle-earthWeta DigitalEditorial: Completing the TrilogyMusic for Middle-earthThe Soundscapes of Middle-earthThe End of All ThingsThe Passing of an AgePeter Jackson: A Filmmaker's Journey by Brian SibleyCinefex #96 Production HistoryCinefex Peter Jackson InterviewASC Cinematography BreakdownCredits:Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shopThe "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we're discussing the winner of our latest Patreon poll, Senegalese auteur Djibril Diop Mambéty's Hyenas. Adapting Swiss-German playwright Friedrich Dürrenmatt's 1956 satirical tragicomedy The Visit and transposing its story onto post-colonial Senegal, the film tells the story of Dramaan Drameh, a grocer in the poor town of Colobane, whose life is upended when a former flame, Linguère Ramatou, returns to the town after decades. Having amassed a large fortune in the intervening years, Ramatou makes the township a disquieting offer - she will bestow her fortune onto Colobane in exchange for the murder of Drameh as revenge for abandoning her following a pregnancy during their brief love affair. Gorgeously-lensed, blackly satirical, and ultimately tragic, Hyenas imbues its tense tale of vengenace and greed with resonances examining Senagal's (and the greater continet of Africa's) subjugation under western capitalism in the post-colonial period. We begin with a discussion of Senegal's cinema, its anti-colonial dimensions, and how the rhythms of Mambéty's film antagonize western modes of narrative and filmmaking. Then, we examine the film's exploration of the corrupting nature of capital, and how forces like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank acted as coercive mechanisms for privatization and neoliberal policy in Africa and throughout the developing world. Finally, we discuss the film's sexual politics, where we feel its metaphors break down in its exploration of the character of Ramatou, and where fidelity to source material occasionally muddles the film's incisive colonial critique. Get access to all of our premium episodes and bonus content by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.....Our theme song is "Mirror" by Chris Fish.

Forth Eorlingas! This week we toss Gimli face first into the forces of the Enemy. It's another four hour tour of Middle Earth, and this time, we brought Ents.Is the middle film of a trilogy ever the best one? In this case, the jury's out, but one thing is for certain: it has the weirdest title of all three.Topics explored this week include: Legolas's whole deal, the groundbreaking creation of Sméagol, Merry and Pippin blazin' it with Treebeard, Helm's Deep, Helm's Deep, and a LOT more Helm's Deep.Next week, we complete the holy trinity with RETURN OF THE KING (2003), and then we promise we'll never talk about Rings again (just kidding, the Ring has corrupted us and there's no turning back now). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPodReferences:Special FeaturesWarriors of the Third AgeCameras in Middle EarthFrom Book to Script: Finding the StoryEditorial: Editing the StoryRick Porras as GollumThe Soundscapes of Middle EarthCinefex #92 Production HistoryAnything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-Earth by Ian NathanPeter Jackson: A Filmmaker's Journey by Brian SibleyUma Thurman Turns Down EowynASC Cinematography BreakdownCredits:Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shopThe "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Watching movies can significantly boost your writing skills by providing a visual masterclass in storytelling, character development, and structure that you can actively analyze and incorporate into your work. We highlight five key areas a screenwriter should focus on while watching a film to improve as a writer. Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Executive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan StollerCheck out our fantastic sponsor, Novelium:https://novelium.so

The party is nearing its end, the food has been consumed, and now it's time to pour yourself a rich, spicy, herbaceous(?) after-dinner drink to aid in the digestion of all your elsewhere and elsewhile 2025 year-end content... It's the Hit Factory 2025 Digestif: A rundown of some of our favorite un-discussed films of the past year as well as some brilliant new-to-us discoveries...A low-stakes sporting event becomes a metaphor for the cinematic experience. A high school becomes a microcosm of our technofascist panopticon. A mother at the end of her rope. An artist at the end of his prime. These and more are explored within. So pull up a stool, grab yourself a glass, and kick back one more before we call it a night. Get access to all of our premium episodes and bonus content by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.....Our theme song is "Mirror" by Chris Fish.

Listeners, the Third Age is finally upon us. The nine companions are assembled. The recording is 4 hours long. It shall be… The Fellowship of the Duck!This week, Adam and Dom are embarking on a quest to save Middle-Earth and somehow make sense of the greatest trilogy in movie history. It's FELLOWSHIP, and we still cannot believe Peter Jackson actually pulled this off. There are simply too many Eye of the Duck scenes!Some points of discussion on our journey to Mordor: do the Rings movies function as self-contained stories? Is this the best the industry will ever be? Should Jackson be arrested for skipping Tom Bombadil? And when the hell is Warner Bros going to finally put out a 4K box set that contains the Blu-Ray Appendices?!Next week, the trilogy continues with another massive episode on THE TWO TOWERS (2002). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPodReferences:Special FeaturesDesigning and Building Middle-earthFilming The Fellowship of the RingVisual EffectsCosta Botes' Fellowship of the Ring DocumentarySound and MusicAnything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-Earth by Ian NathanPeter Jackson: A Filmmaker's Journey by Brian SibleyCinefex #89 Production HistoryThe Music of The Lord of the Rings Films by Doug AdamsPeter Jackson and the Tolkien EstateASC Cinematography BreakdownCredits:Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shopThe "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pour up a Tensions Collide and kick off season 6 of 'Drinking With...' with McCash as he relives this controversial Oscars 'Best Picture' winner alongside Brandon and Stoney To make the Tensions Collide, you'll need:1.5 oz Bourbon (representing the complexities and underlying tensions)0.5 oz Sweet Vermouth (for a hint of warmth and connection)2 dashes Angostura Bitters (to symbolize the bitter realities and prejudices)Orange peel (for garnish and a glimmer of hope or change)Stir the bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters with ice in a mixing glass.Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass.Garnish with an orange peel.Directions:Stir the bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters with ice in a mixing glass.Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass.Garnish with an orange peel.Meaning: This cocktail, like the movie, suggests a darker, more complex undercurrent beneath a seemingly smooth exterior. The orange peel offers a spark of optimism, reminding us that even amidst the difficulties portrayed, there is potential for understanding and connection

Sandy explores a recent Ankler.com article titled: 'Gen Z Is Huge. Their TV Shows Are Tiny. And Hollywood Is Panicking,' written by Whitney Friedlander. Showrunners Nahnatchka Khan, Ben Kronengold, and Rebecca Shaw, along with top executives, discuss the industry's biggest missed demographic target, and how the HBO series 'I LOVE LA,' created by Rachel Sennott, about a close-knit friend group that reunites after years apart to navigate ambition, relationships, and personal changes, has achieved the nearly impossible: getting Gen Z to stop scrolling and watch her show.  Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Executive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller

Denzember concludes as Journalist and host of the Turbulence podcast Séamus Malekafzali returns to the show to discuss Edward Zwick's 1998 geopolitical thriller The Siege, a film about a Muslim terrorist cell wreaking havoc on New York City, the resultant fear it stokes, and the vidictive results of martial law being enforced in an American city. Largely lost to time as an artifact of The End of History, the film nonetheless rings with a startling prescience as a pre-9/11 document of Hollywood's casual anti-Arab sentiments (even among well-meaning liberal sects), and trust in American institutions to disavow bad actors and preserve democracy.We begin by dissecting the films amorphous, byzantine, and *totally fabricated* understanding of Middle Eastern geopolitics, and how its obfuscations function as a tool of propaganda, making the threat of Muslim extremism feel omnipresent and unknowable. Then, we consider how the film contends with imperial blowback, individuating it as mistakes by discrete actors rather than the guiding policy of America's geopolitical meddling across the globe. Finally, we reckon with the film's countless contradictions, its liberal posturing toward the "right" kind of wariness toward extremism, and its unconscious buttressing of the same ideologies that lead to fascist persecution of The Other. Follow Séamus Malekafzali on Twitter.Listen and Subscribe to Turbulence Podcast. Subscribe to Séamus' Substack. Get access to the whole Denzember experience, all of our premium episodes and bonus content, and an invite to the Hit Factory Discord by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.....Our Denzember Theme Song is "Funk" by Oppo.

 Vertical storytelling is gaining popularity, with more producers—mostly overseas—hiring screenwriters for vertical series. While these projects originated in Asia and the initial pay was low, they now offer fair compensation for authentic work.At The Writers Hangout, we advise writers to write a short to earn produced credits and gain experience. Shorts are quick to make and can open more doors. With the decline of traditional festivals, vertical series are emerging as the new frontier. Mobile reach is extensive and is becoming a good way to break into or stay active in the industry.

Get access to this entire episode, the entire Denzember catalog, and all of our premium episodes by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.Roger Ebert Associate Editor Robert Daniels returns to the show to once again discuss the work of Denzel Washington and Spike Lee, this time unpacking his brilliant 1998 sports drama He Got Game. The film stars Denzel Washington as Jake Shuttlesworth, an Attica inmate who is tasked with getting his high school basketball prodigy son, Jesus (Ray Allen), to commit to playing for the governor's alma mater in exchange for a reduced prison sentence. A film as concerned with the capitalist mechanisms undergirding basketball culture as it is with acknowledging the intoxicating allure of the game's myth, Spike crafts a uniquel rewarding sports movie in a melodrama's skin. We begin with a discussion about Spike's formal ingenuity, and how he positions basketball as inextricable from broader Americana; a definitive part of American culture. Then, we praise the dual leading performances of Denzel Washington and NBA star Ray Allen. Finally, we disscuss the film's showstopper final act, showcasing Denzel and Allen's skills on the court in a brilliantly pitched one-on-one game that approaches the sublime, even supernatural.Follow Robert Daniels on Twitter.Read Robert on the musical direction of Spike Lee films at Letterboxd.....Our Denzember theme song is "Funk" by Oppo.

Happy holidays! Adam made a feature film and we're (finally) going to celebrate it in style. It's a bonus episode of holly, jolly, drinks, and independent film. With a very special guest host!Our old friend Sarah Welch-Larson takes the reins this week for an exploration of feature filmmaking, micro budget cinema, the inspirations behind Adam's film, and some questions about its creation–including Dom's role as co-editor!Also, you better believe we're talking about Eye of the Duck scenes, too.Next week, we set course for Mordor at long last. Part II of our Rings miniseries begins with THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2001). And we can't wait! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPodReferences:Craft Services Adam Volerich InterviewParth MaratheAdam VolerichDom NeroCredits:Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shopThe "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we sit down with Around the World with Dot — the animated adventure that whisked an Australian bush child across continents in a strange blend of live-action backdrops, talking animals, and Cold War-era messaging.From the peculiar pacing to the international diplomacy-through-cartoon logic, we explore how this film tried to reimagine Dot's bushland origins on a global stage — and how the hybrid animation style both charmed and bewildered audiences. Was it a heartfelt plea for unity, an ambitious creative experiment, or a fever dream that only Australian children's cinema could produce? Well, that's what we're here to find out.But really? We mostly talk about our Christmases.So cue up the film, settle in, and watch along as we dissect, laugh, and marvel at one of the more unusual entries in Australia's animation history.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support.

Merry Christmas! On a festive episode of The Movie Review Rewind Podcast, Our Buddy Brett stops by the studio to relive one of the classics, 1989's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, with Brandon and Stoney. 

Tragically, on December 14, 2025, Rob and Michele Reiner were fatally stabbed by their son, Nick Reiner. How could something like this happen? To assist in understanding these devastating deaths, our guest is Neal Nordlinger, an author, interventionist, and former film and television producer, as well as the founder of inCrisis Consultants. This organization supports families in navigating treatment options for addiction and mental health.Executive Producer Kristin OvernExecutive Producer and Host Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan StollerNovelium: Write With an Editor at Your Sidehttps://novelium.so

Denzember continues with Culture Kitsch host Bobbi Miller joining us to discuss Kenneth Branagh's 1993 Shakespeare adaptation Much Ado About Nothing. Following his successful Henry V adaptation, Branagh returned to Shakespeare for a much airier, light-hearted affair, fashioning the classic play into an immensely pleasurable studio romantic comedy while preserving the spirit and (more importantly) the language of Much Ado..., assembling a showstopper ensemble led by Branagh, Emma Thompson, Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves, and Denzel as Don Pedro of Aragon, nearly 30 years before he would take on The Tragedy of Macbeth.  We begin with a discussion of Branagh's formal tendencies, how his maximalism works for the genre, and illuminate his underremarked upon technical prowess. Then, we discuss what Branagh's Much Ado...  preserves from Shakespeare's stage, what it omits, and how these ommissions speak to the film's position as an End of History artifact interested in reifying traditional family values centered around monogamous, heterosexual couplings. Finally, we discuss how Denzel's Don Pedro is utliized narratively and thematically in the film, and how Denzel's movie star persona and race factor into our perception of the character. Follow Bobbi Miller on Twitter.Watch and Subscribe to Culture Kitsch on YouTube.Get access to the whole Denzember experience, all of our premium episodes and bonus content, and an invite to the Hit Factory Discord by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.....Our Denzember Theme Song is "Funk" by Oppo

Justice for Gurgi! This week it's the final stop on our tour of pre-Jackson LOTR-inspired films… and our very first ever Disney animated film!Joining us to explore Welsh mythology, The Chronicles of Prydain, and the weird lengths Disney will go to make their adaptations kid-friendly is returning guest (and Eye of the Duck digital producer) Nik Long!Next week we have a very special holiday surprise! We're celebrating Christmas and independent film with a bonus episode on Adam's very own DRINK AND BE MERRY (2025). Now available on VOD and Blu-ray! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPodReferences:DisneyWar by James B. StewartSlate Production HistoryMouse in Transition: An Insider's Look at Disney Feature Animation by Steve HulettThe Chicago Tribune Production HistoryCollider Production History“Chronicles of Prydain” Reboot In the WorksFinal Film In Technirama 70mmThe Lion King Surpasses BudgetBBC Production HistoryNew Logo New DisneyCredits:Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shopThe "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Another season of 'Drinking With...' is in the books! Pour up a Cosmopolitan and celebrate! Wrap up the year with Steven McCash as he recaps the year that was 2004 with Stoney Keeley and Brandon Vick - sports, music, news, and of course, all of the films the gang didn't discuss throughout season 5. Today, we're drinking with...the year 2004!To make the Cosmopolitan, you'll need:2 ounces (1/4 cup) vodka or citrus vodka1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier3/4 ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) cranberry juice cocktail1/4 to 1/2 ounce (1 ½ teaspoons to 3 teaspoons) fresh lime juiceOne 2-inch orange peel/twistDirections:Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice. (I like the extra bite of lime juice, so I use 1/2 an ounce in our cosmo, but use what is best for your taste.)Shake the cocktail shaker for about 30 seconds until well chilled. Then, strain into a martini glass.Garnish with orange peel/twist. Peel the orange twist over the filled cocktail glass so the orange oils spray into the glass.

Another season of 'Drinking With...' is in the books! Pour up a Cosmopolitan and celebrate! Wrap up the year with Steven McCash as he recaps the year that was 2004 with Stoney Keeley and Brandon Vick - sports, music, news, and of course, all of the films the gang didn't discuss throughout season 5. Today, we're drinking with...the year 2004!To make the Cosmopolitan, you'll need:2 ounces (1/4 cup) vodka or citrus vodka1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier3/4 ounce (1 ½ tablespoons) cranberry juice cocktail1/4 to 1/2 ounce (1 ½ teaspoons to 3 teaspoons) fresh lime juiceOne 2-inch orange peel/twistDirections:Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice. (I like the extra bite of lime juice, so I use 1/2 an ounce in our cosmo, but use what is best for your taste.)Shake the cocktail shaker for about 30 seconds until well chilled. Then, strain into a martini glass.Garnish with orange peel/twist. Peel the orange twist over the filled cocktail glass so the orange oils spray into the glass.

Hang out with Sandy as she discusses the joint statement from WGA East and West about the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Netflix and the hostile takeover by Paramount. Plus, an update on Carl Rinch, the writer/director who embezzled $11 million from Netflix. Carl Rinch's trial just wrapped up last week. We also share an inspiring story about resilience involving Meryl Streep and Dino De Laurentiis.  Executive Producer Kristin OvernExecutive Producer and Host Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan StollerNovelium: Write With an Editor at Your Sidehttps://novelium.so

With Avatar: Fire and Ash dropping in theaters this month, Brandon and Stoney take the opportunity to relive the career of James Cameron on The Vick's Flicks Podcast.

Get access to this entire episode, the entire Denzember catalog, and all of our premium episodes by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.Denzember 2 continues with the return of Vulture Film Critic Bilge Ebiri and a spirited discussion of Russel Mulcahy's 1991 thriller Ricochet, a film of lean premise that takes its story to absolutely batshit places at every turn. With the ever-capable journeyman director Mulcahy at the helm, a sturdy script from Die Hard writer Steven E. de Souza, and committed performances from Denzel Washington and John Lithgow, the film finds a way to make every one of its scenes memorable by maintaining its ludicrous energy from start to finish and finding lurid thrills behind every corner.We begin with an appraisal of our experiences with Ricochet, and the delight of finding a film marketed as a boilerplate thriller doing everything it can to shock and disarm you. Then, we examine the deceptively intelligent plotting of the film, pitting Denzel's Assistant DA Nick Styles - an ambitious Black lawyer seeking opportunity in the justice system- against not just Lithgow's psycopathic murderer on a quest for revenge but also the collective biases of the media and elite centers of institutional power that readily see Styles as an interloper in their predominantly white spaces. Finally, we discuss the rare position of Denzel as a movie star, how he stands singularly as both an actor of profound versatility and one that inhabits an intoxicating Movie Star persona.Follow Bilge Ebiri on Twitter....Our Denzember theme some is "Funk" by Oppo.

Sing it with us!! WHERE THERE'S A WHIP [WHIP SFX] THERE'S A WAY! WHERE THERE'S A WHIP [WHIP SFX] THERE'S A WAY!This week we face the Lord of the Lash himself for the epic return of Arthur Rankin & Jules Bass, and the wildest voice cast in Tolkien history. Roddy McDowall is Sam? Casey Kasem is Merry?! It may not be the most beloved Rings adaptation out there…but it's certainly the last one in a very long while!Next week, we close out the first act of our trilogy with the highly contentious Disney cult classic, THE BLACK CAULDRON (1985). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPodReferences:Middle-Earth Envisioned: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: On Screen, On Stage, and Beyond by Brian J. Robb and Paul SimpsonCinefantastique Production HistoryArthur Rankin Jr. on RingsFilm Release in Trouble“Frodo, The Hobbit II”Leonard Nimoy on “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins”St. Petersburg Times on Release of “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins”Powerpop on “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins”Leonard Nimoy Sings “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins”Credits:Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shopThe "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is Sean Baker's Tangerine a Christmas movie? Well, it's set on Christmas Eve, so why not? Brandon, Brett, and Stoney dig into this one from the reigning Academy Award-winning Best Director in our first of two "festive" episode of The Movie Review Rewind Podcast for 2025! 

In this episode, we walk slowly but carefully into Kathryn Bigelow's Oscar-winning film, "The Hurt Locker." We explore the film's gripping portrayal of the Iraq War, its intense cinematography, and the nuanced performances by Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie. With a mix of admiration and critique, we discuss the film's lasting impact and its place in cinematic history. Whether you're a fan of war dramas or just curious about what makes this film a standout, this episode offers a thoughtful analysis that will leave you with a new appreciation for Bigelow's work.

Steve Ryan, Assistant Professor in Songwriting in UL, tells Dermot about the best fictional bands in films.

It's the first major adaptation of Tolkien's trilogy and it is…rotoscope animation? Enter Ralph Bakshi and his completely batshit vision of an animated Middle Earth!Is it a mixed masterpiece or a very audacious disaster? Either way, Bakshi's rotoscope RINGS is extremely influential for Peter Jackson, and we're celebrating its legacy this week.Next week, we complete our unofficial animated trilogy with RETURN OF THE KING (1980) from Rankin and Bass. Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPodReferences:Special FeaturesForging Through The Darkness: The Ralph Bakshi VisionMiddle-Earth Envisioned: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: On Screen, On Stage, and Beyond by Brian J. Robb and Paul SimpsonCinefantastique Production HistoryJim Hill Media Ralph Bakshi InterviewA.V. Club Ralph Bakshi InterviewThe Hollywood Reporter Production HistoryRalph Bakshi on Peter JacksonCredits:Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shopThe "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Denzember 2 kicks off with a conversation about Spike Lee and Denzel Washington's first collaboration, 1990's Mo' Better Blues, a film about jazz, art-making, and the pursuit of greatness at the expense of personal relationships. The terrific Minnie Zondi is our guest! We discuss the film's tepid reception upon release, and how a (predominantly white) critical audience failed to understand the political dimensions of a film about Black music and its commercial and social appropriation. Then, we reflect on Spike Lee's career and his brilliant cohort of collaborators, including composer Terence Blanchard (making his first appearance on a Spike Lee soundtrack), cinematographer Ernest R. Dickerson, and the electric stylings of costume designer Ruth E. Carter. Finally, we reflect on the movie's complicated ending, and what we're to make of its reflections on artistry, family, and whether exceptional talents can hold the two in balance. Follow Minnie Zondi on Twitter. Follow Minnie on Substack. Read Minnie's Twitter thread on Ruth E. Carter's costume work for Ryan Coogler's Sinners.Get access to the whole Denzember experience, all of our premium episodes and bonus content, and an invite to the Hit Factory Discord by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.....Our Denzember Theme Song is "Funk" by Oppo

Pour up a Krakozhian Layover and join McCash as he relives this Tom Hanks-Steven Spielberg team-up alongside Brandon and Stoney. Today, we're drinking with...The Terminal. To make the Krakozhian Layover1 1/2 oz Vodka3/4 oz Dry Vermouth1/2 oz Cherry Liqueur1/2 Lemon JuiceClub SodaLemon twist for garnishDirections:Shake vodka, vermouth, cherry liqueur, and lemon juice with iceStrain into a chilled glass over fresh iceTop with club soda and garnish with lemon twist

Pour up a Krakozhian Layover and join McCash as he relives this Tom Hanks-Steven Spielberg team-up alongside Brandon and Stoney. Today, we're drinking with...The Terminal. To make the Krakozhian Layover1 1/2 oz Vodka3/4 oz Dry Vermouth1/2 oz Cherry Liqueur1/2 Lemon JuiceClub SodaLemon twist for garnishDirections:Shake vodka, vermouth, cherry liqueur, and lemon juice with iceStrain into a chilled glass over fresh iceTop with club soda and garnish with lemon twist

Rewind. On Christmas Eve 2000, Susan Berman, a talented journalist, screenwriter, and author, sadly lost her life at her home on 1527 Benedict Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills. Susan, the cherished daughter of a mobster and a former dancer, was raised as part of mob royalty, celebrating birthdays with Elvis and Liberace. Her tragic passing deeply affected her friends, leaving us wondering—did Susan ever suspect her killer?Executive Producer Kristin OvernExecutive Producer and Host Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller

Get access to this entire episode as well as all of our premium episodes and bonus content by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.Better late than never, we're back with a conversation about Paul Thomas Anderson's recent critical and box office sensation One Battle After Another. PTA loosely adapts (and updates) Thomas Pynchon's 1990 novel Vineland, setting the story against the backdrop of an indeterminate moment in the 21st century to tell a story of washed-up revolutionary Bob Ferguson (Leonardo DiCaprio), who is dragged back into the fray when an old enemy (Sean Penn) resurfaces and threatens his teenage daughter (Chase Infiniti). The film represents the first time in over 20 years that Anderson has set a story in contemporary times, and he uses the opportunity to examine the current landscape of America, its political fissures, and to lay out his personal vision of a hopeful future staked out by the next generation...But Anderson also readily betrays the limits of his political vision, and his myopic understanding of the circumstances that have produced and perpetuated this country's bigotries and oppressive hierarchies. While One Battle After Another offers countless pleasures as an obeject of undeniable cinematic energy and craftsmanship, it fails to elucidate a coherent sociopolitical ideology, even as it readily co-opts and aestheticizes the langauge and iconography of radical leftwing militancy.We unpack the film's many contradictions, and key in to what makes OBAA a simultaneously riveting and frustrating watch. Then, we discuss the film's treatment of race and the cadre of brilliant Black actresses who mine depth and nuance out of Anderson's elliptical storytelling. Finally, we call for a deeper discourse about the film that makes room for its many contradictions and shortcomings, arguing that these jagged edges make the film a more urgent and enduring work than insistences on its perfection.Read Angelica Jade Bastién, on One Battle After Another at VultureRead Lyvie Scott on One Battle After Another at Inverse....Our Theme Song is "Mirror" by Chris Fish.

From its heavyweight title fight between Robert De Niro and Al Pacino to its ear shattering sound design, Brandon, Our Buddy Brett, and Stoney relive Michael Mann's 'Heat' on the latest episode of The Movie Review Rewind Podcast. 

Steve Ryan is the Course Director, MA in Songwriting, University of Limerick joins Emile Donovan.

Abby sits down with Alex to talk through all things Wizard of Oz. From L Frank Baum's books which date back to 1900, to the 1939 classic MGM film and so much more. Get Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.Support your favorite podcast by wearing some haunting and highly specific clothing. Check out our merch store here. Consider joining our Patreon for bonus episodes, spooky literature and deep dives into horror and history. Click here to learn more. Follow us on TikTok, X, Instragram and YouTube. Join the conversation on Discord. Support us on Patreon. Support the show

Listen up, Hobbitses! An adventure is knocking at your door! Will you answer it? Even if it's a musical?It's the first actual Tolkien adaptation of our series this week, and we are so confused that it exists. Rankin and Bass? The dudes who make the Rudolph and Frosty movies? Yes. And for some reason, Otto Preminger is in it.Next week it's Ralph Bakshi's THE LORD OF THE RINGS animated spectacular! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPodReferences:Middle-Earth Envisioned: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: On Screen, On Stage, and Beyond by Brian J. Robb and Paul SimpsonJ. R. R. Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey CarpenterThe New York Times Production HistoryTolkien Hates DisneyCinefantastique Production HistoryCredits:Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shopThe "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode SummaryErin and Rachel hop on down to 1920's New Orleans, where Disney's first Black princess spends most of her time as a frog in the Louisiana bayou. The Princess and the Frog (2010) provided much needed representation, but leaves a lot to be desired in terms of its race, class, and gender politics. Episode BibliographyThe 82nd Academy Awards | 2010. (n.d.). Oscars. https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2010/P?qt-honorees=1#block-quicktabs-honoreesAyres, C. (2009, December 12). The Princess and the Frog: Disney's black fairytale. The Times. https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/the-princess-and-the-frog-disneys-black-fairytale-lcpnw3pj3jcBaker, E.D. (2002). The Frog Princess. Bloomsbury.Barnes, B. (2009, May 29). Her Prince Has Come. Critics, Too. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/fashion/31disney.htmlBreaux, R. M. (2010). After 75 years of magic: Disney answers its critics, rewrites African American history, and cashes in on its racist past. Journal of African American Studies, 14(4), 398-416. doi: 10.1007/s12111-010-9139-9Chang, J. (2009, November 24). The Princess and the Frog. Variety. https://variety.com/2009/digital/features/the-princess-and-the-frog-1200477289/Davis, A.M. (2014). Handsome heroes and vile villains: Men in Disney's feature animation. John Libbey & Company. Debruge, P. (2016, November 22). Disney's Pixar Acquisition: Bob Iger, John Lasseter Reanimated Studio. Variety. https://variety.com/2016/film/features/disney-pixar-acquisition-bob-iger-john-lasseter-1201923719/Disney Archives, The. (2025, January 14). The Princess and the Frog - Magic in the Bayou: The Making of a Princess. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Gfgey_Oc8Disney Enterprises, Inc. (2009). The Princess and the Frog Production Notes. Oscars.org. https://web.archive.org/web/20100408202417/http://www.oscars.org/press/presskits/nominations/pdf/princess_and_the_frog.pdfEbert, R. (2009, December 9). At Disney, they still remember how to make movies like they used to movie review (2009). RogerEbert.com. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-princess-and-the-frog-2009Firehouse Five Plus Two - Wikipedia. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firehouse_Five_Plus_TwoFoundas, S. (2009, December 10). The Princess and the Frog. Dallas Observer. https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts-culture/the-princess-and-the-frog-6405784/Frog Prince, The. (2025, October 17). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Frog_PrinceGallo, P. (2006, February 28). Mouse inks music man. Variety. https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/mouse-inks-music-man-1117939042/Gehlawat, A. (2010). The strange case of "The Princess and the Frog:" Passing and the elision of race. Journal of African American Studies, 14(4), 417-431. doi: 10.1007/s12111-010-9126-1Gilchrist, T. (2009, October 23). Interview: 'Princess and the Frog' Directors Ron Clements and John Musker. Moviefone. https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054004/http://news.moviefone.com/2009/10/23/interview-princess-and-the-frog-directors-ron-clements-and-jo/Gregory, S. M. (2010). Disney's second line: New Orleans, racial masquerade, and the reproduction of whiteness in The Princess and the Frog. Journal of African American Studies, 14(4), 432-449. doi: 10.1007/s12111-010-9138-xGuerrero, E. (1993). The Black image in protective custody: Hollywood's biracial buddy films of the eighties. In M. Diawara (Ed.), Black American cinema (pp. 237–246). Routledge.Hill, J. (2006, November 12). Monday Mouse Watch: Why a change of composers on “The Frog Princess” caused lots of WDFA staffers to lose their composure. Jim Hill Media. https://limegreen-loris-912771.hostingersite.com/monday-mouse-watch-why-a-change-of-composers-on-the-frog-princess-caused-lots-of-wdfa-staffers-to-lose-their-composure/Holt, K. (2006, June 23). Rhett Wickham: It's Baaack! Laughing Place. https://www.laughingplace.com/news-id510530.aspHoneycutt, K. (2009, November 24). The Princess and the Frog — Film Review. The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/princess-frog-film-review-93780/Kayembe, B. (2021, March 9). Why are we still depicting Black women as 'Mammies'? Shado Mag. https://shado-mag.com/articles/opinion/why-are-we-still-depicting-black-women-as-mammies/Killer Reviews Staff. (2009). The Princess and the Frog Filmmakers Interview. Killer Reviews. https://web.archive.org/web/20100829054531/http://www.killerreviews.com/dispinterview.php?intid=1859King, C.R., Bloodsworth-Lugo, M.K., & Lugo-Lugo, C.R. (2010). Animated representations of Blackness. Journal of African American Studies, 14(4), 395-397. doi: 10.1007/s12111-010-9141-2King, S. (2009, November 22). Q & A with ‘Princess and the Frog' animators. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-22-la-ca-princess22-2009nov22-story.htmlLeah Chase. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leah_ChaseLeap of Faith: The Princess and the Frog. (2010, January 17). The Independent. https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/features/leap-of-faith-the-princess-and-the-frog-1870801.htmlLester, N. A. (2010). Disney's The Princess and the Frog: The pride, the pressure, and the politics of being a first. The Journal of American Culture, 33(4), 294-307. Malkin, M. (2007, February 5). Alicia Keys into Next Movie Role. E! Online. https://web.archive.org/web/20070210054735/http://www.eonline.com/gossip/planetgossip/blog/index.jsp?uuid=d21d0e39-9f0d-4b01-b81d-3989932f34abMcGee, A.M. (2012). Haitian vodou and voodoo: Imagined religion and popular culture. Studies in Religion, 41(2). doi: 10.1177/0008429812441311Misick, B. (2020, October 29). Controversy Over 'The Princess and the Frog'. Essence Magazine. https://www.essence.com/news/critics-dispute-princess-and-the-frog/Moffitt, K. R. (2019). Scripting the way for the 21st-century Disney princess in The Princess and the Frog. Women's Studies in Communication, 42(4), 471-489. doi: 10.1080/07491409.2019.1669757Moffitt, K. R., & Harris, H. E. (2014). Of negation, princesses, beauty, and work: Black mothers reflect on Disney's The Princess and the Frog. Howard Journal of Communications, 25(1), 56–76. doi:10.1080/10646175.2014.865354Myrlados, A. (2021, January 18). The Princess and The Frog: A case in cultural revisionism. The Enlightenment. https://lifeisgoodblog.com/2021/01/18/princess-and-frog-cultural-revisionism/Ness, M. (2016, June 2). The End of an Era: Disney's The Princess and the Frog. Reactor. https://reactormag.com/the-end-of-an-era-disneys-the-princess-and-the-frog/New Orleans Voodoo. (2025). New Orleans. https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/multicultural/traditions/voodoo/Noyer, J. (2010, June 1). The Princess And The Frog's Directors John Musker and Ron Clements take us to “the other side” of animation! Animated Views. Retrieved September 22, 2025, from https://animatedviews.com/2010/the-princess-and-the-frog-directors-john-musker-and-ron-clements-take-us-to-the-other-side-of-animation/Panaram, S., Rogers, H., & Stoddard, T. (n.d.). The Princess and the Frog: Rewriting Jazz Age History and Culture. The Black Atlantic. https://sites.duke.edu/blackatlantic/sample-page/contemporary-film-and-black-atlantic/history/disneyfied-histories-disneys-intentional-inaccuracy-historical-films-and-the-black-atlantic/the-princess-and-the-frog-and-rewriting-jazz-age-history-and-culture/Parasecoli, F. (2010). A taste of Louisiana: Mainstreaming Blackness through food in The Princess and the Frog. Journal of African American Studies, 14(4), 450-468. doi:  10.1007/s12111-010-9137-yPérez, E. (2021). “I got voodoo, I got hoodoo”: Ethnography and its objects in Disney's The Princess and the Frog. Material Religion, 17(1), 56-80. doi: 10.1080/17432200.2021.1977954Pinsky, M. I. (2010, January 7). What Walt Wrought. Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703580904574638143338424878The Princess and the Frog. (n.d.). Box Office Mojo. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3916137985/Robertson, B. (2010, January). The Tradition Lives On. Computer Graphics World. https://www.cgw.com/Publications/CGW/2010/Volume-33-Issue-1-Jan-2010-/The-Tradition-Lives-On.aspxRoush, G. (2009, October 21). Interview: Princess And The Frog Directors John Musker And Ron Clements. Plus 7 Brand New Images! LatinoReview.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20091022114309/http://www.latinoreview.com/news/interview-princess-and-the-frog-directors-john-musker-and-ron-clements-plus-7-brand-new-images-8310Schwarzbaum, L. (2009, December 18). The Princess and the Frog. Entertainment Weekly. https://ew.com/article/2009/12/18/princess-and-frog-2/Sciretta, P. (2009, 28 February). WonderCon: The Princess And The Frog And The Future Of 2D Animation At Disney. Slash Film. https://www.slashfilm.com/502703/wondercon-the-princess-and-the-frog-and-the-future-of-2d-aniamtion-at-disney/Scott, M. (2009, November 22). New Orleans setting for 'Princess and the Frog' is a Disney dream come true for one man. NOLA.com. https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/movies_tv/new-orleans-setting-for-princess-and-the-frog-is-a-disney-dream-come-true-for/article_c84036c3-ff1c-5fcd-94e3-9f7e916b774e.htmlScott, N. (2009, December 12). For 'Princess and the Frog,' Disney animators go back to the drawing board. NOLA.com. https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/movies_tv/for-princess-and-the-frog-disney-animators-go-back-to-the-drawing-board/article_70787df8-b6ee-575d-9a0e-f1648f40cced.htmlSharkey, B. (2009, November 25). Review: 'The Princess and the Frog'. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-25-la-et-princess25-2009nov25-story.htmlTaylar. (2022, November 12). The Firehouse Five Plus Two - Disney's Jazz Band. The Disney Classics. https://www.thedisneyclassics.com/blog/firehouse-five-plus-twoTejada, A. (2020, July 14). Representation Without Transformation: Can Hollywood Stop Changing Cartoon Characters of Color? Reactor. https://reactormag.com/representation-without-transformation-can-hollywood-stop-changing-cartoon-characters-of-color/Terry, E.J. (2010). Rural as racialized plantation vs rural as modern reconnection: Blackness and agency in Disney's Song of the South and The Princess and the Frog. Journal of African American Studies, 14(4), 469-481. doi: 10.1007/s12111-010-9132-3Turner, S.E. (2013). Blackness, bayous and gumbo: Encoding and decoding race in a colorblind world. In Cheu, J. (Ed.), Diversity in Disney films: Critical essays on race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and disability (pp. 83-98). McFarland & Company.Update: Princess Anika and the Frog. (n.d.). E! News. https://www.eonline.com/news/59173/update-princess-anika-and-the-frogWhelan, B. (2012). Power to the princess: Disney and the creation of the 20th century princess narrative. Interdisciplinary Humanities, 29(1), 21–34.Wloszczyna, S. (n.d.). Enchanting return to 2-D: Disney animation conjures magical kingdom of yore. USA Today. https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20070503/d_cover03.art.htm

Sandy shares writing advice from Guillermo del Toro, a talented director, screenwriter, producer, and artist whose incredible work spans horror, fiction, and fairy tales. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1964, del Toro's passion for film and horror blossomed during his childhood. His unique style beautifully blends genres, often finding grace in the grotesque, and draws inspiration from anime, manga, and Japanese TV. Del Toro has brought to life impressive big-budget movies like Blade II, Hellboy, Pacific Rim, and The Shape of Water, along with Netflix's captivating Frankenstein.  

Get access to this entire episode as well as all of our premium episodes and bonus content by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.Writer and critic David Hering joins us from Liverpool to discuss the final film from the ingenious Stanley Kubrick, Eyes Wide Shut. Originally conceived in the 1970s as a follow-up to Kubrick's landmark 2001: A Space Odyssey as a more straightforward sex comedy, the film adapts and updates Arthur Schnitzler's 1926 novella Traumnovelle (Dream Story) into a visually stunning, phantasmagorical, and startlingly prescient dark night of the soul featuring one of Hollywood's then most famous couples that explores the psychosexual anxieties of masculinity and patriarchal power dynamics - upheld by loci of elite influence - that oppress, sublimate, and throttle our desires.We begin by examining the metatextual maelstrom surrounding the film, and how a series of distinct discourses (Kubrick's first film in over a decade, his sudden death shortly after the film's completion, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman's tabloid-ready romance) united to produce a landmark film event that was met by a befuddled critical and commercial audience alike. Then, we discuss the film's milieu, its controlled artificiality, and Kubrick's masterful use of repetition to create a uniquely dreamlike essence that beguiles even as it suggests a disquieting world of influence operating just outside of our periphery. Finally, we unpack the film's mysteries and unresolved tensions; how the film's conclusion (and iconic final line) suggest a subtle defiance toward the systems of control that minimize and abstract our libidinal, desirous agency. Follow David Hering on Twitter.Check out David's work at his website.....Our theme song is "Mirror" by Chris Fish.

Series premiere! This week we leave The Shire behind to embark on our journey through Middle Earth and the epic fantasy genre!In the spirit of Lord of the Rings, we've divided our miniseries into three parts, and we're starting today with Part 1: The Road to Mordor. And that road begins with, you guessed it, Ray Harryhausen!Peter Jackson's trilogy would not exist without the sword-and-sandals stop-motion action of Harryhausen – so as we voyage towards Mordor, we must first trek the scorching sands of Ancient Greece, where harpies fly, gigantic statues terrorize, and gods try to kill us out of boredom! Oh, and spooky skeletons.Next week, we spend some time with a different type kind of Hobbit in Rankin and Bass's animated THE HOBBIT. Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPodReferences:Special FeaturesPeter Jackson Commentary TrackPeter Jackson on Ray HarryhausenArt UK Production HistoryRay Harryhausen/Bruce Eder Commentary Track 1992 Criterion ReleaseRay Harryhausen Talks Animating SkeletonsRay Harryhausen UK LaserDisc InterviewRay Harryhausen on Jerky MetalBruce Eder on Jason and the ArgonautsThe New York Times Ray Harryhausen FeatureInfinity Magazine Issue 41 Production HistoryCredits:Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shopThe "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Filmmaker Heather Landsman joins to discuss Michael Haneke's Benny's Video alongside a conversation about her latest film, the archival documentary The Best of Me, which chronicles Björk stalker Ricardo López through unvarnished, segments of his 1996 video diaries, created as a means of sharing his ideological convictions and his plan to mail the pop singer a letter bomb. The film shares some thematic connections with Benny's Video, exploring the potentially radicalizing effect of culutral ephemera, how mediation both reflects and proliferates the atomization of late capitalism, and how the distancing effect of the camera abstracts the boundaries between the incorporeal and the material. We begin with a conversation about The Best of Me, its creation, and how we should understand the case of the deeply disturbed López. Then we discuss Michael Haneke, his perspectives on violence and the media, and we take on some of the common criticisms of his work as overly didactic or sanctimonious. Finally, we look at Benny's Video, it's considerations of mediated existence in the late 20th century, and it prescience with regard to the digital unreality we all inhabit online every day in the 2020s. More info on The Best of Me can be found here. Watch the trailer for The Best of Me. Follow Heather Landsman on Twitter.Get access to all of our premium episodes and bonus content by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.....Our theme song is "Mirror" by Chris Fish.

On a dark and stormy night, Brandon and Stoney dig into the 1985 cult classic starring Tim Curry and a delightful ensemble, Clue. 

Run back the tape! We're closing the book on yet another miniseries this week, and… revealing the journey that lies ahead!It's been a joy scrubbing through all the haunted camera recordings of these found footage horror movies, and we're thrilled to tie off some loose ends, answer listener questions, and decide once and for all: is the Blair Witch even named Blair?Next week, we start anew…listen to find out where we'll be headed with our next miniseries!! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPodCredits:Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shopThe "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After an incredibly limited theatrical run Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein has hit Netflix as of November 7th. A week earlier, and maybe we'd have hit that Halloween sweet spot, but beggars can't be choosers, I suppose. I digress.Nonetheless, the occasion inspired Brandon and me (Stoney) to get behind the mics and talk about the vast history that this story holds in cinema history on the latest episode of The Vick's Flicks Podcast. We rewind to 1818 and discuss the original text from Mary Shelley. We look at some of the themes this story explores, and what about it has resonated with audiences for so many years. And, we look at an exhaustive filmography that features hundreds of films that fail to stand out and ask, “why did it take nearly a hundred years to do this ting right again?”Then, Brandon offers up his thoughts on del Toro's effort with 2025's Frankenstein.

 In remembrance of the wonderful writer, director, and actor Adrienne Shelly, we're excited to share again The Writers' Hangout Episode dedicated to her story, which we originally posted in the month she passed. It's a heartfelt chance to get to know this talented and incredible woman, whose life was tragically cut short. We hope you feel inspired and connected through her story.The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Executive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller

Try to remember these times, listeners. Some of the best nights of our lives were being had in parking lots.When Connor O'Malley brings a couple DV cameras to the suburban abyss of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, we simply have no choice but to watch. It's somehow the culmination of every found footage film we covered in this series, and also one of the funniest feature-length films ever uploaded directly to YouTube… or anywhere, for the matter.It's RAP WORLD, baby. And we're living in it!Next week we wrap up our found footage miniseries, answer some listener questions, AND…announce our next series! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPodReferences:Vulture Conner O'Malley InterviewFader Production HistoryFilmmaker Magazine Production HistoryScreen Slate Conner O'Malley & Danny Scharar InterviewConner O'Malley Needs a ProducerCredits:Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shopThe "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sometimes, dreams really do come true! We're thrilled to have with us the amazing Jerry Zucker, who, alongside his brother David and their friend Jim Abrahams, played a huge part in transforming comedy in the 1980s. Together, they brought a fresh and hilarious twist to the spoof movie genre with the legendary 1980 hit “Airplane,” which the American Film Institute recognized as one of the ten funniest films ever made.Before that, the Zuckers and Abrahams wrote the cult classic, "Kentucky Fried Movie" (1977), a comedy consisting of unrelated sketches. After "Airplane," the Zuckers and Abrahams created "Police Squad!" (ABC, 1982) and turned it into the successful film franchise of today. Next, Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker returned to the big screen with "Top Secret!" (1984). Jerry also directed "Ruthless People" (1986) and "Ghost" (1990), starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. "The Naked Gun - From the Files of Police Squad!" (1988). He produced "First Knight" (1995), "Rat Race," "A Walk in the Clouds" (1995), and "My Best Friend's Wedding" (1997). Additionally, he worked on "Fair Game" (2010).Special thanks to Katie Zucker and Darlene Chan.The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Executive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller

Happy Halloween!!Hang out with Sandy, Terry, and special guest screenwriter Mark Steen as they recap "Ghost and Mr. Chicken," starring Don Knotts from "The Andy Griffith Show" fame. Directed by Alan Rafkin and written by James Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" is about a timid typesetter who hasn't a ghost of a chance of becoming a reporter - until he decides to solve a murder mystery and ends up spending a fright-filled night in a haunted house. You don't need to watch the movie to enjoy the show, but we encourage you to do so since it's a fun movie that the whole family can enjoy.The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller

Welcome to the dark web! For the penultimate episode of our found footage miniseries, we're making Eye of the Duck history and inviting a writer/director to come on and explore his own film!Stephen Susco joins us to sail down the river and talk all things UNFRIENDED, such as transitioning the franchise from horror to thriller, the cursed search history of a professional screenwriter, the legacy of the screen life subgenre, and how easy it is to access the dark web! Really... apparently, anyone can do it.Next week, it's the deeply demented final film of our miniseries, RAP WORLD (2024). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPodReferences:The Q&A With Jeff Goldsmith Stephen Susco & Andrew Wesman InterviewThrillist Stephen Susco InterviewFrightday Stephen Susco & Colin Woodell InterviewThe Hindu Kevin Stewart InterviewStephen Susco on “Unfriended 3”Unfriended Getting a SequelCredits:Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shopThe "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grab your winter coat and don't fall asleep because it's time for Black Phone 2! Seth is joined by Shawn Hunt to discuss Scott Derrickson's sequel, Ethan Hawke bringing the goods, the problems with expanding lore in horror sequels, the uncanny connection to The Hateful Eight, sticking your finger in payphones and how horror icons public perception changes over time. It's a wide ranging conversation on all things horror so strap in and check it out!  Ad-free versions of all of our episodes are available on our Patreon When you sign up you also get access to our bonus shows, Discord server, shout out on the show AND you get to vote on monthly episodes and themes. That's a lot for only $5 a month! For more info and to sign up visit us on Patreon You can also give a Movie Friends subscription here: Gift a Movie Friends Subscription! Visit our website Send us an email! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Fill out our listener survey