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The Pestle: In-depth Movie Talk, No Fluff | Film Review | Spoilers

Film & TV News

Cinema lovers unite! Two actors and filmmakers decided to cut through all the fluff and start a movie podcast where they actually discuss the film and not a million other things you don’t care about. Covering the obvious (did you like the movie?) while diving a little deeper (what is Interstellar really about? is there a bootstrap paradox?) we are having an in-depth conversation about movies and see if they hold up to scrutiny, and maybe even inform us about life or moviemaking itself. Because a good movie is often about more than what it’s about. So, let’s see if these Hollywood directors & writers are up to snuff as we cover blockbusters, independent films, direct to Netflix movies, and everything else; maybe your next favorite film is an indie you haven’t even heard of, let us introduce you to another way of watching movies.

Location:

United States

Description:

Cinema lovers unite! Two actors and filmmakers decided to cut through all the fluff and start a movie podcast where they actually discuss the film and not a million other things you don’t care about. Covering the obvious (did you like the movie?) while diving a little deeper (what is Interstellar really about? is there a bootstrap paradox?) we are having an in-depth conversation about movies and see if they hold up to scrutiny, and maybe even inform us about life or moviemaking itself. Because a good movie is often about more than what it’s about. So, let’s see if these Hollywood directors & writers are up to snuff as we cover blockbusters, independent films, direct to Netflix movies, and everything else; maybe your next favorite film is an indie you haven’t even heard of, let us introduce you to another way of watching movies.

Language:

English


Episodes
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Ep 274: “Monkey Man”

5/7/2024
We swing through Dev Patel’s “Monkey Man” and discuss: Cinematography, camerawork, visual motifs; Story & Writing, emotional engagement, setting up payoffs; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Grief changes shape, but it never ends.“ – Keanu Reeves Notes & References: Todd’s band: Mad Valley vinyl album Byron Reese speaker demo reel – they […] The post Ep 274: “Monkey Man” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:00:54:34

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Ep 273: “Civil War”

4/16/2024
We document Alex Garland’s “Civil War” and discuss: Cinematography, compositions; Story & Writing, strong character arcs; Sound design, music; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.“ – George Orwell Watch us on YouTube! This Week’s Recommendations: The post Ep 273: “Civil War” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:01:51

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Ep 272: “Past Lives”

4/9/2024
We migrate to Celine Song’s “Past Lives” and discuss: Cinematography, long takes, composition and blocking; Story & Writing, immigration, notes from the screenplay; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.“ – Jimmy Carter Notes […] The post Ep 272: “Past Lives” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:36:08

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Ep 271: “The Bourne Identity”

4/2/2024
We karate chop Matt Damon’s “The Bourne Identity” and discuss: Cinematography, camerawork, lighting; Sound design & editing; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “There can be no faith in government if our highest offices are excused from scrutiny – they should be setting the example of transparency.“ – Edward Snowden Notes & References: […] The post Ep 271: “The Bourne Identity” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:00:56:35

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Ep 270: “In Bruges”

3/26/2024
We tour Martin McDonagh’s “In Bruges” and discuss: Directing & Cinematography; Story & Writing, innocence, ethics of murder; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.“ – Oscar Wilde Notes & References: *Correction: […] The post Ep 270: “In Bruges” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:07:28

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Ep 269: “Swingers” (1996)

3/19/2024
We claw through Jon Favreau’s “Swingers” and discuss: Cinematography, Directing & DP’ing, blocking; Story & Writing, Titles, Theme, Homages; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.“ – Voltaire Notes & References: “An oral history of Swingers” (Grantland.com) – Amazing retelling of how the […] The post Ep 269: “Swingers” (1996) appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:13:26

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Ep 268: “Back to the Future”

3/12/2024
We hit 88 mph through Michael J. Fox’s “Back to the Future” and discuss: Cinematography, performance and editing; Story & Writing, cars, clocks, and loops, Marty’s arc; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Affliction comes to us, not to make us sad but sober; not to make us sorry but wise.“ – H.G. […] The post Ep 268: “Back to the Future” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:23:32

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Ep 267: “Dune: Part 2”

3/5/2024
We chip and shatter Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune part 2” and discuss: Cinematography, exposure for story, backlighting the sun; Story & Writing, na-Baron; Performances, Zendaya’s layers, Javier Bardem going all out; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “You can have the power to destroy, but it doesn’t give you the power to reform, or […] The post Ep 267: “Dune: Part 2” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:29:47

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Ep 266: “Fury”

2/27/2024
We’re ON THE WAY through Brad Pitt’s “Fury” and discuss: Cinematography, contrast, motivating light; Story & Writing, Norman’s arc; Sound design; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “I’ve always felt that movies are an emotional medium — that movies are not the way to make an intellectual argument.“ – Roger Ebert Notes & […] The post Ep 266: “Fury” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:11:16

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Ep 265: “300”

2/20/2024
We slowly watch Zack Snyder’s “300” and discuss: Cinematography, slomo; Story & Writing, dramatic effect; Not quite true history; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “It is better by noble boldness to run the risk of being subject to half the evils we anticipate than to remain in cowardly listlessness for fear of […] The post Ep 265: “300” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:09:37

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Ep 264: “The Master”

2/13/2024
We process Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master” and discuss: Cinematography, contrast and eye shadows; Story & Writing, Freddie’s potion, the master; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich.“ – Napoleon Bonaparte Notes & References: Addendum: The highlights definitely near blowing out, but since this […] The post Ep 264: “The Master” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:00:52:17

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Ep 263: “Phantom Thread”

1/23/2024
Two hungry boys devour Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Phantom Thread” and discuss: Cinematography without a cinematographer; Directing, sound design; Story & Writing; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “There is no time for cut-and-dried monotony. There is time for work. And time for love. That leaves no other time!“ – Coco Chanel Notes & […] The post Ep 263: “Phantom Thread” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:12:08

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Ep 262: “Fallen” (1998)

1/16/2024
We investigate Denzel Washington’s “Fallen” and discuss: Cinematography, exposition, eye lights; Story & Writing, theme; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Never pick a fight with an ugly person, they’ve got nothing to lose.“ – Robin Williams Watch us on YouTube! This Week’s Recommendations: The post Ep 262: “Fallen” (1998) appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:04:12

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Ep 261: “The Iron Claw”

1/9/2024
We wrestle Zac Efron’s “The Iron Claw” and discuss: Story & Writing, exposition, bittersweet salve; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “In order to be the man, you have to beat the man.“ – Ric Flair Watch us on YouTube! This Week’s Recommendations: Versa Gripps Pro (on Amazon) The post Ep 261: “The Iron Claw” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:00:56:08

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Ep 260: “Bad Times at the El Royale”

12/26/2023
We check in to Drew Goddard’s “Bad Times at the El Royale” and discuss: Cinematography, unmotivated light, motivated coverage; Story & Writing, true faith, honoring the dead; Special Guest Hamish Purdy, set decorator on Bad Times at the El Royale; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “A well constructed plot, therefore, must neither […] The post Ep 260: “Bad Times at the El Royale” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:28:16

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Ep 259: “Dream Scenario”

12/19/2023
We cancel Nicolas Cage’s “Dream Scenario” and discuss: Cinematography, selling the absence of something; Story & Writing, structure, blending in, viral fame; New Mad Valley track, “I Don’t Want to Be Careful”; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “The most powerful force ever known on this planet is human cooperation – a force […] The post Ep 259: “Dream Scenario” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:22:10

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Ep 258: “Napoleon”

12/12/2023
We invade Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” and discuss: Cinematography, fight sequence; Story & Writing, nudity, Josephine; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.“ – Sun Tzu Notes & References: “Threads” Light Ranger 2 Ridley Scott’s 1984 Apple Super Bowl Commercial Watch us on YouTube! […] The post Ep 258: “Napoleon” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:04:53

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Ep 257: “Unforgiven”

11/29/2023
We deserve Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven” and discuss: Cinematography, contrast; Story & Writing, Will vs Bill, deserve’s got nothing to do with it; New Mad Valley Track “All Of Me”; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Being good is easy, what is difficult is being just.“ – Victor Hugo Notes & References: “Unforgiven” is […] The post Ep 257: “Unforgiven” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:18:24

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Ep 256: “No Country for Old Men”

11/21/2023
We flip a coin on the Coen Brothers’ “No Country for Old Men” and discuss: Cinematography & Editing; Story & Writing, luck, fate, and evil; Actor Trent Moore discusses his role in No Country for Old Men and working with the Coen Brothers; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “We cannot change anything […] The post Ep 256: “No Country for Old Men” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:56:28

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Ep 255: “Adaptation”

11/15/2023
We grow into Charlie Kaufman’s “Adaptation” and discuss: Wes discusses losing his grandmother (00:00-13:38); Cinematography; Story & Writing, subplots vs settings, Charlie’s twin; New Mad Valley track “Come Back Down”; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “There’s this inherent screenplay structure that everyone seems to be stuck on, this three-act thing. It doesn’t […] The post Ep 255: “Adaptation” appeared first on The Pestle.

Duration:01:28:04