Listen Now

MATCHES, MATCHES, WE DON’T NEED NO STINKIN’ MATCHES. Join me and my guest filmmaker David Au (Eat With Me) as we discuss The Wedding Banquet and Late Spring, what we’re calling matchmaking Asian style.  “She’ll make lots of babies”. Nag, nag, nag. That’s all parents do. Clean your room. Get married. Get good grades. Get married. Don’t stay out late. Get married. …Sounds like it’s time for Episode 66 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. For this episode, I am happy to welcome as my guest, filmmaker David Au, who has chosen as his selection Ang Lee’s breakthrough film, the farcical The Wedding Banquet, while I have chosen Yasujirō Ozu’s classic shōshimin-eiga drama, Late Spring, both films about parents trying to get their children married.   And in this episode, we answer such questions as: What is a post-gay film? What is a shōshimin-eiga film? What did Emma Thompson say about Ang Lee? What censorship problems did Late Spring face? Where was the lead for The Wedding Banquet discovered (hint: it wasn’t Schwabbs)? What happened in 1947 and 1948 in regard to marriages in Japan? In what way was The Wedding Banquet a more successful film financially than Jurassic Park? Where does Late Spring land on the Sight and Sound poll? What was unusual about Ang Lee winning an Academy Award for best director?  Check out David’s film Eat With Me on Amazon.  Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/  My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss 

THEY’RE REVOLTING: “It’s a trap.” Join filmmaker and fellow podcaster Derek Diamond (The Derek Diamond Experience) as we talk The Empire Strikes Back and The Battle of Algiers, two films about a revolutionary forced trying to throw off the yolk of their empire owners.  Also, I was a guest on The Derek Diamond Experience and you can find it here among other streaming platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-derek-diamond-experience/id954082680  Isn’t always the same. You take over a country or planet. Teach them your ways. Make them civilized. But are they grateful? Do they welcome your world domination and tyranny? No. The thankless peons dare to ask, no demand, their freedom. Unappreciative miscreants…Sounds like it’s time for Episode 65 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, I am happy to welcome as my guest, filmmaker and fellow podcaster, Derek Diamond, who has chosen as his film the sequel to the blockbuster Star Wars, the not-so-blockbuster, but perhaps superior, The Empire Strikes Back, while I have chosen the French neo-realist classic The Battle for Algiers, both films about people fighting an empire for their freedom. And in this episode we answer such questions: Does Star Wars have a diversity issue? What is scientifically wrong with the asteroid belt scene? Who is Sartre? Is the director’s cut better? What did Harrison Ford say about the screenplay to Lucas? What is unusual about the Oscars and Battle? What warning was attached to screenings of Battle in some countries and why? Why is Alec Guinness in Empire for such a little time? What is Manicheism? Why was Battle banned in France? Who wrote Empire? What line was David Prowse given to say because he tended to leak information? Where do the Black Panthers and the Baader-Meinhof complex come in? Where does the Wilhelm scream come?  And don’t forget to check out the Derek Diamond Experience https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-derek-diamond-experience/id954082680  And his short film on YouTube, The Parker Syndrome https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKarHgnYs9A Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/  My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss 

MONSTERBATING: “You can hop, but you can’t hide”. Join film enthusiast and blogger Tony Cogan (Coogs Reviews) as we discuss Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were Rabbit and the 1931 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, two films about experiments that go wrong and result in the creation of a monster (don’t you hate when that happens?).  Also, enjoy an episode that covers some of the same ideas: Jurassic Park/Frankenstein/Bride of Frankenstein/Son of Frankenstein at https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episode/elsfom as well as Apple, Spotify and other streaming services. Don’t you hate it when something goes a little wrong? You create a person out of spare body parts and they go on a murderous rampage. You create dinosaurs out of DNA and they go on a murderous rampage. You create a serum to get rid of the bad part of you and you go on a murderous rampage. You create a mind manipulator for bunny rabbits and you end up going on a murderous rampage of…well, vegetables, but the principle is the same. Sounds like it’s time for Episode 64 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, I am happy to welcome as my guest, film enthusiast and blogger Tony Cogan, who has chosen as his film the stop motion animated comedy Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, while I have chosen the pre-code horror film Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, both films about scientific experiments gone wrong resulting in the creation of a monster.  And in this episode we’ll answer such questions as: How do you pronounce Jekyll? What does a director do on an animated film? How were the special effects achieved in Dr. Jekyll…? What is the difference between American and British horror/sci-fi films of the 1950s and 60s? Why did Wallace Beery tie with Frederic March for Best Actor at the Oscars? Just what is it about animated films and their increase in popularity? What’s innovative about the opening scene in Dr. Jekyll? What movie beat out Wallace and Gromit by $200,000 the 2nd week of opening? Why did posters have to be altered in Portland, Dorset, UK? Who is Rose Hobart and why were they saying all those terrible things about her? What is the Wilhelm scream?   Check out Tony’s blog Coogs Review at https://coogsreviews.wordpress.com/author/tonycoogs/  Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/  My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss 

TELL ME ABOUT THE RABBITS, GEORGE: Join me and screenwriter Joshua Montcalm (Dark Web: Cicada 3301) as we talk rabbits; dirty disgusting rabbits; six-foot tall anthropomorphized rabbits in the WTF cult classic Donnie Darko and the Golden Age Jimmy Stewart classic Harvey. “Deus ex machina”. At one time or the other, we’ve all had imaginary friends. Sometimes they were human, sometimes they weren’t. Sometimes nice, sometimes not. And sometimes, just sometimes, they’re six foot tall anthropomorphized Leporidae lagomorpha, Sounds like it’s time for Episode 63 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. For this episode, I am happy to welcome as my guest, screenwriter Joshua Montcalm, who has chosen as his film the WTF cult classic Donnie Darko, while I have chosen the Jimmy Stewart golden age classic, Harvey, both films about someone who interact with a six foot tall anthropomorphized rabbit,  And in this episode we answer such questions as: What did the director of Harvey do that got him to leave Germany and come to the US? What the hell does Donnie Darko even mean and is it Determinism v. Existentialism? Why did Jimmy Stewart suggest Harvey have wider shots at times? Who is the linguist that said that “cellar door” was the most beautiful phrase in the English language? Why did both films have trouble making their money back? Wouldn’t it be great to be drunk 24 hours a day? What did Kevin Smith say about Richard Kelly?  Check out Joshua’s film Dark Web: Cicada 3301 at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8110246/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_2 and on Hulu Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/  My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss 

STALKERS: Join me and my guests, podcasters and film enthusiasts, Jordan Garcia and Armando Arvizu (of the Criterion Cult Film Podcast) as we discuss Ghost World and The World of Henry Orient, two films about high school BFFs who turn to stalking to past the time.  “Splitzing!” It’s friendship, friendship, just the perfect blendship/When other friendships have been forgot,/Ours will still be hot…Hminimm, maybe, maybe not. Sounds like it’s time for Episode 62 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, I am happy to welcome as my guests, podcasters and film enthusiasts Jordan Garcia and Armando Arvizu, who has chosen as their film Terry Zwigoff’s comic book adaptation Ghost World while I have chosen the somewhat unknown George Roy Hill film The World of Henry Orient, both films about BFFs in high school who turn to stalking to pass the time.  And in this episode, we answer such questions as: What is the connection to Will & Grace? What’s significant about Ghost World’s Academy Award nomination? What is the poster connection between the two films? What does the ending of Ghost World mean? What is splitzing? What is the connection to The Munsters? And Winnie the Pooh? Check out Jordan and Armando’s podcast The Criterion Cult Film Podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/criterion-cult-film-podcast/id1533155441  Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/  My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss 

BUDDY BUDDY. Join filmmaker Josh Kim (How to Win at Checkers (Every Time) and the upcoming HBO series Forbidden) as we talk buddy cop movies: Rush Hour and a precursor to the subgenre, In the Heat of the Night.  “They call me Mr. Tibbs.” Have you ever been paired for a project with someone you can’t stand? Or with someone from another culture and the two of you just didn’t get along? Were you investigating a murder and maybe wanted to kill the one you were investigating it with?…Sounds like it’s time for Episode 61 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, I am happy to welcome back, a previous guest, writer, director Josh Kim, who has chosen as his movie the Jackie Chan/Chris Tucker action movie Rush Hour, while I have chosen the Norman Jewison classic, In the Heat of the Night, both films about police officers of different and conflicting backgrounds who must come together to solve a case.  And in this episode we answer such questions as: What is the slap heard round the world? Why did Jackie Chan dislike the movie Rush Hour? Why was …Heat of the Night filmed in Sparta, Illinois rather than Sparta, Mississippi? What language does Chan speak in Rush Hour, and why? What is considered to be the first buddy cop film? What happened to Sidney Poitier’s career? What was significant about the year 1967 for movies? Why is Jackie Chan responsible for Rotten Tomatoes?  Be sure and check out Josh’s film How to Win at Checkers (Every Time) (now on streaming channels). Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/  My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss 

HIGH AND LOW: Join me and actor, writer, producer Thomas Goersh (the award winning short film Unhappy) as we talk The Big Blue and Wings. “I was just trying to get one more Heine for you” As Petula Clark sang in her hit song: My love is warmer than the warmest sunshine, softer than a sigh/My love is deeper than the deepest ocean, wider than the sky…Sounds like it’s time for Episode 60 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, I am happy to welcome as my guest, actor, screenwriter, TV host, festival and film director, Thomas Goersch, who has chosen as his film French director Luc Besson’s game changing The Big Blue, while I have chosen the film that won the first Oscar for best picture, Wings, both films about friends becoming rivals and rivals becoming friends in the highly tense and dangerous worlds of free diving and World War I fighter pilots.  And in this episode, we ask such questions as: Where is the nudity in Wings? What are the differences between the true story and the film of The Big Blue? What was unique about the aerial scenes in Wings? What is an “It” girl or guy? Why wasn’t The Big Blue not shown in Italy for years? What is the Cinema du Look? What was the end of French Cinema as know it? Look for Thomas’ short film Unhappy at a film festival near you.  And check out his IMDB page at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1591928/?ref_=tt_ov_dr  Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/  My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss  Meanwhile, like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. 

NEW POP ART EPISODE): Join teacher by day, horror aficionado by night Lisa Leaheey as we talk Memento and Spellbound. Meanwhile, please like, follow and spread the news about the podcast. MEMORIES OF MURDER: “I have a condition”. You forget your keys? No big deal. You forget where you parked your car? It’s okay, you’ll find it. You forget your phone? Well, not good, but still… It happens. But forget whether you murdered someone or not and just watch as all hell breaks loose. Sounds like it’s time for Episode 59 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. This time round, I am happy to welcome as my guest, teacher by day, horror aficionado by night and someone who makes a career of being on other people’s podcasts, Lisa Leaheey, who has chosen as her film the Christopher Nolan mind bending neo-noir Memento, while I have chosen the classic Alfred Hitchcock psychological thriller Spellbound, both about people who may have…oh, I forget.  And in this episode we answer such questions as: Is the structure of Memento a gimmick or a conceit? What six Hitchcock films was Leo G. Carroll in? What is the major plot hole in Memento? What is a theremin and would you want to be one? What are some other stories with unusual structures? What’s odd about Teddy’s driver’s license and telephone number? Who is Michael Chekov related to? What is it about that skiing scene?  Check out Between the Scares with Lisa Leaheey at Whatever With Jason Soto at https://open.spotify.com/episode/7a0hdhkumnnpXH0CAYr33i And check out her upcoming podcast The SibList at https://www.facebook.com/The-SibList-109714494695206 soon to be at rabbitholepodcasts.com  Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/  My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss 

Join me and filmmaker Andrew Johnson-Schmit, co-writer and co-director of the upcoming horror film Witch Child, as we discuss Train to Busan and North West Passage (aka Flame Over India).TRAINING DAY: “Why is your ringtone so tacky?” Don’t you hate when this happens? You get on a train. It’s going to be a normal day. Then suddenly you find yourself assailed on all sides by zombies or warring tribesmen. It’s just so annoying. Sounds like it’s time for Episode 58 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. Today, I am happy to welcome as my guest writer/director/producer/podcaster Andrew Johnson-Schmit, who has chosen as his film the action packed South Korean new wave zombie flick, Train to Busan, while I have chosen the1950s action flick taking place during the Raj in India, North West Frontier, aka Flame over India, both about people on a train trying to get from point A to point B through territory filled with throngs trying to kill them. And in this episode we answer such questions as: What countries are making the most interesting movies in the world and why? How long does it usually take to go from Seoul to Busan? What is the connection between North West Frontier and Stagecoach? What is it about train films? What is it about Zombie films? Where does the Suez Crisis fit in? Be on the look out for Andrew’s new horror movie, now in post-production, called Witch Child.And while waiting on that, check out Andrew’s IMDB page at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5850732/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/ My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss Meanwhile, like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. 

HAVE MURDER, WILL TRAVEL: “A pint of bitters…in a thin glass”. Trying to find out who killed someone can be murder. But what makes it really annoying is when the murderer has the temerity of committing his crime somewhere else. Sounds like it’s time for Episode 57 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. For this outing, I am happy to welcome as my guest, movie hyphenate writer, filmmaker, academic, businessman Tony Klinger, who has chosen as his film the 1970s cult classic and Michael Caine crime film, Get Carter, while I have chosen the Spencer Tracy/John Sturges 1955 contemporary western, Bad Day at Black Rock, both films about people traveling to another location to solve a murder. And in this episode, we answer such questions as: What did they do to get Spencer Tracy for the part? What annoyance did Newcastle bartenders have to put up with after Get Carter opened? Why did they change the opening of Bad Day at Black Rock? What book is Carter reading on the train to Newcastle? Was Bad Day at Black Rock subversive? Why did Get Carter do well by critics in the US, but poorly at the box office, and do badly by critics in the UK, but did well at the box office? Whatever happened to Carl Howard? Check out Tony Klinger’s IMDB page https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005590/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0#writer Keep a look out for his upcoming films Peace Beats – Sisters and Dirty, Sexy and Totally Iconic and moreAnd his blog: https://www.tonydklinger.com/ Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/ My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss

NAPPED TIME: “Tonight is the night to be young.” Don’t you hate when this happen? Someone abducts a loved one. Takes them far away. And you have to go after them and bring them back. And you haven’t even had your coffee yet. Sounds like it’s time for Episode 56 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. For this episode, I am happy to welcome as my guest, TV producer Casey O’Connor (Ridiculousness), who has chosen the Walter Hill rock and roll action film, Streets and Fire, while I have chosen Richard Brooks revisionist western and Burt Lancaster vehicle, The Professionals, both films inspired by the Iliad in which a group of people are sent to retrieve a loved one who has been abducted. And in this episode, we answer such questions as: Why did Streets of Fire lose money? What was odd about Diane Lane’s age in Streets of Fire? What is revisionist about The Professionals? How did Amy Madigan’s role change once she was cast? What was odd about the directing category of the 1967 Oscars? Where did the title of Streets of Fire come from and what happened in connection to it? What was the ninth most popular movie at the French box office in 1966? What famous comedian can be seen as an extra in Streets of Fire? What is Richard Brooks most lasting contribution to film noir and what did the censors do? Which song from Streets of Fire became a top 10 Billboard hit in 1984? What is the Blasters and would you want to be one? Be sure and check out Casey’s show on MTV: Ridiculousness And check out his cool lamps made from VHS tapes at https://www.voltagevhs.com/ Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/ My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss

NEW POP ART EP 55: ON THE ROAD AGAIN: “Nag, nag, nag.” How hard can it be? Your assignment is to get a witness from point A to point B? What could possibly go wrong, you ask? Sounds like it’s time for Episode 55 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. Today, I am happy to welcome as my guest, blogger. podcaster and film enthusiast Thomas Stoneham-Judge, who has chosen the Ryan Reynolds/Samuel L. Jackson bromance road picture, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, while I have chosen the Clint Eastwood/Sondra Locke romantic action road picture, The Gauntlet, both about people trying to get a witness to trial against almost insurmountable odds. And don’t forget to follow my podcast and comment. And in this episode we answer such questions as: What is the Wilhelm Scream; What is a Pat Hingle and would you want to be one; Why do Reynolds and Jackson work so well together; What did test audiences scream out at the climax of The Gauntlet; What song do the nuns on the bus sing; who were first cast in The Gauntlet; What happened to the screenplay to The Hitman’s Bodyguard a few weeks before shooting?And check out Thomas’ blog at ForReel Movie News & Reviews at https://www.moviesforreel.net/home/category/Blogs+by+Thomas Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/ My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss Meanwhile, like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. On ITUNES and PODOMATIC. https://podcasts.apple.com/.../pop-art/id1511098925and https://hcasner65579.podomatic.com/, Anchor: https://anchor.fm/howard-casner, as well as iheartradio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-pop-art-65365716/, Sticher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/pop-art Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5jX4noVGArDJdmcFtmrQcGm , Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/..., Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/pop-art, Pocketcasts: https://pca.st/vfjqj6j6, Radiopublic: https://radiopublic.com/pop-art-GExxNb

CURSES, FOILED AGAIN: “Out of my way, you masters of one thousand fleas”. The course of true love never did run smooth. If you’re a hawk by day, your love is a wolf by night. If you are blind, your love is in a deep sleep. Curses. Sounds like it’s time for Episode 54 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, I am happy to welcome as my guest, blogger and film enthusiast Jeanette Ward, who has chosen Richard Donner’s medieval dark fantasy Ladyhawke, while I have chosen the Alexander Korda/Michael Powell Tales of the Arabian Nights Sabu vehicle, the classic Thief of Bagdad, both fantasy films about a thief who helps overturn a curse and reunite lovers. And in this episode we answer such questions as: What is it about fantasy films anyway? Why did Ladyhawke fail at the box office? What is a Sabu and would you want to be one? Is Leo McKern No. 1? What happened when the production of Thief of Bagdad was moved from London to Hollywood at the outbreak of the war? Who was originally cast in the Rutger Hauer role? What innovation to special effects did The Thief of Bagdad bring to movie making? Why does everyone talk to God? And what is it with Broderick’s accent? And check out Jeanette’s blog The Mundane Adventures of a Fangirl at http://jwardadventures.blogspot.com/ Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/ My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss

A BOY’S BEST FRIEND IS HIS MOTHER: “Your mom kind of freaked me out”. Coming of age can be the most traumatic and difficult time in a young person’s life. Of course, sometimes, this rite of passage can be eased with a little help from…your mother? Sounds like it’s time for Episode 53 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. And this time I am happy to welcome as my guest, film enthusiast Cameron Kanachki, who has chosen the modern coming of age rock and roll classic Almost Famous, while I have chosen the Louis Malle classic French coming of age story Murmur of the Heart, both about teens coming of age with a little help from Mommie, dearest. And in this episode we answer such questions as: How do Freud and Hegel fit in? Who was originally cast in the Billy Crudup role? Just how autobiographical are these movies? Vice is nice, but is incest best? Where does the famous Supreme Court statement about porn “I know it when I see it” come from? What is Cameron Crowe’s favorite scene? Cameron, along with moi, is often a guest on the fun LAMBCast podcast. So go to that website and find out what we talk about there: http://www.largeassmovieblogs.com/ Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/ My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss

HIP HIP HOORAJ: “Kill for the love of Kali.” It happens over and over again. You conquer a country. Make it part of your empire. Teach them to be just like you while not giving them any real freedom or self-determination. And in response, all you expect is a little gratitude—plus the vast majority of their resources for your own exploitation. But in return, what do you get—all they do is grumble, complain and commit mass murder. Sigh. Sounds like it’s time for Episode 52 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest will choose a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, I am happy to welcome as my guest, filmmaker Micky Levy. Micky has chosen the second entry in the Indian Jones franchise, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, while I have chosen the George Stevens, Rudyard Kipling inspired classic, Gunga Din, both inspired by the Raj in India and a rebellious cult called The Thuggees. And in this episode we answer such questions as: Why did nobody involved like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom? Who did they want for the role of Gunga Din first? What joke was played on Spielberg during the filming of the final scenes? How did Cary Grant get cast as Cutter? What effect did Temple of Doom have on the ratings system? What did Bertolt Brecht, T.S. Eliot and George Orwell say about Gunga Din and Rudyard Kipling? What happened to the characters of Willie Scott and Short Round? Why was Kipling cut from the original version of Gunga Din?Check out Micky’s IMDB listing at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0506551/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0And her film Rails & Ties, available on various streaming platformsCheck out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/ My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss

DADDY ISSUES: “Kobayashi Maru”. Fathers and sons. Husbands and wives. Wives and sons. Friends and lovers. Set against the background of the military. Sounds like it’s time for Episode 51 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest will choose a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, I am happy to welcome back as my guest, screenwriter and blogger, Paul Zeidman. Paul has chosen the second entry in the Star Trek movie franchise Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn, while I have chosen the John Ford classic, the last in his calvary trilogy, Rio Grande. Both films about fathers not only facing battle, but also coming to terms with an estranged son. And in this episode we ponder such questions as: What is Captain Kirk’s address? Why did Ford make Rio Grande? What did Ricardo Montalban find frustrating in making The Wrath of Kahn? Why were the Sons of the Pioneers used in Rio Grande? What plotting error wasn’t realized until late in the filming of …Kahn? What is a Leo G. Carroll and would you want to be one? Why was Star Trek II more profitable than Star Trek I? What did John Wayne consider Rio Grande a parable of? Where did they get Kahn’s men for the movie? And be sure to check out Paul Zeidman’s blog MaximumZ at https://maximumz.blog/Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/ My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss Meanwhile, like, follow or comment on my podcast.

NO NERDITY ALLOWED: “Al-a-ga-ZINK! Al-a-ga-ZINK! Boola Bink! WOW”. College. The place that separates the men from the boys. The alphas from the betas. The jocks from the nerds. Sounds like it’s time for Episode 50 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest will choose a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. And yes, you read that right, this is the 50th episode; Pop Art has reached it’s first milestone. And because of that I am happy to welcome back filmmaker and fellow podcaster, Donald McKinney, III, who was the guest on my very first episode. Donald has chosen the raunchy 1980s nerds goes to college film, Revenge of the Nerds, while I have chosen the classic silent film about a nerd going to college, Harold Lloyd’s The Freshman. And in this episode we answer such questions as: What did Jeff Kanew say that got him the job to direct Revenge of the Nerds? What is a petting party? Where did the nerd laugh come from? What is a Grady Sutton and would you want to be one? Who is so tough he shaves with a blow torch? What is the connection to TMNT? Whatever happened to Ted McGinley? Meanwhile, check out The Real Short Box on most streaming platforms like Apple, as well as on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+real+short+boxDonald’s website Rumblespoon Productions as http://www.rumblespoon.com/wp/index/The web series The Blue Beetle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6a-L7kUfdE Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/ My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss Meanwhile, like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think.

BATTLE ROYALE: “If you have to ask, you’re missing it.” In this corner, the playboy, the Casanova, the Romeo, who only sees women as something to be conquered. In this corner, the modern woman, the feminist, the independent woman who won’t be played. Who will win? Let’s ring the bell and let the fight begin. Sounds like it’s time for Episode 49 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. For this episode, I am happy to welcome back fellow podcaster Amanda Kirkham who has chosen the post-modern take on Doris Day/Rock Hudson movies, Down With Love while I have chosen the Doris Day/Rock Hudson film it satirizes, Pillow Talk, both films that revolve around the battle of the sexes.And in this episode we discuss such issues as : What is a “sex, but no sex” film? What is odd about the pairing of David Hyde Pierce and Sarah Paulson? What does The Graduate have to do with it? Why does Down With Love end with the song Here’s to Love? What is a Thelma Ritter and would you want to be one? What is Will Jordan’s connection to Ed Sullivan? Doris Day or Renee Zellweger? And many others. Check out Amanda’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyUn3wNQuvokOKJsc6crLiQ/featuredAnd her Hollywood Consumer blog at https://www.facebook.com/HollywoodConsumer/ Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/ My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss Meanwhile, like, follow or comment on my podcast.

THE PLAY’S THE THING: “Love ya.” Ah, romance. It’s still the same old story. You meet a guy. He wines and dines you. He sleeps with you. He dumps you. He tries to kill you. Sounds like it’s time for Episode 48 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. For this podcast, I am happy to welcome as my guest, Hollywood hyphenate, writer/actor Kelly Campbell, who has chosen the Nancy Meyers directed, Diane Keaton vehicle, Something’s Gotta Give and I have chosen the classic Joan Crawford film noir Sudden Fear. Both movies with plots revolving around female playwrights and their love lives. And in this film we answer such questions as: Are women dating younger men as believable as men dating younger women? What Does Robot Monster have to do with it? Keanu Reeves, really? Lillian Hellman, really? Who is Theresa Harris? How do Superman and Superwoman fit in? What is a women in danger/peril film and who may have created the first one? Where does the title of Something’s Gotta Give come from? What is a homme fatale? Check out Kelly’s imdb page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4943645/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_5And her series Spellagram on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtO0Sw6uMrA1B4KqnivfHAgHer blog at https://kellythinksthis.com/ And her very funny short film: The Bachelorette Party at https://vimeo.com/254262647 Check out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/ My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss

PARALLEL PARKING: “With great ability comes great accountability”. Are we alone in the universe? Perhaps, more importantly, is our universe alone in the universe? Sounds like it’s time for Episode 47 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, I am happy to welcome as my guest, Hollywood hyphenate, writer/director/producer Keith Hartman who has chosen the exciting and innovative animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and I have chosen the low budget, indie film and first feature from James Ward Byrkit, Coherence. Both movies with plots containing parallel universes.And in this episode, we ask such questions as: Who steals a bagel? What happened on the final night of shooting in Coherence? What is PDNY? What scene in Rick and Morty resembles a scene in Coherence? What happens whenever you hit pause when a train goes by in Spider-Man? How much did it cost to make Coherence? Where does “leap of faith” come from and how does existentialism, post modernism and gender meets diversity fit in? Check out Keith’s IMDB page at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1402329/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1Check out his films on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=keith+hartman&i=instant-video&ref=nb_sb_nossAnd his books at: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=keith+hartman&i=digital-text&ref=nb_sb_nossCheck out my blog at https://howardcasner.wordpress.com/ My books, More Rantings and Ravings of a Screenplay Reader, The Starving Artists and Other Stories and The Five Corporations and One True Religion can be found at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=howard+casner&ref=nb_sb_noss