The Broken Projector Movie Podcast
A movie podcast that isn't boring.

Best Movies 2003

Everyone is making lists this time of year (including us), but talking about the movies of 2013 has gotten a little old, so we decided to turn to old movies in order to feel new again. Old being relative.

With the fog of hype and immediacy washed away, Joanna Robinson from Pajiba and FSR's own Landon Palmer join Geoff and me to discuss our favorites of 2003 and discover some connections to the trends that would dominate a decade later.

You should follow Joanna (@quityourjrob), Landon (@landonspeak), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more on a daily basis.

And, as always, if you like the show (or hate it with seething fervor), please help us out with a review.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode44.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 6:42am EDT

Paul Walker - Hours

Paul Walker's performance in Hours is a different animal. In the film, he stars as a man who loses his wife during childbirth and must watch over his ailing newborn in a hospital evacuated by the threat of Hurricane Katrina. It's high concept with a big beating heart, and we'll speak with writer/director Eric Heisserer about the challenges of crafting it, and the contextual shift left by Walker's tragic death.

Plus, Eric Vespe (aka Quint) from Aint It Cool News will try to convince Geoff to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug regardless of how the dragon's name is pronounced, and we've got a fundamental screenwriting question on tap for both Geoff and Heisserer. It's our penultimate show, so we're swinging for the fences.

You should follow Eric Vespe (@ericvespe), Eric Heisserer (@HIGHzurrer), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more on a daily basis.

And, as always, if you like the show (or hate it with seething fervor), please help us out with a review.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode43.mp3
Category:Director Interviews -- posted at: 7:12am EDT

planes-trains-and-automobiles

The master of blending comedy, drama and real people, we can think of no one we'd rather spend an awkward holiday dinner with than John Hughes. So this week on the show we'll heap praise on the filmmaker who delivered our teenage years and families back to us on the screen. To help us out, "You Couldn't Ignore Me If You Tried" author Susannah Gora joins us to share some fantastic insights into Hughesian magic.

We'll also explore why there are so few Thanksgiving movies (you still have leftovers, right?) and rattle off a list of them (which will naturally lead us right back to John Hughes).

You should follow the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more on a daily basis.

And, as always, if you like the show (or hate it with seething fervor), please help us out with a review.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode42.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 7:44am EDT

This week on the show we're talking with Dear Mr. Watterson director Joel Allen Schroeder about the universal love for Calvin and Hobbes as well as the long, strange trip the Kickstarted movie took to find theaters.

Plus, Vanity Fair's Katey Rich and I debate whether The Hunger Games should be criticized for being a rip-0ff of Battle Royale and Geoff waxes philosophical (and structural) about the right way to approach foreign remakes.

You should follow Katey Rich (@kateyrich), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more on a daily basis.

And, as always, if you like the show (or hate it with seething fervor), please help us out with a review.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode41.mp3
Category:Director Interviews -- posted at: 9:05am EDT

Loki - Thor the Dark World

Tom Hiddleston joins us this week to discuss his third Marvel outing in Thor: The Dark World, and to find a match for Loki in the Shakespearean universe. Our interview is much ado about spandex, but before it, Geoff and I will share some non-superhero comic books we think should be turned into movies and hyper-sexualized HBO series.

You should follow the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more on a daily basis.

And, as always, if you like the show (or hate it with seething fervor), please help us out with a review.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode40.mp3
Category:Actor Interviews -- posted at: 12:11pm EDT

Sinister

Scott Derrickson, the writer/director behind The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Sinister, joins us this week to explain how to scare the hell out of someone at the cinema. Plus, FSR head-honcho-in-chief Neil Miller shares what movie prop he desperately wants to own, and we hear some of your responses.

You should follow Scott Derrickson (@scottderrickson), Neil Miller (@rejects), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more on a daily basis.

And, as always, if you like the show (or hate it with seething fervor), please help us out with a review.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode39.mp3
Category:Filmmaker Interviews -- posted at: 3:36am EDT

Scott C Goonies

On today's show we explore the most obvious cultural trend of our time -- the infusion of geeky stuff into the mainstream. We'll talk with Zero Charisma directors Katie Graham and Andrew Matthews about getting geek culture right in their fan favorite film portraying a D&D-like gaming group and their fragile leader.

Plus, Great Showdowns artist Scott Campbell (see above) explains why he puts smiley faces on everything and shares his towering movie passion.

And since I'm feeling overwhelmed by the amount of capes on the big screen, Agents of Geek founder Jim Napier drops by to lift my spirits by offering an optimistic outlook on the future of geek film properties.

You should follow Scott C. (@scottlava), Jim Napier (@jim_napier), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more on a daily basis.

And, as always, if you like the show (or hate it with seething fervor), please help us out with a review.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode38.mp3
Category:Director Interviews -- posted at: 8:48am EDT

Kill Your Darlings

Donning some sweet spectacles again, Daniel Radcliffe returns to theaters this upcoming Wednesday as beat poet Allen Ginsberg in Kill Your DarlingsThe actor joins us to talk about finding that character and the hunt for great material.

Continuing that theme, Black List founder Franklin Leonard speaks with us in an extended interview on the website's 1st birthday as an outlet for aspiring writers to be discovered and receive feedback from industry professionals. What successes they've faced, what challenges lie ahead, and what changes we'll see in year two. All coming up on today's program as well as some advice from Geoff on knowing whether you're ready to have your work read by the big dogs.

You should follow The Black List (@theblcklst),Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more on a daily basis.

And, as always, if you like the show (or hate it with seething fervor), please help us out with a review.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode37.mp3
Category:Actor Interviews -- posted at: 10:08am EDT

Gravity

Dear sweet lord it's finally here. Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity hits theaters which is bad news for Sandra Bullock's astronaut and great news for everyone else. Drew McWeeny joins us for a little Interrogation Reviewification where he explains the mind-evaporating nature of the movie without spoiling it.

Plus we chat with Rob Hunter about the best of the best coming out of Fantastic Fest (and where you can find them), and I harangue Geoff with a brief history of banned books being adapted to film.

You should follow Drew (@drewathitfix), Rob (@fakerobhunter),the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more on a daily basis.

And, as always, if you like the show (or hate it with seething fervor), please help us out with a review.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode36.mp3
Category:Movie Reviews -- posted at: 6:35am EDT

The Shining Triplets

On this week's show, we launch a new feature called Convince Me, and in our inaugural edition, Geoff tries to convince me that The Shining deserves a remake (or re-adaptation if you're nasty). We tie all of that up nicely with a pink bow by discussing the Torrance family conspiracy doc Room 237 with Nonfics editor-in-chief Chris Campbell (who also tells us a bit about the brand new site and how he plans to convert more people into documentary lovers).

You should follow Chris (@thefilmcynic), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more on a daily basis.

And, as always, if you like the show (or hate it with seething fervor), please help us out with a review.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode35.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 6:17am EDT

On this fun size edition of the program, Geoff defends Steven Spielberg's unfairly maligned War of the Worldsand I defend the unfairly maligned dumping ground of September-October as one of the very best times of the year for movie fans. It's a magical two months for one very important reason.

We'd also like to thank all of you for pushing us over 125,000 downloads last week. It means Geoff can finally afford shoes.

You should follow the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more on a daily basis.

And, as always, if you like the show (or hate it with seething fervor), please help us out with a review.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode34.mp3
Category:Movie Reviews -- posted at: 4:14am EDT

World Trade Center

On this week's 12th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we're dropping the usual format for an extended roundtable conversation about terrorism and September 11th's effect on film and television. How has our consumption changed? What movie best captures the national spirit in the years following? How soon is too soon to directly confront a tragedy in fiction?

We're joined by Indiewire's TV Editor and Filmspotting: SVU Podcast co-host Alison WillmoreMovie Mezzanine founder and editor-in-chief Sam Fragoso, and FSR's own associate editor Rob Hunter.

You should follow Rob (@fakerobhunter), Alison (@alisonwillmore), Sam (@samfragoso), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more on a daily basis.

And, as always, if you like the show (or hate it with seething fervor), please help us out with a review.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode33.mp3
Category:Movies -- posted at: 6:42am EDT

The end is nigh, and speculation is high. Will Walt ride off into the blue sunset, or fall off his horse? If it's the latter, how many will he drag down with him? Will we ever get to see Badger's Star Trek episode?

With so many pressing questions, we turn to Breaking Bad expert Joanna Robinson to parse the crackpot theories and provide so many guesses about the final episode that we're sure to accidentally stumble upon the right answer.

Plus, FSR Associate Editor Rob Hunter joins us for our Fantasy Fall Movie Box Office and Prestige-Off draft, and the stakes couldn't be higher.

You should follow Rob (@fakerobhunter), Joanna (@quityourjrob), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more fun stuff on a daily basis.

And, as always, if you like the show (or hate it with seething fervor), please help us out with a review.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode32.mp3
Category:Television -- posted at: 5:40am EDT

Ferris Bueller

It's the time of year when children head back to campus, but even if you've already graduated, it's still easy to get into the trapper keeper mindset with movies. Beloved culture commentator Matt Patches joins us to celebrate and dissect the greatest movies about school (and escaping it) as we attempt to pinpoint the film that best encapsulates all the feelings we had waiting to be saved by the bell.

Plus, Lords of Salem director Rob Zombie joins us to explain making bad career choices as a viable career choice (including his forthcoming hockey movie), we deliver the news in only 3 words, and then we leave the kind words at home for the giant kind of shouting debate that Ben Affleck's Batman casting deserves.

You should follow Rob Zombie (@robzombie), Matt Patches (@misterpatches), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more fun stuff on a daily basis.

And, as always, if you like the show (or hate it with seething fervor), please help us out with a review.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode31.mp3
Category:Director Interviews -- posted at: 7:03am EDT

sxsw youre next

We've waited a long time to see You're Next, an even longer time to see All The Boys Love Mandy Lane, and we'll never get to see The Day the Clown Cried. While we tear-up about it, producer Keith Calder joins us to describe what it's like to see something you made collect dust on a shelf even as people clamor for its release. He'll explain one direction your luck can go in when your movie is being treated like a used mattress.

Plus, Geoff and I daydream about movies that could have been amazing if they hadn't burned in development hell and explore how to email a professional screenwriter looking for advice.

You should follow Keith Calder (@keithcalder), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more fun stuff on a daily basis.

And, as always, please send us your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode30.mp3
Category:Filmmaker Interviews -- posted at: 6:40am EDT

Standing Up

Awkward as a nerdy kid at summer camp, we've built an episode focused on young people who are much, much stronger than they appear (and only some of them wear spandex). First up, an Interrogation Reviewification treatment of Kick-Ass 2 with Neil Miller. He's seen it and lived to the wipe bodily fluids off his shirt in the theater parking lot. 

Then we've got a candid interview with D.J. Caruso, whose family-friendly film Standing Up sees two young kids finding friendship in the midst of intensely cruel, mosquito-covered bullying. 

From Hit-Girl crushing skulls to coming-of-age on the lam, it's bound to be an adolescent-minded show. 

You should follow Neil (@rejects), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more fun stuff on a daily basis.

And, as always, please send us your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode29.mp3
Category:Director Interviews -- posted at: 5:02am EDT

The Man Who Paints The Future

The fantastically talented TyRuben Ellingson has been painting the future for years. Getting his start as a VFX art director on Jurassic Park, he's gone on to envision vehicles, worlds and weaponry for James Cameron and Guillermo del Toro. His work can be seen this summer stomping in Pacific Rim and flying through Neill Blomkamp's Elysium, and we were lucky enough to speak with him about his sci-fi conceptual art.

Plus, Geoff defends screenwriter Damon Lindelof for saying he's tired of destruction porn, and we challenge ourselves to sum up the week's news in only three words.

You should check out Ellingson's website, and follow the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) on Twitter for more fun stuff on a daily basis.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode28.mp3
Category:Filmmaker Interviews -- posted at: 4:51am EDT

A Double Shot of Movie Drunks

Randy Quaid Independence Day

It's high time we celebrate the on-screen boozer who saves the day, adds some comic relief, falls into spiraling depression or a combination of all three. To do that, we've invited on Alamo Drafthouse Ritz programmer Tommy Swenson -- the man behind a tipsy August lineup in honor of The World's End -- who knows more than a thing or two about movie drunks.

Plus, our big interview this week is with Drinking Buddies writer/director/producer/editor Joe Swanberg who will take us into the craft brewery of his mind. Double plus, Geoff and I talk about intentionally bad movies, and tie it into the overall theme as loosely as possible by drinking a beer beforehand. And after. What? It was a long day. 

You should follow Joe Swanberg (@joe_swanberg), Tommy Swenson (@80s_Lightning), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) for more fun stuff on a daily basis.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode27.mp3
Category:Director Interviews -- posted at: 4:57am EDT

Hiring a New Batman

Batman vs Superman

This week we answer the most important question of our time: how can a city the size of Detroit go bankrupt? It's crazy, and after figuring that out in about three minutes, we then spend twenty trying to game out what Warners has planned for Batman vs. Superman before pitching actors we want to see take on the cowl.

Plus, we've got an Interrogation Review of The Wolverine, and in case your brain is overwhelmed by things in capes, Geoff and screenwriter Brian Duffield explain what to do when you get an extreme case of writer's block.

You can follow  Brian Duffield (@brianduffield), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) for more fun stuff on a daily basis.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode26.mp3
Category:Movie Reviews -- posted at: 8:07am EDT

San Diego Comic-Conquest 2013

Did you hear that this weekend is Comic-Con? It's true! It's weird that no one told you. Fortunately, this week's show features a visit to San Diego where our sentinels Robert Fure and Jack Giroux will tell us all the crazy stuff that's happening on the ground there in geek paradise (which happens to be a hotel room that's missing a bathroom door).

Plus, Geoff and I disagree wildly in our reviews of the new season of The Newsroom, and we prepare for the possibility of Spike Lee's retirement by discussing his legacy and forcing him to autograph old football paraphernalia.

You can follow Robert Fure (@robertfure), interviewer Jack Giroux (@jackgi), the show (@brokenprojector), Geoff (@drgmlatulippe) and Scott (@scottmbeggs) for more fun stuff on a daily basis.

And, as always, we welcome your feedback.

Direct download: brokenprojector-episode25.mp3
Category:Movie Reviews -- posted at: 6:21am EDT