POP ART

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_2and 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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

STRANGER DANGER. “I left the cucumbers behind” Our mothers always warned us. Always wear clean underwear. Always finish the food on your plate, there are children starving in other countries. Never pick up strangers. But do we listen to her? Of course, not. And because of that, we have to pay the penalty. Sounds like the perfect time for Episode 40 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 side of cinema with a connection to it. For my listeners, please like, follow or comment. For this episode, I welcome writer/producer/director Robert Brody, who has chosen the Nicole Kidman, San Neill, Billy Zane three-handed thriller Dead Calm, and I have chosen Roman Polanski’s freshman feature, the Polish arthouse classic Knife in the Water, both about a couple who pick up a stranger and find themselves in sexual and physical conflict while on a boat at sea. And in this episode, we answer such questions as: Why do you never ask Billy Zane to go boating? Who dubbed the voice of the hitchhiker in Knife in the Water and why? What are the technical accuracies and inaccuracies of both movies? How and why did they change the ending to Dead Calm? What is significant about Knife in the Water and the Oscars? Why didn’t Polanski remake Knife in the Water in Hollywood? And be sure and stay tuned to the end where Robert very generously gives me a wonderful recommendation for my coverage service. Thank you, Robert. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

“Stick this is your trophy case.” It’s November, and to paraphrase Alfred Lord Tennyson, in fall a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of…sports, or, since one of our films is British, sport. And since we are still in quarantine, what better idea that to combine sports with prison. Sounds like the perfect time for Episode 32 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 side of cinema with a connection to it. For this episode, I am happy to welcome back a previous guest, film enthusiast, creator of the Film a Day blog, and host of the LAMBCast podcast Richard Kirkham, who has chosen the Robert Aldrich directed Burt Reynolds vehicle, The Longest Yard, and I have chosen the angry young man Tony Richardson drama, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, both about sports and prisons. And in this episode we answer such questions as: What was the alternative ending for The Longest Yard? Which people associated with the movies are part of long film dynasties? What did Aldrich think of Reynolds and what did Reynolds think of Aldrich? How does James Bond and Alfred Hitchcock fit in? What is the difference between James and Edward Fox? Who started the crazy old ladies films? What is an angry young man and what do they want? Meanwhile, check out Richard’s Film a Day blog at http://kirkhamclass.blogspot.com/ And the LAMBCast at http://www.largeassmovieblogs.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

POP ART SAYS: A METHOD TO THEIR MADNESS– Episode 114, May December/A Dream of Passion.   I am slowly getting the latest episodes of Pop Art up. There are reasons I am behind, but hopefully I will get back to normal soon.   “I don’t think we have enough hot dogs”. For these two films, I and The Vern of Cinema Recall,  had a great time discussing two films in which actors, in order to help them create the characters they are working on, seek out either the person the film is based on (the Mary Kay Letourneau case for May December) or someone that resembles the role they are playing (a woman who murdered her children ala Medea for A Dream of Passion).    We especially had a great discussion on such topics as the trope of a male teen having sex with an older woman and the different way that is treated when it comes to female and gay teens; whether either actor really achieved their goal; and some talk about camp and kitsch. So, join us for this great discussion.   I highly recommend checking out The Vern’s various blogs and vlogs, especially Cinema Recall at https://www.cinemarecall.net/     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     Be sure to like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

OH, FRABJOUS DAY. CALLOOH! CALLAY!” HE CHORTLED IN HIS JOY.     Yes, that’s right. Pop Art is back and:     POP ART SAYS: AT LONG LAST LOVE– Episode 113, Ghost/Madly, Truly, Deeply     Yes, this is the Valentine’s Day episode and, yes, it is very, very late. This is due to the good (an incredible vacation to Sydney and New Zealand) and bad (getting Covid the day we were flying back). So, thanks for your patience to my regular listeners. As for those who aren’t regular listeners, please become so, so that I can thank you for your patience.     “Ditto”. For these two films, I and Richard Kirkham of such vlogs and blogs like The Lambcast and The Strother Martin Film Project, had a great time discussing two romantic dramas about lovers coming back from the afterlife to interact with those left behind.     We especially had a great discussion not only as to why such films are so popular, but whether there is a difference between films where the ghost is a man or a woman (we thought there might very well be). Both films came out the same year, but thematically and stylistically, they are so very different. But only one has Alan Rickman in it.     So, join us with this great discussion where after death your loved ones may come back, whether you want them to or not.     I highly recommend checking Richard Kirkham’s various blogs:     The Lambcast https://largeassmovieblogs.com/category/podcasts/lambcast     The Strother Martin Film Project https://strothermartinfilmproject.wordpress.com/     A Movie a Day https://kirkhamamovieaday.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     Be sure to like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

POP ART SAYS: Good Help is Hard to Find – Episode 112, Parasite/La Ceremonie First, this is very late and out of order, but it’s been one of those past couple of months. So apologies all around. However, welcome to a great discussion with screenwriter Jennifer van Sijll, author of the book used in classrooms everywhere, Cinematic Storytelling: ⁠The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know⁠.   “They are nice because they are rich”. For these two films, we had a great discussion as to how servants have been dramatized over the years in movies. Class conflict. The Korean and French new wave. The greatness of both directors. And many other topics.     So, join us with this great discussion where not only can good help can be hard to find, it can be deadly. And always, ALWAYS, check their references.     I highly recommend checking out van Sijll’s book Cinematic Storytelling which can be found at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cinematic+storytelling+by+jennifer+van+sijll&i=stripbooks&crid=1MGTP7A19BGAK&sprefix=cinematic+story%2Cstripbooks%2C98&ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_1_15     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     Be sure to like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. On ITUNES https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pop-art/id1511098925, Anchor: https://anchor.fm/howard-casner, and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5jX4noVGArDJdmcFtmrQcG, Sticher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/pop-art, Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/..., Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/pop-art, Pocketcasts: https://pca.st/vfjqj6j6, Radiopublic: https://radiopublic.com/pop-art-GExxNband other streaming sites --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

POP ART SAYS MERRY XMAS: I know, I know, I’m coming down the chimney late on this one. I’ve been slowed down by some various health issues, and the holidays, though I’m feeling a lot better now, thanks for asking. I hope I don’t get coal in my stocking for this.   But on to Pop Art, the podcast where we find the pop culture in art and the art in pop culture. It’s the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie/foreign side of cinema with a connection to it.     LONESOME HIGHWAYS: “I just forgot the number to 9-1-1!” For episode 113, I welcome back my annual Christmas guest, Jay Cluitt (of The Deep Blue Sea podcast), who really loves holiday movies. We have chosen to discuss two Christmas adjacent horror films: Wind Chill and Dead End. Blizzards, stalled cars, dead ends, getting lost, ghosts, dead people. What is worse than coming home for Christmas? It’s the drive home for Christmas.   In this episode we discuss why Christmas adjacent films are so popular. We also discuss the rise of Christmas horror films; just what is it with that? Jay liked Dead End more than Wind Chill, but both are quite scary and we certainly agree Emily Blunt was great. In the end, we learned the moral of the story is that if you come across a baby carriage on a lonely road, do not, DO NOT, stop. Drive off.   Check out Jay’s The Deep Blue Sea podcast https://www.spreaker.com/user/11106493/bodies-atrest?fbclid=IwAR330zZ_q9ywDj5o6FBwaU_JJ8dTfCnDF7O3k8AhggE2av3ufcvsEoHWzwk     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     Be sure to like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. On ITUNES https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pop-art/id1511098925, Anchor: https://anchor.fm/howard-casner, and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5jX4noVGArDJdmcFtmrQcG, Sticher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/pop-art, Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/..., Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/pop-art, Pocketcasts: https://pca.st/vfjqj6j6, Radiopublic: https://radiopublic.com/pop-art-GExxNband other streaming sites --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

POP ART 111 says SOAPY SALES: Join me and my guest Sam Homrig (attorney by day, murder mystery host by night as well as co-host of “The Cabot Cove Confab Podcast”, “The Columbo Confab Podcast”, and “The Best Picture Podcast”)   “We were just playing a game called Photography. You turn off the lights and see what develops.” Lies, deceit, adultery, murder, teen sex, drugs, abortion by proxy, incest by proxy, illegitimate children, coded gay characters…Sounds like it’s time for Episode 111 of Pop Art, the podcast where we find the pop culture in art and the art in pop culture. It’s the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie/foreign side of cinema with a connection to it.   For this episode, I am happy to welcome as my guest, Sean Homrig, who has chosen as his film Ang Lee’s dissection of suburban life in 1970s Connecticut, The Ice Storm, while I have chosen Mark Robson’s dissection of small town New England life in the 1940s, Peyton Place, both soap opera looks at small towns.     And in this episode, we answer such questions as: What scandal made Peyton Place one of the top grossing movies of that year? Why are soap operas so appealing? What rating from the Catholic Church was given to Peyton Place? What are the anachronisms and historical inaccuracies of both films? What Cannes award did The Ice Storm receive? What changes from the book did they make in bringing Peyton Place to the screen? What is inaccurate about the death in The Ice Story? How many Oscar acting nominations did Peyton Place receive?   Be sure and check out Sean’s various podcasts, “The Cabot Cove Confab Podcast”, “The Columbo Confab Podcast”, and “The Best Picture Podcast”.   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   Be sure to like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

HAPPY HALLOWEEN   NEW EPISODE: POP ART 110 says CURSES, FOILED AGAIN: Join me and my annual Halloween guest Lisa Leaheey as we talk The Ring and Curse of the Demon.   “Seven days.” Don’t you hate when this happens? You’re going about your day. Minding your own business. You watch a video and the phone rings telling you, you only have seven days to live. Or, someone secretly passes you a curse in runes giving you only a certain amount of time before you die. It is just so annoying…Sounds like it’s time for Episode 110 of Pop Art, where we find the pop culture in art and the art in pop culture. It’s the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie/foreign side of cinema with a connection to it. And this episode is my yearly Halloween one. For this episode, I am happy to welcome back film lover and horror enthusiast, and my annual guest for my Halloween episode, Lisa Leaheey, who has chosen as her film the American remake of the Japanese horror film The Ring, while I have chosen Jacques Tournier’s Night of the Demon, both films about an object that if passed to someone only gives that person a certain amount of time to live.   And in this episode, we answer such questions as: Which is better, suggesting a monster or showing it? What are the differences between the Japanese and American version of The Ring? What is the difference between the English and American release of Night of the Demon? What was the original ending to The Ring and what happened to it? Why is Night of the Demon called Curse of the Demon in the US? What did screenwriter Charles Bennett say he would do to the producer of Night of the Demon if he saw him in his driveway? Where do The film The Burbs, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Rear Window fit in? What does the name Samara reference?     Check out Lisa’s podcasting at The Rabbit Hole Podcast, including the new Rabbit Hole Book Club section https://rabbitholepodcasts.com/pictures-and-conversations/   And Lisa and Jason Soto’s podcast Between the Scares where they are covering every Blumhouse film https://rabbitholepodcasts.com/between-the-scares/   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     Be sure to like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

ANIMAL CRACKERS. Join me and screenwriter and book author C. Courtney Joyner as we talk Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds and Byron Haskin’s The Naked Jungle, two nature horror films.   “They're coming! They're coming!” Sharks, Piranha, Spiders, Frogs, Snakes, Wolves, Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my…Sounds like it’s time for Episode 109 of Pop Art, where we find the pop culture in art and the art in pop culture. It’s the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie/foreign side of cinema with a connection to it. For this episode, I am happy to welcome as my guest, screenwriter and book author C. Courtney Joyner, who has chosen as his film Alfred Hithcock’s classic The Birds, while I have chosen Byron Haskin’s guilty pleasure The Naked Jungle, both films about animals attacking humankind.   And in this episode, we answer such questions as: What is nature horror? How did they produce the sounds of the ants in The Naked Jungle? How do both films differ from their source material? Why did Eleanor Parker get top billing in The Naked Jungle? What is the best written scene in The Birds? Where was The Naked Jungle filmed? What did Daphne du Maurier think of The Birds? What was the Mad Magazine version of The Birds called?   Check out Courtney’s IMDB page at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0003676/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 as well as his film commentaries and writings on film   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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

PEEK A BOO: Join me and blogger and film lover James S. Wilson as we talk two masterpieces, Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window and Krzysztof Kieslowski’s A Short Film About Love, two films about voyeurs and voyeurism.     “Why would a man leave his apartment three times on a rainy night with a suitcase and come back three times?” You’re alone in your own apartment. Doing your thing. Maybe you’ve murdered someone. Or maybe you’re having sex. When suddenly you get this feeling…Am I…being watched? Probably…Sounds like it’s time for Episode 108 of Pop Art, where we find the pop culture in art and the art in pop culture. It’s the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie/foreign side of cinema with a connection to it. Today, I am happy to welcome as my returning guest, blogger and film enthusiast, James S. Wilson, who has chosen as his film one of Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpieces, Rear Window, while I have chosen one of Krzysztof Kieślowski’s masterpieces, A Short Film About Love, both films about voyeurs and voyeurism.   And in this episode, we answer such questions as: Who slept on the set of Rear Window while it was being made? Why did Kieslowski decide not to use different directors for each entry in The Dekalog? Who is Bess Flowers? Why did Kieslowski expand A Short Film About Love into a feature film? Who is Ross Bagdasarian and what is his contribution to children’s culture? How does both Hitchcock and Kieslowski’s Catholicism influence their films? Who played Jeff’s agent in Rear Window? What are the differences between the source materials and the final feature for both films?   Check out James’s blog Blogging by Cinema-light at http://bloggingbycinemalight.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   Be sure to like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

MATCHES, MATCHES, WE DON’T NEED NO STINKING MATCHES: Join me and filmmaker Elizabeth Blake-Thomas as we talk Amy Heckerling’s classic Clueless and George Cukor’s hidden gem, The Model and the Marriage Broker.   “As if”. Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match. Find me a find, catch me a catch…Sounds like it’s time for Episode 107 of Pop Art, the podcast where we find the pop culture in art and the art in pop culture. It’s 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, director, writer, producer and actor Elizabeth Blake-Thomas, who has chosen as her film Clueless, while I have chosen The Model and the Marriage Broker, both films about matchmakers who may or may not be that good at their job.       And in this episode, we answer such questions as: What was Paul Rudd’s film debut? Why do we play matchmaker? What is it about these adaptations of classics of literature placed in high school? Why did Fox’s head Daryl F. Zanuck not push Model… preventing it from becoming more successful than it was? What did film execs at Warners want changed in the roles at first that put Clueless into turnaround? Who is the lead in The Model… and what is their billing? How much was the costume budget on Clueless? What TV star debuted in The Model…? Where does Amy Heckerling appear?     Check out Blake-Thomas’s IMDB page at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6230910/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_q_elizabeth%2520blake-thomas     And be on the lookout for Shadrach and Karma’s a Bitch.     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   Be sure to like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

CHILDHOOD BATTLES: Join me and filmmaker Dianna Ippolito (The Obscured), as we talk Kramer v. Kramer and Marriage Story, two films about divorce and child custody battles.   “What law is it that says a woman is a better parent simply by virtue of her sex?” Groucho Marx is said to have said, “Marriage is the chief cause of divorce”…Sounds like it’s time for Episode 106 of Pop Art, where we find the pop culture in art and the art in pop culture. It’s the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie/foreign side of cinema with a connection to it. For this episode, I am happy to welcome as my guest, writer/director/producer Dianna Ippolito, who has chosen as her film Robert Benton’s groundbreaking Kramer vs.Kramer, while I have chosen Noah Baumbach’s more contemporary take, Marriage Story, both films about a couple going through a divorce and the custody battle that ensues.   And in this episode, we answer such questions as: Who was Laura Dern’s character based on? What was the relationship like between Streep and Hoffman on Kramer v. Kramer? What is it about Adam Driver’s looks anyway? How did Streep prevent Kramer v. Kramer from becoming misogynistic? What is incorrect when Charlie says he's "taken a residency at UCLA. I'm directing two plays at REDCAT”? Why did Meryl Streep wear a raincoat in the final scenes of Kramer v. Kramer? Whose marriage did Noah Baumbach base Marriage Story on? What is incorrect about the legal proceedings in Kramer v. Kramer? And what is it about these sorts of movies anyway?   Check out Dianna’s IMDB page at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2074778/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_5_q_dianna%2520ippolito   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   Be sure to like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

HOUSE HAUNTING: Join me and filmmaker Derek Wayne Johnson (the upcoming Bloodstreams, 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic, John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs), as we talk Poltergeist and House, two movies about, well, haunted houses.    First, I have to apologize to my audience and my guest. I was recording this on an old computer because my main computer got wet and couldn’t be used. I made a mistake and at about 11 minutes in, you can hear an echo when my guest speaks. I tried to erase it, but couldn’t figure out how, so I’ve just minimized it the best I can. So, please forgive me and I don’t think it’s so disruptive you can’t enjoy a really great discussion of these two seminal films.   “They’re here.” From Ghoulies and Ghoosties, long-leggety Beasties, and Things that go Bump in the Night, Good Lord, deliver us!…Sounds like it’s time for Episode 105 of Pop Art, where we find the pop culture in art and the art in pop culture. It’s 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, Hollywood hyphenate, director, writer, editor, producer Derek Wayne Johnson, who has chosen as his film the Steven Spielberg produced haunted house movie Poltergeist, while I have chosen the cult classic Japanese haunted house movie Hausu or House, both films about, well, haunted houses.    And in this episode, we answer such questions as: What is it about haunted houses anyway? What changed when it came to where horror films took place in the 1960s and 70s in Hollywood and why? Just WTF is happening in this House movie anyway? Who directed Poltergeist: Hooper or Spielberg? How successful was House in Japan? What happened in Denver in the late 19th century that might have influenced the plot of Poltergeist; and what about that Twilight Zone episode? Where is the director’s daughter in House and what influence did she have on the film? Where is the Wilhelm Scream in Poltergeist?   Check out Derek’s IMDB page at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2361932/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_1_nm_2_q_derek%2520wayne%2520johnson%2520   And be on the lookout for the upcoming Blood Streams   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   Be sure to like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

POP ART, WHERE WE FIND THE POP CULTURE IN ART AND THE ART IN POP CULTURE.   IT’S HARD TO BE THE BARD: Join me and filmmaker David Au (Eat With Me, Don’t Be Sorry), as we talk My Own Private Idaho and Chimes at Midnight, two adaptations of William Shakespeare’s Falstaff stories.   “I only have sex with a guy for money” What’s a father to do? You’re rich and powerful, maybe a king even—hey, it could happen; but your son, your heir, would rather become a male prostitute or hang out with some lazy ne’er do wells, drinking and bedding wenches. Sounds like it’s time for Episode 104 of Pop Art, where we find the pop culture in art and the art in pop culture. It’s the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie/foreign side of cinema with a connection to it. For this episode, I am happy to welcome back as my guest, filmmaker David Au, who has chosen as his film Gus Van Sant’s indie My Own Private Idaho, while I have chosen Orson Welles’ indie, Chimes at Midnight, both films that are based on some history plays by a guy named William Shakespeare.   And in this episode, we answer such questions as: What is it with adaptations of Shakespeare? What is the one scene in each film that helps the films achieve transcendence? What’s odd about the statue of the elk in Portland when the characters in …Idaho first arrive? Why did Welles have such a difficult time getting films made? Where can the director be seen in …Idaho? What do the titles mean? Why did Chimes at Midnight flop? What is the new queer cinema? What is historically incorrect about knights getting on their horses in Chimes at Midnight?     Check out David’s IMDB page at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1614404/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_5_tt_0_nm_8_q_david%2520au   And be on the lookout for his new short film Don’t Be Sorry   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   Be sure to like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

POP ART, WHERE WE FIND THE POP CULTURE IN ART AND THE ART IN POP CULTURE.   TOM AND JERRIES: Join me and editor, filmmaker and blogger David Brook (Blueprint Review), as we talk Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World and The Enemy Below, both films about naval vessels playing cat and mouse with each other.   “To wives and sweethearts, may they never meet.” I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by…Sounds like it’s time for Episode 103 of Pop Art, where we find the pop culture in art and the art in pop culture. It’s 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, editor, filmmaker and blogger David Brook, who has chosen as his film the 18th century sea epic Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, while I have chosen the WWII drama, The Enemy Below, both films about naval vessels playing cat and mouse with each other.      And in this episode, we answer such questions as: What is the attraction of cat and mouse films? Why did Peter Weir retire from filmmaking? Why did Dick Powell only make four movies? What do the context of the times when both films were made tell us about the films? Why did Curd Jurgens flee Germany? Where does Star Trek come in? How do both movies differ from the books? Why did Russel Crowe sell the violin he purchased to play in the movie?     Check out David’s blog at https://blueprintreview.co.uk/author/david-brook/  And his IMDB page at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1986914/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_9_tt_0_nm_8_q_david%2520brook   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   Be sure to like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

POP ART, WHERE WE FIND THE POP CULTURE IN ART AND THE ART IN POP CULTURE.   DEVILICIOUS: Join me and producer, writer and Chairman of Here Media, Inc., Stephen Jarchow, as we talk Chinatown and The Third Man, two noirs with two of the most memorable villains of all time.   “Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown” Simon Wiesenthal once said, For evil to flourish, it only requires that good men do nothing. Is that true? Perhaps…Sounds like it’s time for Episode 102 of Pop Art, where we find the pop culture in art and the art in pop culture. It’s 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, producer and writer and Chairman of Here Media Inc., Stephen Jarchow, who has chosen as his film the new Hollywood neo noir, Chinatown, while I have chosen the classic British noir, The Third Man, both films about people investigating a murder only to find out just how deep evil and corruption can run.   And in this episode, we answer such questions as: What is the attraction of evil and villains like this? Is Chinatown the perfect screenplay? Who is more influential on The Third Man, Hitchcock or Welles? What is odd about the depiction of Chinatown in Chinatown? How did Austria feel about The Third Man when it opened? Whose famous fathers appear in Chinatown? How did the Dutch angle get its name? What were the original endings to both movies and why were they changed? What happened to Polanski’s career?   Check out Here Media and their streaming services at https://www.heremedia.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   Meanwhile, like, follow or comment on my podcast. I’d love to know what you think. And check out the other episodes. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

POP ART, WHERE WE FIND THE POP CULTURE IN ART AND THE ART IN POP CULTURE.   ARMYGEDDON: Join me and podcasters and film lovers Anna Keiser and Derek Dehanke (The 80s Movie Montage) as we talk Stripes and No Time for Sergeants, two comedies about basic training.   "Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do" “You’re in the army now, you’re not behind a plow, you’ll never get rich, a diggin’ a ditch, you’re in the army now.” Sounds like it’s time for Episode 101 of Pop Art, where we find the pop culture in art and the art in pop culture. It’s 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 as my guests for the third time, Anna Keiser and Derek Dehanke, who have chosen as their film, the new Hollywood army comedy, Stripes, while I have chosen what may be many a listener’s grandfather’s version of Stripes, No Time For Sergeants, both comedies about basic training.   And in this episode, we answer such questions as: Who was cast before Harold Ramis? Where was the n-word used in connection to No Time for Sergeants? What is it about war comedies anyway? What is the connection of …Sergeants to Invasion of the Body Snatchers? How does Bill Murray feel about making Stripes today? Who is Joseph X. Flaherty? What was the Country Broadcasting Network? What is it about toilets? Why did Andy Griffith get nominated as supporting actor at the Tonys rather than lead for the stage version of …Sergeants?   Check out Anna and Derek’s podcast, ‘80s Movie Montage, at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/80s-movie-montage/id1498851364 and other streaming platforms.   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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support

POP ART, WHERE WE FIND THE POP CULTURE IN ART AND THE ART IN POP CULTURE.   That’s right, it’s episode 100. I’ve reached a milestone.   WHAT A DRAG: Join me and filmmaker and podcaster Donald McKinney, III (The Real Short Box, The Blue Beetle) as we talk The Flight of Dragons and Dragonslayer,two films about young people fighting dragons.     “All hail Casiodorus Rex, dragonslayer!” Look. Up in the sky. It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s super…No, it’s a…dragon?…   Sounds like it’s time for Episode 100 of Pop Art. Yes, you heard that right. This is the 100th episode of my podcast. Huzzah, huzzah. I can’t believe I got here, but here I am. It’s the podcast where we find the pop culture in art and the art in pop culture. It’s the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture, and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic/indie/foreign side of cinema with a connection to it.   Today, I am happy to welcome as my guest, filmmaker and podcaster Donald McKinney, III, who was my very first guest on Pop Art and who showed me the ropes. Donald has chosen as his film the animated The Flight of Dragons, while I have chosen the more SFX spectacular Dragonslayer, both films about young people who have to battle a dragon.   And in this episode, we answer such questions as: What is it about dragons anyway? What are our favorite dragons? Nudity in a Disney film? What was it about the sexualization of teens in the 70s and 80s? Why was Flight of Dragons banned on Israeli TV? What does "Vermithrax Pejorative" translate as? What are the differences between the book The Dragon and the George and the film Flight of Dragons? What is the connection of Dragonslayer to the Star War series? What is a George? How did Peter MacNicol get this role?   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+box   Donald’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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howard-casner/support