Digest

The episode continues with a conversation with Ron Howard about his new documentary, "Jim Henson: Idea Man." Howard discusses his recent interest in documentaries, his approach to filmmaking, and the challenges of capturing the life of a creative genius like Henson. He also shares his personal connection to Henson's work, highlighting the importance of creativity and finding an outlet for introverted personalities. The conversation delves into Henson's early career, his practical approach to making a living, and his ability to blend his artistic vision with commercial success. Howard also discusses the influence of documentaries on his own filmmaking, particularly his recent work on "13 Lives" and "Rebuilding Paradise." The episode concludes with Howard recommending two films: "Show Gun" and "Harlan County, USA."

Outlines

00:00:00

Ringer Movies Announcement

This Chapter announces the launch of The Ringer's new YouTube channel, "Ringer Movies," which will feature full episodes of Bill Simmons' show, "The Big Picture," and other movie-related content.

00:09:37

Richard Linklater Hall of Fame

This Chapter begins a discussion about Richard Linklater's filmography, starting with the hosts' first encounters with his work. They discuss his unique filmmaking style, characterized by its focus on character and dialogue, experimentation with time, and a genuine curiosity about the human experience. They also delve into Linklater's prolific career, highlighting his diverse filmography, which includes both independent and studio films.

00:42:37

Ranking Linklater's Films

This Chapter continues the discussion about Richard Linklater's filmography, with the hosts ranking his films and debating their significance in his career. They discuss the impact of his films on their own lives and the broader cultural landscape.

00:48:46

Hall of Fame Selections

This Chapter continues the discussion about Richard Linklater's filmography, with the hosts making their final selections for his Hall of Fame. They discuss the films that they believe are essential to understanding Linklater's work and legacy.

00:59:42

Richard Linklater's Rotoscope Films

This Chapter delves into a discussion about Richard Linklater's rotoscope films, specifically "Waking Life" and "A Scanner Darkly." The hosts debate the merits of this filmmaking style and its effectiveness in conveying complex themes.

01:01:22

Richard Linklater's "Fast Food Nation"

This Chapter focuses on a discussion of Richard Linklater's film "Fast Food Nation." The hosts discuss the film's themes of American consumerism, the fast food industry, and the interconnectedness of various worlds that contribute to our food supply chain. They also debate the film's effectiveness in conveying these complex themes.

01:07:28

Richard Linklater's "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach"

This Chapter briefly discusses Richard Linklater's documentary "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach." The hosts discuss the film's subject, Auggie Garritano, and the film's significance in Linklater's filmography.

01:08:40

Richard Linklater's "Bernie"

This Chapter focuses on a discussion of Richard Linklater's dark comedy "Bernie." The hosts discuss the film's themes of Texas culture, true crime, and dark humor. They also debate the film's effectiveness in conveying these themes.

01:10:55

Richard Linklater's "Before Midnight"

This Chapter delves into a discussion of Richard Linklater's film "Before Midnight." The hosts discuss the film's themes of aging, relationships, and the challenges of navigating the back half of life. They also debate the film's significance in the "Before" trilogy and its impact on their own lives.

01:13:19

Richard Linklater's "Boyhood"

This Chapter focuses on a discussion of Richard Linklater's film "Boyhood." The hosts discuss the film's unique filmmaking process, its themes of childhood, family, and the passage of time. They also debate the film's effectiveness in conveying these themes and its place in Linklater's filmography.

01:19:41

Richard Linklater's "Everybody Wants Some!!"

This Chapter briefly discusses Richard Linklater's film "Everybody Wants Some!!" The hosts discuss the film's themes of college life, baseball, and masculinity. They also debate the film's effectiveness in conveying these themes and its place in Linklater's filmography.

01:21:37

Richard Linklater's "Last Flag Flying"

This Chapter focuses on a discussion of Richard Linklater's film "Last Flag Flying." The hosts discuss the film's themes of grief, friendship, and the Vietnam War. They also debate the film's effectiveness in conveying these themes and its place in Linklater's filmography.

01:23:48

Richard Linklater's "Me and Orson Welles"

This Chapter briefly discusses Richard Linklater's film "Me and Orson Welles." The hosts discuss the film's themes of Hollywood history, ambition, and the creative process. They also debate the film's effectiveness in conveying these themes and its place in Linklater's filmography.

01:28:11

Richard Linklater's "Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood"

This Chapter focuses on a discussion of Richard Linklater's film "Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood." The hosts discuss the film's themes of childhood, nostalgia, and the space race. They also debate the film's effectiveness in conveying these themes and its place in Linklater's filmography.

01:33:51

Richard Linklater's "Hitman"

This Chapter focuses on a discussion of Richard Linklater's film "Hitman." The hosts debate whether the film should be included in Linklater's Hall of Fame and discuss its themes of family, Texas culture, and the creative process.

01:38:17

Ron Howard's "Jim Henson: Idea Man"

This Chapter begins a conversation with Ron Howard about his new documentary, "Jim Henson: Idea Man." Howard discusses his recent interest in documentaries, his approach to filmmaking, and the challenges of capturing the life of a creative genius like Henson.

01:52:51

Ron Howard's Perspective on Jim Henson

This Chapter delves into Ron Howard's personal connection to Jim Henson's work, highlighting the importance of creativity and finding an outlet for introverted personalities. Howard discusses Henson's creative process, his relationship with his wife Jane, and the impact of his work on popular culture.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the key characteristics of Richard Linklater's filmmaking style?

  Linklater's style is known for its focus on character and dialogue, experimentation with time, and a genuine curiosity about the human experience. He often explores themes of time, memory, and human connection.

• What are some of the challenges facing independent filmmakers in today's Hollywood landscape?

  Independent filmmakers face challenges in securing funding, finding distribution, and competing with studio films for audience attention. The hosts discuss how the current state of the box office and the dominance of large studios can make it difficult for independent films to succeed.

• What are some of the films that the hosts consider to be essential to understanding Richard Linklater's work and legacy?

  The hosts highlight several films as essential to Linklater's legacy, including "Slacker," "Dazed and Confused," "Before Sunrise," "Boyhood," and "Everybody Wants Some!!" They also discuss the significance of his rotoscope films, such as "Waking Life" and "A Scanner Darkly."

• What is the significance of the "Hall of Fame" discussion in the episode?

  The Hall of Fame discussion allows the hosts to delve deeper into Linklater's filmography, ranking his films and debating their significance in his career. This provides a more nuanced understanding of his work and its impact on the film world.

• What is the role of The Ringer's new YouTube channel, "Ringer Movies," in the episode?

  The episode begins with an announcement of "Ringer Movies," which serves as a platform for The Ringer's movie coverage and aims to engage with a wider audience of film enthusiasts. This highlights The Ringer's commitment to expanding its content beyond sports and into the realm of entertainment.

• What is the significance of the hosts' personal experiences with Richard Linklater's films?

  The hosts' personal experiences with Linklater's films provide a unique perspective on his work and its impact on their lives. This adds a layer of authenticity and relatability to the discussion, making it more engaging for listeners.

• What is the significance of the hosts' discussion about the box office?

  The discussion about the box office highlights the challenges facing independent filmmakers in today's Hollywood landscape. This provides context for understanding Linklater's career and his ability to navigate the complexities of the film industry.

• What is the significance of the hosts' discussion about the "one for you, one for me" ethos?

  The discussion about the "one for you, one for me" ethos highlights the challenges facing independent filmmakers in securing funding and finding distribution. This provides context for understanding Linklater's career and his ability to balance commercial projects with more experimental films.

• What is Ron Howard's perspective on documentaries?

  Ron Howard has always been interested in documentaries but was intimidated by them. He has recently become more involved in the documentary world, finding it refreshing to work on a different set of creative problems. He believes that documentaries can inform scripted filmmaking and vice versa.

• What were some of the challenges Ron Howard faced in making "Jim Henson: Idea Man"?

  Howard found that Henson's life was too big for a feature film and considered making a series instead. He also had to navigate the challenges of interviewing Henson and his wife, Jane, who were both reluctant to be interviewed. He ultimately found a way to triangulate the story by focusing on Henson's creative process, his family life, and the archival footage available.

• What is Ron Howard's perspective on Jim Henson's creative process?

  Ron Howard relates to Henson's constant creative engagement, his desire to entertain and inform, and his introverted nature. He sees Henson's work as an outlet for introverts and a call to action for those who want to express themselves creatively.

• How did Jim Henson's early career influence his later success?

  Henson's early work in commercials and short films allowed him to develop his skills and find a sustainable system for his creative endeavors. He was also able to experiment with new technologies and find an audience for his work. This practical approach helped him to achieve commercial success while staying true to his artistic vision.

• How has Ron Howard's work in documentaries influenced his approach to scripted filmmaking?

  Ron Howard's experience with documentaries has made him more aware of different ways to convey ideas and emotions to an audience. He has become more creative in his approach to post-production, looking for alternative ways to tell a story and make a point. He also finds that documentaries have influenced his approach to acting, making him more interested in observing and capturing natural reactions rather than theatrical performances.

Show Notes