POP ART: Episode 115, The Fantastic Mr. Fox/Straight Time

POP ART SAYS: JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU’RE OUT–Episode 115, The Fantastic Mr. Fox/Straight Time     “Because I’m going to get caught”. For this episode, I and Todd Liebenow of Forgotten Filmcast, had a great time discussing two films in which ex-cons try to go the straight and narrow…or do they?     We especially had a great discussion on such topics as movies about ex-cons; how attitudes town ex-cons has changed over the movie years; existentialism; the female characters and how they are portrayed.     I highly recommend checking out Todd’s Forgotten Filmcast, https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/forgottenfilmcast always a good discussion on overlooked or forgotten films.     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: 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