Ep 28 - Year End Review of 2023

Al Larson & Quince Van Orden interview Andrew Klay, a French immersion teacher and film score appreciator, about Les Choristes (2004), a perfect movie to discuss both its Frenchiness as well as its amazing compositions.

Al Larson and Quince Van Orden sit down with filmmaker, K. Mykol Panti (Keenan) to discuss Punch Drunk Love, one of Keenan's favorite movies and one that he's placed in his top 30 movies that represent something he sees in himself. We discuss the humor and stress, the earnestness of love and if this movie is awkward or perhaps even "cringe" at moments. Following our discussion, we chat about Keenan's love of film, his career in filmmaking including his upcoming feature length film, Thin Walls (almost out, go check it out on social media: Thin Walls Movie (@thinwallsmovie) • Instagram photos and videos ) and even play a round of Remake/Reboot for another Adam Sandler movie.

You know what the people secretly yearn for? Musical episodes. We're joined by LA-based Art and Production Designer, Abbie Vance, known for projects like The Wolf of Snow Hollow, Deadstream and Nine Days, who speaks about the movie that pushed her from a path in film direction & writing to production design - The Phantom of the Paradise (1974). Aside from her experience with the movie, we have lots of unique trivia to share about The Phantom of the Paradise, even about one of France's most famous bands that credits their aesthetic and start to this movie. I highly recommend this episode and discussion. Don't miss out.

Al Larson and Quince Van Orden review our boy, Ethan Hawke, in the 2021 serial kidnapper/killer thriller, The Black Phone. Set in 1970s Denver, the latest kidnapping victim, Finney, attempts to flee The Grabber using help from the paranormal voices on the other end of a black phone.

It's your boys, Al Larson and Quince Van Orden, showing up to deliver their top 5 movies of 2023. We also give our Oscar nominee winner picks as well as do a fun draft game to select the definitive "The Movies That Move Us Awards that the Oscars Missed" winners.

Get to know co-host, Quince Van Orden's movie that moved him, the Cameron Crowe feature film starring John Cusack, Say Anything. Al Larson and friend of the show, Austin Najar, interview Quince and talk about Cameron Crowe's other films and ask what happened to him after directing 3 amazing movies, how Quince used this movie to help him find his wife, and also play Reboot/Remake for the spy thriller, The Bourne Identity.

Al Larson and Quince Van Orden speak with filmmaker and former Broadway actor, Josh Berrent, about one of the films that inspires his own writing and directing, The Apartment (1960). The Apartment is a comedy-drama starring Jack Lemmon as C.C. Baxter, a lonely bachelor who has escalated his position within an insurance company by renting out his apartment for illicit affairs to higher ups until one of these women attempts suicide in his home. We discuss the humor among its heavy drama, Al's controversial opinion about Fran Kubelik and the role this plays in Josh's filmmaking. Unfortunately, due to a technical issue with the recording, our game portion had to be left on the editing room floor, but it's still a great discussion of the film.

Quince Van Orden hosts this special episode with guest co-host Cassia Lawrence (from The Old Republic Podcast) to interview Al Larson about the movie that broke his innocence about R rated films forever - The Boondock Saints. They ask what made the movie so difficult to watch back then, ask "Is this peak Willem Dafoe?" and talk about what we'd expect in the sequel film. Of course, we play the Letterboxd game and joke around a bit too. Check out our guest's instagram - @Al_Whalehome as well as twitter @MahatmaBlondi online.

Al Larson hosts this episode with writer and friend, Russell Moser, about The Two Towers (2002). I originally thought the discussion would be about deciding to become a fantasy author from these books and movies, but it actually took a unique twist elsewhere. Of course, we also talk about The Hobbit trilogy and the cartoon adaptations and look over the Oscars from 2003 to see if this movie was snubbed or properly awarded.

Al Larson and Quince Van Orden bring you youtube creator and stand up comedian, Cullen Severance, and we talk about Wrongfully Accused (1998) starring Leslie Nielsen. We chat about our favorite scenes, what makes this movie so near and dear to Cullen and the state of comedy these days. We also play a bit of our Letterboxd guessing game.