Sara Goes to Hollywood

There’s a universe where Sara and Brendan think Everything Everywhere all at Once is a post-postmodern masterpiece deserving of its many plaudits and Academy awards, and one where we think it’s proto-AI slop littered with thoughtless stereotypes and mawkish garbage. But in both of them we wonder whether the film reflects right-wing anxieties about state authority, muse on the universal horror of the void, and trade artful haikus about our experience of watching this incredibly peculiar flick. Hot dog, anyone? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode has an undertaste: a chalky undertaste… join Brendan and Sara for a witch-hunting Halloween hootenanny as we hallucinate a haunting inquiry into the classic psychological horror Rosemary’s Baby (1968). There’s blood-curdling commentary on the movie’s stunning visual trickery, ghoulish gabbing on its architectural terrors, and feckless filibustering on the film’s frightening philosophical fillips. Plus more horrendous haikus in a peculiarly paradoxical poetry corner AND Brendan introduces a new (recurring?) segment to solidify our sleepy sensations. This is no dream… This is really podcasting! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m talking here! I’m talking here! I’m talking about 1969 cult smash Midnight Cowboy! Can you hear a word we’re saying about the film’s gritty exploration of NYC’s seedy underbelly, its innovative use of dream and fantasy sequences, and the standout performances of its joint leads? Or only the echoes of poetry corner? Either way, skip over the cinema ocean like a stone with your two favourite midnight podcasters. Good way to collect insurance… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ciao amici! This week we’re on an international adventure as Sara and Brendan nostalgically navigate the sultry seas of Sicily’s Cinema Paradiso (1988). There’s marvellous Mediterranean insights as we mull over the movie’s mobilisation of frame narratives, repeating motifs, and reflections on private and collective life. Plus haiku belleza returns in a nuovo edizione of poesia corner. Andiamo! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Drumroll please … Sara goes to Hollywood is back! Season two kicks off with a souped-up squad as sound engineering supremo and pod favourite Olly Thompson joins Sara and Brendan LIVE in the studio to scatter pearls of professional wisdom over our discussion of 2014 indie nail-biter Whiplash. We aim for the pinnacle of podcasting as we percussively probe the pic’s portrayal of poor pedagogy, painful pleasures, paternal power, and all that jazz (ba-dum tish). Plus poetry corner returns with a special sonic tribute to Hank Levy courtesy of Olly. There are no two words in the English language more harmful than “good pod”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I. Record. Your. Podcast. I record it up! Join Sara and Brendan for an oil-booming deep dive into Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2007 masterpiece There Will Be Blood. There will be adventurous interpretations of the film’s rich symbolism. There will be diverting digressions on extraction equipment. And there will of course be another particularly petroleum-perfumed portion of poetry corner. I’ll have what she’s drilling! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sara 95 manifesto. Rule 1. The 1998 Danish drama Festen must be discussed, paying particular attention to the film’s unconventional cinematography and dark themes. Rule 2. The film must be placed in context of the Dogma 95 movement. Rule 3. Comparisons must be drawn with other works by director Thomas Vinterberg and the film’s spiritual descendants must be mentioned. Rule 4. Poetry corner must return for a basically bacchanalian bonanza of haphazard haikus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Read my lips: in space, no one can hear you screen 2001: A Space Odyssey, but they can sure as Hal hear you podcast. Join commander Sara and lieutenant Brendan as we voyage through a few million years of human history chatting spaceship interior design, hominid habits, and how you can tell when you’re in a vortex. Plus stratospheric haiku harmonies return in a nebulously neoclassical edition of poetry corner. Houston, we have a podcast.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s not your fault that Brendan and Sara watched Good Will Hunting. It’s not your fault that they discussed the nature of genius, the parallels with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s careers, and the meaning of ‘them apples’. It’s not your fault that they found the slow motion fight scene bizarre and cheesy. It’s not your fault that there was more haiku-based hilarity in a bountifully Bostonian edition of poetry corner. It’s not your fault. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I should like to change into a podcaster most of all: Brendan and Sara hotwire the nearest convertible and speed down the interstate discussing 1971 cult classic Harold and Maude. We chat beautiful friendships, the ethics of tree theft, and the pointedly un-Romeo-and-Juliet-like ending of this bizarre, wonderful film. Plus poetry corner returns with another irresistible instalment of life-affirming haiku energy. I couldn’t imagine a lovelier podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.