Interview with Matthew Ellis about his new Weimar Cinema class on CineJourneys
Matt Ellis is a writer/academic/musician from Portland, Oregon. He has a PhD in Modern Culture and Media from Brown University and studies media, culture, and history from the left.He is teaching a class on Weimar Cinema: Images Before Fascism on CineJourneys from November 11th to December 9th. It’s 100 bucks for 4 weeks, on Zoom, with access to the films and readings for the class. You’ll get a Weimar Cinema packet prepared by Ellis covering the period and ideas in question, and an individual one-on-one meeting with him to develop ideas for your own interest or work. And of course the classes!Links:cinejourneys.com/weimar-cinema-details-and-registration/historiesofthepresent.comx.com/matthiasellismatthewellis.onlineChapters00:00:00 Introduction to Weimar Cinema and Its Relevance Today00:02:49 The Weimar Analogy: Lessons from History00:05:48 Exploring Media Technology and Political Change00:08:34 Brechtian Techniques in Film and Their Impact00:11:45 Generational Shifts in Cinema: Weimar to the 60s and 70s00:14:43 Access to Film: The Evolution of Cinephilia00:17:33 Accessing Classic Films in the Digital Age00:18:49 Exploring Metropolis and Its Themes00:20:10 Weimar Cinema and Its Historical Context00:23:52 The Intersection of Technology and Art00:27:53 Gender Roles and Their Evolution in Cinema00:31:41 The Impact of Rapid Change on Society00:35:50 Exploring Weimar Cinema and Its Historical Context00:38:42 The Evolution of Film Education and Online Learning00:41:38 Cinejourneys: A New Platform for Film Enthusiasts00:44:31 Diving Deeper into Weimar Cinema and Key Directors00:47:36 The Legacy of German Expressionism in Modern Film
-------- Â
50:23
--------
50:23
Trade Movies #022 - Dracula (1931) and Dracula (1931) with Lugosi Theatre
BOBBY, a.k.a. LUGOSI THEATRE is the World's Biggest Dracula Fan. This was such a fun interview!! I could listen to him talk for hours about Dracula and his experience with autism. He has probably my favorite accounts on social media, so you should DEFINITELY go follow him here:https://www.instagram.com/lugositheatre/https://www.tiktok.com/@lugositheatrehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNmKoY6N2aWFtYXNPazLkZAChapters00:00:00 The Origins of a Dracula Fan00:06:45 The Timeless Performance of Lugosi00:12:55 Bela Lugosi's Life and Struggles00:18:54 Cultural Impact and Personal Connections to Dracula00:32:09 The Complexity of Emotion in Performance00:37:12 Cultural Background and Character Interpretation00:42:25 Evolution of Dracula's Character in Film00:47:53 Ranking Dracula Portrayals00:53:09 The Influence of Classic Monster Movies on Modern Cinema01:01:03 The Iconic Costume of Dracula01:06:42 The Eccentricity of Wealth01:12:20 Undertones in Dracula01:19:41 The Supporting Cast and Their Impact01:25:33 The Personal Connection to Dracula01:30:29 Understanding Autism: A Personal Perspective01:33:19 The Spectrum of Communication Challenges01:36:32 Social Interactions and Perceptions01:39:33 Embracing Identity Through Characters01:42:29 The Role of Family Support01:45:31 Navigating Life with Autism01:48:18 The Power of Community and Acceptance01:51:26 Finding Strengths in Special Interests01:54:31 Societal Perceptions and Opportunities01:59:50 Exploring the Complexity of Monsters in Film02:02:22 The Loss of Potential: Society's Treatment of Neurodivergent Individuals02:04:31 Historical Perspectives on Neurodivergence in Education02:07:15 Neurodivergence in Classic Cinema: A Reflection of Society02:09:54 The Twilight Zone: A Study of Neurodivergent Characters02:12:43 Bela Lugosi: The Man Behind the Legend02:19:53 The Intersection of Food and Culture in Film02:28:49 Bela Lugosi's Financial Struggles and Career Choices02:31:36 Bela Lugosi's Relationship with Ed Wood02:33:58 The Legacy of Bela Lugosi02:35:57 Bela Lugosi Jr. and the Fight for Likeness Rights02:39:22 Bela Lugosi's Marital Life and Personal Struggles02:45:12 Bela Lugosi's Iconic Costumes and Memorabilia02:48:18 Final Thoughts and Reflections on Bela Lugosi
-------- Â
2:54:08
--------
2:54:08
Interview with stop-motion filmmaker and author Mari Robeson on her new short The Mystery of Eve
Mari Robeson is an author and filmmaker that has a new short coming out call THE MYSTERY OF EVE on October 31st at 9:11 Pacific, which is a stop-motion animation film that is a prelude to her upcoming fairytale novel called ALCHEMY, releasing on November 11th. You can find her at:http://www.youtube.com/@marirobesonhttps://www.marirobeson.com/Chapters00:00:00 Introduction to Mari Robeson and Her Work00:03:13 The Journey from Art to Film00:06:01 The Creative Process Behind 'The Mystery of Eve'00:09:18 Themes of Healing and Self-Discovery00:12:12 The Role of Personal Experience in Storytelling00:15:28 Technical Aspects of Stop Motion Animation00:18:15 Future Aspirations and Audience Engagement00:28:45 Influences in Stop Motion Filmmaking00:31:18 The Creative Process vs. AI00:37:32 Ethics of AI in Art00:40:38 Surprises in Stop Motion Production00:42:26 Freedom in Artistic Expression00:45:15 Themes of Beauty and Aging00:55:32 Future Projects and Aspirations00:58:31 The Art of Handcrafted Animation01:01:22 Lighting Techniques in Stop Motion01:06:25 Influences and Inspirations in Visual Storytelling01:12:06 The Process of Creating Depth and Texture01:18:22 Narration and Sound Design in Animation01:23:35 Exploring Architectural Beauty01:28:03 Filmmaking Insights and Practical Tips01:30:13 The Emotional Connection to Art01:34:47 The Unique Value of Handmade Art01:37:27 The Journey of Storytelling and Creation
-------- Â
1:41:02
--------
1:41:02
Trade Movies #021 - Mr. Turner (2014) & The Tree of Wooden Clogs (1978) with Emma
EMMA K is the host of the Reformed Rakes podcast, and this was a hoot!! She is incredibly smart. I was dying laughing listening back to the episode of her saying something very smart for 20 minutes and then me being like "heh". Super duper fun!! Also very good movies. I'm being serious out there ladies if you like Timothy Spall in this. I got plenty of those guys for you to pick from.Check out her Substack here:https://restorativeromance.substack.com/And the pod here:https://reformedrakes.com/And the rest of Emma's stuff here:https://linktr.ee/emmkickChapters00:00:00 Introduction to Emma00:06:57 Gambling and Its Implications00:09:40 The Role of Religion in Modern Society00:15:23 Cultural Reflections in Historical Contexts00:21:36 The Gilded Age and Its Cultural Significance00:27:41 Violence and Emotion in Historical Narratives00:40:24 Understanding Bodice Rippers and Their Context00:48:28 Sex Scenes in Historical Romance00:53:02 Exploring Mike Leigh's Mr. Turner01:06:34 The Art of Biopics and Historical Representation01:11:58 Acting Styles: Gene Tierney vs. Rita Hayworth01:16:20 The Legacy of Olivia de Havilland01:21:43 Environmental Impact and Cultural Heritage01:35:12 The Dynamics of Sports Rivalries01:39:37 Cultural Differences in Sports Fandom01:48:40 Regional Identity and Sports Culture01:57:54 Atlanta's Hockey History and Cultural References02:04:14 Youth Hockey and Community Dynamics in Atlanta02:21:05 Philadelphia vs. Chicago: A Cultural Comparison02:27:57 The Evolution of Italian Food02:38:40 Legal Perspectives on Social Interactions02:47:27 Legal Precedents and Municipal Codes02:50:25 Contrasting Upbringings and Literary Tastes02:51:21 Film Recommendations and Adaptations02:52:23 Exploring Classic Cinema02:53:19 Cinematic Themes and Cultural Reflections02:54:25 Bar Exam Insights and Legal Education02:55:26 Exploring Italian Cinema and Cultural Contexts02:56:20 Documentary Styles and Slow Cinema02:57:19 Historical Contexts in Film02:58:12 Cinematic Techniques and Emotional Depth02:59:27 Final Recommendations and Reflections03:00:24 Cinematic Discussions and Future Plans03:00:36 Exploring Historical Fiction and Adaptations03:00:43 Cinematic Influences and Personal Experiences03:01:39 Cultural Reflections in Sports and Cinema03:02:46 Closing Thoughts and Future Collaborations
-------- Â
3:05:14
--------
3:05:14
Trade Movies #020 - To Be or Not to Be (1942) and Trouble in Paradise (1932) with director/showrunner/writer/actress Claudia Lonow
SUCH A FUN ONE!! Claudia is an amazing guest who has clearly worked with a lot better interviewers than me. She was very nice in guiding me back to actually doing an interview instead of just yammering myself (which of course I tend to do). ALL THE INFO about HER NEW FILM called DEAD can be found here:https://www.deadthefilm.com/It is playing IN A THEATER NEAR YOU PROBABLY RIGHT NOW as of September/October/November 2025!! It looks great!!and Claudia herself can be found:https://www.tiktok.com/@crapaportThe bot says: "In this engaging conversation, Claudia Lonow, a seasoned television producer, writer, and actress, shares her insights on the film and television industry, her personal experiences, and the evolution of storytelling in modern media. From discussing the challenges of network television to the joys of independent filmmaking, Claudia reflects on her journey and the impact of classic films on her work. The conversation also touches on the importance of humor in serious topics and the dynamics of personal relationships in the creative world. Claudia Lonow and Geoff Alexander also explore the evolution of family dynamics in comedy, the impact of personal experiences on writing, and the role of humor in addressing serious topics. They discuss the influences of classic cinema on modern storytelling, the legacy of forgotten women in Hollywood, and the challenges of modern comedy writing. The dialogue also delves into the art of character development, directing techniques, and the importance of visual storytelling, all while reflecting on the shifting standards of comedy writing and the lasting influence of classic films on contemporary writers."Chapters00:00:00 Introduction to Claudia Lonow00:06:57 Musical Preferences and Family Dynamics00:12:49 Navigating the Television Industry00:19:03 The Challenges of Network Notes00:28:07 The Impact of Late Stage Capitalism on Creativity00:32:11 Navigating Personal Loss Through Creative Expression00:38:15 The Evolution of Humor in Film and Television00:44:20 Exploring Classic Cinema and Its Influence00:50:03 The Legacy of Carol Lombard and Screwball Comedy00:55:04 Dark Comedy and Its Themes01:01:31 The Changing Landscape of Comedy01:07:37 Cultural Reflections in Television01:14:38 Generational Love for Classic Films01:21:25 Reflections on Film and Comedy01:27:23 The Art of Storytelling in Film01:38:25 Influences and Inspirations in Creative Work01:44:35 The Lubitsch Touch: A Masterclass in Dialogue01:50:08 The Complexity of Relationships in Classic Cinema01:57:10 The Evolution of Comedy and Executive Influence02:02:40 The Future of Writing and Creative Freedom
A podcast about trading movies with friends. Every episode, a guest picks a movie, and I pick a movie, then we watch them, discuss the two movies and the guest's relationship with movies.
Ireland