Trade Movies

GO SEE $POSITIONS, SERIOUSLY! Feel free to listen to the pod first, it's spoiler-free, but please go see this movie. It's really great, and Brandon is super exciting new talent. Longtime Trade Movies heads will know that I am constantly wishing we had people doing more varieties of movies, and the concoction Brandon made here with a mix of Safdie brothers and 90s comedy and all kinds of older stuff...I love it. So we made sure he didn't get Boots Rileyed and watched Fellini's La Strada, which is like a grandfather/mother movie to his.

RENT/BUY:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0GXZ8524R/
https://athome.fandango.com/content/browse/details/-Positions/4951750
https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/positions/umc.cmc.3yhlyu51vf1jdcrgoe87goidz

And follow Brandon + the movie:
https://linktr.ee/positions.movie
https://www.instagram.com/positions.movie/
https://www.instagram.com/coolbrandond/

TOPICS
Positions, independent film, cinema influences, non-actors, authentic casting, TikTok cinema, filmmaking, crypto, gambling, Midwest culture filmmaking, cinema, independent film, movie analysis, cinematic influences, character development, genre blending, film history, movie recommendations

Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction to Positions and Brandon Daly
00:06:33 Cinematic Influences and Inspirations
00:12:37 Visual Storytelling and Cinematic Techniques
00:15:34 Character Development and Empathy in Storytelling
00:24:01 The Challenge of Authentic Casting
00:27:18 Authenticity in Storytelling and Character Development
00:31:04 The Role of Non-Actors in Film
00:36:27 Exploring Disability Representation in Film
00:45:43 Personal Reflections on Gambling and Crypto
00:50:40 Dopamine Dependency and Finding Joy
00:51:20 Cinema Preferences and the Impact of Short-Form Content
00:56:24 Analyzing Skibbity Toilet and Its Cultural Impact
00:59:28 Reflections on Classic Cinema and Personal Growth
01:04:06 Navigating Dark Themes in Film
01:06:18 The Role of Disability in Character Portrayal
01:14:01 Influences and Inspirations in Modern Filmmaking
01:18:00 The Emotional Impact of Character Arcs
01:21:20 Exploring Themes of Guilt and Redemption
01:26:20 Cinematic References and Influences
01:31:11 The Complexity of Character Relationships
01:36:50 Recommendations and Personal Favorites
01:38:50 Exploring Independent Film and Unique Cinematic Styles
01:43:36 Cinematic Influences: Bollywood and Beyond
01:47:49 David Lynch: The Master of Surreal Cinema
01:50:04 The Artistic Vision of Takeshi Kitano
01:52:02 Recommendations and Influences in Modern Cinema

ISEKAI MADNESS with MEGAN MCKELLI, actress/content creator/cosplayer/online person extraordinaire. This was a super fun one. I've been meaning to watch A Knight's Tale again since I was a kid, and it gave me a chance to make a truly insane pick in The Devil's Bride, which is absolutely worth watching but is also insane and Eastern European in a way that few things really are. What a great find by my pals over at Deaf Crocodile!

Megan has been having some issues with her socials, but you can FOR SURE follow her here, and should:

https://www.instagram.com/meganmckelli/

And also both here:

https://www.tiktok.com/@meganmckelli/
https://www.tiktok.com/@meganmckelliadventures

Topics
gaming, anime, isekai, TikTok storytelling, media literacy, acting, community, digital content, TikTok, storytelling medieval stories, film analysis, cultural representation, wrestling, A Knight's Tale, The Devil's Bride, Chaucer, Eastern European cinema, rock operas, historical fantasy

Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction and Podcast Format
00:01:18 Meet Megan
00:02:32 The Hades and Persephone Myth
00:05:02 Understanding Isekai: A Dive into Anime
00:08:55 The Evolution of Anime and Storytelling
00:11:41 Exploring TTRPGs and Character Creation
00:16:13 The Challenges of Acting and Representation
00:19:21 Creative Outlets and Audience Engagement
00:22:14 Cultural Disconnection in Fantasy Narratives
00:23:57 The Impact of Budget on Storytelling
00:29:34 Exploring The Devil's Bride
00:34:53 Comparing Medieval Storytelling in Film
00:42:24 The Role of Music in Character Development
00:47:36 GURDVANUS
00:49:48 Character Arcs and Vulnerability
00:51:19 The Role of Music in Film
00:55:09 Class Consciousness and Representation
00:58:55 The Robin Hood Allegory
01:02:35 The Complexity of Relationships
01:07:39 Final Thoughts on A Knight's Tale
01:15:27 Introduction to TikTok Content Creation
01:16:02 Overcoming the Fear of Posting
01:18:04 The Joys of Anonymity on Social Media
01:19:59 Viral Moments and Community Engagement
01:25:04 Navigating Comments and Audience Interaction
01:29:55 The Unique Nature of TikTok Storytelling
01:34:51 Comparing Content Styles: Fiction vs. Analysis
01:39:53 The Future of Collaborative Storytelling
01:45:53 The World of Kayfabe
01:47:30 Iconic Wrestling Stories
01:47:30 Andy Kaufman and Wrestling's Influence
01:50:39 Wrestling as Theater
01:51:18 A Knight's Tale: Parallels in Performance
01:54:03 Character Development in Film

a DREAM. Thank you so much to Jared for appearing on the podcast to discuss his book. I CANNOT recommend it enough, even if you just like a legal thriller, he's such a great writer, but this is genuinely one of the most important and underknown stories of the 21st century...because coal ash is everywhere. Also, we loosely discuss A Civil Action (1998), by Steven Zaillian.

Go buy Jared's book, "Valley So Low: One Lawyer’s Fight For Justice In The Wake Of America’s Great Coal Catastrophe" and follow him at:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690554/valley-so-low-by-jared-sullivan/
https://www.jr-sullivan.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jared_sullivxn/

I will also include the disclaimer here:

"This is a true story. All the people and events described in the pages that follow are real. Most of the material comes from court documents; from records I obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests; or from interviews I conducted with sources over a period of five years. (Some of these sources requested anonymity.) All quoted dialogue in the deposition, hearing, or trial scenes comes from official court transcripts or from audio recordings of the proceedings. Quoted dialogue in other scenes was, in most cases, recalled to me by primary sources, and I reproduced it word for word. Jacobs Engineering and TVA dispute much of my reporting.”

Further information can be found in the Notes section of Jared’s book recounting the response from Jacobs and TVA.

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to the Kingston Coal Ash Disaster
00:04:13 The Impact of the Kingston Disaster on Workers
00:06:47 The Legal Battle for Justice
00:09:50 The Role of TVA and Government Accountability
00:12:44 Personal Stories of the Affected Workers
00:15:48 Environmental and Health Implications
00:18:39 The Racial Disparities in Environmental Justice
00:21:48 Comparisons to Other Environmental Disasters
00:24:28 The Need for Legislative Action
00:27:26 Concluding Thoughts on Accountability and Justice
00:37:12 Nuclear Sites and Depleted Uranium in Tennessee
00:39:28 The Dark History of Irwin, Tennessee
00:41:51 Environmental Issues and Community Activism
00:43:51 The Role of TVA and Political Accountability
00:46:04 Corporate Responsibility and Legal Challenges
00:54:38 The Impact of Environmental Disasters on Communities

SPECIAL TRI-EPISODE WHATTTTT???? Yes, so, Isabel is a fantastically knowledgeable Louise Brooks gal, so I wanted to have her on to discuss Pandora's Box and Louise Brooks in general. And I picked Something Wild to go along with it, since I knew one of the characters was big into Brooks, too. BUT THEN I watched Star 80 by Bob Fosse by happenstance around the time of the ep, and Isabel was nice enough to make this the first ever TRIPLE THREAT ep. And it's so good imo! I love doing the pod so much, but this was a particularly great episode to discuss what the H is wrong with men and the obsession with men towards certain women and the desire for seeing women's storytelling.

Isabel can be found:
https://www.instagram.com/angryweirdthing/
https://www.tiktok.com/@angryweirdthingg

She's great!

Topics
Louise Brooks, Louise Brooks biography, Louise Brooks movies, film history, male gaze, exploitation, obsession, societal critique, Hollywood, women in film classic cinema, women in film, manic pixie dream girl, achievement culture, Hollywood history, Louise Brooks, Dorothy Stratton, Marilyn Monroe, gender roles, film analysis film history, women in cinema, Louise Brooks, Marilyn Monroe, Dorothy Stratton, representation, ethics, Hollywood, celebrity culture

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Louise Brooks and Film Selection
00:05:54 The Reception of Pandora's Box
00:14:18 Voyeurism in Film and Its Impact
00:21:08 The Consequences of Objectification
00:22:52 The Consequences of Relationships for Women and Men
00:23:50 Exploring the Manic Pixie Dream Girl Trope
00:25:24 Cinematic Representations of Women in Film
00:27:20 Dehumanization and Violence Against Women
00:30:01 The Complexity of Female Characters
00:32:34 Agency and Control in Relationships
00:34:41 The Manic Pixie Dream Girl: A Double-Edged Sword
00:37:34 The Evolution of Female Characters in Cinema
00:43:39 The Impact of Male Perspectives on Female Representation
00:50:28 The Complexity of Divorce in Film and Society
00:52:32 Exploring Female Agency in Classic Cinema
00:54:43 The Impact of Personal Struggles on Artistic Legacy
00:57:07 Navigating Fame and Personal Identity
00:59:03 The Dichotomy of Female Representation in Film
01:02:04 The Consequences of Sexual Liberation
01:04:59 The Role of Men in Women's Lives and Careers
01:07:56 Agency and Control in Relationships
01:11:03 The Objectification of Women in Media
01:14:00 The Legacy of Louise Brooks and Female Empowerment
01:16:51 The Complexity of Representation in Film
01:19:43 Exploring the Dark Side of Hollywood
01:22:43 The Evolution of Acting Styles
01:25:31 The Role of Directors in Shaping Performances
01:28:22 Reflections on Modern Filmmaking Practices
01:31:17 The Life of Louise Brooks
01:34:12 The Impact of Film on Identity
01:37:12 Agency and Rebellion in Historical Context
01:40:27 Exploring Obsession and Masculinity
01:43:15 The Complexity of Human Nature
01:46:17 Reflections on Personal Choices and Regrets
01:51:21 The Nature of Obsession and Control
01:54:53 Desires and Aspirations of Women
01:57:58 The Dilemma of Relationships
02:01:35 The Complexity of Female Characters
02:05:56 The Impact of Achievement Culture
02:10:12 The Consequences of Freedom and Control
02:13:38 The Tragic Lives of Iconic Women
02:22:14 Exploring Obsession in Film
02:25:07 The Perspective of Women in Cinema
02:28:16 The Role of Female Directors
02:31:13 Cultural Commentary on Women in Film
02:34:12 The Legacy of Iconic Actresses
02:37:17 Critique of Violence in Film
02:40:14 The Complexity of Female Characters
02:43:15 Recommendations and Reflections

we're trying something NEW HERE, folks! I flapped my wings and flew out to Fort Worth, Texas to visit Scott Winterrowd at the Sid Richardson Museum in Fort Worth, Texas to do a MUSEUMCAST. I don't know what actually to call it, but think of it as a tour of some really cool stuff through a very cool museum with stuff set to it. Kind of a slidecast, to borrow a Well There's Your Problem term.

The reason for it was the incredibly cool exhibit "The Cinematic West: The Art That Made the Movies". I hope you enjoy, and PLEASE AND DEFINITELY go visit them:

https://sidrichardsonmuseum.org/

Many thanks to Kyla Briggs for shooting the interview!

Chapters
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:35 A Misdeal by Frederic Remington
00:07:18 A Taint on the Wind by Frederic Remington
00:10:08 Man's Weapons Are Useless When Nature Goes Armed by C.M. Russell
00:15:37 Among the Led Horses by Frederic Remington
00:23:03 Rounded-Up by Frederic Remington
00:27:15 Jumping on to a Horse by Frederic Remington
00:30:28 In the Wake of the Buffalo Runners by C.M. Russell
00:33:34 Will Rogers and Fairbanks as D'Artagnan by C.M. Russell
00:38:08 Movie Night at Taos Theater by Oscar Berninghaus
00:43:16 Wrap-up and Outro