Notes From the Silver Screen

In this episode we fly back through Halloween's past stopping to visit the creative process, animation, and Ray Bradbury's whimsical world of The Halloween Tree (1993). Music by Chan Walrus. Instagram @nftss_pod.

In this episode we bet against the house on  balancing comedy and crime, feed the pigs with editing and sound design,  and stuff pacing into our trunk as we look at Guy Ritchie's Snatch (2000). Music by Chan Walrus. Instagram @nftss_pod.

Love is in the air 💘. For a timely February episode the Falslev Bros hope of a train in Vienna to meander around the enchanted streets: observing the characters, conversations, physical performances and authenticity in Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise (1995).  Music by Chan Walrus. Instagram @nftss_pod.

Oh how spooky! 🎃 Two episodes in one month! The two have become three as the Falslev Bros are joined by their little sister SaiDee for a special Halloween episode on Smile (2022). We talk horror conventions, effective and counterproductive efforts to establish tone and suspense, jump scares and theme. Music by Chan Walrus. Instagram @nftss_pod.

"Thanks for listening we were a sorry a mess this year." Scrape by in Greenwich Village with the Falslevs as we tune into the Coen Brother's Inside Llewyn Davis (2013). In this bite sized episode we discuss the somber story of the eponymous failed folk musician, filming with live music, and dissatisfaction with static characters. Music by Chan Walrus. Instagram @nftss_pod.

After what seems like 14 long years the Bros are back with a new episode, Counselor. With our righteous indignation and newfound freedom we pursue Cape Fear (1991) by Martin Scorsese. Tail us as cross examine the film's morality, the importance of performance, and talk about remakes. Music by Chan Walrus. Instagram @nftss_pod.

The Falslev Bros are joined by special guest Cole to provide you with a quick fix for a case of the Mondays. With our external consultant in tow we interview Mike Judge's Office Space (1999) to see how an ensemble cast can strengthen a comedy, the importance of respecting characters, and how relatability and juxtaposition lead to big laughs.  Music by Chan Walrus. Instagram @nftss_pod.

Short. Sweet? Festive. Join the Falslev Bros for a quick feet-first dip into the icy pothole of Groundhog Day (1993).  Music by Chan Walrus. Instagram @nftss_pod.

The Falslev Bros are joined by special guest Jairen for a double-feature episode on voyeuristic cinema. Bullying through Matt Johnson's The Dirties (2013) and breaking into song with Joel Haver's Pretend That You Love Me (2020) our film fanatic trio embrace the uncomfortableness of peering into what seems to be intimate moments. Talking about how framing and shot type, paired with heavily improvis...

In the spirit of the season the Brothers dig up the somewhat divisive holiday classic Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). Though divided on the story they both agree it is the pinnacle of craftsmanship, and creates a fantastically fun Halloween mood. So grab your candy corn and witches brew to listen as the Falslevs haunt their way through the challenges of claymation production, D...

After an unexpectedly long respite NFTSS is back once again to fill your ears with talk of movies. In what is hopefully a return to a more consistent form the Falslev Bros tackle the prototypical feel-good-coming-of-age-teen-comedy writer/director, Mr. John Hughes himself. Tune in to hear their thoughts on dialogue, decade wide trends, theme, and the Hughesims that distinguish his movies from othe...

In this episode the Bros try a more technical take on the film podcast scene. Using Iñárritu's The Revenant (2015) as a jumping off point we discuss the art, purpose, and facets of cinematography. Looking at Emmanuel "El Chivo" Lubezki's work and approach to film we cover one takes, lighting, and the importance of cinematography. Music by Chan Walrus. Instagram @nftss_pod.

The Falslev's take on another reality-inspired period piece. This time examining the understated charm of Minari from writer/director Lee Isaac Chung. We look at character motivation, thematic content, nostalgia, and realism as we spectate the Arkansan troubles and triumphs of the Korean-American Yi family. Music by Chan Walrus. Instagram @nftss_pod.

On this episode the Bros look at another film with biblical allusions, this time the historical drama/biopic of Fred Hampton the charismatic leader of the Illinois Black Panther chapter, his betrayal, and his assassination by the FBI. We talk about character, performance, creative license vs truthfulness, and touch briefly on set design and the challenges of period pieces. Music by Chan Walrus. In...

The Falslev Brothers are divided on Darren Aronofsky. Are his films metaphorical allegories for life or meaningless jumbles of visuals? Float with us in a bubble-craft to the dying star Xibalba where we'll look at visual symbolism, practical effects, directorial style, and the meaning of Aronofsky's The Fountain (2006.) Music by Chan Walrus. Instagram @nftss_pod.

On this installment of NFTSS the Brothers board a firefly-class transport to the futuristic universe of the Anglo-Sino Alliance in Joss Whedon's Serenity (2005). We talk about shiny science fiction, how world building textures a film, the importance of antagonists to drive the gorram plot, and how Whedon hides exposition in plain sight.  Music by Chan Walrus.

On this episode of NFTSS the Falslev's do another deep dive: this time examining cinematic adaptations of religious stories. What considerations should be taken when approaching a story that is central to people's faith? As we break down Dreamwork's The Prince of Egypt (1998) and Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ (2004) we talk about historical accuracy, the importance of characters, nuance,...

Keep your specs peeled and your ears open, ya dig? Untangle the mysteries of high school hash heads in Rian Johnson's Brick (2005). Piece together the clues with the Falslev's as we tail the noir and neo-noir genres, track down Hammett-esque dialogue, and uncover the seedy lies of indie filmmaking. Music by Chan Walrus. Instagram @nftss_pod.

The Falslev Brother's are joined again by Joshua to learn about the questions of the soul from Teach in Pixar's Soul (2020). Astral project to the hypothetical realm of the You Seminar with us as we talk about animation, music, and how characters advance theme. Music by Chan Walrus. Instagram @nftss_pod.

The Falslev Brother's travel to the magical land of Florin and Guilder with the inscrutable S. Morgenstern as their guide. Accompany the Brothers as they dive headfirst into the quicksand of Rob Reiner's classic film The Princess Bride (1987) filled with dangers, magics, and a mismatched band of unlikely heroes. We'll encounter framing devices, set design, and some BTS trivia as we fight to the pa...

There's no better time than October for Horror films. Join the Brothers on a special Halloween edition of NFTSS where we conjure up Ari Aster's debut film Hereditary (2018). As we meticulously recreate the world in miniature in we talk about genre conventions, what makes good horror, visual style and elevated horror. Happy Halloween! 🎃  Music by Chan Walrus. Follow our Instagram @nftss_pod.

Continuing with a longer-form deeper-dive format the Brother's sit down to casual conversation with Andre and Wallace to discuss bottle movies. A bottle movie takes place almost entirely in a single location over a short period of time, what are the benefits of this style, and what challenges does it introduce? Hijacking the conversation to discuss camera moves/blocking, dialogue vs action driven...

In this installment the brothers try something new. Using Tom McCarthy's Spotlight (2015) and the Mads Matthiesen's short film Dennis (2007) as jumping off points we examine how filmmakers keep us engaged when the story faces mundanity. Through the investigation we spotlight: foreign languages in film, shorts vs features, characterization, and pacing.  Let us know what you think at the new NF...

Jump in our old Peugeot and travel back in time with the Falslev Bros to Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris (2011). This one was a little harder to find things to talk about, so the episode is shorter than normal, but we touch on music, tone, accents, and good old-fashioned golden age thinking.

🎉 NFTSS hits 10 episodes! 🎉 Continuing with our intermittent summer release schedule the Falslev Brother's revisit an old favorite and investigate the Coen Brother's take on Cormac McCarthy in No Country For Old Men (2007). Join us in the disappearing old west as we track down violence on the big screen, film adaptations, and offer interpretations on the theme of No Country For Old Men and Sheri...