One Track Mind with Ryan Luis Rodriguez

Since the new “Naked Gun” requel (reboot + sequel, duh) hits theaters on Friday, I decided to pull this episode of The Shirley Chronicles (my last podcast) from behind the exclusive Patreon paywall all about the original trilogy. Here’s how I introduced it when it was but a wee little podcaster: *Hear me out: what if "Police Squad!" was a movie? Better yet, what if it was THREE movies? That's righ...

For our seventy-seventh episode, commentary participant and film writer Michelle Kisner returns to discuss both audio commentaries for another Edgar Wright film: 2017’s carsical (a musical with cars, duh) “Baby Driver”. Among the things discussed? Love for Beck’s “Midnite Vultures”, director of photography Bill Pope’s criticism of The Damned, Walter Hill’s cameo, Jon Bernthal’s commitment to shoot...

For our seventy-sixth episode, it’s our biggest episode ever when Tom Lorenzo (“You’re Missing Out” podcast) finally returns to discuss the academic audio commentary for his favorite film: Sergio Leone’s 1966 spaghetti western opera “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”. Amongst the things discussed? The magic of having Ennio Morricone’s score on set, childhood awareness of the lack of lip-sync, the co...

For our seventy-fifth episode, the great Tim Mather (VHS Gore Store) returns for an analysis of the audio commentaries for Ti West’s 2009 ‘80s-tastic demonic thriller “The House of the Devil”. Amongst the things discussed? The shifting IMAX ratio for “Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning”, co-star Mary Woronov’s impressive roster of film credits, the beauty of high-waisted jeans, eating pizza w...

For our seventy-fourth episode, it’s a lovely occasion as we’re joined by a fellow Ryan (Ryan Hive Rise!), host of the New World Pictures Podcast, for a discussion of Roger Corman and John Sayles’s audio commentary for their 1980 cult classic “Battle Beyond the Stars”. There’s so much to cover, what with the mothership with literal bosoms, spaceships unfortunately emblazoned with Confederate flags...

For our seventy-third episode, it’s a conversation literally years in the making when Em from the hit podcast Verbal Diorama joins us for a discussion of Joss Whedon’s director’s commentary for his 2005 theatrical space western “Serenity”. Amongst the things discussed: safety in space, the delightful resourcefulness of Kaylee Frye, Whedon apologizing for shooting a shirtless Nathan Fillion above t...

This is how we win. For our seventy-second episode, we’re joined once again by Phillip Iscove (“Sleepy Hollow”, “Podcast Like It’s the 2000s”) for a discussion of the commentary for the anxiety-inducing Safdie Brothers follow-up to their masterpiece “Good Time”: 2019’s “Uncut Gems”. We discuss the contemporary themes relating to Jewish identity, phenomenal performances from non-acting athletes, au...

For our seventy-first episode, we’re joined by author, critic, and podcast superstar Alonso Duralde (“Hollywood Pride”, “Maximum Film”) for a discussion of the only commentary from renowned Spanish auteur Pedro Almodovar, on his 2002 Oscar-winning film “Talk to Her”. Amongst the things discussed: symbolic lava lamps, an X-rated take on “The Incredible Shrinking Man”, alternate (better?) titles, th...

For our seventieth episode, girlfriend of the podcast Isabel Teran returns as the newest member of the Three-Timers Club to discuss Tim Burton’s audio commentary for his 36-years-later sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”. Amongst the things discussed: fearing the Cowboy from “Mulholland Drive”, Winona Ryder’s transformative hairdo in “Edward Scissorhands”, the potential of a stop-motion “Mars Attacks...

For our sixty-ninth episode (nice), join new host Ben Haslar for a discussion of the audio commentary for Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” Trilogy, specifically the first installment, “The Fellowship of the Ring”, with special guest Ryan Luis Rodriguez (“Reels of Justice” podcast). If any of this sounds unusual, please note the release date.  Ben’s Recommendations: Universal Monsters Collection...

For our sixty-eighth episode, we’re joined by Vinegar Syndrome’s Justin LaLiberty for a discussion of a commentary. Literally. Nothing about the movie, just the commentary, for Edgar Wright’s 2007 masterpiece “Hot Fuzz” featuring Special Guest Quentin Tarantino. We discuss Ruggero Deodato motorcycle chases, a sincere abiding love for “Bad Boys II” and “Point Break”, the injustice of ranking “Devil...

For our sixty-seventh episode, we’re joined by film critic and commentary participant Michelle Kisner (The Movie Sleuth) for a discussion of the audio commentary for the now two-decade-old cult phenomenon “Shaun of the Dead” from writer/director Edgar Wright and writer/star Simon Pegg. Amongst the things discussed: why any future filmmakers using Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” owe Wright royalties, s...

For our sixty-sixth episode, we’re joined by Tim Mather (VHS Gore Store) for a discussion of critics (and one Ryan Luis Rodriguez’s heroes) Drew McWeeny and Eric Vespe’s audio commentary for the legendary Joe Dante’s unsung 1993 masterpiece “Matinee”. Amongst the things discussed: the irreplaceable magic of 35mm, the imposing nature of John Sayles, a love of “The Last Drive-In”, nostalgic looks at...

For our sixty-fifth episode, we’re joined by Emily Nesbitt (the Grace Kelly Archives on Twitter) for a mini-discussion of Dr. Drew Casper’s audio commentary for Alfred Hitchcock’s dazzling 1955 romance “To Catch a Thief”. Amongst the things discussed: setting the record straight on Grace Kelly’s princessdom, how to kiss for twenty hours without contracting mono, Casper’s conspiratorial whisper, th...

For our sixty-fourth episode, we’re finally joined by “Reels of Justice” co-host Dylan J. Schlender for a discussion of the late Harold Ramis and Ivan Reitman’s classic commentary for a film near and dear to his heart: 1984’s “Ghostbusters”. Amongst the things discussed: the debate of pan & scan versus letterboxed, growing up cartoon-obsessed despite being too young to watch the source materia...

For our sixty-third episode, we’re joined by film historian and commentary producer Will Dodson for a discussion of the audio commentary for Fred Zinnemann’s landmark 1952 real-time western “High Noon”. Amongst the things discussed: Gary Cooper’s legendary extramarital streak, trains running over cameras, the world-destroying HUAC hearings, Lee Van Cleef’s past as an accountant, lettuce farmer fil...

For our sixty-second episode, we’re amazingly joined by Phillip Iscove (“Podcast Like It’s the 2000s”) for a discussion of the audio commentary for the beloved 1987 family classic “The Princess Bride”, as told by director Rob Reiner, screenwriter William Goldman, and actors Billy Crystal and former angel Peter Falk. Much is discussed, from Goldman’s notorious cantankerousness, Reiner’s once-spotle...

For our sixty-first episode, we’re joined by the great Tom Lorenzo (“You’re Missing Out” podcast) for a discussion of the audio commentary for the 1974 proto-slasher “Black Christmas”, as told by director Bob Clark. Much is covered, from connections to “Mitchell”, “SCTV” and “Saturday Night Live”, confusion over whether camerawork is subjective or objective, Clark’s suspicious connection to John C...

For our sixtieth episode, we’re joined by “Screen Drafts” host Clay Keller for a discussion of the audio commentary for the late Peter Bogdanovich’s still-timely 1968 feature directorial debut “Targets”, starring (over a five day period) the legendary Boris Karloff. We discuss the lack of drive-ins in Minnesota, that time Roger Corman threw a hissy fit over spending $250, the secret screenwriter o...

For our fifty-ninth episode, fan favorite friend of the show Mike Natale (“You’re Missing Out” podcast) returns for the third time for our biggest episode ever (again)! The subject at hand? Francis Ford Coppola’s audio commentary for the director’s cut of his biggest box-office bomb and secret success: 1982’s “One from the Heart”. Much is discussed: auteurist blank checks, the relative success of...

For our spooooooky fifty-eighth episode, we’re joined once again by friend of the show Jason Shawhan (“Fearless Pretender” podcast) for a prequel of sorts to our “The Monster Squad” episode: Fred Dekker’s directorial debut, 1986’s “Night of the Creeps”. Much will be discussed, from the merits of the director’s cut to the awesomeness of Tom Atkins, and your wonky yet affable host will never fail to...

For our spooooooky fifty-seventh episode, we’re joined once again by writer/comedian Kandice Martellaro (“Don’t Bring It In”, “Hanging with Dr. Z”) for a discussion of her favorite film, stop-motion house Laika’s very first production, 2009’s “Coraline”, as told through its audio commentary from director Henry Selick. Crawl into the frilly blue tunnel with us.   Ryan’s Recommendations: “ParaNorman...

For our spooooooky fifty-sixth episode, we’re joined once again by friend of the show Nathaniel Jonsson (“At the Devil’s Ball” podcast) for a discussion of a forgotten James Whale horror-comedy from 1932 starring the iconic Boris Karloff: “The Old Dark House”. Prepare to learn exactly when every single actor kicked the bucket, because the guy recording the audio commentary never misses an opportun...

For our fifty-fifth episode, we’re joined by David Rosen (“Piecing It Together” podcast) for a discussion of the audio commentary for a full-fledged cult classic: Adam Resnick’s 1994 nautical box-office bomb “Cabin Boy”. Half pod, half cast, equals one complete podcast.   Ryan’s Recommendations: “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985), “Beetlejuice” (1988), and “The Flintstones” (1994)   For exclusive bo...

For our fifty-fourth episode, we’re joined by Graham Skipper (“The Lonely Man with the Ghost Machine”) for a discussion of Dr. Brian Cox’s audio commentary for Danny Boyle’s 2007 science-fiction thriller “Sunshine”. If you like your movie podcasts to dabble in physics (the fun kind!), you won’t want to miss this one.   Ryan’s Recommendations: “Trainspotting” (1996), “Steve Jobs” (2015), and “T2 Tr...