One Track Mind with Ryan Luis Rodriguez

For our third OTM Mini, we’re actually getting to real movies! It’s finally time to discuss Frank Perry’s 1968 film “The Swimmer” as seen through the documentary on the Grindhouse Releasing Blu-ray. How many swimsuits did Burt Lancaster wear out? Why did producer Sam Spiegel’s micromanaging lackey wear the same trunks? Is it really producing when you spend the entire shoot on your yacht in Cannes?...

For our thirty-fifth episode, friend of the show Michael Marquis Albright (Down in Front) joins us for a discussion of “Weird Al” Yankovic’s feature starring debut, 1989’s “UHF”! We discuss currently problematic co-stars, deleted homages to the Special Edition of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, mockingly singing along to the Orion Pictures logo, comparisons to “SCTV”, spending the closing cr...

For our second OTM Mini, the conclusion to our epic (well, maybe epic is too strong a word) Q & A is here for you.  What are the best TV-to-film adaptations? What are the best genre films? Which does your wonky yet affable host do more: stream or watch on disc? You gave the Q’s. Your wonky yet affable host gives the A’s. Enjoy! (Or don’t. It’s up to you.) For exclusive bonus content and early...

Our thirty-fourth episode is our biggest thus far, as we’re joined by friend of the show Mike Natale (You’re Missing Out podcast) to discuss the audio commentary for the “Donnie Darko” director’s cut by director Richard Kelly and elsewhere director Kevin Smith. We touch upon additions that dumb down the entire proceedings, hyperbolic predictions that didn’t come to pass, unfortunate gay jokes righ...

Since this podcast is technically biweekly, we’re trying something new. Between each new episode, there will be minisodes: OTM Mini. And what better way to break in the new format than a Q & A with your wonky yet affable host! Is there a method to the madness of movie ratings? Which country contributes the most to world cinema? What were some formative cinematic experiences? You gave the Q’s,...

For our thirty-third episode, girlfriend of the show Isabel Teran (Hearsing Around podcast) joins us for a discussion of one of her favorite movies on the eve of its 30th anniversary: 1993’s Henry Selick’s “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas”. We cover the holiday version of The Haunted Mansion, “sensual” puppets, using Burton’s head for a hockey puck, scented VHS clamshells, and so much...

For our thirty-second episode, Ben Haslar (Reels of Justice) makes his long-awaited first appearance to discuss the Blu-ray audio commentaries for the 1999 Universal Monsters reboot “The Mummy”. We cover conversations sponsored by Hershey’s, nipple shields made visible in 4K, childhood (and current) crushes on Rachel Weisz, movies edited for airplanes, the VH1 version of “Showgirls”, and so much m...

For our thirty-first episode, Jason Shawhan (Fearless Pretender podcast) joins the show for a discussion of the commentary and 4K release of the outstanding 1982 Dario Argento giallo “Tenebrae”. We talk about Argento’s surprising narrative autocritique, a semi-futuristic Rome of empty spaces, unmotivated canine attacks, landmark crane shots, which closing credits work best, and so much more. Ryan’...

For our thirtieth episode, podcast superstar Billy Ray Brewton (The Incinerator, Movie Mixtapes, Center Clueless) joins the show for a discussion of the commentary and 4K release of Howard Hawks’ 1959 hangout western masterpiece “Rio Bravo”. We talk about Walter Brennan’s surprisingly storied award-winning career, John Wayne’s surprising tenderness, Dean Martin’s surprising range, and many other s...

For our twenty-ninth episode, friend of the show Robert Yaniz Jr. (Crooked Table) joins us for a discussion of John McTiernan’s newly-minted 1993 cult classic “Last Action Hero”, as told by McTiernan himself (kinda, you won’t hear any clips on this ep). There’s so much to delve into, from the director constantly apologizing to what happens when Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Hamlet to everyone’s favo...

Come, listeners of Jor-El, kneel before pod! For our twenty-eighth episode, it’s time for 1980’s “Superman II” but especially the 2006 revisionist Richard Donner Cut, as told by director Donner and screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz. We’ll compare and contrast both versions, ponder what the comic book movie landscape would look like had Donner realized his vision, reveal why the producers dumped scenes w...

For our twenty-seventh episode, you will believe a podcast can fly with 1978’s “Superman”, as told by director Richard Donner and screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz. You’ll learn about the Big Blue Boy Scout’s long road to returning to the big screen, why Lex Luthor as a Bond villain cheapens the character, Ilya Salkind’s notorious behavior that resulted in a Screen Actors Guild clause, that time a denti...

For our twenty-sixth episode, friend of the show and host of the ScreenVomit podcast Kayla stops by for a discussion of William Friedkin’s controversial 1980 thriller “Cruising”. We discuss queer representation in the ‘80s, 40 missing minutes of supposed hardcore footage, Friedkin’s commentary prowess, comparisons to “Basic Instinct”, something called Jockstrap Night, and much much more. Ryan’s Re...

For our twenty-fifth episode, David Rosen (Piecing It Together podcast) stops by for a discussion of Matt Reeves’ 2008 found footage creature feature “Cloverfield”. Learn about mystery boxes, secrecy so thick that actors thought they were auditioning for a different film, American Godzillas, sequels that don’t exist, and much much more. Ryan’s Recommendations: “Magnificent Obsession” (1954), “All...

For our twenty-fourth episode, we’re joined by friend of the podcast Nathaniel Jonsson (At the Devil’s Ball podcast) for a discussion of the Blu-ray of a seismic cinematic event: George Lucas’s 1977 film “Star Wars”. Prepare for talk about who gets to shoot first, difficulty in trusting Lucas when it comes to the history of the franchise, and dewbacks. Lots of dewbacks. Ryan’s Recommendations: “TH...

For our twenty-third episode, we’re breaking tradition. June 1st saw the grand re-opening of So-Cal institution Vidiots video store and now movie theater in Eagle Rock, CA. As a bit of celebration, your wonky yet affable host invited the founders of Vidiots Foundation, Patty Polinger and Cathy Tauber, for a virtual discussion of physical media culture from the late-‘80s through the present day. Ry...

Four our twenty-second episode, we’re continuing with the oeuvre of Kevin Smith by chronicling Smith’s finest cinematic hour, 1999’s “Dogma”, as told by Smith himself, producer Scott Mosier, and actors Ben Affleck, Jason Lee, and Jason Mewes. Prepare for tales of supposedly abrasive leading ladies, the television-watching habits of all the commentators, whether getting lucky puts a director on the...

For our twenty-first episode, we’re gonna party like it’s 1995. It’s about time we talk about a cult classic (obviously doesn’t happen a lot), so why not Kevin Smith’s follow-up to “Clerks”: “Mallrats”? That’s right, True Believers, we discuss ill-fated attempts to turn assault into comedy, trying to get ahead of “There’s Something About Mary”, the studio-mandated discouragement of potty mouth, an...

For our twentieth episode, we continue with the year 1993 (I swear I didn’t plan this) with the only official Tony Scott/Quentin Tarantino collaboration: “True Romance”. We discuss baffling decisions on behalf of the MPAA, carnal intentions toward Elvis Presley, murder-happy consciences, and the infamous “Sicilian scene”, as told by Tarantino. Ryan's Recommendations: The “Street Fighter” Trilogy (...

For our nineteenth episode, we stick to the year 1993 with a true low-key hangout masterpiece: “Dazed and Confused”, as told by writer/director Richard Linklater. We discuss the harsh realities of selling out, frustrating corporate interference, a surprisingly double platinum soundtrack, and comparisons to the Charlie Brown cartoons. Ryan's Recommendations: “Before Sunrise” (1995), “Before Sunset”...

For our eighteenth episode, we finish chronicling Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” trilogy with an installment that can definitely be described as the third chapter, 1993’s “Army of Darkness”. Just in time for its 30th anniversary, travel back to the Middle Ages with the lunkheaded chainsaw-limbed savior of humanity Ashley J. Williams. It’s a tale that involves unjustly issued NC-17 ratings, aborted attemp...

For our seventeenth episode, we continue chronicling another trilogy, Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” series with perhaps the auteur’s finest hour: 1987’s “Evil Dead II”. Prepare for tales of cameras strapped to motorcycles, trying to circumvent an X rating with multicolored blood, unusual inspiration from Hamburger Helper commercials, and plenty of Fake Shemps, as told by Raimi, star Bruce Campbell, co-w...

For our sixteenth episode, we start chronicling another trilogy, Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” series, beginning with 1981’s horror cult classic “The Evil Dead”. Prepare for tales of Karo syrup destroying wardrobes, painful contact lenses, directors abusing their lead actors, gore incorporating oatmeal and coffee creamer, and The Force, as told by star and producer Bruce Campbell. Ryan's Recommendations...

For our fifteenth episode, friend of the show Case Aiken (Men of Steel and Another Pass podcasts) joins us to discuss the audio commentary for a forgotten college sex comedy, 2001’s “Going Greek”. You’ll learn more about independent filmmaking than you were prepared for in a dick-and-fart joke movie! Ryan's Recommendations: “Double Indemnity” (1944), “Days of Heaven” (1978), and “The Worst Person...

For our fourteenth episode, we’re dipping a toe into the waters of genius with Orson Welles' "Citizen Kane". No pressure or anything, just have to live up to the greatest film ever made, as narrated by the late legend Roger Ebert. Ryan's Recommendations: “Casablanca" (1942), "The Magnificent Ambersons" (1942), and "Touch of Evil" (1958) For exclusive bonus content and early releases of every episo...