Rules of the Frame

Connor & Jon start off their new series with one of the most chaotic films of all time and they are not too happy about it. They try to analyze why Spielberg can't make a direct comedy, what Zemeckis & Gale's original intention for the screenplay was, and how you can have so many great actors in a film with no great performances. WARNING: Major spoilers for 1941, minor spoilers for Miracle Mile &...

Connor & Jon introduce their next series in which they dive into films that were covered up by their director, actor, or studio for differing reasons. They hope to examine these, sometimes anomalies, place in film history and how they affect the careers of those involved. Follow us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rulesoftheframe/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rulesoftheframe   Twitter...

Connor & Jon get their feet wet in discussing the film that created the modern blockbuster: Jaws! Probably the most well known limitation in film history that created the perfect horror/adventure film. They discuss how different(and not as good) it would be if the shark had worked perfectly and the beginnings of Spielberg's career and how this experience shaped his future films and collaborations....

Connor & Jon get ethereal when studying the philosophic and whispered Terrence Malick film: Knight of Cups. They ponder how much of Malick's worldview supersedes the Tarot card theme, if torpedoing brings about a more natural performance, and whose idea was the foot thing. Follow us:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rulesoftheframe/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rulesoftheframe   Twitt...

Connor & Jon try to reign in the zaniness that comes up when you bring Steve Snediker on an episode about Terry Gilliam. The name of the film is Brazil and boy does it take them for a ride. Together they marvel at the ineptitude of this not too far off world, how every duct has its place, and was Sid Sheinberg right in trying to change the film? WARNING: Major spoilers for Brazil & Blade Runner Li...

Connor & Jon struggle to find out if Dogme 95 really aided creatively to the making of The Celebration. Would Dogme 95 be improved if its rules dealt specifically with things that the directors relied too heavily on instead of a revolt of what was prominent in cinema then? Who used Dogme better Vinterberg or Von Trier? And why does everyone stay at the party? WARNING: Major spoilers for The Celebr...

When recording Jon's challenge we went over the time limit and had a fun discussion on poster design and strange stories about studio heads. So we wanted to share this messy extended look into our recording process with you.   *This episode is pretty visual so recommend following along with the links below when you listen.* Premiere's Top 25 Posters: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls063295268/ Empire's...

This week Connor is joined by Michelle Johnson to discuss the only main-stream American film noir directed by a woman: The Hitch-Hiker. They compare the two hostages situation to that of film & TV crews under tyrannical show runners, how Ida Lupino subtly flipped the genre, and just how underrated of a filmmaker she is. WARNING: Major spoilers for The Hitch-Hiker, The Bigamist, & Not Wanted Follow...

Connor & Jon try to examine both 300 years of Russian history AND one of the most daring films in the 21st century with Russian Ark. They are both awed and mystified by the technicality of the film, but does it come at the cost of story elements? WARNING: Major spoilers for Russian Ark , The Sacrifice, & Birdman, Minor spoilers for Francofonia Follow us:   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruleso...

Connor is reunited with Riley after a 1 episode break, and they are both joined by drummer, Dan Funk, to discuss Damien Chazelle's Whiplash. They discuss their own personal band stories, how great it is to see Jazz represented in film, and which of Chazelle's films is the best. WARNING: Major spoilers for Whiplash, minor spoilers for La La Land Link to Suite 25: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7HE...

Connor & Jon break down Christopher Nolan's first feature film: Following. Nolan begins his career with a no-budget, skeleton crew, weekend shot neo-noir that delivers with twists and thrills. It's great to see the genesis of one of the greatest modern directors and where his love of shooting on film comes from. WARNING: Major spoilers for Following, Inception, & The Dark Knight Rises, Minor spoil...

Connor & Riley are joined by Rod Reed to observe one of the sweatiest movies of all time: 12 Angry Men. They discuss how it brilliantly deconstructs the prejudices inherent in the judicial system, how the film doesn't work as a play, and how different genres shine a light on the human condition. WARNING: Major spoilers for 12 Angry Men Follow us:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rulesoftheframe...

It's time for a new series and Connor & Jon start off with some bittersweet news: Riley Hardy is no longer a host. So we wish him well and continue onward with our new series about how limitations in the filmmaking process escalates the creative nature of it. Follow us:   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rulesoftheframe/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rulesoftheframe   Twitter: https://t...

Connor & Riley cozy up to their pillow shots as they examine Yasujiro Ozu's masterwork: Tokyo Story. They discuss the complexity of the characters, and how the family dynamic makes the film universal even though producers said it was "too Japanese." They also ponder the question: does Ozu have the most consistent cinematic language? WARNING: Major spoilers for Tokyo Story, minor spoilers for Ordin...

Connor & Jon quote through Noah Baumbach's first film Kicking and Screaming(not the Will Ferrell one). They make the strange discovery of how relatable it is to their own lives and who is which character. This episode might also hold the record of most Mike Ditka mentions in a podcast. WARNING: Major spoilers for Kicking and Screaming Follow us:   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rulesoftheframe...

It's our 50th episode so we decided to do our first audience pick! Connor & Riley discuss Lulu Wang's 2019 film: The Farewell. They discuss what is really the most ethical thing to do, when it's okay to lie, and what makes a film American or Chinese? WARNING: Major spoilers for The Farewell, minor spoilers for The Royal Tenenbaums Follow us:   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rulesoftheframe/  ...

Connor & Riley are taken way back to their awkward years when they analyze Richard Linklater's passion project: Boyhood. The guys discuss the advantages and disadvantages to not having a script, and how mixing non-actors and actors has an interesting effect. They also take a retrospect to Linklater's career and his seeming obsession with conspiracy theories and rebellion towards authority. WARNING...

Connor & Jon are joined by the first critic of the show, Caleb Maine, to discuss the Coen's depressing masterpiece: A Serious Man. Jon gets distracted by the fact that there were earbuds in the '60's. Caleb hates Sy more than any other film character. And Connor obsesses over the use over repeating dialogue. WARNING: Major spoilers for A Serious Man Follow us:   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/...

Connor & Riley take it all the way back to 1948 to discuss the Italian Neo-Realist classic: Bicycle Thieves. They admire how the film breaks all of the Hollywood conventions of the time and how more realistic films can touch us on such a personal and emotional basis. WARNING: Major spoilers for Bicycle Thieves, minor spoilers for Shoeshine Follow us:   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rulesofthe...

Connor & Riley just couldn't resist talking about another animated film for this miniseries. They talk how everyday life can look extraordinary in animation when it's in the hands of Isao Takahata. So much beauty and simplicity is portrayed in Only Yesterday, that it's a real shame that Disney didn't release it to the U.S. until 2016. WARNING: Major spoilers for Only Yesterday Follow us:  Facebook...

This episode Connor & Riley are joined by Clare Warrington to discuss the groundbreaking emotional drama: Ordinary People. Clare lends her knowledge of family and human therapy to break down the psychological themes of the film. They also examine how this film created the modern family drama and one of the first novels aimed toward teenagers. WARNING: Major spoilers for Ordinary People Follow us: ...

We are now at the start of a new series and are excited to be digging into films that are more grounded in reality and focus on the complex emotions of characters and the crazy machinations of society. We are also excited to announce that we have brought back previous guest, Jon Skinner, to be a recurring member of the show! We hope you will enjoy this next series and some new input. Follow us: Fa...

Connor & Riley top off their second animation series with a slew of wonderful short films. The films span from the 50's to modern day and are made with almost every medium in the animator's toolkit. We try to have a great balance between popular beloved shorts and small impact full indie films. So listen in and watch these incredible pieces of art. WARNING: Major spoilers for all of the shorts dis...

Connor & Riley take a look at a film unlike any other: Waltz with Bashir. This one of a kind animated/documentary/autobiographical pic has both an intriguing storytelling style and animation style. Listen in as they discuss what it takes to make an animated film like this and how a movie like this would be almost impossible to make in the U.S. WARNING: Major spoilers for Waltz with Bashir & James...

Films mentioned in this episode: -------------------------------- The Secret of Kells (2007) | Dir. Tomm Moore The Thief and the Cobbler (1993) | Dir. Richard Williams Home on the Range (2004) | Dir. Will Finn, John Sanford The Princess and the Frog (2009) | Dir. Ron Clements, John Musker The Prophet (2014) | Dir. Roger Allers, etc... The Prince of Egypt (1998) | Dir. Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner...