Small Beans

This show goes over the short stories of Michael’s favorite speculative fiction author and notable curmudgeon Harlan Ellison. Each episode Michael pairs (read: forces a friend to read) a short story with a guest that it “applies especially to.” This episode it’s the short story “I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream” and the guest is George Heftler. Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Georg...

Adam and Abe talk about Rob Reiner’s technique, Nora Ephron’s writing, and what aspects of rom-coms have persisted through generations. Features: Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/t...

Our three co-hosts are stuck in the multiverse and need to get back to their home universe. Clearly, the only way to do that is to explore our cultural obsession with multiverses, alternate timelines and parallel worlds, and tie it all into a conversation about post-modern art, pop culture, and the lessons these stories teach us. Also, each episode, one of them is an asshole who will probably sabo...

We covered The Greasy Strangler, an anti-comedy film that pushes the reality of what we’d call “a movie.” Griffin Rowell joins us for a conversation about the absolute madness of the story and the gross visual aesthetic it deploys. Mostly, we talk about how the movie broke Abe. Features: Griffin Rowell Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Sup...

It’s a Paul month. This time we discuss his 2007 film There Will Be Blood which tells the story of Daniel Plainview, an oilman who leaves a wake of destruction pursuing his need to amass wealth and power. The boys talk capitalism, practical effects, and how Paul Thomas Anderson has matured through his movies. Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com...

Our collective friend and honorary Small Bean Griffin Rowell walks us through the capitalist concepts driving the current metaverse, the recent crash, and the potential methods we can use to build it into something more open-sourced. Resident dummy Michael asks all the questions you may have had but were too afraid to (or just had no interest in) asking about whatever all of this is. https://decen...

A Pick the Flick episode of Frame Rate! This means one of our patrons, specifically Zac Schwartz, generously donated through the Pick the Flick tier and got to choose what we watched! This episode covers the 1988 Scorsese film The Last Temptation of Christ. Jason joins the ‘Raters (™) in discussing the overall quality of the film, its dark history, and what changing old stories says about us. Feat...

We have another patron-chosen episode! This episode dives into their picks for “rebel movies.” Also, Maggie talks about dying her hair for the first time. Adam has some insight as a redhead. Vote every month on our poll for the topic of the next episode! Email us suggestions for episodes at magsandganz@gmail.com as well. Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Maggie Mae Fish: https://twitter...

In this episode, Bridgett and Sarah discuss the first film in the How To Train Your Dragon Franchise. Our hosts discuss the impeccable world-building, the stacked cast, and gush for a justifiable amount of time over the cuteness of Toothless, our beautiful little boy. This starts a new trilogy for the Shooters™, so look for the How To Train Your Dragon 2 next time! Features: Bridgett Greenberg: ht...

A Pick the Flick episode of Frame Rate! This means one of our patrons, specifically Krischanovich, generously donated through the Pick the Flick tier and got to choose what we watched! This episode covers the 2005 film by Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko): Southland Tales. A film with an outstanding cast, a lot of big ideas, and some really rough dialogue. The boys tackle what made this flop and more o...

Our three co-hosts are stuck in the multiverse and need to get back to their home universe. Clearly, the only way to do that is to explore our cultural obsession with multiverses, alternate timelines and parallel worlds, and tie it all into a conversation about post-modern art, pop culture, and the lessons these stories teach us. Also, each episode, one of them is an asshole who will probably sabo...

Adam and Abe talk about how Sam Raimi’s Spiderman creates a visual system where the audience subtly learns who we’re looking at: Spiderman or Peter Parker. We go through his camera techniques and look into how the invisible hand of directing works. Features: Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Support Small Beans and access Additional Content...

A Pick the Flick episode of Frame Rate! This means one of our patrons, specifically Nikolai G, generously donated through the Pick the Flick tier and got to choose what we watched! This episode covers the 1998 heist film Ronin. A film about a team of ex-military mercenaries enlisted by some Irish people to find a briefcase. We compare it to modern day action films and blockbusters, talk car chases...

This show goes over the short stories of Michael’s favorite speculative fiction author and notable curmudgeon Harlan Ellison. Each episode Michael pairs (read: forces a friend to read) a short story with a guest that it “applies especially to.” This episode it’s the short story “The Man Who Rowed Christopher Columbus Ashore” and the guest is Alebrelle. They discuss the moral complexities of intent...

It’s a Wes month. This time we discuss his 2004 film The Life Aquatic which tells the story of sailor/asshole Steve Zissou as he tries to reignite his career and connect with his son. The boys talk about redemption arcs, beautiful shots, and how Wes Anderson has matured through his movies. Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Suppor...

A Pick the Flick episode of Frame Rate! This means one of our patrons, specifically A. Ron Defender of the Galaxy, generously donated through the Pick the Flick tier and got to choose what we watched! This episode we covered the 2010 independent film The Happy Poet, a film about a man who just wants to make a vegan food cart. It launches a conversation about independent filmmaking and our own jour...

Our three co-hosts are stuck in the multiverse and need to get back to their home universe. Clearly, the only way to do that is to explore our cultural obsession with multiverses, alternate timelines and parallel worlds, and tie it all into a conversation about post-modern art, pop culture, and the lessons these stories teach us. Also, each episode, one of them is an asshole who will probably sabo...

Happy 500th podcast! We did it! Celebrate by finding the closest bean and lighting it on fire! AHHHHH!!!! The sacrifice has been made!!! On that note, we have another patron-chosen episode! This episode dives into the movies that defined friendship for our hosts. You know, what you’re looking for in a friend. The hosts as always choose two different films and discuss them. This time they both pick...

Michael and Abe have been looking forward to covering a Satoshi Kon film and we figured we’d get one of our good friends, Zach Sherwin, who hadn’t seen it to come and discuss it with us! The film covers three unhoused citizens of Tokyo who find a baby in a dumpster and spend the entire film trying to find her parents, despite the night having a different plan at almost every turn. It’s a heart-war...

The year is 1964. Cold War tensions are high. “Funnyman” Stanley Kubrick tells an entire generation: “Wait, I can make this hilarious.” Somehow, this movie is a classic. Three dorks, including our longtime friend, novelist and comedian Clint Gage, sit down to talk about what makes this dark comedy work and what doesn’t hold up. Features: Clint Gage: https://twitter.com/clintgage Michael Swaim: htt...

It’s a Paul month. This time we discuss his 2002 film Punch-Drunk Love which reframes the traditional romantic comedy. The grating sound scape, anxiety-inducing scene work gets you right into Barry Egan’s (Adam Sandler) world. The boys talk about how choice direction and editing makes you feel something, for better or worse. Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: htt...

This week the professor discusses the nature of Hell and demons. We are blessed, I guess, to have with us the Devourer of Soul-kin, Grief Incarnate, and Demon of the 5th realm of Hell, his Majesty, the Acolyte of Damnation: Lycus, Author of all calamities and sinful pleasure. The conversation does not go well. Features: Professor Scott Bug: https://twitter.com/profscottbug Cody Johnston: https://t...

In this episode, Bridgett and Sarah discuss Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy’s final film. They talk about Jesse’s evolution, casting kids that look like their parents, being a Sagittarius, how Europeans initiate “sexy time” (Bridgett’s words), and cheating protocols. Consider this trilogy wrapped! Next trilogy coming soon. Expect cuteness and put your guesses in the comments section! Features:...

Adam and Abe talk about how Die Hard’s John McTiernan secretly has the soul of an artist, adjusting a heist movie into a drama. We go through his techniques and script changes that tell a far more interesting story than just a run-of-the-mill action thriller. Features: Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additio...

This show goes over the short stories of Michael’s favorite speculative fiction author and notable curmudgeon Harlan Ellison. Each episode Michael pairs (read: forces a friend to read) a short story with a guest that it “applies especially to.” This episode it’s the short story “The Silver Corridor” (from Ellison Wonderland) and the guest is Bridgett Greenberg. They discuss the competitive spirit,...