Small Beans

In 2020, making a mid-range budget film is nearly impossible. Unfortunately, Abe has brought his spreadsheets to examine 2012's Dredd and how its cult influenced the way we make non-Disney action-adventure blockbusters. Turns out a great idea is helpful but there's a few things you may need to check off your list before you jump into producing a film that costs 45 million dollars. Support Small Be...

We are joined by Alex Shifman, host of the science show "Science: The Show," once again. This time he gets the Sarah and Bridgett treatment. We get the low brow down low on the politics of farting, Skyline Chili, and an ad for Salt Water Pools brought to you by Sarah, for some reason. No conversation bursting with Americana is complete until you're disgusted yet a bit hungry. Support Small Beans a...

The Mayor of Bean Town has just been informed that deadly Earth-orbiting aliens will destroy Bean Town and less importantly the world in mere minutes. Luckily, Bean Town Cop Frank Wade is on the case. Hopefully, he'll have enough time and our elected officials can solve whatever is happening with our communications systems. We seem to be getting a whole lot of interference. Oh, well! To the salvat...

It's all about family in The Fast & Furious franchise. Bridgett, a long-time admirer of the saga, wouldn't be doing her duty if she neglected to sit Sarah down and watch the entire run of the cinematic universe. We know what we're doing here at Small Beans so we included a microphone so you can listen in and witness the absolute madness. See you at the Race Wars! Support Small Beans and access Add...

Death to the Coen Brothers Brothers! Long live the Kings of King! The first episode of our new deep-dive podcast. Abe and Michael start their dissection of all things Stephen King with The Shining. We find out that Abe misunderstood the film for a very long time and Michael points out the usefulness of an ax in a hedge maze. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.co...

Adam is here?! Adam is here! How has this not happened before? Ganser joins Michael and Abe to talk about the Polish-French-Swiss art house film, Three Colors: Red. It's like listening to three cavemen discover fire. Our grunts may seem confident, but inside we're terrified. So listen to this boat accident of a review. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/Smal...

BOLD is a podcast about race and justice in America, and a collaboration between Small Beans and Showing Up For Racial Justice, produced by White People 4 Black Lives. In the first episode of our second batch, our co-hosts Dahlia Ferlito and Ivette Ale discuss their signs, favorite music, and most importantly, how social action has affected them and become an area of focus in their lives. Complete...

Adam brings a new angle to the Paul Verhoeven's 1992 erotic thriller Basic Instinct, and it is indeed erotic. Removing layer after layer of why this cult classic is actually a meta-narrative about private dick films, he offers a fresh top-down perspective (like a ceiling-mounted fuck mirror). Abe is also there. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans S...

This time Cody Johnston of Some More News and one-of-our-best-friends fame joins us to tackle the prophetic film Brazil, directed by Terry Gilliam. Please comment below if you agree or disagree with our review. "Sorry, I'm a bit of a stickler for paperwork." And thank you for your suggestion Pick-the-Flick patron sha cla (aka Shannon)! Hi, Jesse! Support Small Beans and access Additional Content:...

Well, the Rough Stuffers have done it again! In this episode, they cast their spell and dispel the shell of David Bell who in his youth raised some hell. It all makes sense: the friendships with old men, the improv mosh pits, and the exceptionally powerful cranium. It's also clear that teen Bell would probably still be able to kick all of our asses. Support Small Beans and access Additional Conten...

Here's Michael, Abe, and Tom Reimann yappin' about the absolutely batshit insane movie "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover" starring Michael Gambon and Helen Mirren. The gang determines it's all one elaborate shitting joke. Did we mention it is considered high art? A hearty shout-out to John Harty for using the Pick The Flick patreon tier and picking this film for the episode. What a guy...

Get your parenting tips from three comedians, two of which do not have children! Fortunately, Billy Wayne Davis, a parent, stops on by to inform us that he's got this whole parenting thing figured out. Spoiler: it's not how Viggo Mortensen raises his kids in this movie. It's not as cool, but it's probably better. And thank you for your suggestion Pick-the-Flick patron Zac Schwartz! Support Small B...

Abe takes the reigns this time to make the case that this jaunty, joust-y film is the jam. Why do we take old stories and dress them up in modern clothing? What's the point? Adam is also there. Sometimes Abe gets too excited and someone needs to settle him down a bit. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com

Michael and Abe conclude their examination of the Coen Brothers' films. They also rank them. They announce the topic of their next deep-dive series. Feels like they would record all that within two hours, maybe one and a half... Would that it were so simple. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com

Abe and Michael do their dance with the 2008 Israeli animated documentary film, its inspection of how we're hardwired to design our own past memories, and its thoughts on the nature of war. Tons of jokes in this one, folks. Shout out to Zac Schwartz for this month's Pick The Flick tier! You're a real M.V.Bean. Warning: Michael's recording software went a little haywire. It's not too bad and we had...

Adam brings his director knowledge to explain the tactics Soderbergh uses to lure the viewer into complacency. It might be sly editing, pacing, or shot design. Abe chimes in every now and then to remind him it isn't any of that and the real culprit is demon spells and ghouls, probably. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbean...

Michael and Abe sit down with Alex Shifman, co-host of Science! The Show, to discuss this 1979 Taiwanese fantasy horror mystery film. This film's climax involves a drum battle between a ghost and a holy man. So, I'm not convinced it's not a Slayer song. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com

Sarah and Bridgett sit down and read some fan-submitted rough stuff for the second time. You all inspire us with your awkwardness, so press play and keep it rough. Nope. Never saying that again. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com

Michael and Abe are joined by the inscrutable David Bell to discuss the body-horror film, The Fly (1986). This patron-exclusive came out around Thanksgiving, but it's just time for the holidays in the U.S. So, while you're lapping up all that turkey, ham, or veggie skin, remember to visualize when Brundle-Fly's face skin slides off his fly face. Bon appetite! Support Small Beans and access Additio...

Hang me O hang me, Michael and Abe spent two hours and fifteen minutes in this in-depth dissection of the Coen's Inside Llewyn Davis. We get real inside Llewyn Davis, real up in those insides. Guess what? It's full of cats, grief, and uncertainty. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com

You need to listen to this podcast or "I will stuff so much cotton wool down your fucking throat it'll come out your arse like the tail on a Playboy bunny." Michael and Abe sit down with Daniel O'Brien to discuss the political satire In The Loop. If it weren't full of soul-crushing insults, this 2009 political satire may feel a bit too close home so listeners beware. "I've just told you to fuck of...

In this brand new podcast, Abe poses the question: why does award season prefer art house films but shy away from romantic comedies? He makes the case that the production and costume design teams of The Wedding Singer (1998) got robbed and Adam makes fun of Abe's use of "slaps" (as in "this podcast description slaps"). Description written by Abe Epperson. Support Small Beans and access Additional...

Caroline Anderson joins Michael and Abe in blowin' some mighty wind. We got nothing but hot air for this mockumentary. It's a gas. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com

Two Americans chew some back bacon (the comedy and cultural relevance of 1983's Strange Brew and how it shaped their comedic sensibilities). For all its flaws, this retelling of Hamlet as the story of two hosers hunting for beer is arguably one of the best comedies ever made. So, grab some corn and um, uh- it's podcast time. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.co...

Brandie Posey joins Sarah and Bridgett to discuss how lucky she is to not visually remember her past given her tumultuous wolf-loving history. They agree that dating is sometimes comparing men to Jean-Luc Picard's unimpeachable moral compass. This causes the man writing this description to feel very insecure. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB...