Soldiers of Cinema Podcast

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater In this episode, Clark Coffey and Cullen McFader discuss the 2007 comedy/biopic parody Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Starring John C. Reilly and a stacked cast of comedians from the era, the film runs the gamut on tropes from the music biopic genre and features some surprisingly strong tunes lead by Reilly. Subscribe to Sold...

A Few Good Men Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater In this episode, Clark Coffey and Cullen McFader discuss Rob Reiner's 1992 film 'A Few Good Men,' exploring its cultural impact, performances, and the writing style of Aaron Sorkin. They delve into personal experiences with the film, the direction, and the philosophical questions it raises about the justice system. The conversation also touch...

Staying Alive Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater Today Clark and Cullen are joined by special guest Peter Aldanmaz (also known as Peter NC-17 ) to discuss the 1983 sequel to Saturday Night Fever, Staying Alive! The conversation weaves through many topics, including the parallels between Tony Manero’s life and Stallone and Travolta’s own career trajectories, and how this film is a reflection...

100th Episode Special Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater After 100 episodes, the time has come for Clark and Cullen to challenge each other! Or rather, pose a set of questions to one another and learn more about the lesser-known side of their love for cinema. Subscribe to Soldiers of Cinema for honest, wide-ranging conversations on film, from cult favorites to award-winners - with two filmma...

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater Clark and Cullen discuss Cullen's pick, Wes Anderson's 2004 film, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. Clark isn't a huge fan of Mr. Anderson's films, so this discussion should be interesting! Will Cullen convince him of the merit of this wacky tale? Find out on this episode! Subscribe to Soldiers of Cinema for honest, wide...

Thief (Part Two) Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater In the second part of our special two-parter, Clark and Cullen continue their discussion of Michael Mann’s 1981 feature film debut Thief! They talk about the stylistic and thematic mainstays of Mann’s career, the patient, subtle intensity of the film’s staging and setpieces, and much more! Subscribe to Soldiers of Cinema for honest, wide-ra...

Thief (Part One) Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater In a special two-parter, Clark and Cullen discuss Michael Mann’s 1981 feature film debut Thief! They talk about the stylistic and thematic mainstays of Mann’s career, the patient, subtle intensity of the film’s staging and setpieces, and much more! Subscribe to Soldiers of Cinema for honest, wide-ranging conversations on film, from cult fav...

Osama Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater This episode, Clark and Cullen discuss the 2003 Afghan film Osama, which follows a preteen girl living in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime who disguises herself as a boy to support her family. Clark and Cullen also chat about Cullen’s experience shooting a documentary in Afghanistan and how the film struck him having been there recently. Subscribe...

Sweet Smell of Success Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater Sweet Smell of Success is a 1957 American film noir satirical drama film directed by Alexander Mackendrick, which tells the story of powerful and sleazy newspaper columnist J.J. Hunsecker who uses his connections to ruin his sister's relationship with a man he deems unworthy of her. Clark and Cullen discuss the ins and outs the film a...

Zodiac Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater Directed by David Fincher, Zodiac is a mystery thriller that has the elements of both a newspaper and a police procedural film. The film tells the story of the Zodiac Killer, a serial killer who terrorized Sand Francisco in the 1960-1970’s and was never caught by police. As always, Clark and Cullen discuss their personal experiences with the film and...

The Cell Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater The Cell is a 2000 fantasy thriller directed by Tarsem Singh - Join Clark and Cullen as they discuss the film from start to finish, focussing closely on the unique storytelling and fascinating visual effects! Subscribe to Soldiers of Cinema for honest, wide-ranging conversations on film, from cult favorites to award-winners - with two filmmakers, d...

The Descendants Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater This week, we’re looking at Alexander Payne’s The Descendants - a layered, bittersweet story about family, change, and confronting the past. With George Clooney at the center, Clark and Cullen explore how Payne’s low-key style brings quiet emotional weight to a story set against the backdrop of a changing Hawaii. Subscribe to Soldiers of Cin...

Network Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater This week we discuss the classic 1976 political satire, Network! Directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Faye Dunaway and William Holden, the film brings Clark and Cullen’s discussion from the technical to the political, and about the lasting impact (and relevance) the film still holds. Trailer Director: Sidney Lumet Starring: Faye Dunaway William Ho...

Drive Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater This week we discuss Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive, a tonal film which defined the film aesthetics of the early 2010’s, and how Clark and Cullen experienced the rise of this film’s influence in their different generational experiences. Trailer Director: Nicolas Winding Refn Starring: Rya n Gosli ng Carey Mull igan B ryan Cran sto n Socials: F acebook T...

Embrace of the Serpent Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater This week we discuss the 2015 international film, Embrace of the Serpent, directed by Ciro Guerra. This beautifully shot black and white film was inspired by the travel diaries of Theodor Koch-Grünberg and Richard Evans Schultes and tells the story of two journeys made thirty years apart by the indigenous shaman Karamakate in the Colo...

Frenzy Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater This week the discussion revolves around Alfred Hitchcock’s penultimate feature film, 1972’s Frenzy! Cullen discusses Hitchcock’s influence on him growing up and why he felt it was overdue to talk about Hitch, and Clark remarks on the intriguing thought of what Hitchcock’s work would have turned into had he lived longer. Frenzy Trailer Director: Alfr...

Pather Panchali Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater An adaptation of Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay 's 1929 Bengali novel of the same name , 1955’s Pather Panchali marked Satyajit Ray’s directorial debut and features a non-professional cast laid on the backdrop of the authentically filmed Indian countryside. Clark and Cullen discuss the film’s wider importance and the trajectory of many of thos...

Sorcerer Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater Back for the new year, Clark and Cullen discuss William Friedkin’s 1977 psychedelic man vs nature drama Sorcerer. Cullen discusses why he chose the film and Clark chimes in on the way the film portrays the brutality of the jungle. Sorcerer Trailer Director: William Friedkin Starring: Roy Scheider , Bruno Cremer , Francisco Rabal Socials: Facebook T...

The New World Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater This time we discuss Clark’s pick, Terrence Malick’s The New World! Clark and Cullen chat about how long it’s been since their previous Malick discussion, how this movie asks you to not worry about standard story conventions, and dares you to trust your feelings! The New World Trailer Director: Terrence Malick Starring: Colin Farrell , Q'orian...

Koyaanisqatsi Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater Join us for an in depth discussion about Cullen’s pick Koyaanisqatsi - Godfrey Reggio’s 1982 experimental film! A film made up of mesmerizing timelapse photography, montage and beautiful landscapes of both natural wonders and cities, Reggio pairs these elements with a groundbreaking and iconic score by Philip Glass. Koyaanisqatsi trailer Direc...

Raising Arizona Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater This week, we’re diving into the Coen Brothers’ 1987 film Raising Arizona ! As their second feature, this film delivered their distinctive blend of offbeat humor and eccentric storytelling. With a standout cast led by Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter, Raising Arizona tells the hilariously chaotic tale of a couple's quest to build a family, only...

Do the Right Thing Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater This week, we’re discussing Spike Lee’s 1989 film “Do the Right Thing”! While not Lee’s debut feature, his third film made concrete much of the style that he would become famous for and brought together an ensemble cast to tell a story of which’s cultural relevance continues to grow. Do the Right Thing trailer Director: Spike Lee Starring...

Eyes Wide Shut Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater Back from a brief hiatus due to some summer travel, Clark and Cullen discuss Cullen’s pick “Eyes Wide Shut”! Stanley Kubrick’s final film, and one enveloped in an air of mystery and conspiracy, this 1999 flick takes you on a dream-like journey over the course of a single night in the hyper-elite underbelly of New York City. Eyes Wide Shut Tra...

In the Name of the Father Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater This week Clark and Cullen talk about the 1993 historical drama In the Name of the Father. Set in Northern Ireland and England during the troubles and following the story of the Guilford Four, director Jim Sheridan focusses on Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his relationship with his father (Pete Postlethwaite), and their strug...

Film School and More with Chloe Leis Hosts: Clark Coffey & Cullen McFater On this special episode of SoC, we chat with Chloe Leis, a young filmmaker starting her career after finishing film school (and who happens to be Clark’s niece)! Chloe talks about her experience at Chapman University, growing up with a passion for filmmaking, and working her first major gig on Mario Van Peebles’ Outlaw P...