Talking Movies with My Mom

On the Season 2 finale of Talking Movies with My Mom, we’re going back to where it began for two of our favorite directors – Peter Jackson ("Bad Taste") and Robert Rodriguez ("El Mariachi"). We consider the power of youthful energy and scrappy ingenuity when making a movie on a low budget, how a first film foreshadows a director’s vision and style, and the life lesson of using seagulls to break yo...

On today’s episode of Talking Movies with My Mom, we travel to Australia for this season’s installment of our “Oh, the Places We’ll Go” series.  Our first stop is “Mad Max,” where we appreciate George Miller’s awe-inspiring world-building, the serendipitous nature of the first-in-a-franchise screenplay, and a good live-action eye pop.  Next up, we journey to the 1880s Outback with “The Proposition...

On a super-sized edition of “Talking Movies with My Mom,” we hit the concert film circuit with Raoul Hernandez (music journalist for 35+ years and former Music Editor of The Austin Chronicle), who breaks down the music side of Prince’s “Sign ‘o’ the Times,” Metallica’s “Through the Never,” and the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter.” Raoul helps us navigate the highs and lows of the concert film genre...

On today’s episode of “Talking Movies with My Mom,” we take a deep dive into our favorite comedy deep cuts, “Freaked” and “Bubba Ho-Tep.” Join us as we delve into hammers disguised as milkmen, the little details that elevate low-budget movies into laugh-so-hard-can’t-breath comedies, and just how nasty Cleopatra really is.  For additional information, resources, and a transcript of the episode, vi...

On today’s episode of “Talking Movies with My Mom,” we honor Roger Corman, who passed away on May 9, by celebrating two of our favorite Corman movies, "Death Race 2000” and "Slumber Party Massacre II.” Nicknamed the "King of the Bs,” Corman proved that entertainment can be made on the cheap with an active imagination and creativity. We reflect on ways Corman’s profound legacy has impacted cinema f...

On today’s episode of “Talking Movies with My Mom,” we hit the open road with two of our favorite travel movies, “Rain Man” and “Beavis and Butt-Head Do America.” Join us as we venture into the inspirational legacy of “Rain Man,” the transformational nature of road trips, and the unexpected connections between “Beavis and Butt-Head” and “Better Call Saul.”  For additional information, resources, a...

To celebrate Mother’s Day, on this episode of Talking Movies with My Mom, we’re honoring the Badass Mamas in “Gunpowder Milkshake” and “The Secret of NIMH.” We dig into how a 15-year absence really does make the heart grow fonder, how big ideas can sprout from a tiny mouse and a small garage, and how being a mama and a badass aren't mutually exclusive.  For additional information, resources, and a...

On the Season 2 premiere of Talking Movies with My Mom, we boldly go where, well, some have gone before, when talking about our favorite Dynamic Duos – Kirk & Spock and Bill & Ted. We explore the endearing and enduring power of friendship, possible side ventures focusing on Spock’s humanity, and those all important life lessons that go beyond "party on, dudes!" For additional information,...

Season 2 of Talking Movies with My Mom promises to be two times the fun as this son and mom duo takes on favorite genres like badass mamas, road trips and concert films from a “head” (Jackson) and “heart” (Tamara) perspective.

On the fourth bonus episode of Talking Movies with My Mom, we’re talking about SXSW ‘24, where in-between standing in block-long lines, fending off stage moms, and sobbing at Q&As, we saw amazing movies (and learned never to underestimate the size of Dev Patel’s fanbase). For additional information, resources, and a transcript of the episode, visit https://www.podcastics.com/podcast/talking-mo...

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, on this third bonus episode of Talking Movies with My Mom, we’re sharing all the reasons why we love our favorite romance movies — "10 Things I Hate About You" and "Punch-Drunk Love.”  For additional information, resources, and a transcript of the episode, visit https://www.podcastics.com/podcast/talking-movies-with-my-mom/ You can also follow us on Instagram @talking...

On the second bonus episode of Talking Movies with My Mom, in honor of Jackson’s special day, we’re talking birthday movies.  First is "13 Going on 30," starring Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Andy Serkis, Judy Greer, and a very young Brie Larson. We explore the depths of a movie that could have been a one-trick pony, weigh in on the idea of a multiverse sequel, and praise the power of three – Ric...

On the first bonus episode of Talking Movies with My Mom, we welcome Jackson’s Grandma and Tamara’s Mom, Phyllis Bell (who’s also a proud SAG-AFTRA member who once played a burned-out waitress on "The Young and the Restless"). We kickstart the holidays with a discussion of our favorite movies: "It’s a Wonderful Life" (Grandma’s), "The Long Kiss Goodnight" (Tamara’s), and "Klaus" (Jackson’s). Each...

On the season finale of Talking Movies with My Mom, we celebrate the enduring legacy of Bond, James Bond. We salute our favorite Bonds and everything that defines them, from villains to girls to gadgets. But most of all, we recognize the role that Bond plays in bringing together generations, allowing us to relive precious memories or start new ones.  For additional information, resources, and a tr...

Today on Talking Movies with My Mom, we pay tribute to the unsung heroes of cinema: the screenwriters. Specifically, we’re talking about two of our favorite screenplays — "Wind River" by Taylor Sheridan and “Fight Club” by Jim Uhls. With the scripts in hand, we delve into how both dialogue and direction create emotional impact, the intricacies of adapting a book to screen, and Calvin and Hobbes th...

On today’s episode of Talking Movies with My Mom, we travel to South Korea to explore the filmography of Kim Jee-woon, one of our favorite international directors. Our first stop is "The Good, the Bad, the Weird," where we talk about the beauty of a good remake, how showing over telling cuts across cultures, and the unholy love child of Prince and Jack Sparrow. Next up, we stare into the depths of...

Today on Talking Movies with My Mom, we fess up to our favorite guilty pleasure movies – “Dante’s Peak” and “Crazed.” After all, everyone has that one movie that we’re just inexplicably drawn to. We get that these movies aren’t perfect, but they’re perfectly imperfect for us.  For additional information, resources, and a transcript of the episode, visit https://www.podcastics.com/podcast/talking-m...

In today’s episode of Talking Movies with My Mom, we’re celebrating Halloween with a "trick" and a "treat" movie. But which one is which?  First is "The Haunting," starring Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson, and Lili Taylor. We speculate on the superpower of a white, flowy nightgown, question how many effects it takes to make a good horror movie, and discuss how sometimes losing your...

Today on Talking Movies with My Mom, we recap the eight movies we saw this summer. In the past, summer movies have been defined by cool visuals and special effects, witty dialogue, and breathtaking locations. But this time around, we got all of that and so much more. These movies made us laugh and cry as, for the most part, they tackled deep themes that took us on thoughtful journeys.  And these m...

In this episode of Talking Movies with My Mom, we get real with Brent Montgomery (CEO of Wheelhouse, creator of unscripted shows, including “Pawn Stars” and “Alone”), who gives us the 411 on reality shows for us beginners. Brent guides us through the past, present and future of reality TV while confirming Jason Bateman’s unusual morning routine, identifying a new wave of celebrities as brands, and...

On the premiere episode of Talking Movies with My Mom, we figured that for a movie podcast co-hosted by a son and mom, we’d talk about our favorite mom and son movies.  First up is “The Grifters,” starring Angelica Huston, John Cusack, and Annette Bening. We dig into the grifting lifestyle, ponder what it means when your child calls you by your first name, and wonder how heavy a duffel bag carryin...

What started as fun conversations about movies and TV shows to pass the time during the pandemic has become a weekly ritual for newbie filmmaker Jackson Bell and his entertainment-loving mom, Tamara. Join this son and mother team as they dissect films that cross genres and generations from a “head” (Jackson) and “heart” (Tamara) perspective.