The Pestle: In-depth Movie Talk, No Fluff | Film Review | Spoilers

We migrate to Celine Song’s “Past Lives” and discuss: Cinematography, long takes, composition and blocking; Story & Writing, immigration, notes from the screenplay; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.“ – Jimmy Car...

We karate chop Matt Damon’s “The Bourne Identity” and discuss: Cinematography, camerawork, lighting; Sound design & editing; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “There can be no faith in government if our highest offices are excused from scrutiny – they should be setting the example of transparency.“ – Edward Snowden Notes & References: […]...

We tour Martin McDonagh’s “In Bruges” and discuss: Directing & Cinematography; Story & Writing, innocence, ethics of murder; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.“ – Oscar Wilde Notes & References: *Correction: […] The post Ep 270...

We claw through Jon Favreau’s “Swingers” and discuss: Cinematography, Directing & DP’ing, blocking; Story & Writing, Titles, Theme, Homages; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.“ – Voltaire Notes & References: “An oral history of Swingers” (Grantland.com) – Amazing rete...

We hit 88 mph through Michael J. Fox’s “Back to the Future” and discuss: Cinematography, performance and editing; Story & Writing, cars, clocks, and loops, Marty’s arc; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Affliction comes to us, not to make us sad but sober; not to make us sorry but wise.“ – H.G. […] The post Ep 268: “Back to the Future&#...

We chip and shatter Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune part 2” and discuss: Cinematography, exposure for story, backlighting the sun; Story & Writing, na-Baron; Performances, Zendaya’s layers, Javier Bardem going all out; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “You can have the power to destroy, but it doesn’t give you the power to reform, or […] The post Ep 267:...

We’re ON THE WAY through Brad Pitt’s “Fury” and discuss: Cinematography, contrast, motivating light; Story & Writing, Norman’s arc; Sound design; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “I’ve always felt that movies are an emotional medium — that movies are not the way to make an intellectual argument.“ – Roger Ebert Notes & […...

We slowly watch Zack Snyder’s “300” and discuss: Cinematography, slomo; Story & Writing, dramatic effect; Not quite true history; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “It is better by noble boldness to run the risk of being subject to half the evils we anticipate than to remain in cowardly listlessness for fear of […] The post Ep 265: “300” appeared fi...

We process Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master” and discuss: Cinematography, contrast and eye shadows; Story & Writing, Freddie’s potion, the master; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich.“ – Napoleon Bonaparte Notes & References: Addendum: The highlights definitely near blowing out, but since...

Two hungry boys devour Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Phantom Thread” and discuss: Cinematography without a cinematographer; Directing, sound design; Story & Writing; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “There is no time for cut-and-dried monotony. There is time for work. And time for love. That leaves no other time!“ – Coco Chanel Notes & […] The post E...

We investigate Denzel Washington’s “Fallen” and discuss: Cinematography, exposition, eye lights; Story & Writing, theme; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Never pick a fight with an ugly person, they’ve got nothing to lose.“ – Robin Williams Watch us on YouTube! This Week’s Recommendations: The post Ep 262: “Fallen” (1998) appeare...

We wrestle Zac Efron’s “The Iron Claw” and discuss: Story & Writing, exposition, bittersweet salve; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “In order to be the man, you have to beat the man.“ – Ric Flair Watch us on YouTube! This Week’s Recommendations: Versa Gripps Pro (on Amazon) The post Ep 261: “The Iron Claw” appeared first on The Pestle...

We check in to Drew Goddard’s “Bad Times at the El Royale” and discuss: Cinematography, unmotivated light, motivated coverage; Story & Writing, true faith, honoring the dead; Special Guest Hamish Purdy, set decorator on Bad Times at the El Royale; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “A well constructed plot, therefore, must neither […] The post Ep 260: “Bad...

We cancel Nicolas Cage’s “Dream Scenario” and discuss: Cinematography, selling the absence of something; Story & Writing, structure, blending in, viral fame; New Mad Valley track, “I Don’t Want to Be Careful”; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “The most powerful force ever known on this planet is human cooperation – a force […] The post...

We invade Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” and discuss: Cinematography, fight sequence; Story & Writing, nudity, Josephine; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.“ – Sun Tzu Notes & References: “Threads” Light Ranger 2 Ridley Scott’s 1984 Apple Super Bowl Commercial Watch us o...

We deserve Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven” and discuss: Cinematography, contrast; Story & Writing, Will vs Bill, deserve’s got nothing to do with it; New Mad Valley Track “All Of Me”; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Being good is easy, what is difficult is being just.“ – Victor Hugo Notes & References: “Unforgiven” is [&...

We flip a coin on the Coen Brothers’ “No Country for Old Men” and discuss: Cinematography & Editing; Story & Writing, luck, fate, and evil; Actor Trent Moore discusses his role in No Country for Old Men and working with the Coen Brothers; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “We cannot change anything […] The post Ep 256: “No Country for Old Men” a...

We grow into Charlie Kaufman’s “Adaptation” and discuss: Wes discusses losing his grandmother (00:00-13:38); Cinematography; Story & Writing, subplots vs settings, Charlie’s twin; New Mad Valley track “Come Back Down”; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “There’s this inherent screenplay structure that everyone seems to be stuck on, this three-a...

We scan Gareth Edwards’ “The Creator” and discuss: Story & Writing, humanizing the enemy; Performance; Music & Sound Design; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ever to the blinder critics and philosophers of today – but the core of science fiction, its essence has […] The post Ep 254: “Th...

We shake hands with RackaRacka’s “Talk To me” and discuss: Directing & Cinematography, visceral storytelling; Story & Writing, keeping us off-balance, possessing the hand; New Mad Valley track “Take It All”; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.“ – […...

We stalk “Paranormal Activity” and discuss: Cinematography, combining style and story; Writing & Story, selling the world, slow burns and slow payoffs; Directing and Editing, fast facts; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “The key to a good horror movie is what happens between the scares. The scares aren’t the tricky part. If […] The post Ep 252: “Paranorm...

We grab a Twinkie, call the “Ghostbusters” and discuss: Story & Writing, efficient storytelling, comedy; Sound & Music, soundtrack; New Mad Valley track: “Only Good Things”; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “Don’t think about your errors or failures; otherwise, you’ll never do a thing.“ – Bill Murray Notes & References: Listen t...

We float through M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Sixth Sense” and discuss: Cinematography, reveals, coverage and theatrical flair; Writing & Directing, pacing; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “I have found little that is ‘good’ about human beings on the whole. In my experience most of them are trash, no matter whether they publicly […] The post Ep 250:...

We bear down on Leonardo DiCaprio’s “The Revenant” and discuss: Cinematography, immersive storytelling; Guest Sergio Trejos, sound engineer joins us; New Mad Valley track!; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “A man that studieth revenge keeps his own wounds green.“ – Francis Bacon Notes & References: Check out Sergio’s work as a sound […] The p...

We concur with Denzel Washington’s “Crimson Tide” and discuss: Cinematography, dutch angles for dramatic effect and for the setting; Story & Writing, betrayals, conversations about horses, command, duty, and doing what’s right; Performances, Music by Hans Zimmer, Random Crimson Tide facts; and other such stuff and things and stuff. “It is even better to act […] Th...