The Takes It Took: A Movie Podcast

Drink our podcast. Slurp it up! For this episode we are plunging into the work of Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic THERE WILL BE BLOOD. Stephan leads us through the novel the film is based on, Daniel Day-Lewis’ preparation for his incredible role, Paul Dano’s lack of preparation, and the real life oilman Daniel Plainview is inspired by. Okay, I’m finished! Make sure to follow us on social media! You ca...

Grab your motorbike, knee pads, and fake mustaches and get ready to learn about the 2007 movie Hot Rod ! To celebrate TWO WHOLE YEARS of podcasting, we're enjoying some drinks while Miles leads us through how this goofy little comedy from some goofy little guys called The Lonely Island got this movie made! Make sure to follow us on social media! You can find us on Twitter and Instagram @thetak...

Great Scott! We're jumping into a DeLorean and heading back to 1985 to talk about the making of Back to the Future ! Moriah takes us back to the 80s to teach the boys about the rocky production of this film. Did you know that Michael J. Fox wasn't the original Marty McFly and they had to re-shoot half of the film? Or that no studio wanted to touch this movie for years? If you want to learn...

It's...It's...Gorilla Whale? In this episode Stephan leads a conversation behind the masterfully fumbled blockbuster that is Rolland Emmerich's Godzilla. Tune in to find out exactly where the producing team went wrong, why the Simpsons are involved, and...why is Godzilla sexy? All this and more! Make sure to follow us on social media! You can find us on Twitter and Instagram @thetakesi...

Yippe-Ki-Yay, listeners, we're talking about Die Hard in today's episode! Is it a Christmas movie or not? Find out as we discuss this making of the film, where no one wanted to direct this, act in this, or make it easy on the producers. Who is Bruce Willis? Who is Alan Rickman? Why should they be cast in this? Listen now to learn how they made this 1988 classic. Make sure to follow us on s...

Batter up for a new episode about the 2013 biopic 42 ! Moriah leads the boys through Jackie Robinson's story and how it compares to the biopic starring Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford. We talk about Robinson's lead-up to his first season in the MLB, his challenges, legacy, and how accurate the film 42 is. Give it a listen if you want to learn more about one of the most important basebal...

Do you feel lucky, punk? You should! In this episode, Stephan leads a hot-dog chewing walk through the "Malpaso" of Dirty Harry's origins. Dozens of script rewrites, dozens of potential lead actors, and dozens of kidnappings! If you want to learn all the dirt on Dirty harry, tune in! Make sure to follow us on social media! You can find us on Twitter and Instagram @thetakesittook. Got...

Grab your ghost-vision glasses and get ready to listen to a spooky episode all about the 2001 supernatural horror movie Thir13een Ghosts . We have a guest (g)host Brenly taking us through the production of this camp classic, from the original 1960 William Castle film to the special effects to the backstories of the ghosts that never make it into the film. Make sure to follow us on social media! Yo...

It's a jolly holiday in today's episode all about Walt Disney's Mary Poppins ! Moriah takes the boys through PL Travers' book, the treacherous journey to obtain the rights, and the shenanigans that happened on set to give us the classic that is Mary Poppins . If you want to learn all about the making of this film, listen now. Make sure to follow us on social media! You can find us...

Why so much masquera, Batman? Stephan leads today's episode through Christopher Nolan's cynical sequel, THE DARK KNIGHT. We pick up from the trails of Batman Begins and explore the writing process, casting, and the immensely impressive special effects. Stay tuned if you want to hear about the bat tumbler, broken cameras, explosions, and more! Make sure to follow us on social media! You can...

Grab you chalk bag and get ready for a gripping episode where Miles covers our first documentary, Free Solo ! Today we're talking about the 2018 Oscar-winning film that documented Alex Honnold's journey to free soloing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Whether you're a well-versed climber or curious to learn more about the sport, we break it down for you. Click to listen if you wan...

Play it, Sam; play The Takes It Took: A Movie Podcast . Today is all about the 1942 film Casablanca and its journey from unproduced play to cinema classic! Moriah walks Stephan and Miles through the film's somewhat rocky production and how a film about WWII during WWII was created, released, and received. If you want to learn about what happened behind the scenes to give us so many memorable m...

Step inside and behold today's sugar coated episode on 1971's Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory! Stephan leads our conversation on the origins of Roald Dahls' classic book, and the transformation from literature to motion picture. Take a peek if you want to learn more about wax teacups, Quaker Oats, and second helping of Pure Imagination! Make sure to follow us on social media! Y...

Welcome to our first episode of 2024! Today, Miles leads us through the turbulent history of the 2000 movie The Emperor's New Groove . What started off as an Aztec retelling of The Prince and the Pauper turned into a years-long battle with Disney execs. Listen to learn about the songs that would eventually be taken out, the documentary exposing the frustration from the animators, and the journ...

As 2023 comes to a close, this episode is all about our favorite watches, performances, scores, and animation we've seen in the past year! Moriah, Miles, and Stephan reflect on films they've seen for the first time this year and take turns going through some categories like Best Score, Cinematography, First Watch, and Favorite Film of 2023. Don't worry, we've also got some goofy ca...

We are joined today by our guest host Jimmy to talk all about Steven Spielberg's 2002 film Catch Me If You Can ! We discuss the differences between the film, the book it's based on, and the "TRUE" story of Frank Abagnale Jr., the man who conned his way around the globe with fake checks and pilot uniforms. We have Christopher Walken impressions, young Leo DiCaprio trying to pivot...

Welcome to Stephan's Labyrinth! In today's episode Stephan leads a conversation on special effects, costumes, kidnapping, Doug Jones' astounding perseverance, and the mythical creatures behind Guillermo Del Toro's classic! If you're as excited for Del Toro's debut on the podcast, then don't miss this one! Make sure to follow us on social media! You can find us on Twitte...

Welcome back, you scruffy-looking nerf herders! Miles takes the charge to talk about The Empire Strikes Back and all that went into making it onto the big screen. We talk about a monkey in a Nixon mask being the original design for Yoda, filming the Hoth sequences in Norway, and how George Lucas incorporated Mark Hamill's real-life injuries into the storyline for Luke. Make sure to follow us o...

Completing our trilogy of spooky movies for the month of October, Moriah takes Miles and Stephan through the making of William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist . With its production riddled with delays, weird happenings, and multiple deaths, it's no wonder this film has a reputation for being cursed. Listen now as we dive into the novel and film adaptation differences, how the practical effects...

Wouldst thou like the sound of a new episode? Wouldst thou like to listen deliciously? This episode is all about Robert Eggers’ The VVITCH! Stephan leads Moriah and Miles in a duel headed conversation about this indie films’ production and the history that went into the story’s creation. Tune in to learn how to make flying potions, how to be condemned as a witch, and join the hysteria! Make sure t...

Happy October! We're kicking off our Halloween trilogy of spooky episodes with Tim Burton's Beetlejuice. Miles is leading today's discussion with Wesley joining again as we learn how this movie came to be. From the practical effects of this production to its failed sequels and now FUTURE sequel, buckle up, don't say his name three times, dance to Harry Belafonte, and listen to all...

You talkin' to me? No, today we're talkin' to YOU and it's all about Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver ! Moriah leads Stephan and Miles through the making of this film, from Paul Schrader's unfortunate inspirations to a run-and-gun style production shoot to the impact this film has made in many peoples' lives (particularly young men). We also discuss whether or not this fil...

Avast, mateys! We are sailing the high seas in today's episode all about the making of the 2003 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl . Did you know that this film was almost shut down before it began production? Did you know that at any given moment there were FIFTY makeup artists trying to make regular men look like they had scurvy? Did you know that they filmed this on REAL...

The year is 2019 (but really it's 1982). Today we're talking about Ridley Scott's dystopian sci-fi noir Blade Runner ! Miles takes Moriah and Stephan through the history of this film, from the book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? to its initial mediocre release to the director's cut that helped solidify its cult status. There is A LOT that happened on and off set, so buckle up...

Welcome to today's episode all about Wes Anderson's 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel. Moriah is leading the episode to talk about the film's incredible production, from the initial casting process, location scouting all across Europe, to the final set design and miniatures used to make this Oscar-winning picture. Make sure to follow us on social media!  You can find us on Twitter and...