Episode 66 - "Moneyball"

Episode 66 - "Moneyball"

Michael Lewis’ acclaimed best seller "Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game" may not have been obvious source material for a major Hollywood screen adaptation. After all, the book was about sabermetrics, how empirical and statistical analysis was being deployed to identify overlooked talent. Producer Brad Pitt was determined to develop this fascinating story about challenging anecdotal wisdom of old school baseball thinking; and by casting himself as Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane, he gave himself the role of a lifetime. Ad executive, baseball fan and former colleague Michael Stoopack joins the show to celebrate what is widely considered one of the great cinematic achievements of the 21st century. How can you not be romantic about baseball? ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 65 - The Length Paradox with Professor Akira Mizuta Lippit

In today’s highly fragmented media landscape, most people can’t last more than a few seconds without checking their phones for another dopamine hit. We live in a doomscroll culture where audiences raised on social media crave quick, bite-sized content. Yet, modern movies are longer than ever. If collective attention spans are shrinking, why is Hollywood making longer films? Author and USC Film Professor Akira Mizuta Lippit joins Jason Thompson and Dennis to unpack this "length paradox" and explore its impact on the next generation of filmmakers. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 64 - "Rocky III"

Propelled by Survivor’s massive hit single ”Eye of the Tiger,” 1982’s “Rocky III” mirrored Sylvester Stallone’s meteoric rise to fame and ushered in the Reagan 80’s with energy and vibrancy. The film explored new terrain for the franchise, showing the consequences of celebrity, complacency and mortality. Jim Camlek and Nick Malone lace up their gloves and return to the ring to pity any fool who doesn’t champion this rousing entertainment. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 63 - "Caddyshack" and Sam Sokolow

Film comedies are often time capsules, but some, like Harold Ramis’ 1980 cult classic “Caddyshack,” resonate universally. Film and television producer - and now Clemson University film professor in practice - Sam Sokolow joins the show to discuss his career accomplishments, recent pivot to education and why a lowbrow golf comedy has far more significance than one might realize. "I mean, he’s been club champion for three years running and I’m no slouch myself." ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 62 - "Days of Thunder"

Given the massive success of “Top Gun,” you can’t blame Paramount for running it back with producers Don Simpson & Jerry Bruckheimer, director Tony Scott and actor Tom Cruise. 1990's “Days of Thunder” would inevitably, and perhaps unfairly, be labeled as “Top Gun on Wheels,” but the reality is the film is a superb technical achievement, an entertaining, high octane action vehicle that thrust you into the exciting world of NASCAR. Charlie Legg joins the pit crew to discuss his love of racing, and argue that while rubbin’ is racing, you’re not supposed to hit the pace car. Dedicated to the late Robert Duvall. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.