How to Make Films and Influence People

The Truman Show

The Truman Show Peter and Andrew unpack Peter Weir's 1998 high-concept classic The Truman Show , exploring how its predictive look at reality television and its deeply philosophical allegory left a lasting mark on modern culture. They discuss the film’s themes of what constitutes reality, the ethics of entertainment, and the desire for genuine human relationships, and debate whether its premise of a 24/7 unedited observation still resonates in a modern world. In their remake scenarios, they tackle an existential challenge: How do you adapt a story about a completely fabricated life for families? Could it work as a summer camp movie where the friendships are staged? What would a no-budget single-room birthday revelation version look like? Would it be better as a TV series about the backstage drama of the actors and crew producing the show? The hosts also share their current viewing habits, including Voicemails for Isabelle and All Her Fault , while referencing The Matrix, The Real World, Edtv, The Hunger Games, The Running Man, Total Recall, Good Bye Lenin!, The Manchurian Candidate, and The Adjustment Bureau in their discussion. Topics covered: The future of micro-payments and independent media, the logistical nightmare of a 30-year acting gig, the responsibility directors owe to their subjects, how the film introduced new vocabulary for existential delusions, and why some movies are essential to watch for their cultural significance even if you don't return to them often.

Cinema Paradiso

Peter and Andrew journey through Tornatore's 1988 Italian classic Cinema Paradiso , exploring how its deep love for the theater experience and its sentimental coming-of-age story left a lasting mark on film lovers everywhere. They discuss the film’s themes of the magic of movies, the limitations of growing up in a small town, and the censorship of human expression, and debate whether its straightforward, sentimental narrative still resonates in a modern world. In their remake scenarios, they tackle a nostalgic challenge: How do you adapt a story about a kid growing up loving film for families? Could it work as a Pixar-style animated movie where films on the wall come to life, or an un-family-friendly bloodbath over censorship? What would a no-budget projection booth version focused on Alfredo look like? Would it be better as a period TV series exploring the eccentric characters of postwar Sicily, or a mystery series about the adult Toto returning to face his past? The hosts also share their current viewing habits, including Four Weddings and a Funeral and Disclosure Day , while referencing Notting Hill , Nine Months , The Running Man , War of the Worlds , Alien , Arrival , Good Will Hunting , Inglourious Basterds , Luca , and Coco in their discussion. Topics covered: The physical danger of early film reels, the universal desire to escape your hometown, the Hollywood reliance on clear villains, the subjective nature of rom-com chemistry, and why some movies are an easy recommendation even if they aren't considered the greatest of all time.

Mulholland Drive

Peter and Andrew journey through David Lynch's 2001 surreal psychological thriller Mulholland Drive, exploring how its dream logic and masterful subversion of cinematic language left a lasting mark on modern cinema. They discuss the film’s themes of identity, the dark side of the Hollywood system, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy, and debate whether its highly open-ended, subjective narrative still resonates in a modern world. In their remake scenarios, they tackle a surreal challenge: How do you adapt a dark story about Hollywood dreams and nightmares for families? Could it work as a straightforward mystery where helping an imaginary friend builds self-confidence? What would a no-budget, single-location version set entirely in a dingy office building look like? Would it be better as a world-expanding TV series exploring the bizarre backstories of side characters like the Cowboy and the hitman? The hosts also share their current viewing habits, including the new season of Scrubs and the indie horror hit Obsession, while referencing The Usual Suspects, Swingers, Sunset Boulevard, La La Land, Nashville, Inception, Beau Is Afraid, I'm Thinking of Ending Things, He Loves Me... He Loves Me Not, Eraserhead, The Straight Story, All About Eve, Tully, Twin Peaks, and Good Will Hunting in their discussion. Topics covered: Taking the leap to shoot your first short film, how David Lynch manipulates audience expectations with pacing and camera movement, writing scenes to showcase an actor's range, and why some movies are meant to be rewarding homework rather than casual viewing.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Peter and Andrew unpack Edgar Wright's 2010 hyper-kinetic cult classic Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, exploring how its video game-inspired aesthetic and perfectly synced visual comedy left a lasting mark on modern cinema. They discuss the film’s themes of adolescent narcissism, romantic baggage, and fighting for affection, and debate whether its highly stylized "you against the world" message still resonates with audiences today. In their remake scenarios, they tackle a combo-breaking challenge: How do you adapt a stylized story about fighting evil exes for families? Could it work as an Inside Out-style story where Scott literally fights Ramona's fears and doubts? What would a no-budget, quiet room version focused on offering closure to the exes look like? Would it be better as a world-expanding TV series exploring the lives of all the side characters and their own relationship baggage? The hosts also share their current viewing habits, including Perfect Blue and Inside Man (and their disappointment with Havoc), while referencing Black Swan, Den of Thieves, Blade Runner, Call Me By Your Name, and Napoleon Dynamite in their discussion. Topics covered: The value of shooting 60-second micro-short films, capturing the emotional intensity of youth, comparing Edgar Wright's visual storytelling to traditional invisible editing, and why some comedies become generational touchstones while others fade away.

Ran

Peter and Andrew journey through Akira Kurosawa’s 1985 historical epic Ran, exploring how its breathtaking use of bold primary colors and massive practical battle sequences created an unparalleled visual spectacle. They discuss the film’s masterful adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear, its complex family dynamics, and debate whether its bleak, karmic message about building an empire on violence makes it a flawless masterpiece or a challenging watch. In their remake scenarios, they tackle an epic challenge: How do you adapt a bloody tragedy about succession for families? Could it work as a Redwall-style animated animal adventure or a Viking coming-of-age story? What would a no-budget version focused solely on Lady Kaede's backroom political manipulations look like? Would it be better as a Game of Thrones-style TV epic or a prequel series exploring the warlord's initial rise to power? The hosts also share their current viewing habits, including Rooster and The Audacity, while referencing The Office, Shrinking, Ted Lasso, Succession, Game Night, 10 Things I Hate About You, Lord of the Rings, The Departed, Seven Samurai, Gladiator, Braveheart, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Ladyhawke, The Secret of NIMH, Watership Down, How to Train Your Dragon, Shogun, Game of Thrones, Yellowstone, The Crown, and High School Musical in their discussion. Topics covered: How watching films improves your own screenwriting, the value of mimicking writers like Aaron Sorkin to find your voice, the brilliant use of color to aid storytelling, the timeless impact of practical effects, and why some films are worth watching purely for their visual pageantry.