PODCASTS

Notaro

Hedda Gabler said:

Mick Garris’s podcast, POSTMORTEM, is terrific. It is one of my favorites. 

Agree 100%.....

Notaro

Post Mortem.with Mick Garris.

https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/post-mortem-with-mick-garris/id1204949508

Hedda Gabler

Always interesting. Mick is smart. 

Hedda Gabler

Listen every now and then to Quentin Tarantino’s podcast about movies. He is very interesting and smart on the topic of movies. 

This latest, they talk about The illustrated Man among others. Since I just read this book again, and I have seen the Rod Stieger movie, i enjoyed the discussion. 

Hedda Gabler

Finished Helen Mirren’s Masterclass. Terrific.

Lou_Sytsma

Hedda Gabler said:

Listen every now and then to Quentin Tarantino’s podcast about movies. He is very interesting and smart on the topic of movies. 

This latest, they talk about The illustrated Man among others. Since I just read this book again, and I have seen the Rod Stieger movie, i enjoyed the discussion. 

KewL! I'll have to listen it. Love the book.

Hedda Gabler

So many good podcasts.  I pop into a lot of these and they are very different -- depending on my mood do I go for Mick Garris or Neil deGrasse Tyson?  The Losers' Club, Cabinet of Curiosities, Video Archives (Tarantino is so interesting to listen to on the subject of movies.) The New Yorker -- Fiction and The New Yorker -- The Writer's Voice.  Conan O'Brien. WTF with Marc Maron.  You're Dead to Me, BBC.  Waiting patiently for Levar Burton Reads to come back.  I have more.  So many interesting topics, interviews, discussions.

Hedda Gabler

Have about 3 classes of Wener Herzog left on Masterclass.  He is German.  This has been absolutely fascinating to listen to a foreign filmmaker.  Very different techniques and ideas from the Masterclasses of Jody Foster, Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron (still working on his), Spike Lee.  Every single one of them was worth every bit of my time.  Herzog does things a little differently than the "norm."  

I was most familiar with him through his documentaries.  Grizzly Man and Into the Abyss were two of my favorite docs he did.   And Kurben, you mentioned that you did not like documentaries that were scripted.  Apparently, he has scripted things in his docs, actually wrote lines for the participants to read. Not a habit, but he's done it.  He had his reasons for doing that but like you, I want the true words of the people.  They can do reenactments if they are based on actual knowledge through court records or interviews with the people involved, but you write their dialogue?  I don't embrace that.  But he tells you why he does it. He feels passionate about the times he sparingly has done it.  

Everything about his process is interesting, but the two things that were the most fascinating to me-- He did a film where he had the cast hypnotized.  And he would bring them in and out of the hypnotic state as he needed to.  I bet that was a wild experience. 

Second, he worked with Klaus Kinski 5 times. (a remake of Nosferatu being one of them)  Klaus does have a very expressive face. A certain crazed look. Apparently he was madder than the maddest mad hatter.  He was violent and threw fits and Werner said it was usually because he did not know his lines.  So, he would pick something or someone to blame and then just lose his shit over it.  

He did this on a particular film.  Forgot his lines and instead of just admitting that, he went insane tearing up the set and blaming a person on the crew for his actions because the person smiled in his line of sight while he was acting.  

He was so out of control, Werner went up to him and quietly told him, just the two of them, that he was going to kill him if he didn't stop.  And Werner, in the Masterclass, said he meant it.  He was going to kill him.  He told Klaus to get his shit together or something bad was going to happen and ruin both of them.  Klaus got himself under control and Werner later found out, for the rest of the movie shoot, he and Klaus were both trying to figure out a way to kill the other.  Not kidding.  Seriously plotting to kill each other.  I guess they had a big laugh about it later.  

Wth.  It's a barrel full of yuks until someone's balls are thrown over their shoulder like a continental soldier. Tied in a bow no less.

Hedda Gabler

One more story. Same film as above I think although he did do numerous jungle films. 

Herzog is filming out in the jungle. They have to clear a path because he wants to film a gigantic Mark Twainish riverboat being pulled up and over a mountain to get from one body of water to another.  It’s incredible. And he is dealing with and using local people, tribes. 

So many accidents happening on this filming. Nobody will insure the shoot. 2 planes down. Fires that burned down lodging and sets.  And then this:

These people live barefoot. He gives them chainsaws to clear the path of trees and vegetation. You think you know where this is going, and you are a bit correct. 

While clearing the jungle, the noise and oily/gas smell disturbs the snakes.  The deadliest snake lives here. I thought that was a black mamba but he called it something else. Maybe a tribal name or german name for it?  Anyway, you get bit and you are dead in seconds — minutes. 

Sure enough, a worker gets bit on the foot. Antidote is 20 minutes away. ( why?) victim looks down, picks up chainsaw and cuts off his own foot. Saves his life. 

Note to self: never ever be in any Werner Herzog film. 

Notaro

BBC Radio - The Stone Tape

Hedda Gabler

Notaro said:

BBC Radio - The Stone Tape

Thanks for this. I’ve been all over looking for something to interest me. 

I’ve gotten a few chuckles from I’m Sorry, I Haven’t A Clue (john fennimore is in it) on youtube. 

Notaro

The Mercury Summer Theatre - The Moat Farm Murder


The Mercury Summer Theatre - The Hitch-Hiker

Hedda Gabler

Notaro said:

BBC Radio - The Stone Tape

This was interesting. I’m not sure i understood what was happening because, i started this at least 7 times. I kept falling asleep. Yes, even with all those weird sounds, right to sleep. 😂

Hedda Gabler

Levar Burton is finally coming back. Posted two re-dos with a message that he hadn’t stopped reading and would be back with new segments soon. 

Hedda Gabler

Finished Samuel L. Jackson,  Masterclass.   It was on acting. You might wonder, does she want to be an Actor, Director,  skateboarder, chef etc.. and the answer is no. But I go into every single class out of curiosity and come away learning something worthwhile. 

I loved Sam’s viewpoint on racism and stereotypes in movies, tv, stage. He had a great attitude about it all and it was refreshing.  And smart. 

Hedda Gabler

Just listened to a Kingcast episode with a guest named Chuck Tingle. 

I have never heard of this person and am wondering how the hosts did. Why they chose him from all the possible people to bring on the podcast. 

When the interview started, i thought for sure this was a joke. Chuck writes gay erotica, is autistic and has an an unusual voice — almost like a cartoon character. 

I almost tapped out, but I started listening to what he had to say. His choice of King books to talk about was If It Bleeds. 

He was interesting and unique. Smart, fun.  The hosts sat back and let him talk. They were respectful, kind and supportive. I appreciated their approach on this episode. 

Notaro

Suspense - The Hitchhiker

Hedda Gabler

Stephen Graham Jones will be the first short story Levar Burton reads when season 11 drops Nov 1.   At least I think so because Levar’s trailer featured a snippet of one of his short stories. 

For now though, he has featured some older stories to tide us over until the new stories drop. 

Hedda Gabler

Listened to Video Archive with Quentin Tarrantino, Roger Avary and special guest Eli Roth — 2 separate episodes on American Giallo. Some info on Giallos:

1) All the colors. One thing you'll notice right away about a giallo film is its fantastic use of color, especially in the lighting. ... 

2) Black Gloves. Black gloves are very common in giallo films. ... 

3) Cryptic Camera Angles. ... 

4) Knives and Stabbing. ... 

5) The Power of Women.

Criteria

There are two basic rules:

• Gialli are murder mysteries. If there are no murders and no mystery to be solved, it's not a giallo.
• Gialli are not supernatural tales. If the film features a ghost, demon, witch, or a zombie, it's not a giallo. in a giallo, the killer is human.

They discuss in depth the following movies: 

Dressed to Kill
Eyes of Laura Mars
Alice Sweet Alice
Happy Birthday to Me. 

Broken record that I am, if you are interested in films and movies, these guys get into them with such great information. Can’t recommend this enough. 

A tidbit — apparently the young boy played by Keith Gordon in Dressed to Kill ( probably better known here as Arnie in Christine) was modeled after Brian de Palma himself. If you remember Keith Gordon spying on Michael Caine — this was taken from real life. De Palma’s dad was a doctor and was cheating on his wife, de palma’s mom. He spied on his father for his mom so she could get a divorce. 

Just like the character in Dressed to Kill sat outside Caine’s office and took pictures of patients going in and out of his private office, noting times in and out — de Palma did the same. 

So many stories and insights. 

Check it out.  

Hedda Gabler

Just finished Mashama Bailey’s Masterclass on Southern Cooking. Here is info about her:

“Mashama Bailey is an American chef trained in French technique who is currently cooking Southern cuisine. In 2019, Bailey was awarded a James Beard Award as best chef of the southeast. In 2022, Bailey was awarded a James Beard Award as Outstanding Chef.“

i watched this because my grandparent’s food roots as children was poor, southern cooking. 

But then, my grandfather having a successful career had them overseas living in Morocco, France and Germany for 10 years so grandma’s southern cooking was augmented with these country’s flavors and ingredients. She was an amazing cook and we miss it! We all wish we would have paid attention to her amalgam of flavors from all over.  We’ve tried to duplicate that blend of cultures — we just can’t get it. 

Hedda Gabler

Finished up James Cameron Masterclass on filmmaking.

I always read rumors that James was an arrogant asshole to work with. True? Disgruntled co-worker? Shit stirrer? Well, apparently it was true. He admits it and says after watching Ron Howard work (I also watched his terrific Masterclass) he was blown away with his work ethic. Now he says he always tries to channel his inner Ron Howard when working with others. 

And the thing he talked about that I loved was: 

Creativity Law of Thermodynamics. You have to absorb before you can radiate. In other words, keep learning, keep growing, open your minds to new ideas and experiences. Be an interesting person willing to have fun with ideas. Or, learn nothing and rock on with your bad self and continue to be a bitter stagnant hag.  Lovely. 

HIs classes centered around Alien, The Terminator, Titanic and Avatar and it was enlightening and fascinating to hear him talk, breaking scenes down in every way.  

Kurben

Hedda Gabler said:

One more story. Same film as above I think although he did do numerous jungle films. 

Herzog is filming out in the jungle. They have to clear a path because he wants to film a gigantic Mark Twainish riverboat being pulled up and over a mountain to get from one body of water to another.  It’s incredible. And he is dealing with and using local people, tribes. 

So many accidents happening on this filming. Nobody will insure the shoot. 2 planes down. Fires that burned down lodging and sets.  And then this:

These people live barefoot. He gives them chainsaws to clear the path of trees and vegetation. You think you know where this is going, and you are a bit correct. 

While clearing the jungle, the noise and oily/gas smell disturbs the snakes.  The deadliest snake lives here. I thought that was a black mamba but he called it something else. Maybe a tribal name or german name for it?  Anyway, you get bit and you are dead in seconds — minutes. 

Sure enough, a worker gets bit on the foot. Antidote is 20 minutes away. ( why?) victim looks down, picks up chainsaw and cuts off his own foot. Saves his life. 

Note to self: never ever be in any Werner Herzog film. 

Probably a wise choice. Herzog is a fantastic director and has made filmic masterpieces but he is known for being very tough. The relationship between Kinski and Herzog that you mentioned earlier was a kind of love hate relationship. Kinski was a great actor but often needed someone that kicked his butt to rise to the challenge. If you havent seen Nosferatu it is an absolute must. One of the best vampire movies ever made IMO. But he has made three other movie masterpieces though not in the horror genre. Aguirre, The Wrath Of God, Kasper Hauser, and Fitzcarraldo. Fantastic movies. You see them and you dont forget them.

Hedda Gabler

Kurben said:

Hedda Gabler said:

One more story. Same film as above I think although he did do numerous jungle films. 

Herzog is filming out in the jungle. They have to clear a path because he wants to film a gigantic Mark Twainish riverboat being pulled up and over a mountain to get from one body of water to another.  It’s incredible. And he is dealing with and using local people, tribes. 

So many accidents happening on this filming. Nobody will insure the shoot. 2 planes down. Fires that burned down lodging and sets.  And then this:

These people live barefoot. He gives them chainsaws to clear the path of trees and vegetation. You think you know where this is going, and you are a bit correct. 

While clearing the jungle, the noise and oily/gas smell disturbs the snakes.  The deadliest snake lives here. I thought that was a black mamba but he called it something else. Maybe a tribal name or german name for it?  Anyway, you get bit and you are dead in seconds — minutes. 

Sure enough, a worker gets bit on the foot. Antidote is 20 minutes away. ( why?) victim looks down, picks up chainsaw and cuts off his own foot. Saves his life. 

Note to self: never ever be in any Werner Herzog film. 

Probably a wise choice. Herzog is a fantastic director and has made filmic masterpieces but he is known for being very tough. The relationship between Kinski and Herzog that you mentioned earlier was a kind of love hate relationship. Kinski was a great actor but often needed someone that kicked his butt to rise to the challenge. If you havent seen Nosferatu it is an absolute must. One of the best vampire movies ever made IMO. But he has made three other movie masterpieces though not in the horror genre. Aguirre, The Wrath Of God, Kasper Hauser, and Fitzcarraldo. Fantastic movies. You see them and you dont forget them.

I am going to watch Herzog’s Nosferatu as my final marathon movie. I’ve never seen that version. 

Hedda Gabler

Kurben said:

Hedda Gabler said:

One more story. Same film as above I think although he did do numerous jungle films. 

Herzog is filming out in the jungle. They have to clear a path because he wants to film a gigantic Mark Twainish riverboat being pulled up and over a mountain to get from one body of water to another.  It’s incredible. And he is dealing with and using local people, tribes. 

So many accidents happening on this filming. Nobody will insure the shoot. 2 planes down. Fires that burned down lodging and sets.  And then this:

These people live barefoot. He gives them chainsaws to clear the path of trees and vegetation. You think you know where this is going, and you are a bit correct. 

While clearing the jungle, the noise and oily/gas smell disturbs the snakes.  The deadliest snake lives here. I thought that was a black mamba but he called it something else. Maybe a tribal name or german name for it?  Anyway, you get bit and you are dead in seconds — minutes. 

Sure enough, a worker gets bit on the foot. Antidote is 20 minutes away. ( why?) victim looks down, picks up chainsaw and cuts off his own foot. Saves his life. 

Note to self: never ever be in any Werner Herzog film. 

Probably a wise choice. Herzog is a fantastic director and has made filmic masterpieces but he is known for being very tough. The relationship between Kinski and Herzog that you mentioned earlier was a kind of love hate relationship. Kinski was a great actor but often needed someone that kicked his butt to rise to the challenge. If you havent seen Nosferatu it is an absolute must. One of the best vampire movies ever made IMO. But he has made three other movie masterpieces though not in the horror genre. Aguirre, The Wrath Of God, Kasper Hauser, and Fitzcarraldo. Fantastic movies. You see them and you dont forget them.

I watched Nosferatu the Vampyre. What a gorgeous film. The acting was stiff and very reminiscent of the silent days of overacting movement, but it was the epitome of atmospheric.  

Herzog really brought his own style and storytelling to this version. 

Hedda Gabler

The Stephen Graham Jones story, I Was A Teenage Space Jockey is up at Levar Burton Reads.