Blockbusters and Birdwalks - podcast cover

Blockbusters and Birdwalks

At Blockbusters and Birdwalks, you’ll listen to reviews and conversations about all kinds of movies, from Academy Award winners to exploitation masterpieces with a mix of commercial hits and obscure favorites thrown in for good measure. The point is recognizing that movies present our culture with the building blocks of social memory, enabling each of us to enjoy ourselves because movies are fun.

Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

GATEWAY CINEMA, a conversation – Episode 6A: Classical Style: Alternatives to “Sweet Smell of Success”

In this multi-part series, we’ve focused on just one movie to explore a key idea in film studies. But this one choice means we’ve left out multitudes. Here is the larger set of also-rans we wrestled with before finally choosing “Sweet Smell of Success”. *** Referenced media in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 6A: “Napoléon” (Abel Gance, 1927) “Throne of Blood” (Akira Kurosawa, 1957) “The Sting” (George Roy Hill, 1973) “Mad Max: Fury Road” (George Miller, 2015) Audio quotation in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 6...

Jul 21, 20252 min

GATEWAY CINEMA, a conversation – Episode 6: Classical Style: “Sweet Smell of Success”

GATEWAY CINEMA is a multi-part series of conversations centered on key ideas in film studies. In these conversations, we interpret and celebrate a set of eclectic feature films from across generations and from around the world, including “La Haine”, “Drum”, “Alien 3 (Assembly Cut)”, “Come and See”, “Perfect Days”, “Sweet Smell of Success”, “The Swimmer”, “Amadeus (Director’s Cut)”, “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia”, “Friday”, “Marie Antoinette”, “The Night of the Hunter”, “Crank” and “Crank ...

Jul 21, 202533 min

GATEWAY CINEMA, a conversation – Episode 5A: Audiences, Part 1: Alternatives to “Perfect Days”

In this multi-part series, we’ve focused on just one movie to explore a key idea in film studies. But this one choice means we’ve left out multitudes. Here is the larger set of also-rans we wrestled with before finally choosing “Perfect Days”. *** Referenced media in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 5A: “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song” (Melvin Van Peebles, 1971) “Dolemite” (D’Urville Martin, 1975) “Blacula” (William Crain, 1972) “Cecil B. Demented” (John Waters, 2000) “Mo’ Better Blues” (Spike Lee, 19...

Jul 21, 20254 min

GATEWAY CINEMA, a conversation – Episode 5: Audiences, Part 1: “Perfect Days”

GATEWAY CINEMA is a multi-part series of conversations centered on key ideas in film studies. In these conversations, we interpret and celebrate a set of eclectic feature films from across generations and from around the world, including “La Haine”, “Drum”, “Alien 3 (Assembly Cut)”, “Come and See”, “Perfect Days”, “Sweet Smell of Success”, “The Swimmer”, “Amadeus (Director’s Cut)”, “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia”, “Friday”, “Marie Antoinette”, “The Night of the Hunter”, “Crank” and “Crank ...

Jul 21, 202536 min

GATEWAY CINEMA, a conversation – Episode 4A: Emotional Realism, Part 1: Alternatives to “Come and See”

In this multi-part series, we’ve focused on just one movie to explore a key idea in film studies. But this one choice means we’ve left out multitudes. Here is the larger set of also-rans we wrestled with before finally choosing “Come and See”. *** Referenced media in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 4A: “Time Square” (Allan Moye, 1980) “Christiane F.” (Uli Edel, 1981) “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains” (Lou Adler, 1982) “Pump Up the Volume” (Allen Moyle, 1990) “American Graffiti” (George Lucas, ...

Jul 21, 20252 min

GATEWAY CINEMA, a conversation – Episode 4: Emotional Realism, Part 1: “Come and See”

GATEWAY CINEMA is a multi-part series of conversations centered on key ideas in film studies. In these conversations, we interpret and celebrate a set of eclectic feature films from across generations and from around the world, including “La Haine”, “Drum”, “Alien 3 (Assembly Cut)”, “Come and See”, “Perfect Days”, “Sweet Smell of Success”, “The Swimmer”, “Amadeus (Director’s Cut)”, “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia”, “Friday”, “Marie Antoinette”, “The Night of the Hunter”, “Crank” and “Crank ...

Jul 21, 202540 min

GATEWAY CINEMA, a conversation – Episode 3A: Life of a Movie: Alternatives to “Alien 3 (Assembly Cut)”

In this multi-part series, we’ve focused on just one movie to explore a key idea in film studies. But this one choice means we’ve left out multitudes. Here is the larger set of also-rans we wrestled with before finally choosing “Alien 3 (Assembly Cut)”. *** Referenced media in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 3A: “Apocalypse Now” (Francis Ford Coppola, 1979) “Apocalypse Now Redux” (Francis Ford Coppola, 2001) “Day for Night” (Francois Truffaut, 1973) “Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood” (Quentin Tarantino, 2...

Jul 01, 20252 min

GATEWAY CINEMA, a conversation – Episode 3: Life of a Movie: “Alien 3 (Assembly Cut)”

GATEWAY CINEMA is a multi-part series of conversations centered on key ideas in film studies. In these conversations, we interpret and celebrate a set of eclectic feature films from across generations and from around the world, including “La Haine”, “Drum”, “Alien 3 (Assembly Cut)”, “Come and See”, “Perfect Days”, “Sweet Smell of Success”, “The Swimmer”, “Amadeus (Director’s Cut)”, “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia”, “Friday”, “Marie Antoinette”, “The Night of the Hunter”, “Crank” and “Crank ...

Jul 01, 202539 min

GATEWAY CINEMA, a conversation – Episode 2A: 6 Critical Questions: Alternatives to “Drum”

In this multi-part series, we’ve focused on just one movie to explore a key idea in film studies. But this one choice means we’ve left out multitudes. Here is the larger set of also-rans we wrestled with before finally choosing “Drum”. *** Referenced media in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 2A: “The Trial” (Orson Welles, 1962) “Drum” (Steve Carver, 1976) “Manson” (Robert Hendrickson and Laurence Merrick, 1973) “Woodstock” (Michael Wadleigh, 1970) “The Great Beauty” (Paolo Sorrentino, 2013) Audio quotati...

Jun 16, 20251 min

GATEWAY CINEMA, a conversation – Episode 2: 6 Critical Questions: “Drum”

GATEWAY CINEMA is a multi-part series of conversations centered on key ideas in film studies. In these conversations, we interpret and celebrate a set of eclectic feature films from across generations and from around the world, including “La Haine”, “Drum”, “Alien 3 (Assembly Cut)”, “Come and See”, “Perfect Days”, “Sweet Smell of Success”, “The Swimmer”, “Amadeus (Director’s Cut)”, “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia”, “Friday”, “Marie Antoinette”, “The Night of the Hunter”, “Crank” and “Crank ...

Jun 16, 202550 min

GATEWAY CINEMA, a conversation – Episode 1A: Introduction: Alternatives to “La Haine”

In this multi-part series, we’ve focused on just one movie to explore a key idea in film studies. But this one choice means we’ve left out multitudes. Here is the larger set of also-rans we wrestled with before finally choosing “La Haine”. *** Referenced media in GATEWAY CINEMA, Episode 1A: “The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence)” (Tom Six, 2011) “Snow on tha Bluff” (Damon Russell, 2011) “Roar” (Noel Marshall, 1981) “Survive Style 5+” (Gen Sekiguchi, 2004) “Blue Velvet” (David Lynch, 1986) “Wild ...

Jun 12, 20255 min

GATEWAY CINEMA, a conversation – Episode 1: Introduction: “La Haine”

GATEWAY CINEMA is a multi-part series of conversations centered on key ideas in film studies. In these conversations, we interpret and celebrate a set of eclectic feature films from across generations and from around the world, including “La Haine”, “Drum”, “Alien 3 (Assembly Cut)”, “Come and See”, “Perfect Days”, “Sweet Smell of Success”, “The Swimmer”, “Amadeus (Director’s Cut)”, “Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia”, “Friday”, “Marie Antoinette”, “The Night of the Hunter”, “Crank” and “Crank ...

Jun 12, 202529 min

2005, a conversation – “Kingdom of Heaven”

This is part of a series about overlooked movies from 2005. *** Referenced media: “Sin City” (Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, 2005) “Crash” (Paul Haggis, 2004) “Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith” (George Lucas, 2005) “Black Hawk Down” (Ridley Scott, 2001) “Gladiator” (Ridley Scott, 2000) “Hannibal” (Ridley Scott, 2001) “War of the Worlds” (Steven Spielberg, 2005) “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (Peter Jackson, 2001) “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (Peter...

Mar 27, 202526 min

2005, a conversation – “Munich”

This is part of a series about overlooked movies from 2005. *** Referenced media: “Jaws” (Steven Spielberg, 1975) “The Color Purple” (Steven Spielberg, 1985) “The Brutalist” (Brady Corbet, 2024) “Havoc” (Gareth Evans, 2025) “The Raid” (Gareth Evans, 2011) “The RaId 2” (Gareth Evans, 2014) “The West Wing” (Aaron Sorkin, 1999-2006) “2001: A Space Odyssey” (Stanely Kubrick, 1968) “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” (Stephen Herek, 1989) Audio quotation: “Munich” (Steven Spielberg, 2005), includi...

Mar 13, 202541 min

2005, a conversation – “The Puffy Chair”

This is part of a series about overlooked movies from 2005. *** Referenced media: “Baghead” (Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass, 2008) “CB4” (Tamra Davis, 1993) “Zero Dark Thirty” (Kathryn Bigelow, 2012) “The Office” (Greg Daniels, 2005-2013) “The Mindy Project” (Mindy Kaling, 2012-2017) Audio quotation: “The Puffy Chair” (Jay Duplass, 2005), including “Disconnect the Dots” (2004) by of Montreal “CB4” (Tamra Davis, 1993)...

Mar 13, 202522 min

Romance, a conversation – “Warm Bodies”

This is part of a series about romance in movies. *** Referenced media: “28 Days Later” (Danny Boyle, 2002) “Shaun of the Dead” (Edgar Wright, 2004) “Dawn of the Dead” (Zack Snyder, 2004) “Station 11” (Patrick Somerville, 2021-2022) “War for the Planet of the Apes” (Matt Reeves, 2017) Audio quotation: “Warm Bodies” (Jonathan Levine, 2013), including music by Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders and the songs “Yamaha” (2012) by Delta Spirit, “Missing You” (1984) by John Waite, and “Midnight City” (201...

Feb 13, 202519 min

2005, a conversation – “The Proposition”

This is part of a series about overlooked movies from 2005. *** Referenced media: “Distant Sky: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Live in Copenhagen” (David Barnard, 2018) “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (Peter Jackson, 2001) “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (Peter Jackson, 2002) “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (Peter Jackson, 2003) “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (Steven Spielberg, 2008) “Sexy Beast” (Jonathan Glazer, 2000) “Unforgiven...

Jan 31, 202524 min

2005, a conversation – “Brick”

This is part of a series about overlooked movies from 2005. *** Referenced media: “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” (Gore Verbinski, 2006) “Shaft” (Gordon Parks, 1971) “Thelma” (Josh Margolin, 2024) “Looper” (Rian Johnson, 2012) “Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi” (Rian Johnson, 2017) “Blade Runner” (Ridley Scott, 1982) “Sin City” (Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller 2005) “The Greatest Show on Earth” (Cecil B. DeMille, 1952) “Bugsy Malone” (Alan Parker, 1976) “The Big Sleep” (How...

Jan 22, 202523 min

Romance, a conversation – “Harold and Maude”

This is part of a series about romance in movies. *** Referenced media: “Golden Girls” (Susan Harris, 1985-1992) “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” (Stanley Kubrick 1964) “The Graduate” (Mike Nichols, 1967) Audio quotation: “Harold and Maude” (Hal Ashby, 1971), including the songs “Don’t Be Shy” and “If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out” by Cat Stevens

Jan 22, 202519 min

Romance, a conversation – “Fire Island”

This is part of a series about romance in movies. *** Referenced media: “Bros” (Nicholas Stoller, 2022) “Saturday Night Live” (Lorne Michaels, 1975-now) “Clueless” (Amy Heckerling, 1995) “Pride & Prejudice” (Joe Wright, 2005) Audio quotation: “Fire Island” (Andrew Ahn, 2022), including the song “Pure Imagination” performed by Kathleen, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_OPWtgi2GFGVXixDBXQl1dz8DQQaoMgt...

Jan 09, 202523 min

2005, a conversation – “The New World” (The Extended Cut)

This is part of a series about overlooked movies from 2005. *** Referenced media: “The Emigrants” (Jan Troell, 1971) “The New Land” (Jan Troell, 1972) “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (Peter Jackson, 2001) “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (Peter Jackson, 2002) “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (Peter Jackson, 2003) “Syriana” (Stephen Gaghan, 2005) “The Thin Red Line” (Terrence Malick, 1998) “John Wick” (Chad Stahelski, 2014) “Pocahontas” (Mike Gabriel and ...

Jan 09, 202544 min

Romance, a conversation – “10 Things I Hate About You”

This is part of a series about romance in movies. *** Referenced media: “The Taming of the Shrew” by William Shakespears (~1590-1592) “Scream” (Wes Craven, 1996) “Some Kind of Wonderful” (Howard Deutch, 1987) “A Knight’s Tale” (Brian Helgeland, 2001) “Brokeback Mountain” (Ang Lee, 2005) “The Dark Knight” (Christopher Nolan, 2008) “Warm Bodies” (Jonathan Levine, 2013) “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare (~1591-1595) Audio quotation: “Scream” (Wes Craven, 1996), including the ...

Jan 09, 202520 min

2005, a conversation – “Syriana”

This is part of a series about overlooked movies from 2005. *** Referenced media: “Michael Clayton” (Tony Gilroy, 2007) “Up in the Air” (Jason Reitman, 2009) “Good Night, and Good Luck.” (George Clooney, 2005) “The Big Short” (Adam McKay, 2015) “The Godfather” (Francis Ford Coppola, 1972) “The Godfather: Part II” (Francis Ford Coppola, 1974) “Traffik” (Simon Moore, 1989) “Traffic” (Steven Soderbergh, 2000) “Paradise Now” (Hany Abu-Assad, 2005) “United 93” (Paul Greengrass, 2006) “Thank You for S...

Dec 04, 202437 min

Romance, a conversation – “Some Kind of Wonderful”

This is part of a series about romance in movies. *** Referenced media: “Pretty in Pink” (Howard Deutch, 1986) “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” (Mark Molloy, 2024) “Ted Lasso” (Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly, 2020-2023) “Alien” (Ridley Scott, 1979) “Lethal Weapon” (Richard Donner, 1987) Audio quotation: “Some Kind of Wonderful” (Howard Deutch, 1987), including the songs “Do Anything” by Pete Shelley, “The Hardest Walk” by The Jesus and Mary Chain, “Can’t Help Falling in Lo...

Dec 04, 202419 min

2005, a conversation – “North Country”

This is part of a series about overlooked movies from 2005. *** Referenced media: “Promising Young Woman” (Emerald Fennell, 2020) “Spartacus” (Stanley Kubrick, 1960) “Marvel’s The Avengers” (Joss Whedon, 2012) “Fargo” (Joel Coen, 1996) “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (Martin McDonagh, 2017) “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (Peter Jackson, 2001) “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (Peter Jackson, 2002) “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (Peter Jacks...

Nov 14, 202426 min

2005, a conversation – “Bad News Bears”

This is part of a series about overlooked movies from 2005. *** Referenced media: “ The Bad News Bears ” (Michael Ritchie, 1976) “Boyhood” (Richard Linklater, 2014) “Slacker” (Richard Linklater, 1990) “Dazed and Confused” (Richard Linklater, 1993) “School of Rock” (Richard Linklater, 2003) “ Friday Night Lights ” (Peter Berg, 2004) “Pollock” (Ed Harris, 2000) “Talk Soup” (Brad Gyori, 1991-2002) “Little Miss Sunshine” (Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, 2006) “The Fly” (David Cronenberg, 1986) “B...

Oct 29, 202426 min

Comic Book Movies, a conversation – “30 Days of Night”

This is part of a series about movies based on comic books. *** Referenced media: “Twilight” (Catherine Hardwicke, 2008) “Interview with the Vampire” (Rolin Jones, 2022) “World War Z” (Marc Forster, 2013) “Beloved” (Jonathan Demme, 1998) “The Last Samurai” (Edward Zwick, 2003) “The Last of the Mohicans” (Michael Mann, 1992) “28 Days Later” (Danny Boyle, 2002) “30 Days of Night” (2002) by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith “30 Days of Night: Dark Days” (Ben Ketai, 2010) “30 Days of Night: Return to ...

Oct 29, 202425 min

Comic Book Movies, a conversation – “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”

This is part of a series about movies based on comic books. *** Referenced media: “Hulk” (Ang Lee, 2003) “Justice League” (1960-now) by Gardner Fox “Promethea” (1999-2005) by Alan Moore, J.H. Williams III, and Mick Gray “300” (1998) by Frank Miller “300” (Zack Snyder, 2007)) “Watchmen” (1986-1987) by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (George Lucas, 1977) “The Incredible Hulk” (1962-now) by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby “La Femme Nikita” (Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, 1...

Oct 29, 202421 min

Comic Book Movies, a conversation – “Tank Girl”

This is part of a series about movies based on comic books. *** Referenced media: “Point Break” (Kathryn Bigelow, 1991) “Orange Is the New Black” (Jenji Kohan, 2013-2019) “Tank Girl” (1988-now) by Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett “A League of Their Own” (Penny Marshall, 1992) “Station Eleven” (Patrick Somerville, 2021-2022) “Crumb” (Terry Zwigoff, 1994) “Casper” (Brad Silberling, 1995) “Batman Forever” (Joel Schumacher, 1995) “Judge Dredd” (Danny Cannon, 1995) “Judge Dredd” (1977-now) by John Wagne...

Oct 14, 202425 min

2005, a conversation – “Paradise Now”

This is part of a series about overlooked movies from 2005. *** Referenced media: “The Kingdom” (Peter Berg, 2007) “Lebanon” (Samuel Maoz, 2009) “Thank You for Smoking” (Jason Reitman, 2005) “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (Gene Roddenberry, 1987-1994) “Lord of War” (Andrew Niccol, 2005) “Syriana” (Stephen Gaghan, 2005) Audio quotation: “Paradise Now” (Hany Abu-Assad, 2005)

Oct 14, 202431 min
Hosted on Buzzsprout
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android