Sometimes we talk about TV too! This one is the new FX miniseries starring Nick Offerman and Allison Pill, written and directed by Alex Garland. It's no secret that Michael and Abe have been smitten so far by Garland's work, but does his recent attempt to break into the world of the small screen work? Figured this would be a great companion podcast with our other Frame Rate about Predestination that came out earlier this week. Michael wrote an intro song for y'all at the beginning of the episode...
May 01, 2020•52 min
Abe and Michael discuss the themes and relevancy of 2007's The Mist. In the last episode, Stephen King took issue with the movie version of his tale. In this episode, he seems to approve of it. While we're all confined to the indoors in 2020, we think you'll all find something in this episode that will grab your attention, like so many-tentacled dimensional monsters. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans
Apr 29, 2020•1 hr 8 min
Vanessa's back to help Michael and Abe unpack the dense time travel timeline of 2014's Predestination (starring Ethan Hawke). The gang asks: are all paradoxes in all time travel stories the same paradox? Why are a lot of seminal sci-fi writers thirsty and extremely problematic? Which two of the three podcasters are sleeping with each other? The last one is a trick question. They're all fucking Ethan Hawke. Everyone thank Charnstar for this one. They're the Flick Picker for the Pick the Flick tie...
Apr 27, 2020•1 hr 23 min
So this is how it works. The title of the episode is the episode prompt. How Maggie and Adam define it will be determined by them. In this episode, Maggie defines it as "not your favorite necessarily, but if you could surround yourself with it as if it were tangible you could do it." Adam defines it as "will continue to mean something to you or express an aspect of yourself (you hope) forever." Listen for spoilers. Except for the above image, I guess. It's up to you as to whose choice it is! As ...
Apr 24, 2020•1 hr 11 min
Like the lazy titular character, John Hughes kind of takes it easy after Act I of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Adam runs down the directorial bag of tricks he employs in the first 25 minutes of the movie that seem to be non-existent in the rest of the movie. Now, it's a fantastic first act, it's just that he took two acts off. Abe finally makes that big decision to tell off his dad! Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans
Apr 17, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Hot damn, a new podcast! It dawned on us that the most unlikely of pure friendships blossomed in the last few years between Big Beans Adam Ganser and Maggie Mae Fish. These two friendos are unexpectedly wholesome together and so we locked them in a room without only a few cans of food and told them to interview each other. Michael and I then broke into their houses and left stragetically placed microphones. And this is what we got, I guess. As an additional perk, you, our beans, the beanest of p...
Apr 10, 2020•1 hr 9 min
Ah yes, we're here. The second installment of the series. Sarah learns that one of the tropes of this franchise is the obscene number of undercover agents each movie reveals. You choose which is more believable: felons freely bringing guns on planes or O'Conner's houseboat. Sarah gives her rundown of how fast and furious she's feeling after two films. Take Ludacris' advice and listen to the episode. Don't act a fool. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/Smal...
Apr 06, 2020•50 min
Free Will? More like free William Shakespeare! I'd say it's 50/50 whether you liked that joke. If you do flip a coin and it ends up heads: we're very sorry, you may be in a simulation. You have the Pick the Flick tier to thank for this one yet again. Big shout out to Jason B. This time around we delve into the abstract Tom Stoppard Hamlet spin-off starring Gary Oldman and Tim Roth. It's a fascinating movie involving several filmmakers and actors integral to the movie landscape of the 1990s. Whil...
Apr 03, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Remember when Chris Evans told us that babies taste the best? Remember when that director/writer won an Oscar for Best Picture? In this episode, we stamp our approval like so many bug protein bars. Special thanks to Karl P for suggesting this one through the Pick the Flick patreon tier! Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans
Apr 01, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Michael Swaim looked in the mirror for 7 hours, called Sarah and Bridgett and demanded a second appearance on Rough Stuff. This episode is wild guys. You might want to lock your door, get real alone and real comfortable because it's about to get weirdly sexual in your immediate space. Come on the journey of demystifying why theater kids are so horny and stay for the lickin' eyeballs story. Also, apparently in Swaim's home town, everyone fingered a drainpipe? I'm not quite sure what the point of ...
Mar 27, 2020•55 min
In 2020, making a mid-range budget film is nearly impossible. Unfortunately, Abe has brought his spreadsheets to examine 2012's Dredd and how its cult influenced the way we make non-Disney action-adventure blockbusters. Turns out a great idea is helpful but there's a few things you may need to check off your list before you jump into producing a film that costs 45 million dollars. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SOURCES https://www.salon.com/...
Mar 23, 2020•1 hr 9 min
We are joined by Alex Shifman, host of the science show "Science: The Show," once again. This time he gets the Sarah and Bridgett treatment. We get the low brow down low on the politics of farting, Skyline Chili, and an ad for Salt Water Pools brought to you by Sarah, for some reason. No conversation bursting with Americana is complete until you're disgusted yet a bit hungry. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans
Mar 20, 2020•1 hr 1 min
The Mayor of Bean Town has just been informed that deadly Earth-orbiting aliens will destroy Bean Town and less importantly the world in mere minutes. Luckily, Bean Town Cop Frank Wade is on the case. Hopefully, he'll have enough time and our elected officials can solve whatever is happening with our communications systems. We seem to be getting a whole lot of interference. Oh, well! To the salvation of Bean Town! Written by Michael Swaim, Abe Epperson, and Greg Burke ---- Bean Town Cast List --...
Mar 18, 2020•24 min
It's all about family in The Fast & Furious franchise. Bridgett, a long-time admirer of the saga, wouldn't be doing her duty if she neglected to sit Sarah down and watch the entire run of the cinematic universe. We know what we're doing here at Small Beans so we included a microphone so you can listen in and witness the absolute madness. See you at the Race Wars! Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans
Mar 13, 2020•55 min
Death to the Coen Brothers Brothers! Long live the Kings of King! The first episode of our new deep-dive podcast. Abe and Michael start their dissection of all things Stephen King with The Shining. We find out that Abe misunderstood the film for a very long time and Michael points out the usefulness of an ax in a hedge maze. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans
Mar 11, 2020•1 hr 50 min
Adam is here?! Adam is here! How has this not happened before? Ganser joins Michael and Abe to talk about the Polish-French-Swiss art house film, Three Colors: Red. It's like listening to three cavemen discover fire. Our grunts may seem confident, but inside we're terrified. So listen to this boat accident of a review. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans
Mar 02, 2020•1 hr 12 min
BOLD is a podcast about race and justice in America, and a collaboration between Small Beans and Showing Up For Racial Justice, produced by White People 4 Black Lives. In the first episode of our second batch, our co-hosts Dahlia Ferlito and Ivette Ale discuss their signs, favorite music, and most importantly, how social action has affected them and become an area of focus in their lives. Complete Show Notes at www.patreon.com/SmallBeans
Feb 24, 2020•1 hr 6 min
Adam brings a new angle to the Paul Verhoeven's 1992 erotic thriller Basic Instinct, and it is indeed erotic. Removing layer after layer of why this cult classic is actually a meta-narrative about private dick films, he offers a fresh top-down perspective (like a ceiling-mounted fuck mirror). Abe is also there. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com
Feb 17, 2020•1 hr 20 min
This time Cody Johnston of Some More News and one-of-our-best-friends fame joins us to tackle the prophetic film Brazil, directed by Terry Gilliam. Please comment below if you agree or disagree with our review. "Sorry, I'm a bit of a stickler for paperwork." And thank you for your suggestion Pick-the-Flick patron sha cla (aka Shannon)! Hi, Jesse! Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans
Feb 14, 2020•1 hr 16 min
Well, the Rough Stuffers have done it again! In this episode, they cast their spell and dispel the shell of David Bell who in his youth raised some hell. It all makes sense: the friendships with old men, the improv mosh pits, and the exceptionally powerful cranium. It's also clear that teen Bell would probably still be able to kick all of our asses. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com
Feb 10, 2020•1 hr
Here's Michael, Abe, and Tom Reimann yappin' about the absolutely batshit insane movie "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover" starring Michael Gambon and Helen Mirren. The gang determines it's all one elaborate shitting joke. Did we mention it is considered high art? A hearty shout-out to John Harty for using the Pick The Flick patreon tier and picking this film for the episode. What a guy! Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: ht...
Feb 03, 2020•1 hr 9 min
Get your parenting tips from three comedians, two of which do not have children! Fortunately, Billy Wayne Davis, a parent, stops on by to inform us that he's got this whole parenting thing figured out. Spoiler: it's not how Viggo Mortensen raises his kids in this movie. It's not as cool, but it's probably better. And thank you for your suggestion Pick-the-Flick patron Zac Schwartz! Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans....
Jan 31, 2020•1 hr 18 min
Abe takes the reigns this time to make the case that this jaunty, joust-y film is the jam. Why do we take old stories and dress them up in modern clothing? What's the point? Adam is also there. Sometimes Abe gets too excited and someone needs to settle him down a bit. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com
Jan 24, 2020•1 hr 18 min
Michael and Abe conclude their examination of the Coen Brothers' films. They also rank them. They announce the topic of their next deep-dive series. Feels like they would record all that within two hours, maybe one and a half... Would that it were so simple. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com
Jan 21, 2020•3 hr
Abe and Michael do their dance with the 2008 Israeli animated documentary film, its inspection of how we're hardwired to design our own past memories, and its thoughts on the nature of war. Tons of jokes in this one, folks. Shout out to Zac Schwartz for this month's Pick The Flick tier! You're a real M.V.Bean. Warning: Michael's recording software went a little haywire. It's not too bad and we had our top people on it, but there's some audio clicking at times. Support Small Beans and access Addi...
Jan 03, 2020•1 hr 9 min
Adam brings his director knowledge to explain the tactics Soderbergh uses to lure the viewer into complacency. It might be sly editing, pacing, or shot design. Abe chimes in every now and then to remind him it isn't any of that and the real culprit is demon spells and ghouls, probably. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com
Dec 30, 2019•1 hr 11 min
Michael and Abe sit down with Alex Shifman, co-host of Science! The Show, to discuss this 1979 Taiwanese fantasy horror mystery film. This film's climax involves a drum battle between a ghost and a holy man. So, I'm not convinced it's not a Slayer song. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com
Dec 27, 2019•1 hr 1 min
Sarah and Bridgett sit down and read some fan-submitted rough stuff for the second time. You all inspire us with your awkwardness, so press play and keep it rough. Nope. Never saying that again. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com
Dec 20, 2019•57 min
Michael and Abe are joined by the inscrutable David Bell to discuss the body-horror film, The Fly (1986). This patron-exclusive came out around Thanksgiving, but it's just time for the holidays in the U.S. So, while you're lapping up all that turkey, ham, or veggie skin, remember to visualize when Brundle-Fly's face skin slides off his fly face. Bon appetite! Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com
Dec 15, 2019•1 hr 6 min
Hang me O hang me, Michael and Abe spent two hours and fifteen minutes in this in-depth dissection of the Coen's Inside Llewyn Davis. We get real inside Llewyn Davis, real up in those insides. Guess what? It's full of cats, grief, and uncertainty. Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans SB Merch: https://smallbeans.bigcartel.com
Dec 09, 2019•2 hr 17 min
