discursion

Episode 9 - Under the Silver Lake

Steven and Dominic return for Season 2 of Discursion film podcast with a mini-series on neo-noir cinema. In episode 9, they discuss Under the Silver Lake (David Robert Mitchell, 2018), looking at the LA noir genre tradition, casting, cinematography, performances, and the film's opening 2 minutes in detail. 

Episode 8 - To Sleep With Anger

Dominic and Steven talk through Charles Burnett's LA family drama To Sleep With Anger (1990), now considered a classic alongside previous outputs of Black Independent Cinema such as Burnett's MA project film, Killer of Sheep (1977). Celebrated by Criterion with their new BluRay edition.

Episode 7 - Khrustalyov, My Car!

Dominic, Steven and special guest Dr Miguel Gaggiotti enter the dizzying world of Aleksey German via his film, Khrustalyov, My Car! (1998), set around the time of the doctors plot and Stalin's death in post-war Russia. Recently released on Arrow Academy Blu-Ray.

Episode 6 - Duck Soup

Join Dominic, Steven and special guest, film editor/slapstick specialist Polly Rose, as they revisit the iconic Marx Brothers' film Duck Soup (Leo McCarey, 1933) - now on Arrow BluRay.
3:18 mayhem, Marx & Dumont; 7:15 plot; 10:30 tone & pacing; 15:00 set-pieces; 18:00 Harpo & violence; 22:35 editing/sound; 25:50 Chico; 28:40 Keaton's contribution  
 

Episode 5 - Cold Water

Dominic and Steven discuss Olivier Assays' alternative coming of age film, Cold Water (1994), a fine early career effort that has been recently released via Criterion DVD. Bailey the cat voices his concerns.
1:02 plot summary; 2:22 coming of age; 6:35 performances/camerawork/spontaneity; 11:54 characterisation; 14:48 rock rebellion; 17:30 sound; 22:15 endings; 24:06 coldness; 25:47 super 16; 28:02 'almost experimental'
 

Episode 4 - Out of the Past

Out of the Past (Jacques Tourneur, 1947) is out on BluRay in the UK (via Universal/HMV's Premium Collection). Dominic and Steven revisit the quintessential film noir and offer their thoughts.
1:57 plot summary; 8:23 wise-cracking dialogue; 12:43 performances; 20:55 lighting; 25:28 film noir and visual style; noir "heroes" 27:25

Episode 3 - Phantom Thread

Dominic and Steven watch Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread (2017) on 4K BluRay (Universal Studios) and discuss.
 
0:36 So, where are we?; 3:15 Games & rituals; 6:38 PTA’s films; 9:12 Who are the protagonists?; 12:38 Changing times; 15:10 Food & appetite; 18:42 Is this an old-fashioned film?; 21:27 Dresses; 23:20 The film’s politics; migration; 27:40 Swallowed lines

Episode 2 - House

Dominic and Steven discuss Nobuhiko Obayashi's House (1977), a cult comedy-horror from Japan now available to view on BluRay in the Eureka/Masters of Cinema series. Recorded 1 June 2018.