1986 BLUE VELVET

Explicit content warning

03/01/22 • 58 min

Blue Velvet presents an idyllic view of contemporary Americana, but confronts the culture's dark psychological underbelly. Blue Velvet may also be the key to understanding David Lynch's work. We talk about Dune (again), Roger Ebert's infamous review of the film, and the career of a truly unique filmmaker.

Previous Episode

1985 MISHIMA: A LIFE IN FOUR CHAPTERS

A controversial film about a controversial public figure. In 1970, Yukio Mishima and members of his private army took a Japanese General hostage and attempted to inspire a coup against the government. Failing, Mishima then committed ritual suicide. How does a team of American filmmakers led by Paul Shrader tackle a story like this? We discuss music, art direction, and repressed homosexuality in Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters.

Next Episode

1987 PREDATOR (feat. Stephane Glynn)

We welcome special guest Stephane Glynn who wrote his graduate thesis on American imperialism of foreign bodies. What does that mean in the context of Predator and 1980s action films? We talk about Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronald Reagan, primitive CGI effects, and a whole lot more!