Ep. 13: American Movie

09/18/14 • -1 min

Can We Still Be Friends? – A Movie Podcast

In this episode, Nate and Ryan discuss the listener-suggested, landmark 1999 documentary American Movie. Director Chris Smith profiles independent filmmaker Mark Borchardt, a Milwaukee native who dreams of finally making the film that has been brewing inside him from childhood. With aspirations only outsized by his debts and with self-motivating talk that only barely drowns out the detracting voices of his family, Borchardt gathers together friends and other aspiring filmmakers to help complete “Coven.”

While American Movie is held in high esteem, it has its fair share of critics who question the attitude the audience is supposed to take toward Borchardt. As always, Nate and Ryan don’t shy away from the tough questions and tackle those issues head-on, man.

American Movie is streaming on Crackle.

During the episode we mention this recent interview with director Chris Smith on The Dissolve.

Also, we spend some time talking about Jodorowsky’s Dune. We both highly recommend it.

American Movie is streaming on Crackle.

During the episode we mention this recent interview with director Chris Smith on The Dissolve.

Also, we spend some time talking about Jodorowsky’s Dune. We both highly recommend it.

Previous Episode

Ep. 12: Garden State

Ten years after the release of Garden State, writer/director/star/punching bag Zach Braff has come out with a new movie, Wish I Was Here. The reception was ambivalent to negative, a stark contrast to the general reception of Garden State. Nate and Ryan hadn’t seen Garden State in years, but couldn’t help but notice that the general perception of the film and of Braff has been quite venomous. They decide to rewatch the film to try to determine if the backlash is warranted.

Garden State tells the story of a depressed struggling actor played by Braff, who goes home for the first time in nearly ten years following the death of his mother. He is given a new outlook on life when he meets an unsettling a quirky young woman (Natalie Portman) who helps him enjoy life.

After listening, tell us your thoughts. Have you rewatched it recently? Is there anything we missed? Jump into the discussion and add your thoughts.

Next Episode

Ep. 14: Braveheart

In this episode, Nate rights a nearly 20-year wrong and gets Ryan to watch Braveheart for the first time. Nate’s been a fan since childhood, and given Ryan’s well known aversion to epic period movies, this has the makings of a battle worthy of...well, an epic war movie. With Scottish freedom on our minds, it’s only right that we honor the recent vote in Scotland with one of the most revered movies about Scottish freedom.

Braveheart is a very loose retelling of the fight of William Wallace to fight for the freedom of Scotland and to avenge the death of his wife. The kilts, blood, meaningful gazes, and political backstabbing is in full force, as Gibson brings the violent war epic together with romance in a film the whole family will enjoy!

As always, tell us what you think about what we think about Braveheart. Are you one of those who have loved it as much as you’ve always loved it? Has your love waned over the years? Has it been nearly 20 years since you’ve seen it? Does Mel Gibson’s charm still make you swoon?