Benjamin Koppin Interview
Today Clark and Cullen sit down with writer/director Benjamin Koppin to discuss his upcoming film “Pastor’s Kid”, as well as his career as an independent filmmaker.
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Benjamin Koppin Interview
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
Clark and Cullen take a different approach to today’s episode, instead covering a film unlike most others they’ve discussed. Both from a critical perspective and from the history of the film industry itself, Attack of the Clones changed how movies were made, ushering in the dawn of digital, VFX heavy blockbusters that still dominate the box office today.
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Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
The Last Temptation of Christ
The Last Temptation of Christ
In this episode, Clark and Cullen discuss current Oscar nominee Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ, a controversial and profound film which interrogates the humanity at the centre of the story of Jesus Christ, played brilliantly by Willem Dafoe.
Special thanks to today’s sponsor, Magic Mind! Go to https://magicmind.com/JANsoldiersofcinema and use promo code CINEMA20 to get 20 percent off on top of Magic Mind’s January discount as well one month free on a three month subscription!
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Episode 074 - The Last Temptation of Christ
Maestro
Maestro
In this episode, Clark and Cullen discuss Bradley Cooper’s new film Maestro. A hot topic as we enter into awards season, the discussion focusses on the technical, performance and the wider conversation of biopics and their potential pitfalls.
Special thanks to today’s sponsor, Magic Mind! Go to https://magicmind.com/JANsoldiersofcinema and use promo code CINEMA20 to get 20 percent off on top of Magic Mind’s January discount as well one month free on a three month subscription!
Soldiers of Cinema
Episode 073 - Maestro
The Empty Man
The Empty Man
Cullen and Clark discuss David Prior’s The Empty Man - the 2020 cosmic horror film released without any marketing budget, causing it to fly under many people’s radars and flop at the box office. Since releasing, it’s garnered a cult following, and Clark and Cullen discuss the merits of that as well as Cullen’s experience seeing the film with the director in attendance!
Special thanks to today’s sponsor, Magic Mind! Go to https://magicmind.com/soldiersofcinema and use promo code CINEMA20 to get 20 percent off one time orders of Magic Mind and up to 50 percent off of subscription orders!
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Episode 072 - The Empty Man
Die Hard
Die Hard
Join us as we spend some time discussing our creative process and the challenges that we’ve got to overcome when it comes to developing an idea and writing. Then, we dive into the feature for the episode - Die Hard! We discuss at length how the action genre has changed, why John McClane makes for a great protagonist, and much more!
Special thanks to today’s sponsor, Magic Mind! Go to https://magicmind.com/soldiersofcinema and use promo code CINEMA20 to get 20 percent off one time orders of Magic Mind and up to 50 percent off of subscription orders!
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Episode 071 - Die Hard
The Old Man & the Gun
The Old Man & the Gun
Most of what follows is true! Join Clark and Cullen as they discuss David Lowery’s 2018 film The Old Man & the Gun, the (mostly) true story about bank robber Forrest Tucker who was described as “well, kind of a gentleman”. Cullen discusses his experience attending the premiere of the film, why he feels it’s underrated, and Clark remarks on the melancholic nostalgia he felt during the movie.
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Episode 070 - The Old Man & the Gun
Drugstore Cowboy
Drugstore Cowboy
Join us for another discussion, this time about Gus Van Sant’s 1989 indie Drugstore Cowboy! Clark discusses his history with the film and emotional connection to it, Cullen remarks at his enjoyment with the spots of humor in the film and much much more!
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Episode 069 - Drugstore Cowboy
A Very Toronto Episode with Mike Wood and Adam Thorn
A Very Toronto Episode with Mike Wood and Adam Thorn
Join us for a very special episode, recorded live in Toronto at Eyesore Cinema! Clark and Cullen are recording live and in person for the first time, and are joined by Mike Wood (They Might Be Movies) and Adam Thorn (Terriblefest, Riot At The Movies) to discuss Canadian/Toronto film culture, underground cinema, putting on festivals and screenings and much, much more.
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Special Episode - Mike Wood and Adam Thorrn
Titanic
Titanic
Join us in the smoking lounge for brandy, cigars and a discussion (fittingly, our longest yet) about James Cameron’s unsinkable* Titanic! Clark and Cullen discuss the wider impact of the film on cinema, James Cameron’s filmmaking style and motivations for the project, and the state of the theatre-going experience at large! *Potentially sinkable.
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Episode 068 - Titanic
La La Land
La La Land
Drama! Intrigue! Spectacle! Clark and Cullen finally disagree with each other in an exciting new episode of the podcast, this time covering Damien Chazelle’s La La Land. Who will be victorious in this nuclear battle of the minds? Listen to find out!
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Episode 067 - La La Land
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Perhaps an appropriate title switch to “Secret Agents of Cinema” might be in order as we cover our first James Bond film - 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service! Join Clark and Cullen as they discuss the flick and the culture surrounding James Bond at large, as well as their own personal experiences with the franchise.
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Episode 066 - On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
They Live
They Live
In this episode, Clark and Cullen chat about the 1988 John Carpenter cult classic “They Live”. Join as us we put on the sunglasses to see what’s under the hood of this flick, as we walk through the things we love - and maybe a bit of stuff we don’t!
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Episode 065 - They Live
Barbarian / Daylight Again
Barbarian / Daylight Again
In this episode, Clark and Cullen chat about the 2022 horror film Barbarian and compare and contrast it to Cullen's very own suspense thriller, Daylight Again. Its rare we cover current films on our show, and so we don't usually include spoiler alerts - well, we will here! If you haven't seen Barbarian, we want to warn you that there will be spoilers in this episode. We also encourage you to watch Cullen's film before listening - Click here to watch Daylight Again
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Episode 064 - Barbarian / Daylight Again
Clerks
Clerks
We chat about Clark's pick and an early inspiration, Kevin Smith's 1994 film Clerks! Clerks marks the beginning of what would become Kevin Smith's mini-media empire and is an important part of the independent film golden era of the late 80's through the 90's.
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Episode 063 - Clerks
A Bridge Too Far
A Bridge Too Far
Clark and Cullen chat about Cullen's pick - the 1977 classic, A Bridge Too Far. Stuffed with almost every male star of its era, this epic was one of Cullen's favorites growing up but this was Clark's first viewing. We discuss the epic-ness of the film and laugh at the sometimes hysterical sound mixing!
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Episode 062 - A Bridge Too Far
At Close Range
At Close Range
Clark and Cullen recover a once thought lost episode! Originally, this was going to be our 36th episode but we experienced some technical difficulties and we thought this episode would never see the light of day - but it was found and we present it here for your enjoyment! In this episode, we discuss Clark’s pick, James Foley’s 1986 drama starring Sean and Chris Penn, Christopher Walken, and Mary Stuart Masterson.
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Episode 061 - At Close Range
Being John Malkovich
Being John Malkovich
Clark and Cullen discuss Spike Jonze’s 1999 film. Written by Charlie Kaufman and starring John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, and Catherine Keener, with John Malkovich, this film was nominated for three Academy Awards.
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Episode 060 - Being John Malkovich
Billy DaMota Interview
Billy DaMota Interview
Clark and Cullen sit down with the first guest in the history of the podcast, the wonderful Billy DaMota! Billy got his start in the industry in 1985 in casting. He’s worked on such films as Predator, The Running Man, and The Three Amigos, and Dennis Hopper’s Colors. He became an independent casting director with the gem of a film, Miracle Mile. Since then, he’s cast hundreds of films, tv shows, and commercials, casting a lot of actors at the start of their careers, including James Franco, Cameron Diaz, and Brad Pitt. Billy spends more than two hours with us sharing stories from his almost 45 years in the industry - so sit back and enjoy!
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Episode 059 - Billy DaMota
Alien
Alien
Clark and Cullen discuss Cullen's pick, Ridley Scott's 1979 horror/sci-fi masterpiece, Alien. Written by Dan O'Bannon and starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Harry Dean Stanton, and John Hurt, this episode's film highlights the power of visual story telling and is an art and production design powerhouse. Enjoy as we break it all down!
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Episode 058 - Alien