Shows
Design Meets LifeEpisode 8: The Step-by-Step Guide to Pursuing Musical Dreams Despite It All featuring musician/composer/muse to the stars, Mitchell Kaplan!Based in LA, Mitch has been celebrated for his distinctive blend of musical artistry and creative versatility, on top of having history with some of the music industry's best like Janet, Michael AND Madonna. With a career spanning several decades, he's perhaps best known for his long-standing partnership with actress, performer and one of our fave comedienne Lady Sandra Bernhard, serving as her musical director and collaborator for decades. 2024-11-241h 04
Obscuria Filmcast"Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S." (2003), Episode 26Whether you are a fan of Godzilla movies and the Kaiju genre or not, this film is truly authentic to the genre. For a film like this to come out in 2003 with real, scaled set design, real actors in costume, and minimal special effects, particularly when CGI and Michael Bay-Style explosion sequences were the order of the day, is a testament to the discipline and rigor of the filmmakers. I recommend watching this film on as large a screen as possible in a completely blacked out room for the best possible experience. And if you have young children, even...2022-07-1548 minObscuria Filmcast"Body Parts" (1991), Episode 25In this classic 90s body horror sci-fi flick we have Jeff Fahey star as the recipient of an arm transplant with some questionable ethical ramifications, not to mention some serious lifestyle consequences for the recipient and the family he loves. Worth mentioning is a standout performance from supporting actor Brad Dourif (Chucky, from "Child's Play", Billy Bibbit, from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest") who plays the other arm transplant recipient. This film is totally bonkers and everything you'd hope to find in an over the top body horror flick from the turn of the 90s decade.2022-07-1552 minObscuria FilmcastEpisode 24: "Freak Out", 2015In this Kafkaesque Israeli Horror Comedy, one nerdy desk jockey sets out for a weekend of compulsory military patrol with his three machismo counterparts who bully him incessantly. It's not clear what the hell is happening on this military base, but something strange is afoot. In this episode, we invite you to explore this peculiar film, full of political and social symbolism and allegory dealing with many layers of Israeli culture and society.2022-06-2255 minObscuria FilmcastEpisode 23: "High Spirits", 1988"High Spirits" was made because MGM heard Warner Brothers was making a "Beetlejuice"-type movie, so MGM wanted their own version whacky, undead, love story comedy. Steve Guttenberg is a brilliant actor, but he is directed a little off in this absurd tale of... sex? and... ghosts? and... alcoholism? Peter O'Toole did his own stunts and was actually drunk in the movie. You can see Liam Neeson deliver a joke. Something got lost in the edit with this weirdo masterpiece suffering from 'too-many-cooks-in-the-kitchen' syndrome. But "High Spirits" is free on this wonderful platform.2022-06-2247 minObscuria FilmcastEpisode 22: "The Swimmer", 1968The American dream has been elusive for many people over the years. In cinema the conventional "American dream" process has been executed many times. But in 1968's "The Swimmer" the aftermath of achieving the American dream is laid out for us. This film is a hidden gem because it has Burt Lancaster shirtless the whole time (with seeing his bare butt) and it has all the hallmarks of convention starting with it's movie star Burt Lancaster, following with it's cast of suburban functional alcoholics chumming it up and having a good exchange of gossip. But, as the viewer watches...2022-06-2253 minObscuria FilmcastEpisode 21: "Arizona Dream", 1994"Arizona Dream" is the 90s independent cinema that is so loose, obscure, and meaningful that you wonder how it ever got made, way back when smoking cigarettes was still cool. You ask yourself, 'Which Hollywood executive approved THIS script?' This movie has one of the best casts I have ever seen, Johnny Depp, Lili Taylor, Faye Dunaway, Vincent Gallo, and Jerry Lewis each embody their characters so well it makes the viewer envious they weren't on set during the making of this movie to give 'atta boys' to the cast & crew for doing such a good job! There...2022-04-0848 minObscuria FilmcastEpisode 19: "American Mary", 2012"American Mary" shows us what Canadians are up to. If you wanted to see a compelling movie where you see the main character not change at all, this is your bag. If you wanted to see David Cronenberg's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" but have it not be about vampires this would be your favorite movie. Also, the lighting fixtures in the art design are impeccable.2022-03-2448 minObscuria FilmcastEpisode 20: "Surfwise", 2008Surfwise" 2008, is an exploration into spirituality and nature as told by an old man who lived the life few have ever experienced and forced his family to do the same. The concept for this movie, 2 parents and 9 kids in a camper driving around these great United States learning life from the human point-of-view. It's such a great concept that if anyone would write it into a screenplay no one would believe it possible, but here it is.2022-03-2248 minObscuria FilmcastEpisode 18: "Private Practices: The Story of a Sex Surrogate", 1985Imagine you know a guy who struggles to approach women and assert himself, so much so, that he hires a professional to help him. I know what you might be thinking. Sure, guys have been hiring prostitutes forever to help them get over whatever sexual hangups they might be struggling with, but that's not what the 1985 film "Private Practices: The Story of a Sex Surrogate" is really about. In this probing and intimate documentary, Filmmaker Kirby Dick explores the sexual therapeutic journeys of two men, Kipper, a 25 year old painfully shy virgin, and John, a 45 year old divorcee who...2022-02-0752 minObscuria FilmcastEpisode 17: "Clue", 1985"Clue" has one of the most fantastic casts every assembled. Each one of these amazing six actors of the main cast are (near) legends. This comedy is the most perfect murder mystery because there are three endings, and each ending's scenario fits into the narrative of the movie. So, even if you know the ending of the movie, you'd want to see it again to see if the other two endings fit. This movie is Jonathan Lynn's directorial debut and went on to do "My Cousin Vinny" seven years after this film. If you're a Tim Curry fan you...2022-01-2349 min
Eat Real To Heal PodcastEp. 88 A Better Brain with Dr. Bonnie KaplanDr. Bonnie J. Kaplan is a research psychologist, and Professor in the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine. For many years she studied the role of nutrition in mental illness and brain development. Now, in retirement, her passion is to teach people how our diet influences our brain and mental health. She has written a book with Julia J. Rucklidge called ‘Better Brain: Overcome Anxiety, Combat Depression and Reduce ADHD and Stress with Nutrition’. This is a paradigm-shifting approach in using food and nutrients for treating mental disorders like anxiety, depression, and ADHD and they share their origin...2021-10-131h 37
Rector’s Cupboard PodcastInter-Religious Conversations with Rabbi Dr. Laura Duhan-KaplanWe speak with Rabbi Dr. Laura Duhan-Kaplan about how religions can grant blessing to one another. In many religious traditions there is a suspicion around engaging with people of other faiths. Rabbi Laura oversees an inter-religious conference each year. We speak also about philosophy and atheism and how we can have a two-dimensional and unhelpful view of not only other faiths, but of non-faith. How can we honour people who believe differently than we do?
Books and references in this episode:
Mouth of the Donkey, Rabbi Dr. Laura Duhan-Kaplan, 2021
Gaslit Nation P...2021-03-2642 min
Ha'Iggeret ~ The MessageEp. 3 // Lech Lecha ... do you want G-d to like you?Our first parsha, Bereshit (Genesis) was introducing Adam and Chava (Adam and Eve), our second parsha Noach was about Noach (Noah), and now Lech Lecha is the story of Avraham (Abraham, Abram) and Sarah (Sarai). As Noach was 10 generations after Adam and Chava, Avraham is also 10 generations after Noach. At the end of last week’s parsha, Noach, we are introduced to Terach (Terah), the father of Avram (Abraham). Terach is listed in the descendents of Shem, Noach’s righteous son (the other sons were Ham and Yafet/Japeth). At the beginning of this parsha, G-d come...2020-10-3006 min
Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and DirectingEverything Should Be Useful, Educational, Inspirational w Plot Devices and Red Giant's Seth Worley - Just Shoot It 166Seth Worley is a writer/director of short films and branded content for clients like JJ Abram's Bad Robot, Red Giant, Film Riot, and Steve Taylor. He is also the cofounder of Plot Devices, and he makes killer VFX tutorial videos framed by story. Strap in for a great episode on VFX tutorials, balancing being a filmmaker with marketing tools, and the story of why he cofounded Plot Devices. This episode is sponsored by Plot Devices. Check out all the cool stuff they have for purchase at www.plotdevices.coUNPAID ENDORSEMENTS Oren - Captain Disillusion on...2019-06-061h 03
Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and DirectingEverything Should Be Useful, Educational, Inspirational w Plot Devices and Red Giant's Seth Worley - Just Shoot It 166
Seth Worley is a writer/director of short films and branded content for clients like JJ Abram's Bad Robot, Red Giant, Film Riot, and Steve Taylor. He is also the cofounder of Plot Devices, and he makes killer VFX tutorial videos framed by story. Strap in for a great episode on VFX tutorials, balancing being a filmmaker with marketing tools, and the story of why he cofounded Plot Devices.
This episode is sponsored by Plot Devices. Check out all the cool stuff they have for purchase at www.plotdevices.co
UNPAID ENDORSEMENTS
Oren - Captain Disillusion on...2019-06-061h 03
Just Shoot It: A Podcast about Filmmaking, Screenwriting and DirectingEverything Should Be Useful, Educational, Inspirational w Plot Devices and Red Giant's Seth Worley - Just Shoot It 166
Seth Worley is a writer/director of short films and branded content for clients like JJ Abram's Bad Robot, Red Giant, Film Riot, and Steve Taylor. He is also the cofounder of Plot Devices, and he makes killer VFX tutorial videos framed by story. Strap in for a great episode on VFX tutorials, balancing being a filmmaker with marketing tools, and the story of why he cofounded Plot Devices.
This episode is sponsored by Plot Devices. Check out all the cool stuff they have for purchase at www.plotdevices.co
UNPAID ENDORSEMENTS
Oren - Captain Disillusion on...2019-06-061h 03