Shows
Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) - All There Is Is The Hard WayWhat can you say about Macbeth that hasn't already been said? Well, Don and Chuck aren't exactly sure. But they do their best, anyway.
Joel Coen's new adaptation of the classic Shakespeare tragedy stars Denzel Washington as Macbeth and Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth. Together, their ambitions lead to murder, an ascendance to the throne--and madness. It's well-acted and visually striking. But Shakespeare is traditionally hard to understand for modern ears. Can Don and Chuck enjoy watching a movie without understanding the dialogue?
Probably! Though, it might not be this one. They can at least...
2022-01-2558 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckPaterson - Examine the Minutiae of Your LifeFor two guys who both went to art school, it sure took Don and Chuck a long time to review a Jim Jarmusch (Jar-moosh?) movie. Paterson's story is so simple, any plot description falls short. In examining a week in the life of a quiet, unassuming bus driver with the soul of a poet, it beautifully explores themes of duality and simple beauty.
And Don and Chuck remember to rate this one.
LESSONS:
The sun will rise tomorrow
The little things in life can hold tremendous value
The two sides of you depend on e...
2022-01-181h 01Imitating Art with Don & ChuckMinari - You Can Make No Mistakes and Still FailAs a production company, A24 has been killing it for many years now. So, it's about time Don and Chuck got around to reviewing one of their movies. Minari is a simple drama about a Korean family. When the patriarch decides to move from California to Arkansas so they can start a farm, it ushers in an era of change for the family. Even more, they move in his mother-in-law to help raise the kids. The film tells the story of the year (or so) after they make the move, living in an area where they have no friends...
2022-01-111h 14Imitating Art with Don & ChuckPunch Drunk Love - What About This Guy Is Interesting?In the early 2000s, people started learning that Adam Sandler was more than just Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, and the Wedding Singer. He had range! He could drama!
Punch Drunk Love was one of the movies that helped turn Sandler from a comedian into an actor. And, at the time, it was pretty good. If you'd asked early 2000s Don and Chuck what they thought of the movie, they'd have probably said so themselves.
But this podcast is not hosted by early 2000s Don and Chuck. As it turns out, the movie hasn't exactly aged...
2022-01-041h 08Imitating Art with Don & ChuckRERUN: The Matrix - There Is No Trashcan (feat. Max, "Chris' College Roommate"Welp, Christmas finally killed the streak. Without much time to put an episode together, Don and Chuck (mostly Chuck) decided to take a little holiday break this week. Here, we bring you a rerun of one of our most-listened-to episodes: our review and dissection of the classic film The Matrix, written and directed by the Wachowskis. Joining us was Chuck's college roommate, Max—who just so happens to be one of the Matrix's biggest fans.
We're sorry that there's no new episode this week, but we hope you enjoy hearing us talk about the Matrix again—or, if y...
2021-12-281h 04Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Muppet Christmas Carol - Denial Is A Powerful ThingThe Muppet Christmas Carol. A classic from the 90s that takes one of the darker and more dramatic Christmas tales of all time and transforms it into a hilarious and heartwarming family musical fit for all ages. It might sound like a tough feat, but when you introduce the Muppets into any story, the silly comes with it. Pretty effortlessly, it seems.
Michael Caine (Real name: Mickelwaite? Something like that?) plays Ebeneezer Scrooge in this adaptation about an aging miser (and right dickhead, to be honest) who undergoes a haunting specifically designed to help him change his d...
2021-12-2147 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckFree Solo - Find the Best RouteHey, a true story that's not fiction!
Don and Chuck tackle their first documentary with Free Solo. Alex Honnold likes to climb things. Specifically, he likes to free solo climb—or, climb very steep things with no ropes or aid of any kind. His white whale, a cliff named El Capitan, has never been free soloed.
And he hopes to be the first.
The film documents Alex's attempts to study and practice the climb so he can execute it safely and accurately. It also depicts his personal life, where it intersects with his pa...
2021-12-141h 09Imitating Art with Don & ChuckBlindspotting - Finding Our BiasBlindspotting is a film about the way we think we are, the way society perceives us, and figuring out which one is true. Collin is a charming young back man and convicted felon in the last few days of his probation. He's making an honest attempt to turn his life around and prove he's a human worthy of love and respect. His best friend, Miles, has plenty to prove, too--unfortunately, it's often at odds with Collin's goals. After Collin witnesses a young black man killed by cops, he battles his emotions about growing up in a changing town and...
2021-12-081h 06Imitating Art with Don & ChuckDon't Think Twice - Inches AwayBirbigs is back with salt in his attitude AND his beard!
That's right! Don and Chuck revisit one of their favorite creative people: Mike Birbiglia. In Don't Think Twice, Birbigglebug once again takes a turn as writer/director/actor in a story about the lives of those within a struggling improv comedy troupe. As their theater prepares to close, each member in the troupe must confront the lies they tell themselves about who they are, what they want, and what they deserve. It's a funny, sad, and often uncomfortable look at when to let go of your...
2021-11-3054 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckSpider-Man 2 (2004): People Need HeroesSam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy of the early 2000s helped solidify the superhero genre as one that could make boatloads of money--and tell good stories all the way to the bank. (Okay, maybe not the third one. But you get the idea.) Don and Chuck were both young men when Spider-Man 2 (arguably the best in the trilogy) came out, and think fondly of it to this day. Its combination of superhero action, personal drama, and (quite frankly) cheesy, comic book silliness makes it both a blast to watch and a generally well-made, well-told story. It also does a great job...
2021-11-231h 00Imitating Art with Don & ChuckDune (2021) - Better Call PaulDune is one of the most popular sci-fi novels in history. Though Don and Chuck weren't completely sure what was going on in the plot (thank you, Wikipedia!), they still enjoyed the first film in Denis Villeneuve's two-part adaptation. But are iconic actors, beautiful visuals, and fun fights enough to create a new classic? After Don and Chuck break down the film, they chat about what the film can teach us about an over-reliance on ceremony and traditions, the time and place for fear (and conquering it), and how politics make it easy for governments to steamroll the layman.
2021-11-161h 07Imitating Art with Don & ChuckMoonlight - If People Can't Be Themselves, They Can't Be FreeQuestion: How did Moonlight turn a $4 million budget into a Best Picture winner at the Oscars?
Answer: Watch the damn movie.
Moonlight tells the sweet, somber, and often frightening tale of Chiron--a young man in search of himself over the course of decades. Gay, black, and devoid of a support system, Chiron just wants to find his place. Unfortunately, the people and systems around him make it feel nearly impossible. It's a character study with no easy answers. And it asks the audience to think deeply about Chiron, his situation, and his humanity.
Don...
2021-11-091h 01Imitating Art with Don & ChuckLion - We Choose to SurviveLion tells the true story of Saroo Brierly, who gets lost in India at the age of five with no way of finding his family. After surviving on the streets for some months, a kind stranger helps him Saroo get into an orphanage and, eventually, adopted by a lovely Australian couple. As an adult, Saroo's childhood trauma pushes him to search for his birth family. It's a moving and inspiring film that helps Chuck and Don talk through such lessons as the tenacity it takes to survive, how loving someone isn't always enough to save them, how even the...
2021-11-021h 04Imitating Art with Don & ChuckCreep - Money Is The Scary Part (Feat. Adrian Criner)Creep is an independent thriller about a videographer named Aaron who's offered a simple job: record a video of a typical day for Josef, a soon-to-be father dying of cancer. Throughout the day, Josef's actions become more and more unsettling before turning outright dangerous and violent. Though Aaron manages to get away, he can't figure out how to remove Josef from his life completely.
Helping Don and Chuck discuss Creep is friend of the show and horror film fan Adrian Criner. The film (which only features its two main actors) offers lessons about remaining careful in desperate...
2021-10-2656 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckScrubs: My Lunch & My Fallen Idol - Fix What You CanWell, they finally did it. After referencing Scrubs in almost every episode for over a year, Don and Chuck finally went ahead and talked about the show for an hour. Specifically, they discuss two episodes from season 5: My Lunch and My Fallen Idol. These two episodes tell the story of JD and Dr. Cox both losing patients and blaming themselves. It's a silly, sad, cartoonish, depressing pair of episodes that aren't just a great introduction for new watchers - they're two of the best episodes of the entire series.
And, as for lessons? Well. At the end o...
2021-10-191h 07Imitating Art with Don & ChuckPortrait of a Lady on Fire - Solitude Pairs Well With CommunityPortrait of a Lady on Fire showed up on many film enthusiasts' "Best Of" lists for 2019. It also showed up on Don and Chuck's "We Should Do This For the Podcast" list for nearly a year. And here it is! Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a beautiful French film about the relationship between a painter and her subject - a young woman due to be married off to a rich man overseas. As the two grow closer, the sparks of attraction burn ever brighter. Unfortunately, systems of oppression might mean their relationship can be nothing more than...
2021-10-1254 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckMen in Black - Can't See the Stars for the AliensMen in Black was a hugely successful movie that helped solidify Will Smith's career as a Hollywood leading man. It's also a wonderful movie with great visuals, performances, and writing. Men in Black is the story of a secret government agency that monitors and polices the alien presence on Earth. When an unauthorized alien bug crash lands on the planet to seek out a valuable galaxy, Agent Kay and his new recruit, Agent Jay, must work to find the object and return it to its rightful owners before they destroy the planet. It's funny, sweet, and touches on a...
2021-10-051h 01Imitating Art with Don & ChuckShang-Chi - No Matter What You Do, You're Going To Be YouThe legend of Don and Chuck grows with each new episode. This time, they tackle Shang-Chi, the newest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Shang-Chi tells the story of a young man trained in the martial arts who lives in denial of his painful youth - until the ghosts of his past threaten to destroy the future for himself and those he loves. In between its fun action set-pieces, it develops its characters with empathy and understanding, letting us see what it might take to discover your true self. Don and Chuck have fun discussing the fun, funny, and...
2021-09-2859 min
don’t worry, i’m finite.107 - Christopher "Chuck" Atkinson - You're Never Going to Want to do The WorkNo writer wants to write, they all want to have written. My guest today might sound familiar-- it's Christopher "Chuck" Atkinson from Imitating Art, our movie podcast! Chuck and I talk about creating things together and separately, including the long buildup to finally launching our first podcast together. While Chuck describes himself as lazy, he is anything but. He has several writing projects going on for work and pleasure, including his second year of writing for National Novel Writing Month! We get into story structure, keeping track of your creative ideas, and how just putting something out there can...
2021-09-2746 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckCry Macho - Not Forced At AllCry Macho is a movie that certainly exists and that probably cost several producers multiple millions of dollars to make. But, does that mean it's worth watching? Don and Chuck discuss everything wrong and right about this one to help you decide if it's worth your time before discussing its lessons of family, trust, and how being kind can help make both you and the world around you better.
Follow us on instagram: @ImitatingArtPod
And Twitter: @ImitatingArtPod
Music by Nathan Terry
Instagram.com/nterrymusic
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2021-09-2152 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckPulp Fiction - You Can Do A Lot With Reputation, Even If It's Not TrueIt took Don and Chuck over a year, but they're finally tackling a Tarantino movie. A classic of crime cinema, Pulp Fiction weaves three interconnected stories together into a non-linear film that is violent, funny, and oddly moving. Don and Chuck piece together why the story is told the way it is while discussing the film's themes of trust, second chances, and the power of reputation.
Music by Nathan Terry
instagram.com/nterrymusic
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Check out Don's other podcast at anchor.fm/dontworryimfinite
Follow us on instagram at instagram.com...
2021-09-141h 14Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Suicide Squad - What Happens to a Starfish in Space?After a run of superhero movies with mixed reviews and mixed-er (?) success, the DC Extended Universe takes a gamble with The Suicide Squad, a soft reboot of their previous move in the series, Suicide Squad. It's all very confusing, but you don't have to watch the first movie (and we recommend you don't) to enjoy this one. Don and Chuck have different opinions on the movie, but they both have fun dissecting its ridiculously violent comic book antics, over-the-top characters and raucous, infantile humor. Unexpectedly, this silly action film helps them discuss such important topics as separating the government...
2021-09-071h 12Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Idiots - Being Mediocre, Riding Our Privilege, and Playing Dumb (feat. Jonah Matranga)This week, singer-songwriter Jonah Matranga helps Don and Chuck tackle their first truly art-house film with Lars von Trier's The Idiots. An engaging though often uncomfortable film, the Idiots tells the story of a commune of mostly young, emotionally lost, well-to-do people who expose society's true feelings for those they feel are below them. How do they do this? By pretending to be differently-abled. Jonah helps guide Don and Chuck through the film's themes of rebelliousness, the damage wealth and privilege can bring, and personal freedom.
Follow Jonah on Instagram at instagram.com/aonelinedrawingis
and on h...
2021-08-3155 min
Imitating Art with Don & ChuckDon Vs. Chuck - Indie Film Vs. Hollywood BlockbusterThis month, Don and Chuck battle it out to decide which is better: low-budget independent films or high-budget, high-concept Hollywood hits. Flip the coin, pick a side, and see if you agree with Don or Chuck!
Music by Nathan Terry
nterrymusic.com
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2021-08-2720 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckLittle Women - The Relationship is More Valuable Than the Problem (feat. Lauren Buckle)This week, Don and Chuck are joined by Lauren to talk about Greta Gerwig's 2019 rendition of Little Women. The film tells the story of the four March sisters as they grow to adulthood in 1800s America. Through love and loss, they learn a great deal about life. Which is great for a podcast about life lessons in movies. Don, Chuck, and Lauren discuss the importance of apologizing, the fear of change, and how everyone needs a little help sometimes.
Follow Lauren on instagram: @bucklephotos
Music by Nathan Terry
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2021-08-241h 15Imitating Art with Don & ChuckStranger Than Fiction - Being Fearless Is Scary (feat. Sarah Saturday)This week, Don and Chuck are joined by singer/songwriter/all-around-awesome-person Sarah Saturday to discuss one of Sarah's favorite movies, Stranger Than Fiction. Will Ferrell takes one of his first serious roles in the 2006 comedy/drama about Harold Crick, an ordinary man who suddenly hears someone narrating his life. Once he grows accustomed to it, his life takes an existential turn when the narrator mentions Harold will soon die. Harold's journey to escape his fate and add meaning to his soon-to-be-shortened life helps Don, Chuck, and Sarah discuss topics such as the importance of being kind, paying attention to...
2021-08-171h 15Imitating Art with Don & ChuckLiar Liar - Lies On Top Of LiesChuck and Don celebrate the 90s with Jim Carrey, Capri Sun, and a movie that asks you to believe in magic just long enough to get the story rolling. In Liar Liar, Carrey plays Fletcher Reed, a lawyer who puts his job before his son, Max. When Max wishes that his father can't lie for one day, Fletcher must navigate his work and personal lives with nothing but the truth. Hilarity ensues. And, best yet, this movie only requires 87 minutes of your time! After the review, Don and Chuck discuss lying to others and ourselves, how everyone needs to...
2021-08-1045 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckGunpowder Milkshake - She Protec, He AttacGuns in books, assassins with useless arms, an eight-year-old driving in a car chase*. With a name like Gunpowder Milkshake, it has to be ridiculous. And it is. It's also ridiculously entertaining. Karen Gillan stars in this colorful, violent, all-out action romp. The setpieces are inventive, the sets are interesting, and the dialogue exists. And, believe it or not, there's a few lessons crammed in there. Don and Chuck discuss them, of course (Down with the patriarchy!). But, ultimately, this is the definition of a popcorn movie: Pure entertainment. Enjoy.
*Eight and three quarters. Sorry, Emily.
2021-08-0355 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckLuca - They're Gonna Find Out You're A Sea MonsterThe episode the universe didn't want to happen! After some technical difficulties, a lost recording and a glitchy connection, we laughed in the universe's face -- And the resulting episode turned out... pretty okay. Decent-ish. It gets the job done.
This week, Don and Chuck discuss Luca. Rather, they recap their lost recording, so, they talk about discussing Luca previously. With Luca, Pixar tells the tale of a sea monster who discovers he can take a human form. After immediately falling in love with being human, Luca runs away from his life under the sea to hide...
2021-07-2843 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckMoon - Without Hope, There's Nothing (feat. Kristin Lajeunesse)This week, Don and Chuck are joined by Kristin Lajeunesse to talk about Moon. Starring Sam Rockwell (and almost no one else), Moon tells the story of a solitary man named Sam who works on the moon, mining helium that creates power for those back on Earth. With three weeks left of his three year stint on the job, Sam is ready to return home when he encounters the only other human on the moon - himself. The indie sci-fi drama (or is it horror? Or action? I don't know; ask Don) gives Don, Chuck, and Kristin the chance...
2021-07-201h 02Imitating Art with Don & ChuckDear White People - That's Us!Dear White People brilliantly satirizes life at an Ivy League school that promotes itself as inclusive and diverse - but turns a blind eye to the truth of its inherent racism. Tightly written and well directed with wonderful performances, the film is equally laugh-out-loud funny and horribly depressing in its depiction of everyday atrocities performed by tone deaf and outright racist students and faculty. Its setup helps Don and Chuck talk about how society forces everyone into pigeon holes, structures of power, and how it's about time white people start feeling uncomfortable with the truth of their world.
2021-07-131h 14
Imitating Art with Don & ChuckDon Vs. Chuck - Movie Theater Vs. Home TheaterNEW SERIES PREMIERE!
Once a month, Don and Chuck bring you the hottest debates about movies, TV, and entertainment. A flip of the coin decides what side they defend. In this first episode, Don and Chuck tackle the age old debate: Is it better to watch a movie in a theater or at home?
Music by Nathan Terry
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2021-07-0920 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckGood Will Hunting - Everyone Is DamagedDon and Chuck begin their second season the same way they started the first - talking about one of their favorite movies. This time, they finally give Good Will Hunting the full Imitating Art treatment. The movie's story about a troubled youth finally learning to accept love from others lets Don and Chuck discuss how to give people direction without manipulating them, how you'll always find the negative if you keep looking for it, and how important it is to tell hard truths to the people you love.
Music by Nathan Terry
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2021-07-061h 20Imitating Art with Don & ChuckFight Club - The Illusion of SafetyDavid Fincher's Fight Club is one of the most iconic movies of all time. Starring Edward Norton and Brad Pitt, Fight Club explores why young, disillusioned men are attracted to toxic masculinity - and what the ultimate ramifications of it are. It's a violent, mind-bending dark comedy with an endless supply of quotable dialogue. This week, Fight Club helps Don and Chuck discuss toxic masculinity, why young men seem to learn the movie's lessons in the wrong way, and how flawed logic can turn good ideas into dangerous ones.
Music by Nathan Terry
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2021-06-291h 25Imitating Art with Don & ChuckIn The Heights - Singing Lessons to YouWashington Heights might be a small community, but everyone there has very big dreams. Unfortunately, the realities of the world around them constantly threaten their chances of making their dreams come true. Before Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote Hamilton, he brought this crowd-pleasing musical to Broadway. Now, it gets the Hollywood treatment. And the best part? Since it's a musical, they get to sing the life lessons out loud! Don and Chuck get to gush about In the Heights' music and choreography before dissecting its lessons about gentrification, life expectations, and how making your dreams come true begins with finding your purpose.
...
2021-06-221h 12
Fake MoviesEp39: Rhythm is Gonna Get YouMaria Fernandez (Gloria Estefan) is the hottest act in Latin-American pop and she's looking for some top-tier backup dancers with the oversight of her most trusted choreographer, Lorenzo (Steven Bauer). Does newcomer Kimmy (Julia Roberts), make the cut, or does Lorenzo need to teach her a few new moves under cover of Miami nights? The Rhythmn is Gonna Get You will have you doing the Lambada in the aisles! A collaboration with Christopher aka bigeffinmoose!
2021-06-221h 05Imitating Art with Don & ChuckMa Rainey's Black Bottom - Nobody's Coming to Save YouAdapted from August Wilson's play, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom tells the story of blues singer Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) and her band trying to record some of her most famous songs. Her trumpet player, Levee, has plans to take her spotlight as he tries to write his own songs and form his own band. What results is a single day filled with personal conflicts, racial tension, and philosophical quarrels. There's plenty of material here from which Don and Chuck can draw lessons, such as the commodification of black talent, not taking power you haven't earned, and the building pressure...
2021-06-151h 17Imitating Art with Don & ChuckInception - Ideas Are ContagiousInception is a thrilling, visually stunning, reverse-heist film primarily taking place within a dream world. It's also further proof that Don and Chuck struggle to discuss Christopher Nolan's films in a way that makes sense for anyone who hasn't seen them. Though the plot may seem overly complicated, its heist structure gives Nolan a simple backbone on which to lay his complex ideas. Through its explorations of dream-sharing technology and the subconscious, film helps Don and Chuck discuss guilt, technology addiction and why knowing you're stuck in a dream might not matter.
Music by Nathan Terry
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2021-06-081h 13Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Truman Show - A 3-Dimensional Person Living In A 2-Dimensional WorldTruman Burbank is the star of the most popular show on television - and he's completely unaware of it. The Truman Show tells the story of a man (Jim Carrey) who slowly discovers that his friends, family, and hometown - his entire life - is a piece of fiction broadcast to TVs around the world. The film expertly blends comedy and drama to give us one of Jim Carrey's first dramatic roles. The film also lets Don and Chuck discuss topics such as how making decisions makes life your own, corporations exploiting people for profit, and how facing your...
2021-06-011h 17Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Fifth Element - What If Bruce Willis Was Captain Planet? (feat. DaVonne)What is the Fifth Element?
In our world, The Fifth Element is a sci-fi action movie starring Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, and Chris Tucker. In the movie's world, the fifth element is the key to saving the planet. French action screenwriter and producer Luc Besson brings his talents to America for a movie that's very silly, very entertaining, and very, very 90s. Despite being a fun action movie, Don, Chuck, and special guest DaVonne cull some meaningful lessons from the story in what turns out to be a very fun discussion.
Check...
2021-05-251h 06Imitating Art with Don & ChuckPercy vs. Goliath - Someone Has To Stand UpStarring Christopher Walken, Zach Braff, and Christina Ricci, Percy vs. Goliath is a small film with a huge impact. It tells the true story of a small farmer who takes pride in using and harvesting his own seeds. But, when his crop is accidentally infected with a gene copyrighted by agribusiness behemoth Monsanto, he finds himself in a court case, fighting for the livelihoods of farmers the world over. With a timely story and moving performances, Percy vs. Goliath helps Don and Chuck discuss such lessons as not letting the bully win, finding a community to fight both for...
2021-05-181h 08Imitating Art with Don & ChuckNobody - Is It Okay For Russians To Be Bad Guys Again?Bob Odenkirk stars as Hutch Mansell (yes, really) in the action movie Nobody. And, hey - he's actually a pretty convincing action hero! The writer of John Wick tells the tale of a mild-mannered family man who unleashes his violent past after criminals invade his home. And then he fights the Russian mob. Like, a lot. It might be a little light on story, but the action doesn't disappoint. Plus, it allows Don and Chuck to discuss something about family, something about not taking shit from people, and some other things you might technically consider life lessons. S'all good...
2021-05-1151 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckGarden State - A Return to PainDon and Chuck finally get around to reviewing the movie that gave us the Garden State Soundtrack (which proved to all of us you can, in fact, win a Grammy for putting together a mixtape). Zach Braff and Natalie Portman star in the story of an actor who, after the passing of his mother, finally comes of age in his mid-twenties. It's sweet, sad, and funny, and watching it gives Chuck an excuse to examine if he still likes it after all these years. It also gives Don and Chuck a reason to discuss the desire to return home...
2021-05-041h 20Imitating Art with Don & ChuckPromising Young Woman - Get Comfortable With Being UncomfortableTrigger warning - Violence against women
Promising Young Woman blends genres to tell the tale of a woman (Carey Mulligan) out for revenge, educating men on the dangers of taking advantage of vulnerable women. It uses genre tropes from mystery and thriller films to build tension and reveal information in a compelling way. It also lets Don and Chuck discuss sexual assault, the media and justice system's preferential treatment toward male attackers, and how there's no such thing as a perfect ally.
Music by Nathan Terry
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2021-04-271h 16Imitating Art with Don & ChuckHarold and Kumar Go To White Castle - That's the But I Was Going ForIt's that time of year where watching Harold and Kumar just makes sense, so Don and Chuck do just that. Don lets Chuck gush about one of his all-time favorite silly, stupid comedies for far too long before they finally discuss themes of friendship, racism, and having someone in your life that pushes you to do the things you don't want to do. If we're being honest, this one meanders quite a bit, so we suggest you drink up first. Or, you know... well, you know.
Music by Nathan Terry
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2021-04-201h 13Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Royal Tenenbaums - Potential and Not Much Else (feat. Alex)Don and Chuck finally get around to discussing one of the great writer-directors of our time - Wes Anderson. In The Royal Tenenbaums, co-written by Owen Wilson, Anderson tells the story of a narcissistic man worming his way back into his estranged family by telling a big lie. The cast is stacked, the humor and drama play off each other well, and the Andersonian flair ensures top-notch cinematography. The story also lends itself well to life lessons, allowing Don and Chuck to talk about the secrets we keep, the lies we tell ourselves, and how the best way to make...
2021-04-131h 01Imitating Art with Don & ChuckSound of Metal - The Silence and the StillnessThis week, Don and Chuck discuss Best Picture nominee Sound of Metal, the story of heavy metal drummer Ruben (Riz Ahmed), a recovering addict who suddenly loses 75% of his hearing. Facing this situation with denial and anger, he's forced to join a community for hearing-impaired addicts. Once there, he's confronted with his inability to sit in stillness and spend time with his own thoughts. This lets Don and Chuck muse on topics such as appreciating what you have, how to find peace in the stillness, and how constantly looking for distractions ultimately distracts you from yourself.
Music...
2021-04-061h 13Imitating Art with Don & ChuckNomadland - There's Always A Lower RungChloe Zhao's Nomadland is not a happy-go-lucky Hallmark movie. Frances McDormand stars as Fern, a woman who's lost everything except her RV and her tenacity. She discovers a community of nomads who teach her how to survive with what she's got. This subject hits a personal note for Don, who relates some of his experiences living on the road. Nomadland is a movie that deserves to be watched and lets Don and Chuck discuss capitalism, the lack of safety nets, toxic Americanism, and a lot more.
Music by Nathan Terry
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2021-03-301h 01Imitating Art with Don & ChuckI Love You, Man - White Men Trying to ConnectThis week, Don and Chuck discuss one of their favorite comedies: 2008's I Love You, Man, starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel. And, luckily, they find just enough time between quoting the movie to squeeze in an actual review! Despite the movie being a light-hearted comedy, Don and Chuck manage to discuss such lessons as finding outlets that help enrich your relationships, Jason Segel's funny voices, and Hank Mardukas.
...Okay, so, it's not super heavy on lessons. Slappadabass.
Music by Nathan Terry
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2021-03-231h 16Imitating Art with Don & ChuckI'm Thinking of Ending Things - A Lot of Shots Toward EmptinessSometimes, the best explanation is none at all.
This week, Don and Chuck do their best to explain I'm Thinking of Ending Things, a film written and directed by Charlie Kaufman, adapted from the book by Iain Reid. The film itself is intentionally challenging and often cryptic, but much like the empty space it creates around its characters, teems with meaning and ideas. The film gives Don and Chuck ample room to discuss hope, dementia, the benefits of a life well lived, Don's admiration for the way Chuck takes notes, and a whole lot...
2021-03-161h 15Imitating Art with Don & ChuckPalm Springs - Is Irvine Nirvana?When every day of your life is exactly the same, how can you possibly find meaning?
This is the very serious question posed by the very silly comedy Palm Springs, starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti as two people trapped in a seemingly endless time loop. The film packs a lot into 90s minutes, allowing Don and Chuck to unpack such topics as sharing of yourself, why change is necessary for anything to have meaning, why our pasts might or might not be important, and how the mundanity of a time loop movie reflects...
2021-03-0957 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckSorry to Bother You - The Absurdity of ExploitationWhere do we start?
What is Sorry to Bother You About? It's hard to explain, but Don and Chuck navigate their way through it, anyway. Directory Boots Riley gives us a story of exploitation, telemarketers, and horse people in an absurdist social commentary comedy with great performances by LaKeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson. Don and Chuck talk about exploitation, slave labor, and corporatism, but not before figuring out their newest emo band name. Don promised this one would be more of a palate cleanser after last week's Judas and the Black Messiah. So, if nothing more, listen...
2021-03-0200 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckJudas and the Black Messiah: The Only Thing That Matters is Water and EscapeWho is the Black Messiah?
Don and Chuck discover a piece of history they'd previously known nothing about while watching Shaka King's searing tragedy chronicling the assassination of Fred Hampton, the leader of the Chicago Black Panther Party. While he fought to bring peace to his city, his culture and his country, the FBI worked tirelessly to end his hard work and, eventually, his life. Don and Chuck learn the story of Chairman Fred Hampton, Bill O'Neal and the other freedom fighters and discuss their legacy and what we can learn from them to make t...
2021-02-231h 21Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Wolf of Wall Street - A Real Donald Trump VibeWho is the Wolf of Wall Street? Turns out, he’s more than just a Leonardo DiCaprio meme. This week, Don and Chuck make their first foray in Martin Scorsese films to find out why it’s trending again seven years after its release. As it turns out, it’s because rich people dicking around with other people’s money is always topical. Join our hosts as they discuss the pitfalls of capitalism, the ways in which the legal system favors the rich, and why Cristin Milioti keeps getting so much work as they dissect the Oscar-nominated film.
Musi...
2021-02-161h 04Imitating Art with Don & ChuckClerks - Kevin Smith is a Wordy Motherf*ckerClerks was the film that introduced the world to Kevin Smith - and what better way to honor him than geeking out and talking at length about the real-world implications of incredibly fictional people? This week, Don and Chuck discuss one of their favorite films, apologize for incessantly quoting it, dissect why it doesn't hold up today and, also, why it does. So, join the 90s nostalgia trip and learn what Dante Hicks can teach you about owning your decisions, trying to appear responsible when you actually aren't, and why you should either shit or get off the pot.
And...
2021-02-091h 06Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Birdcage - F--- What the Senator Thinks (feat. Alejandro)25 years ago, Robin Williams and Nathan Lane came together with a fantastic backing cast to bring us the wonderfully charming and funny film, The Birdcage. Joined by Alejandro (Philadelphia's 19th-funniest comedian), Don and Chuck dive into what made them laugh, why Val was the unexpected antagonist of the film, and why Chuck is wrong to disparage Robin Williams' moustache. As an added bonus, hear Alejandro (rightfully) cancel Chuck!
Music by Nathan Terry
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Follow Alejandro at twitter.com/jajajarule
2021-02-021h 03Imitating Art with Don & ChuckJojo Rabbit - Let's Talk About NazisTaika Waititi's Jojo Rabbit is the heartwarming coming-of-age story about a young, cowardly, fanatical Hitler Youth boy encountering the greatest monster he's ever known - a young Jewish girl. Waititi masterfully blends genres together to deliver a wildly funny and earnestly poignant film that has garnered accolades from some of the greatest film institutions in the world. And also from Don and Chuck. This week, our host discuss personal freedom, the problem with echo chambers, and confronting your own biases - an issue Don gets to deal with in real time!
Music by Nathan Terry
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2021-01-261h 07Imitating Art with Don & ChuckMarriage Story - Advice from Easy-Going Dr. CharlesNoah Baumbach's Marriage Story explores a divorce that becomes messier and messier as the two involved (Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver) become more and more hurt. It is both hilarious and heartbreaking. Don and Chuck relate their own experiences in romance as they dive into the film's themes of broken communication, unrealistic expectations and emotional revenge (okay... that last one just occurred to us in the writing of this description). Tune in to find out why Noah Baumbach's Oscar-nominated screenplay tells us more about Don than it does about the movie!
2021-01-191h 17Imitating Art with Don & ChuckSoul - All the Small ThingsSoul asks a lot of big questions without giving a lot of big answers - but that's why Don and Chuck are here. Come listen to the answers to questions such as, "What was Soul's climax missing?", "What sound does Chuck make when he sees pizza on TV?", and "What channel did MTV used to be?"
Soul drives home that life is all about the small things, but Don and Chuck find many more lessons to discuss in Pixar's newest animated film starring Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey.
Music by Nathan Terry
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2021-01-121h 11Imitating Art with Don & ChuckTenet - Make It Make SenseSometimes, reviewing a movie is easy: talk a bit about the characters, discuss the things you like, and dissect what does and doesn't work about the plot.
Other times, you try to review Tenet.
Come listen to Don and Chuck do their best to enumerate a plot that some have referred to as a convoluted mess because, well, it kind of is. But, although the movie itself may be a highly confusing first watch, Don and Chuck still find plenty to enjoy about Christopher Nolan's latest sci-fi action flick and muse on time, fate and...
2021-01-051h 06Imitating Art with Don & ChuckRecap 2020 - Dissecting OurselvesDon and Chuck wrap up everyone's favorite year by turning their eyes on the podcast and themselves. They discuss favorite episodes and plans for the future of the show as we move into the new year. As a bonus, the two play a game where they pitch movie ideas to each other based on common phrases! Thanks for listening, stay safe, and have a great 2021, everybody!
Music by Nathan Terry
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2020-12-2959 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckElf - How Ferocious Is Your Belief In Santa Claus?Dickory dock, it's the holiday season! This week, Don and Chuck celebrate the Yuletide with the modern Christmas classic, Elf, starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel. In addition to this hilarious, sweet movie, our hosts discuss their Christmas traditions (spoiler alert: Chuck has far more), Jon Favreau's apparent love of traditional Christmas movie imagery, and the power of infectious happiness.
Music by Nathan Terry
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2020-12-221h 06Imitating Art with Don & ChuckSpider-Man: Into the Spiderverse - Do It ScaredDon and Chuck venture into the world of animation with Chris Miller and Phil Lord's groundbreaking Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse. Miles Morales already finds adolescence difficult enough. Receiving a radioactive spider bite and gaining difficult-to-control superpowers makes his life even harder. Don and Chuck Marvel (TM) at this tightly-plotted, wonderfully-animated movie and discuss how overcoming your fears, putting in the work, and taking a leap of faith can turn anyone into a hero.
Music by Nathan Terry
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2020-12-151h 07Imitating Art with Don & ChuckWhiplash - You Don't Want To Learn That You Can Destroy YourselfBoy meets drums, boy falls in love with drums, boy destroys himself to become the greatest drummer of all time; it's a tale as old as time. This week, Don and Chuck are joined by voice-of-the-podcast Nathan Terry to discuss Damien Chazelle's Whiplash. Nate uses his experience as a drum student to debunk the fiction of the story as the trio discusses self-destruction, striving for greatness, and the catch-22 of seeking perfection.
Music by Nathan Terry
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2020-12-081h 21Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Invisible Man (2020) - If You Don't Hear Their Stories, You're Not Going To KnowThe Invisible Man is a simple story exploring the complexities of moving on from an abusive relationship and dealing with the trauma that comes with it. Don and Chuck take their time with this one - though, it's mostly an effort to identify as many definitions of "invisible" as they can. Things get weird and go off the rails - but it's all in the name of discovering why, in 2020, the Invisible Man could only be remade the way it was.
Music by Nathan Terry.
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2020-12-011h 15Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe King of Staten Island - I Guess He's Jay-Z NowJudd Apatow's newest film, a collaboration with SNL's Pete Davidson, is an entertaining-but-flawed coming-of-age story inspired by Davidson's life. Though a tonal departure for Apatow, it still features his signature brand of improvised dialogue - which is an unfortunate detriment to what otherwise may have been a good film. Don and Chuck still find the good within it, though, and muse on the movie's similarities to Good Will Hunting, how Bill Burr is the perfect movie stepdad, and how the lessons learned inform their own creative processes.
Music by Nathan Terry
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2020-11-241h 10Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Trial of the Chicago 7 - A People's HistoryDon and Chuck get political, y'all!
In Netflix's new film, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Aaron Sorkin weaves a well-plotted, true-life story to show how the cards stacked against well-intentioned protesters made doing the right thing nearly impossible. Don and Chuck use this as a springboard to talk about the war against ideas, the ideals of America as an institution, and how the struggles faced by those who would do the right thing haven't changed in the over fifty years since.
Also, hear some thoughts on audiobooks. It's a real rollercoaster!
Music by Nathan Terry
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2020-11-171h 17Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Rock - Of Course There's A Yellow FerrariA Michael Bay movie? What in the name of Zeus' BUTTHOLE are Don and Chuck thinking?!
This past week, the world lost Sean Connery, and while the man may have had many great and iconic performances throughout his decades-long career, Michael Bay's slick action flick The Rock is the one the two hosts grew up with. And, boy, was revisiting it ever a fun ride! Don and Chuck take a break from their weighty and fright-filled Spooky Season (that lasted right up until election day) to turn their thinkers off and sink into this mile-a-minute action film...
2020-11-101h 19Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Ides of March - Eventually, You Have To Play PoliticsIt's Election Day! And, to celebrate, Don and Chuck watch a film about a young, idealistic political campaign media manager slowly learning that if he wishes to stay in the game and help enact real change, he must compromise his own morality and start backstabbing, blackmailing, and screwing over those he cares about. When it was released in 2011, The Ides of March was an interesting peek behind the scenes of a charming politician on the campaign trail. But, in 2020, it's become a most relevant horror movie; and, when the monstrosity of politics sinks its teeth into a victim, it...
2020-11-031h 05Imitating Art with Don & ChuckGet Out - Seeing Through Someone Else's Eyes (Literally)Already a living comedy legend, Jordan Peele proved himself to be a thoughtful, original filmmaker with his directorial debut, the instant horror classic Get Out. Focusing less on jump scares and more on building tension, Get Out shows us what it's like for a young black man to meet the family of his white girlfriend. Though things seem pleasant enough at first, Peele lets a growing sense of unease and dread build to a horrifying conclusion. Don and Chuck may not be horror fans, but Peele's themes of control and perspective add up to one hell of a scary ride...
2020-10-271h 15Imitating Art with Don & ChuckUs - Building Success on Others' PainDon and Chuck are not horror movie people. But, as Halloween draws ever nearer, they dive headfirst into another film that just so happens to have horrifying themes - and is it ever a doozy. On the surface, Jordan Peele's Us is about a family's home being invaded by attackers who appear to be just like them. But, much like the world of the movie itself, there's much more hidden below the surface. As a bonus, in this week's AMA, Don and Chuck are asked about their most embarrassing moment - and, somehow, fail (at length) to answer the...
2020-10-201h 06Imitating Art with Don & ChuckA Quiet Place - Humans Are Quite A Hopeful BunchTo celebrate spooky season, Don and Chuck review what technically counts as a horror movie! A Quiet Place may be a family drama disguised as a genre piece, but its introspective tone, intentional pacing, and fantastic visual storytelling have made it a modern film classic. Don't be fooled by its surface-level simplicity - there's plenty here for our hosts to sink their teeth into. So, come hear how much Don loves John Krasinsky's scared face, how many times Chuck can use the word "genius," and their thoughts on how hope and loved ones can make life worth living - even...
2020-10-131h 19Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Big Sick - Share YourselfRomantic comedies - even the well-made, enjoyable ones - tend to be cliche and predictable. Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, Emily, give us their true-life romance, picking only the cliches the story necessitates and a second half an audience has no chance of guessing. Listen to Chuck fall in love with the movie (and Zoe Kazan's character) after his first viewing - and discover if Don and Chuck have any pickup lines as smooth as Kumail's!
Music by Nathan Terry
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2020-10-061h 32Imitating Art with Don & ChuckJoker - Empathy Breeds UnderstandingWhat do you get when you cross two amateurish podcasters and a weighty critique of capitalist society's relationship to its lowliest citizens? An episode constantly threatening to split apart at the seams! This week, Don and Chuck dissect Joaquin Phoenix's Oscar-winning turn as the ultimate villain and discuss perspective, empathy, and the responsibility society has for its lowest classes. Clearly, an area ripe for comedy! Hey, at least the jokes are on par with Arthur Fleck's!
Music by Nathan Terry
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2020-09-291h 24Imitating Art with Don & ChuckCity of God - Maia Makes Us Sad (feat. Maia from The Films Trip)Featuring a sprawling, non-linear story and complex social themes, City of God proved that Brazil could make films to rival Hollywood. Taking on poverty, government corruption, and the cycle of violence, it also proved that Brazil's local problems are extremely universal. This week, Maia (from the upcoming The Films Trip), tells us why this movie is so important to her heritage, schools us on the history of Brazil - and makes us extraordinarily depressed when we face the realities of the world.
Follow The Films Trip on Instagram at www.instagram.com/the.films.trip
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2020-09-221h 18Imitating Art with Don & ChuckBooksmart - Stop Taking Notes and Enjoy The MovieA teen comedy about two high school best friends deciding they need to go to at least one fun party before college. No, it's not Superbad - it's the hilarious 2019 film Booksmart. Needing a break from some of the weightier movies they've been dissecting, Don and Chuck spend most of the episode forgetting what they're supposed to be doing (a critical analysis of the film) and recount all the things about this movie that made them laugh out loud, instead - because there's just so damn many funny parts in this movie. They get to feel old when all...
2020-09-161h 04Imitating Art with Don & ChuckNightcrawler - Learning How I Don't Want To BeNightcrawler is the chilling tale of a sociopath who films crimes as they happen to sell to news stations. Jake Gyllenhaal gives a frighteningly believable performance as a man who preys upon peoples' worst moments for monetary gain - making this drama-thriller far scarier than any horror movie. With very few characters exuding actual morality, will Don and Chuck be able to glean any usable life lessons from this one?
Music by Nathan Terry.
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2020-09-081h 25Imitating Art with Don & ChuckImitating Art Recap - What Have We Learned So Far?This week, Don and Chuck take the time to sit down and talk about what life lessons they've already discussed that they've tried to implement into their lives. They also figure out what kinds of perspectives they've been missing. They even read their first listener mail!
Music by Nathan Terry
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2020-09-0135 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Asking A Question You Think Is StupidSince its release, Eternal Sunshine (because who ever calls it by its full name) has pulled on the heartstrings of the emo and otherwise heartbroken. Though relatively short on running time, the film is dense with text, subtext, and emotion that keep Don and Chuck dissecting its intricacies far longer than they intended - and even find a few things they'd never discovered while discussing this lovely film. Find out why Chuck hates Charlie Kaufman (jealous), what happens outside of Don's hotel room (??) and why you shouldn't tweak Chuck's nipples. Oh, and how good the movie is, too, we...
2020-08-251h 36Imitating Art with Don & ChuckMr. Nobody - Life is a Playground or NothingHave you ever wondered what it'd be like if Michel Gondry directed Jake Gyllenhaal in a movie conceived by Christopher Nolan? Well, none of those people are associated with this movie - but it sure feels like it. Mr. Nobody is a dense, complex exploration about the necessity and impossibility of choice - so, clearly, Don & Chuck laugh their way through this one. Come learn how Chuck only gets recognized out in the wild on Belgian Independence Day - and finally here the two boys profess their love for each other. And, just when you thought you wouldn't see...
2020-08-181h 24Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Matrix - There Is No Trashcan (feat. Max, "Chris' College Roommate")The Matrix. If you haven't heard of it, what cave have you been living in the last 20 years?! This week, we invite our friend Max to offer his vast expanse of Matrix trivia and knowledge as we discuss this seminal sci-fi action movie. Beyond its advances in visionary filmmaking, The Matrix offers a well-told story rife with philosophy and life lessons well worth absorbing. Oh, and loads of cheesy dialogue that only really works because the actors know what they're doing. Unlike Don.
Music by Nathan Terry.
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2020-08-111h 03Imitating Art with Don & ChuckSleepwalk With Me - Let's Be HonestMike Birbiglia has made a career for himself as a comedian, storyteller, and filmmaker by bringing a fresh and engaging dose of honesty into his work - at times, speaking frankly about the things most of us would keep secret. His semi-autobiographical film Sleepwalk With Me tells the story of the genesis of his discovery that this would be the key to his art. Join Don and Chuck as they discuss this sweet little film, dissect the lessons it so graciously gives us, and reminisce about the time they assaulted Birbiglia for a photograph.
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2020-08-0458 minImitating Art with Don & ChuckSay Anything, High Fidelity, and Healthy RelationshipsWhat are your top five favorite life lessons from movies of all time? Don and Chuck may disagree on which John Cusack movie stands as his best, but one thing is for sure: both films can teach us a lot what does and doesn't belong in a healthy relationship. As an added bonus, hear Chuck rail against Rob Gordon's repugnant personality! Lloyd Dobler would be disappointed, Rob.
Music by Nathan Terry.
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2020-07-281h 04Imitating Art with Don & ChuckDon't Get Greedy, Parasite!Don and Chuck dissect the lessons of Best Picture winner Parasite and reflect on its themes of wealth, greed, and the inherent value of human life. Oh, and they discover they're no good at figuring out the complexities of symbolism, too.
Music by Nathan Terry
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2020-07-211h 07Imitating Art with Don & ChuckThe Hate U Give - Your Voice is a Weapon (feat. CJ from IndieDigs)Don and Chuck are joined by CJ of IndieDigs (and director of The Things We Do When We're Alone) to discuss The Hate U Give, how it explores the current struggles of black lives in America, and how we might ever move forward.
Check out IndieDigs for more of CJ’s thoughts on music & film, curated playlists, and what’s next at IndieDigs.wordpress.com
Music by Nathan Terry
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2020-07-141h 07Imitating Art with Don & ChuckGood Will Hunting and Making Decisions That Scare YouFor our first episode, we talk about one of our favorite movies of all time - Good Will Hunting. We talk Robin Williams’ iconic performance, Titanic robbing this film of some Oscars, and, most importantly, what we can learn from a troubled youth’s journey from fear of the unknown to freedom of choice.
Music by: Nathan Terry
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2020-07-0732 min2020-07-0100 min