Shows
Gut Punch: A Beneficial Shock! PodcastEpisode 11: The Holdovers (Alexander Payne, 2024)In this special festive episode of Gut Punch, hosts Gabriel Solomons and Tom Puhr discuss Alexander Payne's 2024 yuletide gem 'The Holdovers'. Keeping to the 'seasonal' themes of strife, loneliness and redemption - this throwback to the heady days of character driven 1970s cinema, is warm, cuddly and spiky; finding a wonderful balance of humor and pathos. The conversation saunters its way toward Gabriel and Tom's Gut Punch moments, ultimately concluding that The Holdovers possesses all the ingredients needed for a Christmas classic - destined to become a staple must-watch movie for years to come.Chapter List
2025-12-191h 29
Gut Punch: A Beneficial Shock! PodcastEpisode 10: One Battle After Another (2025)In this episode of Gut Punch, host Gabriel Solomons and co-host Tom Puhr discuss P.T. Anderson's new film One Battle After Another, exploring its themes, character dynamics, and seamless blend of humor and drama. The conversation highlights the importance of family relationships, generational shifts in activism, and the film's political undertones, ultimately emphasizing the significance of empathy and connection in a divided world.Chapter List00:00 Current Events and Community Response02:46 P.T. Anderson's New Film: Initial Reactions05:46 Exploring Themes and Cinematic Techniques08:44 Character Analysis and Performances11:46...
2025-11-291h 37
Gut Punch: A Beneficial Shock! PodcastEpisode 9: Pride (2014) with Molly LipsonIn this episode of Gut Punch, host Gabriel Solomons and co-host Tom Puhr welcome Molly Lipson, a filmmaker, writer and founder of 'Short Stuff' - an independent publication providing dedicated coverage of short films. Together we delve into the powerful themes of solidarity and unity depicted in the 2014 film Pride. Join us as we explore how the movie beautifully portrays the alliance between the LGBTQ+ community and striking miners in 1980s Britain. Through heartfelt storytelling and compelling characters, Pride showcases the strength found in standing together against adversity. Tune in to discover the inspiring lessons of courage, empathy, and...
2025-09-261h 17
Gut Punch: A Beneficial Shock! PodcastEpisode 8: Goodfellas (1990) with film-maker Tim RoggIn this episode of Gut Punch, host Gabriel Solomons and co-host Tom Puhr welcome filmmaker Tim Rogg to discuss Martin Scorcese's classic gangster epic 'Goodfellas'. Beyond discussing key scenes, character dynamics and the importance of maintaining a human touch in filmmaking, they explore themes of authenticity in storytelling, the art of short filmmaking, and the evolution of the film industry in the face of AI technology. Chapters:00:47 - Introductions02:42 - Meet the Filmmaker: Tim Rogg03:39 - Exploring The Doll's House09:38 - The Journey of a Filmmaker17:48...
2025-09-121h 24
Gut Punch: A Beneficial Shock! PodcastEpisode 7: Night of the Living Dead (1968) with Aaron ChristensenIn this episode, host Gabriel Solomons and co-host Tom Purr welcome guest Aaron Christensen (Chicago-based actor/writer and host of the podcast ‘Horror 101 with Dr. AC') to discuss George A. Romero's classic, Night of the Living Dead. We delve into personal connections to horror, the evolution of 'zombies' in popular culture, and the cultural significance of a film widely considered to have single-handedly invented a subgenre. We unpick the film's shocking ending, which serves as a powerful commentary on societal issues and the nature of humanity. The discussion highlights the emotional weight of character deaths, the impact of race an...
2025-08-121h 31
Gut Punch: A Beneficial Shock! PodcastEpisode 6: American Movie (1999) and The Lighthouse (2019)In this episode Gabriel and Tom discuss Chris Smith's hysterically poignant documentaryAmerican Movie and Robert Eggers's woozy psych-horror The Lighthouse. We open the episode with our movie recommendations of the previous week which includes a long, old-person rant about why the recent Jurassic Park: Rebirth will never match up to Spielberg's original and how, no matter who jumps aboard as director, these tent-pole franchises are always set on a downward trajectory of diminishing (creative) returns. Timecodes:Unfortunately we don't have timecodes for this episode.Credits:Gutpunch is brought to...
2025-07-251h 34
Gut Punch: A Beneficial Shock! PodcastEpisode 4: The Iron Giant (1999) and Saint Maud (2020)In this episode Gabriel and Tom discuss Brad Bird's animated sci-fi classic The iron Giant and Rose Glass's psychological horror Saint Maud. We open the episode with our movie recommendations of the previous week which includes 2013's Final Destination 5 and Paul Verhoeven's original crowd-pleaser Total Recall. Chat turns to film franchises as 'Happy Meals' and the simple pleasures of revisiting classic early 90s sci-fi. Timecodes:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts07:41 Recent Movie Experiences and Recommendations16:43 Exploring 'The Iron Giant' and Its Themes27:32 The Theme of Loneliness...
2025-07-081h 07
Gut Punch: A Beneficial Shock! PodcastEpisode 5: Children of Men (2006) with Walt HickeyIn This episode Gabriel and Tom welcome data journalist and author Walt Hickey to discuss a seminal scene from Alfonso Cuarón's dystopian thriller Children of Men . Walt is a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and author of the 2024 book 'You Are What You Watch: How Movies and TV Affect Everything' which explains the power of entertainment to change our biology, our beliefs, how we see ourselves, and how nations gain power.Timecodes:00:00 Introduction to Gut Punch Podcast and Guest Walt Hickey02:39 Walt Hickey's Background and Data Journalism05:41 The Impact of M...
2025-07-081h 06
Gut Punch: A Beneficial Shock! PodcastEpisode 1: Punch-Drunk Love (2002) and Midnight Run (1988)In This episode Gabriel and Tom discuss powerful scenes from Paul Thomas Anderson's romatic dramedy Punch-Drunk Love and Martin Brest's unlikely screwball 'bromance' Midnight Run. As usual we kick things off with a brief chat about our respective watch-weeks, flagging some recommended films, before diving headlong into our Gut Punch movie moments.Timecodes:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast02:38 Movie Week Highlights05:23 Exploring Wes Anderson's 'The Phoenician Scheme'07:58 The Safdie Brothers' Impact10:46 Diving into 'Punch Drunk Love'13:35 Analyzing Barry's Emotional Turmoil16:05 The Significance...
2025-06-2359 min
Gut Punch: A Beneficial Shock! PodcastEpisode 2: Full Metal Jacket (1987) and The Mist (2007)In This episode Gabriel and Tom discuss powerful scenes from Stanley Kubrick's visceral anti-war movie Full Metal Jacket and Frank Darabont's claustrophobic monster-mashup The Mist. As usual we kick things off with a brief chat about our respective watch-weeks, flagging some recommended films, before diving headlong into our Gut Punch movie moments.Timecodes:00:00 Introduction to Gut Punch Podcast05:11 Movie Recommendations and Discussions10:52 Exploring Full Metal Jacket31:01 Impact of Full Metal Jacket's Themes38:18 Exploring Cinematic Techniques in Film39:06 The Impact of 'The Mist' and...
2025-06-171h 13
Gut Punch: A Beneficial Shock! PodcastEpisode 3: Toni Erdmann (2016) and Tully (2018)In this episode Gabriel and Tom discuss Maren Ade's German cringe-comedyToni Erdmann and Jason Reitman's coming of middle-age dramedy Tully. We open the episode with our movie recommendations of the previous week which includes Geo Copolla's The Last Showgirl and Ryan Cooglers Sinners. Chat turns to ageing starlets, disjointed scripts and Chicago dust storms before turning to our chosen Gut Punch movie moments. Timecodes:00:00 Introduction 12:08 Exploring Tony Erdman: A Father-Daughter Dynamic24:03 The Emotional Climax: The Hug in the Park39:36 Conclusion and Reflections on Tully43:33 Exploring...
2025-06-171h 23