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Dr. Andy\'s Poetry and Technology HourDr. Andy's Poetry and Technology HourEve West Bessier, Kevin Smokler, and Grant FaulknerOn the 5/22/25 edition of Dr. Andy’s Poetry and Technology Hour:Eve West Bessier joins the program to talk about her New Mexico poetic endeavors. She shares details about her two most recent collections, both poetic micro-essays: Poems Before Breakfast (2023), and The Road Home (2024). Bessier shares two poems “The Clothes Translation Hope” and “This Labor Mess.” The next guest is Kevin Smokler, who discusses his new book, Break the Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers, published by Oxford University. Smokler conducted 24 career-length interviews for this book, focusing on the successes of these women throughout their careers directing films. The last g...2025-05-2251 minReckoning with Jason HerbertReckoning with Jason HerbertEpisode 132: Conversations with Women Filmmakers with Kevin SmoklerWriter and filmmaker Kevin Smokler returns to the pod to talk about his discussions with 25 different women filmmakers.About our guest:Kevin Smokler is a writer, documentary filmmaker and event host focused on our relationship as human beings with pop culture. His most recent book BREAK THE FRAME: CONVERSATIONS WITH WOMEN FILMMAKERS  contains 24 career-retrospective conversations with directors behind box office phenomenon like Captain Marvel, Oscar winners like Free Solo and the filmmakers who launched actors such as America Ferrera, Paul Rudd, Ryan Gosling and Jennifer Lawrence. His previous books, BRAT PACK AMERICA is a love l...2025-05-221h 12New Books NetworkNew Books NetworkKevin Smokler, "Break the Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers" (Oxford UP, 2025)In the twenty-first century alone, women filmmakers have succeeded at directing every size, genre, and style of motion picture. Their movies have won Oscars (Free Solo), made actors into household names (Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone), received induction into the Library of Congress's National Film Registry (Real Women Have Curves), and become worldwide box office phenomena (Captain Marvel, Deep Impact). Nevertheless in 2023, the year of Barbie, women directed only 12% of the top 250 movies in America. demonstrating how far moviemaking remains from gender parity. When women filmmakers succeed, they do so against these odds.Break th...2025-05-2251 minNew Books in FilmNew Books in FilmKevin Smokler, "Break the Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers" (Oxford UP, 2025)In the twenty-first century alone, women filmmakers have succeeded at directing every size, genre, and style of motion picture. Their movies have won Oscars (Free Solo), made actors into household names (Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone), received induction into the Library of Congress's National Film Registry (Real Women Have Curves), and become worldwide box office phenomena (Captain Marvel, Deep Impact). Nevertheless in 2023, the year of Barbie, women directed only 12% of the top 250 movies in America. demonstrating how far moviemaking remains from gender parity. When women filmmakers succeed, they do so against these odds.Break th...2025-05-2251 minNew Books in GenderNew Books in GenderKevin Smokler, "Break the Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers" (Oxford UP, 2025)In the twenty-first century alone, women filmmakers have succeeded at directing every size, genre, and style of motion picture. Their movies have won Oscars (Free Solo), made actors into household names (Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone), received induction into the Library of Congress's National Film Registry (Real Women Have Curves), and become worldwide box office phenomena (Captain Marvel, Deep Impact). Nevertheless in 2023, the year of Barbie, women directed only 12% of the top 250 movies in America. demonstrating how far moviemaking remains from gender parity. When women filmmakers succeed, they do so against these odds.Break th...2025-05-2251 minNew Books in Popular CultureNew Books in Popular CultureKevin Smokler, "Break the Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers" (Oxford UP, 2025)In the twenty-first century alone, women filmmakers have succeeded at directing every size, genre, and style of motion picture. Their movies have won Oscars (Free Solo), made actors into household names (Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone), received induction into the Library of Congress's National Film Registry (Real Women Have Curves), and become worldwide box office phenomena (Captain Marvel, Deep Impact). Nevertheless in 2023, the year of Barbie, women directed only 12% of the top 250 movies in America. demonstrating how far moviemaking remains from gender parity. When women filmmakers succeed, they do so against these odds.Break th...2025-05-2251 minIn Conversation: An OUP PodcastIn Conversation: An OUP PodcastKevin Smokler, "Break the Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers" (Oxford UP, 2025)In the twenty-first century alone, women filmmakers have succeeded at directing every size, genre, and style of motion picture. Their movies have won Oscars (Free Solo), made actors into household names (Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone), received induction into the Library of Congress's National Film Registry (Real Women Have Curves), and become worldwide box office phenomena (Captain Marvel, Deep Impact). Nevertheless in 2023, the year of Barbie, women directed only 12% of the top 250 movies in America. demonstrating how far moviemaking remains from gender parity. When women filmmakers succeed, they do so against these odds.Break th...2025-05-2251 minNew Books in Performing ArtsNew Books in Performing ArtsKevin Smokler, "Break the Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers" (Oxford UP, 2025)In the twenty-first century alone, women filmmakers have succeeded at directing every size, genre, and style of motion picture. Their movies have won Oscars (Free Solo), made actors into household names (Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone), received induction into the Library of Congress's National Film Registry (Real Women Have Curves), and become worldwide box office phenomena (Captain Marvel, Deep Impact). Nevertheless in 2023, the year of Barbie, women directed only 12% of the top 250 movies in America. demonstrating how far moviemaking remains from gender parity. When women filmmakers succeed, they do so against these odds.Break th...2025-05-2251 minNew Books in Women\'s HistoryNew Books in Women's HistoryKevin Smokler, "Break the Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers" (Oxford UP, 2025)In the twenty-first century alone, women filmmakers have succeeded at directing every size, genre, and style of motion picture. Their movies have won Oscars (Free Solo), made actors into household names (Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone), received induction into the Library of Congress's National Film Registry (Real Women Have Curves), and become worldwide box office phenomena (Captain Marvel, Deep Impact). Nevertheless in 2023, the year of Barbie, women directed only 12% of the top 250 movies in America. demonstrating how far moviemaking remains from gender parity. When women filmmakers succeed, they do so against these odds.Break th...2025-05-2251 minThe Test of TimeThe Test of TimeReal Women Have Curves (2002) A recent high school graduate faces important decisions about the future and how to deal with her overbearing mother. Author Kevin Smokler joins us to discuss getting laughed at by publicists, an especially tough Christmas, and a cheesy hypothetical bake sale. Then we find out if Real Women Have Curves stands the Test of Time. Break The Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers by Kevin Smokler hits stores on May 22, 2025. Learn more: https://kevinsmokler.com/break-the-frame/2025-05-0945 minThe Test of TimeThe Test of TimeReal Women Have Curves (2002) A recent high school graduate faces important decisions about the future and how to deal with her overbearing mother. Author Kevin Smokler joins us to discuss getting laughed at by publicists, an especially tough Christmas, and a cheesy hypothetical bake sale. Then we find out if Real Women Have Curves stands the Test of Time. Break The Frame: Conversations with Women Filmmakers by Kevin Smokler hits stores on May 22, 2025. Learn more: https://kevinsmokler.com/break-the-frame/2025-05-0945 minReckoning with Jason HerbertReckoning with Jason HerbertEpisode 124: Don’t You Forget About Me: The Breakfast Club and Brat Pack America with Kevin SmoklerThis week Kevin Smokler drops in to talk about The Breakfast Club, the Brat Pack, John Hughes, and the legacy of 80s teen movies. About our guest:Kevin Smokler is a writer, documentary filmmaker and event host focused on our relationship as human beings with pop culture. His most recent book BREAK THE FRAME: CONVERSATIONS WITH WOMEN FILMMAKERS  contains 24 career-retrospective conversations with directors behind box office phenomenon like Captain Marvel, Oscar winners like Free Solo and the filmmakers who launched actors such as America Ferrera, Paul Rudd, Ryan Gosling and Jennifer Lawrence. His previous books, BR...2025-04-031h 29Page One PodcastPage One PodcastEp. 39: Kevin Smokler - Brat Pack AmericaPage One, produced and hosted by author Holly Lynn Payne, celebrates the craft that goes into writing the first sentence, first paragraph and first page of your favorite books. The first page is often the most rewritten page of any book because it has to work so hard to do so much—hook the reader. We interview master storytellers on the struggles and stories behind the first page of their books.About the guest author:Kevin Smokler is a writer, documentary filmmaker and purveyor of pop culture.  He’s the author of the four books Brat...2024-06-2950 minThe WayThe Way87) History of Vinyl w/ Christopher Boone and Kevin SmokerThe vinyl record renaissance over the past decade has brought new fans to a classic format. Sales grew a whopping 61% in 2021 as this dinosaur is coming back from the dead. Why is the vinyl record so appreciated and loved by music lovers?  I was happy to welcome Kevin Smokler and Christopher Boone on todays show. They have recently finished their documentary "Vinyl Nation." A film that dives into the history and appreciation behind the oldest music format. Film - https://vinylnationfilm.com/ Christopher Boone - https://twitter.com/bartondeepwood 2022-07-191h 17Cinema Chop ShopCinema Chop Shop268. Vinyl Nation - A Conversation with Director, Kevin SmoklerIn this special episode, the Chop Shop gang is joined by Kevin Smokler, co-director of the new documentary, Vinyl Nation - A Documentary Dig into the Record Resurgence.  Kevin shares his insights on vinyl, collecting, and the documentary process then joins us for a look at some of the most iconic Record Store Movies in cinema.  vinylnationfilm.com kevinsmokler.com   2022-05-221h 06Life in the CreditsLife in the Credits044 Vinyl Nation with Co-Directors Kevin Smokler and Christopher BooneKevin Smokler and Christopher Boone, Directors, join Susan and Ben to discuss Vinyl Nation, a 2020 documentary. Kevin and Chris share what it was like co-directing Vinyl Nation. They discuss their love of film from an early age, the filmmaking process in post-production, and what a documentary on vinyl uncovers about human connection. Kevin and Chris play our “Finding the Reel: Documentary Edition” game. Follow Kevin on Instagram @smokler, Twitter @Weegee or IMDB. Follow Chris on Twitter @bartondeepwood or IMDB. Find out more about Vinyl Nation at vinylnationfilm.com Leave a rating and review on Apple Podc...2022-04-281h 23Backstage With Gentry ThomasBackstage With Gentry ThomasVinyl Records new Resurgence Kevin Smokler talks new documentaryOn today's episode of Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas we listen to author and director Kevin Smokler. The two talk about Smokler's new documentary 'Vinyl Nation' which looks into the new resurgence over the past decade of vinyl records. The documentary is available to watch on YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime. They also touch on the coming up vinyl record day which is August 12th where you celebrate by going out and supporting a local record store. The director discusses his obsession with 80s movies and how he always wanted to live in Hill Valley California with Marty...2022-04-2320 minJohn and Heidi ShowJohn and Heidi Show04-22-22-Kevin Smokler documentary VINYL NATIONJohn & Heidi share funny stories of people doing weird things... plus we continue our segment #AsSeenOnTV as John chats with Kevin Smokler documentary VINYL NATIONLearn more about our radio program, podcast & blog at www.JohnAndHeidiShow.com2022-04-2224 min\"Lately, I've been thinking about..."Kevin Smokler - ConsequencesOn our pilot episode, author and documentarian Kevin Smokler and I talk about consequences. We also get into owning versus sharing, being ourselves, and how to think about restorative justice in a punishment-oriented world. Recommended content from this episode:BooksThe Sum of Us by Heather McGheeThe Half Has Never Been Told by Edward E. BaptistMovies/TVExterminate All the BrutesThe WorkVideo"Restorative Welcome and Reentry Circle"Our intro and outro music is "Humbug"...2021-12-301h 04Quaid In FullQuaid In FullS05E03: Gang RelatedKevin Smokler joins us for the third least Quaidy project QIF has covered to date: Gang Related. It's Tupac Shakur's last film, and he's very good, but it's also three or four different films patched together into a quilt of dropped threads and tone problems -- and it's NOT very good, despite an all-star cast, a couple of hilarious line readings, and a guy we'll call Nott William Winters. And as for Quaid, well, if you ever wondered what it might look like to throw Andy Dufresne's Shawshank testimony in a blender with Jason Priestley trying to cry? Here...2021-10-1442 minFinding Favorites with Leah JonesFinding Favorites with Leah JonesCollecting used vinyl records with Kevin SmoklerKevin Smokler, a San Francisco-based author and filmmaker, loves used vinyl and is here to walk us through how to create a music curriculum at your local record store. You can catch his documentary Vinyl Nation at film festivals across the country or hear the Pointer Sisters wafting out of his windows in the Bay Area. Follow Kevin, aka @weegee, on Twitter and @smokler Instagram Follow @findingfavspod on Instagram and Twitter. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts(five stars please) Show Notes Kevin Smokler website Vinyl Nation documentary Bike Aid The Vinyl...2021-08-221h 05Story ForwardStory ForwardIndependence Day - Remembering the Mayhem, and Counting FlagsThis week Larry and Christian get into a particularly memorable July 4th weekend that took place on San Juan Island in 1989. A dozen friends, all dudes. Far too much beer. Plenty of laughter, injuries, fuzzy antics, and stories that have lived on as pieces of the puzzle that was our lives back in our early twenties. We get into how we all remember and tell the story of that weekend from a unique vantage, and how memory has and continues to shape that years-gone narrative as time has marched on. We managed to wrangle one old friend f...2021-07-0546 minThe Normandie Records PodcastThe Normandie Records PodcastKevin Smokler and Christopher Boone of Vinyl NationOn this episode we have Kevin Smokler and Christopher Boone, directors and producers of the documentary film Vinyl Nation. https://vinylnationfilm.com/ Vinyl Nation is a documentary film about the resurgence of vinyl and how it impacts everyone from old collectors, new collectors, pressing plants and record shops.  In this conversation we discuss the inspiration behind the film, what Kevin and Chris hope viewers take from their film, and of course vinyl record collections.  Please make sure to subscribe or follow the podcast. Share with your friends and leave a review on the Apple Podcast ap...2021-06-1459 minThe Bob Cesca ShowThe Bob Cesca ShowDirectors Kevin Smokler & Chris Boone[Explicit Language] Kevin Smokler and Christopher Boone are the directors of a brand new documentary called Vinyl Nation. VinylNationFilm.com. We'll talk about what killed record albums, what's creating the resurgence in vinyl, and especially how enthusiasm for the old technology is bringing people together in the age of digital downloads and streaming content. Vinyl Nation will be available on Bluray and DVD exclusively on Record Store Day, June 12. Email info@vinylnationfilm.com for a record store near you. Meanwhile if you like what you hear today, don't forget to subscribe to our bonus content at patreon.com/bobcescashow.2021-06-0957 minRadio Rehab with Dayna KeyesRadio Rehab with Dayna KeyesRR Entertainment: Kevin Smokler & Christopher Boone of Vinyl NationDay 2 of Film Festival Week! On this special RR Entertainment series, we're dropping an interview every day this week, featuring conversations from the recent San Luis Obispo & South By Southwest Film Festivals. In this Episode, we spend another day at SLO Film Fest with the Co-Directors of the documentary Vinyl Nation, Kevin Smokler & Chistopher Boone.  Vinyl Nation digs into the crates of the record resurgence in search of truths set in deep wax: Has the return of vinyl made music fandom more inclusive or divided? What does vinyl say about our past here in...2021-04-1415 min\'80s Movie Montage'80s Movie MontageSome Kind of WonderfulWith special guest Kevin Smokler, Anna and Derek chat about how Keith could NOT know that Watts was into him, if Mr. Nelson had a point about going to college and more during their discussion of Some Kind of Wonderful (1987). Connect with '80s Movie Montage on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram! It's the same handle for all three... @80smontagepod.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/80sMontagePodTwitter: https://twitter.com/80sMontagePodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/80smontagepod/Anna Keizer and Derek Dehanke are the co-hosts of ‘80s Movie Montage. The idea for th...2021-02-092h 05San Francisco Writers Conference PodcastSan Francisco Writers Conference PodcastRevisiting the 80s with Kevin SmoklerSubjects covered Kevin Smokler is an author and filmmaker. Kevin's documentary Vinyl Nation, is the study of the comeback of vinyl records in America over the last 12 years, the diversification of vinyl fans, and what it means for America in this divided time. Kevin explained that records have come back because we use music and its physical manifestation to seek human connection with others. When asked about the current state of some of the themes discussed his book, Brat Pack America, a Love Letter to 80s Teen Movies, Kevin explained that he was fascinated by how much pop culture from...2021-01-1512 minThe Best Advice ShowThe Best Advice ShowModulating Energy with Kevin SmoklerKevin Smokler is Co-Director of the documentary film, Vinyl Nation and author of three books about pop culture, including most recently Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to ’80s Teen Movies. His essays and cultural criticism have appeared in the LA Times, Salon, Fast Company, BuzzFeed, Vulture, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Decider and on National Public Radio.To offer your own advice, call Zak @ 844-935-BESTTRANSCRIPT:ZAK: For way too long, like a couple years, my wife and I have been planning to sit down and make a household budget. I do...2021-01-1204 minThe Best Advice ShowThe Best Advice ShowModulating Energy with Kevin SmoklerKevin Smokler is Co-Director of the documentary film, Vinyl Nation and author of three books about pop culture, including most recently Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to ’80s Teen Movies. His essays and cultural criticism have appeared in the LA Times, Salon, Fast Company, BuzzFeed, Vulture, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Decider and on National Public Radio. To offer your own advice, call Zak @ 844-935-BEST TRANSCRIPT: ZAK: For way too long, like a couple years, my wife and I have been planning to sit down and make a household budget. I don't think it's gonna be that hard bu...2021-01-1104 minSchool for WritersSchool for WritersBuilding a Writing Career from your Passions with Kevin SmoklerHey School For Writers listeners! We're back with another great episode and this time we're welcoming our first male guest on the show! Kevin Smokler is a writer, speaker, and filmmaker. His creative soul is known for forging stories, characters, and entire books based on daily life and popular culture. This episode is packed with a great deal of inspiring jewels as Kevin joins Lauren to talk about all things writing and filmmaking. Throughout the conversation, you'll hear them talk about the different definitions of success and what it means to be a successful...2020-12-0858 minLimited EngagementLimited EngagementLE 149 - Kevin Smokler and Christopher BooneOn this episode, a conversation about the culture and ecosystem of record collecting with Kevin Smokler and Christopher Boone, directors and producers of the documentary Vinyl Nation, which can be seen at https://vinylnationfilm.com/ until November 30th (50% of proceeds post-platform fees go directly to their ticket partners, which include movie houses and records stores impacted by COVID-19). Find us, follow us, fund us... Twitter: @ltd_engagement | Instagram: @ltdengagement | Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hootnwaddle2020-11-0959 minHeat RocksHeat RocksKevin Smokler & Christopher Boone on B.T. Express' "Non-Stop" (1975)The disco funk group B.T. Express hit the ground running with their debut studio album Do It ('Til You're Satisfied), which reached the top spot in the US R&B albums chart and went gold. The title track went on to become a staple in club playlists and the band started work on their next project. Just a year later, their sophomore album Non-Stop was released and it once again reached the top of the R&B chart, but did not enjoy the same amount of commercial success. Nonetheless, the album's funky vibes and distinct sound stood out...2020-11-0545 minThe Occasional PodcastThe Occasional PodcastMarantz And An Interview With The Directors Of The Documentary Vinyl NationInterview with the president of Marantz & Classe Joel Sietsema and Senior Director of Technical Category Management Emmanuel Millot. Very special bonus interview with documentary filmmakers Kevin Smokler and Christopher Boone. Kevin and Christopher recently co-directed a film called Vinyl Nation which focuses on the 10 year run of vinyl resurgence and record collecting we now find ourselves in. It's timely and a ton of fun.  S4E7 Sponsors: QOBUZdotCOM - Authentic Music Experience AUDIORESEARCHdotCOM - High Performance Vacuum Tube Electronics Since 1970 The LSA Group and CorePower - State Of The Art Power At Real World P...2020-10-051h 31Mark And Sarah Talk About SongsMark And Sarah Talk About SongsEpisode 204: Living Colour, "Glamour Boys"Special guest Kevin Smokler joins us to discuss Living Colour's bouncy rocker "Glamour Boys," which gets us talking about joyful political protest, Black artists who make hard rock, and the real meaning of TCBY. Our intro is by Andrew Byrne and our outro is by Rick Springfield. Want to leave us a voicemail? Just call 646-389-0767! You can email us at talkaboutsongs@gmail.com, tweet us at @talksongs, or Facebook us at facebook.com/mastas.podcast. To get access to bonus content (and vote in ranking episodes), become a patron at patreon.com/mastas. Special Guest: Kevin...2020-09-2846 minBehind The Marquee | Ann Arbor District LibraryBehind The Marquee | Ann Arbor District LibraryBehind The Marquee: Episode 42 - Kevin Smokler and Christopher Boone, Vinyl NationNick speaks with Kevin Smokler and Christopher Boone, directors of the documentary Vinyl Nation, about the resurgence of vinyl over the past decade, filming across the country, their personal connections with records, and more!2020-09-0430 minGoldmineGoldmineVinyl Nation documentaryThis podcast episode will be a real treat for record collectors. We will have a talk with creators of the film documentary Vinyl Nation, Kevin Smokler and Christopher Boon. Filmed pre-COVID, the Vinyl Nation documentary is a dig into the resurgence of vinyl records, the diversification of vinyl fans and what this all means for America today. The discussion with Christopher and Kevin will get into vinyl pretty in-depth and what went into the making of this film through record stores, record shows, record pressing plants, record collector testimonials, Record Store Day events and more.Vi...2020-08-251h 04GrottoPodGrottoPodEpisode 130: Kevin Smokler’s ‘Vinyl Nation’ Kevin Smokler is an author, documentary filmmaker and event host based in San Francisco. Today on the GrottoPod, he discusses his documentary, Vinyl Nation: A Deep Dig into the Record Resurgence, which debuted digitally on what would have been Record Store Day 2020 (April 19) in partnership with 200 independent record stores across the United States. Smokler is also the author of Practical Classics: 50 Reasons to Reread 50 Books You Haven't Touched Since High School and Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to '80s Teen Movies. For more info on how to see the film, go to the "Vinyl Nation" website: https://vinylnationfilm.com.2020-07-2135 minThe Blotter PresentsThe Blotter Presents142: Stolen Babies and The Phoebe Judge InterviewPiper Weiss returned for a 1993 Lifetime movie about Tennessee baby broker Georgia Tann, Stolen Babies, that won Mary Tyler Moore an Emmy. Is this a notch above the usual '90s Lifetime fare, or do the accents ruin the relatively snappy pacing and shockingly direct villainy of Tann's actions? We dug into the Tann story thanks to the second part of the podcast: Kevin Smokler's conversation with Criminal and This Is Love host and co-creator Phoebe Judge from April 22, 2020. They talked about everything from Criminal's production timeline, to staying out of "the gotcha game," to how to report m...2020-05-061h 26DeviateDeviateShelter in Place Film Festival“Binge watching is designed to make time disappear. A home film festival is designed to be time well spent.”  –Kevin Smokler Kevin Smokler (@weegee) is a writer, public speaker, critic, and author of Brat Pack America and Practical Classics. He speaks on the future of media and culture and his written work has appeared in such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Buzzfeed, and Vulture. He previously appeared as a guest on Episode 33 of Deviate, Why 1980s coming-of-age movies matter, and Episode 60, “Celebrating the best travel movies ever.” In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Kevin explain how t...2020-05-0653 minThe Blotter PresentsThe Blotter Presents138: Atlanta's Missing And Murdered and The Robert Kolker Interview[CW for violence against children] Toby Ball returns to discuss -- from a safe distance -- HBO's limited series on the Atlanta child murders of 1979-1981, Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children. Is it too ambitious? Did it set out to be a true-crime docuseries, or a sociological study of the rise of The New South? And what did Wayne Williams actually do? Later, Kevin Smokler talks to Lost Girls author Robert Kolker about how that book became a film; trusting the filmmaking process; "the true-crime media apparatus"; and how his thinking about his new...2020-04-071h 58The Blotter PresentsThe Blotter Presents136: Lost Girls and All Good Things[Mgmt. apologizes for various sound issues, incl. 1) construction noise next door; 2) dog being a yappy heller; and 3) Skype throttling Kevin's sound.] Kevin Smokler is back to discuss Liz Garbus's feature on one fragment of the Long Island Serial Killer case -- Lost Girls, based on Robert Kolker's excellent book. We like everyone involved, but aren't sure we can recommend the film, because despite excellent sources and performances (mostly), the film isn't sure who it's for. All Good Things, Andrew Jarecki's FIRST take on Robert Durst's various (alleged?) misdeeds, is worth watching, if only as a primer on...2020-03-181h 10The Blotter PresentsThe Blotter Presents124: Detective Trapp and Savage AppetitesThe latest L.A. Times/Wondery joint project from the Dirty John team, Detective Trapp, may be a podcast in search of a Sunday magazine; Kevin Smokler and I talk about old-media effortfulness, why "merely good" is sometimes great," and narrative choices. The same topics come up again when we look at Rachel Monroe's Savage Appetites, as we ponder difficulty ratings in non-fiction, the power of teenage girls, and how Monroe makes "old" crimes new again. In a nutshell (not that kind), that's The Blotter Presents, Episode 124. SHOW NOTES A year of Best Evidence is just $52, n...2019-12-111h 14DeviateDeviateAmerican Beauty, reconsidered“In American Beauty, Lester Burnham’s rebellions seem adolescent and immature because that’s all he’s got. His world is so stultifying that you can either be a walking-dead adult or a footloose and fancy-free teenager. In retrospect that seems sad rather than triumphant.” –Kevin Smokler In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Kevin talk about how American Beauty, a movie that seemed dazzling when it was released, eventually came to feel less original and interesting (2:50); which elements in the movie are still effective after 20 years (8:00); how the movie’s sour take on suburbia was not all that origin...2019-09-2653 minThe Blotter PresentsThe Blotter Presents102: 16 Shots and The Thin Blue LineShowtime's 16 Shots looks at the murder of Laquan McDonald in 2014, and why this police-involved shooting galvanized Chicago. Kevin and I talk about the excellent access filmmaker Richard Rowley gets on both sides of the issue; give suggestions for police procedural manuals; and wonder when the "a few bad apples" line of rationalizing will stop getting trotted out. Another police-involved shooting, of a police officer, and the injustices that rolled downhill from it are the topic of Errol Morris's legendary The Thin Blue Line. Does it hold up, more than three decades after its release? Or does it...2019-06-261h 28DeviateDeviateBest travel movies“We are all one seat away on the train from meeting the person that could change our lives.” – Kevin Smokler In this episode of Deviate, Rolf and Kevin Smokler do a deep-dive on travel movies, starting with a discussion of The Beach (2:00) before delving into what constitutes a travel movie (12:00); and their top travel and road movies, focusing on Into the Wild, Lost in Translation, and Before Sunrise (1:01:00). Kevin Smokler (@weegee) is a writer, public speaker, critic, and author of Brat Pack America and Practical Classics. He speaks on the future of media and culture and his...2019-06-181h 52Song by SongSong by SongThe Outsiders (film, dir. Coppola, 1983) [F02]To educate us all on the history of the Brat Pack, Sam & Martin welcome Kevin Smokler to take a look at Coppola's adaptation of S.E Hinton's coming of age novel, The Outsiders. While Kevin educates us as to the historical and social context of this story, we also debate the success of the scoring choices, try to chart Coppola's creative/commercial rise and fall, and get confused about fires in schoolhouses or churches. Song by Song is Martin Zaltz Austwick and Sam Pay; two musicians listening to and discussing every single Tom Waits track in chronological...2019-02-2734 min30something Movie Podcast30something Movie PodcastEpisode #228: Talk with Kevin SmoklerI had the opportunity to spend some time chatting with author and speaker, Kevin Smokler (Brat Pack America, Practical Classics). Our discussion ran the gamut from Batman & James Bond to favorite 80s movies and great places to eat in Chicago! Check out Kevin's website here: https://www.kevinsmokler.com/  Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/weegee  2019-02-231h 15The Blotter PresentsThe Blotter Presents086: The Onion FieldKevin Smokler returns to discuss Joseph Wambaugh's canonical account(s) of the murder of Ian Campbell On the Rushmore of true-crime classics, there's one face Kevin and I hadn't contemplated yet: Joseph Wambaugh's The Onion Field, which narrates the fateful kidnapping of LAPD officers Ian Campbell and Karl Hettinger, the murder of Campbell, and the precursors and aftermaths of that night in the onion field in 1963. It's a quick read whose influences you can see in Ellroy, Mailer and others, but may have suffered from being written while various court cases were still in process...and from not including...2019-02-201h 14Is It Good For The Jews?Is It Good For The Jews?Episode #196: Three Jews talk about musicEase into a relaxed Twilight Lounge this week, where you will find Rosen and Goldbrener joined by author and speaker (and Jew) Kevin Smokler, a guest with gravitas enough to convince the boys to ditch their entire format in service of a single question: &#8220;Is hip-hop good for the Jews?&#8221; Of course it is, which &#8230; <a href="http://www.isitgoodforthejews.com/episode-196-three-jews-talk-about-music/" class="more-link">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Episode #196: Three Jews talk about music</span> <span class="meta-nav">&#8594;</span></a><img...2018-11-1517 minGrottoPodGrottoPodEpisode 89: Kevin Smokler On Innovative Book ToursWe celebrate John Hughes and others this week with author Kevin Smokler, who joins Larry to talk about his book Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to '80s Teen Movies. Join Larry and Kevin as they touch on innovative book-tour strategies,2018-10-231h 01The Blotter PresentsThe Blotter Presents062: You Must Remember This And Cocaine & RhinestonesIt's a new season of Old-Hollywood podcast You Must Remember This, and Kevin Smokler joins me to unpack Karina Longworth's captivating take on the unsolved murder of William Desmond Taylor, with a look back at 2015's "Charles Manson's Hollywood" season. Later, we get a chuckle out of Ernest Tubb's bunny slippers (note: he wasn't really wearing bunny slippers) in the Cold Case section as we talk about a couple of episodes -- one funny, one harrowing -- of Tyler Mahan Coe's Cocaine & Rhinestones. What did it mean to challenge a drunk country superstar to a fight in mid-century Nashville...2018-08-011h 04DeviateDeviateKevin Smokler“John Hughes, and really all of best 1980s teen movies, were saying that the stories of teenagers are the stories of all of us. They have the same human need and longing that the stories of adults have.” —Kevin Smokler In this episode of Deviate, Rolf discusses classic coming-of-age films with Kevin Smokler (@Weegee), author of Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to ’80s Teen Movies. The discussion themes, cultural references, and time-codes that outline this expansive conversation are as follows: Kids having adult adventures movies [2:30 – 17:00] Links: Stand By...2018-06-122h 02The Blotter PresentsThe Blotter Presents053: Wild Wild Country And Beautiful And TwistedA couple weeks after everyone else laid the subject to rest, Kevin Smokler is back to talk with me about Wild Wild Country, Netflix's six-part series on the poisonings, beaver-shakes, and other crimes against traditional values perpetrated by a free-love "cult" in 1980s Oregon. It's eminently watchable, but at the same time noticeably incurious about certain aspects of its subjects -- do the Way brothers try too hard not to take a position on either side of the myriad debates the series describes (and creates)? Did they not know how to end the last episode? And is there really...2018-04-251h 20Past ForwardPast ForwardKevin SmoklerToday our podcast reconnects with Kevin Smokler, 2016 The Plaza Literary Prize Judge. Kevin is the author of “Practical Classics: 50 Reasons to Reread 50 Books you Haven’t Touched Since High School” (2013) and a forthcoming book on 80s movies. His cultural essays and criticism have appeared in Salon Vulture, Buzzfeed, The LA Times, Fast Company and on NPR. He lives in San Francisco. Producer: Jon-Barrett Ingels and Kevin Staniec Manager: Sarah Becker Host: Jon-Barrett Ingels Guest: Kevin Smokler 2018-03-0529 minPast ForwardPast ForwardKevin SmoklerToday we're connected with Kevin Smokler. Kevin is a writer, performer and public speaker based in San Francisco. Producer: Jon-Barrett Ingels and Kevin Staniec Manager: Sarah Becker Host: Jon-Barrett Ingels Guest: Kevin Smokler 2018-03-0534 minThe Blotter PresentsThe Blotter PresentsEpisode 48: 041: Jodi Arias: An American Murder Mystery And 1980s: The Deadliest DecadeAs we approach the tenth anniversary of Travis Alexander's murder, Jodi Arias is back on our teevees in ID's Jodi Arias: An American Murder Mystery. It isn't really a mystery, and neither is the pervasive misogyny and black-and-white narrative manipulation that turned a confused and off-putting young girl into a scheming black widow, but returning guest Kevin Smokler and I found it very watchable, in the workmanlike way of this series. Later, we go back almost thirty years to the murder of Rebecca Schaeffer, an already unimaginable crime that seems even more remote to us today, as...2018-01-241h 21Damn Good Movie MemoriesDamn Good Movie MemoriesEpisode 56 - Talking Movies with Kevin SmoklerOnce again we are thrilled to chat with Kevin Smokler, author of the terrific book Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to 80s Teen Movies.  In this episode we cover some of the past DGMM topics and be sure to check out a more extended interview with Kevin about 80s teen movies on Episode 19. 2017-10-2127 minRare Bird RadioRare Bird RadioRob Rufus in conversation with Kevin SmoklerRob Rufus, author of Die Young With Me and drummer for The Bad Signs, speaks with Kevin Smokler, writer of Brat Pack America, about discovering new music, haunted concert venues, and why Hollywood needs a bigger imagination.2017-05-2649 minThe Blotter PresentsThe Blotter Presents008: Casting JonBenét And Unsolved MysteriesKevin Smokler and Sarah D. Bunting talk about a not-so-hot take on Boulder's most notorious cold case, plus the granddaddy of TV true crime.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Special Guest: Kevin Smokler.2017-05-1044 minLiterary DiscoLiterary DiscoEpisode 105: Brat Pack AmericaAfter some technical difficulties (uh, Tod) we now have another Lost Episode. Goodbye, 104, we barely knew ya. So we’re jumping right to 105, in which, for the first time besides our live shows, the Literary Disco gang recorded in the same room! We discuss Kevin Smokler’s insightful survey of 1980s teen films, Brat Pack America. This great book explores the history, meaning and legacy of a series of films that had a huge impact on more than one generation of Americans. Even Julia, who was way too young to see any of them in the theater, has a lot to...2017-05-0853 min80\'s Reboot Overdrive80's Reboot OverdriveBrat Pack America with Kevin SmoklerDave and Scott talk with author Kevin Smokler about his book Brat Pack America - A Love Letter to '80s Teen Movies.2017-04-111h 16Damn Good Movie MemoriesDamn Good Movie MemoriesEpisode 19 - 80s! 80s! 80s! with Kevin SmoklerOur special guest this week is Kevin Smokler, author of Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to 80s Teen Movies.  Kevin talks about why he decided to write a book about 80s teen movies and provides tons of fun facts and memories for films like Back to the Future, The Goonies, Real Genius, The Karate Kid, and many more!  80s movie fans will love this episode and be sure to purchase “Brat Pack America” now! 2017-02-031h 28New Books in FilmNew Books in FilmKevin Smokler, “Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to 80s Teen Movies” (Rare Bird Books, 2016)Kevin Smokler’s new book, Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to 80s Teen Movies (Rare Bird Books, 2016)is what everyone in their 40s who loved watching movies as they were growing up wants it to be. In Brat Pack America, Smokler takes readers on a journey through the fictional and... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/film2017-01-1859 minThe Kid-Free WeekendThe Kid-Free WeekendEpisode 40 - Kevin Smokler and Brat Pack AmericaThis week we are joined by author and ultra-movie-nerd Kevin Smokler! Mr. Smokler just released his new book, Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to 80s Teen Movies, and he generously agreed to sit down with us to talk about John Hughes films, other beloved 80s movies, modern 80s nostalgia, and the dark, awful truth behind Gremlins. Brat Pack America is available at bookstores nationwide and Amazon in both paperback and Kindle formats. Be sure to look Kevin up on Twitter, kevinsmokler.com, or sign up for his newsletter - he's got a lot of great...2016-11-2100 minFade In:Fade In:Episode 13: Elly Smokler and Yuval David (Part 2)In the second part of my shenanigans-filled interview with Elly and Yuval, all trickery is revealed and we get a little deep. We talk the significance to humanity of Random Acts of Kindness, necessity of letting our inner child grow and express itself, and how universal entertainment can be when it's about us as humans. And then Yuval speaks in an Indian accent for five minutes. You can find them at Elly Smokler and Yuval David across all social media and on www.yuvaldavid.com and www.Ellysmokler.com. To find out info on how to bec...2016-11-1647 minFade In:Fade In:Episode 12: Elly Smokler and Yuval David (Part 1)Follow a group of independent filmmakers, making stories on screen and over the podcast airways. Get to know Connecticut FilmWorks and their projects through interview with cast and crew members.  In October, I sat down with a couple of our favorite actors, Elly Smokler and Yuval David. In the first part of our shenanigans-filled interview, Elly puts a "single white female" vibe out there...then proceeds to have a love affair with honey. Yuval gushes about his dream of minimalism before going rogue. The adventure continues NEXT WEEK, Nov.16th in Part 2. You can...2016-11-1043 minFive ThingsFive ThingsEpisode 2: Kevin Smokler on Pens, LPs, and '80s MoviesA conversation with Kevin Smokler, San Francisco-based writer and author of the new book "Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to '80's Teen Movies."2016-10-1330 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesGenre Busters:In this ep. Dave and Kevin discuss movies set in the historical past and what race means in your favorite movies with flowing dresses and best costume Oscar nominations. 2016-04-1635 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures Genre Busters Ep. 2 (Romantic Comedy)Wherein Dave and Kevin look at Hitch, Clueless, Top Five, My Best Friend's Wedding and other romantic comedies where everyone doesnt' need to be the same color.    This episode's challenge: "Can you name three romantic comedies where the lead character is not white but every other supporting character isn't also the same color as them?"     2016-03-2226 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesGenre Busters (Race)For our new series on Talking Pictures, Dave and Kevin discuss your favorite movie genres (Action, Romantic Comedy, Crime Movies etc.) through the lens of race.   For each genre we'll look at....   I. What are the moving parts of that genre   II. What are the expectations we movielovers have for that genre in terms of race   III. What movies upset those expectations?   We finish each episode with a challenge.: For action movies the challenge is...   "Can yo...2016-03-0142 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures: Best Movies 2015, Movie Hopes for 2016Kevin and Dave return for a short, end-of-year roundup, favorite movies of the year from each, best film trends of 2015, and hopes for the year in cinema to come. 2015-12-3040 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesDecember/Holiday/Year End Movie Viewing StrategiesWherein Kevin and Dave discuss how to see maximize Award-Nominated-Best-of-List movies in the last month of the year. 2014-12-1334 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesI Know I Shouldn't Like This, But...Kevin, Dave, and special guest Justin Sondak discuss movies that go against their genre preferences, but they still like anyway.2014-06-2949 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesOur Modest Oscar ProposalDave puts forth a modest proposal for making the Oscars less of an end-of-the-year spirit and more of a year-long movie love fest. No Academy members or badies are eaten in the process.    Talking Pictures is hosted by Filmmaker David Dylan Thomas (@movie_pundit) and Author Kevin Smokler (@weegee). Discussion of current and past episodes happens on our Facebook Page. Join us!2014-02-2723 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesOther VoicesIn which we mourn the passing of a great actor and look at the world of films that aren't told from the default point of view. 0:50 - R.I.P. Philip Seymour Hoffman 8:40 - Box Office: Wolf of Wall Street = One long beer commercial. Also, Frozen and the high returns on Bechdel Test-friendly cinema. 23:40 - Feature Segment: Movies about a culture where the main character is actually a part of that culture. Why so rare? 44:05 - Overlooked Gems: It's Dave's turn to pick a documentary. Kevin picks a quiet film from...2014-02-0251 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesThe State of Film Writing TodayWho's doing the good writing about film these days and how do you find it? 2:42 - Box Office: Lee Daniels gets in on Tyler Perry's marketing tactics. 24:30 - Feature Segment: What kind of writing about film is exciting us these days? What do we look for in good film writing? 40:25 - Overlooked Gems: Kev's pick makes Dave nostalgic for Fametracker, Dave's pick casts new light on a tired genre. Also, here's the Spielberg Face video essay we mention at the end as well as Los Angeles Plays Itself. Talking...2013-08-2052 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesSo Bad It's Good...Or Maybe It's Just GoodMovies you think you'd hate, but won't. Live from Chicago with special guest Justin Sondak. 3:30 - Box Office: Does release date really matter anymore? 17:50 - Feature Segment: "Better than you thought." Movies that surprised us, from action to romcom to whatever the hell Spiceworld was. 40:30 - Overlooked Gems: Dave sings the praises of Michael Shannon, Kevin sings the praises of vets, Justin sings the praises of lo-fi sci-fi. Talking Pictures is hosted by Kevin Smokler (@weegee) and David Dylan Thomas (@movie_pundit), with special guest Justin Sondak (@jaysondak).2013-06-2555 minSmart People PodcastSmart People PodcastKevin Smokler Kevin Smokler – Literary enthusiast, speaker, author of Practical Classics: 50 Reasons to Reread 50 books you Haven’t Touched Since High School. When you hear the name Holden Caulfield, does it trigger any memories? Perhaps you get a nervous, jittery sensation that runs down your spine as you reminisce about an old book report gone... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2013-05-2142 minCraftLit - Serialized Classic Literature for Busy Book LoversCraftLit - Serialized Classic Literature for Busy Book Lovers292 — Chapter 22 & 23 -- Jane EyreCharlotte Brontë's , Chapters 22 and 23. Our reader, continues to rock Jane Eyre for us! If the CraftLit iTunes feed ever goes down, please head over to the . To help you navigate this chapter: A  allows passage through a fence or boundary. is the phosphorescent light found hovering over swampy ground at night. Our Sponsors: February Incentive - Thank you to everyone who commented on the February show notes.Congratulations to ... Tara! by Sarah Anderson Here's a link to . Here's a link to my own . Incentive donated by .   Crafty News: Isn't Nanette's Zentangled Sugar Bowl (pictured at right) lovely? The eMag is...2013-03-011h 22CraftLit - Serialized Classic Literature for Busy Book LoversCraftLit - Serialized Classic Literature for Busy Book Lovers292 — Chapter 22 & 23 -- Jane EyreCharlotte Brontë's , Chapters 22 and 23. Our reader, continues to rock Jane Eyre for us! If the CraftLit iTunes feed ever goes down, please head over to the . To help you navigate this chapter: A  allows passage through a fence or boundary. is the phosphorescent light found hovering over swampy ground at night. Our Sponsors: February Incentive - Thank you to everyone who commented on the February show notes. Congratulations to ... Tara! by Sarah Anderson Here's a link to . Here's a link to my own . Incentive donated by .   Crafty News: Isn't Nanette's Zentangled Sugar Bowl (pictured at right) lovely? The eMag is...2013-03-011h 22Notebook on Cities and CultureNotebook on Cities and CultureS3E12: Freaks and Outcasts with Kevin SmoklerColin Marshall sits down in Westwood, Los Angeles with Kevin Smokler, author of Practical Classics: 50 Reasons to Reread 50 Books You Haven't Touched Since High School. They discuss what makes him think of Holden Caulfield as a Bing user; why we study novels in high school at all, and what it might have to do with Renaissance classics scholarship; how we got turned off to these books the first time around, and the radical notion that we now have time to properly absorb them; his hymn to his obnoxious teenage self, when he felt he possessed many abilities, yet none...2013-02-2200 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesLooking ahead: 2013 in MoviesThe year to come, cinematically speaking... 2:17 - Box Office: The depressing barren month known as January.  17:58 - Feature Segment: Movies we're looking forward to in 2013.  40:47 - Overlooked Gems: Kevin on the greatest Cold War/Age of Information cusp movie ever. Dave on possibly the most depressing (and best) movie set in a junior high school.  Talking Pictures is hosted by Kevin Smokler (@weegee) and David Dylan Thomas (@movie_pundit).2013-02-0250 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesYear in ReviewYeah. We went with the obvious topic. 1:19 - Box Office: The success of Skyfall. Crazy early Oscar favorites. 21:38 - Feature Segment: The year in Joss Whedon, disintermediation, and new responsibilities for filmmakers. 53:05 - Overlooked Gems: Dave picks the Oscar-nominated tort flick that's not Erin Brockovich. Kevin picks a sophomore effort that's anything but a slump. Talking Pictures is hosted by Kevin Smokler (@weegee) and David Dylan Thomas (@movie_pundit).2012-12-111h 01Talking PicturesTalking PicturesWhat Are Film Festivals For?How do film festivals evolve (or not) to meet the needs of the modern filmgoer? 1:05 - Box Office: There's just nothing going on, is there? 17:36 - Feature Segment: The disconnect between film festivals and modern viewing habits. 41:39 - Overlooked Gems: Kevin loves birds and Dave loves Shane Black. Talking Pictures is hosted by Kevin Smokler (@weegee) and David Dylan Thomas (@movie_pundit).2012-09-0953 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesNora Ephron and the Perils of EulogyWhat is the most appropriate way to look at an artist's career when they pass away? Is it disingenuous to ignore their less artistically successful work? 2:19 - Box Office: Kevin has a shocking confession. 25:36 - Feature Segment: A tweet about Nora Ephron starts a conversation about how to talk about an artists work when they pass away. 40:58 - Overlooked Gems: Dave returns to his childhood and Kev finds one of the best. casts. ever. Talking Pictures is hosted by Kevin Smokler (@weegee) and David Dylan Thomas (@movie_pundit).2012-08-0452 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures: Location, Location, LocationIn this special episode recorded in Chicago, special guest Justin Sondak helps us discuss the role location plays in modern cinema. 1:05 - Box Office: Prometheus and the role of mystery in marketing. 16:52 - Feature Segment: Three kinds of location in film. Would Raising Arizona work in Florida? 29:30 - Overlooked gems: Justin goes sports, Dave goes Russian mob, and Kev goes quirky cop. Talking Pictures is hosted by Kevin Smokler (@weegee) and David Dylan Thomas (@movie_pundit). This week's special guest was Justin Sondak (@jaysondak)2012-06-1644 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures: Discovering the Back CatalogKev and Dave try to figure out how future generations will find out about movies that came out before, you know, right now. 1:47 - Box Office: We mix some metaphors and talk Hunger Games. 30:20 - Feature Segment: How we discovered older films and how future generations might. 57:40 - Overlooked gems: Dave tries to convince Kev of the merit of political movies whilst Kev picks a film that, by all merits, he should hate. Talking Pictures is hosted by Kevin Smokler (@weegee) and David Dylan Thomas (@movie_pundit).2012-04-151h 09Talking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures: Solving the Content ConundrumKev and Dave single-handedly solve the problems of film funding, film distribution, SOPA, and PIPA. You're welcome. 0:16 - We steal a bit from the Filmspotting podcast. 4:11 - Box Office: Just how well does Star Wars hold up? 18:41 - Feature Segment: We talk about the problem of what it means to own and sell content in a digital age...and then kind of solve it maybe. 43:39 - Overlooked Gems: Johnny Depp gets you high and spelunking gets you killed. Talking Pictures is hosted by Kevin Smokler (@weegee) and David Dylan...2012-02-1652 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures: Directors' TrademarksThose little quirks that tie a director's work together and what they say about the artist. 5:20 - Box Office: The Twilight Generation vs. The Muppets Generation. 21:29 - Feature Segment: Director's trademarks, from Tarantino to Brooks. 49:11 - Overlooked Gems: You'd better sit down. Kev picked a documentary. Also, Dave gets 80's nostalgic with a movie from the 00's. Talking Pictures is hosted by Kevin Smokler (@weegee) and David Dylan Thomas (@movie_pundit).2011-11-3057 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures: So, You Wanna Start Watching Web Series?Our special guest Jason Govern takes us through the wild, wooly world of web series.  Also, Kevin gets eaten by bears. 2:15 - Box Office: (For 10/7/11) - The Circle of Disney 14:35 - Feature Segment - What the hell are web series and how are us old fogeys supposed to keep track? 29:25 - Kevin gets eaten by bears (which is to say his internet connection breaks and we go on without him). 51:37 - Overlooked Gems - Tom Hooper before The King's Speech and Charlton Heston before, um, Charlton Heston. Talking Pictures i...2011-10-1059 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures: When Comedies Liked to Score1:08 - Dave complains about the weather on two coasts. 2:40 - Box Office: What if all romantic comedies were cast with apes? 19:30 - Feature Segment: What happened to cinematic artistry in comedies? 34:52 - Once again we attempt to psychoanalyze Kevin's deep-seated hatred of Judd Apatow. 48:00 - Overlooked Gems: A Salt Lake City film without any Mormons and a Danny Boyle film you've never heard of. Talking Pictures is hosted by Kevin Smokler (@weegee) and David Dylan Thomas (@movie_pundit). 2011-08-1959 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures: When All Else Fails0:50 - We very slowly get around to introducing our special guest, Justin Sondak. Plus, marsupial trivia. 3:08 - Box Office: No alarms and no surprises. 13:32 - Feature Segment: When all else fails, actors that can save your movie. 34:33 - Overlooked Gems: An Ebert favorite, a headbanger with a pilot's license, and a good version of You Got Served. Talking Pictures is hosted by Kevin Smokler (@weegee) and David Dylan Thomas (@movie_pundit). This week's special guest was Justin Sondak (@jaysondak).2011-07-1947 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures: Transmedia0:29 - Box Office: The plague of "blockbuster lite" movies. (Also, Kevin's sound suddenly gets worse for no reason.) 10:19 - Feature Segment: What is transmedia and why should Kevin care?  (Also, Kevin's sound suddenly gets better for no reason.) 35:34 - Overlooked Gems: You can't make Christina Ricci ugly and getting nostalgic for a medium that's making a comeback. Talking Pictures is hosted by Kevin Smokler (@weegee) and David Dylan Thomas (@movie_pundit).2011-04-0747 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures: Stoppable0:35 - Bad Movie Title Puns, Inc. 3:38 - Box Office: Harry Potter masks Tangled's success. 18:51 - Feature Segment: How do we find out what's in theaters in the age of the DVR? 41:28 - Overlooked Gems: Dave picks a movie you probably can't see and Kevin picks a title you probably can't define.2010-12-0751 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures: Yet Another Social Network PodcastIn which Kevin and Dave discuss the pros and cons of Aaron Sorkin. 0:50 - A discussion of film festivals that has absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the podcast. 16:10 - Box Office: Dave commits film geek heresy. 38:00 - Feature Segment: Is there anything left to say about The Social Network?  Probably not, but that never stopped us before. 1:07:20 - Overlooked Gems: Two unlikely but entertaining options for your Halloween viewing pleasure.2010-10-271h 16Talking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures: Contempt Prior to InvestigationIn which Kevin and Dave confess which movies they just don't like for no reason whatsoever. 0:25 - And now, apropos of nothing, the Great American Songbook 2:15 - Box Office: A protracted discussion of the Robert Rodriguez milieu. 18:30 - Feature Segment: What types of movies do you just not watch even though you probably should? 30:30 - Overlooked Gems: The ultimate Michael Cera film and the last hurrah of Dave Chappelle.    2010-09-1140 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures: Cruel Summer00:16 - Kevin didn't like Inception! I know, right? 04:15 - Box Office: Kevin is mystified by The Other Guys. 19:41 - Feature Segment: Worst. Summer. Ever.  Or was it?  30:50 - Overlooked Gems: What's an eight-letter-word for "competition doc" and the Citizen Kane of movies you haven't seen.2010-08-1440 minTalking PicturesTalking PicturesTalking Pictures: Too Many MoviesThe problem isn't that there aren't any good movies; it's that there are too many. 00:25 - Box Office: Inception is awesome.  Let me say that again.  Inception is awesome. 18:57 - The Great Sort: How do we find movies that we love in such a great sea? 25:25 - Dave goes off on a rant about what movie theaters need to do to survive and how the studios should help. 32:22 - We somehow get back on topic. 42:45 - Overlooked gems: Kevin meets a celebrity and the documentary that inspired "Vogue".2010-07-2452 minMIT Comparative Media Studies/WritingMIT Comparative Media Studies/WritingBooklife: The Private and the Public in Transmedia Storytelling and Self-PromotionFictional experiments in emerging media like Twitter and Facebook are influencing traditional printed novels and stories in interesting ways, but another intriguing new narrative is also emerging: the rise of “artifacts” that, although they support a writer’s career, have their own intrinsic creative value. What are the benefits and dangers of a confusion between the private creativity and the public career elements of a writer’s life caused by new media and a proliferation of “open channels”? What protective measures must a writer take to preserve his or her “self” in this environment? In addition to the guerilla tactics implicit in stor...2009-11-231h 49Notebook on Cities and CultureNotebook on Cities and CultureKevin Smokler and Dave WeichPart two of our special series on the future of books and reading: conversations with writer, thinker, entrepreneur and maker of mischief Kevin Smokler [site] and Dave Weich, director of marketing and development at Portland, Oregon's Powell's Books.2008-06-0900 min