Shows
CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 101: Basic Film Editing and Human Perception are a Match Made in Cinema Heaven! The Cinema Within (2024) with Chad Freidrichs
Join Alex and guest host Chad Freidrichs, documentary filmmakers, as they discuss one of Chad's recent releases, The Cinema Within (2024). The documentary cleverly explores and visualizes one of film's greatest mysteries: how humans intuitively process film editing's most basic pieces: the cut! The pair discuss film theory and how it relates to cognitive processes and perception. While documentaries are rare on this show, it's a great exploration of how human psychology allows the cinematic experience to work and how it has been astonishing movies goers for nearly 140 years! If you're intrigued by cinema and film as an...
2025-08-111h 33CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 099: My Availability Heuristic Says It’s a Shark Attack! Jaws (1975) with Jordan Wagge
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Jordan Wagge as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the first summer blockbuster films, Jaws (1975)! One of Steven Spielberg's great filmmaking achievements, featuring one of the best dolly zoom shots in cinema history, as well as a fully functional animatronic sharks, affectionately named Bruce. Starring Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw, as three very different shark hunters when a great white attacks a small summer island. The episode explores biases by one infamous mayor, including the dynamics of each of the three men as they struggle to...
2025-07-031h 34CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 098: Rats Cooking in the Kitchen? Sure, I’ll Bite — Ratatouille (2007) with Shlomit Flaisher-Grinberg
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Shlomit Flaisher-Grinberg as they discuss the neuroscience behind Pixar's brilliant Ratatouille (2007), directed by Brad Bird and starring the voices of Patton Oswalt as Remy, Ian Holm as Skinner, Brad Garrett as Gusteau, Janeane Garofalo as Colette, Lou Romano as Linguini, and Peter O'Toole as Anton Ego. This lovely movie about following your dreams has a ton of psychological concepts hidden within, from the sensation and perception of food, how Remy controls Linguini, and how Rats just get a bad rap. Shlomit shares her experiences working with rats as a graduate student...
2025-06-091h 31CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 097: Using My Ambition and Bottom-Up Processing for Birding! The Big Year (2011) with Marc Klippenstine
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Marc Klippenstine for a personalized discussion on birding, bird-watching, and psychology: The Big Year (2011). The film stars comedy powerhouses Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Wilson, as three men who love birding so much, they all attempt the Audubon Society's "Big Year". Birding is a hobby that relies on bottom-up and top-down processing, cooperation, friendship, and a little bit of intrinsic motivation! But what happens when ambition gets in the way of personal relationships? This question and more are discussed in a wonderful chat about the portrayal of birding in...
2025-05-221h 29CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 096: Glasgow Senses Falling Down, Falling Down — Perfect Sense (2011) with T.R. Brooks
Join Alex and guest host Dr. T.R. Brooks as they discuss the intriguing and horrifying implications of a series of pandemics that rob people of their beloved senses in Perfect Sense (2011). The independent sleeper stars Ewan MacGregor, a chef, and Eva Green, an epidemiologist, who embark on a love story in the midst of these catastrophic events. While the doctors and scientists are trying to figure out a pattern to these illnesses that lead to mass sense loss, the chefs and the artists of the world try to cope and adapt. What would you do if...
2025-04-281h 36CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 095: Lucy's Consolidation is Broken or She Gets Blackout Drunk Everyday! 50 First Dates (2004) with Melissa Maffeo
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Melissa Maffeo as they discuss the hilarious memory mishaps in Adam Sandler's 50 First Dates, also starring Drew Barrymore, Sean Astin, and Dan Aykroyd. Barrymore plays a woman, Lucy, who had suffered brain trauma, and when she goes to sleep, her brain resets to that same day. Sandler's Henry Roth falls in love with her and wants to create a life with her, despite this very large limitation. Psychological concepts of memory, consolidation, learning, and consent are explored, even through all the hilarious moments that make most laugh out loud! There's...
2025-04-071h 42CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 094: It Takes a Good Leader to Plan a Successful Heist — Ocean's 11 (2001) with Jason Spiegelman
Join Alex and friend-of-the-show returning guest host Jason Spiegelman as they discuss the leadership and heist psychology of the remake Ocean's Eleven (2001), directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, and so many other amazing actors. The art of con, deception, and planning are central foci in the discussion, along with leadership styles and some fun trivia about the movie. They also invoke several comparisons of these same concepts and themes in the immediate sequel Ocean's Twelve (2004). This discussion is a steal!
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2025-03-171h 35CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 093: What Could Go Wrong on a Long Spaceflight—Slingshot (2024)
Join Alex as he takes a solo look at a recent science fiction film featuring Casey Affleck and Laurence Fishburne, Slingshot (2024). The title refers to the maneuver three men — or is it only one? — must complete around Jupiter, using its gravity well to gain speed on the way to Saturn's moon, Titan. We also flashback to the time before, when Affleck's John is training to make this years-long flight, while makes an ill-fated connection with Zoe. We see John slowly lose his connection with reality on this spaceflight — is there precedent in real spaceflight for the psychological effect...
2025-02-2559 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 092: Developmental Psychology... In Song Form! The Sound of Music (1965) with Jill Swirsky
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jill Swirsky as they enter the world of musical theater put to film in Robert Wise's wonderful adaptation of The Sound of Music (1965)! A musical about a man (played by Christopher Plummer) who treats his kids like sailors and woman (played by Julie Andrews) who just wants to sing with Nazism as a backdrop is a perfect exploration of psychology! From developmental theories, to grief and loss, to identity and relationships, this wonderful musical with amazing songs offers a great exploration of basic psychological concepts. This podcast episode is one of...
2025-02-031h 48CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 091: Ah, Feeling Nostalgic... for Tornadoes? Twister (1996) and Twisters (2024) with Anthony Zoccolillo
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Anthony Zoccolillo as they discuss both Twister (1996) and its remake/redo/spiritual sequel, Twisters (2024), under the guise of the psychology of nostalgia, and why Hollywood makes these remakes or long-gapped sequels. As people age, why do they seek comfort or lionize art that reflects a different time? Do the film compare in story and spectacle? The pair also explore how both films deal with PTSD and surviving trauma with how the characters progress through the natural disasters in the films. One thing they know for sure: that's going to be...
2025-01-131h 35CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 090: Barton Men Don't Lie, Except When They Do! The Holdovers (2023) with Ed Hansen
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Ed Hansen in a festive discussion of a recent, but to-be-considered a holiday classic, Alexander Payne's The Holdovers (2023). This is a story of a young, ne'er-do-well (Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully) who meets an immovable force in an old, curmudgeonly boarding school classic teacher (Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham). They're both "heldover" the winter holidays at the prestigious Barton Academy, with a grieving mother played by Da'Vine Joy Randolph. Over the course of the break, the three learn more about each other and how to navigate an unforgiving landscape of...
2024-12-021h 20CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 089: You Haven't Listened to this Episode, You're Forgetful — Gaslight (1944) with Wind Goodfriend
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Wind Goodfriend in a discussion of the psychological concepts found in the amazing psychological thriller Gaslight (1944) — THE origin of the word de jour "gaslighting" ! The film stars award-winning Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer, as woman who's reality is being warped by her conniving and selfish husband, respectively. Within the psychological manipulation of gaslighting, the hosts also explore the ways emotional and psychological abuse is carried out in these kinds of relationships and even discuss a new scale that aims to help folks determining if they/re under the gaslighting spell!...
2024-11-111h 33CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 088: I Wasn't Expecting to Be in This Movie! Inside Out 2 (2024)
Join Alex as he takes a solo look at the sequel to a film that lives in our hearts and our heads, Inside Out 2 (2024). While the film has a lot to live up to from its predecessor, this new entry into Riley's head isn't a slouch. A new dynamic and new emotions enter the picture as Riley turns 13 years old and beings puberty during a summer hockey camp. Of the new emotions, Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke), butts heads with Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler), and well, lots of wild and crazy events happen as they try...
2024-10-211h 04CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 087: Flying Fighter Jets Requires Some Task Analysis — Top Gun: Maverick (2022) with Nic Baldwin
Join Alex and returning guest host Nic Baldwin as they chat about the job analysis required to fly fighter planes on a super dangerous mission against an unnamed enemy in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). Tom Cruise returns to the role of Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, with a new crop of young Top Gun pilots, including Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, among others, as they figure out how to complete this really hard... nay, "impossible" mission in F-18s against 5th generation fighters (which mat or may not be AI-controlled airplanes). With amazing visual combined with an original story...
2024-09-301h 50CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 086: It's Not Voyeurism if Your Windows Are Open! Rear Window (1954) with Jane Halonen
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jane Halonen as they creepily peer into Alfred Hitchcock's psychological thriller Rear Window (1954). The film stars James Stewart and Grace Kelly, with minor roles from Thelma Ritter, Wendell Corey, and Raymond Burr. Another character in this film is the set, which was a meticulous reconstruction of a small Greenwich Village courtyard, meant to evoke paranoia and claustrophobia. In the addition, the duo reflects on voyeurism, scopophilia, and the various psychological ideas surrounding watching others when you can't do anything else in the heat of a dreary summer. Perhaps your thoughts will...
2024-09-091h 27CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 085: Everyone Could Use a Little Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy — Good Will Hunting (1997) with Ed Hansen
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Ed Hansen in a discussion of cognitive-behavioral therapy and socio-developmental psychology in the Oscar-winning writer/stars Matt Damon and ben Affleck breakout Good Will Hunting (1997). But let's not forget the runaway star of this movie, the other Oscar-winner of this film, Robin Williams! In a film directed by Gus Van Sant, Matt plays Will Hunting, a troubled but brilliant young adult who eschews therapy but ultimately benefits from Carl Rogers' ideas embodied in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Join them as they pahrk the cahr at Hahvahrd Yahrd and chat! Wicked ahwesome!
2024-08-181h 52CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 084: How to Spot a True Narcissist in One Easy Step — Whiplash (2014) with Simon Rogoff
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Simon Rogoff as they explore the blatant narcissism in Damien Chazelle's jazz drumming masterpiece Whiplash (2014). Starring Miles Teller as Andrew Nieman, the jazz student, and J.K. Simmons as Fletcher, the jazz teacher, this film goes hard. Fletcher is the worst of the worst teacher, who justifies his actions by thinking he'll one day create the best jazz musician, while Andrew will top at nothing to become the next Charlie Parker. Explorations include, narcissism, of course, but also resiliency, perfectionism, and whether there are two narcissists in the movie, or just...
2024-07-291h 38CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 083: Behaviorism and Research Methods on Repeat? Sign Me Up! Groundhog Day (1993) with Jordan Wagge
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Jordan Wagge as they wax poetic and deep on one of Bill Murray's best, Groundhog Day (1993). Written and directed by comedy ace Harold Ramis and also starring Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, and Stephen Tobolowsky, this movie has become timeless with the question: what would you do with a day that repeats over and over? The concepts explored in the episode feature heavily in behaviorist and learning principles, as well as a discussion of research methods and hypothesis testing. Of course Phil needs to learn how to be a better human...
2024-07-081h 35CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 082: Would You Take This Drug? Limitless (2011) with Christina Ragan
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Christina Ragan as they continue their tradition of rage (?) watch another movie that has drugs that unlock portions of unused brain matter — Limitless (2011), a Bradley Cooper psychological thriller. Directed by Neil Burger and based on the book The Dark Fields (2001) by Alan Glynn, the film also stars Robert De Niro and Abbie Cornish. Would you take a drug that unlocks amazing brain power, but has a high risk of death? These are important questions that Alex and Christina address, while also explaining the drug actions portrayed in the film AND wh...
2024-06-171h 35CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 081: Prozium Has to Be a Play on Prozac, Right? Equilibrium (2002)
Join Alex as he takes a solo look at the post-war fascist future of no emotions in Equilibrium (2002), Kurt Wimmer's 1984-esque future where a city-state has outlawed emotions. The film stars an up-and-coming Christian Bale, Taye Diggs, Sean Bean (blink-and-you'll-miss-it), with Emily Watson and Angus MacFadyen. After World War III, fascists thought war and crime were emotions' fault, so they developed a drug that suppresses emotional extremes, and if you don't take it everyday, read books, or participate in culture, well... Clerics come and act as judge, jury, and sometimes executioner! What do theories of emotion have...
2024-05-281h 20CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 080: Does an Android's Dreams Define Them? Blade Runner (1982) with Chris Mazurek
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Chris Mazurek as they discuss the implications of a near-future world with human-looking androids called Replicants in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner (1982). The film is based on Phillip K. Dick's novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? The film stars Harrison Ford, in between his Indiana Jones and Star Wars stints, who plays Rick Deckard, a Blade Runner — a person who hunts and kills (retires) these replicants because they're not supposed to be on Earth. Rutger Hauer plays Roy Batty, the leader of the replicant group being hunted, who ends up a tr...
2024-05-061h 52CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 079: No, There Isn't a Gay Blood Test — Boy Erased (2018) with Lee Golembiewski
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Lee Golembiewski as they discuss the harrowing true story of a young gay man enduring conversion therapy in the US South in Boy Erased (2018). The film stars Lucas Hedges as Jared, playing a version of Garrard Conley, who wrote a memoir of the same name in 2016, detailing his journey through conversion therapy in the early 2000s. The film also stars Russell Crowe as his pastor father, who ultimately made the decision to send Jared to the harmful Christian ministry, Nicole Kidman, as his mother, who makes a startling transformation during the...
2024-04-151h 37CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 078: Drugs are Bad, MMKay? Requiem for a Dream (2000) with Melissa Maffeo
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Melissa Maffeo as they delve into the seedy world of drug addiction in one of Darren Aronofsky's earlier films Requiem for a Dream (2000). The film stars up-and-coming Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans, as well as Hollywood great Ellen Burstyn, as four folks who get caught up in their addictions, fueled by their dreams of better lives and fame. In true Aronofsky form, the visuals and filmmaking get you caught up in these addictions, how they manifest and how they actually destroy the dreams of our four main characters. This...
2024-03-251h 47CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 077: Metascience, Faith, and Confirmation Bias... in Space! Contact (1997) with Jacob Miranda
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jacob Miranda as they explore the metascience, confirmation bias, and the nature of faith vs. science in the sci-fi epic, Contact (1997). The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis and cowrote by Carl Sagan himself, stars Jodie Foster as Ellie Arroway, a SETI scientist who helps discover a message from the stars. The film also stars Matthew McConaughey, a religious person who acts as a foil for Ellie's scientifically-oriented mind. Confirmation bias reins in all aspects of this film, but the commentary also includes a a healthy dose of metascience and the open...
2024-03-041h 37CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 076: The Technosocial Commentary isn't So Subtle — The Circle (2017)
Join Alex as he takes a solo look at the prophetic alternate reality in The Circle (2017), a film about a tech company and social media conglomerate that is parts Apple and other parts Facebook. The film, directed by James Ponsoldt and starring Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, Karen Gillan, John Boyega, and Patton Oswalt, explores the chaotic world of a tech company that creates technology to link everyone together and put cameras all over the world. You know, your typical data-farming and unregulated surveillance we've all come to integrate into our lives 24/7. There are a ton of psych...
2024-02-121h 16CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 075: Disability and Laughing, They Do Go Together — The Fundamentals of Caring (2016) with Crissa Draper
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Crissa Draper as they discuss the the ins and outs of caring for a person with disabilities and the impact of grief in The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)! The films stars Paul Rudd as Paul Rudd playing a guy named Ben Benjamin, a father looking to make a major change in his life, becoming a full-time in-home caretaker. His first client is irascible Trevor, played by Craig Roberts, who has muscular dystrophy and is confined to a wheelchair. The film was written and directed by Rob Burnett, based on the book The...
2024-01-221h 43CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 074: Virgil Picked Up His Hammer and Saw, and Hated it — At First Sight (1999) with KatieAnn Skogsberg
Join Alex and guest host Dr. KatieAnn Skogsberg as they discuss the fascinating story inspired by a true one, about a man who regains his sight after being blind for decades, in At First Sight (1999)! The story follows Val Kilmer's Virgil Adamson, as he receives cataract surgery and begins to "see", exploring a whole new world of visual sensations, all for a woman he met massaging, played by Mira Sorvino. The story mirrors the real life struggles of Shirley Jennings, a blind man who underwent a similar surgery and told his story to Dr. Oliver Sacks. It's...
2024-01-011h 47CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 073: Self-Expansion Theory Across the Multiverse! Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) with Mona Xu
Join Alex and guest host Xiaomeng (Mona) Xu as they discuss the multiverse romp Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022), a film by writer-director team Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (the Daniels), starring Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis, James Hong, and Stephanie Hsu. They explore self-expansion theory in identity formation, across the multiverse, as well as the central theme of the film: relationships within the immigrant experience. There's a lot of silliness to be had here, so wear that googly eye while you listen to this engaging episode, doing your laundry and taxes!
2023-12-111h 47CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 072: Gender Expression and The Patriarchy and Toys! Barbie (2023) with Molly Metz
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Molly Metz as they jump into the pink land that is Barbie (2023)! There's so much in this episode that they crammed in, and they didn't even get to everything. Alex and Molly explore gender expression, gender identity, masculinity, femininity, queerness, relationships, and of course, the role Barbie has had in Western/American culture since her debut in the 1950s. There are lot of great nuggets of info and a lot of laughs, and that's just in the podcast — imagine what's in the movie!
Check out these li...
2023-11-201h 35CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 071: Four Walls, Infinite Feels — Room (2015) with Chelsea Robertson
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Chelsea Robertson as they discuss the tragedy and the triumph of a mother and her 5-year-old son in the heart-wrenching book adaptation of Room (2015). They explore the social and cognitive development of Jack, the little boy, who for five years, has only known the inside of a shed that they call "Room." We also explore the role of trauma in both Jack and his Ma, Joy, as they navigate their life inside and outside of Room. It's a tough book, it's a tough movie, and of course, it's going to be...
2023-10-301h 39CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 070: Physics Avengers... Assemble! Oppenheimer (2023) with Sy Islam
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Sy Islam as they discuss the smash-hit from 2023, Oppenheimer! Christopher Nolan's three-hour peek behind the creation of the team that formed the Manhattan Project and the literal fallout from the creation and dropping of the first atomic bombs, featuring the amazing performances by Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Josh Hartnett, among many many more others. The pair discuss the formation of the "Physics Avengers" from an Industrial-Organizational Psych perspective, while exploring how they prevented the bias groupthink from pervading the critical decisions. It's a...
2023-10-091h 13CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 069: The Doc with Staged Wilderness and Cultural Missteps—Nanook of the North (1922) with Phil Duncan
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Phil Duncan as they discuss cinema's first documentary, Nanook of the North (1922), which was actually the second filming of said documentary! Dr. Duncan is a cinema studies professor and documentarian filmmaker, so he comes with receipts about how this documentary is more like a docudrama, with behind-the-scenes drama and some piping hot tea about the filmmaker, Robert Flaherty.
Check out his documentary, Mississippi Mud: The Natural History of the Blues
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2023-09-181h 04CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 068: This Music Makes Me Feel... The Psychology of Star Wars (1977) Music with Jim Davies & Joe Kraemer
Join Alex and guest hosts Dr. Jim Davies and Hollywood composer Joe Kraemer as they discuss the powerful music of composer John Williams' immaculate score of Star Wars (1977) and its subsequent film franchise. In 2015, the two guests hosts wrote a chapter — after decades of friendship and a shared love of nerd culture and music — on the psychology of the music from the famous sci-fi/fantasy film from George Lucas. The trio chat about how the music makes the viewer feel and how Williams uses the concept of leitmotifs to signal how characters interact and why certain sounds with...
2023-08-281h 15CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 067: A Real Life Schizophrenia Experience — A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Join Alex as he discusses wonderfully brilliant biopic of John Forbes Nash, Jr. in A Beautiful Mind (2001). The movie focuses on John Nash's struggle with finding an original idea to make his mark while also battling schizophrenia and the paranoid delusions and hallucinations it brought. The episode takes a an accuracy approach, since we are talking about an actual historical figure. What was true about Joh Nash's experience with the psychological disorder and how did director Ron Howard portray that for the audience in the film?
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2023-08-0755 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 066: Tarantino Characters Flirting with Religion and Morality? Pulp Fiction (1994) with Jason Spiegelman
Join Alex and returning guest host Jason Spiegelman as they discuss another one of Quentin Tarantino's classic, dare we say, most popular film, Pulp Fiction (1994). Much like their last episode, they spend most of the time just chatting about their favorite scenes and lines from the classic gangster-like film that weaves in and around different converging storylines. Live from their hotel room at the 2023 AP Psych Reading, they celebrate the podcast's fourth anniversary. chatting about morality, religion, and nihilism! The episode IS a TASTY burger!
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2023-07-171h 08CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 065: Milgram’s Conclusions on Obedience are Shocking! Experimenter (2015) with Sophie Halliday
Join Alex and guest host Sophie Halliday as they chat about the historical and psychological impact of Stanley Milgram's famous experiments on obedience and social influence in Michael Almereyda's Experimenter (2015), the other historical psychology movie that came out that year. This biopic stars Peter Sarsgaard as the titular character, with Winona Ryder, Jim Gaffigan, and several other star appearances as participants in the obedience studies. This witty drama-comedy takes the audience into the creation and data collection of the shock studies, but also other social influence experiments Milgram conducted over his 30ish year career. There are so...
2023-06-261h 22CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 064: Sex, Drugs, and Psychoanalysis? A Dangerous Method (2011) with Sheila Thomas
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Sheila Thomas as they chat about the connection and the eventual schism of Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud in David Cronenberg's psychological thriller (?) A Dangerous Method, based on the book A Most Dangerous Method: The Story of Jung, Freud, and Sabina Spielrein, and the stage play The Talking Cure. The film stars Michael Fassbender as Jung and Viggo Mortensen as Freud, with Kiera Knightley as Sabina Spielrein. Spielrein enters Jung's life as a woman with hysteria (not a real disorder), but that turns into an affair with Jung, as he grapples...
2023-06-051h 23CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 063: Intersectionality is a Real Concept, Y’all — The Color Purple (1985) with Wind Goodfriend
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Wind Goodfriend in a discussion of the psychological concepts in Steven Spielberg's critical hit drama The Color Purple (1985), which stars a breakout performer Whoopi Goldberg, amazing Oprah Winfrey, and the immaculate Danny Glover (albeit a terrible character)! The main topic on the agenda: intersectionality, and what it meant for Black folks in Jim Crow rural south, but also Black women and the bonds they make and break. It's a window into a challenging life, where women were treated as pawns and subhuman. It's based on the book by Alice Walker...
2023-05-151h 22CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 062: Listen! It’d Be a Lot Cooler If You Did — Dazed and Confused (1993) with Chris Miller
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Chris Miller as they discuss the wild and crazy Richard Linklater film Dazed and Confused (1993), a movie that came out in the 90s, but set in the mid-1970s. The film follows teens, such as Jason London, Anthony Rapp, Adam Goldberg, Parker Posey, Joey Lauren Adams, and Ben Affleck, as they end the school year with epic hazing for those matriculating students and a wild party in the forest. There's a lot of adolescent and young adult drama, as well as some solid social psychological concepts found in this film. So...
2023-04-241h 22CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 061: McMurphy’s Stay at the State Hospital — One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Join Alex as he discusses One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), a tour de force from Milos Forman, Jack Nicholson, and Louise Fletcher! The film follows Randall McMurphy, an inmate at a work camp in Oregon who successfully (?) tricks them into thinking he's insane and so he gets transferred to the Oregon State Hospital, a psychiatric facility. This episode explores the state of treatment in the early 1960s in America and elsewhere in the Western world, as well as the Dark Triad set of personality traits — the hallmark of psychopathy — in the character of McMurphy himself. Did the...
2023-04-031h 10CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 060: Baseball is a Game of Statistics! Moneyball (2011) with Jessica Hartnett
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jessica Hartnett as they discuss the wonderful game of baseball and the even more wonderful subject of statistics in the film Moneyball (2011), a movie adapted from a book based on another book about all the stats in baseball! And as baseball fans AND teachers of stats, imagine the gushing and the excitement about two amazing topics all rolled into one! Follow as they discuss the wonderful portrayals by Brad Pitt as real-life baseball general manager Billy Beane and Jonah Hill as the fake stats guru Peter Brand in the real-life transformation...
2023-03-131h 06CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 059: He Wasn’t Even Supposed to Be There Today! Clerks (1994) with Nic Baldwin
Join Alex and guest host Nicholas Baldwin as they discuss the wild antics of two clerks in Kevin Smith's cult class Clerks (1994). Follow Dante (Brian O'Halloran) and Randall (Kevin Anderson) as they navigate a day of true terribleness at a strip mall with the Quik Stop and the movie store. Oh, and let's not forget Jay and Silent Bob! The psych concepts are numerous in the world of Industrial-Organizational Psych and Nic is here to explain how even a clerk of a store are worthy of a closer IO look. Oh, and there's plenty of "I'm not...
2023-02-201h 07CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 058: Can I Persuade You To Stop Smoking? Thank You For Smoking (2005) with Ed Hansen
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Ed Hansen in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the hilarious and sardonic dark comedy Thank You For Smoking (2005). The film was written and directed by Jason Reitman, and stars Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello, David Koechner, Cameron Bright, J.K. Simmons, William H. Macy, and Robert Duvall — a ton of huge names in a tight film that explores major health psychology and persuasion concepts. How does the film parody one of the leading causes of death for decades? How is Nick Naylor SO GOOD at talking and getting pe...
2023-01-301h 46CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 057: Conditioning Kids to Not Chop Down Trees — The Lorax (2012) with Kiersten Baughman
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Kiersten Baughman as they discuss the many clear learning principles in Dr. Seuss' beloved classic The Lorax (2012), or more directly, the modern retelling of the classic, featuring songs! They discuss classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning theory, all found within the main story of conservationism and anti-capitalism! I know marshmallows are lovely, but they are worth cutting down all the trees, my little bear friends! As the Lorax says, "I speak for the trees, and they say could you f-in' not?!"
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2023-01-091h 07CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 056: How Did Psychology Hurt Scott Calvin? The Santa Clause (1994)
Join Alex as he discusses a timeless Christmas classic, The Santa Clause (1994), starring Tim Allen in one of his more-famous roles. Watch as he becomes Santa after being tricked into it by magical law — this sounds like real life — and as he spends the entire runtime throwing psychiatry and psychology under the bus! It's almost like the real Tim Allen put in his own disdain for an entire professional field into the movie! But don't forget about all the great examples of belief perseverance and belief revision amongst the characters! Just press play on this episode — your ears w...
2022-12-1955 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 055: Autism and a Better Life for Cattle — Temple Grandin (2010) with Sara Bagley
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Sara Bagley as they embark on a discussion of Autism Spectrum Disorder and visual eidetic memory in the lovely and inspiring biopic of the real-life ASD advocate AND cattle-life revolutionary, Temple Grandin in HBO's Temple Grandin (2010)! They discuss the basics of ASD, what the film gets right and what the film ditches for the sake of the narrative, as well as Dr. Grandin's amazing shift in the cattle industry's practices. They include nuggets of visual storytelling so that the viewer can feel and experience Temple's internal struggle and brilliance, expertly...
2022-11-281h 06CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 054: Fatphobia and Misogyny in a Romantic Comedy? That Can’t Be! Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) with Jordan Wagge
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Jordan Wagge (Twitter: @jorowags) as they take a closer look at the problematic themes and issues in 2001's Bridget Jones's Diary! A successful vehicle for Renee Zellweger, which spawned two sequels, it does have strong "romantic comedy" vibes, which includes things like fatphobia, misogyny, sexual harassment, and a lot more! Would it hold up today? Probably not, and not just because of those things — just look at how many people are smoking cigarettes on film AND inside!
More information on CREP, the Collaborative Replication Education Project....
2022-11-071h 04CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 053: False Memories AND a Trip to Mars? Sign Me Up! Total Recall (1990)
Join Alex as he discusses a timeless sci-fi classic from Paul Verhoeven and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Total Recall (1990)! Of course, this movie is all about how you might implant memories into a person, giving them the experience without the experience! We follow Doug Quaid, having an existential crisis in his life, realizing he got his memories changed into false ones by a criminal syndicate called the Agency. Do these false memories, from Rekall Inc., really mean he's a new person? Join the discussion of the 90s best — yeah, we said it — sci-fi jaunt from Phillip K. Dick and Verh...
2022-10-171h 06CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 052: We Might Love David If He Wasn’t So Creepy — A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) with Jim Davies
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jim Davies in a discussion of the portrayal of artificial intelligence, consciousness, and love in Steven Spielberg's Pinocchio-esque film, A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001)! We explore the idea of artificial intelligence, what it means to be conscious or sentient, and how well the film works on these fundamentally hard-to-define fronts. Though Jim is a cognitive scientist, Alex also asks him about the film's idea of love and what it means to be loved, which hits at The Velveteen Rabbit's ideal of what it means to be real and who is worthy of...
2022-09-261h 34CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 051: Hans Landa is a Psych Case Study—Inglourious Basterds (2009) with Jason Spiegelman
Join Alex and returning guest host Jason Spiegelman as they discuss a one of Quentin Tarantino's classic westerns... set during World War II, and in France, Inglourious Basterds (2009). Rather than naming specific psychological principles in this discussion, a focus is on the characters, their motivations, and the scenes in which those motivations are readily apparent. What does it mean to express unfettered glee at the death of Nazis? Why would a German soldier really think using the wrong number three means spies? And why is Hans Landa one of the most terrifying movie villains in a good...
2022-09-051h 31CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 050: Self-Discovery Right Before a Wedding is Ill-Advised — The Philadelphia Story (1940)
Join Alex as he discusses a solid romantic screwball comedy from the early film days, The Philadelphia Story (1940), starring Golden Age of cinema heavyweights like Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart! In this episode, we'll explore how Katherine Hepburn's character, Tracy, comes to learn more about herself through social psychological principles regarding the formation of the SELF. Alex also dives into the portrayal of gender roles, as this movie revolves around Tracy's very important wedding. Alex also gushes about the Mid-Atlantic accent, a highlight of films in this era! It's positively lovely...
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2022-08-161h 10CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 049: Birthdays Are Random, Folks — Born on the Fourth of July (1989) with Anthony Zoccolillo
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Anthony Zoccolillo as they discuss the middle film of Oliver Stone's Vietnam trilogy, Born on the Fourth of July (1989). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), patriotism, and activism are fantastic topics to explore in this war film based on the life of a real Vietnam veteran that went from blind patriot to leading antiwar activist, Ron Kovic. It really puts events of today in perspective, sheesh...
Check out 50 States of Terror episode that Zocc was on for Mental Health Awareness Month, May 2022!
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2022-07-041h 14CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 048: Who Woulda Thunk Superheroes Would Make Decent Leaders? The Marvel Cinematic Universe with Sy Islam & Gordon Schmidt
Join Alex and guest hosts Drs. Sy Islam and Gordon Schmidt in a discussion of the various leadership qualities of several Marvel superheroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008 - Present)! The Universe is huge, there are so many movies, but the characters span several movies, played by the same actors, so we have the ability to track growth and development in this action-adventure genre! Sy and Gordon literally wrote the book on leadership in the MCU, so join us to find out which characters Papa Kevin Feige has made successful leaders — and you'll even hear our three fu...
2022-06-131h 13CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 047: I Wouldn’t Say I’ve Been Missing Work—Office Space (1999) with Ed Hansen
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Ed Hansen in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the sharp witty satire of late-1990s office work in Mike Judge's Office Space (1999)! It's high time we discussed the often-neglected child of psychology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and all that it has to offer in this laugh-filled podcast episode exploring a laugh-inducing commentary on bad bosses, crappy office work environments, and toxic corporate mentality. The movie starts Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, John C. McGinley, Gary Cole, and Stephen Root as Milton... you'll have to listen to hear me doing my best...
2022-05-231h 43CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 046: Let’s Talk About Sex... Research — Kinsey (2004) with Leslee Koritzke
Join Alex and guest host Leslee Kortizke in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the biopic of Dr. Alfred Kinsey in the aptly-named Kinsey (2004)! The discussion is of course on the titular character's groundbreaking work on the sexual behaviors of Americans in the 1940s and 1950s, an extremely taboo subject of the time! The episode features an exploration of the precursors to the work, as portrayed in the film, with an explanation of the methods used and a critique of the work through a more modern lens. Let's have a discussion about sex, shall we?
2022-05-021h 26CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 045: A Juicy 90s Satire of Conversion Therapy—But I’m a Cheerleader (1999) with Molly Metz & Will Ryan
90s satire But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)! The film stars Natasha Lyonne and Clea Duvall as lesbians forced to attend a straight conversion camp. While the content is heavy — conversion therapy is wrong at all levels for both orientation AND gender conversion — if you're ready to laugh at the absurdity of it all, tag along! The trio chat about gender identity and roles, sexual orientation, and how this movie turns typical gay and lesbian tropes on their head! According to Dr. Ryan, it's a lesbian cult classic!
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2022-04-101h 35CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 044: Wait, Zimbardo Didn’t Do An Experiment? The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015) with Keli Braitman and Jen Simonds
Join Alex and guest hosts Drs. Keli Braitman and Jen Simonds as the three dissect and discuss the dramatic take on the real life The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)! The film stars Billy Crudup as the real Dr. Philip Zimbardo, a psychologist who became famous for putting college-aged men in a fake prison in the basement of the psychology building in the summer of 1971, letting guards treat these men as less than humans. We tackle the ethical issues, the psychology of the situation, and how this kind of study would never pass muster in this modern era of...
2022-02-281h 31CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 043: A Disney Version of a Discussion on Racial Prejudice—Remember the Titans (2000) with Wind Goodfriend
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Wind Goodfriend in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the uplifting but superficial film, Remember the Titans (2000)! We discuss whether the discussion and commentary in this "Based on a True Story" story holds up in our modern discussion on prejudice and race, dive deep into the Allport theory of contact and cooperation and the Sherif Robbers Cave field experiment, and finally chat about the real life events surrounding this story versus the film's creative license. But, football? LEFT SIDE... STRONG SIDE!
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2022-02-071h 20CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 042: A Trans, Religious, Simulation Allegory, Oh My! The Matrix Film Franchise with Alex Swan
Join Alex in an exploration of the themes and allegories — that have a psychological flair, of course — in The Matrix (1999) film franchise! In this episode, Alex dives into the Wachowski sisters' true meaning of the first film, which was a transgender allegory. He also explores the iconic religious allegory, as well as a discussion about simulation theory. Some other details are also discussed, like how you can really function with a giant spike shoved into the back of your skull! (Hint: you can't.) While there is minimal discussion of the new film, The Matrix: Resurrections (2021), consider this a mi...
2022-01-171h 23CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 041: If Freud is the Butt of the Jokes, What Does it Mean? What About Bob (1991) with Jordan Wagge
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Jordan Wagge (BlueSky: @jorowags.bsky.social) as they take a closer look at the goofy Bill Murray comedy What About Bob? (1991). This Frank Oz classic that also stars Richard Dreyfuss as Dr. Leo Marvin is a wild ride in anxiety, therapy, and Freud jokes! Alex and Jordan officially start the Dr. Leo Marvin Haters Club and decide he is one of the worst people — not just therapist — in the world. But remember, don't think too hard about the psych portrayal in the movie, it's a comedy!
Plea...
2021-12-061h 17CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 040: Wait, A Chimp Can Fly A Plane?! Project X (1987) with Karen Brakke
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Karen Brakke in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the unofficial sequel to Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Project X (1987), starring Matthew Broderick and Helen Hunt. This film is fascinating for its portrayal of animal cognition, animal rights in research, and just how similar Broderick's character is just another Ferris Bueller! We also have an interesting discussion regarding various projects occurring around the same time period in psychology, and marvel about how well they portrayed a psychology graduate student!
Check out the Southeastern Teaching of Psychology...
2021-11-151h 23CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 039: Do You Remember the Last Time We Talked About This Film? Memento (2000) with Alex Swan
Join Alex in an renewed exploration of the memory issues and portrayal Memento (2000)! We first talked about this film all the way back in July 2019, in Episode 000. In this episode, Alex dives a little deeper into the portrayal of anterograde amnesia and the ultimate outcome of the story, including the speculation about which character is telling the truth. This is truly a wonderful film that does a pretty decent job at exploring how anterograde amnesia might work in the wild. And let's not forget Christopher Nolan's wonderful storytelling technique of a backwards narrative!
...
2021-10-251h 10CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 038: Men Can Get Really Angry! 12 Angry Men (1957 & 1997) with Jordan Wagge & Jason Spiegelman
Join Alex and returning guest hosts Dr. Jordan Wagge and Jason Spiegelman as the three dissect and discuss the two major American versions of the stage play and short story 12 Angry Men! The first major release was in 1957, written and directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Henry Fonda. The second, made-for-TV movie, was released in 1997, and starred several great actors, including John Lemmon, William Peterson, James Gandolfini, Mykelti Williams, Tony Danza, and the venerable George C. Scott. We explore social influence, persuasion, racism and prejudice, confirmation bias, and toxic masculinity. Wouldn't this be a better scenario if...
2021-10-041h 37CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 037: This Film is One Giant Racist and Sexist Fest! Crash (2004) with Karenna Malavanti
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Karenna Malavanti in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the wildly controversial film, Crash (2004)! It's controversial because even writer-director Paul Haggis doesn't think it should have won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Oh, and the fact that each scene or connected vignette features truly awful human beings! But we wade into the controversy and discuss racism, sexism, prejudice, and stereotypes... so *crash* into us!
Follow Karenna on Twitter: @KMalavanti
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2021-09-131h 12CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 036: Wait, the Prison Was a Metaphor? The Shawshank Redemption (1994) with Justine Egan-Kunicki
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Justine Egan-Kunicki in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the classic prison film, The Shawshank Redemption (1994), a film based on a novella by Stephen King that doesn't have any horror or supernatural elements. Just good old fashioned, mid-century prison brutality! It is set in Maine, though... anyway, the episode explores psychological prison, institutionalization, and hope. It stars Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins in perhaps two of their best roles. You can't help but smile as the end of the movie sweeps you away to Mexico!
2021-08-231h 29CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 035: Mental Health, Sexuality, and Suicide, Oh My! The Hours (2002) with Crystal Steltenpohl
Join Alex and Dr. Crystal Steltenpohl in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the crushing, but a poignant look at relationships and happiness, film The Hours (2002). The film stars Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Meryl Streep as three women struggling with their mental health, relationships, and happiness, connected by the story written by the famous Virginia Woolf. Listen, Nicole Kidman's prosthetic nose was great to be like Virginia, but it didn't change color!
Check out Crystal on Twitter! Also, don't forget to pop over to the Open Scholarship Knowledge Base.
2021-08-021h 37CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 034: This is One Reality Show That Definitely Isn't Ethical—The Truman Show (1998) with Mehwish Safdar
Join Alex and Virginia Commonwealth University undergrad Mehwish Safdar in a discussion of the various psychological concepts in the wildly unethical, but touching lark The Truman Show (1998). The film stars Jim Carrey, in a shift from his sillier roles earlier in the 90s, as the titular Truman Burbank. He's the real person in an elaborate reality show. Joining him are Ed Harris and Laura Linney as the creator Christof and his fake wife, respectively. It's a fantastic ride and could be useful in discussions beyond ethics!
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2021-07-121h 00CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 033: With L-Dopa, You Too Can Do the Hokey Pokey (But Only if You're Rigid)—Awakenings (1990) with Sara Bagley
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Sara Bagley in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the wonderful film based on the book of the same name, written by Dr. Oliver Sacks, Awakenings (1990)! The film stars Robin Williams as a facsimile of Dr. Sacks and Robert De Niro in one of his strongest method roles. We discuss everything you wanted to know about L-Dopa and dopamine, among this wild trip based in truth.
Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to...
2021-06-211h 25CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 032: How Stalking and Insurance Scams Drive a Person Insane—Unsane (2018) with Alex Swan
Join Alex in a solo episode as he discusses the psychological concepts in a sleeper indie thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh, Unsane (2018). It stars Claire Foy as a woman suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from a stalker, but everyone at the health clinic thinks she's delusional, because who stalks these days, amirite? Anyway, it's a cautionary tale about believing women and insurance scams! The idea for covering this film came from a General Psychology class Watch Party on Alex's Twitch.tv channel (https://twitch.tv/cogpsychprof).
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2021-05-3159 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 031: CinemaPsych at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference 2021—What's Your Film Pedagogy?
Join Alex in a special episode of the podcast! In this ep, Alex hosts a Roundtable Discussion at the Annual Conference of the Midwestern Psychological Association, held virtually in 2021 due to the ongoing COVID pandemic. Several educators in psychology joined to discuss their film pedagogy. Here are their details:
Sara Bagley, Lindenwood University
Crystal N. Steltenpohl, University of Southern Indiana
Thomas Dirth, Bemidji State University
Jordan Wagge, Avila University (and past guest host)
Bonnie Ekstrom
Alan Zheng
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2021-05-1033 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 030: I Can't Get Over the Stalker Behavior! 50 Shades of Grey (2015) with Kiersten Baughman
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Kiersten Baughman in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the poorly-acted but provocative BDSM LARP, 50 Shades of Grey (2015)! Starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan, this film really shows how a stalker can ultimately win: just be rich!
Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to hear from you!
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2021-04-191h 05CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 029: It's Just a Jump to the Right... of Acceptance? The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) with Wind Goodfriend
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Wind Goodfriend in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the outrageous but important cult class film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)! We do the Time Warp again to discuss the sex, sexuality, and gender-bending concepts that are all over this wild musical. The message here is, don't dream it, BE IT!
Check our Dr. Goodfriend's new Audible course, The Science of Love.
Additional reading, care of the "your thoughts" segment: Toward a Sociology of Cult Films: Reading "Rocky Horror"
2021-03-291h 09CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 028: It Really is Hard to Forget This Film—Still Alice (2014) with Shana Southard-Dobbs
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Shana Southard-Dobbs in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the somber and illustrative film, Still Alice (2014)! Alzheimer's disease is front and center in this tour de force by Julianne Moore. Both Shana and I thought some of the aspects of the film came too close to home, but not for the memory loss, but that it happens to a college professor and cognitive scientist!
Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to hear from...
2021-03-081h 22CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 027: Honey, Where's My Dinner? Pleasantville (1998) with Will Ryan
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Will Ryan in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the whimsical fairy tale, Pleasantville (1998)! This film has so many lovely allegories, so we explore as many as we can in a short amount of time. Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon are fantastic in these early roles of their careers, with William H. Macy doing a great job asking... "Where is my dinner?"
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2021-02-1554 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 026: K-Mart Got Some Really Great Product Placement—Rain Man (1988) with Anthony Zoccolillo
Join Alex and Anthony Zoccolillo as they discuss the great but problematic Rain Man (1988). These are some wonderful performances by Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, but the autism portrayal was a product of its time. After you listen to this podcast episode, pull up a chair and watch The People's Court!
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2021-01-251h 02CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 025: I Think There's An Allegory In Here Somewhere—X-Men Franchise (2000-2019) with Michael Alexander
Join Alex and guest host Michael Alexander in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the X-Men film franchise (2000-2019), films where the allegories for civil rights for minority populations and groups hit you like Magneto would hit you with a steel bar! We do also delve into the 90s cartoon and of course discuss the comic books that informed these films.
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2021-01-041h 44CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 024: Don't Take a Job at a Lighthouse, You'll Go Mad! The Lighthouse (2019) with Alex Swan
Join Alex in a solo episode as he discusses the psychological concepts in a well-filmed but strikingly strange film The Lighthouse (2019). It stars Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe, ONLY, as we explore the descent (?) into madness when guilt, excessive drinking, and isolation make a formidable cocktail. This episode also represents a different delivery method, much like Episode 022/Fight Club, with the bulk of the discussion happening during a live stream of Alex's (https://twitch.tv/cogpsychprof), with participation and some shoutouts to Twitch chat. It also includes some sound bites that will sound different, because they were...
2020-12-1446 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 023: All Work and No Play MakesJack a Narcissist—The Shining (1980) with Sully Coleman
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Sully Coleman in a discussion of the psychological concepts in Stanley Kubrick's wild psychological horror The Shining (1980), a film where you get the sense something is wrong—perhaps it's all the ghosts in the hotel OR, and hear me out, it's Jack's unrelenting narcissism!
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2020-11-231h 24CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 022: Welp, it Looks Like I Broke the First Two Rules—Fight Club (1999) with Alex Swan
Join Alex in a solo episode as he discusses the psychological concepts in a wild ride of a film, Fight Club (1999), starring Edward Norton and Brad Pitt as the same person... but actually different people? This episode is also an experimental delivery, with the bulk of the discussion happening during a live stream of Alex's (https://twitch.tv/cogpsychprof), with participation and some shoutouts to Twitch chat.
Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to hear from you!
2020-10-2656 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 021: The Film Where the DID Psychologist Does Everything Wrong—Split (2016) with Lyra Stein
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Lyra Stein in a discussion of the psychological concepts in Split (2016), a film where M. Night Shyamalan returns to the height of his powers in an exploration of Dissociative Identity Disorder, but breaks that whole thing by bringing in some supernatural elements. James McAvoy is so good, though!
Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to hear from you!
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2020-10-121h 04CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 020: Please Don't Try to Erase This Podcast Episode from Your Memory--Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) with Jordan Wagge
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jordan Wagge in a discussion of the psychological concepts in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), a cerebral (pun intended!) romp with Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, written by Charlie Kaufman. We don't recommend getting a procedure to erase memories, for any reason!
You can also find Jordan on BlueSky: @jorowags.bsky.social
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2020-09-211h 09CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 019: Fly Fishing and Family Time Dynamics--Can Brad Pitt Be My Brother? A River Runs Through It (1992) with Jason SpiegelmanJoin Alex and returning guest host Jason Spiegelman as they discuss the family dynamics in the fly fishing period piece, A River Runs Through It (1992). The film stars Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt, and Craig Sheffer as father and sons just trying to make it in early 20th century Montana. Honestly, the only thing you can really focus on are the amount of stares people make and all the fly fishing. Makes you want to forget all your troubles and just go wade out into a river!
Check out a fun, early-in-podcast-producing moment from the last time Jason...
2020-08-311h 00CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 018: The Stereotypes Slashed Me Harder Than the Actual Knives! Scream (1996) with Angela Bell
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Angela Bell in a discussion of the psychological concepts in Scream (1996), Wes Craven's reimagining and spoofing of his own slasher films. Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, and lots more star in this movie that has so many gender stereotypes and aggression, our eyes rolled too far back in our heads and now we're permanently stuck like that. Also find out how Craven got his start in film--and how that relates to Randy's horror movie rules!
Check out recent articles on racial equality, equity, and justice current...
2020-08-101h 13CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 017: CinemaPsych is One Year Old! A Year in Review and a Look to the Future with Astrid Swan
Join Alex and his wife Astrid as they discuss the first year of the podcast, her thoughts on some favorite moments and episodes, a a look to the future of the podcast, including films that are on the docket in the upcoming year! Onward!
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2020-07-2048 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 016: Social Media Profiles and FBI Profiles are the Same, Right? Red Dragon (2002) with Marc Klippenstine
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Marc Klippenstine for a discussion of the psychological concepts in Red Dragon (2002), the second best Hannibal Lecter movie, but one where we can explore if the FBI is just using our social media to determine whether or not we're serial murderers! Edward Norton is an established profiler and Anthony Hopkins is still very creepy...
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2020-06-291h 06CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 015: Self-Expansion Your Relationship with Your Computer! Her (2013) with Jeff Bowen
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jeff Bowen in a discussion of the psychological concepts in Her (2013), another tour de force by Joaquin Phoenix (I suppose this show has become to the JP show by now...). We chat about how real a relationship with an OS could be--for me... I love my MacOS!
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2020-06-081h 26CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 014: This is an Idea of a Podcast Episode--American Psycho (2000) with Alex Swan
Join Alex in a solo episode as he discusses the psychological concepts in an "American" classic, American Psycho (2000), starring Christian Bale in perhaps one is his most iconic performances as Patrick Bateman, an investment banker who likes to kill folks but has an awesome skincare routine.
Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com) or on Facebook (@CinPsyPod). We'd love to hear from you!
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2020-05-181h 02CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 013: Are We Supposed to Laugh At or With This Guy? Joker (2019) with Wind Goodfriend
Join Alex and frequent guest host Dr. Wind Goodfriend on discussion of the psychological concepts in Joker (2019), the latest take on the amazing batman villain. Joaquin Phoenix gives a stunning performance of a guy just on the edge of reality. That laugh gives us the creeps!
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2020-04-271h 20CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 012: Don't Worry, This Episode Isn't About Coronavirus... We Think? Contagion (2011) with Anthony Zoccolillo
Join Alex and Anthony Zoccolillo as they discuss Contagion (2011), a film too important to pass up in this time of the coronavirus pandemic of 2019-2020! In this episode, we explore several eerily-good features of the science presented in the film, including panic-buying, the tremendous pressure to get things right by government officials, and conspiracy theories. It's honestly a scary form of life imitating art at this juncture. We end by chatting about how we're coping with the social distancing and offer some tips to our listeners. Join us on this ride!
Take a...
2020-04-061h 04CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 011: I'm Going to Fast Forward to the Last Person's Testimony--Rashomon (1950)/Knives Out (2019) with Celeste Pilegard
Join Alex and Celeste Pilegard as they discuss Rashomon (1950) and Knives Out (2019), two films cut from the same cloth (pun intended)! In this episode, the Rashomon effect is explored deeply, with discussions on police line-ups & eyewitness testimony, and whether we live in a shared reality. You really can't miss this whodunnit extravaganza!
Also, check out Celeste's Cognitive Psychology OER textbook (Cognitive Foundations)!
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2020-03-161h 30CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 010: I Need to Remember That Jingle Like I Need An HQ Crisis in My Head! Inside Out (2015) with Molly Metz
Join Alex and Molly Metz as they discuss Inside Out (2015), a long-awaited episode for the podcast. This episode has everything: a deep discussion of emotion theory, a critique of the memory representation, and the exploration of some possible hidden psychology gems. It's joyful, saddening, and maybe you'll have a jingle or two stuck in your head when you're finished listening! If you have a free moment, check out her passion: The Society for the Teaching of Psychology (STP).
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2020-02-241h 20CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 009: One Neuron, You're Alive; Two Make a Pair! Lucy (2013) Rage Watch with Christina Ragan
Join Alex and Christina Ragan (her FB Group for instructors for Bio and Neuro Psychology) in a discussion of the BAD psychological concepts in Luc Besson's gobbledegook sci-fi thriller (?) Lucy (2014). It stars Scarlett Johansson as the eponymous Lucy, a woman who unlocks supernatural powers just by using more of her brain, and Morgan Freeman, a science-adjacent person who has really weird theories about space-time and brains. We called this a Rage Watch followed by a Rage Chat! Join us.
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2020-02-0357 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 008: Don't Make Me Spray You With My Fox Repellent! Zootopia (2016) with Justine Egan-Kunicki
Join Alex and Justine Egan-Kunicki in a discussion of the psychological concepts Disney's animated jaunt Zootopia (2016). The voice roles are Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, and many others. It's like Disney's attempt to make up for all the really bad stuff it made in the mid-20th century!
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2020-01-1359 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 007: Despite All Her Rage, Ava is Still Just a Rat in a Cage! Ex Machina (2014) with Alex SwanJoin Alex in a solo episode as he discusses of the psychological concepts in Alex Garland's sci-fi headspace thriller Ex Machina (2015), starring Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, and Alicia Vikander in literally the only three main speaking roles. If this is our future, we clearly need to start welcoming our robot overlords. Full episode notes and transcript are available here.
2019-12-2244 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 006: Belief in Santa--Placebo Effect? Elf (2003) with Wind GoodfriendJoin Alex and Dr. Wind Goodfriend on discussion of the psychological concepts in Jon Favreau's holiday classic Elf (2003), where we being the meme game in and discuss how the belief in Santa could just be a placebo effect of in holiday cheer. Episode notes and full transcription available here.
2019-12-0251 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 005: On Podcasts, We Wear Pink--Mean Girls (2004) with Olivia AspirasJoin Alex and Olivia Aspiras in discussion of the psychological concepts in Tina Fey's masterpiece Mean Girls (2004), starring Lindsay Lohan, Tina Fey, Rachel McAdams (Amy Adams), and Amanda Seyfried in her first film role. It's the perfect podcast episode: not to long and not too short. We thank you for being so obsessed with us! Episode notes and transcription are available here.
2019-11-1151 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 004: Don’t Mess Around in Cemeteries! Phantasm (1979) with Randy SteinJoin Alex and Dr. Randy Stein on this Halloween edition of the podcast, for a discussion of the psychological concepts in Don Coscarelli's cult horror classic Phantasm (1979), starring Angus Scrimm as the horror villain, the Tall Man, in a role so-named because imagination and originality was used elsewhere in the film. Episode notes and a full transcription can be found here.
2019-10-2157 minCinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 003: I Have Dreamed a Dream… Within a Dream? Inception (2010) with Jason SpiegelmanJoin Alex and Jason Spiegelman on discussion of the psychological concepts in Christopher Nolan's Inception (2010), starring Leonardo DiCaprio and several other actors he hires again for the Dark Knight Rises. Full episode notes and transcription available here.
2019-09-301h 21CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 002: Is Being Stranded a Problem? Cast Away (2000) with Marc KlippenstineJoin Alex and Dr. Marc Klippenstine on discussion of the psychological concepts in Robert Zemeckis's Cast Away (2000), starring Tom Hanks and a volleyball named Wilson. Full transcription of the episode is available here.
2019-09-091h 28CinemaPsych PodcastEpisode 001: Come Viddy, Me Little Droogies--A Clockwork Orange (1971) with Wind GoodfriendJoin Alex and Dr. Wind Goodfriend on discussion of the psychological concepts in Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange (1971), based on the book by Anthony Burgess. Full episode transcription available here.
2019-08-2748 min