Pather Panchali
An adaptation of Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay's 1929 Bengali novel of the same name, 1955’s Pather Panchali marked Satyajit Ray’s directorial debut and features a non-professional cast laid on the backdrop of the authentically filmed Indian countryside. Clark and Cullen discuss the film’s wider importance and the trajectory of many of those involved’s careers.
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Pather Panchali
Sorcerer
Back for the new year, Clark and Cullen discuss William Friedkin’s 1977 psychedelic man vs nature drama Sorcerer. Cullen discusses why he chose the film and Clark chimes in on the way the film portrays the brutality of the jungle.
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Sorcerer
The New World
This time we discuss Clark’s pick, Terrence Malick’s The New World! Clark and Cullen chat about how long it’s been since their previous Malick discussion, how this movie asks you to not worry about standard story conventions, and dares you to trust your feelings!
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The New World
Koyaanisqatsi
Join us for an in depth discussion about Cullen’s pick Koyaanisqatsi - Godfrey Reggio’s 1982 experimental film! A film made up of mesmerizing timelapse photography, montage and beautiful landscapes of both natural wonders and cities, Reggio pairs these elements with a groundbreaking and iconic score by Philip Glass.
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Koyaanisqatsi
Raising Arizona
This week, we’re diving into the Coen Brothers’ 1987 film Raising Arizona! As their second feature, this film delivered their distinctive blend of offbeat humor and eccentric storytelling. With a standout cast led by Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter, Raising Arizona tells the hilariously chaotic tale of a couple's quest to build a family, only to find themselves entangled in a series of misadventures.
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Raising Arizona
Do the Right Thing
This week, we’re discussing Spike Lee’s 1989 film “Do the Right Thing”! While not Lee’s debut feature, his third film made concrete much of the style that he would become famous for and brought together an ensemble cast to tell a story of which’s cultural relevance continues to grow.
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Do the Right Thing
Eyes Wide Shut
Back from a brief hiatus due to some summer travel, Clark and Cullen discuss Cullen’s pick “Eyes Wide Shut”! Stanley Kubrick’s final film, and one enveloped in an air of mystery and conspiracy, this 1999 flick takes you on a dream-like journey over the course of a single night in the hyper-elite underbelly of New York City.
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Eyes Wide Shut
In the Name of the Father
This week Clark and Cullen talk about the 1993 historical drama In the Name of the Father. Set in Northern Ireland and England during the troubles and following the story of the Guilford Four, director Jim Sheridan focusses on Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his relationship with his father (Pete Postlethwaite), and their struggle to prove their innocence.
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In the Name of the Father
Film School and More with Chloe Leis
On this special episode of SoC, we chat with Chloe Leis, a young filmmaker starting her career after finishing film school (and who happens to be Clark’s niece)! Chloe talks about her experience at Chapman University, growing up with a passion for filmmaking, and working her first major gig on Mario Van Peebles’ Outlaw Posse.
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Film School and More with Chloe Leis
Phantom Thread
Clark and Cullen are back to discuss Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread! Daniel Day Lewis’ final on-screen performance is an incredible show of talent as he portrays the eccentric, intensely passionate 1950’s Fitzrovia dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock. A visually stunning, small-scale film, the discussion covers everything from our own personal experiences with the film to the technical details of how it was made.
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Phantom Thread
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Clark and Cullen discuss Tobe Hooper’s 1974 horror masterpiece The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Arguably the godfather of the slasher genre, this low budget flick still holds its weight, and with a new watch even pulls some welcome surprises from its sleeve.
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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Benjamin Koppin Interview
Today Clark and Cullen sit down with writer/director Benjamin Koppin to discuss his upcoming film “Pastor’s Kid”, as well as his career as an independent filmmaker.
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Benjamin Koppin Interview
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
Clark and Cullen take a different approach to today’s episode, instead covering a film unlike most others they’ve discussed. Both from a critical perspective and from the history of the film industry itself, Attack of the Clones changed how movies were made, ushering in the dawn of digital, VFX heavy blockbusters that still dominate the box office today.
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Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
The Last Temptation of Christ
In this episode, Clark and Cullen discuss current Oscar nominee Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ, a controversial and profound film which interrogates the humanity at the centre of the story of Jesus Christ, played brilliantly by Willem Dafoe.
Special thanks to today’s sponsor, Magic Mind! Go to https://magicmind.com/JANsoldiersofcinema and use promo code CINEMA20 to get 20 percent off on top of Magic Mind’s January discount as well one month free on a three month subscription!
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Episode 074 - The Last Temptation of Christ
Maestro
In this episode, Clark and Cullen discuss Bradley Cooper’s new film Maestro. A hot topic as we enter into awards season, the discussion focusses on the technical, performance and the wider conversation of biopics and their potential pitfalls.
Special thanks to today’s sponsor, Magic Mind! Go to https://magicmind.com/JANsoldiersofcinema and use promo code CINEMA20 to get 20 percent off on top of Magic Mind’s January discount as well one month free on a three month subscription!
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Episode 073 - Maestro
The Empty Man
Cullen and Clark discuss David Prior’s The Empty Man - the 2020 cosmic horror film released without any marketing budget, causing it to fly under many people’s radars and flop at the box office. Since releasing, it’s garnered a cult following, and Clark and Cullen discuss the merits of that as well as Cullen’s experience seeing the film with the director in attendance!
Special thanks to today’s sponsor, Magic Mind! Go to https://magicmind.com/soldiersofcinema and use promo code CINEMA20 to get 20 percent off one time orders of Magic Mind and up to 50 percent off of subscription orders!
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Episode 072 - The Empty Man
Die Hard
Join us as we spend some time discussing our creative process and the challenges that we’ve got to overcome when it comes to developing an idea and writing. Then, we dive into the feature for the episode - Die Hard! We discuss at length how the action genre has changed, why John McClane makes for a great protagonist, and much more!
Special thanks to today’s sponsor, Magic Mind! Go to https://magicmind.com/soldiersofcinema and use promo code CINEMA20 to get 20 percent off one time orders of Magic Mind and up to 50 percent off of subscription orders!
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Episode 071 - Die Hard
The Old Man & the Gun
Most of what follows is true! Join Clark and Cullen as they discuss David Lowery’s 2018 film The Old Man & the Gun, the (mostly) true story about bank robber Forrest Tucker who was described as “well, kind of a gentleman”. Cullen discusses his experience attending the premiere of the film, why he feels it’s underrated, and Clark remarks on the melancholic nostalgia he felt during the movie.
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Episode 070 - The Old Man & the Gun
Drugstore Cowboy
Join us for another discussion, this time about Gus Van Sant’s 1989 indie Drugstore Cowboy! Clark discusses his history with the film and emotional connection to it, Cullen remarks at his enjoyment with the spots of humor in the film and much much more!
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Episode 069 - Drugstore Cowboy
A Very Toronto Episode with Mike Wood and Adam Thorn
Join us for a very special episode, recorded live in Toronto at Eyesore Cinema! Clark and Cullen are recording live and in person for the first time, and are joined by Mike Wood (They Might Be Movies) and Adam Thorn (Terriblefest, Riot At The Movies) to discuss Canadian/Toronto film culture, underground cinema, putting on festivals and screenings and much, much more.
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Special Episode - Mike Wood and Adam Thorrn
Copyright 2017, Clark Coffey and 54-40 Films.