Westworld The Podcast

Do you like watching Ed Harris as a cowboy? Good news! There’s a whole movie where he does just that. Craig and Jake will be reviewing “Appaloosa” (2008). Here’s a quick preview along with some news about the podcast. If you have an HBO subscription, “Appaloosa” is available in the movie library right now for free.  

“The Seven Samurai” (1954) is considered not only one of the greatest samurai films ever but one of the greatest films ever. Craig and Jake discuss the the film’s history and Kurosawa’s brilliance (1:36), our general impressions of the movie (20:05), the use of movement and weather (27:40), the women in the movie (30:12), “13 Assassins” (36:30), their favorite moments (39:47), and Craig’s trip to Japan (43:18).  

One of the big surprises of the “Westworld” finale was the reveal of what may be Samuraiworld. In honor of that momentous revelation, we are going to review one of the greatest samurai films of all time: “The Seven Samurai” (1954). Here’s the preview.  

Here is our full interview with Ptolemy Slocum aka Sylvester. We discuss his improv background (2:20), how he ended up on “Westworld” and his amazing costume (9:16), his thought process behind the character of Sylvester (14:45), his off-screen friendship with Leonardo Nam (aka Felix) (23:11), what it was like being on the set (27:32), the prevalence of nudity (32:45), working with Thandie Newton (35:19), working with Billy Crystal in the “City Slickers” parody (39:43), a fun behind-the-scenes story (43:39), where he sees his character going in season 2 (46:56), and what it’s like watching as a fan (51:20).  

Ptolemy Slocum plays Sylvester, the ornery surgical tech in “Westworld.” Craig was able to interview him. Here’s a short preview of their discussion.  

“East of West” is an amazing graphic novel series that artfully melds the science fiction and western genres. It’s a great fix if you need something to help hold you over between now and season 2. Craig along with a new voice to the podcast, Wil Heflin, review volume one of the series. They discuss the comic’s background (2:08), Death as a protagonist (9:53), their general impressions (13:22), the artwork (19:55), their favorite moments (26:07), the importance of Image Comics (30:14), and a nod to the small, independent comic shop (38:39).

If you have a hankerin’ for more of the science-fiction western genre, pick up a copy of “East of West, Vol. 1.” Created by writer Jonathan Hickman and illustrator Nick Dragotta, “East of West” is an incredible graphic novel series and as soon as you’re finished with the first one, you’ll want to read the rest. Craig Carter and Wil Heflin, a new voice on the podcast, give you a preview.  

“To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar” (1995) is the drag queen western you never knew you needed. Starring Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo, this mid-90s gem is an amazing genre-bending, gender-bending western. Craig and Jake discuss facts about the film (6:42), why this movie is a western (13:15), how incredible Swayze, Snipes, and Leguizamo are (18:36), the Robin Williams and Naomi Campbell cameos (19:56), Sherrif “Dullard” (21:58), the faults of the film (31:13), how almost no one realized they were men (41:35), the politics inherent in the film (44:52), and some fun trivia (52:24).  

If you haven’t watched “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar,” do it. It’s the drag queen western you never knew you wanted. Craig and Jake give a preview.  

Craig, Heather, and Jake loved the original “Ghost in the Shell” (1995). And they were excited to see the new one. They discuss exciting Westworld news (:50), the new “Ghost in the Shell” (5:10), spoilers and “The Fate of the Furious” trailer (5:51), comparing the original with the live-action (7:29), the clarity of the film (7:58), the cybernetic enhancements (13:53), the geisha-bots and the spider tank (15:06), the depiction of “the net” (24:08), Kuze and the lack of existential crisis (25:38), Batou, Pilou Asbæk, Togusa, and the garbagemen (34:21), the advertisements (42:35), the big controversy (48:03), connections to Lost in Translation (54:05), and therm-optics and mind-comm (55:34).  

The trailer for season 2 of “Westworld” was leaked! Craig, Jake, and Brian were all able to see it before HBO pulled it down. They recap what they were able to see from the exciting new teaser.  

We watched the original “Ghost in the Shell” (1995). Now we’re going to watch the new live-action version staring Scarlet Johannson. Craig, Heather, and Jake give you a preview.  

“Ghost in the Shell” is considered one of the great science fiction anime films of all time—and for good reason. Craig, Heather, and Jake got together to review it in anticipation of the new version set to release at the end of March. They discuss facts about the movie and their general impressions (1:40), the film’s influences (8:43), the brilliant animation (14:30), the question of consciousness (19:54), sexuality and gender identity (28:10), favorite moments (36:22), and their thoughts about the 2017 version (45:07).  

Considered one of the greatest anime films of all-time, “Ghost in the Shell” (1995) is a cyber-punk masterpiece. In anticipation of the modern reinterpretation coming out at the end of March, Craig, Heather, and Jake watched the original. Here’s a preview of their review of the movie.  

A modern western classic, “The Revenant” is a must-watch for anyone that’s a fan of the genre. Jake and Craig watched it. They discuss the film’s place among its contemporaries (2:08), the brilliance of Tom Hardy (4:07), why we'd never want to be an 1800s fur trapper (13:50), the bear attack (15:20), the amazing raid scene at the beginning of the movie (22:08), Jake’s experience during his first viewing (31:30), the film’s ridiculous beauty (38:21), the magical realism with a brief break to talk about Glass cauterizing his neck wound (45:44), the Native Americans (53:22), and what makes this movie a western (55:45).  

“The Revenant” is one of the best westerns (no, not the hotel chain) in recent memory. Craig and Jake give a short preview of their discussion of this modern epic.  

“Westworld” isn’t HBO’s first foray into westerns. Back in 2004, “Deadwood” premiered and although it didn’t last long, it remains one of the finest western-themed television shows ever made. Craig, Heather, and Brian review the pilot. Hear them talk about the history of the real Deadwood, South Dakota (1:30), facts about the show (9:07), our general thoughts about the pilot episode (16:31), the male characters (22:27), the foul language (25:03), the female characters (27:45), and if you should you watch this show if you liked “Westworld” (37:00).  

Did you know “Westworld” isn’t HBO’s only western series? In 2004, “Deadwood” premiered to critical acclaim. Unfortunately, it only lasted three seasons, but it remains one of the great television shows depicting the American frontier in the late 1800s. Craig, Heather, and Brian reviewed the pilot episode. Here’s a preview. 

Remember the Yul Brynner Easter egg in episode six “The Adversary”? Nick Marra is the artist who created that statue. A special FX artist for over two decades, Nick has incredible stories and we got to hear a bunch of them. Learn how he came to create the Yul Brynner statue, how it ended up in “Westworld,” and how a love of movies shaped his career.

Remember the Yul Brynner cameo in episode six, “The Adversary?” Nick Marra made that possible. He created an amazing sculpture of Yul Brynner’s gunslinger character from the original 1973 Westworld. Here’s a preview of our interview with him.