Changing Reels

We celebrate Black History Month with the 2002 film Antwone Fisher directed by Denzel Washington. The film tells the true story of a young naval officer who, through the help of a determined psychiatrist, comes to terms with his painful past. For our short film spotlight, we discuss Speak It!: From the Heart of Black Nova Scotia by Sylvia Hamilton.2:11 Speak It17:03 Antwone Fisher

This week we revisit F. Gary Gray’s 2015 film Straight Outta Compton. The film recounts the rise of the group N.W.A. whose music revolutionized Hip Hop culture and inspired a generation in the process. For our short film spotlight, we discuss Melville by James M. Johnston and Missy Elliott’s Work It by David Meyers.9:55 Melville19:36 Work It34:17 Straight Outta Compton

We kick off 2018 with Jim Jarmusch’s 1999 film Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai. In the film Forest Whitaker plays Ghost Dog, a mafia hit man who follows the ancient code of the samurai. For our short film spotlight, we discuss the Nick Cave narrated film The Cat Piano by Ari Gibson ​&​ Eddie White and Junko’s Shamisen by Sol Friedman.4:47 The Cat Piano by Ari Gibson ​&​ Eddie White 13:19 Junko's Shamisen by Sol Friedman21:06 Ghost Dog by Jim JarmuschOpening music comes courtesy of https://www.bensound.com

We are keeping things loose this episode as we are still recovering from the holidays and dealing with family related issues. So while there is no short film discussion this week, special guest Seth Gorden, the talent to artist who does all of our artwork, joins us to discuss Zacharias Kunuk’s stirring epic Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner. Hailed as one of the greatest Canadian films of all time, and inspired by an Inuit legend, the film is a captivating look at how community, mysticism and the sins of the past impact a family in unexpected ways​.​After some introductions and general cinematic musing, the conversation about The Fast Runner starts at 7:52.

We are joined once again by film critic Kristen Lopez ​to further discuss​​the representation of disability in cinema. This time we dive into the horror genre with Mike Flanagan’s 2016 thriller Hush. The film focuses on a writer who is deaf whose solitary life in the woods is disrupted by a masked killer. We also take a moment to ​highlight our two short film picks (available online for free): Rob Savage’s Dawn of the Deaf and Charlotte Wells’ Laps.6:59 Dawn of the Deaf21:11 Laps35:28 Hush

Film critic Kristen Lopez returns to Changing Reels for the first of two shows looking at the representation of disabilities in cinema. This episode we revisit Brian Dannelly’s 2004 satire Saved! The film follows Mary, a student at American Eagle Christian High School, whose life takes a drastic turn when she becomes pregnant after losing her virginity in hopes of “saving” her boyfriend who has recently admitted he is gay. We also take a moment to dive into our two short film picks (available online for free): Cousin by Adam Elliot and Hole by Martin Edralin.5:33 Cousin16:57 Hole27:46 Saved!

A neglectful father attempts to reconnect with his young daughter by accompanying her on a train ride to see his ex-wife. What starts off as a simple journey soon turns into a harrowing fight for survival as a zombie virus rapidly spreads across South Korea. This week film critic and Blood in the Snow Film Festival programmer Caroyln Mauricette joins us to discuss Yeon Sang-ho’s Train to Busan, one of the best zombie films in the last decade. We also take time to highlight our short film picks: Waterborne by Ryan Coonan and Paranoia by Sandeepan Chanda, Nitesh Mishra, Amrita Mukhopadhyay, and Sunil Kumar Yadav.3:28 Waterborne9:17 Paranoia19:00 Train to Busan

Living in post-revolutionary Tehran in the 1980s has not been easy for Shideh. With her dreams of becoming a doctor fading away due to her political activism during the war, she spends most of her time taking care of her daughter Dorsa while her husband pursues his medical career on the front lines. As the dangers of missile strike inch closer to her home, Shideh’s sanity is tested when Dorsa starts claiming that there is a spirit lurking in their home. This week we turn up the chills with Babak Anvari’s riveting directorial debut Under the Shadow. We also discuss our short film picks of the week: Paul Trillo’s At the End of the Cul-de-Sac and Steve McCarthy O Negative.4:40 - At the End of the Cul De Sac15:14 - O Negative23:59 - Under the ShadowPlease support Andrew's work on the podcast by contributing to his Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/cantstopthemovies

Ryan Coogler’s Creed, much like its protagonist Adonis Johnson Creed, strives to carve out its own path while dealing with the weight of his legacy. The seventh film in the Rocky franchise, not only pays homage to the films in the series that came before it, but forges its own identity while carrying the torch for a whole new generation. In this episode, we are joined by film critic Ryan McNeil to discuss why Creed ranks amongst the best boxing films in the last couple of decades. We also take time to highlight our short film picks: Quand J’ai Remplacé Camille by Nathan Otaño, Rémy Clarke & Leïla Courtillon and Standing 8 by Michael Molina Minard.5:51 When She Replaced Camille14:18 Standing 825:58 Creed

In Bliss Cavendar’s small town, winning a beauty pageant is akin to being a star player on the football team. Though her mother, a former beauty queen, longs for her to follow in her footsteps, Bliss finds her own path when she discovers her love for the sport of roller derby. Assuming the name “Babe Ruthless” she soon makes waves on the circuit while dealing with the complexities that come with finding oneself. This week lace up the skates and take a spin with Drew Barrymore’s 2009 film Whip It. We also discuss our short film picks: Hana Wuerker’s When Perri Met Aly and River Finlay’s Luchadora.4:51 When Perri Met Aly11:25 Luchadora18:42 Whip It

To placate his meddling Taiwanese parents, Wai-Tung agrees to a marriage of convenience with a struggling artist Wei Wei. What he failed to mentioned to his parents is that he is already in a loving relationship with Simon. Things spiral out of control for Wai-Tung when his parents decide to make a surprise visit to help plan the wedding. This week walk down the aisle with Ang Lee’s 1993 romantic comedy The Wedding Banquet. We also take time to highlight our short film picks of the week: Pink Grapefruit by Michael Mohan and In a Heartbeat by Beth David and Esteban Bravo.4:59 Pink Grapefruit13:49 In A Heartbeat21:59 The Wedding Banquet

The possibility of love opens for two lonely souls when the world’s most efficient delivery system makes a rare mistake. In this episode we talk love, the need for connection, the vibrancy of Mumbai and much more in Ritesh Batra delightful film The Lunchbox. We also take time to discuss our short film picks of the week: Jonathan Ng’s Requiem for Romance and Kaspar Jancis’ Piano.6:50 Jonathan Ng's Requiem For Romance 12:52 Kaspar Jancis' Piano21:11 Ritesh Batra's The Lunchbox

A young man tries to come to terms with his sexuality in a household where his father refuses to truly see him for who he is. Sound like a standard coming-of-age tale? Think again. In the hands of director Jean-Marc Vallée, C.R.A.Z.Y. is a vibrant exploration of youth, sexuality, family and music. Basking in the glow of this modern Canadian classic film, we explore the various facets of the film and even get a little personal when touching on the way religion is incorporated in the film. As usual, we kick things off with our short film picks of the week: Sheldon Cohen’s The Sweater and Lev Yilmaz Non-Political Video.3:52 - Sheldon Cohen's The Sweater11:34 - Lev Yilmaz's NON-POLITICAL VIDEO18:07 -Jean-Marc Vallée's C.R.A.Z.Y.

The complexities of American life are on our minds today as we dive into the somber side of patriotism. Exploring the post-9/11 world of Tom McCarthy’s wonderful film The Visitor, we discuss everything ranging from the immigrant experience to the possibility of finding love in the most unexpected places. We also reflect on the Bush and Obama years, and America’s love of guns, when chatting about our short film selections this week: Charles Stone III’s 8 Years Later…Waaazzzuuppp and Nicolas Lévesque’s In Guns We Trust.7:48 8 Years Later…Waaazzzuuppp16:49 In Guns We Trust27:41 The Visitor

Time to put on your best footwear as we hit the floor, and the streets, with a dance filled doubled feature. Skipping the short film segment this week, don’t worry it will return in our next episode, we dive into the worlds of Step Up 3D and Take the Lead. While both films did not receive love from the critics, their choreography and diverse casting connected with audiences. We explore the pros and cons of each film and discuss why critics should not be so quick to dismiss modern dance films.Show notes:4:46 Step Up 3D by Jon M. Chu27:46 Take the Lead by Liz Friedlander

Breaking records at the box office, and sparking tons of thought-provoking articles in the process, Wonder Woman has become the must-see movie of the summer. In this special episode we are joined by freelance film critic Kristen Lopez to discuss the representation of women in the film, the role of minorities, how the acceptance of violence is often based on gender and so much more. We also take time to highlight our short film picks: Nida Manzoor’s 7.2 and Fun Time Internet’s Toy Boyz.7:45 7.215:47 Toy Boyz22:43 Wonder Woman

What do male strippers and diversity in cinema have in common? It turns out a whole lot. This week we kick off the summer by taking a joyous road trip with the boys from Magic Mike XXL. In diving into Gregory Jacobs’ film, we touch on topics such as female empowerment, racial and gender depictions, and how this film ties into the recent Wonder Woman controversy at the Alamo Drafthouse. We also take a moment to discuss our short film picks: David Fried’s Return to High Chaparral and Justin Dec’s Boats.3:31 Return to High Chapparall 12:24 Boats21:29 Magic Mike XXL

As the 2017 Inside Out Film Festival draws nearer, we continue our celebration of LGBT cinema with Jennie Livingston’s Paris is Burning. Currently streaming on Netflix, Livingston’s critically acclaimed 1990 documentary focuses on the end of the “Golden Age” of New York City’s drag balls. Touching on themes of racism, poverty, body image and family, Livingston constructs a vibrant film that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. We also take a moment to discuss our short film picks: Paul Frankl’s Roxanne and Hope Dickson Leach’s Silly Girl.5:38 Roxanne11:25 Silly Girl18:45 Paris Is Burning

How does a teenager come to terms with her sexual identity in an environment that refuses to acknowledge who she really is? This is the predicament that 17-year-old Alike finds herself in as she tries to navigate an overbearing mother, a father in denial and her own quest to find a relationship. We celebrate LGBT cinema, and the upcoming Inside Out Film Festival, by focusing on Dee Rees’ wonderful film Pariah. Before we dive into that film, we kick things off by discussing our short film picks: Dan’s Taberski’s These C*cksucking Tears and Alex Bohs’ Half.

What happens when a cop, a shady shaman, a Japanese stranger and a mysterious woman collide? Well, let’s just say things don’t go well for the village caught in the middle. In this episode of Changing Reels we attempt to decipher the various themes permeating Na Hong-Jin’s gloriously disturbing horror film The Wailing. Before jumping into the darkness, we bask in the warm glow of our short film picks: Wooksang Chang’s Mom and Seunghee Kim’s Mirror in Mind. If you like what you hear, or want to offer some constructive criticism, please take a moment to rate our show on iTunes! If you have a comment on this episode, or want to suggest a film for us to discuss, feel free to contact us via twitter (@ChangingReelsAC), follow us on Facebook and reach out to us by email (Changing.Reels.AC@gmail.com). You can also hear our show on SoundCloud or Stitcher!