36. Coppola Cast #18: The Outsiders (1983) & The Outsiders: The Complete Novel (2005)

Stay gold, podcast listeners. We’re talking about Francis Coppola’s adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s beloved novel, The Outsiders. In the time between the bankruptcy and foreclosure of Zoetrope Studios, Coppola secured last minute financing and rushed to Tulsa with a cast of young unknowns that would become stars of the 80’s and beyond. We also delve into the 2005 director’s cut (AKA The Complete Novel) which restores 20 minutes of deleted scenes and has an entirely different soundtrack. Our discussion includes how music choices can completely change a movie, the insanely talented and charismatic cast, recurring Coppola themes, and tangents on pseudonyms, Repo Man, and Nightmare on Elm Street 2. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Diamond Collection Merlot 2016 and Diamond Collection Chardonnay 2017.

35. Coppola Cast #17: Hammett (1982)

After our lengthy hiatus, we’re back to celebrate Noir-vember with Hammett (1982) directed by Wim Wenders for Francis Coppola’s short lived Zoetrope Studios. Based on a novel that has author Dashiell Hammett solving a mystery like the ones he wrote about, Hammett’s production faced almost as many troubles as Coppola’s One From the Heart. Coppola, acting as the studio head, actually shut production down, Wim Wenders left, then came back and reshot nearly the entire film with a different script. Ultimately, Hammett was a major box office flop and was forgotten about until its DVD release which sparked rumors that Coppola secretly directed the reshoots. We go over the sources of this rumor, examine the film for clues, and talk about Wenders’s other, more distinctive, films. We also talk about another film famous for being secretly directed by its producer (Poltergeist with Tobe Hooper as director and Steven Spielberg as producer), the Noir genre, David Lynch, and life advice from Garry Marshall. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Merlot 2017 and Sofia Blanc du Blanc.

34. Coppola Cast #16: One From the Heart (1981)

This episode is from the heart, because the movie we’re talking about today is One From the Heart, Francis Coppola’s romantic pseudo-musical drama. Coppola didn’t bet the farm on the success of this movie, but he did bet his new studio, Zoetrope Studios, and, unfortunately, lost. One From the Heart was a massive flop and now we give it a reassessment. We discuss the cast, Tom Waits and Crystal Gale’s score, the intentional artificial aesthetic, and how a young Nicolas Cage helped out his uncle Francis. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Diamond Collection Chardonnay 2018 and Pinot Noir 2017.

33. Coppola Cast 15: Apocalypse Now (1979, Workprint, Redux, & Final Cut)

Our motto: Apocalypse Now! Coppola’s most epic movie leads to our most epic episode as we tackle his surreal, nightmarish Vietnam War film: Apocalypse Now. Not only do we break down the iconic 1979 theatrical version, but also delve into the unreleased Workprint, the 2001 Redux version, and the 2019 Final Cut version. We also talk about the documentary Hearts of Darkness, chronicling the notoriously troubled production of Apocalypse Now. We compare the different versions, discuss if the restored scenes (especially the French Plantation scene) alter or enhance the story, and wonder if Apocalypse Now is a secret horror movie. This episode’s Coppola Wines: Diamond Collection Monterrey County Pinot Noir 2017 and Sofia Brut Rose 2018.

32. Coppola Cast 14: The Godfather Saga (1977)

What would it be like to watch The Godfather Parts I and II in chronological order? We found out! We tracked down the hard to find The Godfather Saga, the TV miniseries which edits both Godfather films together in chronological order and includes additional scenes. It originally aired on NBC in 1977 and has aired on various TV stations since. We discuss what it’s like viewing the two films as one, things we overlooked the first time like ominous oranges, driveway scenes, and a Roger Corman cameo, and which new scenes work and which don’t. This episode’s Coppola wine was Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Red Blend 2017.

31. Coppola Cast 13: The Godfather Part II

It’s a prequel and a sequel in one movie: it’s The Godfather Part II. This episode we review the much acclaimed sequel to The Godfather, that, just like the first one, Francis Ford Coppola did not want to make. We work our way through the film’s parallel plotlines in different eras, dig into the themes, talk about the great performances, and much more. Once again we marvel at the lineup of the 1974 Academy Awards, spoil the less celebrated De Niro/Pacino movie Righteous Kill, and wonder who will be the next filmmaker to deliver two powerhouse films in the same year. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Director’s Coppola Sonoma County 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon and Francis Coppola Diamond Collection 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon. 

30. Coppola Cast 12: The Conversation (1974)

After the massive success of The Godfather, Francis Coppola was finally able to make his passion project: a small scale personal film, The Conversation. Though Coppola first had the idea for the story of a surveillance expert that suspects the people he spied on are going to be murdered in the mid-60’s, The Conversation was made during the height of the Watergate scandal and released just after Nixon’s resignation, no doubt giving it a special resonance for audiences in 1974. We discuss Gene Hackman’s low-key performance, the contribution of Walter Murch, Catholic guilt, and how themes of privacy and surveillance keep The Conversation relevant today. We also marvel at the lineup at the 1974 Oscars and wonder if Adam Sandler has succeeded where Coppola did not. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Diamond Collection 2017 Black Label Claret and Diamond Collection Chardonnay 2018. 

29. Coppola Cast #11: The Way We Were (1973) & The Great Gatsby (1974)

It’s a  Francis Coppola scripted Robert Redford romance double feature! After shooting wrapped on The Godfather, Coppola, unsure of The Godfather’s success, took a job writing an adaptation of The Great Gatsby (1974), the final screenplay he wrote but did not direct. We also review the 1973 Barbara Streisand/Robert Redford romantic drama The Way We Were, on which Coppola was one of 11 uncredited screenwriters. We speculate on Coppola’s involvement on The Way We Were, discuss Robert Redford’s star persona, and go on a tangent about the Austin Film Festival. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Francis Coppola 2017 Black Label Claret and Sofia Blanc de Blancs. 

28. Coppola Cast #10: The Godfather (1972)

It’s the episode we’ve been excited about since beginning the podcast! After a brief discussion about The Irishman and ice cream we delve into the landmark film, The Godfather (1972). There is so much to talk about in The Godfather that over two bottles of Coppola wine we discuss certain aspects in detail and only scratch the surface on others. We discuss the performances, Gordon Willis’s cinematography, the stylized presentation of the mafia, and how The Godfather permeated into pop culture. This episode’s Coppola wines were: 2017 Diamond Collection Blue Label Merlot and Rosso & Bianco Pinot Grigio.  

27. Coppola Cast #9: Patton (1970)

This week we’re back to reviewing Francis Coppola’s work as a writer for hire with the epic war film Patton (1970). Coppola wrote his screenplay for Patton years before the film was actually made and released and was surprised how closely the final film followed his screenplay. Patton turned out to be a major hit and won 7 Academy Awards including Best Original Screenplay for Coppola, an important boost to his career. We discuss Coppola’s approach to presenting the character of Patton, George C. Scott’s incredible performance, and the 1970 Oscars. This episode’s Coppola wine was: 2017 Black Label Claret.

26. Coppola Cast #8: The Rain People (1969)

The characters in Francis Coppola’s The Rain People are on a cross country roadtrip but we are sheltering in place. After directing an old fashioned studio musical, Coppola returns to a more intimate, character focused story with The Rain People. Shirley Knight stars as a young housewife that leaves on a road trip to reevaluate her decisions. Her journey of self discovery takes a turn when she picks up a former college football star with brain damage (James Caan). In terms of style and technique this is as far away from Finian’s Rainbow as you can get. We talk about road movies, the “70’s movie ending”, and the Farrelly brothers come up, naturally. This episode’s wine was: Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Blue Label Merlot 2016.

25. Coppola Cast #7: Finian's Rainbow (1968)

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! It’s only appropriate that Bryan and A. J. discuss Frances Coppola’s roadshow musical flop Finian’s Rainbow. There’s so much wrong with this movie we don’t have much time for tangents. We talk about the death of the Hollywood musical, how this movie led to the friendship of Coppola and George Lucas, Bryan singles out the funniest moment in the movie, and A.J. compares this movie to Mallrats. The movie was a slog to watch but fun to talk about. Enjoy! This episode’s Coppola wine was: Coppola-Becker Unita Blend Cabernet Sauvignon 2017.

24. Coppola Cast #6: You're a Big Boy Now (1966)

Happy New Year! Happy New Decade! Happy New Episode! Though You’re a Big Boy Now isn’t technically Francis Coppola’s first film, in many ways it’s his first film as an auteur. Coppola was working with material of his choice, great professional actors, and the backing of a major studio. We discuss the results and Geraldine Page’s protracted will they/won’t they history with the Academy Awards. This episode’s Coppola wine was: Coppola Sonoma County 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon. 

23. Coppola Cast 5: Is Paris Burning? (1966)

Continuing our way through Francis Coppola’s work as a writer for hire, Bryan and A.J. march through the epic length movie of the liberation of Paris, Is Paris Burning? Writing Is Paris Burning? was a frustrating experience for Coppola who had to deal with the demands of studio executives and an intrusive Charles de Gaulle. The result was a mediocre epic movie of an important historical event. We try to keep track of the impressive but wasted ensemble cast, sort through the tangle of different storylines, and share the same frustration with the film’s poorly placed intermission. This episode’s Coppola wine was: 2017 Diamond Collection Black Label Claret 1910 Type Cab Sauvignon.

#22. Coppola Cast 4: This Property is Condemned (1966)

After parting ways with Roger Corman, Francis Coppola became a writer for hire working on several projects that ultimately wouldn’t get made or he wouldn’t get official credit for. One that did get made and he did get credit for was the failed Natalie Wood comeback vehicle This Property is Condemned. Despite a great cast including Natalie Wood, Robert Redford, Charles Bronson, Robert Blake, and Mary Badham, Sydney Pollack directing, and Coppola adapting a Tennessee Williams play, this movie falls flat and we attempt to get to the bottom of why. Along the way we talk about Robert Redford’s newsies cap, character actors trapped in leading men’s bodies, and learn something about Matthew Fox wines. This episode’s Francis Coppola wine is Diamond Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2017

#21: Coppola Cast 3: Dementia 13 (1963)

Still working for Roger Corman, Francis Ford Coppola writes and directs his first film not cobbled together from other films: Dementia 13 (1963). This low budget horror film was meant to cash in on the success of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) but still satisfy the exploitation movie market. A.J. and Bryan discuss what sets Dementia 13 apart from other low budget horror films, wonder why rich people don’t have giant paintings of themselves over fireplaces anymore, and brainstorm an idea for an Eric Roberts movie. This episode’s Francis Coppola wine was: Diamond Collection Emerald Label Pinot Grigio.

#20: Coppola Cast 2: The Haunted Palace (1963) & The Terror (1963)

…And we’re back! After a longer than expected hiatus, Bryan and A.J. return to the discuss the early work Francis Ford Coppola did for legendary B-movie king Roger Corman. Coppola was still attending UCLA when he became Corman’s “ace assistant” doing various jobs on different movies including even writing and directing low budget horror movies. Coppola rewrote the screenplay for The Haunted Palace, starring Vincent Price, and worked for a few days (3 or 4 or 11 depending on the source) as director for the notorious B-movie The Terror, starring Boris Karloff and Jack Nicholson. We praise Vincent Price and Roger Corman, try to figure out just what the hell is happening in The Terror, and wonder how you forget to copyright a movie. This episode’s Coppola wine was: Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Ivory Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2016.

#19: Coppola Cast 1: 3 Early Francis Ford Coppola Films

Now that we’ve watched all the Shyamalan movies there are to watch, we begin working our way through another director’s filmography: Francis Ford Coppola. To start discussing Francis Ford Coppola’s filmography we have to go to the exploitation drive-in. Long, long before The Godfather and just as he was finishing UCLA’s film program, Francis Ford Coppola began his career in the exploitation film genre. For our first Coppola Cast episode we take a look at 3 films he directed but not in the traditional sense. First he was recruited to work on two “nudie cutie” films, The Bellboy and the Playgirls (1962) and Tonight For Sure (1962). Then he was picked by legendary B-movie producer Roger Corman to work on Battle Beyond the Sun (1959/62). It’s a peculiar start to a very notable career and just the right way to start a new series.

Episode 18: Glass (2019)

Do not adjust your podcast dials, this is the podcast you’re looking for! The M. Night Shift is now…(drum roll)…The Director’s Wall. The hosts are the same but the filmmaker under review will change next episode, but first there is the little matter of M. Night Shyamalan’s superhero crossover film Glass (2019). Glass is a sequel to both Unbreakable (2000) and Split (2017) pitting Unbreakable’s hero (Bruce Willis) against Split’s villain (James McAvoy) who has teamed up with Unbreakable’s villain Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson). Is this the Shyamalan movie to end all Shyamalan movies? We don’t go on many tangents but we do manage to SPOIL the endings of several movies including: Hereditary, Avengers: Infinity War, Get Carter, Play Dirty, Carlito’s Way, and Layer Cake. This episode’s Shyamalan scotch was: Johnny Walker Blender’s Batch: Experiment #6.

Next episode Bryan and A.J. will begin reviewing the films of Francis Ford Coppola.

Episode 17: She's All That (1999)

…And we’re back! Shyamalan recently admitted to doing a rewrite for She’s All That, so we’re duty bound to review the 90’s teen rom-com. We speculate on what Shyamalan contributed to the script, are impressed by the pretty impressive cast, and wonder if She’s All That and Buffy the Vampire Slayer take place in the same cinematic universe. Tangents include listing all the great movies of 1999, Gene Siskel’s funeral, and some big news about the future of the podcast. Enjoy!