56. Coppola Cast Redux: Sofia #2: The Virgin Suicides (2000), Playground Love (2000), Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999)

Sofia Coppola’s debut feature, The Virgin Suicides (2000), certainly stood out from other movies about teenagers when it was released and remains just as enigmatic today giving us a lot to talk about. Bryan and A.J. discuss the movie’s background (including the Making Of, directed by Sofia’s mother, the late Eleanor Coppola), its arthouse approach to teenagers on film, and the great performances from Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnet, and Giovanni Ribisi’s moody, pensive narration. Other discussion points include: the original music by the band Air, similarities to Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), and the peculiar list that is Cahiers du Cinema’s ten best films of 2000. We also briefly discuss Sofia’s blink and you miss it appearance in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) and the Air: Playground Love music video she co-directed with her brother, Roman. This episode’s themed drink was: Peach Schnapps.

52. Coppola Cast #32: Youth Without Youth (2007)

On this hot, humid summer day, Bryan and A.J. discuss Francis Coppola’s return to the director’s chair after a decade away, Youth Without Youth (2007). This thematically ambitious, low-key arthouse film about an elderly man who regains his youth, and supernatural powers of sorts, after being struck by lightning is not only a curious choice for a comeback but also marks the beginning of a distinct career phase for Coppola. We talk about the beginning of Coppola’s late career indie phase, what is interesting and what is confusing about this movie, the performances of Tim Roth and Bruno Ganz, the makeup choices (or lack thereof) for Alexandra Maria Lara, and we try to pin down whether there is anything to pin down. This episode’s Coppola wine was: Diamond Collection Pinot Grigio 2022.

49. Coppola Cast #30: John Grisham's The Rainmaker (1997)

This episode we are joined by special guest Andras Jones (of Radio8ball and co-host of The World is Wrong podcast, along with Bryan) to discuss Francis Coppola’s adaptation of John Grisham’s The Rainmaker (1997). More than just a courtroom drama, this overlooked entry in Coppola’s filmography represents the end of a chapter for Coppola’s Hollywood career and provides a lot to discuss. We begin by going through the works of John Grisham on film, how they changed the legal thriller and courtroom drama, and how The Rainmaker stands apart even from other Grisham novels and films. Then we move on to The Rainmaker and its amazing cast, Coppola’s approach to working with the actors, how Coppola channels Frank Capra, why The Rainmaker reminds us of The Godfather, and much more. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Rosso & Bianco Pinot Grigio and Diamond Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. This week’s non-Coppola wine was: Wycliff Brut Champagne. 

6:00 The Rainmaker plot summary & reactions

15:15 Grisham on film

56:35 The Rainmaker discussion

46. Coppola Cast #27: Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

We’ve crossed oceans of time to talk about Francis Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992). At first glance Coppola’s follow up to The Godfather Part III seems like just a job for hire, and that is how the project came to him, yet Coppola couldn’t help but find interesting ways to make his version of Dracula distinct from all the others. Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula was a box office hit allowing Coppola to finally climb out of 10 years of debt and its influence is still felt on the horror and vampire genre today. It gets dismissed by some as either unnecessary or pure spectacle (the same criticisms it received when it was released), but we find Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula not only stylish but very effective and scary. We discuss the cast and their eccentric accents, the unforgettable look of Gary Oldman as the Count, the award winning costumes by Eiko Ishioka, the spectacular, old-fashioned practical visual effects, the influence of Coppola’s time working for Roger Corman, and more. There’s so much to talk about that there’s not much time for tangents, but there is time for an anecdote about David Paymer. This episode’s Coppola wine was: Diamond Collection 2018 Black Label Claret.

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.

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. 

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. 

#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