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.

53. Coppola Cast #33: Tetro (2009)

The second of Francis Coppola’s late career indie films is perhaps one of his least seen and least talked about: Tetro (2009). There isn’t much plot but a lot happens in this surprising and lively black and white movie about a teenager tracking down his long lost brother. We found plenty to talk about from the cast (Vincent Gallo, Alden Ehrenreich, Maribel Verdu), screenplay, and cinematography to the valuable input of editor Walter Murch and the possible (but unlikely) parallels to Coppola’s own career and family. We also talk about other films that directly or indirectly influenced Tetro, including Coppola’s own films and the films of his kids, Sofia and Roman. 

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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

45. Coppola Cast #26: The Godfather Part III (1990) & Mario Puzo's The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone (2020)

At last we come to the end of Michael Corleone’s story and then we come to the end of his story again as we discuss The Godfather Part III (1990) and Mario Puzo’s The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone (2020). Bryan and A.J. talk about the movie’s long production history, what motivated Francis Coppola to finally agree to make another Godfather movie, and speculate on what really makes this sequel stand apart so much. We also review Coppola’s recent re-edit of the movie, titled Mario Puzo’s The Godfather, Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone. Of course, we discuss the story behind the surprise and controversial casting of Sofia Coppola, her much maligned performance, and the overly harsh criticisms lobbed at her. Other topics include the 1991 Oscars, Catherine Scorsese, and A.J. finds a more relevant way to talk about The Irishman. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Sofia Rose Monterey County 2018 and Sofia Blanc de Blanc

43. Coppola Cast #24: Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)

This Christmas you get a Tucker car! and you get a Tucker car! ,,,and that’s it because the upstart automobile designer Preston Tucker was only able to make 50 and in this episode Bryan and A.J. find out why. Francis Coppola’s biopic of Tucker, appropriately titled Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988), chronicles his attempt to build the “car of tomorrow” with unheard of features like a third headlight that turns with the steering wheel, seatbelts, pop out glass, and an engine in the rear (where it belongs!). As you might imagine, Tucker (played by Jeff Bridges) ran afoul of the Big Three automakers in Detroit and their cronies in Washington. We talk about the crossover this film has with Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator (2004), the change in the dynamic of Coppola and George Lucas’s professional relationship, Martin Landau’s Oscar nominated performance, and Jeff Bridges’s charming screen presence. We also ask Robert Zemeckis for a sequel to Romancing the Stone with the original cast. This episode’s Coppola wine was Francis Coppola Diamond Collection 2018 Black Label Claret.

41. Coppola Cast #23: Gardens of Stone

We’re back from summer hiatus to discuss Francis Coppola’s little seen Gardens of Stone (1987). This Vietnam War drama is about as far from Apocalypse Now as a movie about Vietnam could get. The plot follows Sergeant Hazard (James Caan), who runs the “Old Guard” that performs military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery and takes a young recruit (D. B. Sweeney) under his wing. We discuss the differences between Gardens of Stone and other Vietnam War movies of the era, whether the appearances by actors from Apocalypse Now are distracting, and try to figure out why, despite the talent in front of and behind the camera, the individual aspects of the movie don’t seem to add up. We also talk about the tragedy that occurred during filming: the sudden death of Coppola’s son, Gio. Finally, we get started planning our Shocktober schedule. This episode’s Coppola wine was: 2018 Black Label Claret 1910 Type.  

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.  

#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