57. Coppola Cast Redux: Sofia #3: Lost in Translation (2003)

Bryan and A.J are enjoying relaxing times with Suntory Time and Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray in Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation. A hit with the critics, audiences, and the box office, this offbeat indie comedy earned 4 Oscar nominations (winning only 1 for Sofia Coppola’s screenplay), and more than 20 years later still provides us with a lot to talk about. We discuss Bill Murray’s career in the 90’s and his indie comeback, Scarlett Johansson’s breakout performance, the similarities between Sofia’s Lost in Translation and Spike Jonze’s Her (2013), and, of course, the 2003 Oscars. Tangents include: Bryan’s trip to Japan, A.J.’s rant about the 2003 Oscars and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, and the Japanese version of Sideways. (Apologies for any background noise that was not detected at the time of recording but is very mild). This episode’s themed drink was: Suntory Toki (Time).

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.

54. Coppola Cast #34: Twixt (2011) & B'twixt Now and Sunrise: The Authentic Cut (2022)

At long last we arrive at Francis Coppola’s (as of now) most recently released film Twixt (2011) and close out season 2. We discuss Coppola’s return to the horror genre, the great, eerie dream sequences, what aspects of Twixt remind us of the films of Coppola’s early mentor, Roger Corman, and how this is a surprisingly personal film for Coppola. We also pick out all of the references to Edgar Allan Poe and to other Coppola movies. Then we review Coppola’s recent re-edit of Twixt titled B’twixt Now and Sunrise: The Authentic Cut, which we thought was called Re-Twixt, and have a few issues with. Finally we announce the director we will be covering in Season 3, beginning soon (probably).

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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