51. Coppola Cast #31: The Fantasticks (2000) & Supernova (2000)

A peculiar grab-bag episode for a peculiar time in Francis Coppola’s career. After The Rainmaker Coppola would not direct another movie for 10 years but he was involved in the post-production of not one but two movies released in 2000: The Fantasticks, based on a long running musical, and the quasi erotic sci-fi thriller, Supernova, starring James Spader and Angela Bassett. Coppola acted as a sort of post production supervisor/fixer for the two troubled productions which their studio, MGM, was skeptical of at best. Bryan and A.J. go over what background they could find on each film and differ on which is the better made film vs which is the more entertaining film. Also discussed is the answer to how Knock at the Cabin came to have two cinematographers, Megalopolis rumors, and the best short film of the year, Romy Mars [Sofia Coppola’s daughter] Makes Vodka Sauce Pasta. This episode’s Coppola wine was: Diamond Collection Red Blend 2018.

#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 14: After Earth (2013)

We finally arrive at After Earth (2013) the would-be summer blockbuster created by Will Smith as a star vehicle for his son Jaden Smith, also... it was directed by M. Night Shyamalan. We try to figure out what "ghosting" is, talk about the weird but not too weird animals that populate future earth, and wonder if this is Shyamalan's least creative film. Tangents include: praise for Robocop, a minor rant against Netflix and Bright, and heaps of praise for Tom Cruise. This month's Shyamalan scotch was: Shackleton Blended Scotch. 

Episode 6: Signs (2002)

Signs (2002) was marketed as "M. Night Shyamalan's Signs" making him one of only a handful of filmmakers that have had their names put above the title of a movie. Signs received polarizing reviews and reactions from critics and audiences alike, but went on to make over $200 at the box office. Bryan and A.J. delve into the plot (spoilers ensue), the unlikely weakness of the aliens, fan theories, theology, CGI, and somehow end up talking about zombies. We also get confused about the Culkins and discuss our own theories of UFOs and alien life--it gets a little nerdy. Apologies for A.J.'s lackluster plot synopsis-- the scotch had not kicked in yet. This month's Shyamalan scotch was: Cutty Sark Prohibition Edition.