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.

55. Coppola Cast Redux: Sofia #1: Early Sofia

At long last we begin Season 3 and our journey through the filmography of Sofia Coppola, an obvious but natural follow up to our Francis Ford Coppola season. Bryan and A.J. go through Sofia’s early career from her roles in her father’s films and other productions, working as a costume designer, acting in and directing music videos, creating the frenetic and odd TV series Hi Octane, and writing and directing the short film Lick the Star (1998). We talk about the “nepo-baby” issue, how Sofia’s style as a director is evident even in the music videos she directed, nerd out over Udo Kier's appearance Madonna’s Deeper and Deeper music video, and scratch our heads and marvel at the most 90’s time capsule ever, Hi Octane (available to watch on YouTube). 

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

44. Coppola Cast #25: New York Stories (Life Without Zoe) (1989)

Francis Coppola closed out the 1980’s with a contribution to the omnibus film New York Stories, along with Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen. Coppola’s segment, “Life Without Zoe” has long been derided as the worst of the 3 short films and Bryan and A.J. discuss it perhaps more than it has ever been discussed. We also review Scorsese’s “Life Lessons” and Allen’s “Oedipus Wrecks” and look at where each filmmaker was at this point in their careers. We talk about the origins of New York Stories, the original choices for directors, why Coppola maybe wasn’t the best for this project, and how “Life Without Zoe” is secretly a Sofia Coppola film. This episode’s Coppola wines were: Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 and Rose of Pinot Noir 2019.