The Actor and The Engineer Podcast

This week we try to figure out when narration (or voice-over) works and why it isn't always a good idea.  We talk about unvreliable narrators, characters talking to other characters as voice-over, an…

This week we give a few examples of effective use of opera in film and how that can enhance the moviegoing experience.  We also have a tiny spoiler for Arrival (which is still in theaters) in there, …

After watching it for the first time, we discuss the 1938 film based on an old English legend starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland.  This big-budget film done by Warner Brothers (in Technicol…

Amy Adams stars in this "alien" film that turns out to be so much more.  Denis Villeneuve (Enemy, Prisoners, Incindies, Sicario) directs this short story adaptation and incorporates amazing cinematog…

This week we talk about the second film of 2016 from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  We talk about how they dealt with the muti-verses and astral planes and all of the things that we haven't seen bef…

This week we revisit Alex Proyas' sci-fi entry "Dark City".  This came out in a pre-Matrix world, so it was interesting to watch the film in that light.  Does it hold up to the same scrutiny as other…

This week we look at the debut film (with a reappropriated title) from writer/director/producer/star Nate Parker about the slave revolt in early 1800's Virginia led by Nat Turner.  We talk about perf…

This week we attempt to wade through the many timelines of Shane Carruth's debut film.  This independent film (made for $7000) is one of the most complex and scientific time travel movies ever made. …

This week we dig into the two movies that inspired the new Magnificent Seven that we talked about last week.  This was the first time that either of us have seen these movies, so we talk about our in…

This week we take a look at Antoine Fuqua's remake of a John Sturges adaptation of Kirosawa's (arguably) best samurai film.  Get your popcorn and drink of choice and get ready to watch Denzel, the gu…

This week we look at Karyn Kusama's tight thriller (now available on Netflix) about an LA dinner party meant to bring a group of friends back together two years after a tragic event.  Subscribe on iT…

Wong Kar-Wai's 2000 film set in Hong Kong in the 60's focuses on two people who are being cheated on in their respective marriages and the relationship that builds between them.  This masterpiece com…

This week we look at Jean-Marc Vallee's 2016 release starring Jake Gyllenhaal and compare it to the two previous films that we have talked about (Wild and Dallas Buyer's Club).  We are also including…

This week we each go over our most anticipated movies of the fall.  We talk about a few big budget movies (Dr Strange, Star Wars), but must of the discussion centers around smaller movies purportedly…

This Academy Award nominated film from Yorgos Lanthimos (the co-writer/director of last weeks "The Lobster") is another cautionary tale.  This time Lanthimos sets his sights on parental love and prot…

This week we begin to delve into the world of writer/director Yorgos Lanthimos with his most recent film set in a near future where people must be coupled together or get transformed into an animal o…

How will the newest entry in the DC Extended Universe fare with the Actor and the Engineer?  This movie has fervent supporters and many critical detractors.  We go in with open minds, but that can on…

This week we talk about a movie that dropped through the cracks for both of us when it came to theaters this spring.  We had it on our list of most anticipated movies of the year and we finally watch…

This week we boldly go to the theater and take in the third installment in the new Star Trek universe.  The new director Justin Lin and the new writing team of Simon Pegg and Doug Jung try to make th…

This week we talk about the debut films of our favorite directors and how those films compare to some "one hit wonder" directors.  We talk about Spielberg, Scorcese, Hitchcock, PTA, Michael Bay, Kath…