PODCAST · tv
The Popcorn Auteur
by Chris Staron & Jon Dickey
Jon and Chris get a film education, one filmmaker at a time. Each month, we pick a famous filmmaker and watch every film that he or she wrote and directed. Then, we research the filmmaker's history and critical assessments of their work. Finally, we talk about the films, consistent themes throughout, and answer definitively: Are they an auteur and do we like them?
Episodes
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Wes Craven - Part 2
Does the latter half of Wes Craven's filmography (outside of the Scream franchise) require a deep examination of family structure, faith, and Craven's upbringing? Listen and find out! As always let us know what we got wrong on Facebook, on Twitter, @PopcornAuteur, or email us at...
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Wes Craven - Part 1
It's Halloween! It's Wes Craven! It's Kowaltober! First Featured Clip: Freddy's Tub Attack Second Featured Clip: This is God As always let us know what we got wrong on Facebook, on Twitter, @PopcornAuteur, or email us at [email protected].
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Kelly Reichardt
Reichardt has had a busy and interesting career as a filmmaker. Beloved by the critics, her movies may be too understated for the award season. Her latest, The Mastermind, will be hitting theaters this fall, so we educate ourselves by watching the films written and directed by Reichardt. As…
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Harry Elfont & Deborah Kaplan
You may not know this writing team's credits, but if you are our age, you know Can't Hardly Wait. You may also consider Josie and the Pussycats a cult classic. Hop into a time machine with us to examine the films of Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan. As always let us know what we got wrong on...
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Megan Park
Megan Park is an up and coming filmmaker. After a lengthy career as an actress, she has now directed two films: The Fallout and My Old Ass. We saw My Old Ass on some top ten lists last year and the level of praise from Chris Columbus had us intrigued: ""My Old Ass" is an instant classic, this...
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Richard Curtis
Richard Curtis is one of the mosty successful screenwriters to come out of Great Britain, but he's also directed three films of his own. From the modern Christmas classic of Love Actually to the underseen About Time, we will discuss the films written and directed by Curtis. Our Holiday episode…
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Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Why did it take us this long to cover the last of the three amigos? Perhaps it was the memories of Babel or a fear of bear attacks. Or perhaps the fact that Alejandro G. Iñárritu wasn't always a screenwriter. No matter the reason, in this episdoe we have a spolier-filled discussion of the four...
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Ari Aster
Happy Halloween! This year, Paul Kowalski is back to help us examine the films of Ari Aster. Come for the dread and decapitations, stay for the unified Ari Aster theory. Plenty of spoilers in this discussion. As always let us know what we got wrong on Facebook, on Twitter, @PopcornAuteur, or…
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Duncan Jones
Duncan Jones has a famous father, but he's attempted to blaze his own trail as an artist. Once a rising star in sci-fi filmmaking, Jones has struggled to find success as of late. In this espisode, we discuss the highs and lows of his filmography. As always let us know what we got wrong on…
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Sofia Coppola
Sofia Coppola's surname means a lot in filmmaking, and yet she's been able to blaze her own distinct trail. She's a particular filmmaker intent on executing her particular vision. Listen as we discuss what did and did not connect with us from Coppola's filmography. As always let us know what we…
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Don Bluth
The talented Jonathan Sundy joins us to discuss the films written and directed by Don Bluth (No Littlefoot or Fievel here). Bluth is famous for leaving Disney and then giving them a run for their money in the late 80s and early 90s. In this episode, we look at the highs and lows of Bluth's…
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Tom McCarthy
Tom McCarthy co-wrote and directed Spotlight, which took home the Oscar for Best Picture. McCarthy won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The next time McCarthy returned to the director's chair was for the direct to Disney+ Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made (since pulled from the platform)....
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Alexander Payne
In this episode, we are joined by high school teacher and wine drinker (not at the same time), Mark Staron, to discuss the films of Alexander Payne. We had a fun discussion covering everything from voiceovers and Omaha to which film made us cry the most. We also drank some wines featured in...
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Jordan Peele
Happy Halloween! This October 31st, we delve into thinking-man's horror with the films of Jordan Peele. We welcome back Paul Kowalski for this fun conversation. As always let us know what we got wrong on Facebook, on Twitter, @PopcornAuteur, or email us at [email protected]. Staff...
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Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig's career is firing on all cylinders. She has the biggest film of 2023, Barbie, consistent critical acclaim, and Academy love. But will she get the Popcorn Auteur badge of approval? Join us as we review Gerwig's career as a filmmaker, starting with the oft-overlooked Nights and...
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James Mangold
James Mangold has one of the more eclectic filmmaking careers. From indie dramas to romantic comedies to R-rated superheros and now Indiana Jones, Mangold's films run the gamut. We were excited to explore this filmography and shocked to discover that Mangold lifts the time travel dynamics directy...
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Sarah Polley
Fresh off of winning the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for Women Talking, Sarah Polley is posed to become a major voice in modern filmmaking. In this episode, we review Polley's short but impressive list of films. Warning: We also talk rickshaws. As always let us know what we got wrong on…
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Benson & Moorhead
Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead are filmmakers that embody independent filmmaking. There latest film, Something in the Dirt was made largely by just three people. In this episode, we have a blast jumping into their micro-budget Lovecraftian multiverse. As always let us know what we got wrong on...
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Kasi Lemmons
Our film education continues with the films of Kasi Lemmons. Lemmons made the transition from acting to behind the camera with the stellar Eve's Bayou. A filmmaking career that has spanned over 25 years, including 2019's Harriet, her writing and directing output is worth a look. Join us as we...
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Shane Black
Shane Black was once Hollywood's hottest screenwriter. After some rough times, he transitioned into the director's chair and has helmed a Marvel Cinematic Universe film (Iron Man 3) and 2018's The Predator. Nonetheless, we were most excited to talk about his other films - Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and...
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David Cronenberg - Part 2
In part 2 of our journey through the films of David Cronenberg, we get away from the horror. In this episode, we examine the controversial (Crash), the confusing (Naked Lunch), and the upsetting (Cosmopolis). Paul Kowalski is back for a fun draft of all 15 films written and directed by…
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David Cronenberg - Part 1
For our Halloween episode, Paul Kowalski is back to delve into a 2-parter on body horror master David Cronenberg. In part 1, we go from the oddities of his early experimental films to cult classics Scanners and Videodrome. Listen as we explore these wild films and try to reach some consensus on…
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Nora Ephron
Nora Ephron may have been the master of the romantic comedy (Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, & When Harry Met Sally), but her filmography is far more diverse and at times supernatural (angels and witches). Listen as we discuss the variety of films she wrote and directed during her career.…
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Lawrence Kasdan - Part 2
We are back to finish up the filmography of Lawrence Kasdan. His second half may not include the hits and critical successes of the first half, but we came into this episode hopeful. Listen to hear whether that hope was paid off or if Kasdan lost his fastball in his later works. As always let us...
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Lawrence Kasdan - Part 1
Lawrence Kasdan is best known for his screenwriting credits in the Star Wars and Indiana Jones universe, but he's an accomplished filmmaker in his own right. In this episode, we start our exploration of Kasdan's filmography from Body Heat to Grand Canyon. As always let us know what we got wrong…
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Christopher McQuarrie
We don't claim to be action movie experts, but maybe McQuarrie never rerally saw himself becoming a blockbuster action director. Following an early Oscar and a near exit from the film industry, McQuarrie has paired with Tom Cruise for reliable box office success. DJ Valentine from Simplistic...
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Elaine May
Elaine May is a comedy legend with a directing career that came to an infamous end with Ishtar. Her film career has undergone a bit of a positive reappraisal lately, even with earning a Criterion entry for Mikey and Nickey. You don't have to look far either to find an Ishtar defender. Listen as…
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Bong Joon-ho
Bong Joon-ho is an Oscar winner with a diverse filmography ranging from serial killing to a creature feature. Coming in pretty ignorant of Joon-ho and Korean filmmaking, listen to see what we thought of this hot filmmaker. Scene Picks: Parasite: Family comes home Okja: Leaving the compound As...
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Dee Rees
Dee Rees has an Oscar nomination (for Mudbound) and a Criterion collection film (for Pariah) under her belt. She also can boast writing and directing Bessie, which won an Emmy for Best TV Movie. In this episode, we are joined by Mark Staron for a spoiler-filled discussion of these highs and the...
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Steve McQueen
Steve McQueen is an accomplished filmmaker, both Cannes-approved (Camera d'Or for Hunger) and the director of an Oscar winning film (12 Years a Slave). In this episode, we dive into the films written and directed by McQueen, included the ambitious Small Axe anthology. Widows car ride scene Hunger...
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Sam Raimi
It's Halloween and Paul Kowalski is back to discuss the films of Sam Raimi. Raimi's a horror legend, but his films are like a haunted house with the lights on - things might be a little scary, but it's also pretty funny and almost comforting. Join us as we draft Raimi films and debate the worst...
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Paul Thomas Anderson
Paul Thomas Anderson has amassed an impressive filmography with his ninth feature film, Licorice Pizza, scheduled for release at the end of the year. Perhaps intimidated by the run-times and heavy themes or put off by a strange belief that there was only a place for one Anderson filmmaker in our...
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Matthew Vaughn
Matthew Vaughn is doing great. He's got his own cinematic universe (Kingsman), and he has also been compared to a Bond villain. While he's been largely successful with audiences, the critical reception has been more mixed. For this episode, we were joined by Richard Kirkham of the LAMBcast to...
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Jeremy Saulnier
Saulnier's films might remind you of some genre classics, but he's no imitator. We were lucky enough to have Jess Manzo (French Toast Sunday) help us work through Saulnier's rather tense filmography. As always let us know what we got wrong on Facebook, on Twitter, @PopcornAuteur, or email us at...
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Tamara Jenkins
In this episode, we explore the three films of Tamara Jenkins. From Slums of Beverly Hills to Private Life, Jenkins has told engaging, intimate stories while always managing to find humor. She's not prolific, but give a listen and you'll find a lot to suggest this Oscar-nominated filmmaker. As...
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Chloé Zhao
Chloé Zhao just won the Best Director Academy Award for Nomadland, which also took home best picture. In perhaps our most timely episode, we delve into the three feature films of Zhao to educate ourselves about this Oscar winner whose next film just happens to exist in the Marvel Cinematic...
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Pete Docter
This month, we cover another member of the Pixar brain trust. Pete Docter got in early at Pixar, he's directed Oscar winners, and now he's Pixar's Chief Creative Officer. Jonathan Sundy, official animation expert for the Popcorn Auteur, joined us as we talked about Docter's four films from...
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Guilleromo del Toro - Part 2
We are back with part 2. We had a lot of fun discussing del Toro's second half. Hope you enjoy us debating if inter-species sex is Oscar bait and if ALF would have been a better character design than the fish man. Pan's Labyrinth Translations Opening Clip: Faun: You're Princess Moanna, daughter…
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Guillermo del Toro - Part 1
As we conclude season 4, we tackle one of the busiest filmmakers working today. Guillermo del Toro is a creator of genre fiction on film, television, and in print. He is also beloved by critics and has a recent Academy Award to round out his credentials. In this episode, we examine the first four...
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John Milius
John Milius never reached the levels of acclaim as Spielberg, Lucas, or Coppola; however, the screenwriter behind Dirty Harry and Apocalypse Now wrote and directed cult classics such as Conan the Barbarian and Red Dawn. He did it in a larger than life manner. In this episode, we are joined by…
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Robert Eggers
As a filmmaker, Robert Eggers is clicking on all cylinders. His two films (both of modest budget), The Witch and The Lighthouse, have been nearly universally praised by critics. He's filming a new much bigger film, The Northman, with a star-studded cast. For our Halloween episode, Chris and Jon...
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Gina Prince-Bythewood
Gina Prince-Bythewood's name is trending this year. The classic Love & Basketball is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Additionally, Prince-Bythewood directed the recently released The Old Guard for Netflix. The attention even got her featured on the Blank Check podcast. Now it's time to listen…
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Taika Waititi
The world is Taika Waititi's oyster. He just won an Oscar, he's a cog in the Marvel machine, and he's being given the keys to a part of the Star Wars universe while also developing a pirate show for HBO. He also acts. In this episode we take a look at Waititi's output to date and speculate on the...
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Barry Jenkins
Barry Jenkins has written and directed three critically acclaimed feature films. Will Chris and Jon take a contrarian opinion? Likely not, but listen as we discuss empathy, color, and social commentary. Show Notes/Resources: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/medicine-for-melancholy-2009...
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Lynn Shelton
Sadly, Lynn Shelton passed away earlier this year at the age of 54. On this episode, we dive into the seven feature films that Shelton left behind. From the wild set-ups of Humpday and Sword of Trust to the naturalistic and understated Outside In, Shelton gave us a varied and entertaining...
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Lynne Ramsay
Rebecca Sharp from Almost Ginger helps Jon and Chris examine the dark and visually striking films of Lynne Ramsay. Ramsay tackles a variety of dark subjects (an accidental child drowning, a suicide, a school shooting, and an underage sex ring), which means you may not want to watch these films…
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Wes Anderson
Wes Anderson has occupied a rare space in film - critical appreciation, award show recognition, and box office consistency. He's been able to do this while making nine feature films. Before his tenth film, The French Dispatch, comes out later in 2020, Jon and Chris are joined by John Axford to...
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Sam Peckinpah
Sam Peckinpah is the oldest and surely the most violent filmmaker that we have covered to this point. Listen as we discuss this iconic and influential filmmaker while grappling with the implications of Peckinpah's world view. From the seminal The Wild Bunch to the polarizing Straw Dogs, join…
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Alex Garland
Alex Garland may not buy into the auteur theory (we may not either), but he's been at the helm of two of the most interesting science fiction films in the last decade. Listen as we dive into Ex Machina and Annihilation. Show Notes/Sources: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ex-machina-2015...
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Jeff Nichols
Jeff Nichols hasn't made a feature film since 2016. Despite being Cannes-approved and critically appreciated, Nichols' films have never broken through to mainstream audiences or the major award circuits. Listen as we delve into his films. Show Notes/Sources:...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Jon and Chris get a film education, one filmmaker at a time. Each month, we pick a famous filmmaker and watch every film that he or she wrote and directed. Then, we research the filmmaker's history and critical assessments of their work. Finally, we talk about the films, consistent themes throughout, and answer definitively: Are they an auteur and do we like them?
HOSTED BY
Chris Staron & Jon Dickey
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Popcorn Auteur have?
The Popcorn Auteur currently has 95 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Popcorn Auteur about?
Jon and Chris get a film education, one filmmaker at a time. Each month, we pick a famous filmmaker and watch every film that he or she wrote and directed. Then, we research the filmmaker's history and critical assessments of their work. Finally, we talk about the films, consistent themes...
How often does The Popcorn Auteur release new episodes?
The Popcorn Auteur has 95 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Popcorn Auteur?
You can listen to The Popcorn Auteur on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Popcorn Auteur?
The Popcorn Auteur is created and hosted by Chris Staron & Jon Dickey.
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