Celluloid Dreams: The Psychology of Film

Hosts Matt & Mike continue their journey through the process of filmmaking through a psychological perspective.This episode delves into the art of editing, including discussion of the various types of montage, parallel editing, surrealism and the psychological impact of extended continuous shots. Examples illustrating each aspect of editing include discussion of landmark montage set pieces from Battleship Potemkin and Citizen Kane to The Untouchables and Inception; the power of parallel editing in such masterpieces as The Godfather, Magnolia and Requiem for a Dream; and jaw dropping, seemingly continuous shots as seen in such films as Alfred Hitchcock's Rope, Children of Men and Sinners. Surreal cinema from Maya Deren's Meshes of the Afternoon to David Lynch's Mulholland Drive are also discussed.Takeaways:* The art of picture editing is to juxtapose images in such a manner as to either create seamless action for storytelling purposes or convey complex ideas that go beyond the surface level plot of a film.* Montage is the art of using picture editing to make the assembled pieces have value that is greater than the sum of the individual parts, either intellectually or emotionally.* Montage strategy can either be as objective as following the number of frames between each cut or as subjective as determining how one image juxtaposed against another should create an emotional reaction in the viewer.* Surrealism is the juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated elements that when combined create a kind of dream logic that may not be rationally explainable as much as felt emotionally.

Delves into the art of cinematography, including such topics as the elegance of slow-motion, use of natural light, impact of color versus black & white, and role of framing and different aspect ratios. The conversation covers the evolution of film formats, strategies for utilizing point of view shots, lens choice and lighting, and the contribution of Steadicam on tracking shots.TakeawaysCinematography is a complex aspect of filmmaking that directly affects the psychological impact of a film.Understanding the historical evolution of film formats provides insight into the development of cinematographic techniques.Cinematographic perspective, including the use of point of view shots and camera movement, plays a crucial role in creating a compelling cinematic experience.Choices of lenses, angles, lighting and filming speed can convey a skewed world view to alter the psychological landscape of a film.

Matt and Mike complete discussion of their 30 Film Favorites.The final lists are as follows:Matt's 30 Favorites:2001: A Space OdysseyAlienApocalypse NowBlade RunnerChinatownThe Dark KnightThe Empire Strikes BackThe French ConnectionThe GodfatherGoodfellasGoldfingerHeatInceptionJawsKing Kong (1933)L.A. ConfidentialLawrence of ArabiaLOTR: The Fellowship of the RingThe Nightmare Before ChristmasPsychoRaiders of the Lost ArkRoad to PerditionRobocopThe Right StuffScarfaceSevenThe Shawshank RedemptionStar WarsSuperman - The MovieVideodromeMike's 30 Favorites:AlienThe GodfatherJaws Blade RunnerThe TerminatorAll the President's MenThe ShiningMarathon ManMementoGoodfellasChinatownRequiem for a DreamHalloweenRaiders of the Lost ArkM*A*S*HInceptionDie HardGladiatorSevenMulholland Dr.VideodromeThe Tree of LifeAbre Los Ojos (Open Your Eyes)ManhunterGravityInterstellarCitizen KaneCarrie Don't Look NowA Nightmare on Elm St.Matt's Honorable Mentions:The AbyssAliensAmerican GraffitiBack to the FutureBride of FrankensteinCasino RoyaleCitizen KaneClose Encounters of the Third KindCreature from the Black LagoonThe Dead ZoneDracula (1931)The ExorcistFantasiaFrankenstein (1931)GladiatorThe Good, the Bad, & the UglyThe Godfather - Part 2HalloweenInterstellarPan's LabyrinthPulp FictionSaving Private RyanScarface (1983)Schindler's ListSkyfallThe Spy Who Loved MeThe TerminatorTerminator 2: Judgment DayTouch of EvilToy StoryZodiacMike's Honorable Mentions:The Dark KnightThe Lion KingThe Godfather - Part 2CasablancaAll About EveOn the WaterfrontHeatBlack NarcissusPersona The Big LebowskiSex, Lies, & VideotapePiThe FogTootsieWall StreetThe Virgin SuicidesUpSunriseDangerous LiaisonsDressed to KillDune - Part 2Blazing Saddles8 1/2 Apocalypse NowAliensLa La LandAmelieWitnessThe InsiderIn a Lonely Place

Matt & Mike resume their discussion of their favorite films, this time focusing on stories touching upon the criminal underworld or the world of intrigue. The list of films this time out is as follows:ChinatownLA ConfidentialThe French ConnectionDie Hard GoldfingerMarathon ManHeatManhunterGoodfellasScarface Road to PerditionThe Shawshank RedemptionRequiem for a DreamSPOILER ALERT: Again, all elements of a film are fair game for discussion, so if you haven't seen all of these films and you don't want to know the ending, skip past that film and listen to the next entry.

For their second episode, Matt & Mike continue with their filmic "Rorschach Test" in describing the films that have meaning to them and the personal reasons why. Once they reach the end of this short series of episodes, the hope is that the audience will understand the psychological prism through which Mike & Matt view movies as they break down the elements of individual films in future episodes.In particular, Matt shares his family connection to "The Right Stuff" due to his father's lifetime of military service and flight experience. Mike relates how Christopher Nolan keeps making films he wishes he had the chance to make, with "Interstellar" having particular personal meaning for its exploration of the boundary between the scientific and the spiritual that has fascinated Mike since he was in high school.Other films discussed range from the political, such as the journalistic "All the President's Men" and wickedly satirical "Robocop," to the darkly thrilling, like "The Shining" and "Seven." And there's much more to come in future episodes...SPOILER ALERT: Discussion of all time great films at times must include mention of a film's ending or key twists in the story, so be forewarned that all aspects of a film are fair game for discussion!

In this first episode, Matt & Mike provide their bios to familiarize the listening audience with their backgrounds in order to convey the perspective through which they analyze films. They also begin the process of listing their top 30 favorite films, to share why those films are important to them, and reveal why listeners should follow along as Matt & Mike explore the psychological elements that drive the narratives of the greatest films of all time.