Digger and Primetime, plus Chicago International Film Fest Preview | #1084
Summary
Hosts Adam Kempner and Josh Larson debate Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s box office flop *Digger*, with Kempner praising its meta-theatrical twist and production design while Larson critiques its overblown farce. They analyze Tom Cruise’s committed performance and Riz Ahmed’s standout role, comparing the film’s reception to *Dr. Strangelove*. The episode also previews the Chicago International Film Festival and Iowa City’s Refocus Film Festival, discusses Robert Pattinson’s primetime appearance, and highlights listener feedback on Matt Singer’s new book.
Topics discussed
Intro: The Plot Thickens Stanley Podcast
Regal Unlimited Sponsorship and Show Intro
Upcoming Film Festivals: Chicago and Refocus
Digger: Initial Impressions and Reception
Digger: Plot Summary and Box Office Context
Digger: Supporting Cast and Production Design
Digger: Visual Style and Aesthetic Qualities
Digger: The Mystery of the First 20 Minutes
Digger: Personal Reaction and Desire to Discuss
Digger: Evaluating Judgment and Tone
Digger: Comparison to Dr. Strangelove
Digger: Satire, Farce, and Critical Language
Digger: Questions of Artistic Purpose
Digger: Affordance Theory and Art Value
Digger: Riz Ahmed's Performance Analysis
Digger: Tom Cruise's Performance and Modulation
Digger: Scaling the Performance Intensity
Listener Mail and Show Feedback
Regal Unlimited Sponsorship Recap
Digger: Spoiler Territory and The Twist
Digger: Meta-Narrative and Technical Awards
Digger: Themes of Hypocrisy and Responsibility
Digger: Satire vs. Farce and Creative Conflict
Digger: The Role of Farce and Existential Questions
Digger: The Ending and Dystopian Imagery
Digger: Ambiguity and Audience Interpretation
Digger: Visceral Response and Current Events
Digger: Cruise's Subplot and Humanization
Digger: Emotional Manipulation and Loss
Digger: Performance Within a Performance
Digger: Nuance and Observational Acting
Digger: Critique of Cruise's Commitment
Digger: Mixed Reviews and Oscar Potential
To Catch a Predator: Movie Overview
To Catch a Predator: Acting Craft and Phoebe Bridgers
Film Festival Picks: Citizen Osama
Film Festival Picks: Gaza Documentary
Film Festival Picks: Julianne Moore Comedy
Film Festival Picks: James Benning's Eight Bridges
Film Festival Picks: The Girl with the Leica
Film Festival: Live Taping and Blank Check
Poll Results: Best Frat Pack Movie
Listener Comments on Poll and Walkhard
Poll: Upcoming Films Ranking
Poll: Personal Rankings and Dune Part Three
Outro and Social Media Links
Next Episode Preview: Atonement and The Beast
Production Credits and Thanks
Listen ad-free on Castria