The 2025 Dumpuary Extravaganza. Plus: Steven Soderbergh Returns!
Jan 27, 2025
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Yasi Salek, a film critic, joins the fun, sharing her quirky insights on the bizarre Robbie Williams biopic, 'Better Man,' featuring a CGI chimpanzee. Chris Ryan dives into the contrasting qualities of 'Wolfman,' 'Flight Risk,' and the thought-provoking 'Presence.' Finally, director Steven Soderbergh discusses his new film 'Presence,' exploring the innovative horror perspective of viewing through a ghost's eyes. Expect laughs, nostalgia, and a deep dive into cinematic creativity!
The podcast humorously explores the bizarre premise of the CGI chimpanzee portrayal of Robbie Williams in 'Better Man'.
A discussion on 'Presence' reveals Soderbergh's innovative approach to narrative through a ghost's point of view and emotional complexities.
The conversation highlights the significant difference in audience perception derived from theatrical versus streaming film releases.
Soderbergh reflects on character development challenges in films, emphasizing the need for audience connection through comprehensive backstories.
The hosts underscore the emotional resonance of 'Presence', illustrating how it prompts introspection on familial relationships for viewers.
Deep dives
Overview of the Press Box Podcast
The Press Box podcast discusses news across various domains, including sports, politics, and pop culture. Hosted by Brian Curtis, the podcast aims to help listeners decipher the complex news landscape heightened by social media overload. Episodes are released twice weekly, featuring interviews with notable figures in journalism and media. The goal is to offer insights into how news is made and the implications behind it.
The Big Picture and Dumpuary
The Big Picture segment of the podcast highlights the concept of 'Dumpuary,' a term used to describe January, a month known for releasing less acclaimed films. Hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins discuss the unique cinematic landscape during this period while featuring various guests to provide diverse viewpoints. The episode includes humor and a lighthearted approach to discussing recent film releases. The dynamic format ensures an engaging discussion about the films that might otherwise be overlooked.
Steven Soderbergh's Film Presence
Director Steven Soderbergh’s new film, Presence, is introduced, described as a point-of-view-centered ghost story. Soderbergh innovatively places the audience in the shoes of a ghostly entity within a family dynamic, exploring themes of isolation and intimacy. The film's unique perspective is meant to provoke thought about family relations and the emotional complexities that come with them. This aligns with Soderbergh's historical focus on character-driven narratives that maintain tension while being visually captivating.
Bush League Humor and Unique Choices
An amusing exchange within the podcast revolves around the bizarre premise of the film Better Man, which features a CGI-rendered chimpanzee portraying the lead character, British singer Robbie Williams. The hosts humorously debate the implications of using a chimpanzee in this biographical narrative and the artist’s actual significance. They also explore the broader context of how popular music culture is typically presented in films. This playful banter showcases the podcast's ability to blend humor and insightful commentary while examining new films.
Explorations of the Director's Process
Soderbergh details his collaborative effort with screenwriter David Koepp to produce Presence, highlighting the challenges of crafting a narrative through the point of view of a ghost. The discussion reveals insight into Soderbergh's unique filming techniques and the thought process behind establishing visual storytelling tones. He emphasizes the importance of visual language and framing in bringing the emotional aspects of the story to life. Soderbergh’s commitment to this conceptualization allows for a deeper resonance in sharing complex inner-world narratives.
Impact of Theatrical Releases
The podcast discusses the broader impact of theatrical releases versus streaming platforms in shaping a film's reception. Soderbergh acknowledges that while streaming is beneficial for accessibility, theatrical releases often lend films a sense of prestige and cultural footprint that streaming cannot achieve alone. The discussion reflects on the changing environment for filmmakers and the market's reception of films based on their release format. This commentary underscores the nuances in audience perceptions of movies, highlighting a growing divide between small-scale indie films and mainstream productions.
The Challenge of Character Orientation
Throughout the episode, the hosts ponder the intricacies of character orientation in films like Presence and the challenges of making audiences feel connected to characters. The conversation reveals the potential disconnect that arises when character backgrounds are not sufficiently fleshed out compared to their actions on screen. This disconnect directly influences audience engagement with the narrative and informs their investment in the characters' arcs. Such considerations are crucial in how filmmakers craft their stories to resonate with viewers meaningfully.
Reception of Presence and Personal Connections
The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on the personal connections that audiences establish with films, anchored in their emotional experiences while viewing. Presence's exploration of family dynamics, intimacy, and emotional vulnerability resonates on many levels, emphasizing the film's rich emotional tapestry. The hosts speculate about the film's potential impact on audiences and future discussions surrounding its themes. Through this reflection, Soderbergh's work is seen as influential in prompting audiences to introspect on their familial relationships and personal experiences.
Self-Reflections on Career and Creativity
Soderbergh provides insight into his career trajectory, sharing how his willingness to adapt and experiment has shaped his filmmaking style. He notes the balance between engaging with wider audiences while remaining true to his artistic vision, which can sometimes lead to apparent contradictions or risks. His reflections reveal a thoughtful understanding of the complexities of modern filmmaking amid an evolving industry landscape. The podcast serves as both a celebration of his work and an examination of his perspective on creativity across a varied body of films.
Sean and Amanda are joined by Yasi Salek to discuss ‘Better Man,’ the bizarro Robbie Williams biopic in which he is rendered as a CGI chimpanzee (1:00) and ‘One of Them Days,’ the Keke Palmer and SZA action comedy produced by Issa Rae and directed by Lawrence Lamont (29:00). Then, Yasi departs and Sean and Amanda explore ‘Back In Action,’ the spy-action-comedy starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx that jumped up to number one on Netflix (53:00). Next, Chris Ryan joins to weigh in on ‘Wolf Man,’ ‘Flight’ Risk,' and ‘Presence,’ a trio of movies of wildly different quality from three accomplished directors (1:06:00). Finally, Sean is joined by Steven Soderbergh to discuss his 35th feature film ‘Presence,’ a tense thriller experimenting with point-of-view and form (1:40:00).
Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins
Guests: Yasi Salek, Chris Ryan, and Steven Soderbergh
