Small Beans

Adam and Abe dive into Tenet, Christopher Nolan’s most elaborate time-bending experiment. They unpack its reverse-action spectacle, nonlinear storytelling, murky spy-thriller stakes, and struggle to create emotional investment. The discussion also explores determinism, free will, sound design, visual style, Nolan’s devoted audience, and whether bold cinematic mechanics can outweigh confusing characters and narrative overload.

The hosts discuss formative (for them) 2001’s parody of summer camp teen films, Wet Hot American Summer. The conversation discusses the performance and comedy stylings of the team behind the film, the comedy-generational impact of the success of the film, and sucking your own dick. Features: Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store

Michael and Abe discuss the 1995 TV miniseries about interdimensional meatballs cracklin’ their way through liminal time spaces. It’s well known for not being the best adaptation of Stephen King’s works. But maybe… just maybe… the boys rank it at the top of the list! Let’s see! Features: Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store

Adam and Abe launch a Christopher Nolan watch-through with The Prestige, exploring its tangled timelines, visual style, practical craftsmanship, and obsession-driven rivals. They debate whether Nolan’s elaborate reveals deliver emotionally, his focus on concepts over intimacy, and the film’s ideas about talent, wealth, meritocracy, cloning, and personal identity.

Boots Riley, the filmmaker, rapper, writer, and activist behind Sorry to Bother You and I’m a Virgo, discusses his latest film, I Love Boosters. He explores why art and politics are inseparable, practical effects, creative collaboration, and turning production chaos into invention. The conversation also tackles manufactured shoplifting panics, algorithmic propaganda, influencer networks, and art’s power to inspire collective action.

This episode is brought to you by the Pick the Flick tier on our patreon. So, everyone, thank Wildfires Now Support This Podcast for paying for the episode! Thanks Wildfires! If you recall, we covered 2022’s Influencer a month ago. This is the squeak-quel! What new horrors await our socially literate and pretty friends? It’s probably not going to go well for them. But damn, those deaths rack up those impressions. Features: Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store

Our limited series with co-hosts Abe Epperson and David Bell digs deep into the internet meme of the “dad movie.” We can all probably name a dad movie, but can we isolate the tropes that really make this a bona fide film genre? Let’s find out! Features: Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social David Bell: https://bsky.app/profile/moviehooligan.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store

Bridgett and Sarah continue their travel through the classic Zemeckis trilogy. Let’s see what the hosts think of this installment! Great Scott! Features: Other Bridgett and Sarah podcasts: https://www.instagram.com/bspodcasting/ Bridgett Greenberg: https://www.instagram.com/bridgett_greenberg Sarah Griffith: https://www.instagram.com/sarahgriffith/ Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store

This episode concludes our coverage of the 8 episode run of season 1’s It: Welcome to Derry (2025). This episode covers the seventh and eighth episodes of the show along with our thoughts on season 1 overall! Features: Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store

This episode is brought to you by the Pick the Flick tier on our patreon. So, everyone, thank Wildfires Now Support This Podcast for paying for the episode! Thanks Wildfires! Michael and Abe sit down with Dave Bell to discuss the 2022 Shutter horror film that features a woman preying on internet influencers in Thailand. The three boys discuss the execution, themes, and overall message of the film. Like and subscribe! Features: David Bell: https://bsky.app/profile/moviehooligan.bsky.social Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store