Small Beans

Small Beans
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Sep 1, 2024 • 60min

759. Directorpiece Theatre: Blocking Character (The Saint)

Abe Epperson wants to tell you about the holy experience of watching The Saint. He wants to whisper into your ear how a director uses blocking, pacing, and movement to make you understand how awesome the Saint is. I mean, look at Val Kilmer in the above photo. I bet God needed another day of rest after he made that high-tech hunk of disguise. Features: Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty 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?ref_id=22691
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Aug 30, 2024 • 1h 6min

762. 1Upsmanship: Starcraft 2 (Feat. Brian Brushwood)

Brian Brushwood, a world-renowned con artist and gaming enthusiast, joins Michael and Adam for a deep dive into Starcraft 2. They explore the intricate strategies and nostalgic memories tied to the game, likening its gameplay to a high-stakes poker match. The conversation touches on the evolution of real-time strategy games and their impact on esports. Brushwood shares insights on game design, balance, and the beloved character Kerrigan, all while reminiscing about the community and excitement surrounding competitive play.
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Aug 19, 2024 • 1h 4min

754. Frame Rate: Road to Perdition (Feat. Jason Pargin)

Author and all-around fantastic guy, Jason Pargin, joins the boys on the road to unpacking the themes, production, and structure of 2002’s Road to Perdition. They talk gangster movies, anti-heroes, and the fact that Jason is definitely not a murderer. Features: Jason Pargin: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasonkpargin Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty 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?ref_id=22691
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Aug 14, 2024 • 3h 11min

756. The Climb Audiobook (Mike's Sci-Fi Novel!)

Swaim wrote a novel called The Climb, currently available as a lush, all-color PDF, as well as in an ereader-compatible format, and in physical form. THIS is a sample of the audiobook version of The Climb, read by the author, a man named Michael. It's just the first three hours. The full thing can be had for a scant twenty dollars by visiting the Small Beans Patreon Shop at patreon.com/smallbeans/shop. Your money will go directly to support Mike in a trying financial time, and unlock the audiobook as an MP3, M4B (the preferred format of reader apps like Audible, Apple Books, and etc.), and indexed chapter-by-chapter folder for those who prefer a navigable playlist. ALSO: Features one other Small Beannouncement, so make sure to stay for the end of the beanginning. SYNOPSIS & PRAISE Sinno is about to take part in an ancient coming-of-age rite for his people: climbing as high as he can up the Great Tree that comprises the entire universe. No one knows what wonders and mysteries lurk in the misty branches above. All Sinno knows is that he sometimes hates himself, and he doesn't want to let anybody down. This is a book about things including, but not limited to: alcoholism, robots, crippling depression, a magical talking rock, what's inside the Mystery Box, falling in love, hitting yourself in the head, evil orange fungus, the Tree Pope, CRACKED, Picasso, and the meaning of life. I sure hope it helps. "The book is heartbreaking, it's weird, and it's very, very funny." - Robert Brockway "There’s nothing quite like The Climb. A classic, fantastical, epic hero’s journey except for the parts where it isn’t...and, as always, a book that’s really f*cking funny. It’s a love poem, it’s a dick joke, it’s a celebration of art and a middle finger to those who try to squeeze a buck out of art, and it’s quite possibly Michael Swaim’s masterpiece." - Daniel O'Brien
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Aug 13, 2024 • 58min

752. Escape from the Multicurse: The Lake House

Our three co-hosts are stuck in the multiverse and need to get back to their home universe. Clearly, the only way to do that is to explore our cultural obsession with multiverses, alternate timelines and parallel worlds, and tie it all into a conversation about post-modern art, pop culture, and the lessons these stories teach us. Also, each episode, one of them is an asshole who will probably sabotage the whole thing. This week we discuss 2006’s The Lake House, with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock! Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty 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?ref_id=22691
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Aug 3, 2024 • 1h 23min

749. Ander’s Sons: The Phantom Thread

Our deep dive of Wes Anderson and P.T. Anderson continues: this time we discuss the 2017 film The Phantom Thread which tells the story of a toxic relationship fostered by a tyrannical dressmaker. Michael and Abe discuss Paul Thomas Anderson’s distinctive style, themes, and characters. Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty 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?ref_id=22691
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Jul 31, 2024 • 1h 9min

748. Directorpiece Theatre: How to Direct a Feature Length Sketch (The Other Guys)

Adam Ganser breaks down two different types of popular comedies made these days by taking the comedic stylings of The Other Guys and dissecting its approach to comedy and action. He tracks how films typically choose one of the two camps and what that means for the audience. Also, he wants a cybertruck. Features: Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty 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?ref_id=22691
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Jul 17, 2024 • 60min

743. Tales from the Pit: Cusping Hard (Feat. Marina and Tom Reimann)

Michael brings on Marina and Tom Reimann, expecting parents and personal friends. Marina and Tom are expecting any day now so this conversation consists of Michael asking them about their journey so far, as he begins his own. This episode continues the ongoing conversation about Michael and jenn’s leap into parenthood. The Go-Fund Me for Marina and Tom Reimann: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-marinas-highrisk-pregnancy-journey Buy Michael’s book: https://www.patreon.com/smallbeans/shop Support Small Beans: https://www.patreon.com/smallbeans Features: Marina Reimann: https://twitch.tv/heartfistbrain Tom Reimann: https://twitter.com/startthemachine Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691
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Jul 13, 2024 • 1h 4min

742. Frame Rate: Safe House (1998) (Feat. Katy Stoll)

Friend and illustrious bean, Katy Stoll, is forced by her friends to watch the Patrick Stewart made-for-TV vehicle that is Safe House! You’ve probably never heard of the movie because it’s insane. That’s why we chose our friend Katy to stop by and experience the glory that is Safe House. Features: Katy Stoll: https://twitter.com/katystoll Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty 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?ref_id=22691
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Jul 6, 2024 • 58min

740. Escape from the Multicurse: The One

Our three co-hosts are stuck in the multiverse and need to get back to their home universe. Clearly, the only way to do that is to explore our cultural obsession with multiverses, alternate timelines and parallel worlds, and tie it all into a conversation about post-modern art, pop culture, and the lessons these stories teach us. Also, each episode, one of them is an asshole who will probably sabotage the whole thing. Boy Howdy! This week we discuss 2001’s The One. Michael and Abe contemplate how they didn’t figure out how Adam says “Boy Howdy!” constantly throughout this one. Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty 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?ref_id=22691

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