The Playlist Podcast Network

"Motherless Brooklyn" marks a twenty-year journey for writer, director, producer, and star Edward Norton and Norton joins me to discuss the film on Episode 11 of The Fourth Wall. Norton is truly one of the great talents of our generation whose diverse body of work has spanned across films such as “Primal Fear” and “American History X,” both of which earned him Academy Award Nominations, “Fight Club,” “The Incredible Hulk,” and “Birdman” just to name a few. In the mere twenty-some minutes we chatted, it became clear that not only is Norton a massive fan of cinema, more specifically film noir, but is riveted by projects that have something to say about our current societal moment. He's a firm believer in Joseph Campbell's concept of transparency and that the most potent art is that which reflects our own image back at us. For all the "Chinatown" callbacks and reverence for classic film noir, it was precisely this concept that allowed Norton to get to the heart of his take on "Motherless Brooklyn." During our conversation, we go deep into the films that excite and inspire Norton along with how growing up the grandson of a community builder helped shape his approach to "Motherless Brooklyn" and why movies like "The Big Sleep" and "Chinatown" were so influential. "Motherless Brooklyn" hits theaters this Friday, November 1st.

1991's "Terminator: Judgement Day" is finally getting a proper sequel in the highly anticipated "Terminator: Dark Fate," and my guest for Episode 10 of The Fourth Wall is the film's director Tim Miller. Tim has become somewhat of a rising star given the breakout success of 2016's "Deadpool." While the filmmaker sadly departed the sequel due to creative differences (see Tim's original plan for "Deadpool 2"), a new opportunity arose in the form revamping the Terminator franchise. A veteran of the visual effects industry, Tim became acquainted with James Cameron while Blur Studio (Tim's visual effects, animation, and design company) completed work on "Avatar." From there, and with the help of several abysmal Terminator sequels, the cogs began to turn, and the notion of a proper sequel to "T2" started becoming a reality. It's easy for many filmmakers early in their career to buy into their own hype (especially coming off of one of the most profitable R rated films of all time), however, with Tim the idea of openness and collaboration is something he very much encourages and stems from the environment he's fostered at Blur. During our conversation, Tim's desire to genuinely make a good movie that audiences will not only enjoy but that he himself is proud of became apparent, and many of "Dark Fate's" key contributions came from members of the cast to which Miller praised to no end. We also discussed the film's prominent Latinx representation, working with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton, how Hamilton wanted to go even darker with Sarah Conner this go around, emerging filmmaking technologies that excite Tim the most, and much more.

Charlie Chaplin lampooning Hitler’s bombast and fragility in “The Great Dictator” (1940) marked one of film comedy’s all-time “truth to power” moments. But 80 years after WWII, how best to laugh at fascists when they seldom don the brownshirt? With the release of Taika Waititi’s “Jojo Rabbit”—a would-be charming comedy about a Hitler youth whose imaginary friend is der Führer—Chance and Noah ask themselves why, how, and when skewered Nazis are funny. After reviewing “Jojo,” Chance and Noah duck back to “The Producers” (1967) and “Top Secret!” (1984) to examine how Nazis became a source of irony and camp for filmmakers like Mel Brooks and the ZAZ trio. As always—down with Hitler; all the way down.

"The Bourne Legacy," "Jason Bourne," and "Treadstone" producer Ben Smith joins me for Episode 9 of The Fourth Wall to talk about expanding the World of Jason Bourne in the Bourne spin-off series. Making for the perfect blend of "24" meets "Heroes," the series marks an almost decade long journey for Smith as he's had his heart set on expanding the world that Robert Ludlum created. Perhaps much of this influence comes from the involvement of "Heroes" creator Tim Kring, who Smith discussed collaborating with, and stunt coordinator from "The Bourne Ultimatum," but at the heart of it, what excited Smith the most was the opportunity to explore the mythology of not only the films but Ludlum's novels in order to tell very personal and interconnected stories that were affected by the geopolitical landscape of today. "The base that Ludlum created is very rich," said Smith, "and I think it's a perfect fit for television. You just have a lot more real estate to dive into a lot of different characters which is what we've done on 'Treadstone.'" For those unaware, "Treadstone" tells the origins of the secret government organization that led to the birth of Jason Bourne. Taking place in 1973 and present day, the series follows these sleeper agents from the Cicada Program (another program under the Treadstone umbrella) as they mysteriously begin to awaken around the globe ten years after audiences meet Jason Bourne in "The Bourne Identity." The prospect of crossing over "Treadstone" with Matt Damon's Jason Bourne or even Jeremy Renner's Aaron Cross is certainly something that would excite fans of the franchise and even Smith himself, however, it all comes down to what the story requires. "What's happening in the world of Bourne is independent of what's happening right now in 'Treadstone,'" said Smith. "There is crossover mythology, but there is no planned tie-in today." During my conversation with Smith, we discussed the long journey to creating "Treadstone," balancing character storytelling with that signature Bourne action, the work that went into the stunt choreography, his relationship with Ludlum's novels and the Bourne franchise as a whole, and actors he'd like to see play in the expansive Bourne sandbox.

We speak to director/producer/actor/dancer Carolina Monnerat about Brazil and the movies she's made, including the new "Queen of Lapa."

Prepare for #MaximumDiscourse, and set phasers to stun. "Joker" - the Todd Phillips-directed dark superhero drama based on Batman's most iconic nemesis - is finally here, and there are certainly thoughts to be had. On this episode, Ryan is joined by Chris Evangelista (/Film) to unpack the controversial film, and tackle the overall discussion happening in the film community at large. 0:00-32:05: “Joker” Review (Non-Spoiler) 32:06-End: ***SPOILER DISCUSSION***

After a brief hiatus while Ryan was on paternity leave, The Discourse is back! On this episode, Ryan is joined again by Jenny Nulf (Austin Chronicle, Austin Asian American Film Festival) to talk Fantastic Fest 2019, the films in September that we missed ("It: Chapter Two," "Hustlers," and more), and dedicate the main review segment to "First Love," the latest film from Takashi Miike. 0:00-5:38: Intro/Ryan’s Penance for Losing at Fantasy Football to Griffin 5:39-18:16: Fantastic Fest Recap 18:17-31:36: “First Love” Review 31:37-End: September Round-Up (“It: Chapter Two, “Hustlers,” “Ad Astra,” “The Day Shall Come,” “One Cut of the Dead”)

Andy Muschietti joins me for Episode 8 of The Fourth Wall to discuss "IT Chapter Two" in full spoilers! Andy first garnered the attention of many with his 2013 debut "Mama." The film was based on his three minute short of the same name which also piqued the interest of Guillermo del Toro who went on to executive produce the feature. Muschietti's work and success on "Mama" proved him to be a real emerging talent in the horror genre and it's easy to see why he was brought on for the adaptation of Stephen King's "IT." Embarking on a massive undertaking, Muschietti brought to life King's novel for a new generation amassing both critical and commercial success as 2017's "It" became the highest-grossing horror film of all time. It's only fitting that "IT Chapter Two" is hot on its heels as the film already has the second-highest horror movie opening of all time. While the adult portion of "IT" has always been notoriously divisive, Muschietti understood that in order for it to work, he needed to cut out some of King's more outlandish material and maintain focus on the Losers and their journey. For this, the director looked to classics that had an impact on him at an early age such as "The Neverending Story" and "E.T." for inspiration. During our conversation, we not only discuss how Muschietti managed to create such a satisfying conclusion but we also get into how he crafted some incredibly seamless and inventive scene transitions, the challenges of making a two hour and forty-five-minute horror epic, reinventing the character of Ritchie, and, in relation to the film's meta-commentary about creators who can't properly end their stories, his favorite movie that couldn't quite nail the ending (his answer may surprise you).

Nobody tells you about the bonus round after the million-dollar question—the one where we ask, "Why have we obsessed for 70 years over the TV game show in all its inherent fakeness, exploitation, and only a lottery ticket's chance of paying the common person their money?" This week, BE REEL is buzzing in, to reappraise "Quiz Show" on its 25th anniversary, "Slumdog Millionaire" one decade after it took home the Oscars' highest honor, and "The Running Man" because it's a very silly movie that clearly set the stage for "American Gladiators." Press play; you might win something!

Bill Hader is one of the most exciting creatives working in Hollywood and today, we welcome him to Episode 7 of The Fourth Wall! Bill became a comedic icon entering people’s homes every Saturday night during his eight-season run on Saturday Night Live birthing such beloved characters as Stefan and numerous impressions ranging from Vincent Price, Al Pacino, Alan Alda, James Carville and more. His SNL performances garnered him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2012 making for the first male cast member nomination since Eddie Murphy in 1984. After leaving SNL, Hader went on to stretch his creative muscles even further creating and starring in HBO’s hit series “Barry.” His work on “Barry” earned him an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series along with back to back nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. Hader’s latest work is playing the adult version of Ritchie in Andy Muschietti’s horror epic “IT Chapter Two,” on which the actor speaks about the alterations made to the character, getting injured on set, and the similarities and differences between horror and comedy. We also dive into his work on “Barry,” transition into becoming a filmmaker, directing a new feature film, his relationship with Kombucha and why exactly, “Hader loves the booch.”