Hit Factory

Film writer, editor, and podcaster Jake Tropila discusses the Coen Brothers' 'The Big Lebowski'. They explore the film's influences, its stellar cast, and its cryptic plot, suggesting a deeper level of criticism about America's sociopolitical landscape. They discuss the iconic rug scene and themes of responsibility. They also delve into the film's origins, its impact, and the character of the Dude. Additionally, they highlight the talent of John Goodman and Jeff Bridges and analyze the film's deeper themes and ideologies.

Get access to this entire episode as well as all of our premium episodes and bonus content by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.Los Angeles-based literary manager Jarrod Murray returns to the show to discuss Robert Redford's 'Quiz Show', a true story of the massive 1950s scandal that revealed to the American public for the first time that the burgeoning television industry and the levers of power that control media were capable of profound deceit. We discuss the film's many iterations, possible directors, and might-have-been performances as well as the incredibly deep bench of performers the film ultimately wound up with (including great character actors like David Paymer, Hank Azaria, Griffin Dunne, and even a wonderful turn from director Martin Scorsese). Then we discuss the real story behind the film, and the ways director Robert Redford and screenwriter Paul Attanasio grapple with the quiz show scandal's multifaceted ramifications in the era after the post-war boom. Finally, we discuss the film's legacy, or lack thereof, and why this film may not have found its deserved purchase with viewers in the 90s and why there's still room for it to be reclaimed in 2023. Follow Jarrod Murray on Twitter.....Our theme song is "Mirror" by Chris Fish 

New York-based film writer Jason Miller joins to discuss the strange, beautiful cinematic worlds of the unsung Alan Rudolph and his 1992 film 'Equinox' starring Matthew Modine as identical twin brothers separated at birth. We begin with a discussion of Rudolph's career, beginning as an assistant director to the great Robert Altman before branching out and producing some of the most compellingly idiosyncratic films of the 1980s (as well as his feature 'Remember My Name' from 1978, arguably his greatest work).  Then we turn our sights to 'Equinox' and talk about the film's distinctive rhythms and characters as well as the ways Rudolph imbues his fantasy world with a potent naturalism and sense of place. Finally, we discuss the injustice of Rudolph's relative obscurity within cinephile circles, and why the filmmaker's entire body of work is due for a necessary and urgent reappraisal. We're committed to getting 'Equinox' in front of as many eyes as possible! Email us at hitfactorypod@gmail.com for more info. Follow Jason on Twitter and check out links to his work here. Read Dan Sallit's teriffic monograph on Alan Rudolph here. Get access to all of our premium episodes and bonus content by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.....Our theme song is "Mirror" by Chris Fish. 

Get access to this entire episode as well as all of our premium episodes and bonus content by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.Writer and professional shit-talker Nadine Smith joins to discuss the mesmerizing wuxia masterpiece 'Green Snake'.We explain the storied career of the film's remarkable director Tsui Hark, often referred to in the west as "the Spielberg of Hong Kong". Then, we talk about the transcendental beauty of Green Snake - its dreamlike and transfixing aesthetic, and it's tantalizing stars Joey Wong and Maggie Cheung. We also focus in on the movie's universally resonant story, which champions difference and asks its viewers to challenge dogmas of intolerance.Follow Nadine on Twitter.Read and subscribe to Nadine's Substack.....Our theme song is "Mirror" by Chris Fish.

Jesse Hawken, host of Junk Filter Podcast, returns to the show to discuss 'Primal Fear'. The film is a taut piece of middlebrow entertainment which offers maximum reward as a cable classic. We discuss the film's two standout performances - one from aging handsome guy Richard Gere as a hotshot attorney looking for his next big break, the other from then-newcomer Edward Norton who took audiences by storm and wound up on the short list of actors nominate for an Academy Award for their very first film performance. Then, we talk the movie's famous twist ending, and the way that it betrays an uncomfortably reactionary streak that resonated with audiences in mid-90s America. Finally, we have some words about the death of the midbudget cable classic, and look at the current state of the industry vis-a-vis the tandem strike efforts from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. Listen & Subscribe to Junk Filter Podcast and support the show on Patreon. Follow Jesse Hawken on Twitter. Follow Junk Filter Podcast on TwitterGet access to all of our premium episodes and bonus content by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.....Our theme song is "Mirror" by Chris Fish. 

Get access to this entire episode as well as all of our premium episodes and bonus content by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.San Francisco-based Drafthouse programmer Jake Isgar stops by to discuss 'Dick Tracy', Warren Beatty's dazzling passion project released during a brief, bygone moment in big-budget filmmaking when artistic liberty and studio buy-in were wed.We discuss the byzantine journey the film took to the big screen, which included several iterations under different directors and actors in the titular role. Then we discuss Warren Beatty as auteur, and how the character of Dick Tracy reflects his predilections, fears, and fetishes all in one. Finally, we look at Disney's ubiquitous promotional campaign for the film, which featured Dick Tracy iconography and songs from the soundtrack perfromed during Madonna's Blond Ambition Tour. Read Jeffrey Katzenberg's 1991 Memo 'The World Is Changing: Some Thoughts On Our Business' .

It's Hit Factory's third birthday, and you're invited to celebrate along with us! Join us as we count down our baker's Top Ten films from past episodes. Links To Episodes Mentioned Here:The Blair With ProjectRavenous feat. Matt MonagleLost Highway feat. Jonah KoslofskySafe feat. Catherine LiuThe Bridges of Madison County feat. Comrade YuiClose-Up feat. Roxana HadadiThe Game feat. Bilge EbiriSlacker feat. Robert RaymondThe Limey feat. Matt BelenkyIrma Vep feat. Brandon StreussnigCronos Get access to all of our premium episodes and bonus content by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.....Our theme song is "Mirror" by Chris Fish. 

Get access to this entire episode as well as all of our premium episodes and bonus content by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.Returning Hit Factory favorites and fellow Neptune High Class on 1980 Sea Dogs Taylor Grimes and Hard Mike join for a testosterone-heavy conversation about Brian De Palma's 'Snake Eyes'. It's a throwback thriller that satisfies as both sleazy genre exercise and one of the director's most stylish metacommentaries on the craft of filmmaking itself.We discuss Brian De Palma as auteur, and how this film continues his career-long devotion to past masters like Hitchcock and their shared fascination with perversion, voyeurism, and corruption. Then we discuss the film's brilliant grasp on both form and function, as it employs its technical acuity to externalize the interiority of it's lead character (portrayed with considerable aplomb by a never-better Nicolas Cage). Finally, we discuss the film's many brilliant collborators, including the late Ryuichi Sakamoto of the influential Japanese electronic outfit Yellow Magic Orchestra who provides this movie's haunting and lyrical score.Follow Hard Mike on Twitter. Find Taylor online (if you can). ....Our theme song is "Mirror" by Chris Fish.

Writer Maggie Serota joins to discuss the 1993 comedy 'So I Married An Axe Murderer', a movie that takes inspiration from classic screwball comedies, Hitchcock thrillers, and SNL-style sketch comedy in equal measure. We discuss the rise of the film's star, Mike Myers, a gifted comedic performer who dedicated much of his 90s output to an evolving pantheon characters, often involving elaborate makeup and outlandish vocal affectations. Then, we talk about the film's stunning bullpen of comedy veterans, including Alan Arkin, and the late Phil Hartman and Charles Grodin - all contributing hilarious riffs on their signature characters. Finally, we talk about Myers's career today by way of his most recent work, the dire Netflix series 'The Pentaverate' and why audiences might welcome a career pivot in the vein of other SNL alum Adam Sandler or Bill Hader.Follow Maggie on Twitter.Read & Subscribe to Maggie's Substack. Get access to all of our premium episodes and bonus content by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.....Our theme song is "Mirror" by Chris Fish. 

Get access to this entire episode as well as all of our premium episodes and bonus content by becoming a Hit Factory Patron for just $5/month.