New Episode! "What Makes a Good Action Scene?"

Episode 4: What Makes a Good Action Scene? (~59 minutes; ~82MB)

Note: Please read this brilliant article by David Bordwell.  I briefly mention it during the podcast, but Bordwell articulates his arguments much better than I could on his behalf. Also referenced is this beautifully-written essay by Kit Whitfield, which is a MUST READ.

New episode! "Why Watch Old Movies?"

Episode 3: Why Watch "Old" Movies? (~57 minutes; ~79MB)

Notes: I think at one point I refer to the first Austin Powers movie as having something to do with "the '70s."  It's a slip of the tongue; of course I know that that movie was about The Sixties.  Also, it may be helpful to read this article and this blog post by David Bordwell for useful background and expansion on our arguments.

Special bonus mini-sode up!

Hey, here's a portion of our recordings for the previous episode that makes for its own good, self-contained discussion.  In it, we unload our gripes against two recent films we feel are overrated: The Departed (2006) and The Dark Knight (2008).  Please note that the discussion contains MAJOR SPOILERS for both films.

NB: I misspeak in the podcast when I attribute a certain blog entry to critic Wesley Morris.  It was actually written by his Boston Globe colleague, Ty Burr.

Episode 2z: The Departed (2006) and The Dark Knight (2008) (~20 minutes; ~29MB)

Second Episode Up! (Plus special extended cut!)

At long last, the second episode of Pictures Worth a Thousand Words is up.  For this episode, I wrote a sort of "Getting to Know You"-type open-ended questionnaire, similar to the wonderful "quizzes" by Dennis Cozzalio at Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule or the AV Club's AVQ&A column.

In addition to what's included in this post, stay tuned for a bonus bumper featuring even more discussion, including our (perhaps controversial) thoughts on The Departed (2006) and The Dark Knight (2008)!

EDIT: Bonus mini-sode now available here!

Episode 2a: Raut Questionnaire (Part 1) (~60 minutes; ~84MB)

Episode 2b: Raut Questionnaire (Part 2) (~60 minutes; ~83MB)

Special Extended Producer's Cut of Part 1! (~73 minutes; ~101MB)

Note: I go into a lot more detail about my thoughts on the underrated XXX (2002) -- and its amazing leading lady, Asia Argento -- here. Also, Niko and I hope to get another chance to talk about An Education (2009), because we have a lot more to say.

For those of you who wish to play along at home, I'll list the questions below.  I've also written up a blog entry containing my own answers.  Keep in mind that my blog entry is NOT REDUNDANT with the podcast, so please read/listen to both of them.  Thanks!

1. Name a movie that you feel a personal connection to.

2. Name a movie that made you angry.

3. Name a movie that made you laugh.

4. Name a movie that made you cry.

5. Name a movie that made you think or provided a genuine insight.

6. Name a movie that genuinely disturbed you.

7. Name a movie that made you want to stand up and cheer.

8. Name a movie that you walked out of or turned off early.

9. Name a movie you love that everyone else hated.

10. Name a movie you hate that everyone else loved.