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Cows in the field

Cows in the field

By Blobcat Filmindustri

A movie podcast inspired by a Werner Herzog quote, “We have to articulate ourselves, otherwise we would be cows in the field.” Hosted by Justin Khoo (professor of philosophy at MIT) and Laura Khoo (art historian turned fundraiser).
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39. Tampopo (w/ Nick Riggle)

Cows in the fieldJun 18, 2021

00:00
01:19:57
111. Dune Part Two (w/ John DeVore)

111. Dune Part Two (w/ John DeVore)

We go BACK to Arrakis, desert planet, homeworld of the spice and the Fremen and keeper of Shai Hulud. We're joined again for the journey by major spice-head John DeVore to discuss Villeneuve's two films in relation to Lynch's 1984 version and Frank Herbert's book. Along the way, we consider the worm Uber, the possibility of bad trips with the Water of Life, the lack of St. Alia of the Knife, the deliberate backgrounding of the more mystical elements of the novel, and the film's magnificent score. Repeat after us: "It is by will alone I set my mind in motion... fear is the mindkiller... long live the fighters... and power over spice is power over all!"


Preorder John's book, "Theater Kids: A True Tale of Off Off Broadway" now!

Mar 22, 202401:51:42
110. The 2024 Blobscars!

110. The 2024 Blobscars!

Join us to give out silly meaningless awards to our favorite films of 2023! Who will take home the top prize? Who will win best lisp? Tune in to find out!

Mar 08, 202402:03:01
109. The Iron Claw (w/ Fran Hoepfner)

109. The Iron Claw (w/ Fran Hoepfner)

We are joined by Fran Hoepfner (BW/DR, Fran Magazine) to experience the triumph and tragedy of the Von Erich family. We discuss wrestling (duh), Zac, brothers, fathers, bodies, cults, the American political circus, all while trying to figure out our wrestling names and signature moves.

Feb 16, 202401:11:26
108. Anatomy of a Fall

108. Anatomy of a Fall

Take the plunge with us and Veronica Fitzpatrick (BW/DR, Brown University) as we explore the moral complexities of narratives, relationships, and justice. Justice for Sandra? Justice for Samuel? Tune in to find out!

Feb 02, 202401:05:12
107. The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (w/ Nick Riggle and Matt Strohl)
Jan 19, 202401:22:18
106. The Blair Witch Project (Reprise) + 2023 Cows Super Quiz

106. The Blair Witch Project (Reprise) + 2023 Cows Super Quiz

The cows look back on 2023 with a Cows in the Field super-quiz -- how many questions can you get right?? Then, we reprise our Blair Witch episode, wherein we explore why the Blair Witch Project was the tenth highest grossing movie of 1999, why it took so long for Hollywood to capitalize on found footage horror, the nature of horror itself and why we desire to be horrified, as well as what makes the Blair Witch Project so especially horrifying.
Jan 05, 202401:10:03
105. Fred Claus (w/ Emily St. James)

105. Fred Claus (w/ Emily St. James)

Join us and Emily St. James to discuss Fred Claus (streaming now on Max)! We marvel at the film's strange and unnecessarily complicated backstory about the cosmology of sainthood, discuss Santa Claus's moral epistemology, elf-yourself levels of CGI, why everyone deserves a second chance, and somehow spend five minutes discussing the phenomenon of "ugly hot".

Dec 22, 202301:32:17
104. LA Confidential (w/ Blake Howard)

104. LA Confidential (w/ Blake Howard)

Time to get HUSH HUSH with Blake Howard (One Heat Minute Productions). Noir, moral compromise, postwar LA, the American Dream, police, the LAPD, Dante FREAKING Spinotti, and MORE!

Dec 08, 202301:18:41
103. Joe Vs. The Volcano (w/ Chad Perman)

103. Joe Vs. The Volcano (w/ Chad Perman)

Joe is going to die. But he has a chance to be a hero, and live like a king. Only, that means he'll have to jump into a volcano. Is Joe's story all of ours? We sit down with Chad Perman (Founder of Bright Wall / Dark Room) to dig into what makes this zany, existential, transcendent, hilarious, slapstick, profound movie so good. Along the way, we discuss the Kantian sublime, Heidegger's notion of being-toward-death, the meaning of life, and flibbertigibbets!


Before the episode, you'll hear a trailer for Die Hard on a Blank, a wonderful show hosted by former Cows guest Liam Billingham. Check it out, it's great!!


Twitter: @cowspod

Web: www.cowspod.com

Contact us: cowspod@gmail.com

Nov 24, 202301:32:51
102. 24 Hour Party People (w/ Mattia Acetoso)

102. 24 Hour Party People (w/ Mattia Acetoso)

"The smaller the audience, the bigger the history." So, at least, said Tony Wilson, co-founder of Factory Records and larger than life character at the center of Michael Winterbottom's 2002 punk pseudo-music-doc, our topic today!


We are joined by Professor of Italian Studies at Boston College to explore the pull of nostalgia, anticipated retrospection, how the film's blend of fact/fiction/and legend reflects the mythmaking of its protagonist, and, of course, the music duh!


What do you think of the movie? What do you think of the show? Email us at cowspod@gmail.com! Reach out to us on Twitter @cowspod! And find us on the web at www.cowspod.com

Nov 10, 202301:01:52
101. Aliens (w/ Brendan Hodges)

101. Aliens (w/ Brendan Hodges)

James Cameron's terrifying and overwhelming sequel ALIENS is a rollercoaster that Roger Ebert called "absolutely, painfully and unremittingly intense." We sit down with Brendan Hodges to explore the film's power over us, what all that goo and slime means, the film's anti-bureaucratic "strong individualist" conservatism and second wave feminist ideology, its use of space in allegorical and punishingly literal ways... and so much more. GAME OVER MAN! GAME OVER!

Oct 27, 202301:40:08
100. The Virgin Suicides

100. The Virgin Suicides

It's just us for our one hundredth episode talking Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides! We hit all the good stuff: suburban malaise, fear, control, parenting, childhood, Trip Fontaine's hair, memory, privacy, the joys of human connection, first loves, and Kathleen Turner!
Oct 13, 202301:18:25
99. King Arthur (2004) w/ Jon Gabrus
Sep 29, 202301:33:02
98. Starship Troopers (w/ Liam Billingham)

98. Starship Troopers (w/ Liam Billingham)

Liam Billingham (Die Hard on a Blank / OuevreBusters) joins us to discuss Paul Verhoeven's meta-propaganda Brechtian war film Starship Troopers. We discuss the film's odd mixture of big budget VFX with soap opera stars, how it's three movies in one, the nature of meaning in a world devoid of conflict, and art that risks embarrassment. It's a squishy, gooey, fun time, so jump on this one way rocket to Klendathu with us, folks!

Sep 15, 202301:21:25
97. Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace (w/ Matt Teichman)

97. Star Wars Episode I - The Phantom Menace (w/ Matt Teichman)

The Phantom Menace has weathered the highs and (mostly) lows of fan appraisal. Once derided, then reclaimed, where does it stand in 2023? We issue the definitive assessment: it is good (kind of). Matt Teichman (Elucidations Podcast) brings his colleague Jar Jar Binks along for the ride, as we discuss pod racing, queen wardrobes, lightsaber battles, Jedi Stoicism, ineffectual bureaucracy, and the allure of fascism. Stay with us to the end for a blast of 1999 nostalgia!

Sep 01, 202301:30:51
96. Roma (w/ Agustín Rayo)

96. Roma (w/ Agustín Rayo)

We sit down with my colleague Agustín Rayo (Professor of Philosophy, Dean of SHASS at MIT, and winner of the big number duel) to discuss Alfonso Cuarón's autobiographical film, Roma. We discuss memory, dreams, guilt, class, background, lenses, digital formats, and, of course, Mexico City.

Aug 18, 202301:04:36
95. Oppenheimer (w/ Bilge Ebiri)

95. Oppenheimer (w/ Bilge Ebiri)

Join us and Bilge Ebiri (New York Magazine / Vulture) to discuss Christopher Nolan's deconstructed biopic about the man who birthed a very big bomb. Deconstructed narratives, quantum mechanics, moral dilemmas, subjective inflection, brilliant and sure-handed intercutting... and we set the record straight on whether Nolan's films are funny and whether his female characters are poorly developed.

Aug 04, 202301:50:32
94. What Maisie Knew (w/ Daniela Taplin Lundberg)
Jul 21, 202301:04:05
93. Tar (w/ Emily St. James)

93. Tar (w/ Emily St. James)

We sit down with Lydia Tár expert Emily St. James to talk about guilt, repression, cancel culture, subjectivity, moral hazards, the Todd Field Cinematic Universe, and... you guessed it... Oklahoma! How is any of this possible? Tune in to find out!

Jul 07, 202301:19:49
92. Gremlins (w/ Brandon Polite)

92. Gremlins (w/ Brandon Polite)

Bright light! Bright light! We sit down with Brandon Polite (Philosophy, Knox College) to discuss Joe Dante's horror comedy masterpiece. Topics include: Chekov's rules of Gremlin lore, Mogwai metaphors, slapstick humor, why you shouldn't show this movie to young children, practical special effects, old and new Hollywood, capitalism, and what we can learn from Gizmo. Guess who had a stuffed Mogwai as a baby??

Jun 23, 202301:10:23
91. Solaris (2002 version, w/ Phil Iscove)

91. Solaris (2002 version, w/ Phil Iscove)

How did Steven Soderbergh remake an obscure Soviet art-house film based on an even more obscure science fiction novel starring the most bankable A-list movie star? And how did he pull it off?! We sit down with Phil Iscove (Sleepy Hollow / Podcast Like It's...) to unpack the film's poetry and vibes, and explore what it would do to someone to encounter their deepest regrets and desires manifesting in physical form. Come vibe on this very odd and intangible classic of the early aughts!

Jun 09, 202301:34:08
90. The Box (w/ Matt Strohl)

90. The Box (w/ Matt Strohl)

Our guest Matt Strohl (Philosophy, Montana; author of Why It's OK to Love Bad Movies) thinks Richard Kelly's 2009 film THE BOX is due for a critical reappraisal, and we agree. We talk about altruism, self-deception, faith, freedom, Hell, Sartre, and why this is a freaking Christmas movie! Buckle up for a weird and wild journey into the unknown and unknowable!

May 26, 202359:30
89. Manhunter (w/ Carly Severn)
May 12, 202301:27:46
88. Body Double (w/ Matt Belenky)

88. Body Double (w/ Matt Belenky)

Matt Belenky returns to gush over Brian DePalma's love letter to mediocre men and the women they fancy themselves saving. We discuss the deep anxieties about inadequacy at the film's core, and how DePalma creates magic out of a plot that's somehow both threadbare and unnecessarily complex. Even Pauline Kael, one of DePalma's great champions, thought this one was old hat, but not us -- no -- we positively LOVE its shaggy unreality. So jump on this nonstop train to Hitchcocksville -- we'll supply the telescope if you bring the drill!

Apr 28, 202301:11:30
87. Almost Famous (w/ Paul Keelan)
Apr 14, 202301:06:40
86. Match Point (w/ Mary Beth Willard)
Mar 31, 202301:32:55
85. That Thing You Do! (w/ Matt Pais)
Mar 17, 202301:19:56
84. The 2023 Blobscars (w/ Emily St. James)

84. The 2023 Blobscars (w/ Emily St. James)

Join us and professional film/tv critic Emily St. James to talk about the BEST movies of 2022. We give out awards to our favorites, and also discuss some often overlooked categories (best use of 65mm film, best "boys are weird but hot" movie, best bed, best men are trash movie, and best movie to fall asleep to). Which movies will rise to the top and achieve a coveted Blobscar award? And which Nobel Peace Prize winner will be taking home a trophy? Tune in to find out!
Mar 03, 202301:46:22
83. Willow (w/ John DeVore)
Feb 17, 202301:24:37
82. Inside Man (w/ Roxana Hadadi)
Feb 03, 202301:20:07
81. Interstellar (w/ Jon Gabrus)

81. Interstellar (w/ Jon Gabrus)

We hop into a black hole with Jon Gabrus (High & Mighty, Action Boyz, 101 Places to Party Before You Die) to discuss Christopher Nolan's spacetime warping epic! We consider the film's complex relationship with science, exploration, and family obligations; and we defend Nolan against the charge that he's an emotionless filmmaker. Naturally, we try to figure out which character we each are (can you guess?) and then Justin does his best to explain/understand gravitational time dilation. Don't miss out, this is a good one folks!


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Jan 20, 202301:57:11
80. Minority Report (Reprise)
Jan 06, 202301:17:15
79. It's a Wonderful Life (w/ Emily St. James)
Dec 23, 202201:11:55
78. Fight Club (w/ Brian Martinez)
Dec 09, 202201:26:12
77. Dogtooth (w/ Jack Draper)

77. Dogtooth (w/ Jack Draper)

We delve into fascism and parenting and fascist parenting with Jack Draper (Exiting Through the 2010s), talking about mechanisms of control, acts of defiance through reclaiming an identity, the role of film as a revolutionary ideal, and, of course, Frank Sinatra. Oh yes, and can you pass the telephone? I'd like to relax in a nice, comfortable, sea.

Listen to Exiting Through the 2010s!
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Nov 25, 202201:15:46
76. The Babadook (w/ Libby Hill)

76. The Babadook (w/ Libby Hill)

Is it a bad book or the Ba-Ba-Doo-Doo-Doooooook?? We chat with Libby Hill (The Wrap) about Jennifer Kent's painful and potent allegory about grief, anxiety, depression, parenting... you know -- the BIG STUFF. We discuss how the imagery of the Babadook conveys enveloping dread, and ongoing struggles with our own Babadooks. We talk about being a caregiver without a support system, and how community and friendship can help someone out of a dark place. We also laugh and cry and talk about moms and children and the Babadook's metafictional role as a queer icon.

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Nov 11, 202201:13:59
75. The Exorcist (w/ Carly Severn)

75. The Exorcist (w/ Carly Severn)

It just so happens that one of us is probably possessed, and is in need of THE EXORCIST! Join us and Carly Severn (KQED San Francisco) to discuss the Friedkin / Pazuzu of it all. Why is this movie so deeply terrifying, even today, FIFTY years after its initial release?? We talk about parents -- being parents, being kids, dealing with parents, and kids, and why all those familial relationships are apt targets of twisted horror. We talk sacrifice, losing control, the many bodily fluids, and wonder whether Pazuzu is more of a David Blaine style demon, or Siegfried and Roy style demon (spoiler: obviously the latter). You don't want to miss out on this classic spooky movie and this spooky discussion of it!


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Oct 28, 202201:28:11
74. Bram Stoker's Dracula (w/ Bilge Ebiri)
Oct 14, 202201:32:55
73. Return of the King (w/ Jamelle Bouie)
Sep 30, 202201:02:03
72. The Two Towers (w/ Agnes Callard and Robin Hanson)
Sep 16, 202201:18:40
71. The Fellowship of the Ring (w/ Bennett Eckert and Rebecca Kuang)
Sep 02, 202201:31:57
70. Jurassic Park
Aug 19, 202201:02:37
69. Closer (w/ Carly Severn)
Aug 05, 202201:45:35
68. North by Northwest (w/ Adam Kane)

68. North by Northwest (w/ Adam Kane)

Today we're joined by friend of the show Adam Kane to discuss Hitchcock's bombastic spy thriller North By Northwest! We discuss film's confusing setup, symbolism (and Hitchcock's refusal to read into this film), the demand not to ask silly questions, how old Cary Grant's character is supposed to be, the many MacGuffins, the many love triangles, Mount Rushmore, and Saul Bass himself. This episode is sponsored by Crop Duster Assassins Ltd. -- if you need to take someone out and you want to do it in the least efficient way possible, give them a call!

Jul 22, 202201:21:01
67. Sully (w/ Chris Kaiser)

67. Sully (w/ Chris Kaiser)

Join us to talk about the Miracle on the Hudson with friend Chris Kaiser (Columbia University / the podcast Said and Done)! We delve into Eastwood's hatred of bureaucracy and tease apart his complex feelings towards individualism and collective heroism. Is the film dripping with gay subtext? We explore the semiotics of a mustache and wonder what goes into Sully/Skiles slash-fiction. We also consider the possibility that, through his filmmaking, Eastwood is helping us repair our relationship to our own history. Also, Clint hates computers more than anyone who has ever lived. Welcome aboard!

Jul 08, 202201:12:33
66. Repo Man (w/ Toby Levers)
Jun 24, 202201:10:29
65. Friday Night Lights (w/ Edward Lewis)

65. Friday Night Lights (w/ Edward Lewis)

It is with clear eyes and love in our hearts that we dive into this classic football parable from the aughts with friend and returning guest Edward Lewis. We discuss the role of suffering in achievement, the paradox of youth, and the cycles that shackle us to our communities. We think about regret and expectation, and above all share our love for the film, which has since been eclipsed by the TV show of the same name. Come toss the football and punt when you should go for a touchdown, it's Friday Night Lights!

Jun 10, 202201:11:03
64. Top Gun (w/ Sean Burns)

64. Top Gun (w/ Sean Burns)

We stuff into a tiny F14 cockpit with Sean Burns (WBUR’s The ARTery) and fly into the danger zone to discuss why Top Gun is a sports film that forges a new American myth with dazzling imagery and zero subtlety. We consider the view that Tom Cruise is America's son and get into the trenches with Kelly McGillis to unpack their love triangle with Val Kilmer's Iceman. Also discussed: the effects of g-forces on the human body, what our callsigns would be, and why 80s American jingoism is quaint and endearing. Take my breath away why don't you??? Let's go! 

May 27, 202201:00:14
63. It Follows (w/ Alison Willmore)

63. It Follows (w/ Alison Willmore)

Not to be downers, but, everything alive must die. This is something the kids from David Robert Mitchell's devastating horror film must come to terms with, as they are stalked by a demonic entity that, no matter where they are, is constantly walking towards them. We sit down with Alison Willmore (Vulture / New York Magazine) to discuss how the film works as an allegory for social class, capitalism, personal trauma, sexual politics, and manages to channel both existential dread and the experience of a panic attack all at once. We wonder how to avoid the creature, what its scariest incarnation is, and whether a tale this bleak can have a happy ending after all...

May 13, 202201:10:03
62. National Treasure (w/ Keith Phipps)

62. National Treasure (w/ Keith Phipps)

We sit down with Nicolas Cage expert Keith Phipps (author of The Age of Cage) to discuss the second highest grossing film of Cage's career (second only to its sequel). We consider the point at which this film lands in the arc of Cage's career, and how he draws on his well of acting experience to craft a character that blends elements of conspiratorial mania and fifth grade boy scout energy, selling the four-quadrant appeal of a movie about treasure hunting and historical preservation to both children and adults alike. We wonder what makes the film's portrayal of patriotism appealing and then explore what could have been for Cage, concluding with some recommended overlooked Cage films to explore! 

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Apr 29, 202256:49