Plot Mechanics

Merry Christmas, you filthy animals!

What's your favourite holiday movie and why is it Home Alone? 

For our 2021 finale, we explore Home Alone and discuss the elements that make it a perfect Christmas movie...

We're kicking off the holiday season with Henry Selick's The Nightmare Before Christmas.

This Stop-motion animation classic is stunning bith visually and musically.

Join us as we explore its meaning and whether it can be used as an analogy for cultural appropriation...

Cutthroat Island - written by Robert King & Marc Norman and directed by Renny Harlin - is best known for being a massive flop, bankrupting its production company and derailing the career of its lead, Geena Davis.

But not many people have actually seen it.

We have, and we're here to tell you if it deserves the bad rap it gets...

In this episode, we look at Paul Verhoeven's classic: RoboCop.

Join us as we explore how the film is a scathing critique of American culture, particularly corporate greed and mass consumerism....

Gareth Evans's The Raid is a masterclass in martial arts cinema. It has reshaped the genre and inspired many other action films.

Join us as we explore the ways it's efficient and effective in its storytelling...

This week we are taking on a giant of cinema: Orson Welles's Citizen Kane.

Let's see how it holds up today, 80 years after its release.

Join us as we discuss the influences the film has had on cinema as a whole and debate whether it is the greatest film ever made...

This week, we're looking at another John Carpenter classic: The Thing.

We talk about similar movies and how this one stands out. We also discuss the other films, books, etc. related to this, as well as whether the rumoured sequel(s) should be made.

Also, maybe Leon isn't Dog's best friend?..

In the spirit of Halloween, we are revisiting the original Halloween film, by John Carpenter.

Mask up and let's explore how this movie set the template that countless shasher films have been using ever since...

This is our last episode of our miniseries, and possibly our best one as well.

No Time to Die provides the perfect send-off for Daniel Craig's version of James Bond 007.

Join us as we explore the elements that make a great Bond film and discuss whether the risks this film takes pay off...

Also, let us know, through social media, what miniseries you would like us to do next.

James Bond miniseries - Film 4: SPECTRE !

This one was made by the same team behind Skyfall, but sadly, they couldn't recapture the magic.

It's a shame because there are some good ideas in there, but they aren't well developed.

Join us and let's find out what went wrong...

We're finally doing a Studio Ghibli film.

Kiki's Delivery Service may not be the best known film from Hayao Miyazaki, but it's still one that's pretty much universally loved.

Join us as we look at how a film with minimal 'plot' can still touch us enormously...

This week, we're jumping into the magical world of Shang-Chi.

It's the year's most crowd-pleasing movie so far, complete with lovable heroes and unique action sequences that celebrate both wuxia and modern martial arts filmmaking.

Join the conversation and find out what makes it stand out from the other films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe...

Candyman... Candyman... Candyman... Candyman... Candyman... 

Today we're talking ab... Arghhhh!!!!

The French have an expression - "Coup de cœur" - which is used when you fall in love with something; when something becomes a favorite of yours and you highly recommend it.

Long Way North - written by Claire Paoletti, Patricia Valeix & Fabrice de Costil and directed by Rémi Chayé - is an absolute 'coup de cœur' of ours.

Have a listen and find out all the reasons why...

Last month, we looked at Casino Royale, and this week, we continue our series of Daniel Craig Bond films with Quantum of Solace.

The story picks up right where the previous film left off, and has 007 on a revenge mission.

The film was directed by Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, World War Z) from a script by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Paul Haggis.

Join us as we analyze the plot of this film, and figure out why it failed where Casino Royale succeeded...

This week, we're looking at the new Quiet Place film. So, it may be safer to use headphones when listening to the episode.

John Krasinski returns to this universe as the writer and director, and the main cast (Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe) are joined by Cillian Murphy and Djimon Hounsou.

Join us and let's analyze thie film to find out whether it lives up to the first one...

Three Films! One Killer Episode!

This week, we look at all 3 Fear Street movies, directed by Leigh Janiak and written by Janiak, Phil Graziadei, Zak Olkewicz & Kate Trefry.

Join us as we analyze each film individually as well as the trilogy as a whole. We talk about the pros and cons of structuring the story in this way and we tell you which instalment works best, which one works least and why...

This week, we start our series of Daniel Craig Bond films with Casino Royale.

In the film, we see the beginning of James Bond's story: in his first adventure, our favourite secret agent goes all in against Le Chiffre, a terrorist banker, at the poker table.

The film is spectacularly directed by Martin Campbell (GoldenEye, The Mask of Zorro) from a script by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Paul Haggis.

The cast is pretty stellar: Daniel Craig as 007 is accompanied by Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Jeffrey Wright, Caterina Murino, Tobias Menzies and Jesper Christensen.

Join us as we dissect the plot of this film and analyze how it successfully reinvents an iconic character for a new era...

Gunpowder Milkshake is among the most watched films on Netflix this week. But is it any good?

The movie takes us into the world of a woman assassin, who is hunted by her employers. It is also a Mother-Daughter story, which is rare in mainstream cinema.

Join us as we dissect the plot and discuss under what circumstances 'style over substance' works...

After 11 years and 7 films as a supporting character, Natasha Romanoff finally gets her own movie.

Black Widow, written by Eric Pearson and directed by Cate Shortland, is the first film in Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It stars Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, David Harbour, Olga Kurylenko and Ray Winstone.

Join us as we look how the timing of the film's release impacts its story, as well as how it was inspired by other spy films...

Promare is a Japanese animated film about Superhero Firefighters who fight fire terrorists and do a lot of other crazy stuff!

Despite not having had a big success at the box office, the film has gathered a cult following since its release.

Join us as we try to understand the film's appeal and explore its bonkers plot...

Today, we celebrate Independence Day, the movie!

Directed by Roland Emmerich, written by Emmerich and Dean Devlin, and starring Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Vivica A. Fox, Randy Quaid, Judd Hirsch, Harvey Fierstein, and many others.

You may wonder what there is to analyze in a 'popcorn flick' like this one... but you may be surprised.

We look at the hidden meanings behind the film, and what messages Roland Emmerich tried to convey...

Santa Mozzarella! We're doing Pixar's new film!

Written by Jesse Andrews & Mike Jones, and directed by Enrico Casarosa, Luca tells a beautiful story about friendships that help us find ourselves.

We look at whether the film is effective in telling that story.

And, yes, we do explore any Queer reading of the plot.

So... Andiamo Ragazzi! Join the conversation!

In the Heights, I take my coffee and I goooo...

Set my sights, on the New Podcast Episoooode!

This week, we look at the newly released In the Heights, written by Quiara Alegría Hudes & Lin-Manuel Miranda, and directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians).

We discuss the constraints of adapting a Broadway Musical; what works and what doesn't.

This is our most musical episode yet! That's right, one of us will be singing through it. And you don't want to miss it...

"I listen to my podcasts a quarter minute at a time!"

F9 is about to come out. Perfect time to revisit the film that launched this franchise... twenty years ago!!!

Rob Cohen's The Fast and the Furious may be different from what the series has turned into, but it does set up some of the trademarks of the series.

Join us as we look at what the movie meant then, and how it paved the way for what we know today...

There is no gene for the human spirit!

This week, we're looking at Gattaca, the dystopian science fiction film written and directed by Andrew Niccol; starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Jude Law.

Join us as we explore the DNA of this groundbreaking film. We talk about why the film's structure works, how it efficiently explains its world, and how it blends elements of film noir into its sci-fi story.

While we all agree that it's an expertly constructed film, as well as one of the best sci-fi films ever made, not all of us loved it. Find out why...

There's no denying that Céline Sciamma's Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Portrait de la Jeune Fille en Feu) is a masterpiece.

The film boasts an all female main cast: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel, Luàna Bajrami and Valeria Golino; and women in key positions behind the scenes.

Of course, we have nothing but love for this film and we talk about how all the elements are assembled to create a very unique piece of cinema. 

So much has been said about the film; so, you may wonder whether we can add anything to the conversation. Well, you'll be surprised! Because one of us has a take we guarantee you did not see coming...

This week, we look at a beautiful animated film. Written and directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, Wolfwalkers is a love letter to Irish folklore and mythology.

We talk about how the film is able to handle multiple themes without neglecting any of them, and how Moore and Stewart do not underestimate their audience, which allows for efficient storytelling.

Join us on this journey into this gorgeous, hand-drawn world...

In 2012, the tale of Snow White, by the Brothers Grimm, turned 200 years old! That year, no fewer than three movie adaptations were made.

We're looking at the best of them: Blancanieves! This award-winning masterpiece was written and directed by Pablo Berger, starring Macarena García and Maribel Verdú.

It is a Silent and Black & White film. We'll look at how that influences the way a story is told and how the style can enhance the experience.

Join us and find out how Pablo Berger took a familiar story and reshaped it by injecting elements of Spanish culture: from the characters' names to traditions they follow...

This week, we'll look at the groundbreaking superhero film, Black Panther!

We'll talk about how this movie changed the game for creators of color.

So, it means a lot for us; so much in fact that Ed, who didn't want to miss the conversation, recorded the episode from his car!!!

We recorded this in September 2020, shortly after the passing of Chadwick Boseman. A terrible loss for cinema; and we were affected by it.

Just as for all his performances, he is excellent playing King T'Challa, the role for which he will probably most be remembered.

It's Oscar month. So, this week, we're looking at the 2016 Best Picture winner: La L... uh... Moonlight !!!

The film successfully handles complex themes like Black masculinity, homosexuality and drug addiction. It does so in a way that makes it stand out from mainstream films that address similar issues.

Join us as we look at how director Barry Jenkins is able to bring humanity to his characters, often in the most subtle ways.

This week, we take a trip to Middle Earth, revisiting Peter Jackson's first Hobbit film. We fight over... sorry, we discuss whether the film is as disastrous as people say it is. Tune in to explore the structure and tone of the film; what works and what doesn't; and what it could have been if Guillermo Del Toro had directed it.  Oh! This is the episode where Adil gets cancelled!

In this episode, we're going to Bollywood!

Talaash (transl. Search) - directed by Reema Kagti and starring Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor & Rani Mukerji - is a crime thriller set in the Mumbai underworld, with a dash of the supernatural.

The film caught all four of us off guard, and we debate whether that's a good thing...

For our first episode, we discuss the 2012 animated film, Rise of the Guardians, by Peter Ramsey (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse).

The gang talks about some of the issues with the film, but also how interesting a world it creates.

And, one of us shares a very touching story...

Welcome to Plot Mechanics!

In this intro episode, learn more about Leon, Motzie, Ed & Adil, as well as what this is all about and how it started.

That's right! This is an Origin Story!

Enjoy!