david lynch

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Listen to Gobbledygeek Episode 499 – “Geek Challenge: Xanadu vs. Mulholland Drive”

Top: Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (1980), directed by Robert Greenwald / Bottom: Naomi Watts and Laura Haring in Mulholland Drive (2001), directed by David Lynch

Gobbledygeek episode 499, “Geek Challenge: Xanadu vs. Mulholland Drive,” is available for listening or download right here, on Spotify, and on Apple Podcasts.

You have to believe Gobbledygeek is magic. Or at the very least, that Paul and Arlo will revel in cinematic magic on the latest Geek Challenge. Robert Greenwald’s infamous 1980 flop Xanadu is paired with David Lynch’s acclaimed 2001 masterpiece Mulholland Drive for a fantastical discussion of filmic fantasy. The boys argue that Xanadu should not be seen as a failure, interpret Mulholland Drive‘s many cryptic symbols, bask in the radiance of Olivia Newton-John, and laud Naomi Watts’ raw emotion. Plus, our bodies continue to deteriorate.

NEXT: five hundo.

BREAKDOWN

  • 00:00:39  –  Intro
  • 00:15:49  –  Xanadu
  • 01:04:15  –  Mulholland Drive
  • 01:57:26  –  Outro / Next

MUSIC

  • “Magic” by Olivia Newton-John, Xanadu (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1980)
  • “Llorando” by Rebekah Del Rio, All My Life – Toda Me Vida (2003)

GOBBLEDYCARES

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Listen to Gobbledygeek Episode 446 – “FCF: Sweet Tooth – The Return”

Art from Sweet Tooth: The Return (2020) by Jeff Lemire & José Villarrubia

Gobbledygeek episode 445, “FCF: Sweet Tooth – The Return,” is available for listening or download right here, on Spotify, and on Apple Podcasts.

You can’t go home again. But you can return to the creator-owned post-apocalyptic fantasy saga that captivated comics readers for 40 twisted, beautiful issues. That’s exactly what Jeff Lemire did last year with Sweet Tooth: The Return, a sequel miniseries that takes place three whole centuries after the original Vertigo series’ ending. Considering that ending was perfect, does The Return need to exist? Paul and Arlo aren’t so sure. They discuss what The Return adds (or subtracts) from the greater narrative, the book’s alleged Twin Peaks influence, the story’s many “It’s like poetry, it rhymes” moments, and why you shouldn’t fuck around with elephants. Plus, they start things off by chatting about why Netflix’s Sweet Tooth is a great adaptation.

NEXT: Eric…Sipple? Does anyone know who this is? Why is he talking to us? Oh god.

BREAKDOWN

  • 00:00:50  –  Intro
  • 00:03:24  –  Netflix Sweet Tooth adaptation
  • 00:15:50  –  Sweet Tooth: The Return
  • 01:17:13  –  Outro / Next

MUSIC

  • “Living Underground” by Nico Vega, Nico Vega (2009)
  • “The Elephant” by Pete Seeger, Birds, Beasts, Bugs & Fishes (Little & Big) (1998)

GOBBLEDYCARES

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Listen to Gobbledygeek Episode 435 – “Who’s With Me? (feat. Austin Allan James)”

Ryan Sherrill in Who’s With Me? (2021), directed by Austin Allan James

Gobbledygeek episode 435, “Who’s With Me? (feat. Austin Allan James),” is available for listening or download right here, on Spotify, and on Apple Podcasts.

We’ve all been isolated, to some degree, for the last year. Austin Allan James’ debut feature Who’s With Me?, available for free on YouTube, perfectly captures the sense of loneliness and paranoia to which many of us have become accustomed. His film was also almost entirely finished pre-pandemic. Paul and Arlo talk with Austin about his clairvoyant powers, working on a shoestring budget, the inspiration he draws from filmmakers such as David Lynch and Joel Potrykus, how much of a fee turtles can demand, and what it all means, man.

NEXT: at long last, we go undercover with Wesley “Wezzo” Mead for a discussion of The Americans season 1.

BREAKDOWN

  • 00:00:52  –  Intro / Guest
  • 00:04:40  –  Main Topic
  • 01:08:25  –  Outro / Next

LINKS

MUSIC

  • “Locked Inside” by Reef, Rides (1999)

GOBBLEDYCARES

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Listen to Gobbledygeek Episode 425 – “evermore (feat. Joseph Lewis)”

Taylor Swift in the music video for ‘willow’ (2020), directed by herself

Gobbledygeek episode 425, “evermore (feat. Joseph Lewis),” is available for listening or download right here, on Spotify, and on Apple Podcasts.

‘Tis the damn season. Last summer, we convened the Three Heathens–Paul, Arlo, and A/V writer-director Joseph Lewis–to discuss Taylor Swift’s first surprise album of 2020, Folklore. It was surprising not only for the nature of its release but for the folk pop/singer-songwriter shift it marked, becoming the finest achievement of Swift’s career. On her second surprise album of 2020, Evermore, she may have equaled that achievement. The Heathens are back to discuss the progression of Swift’s Joni Mitchell phase, as her lyrics become more reflective and complex. They’re strengthened by producer/co-writer Aaron Dessner’s sonic palette, introducing new sounds to Swift’s oeuvre. It’s true, the boys go a little off the rails into Lynch references, but one thing is undeniable: the more we say, the less you know. Plus, a discussion of the Disney+ making-of/concert film Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions.

NEXT: it’s Hawk the Slayer vs. The Adventures of Robin Hood in a Geek Challenge.

BREAKDOWN

  • 00:00:37  –  Intro / Guest
  • 00:03:40  –  Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions
  • 00:16:47  –  Evermore
  • 02:36:36  –  Outro / Next

LINKS

MUSIC

  • “Willow” by Taylor Swift, evermore (2020)
  • “Champagne Problems” by Taylor Swift, evermore (2020)
  • “‘Tis the Damn Season” by Taylor Swift, evermore (2020)
  • “Should’ve Said No” by Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift (2008)
  • “No Body, No Crime (feat. HAIM)” by Taylor Swift, evermore (2020)
  • “No Body, No Crime (The No Hugo, No Stiglitz Remix)” by Joe Lewis
  • “Coney Island (feat. The National)” by Taylor Swift, evermore (2020)
  • “Ivy” by Taylor Swift, evermore (2020)
  • “Cowboy Like Me” by Taylor Swift, evermore (2020)

GOBBLEDYCARES

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Listen to Gobbledygeek Episode 419 – “Gobbledyween: Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me (feat. Katie L. Wright)”

Sheryl Lee in David Lynch’s ‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me’ (1992)

Gobbledygeek episode 419, “Gobbledyween: Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me (feat. Katie L. Wright),” is available for listening or download right here and on Apple Podcasts here.

This week, we want all our garmonbozia. Gobbledyween 2020 emerges from the Black Lodge as Bret Easton Hell Yes host Katie L. Wright joins Paul and Arlo to discuss David Lynch’s divisive Twin Peaks prequel/sequel, 1992’s Fire Walk With Me. The gang discusses the film’s polarizing reception at Cannes (Tarantino hated it!), the surprising empathy Lynch and co-writer Robert Engels show toward both victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse, how Fire Walk With Me is the lynchpin (get it?) of the Twin Peaks universe, and of course, Sheryl Lee’s incredible performance as Laura Palmer.

NEXT: Gobbledyween comes to a close as original Gobbler Joseph Lewis hams it up with the Cryptkeeper for Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight.

BREAKDOWN

  • 00:01:07  –  Intro / Guest
  • 00:03:10  –  Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
  • 01:40:05  –  Outro / Next

LINKS

MUSIC

  • “A Real Indication” by Angelo Badalementi, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) (1992)
  • “The Pink Room” by Angelo Badalementi, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) (1992)
  • “Questions In a World of Blue” by Angelo Badalementi, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture) (1992)

GOBBLEDYCARES

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Listen to Gobbledygeek 388 – “Gobbledyween: Society (feat. Greg Sahadachny)”

Patrice Jennings and Billy Warlock in Brian Yuzna’s ‘Society’ (1989).

Gobbledygeek episode 338, “Gobbledyween: Society (feat. Greg Sahadachny),” is available for listening or download right here and on iTunes here.

Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme: the rich have always sucked off the poor, and podcasting icon Greg Sahadachny has always joined Gobbledyween for the most ridiculous and outrageous pick of the season. This time, Paul and Arlo have chosen to torment Greg with Brian Yuzna’s 1989 satire Society, which is a dumb teen sex comedy until–well, until it isn’t. The gang discusses the film’s subtext and/or screaming neon text; Screaming Mad George’s “surrealistic makeup effects”; how the movie surprisingly rewards repeat viewings; and the film’s unlikely parallels to Lynch, Friedkin, Polanski, and a whole buncha other pretentious arthouse weirdos.

Next: Gobbledyween comes to a close as Broken Magic author Eric Sipple joins us to discuss Emil Ferris’ graphic novel My Favorite Thing Is Monsters.

THE BREAKDOWN

Total Run Time: 01:14:44

  • 00:00:45  –  Intro
  • 00:03:42  –  Society
  • 01:09:00  –  Outro / Next

THE MUSIC

  • “The Eton Boating Song (feat. Helen Moore)” by A.D.E.W., Mark Ryder & Phil Davies, Society (Motion Picture Soundtrack) (1989)
  • “Society Is My Friend” by Kurt Vile, Smoke Ring for My Halo (2011)
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Listen to ‘The Avatar Returns’ Episode 47

Art from ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender – Vol. 5: North and South’ by Gurihiru.

The Avatar Returns episode 47 is available for listening or download right here and on iTunes here.

We’re baaaaack. But there’s no cause for celebration as we’re forced to bid a sad farewell to our beloved comics creative team. One last time writer Gene Luen Yang and art duo Gurihiru spin a tale of Team Avatar for the official tie-in graphic novel series from Dark Horse Comics. Vol. 5: North and South sees Sokka and Katara return home to the Southern Water Tribe for the first time since setting off with Aang to end the Hundred Years War. But what they find may not be the quaint, egalitarian village they remember. As each volume before it, North and South explores issues of modernization, nationalism, societal and technological development. But for the first time our hosts don’t all necessarily agree on the quality of the story and/or art. One of them may or may not spend much of the podcast talking about loving the book while consistently nitpicking practically everything about it. Which one of them is being an Arlo? Press play and find out!

Also, there’s talk of “therapybending,” David Lynch’s inevitable contribution to the World of Avatar, spoilers for Lion King(?!?), and Tattoo Watch is officially over as someone earns their ink.

Next: there’s a change coming as the boys talk about how to continue the podcast in light of the glacial pace of new comics being released. There’s quite a bit of discussion at the end of the episode about what to do about that, but I’ll go ahead and spoil some of it for you now and let you know the next thing we’ll be discussing will be the first individual volume of the Legend of Korra graphic novel series Turf War. Date TBD.

(Show notes for The Avatar Returns episode 47.)

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Listen to ‘Gobbledygeek’ Episode 313, “The X-Files: Season 5 (feat. Wesley Mead)”

Gobbledygeek episode 313, “The X-Files: Season 5 (feat. Wesley Mead),” is available for listening or download right here and on iTunes here.

Once again, Paul and Arlo’s most British friend Wesley “Wezzo” Mead is abducted from the U.K. to discuss Chris Carter’s seminal sci-fi series The X-Files. The gang has reached the show’s fifth season; for a while now, Paul and Wezzo have been warning neophyte X-Phile Arlo that things would go downhill, and we may have reached that point. They discuss why season 5 doesn’t work quite as well as previous seasons; the big celebrity guest writers (Stephen King! William Gibson!); if the mytharc stuff makes any sense at this point; whether or not Scully has been completely robbed of agency; and the series’ first feature film, Fight the Future. Plus, there’s despairing political talk as always, and Arlo revisited every single David Lynch movie.

Next: the lasso of truth compels Paul and Arlo to give you their thoughts on Patty Jenkins’ big-screen Wonder Woman.

(Show notes for “The X-Files: Season 5.”)

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Listen to ‘Gobbledygeek’ Episode 294, “The D-List (feat. Donora Hillard)”

dennys

Gobbledygeek episode 294, “The D-List (feat. Donora Hillard),” is available for listening or download right here and on iTunes here.

Live from Denny’s, it’s Donora Hillard! The Jeff Bridges poet returns to talk about…pretty much everything with Paul and Arlo. While enjoying late-night diner ambiance, the gang discusses driving and the anxiety it causes; dance, of the So You Think You Can variety (featuring, upon special request, a rendition of Paul’s classic Black Swan diatribe); tiny houses, one of which Donora owns; and what’s in everyone’s bags (Arlo’s answers will amaze you). Plus David Lynch, Bunheads, arrested development (neither the rap group nor the television series)…everything.

Next: the boys take their penultimate trip to the hellish world of Matt Wagner’s Grendel as this year’s Four-Color Flashback nears its close, with a look at “God and the Devil, Part 2,” collected in Grendel Omnibus: Vol. 3 – Orion’s Reign.

(Show notes for “The D-List.”)

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Listen to ‘Gobbledygeek’ Episode 248, “Rage Reversal”

anger

Gobbledygeek episode 248, “Rage Reversal,” is available for listening or download right here, and on iTunes here.

This week on Gobbledygeek, there’s been a rage reversal: Paul, the Enormous Green Rage Monster of the podcast, is unusually calm and placid; meanwhile, AJ is filled with anger, much of it directed toward the fast food chain Wendy’s. What are a couple geeks to do? Find something, anything to distract them from this cosmic imbalance, such as Paul’s recent trip to Disney World and brief return to the zoo that made him famous; Ryan Adams’ melancholy cover version of Taylor Swift’s 1989; and AJ’s adventures at his local arthouse (featuring Phoenix, The End of the Tour, The Diary of a Teenage Girl, and Eraserhead), for which he is roundly mocked.

Next: our year-long Four-Color Flashback series on Jeff Smith’s Bone continues with Vol. VII: Ghost Circles. As always, we are joined by Greg Sahadachny of The Debatable Podcast.

(Show notes for “Rage Reversal.”)