paul thomas anderson

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Listen to Gobbledygeek Episode 464 – “West Side Story (2021)”

Ariana DeBose and David Alvarez in West Side Story (2021), directed by Steven Spielberg

Gobbledygeek episode 464, “West Side Story (2021),” is available for listening or download right here, on Spotify, and on Apple Podcasts.

Somethin’s comin’, somethin’ good: this week, Paul and Arlo pirouette through a discussion of Steven Spielberg’s new take on West Side Story, nominated for Best Picture at this year’s Oscars. Is it a spoiler to say they love it? The boys discuss how Spielberg and screenwriter Tony Kushner’s changes enrich the text, why choreographer Justin Peck’s bold choice to discard Jerome Robbins’ iconic choreography was the right move, what it means for the Sharks to be played by Latinx actors, and the joy of watching Spielberg treat every musical number like his and Janusz Kaminski’s playground. Plus, Taco Bell sends Arlo spiraling into an existential crisis, and the boys chat about this year’s other Best Picture nominees.

NEXT: Si Spurrier and Jeff Stokely’s Six-Gun Gorilla is locked and loaded for this month’s Four-Color Flashback.

BREAKDOWN

  • 00:00:53  –  Intro
  • 00:06:39  –  Interminable Oscars Discussion
  • 00:37:43  –  A Look Back to Episode 402
  • 00:47:04  –  West Side Story (2021)
  • 02:14:52  –  Outro / Next

LINKS

MUSIC

  • “Something’s Coming” by Ansel Elgort, West Side Story (2021 Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2021)
  • “Somewhere” by Rita Moreno, West Side Story (2021 Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2021)

GOBBLEDYCARES

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Listen to Gobbledygeek Episode 378 – “The Dog Ate My Sleep”

He only looks innocent.

Gobbledygeek episode 378, “The Dog Ate My Sleep,” is available for listening or download right here and on iTunes here.

We’re tired. So tired. That’s what you want to hear when you’re about to fire up a podcast, right? You are reading this, aren’t you? Buried among such illuminating subjects as the coffee Arlo’s drinking, Paul’s underhanded behind-the-scenes manipulations, and the boys’ general unprofessionalism, there is indeed some pop culture palaver and parley. The boys are digging HBO’s troubled teens drama Euphoria despite being approximately 400 years too old to say things like “that’s a mood”; Arlo is losing faith in The Handmaid’s Tale; Paul remembers Yesterday; and they both are in awe of Toy Story 4 being so much more than a cynical cash-grab.

Next: Toby Maguire now vanquished, Jake Gyllenhaal finally makes his way into a Spider-Man movie, donning a fishbowl for Spider-Man: Far From Home.

(Show notes for “The Dog Ate My Sleep.”)

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Listen to ‘Gobbledygeek’ Episode 322, “There Will Be Greggles (feat. Greg Sahadachny)”

Gobbledygeek episode 322, “There Will Be Greggles (feat. Greg Sahadachny),” is available for listening or download right here and on iTunes here.

Come and listen to my story about a guy named Dan; a poor prospector, a self-made man. And then one day, to California he drew, and up from the ground come a-bubblin’ crude. Blood, that is. Capitalist blood. For the third in our Ten Years Later series (we’re in the market for a snappier name), Paul and Arlo turn to Paul Thomas Anderson’s study of American monster/oilman Daniel Plainview, There Will Be Blood. Joining them is The Debatable Podcast’s Greg Sahadachny, who makes his triumphant return to Gobbledygeek after nearly two years. The boys discuss how the film explores the intersection between religion and capitalism; whether or not Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano give into overacting; if Daniel Plainview could be considered a villain; and how the “I drink your milkshake!” scene holds up after a decade of memeification.

Next: we’ve abducted Wesley “Wezzo” Mead once again to discuss Chris Carter’s seminal sci-fi series The X-Files. This time, we investigate the L.A.-bound season 6.

(Show notes for “There Will Be Greggles.”)

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Listen to Episode 113, “Star-Cross’d Lovers and Space Cowboys”

Gobbledygeek episode 113, “Star-Cross’d Lovers and Space Cowboys,” is available for listening or download right here.

We’re taking a trip to outer space this week as we look at Brian K. Vaughan’s latest comic book series, Saga, which just wrapped its first arc last month; and Joss Whedon’s Firefly, which just celebrated its tenth anniversary. Paul and AJ discuss the weirdness and gorgeousness of Saga, then think about where they were when Firefly first aired and how they felt watching it become a cult phenomenon after its cancellation. Plus, Paul discusses the cassowary presentation he’ll be delivering at the National AAZK Conference, AJ muses on The Master, and more!

Next: do you know the Muppet man? We’ll be discussing the works of Jim Henson.

(Show notes for “Star-Cross’d Lovers and Space Cowboys.”)

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Top 100 Characters in Modern Pop Culture: #50-41

On last night’s show, Paul and I continued our countdown of the Top 100 Characters in Modern Pop Culture with #s 50-41. Be sure to listen to the show for our full run-downs, but here are some choice excerpts:

#50

PAUL: Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon)

In my opinion, the character’s progression throughout the film is pretty spot-on with what feels like natural behavior, from the frightened, wounded animal in the cove to the trusting “pet” that accepts help from his human to ultimately the loyal friend and protector.

AJ: Rick Blaine (Casablanca)

Humphrey Bogart is one of the greatest actors of all time, and no role better defines his appeal than that of expatriate café owner Rick Blaine.

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