Open Thread: Patreon Mailbag (March 2025)
Added 2025-03-05 15:19:02 +0000 UTCHi Patrons!
One or more of our next few After Dark episodes will likely feature listener mail. Have any questions/suggested topics? Let us know in the comments below.
Also: If we didn't get to your question last time around, you are welcome to re-post them. Thanks, as always, for your support.
Comments
Apologies if I’m too late, but I have to share about this particular Letterboxd user I discovered: https://boxd.it/4aZL5 They seem to hate almost every film they see. Look at their review history, almost everything is 0.5/5. They might just be doing it for attention, but read their replies on their Come and See review, they seem sincere, albeit I disagree with most of their reasoning. Could be a fun discussion, or just to react to their insane reviews. Thanks
Phoenix Bauer
2025-03-27 20:34:10 +0000 UTCSince movie series with unhinged titling and numbering is a favorite topic around these parts, and since video games are also a related interest, I thought I would quickly bring attention to what is perhaps the most unhinged numerical title scheme of a series of video games. The Game Boy Advance was Nintendo's popular 32-bit handheld console released in 2001. Over the course of 3 years, Nintendo ported popular Mario platforming games from the NES and SNES to the Game Boy Advance. These releases were given rather unhinged titles, as such: "Super Mario Advance", released in 2001, is a port of the 1988 NES game "Super Mario Bros. 2" "Super Mario Advance 2", released in 2001, is a port of the 1991 SNES game "Super Mario World" "Super Mario Advance 3", released in 2002, is a port of the 1995 SNES game "Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island" "Super Mario Advance 4", released in 2003, is a port of the 1990 NES game "Super Mario Bros. 3"
Thomas Shaddox
2025-03-26 19:46:35 +0000 UTCI want to recommend you check out 2023’s KIM’S VIDEO, now streaming for the first time on Kanopy. This doc covers the NYC video rental scene and what happened to the largest vhs/dvd collection in the world when they closed their doors 15 years ago. Like a David Farrier film, this story goes some absolutely wild places. It’s a quick watch and will provide much to discuss.
Andrew Campbell
2025-03-20 14:01:54 +0000 UTCIs there a show that you guys have ever abandoned even though it wasn't over just because you thought the last season you watched had a perfect ending? For example I won't watch the new righteous gemstones season because three ended so perfectly for me I don't want to ruin it. I did the same with Californication after season four and from what I've heard I made the right decision. Are there shows you wish you had stopped at (i.e. every showtime show that's lasted more than a couple seasons)?
Errol Laurie
2025-03-19 03:43:12 +0000 UTCBoo. Addiction to taste? Nah. I used to eat meat. I haven’t had it in 28 years. If I want something akin to it, there are vegan versions that taste good… certainly if you’re willing to be nicer to animals and the planet.
J Hay
2025-03-17 03:32:05 +0000 UTCPlease share your thoughts on Taco Bell’s 2nd Annual Live Mas live event
Gary Yarbrough
2025-03-11 07:38:13 +0000 UTCWarren Buffett once said in his letters to investors that if the Internet was created before newspapers there never would be such a thing as newspapers. Question for you to discuss maybe? If the Internet was invented before movie theaters. Would there still be such a thing as movie theaters?
Michael Smokevitch
2025-03-08 02:01:13 +0000 UTCIs there a group name for fans of the podcasts?
Daniel C
2025-03-07 21:41:26 +0000 UTCWould you ever consider doing a mega crossover episode with Blank Check?
Mesfin Mebrate
2025-03-07 15:05:28 +0000 UTCFilms are canonised in the National Film Registry in the Library of Congress, if they are considered culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. There is currently no National Registry for TV programs. If there was one, which TV series would you consider to meet the criteria? I would assume I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, The Simpsons, and The Sopranos would make that list. On a similar note, which video games would you list for canonical preservation?
Mesfin Mebrate
2025-03-07 14:24:43 +0000 UTCWould you rather be ridiculed in your lifetime and revered long after you're gone (à la Van Gogh)? OR Would you rather be revered in your lifetime and ridiculed long after you're gone (à la Thomas Midgley Jr.)?
Mesfin Mebrate
2025-03-07 14:19:45 +0000 UTCProbably because meat is so tasty
Mark P
2025-03-06 20:26:38 +0000 UTCI moved to Colorado from Connecticut in 2014, so the majority of my time spent with friends is virtually, via discord. Lately, I've been sharing my screen, and we've been completing NYT Crosswords together. Sometimes we game, sometimes we just sit around in chat, doing our own thing. Do you guys virtually hang with friends and family? If so, what does that look like for you?
aGuyWhoPatsDogs
2025-03-06 18:20:26 +0000 UTCI’m headed to Seattle with my roommates for spring break in a week and a half: what are some good Seattle activity recs from Dave? (Besides rain city jacks)
Josh Erales
2025-03-06 15:08:33 +0000 UTCWhat do movies look like in 2050?
Wags
2025-03-06 13:19:00 +0000 UTCAre there any movies (or tv shows) that have fundamentally changed the way you think about life?
Wags
2025-03-06 13:18:14 +0000 UTCSaw this prompt on various social media: How would you rank the last ten Best Picture winners?
Goodspeed
2025-03-06 10:19:15 +0000 UTCThe bear attack scene in Backcountry is better than The Revenant's - discuss
Chris Tomkins
2025-03-06 08:20:18 +0000 UTCWe hear about Jeff’s charity runs but I was hoping Jeff might talk about his week to week running program/ routine. Information such as distances, frequency, average speed etc. I’ll even be generous and mentally convert his answers to metric!
Mark P
2025-03-06 07:23:56 +0000 UTCWhy aren’t you guys vegan yet? Animal agriculture plays a notable part of: 1. Destroying the planet (cutting down rain forests to feed soy, corn, etc. to “meat” animals; killing reefs; depleting sea life; adding to climate chaos & pollution; etc.). 2. Obscene and massive cruelty to animals; exploiting workers at factory “farms” and slaughterhouses (wherein many workers have PTSD, drug problems, family problems, etc.). 3. Antibiotics’ efficacy is reduced due to their overuse in farmed animals. 4. Epidemics and pandemics are often caused by the animals that people eat. 5. Eating a plant-based diet tends to be healthier than the Standard American Diet (SAD). “Tradition”, habit, and addiction to animal products is no excuse for the majority of Americans who aren’t literally starving.
J Hay
2025-03-06 07:20:22 +0000 UTCI think the show should address, on a main episode (or an after dark, something!), that you don't use hashtag slashtag anymore and officially encourage one single alternative method to recommend movies, whether that be a bluesky post or whatever. Preferably one that you 3 all see (because I believe only David gets the emails and would have to forward them manually to Devindra and Jeff), like the way you all saw slashtag tweets before Elon Musk destroyed twitter. It's crazy to me that the show has been silent on hashtag slashtag for a few years now. It used to be a BIG part of the show! As you know since it was mentioned on the show, someone even created a hashtagslashtag.com website just to make it easier for the hosts to read those posts! For that reason alone it deserves a better fate than being quietly killed. People should be told on a main episode (or an after dark, I guess) what the single preferred method is now and that should be promoted the way hashtag slashtag was promoted each and every week for YEARS. Maybe it should be telling everyone, each week, to send recommendations by using #slashtag on bluesky? I strongly recommend this over emails because you all 3 can see it AND we can see everyone else's recommendations. I loved seeing hashtag slashtag recommendations from fellow listeners! We're LONG overdue for this sort of housekeeping on a main episode (or after dark) re: hashtag slashtag. Thanks! edit: Removing the references to voicemails, as I see the most recent show notes does not have the voicemail line. RIP Voicemail line. At least it was mentioned in a February 2025 After Dark before being killed. A far better fate than hashtag slashtag lol.
Papool Chaudhari
2025-03-06 05:32:41 +0000 UTCI look to each of you for movie recommendations for specific genres of movies because I've learned how much I agree or disagree with each of you given my own taste. What are some other critics out there for you that you lean on as a taste maker for specific genres etc?
Justin Anderson
2025-03-06 03:48:11 +0000 UTCHas Jeff heard about the shelved Prince documentary? I'm curious what Jeff thinks about it, if so. Pablo Torre has dedicated two podcast (Pablo Torre Finds Out) episodes to talking about the details of the doc and the reasons why it was canned. The latest episode features the director of the film and I highly recommend any Prince fan listen to both episodes.
Brian Lefevre
2025-03-06 02:31:36 +0000 UTCHave you guys ever considered canonizing a list of media with big moments or twists that you would recommend fans should see (or read or play) ASAP before they are spoiled? (I've listed some big ones below if you guys want a starting point) The Sixth Sense, Fight Club, The Usual Suspects, Memento, Gone Girl, Apocalypto, Parasite, The Matrix, The Departed, The Prestige, Arrival, Oldboy, Game of Thrones, Severence, The Last of Us (game imo), Three Body Problem (book imo)
James Moon
2025-03-06 01:26:40 +0000 UTCHave you given more serious thought to doing a live show? Would be glorious
Gary Yarbrough
2025-03-06 00:35:16 +0000 UTCThe conversation of studio interference comes up often in regards to poorly received films. Especially ones that were reported to have extensive reshoots. It's easy to quickly blame clueless studio execs for not letting the film-makers and artists realize their vision. I'm curious about the flipside of this topic. When has studio interference saved movies or made them substantially better? Rogue One perhaps? My thought is this happens more often than people would like to admit. Thanks!
ColdBrewster
2025-03-05 22:42:01 +0000 UTCHello gents, a bit of a morbid question, what would happen if one of you met an untimely demise? Would the podcast continue with just 2 hosts, have a rotating carousel of guests, add a new permanent host, or something else? Thanks and I hope you all live forever.
Joey Lett
2025-03-05 21:53:20 +0000 UTCSuggestion! Replace the mid-episode joke with a ranking of favorite movies from previous years, presented in head-to-head matchups. For example, ‘War Horse’ vs. ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once,’ gradually revealing your ultimate choice. Each week, feature two distinct movies from your top-ten selections. Given over 15 years of compiling top 10 film lists, there is ample material for discussion. Let the games begin. Zook
Isaac Chehebar
2025-03-05 21:23:59 +0000 UTCWhat is the last horror film that truly scared you - not merely in terms of cheap jump scares, but one that truly frightened you, and gave you that “I need to sleep with the lights on” feeling?
Rob
2025-03-05 21:22:58 +0000 UTCDear filmcasters: What's your least favourite decade in film and what is your favourite film of that decade?
Calvin Jones
2025-03-05 20:04:32 +0000 UTCI'm obsessed with 3d scanning, photogrammetry, and gaussian splatting. I like to find long camera moves through sets or locations in movies and use them to generate 3d models. The Shining is an iconic example: lots of angles of an iconic location without lot of people or action covering up the delicious 3d data. What are some of your favorite long camera moves exploring a location?
Luke Shea
2025-03-05 19:45:14 +0000 UTCWhat’s a famous film you’ve never actually seen but feel like you should have? For me, it's Lawrence of Arabia. I live in L.A and always tell myself i'll watch it for the first time in 70mm at the Egyptian but never get around to it.
Reza Mir
2025-03-05 19:28:35 +0000 UTCJeff seems to really care about spoilers. Has anything ever been spoiled for him or has he dodged all spoilers up to this point?
I like drawing pigeons
2025-03-05 19:08:00 +0000 UTCAs someone who knows nothing about wrestling, I always love hearing Jeff passionately breakdown wrestling stories for us. I’ve been hearing there’s been a recent huge plot twist with John Cena…can Jeff give us his take on it?
Jae
2025-03-05 18:58:10 +0000 UTCWhat are your thoughts on the growing “merch” apparatuses from distribution companies like Neon and A24? A couple weeks ago the latter company announced a $75 scale desktop model of the community center from The Brutalist, which is….something. I believe this model sold out almost immediately in the A24 online shop when it dropped. Though I don’t mind ordering a t-shirt or disc from these companies every once in a while (i.e. the beautiful new Oldboy 4k that Neon put out), I definitely understand the feeling from some people in the film space that it’s all a little silly and counterintuitive to supporting and appropriately engaging with movies that involve serious themes and artistry. On the other hand, though is particular Brutalist model is not something I would purchase myself, I think it’s interesting and good that distributors have managed to generate this much buzz for small movies like The Brutalist and Anora, particularly from young people. The aggressive promotion—including merch—is no small part of that and in the end if it gets people to see more movies it’s probably a net positive in my opinion.
Kyle Bainbridge
2025-03-05 18:19:36 +0000 UTCI gotta know if Jeff has watched the documentary Meru yet. I mentioned it a while ago when Jeff was asking for recommendations for content about skilled athletes attempting to accomplish a nearly superhuman feat. It was brought up on an after dark and Jeff and Dave said they would check it out, but it doesn’t seem like either have found the time yet. Which is all good. You guys have A LOT to watch. But i really do think this fits Jeff’s kink perfectly. One of the best climbing documentaries I’ve seen, and I’ve seen most.
Nathaniel St. Clair
2025-03-05 18:08:40 +0000 UTCHi guys. I can't remember the episode, but you had a crossover with a game show podcast a while back and I absolutely loved the competitive banter between everyone, it's been my favorite crossover episode to date. My question for you is what's your favorite crossover episode you guys have done with another podcast, and if you can choose one podcast to have a crossover with what would it be?
Felipe Ochoa
2025-03-05 18:00:47 +0000 UTCWhat is one movie you’re afraid to revisit in the worries that you’d hate it now?
Jonathan
2025-03-05 18:00:22 +0000 UTCSo I'm not sure if I'm forgetting or just missed it, but did you guys ever have an in-depth discussion about "Green Book"? I feel like I just know your guys' strong disdain for the movie through side comments here and there but not sure if I ever heard the discussion and exactly all the reasons you guys hated it so much. I watched it years after it came out and thought it was fine, but I have a habit of taking movies at face value without thinking of any problematic implications or messages it might have. Would love to hear those thoughts again!
Kevin Luu
2025-03-05 17:59:38 +0000 UTCI was just wondering if you guys watched "Shrinking"? I don't remember if it was ever mentioned. It's Bill Lawrence's new show. Second season just ended. I think the show is amazing with so much heart. Great characters, Great emotional growth, Great needle drops, etc. Was just curious on your guys' thoughts. Thanks!
Kevin Luu
2025-03-05 17:52:54 +0000 UTCWhat are time periods that a movie can take place in that you feel innately drawn to/interested in? On the flip side, are there time periods, settings, milieus, etc. that you are turned off by or just find uninteresting?
Eric Trapp
2025-03-05 17:40:14 +0000 UTCI am wondering if #slashtag is a thing on Bluesky? I used the hashtag to recommend Daniel Scheinert’s movie THE DEATH OF DICK LONG, an underseen A24 movie described as “dipshit Fargo”. It’s currently streaming on Hoopla and Kanopy, but definitely worth the price of a rental at least. In the episode where you reviewed The Instigators, Jeff described enjoying movies where “things spiral out of control, people try their best to be clever and circumstances make them do dumb things….and things continue to go out of control….” and it reminded me of this great movie which I think all three hosts would enjoy for different reasons.
Eric Page
2025-03-05 17:34:56 +0000 UTCYou all host your own separate podcasts, do you listen to each other’s podcast regularly? If that is too confrontational, what are your favorite podcasts currently?
JackEsq
2025-03-05 17:13:40 +0000 UTCShow is awesome. Havnt seen Valhalla though. The first few seasons of Vikings were legit peak and on par with Game of Thrones tbh
Wil Johnson
2025-03-05 17:02:55 +0000 UTCI want to know why Jeff is watching anything while not watch Better Call Saul which is almost assuredly better than anything he is watching instead?
Wil Johnson
2025-03-05 17:01:56 +0000 UTCIn a recent After Dark you talked about films where you felt "seen". To expand on that a little, are there any films that struck you very differently as you've gotten older? Three short examples: When The Incredibles first came out I was single, pre-kid, and loved it for the animation and new take on animated action. But watching it now, as a 50+ year old father of 3 who went from "mountain rescue" as a side hobby to mostly working at a desk... I now feel seen. And when the plane seen when Elastigirl wraps up her kids? I tear up just thinking about it. Likewise, the ending of Boyhood hits very differently now that I have a 16 year old starting to figure out her life and explore the world. And then there's Red Dawn... for... reasons... Each of you have been at this a long time, any films that stand out to you differently now than when your younger selves saw them? Other than Red Dawn, since that's kind of a given these days.
Rich Mogull
2025-03-05 16:49:00 +0000 UTCDid Dave ever get around to watching The Devil’s Plan that Jeff recommended? Would be really interested in hearing Dave’s thoughts.
Benjamin Nicholes
2025-03-05 16:46:15 +0000 UTCBig fan, I’ve been listening for many years, thank you for the amazing content that has gotten me through some tough times. I don’t know if you’ve ever spoken about it or what your thoughts are, but I’ve been obsessed with Vikings, which has been playing now on Netflix the entire run including Valhalla. I’m just curious if you guys have watched any of it and what your thoughts are.
AJ Karim
2025-03-05 16:37:01 +0000 UTCNow that my little boy is approaching 3 years old my partner and I are trying to take back some quality movie time. One way we’re doing this is by introducing ‘documentary Mondays’ where we take turns in picking a documentary film to watch. Generally due to the world being a hellscape we look for lighter films that tell smaller quirky stories. I’d love recommendations of things we’ve missed in the last 3 years or your favourites - a few from Jeff’s kink collection. I’ve included a list of some we’ve recently enjoyed below. Thanks! Hands on a Hardbody The Barkley Marathons American Movie Original Cast Recording Company The Greatest Night in Pop King of Kong
Molly Butterworth
2025-03-05 16:34:16 +0000 UTCI often listen to your reviews for movies i know i'll never see. Especially if all of you didn't like it. But in the spoiler section, it's can be hard to know what you're talking about. At the beginning of the section, would you mind summarizing the ending of the movie? This way i can still follow the conversation. I see no harm as it's the spoiler section, only benefit to listeners.
Wesley Stephens
2025-03-05 16:33:17 +0000 UTCWhen will be the next „B-Movie“ segment by Dave? Already miss the jingle.
Robert Müller
2025-03-05 16:05:26 +0000 UTCDave recently mentioned taking notes during a second viewing of Memento to better understand the events of the movie. Are there other movies where you have done extra homework or reasearch to appreciate it more?
Matthew M
2025-03-05 16:03:23 +0000 UTCWhat are some movies that you must finish any time you start? For instance, if I turn the tv on and catch 10 minute of Joe Dirt, I will be compelled to finish it.
Danny Champlin
2025-03-05 15:59:23 +0000 UTCDo you guys and your kids pay more attention to a movie depending on where the movie is being viewed? In an interview with M Night Shyamalan and his kids M Night mentioned how he has a strict “No Phones” policy when watching movies in his home theater. About a week or 2 ago I heard Patrick Klepek on Decoding TV say that his kids pay more attention when taking them to the movies rather than watching movies at home. Do you guys institute any kind of “This is a film so more attention must be paid” as opposed to all bets are off because we are watching this on a couch at home.
Trunolimit
2025-03-05 15:52:48 +0000 UTCWhat genres of movies, shows, games, tech have you exposed yourselves to only for review purposes that turned out to be something you really enjoyed that you thought you wouldn't have? Are there any that you used to like that maybe you aren't as into as you once were?
Jacob Chimilar
2025-03-05 15:35:38 +0000 UTCWhat do you guys think about award shows highlighting more culturally diverse films? Has seeing those types of movies get nominated changed what you consider ‘award-worthy’ and what you decide to watch?
Daniel Cabral
2025-03-05 15:32:03 +0000 UTCGreetings fellas, As many of us are aware, the evolution of the movie industry doesn't seem to be going in a great direction, whether we're talking the big companies wanting to turn things into a "content" churn or the gradual dissolution of physical media. BUT! What's a film that has given you explicit feelings of hope for filmmaking? The opening 10 minutes of TOP GUN: MAVERICK come to mind for me, or the scene in DUNE: PART 2 when the ornithopter crashes to the ground as Chani runs to Paul, the music swelling. These experiences felt like pure "movie magic" in the past few years and strongly reminded me that despite the disheartening aspects of the industry, there are still amazing films being made that truly champion what the medium is capable of.
Javin Mather
2025-03-05 15:30:17 +0000 UTCWhat is your favorite star trek show? And do you like the new trek?
Roshar Space Fleet
2025-03-05 15:29:42 +0000 UTCIn your lifetime, if you had to pick a two-year period of movies to miss, what would that two year period be? This came up when I was recently talking with a movie-loving friend who is about to have a baby and we talked about how when you have a baby there is usually a two year span where you just don’t see movies. Of course that doesn’t hold true if you have a great support system that gives you free childcare, have a ton of money for sitters, or if reviewing movies is a source of income (wink), but a lot of folks in the U.S. don’t fall in those 3 categories. The easier version of this question is what two-year span of movies would you give up seeing on the big screen, but the harder version is what two-year span would you give up seeing *forever*?
Lawson S
2025-03-05 15:29:17 +0000 UTCHey guys, wanted to see if any of you have listened to the recent Lin-Manuel Miranda & Eisa Davis' musical concept album Warriors. While not a movie itself, it's film-adjacent as it's based on the 1979 cult classic (my all-time favorite film!). Curious your take on it if you've given a listen. Thanks!
Stephen Shaffer
2025-03-05 15:28:55 +0000 UTCAre there any ideas, concepts, or franchises you can't believe they haven't made into a movie? Have you ever thought to yourself "when are they going to make a Pillsbury Dough Boy horror movie?" or "why are there no movies about high rise window washers?"
NICK LAWS
2025-03-05 15:24:30 +0000 UTCWhat’s the longest you’ve gone without consuming any media?
Derek Cheng
2025-03-05 15:23:34 +0000 UTCNot a question and you're probably already aware but after Dave revealed he bought 900 e-books...just wanted to quickly mention "Libby," which is an incredible resource. Literally thousands of e-books you can check out directly from your local library. I've read dozens of books this way and simply return them when I'm finished.
Ivan Kander
2025-03-05 15:23:14 +0000 UTCThis question gets a little behind the scenes, a little "inside baseball" , of how you all plan your reviews. We all know that David and Jeff participate in the "unsullied" lifestyle, not watching trailers for movie before watching the movie, Jeff slightly more than David perhaps, but I always assumed that when picking what movie to review each week, David, or Devindra would atleast explain something about the movie before putting it to the group to decide, I don't know if Jeff brings movies to the group because of his not having fore knowledge of upcoming movies. However, back when you all reviewed "Trap", Jeff said in his section that he "didn't even know that Josh Hartnett was in the movie!" beforehand. I understand him not knowing that the trailer explains Hartnett is "The Butcher" but I can't believe that when the question of whether or not to review "Trap" the words, "its M. Night Shyamalan's new movie starring Josh Hartnett", did not get uttered. So I guess my question is, how do you decide on your upcoming reviews and what information do you give to Jeff to inform his vote?
Mitchipedia
2025-03-05 15:22:51 +0000 UTCHave you ever heard of Eversmile New Jersey? A Daniel Day Lewis movie from 89 where he’s a travelling dentist. It’s bonkers. Would you guys ever do a so bad it’s good movie review for the after dark?
Alan Northway
2025-03-05 15:22:29 +0000 UTCI've been thinking a lot about what's the latest really memorable movie-theme and I kind of struggle to come up with something. I'm thinking of a melody you can instantly hum, like the theme to Bond, Indiana Jones or Star Wars. What's the latest iconic movie theme you can think of? I think for me, it's maybe the Wonder Woman-theme from Batman v Superman, but that's almost ten years ago now.
Linus
2025-03-05 15:21:46 +0000 UTCTalk to me about baked potatoes! What kind of toppings are we working with? Are you a “butter and sour cream” type or perhaps something more off the wall? Britton from Boulder-adjacent Colorado.
Britton Rupp
2025-03-05 15:21:18 +0000 UTCJeff never shared his thoughts on Sing Sing! The people demand answers! Not a question, I know, but I hope you treat it as such.
Tyler Sexton
2025-03-05 15:20:24 +0000 UTC
