We like to talk about movies that talk about school, and we bet you do too. This podcast is for anyone who works at a school, goes to school, or ever went to school – so basically, YOU! Movies about school have shaped our national narrative about what school is like, about the relationships between teachers and students, students and students, and the role of school as both friend and foe.
Heads Down, Two Thumbs Up
Claim This Podcastby Bill Selak & Carla Silver
5.0(5 reviews)
11 episodes
Updated Inactive
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
We like to talk about movies that talk about school, and we bet you do too. This podcast is for anyone who works at a school, goes to school, or ever went to school – so basically, YOU! Movies about school have shaped our national narrative about what school is like, about the relationships between teachers and students, students and students, and the role of school as both friend and foe.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
3/2/2020
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Recent Episodes
December 20, 2025
Episode 13: Sixteen Candles
<p><img data-tf-not-load="1" fetchpriority="high" loading="auto" decoding="auto" width="1200" height="1202" src="https://headsdowntwothumbsup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/etix-Movie_2386621763480887.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://headsdowntwothumbsup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/etix-Movie_2386621763480887.jpg 1200w, https://headsdowntwothumbsup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/etix-Movie_2386621763480887-300x300.jpg 300w, https://headsdowntwothumbsup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/etix-Movie_2386621763480887-1022x1024.jpg 1022w, https://headsdowntwothumbsup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/etix-Movie_2386621763480887-150x150.jpg 150w, https://headsdowntwothumbsup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/etix-Movie_2386621763480887-768x769.jpg 768w, https://headsdowntwothumbsup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/etix-Movie_2386621763480887-1022x1024-363x363.jpg 363w, https://headsdowntwothumbsup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/etix-Movie_2386621763480887-150x150-52x52.jpg 52w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></p><!--themify_builder_content--> <div id="themify_builder_content-343" data-postid="343" class="themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-343 themify_builder tf_clear"> <div data-lazy="1" class="module_row themify_builder_row tb_ydur231 tb_first tf_w"> <div class="row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel"> <div data-lazy="1" class="module_column tb-column col-full tb_ii1b232 first"> <div data-lazy="1" class="module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tb_o7qv250"> <div data-lazy="1" class="module_column sub_column col-full tb_8mu5251 first"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <!--/themify_builder_content--> <p>In this episode of Heads Down Two Thumbs Up, Carla and Bill discuss the iconic film Sixteen Candles. This movie launched the career of John Hughes who quickly became known for his portrayal of teenage angst through the ubiquitous experiences of unrequited crushes, embarrassing parents and a punishing social hierarchy.</p> <p>Samantha Baker is turning 16, but in the chaos of her sister’s wedding, her family has forgotten her birthday. To make matters worse, she spends the day pining over her out of reach crush, Jake Ryan, Michael Shoeffling, and being stalked by the kind of the geeks (Anthony Michael Hall). As the tagline suggests “It’s the time of your life that may last a lifetime.”</p> <p>How has Sixteen Candles stood the test of time? Is it still relevant today? Who was this movie for? Why are there only white people at this high school and what does it say about sexual misconduct? Carla and Bill discuss all of the joys as well as the cringy, problematic aspects of this 1984 classic.</p>
January 17, 2024
Episode 12: School of Rock
<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> In this episode of Heads Down Two Thumbs Up, Bill and Carla discuss School of Rock. This iconic movie features Jack Black as a slacker musician who, in a moment of desperation, lies to get a substitute teaching gig at a pretentious elementary school. Joan Cusack plays the uptight principal who only lightens up when she hears Stevie Nicks. Does this movie stand the test of time? Does it accurately portray life in an elementary school classroom? Is Jack Black the single best or worst substitute teacher ever? Listen and find out!<br />
August 3, 2022
Episode 11: Almost Famous
<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> In this episode of Heads Down Two Thumbs Up, Bill and Carla discuss Almost Famous. Written and directed by Cameron Crowe, this semi-autobiographical story is NOT set in a school, but it is about learning. When high school student William Miller gets the chance to follow his passion of music journalism and is invited to tour with a up and coming band, Stillwater, he takes it, trading classroom learning for a real-life adventure that promises a cover story for Rolling Stone Magazine. Bill and Carla explore what makes for good learning and whether or not school actually gets in the way of a good education. <br />
11 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Heads Down, Two Thumbs Up?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates inactive.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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