This is the second film adaptation of Sheila Burnford's classic children's novel, but the first where the trio of animal protagonists have their thoughts conveyed to us through celebrity voice actors (Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, and Don Ameche). Like in the book and in the 1963 movie, we center on two dogs and a cat going on a perilous quest through the mountains in order to return to their home. A bear, a mountain lion, a porcupine, and an agitated turkey are among their obstacles.
Ryan is joined by Cheryl and Sylvan for a close reading of one of their childhood viewing staples. Discussion topics include the film's treatment of non-nuclear family, the history of animal handling in Hollywood cinema, and why extremely young children connect to animal stories so readily.
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-valentine3/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-valentine3/support)
19 May 2024
Double Feature: A Hard Day's Night (1964) vs. Spice World (1997)
Filmed on a shoestring budget and released with modest expectations for box office success, A Hard Day's Night is a fluffy, goofy, and deeply unserious film that happened to capture one of the 20th century's most beloved cultural institutions at the apex of their popularity. The movie's approachable charm left a lasting influence on the marketing of pop musicians going forward; a very prominent example is Spice World, a spiritual successor that was produced when the Spice Girls were at the height of their own hitmaking run.
Ryan is joined by Cheryl and Sarah for a compare and contrast of these two musical comedies. Discussion topics include the artistic merits of frivolity, the flattening of historical figures as time passes, and how gender politics influenced the public perception of both movies.
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-valentine3/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-valentine3/support)
5 May 2024
Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995)
Originally intended as a light, comedic riff on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball soon outgrew that modest ambition and became one of the most popular action-adventure serials in modern storytelling. Soon expanding into a multimedia franchise, the Dragon Ball saga was spun off into at least twenty theatrically-released anime films; Ryan and Latisha discuss one of these movies in this recording.
The topics in this episode's dialogue include Dragon Ball's roots in Asian folklore, how the storytelling in Dragon Ball emphasizes delayed gratification, how the character arc of Vegeta is (for many) substantially more relatable and satisfying than Goku's, and how Dragon Ball's subtextual points about interracial relationships and mixed race children conflicts with common assumptions about the franchise's ties to fascist ideology.
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-valentine3/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ryan-valentine3/support)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
4.7 / 5
3 ratings
Contact Reel Deep Dive
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Reel Deep Dive?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
