This is a film podcast by two people that come at movies from different angles. Paul is a trained actor and Josh is a broadcast engineer. They have lively conversations about all aspects of old and new films: technical, emotional, acting, directing, writing, music, special effects, and more. Check out the website at www.actorandengineer.com and email actorandengineer@gmail.com.
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This week we explore Deadpool and Wolverine’s fan service elements, the challenges of blending different character tones, and the impact of pop culture references. The discussion also touches on the broader context of comic book adaptations and the significance of incorporating classic costumes and character arcs. We talk about the performances of …
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In this episode we discuss our cinematic experiences, the emotional and thematic depth of the movie, and the performances of Lupita Nyong'o and Joseph Quinn. We get into the character dynamics, the expanded universe of the Quiet Place franchise, and speculate on future installments. Listen as we explore the film's intricate details, from jump scare…
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In this episode of 'The Actor and the Engineer,' Paul James and Josh Knapp delve into the complexities of Yorgos Lanthimos's 'Kinds of Kindness.' They discuss the balance between humor and existential dread in the film, its three distinct vignettes, and the thematic elements of control, belief, and absurdity. The conversation also touches on the de…
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Join Josh Knapp (the broadcast engineer) and Paul James (the actor) as they delve into the Mad Max saga. From Josh's newfound appreciation for Mad Max: Fury Road to analyzing the impact of various characters and films, this episode covers it all. They discuss the evolution of the series and character arcs across the series. This engaging discussion…
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Ep 368 - Quick Cuts - The Fall Guy, The Green Mile, Rom Coms
1:00:41
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This week we catch up on what we have been watching, like The Fall Guy, The Green Mile, Rom Coms, Babylon, Cabaret and The Bodyguard?By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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In this episode we volley our opinions on Luca Guadanino's new tennis film with Zendaya, a Prince and West Side Story's Riff. Scored by Reznor and Ross, this movie has more meat on its bones than a standard sports movie.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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In this episode we talk about Alex Garland's film about war and the role journalists play in society. It includes a great score, cool song selection and strong performances by the Dunst/Plemons crew.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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We finally got around to watching as many 2023 films as we could. We are nailing down which ones were our favorites (or best, or highest regarded by us) and why!!By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Ep 364 - Dune Part 2 with Justin Arner!
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This week we go back to Arrakis with our special guest Justin Arner (multi-award winning creative producer). We talk about Villeneuve using shot selection for optimal storytelling, Hans Zimmer's overwhelming score and question some of the casting choices.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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It's time for the golden statues! We go through who we think will win and who we would want to win in the biggest Oscar categories, and Josh has a golden addition to his shelf.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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We dive into Jonathan Glazer's The Zone of Interest, an unconventional holocaust/family movie. The concept, the filmmaking techniques and the haunting sounds of the score and sound design come together with the grounded performances to form a film that is engaging and confrontational.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Cord Jefferson's biting and funny satire/familiy drama is the subject of this week's podcast. We get to see Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K. Brown, Tracy Ellis Ross, and a host of other actors put in great performances with a that know's what it is doing. Once you are in the theater, Jefferson nudges you with humor, anger, outrage and real touching mome…
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This week we reflect on the Oscar nominations and celebrate some of the choices while scratching our heads about others. Then we tiptoe into a light critique on Bradley Cooper's new film Maestro (also Oscar nominated!)By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Yorgos Lanthimos plus Emma Stone equals another movie you can't look away from. With committed performances from Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo added, this film is both funny and thought-provoking.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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We talk about Todd Haynes' new meta movie featuring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore that is loosely based on a true story, how it points out society's voyeuristic tendencies and why audiences will always be interested in stories like this.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Emerald Fennell has returned with a film starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi about the British upper crust and the gaze of the outsider. Was it successful? Was it shocking? We get into it in our new episode.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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It's a new Fincher film! We talk about Fassbinder, the sound design, the drop-in performances (including Tilda Swinton), ham hands and Fincher's tenuous relationship with the Oscars.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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This week we talk about how Justine Triet's new film is able to turn a courtoom drama into an engaging and tight film with a great performance by Sandra Hüller. We have some Oscar predictions and get into the use of language in the film and "truth" in the courtoom.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Ep 354 - Killers of the Flower Moon
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It's a rare treat to talk about a new movie from one of the living masters of the craft, Martin Scorsese. We break down what we liked about the performances, including the quiet confidence of Lily Gladstone. We also talk about the score, production design and undulating pacing of the film.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Ep 353 - Quick Cuts (Kubrick, Brazil and Starman)
56:23
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Paul saw a play with Karen Allen and Reed Birney! And we talk about Josh watching Kubrick on the big screen, double features and Starman.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Paul talks about his recent experience performing in a Steve Martin play and we talk about Celine Song's quiet, but confident debut film starring Greta Lee.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Paul is in a new play!!! We get into that and also train our sights on one of the biggest movies of the summer. We talk about Christopher Nolan's sprawling cast, sharp editing and keen visual effects (No CG!)By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Now it's time to listen to two guys talk about the Barbie movie... Wait!!! Don't go!! We really have some good thoughts about the winking and honest script, the properly plastic and practical set design and the tightly integrated soundtrack!By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Ep 349 - Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Pt 1
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1:17:02
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(Movie Trailer Voice) - Ethan Hunt is back and he's better than ever. Hang on for over two hours of thrills, spills and chills! And whatever you do, don't...look...down... (End Movie Trailer Voice) In this episode we watch 61 year old movie nerd jump off a cliff and we love every minute of it!!! Haley Atwell is a great addition to the cast and the …
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Grab your hat and your whip. We are talking all things Indiana Jones, including the new Dial of Destiny!By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Ep 347 - Quick Cuts (The Godfather, All About Eve, Succession, Tarantino)
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This week Paul talks about meeting Karen Allen (!!!) and Josh watches a bunch of movies (The Godfather, All About Eve, Tarantino Rewatch). Our next episodes will focus on Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Asteroid City.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Ep 346 - The Searchers and Shane: Should Have Seen
1:11:46
1:11:46
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We return to a theme that we haven't done in a while. Would you believe that neither one of us had seen The Searchers or Shane? Well, this week we correct that injustice. We talk about The Duke and his playing against type, watching these movies in 2023 and how Shane got all of those Oscar nominations.…
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Showtime, A-holes! The Guardians are back for one last adventure in this configuration, and they have to deal with Adam Warlock and a guy who is channeling Katherine Helmond's facelift from Brazil.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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We wade into the mind of Ari Aster (maybe too far?) and his take on mommy issues and anxiety.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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We finally have gotten around to our favorite films of 2022! We each count down our favorites and sprinkle some honorable mentions in there. Paul also talks about finishing up his run of performances in Richmond!By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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We go through the big categories for the big night and pick who we would vote for and who we each think will win.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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We catch up with Scott Lang and his family mostly in the quantum realm and get to see Jonathan Majors once again as Kang. Then we sprinkle on a bit of our perceptions of Cocaine Bear. Watch us on YouTube HereBy Paul James and Josh Knapp
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This episode we focus on Sarah Polley's new film focusing on the the importance of being heard. We get into why this needed to be a film instead of a play, how the cinematography and shot selection contributed to the narrative and which scene should have gotten Jessie Buckley an Oscar nod.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Ep 339 - Babylon and Top Gun: Maverick
1:21:47
1:21:47
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This week we are finally getting to two spectacle movies that definitely benefit from being seen in the theater. Babylon is uncompromising and ambitious and Top Gun: Maverick lived up to the hype, in spite of its seemingly "lazy" concept. The movies are back! (fingers crossed)By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Ep 338 - Quick Cuts - Glass Onion, The Menu, The Whale, Barbarian, Triangle of Sadness
1:10:27
1:10:27
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We are back with a quick cuts episode of what we have been watching. How many of these will get Oscar noms?By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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We look back at Steven Spielberg looking back at his young life through a well-lit, richly textured lens. Josh enjoyed the journey while Paul was left with questions... Check out our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@actorandengineerpodcast9968By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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This week we talk about Martin McDonagh's film about the complexities of friendship, family, community and creating art. Great performances across the board, with a beautiful setting utilizing natural light and a pitch-perfect score.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Ep 335 - Quick Cuts: Black Panther Wakanda Forever, Black Adam, Decision to Leave, Pinocchio
1:22:05
1:22:05
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This week we go through some new and old films that we have been watching, what we are excited about seeing next and give our take on the contentious new Sight and Sound Lists.By Paul james and Josh Knapp
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We are back with our take on a titanic performance by Cate Blanchett in Todd Field's first film in 16 years! Definitely worth the wait. Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@actorandengineerpodcast9968By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Quick Cuts - The Woman King, Elvis, Blonde, Don't Worry Darling
1:09:22
1:09:22
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This week we catch up on what we have been watching. Watch us on YouTube! You can actually see us now! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9F3kvg-OriGkYsCItbxVlg 00:07:11 - The Woman King 00:19:38 - Elvis 00:34:50 - Don't Worry Darling 00:39:38 - Blonde 00:52:59 - The Handmaiden 00:59:18 - She-Hulk 01:01:26 - Werewolf by Night and Andor…
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This week we talk about old and new films we have been watching, some for the first time and some for the hundredth time (maybe not exaggerating?) Watch us on YouTube! You can actually see us now! YouTube Video EpisodeBy Paul James and Josh Knapp
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We say "yep" to Jordan Peele's newest film shot in IMAX and starring Keke Palmer and Daniel Kaluuya. We get into the editing, others perceived pacing issues and Spielberg's influence on Peele. Enjoy!By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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We talk about the role David Bowie was born to play (alien), bad overdubbing, Nicolas Roeg's editing style, a younger (but still somehow old) Rip Torn and differ on Candy Clark's performance as the love interest/bad influence.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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God of Thunder, meet God Butcher. We talk about the narration as a storytelling device, the bold opening scene and a few other choices that Taika Waititi makes with his newest entry in the MCU.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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We have more questions than answers about Alex Garland's original screenplay. We also talk a little about Top Gun: Maverick and Crimes of the Future. Enjoy!By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Quick Cuts: TV, Dr Strange, Secrets of Dumbledore, Lost City, Northman - Ep 327
1:03:24
1:03:24
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Another Quick Cuts to go through what we have been watching, which is a lot more television than normal. But, we each saw some newer and older movies that we get into, ranging from Lethal Weapon 2 to The Northman. We're getting too old for this viking ship...By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Everything Everywhere All At Once - Ep 326
44:34
44:34
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How much can one writer/director duo fit into one film? We find out when we talk about the new action/sci-fi/family comedy-drama starring Michelle Yeoh from the minds of The Daniels. Get your chapstick ready.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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Better late than never! We finally got together to discuss our top ten movies of 2021, and there will definitely be some surprises!By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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It's that time again, where Paul pulls out a shocking prediction about the Oscars that usually comes true! We go through all of the big categories and give who we think will win and who we would vote for.By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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It took us long enough to get to this movie! Joachim Trier's film has a little bit for everybody (but may not be for everybody). Josh loves the structure of the storytelling and Paul calls it "the most mature coming of age film I've ever seen". Enjoy!By Paul James and Josh Knapp
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