Small Beans

It’s a Wes month. This time we discuss his 2004 film The Life Aquatic which tells the story of sailor/asshole Steve Zissou as he tries to reignite his career and connect with his son. The boys talk about redemption arcs, beautiful shots, and how Wes Anderson has matured through his movies. Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

A Pick the Flick episode of Frame Rate! This means one of our patrons, specifically A. Ron Defender of the Galaxy, generously donated through the Pick the Flick tier and got to choose what we watched! This episode we covered the 2010 independent film The Happy Poet, a film about a man who just wants to make a vegan food cart. It launches a conversation about independent filmmaking and our own journey in filmmaking. Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

Our three co-hosts are stuck in the multiverse and need to get back to their home universe. Clearly, the only way to do that is to explore our cultural obsession with multiverses, alternate timelines and parallel worlds, and tie it all into a conversation about post-modern art, pop culture, and the lessons these stories teach us. Also, each episode, one of them is an asshole who will probably sabotage the whole thing. This week, we discuss the recent MCU film: Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness! Features: Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

Happy 500th podcast! We did it! Celebrate by finding the closest bean and lighting it on fire! AHHHHH!!!! The sacrifice has been made!!! On that note, we have another patron-chosen episode! This episode dives into the movies that defined friendship for our hosts. You know, what you’re looking for in a friend. The hosts as always choose two different films and discuss them. This time they both picked boomer movies with Sally Field! Also, this is the episode Maggie brags about her muscles. Vote every month on our poll for the topic of the next episode! Email us suggestions for episodes at magsandganz@gmail.com as well. Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Maggie Mae Fish: https://twitter.com/MaggieMaeFish Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

Michael and Abe have been looking forward to covering a Satoshi Kon film and we figured we’d get one of our good friends, Zach Sherwin, who hadn’t seen it to come and discuss it with us! The film covers three unhoused citizens of Tokyo who find a baby in a dumpster and spend the entire film trying to find her parents, despite the night having a different plan at almost every turn. It’s a heart-warming human-affirming movie, so while the topic is dark, it goes down pretty nice. Features: Zach Sherwin: https://www.crosswordshow.com/ Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

The year is 1964. Cold War tensions are high. “Funnyman” Stanley Kubrick tells an entire generation: “Wait, I can make this hilarious.” Somehow, this movie is a classic. Three dorks, including our longtime friend, novelist and comedian Clint Gage, sit down to talk about what makes this dark comedy work and what doesn’t hold up. Features: Clint Gage: https://twitter.com/clintgage Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

It’s a Paul month. This time we discuss his 2002 film Punch-Drunk Love which reframes the traditional romantic comedy. The grating sound scape, anxiety-inducing scene work gets you right into Barry Egan’s (Adam Sandler) world. The boys talk about how choice direction and editing makes you feel something, for better or worse. Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

This week the professor discusses the nature of Hell and demons. We are blessed, I guess, to have with us the Devourer of Soul-kin, Grief Incarnate, and Demon of the 5th realm of Hell, his Majesty, the Acolyte of Damnation: Lycus, Author of all calamities and sinful pleasure. The conversation does not go well. Features: Professor Scott Bug: https://twitter.com/profscottbug Cody Johnston: https://twitter.com/drmistercody Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

In this episode, Bridgett and Sarah discuss Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy’s final film. They talk about Jesse’s evolution, casting kids that look like their parents, being a Sagittarius, how Europeans initiate “sexy time” (Bridgett’s words), and cheating protocols. Consider this trilogy wrapped! Next trilogy coming soon. Expect cuteness and put your guesses in the comments section! Features: Sarah Griffith: https://twitter.com/sk_griffith Bridgett Greenberg: https://twitter.com/BridgettTweets Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

Adam and Abe talk about how Die Hard’s John McTiernan secretly has the soul of an artist, adjusting a heist movie into a drama. We go through his techniques and script changes that tell a far more interesting story than just a run-of-the-mill action thriller. Features: Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

This show goes over the short stories of Michael’s favorite speculative fiction author and notable curmudgeon Harlan Ellison. Each episode Michael pairs (read: forces a friend to read) a short story with a guest that it “applies especially to.” This episode it’s the short story “The Silver Corridor” (from Ellison Wonderland) and the guest is Bridgett Greenberg. They discuss the competitive spirit, it’s impact in other aspects of their lives, and how sometimes “cog feel bad.” We apologize in advance for Michael’s audio. Apparently a tiny bean made its way into the microphone wire and wreaked havoc (tiny beans feel competitive and sometimes lash out on the podcast). Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Bridgett Greenberg: https://twitter.com/bridgetttweets Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

Another Pick the Flick by the audience! This time, we thank A. Ron, Defender of the Galaxy for the suggestion of 1990’s The Hunt for the Red October! Cristian joins the hosts to discuss the unique nationalism of the film, the trends of action movies, and proper protocols for pooping. Features: Cristian Ramirez: https://twitter.com/fanboycristian Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

This is a fan-requested (Pick The Flick tier) episode on Soderbergh’s Solaris from 2002. A hearty Small Beans’ thank you to Tom D. for the request! Adam and Abe talk about his cinematographic and editorial approach to the story of a planet that psychologically terrorizes a human crew on a space station. Features: Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

It’s a Wes month. This time we discuss his 2001 film The Royal Tenenbaums which looks at familial grief and dysfunction. Wes Anderson’s style and charm is on full display with a stellar cast in what could be argued is a more formless narrative than movie goers were accustomed to. Abe and Mike disagree about Act 2 but who cares, it’s a good movie. Features: Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

Another Pick the Flick by the audience! This time, we thank Phaedrus for the suggestion of 2009’s Moon! Danielle joins the hosts to discuss Sam Rockwell’s ass, director Duncan Jones, and the meaning of the ending of the film. Highly suggest a listen and a watch! Features: Danielle Radford: https://twitter.com/danielleradford Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

This show goes over the short stories of Michael’s favorite speculative fiction author and notable curmudgeon Harlan Ellison. Each episode Michael pairs (read: forces a friend to read) a short story with a guest that it “applies especially to.” This episode it’s the short story “Shatterday” and the guest is Abe Epperson. Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

Another Pick the Flick by the audience! This time, we thank Zac S. for the suggestion of 2017’s The Death of Stalin! Daniel joins the hosts to discuss the film’s satire of the spineless cretins that attempted to usurp power in the wake of a tyrant’s death. All three suggest you watch this movie. Features: Daniel O’Brien: https://twitter.com/DOB_INC Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

In this episode, Bridgett and Sarah discuss Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy’s second film. They talk about cats, therapy, walkable cities, how they are both not “jewelry people,” how French people are, and how sexy sitting on a couch can be. I think there’s a movie also. Features: Bridgett Greenberg: https://twitter.com/BridgettTweets Sarah Griffith: https://twitter.com/sk_griffith Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

Another Pick the Flick by the audience! This time, we thank Phaedrus for the suggestion of 1992’s Cutting Edge! Soren joins the hosts in comparing rom coms and sports movies, talking about the fuck-den that is the olympic village, and imagining a figure skater projectile vomit on the ice. Features: Soren Bowie: https://twitter.com/Soren_Ltd Michael Swaim: https://twitter.com/SWAIM_CORP Abe Epperson: https://twitter.com/AbeTheMighty Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691

As voted by our Show Me Producers, this month’s ISYM asks our hosts to bring songs they’d put on their wedding playlist. Maggie talks about her new play. Adam talks about the tiny, rage gumball Kirby. If you patronize us, feel free to email us suggestions for episodes at any time at magsandganz@gmail.com. Tell us your thoughts on Kirby. Adam Ganser: https://twitter.com/therealganz Maggie Mae Fish: https://twitter.com/MaggieMaeFish Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store?ref_id=22691