Cinema, Criticism & Classrooms with Noel Manning
Release Date: 02/10/2026
Monster Mania: King Kong 1976
Fan2Fan Podcast - A Conversation Between Fans About Movies, Comics, TV, Video Games, Toys, Cartoons, And All Things Pop Culture
We’re talking about King Kong 1976 on this episode of the Fan2Fan Podcast! Bernie and Pete discuss the film’s ambitious remake approach and how it reimagined Kong for a new era. We cover the movie's origins, cast, cinematography, amazing musical score, and the special effects work by Rick Baker. For more info about the Fan2Fan Podcast, visit
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Monster Mania: King Kong vs. Godzilla
Fan2Fan Podcast - A Conversation Between Fans About Movies, Comics, TV, Video Games, Toys, Cartoons, And All Things Pop Culture
In this episode of the Fan2Fan Podcast, Bernie and Pete dive deep into King Kong vs. Godzilla. The duo revisit the 1963 kaiju showdown, discussing the film's origins involving King King legal troubles and the height of Japan’s "man in the suit" monster movie boom. Bernie and Pete also explore the urban legend behind the film's ending - who really won the first time these two cinematic titans clashed on the silver screen? For more info about the Fan2Fan Podcast, visit
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Monster Mania: King Kong 1933
Fan2Fan Podcast - A Conversation Between Fans About Movies, Comics, TV, Video Games, Toys, Cartoons, And All Things Pop Culture
We're talking about King Kong 1933 on this episode of the Fan2Fan Podcast! Bernie and Pete discuss the iconic film’s groundbreaking special effects, its lasting impact on monster movies, and more. For more info about the Fan2Fan Podcast, visit
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Rewind: Friday the 13th Franchise Part 2
Fan2Fan Podcast - A Conversation Between Fans About Movies, Comics, TV, Video Games, Toys, Cartoons, And All Things Pop Culture
We're talking about the Friday the 13th franchise on this episode of the Fan2Fan Podcast! Bernie and Pete are joined by guest Josh Spiegel, creator of the YouTube channel Movie Timelines and author of Timelines of Terror: The Fractured Continuities of Horror Film Sequels. In part two of their discussion, they go over the Friday the 13th sequels, the evolution of Jason Voorhees, TV series, fan films, video games, and more. For more info about the Fan2Fan Podcast, visit
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Monster Mania: Kaiju and Cryptids
Fan2Fan Podcast - A Conversation Between Fans About Movies, Comics, TV, Video Games, Toys, Cartoons, And All Things Pop Culture
In this episode of the Fan2Fan Podcast, Bernie and Pete dive into the worlds of Kaiju and cryptids! The duo explore the origins of giant monster cinema, examining how towering Kaiju emerged from postwar Japan and evolved into global pop-culture icons. They discuss the themes beneath the destruction including nuclear anxiety while also unpacking our fascination with giant creatures. From Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster to lesser-known regional legends, Bernie and Pete also cover how cryptids continue to capture the imagination. For more info about the Fan2Fan Podcast, visit
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Monster Mania: Atomic Age Mutants & Mayhem
Fan2Fan Podcast - A Conversation Between Fans About Movies, Comics, TV, Video Games, Toys, Cartoons, And All Things Pop Culture
In this episode of the Fan2Fan Podcast, Bernie and Pete talk atomic age monsters and mutants! The duo trace how post-World War II anxieties about nuclear power, radiation, and scientific overreach gave rise to a new wave of cinematic monsters. Welcome to the atomic age of giant ants, mutated beasts! They discuss how these films captured Cold War fears and reflected a world grappling with atomic uncertainty. Along the way, Bernie and Pete spotlight the legendary Ray Harryhausen and how his groundbreaking stop-motion animation brought towering creatures to life. For more info about the Fan2Fan...
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Monster Mania: Creature from the Black Lagoon
Fan2Fan Podcast - A Conversation Between Fans About Movies, Comics, TV, Video Games, Toys, Cartoons, And All Things Pop Culture
In this episode of the Fan2Fan Podcast, Bernie and Pete dive deep into Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). After catching the film as part of the Carolina Theatre’s retro series, Pete shares his experience watching this underwater monster classic on the big screen. The duo discuss the Gill-man’s haunting design, the film’s groundbreaking underwater cinematography, and its enduring place in Universal’s monster pantheon. They also explore why the Creature remains one of the most sympathetic and iconic monsters in cinema history. For more info about the Fan2Fan Podcast, visit
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Monster Mania: The Wolf Man 1941
Fan2Fan Podcast - A Conversation Between Fans About Movies, Comics, TV, Video Games, Toys, Cartoons, And All Things Pop Culture
In this episode of the Fan2Fan Podcast, Bernie and Pete sink their teeth into The Wolf Man (1941). Pete revisits the Universal classic as part of the Carolina Theatre’s retro film series. The duo discuss Lon Chaney Jr.’s tragic performance, the film’s gothic atmosphere, and its lasting influence on werewolf mythology. They also explore how The Wolf Man stands apart from other Universal monsters and why its themes of fate and duality still resonate with audiences today. For more info about the Fan2Fan Podcast, visit
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Monster Mania: Defining Monsters & Universal Horror
Fan2Fan Podcast - A Conversation Between Fans About Movies, Comics, TV, Video Games, Toys, Cartoons, And All Things Pop Culture
In this episode of the Fan2Fan Podcast, Bernie and Pete are joined by Joshua Pruett to discuss monsters! The trio dig into the origins of movie monsters, starting with the very first appearances of Frankenstein’s Monster on screen. We then debate a deceptively simple question: what is a monster? Does it have to have claws, fangs, or scales? Then we cover the Universal Monsters, examining how these iconic creatures reflected cultural fears of science, morality, and the unknown and how television helped turn them into lasting pop-culture legends. For more info about the Fan2Fan Podcast,...
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Film Reviews: At the Movies to the Algorithm
Fan2Fan Podcast - A Conversation Between Fans About Movies, Comics, TV, Video Games, Toys, Cartoons, And All Things Pop Culture
In this episode of the Fan2Fan Podcast, Bernie and Pete are joined by Emmy Award–winner Joshua Pruett to discuss film reviews. They go over the evolution of film criticism from newspaper reviews to the cultural influence of Siskel & Ebert to modern commentary shaped by social media and apps like Letterboxd. They explore why context, experience, and critical perspective still matter when evaluating films in the era of the algorithm. For more info about the Fan2Fan Podcast, visit
info_outlineIn this episode of the Fan2Fan Podcast, hosts Bernie and Pete are joined by journalist and movie critic Noel Manning for an in-depth conversation on film criticism, film education, and the evolving role of critics in today’s media landscape.
Noel discusses his approach to film criticism, how teaching film shapes the way movies are analyzed and appreciated. He talks about introducing his students to regional and independent cinema including the films of Earl Owensby. They also explore how critics can help contextualize film reviews for audiences.
For more info about the Fan2Fan Podcast, visit https://fan2fan.libsyn.com