Episode 105 - Bugonia
Mindframe(s)
Bugonia Directed by: Yorgos Lanthimos Written by: Will Tracy and Jang Joon-hwan Starring: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aiden Delvis, Alicia Silverstone, Stavros Halkias Cinematography: Not specified (shot on VistaVision, 35mm, Willcam equipment) Release: 2025 IMDB: 🎧 Episode Summary In this episode, Dave and Michael dive deep into Bugonia, the latest satirical and enigmatic offering from Yorgos Lanthimos. With a plot centering on two conspiracy-minded men who kidnap a powerful CEO they believe to be an alien, the hosts explore Lanthimos' signature blend of absurdism, social critique,...
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Episode 104: Frankenstein (2025)
Mindframe(s)
Mindframes Podcast: Frankenstein (2025) Directed by: Guillermo del Toro Written by: Guillermo del Toro, based on the novel by Mary Shelley Starring: Oscar Isaac (Victor Frankenstein), Jacob Elordi (The Creature), Christoph Waltz (Von Klemper), Mia Goth (Elizabeth/Claire Frankenstein), Charles Dance, Ralph Ineson, and David Bradley Cinematography: Dan Laustsen Release: 2025 (Netflix) IMDB: 🎧 Episode Summary Dave and Michael explore Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited adaptation of Frankenstein — a film that blends gothic horror, Catholic melodrama, and emotional fantasy. They...
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Epsiode 103: Anemone
Mindframe(s)
Episode 103: Anemone 🎬 Principal Cast & Crew Director: Ronan Day-Lewis (feature debut) Writers: Ronan Day-Lewis & Daniel Day-Lewis Cinematography: Ben Fordsman Main Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis as Ray Sean Bean as Jem Samantha Morton as Nessa Stoker Samuel Bottomley as Brian Stoker Safiya Oakley-Green as Hattie 🕰️ Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Intro & Overview Michael and Dave introduce Anemone, a moody psychological drama and feature debut by Ronan Day-Lewis, starring his father Daniel Day-Lewis. They tease the film’s atmospheric visuals, layered...
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Episode 102: One Battle After Another
Mindframe(s)
Cast & Crew Director: Paul Thomas Anderson Cinematographer: Michael Bauman Composer: Jonny Greenwood Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob Ferguson Chase Infinity as Willa Ferguson Sean Penn as Colonel Lockjaw Benicio Del Toro as Sensei Luis Regina Hall as Mother Helena Episode 102: One Battle After Another Film Discussed: One Battle After Another (Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson) Hosts: Michael Cockerill & Dave Canfield Runtime: ~3 hours Theme: Resistance, legacy, generational change ⏱ Timestamps & Major Segments: 00:00–02:30 – 🎙 Intro & Film Overview Michael and...
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Episode 101: The Long Walk
Mindframe(s)
Fifty boys start walking, three warnings get you shot, and somehow we are the ones out of breath. In this week’s Mindframes, Michael and Dave march into The Long Walk—where Cooper Hoffman broods, David Jonsson keeps the heart beating, and Mark Hamill cosplays as your least favorite PE teacher. Along the way we debate whether dystopias should come with better snacks, why America’s obsessed with televised misery, and if ★★★/5 means we survived… or just need new shoes. Basic Facts Role Name Director Francis Lawrence () Screenwriter JT Mollner () Producers Francis...
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Episode 100: The Roses
Mindframe(s)
The Roses is a 2025 satirical dark comedy–drama directed by Jay Roach (Austin Powers, Meet the Parents, Bombshell) and written by Tony McNamara (The Favourite, The Great). It is a modern reimagining of The War of the Roses, based on Warren Adler’s 1981 novel and the 1989 film adaptation. ✨ Cast Olivia Colman as Ivy Rose — a restaurateur whose career blossoms. Benedict Cumberbatch as Theo Rose — an architect whose career falters. Supporting cast: Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, Allison Janney, Sunita Mani, Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Demetriou, and Zoë Chao. 🕒 Timestamps...
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Episode 99 - Weapons
Mindframe(s)
🎧 Episode 99: Weapons – Horror, Mystery, and Institutions in Crisis In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave welcome special guest Tim Peebles—theologian, pastor, martial artist, and long-time film aficionado—for a deep dive into Zach Cregger’s new film Weapons. Cregger, known for Barbarian (2022), returns with a multi-layered, genre-bending thriller where a small town unravels after its children mysteriously disappear into the night. With a Rashomon-style narrative, striking cinematography from Larkin Seiple (Everything Everywhere All at Once), and a cast led by Josh Brolin,...
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Episode 98: Eddington
Mindframe(s)
Film Overview Title: Eddington (2025) by Ari Aster Setting: Small-town New Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic Premise: Tension and division between a local sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and the town's mayor (Pedro Pascal), reflecting broader cultural and social fractures in America. Themes: Polarization, the influence of social media, performative activism, the corporatization of crisis, and the psychological weight of 2020. Cast & Performances Joaquin Phoenix (Sheriff Joe Cross): Widely praised for his layered, committed performance. Considered perfect for the role. Pedro...
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Episode 97 - 28 Years Later
Mindframe(s)
After some bad uploads and delays, for what is seems like 28 years after the release, Michael and Dave finally delve into the thematic and tonal complexity of 28 Years Later, a film they describe as both rich in ideas and somewhat disjointed. They focus on death, coming of age, and humanity in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by the infected. 🎬 Cast and Crew – 28 Years Later Director: Danny Boyle – Returns to direct this sequel after helming 28 Days Later (2002), marking a major reunion with the original creative team. Writer: Alex Garland – Screenwriter of 28 Days Later...
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Episode 96: The Phoenician Scheme
Mindframe(s)
Episode 96 – The Phoenician Scheme (Mindframes Podcast) Michael Cockerill and Dave Canfield discuss Wes Anderson's latest film, The Phoenician Scheme. The movie stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Cera, Riz Ahmed, Meena Truppleton, and other regulars from Anderson’s filmography. The story centers around Zaza Corda, a wealthy businessman played by Benicio del Toro, who makes the surprising decision to name his daughter—a nun—as his heir. He simultaneously launches a massive infrastructure project in the fictional country of Phoenicia (or Western Phoenicia), encountering opposition from...
info_outlineMindframes: The Presence – A Steven Soderbergh Experiment
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave are joined by special guest Tarek Fayoumi (MoviesWithTarek.com, Chicago Indie Critics) to dissect Steven Soderbergh's new film, The Presence. They explore its unique point-of-view cinematography, thematic connections to isolation in modern horror, and its place within Soderbergh's diverse filmography. The trio also debates the film’s strengths, weaknesses, and whether it truly earns its ghost story label.
🔖 Topics & Timestamps:
⏳ 00:00:14 – Welcome & Introductions
- Michael & Dave introduce the show and their guest, Tarek Fayoumi.
- Tarek shares insights from his work as a film critic.
⏳ 00:01:57 – Overview of The Presence
- Introduction to The Presence, a ghost story with a unique POV perspective.
- Soderbergh's cinematography choices and how they affect immersion.
⏳ 00:03:06 – Tarek’s Experience with Soderbergh
- How Soderbergh creates realism in his films.
- Discussion of his past work, including Contagion and the Ocean’s films.
⏳ 00:04:51 – What Makes The Presence Unique?
- The film’s VR-like cinematography and immersive ghostly POV.
- How the film builds tension without traditional horror tropes.
⏳ 00:05:22 – Ghost Story Influences
- Comparing The Presence to films like The Others, The Sixth Sense, and The Haunting.
- How it differs from found footage and traditional ghost stories.
⏳ 00:08:00 – David Koepp’s Writing & The Ending Debate
- Discussion of screenwriter David Koepp’s contributions (Jurassic Park, Stir of Echoes).
- Does the film’s ending work? Michael & Dave share mixed feelings.
⏳ 00:15:28 – Soderbergh’s Diverse Career: Any Common Threads?
- Oceans 11, Erin Brockovich, Solaris, and Sex, Lies, and Videotape – what connects them?
- Soderbergh’s recurring themes of surveillance, observation, and isolation.
⏳ 00:22:54 – Official Synopsis & Final Thoughts
- A family moves into a suburban home and suspects they are not alone…
- The Presence as an atmospheric rather than traditional horror.
⏳ 00:24:43 – Reviews & Star Ratings
- Dave: Compelling but imperfect; worth rewatching.
- Michael: A solid 3/5 stars – eerie but flawed.
- Tarek: 3/4 stars – an experimental approach that mostly works.
⏳ 00:30:23 – Spoiler Discussion: What is The Presence Really About?
- The film’s twist ending and character revelations.
- Comparing the film’s isolation themes to The Babadook, Hereditary, and Smile.
⏳ 00:41:50 – Isolation in Horror Films (Post-2010)
- The rise of horror exploring loneliness, grief, and societal detachment.
- Films like Midsommar, Talk to Me, Alone With You, and I Saw the TV Glow.
⏳ 00:52:04 – Final Thoughts on the Family Dynamics
- Lucy Liu as the mom – how does she fit into this role?
- The dad as a "perfect but helpless" figure.
🔗 Follow Us:
- 🌐 https://www.facebook.com/mindframesMovies
- 🌐 www.mindframesfilm.com
- 🎥 Guest: Tarek Fayoumi – MoviesWithTarek.com