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...
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Episode 95 - The Life of Chuck
Mindframe(s)
Episode 95: The Life of Chuck 🔗 Cast & Crew: Director: Mike Flanagan Writer: Mike Flanagan (based on the short story by Stephen King) Cast: Tom Hiddleston as Chuck Mark Hamill Chiwetel Ejiofor Karen Gillan Jacob Tremblay Matthew Lillard Harvey Guillén David Dastmalchian Mia Sara Q'orianka Kilcher Trinity Jo-Li Bliss Benjamin Pajak Show Timestamps 00:00:15 – Michael introduces the film The Life of Chuck, its limited theatrical release, and welcomes special guest Ian Simmons of Kicking the Seat. 00:02:15 – The hosts briefly reflect on Mike...
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Episode 94: Friendship
Mindframe(s)
🎙️ Mindframes Episode 94: Friendship (2025) Theme: Male friendship, awkwardness, modern masculinity, repression Hosts: Dave Canfield & Michael Cockerill 🎬 Cast & Crew Director: Andrew DeYoung Writer: Andrew DeYoung Cinematographer: Andy Rydzewski Executive Producer: Paul Rudd Cast: Tim Robinson as Craig Waterman – a painfully awkward suburban dad with delusions of friendship. Paul Rudd as Austin – a charming local weatherman with a hidden insecurities. Kate Mara as Craig’s wife – emotionally exhausted, but nuanced and grounded. Austin’s Bro Squad – unnamed...
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Episode 93: Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning
Mindframe(s)
🎙️ Mindframe(s) Podcast – Episode 93 Mission: Impossible: Final Reckoning (and Franchise Retrospective) 🎬 Film Details Title: Mission: Impossible – Final Reckoning Director: Christopher McQuarrie Writers: Christopher McQuarrie, Erik Jendresen Main Cast: Tom Cruise – Ethan Hunt Hayley Atwell – Grace Esai Morales – Gabriel Ving Rhames – Luther Stickell Simon Pegg – Benji Dunn Rebecca Ferguson – Ilsa Faust Pom Klementieff – Paris ⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights 00:15 – Intro Michael and Dave kick off with their usual charm,...
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Episode 92: Sinners
Mindframe(s)
Absolutely! Here’s the same set of show notes with chapter timestamps added to guide listeners through the episode: 🎙️ Mindframes – Episode 92 “Sinners (2025): Vampires, Blues, and the Power of Community” In this episode, Michael and Dave dive deep into Sinners, the bold, original horror-drama from director Ryan Coogler. Featuring Michael B. Jordan in a dual role and a breakout performance by Miles Katon, Sinners blends genre thrills with potent social commentary, historical resonance, and musical mysticism. 🧛♂️ Topics We Cover: 00:00 – Intro & Background ...
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Episode 89: Mickey 17
Mindframe(s)
🎙️ Mindframes Episode 89: Mickey 17 "Clone Wars, Class Wars, and Saucy Politics in Space" In this episode, Dave Canfield and Michael Cockerill dive into Mickey 17, Bong Joon-ho’s long-anticipated follow-up to Parasite. Set on a frozen alien planet, this satirical sci-fi tale stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes, a worker cloned repeatedly for hazardous missions — until one version survives and meets his successor. 🎬 What We Cover: The Bong Joon-ho Cinematic Universe From Snowpiercer to Parasite to Barking Dogs Never Bite, how Bong’s signature blend of class critique, dark...
info_outlineSure! Based on the transcript from Mindframes Episode 90 – "Death of a Unicorn", here are listener-friendly notes:
Episode 90: Death of a Unicorn
A Mindframes Film Conversation
Guests:
- 🎙️ Tarek Fayoumi (Chicago film critic)
🎬 Basic Info
- Film: Death of a Unicorn
- Director: Alex Scharfman (Directorial debut)
- Genre: Black comedy with horror elements
- Cast Highlights:
- Paul Rudd as Elliot
- Jenna Ortega as Ridley
- Richard E. Grant as Odell
- Will Poulter as Shepard
- Téa Leoni as Odell's wife
- Anthony Carrigan as Griff
- Jessica Hynes as Shaw
- Premiere: South by Southwest (SXSW)
- Wide Release: This weekend (as of episode release)
🎭 Key Themes
- Satire of the ultra-wealthy
- Performative altruism
- Corporate greed (nods to pharma industry)
- Unicorns as metaphors — not for children!
- Mashup of genre: horror + black comedy
- Comparisons to Companion, Triangle of Sadness, and Black Sheep
⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights
| Timestamp | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 | Episode intro + guest Tarek Fayoumi joins |
| 00:50 | Overview of Death of a Unicorn & director Alex Scharfman |
| 02:50 | Early reactions and quirky tone of the film |
| 05:30 | Non-spoiler plot summary – unicorns, gore, and satire |
| 06:57 | Expanded plot: Paul Rudd’s character hits a unicorn en route to a CEO’s wilderness estate |
| 08:00 | Gore, vengeance, and absurdist turns |
| 09:00 | Neil deGrasse Tyson jokes and tonal weirdness |
| 09:20 | Cast discussion begins – Paul Rudd staying in his comedic “box” |
| 11:00 | Jenna Ortega’s horror film streak & flexibility as an actress |
| 13:00 | Will Poulter as a “punchable privileged” character with great comic timing |
| 19:00 | Téa Leoni praised for subtlety and satire – comparisons to Toni Collette |
| 21:00 | Recognition of supporting cast: Anthony Carrigan, Jessica Hynes, and Katherine Erbe |
| 26:00 | Commentary on satire and class critique |
| 27:00 | Cinematography discussion – possible nature doc inspiration |
| 28:30 | Importance of unicorn visuals – practical + CGI blend |
| 32:00 | Film was shot in Slovenia, animation outsourced – budget-conscious production |
| 36:00 | Cost-saving decisions and strategic casting choices |
| 38:00 | Discussion on shifting movie release windows and streaming vs theatrical landscape |
| 39:30 | Joke about popcorn buckets and box office trends |
| 42:00 | Reviews begin – Mike praises the genre blend and Will Poulter's performance |
| 43:30 | Dave praises the gore, creature effects, and genre fusion |
| 46:00 | Final verdict: 3 out of 4 unicorn horns from both hosts |
| 47:00 | Not for kids – don’t let the unicorns fool you! |
| 48:00 | Movie lacks a love story – passes a rare “MacDell test” |
Let me know if you’d like this formatted for a website or podcast show notes page — I can do that too!