Mindframes
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026) Directed by: Destin Daniel Cretton Written by: Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers (based on the Marvel comic by Stan Lee & Steve Ditko) Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Sadie Sink, Jacob Batalon, Jon Bernthal, Michael Mando, Mark Ruffalo, Liza Colón-Zayas, Florence Pugh IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22084616/ Episode Summary In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave discuss Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), a soft-reboot superhero film that finds Peter Parker fighting crime full-time in a New York that no longer remembers he exists. The discussion...
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The Odyssey (2026) Directed by: Christopher Nolan Written by: Christopher Nolan Starring: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Elliot Page, John Leguizamo, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, Himesh Patel, Mia Goth, Bill Irwin, Travis Scott IMDB: [IMDB LINK] Episode Summary In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave discuss The Odyssey (2026), Christopher Nolan's three-hour adaptation of Homer — a $250 million epic and the first narrative feature shot entirely on IMAX 70mm. The discussion covers Nolan as an auteur...
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Mindframes Show Notes Episode 121 — Disclosure Day (2026) Directed by: Steven Spielberg Written by: David Koepp Starring: Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, Eve Hewson, Wyatt Russell IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15047880/ Special guest: Tarek Fayoumi (movieswithtarek.com), director of the Chicago Independent Film Critics. Episode Summary In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave — joined by returning guest Tarek Fayoumi — discuss Disclosure Day (2026), Steven Spielberg's return to the alien genre and his first big sci-fi swing since War of the Worlds....
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Mindframes Show Notes Obsession (2026) Directed by: Curry Barker Written by: Curry Barker Starring: Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy Richter IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37287335/ Episode Summary In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave dig into Obsession (2026), Curry Barker's micro-budget feature debut that turned into one of the biggest horror phenomenons in years — a $750K film bought for $15 million out of TIFF that went on to gross well over $148 million worldwide, growing at the box office in consecutive weekends rather than...
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Backrooms (2026) Directed by: Kane Parsons Written by: Will Sudick Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita Maxwell IMDB: Episode Summary In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave discuss Backrooms (2026), an A24 horror film directed by 20-year-old YouTube filmmaker and wunderkind Kane Parsons — believed to be the youngest person to ever direct a widely released feature film. The discussion covers the film's expansion of the internet liminal space phenomenon into a feature-length narrative, its Tarkovsky-esque atmosphere, and the remarkable work...
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Mindframes Show Notes I Love Boosters (2026) — Episode 118 Directed by: Boots Riley Written by: Boots Riley Starring: Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, Demi Moore Cinematography: Natasha Braier Costume Design: Shirley Kurata Score: Tune-Yards Distributor: Neon IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30827810/ Episode Summary In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave discuss I Love Boosters (2026) — the sophomore feature from writer-director Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You). And they didn't just watch...
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🎬 Mindframes Show Notes Hokum (2026) Directed by: Damian McCarthy Written by: Damian McCarthy Starring: Adam Scott IMDB: Episode Summary In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave discuss Hokum (2026), a slow-burn Irish folk horror film from Damian McCarthy centered on a cynical horror writer who travels to a haunted inn to scatter his parents’ ashes—only to uncover hidden violence, buried grief, and a terrifying supernatural presence lurking within the hotel. The discussion explores the film’s atmospheric craftsmanship, old-school suspense techniques, creature design, and...
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Mindframes Show Notes Normal (2026) Directed by: Ben Wheatley Written by: Derek Kolstad Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Lena Headey, Henry Winkler IMDB: Episode Summary In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave break down Normal (2026), a genre-blending action thriller from Ben Wheatley starring Bob Odenkirk as a temporary small-town sheriff uncovering a hidden criminal system beneath a seemingly quiet Minnesota town. The discussion explores the film’s strengths—particularly its sharp, inventive action sequences—while wrestling with its weaker character development and underdeveloped...
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The Drama (2026) Directed by: Christopher Borgli Starring: Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim, Mamadou Athie Episode: 115 🎬 Episode Summary In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave explore The Drama (2026), a psychologically charged romantic drama directed by Christopher Borgli. The film follows an engaged couple whose relationship is destabilized during a wedding tasting dinner when a seemingly harmless party game—confessing the worst thing you've ever done—reveals a deeply disturbing secret. What begins as an offbeat romantic setup quickly spirals into a tense moral...
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Mindframes Show Notes: Sirat (2025) Film Credits Title: Sirat Director: Olivier Laxe Country: Spain / Morocco Starring: Non-professional cast Festival Run: Fantastic Fest, Cannes recognition (director) IMDb: (Add link once available) Episode Summary In this episode of Mindframes, Michael and Dave explore Sirat, a visually striking and spiritually immersive journey through the Moroccan desert. Following a father and son searching for a missing daughter, the film evolves from a grounded quest into something far more abstract and existential. The hosts unpack how the film uses rave culture,...
info_outlineEpisode 110 — Send Help
Film Credits
Title: Send Help
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien, Dennis Haysbert, Chris Pang
Genre: Survival Thriller / Dark Comedy / Psychological Horror
Episode Summary
In this episode, Michael and David examine Sam Raimi’s Send Help, a survival thriller about two corporate survivors stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. What begins as a struggle for survival turns into a psychological battle for power, identity, and control. The discussion focuses heavily on Linda’s transformation — whether the island reveals her true nature or corrupts her — and what the film suggests about power, resentment, and human nature.
Three-Sentence Thematic Core
Send Help explores what happens when social hierarchies collapse and survival becomes the only currency. The film questions whether power corrupts or merely reveals what was already present within a person. Linda’s journey suggests a darker possibility: that the oppressed may replicate the very systems that once diminished them.
Main Discussion
Topic 1 — Linda’s Transformation
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Starts as overlooked, competent, underappreciated worker
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Gains survival power → shifts into control and manipulation
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Film asks: Was this always Linda, or did the island create her?
Topic 2 — Power and Reversal
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Corporate hierarchy collapses on the island
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Linda becomes capable / Bradley becomes helpless
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Echoes Triangle of Sadness: oppressed gaining power
Topic 3 — Cynicism vs Revelation
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Linda mirrors the cruelty she once suffered
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The film may betray the “underdog triumph” trope
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Ending suggests survival ≠ moral growth
Topic 4 — Raimi Style and Tone
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Mix of dark humor, physical horror, and thriller tension
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Use of Raimi-cam and kinetic physicality
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Balance between comedy, brutality, and psychological tension
Topic 5 — Thin Plot, Strong Character Core
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Narrative is minimal: two people, one island, shifting dominance
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Rachel McAdams’ performance carries emotional and thematic weight
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Film remains engaging through physical tension and character conflict
Episode Ratings
David: 4 / 5
Michael: 3 / 5
Strengths:
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Performance (McAdams)
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Physical humor and tension
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Raimi stylistic energy
Weaknesses:
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Thin premise
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Murky ending
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Uneven CGI realism
Closing / Contact
Mindframes Film Podcast
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