Goofin’ with some Goofs

Michael joins Jason Lacy and Lucas Rose for an episode of their podcast “What the Fluxtaposed, a slice of life podcast with a healthy portion of video games and infantile humor. Check your ears, we got a live one here.

Talking TV Trickle-down

Michael and Director/Film Professor Joshua Courtade discuss their movie viewing and focus on TV’s history and impact on American society as both a diagnostic tool and shaping device for culture.

Reminiscing on the Video Rental Store

Michael and Jared Nedza discuss and share their experiences working for a video rental store at the end of its life cycle as well as catch up on the past year of movie watching.

Now I have a couple more podcasts already lined up so you can expect regular podcast episodes on Fridays again and, if we start getting enough feedback again, you’ll see those bonus community response episodes as well.

How WHO we watch a film with affects us?

In this first ep of a 10 Episode Season, Michael and Chris Yiesla (editor) discuss their experiences watching films alone this past year and contrasting it with watching movies in a group setting. How do those we watch a film with affect our opinions and experiences of the movies.

Our Question of the week is “WHAT DID MOVIES MEAN TO YOU IN 2020?”

The number to call to leave your submission for next week is...

‪(616) 287-0275‬

More Than Just Movie Talk

I watched the Netflix Documentary “The Social Dilemma” after getting an EXTREMELY strong recommendation from a friend and long time creative collaborator, Todd Lewis, a filmmaker and mainstay actor of the Grand Rapids theater scene.

Of course, as usual, I wanted to discuss the movie with him so that conversation is our feature this week.

Re-discussing Art, Censorship, Authorial Intent, and Personal Conviction

Michael and Shirley discuss both the film “Cuties” (now available on Netflix) and the controversy surrounding it due to its subject matter and content which focuses on an 11 year old girl coming of age in a contradictory and bifurcated world.

Whether you can donate $5 or $500, Wealthy Theatre needs your help. Donate today:

- wealthytheatre.org/donate

Michael and Seth Catch Up on Movies

Now that the summer is over, I’m ready to jump back into my movie writing and podcasting.

So, when Seth and I saw each other last week and basically couldn’t stop nerding out over movies, I knew that catching up with him was the RETURN of the PODCAST episode I had been searching for.

The number to call to leave your submission for next week’s show is...

‪(616) 287-0275‬

This BONUS Episode features a Call with Chris Yiesla about Jesus Films.

The number to call to leave your submission for next week is...

‪(616) 287-0275‬

A Discussion with Ralph Winter

Michael and Seth sit down (virtually) with Ralph Winter, Hollywood Producer of movies such as “Hocus Pocus,” “Hackers,” various entries into the “Star Trek” and “X-Men” Franchises, as well as, more recently, the film “The Promise.”

A Milestone

Michael fields your calls and questions as well as contemplating the National Tragedies currently occurring in our longest and most heartfelt episode yet.

Article on Story, Soul, and Spectacle

The number to call to leave your submission for next week is...

‪(616) 287-0275‬

Beauty and Truth

This week, Josh Courtade reminiscences about Celebration Cinema Woodland in Grand Rapids and Michael and Chris Yiesla discuss the film “Never Look Away.”

The number to call to leave your submission for next week is...

‪(616) 287-0275‬

Keeping the Magic Alive

Amongst other things, Michael and guest callers discuss the movies that still keep the magic alive years after a childhood viewing. Our conversation may start with kids movies but it doesn’t stay there wandering through Werner Herzog’s filmography, and revisiting “The Farewell.”

The number to call to leave your submission for next week is...

‪(616) 287-0275‬

Michael’s COVID Pivot

Michael discusses a new plan for the Podcast in this time of quarantine.

The number to call to leave your submission for next week is...

‪(616) 287-0275‬

Discussing a Childhood Favorite

A pre-recorded podcast with Virginia Anzengruber, Michael, Seth and she discuss “The Swiss Family Robinson” classic Disney children’s adventure movie, a favorite of two members of the roundtable discussion. The other member, not so much. Also, I’ll share some thoughts and ideas about movies, media, and community in this time of Quarantine2020.

Discussing Three Adaptations of Jane Austin’s Novel

Michael and his wife Katie discuss Quarantine2020 and their binge of “Emma” adaptations.

Discussing the Best Director Winner’s Ouvre

Michael, Seth, and Karl discuss Bong Joon-ho’s movies, style, themes, where you can find his films, and their all around admiration of his work as a director.

March Release Highlights from Wealthy Theater, Grand Rapids

Michael and Sarah Nawrocki, from Wealthy Theater, discuss the venues March and Early April Cinema Line-up.

Producing in LA and Stories of Faith

Michael and Seth sit down with Mark Clayman, Career Services Director at Compass College, the film school from which they graduated. They discuss Mark’s journey’s in the film industry, becoming a Christian, and his role in the making of “The Pursuit of Happyness.”

Discussing Spiritual Films with Virginia Anzengruber

This week, Michael and Seth will be discussing the Tarsem Singh movie, “The Fall,” with Virgina Anzengruber of the Listening at the Fire and Super Hungry Podcasts.

Sundance and Clemency

Eric Kuiper, from Celebration shares his Sundance experience and Highlights with Michael & Seth as well as discusses “Clemency,” the Alfre Woodard film that they will be leading a discussion of after True Myth Media’s Monthly Indie Movie Club Screening.

Discussing Alfred Hitchcock

Michael and Seth welcome TMM reviewer Karl Nagurski to the show in order to dive deep into their experiences with Hitchcock’s films as they grew up and as they continue exploring his works, even today. 

Screening and Events Around Town

Michael and Seth sit down with Three Programmers from the Grand Rapids, MI area to discuss the movie screenings and events going on around town.

Discussing The Safdie Brothers and Adam Sandler

Michael and Seth sit down to discuss Rise of Skywalker and Uncut Gems, two films currently in theaters, as well as some of the films they sat down for over the holidays.

Discussing J.J. Abram’s latest attempt at a Star Wars film.

Michael and guest, Joshua Courtade, Directing and Screenwriting Professor at Compass College of Cinematic Arts, sit down to discuss JJ Abram’s finish to the 3rd Star Wars Trilogy and addition to the Star Wars Canon, whatever that means anymore. 

Indie Film Series Group Discussion

Michael and Seth lead a discussion of Nadav Lapid’s film “Synonyms” with a group of audience members after a screening of the film at Celebration Cinema Woodland in Grand Rapids, MI.

Discussing the Golden Globe Nominations and Our Favorite Holiday Films

Michael and Seth sit down to discuss the Golden Globe Nominations for the 2020 Award and also share their favorite versions of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol.

The Indie Film Series & Conversation with Pastor Aaron Knapp

Michael and Seth sit down with Eric Kuiper to hear about the movies coming to Celebration Cinema this December. Michael sits down with Pastor and Brother in Law, Aaron Knapp to discuss their hearts for Christians to engage with film.

Discussing Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman”

Michael, Seth, and Karl held a Friends-giving Screening of “The Irishman” over the holiday weekend and wanted to share their thoughts on the film with everyone.

Picking our Top 5s and discussing “Pain and Glory”

Michael and Seth prepare a top 5 films of 2019 list that will most likely get picked apart over awards season. They also lead a discussion group after a screening of Pedro Almodovar’s “Pain and Glory.”