Before Joey Moser spoke with the visual effects supervisor of Stranger Things, he had no idea that Paul Graff and his team have yet to win an Emmy for their work on the sci-fi/horror series. When you think of all of the supernatural things that go down in Hawkins, it’s staggering that they haven’t been recognized for their creepy, crawly creations. Hopefully that will change for their work on Stranger Things 3.

There is something slimy and sticky in the bowels of Hawkins. A monster inhabits Dacre Montgomery’s Billy, and it’s making rats explode all over town. Graff had to give the monster a weight to it and he was invested in how it moves and left residue everywhere it went. He also talked about how there are visual effects all through the show that we don’t expect them to be visual effects. Susie, do you copy?

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy our conversation with Paul Graff, visual effects supervisor for Netflix’s Stranger Things. Make sure you subscribe to the Water Cooler Podcast if you don’t already. As we head into the heart of the 2020 Emmy season, we’ll be featuring more interviews with high-profile Emmy contenders.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

 

Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

This week, the Water Cooler gang surveys the offerings on HBO Max. The HBO streaming service offeres new content including Anna Kendrick’s Love Life.

The three M’s are back together again to discuss HBO Max. HBO’s new streaming service is most notable for bringing Friends back to the streaming world in addition to the other bevy of HBO historic content. It also offers some new series including Anna Kendrick’s Love Life and the drag competition show Legendary. But do these series plus Succession, Game of Thrones, and other content native to HBO justify another streaming service. We review the new series, including Love Life, and see what Emmy prospects exist for HBO Max. Is Anna Kendrick a dark horse for an Emmy nomination for Comedy Actress? We also talk about how HBO Max can remain competitive in the abundant streaming world.

But first, we continue the weekly Corona(virus) Corner. As always, we share what we’ve been watching since we’ve been sheltering at home.

We close our podcast, as always, with the Flash Forward to the media we’re most anticipating in the upcoming week.

Thanks for listening and thank you, in advance, for subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcasts!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

 

Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

The Water Cooler Gang continues their Most Iconic Directors series with a look at Pedro Almodóvar’s Oscar-winning All About My Mother.

This week, we’ve approached a milestone in our Most Iconic Directors series with The Almodóvar Series. This is, of course, our monthly look at the films and legacy of Spain’s Pedro Almodóvar. May’s title is his 1999 Oscar-winning drama All About My Mother. The film brought Almodóvar his first Oscar after over a decade of success in his native Spain. All About My Mother stars Cecelia Roth (Labyrinth of Passion) as a mother embarking on a healing journey after her teenage son dies suddenly. The film marks one of Almodóvar’s biggest critical and box office successes up to that point. It is beloved for its empathy and deep compassion for its characters which run the gamut from actresses, prostitutes, transgendered women, and of course mothers. We talk about the brilliance of the film and its resonant themes with AwardsWatch‘s Erik Anderson.

Next month’s entry (June 28) will be Almodóvar’s first Oscar-winner for Best Screenplay Talk to Her with special guest Brian Susbielles.

But first, we continue our weekly therapy session, Corona(virus) Corner. Here, as always, we share what we’ve been watching since we’ve been sheltering at home.

We close our podcast, as always, with the Flash Forward to the media we’re most anticipating in the upcoming week.

Thanks for listening and thank you, in advance, for subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcasts!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

 

Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

The Water Cooler Gang welcomes Kevin Dillon to chat about 3 premieres, including TNT’s Snowpiercer adaptation.

With Clarence off this week, Megan and Joey are joined by fellow ADTV contributor, Kevin Dillon, to talk about this weekend’s big premieres. Bong Joon-Ho’s 2013 Snowpiercer has been adapted (sans American’s ass) by TNT for a long-form series. Does it capture the same intensity of the original film? How are Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs? Will we throw this mamma from the train after our initial viewing?

Sam Esmail’s Homecoming was underrepresented in last season’s Emmy race (it only nabbed cinematography), but how does this second outing fare? This could be a huge turn for star Janelle Monae, but is the story as captivating without Julia Roberts?

Lastly, we talk about the Issa Rae-Kumail Nanjiani Netflix comedy, The Lovebirds. Originally scheduled for an early April release, the film transferred to the streaming service after…you know. Megan, Joey, and Kevin are all big Rae fans, so we talk about the chemistry between the two leads.

Next week we will return with the latest entry in our Almodovar Series by welcoming AwardsWatch’s Erik Anderson will join us to discuss All About My Mother. You can rent the film over at Amazon.

We close our podcast, as always, with the Flash Forward to the media we’re most anticipating in the upcoming week.

Thanks for listening and thank you, in advance, for subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcasts!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

 

Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

 

The Water Cooler Gang again welcomes Jordan Walker to discuss some recent mildly controversial Emmy predictions. Plus, we review the Kimmy Schmidt movie!

This week, TV Talk With JWalk’s Jordan Walker returns to the Water Cooler to dish some recent Emmy predictions. The Emmy season is still early, so many of these predictions are typically left field. Everyone wants to be the one to grab that early Fleabag-level surprise prediction, true. But sometimes, early predictions steer Emmy watchers in very wrong directions. In our opinion, of course. We talk about one set of early Emmy predictions with Jordan and start breaking down the 2020 Emmy race. We also review Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy Versus the Reverend. Does this interactive special fare better than Black Mirror? Can it save the format?

But first, we return to Corona(virus) Corner to discuss the latest television and movies we’ve seen during the quarantine. We also talk about the series finale to Viola Davis’s How To Get Away With Murder.

Remember to join us next week for the latest entry in our Almodovar Series. AwardsWatch’s Erik Anderson will join us to discuss All About My Mother.

Remember to join in two weeks for the latest entry in our Almodovar Series. AwardsWatch’s Erik Anderson will join us to discuss All About My Mother.

Thanks for listening and thank you, in advance, for subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcasts!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

 

Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Archie Panjabi, the co-star of I Know This Much Is True and Run, talks to Awards Daily about stepping into such diverse roles.

One of the many highlights of HBO’s new limited series I Know This Much Is True is co-star Archie Panjabi. Playing therapist Dr. Patel, Panjabi shares most of her scenes with star Mark Ruffalo as Dominick, one of two twin brothers struggling to overcome a difficult childhood and a legacy of toxic men. Panjabi’s Patel challenges Dominick to confront his inner demons and attend to himself as strenuously as he does his twin brother Thomas.

Panjabi’s performance as Dr. Patel makes her a challenger in this year’s Emmy conversation, but Panjabi isn’t a stranger to the Emmy race. She already has three nominations, winning her first time out for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for The Good Wife. It was a surreal experience that changed the world’s outlook on Archie Panjabi.

“It was very exciting and so unexpected. I often tell the story of how when I walked down the red carpet, no one knew who I was and no one wanted to take my picture,” Panjabi laughs. “It was such a dream to be invited to the Emmys and then suddenly to just go completely unnoticed. I was convinced that was a sign that I hadn’t a hope in hell of winning, so when I won it was a wonderful surprise.”

Perhaps it’s a dream that she’ll get to relive with her two major projects this season. In addition to I Know This Much Is True, Panjabi will contend in HBO’s comedy series Run. There, she plays completely against her role as Dr. Patel. In Run, she plays Fiona, long-time assistant to Billy (Domhnall Gleeson). Her role shows a playfully unhinged and devious side of Panjabi, and she’ll contend in the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series race.

Here, Archie Panjabi talks to me about both performances and the differences between the two characters. She talks about her experience working with director Derek Cianfrance on his actor-friendly set for I Know This Much Is True and jumping into a highly dramatic scene on Day 1 of the shoot. She also talks about Dr. Patel’s motivations and tactics working with the troubled Dominick. She then closes by describing the great fun she had working on Run.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy our conversation with Archie Panjabi, co-star of HBO’s limited series I Know This Much Is True and comedy series Run, which both continue Sunday night. Make sure you subscribe to the Water Cooler Podcast if you don’t already. As we head into the heart of the 2020 Emmy season, we’ll be featuring more interviews with high-profile Emmy contenders. That includes many cast members from I Know This Much Is True.

So stay safe and enjoy this Water Cooler Podcast exclusive!

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

 

Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

In a special Emmy edition of the Water Cooler Podcast, Clarence talks to Derek Cianfrance, the director of HBO’s acclaimed limited series I Know This Much Is True, starring Mark Ruffalo.

Welcome to another Emmy contender edition of the Water Cooler Podcast! Today, we bring you Clarence’s interview with acclaimed director Derek Cianfrance. Derek broke out in a big way with 2010’s indie smash Blue Valentine which starred Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. Following that, he continues to pursue emotionally raw and challenging projects. Projects that aren’t afraid to highlight the darker side of the human experience.

His latest work continues in that tradition. Based on the celebrated novel by Wally Lamb, HBO’s I Know This Much Is True stars Mark Ruffalo, Rosie O’Donnell, and more. Ruffalo plays twin brothers Dominick and Thomas struggling in their own ways to cope with a difficult family legacy. Derek produces and directs all six episodes from his own screenplay. The limited series perfectly captures the spirit of the novel along with a career-best performance from Ruffalo.

Here, Derek talks to Clarence about what attracted him to the project and how it allowed him to explore personal tragedy through his art. He talks about guiding his actors through such challenging material and the tremendous work from his accomplished cast. He also reveals what within the 90’s-era series resonates with our modern culture.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy our conversation with Derek Cianfrance, director of HBO’s limited series I Know This Much Is True, which premieres Sunday night. Make sure you subscribe to the Water Cooler Podcast if you don’t already. As we head into the heart of the 2020 Emmy season, we’ll be featuring more interviews with high-profile Emmy contenders. That includes many cast members from I Know This Much Is True.

So stay safe and enjoy this Water Cooler Podcast exclusive!

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

 

Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

The Water Cooler Gang dives into some major Emmy season premieres, including Netflix’s Hollywood and HBO’s Bad Education and I Know This Much Is True.

This week, the Water Cooler Podcast gang looks at some major late-season Emmy premieres. First up, we finally get to talk about Netflix’s Ryan Murphy vehicle Hollywood. Does the sprawling alternate-universe take on inclusion in 1940s Hollywood work? Or does it suffer from too much Murphy? Then, HBO dropped two major Emmy contenders in the limited series and TV movie categories. Bad Education gives us one of Hugh Jackman’s very best performances, but what about the rest of the film? Then, we preview Derek Cianfrance’s I Know This Much Is True, starring Mark Ruffalo as struggling twin brothers. We talk about the Emmy guarantees and possibilities for all titles.

But first, we return to Corona(virus) Corner to discuss the latest television and movies we’ve seen during the quarantine. We also talk about this week’s big news on the Oscars front. What rule changes did they announce, and how do they change the landscape for the 2021 Oscars?

We close our podcast, as always, with the Flash Forward to the media we’re most anticipating in the upcoming week.

Thanks for listening and thank you, in advance, for subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcasts!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

 

Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

The Water Cooler Gang continues their Most Iconic Directors series with a look at Pedro Almodóvar’s controversial dark romantic comedy Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!

This week, we’re continuing our Most Iconic Directors series with The Almodóvar Series, a monthly look at the films and legacy of Spain’s Pedro Almodóvar. April’s title is his 1990 dark romantic comedy Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, starring Antonio Banderas and Victoria Abril. If you ever wondered what Stephen King’s Misery would look like as a romantic comedy, then this film gives you something of a taste. The central story involves a newly released mental patient (Banderas) who kidnaps an actress (Abril) he’s been obsessing about since an initial brief encounter. Almodóvar’s film features many of his usual touches – bright, vivid colors (particularly red) and strong female characters. Upon release in the United States, the film helped usher in the NC-17 rating. We talk about whether or not it would receive that rating today and more with special guest Jim Keller.

Next month’s entry will be Almodóvar’s first Oscar-winning film All About My Mother with special guest Erik Anderson of AwardsWatch.com.

But first, we continue our weekly therapy session, Corona(virus) Corner. Here, as always, we share what we’ve been watching since we’ve been sheltering at home.

We close our podcast, as always, with the Flash Forward to the media we’re most anticipating in the upcoming week.

Thanks for listening and thank you, in advance, for subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcasts!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

 

Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Jordan Walker from TV Talk With JWalk joins the Water Cooler Gang to dish the latest TV premieres and their Emmy possibilities.

This week, the Water Cooler Podcast gang welcomes Jordan Walker from TV Talk with JWalk. Today’s topic is the latest premieres in the 2020 Emmy season. HBO’s Run and Insecure as well as AMC’s Killing Eve all received premiered this week. That opens up a bevy of new Emmy contenders in an already crowded field. We review each premiere and discuss what Emmy possibilities exist for each title. Will Killing Eve and Insecure return to Emmy love? Can Sandra Oh finally win her well deserved Lead Actress trophy for Killing Eve? Will fewer Comedy Actress contenders open room for former nominee Issa Rae to return? Will enormous respect for Merritt Wever from the Television Academy push Run into a contention spot?

But first, we return to Corona(virus) Corner to discuss the latest television and movies we’ve seen during the quarantine.

Remember that next week brings the latest entry in our Most Iconic Directors podcast conversation, the Amodovar Series. We will be joined by Jim Killer to discuss Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!

We close our podcast, as always, with the Flash Forward to the media we’re most anticipating in the upcoming week.

Thanks for listening and thank you, in advance, for subscribing and rating us on Apple Podcasts!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

 

Music from https://filmmusic.io

“Cheery Monday” by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)

License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)