Left of the Projector

We are joined by Dawson to talk about "Bugonia", Yorgos Lanthimos's English-language remake of the 2003 South Korean film "Save the Green Planet!" by Jang Joon-hwan. Starring Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, and Alicia Silverstone, we discuss the muddled message of the film from a Marxist perspective, the outstanding performances by everyone involved and Ward lets everyone else know how it compares to the original.Guest LinksLeft of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on LetterboxdLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd

It's April Fools listeners and we are all being played by fools. We prove just how foolish we are by choosing to watch Brett Ratner's biopic of Melania Trump. There really isn't that much else to say here folks, you'll just have to listen and find out how we fared.Left of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on LetterboxdLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd

Two Verhoeven in a row! This week we are joined by Lily Eagla to discuss Verhoeven's notorious cult classic "Showgirls," a movie that stalled the career of Saved By The Bell alum Elizabeth Berkley before going on to be recognized as an important piece of satire ahead of its time. We discuss the uncompromising examination of Las Vegas, the way in which it represents the predatory and exploitative nature of the capitalist system, the dehumanization of sex workers, and try to understand the nature of the film's failure when it was released and why it has gone on to become an important piece of cultural criticism.Guest LinksLily on InstagramLily on TiktokLily on YoutubeLily on SubstackLeft of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on LetterboxdLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd

In episode two of The Projection Booth, Bill and Evan get the upcoming films for 2026, what's most and least anticipated (spoiler, we don't care about the MCU). We also break down the impact of reality TV and the absolute failure of media literacy (nope, no ever said that before). Check it out!Left of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on LetterboxdLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd

This week we are joined by a true and original friend of the show, Farhad, to continue the exploration of the Paul Verhoeven action satire trilogy with 1990's "Total Recall". Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Robby Cox, and Rachel Ticotin alongside others, this 90s classic adapts Phillip K. Dick's short story, "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale." We discuss Verhoeven's repeated misinterpretation by conservative viewers, the progressive levels of complexity his movies achieve, and the metaphorical power of overcrowded aquariums.Left of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on LetterboxdLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd

Here are the top ten films nominated for Best Picture. Oh, wait, there are only ten. Anyway, Bill and Evan are joined by Nathan to discuss our snubs, the ten nominees and some predictions.Guest Linkshttps://www.instagram.com/schizophrenicreads/https://schizophrenicreads.substack.com/Left of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd

This week we cover Ari Aster's "Eddinton". Released in 2025 and starring Pedro Pascal, Joaquin Phoenix, Luke Grimes, Emma Stone, Austin Butler, Deirdre O'Connel and Michael Ward, and set in Aster's hometown during 2020 at the height of COVID-19. We discuss how timing is everything, Phoenix might not be a great person in real life, and how this movie stands out as a director trying to say something without saying anything at all.Guest LinksLeft of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd

If the preview wasn't enough, and we admit it probably wasn't, you can hear the full first episode of our Patreon only series, The Projection Booth here! If you like what you hear join us in The Projection Booth and help support the podcast by supporting us on Patreon!Left of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd

Welcome to the first installment of our new Patreon exclusive series, the Projection Booth! This week we start things off with the Left of the Projector Movie Challenge as Evan and Bill challenge each other to watch 2 movies the other has not seen each month and be ready to return in a month to discuss them!This won't be the only thing you can expect to hear in the Projection Booth, we have lots of things planned for the future and we want to hear any ideas you have as well! Be sure to let us know what you want to hear in the comments!Left of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd

This week Evan and Bill are joined by the folks from the Worker's Lit podcast to talk about the 2025 film "The Running Man," directed by Edgar Wright and starring Glen Powell, Colman Domingo, Emilia Jones, William H. Macy, Josh Brolin, and Michael Cera. With a special appearance by Lee Pace. This episode is part two of our collaboration with Worker's Lit covering a book and the movie based on it, in this case the Stephen King novel by the same name. During the episode we discuss how much more capably Wright and Powell portray class consciousness than King, note how the movie improved on the book, and remained loyal to it by having a less than satisfying ending.Check out the episode we did with Worker's Lit here!Guest LinksOfficial WebsiteWorker's Lit on InstagramWorker's Lit on YouTubeLeft of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd

We are joined this week by author, screen writer, and friend of the show, Briana Cox to talk about Ryan Coogler's endeavors under the banner of the Marvel Cinematic universe: Black Panther 1 and 2. Both movies feature Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Letitia Wright, Martin Freeman, among many others. Looking back we discuss the impact the first film had on the culture, our love/hate relationship with the first film and the failures of the second, how both movies sugar coat the CIA's history of violating the sovereignty of African nations, and one of the most important thing the movies did was open mainstream audiences to the beauty of Afrofuturism.To check out some of the works mentioned during the episode, follow these links:Born in FlamesSpace is the PlaceNaked RealityBeasts of the Southern WildSpider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseSpider-Man: Across the Spider-VerseInto the Mother Lands: An Afrofuturist TTRPGGuest LinksOfficial WebsitePreorder Indigent!Briana on InstagramBriana on ThreadsLeft of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd

Are you listening closely? Every podcast consists of three parts, or acts. The first part is called the pledge, and that’s where I tell you that this week on Left of the Projector, we are dipping into the filmography of Christopher Nolan with his 2006 film The Prestige. That’s the ordinary part of this episode.The second act is called the Turn. That’s where I tell you all the amazing actors in this episode from the great David Bowie, to Hugh Jackson, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scartlett Johansson, Rebecca hall and andy serkis. This is where we take the ordinary and tell you we are going to do something extraordinary. We have Alexa Speed as our guest today, whom you may know from her page Cut off the Spigot…And now, though, we have to deliver the 3rd act, the hardest part…the part we call the Prestige…Guest LinksOfficial Cut Off the Spigot SiteCut Off the Spigot on InstagramLeft of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd

In a time long, long ago. Before Jedi and wookies or misunderstanding of parsecs, a man made a movie that was less of a film and more of a performance art piece. That director was George Lucas and that work was his directorial debut, THX 1138.This week we are joined by friend of the show Amanda Joy Moon to discuss Lucas's first feature film, a profoundly different piece from anything he ever made from that point on. Released in 1971, THX 1138 stars Robert Duvall as the eponymous THX 1138, Donald Pleasence, Don Pedro Colley, Maggie McOmie and Ian Wolfe in a piece filmed more like a documentary than a feature film depicting life in a bleak dystopian world of work, drug induced compliance, outlawed sexual and physical interaction, and the complete absorption of religion by the state and capital. We discuss the metaphorical nature of the film, Amanda offers some incredible book recommendations, and we all condemn Lucas for going back and shoving CGI remakes into this film like he did to Star Wars. Guest LinksAmanda on InstagramRiotGRRRLPrintz on InstagramRiotGRRRLPrintz on etsyLeft of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd

Evan and Bill discuss the newest entry in the 28 Days Later series, "28 Years Later- The Bone Temple". Directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland, the film stars Ralph Fiennes reprising his role as Dr. Ian Kelson and Alfie Williams as Spike, alongside newcomers Chi Lewis-Parry, Jack O'Connel, Erin Kellyman, Emma Laird, Sam Locke, and Mirren Mack among others.Listeners beware because this episode is not free of spoilers, including a bombshell reveal at the last moment of the film. We discuss the evolution of zombie films, how this series is closer to Romero's vision of zombies than many fans give it credit for, and the way in which it reflects some harsh realities we all need to grapple with during these very difficult times.Left of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd

This week we are joined by friend of the show, Seizethemeansshirts to discuss Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's Eleven." With an ensemble cast of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Bernie Mac, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Elliot Gould, Carl Reiner, Andy Garcia and Julia Roberts (among others), this remake of the Rat Pack's own Ocean's Eleven from 1960 went on to spawn two trilogies and a spin off led by Sandra Bullock.We discuss the creation of wealth, the unity of the proletariat vs the schisms of the capitalists and their fundamental atomization, our guest points out more inconsistencies in the heist than one of us is comfortable with and we still come out unable to decide whether this is the greatest remake of all time or just one of the greatest remakes of all time.Guest LinksSeize the Means Shirts on EtsySeize the Means Shirts on InstagramSeize the Means Shirts on YoutubeLeft of the Projector LinksOfficial WebsiteLeft of the Projector on InstagramLeft of the Projector on PatreonLeft of the Projector on ThreadlessHost LinksEvan's LetterboxdBill's InstagramBill's LetterboxdWard's InstagramWard's Letterboxd