‘Mank’ and the Myths of Real Screenwriters
Episode 181
Discussing films about real screenwriters this week, we dig into David Fincher’s “Mank” (2020)—the new Netflix film about Herman Mankiewicz and the origins of “Citizen Kane.” Then, we leap to the 21st century to reappraise Charlie Kaufman fictionalizing and splitting himself in “Adaptation” (2002). Finally, it’s Dalton Trumbo’s quest against the Hollywood Blacklist in “Trumbo” (2015).
Each film comes with its own indulgent, even seductive spin on history, but isn’t that what Hollywood does anyway? Make sure to take a whiskey break between cigarettes.
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Movie Reviews & Reappraisals
Be Reel is a movie reviewing & reappraising podcast hosted by Chance Solem-Pfeifer and Noah Ballard.
Each time out, we select three movies based around a genre and call up guests ranging from submarine captains to Oscar winners. Then, we rate the movies, weighing both technical quality and entertainment.
Noah and Chance are old friends who mostly respect each other’s opinions. Even though Chance is a fool and a traitor. Find their show presented at ThePlaylist.Net and follow them on Twitter for the latest on Noah’s literary agenting and Chance’s work in the Portland arts scene.