Episode 2: “Rashomon” with Scott Derrickson
A podcast about the great movies.
We’re proud to share our latest episode of Guide for the Film Fanatic! In each episode, Jason Bailey and Mike Hull invite a guest from the world of film (including filmmakers, authors, critics, actors, and more) to select one of the 1600+ “must-see movies” collected in Danny Peary’s seminal 1986 book, Guide for the Film Fanatic. Bailey, Hull, and their guests deep dive on each film, discussing its history, themes, style, performances, initial reception, and legacy, taking a fresh look at some of the most beloved titles in cinema history.
In this week’s edition, we are joined by Scott Derrickson, director of Doctor Strange, The Black Phone, Sinister, and The Gorge, streaming this Friday on AppleTV+. Scott shares his thoughts on making The Gorge, working for a streamer for the first time, and directing The Black Phone 2, his first sequel to one of his own movies. But most of all, this lover of all things Akira Kurosawa — he literally teaches a course on the man and his movies!! - joins us to discuss the GOAT’s big international breakthrough, a film whose influence is still deeply felt in films and literature: 1950’s Rashomon.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. We’re partnering up with One Heat Minute Productions on this show, so we’re migrating it over to their feed; subscribe now if you haven’t already.
We’re also putting our new episodes up on YouTube! Watch the show on our YouTube channel, @dannypearyrocks, for visual accompaniment and bonus stuff and who knows what else.
Rashomon is streaming on the Criterion Channel, Max, and Kanopy. It’s also available for digital rental or purchase, or on Blu-ray from the Criterion Collection.
You can watch the trailer for Rashomon here. You can read Bosley Crowther’s New York Times review here, and A Very Good Year guest Phillip Lopate contemplating the question of if it’s Kursawa’s best movie (and reviewing a book about it) here. And you can check out the full New York Times from the movie’s opening day here.
The Gorge streams this Friday on AppleTV+, and you can watch it there. If you’d like to check out the YouTube page for Mike’s other podcast, Black Diplomats, it’s here. And if you’d like to pre-order Jason’s new book Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend, you can pre-order it from Bookshop and Barnes & Noble.
Last but not least, if you’d like to make a little donation to support us and the show, you can do that at Ko-fi!