Happy Independence Day. Spike Lee joined Franklin and Kate to talk about narrative filmmaking, his longtime collaborators, and the movement for Black lives. From Do the Right Thing, to Malcolm X, to Bamboozled, to his ilm for Netflix, Da 5 Bloods, the trio talks about how culture talks to movies, and how movies talk back to the culture.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This episode first aired in mid-2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: +Do The Right Thing: rottentomatoes.com/m/do_the_right_thing+Malcom X: rottentomatoes.com/m/1042135-malcolm_x+Bamboozled: rottentomatoes.com/m/bamboozled+Da 5 Bloods: netflix.com/title/81045635
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46:32
Director Kirby Dick
Emmy winner and two-time Oscar nominee Kirby Dick joins Kate and Franklin for a riveting conversation about the role of investigative journalism in film and the responsibility of storytellers to speak truth to power. The acclaimed director, known for his groundbreaking work exposing abuse and institutional cover-ups, discusses the #MeToo movement, his HBO Max documentary On the Record (co-directed by Amy Ziering), and why he “doesn’t love movies”—at least not in the conventional sense. From navigating social issues to challenging powerful institutions, Kirby unpacks the ethics, impact, and urgency behind his change-making work.Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place in 2021. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.
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41:38
Kaufman Charlie, Screenwriter with an Eternally Spotless and Brilliant Mind
Maybe you love Adaptation, or Synechdoche, or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.The prolific screenwriter Charlie Kaufman discusses some of the diverse and notable projects of his career, starting with his early days as a staff writer for shows like Get A Life, and The Dana Carvey Show. He also recounts the unbelievable, and ultimately life-changing story of his screenplay for Being John Malkovich, a film that nobody initially wanted to make. Franklin and Kate dive with Charlie into the continued fan love for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (for which Kaufman won a writing Oscar), the reactions they all have to Adaptation, and wrap up with a discussion of the Jessie Buckley/Jesse Plemons film I'm Thinking of Ending Things, and so much more. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This conversation took place during 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.Mentions: I’m Thinking of Ending Things: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/im_thinking_of_ending_things Get A Life: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/get_a_life Being John Malkovich: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/being_john_malkovich Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eternal_sunshine_of_the_spotless_mind Antkind: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/546823/antkind-by-charlie-kaufman/
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39:10
Classic Couch Watches, and Reads, from Franklin and Kate
When cultural tastemakers get stuck inside what do they watch, read, or play? In this throwback episode that has since become a classic, Franklin and Kate talk to each other about the things they discovered or rediscovered during lockdown. From Animal Crossing and Sarah Cooper, to Ted Lasso and Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You, you'll have some new gems to add to your list. See the show notes for more details! Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This convo took place in 2020. Learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. Mentions: Animal Crossing: https://animal-crossing.com 40-Year-Old Version: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_forty_year_old_version Radha Blank on The Black List Podcast: https://luminarypodcasts.com/listen/ninth-planet-audio-&-the-black-list/the-black-list-podcast/radha-blank/d6c5b3d7-5e87-4aa1-92d1-aabacbe918b8 Inside Out by Demi Moore: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/inside-out-demi-moore?variant=32131129442338 It by Stephen King: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/830502.It Caste by Isabel Wilkerson: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/653196/caste-oprahs-book-club-by-isabel-wilkerson/ Sarah Cooper: https://sarahcpr.com Ted Lasso: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/ted_lasso I May Destroy You: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/i_may_destroy_you You Must Remember This Podcast: http://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.comKarina Longworth on The Black List Podcast: https://luminarypodcasts.com/listen/ninth-planet-audio-&-the-black-list/the-black-list-podcast/karina-longworth/ccc9d152-7947-48dc-bab8-871300e0c72a .
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36:27
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36:27
Actor and Director Jay Ellis
Actor and director Jay Ellis joins Kate and Franklin for some real talk. Jay opens up about starring in Top Gun: Maverick and how becoming a father has shifted his perspective on life and work. He also reflects on his iconic role as Lawrence in Insecure—including some truly wild fan encounters—and takes us behind the scenes of his directorial debut on the show. The trio covers career milestones, Mel Brooks, and the magic of storytelling. Plus, in one of the most unexpected turns, Jay shares how Spaceballs (yes, Spaceballs) first made him fall in love with acting. Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.This episode was originally published in 2020, behind a paywall. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com. Mentions:+Insecure: https://www.hbo.com/insecure +Top Gun: https://shadowandact.com/new-top-gun-maverick-trailer-shows-at-jay-ellis-in-tom-cruise-sequel
The Black List founder Franklin Leonard talks movies with people who love them and people who make them. He and Black List Director of Community Kate Hagen speak with filmmakers, producers, and creators of all kinds, deep diving on movie watching rituals, sharing career highs, and revisiting highly regarded films from the Black List itself. Guests include: Spike Lee, Janelle Monae, Ed Helms, Lulu Wang, Jason Hehir, Rhada Blank, Bowen Yang, Katrina Longworth, Gabrielle Union, and many, many more.