Podcast
The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation
Hosted by The ThawedCast · EN
Conversations About Animation
13episodes
Episodes
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Toy Story 5
2w ago01:13:21Tap to summarizeJodi and Philip discuss the fifth Toy Story film from Disney/Pixar. The film takes a direct approach to addressing the difficulties of balancing the allure of technology with a healthy childhood. Sherriff Jessie is the leader of the toys that inhabit Bonnie's room, but Bonnie's love of toys isn't shared by her friends, who all have the Lilypad, a smart tablet designed for kids. When Bonnie's parents buy her a Lilypad, it initially seems like this has fixed Bonnies friendship problems, but Jessie recognizes the deeper problems that an abandonment of true play causes. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com
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Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
3w ago01:00:12Tap to summarizePhilip and Lara discuss Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, a film from Matt Johnson and Jay McCarroll, a comedic duo known for playing fictionalized versions of themselves. They have released mockumentary-style videos since 2007 detailing the adventures of 'Nirvana the Band,' later renamed 'Nirvanna the Band' for legal reasons. Their latest film incorporates footage shot for their original web series dating back to 2008, stringing together an absurd time-travel plot that involves a hilarious series of hijinks and impeccable cinematic craft. Shot on a small, indie-level budget and maintaining a documentary aesthetic throughout, the film manages to deliver impressive setpieces and heartfelt moments befitting of the movies it is paying homage. This genre-bending experience is a clever blend of familiar, experimental, and spectacular. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/partoflarasworld, instagram.com/laraakal, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com
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The Mandalorian and Grogu and Disclosure Day
Jul 601:34:43Tap to summarizePhilip and Elliott discuss the latest Star Wars film, The Mandalorian and Grogu, and also dig into the latest Steven Spielberg film, Disclosure Day. In their own ways, these two films are derivative of a legacy of classic pulp sci-fi. They each evoke a sense of nostalgia and empathy in their themes and respective creative visions, and while they don't venture too far from the beaten path, there's enough new territory they cover to make for a worthwhile cinematic experience. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/ellimundo, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com
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Obsession
Jun 2301:28:26Tap to summarizeJodi, Lara and Philip review the independent horror sensation, Obsession, from writer/director Curry Barker. The film follows a group of four friends who work at a local music shop and meet up for weekly trivia nights. In a typical teenage (or in this case, early-twenties) fashion, the 2 girl/2 guy dynamic is far from devoid of romantic tension. And one of the guys, Bear, seeks the help of Ian when he is overcome by his feelings for Nikki. Ian is unable to provide much more than moral support, as Bear will need to take matters into his own hands if he stands a chance with Nikki. Bear buys a gift for Nikki to go along with his date proposal, but he eventually chickens out. His gift, a novelty item called a "One-wish Willow," promises to grant a single wish to the user who cracks it like a glowstick. This seven-dollar children's toy couldn't possibly be the key to winning Nikki's undying affection, could it? Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/partoflarasworld, instagram.com/laraakal, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com
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Animal Farm (1954)
Jun 301:22:38Tap to summarizePhilip and Lara discuss the 1954 animated adaptation of George Orwell's 1945 novella, Animal Farm. When a drunk and cruel farmer fails to uphold the duties of his small, rural farm, the animals rise up and drive him and any other humans from the property. The crafty pigs draw up a plan for a new barnyard civilization. The former livestock agree on a set of animal-centric values that enshrine their newfound liberty, emphasizing equality and unity and condemning anything seen as too human. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/partoflarasworld, instagram.com/laraakal, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com
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The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
May 501:08:51Tap to summarizeThe Super Mario Galaxy Movie picks up where The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) left off. Mario and Luigi are now heroes who traverse through magical sewer pipes to different realms, including the Mushroom Kingdom, home of the Toads and Princess Peach. The Mushroom Kingdom is threatened by the son of the defeated Bowser, and our heroes take to the stars to battle the tech-savvy Bowser Jr. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/samara_mitchell9, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com
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Project Hail Mary
Apr 1701:33:47Tap to summarizePhilip and Bridget discuss Project Hail Mary, the film adaptation of the Andy Weir novel about an attempt to save the world using mostly real-world technology. Ryan Gosling's Ryland Grace is the sole surviving member of a crewed space mission to Tau Ceti aboard the Hail Mary. He was sent to find a cure for "astrophage," a viral organism that is draining the energy of the stars in Earth's vicinity. Tau Ceti is the only one that appears unaffected. Truly a "Hail Mary" of a mission, especially now that has crewmates are dead, the amnesia-stricken Dr. Grace can only hope that a series of unexpected discoveries can somehow salvage any prospect of the mission's success. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/bridget5246, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com
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Hoppers
Mar 1701:07:05Tap to summarizePhilip and Lara discuss the 2026 film from Pixar, 'Hoppers'. This wacky comedy hearkens to a classical mode of cartooning, where animal robots piloted by humans interact with highly anthropomorphized members of the animal kingdom. This fantasy technology allows the "hopper" to understand and talk to animals, and it works in a similar way to the titular tech from the 'Avatar' films. Mabel, a 19-year-old college student, stumbles upon this technology as she investigates a mysteriously empty wildlife habitat. The one creature she finds happens to be a beaver robot controlled by her professor, Dr. Sam. Mabel commandeers the robot in order to find the missing animals and wild adventures ensue. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/partoflarasworld, instagram.com/laraakal, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com
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Wuthering Heights (2026)
Feb 2001:27:18Tap to summarizePhilip and Jodi discuss the new film from Director Emerald Fennell and Warner Bros. Pictures, 'Wuthering Heights' (2026), based on the 1847 novel by Emily Brontë. Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi star as childhood friends-turned-lovers Catherine and Heathcliff. Tragedy and hardship conspire to separate the pair who are then reunited later in adulthood. Passions reignite in the northern English shire where they shared their upbringing and now live as neighbors. Such a twist of fortune could only be the stuff of fairy tales--or nightmares. Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/philipehlke, tiktok.com/@jodipolasky47. Visit thawedcast.com
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Frankenstein (2025)
Feb 1101:40:56Tap to summarizePhilip and Lara discuss the new adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein from Guillermo del Toro and Netflix, featuring a star-studded cast and an impressive awards season run. This visual spectacle follows the life journey of Victor Frankenstein, son of a renowned surgeon and aristocrat, who suffers the loss of his mother at a young age. Victor becomes obsessed with the human anatomy and the preservation of one's natural life. Whilst conducting macabre experiments with human cadavers, he discovers a way to reanimate an assemblage of body parts, leading to his and his wealthy benefactor's fully-fledged scientific pursuit in the service of playing God. Their efforts yield miraculous results, but their hubris leads to certain dire consequences. Will the creature spawned from the work of Dr. Frankenstein embody the lack of humanity often displayed by its creator? Follow The ThawedCast: Conversations About Animation: twitter.com/thawedcast and instagram.com/thawedcast. instagram.com/partoflarasworld, instagram.com/laraakal, instagram.com/philipehlke. Visit thawedcast.com
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