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What if you could step into the mind of David Chase and uncover the origins of The Sopranos? Join us on the Oh Brother Podcast as we dissect the new documentary "Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos," directed by Alex Gibney and now streaming on Max. We explore how this two-part series, originally envisioned as a feature film, captures Chase's journey and the show's creation. You'll discover how the documentary's unique set design mirrors Dr. Melfi's office and how "The Sopranos" found renewed life during the COVID-19 quarantine, largely thanks to the "Talking Sopranos" podcast by Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa.

We then shift gears to discuss James Gandolfini's legacy, particularly through the lens of the Coen Brothers' film "The Man Who Wasn't There." Mistakes and corrections aside, we dive into Gandolfini's illustrious career and the fascinating casting choices that could have altered "The Sopranos" as we know it. Hear about Steve Van Zandt's near-casting as Tony Soprano, Lorraine Bracco's pivotal decision to play Dr. Melfi, and the technological hurdles faced after Nancy Marchand's untimely passing. The discussion also highlights the immense pressure Chase faced to maintain the show's success, fostering a tight-knit, trusting environment with his creative team.

Finally, we delve into the complexity of Carmela Soprano and examine the tragic death of James Gandolfini. We reflect on the emotional weight of Gandolfini's role, his personal struggles, and the impact of his untimely passing on both the cast and the show. The documentary's innovative style is also a topic of interest, mirroring Tony Soprano's iconic drive while offering insights into David Chase's influences from classic filmmakers. We ponder the controversial ending of "The Sopranos" and speculate on what might have been if Gandolfini were still with us. Tune in for a richer, deeper appreciation of one of television's most groundbreaking series.

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How do you make sense of the bizarre yet captivating world of Yorgos Lanthimos? That's what my brother Mike and I aimed to uncover in our latest Oh Brother Podcast episode. We kicked things off by wrestling with the perplexing narrative and stylistic choices in "Kinds of Kindness." While I couldn't get past the dissonant music and stilted dialogue, Mike helped me see the method in the madness by connecting it to Lanthimos's other works like "Poor Things" and "The Lobster." We also chatted about the stellar performances from Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, and how they navigate the unsettling territory typical of Lanthimos's films.

From there, our conversation veered into the realm of shocking and artistic filmmaking, especially within a trilogy of films that left us both disturbed and intrigued. Themes of control, dependence, and sexual perversion took center stage, with unforgettable performances by Willem Dafoe, Jesse Plemons, and Emma Stone. We couldn't help but compare these avant-garde movies to classics like "Eyes Wide Shut" and "Sex, Lies, and Videotape," ultimately finding a new appreciation for Lanthimos's nuanced storytelling, even if the explicit content continued to spark debate between us.

To lighten the mood, we reminisced about a hilarious Saturday Night Live skit featuring Sean Hayes, Jimmy Fallon, and Will Ferrell. This set us off on a tangent about the role of absurdity and realism in film. We marveled at how dark material can unexpectedly be punctuated with humor, thanks to performances by actors like Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone. Wrapping up the episode, we gave a heartfelt shout-out to our loyal supporters, especially our friends from the Rexer Show. We raised our "Oh Brother" mugs in gratitude and shared our excitement for future episodes. Join us for an engaging discussion filled with film analysis, humor, and a dash of absurdity!

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Ready to discover whether "Deadpool and Wolverine" lives up to the hype? Join us as we navigate the film's journey from development to box office triumph, uncovering the behind-the-scenes magic crafted by director Sean Levy and the dynamic performances of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. We promise you'll gain a fresh perspective on how watching all the X-Men films prior added depth to our viewing experience, and you'll hear our candid take on the movie’s ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb.

Tune in for a lively discussion filled with contrasting opinions and thoughtful critiques. We'll share our thoughts on the film's humor, action, and visual effects while debating its heavy reliance on the multiverse concept. Compare its reception to "Furiosa" and explore whether financial success truly equates to quality. Plus, don't miss our take on Wolverine's iconic yellow outfit and the chemistry between Reynolds and Jackman, as we dissect what worked—and what didn't—in this much-anticipated film.

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Oh Brother Podcast:

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