Back to the Frame Rate

Just when you thought it was safe to greenlight a sequel...

Nathan and Sam kick off The Search for More Money, a mini-retrospective devoted to those inevitable Hollywood follow-ups born after somebody at the studio looked at the box-office receipts and said, “Well...why don't we just do that again?”

First into the water: Jaws 2, the 1978 sequel tasked with following one of the greatest blockbusters ever made. And while th...

It's time for the grand finale of Duv-All In, our four-part celebration of the legendary Robert Duvall!

Nathan Suher, Sam Cole, and special guest Dave Merrill (filmmaker, entrepreneur, and Bluff City movie buff) dive into The Apostle (1997), the Academy Award-nominated drama that Robert Duvall didn't just star in... he wrote it, directed it, produced it, and practically brewed the coffee on set.

Is The Apostle Duvall's greatest perfo...

We return to our Robert Duvall retrospective with good friend and guest Mark Krawczyk of the Spoiler Room Podcast, as well as the Chief, Cook, and Bottle Washer at Special Mark Productions. Together we dive into Joel Schumacher’s 1993 thriller FALLING DOWN.

Stick around for our Recommendation Shelf segment centered around “People at Their Boiling Points,” and to cap off the show, we ask Mark to adjudicate two films...

This week on Back to the Frame Rate, Nathan and Sam temporarily pause their Robert Duvall retrospective to blast off into one of the most divisive entries in the James Bond franchise: 1979’s Moonraker.

With Artemis missions, sci-fi spectacle, and Roger Moore swagger on the brain, the guys revisit the infamous Bond adventure that traded espionage for laser battles in outer space. Is Moonraker a glorious camp classic or the mome...

This week, we dive deep into the cinematic gem that is 'Tender Mercies', a film that snagged Robert Duvall an Academy Award for Best Actor back in '83. Joined by our awesome guest, actor Paul Kandarian, we showered this flick with the praise it deserves, discussing its subtle storytelling and rich character development. Duvall's portrayal of Mac Sledge is nothing short of masterful, bringing a raw, authentic energy to a character s...

In this episode, we’re not just chatting about the film itself but also about its themes of control, rebellion, and the preservation of human stories in a world gone cold and clinical. Our hosts are tearing apart this George Lucas classic, reflecting on Robert Duvall’s performance and the film’s unique visual style, which some say is as sterile as the society it depicts.

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We presour top picks for 2025, showcasing the films that made us laugh, cry, and contemplate life as we face the end of days. We’ll chat about everything from popcorn flicks to thought-provoking dramas, and even throw in some honorable mentions for good measure. Think of it as our cinematic Last Supper—where we’re not just feasting on popcorn but also on the essence of storytelling itself. So, grab your favorite s...

We’re all about the cinematic journeys that keep the spirit of storytelling alive, even in the face of impending doom. Our main squeeze this week? How this installment feels like a continuation of "The Way of Water" rather than a new chapter in the Avatar saga. We’ll dig into the visuals, the characters, and whether this flick packs the punch we expect from a James Cameron joint. Plus, we can't help but share some light...

True Lies, directed by James Cameron, is the centerpiece of our second episode in the mini James Cameron retrospective. We dive deep into this wild 1994 action-comedy that takes the double life trope and cranks it up to eleven. Arnold Schwarzenegger shines as a secret agent whose domestic troubles become hilariously intertwined with his high-stakes espionage life. Spoiler alert: there are terrorists, a nuclear threat, and a whole l...

In this week’s episode of Back to the Frame Rate, we dive headfirst into the deep end with James Cameron’s ambitious sci-fi epic, The Abyss. We explore its groundbreaking underwater cinematography and the sheer technical wizardry that pushed filmmaking to new depths—while also calling out where the dialogue and storytelling don’t quite rise to the surface. We break down the differences between the theatrical...

Back from the depths! Nathan and Sam reunite for a special 101st episode to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s game-changing blockbuster Jaws (1975). It’s the movie that made us afraid to go in the water—and maybe even more afraid of small-town politicians in anchor-print blazers. We dive deep into the legacy of the first summer blockbuster, unpack legendary behind-the-scenes stories, nerd out ov...

The Back to the Frame Rate 100th Episode Spectacular is a bittersweet celebration as we bid farewell to our beloved podcast. We gathered with a live audience to enjoy the cult classic 'Galaxy Quest' as part of our 'Party Like It's 1999' retrospective, and we were thrilled to have special guest Dan Martin join us for the occasion. The evening was made even more special with Brian Ellsworth, the voice of Back to the Frame Rate, servi...

Join hosts Nathan, Bee, and Sam for an in-depth discussion on their top 10 films of 2024. From surprising hits to unexpected disappointments, they share their thoughts on the movies that left them gasping, applauding, or scratching their heads. Stick around for an important announcement about the future of the podcast. Don't miss their final showdown before the big 100th episode celebration!

Time Stamps:

• 03:02 - Countdown of our ...

In this episode, we’re diving into our 2024 movie catch-up list with takes on some of the year’s most intriguing films. From the quirky indie charm of Hundreds of Beavers to the epic fantasy battles of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, we’re covering it all. We’ll also unpack the emotional journeys of The Outrun, the courtroom tension in Juror #2, and the highly anticipated return to the island...

Join us as we dive into the unforgettable world of Magnolia! We’re exploring its web of intertwined stories, digging into themes of family, love, and redemption. We’ll break down the film’s emotional depth, powerful performances, and how it examines flawed fatherhood and life’s unexpected twists. So, grab some popcorn and tune in for a fun, thoughtful celebration of Magnolia—packed with insights, laug...

As the clock ticks down to the end of the world, we dive into the chaotic landscape of high school politics with a sharp look at the dark comedy Election. Directed by Alexander Payne, this film cleverly dissects ambition, moral ambiguity, and the absurdity of student government. We debate whether it deserves a place in our vault of cinematic treasures or if it should be cast into the apocalyptic abyss.

With the characters' flawed mo...

The Talented Mr. Ripley is a captivating exploration of identity, desire, and moral ambiguity, setting the stage for our 'Party Like It's 1999' Retrospective Series. As we delve into this lush, suspenseful film, we uncover how Tom Ripley's obsession with the privileged Dickie Greenleaf leads to a chilling descent into deception and murder. With standout performances from Matt Damon, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow, the film elegantly...

We wrap up our Noirvember retrospective by handing out awards and superlatives for the four films we've explored: Night Moves, Klute, The Long Goodbye, and The Yakuza. Each film brought its own unique flavor to the genre, and we dive deep into the standout performances and memorable moments that defined our viewing experience. From the best antihero to the most captivating femme fatale, we celebrate the characters that kept us on t...

The Yakuza, directed by Sidney Pollack. We unpack the film's cultural clashes, action sequences, and unexpected twists. From Robert Mitchum's performance to unforgettable scenes, we explore what makes this film a unique blend of East meets West. Despite its poor reception at the time of release, it has received a surprising resurgence. Stick around for our final verdict: Will 'The Yakuza' make it into the vault or be purged for the...