Talking Pondo – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

In this episode, Marty gives Clif the movie Running Time to watch and Clif gives Marty the movie Sinners to watch. Includes a season recap!

First up is Running Time, the black-and-white, real-time heist thriller directed by Josh Becker and starring Bruce Campbell. Shot to appear as a single take, the film leans into guerrilla film making energy and cult sensibilities. Marty and Clif break down the strengths of its momentum and ambition, and whether the experiment fully pays off.

Then it’s on to Sinners, a contemporary genre film packed with symbolism, social commentary, and big thematic swings. The conversation turns toward modern film making, allegory versus overt messaging, and how we judge movies in the moment versus years later.

#TalkingPondo #RunningTime #Sinners #FilmPodcast #IndieFilm #ModernCinema #MovieDiscussion

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Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ Pace

Photos by Geoffrey Notkin

Talking Pondo: Blue Thunder and Vision Quest with Ben Cheknis

Season 4 · Episode 2

lundi 2 mars 2026 • Duration 01:30:08

In this episode, first time guest Ben Cheknis joins the podcast. He brings along the movie Blue Thunder. Marty and Clif give Ben the movie Vision Quest to watch.

First up is Vision Quest, the coming-of-age wrestling drama starring Matthew Modine. Marty, Clif and guest Ben Cheknis ("The Two Vague Podcast") explore it's themes of obsession, identity, masculinity, and the quiet intensity of high school isolation. From its iconic soundtrack (hello “Lunatic Fringe”) to its grounded performances (including an early appearance by Forest Whitaker) the conversation explores why this 80s sports drama still resonates decades later.

Then it’s up in the air with Blue Thunder, the Roy Scheider-led action thriller about police militarization and surveillance technology. What starts as pure helicopter spectacle quickly turns into a discussion about institutional power, civil liberties, and how eerily prophetic this 1983 action film feels today. The crew digs into its strange dialogue (courtesy of Dan O'Bannon), practical stunt work, and the gritty 80s paranoia that defined the era.

#TalkingPondo #VisionQuest #BlueThunder #FilmPodcast #80sMovies #CultCinema #MovieDiscussion

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Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ Pace

Photos by Geoffrey Notkin

Talking Pondo: The Hudsucker Proxy and Sunset Boulevard

Season 3 · Episode 29

lundi 29 décembre 2025 • Duration 01:03:26

In this episode, Marty gives Clif the movie The Hudsucker Proxy to watch and Clif gives Marty the movie Sunset Boulevard to watch.

In this New Year’s special, Marty and Clif take on two classics where time, success, and self-delusion collide: The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) and Sunset Boulevard (1950).

First up is the Coen Brothers’ fast-talking corporate fairy tale The Hudsucker Proxy. Marty and Clif dive deep into the film’s cartoon logic, rapid-fire dialogue, exaggerated performances, and elaborate set pieces. Along the way, they unpack the film’s connections to Sam Raimi, Roger Deakins, Preston Sturges, Buster Keaton, and the Coens’ evolving style.

Then it’s time for a much darker New Year’s turn with Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard. Marty and Clif discuss Gloria Swanson’s iconic performance as Norma Desmond, William Holden’s doomed narrator, and the film’s lasting influence on decades of cinema.

#TalkingPondo #FilmPodcast #MoviePodcast #ClassicFilms #FilmAnalysis #TheHudsuckerProxy #SunsetBoulevard #CoenBrothers #BillyWilder #NewYearsMovies #FilmNoir #ClassicHollywood

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Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ Pace

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Talking Pondo: Everything Everywhere All At Once and When Harry Met Sally

Season 1 · Episode 11

lundi 8 avril 2024 • Duration 01:04:49

In this episode, Marty gives Clif the film When Harry Met Sally to watch and Clif gives Marty Everything Everywhere All At Once to watch.

Everything Everywhere All At Once

When Harry Met Sally

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Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ Pace

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Talking Pondo: The Manhattan Project and Get Crazy

Season 1 · Episode 10

lundi 1 avril 2024 • Duration 01:13:12

In this episode, Marty gives Clif the film Get Crazy to watch and Clif gives Marty The Manhattan Project to watch.

Get Crazy

The Manhattan Project

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Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ Pace

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Making Pondo with Rachel Netherton

Season 1 · Episode 9

lundi 25 mars 2024 • Duration 56:44

In this episode we talk to Rachel Netherton. Rachel played the comic book super hero "Fren-Zee" and her counter part "Zoe" in two of our films, "Revenge of Zoe" and "The Love Song of William H. Shaw."

The Love Song of William H Shaw Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz4VOHtdid0

Bradford Trojan-Game Day Music Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUHgzhM4sEY&pp=ygUpQnJhZGZvcmQgVHJvamFuLUdhbWUgRGF5IE11c2ljIFZpZGVvIExpbms%3D

Fractured:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6557404/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_lk

That Thing You Do! Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhyO3Pc6oSI

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Season One

Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ Pace

Photos by Geoffrey Notkin

Talking Pondo: Dark Star and The Abyss

Season 1 · Episode 8

lundi 18 mars 2024 • Duration 01:07:20

In this episode, Marty gives Clif the film Dark Star to watch and Clif gives Marty The Abyss to watch.

Dark Star
The Abyss

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Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ Pace

Photos by Geoffrey Notkin

Talking Pondo: Bottle Shock and Dragonslayer

Season 1 · Episode 7

lundi 11 mars 2024 • Duration 01:13:17

In this episode, Marty gives Clif the film Dragonslayer to watch and Clif gives Marty Bottle Shock to watch.

Dragonslayer
Bottle Shock

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Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ Pace

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Talking Pondo: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and Violent Night

Season 1 · Episode 6

lundi 4 mars 2024 • Duration 55:37

In this episode, Marty gives Clif the film The Ballad of Buster Scruggs to watch and Clif gives Marty Violent Night to watch.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Violent Night

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Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ Pace

Photos by Geoffrey Notkin

Making Pondo with Bradford Trojan

Season 1 · Episode 5

lundi 26 février 2024 • Duration 54:51

In this episode we talk to Bradford Trojan. Bradford played Billy Shaw in two of our films, "Revenge of Zoe" and "The Love Song of William H. Shaw." He is also a father, musician, yoga instructor and all around great person.

Love Song Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz4VOHtdid0

Bradford Trojan-Game Day Music Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUHgzhM4sEY&pp=ygUpQnJhZGZvcmQgVHJvamFuLUdhbWUgRGF5IE11c2ljIFZpZGVvIExpbms%3D

Dr. Dog:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Dog

Tombstone Rashomon Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w_cd94noGA&t=6s&pp=ygUaVG9tYnN0b25lIFJhc2hvbW9uIFRyYWlsZXI%3D

Bradford's Mellow Yellow Commercial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmaNi_DoBso&list=PL39BRMBl9re7IFast47G-AD91GSYn0OpH&index=4

Bradford Trojan & Friends Podcast:
https://www.bradfordtrojan.com/podcast

Decline of Western Civilization Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiCTq_AHcqw&pp=ygUnRGVjbGluZSBvZiBXZXN0ZXJuIENpdmlsaXphdGlvbiBUcmFpbGVy

Forbidden Zone (1980) Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_WKItgD_Ng&pp=ygUVRm9yYmlkZGVuIFpvbmUgKDE5ODAp

A Tuesday Wedding Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqOp9UU6F8g&pp=ygUZQSBUdWVzZGF5IFdlZGRpbmcgVHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D

Find our films here:

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Season One