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YOU are the final guest of 2018 (Patreon)

Published:
2018-12-18 07:03:25
Imported:
2026-06

Content

Bret wants all of your questions and comments to read for the final podcast of the year.

Observations, comments, questions, things you loved, things you didn’t like. Etc.

Available to all patrons.

Livestream for platinum and gold to follow recording this Thursday the 20th of December at around 615-630 depending on how long the recording goes.

Give us what you got patrons.

Comments

Jason Letke

2 or 3 novels you were impressed with this year?

Gabriel Jones

What was a favorite cocktail you discovered this year?

Calum Hughes

Do you have to cue in guests when they can reply to one of your more wordier questions? Do they ever accidentally interrupt you mid sentence?

Ben Ovenden

Do you think you could have someone on who passionately disagrees with your current world view? It could be a civil discussion or an argument.

Danny Marsh

Are there any YouTubers / vloggers that have caught your attention in 2018 (or at all)?

Karl Johansson

Favorite music of 2018? And, did you ever see The Square (I loved it)? I know it’s from last year, but I didn’t hear you talk about it.

Iain

What are your thoughts on Trouble Boys, Bret?

Bee Garns

What do you consider the best documentary of 2018? Also what are your thoughts on RBG doc if you've seen it? Surely, it's going to win the Oscar for the best documentary because of the current #metoo and #timesup movements, right? Thanks :)

Bevan Clark

Who would win in a lesbian bar fight? Ellen DeGeneres vs Ellen Page.

Filip Kruse

Thoughts on ”Sleep Well Beast” by The National?

Chase

What's your favorite movie to watch when you're sick?

Aaron Garcia

If one were to describe a piece of work - specifically, a novel or a film - as "Bret Easton Ellis"-like, what do you suppose this would say about the themes and ideas within that work? Also, what are your feelings towards Lunar Park? I read it during a transitional time in my life, and it's stayed with me ever since - it may be my favorite book of yours, and is one I find to be severely overlooked and maybe even somewhat misunderstood. Love your podcast - happy holidays!

Frazer

Just wondering, in your script for The Golden Suicides, did Jeremy Blake’s work on the animation in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch Drunk Love appear in the story?

Jonathan Alphandery

Hi Bret, I'd love to know if you watched Wild Wild Country on Netflix and what you thought of it?

Simon Underschultz

"If you remember me, then I don't care if everyone else forgets." This is one of the last lines of dialogue from a novel I just finished by Haruki Murakami—Kafka on the Shore. Murakami is one of my favourite contemporary writers. His novels have changed my life in a profound way—absorbing me into worlds I, frankly, didn't want to leave. And since reading Dance, dance, dance (my introduction to Murakami) I've been devouring every book he's written. I've listened to, I believe, every one of your podcasts and only heard you mention Murakami's name fleetingly. Can I ask—do you read Murakami? If so, do you like his work? Also, have you noticed an increase over the last decade of Japanese literature being consumed in the West? A lot of my favourite writers happen to be Japanese (Sayaka Murata's The Convenience Store Woman being my favourite of 2018), and I wonder if this is because of a larger trend or is it just my personal taste? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Alex Lawrence

Favorite 2-3 pre-1300 AD writers

Samuel Setenyi

What do you think about The Killers (the contemporary band from Las Vegas)?

Peter Morris

Did you see Sharp Objects? I'd be interested in your thoughts on it.

JEREMY ROBERTS

Are there any poets that you especially like or connected with in the past? Bukowski?

Alex Kazam

What is the trashiest movie you are ashamed to admit you like?

Stavros Kourounis

Hi Bret, you often lament the death of Cinema. But I'd argue that World Cinema is still alive and kicking. Have you ever seen any of the works by Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Lee Chang Dong or Michael Haneke, (to name a few)? If so, what are your thoughts on their works?

David

Keen to hear your top 10 movies of the year. Also what were your thoughts on Bodied? It’s a great movie on free speech, outrage culture and identity politics. The director Joseph Kahn would be a fascinating guest. This years guests have been pretty good but sometimes could have used more distinct opinions/novel point of views. Moshfegh was a highlight. As always monologues are the best.

Sven Safarow

Thank you very much for your podcast! It's good as ever. The best thing for me is when you talk about writing, especially with other writers. It's great to listen to you talk about the creative process at length. Keep it coming. A few questions: Will there ever be a chance to read some of your unproduced screenplays, e.g. "Bait" ("The shark movie". I think, that was the first script you wanted to do with Paul Schrader)? I'm very much interested in analogue cinema (which nobobdy talks about anymore). You're much aware of the difference between the analogue and the digital projection, I assume. I think it would be interesting to talk about the loss of 35mm as an aesthetic device. Digital aesthetics is totally different and more pragmatic. There's less poetry in it. So, this radical change in the theatrical experience should be adressed, I think.

diego kontarovsky

back in 2012, you tweeted out a 5-hour late night brainstorm of ideas for another patrick bateman book. is that still a possibility?

Sértő-Radics Sarolta

Metoo vs ageism: what is more offensive to be objectified or not? You said you are not interested in politics. However it would be great to see how your views translate to politics, the analogies are very promising. It is almost amusing to listen to the outrage related to self-censorship in corporate culture in Hollywood. It is regular in all industries not to mention countries with controlled democracies. It surprises me it just caught up in HW recently. Also, why is everyone so sure that the loudest ones are the paying customers who need to be pleased with all the tiptoeing and apologies? Aren't influencers just part of a huge bubble? (see Hillary Clinton being said to be the next president, then Trump's surprise win). Could the Hollywood bubble pop as well? What can trigger it?

João
>>18119595

Was going to ask the exact same question, so if it counts to anything, we're two wanting to know about this.

Stuart Chivers

Not really a question but I’d like to hear your thoughts on Springsteen on Broadway.

York Underwood

Hello Bret, Thanks for another great year. Could you put a list of all the films mentioned in the description of each episode? You mentioned "The Last Of Sheila" in a brief aside and I was happy I caught it and wrote it down. I always try to watch an older film you mention–especially when it relates to your criticism of a recent film. Netflix recently scrapped their release of "Gore" the Kevin Spacey led Gore Vidal Biopic. What are your thoughts on Gore Vidal? It's strange how important he was in the culture in the 20th century only to be basically forgotten now. I recently visited Rome and there is a bookstore chain just below his old penthouse apartment and no one in the store had heard of him and they didn't carry his books. Recently, Will Self commented that he could ask a student today in a writing program at his university about Norman Mailer and she almost certainly hasn't read him or, in some cases, she hasn't even heard of him. That was one of the most famous writers in the world just two decades ago. This brings me to my final question/comment. I'm excited for the release of your new book "White" and I'm hoping to see more essays from you. I love your podcast, that's why I support it, but this medium has some downsides. The written essay requires a certain level of commitment and understanding from the reader. Listening to something is more reactive and requires so little from the listener. When I see people obsessing over youtube and podcast intellectuals, it's usually a group of people who already agree with the person cheering on his performance. People say this of Fox News, but it's now everywhere: we listen, we react. Could the very PC, Safe Space, Snowflake mentality that we see in our culture come from the decline in importance of the written word? Is that why people are looking for didactic morality lessons in things like cinema and television, which always come off as mawkish, cheap and preachy? As Gore Vidal said, to be interested in novels you need to be interested in how others think and live. Isn't that where America's big divide is really happening? The inability and lack of desire to see the other point of view? Thanks again and have a relaxing Christmas/New Year.

Luke Espin

Hi Bret, I’m 21 years old and deliberating with myself a career in the film industry. I echo many of the sentiments you have about the current state of cinema, Hollywood etc. and was wondering what advice you have to give to young creatives in 2018/19 and what up and coming generations should do to combat the PC-driven, corporate-controlled media age we now live in? I’d also like to know what you make of the whole Patreon debacle recently with celebrated users such as Sam Harris and Jordan Peterson threatening to abandon the platform over censorship?

Samuel Setenyi

What are your favourite Lubitsch films?

Brian

I don't know if you reviewed it in an older episode, but I wanted to know if you've seen the Steven Soderbergh-directed series 'the Knick', and if so, would you consider it an exception to your more general observation that camerawork, mood and atmosphere are still the exclusive purview of cinema? Would love to know what you thought of that show in general.

Tucker Rinehart

Hi Bret! I'm wondering your thoughts on Christopher Nolan, what you think of his films and the unique space he inhabits in Hollywood. He not only has a blank check and seeming total control/final cut of his films, but also has the industry wrapped around his finger. Dunkirk was his passion project but I believe HE got 20 mil out of the detail and retained something like 20% of the box office gross. I can't think of another director that has this much freedom to do what he pleases. What do you make of all this and how does it intersect with the topics you explore on your show i.e. art made by a committee, the monetization of film, pure cinema, etc. Thanks Bret!

Tucker Rinehart

Also, what was your favorite album of 2018?

Gianni Schepens

Hi Bret, Loved reading The Informers and was wondering if one of the stories is your personal favorite. If so, why?

Christopher Jones

Bret, enjoy the show, especially your thoughts on film and books, maybe not so much the politics haha. Best episodes for me were with Rachel k and ottessa m because they are as smart and articulate as you. Don’t think I have a question. David Thomson would be a great guest or maybe Isabelle huppert, if she’s in LA.

Emmet Mahony

You previously mentioned that Frank Ocean was going to be on the show but cancelled at the last minute. Will he ever appear on the show or is he just too mysterious?

Christopher Jones

The eagles were good but I prefer fleetwood mac.

Philip Buhrmann

Which directors do you consider excellent at elevating otherwise mediocre material? Denis Villeneuve’s atmosphere-drenched Sicario, for example.

T

Bret, greetings from Estonia! I feel that your podcast is quite extraordinary compared to anything else out there in the podcast universe. What is your own sense - are you aware or do you feel that you are creating something unique? Are top tier podcasts becoming part of cultural conversation in L.A., like movies used to be? :)

Dominic Schmiedl

Hi Bret, since you've been open to inviting writers to the podcast lately, I would like to suggest Dennis Cooper. Related to that: both of you are from LA, your texts have a cinematic quality and Cooper has moved on to directing/writing films as well. So I guess my question would be: Do you have any kind of relationship to Cooper and have you watched any of the two movies he's made? If so, what do you think of them?

Callan Wilks

Hi Bret, In 2016 you posted your Top 10 Criterions for their website (great list) with the caveat 'they change from week to week.' If you could do another Top 10 selection now what would it look like?

Robert

Love all the jabs at millennials- your comment about just having no interest in going out on Friday nights and meanwhile your Millenial Boyfriend can’t afford to go out on Friday nights was hilarious. - I’m teaching a college course in film history this spring, what’s one film you’d reccomend I screen?

Léo S.

Have you ever thought, instead of creating your own show, of working on a writer's room under a showrunner ? I know you deserve your own show but still ;-)

Léo S.

Also what did you think of "Lost" ? You speak about it in "Imperial Bedrooms" but I don't think you ever even mentioned it on the podcast. Why is that ?

Billy Vega

We know you like The Wire and Mad Men. Which other 'classic' shows actually deserve that reputation, if any? And which do you think is the best?

Jason Steele

Your interview with Ben Fritz made me think about the form Hollywood is taking now with big budget Superhero and brand name remakes, and how this seeming devolution of the medium runs parallel with the Intermodern Novel. Do you see any similarites between Hollywood today, and the early 1920s when the Modern Novel ceased to reach an avant garde audience, and became more scenic and action packed to compensate for what audiences craved at the box office? Authors such as Priestly and Isherwood began writing vacation books that dealt with nuclear war (The Doomsday Men) and patriarch within the 1930s family structure. At the time of the Intermodern Novel, bohemian artists scoffed at the scenic fiction because they were perceived as low brow and uneducated, as the "uneducated" (the common civilian) started to consume media by way of screen and photos. Is this scoffing that seasoned movie goers have towards branded cinema the same scoffing that the "educated" reading class had towards the more accessible intermodern novel? Are flashy and dramatic video games what movies are speaking to now, in the same way the novel started speaking the language of video? Thanks for the great year of podcasts. Always excited to listen!

ArnaudFillion

I would love you to talk about comedies. Their place at the moment, in the award season (absence), why the humor change (the movies of the early 2000 were much different - I think of all the 'scary movies' series) (is there a golden age of comedy (of nasty comedy)? In an interview, director Quentin Dupieux said he didn't laugh hard watching a movie, since a really long time. Is movie are less funny today? How Lars Von Trier's last film can be a ... comedy noire about a serial killer...? Your podcast is my favorite one, of all the podcast I listen. Thanks you so much. I did not like much the video version test of the podcast you did. I prefer the podcast version.

Jeff Walsh

Curious how the lovely Todd likes being the millennial foil for so many of your cultural observations?

K Sommerville

What do you think of The Eagles?

Steven Kain

I would love to hear your opinion on Vincent Gallo's The Brown Bunny and the controversy surrounding its premiere at the 2003 Cannes film festival. Seems like a topic you would have been all over if your podcast existed back then. Also, I'd love to hear your opinion of another 90s infant terrible, Harmony Korine. Fan? Why or why not?

Scott Lepisto

I absolutely love the podcast and look forward to listening to new episodes whenever they are available. I find that your discussion of the overreaction to Trump conflates the disproportionate fear and rage that cable news stokes with the rightful anger and concern many people feel about a collection of wrongheaded, evidence-free policies and a system that does not reflect the popular will of voters (on account of the electoral college, a heavily gerrymandered map, and the Supreme Court Justice confirmation process). By reducing one side to the hysteria of its fringe, I think you fail to take seriously their completely legitimate grievances and criticisms. I think you do the same thing with #metoo. In spite of my criticisms, yours is my favorite podcast. Thank you for doing it.

Michael Glaberman

Now that you’ve been getting more involved in TV/FILM does your process of development change from when you were working on a novel? Is it hard to let go of your literary bones or is it completely irrelevant? By the way, I’m super excited for Roger Avery’s Lunar Park and Glamorama and also the mini series of Less Than Zero. If you don't answer this before Christmas, Have a good one.

William F

Hi Bret I have always wondered what you think about "The Moviegoer" and also about "The Sportswriter." It seems like these and some of your works share in having a nonchalant, nihilistic, relatable young man protagonist. Also: what did you think of springsteen on broadway (I was disappointed)

Harry Roth

I love being introduced to music/songs that I haven't heard before on the podcast. Are there any new bands/artists that you've come across in 2018 that you're really into?

K Sommerville

If the novel is dead, movies are dead and TV is a bloated, oversaturated, formulaic smog monster, where should we go in search of beauty? I asked both Siri and Alexa this question and they both sent me to YouTube, to clip of Orson Welles talking about Chartres cathedral.

Kelly Morris

I've enjoyed learning about the careers and lives of people in the entertainment industry and how those jobs have changed over time. Any more thoughts on your upcoming book that you want to share? I'm looking forward to reading it. Any thoughts on Michel Houellebecq's essay on Trump in the new issue of Harper's? Any movies or books coming out next year that you'd flag as things we should check out? I love your recommendations and reviews. Thanks for the great podcast.

Chad Daniel Russell

Monologues are typically the part I enjoy the most. Also really enjoy the interviews with writers; any chance you'd have Chuck Palahniuk on? I'd also be interested to hear more about your current involvement with Bennington. Finally, what do you think of Steely Dan?

Ryan Hyde

Would you ever be interested in writing a graphic novel?

Ryan Hyde

Would you ever be interested in writing a Batman story for DC? I know Superheroes aren't your forte but I feel like you would write a great Batman story.

Gavin Karls

I also really enjoy your long monologues... it often feels as if I’m listening to you read a chapter from one of your novels. One topic I would be interested in hearing you talk about is the paparazzi industry. The stranger the interviewees the better, plenty of big celebs already have a platform. Also really enjoy whenever you talk with directors... especially horror film directors.

Mickey Rock

How did you come up with “filled wya nameless dread...”

Rob Motto

Hi Bret, Do you still have that original script you wrote with Nick Jarecki of The Informers? Will it ever get made if people put up money? Such a missed opportunity. And I mean remade. I know it got made. Jesus. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Ralf Moeller

Hi Bret, can you name some of your favorite Books about film?

Michael

Bret, I would like to see more writers and novelists on the podcast. Thank you

Derrick Wiest

Hi Bret, Patreon recently removed Carl Benjamin (Sargon of Akkad) from their platform for using the n-word in his criticism of white supremacists. In response to this and other recent bannings, Sam Harris and other members of the Intellectual Dark Web have begun closing their Patreon accounts in protest and seeking alternative means of donation- or subscription-based monetization. I know you've thought a lot about the corporate homogenization of the culture, so I'm curious what your feelings are on the recent situation with Patreon and whether you've considered migrating to a different platform.

David Willis

Hi Bret. I love your monologues, especially those that focus on the current madness of the political climate in America and your rants about social justice and the far left. As you live in LA, I was wondering what kind of blow back you get from them? It seems that anyone famous these days who criticizes the left gets in a lot of hot water and loses work over such views. As for film and TV, did you see the Haunting of Hill House on Netflix? I thought it was great, especially from episode 4...

Saad Khan

I have discovered so many great movies, new and old, thanks to this podcast. E.g. I saw “Don’t look now” yesterday and got blown away by the intentionally disjointed editing and atmospheric beauty of the movie. Plan to see “Roma” today. Few weeks back after hearing the podcast I bought the Criterion Collectipn DVD of Andrei Rublev and devoured it. So that’s how this podcast works for me. Thanks for doing this. You inspire and enthrall me. I have learned so much from listening to your podcast. Perhaps my biggest compliment would be that you are MY Pauline Kael. I even started listening to Eagles because of this podcast.

David

Based on your memories and impressions, how is the liberal response to Trump now different to the liberal responses to Nixon in the 70s and Reagan in the 80s? What does the difference reveal about us now and is this difference somehow reflected in the films we make?

Andrew Stone

Your thoughts on The Favourite?

Jamie Williams

You have often reflected on the New Hollywood era of the 70's. I too am the cliche cinephile who prefers that decade in film though I do have a deep love for the 80's, I'll admit. John Boorman has three genre-defining masterworks to his name (Point Blank, Deliverance and Excalibur) and certainly made a wave in his own way during those two decades. But why is that we never talk about him?

Arch Stanton

Hi Bret. Love the podcast. I have listened from the beginning and really enjoy your fresh take on the goings-on within our business. I've never heard you discuss the film, but I'd love to hear you talk about BLADE RUNNER (1982). It came in the 1980s, but I feel like (the director's cut, at least) is very much a 1970s film in spirit. What is your take on the film?

Travis Danner

What are your thoughts on HBO’s My Brilliant Friend?

James Reeves

Any vacation travel plans upcoming? Is there some place you’ve never visited but plan to visit?

SwampOrSea

What are your thoughts on filmmaking on celluloid film versus filmmaking on digital cameras? Do you feel there is a crucial difference as a viewer? As a filmmaker yourself do you perceive a difference, either in the final visuals or in the differences to the workflow during shooting? Do you recall any interesting perspectives on film vs digital from your past guests or from colleagues outside the podcast?

David Schur

What is your favorite and least favorite of your novels?

Bmulzzz

Glamorama would make an excellent limited series. Anything in the works with it or does Avary still have the rights?

Kamil Berrada

Hi Bret. Long time listener of the podcast, I have to say that the new formula is even better than the last one. Very good job to all of you involved in it. My question is about your every day routine. How much time do you spend in a day reading, watching "content" or keeping yourself updated with the culture. And on which medium. What's a good use of a day for someone working in the entertainment business as an "artist" (in your opinion). Greetings from Morocco and keep up the good work.

Will Cross

Top 5 favourite horror films of the 2010s and what makes each one great?

Will Cross

I know you've spoken about it before but would also love to hear more of your thoughts on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The greatest of all time?

Dave Carlson

Love the monologues and the reviews of old movies, juxtaposed or compared against films and relevant themes/issues from modern-day cinema. The interviews are always great too. The pragmatic questions you ask about how people do their jobs and got to where they are also extremely fascinating and don't know if there are other mediums that address that stuff. So now that TV has replaced movies and the novel as the center of the cultural conversation -- what's next? And do you see the "corporatization" of content continuing forever or do you think there will be a backlash and return to freer speech/art as less content becomes supported by ad revenue and more artists take control of their content (much like you have done with a subscription based model to this podcast)? Keep up the good work. Think this is the most well thought out and best produced podcast out there. Also, any update on Roger Avary ever coming on?

Phoenix

I've been listening to the podcast from the very beginning and appreciate the longer interviews. I love hearing Bret's social commentary. I'm less interested in hearing about the movie business, more interested in the entertainment business in general. I agree with others, I do like hearing about older movies from the 70s that I've missed. As far as guests, would love for Bret to have some more risqué guests and playful interviews. I'm referring to when he had guests like Marilyn Manson, Eli Roth and Kanye West who weren't afraid to talk without a filter. Also, would love to see more women on the podcast and their views on the current political climate, especially ones who don't succumb to the current status quo...whoever they may be! Actually one guest who is not a woman, ha, but that I would absolutely LOVE to hear Bret interview is designer and filmmaker Tom Ford. Now that would be an interesting conversation.

Chris F

It's been awhile since you've had any musicians on the podcast, and those have been some of my favorite eps. Any chance of getting some musicians back in the studio next season?

Trevor Wysling

Love how Bret adapts to each interviewee and at the same time goes for the tough questions. Love how Bret interrogated Ottessa Moshfeg about her brand. Love how Bret can keep it focused and serious and then get juicy and classy-playful when bringing up how he observes “it was really starry at the sunset marquee patio the other night” and reliving fun partying times with guests. Keep up the great work!! Love from Silicon Valley.

Charlene martin

Hey Bret. Are there any plans for a book tour, and if so, do you think your audience and readers may have changed since the last tour/release of Imperial Bedrooms, and since starting the podcast?

Daniel Freedman

Love the show. Curious how you reconcile you're prominence and place with an ever changing landscape of "new" "youthful" works, i.e. books, movies, music, etc. These things have certainly changed, as they always do, but where does an aging artist fit into todays farcical upside-down inside-out clueless ponderous attempts at art? Are you a mentor or a sage? Or are you wholly irrelvent? Where do you see yourself fitting into the current culture, if at all? And if not, are you done?

Rob Motto

Hey Bret, I remember when watching The Deleted that the cult was located in Olympia, Washington. I happen to live in Olympia, what was behind this decision?

Dominic Rooke-Allden

The podcast is very good it can't be faulted. Great guests with great conversations. It's like pub talk but in LA, drinking with lattes with famous people. Have you seen Sholay the 1975 Indian action adventure? It lasts for 4 hours. Did you see Snowpiercer with Chris Evans? If so, what are your thoughts on them as I think the are both fantastic but underrated films. Which are the best bars and restaurants in LA? Do you like the Bonfire of the Vanities (book). What are you getting for Xmas? And I don't like the Eagles (sorry).

Jason Petrofsky

Question: Which two celebrities from anytime in Hollywood would you most want to see in a sex scene. I’d want Gene Tierney and Brad Pitt(from fight club). Second Question: If you could resurrect one dead filmmaker to make a film in modern Hollywood who would it be? I’d pick Hitchcock, love to know what that guy would do if he didn’t have to worry about a production code!!

dave sondrini

Clearly spectacle rules in modern Hollywood but what would you say are some of the good outcomes of that? Chris Nolan? Bohemian Rhapsody? Also I think Bohemian Rhapsody will be the start of a new type of film... "The Jukebox Biopic." Mick Jagger and The Stones come next...

jw

Question: What do you think of Alex Garland as a writer/director? Did you like "Annihilation"? 2nd question: Is Todd ever going to be a guest on the podcast?!

Andrew

Love your monologues - as random as they are insightful. Q.1: What has held you back from writing more fiction? Q.2: Do you believe being a writer is something you can be taught? Q.3: Do you believe you could make a career as a successful writer if you were starting out in 2019? Q.4: Is consistency as a writer underrated? Q.5: What are your views on Catch-22?

Vince Eckert

Since you've never covered it on the podcast, I've got to ask, what would you do in the trolley problem scenario? Here's the gist (from wikipedia): "You see a runaway trolley moving toward five tied-up (or otherwise incapacitated) people lying on the tracks. You are standing next to a lever that controls a switch. If you pull the lever, the trolley will be redirected onto a side track and the five people on the main track will be saved. However, there is a single person lying on the side track. You have two options: Do nothing and allow the trolley to kill the five people on the main track. Pull the lever, diverting the trolley onto the side track where it will kill one person." So, what do you do?

Rene Rodriguez

I tried reading Glamorama when it was published in 1999 but the book felt weirdly off-putting and I couldn't finish it. I tried it again this year and devoured it. The novel works as an uncannily prescient satire of pop/political culture as well as an indelible snapshot of late 1990s celebrity. I've never heard you talk about the book on the podcast and I'm curious how you feel about it today, 20 years later. I know you spent a long time working on it -- probably more time than any of your other novels.

Andrew Trevenen

No compaints, love the podcast. Would love to hear a conversation between you and S. Craig Zahler or Michel Houellebecq, if possible.

Dave Nazworthy

Love the podcast. You mentioned Frank Ocean was a fan. Any chance of having him on? Also, will you be doing any live events or reading/signings when your new book is released?

Gabriel

Thoughts on “wildlife?”

David

Why didn't you direct The Canyons? Do you think it would have been a better film if you had?

Stephen O'Flynn

Hi Bret. Three quick questions. Have you read Jennifer Egan's work? You've mentioned Joanna Newsom before. Any thoughts on her? Have One On Me is pretty much my favourite record of all time. Finally, tonight, in Paris, I saw Elia Kazan's The Last Tycoon and I absolutely **loved** it. Not surprised, since it's a Pinter screenplay. Do you like this film? One must also say De Niro's sheer beauty in this film is almost divine. And I love how the film seems to celebrate that beauty. The camera lingers on his exquisite face for two hours in a way that is incredibly rare in cinema...

David

Was Stanley Kubrick gay?

Stephen O'Flynn
>>18120776

Ceylan's Winter Sleep is fantastic, although I disliked the melodramatic ending; would have loved for it to have faded out quietly, keeping the tone of the rest of the film; those scenes of the guy in his study, reading, talking - could have watched them for hours on end; when the wife plot kicks in, the hypnotic, contemplative effect is ruined, for me anyway...

David

Are there any good American films about the disintegration of relationships? All the best examples seem to be European e.g. Journey to Italy, Le Mepris, La Notte.

David

Your voice is so good at expressing the strange despair of pop song lyrics (also true when you quote them in your novels). Have you considered releasing an album of spoken word covers?

SwampOrSea

Bret, what are your suggestions on movies to put on when you're trying to get laid? Or how about movies to put on when you're trying to be more sensual and seductive? I don't currently need this advice, I just thought it would be an interesting answer from a cinephile. ;-3

David

Would life be better without fathers?

James Howard

Hi Bret - Around 2011, you visited your many rabid fans here in Australia as part of the Imperial Bedrooms book tour. You were *wildly* entertaining, but the press surrounding the tour focussed on your casual dismissiveness - and even out right contempt - for the poor bastards that had to host the events on stage. Again, you were wildly entertaining (and amusingly taken with the level of attractiveness of certain members of the crowd)... ... I've always wondered if there was more going on behind-the-scenes of that tour. You mentioned during the Ottessa Moshfegh episode that you'd probably never tour again. What happened during that 2011 Aussie tour that (to a certain extent) ticked you off so much? Fucking love the deep thought and time you invest into each episode by the way... you're a true rock star of the literary world... and the sanest voice podcasting today. More please!

Eddie Enciu

Have you ever reached out to David Lynch to come on as a guest?

Benjamin

Hey Bret, what novel do you think is the most significant one released so far this decade?

Kevin

Everyone for years and years has been so quick to say something about American Psycho (or the occasional Rules of Attraction comment) when it comes to BEE (you). What does this fact, and the sheer absence of (specifically) Glamorama references, say about the readers' ability or desire to digest larger, deeper novels? Obviously you were a more accomplished and skilled writer by 1998, is there a chance you were too good? Was Glamorama more art than accessible?

D Michael Hardy

Do you know what the status is on the Lunar Park movie and are you involved at all with it?

Poetical Gore

Are you Timothy Price in The Informers (The Island)? It seems like Tim and his Dad don't get along. And not to psychoanalyze you, but the whole thing where the Dad sends Tim to the bar with the gay guys and then Tim meets the girl there and then the Dad ruins it for Tim with the girl, I can't help but wonder if that has any ties to you? All writing is autobiographical.

Richard MacManus

Hi Bret, I'm curious what your experience has been like as an indie podcaster using Patreon, compared to partnering with PodcastOne in the past. I'm interested to know what tools you needed to make it work, whether you've enjoyed the freedom of going indie (or maybe it's been a burden too), and also of course have you made more revenue doing it indie-style?

Matt De Marco

Do you keep in touch with Irvine Welsh and do you think he might appear on the podcast? His foreward for American Psycho was fantastic. Great podcast this year, by the way. Cheers!

Ryelin Segars

Any chance of having musician Bradford Cox or author Tao Lin on the podcast in the foreseeable future? I can’t remember the last time you had a poet on the podcast either, so it’d be pretty cool if you featured one, perhaps Ben Lerner. I know you’ve mentioned Lerner before—during the David Shields episode (one of my favorites) I believe—and think a conversation between the two of you would make for a dynamic episode.

Brian Hicks

I second Matt De Marco's sentiment, Welshy should be a guest; Jim Jefferies and Grant Morrison as well... question though is over numerous podcasts you've stated your disdain for the PC crowd though always refer to them as liberals. Is that a NY/LA thing where there is no distinction between being liberal and the PC thought police?

Michael

What are your thoughts on Lanthimos’ new movie “The Favourite” ? Do you think it’s possible for such auteurs directors like him with such a specific and cynic view to make successful mainstream movies without compromising their vision ? What are your thoughts on “Sharp Objects” on HBO directed by Jean-Mark Valee ? Do you think he was more successful than Fincher’s “Gone Girl” since it was a mini series ?

Jim Ashilevi

I know you have a problematic relationship with Marvel movies but are there any that you've actually enjoyed? You've mentioned that "Spider-Man: Homecoming" was enjoyable to some extent. Any others? The second question ties into what you discussed with Jason Starr. If you were to write a Marvel or DC story, which character would you pick and where would you like to take the story in terms of mood and atmosphere? As always, thank you for the excellent podcast. Merry Christmas, Bret, Adam and Todd. I hope 2019 will be an excellent year for you.

João

Even though the podcast has been leaning toward less known guests, is there any chance you can get fellow angelino Paul Thomas Anderson on? I bet it would make a great interview, considering your not always great relationship with his movies and love for others. And both are truly passionate about cinema. As for the podcast, I'm really enjoying this new version of the show. The monologues are great, the guests are interesting and, for a european leftist who doesn't like Trump in any way, I'm pretty much enjoying the ongoing debate about him and the reactions (still) to his election.

Alethia St. Joan

In light of your love of Phantom Thread, have you been moved to go back and revisit the PTA films that didn't exactly thrill you first go round, i.e. The Master, There Will Be Blood, etc... and if so, have your initial feelings been transformed or merely confirmed? Also, what have you thought of past guest Alex Ross Perry's last few films (Queen of Earth, Golden Exits, Her Smell)? And lastly, have you seen The House That Jack Built yet?

Dr. Destructo

There was this "news" bit circulating about Christian Bale meeting Donald Trump who apparently mistook him for Bruce Wayne. I can't shake the feeling that what actually happened is DJT mistook Bale for Patrick Bateman. Any thoughts?

Brian Jones

In August 2017 on Twitter you asked “Why do I find Stephen Miller completely compelling and want to write a novel about him?” Did you ever figure out why you find Miller so compelling? And what would a Bret Easton Ellis novel about Stephen Miller look like?

Goose

Hi Bret. 2 questions. 1. What are your thoughts on the current state of comedy? Are there any performers, writers or directors that you enjoy / respect? Is there anyone making satire that is actually funny / useful? 2. Can you talk a bit about your experience of directing a web series. How did you find the day to day experience of directing and how did you feel about the finished product?

D Michael Hardy

Who would you want most as a guest on the podcast that has never been on before, and would you ever invite Jay McInerney on as a guest?

Scott Chrabas

Good afternoon, Bret. I enjoyed hearing about some of your adventures in Richmond in the ‘90s, and I suspect that a terrific comic novella could be made of them.

Scott Chrabas

If there’s a good story in it, would you be willing to discuss “Hudson Hawk” and its influence on “Glamorama”? I just saw the notorious film for the first time, and I couldn’t help but notice that Victor Ward shares the ability to time explosions by pop songs with the hero of the movie.

Stephen Cage

Hi Bret, Well, I’ve been listening to your podcast for a few years now. I really enjoy tuning in, hearing your thoughts, and listening to some great discussion. Especially loved your conversations with Ezra Koenig, Stephen Malkmus, Kanye and Andrew Haigh. I find there is often something compelling about the cultural interplay between Britain and the U.S. While our politicians like to affirm the idea of a ‘special relationship’ between us, it’s difficult to pinpoint what exactly this ‘relationship’ boils down to. Though clearly, there is an energy of sorts – somewhere between affectionate and adversarial – that is quite particular. From a British perspective, we’re often portrayed as sticking our noses in it. This is an observation, not a criticism. In Mad Men’s third season, the arrival of the smarmy British executives at the offices of Sterling Cooper (on the 4th of July of all days) typifies this conflict in the wonderfully bizarre lawnmower fiasco, and I think that Lane Pryce’s narrative teases some of the most nuanced idiosyncrasies of British/American relations I’ve seen on screen. As an American, what are your perceptions of this transatlantic interplay? At the tail end of 2018, where do you see this relationship heading? Dwindling to insignificancy or evolving in a different direction? One quick aside – what do you think of John Grant? Andrew Haigh is a fan and his music’s in both Weekend and Looking. Love is Magic is surely one of this year’s best releases. A future guest for the podcast? I think you both would have a lot to talk about. Cheers, Stephen.

Clark Dartfunkel

In the first chapter of Lunar Park, can you separate the factual elements from the fictional ones. Does it begin factually and then there is a moment beyond which it all becomes fiction? If that seems too laborious to answer, any commentary on that chapter would be appreciated. I’d also be curious to know how the story differed before you decided to make Bret the main character.

Scott Bradley

Happy Holidaze, love the podcast, can't wait for WHITE. My question: There are a few people that seem like would be naturals as guests - Milo and James Toback come to mind - but they're pretty marginalized at this point culturally. Would you consider having them or similarly controversial figures as guests or do you feel like their notoriety would overshadow the conversation? Also - What do you think of Jordan Peterson?

Frank Bascombe

Hey Bret, love the podcast, and your point of view is worth the price of admission. I can't wait for WHITE, and wonder why you've not written a novel in such a long time? I just listened to Less Than Zero on audio and wonder if you've thought about writing a novel about your life now? How about, the end of the world narrated by a male prostitute. (I hope you read this on air and give that hearty laugh of yours)

Thomas Matich

Great year of podcasts, Bret. The move to Patreon was excellent. There was a documentary released in 2016 called "Seed Money" which chronicled the story of Falcon Studios founder Chuck Holmes. I find their late 70s to late 80s output fascinating - from the music, performers and set-pieces and I feel that are so many great stores their left untold. Did you ever have any run-ins with Falcon stars or have any stories/memories from that period? Secondly, Penny Marshall passed the other day and many of the tributes are focusing on her trailblazing as a women director in Hollywood who helmed big blockbuster hits like "Big" - Penny had relatively short window of success, but it really hasn't been matched, except for maybe Bigelow, what are you thoughts on Penny and do you think it was her sense of humor and acting in comedy that helped in her success?

Ian Isom

Hey, Bret! Greetings from Gainesville FL. Big fan since The Rules Of Attraction. You've mentioned Stephen King a few times, what are some of your favorite books & movie adaptations of his? And are you a fan of LCD Soundsystem? For some reason I think of your books when I read their lyrics. A lot of paranoid nervous energy, maybe it's just me. And for the record, I LOVE THE EAGLES! Thanks for letting us all in on all your musings, Bret & we're all looking forward to more!

souleraser

Kubrick retros have been happening all year for his 90th birthday. I saw nearly all of his movies at the same theater over the past couple months. The most crowded screenings, by a long shot, were BARRY LYNDON and EYES WIDE SHUT. Seems like these films are back in vogue - lots of young people compared to ghost-town screenings of everything else. Have you noticed this? What is it about those two movies that resonates with millennial / gen z audiences?

Alex Waller

Yo Bret did you like Peppermint? I thought that was one badass movie

GC

Would love to hear about Bret’s experience making The Deleted and how it was received...

Martin Dan Rasmussen

I would love to hear Bret just toy with the idea of doing a take on either a DC or Marvel character but in Bret’s fictionary image. How he would do it and why

Raúl

From Spain, quick and simple questions for Bret: 1.) Have you ever read Will Self?, what do you think about him? You appear as a character in one of his books "Walking to Hollywood". 2.) Which are your favorite Clive Barker books?. Can you elaborate about your experience reading him? Cheers.

alexander barnett

Hi , thanks so much for doing this podcast , I was so happy when I found out it was back . overall your essays are excellent and the guests are more or less interesting depending on who thet are obviously , so for instance Walter hill was amazing ( Try and snag William Freidken?) , some of the writers i never heard of...meh , sorry to gas you up , its just a really well done product and i really appreciate it . UMM you ever read "Boy Wonder" by James Robert Baker? if not i feel like you may like it , that also goes for anyone else who may read this comment , ok thanks dude, merry Christmas and all that good shit !

David Kordahl

Q for Bret: In older episodes of the podcast, you talked a lot about splitting ideology from aesthetics in art. This seems like a possibly fruitful way to approach various works as a critic, but when you work on projects aren't considerations of ideology and aesthetics all jumbled together? The reason I ask is because there seems to be a difference between the reasons why your books are effective ("aesthetics") vs. what they get across to the reader ("ideology"). I'd be interested to hear how your mindset differs, if at all, in approaching your own work as opposed to the work of others. Thanks!

John Bernhard Andersson

Do you have any takes on Patreon’s recent bursts of deplatformation? Sam Harris has left Patreon in protest and Jordan Peterson is apparently about to launch a similar service where free speech is ”better protected” or whatever. Any thoughts? Thanks for doing this and thanks for an enjoyable podcast.

JP

Possibly has more to do with the moment than your oeuvre but would be curious if you are ever tempted to write something completely against your own grain, stretch your genre chops to some alternate pole? Like Lynch and the G Rated "The Straight Story", Woody Allen's "Interiors", Cronenberg's "Little Women", your Mennonite chamber piece, your "Bartleby"? Maybe the Huey Lewis and the News section of American Psycho already checked that box. Maybe you should reissue that as a stand alone like DeLillo did with "Pafko at the Wall"?

chris maiorana

In his book, "The Modern Weird Tale", S.T. Joshi connected you (Bret) in a literary horror lineage that starts with H.P. Lovecraft's cosmic horror to Robert Bloch's interior, psychological horror (Psycho) and up to American Psycho (which seems to be a more social horror). I was wondering if you were familiar with this chapter of Joshi's book or what your thoughts might be on American Psycho's place in the tradition of the modern horror tale. (General comment about the podcast: Great job, loving the monologues most of all.)

Sean M.

If the freedom to offend is essential to artistic creation (Ogien), do you foresee a specific sort of decline in a broadly-American apprehension of beauty? Will the current climate of outrage and erasure make Americans aesthetically stupid in any particular ways that you can foresee? Has this already happened, in your estimation?

M Bialystock

What’s one question no one ever asks you, but you wish they would?

Chris Boyland

What are the current states of the Lunar Park film adaptation and the American Psycho sequel?

Bill Ackerman

Hello Bret, I love the show, and I think it’s only grown stronger since the move to Patreon. Thank you for doing this. I was curious if there were any film critics, print publications, websites, podcasts or authors (besides Ben Fritz) that you follow, or that inform what films you go to see? Have you ever seen the film POSSESSION, with Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani, and if so, what did you think? And did you ever read those pieces Drew Grant did for Crushable years ago that presented Baby-Sitters Club stories written in your voice?

Jeanne Chisholm

Love your books, love your podcast - always excited to receive the email that your podcast is ready to download. Question: Are you still friends with Donna Tartt? If so, is she working on a new book? You've made commentary that novels are dead/dying ... but Donna Tartt's "The Goldfinch" was a huge success, and being turned into a movie. Do you have any pangs of jealousy that "The Goldfinch" received such widespread attention? And finally ... can you give us readers any hope that you may still write a *fiction* novel? Would love to read more of your work! Thank You.

John Webb

Can you talk about Sofia Coppola's "Lost in Translation?" I was really taken by it, finding a lot of my self in both the leads. I think you've mentioned it favorably, and I'd like to hear more of your thoughts.

D Michael Hardy

Have you ever written poetry, and if so, would you ever publish it?

Justin McClain

Do you need a Production Designer for any upcoming shoots?

Mikael Pawlo

What do you think of The Eagles?

doormatty69

What do you think about reality TV? I know you’ve talked about enjoying the Hills. Do you like any other reality tv shows?

Raffi N

What music do you have on rotation at the moment?

Sean Meehan

How do you feel the Trump presidency is going? I know you get a lot of heat for talking canididly about politics, but please keep it up! It’s thrilling and inspiring in the age of punishable opinions.

Dominic Schmiedl
>>18122681

Been listening since the podcvast one days and I'm pretty sure he wasn't - himn having writers on is pretty new and i can't remember this being the case before patreon. Anyhow, I did do a Google search for varification and sure enough, I couldn't find anything. Did you confuse something?

Erwin Enriquez

When was your Dad’s Birthday (What was his astrological sign)? Will Timothy Price ever be in future novels (he’s one of my favorite characters)? Bobby Hughes is the most Terrifying/Scariest character you created.

Kovitch

Love the Podcast; looking forward to ‘White’. With regard to the latter, would you ever consider writing a full blown memoir? On the podcast there are so many incidents you allude to and famous people you’ve crossed paths with. Any chance you might put it all in one place?

Joseph M Booth
>>18176572

I think Possession is an amazing movie and would also like to hear Bret comment on it.

Connor Burke

I wanted to know what your thoughts were on Noah Baumbach’s “The Meyerowitz Stories?” This was one of my favorite movies of 2017, however I felt like it was buried in the heaps of content through it’s Netflix distribution. This led me to wonder, is Netflix really a suitable way to market a film that seems to have been made for a niche audience? And how much does this method of distribution determine the critical fate of the film?

T

This might be the the most accurate description, I too feel that Bret is MY Pauline Kael :)

Dustyn Dubuque

Thoughts on the Film Festival circuit...especially Outfest in LA

Ryan Kindermann
>>18177227

I would also be curious to hear his thoughts on Coppola's film "Somewhere." Really love the podcast, thank you Bret!

Reptilian complex

What do you think of the tv series "The Shield" and "Deadwood"?

Reptilian complex

Have you read anything of the british writer Christopher Priest? Do you like his works?

Michael MacGowan

I think you need to take a look at The Misandrists. No other movie this year took more risks.

FlyingWaffle

Hi Brett, which young up-and-coming directors are you hopeful/excited about? Are you familiar with the French director Jacques Audiard? I really recommend checking "The Beat That My Heart Skipped" (2005).

Erik

Well, i guess Wanna tell the take of how Brett became the one to read among my gymnasium/high school friends. I got the tip of him and AP from my halfbrother, who dated one of the Tetra-Pack daughters, anyway he dressed nice. So i got a copy of the book and it gets lended out to friends and friends of friends all with side notes on what they liked. Book eventually came book after being consumed by 15-17 y o male kids with no direction in northern sweden. So what impact? We started to dress very good on parties, we selected clothes and became more self appreciated then just being kids. No murders or rapes. But P Bateman replies walked around. And other Ellis-book-quotes became standard, like Rock n Roll etc. your book had great impact and was my books of my youth. Whatever it was your voice snd stories was just what we were missing, maybe more so to the internal dialogue that lacked direction, your books opened up. We are all today educated Medical Dr (like me) journalists, librarians and stuff. So we got what was Said between the pages. I would love of course to have a blasted party night with you guys, just to hear the what to be Done with This generation that needs Direction but with the right bait first. I Bought 6-7 books you recommended on Insta snd i fell in love with Richard Burton diaries totally. I was very disspointed with the rest. But thats the deal....so send me a ticket. Looking forward to the new one aswell. Is it any I Wanna know about you or so? I believe you are searching like me Whats going on the litterature and cinemtographic scene. Wheres the flesh? Lets cross the 110 th street.... /Erik, Sweden

Luke Simon

OK bret... thoughts on the favourite... your buddy / guest's studio 54 doc... listening to any hip-hop these days? do u own anything from arrow video? it's like criterion for exploitation and horror? wish i had more literary questions, maybe next year, i'll read more

K. Delongpre

The gilded hypocrisy of hollywood & silicon valley is getting progressively harder to stomach. Judd Apatow trying to dictate who should--or shouldn't--have a platform to speak; bowing to European speech codes and Chinese censors; banning libertarian/conservative voices while protecting some pretty fucking radical leftist ones (Farrakhan), etc. What advice would you give to the small segment of young millennials and their 4chan loving Gen-z counterparts who DON’T identify as liberals, who dislike censorship, who believe in the 1st amendment & debate, who don’t claw their face off at everything Trump does….who love film? And are, or are considering working in the industry? It’s it even worth it? Or should they just not bother. Much love to Todd, I hope the blood pressure & TDS is getting better. The podcast is killer.

Bill Banse

What are your thoughts on the films of Shane Carruth? Looking forward to BEE 2019. Have a safe holidays you guys.

DontLookNow

Did you see the film God's Own Country and if so, what do you think about the way it depicted gay men?

DontLookNow

What do you think was wrong with the last season of Girls and what do you think about Lena Dunham generally?

Tom

Hi Bret and the team. Greetings from Sydney, Australia. I’d like to quickly mention that I love supporting the podcast and contributing towards quality content. Keep up the good work. Bret, I remember you saying on an earlier episode of the podcast that you find it difficult to enjoy movies and TV shows if they don’t have a sense of humour. I’d like to know why you consider humour to be necessary across all genres and mediums. What role does humour play in a movie like Dunkirk, or the new Suspiria remake? I’d consider both of these films to be great, but I don’t consider either of them to contain much humour. Would you agree?

Dustin

Hi Bret you’ve said separately that you like the ending of Manchester by the Sea because it didn’t have a koombiya ending (like he won’t get far on foot). But you’ve also said the ending of Manchester is not satisfying as the character doesn’t change. Is there an ending to that film that could work in your mind? Can 'down' endings work in these times?

Erik

From Erik - Sweden - Ok Bret this is a question I want to ask - How do you want to be remembered after your death? What would you miss most when dead, music Reading or writing?

David Kordahl
>>18122681

I guess I am confused! I could have sworn he was a guest, but I see the same absence in my Google search, which causes me to doubt my memory. I know I listened to a podcast with Cooper after he released The Marbled Swarm, but apparently it wasn't this one.

James Pearce

RE: "using the camera as a character" in TV, a second attempt at Breaking Bad might be warranted. Some distance from the hype could lead you to appreciate what Vince Gilligan was doing on that show. Also, did you like a "pregnant" 54 year old Sandra Bullock trying to furrow her Botoxed brow in Birdbox? (For the record, I liked the movie and her performance. Yes, it was ridiculous, but so what?)

John Q. Thompson

Whose output do you prefer A24 or Annapurna?

Anthony L'Huillier
>>18168894

Bret, please comment on the Carl Benjamin deplatforming and Sam Harris leaving. I'm only on Patreon to support you now and completely torn.

Carlos

Have you seen any movie from Spain this year? If so, did you like any? (I would include Asgar Farhadi’s Everybody Knows, produced and shot in Spain, as one)

Carlos

What was your favourite episode from The Romanoffs? Don’t you like it’s one of the best shows of 2018?

Dominic Schmiedl
>>18122681

well since the marbled swarm remains a big question mark to me, I'd be happy if you could share a link to that postcast if you have it!

Ben

Oh man, as if I didn’t love Bret enough he just goes and nails my favourite bands Slowdive and War On Drugs. Nice man! Atmospheric Gods

BUtterfield8
>>18142105

Hi Dave, I was listening to the podcast and heard your name. Haha. It is your step cousin. The one who would be listening to this. :)

Szabolcs Torok

How could I miss this??? Didn’t see anything about this on Twitter. I do enjoy the ep though.