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The B.E.E. Podcast - 9/20/21 - Mena Suvari - SILVER (Patreon)

Published:
2021-09-21 00:00:02
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2026-06
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Content

After escaping into the creative refuge of The Shards for a year, Bret begins to rejoin the current cinema scene and reflects on the state of the art in the first episode of the podcast's 5th season on Patreon. Mena Suvari and Bret discuss writing The Great Peace and ascending into Hollywood during a particular era. Bret also introduces a new feature of the podcast for the new season.

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Comments

Matt Nirmaier

🗣 Can you please update the podcast artwork, it's ugly and it cheapens the presentation. You paid a jacket designer for all your books, commission a new logo, just a thought 😊

Fernando

The bee monologue is back baby

Matt Nirmaier
>>68236677

I’m aware it’s superficial. It’s just something I care about. Maybe it’s an effective filter. When I’m listening to the pod and I glance at my phone and look at a blurry B&W photo of BEE — just think we can do better here

BUtterfield8

I thought she was one of the most boring guests of all time. I don't want to sound mean, but whenever Bret let her go, she would drift off into the same babbling spiel about wanting to help others or whatever it was. It doesn't seem like Bret's fault, but you'd think there had to be a better way to draw out an interesting story. Maybe since he just read her book it seemed repetitive to him. I don't know... very strange. I hope it is not due to the new "casual" format. With respect to the old format, I have one hopefully helpful critique. (I do love the pod and have listened to every episode since the fast-talking early days.) I appreciate Bret's obvious preparation. He always seemed to have a huge list of prepared questions. The only weird thing is that sometimes the interviewee would respond with something very personal or revealing that really seemed to deserve an acknowledgement and/or follow up question, but Bret would just seem to speed along to his next prepared question. I see there is a bonus hour this week. I haven't checked it out yet.

Dorian

Can’t wait for the opinion on DUNE

Brian Rooney
>>68241395

I’m only about 15-20 mins in, … amazing. Dude is spot on about - everything!!

Chase

She got kinda snotty toward the end

Fernando
>>68247367

Bruce Wagner and David Shields don't grow on trees unfortunately

Maxwell Rinehart

I’m just not convinced that studios want films to be ONLY streaming eventually. I feel like they make a quarter of the profit when they put the film on streaming. I know we say people are lazy and will just watch it at home, but I don’t really believe that. I’m not like that. I know a bunch of people who aren’t like that.

MikeE

Mena’s total befuddlement at the (to me, and obviously Bret) quite obvious, easy to grasp notion of Paglia’s-that only in cultures in free fall are beauty, the good, the TRUTH of how human beings react to aesthetics, BECAUSE they are beautiful and pleasurable and truthful and good, and a relatively small collection of people are given the power to (mostly successfully) forcibly replace these natural aesthetic reactions and values with the worship of ugliness, misery, dishonesty, and bad, BECAUSE they are ugly, miserable, dishonest, and bad-was so generationally telling to me. What is obvious to most Xer’s is utterly lost on those from subsequent generations. It’s like explaining ‘selling out’ to them….if you want an experience in linguistic, conceptual frustration, give that one a try. It simply makes no sense to them to even imagine a world where the ‘content’ you create doesn’t exist solely as a means to commercially exploit, and if you can use your ‘victim identity’ should you have one to aid in that exploitation so much the better. A sense of personal inviolable artistic integrity, I would go so far as to say art itself, is a notion now erased from our society in people under around 40. Ditto Beauty, Truth, Goodness. Makes one cheery, no? And yes I understand she’s on the bubble of young Xhood but I think generally of post-X outlook on these things…

Alex Waller

Really, really enjoyed this podcast overall. Thanks for the detailed response to the Jonathan Lethem question. It is awesome to have the monologues back. I'm really happy The Shards was a success and that so many listeners got into it, but for me the monologue is an essential element of the BEE podcast. I'm going to second Maxwell when it comes to theaters vs. streaming. I don't think they make nearly as much off of a movie in streaming as they do in the theater, and people do want to go out and do stuff, as popular amazon is, strip mall retail centers are still packed on Saturdays, people will not stop going to movies if there's stuff there that will entertain them. We just need some filmmakers back who actually want to entertain people, not just impress their film school friends or the New Yorker. The new crop of filmmakers who are getting an opportunity seem to have no interest being entertaining and keep the audience at arm's length. Many of the A24 guys are guilty of this. Barry Jenkins, David Lowery, and yes, even Ari Aster are talented but at the same time extremely stiff and distant. The movie freaks that hang around here might like that but general audiences are going to stay away if that's what they're given. I think audiences would still respond to the mid to low budget drama/comedy, but to quote DFW when talking about Postmodern Literature in the 90s, the non-marvel/comic/action fare has to stop being "hellaciously unfun." Mena was fine, it would've been fun to here some stories about American Beauty and American Pie. Also, she's kind of had random parts here and there for well over a decade now, so it would have been interesting to hear what a typical day is like and how she makes a living acting.

BUtterfield8
>>68247367

People with some reasonably interesting thoughts and experiences to share do apparently grow on trees though. Back in the early years, I used to skip most of the musician interviews because I really didn't know who they were, and I was just especially interested in the film stories at the time. But then I got bored and started listening to the musician interviews. They were some of the best ones. It didn't matter that I wasn't familiar with their music.

Jorge Espinha
>>68247367

Bee commentary makes even the worst guest shine. She has some pain in her life she managed to get over it. I never thought much of her but overall it was a good interview. It was better than Oliver Stone's son

Michael Walsh

The monologue was welcome to hear. But a conversation worth listening to requires two more-or-less equally interesting partners, and there was just way too much about Mena's therapeutic work.

Christopher Jones

Hey Bret, yes, La Piscine is very cool, but Alain and Romy were only in their only 30's when it was made. Be intrigued to know what you thought of the remake, A Bigger Splash. I remember Ralph Fiennes doing a joyful dance and singalong to The Stones' Emotional Rescue. Thanks, Chris.

Brian

I went to see the Green Knight in theaters with my partner and the second following the big punchline at the end I turned to him and said “That was the longest joke I’ve ever heard”. I didn’t hate the movie but I can’t say I’d watch it twice.

BrandonYoung82

Sir Gawain was fantastic but then again I’m an Anglo-Saxonist and Arthuriana specialist. Perhaps it only makes sense in context of the extremely strange & mystical document.

Alex Waller
>>68295294

I've always been a big fan of the original story. I see how Lowery came with a lot of what he did. I've pulled all nighters reading or reading about old literature in college and you do really fall into a mood of quiet spaciness when its 4 in the morning and you're reading this stuff. That aspect of the film I dug. My only real objection was the allusion that Arthur and the Round Table were Christians. In the original poem didn't the Green Knight arrive on News Years Eve instead of Christmas? I believe that was the case. I think the poem was written sometime around the 1400s so it would've been written during the Christianity era but I never think of the Round Table as Christians, especially because of their association with Merlin. Basically, at the end of the day, all of the parts that were in the original story work very well. Every scene the Green Knight is actually in is great. It's a big task to add material to such an old story and I'm not sure anything that wasn't in the original actually worked.

Jesse Dykstra

Bret, I know Christy Canyon. Believe it or not, through the wine world. We're both in Studio City, and I could set an intro with you and her. DM me.

N.M. Janice.

I’ll be honest, after the completely escapist heartbreaking pleasure of The Shards, it’s really hard to go back to this type of into. Hearing about the dismal state and crumbling of cinema is just becoming repetitive and depressing. If you want to continue this as a film podcast, how about more talk about 70’s gems and reviews of other seminal films from the past. The fact that the films you are finding the most interesting are production line corporate comic book films for children just signifies how dull the current cinema landscape is.

Michael Bronspigel

I could listen to you ALL day long, EVERY day. Please do not shorten your mic time. In all honesty, i tune in for you, the guests are just a vehicle for listening to you and your social criticism.

Matt Nirmaier

Monologue was good interview was weak. Q&A section is good, excited about that addition. Enjoyed hearing Brett’s thoughts on White Noise and Don Delillo and Noah Baumbach’s potential adaptation. Thanks!

Tom R

The only issue with the BEE podcast is that Bret tends to be significantly more interesting than his guests

Collin Myers

love the new format! love the idea of bret writing movie books!! still my favorite podcast currently. the shards being over is tough but i appreciate the effort made to do something a little new with the Q&A. someone with platinum membership please ask bret if he has read jennifer egan's "a visit from the goon squad"!

BUtterfield8
>>68241395

I was so lost when the Hunter Biden porn came out about a year ago without Bret to interpret it for me. In fact I'm still waiting for this.

D Michael Hardy

I'm curious if Bret is following the case of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie and what his thoughts are on it, given his interest in the Golden Suicides story. Also, I loved this episode and its format.

Sértő-Radics Sarolta
>>68326834

All years could/should be featured, the question is which year to start from. I'd appreciate an ultimate guide to cinema by Bret Easton Ellis.

BrienPiechos

As a longtime member figured I would drop my .02 regarding the format and length issues. A hard YES for longer the better. Is 3 hours too much with Bruce Wagner? NO! Is 2 appearances a season? NO. Same goes for Nic Pizzolatto. In fact restricting the topics in Nick's last visit really never touched on the myriad of writing topics you guys could have covered. Point being I want more content. Bret, you could do an entire episode reviewing lost gems of books and films so we have recommendations and I would be fine with that. You could open each episode reading a chapter of your other novels and serialize them, later to be sold as audiobooks in your voice and we'd love it. What I have noticed is a reoccurring truth about guest appearances is individuals who began their careers during the Empire are often great and anyone who just made their name tend to be a bore and disappoint. While I commiserate and appreciate Bret's effort to introduce new voices and connect with contemporary talent it never goes quite as well. Perhaps what we all share in common and why we have gravitated here is we all want to live in that nostalgia and escape this hell world of 2021, just like Bret. Here are some guests, all of whom will share that sort of Hollywood malaise, I think would be interesting: 1. Craig Clevenger, wrote three fantastic novels, one adapted to film, then vanishes. 2. Izzy Stradlin 3. Frank Miller, Sin City runner and comic book legend 4. Garth Ennis, another comic writing legend and force behind The Boys 5. Jonathan Franzen 6. Dave Mustain of Megadeth 7. And this is my favorite.... Gerry Howard.

Fernando

More of an interesting move would be to change the bumper music

Fernando
>>68305701

Wow so Brett is just talking to and interving himself, I'm down for it LoL

WH

American Beauty gets better and better

MikeE
>>68271862

Don’t disagree Chase. Bad habit. Made worse by out of date glasses so I can barely see what I’m writing, so I just sort of throw it all on the wall…!

MikeE

I realized with sadness in the mono that after a 25 year literal obsession with movies-last two years of school, then decently successful (not to be confused with gratifying) above-the-line career in the business-that I absolutely don’t care AT ALL about them anymore. And don’t really understand why I ever did. Real moment of regret/remorse, as that obsession came with an incredible amount of sacrifice, including the love of my life and very nearly my soul. And for fucking what? But these are the cards laid at this point in life, all you can do is play them. Or as they say, ‘own it.’

MikeE
>>68406446

I could not disagree more. Absolutely hated it then, then took a peek recently as the BF was watching it. Could not bear 15 minutes. Alan Ball ‘a very special episode of’ sitcom level broad yuks and faux profundity revealing these big deep existential truths that I’d understood and left behind at about age 12. Good cast for sure, that must be said. But chances are I’m wrong and you’re right. It’s just always been my response to it.

Chuck
>>68410812

How did movies cost you the love of your life and amidst l almost your soul? Were you just watching them all the time?

MikeE
>>68410812

No no, all work and career related. It was all that mattered to me, which of course is the norm in that industry. Plus it’s very easy to become an egomaniacal self centered asshole, and like a fish not noticing water…until people just walk out of your life and you go ‘huh? WHY?’ And then you begin to realize the degree you’ve devalued things like family, friends etc. It’s all consuming, or certainly can be, and is for most. And the stress levels and insecurity are incredible. Ridiculous really.

Tom
>>68236677

Yeah even a HD version would be great. It’s so pixelated and blurry

Alex Waller

One thing I've got to call Bret out on a little bit haha. When talking about the the recent films he's seen. Bret frequently says something along the lines of "I'm sure none of your have ever heard of this movie." Pretty much anytime Bret says that I have definitely seen the movie or am at least aware of it, and I feel the same must be true for most of the listeners. I feel like that statement is kinda just used to bolster Bret's cinema is dying thesis. It seemed especially exaggerated this week because The Nighthouse is a wide release horror film that I saw in my local NJ multiplex.

P Smoke

Great to have the BEE monologues back! I got about half an hour into the Mena interview and had to skip forward to the Q&A. Uninteresting anecdotes and too much therapy speak.

Alex Waller
>>68295294

Not that they're always accurate but Wikipedia and SparkNotes say it's on New Years. It's been a decade since I read it so I don't remember personally.

Michael Walsh
>>68273284

You say "We just need some filmmakers back who actually want to entertain people, not just impress their film school friends or the New Yorker." But people keep saying of this film or that film "they couldn't make that today". Perhaps film, like the novel, is a dying art. Some blame the PC tyranny of Hollywoke, but that is only part of the problem, perhaps only a small part. The muse has moved. Where? Who knows.

JEREMY ROBERTS

Loved this episode, guys. Thanks. A question / suggestion - Kenneth Anger. I did once ask if he could be on the show for an interview. He would be fascinating. Or, Bret - a question - how do you regard his films, books, and legacy? Appreciate your time!

Alex Waller
>>68273284

I think the lack of directors who want to make solid commercial entertainment is kind of a separate problem from the lack of edgy content in movies. A healthy cinematic landscape needs both to thrive. We remember the nineties with Tarantino, Fincher, Mendes, Jonze, Boyle, Smith, Linklater, etc. But there were a whole other group of directors helping the film world go round such as Levinson, Ephron, Sonnenfeld, Reitman, Brooks, Newell and you could name a bunch of others. While you can criticize them as too commercial and not auteur enough, they did produce some very successful movies that general audiences enjoyed and could do it on a mid budget scale. Having that type of group is very important for the health of cinema overall to help balance out the edgy auteurs and the big budget action directors.

Stevan Popovic

Great new format. Keep up the good work.

David

Just do S. Craig Zahler man. What are we waiting for what is this shit

Tom Davidson
>>69040512

I 2nd a Zahler interview. But I know Zahler lives in New York and during Covid he has just been working on novels and 2 graphic novels. If you type his name into wherever you listen to podcasts he’s got some recent interviews, but one with Brett would be great.

Peter Walker

Surprisingly, I liked this episode better than the Copeland one. I think the new format is finding its feet. Q&A was a lovely and unexpected bonus.

WOLF STAR

Mena gave the best answer to the Eagles question. "I love the Eagles, can we listen to them?"