The Projector #89: Quick Change of Plans (Patreon)

Inside info for our loyal Patreon supporters: We’ll put this out on social media shortly, but it looks like we’re going to be bumping our next pairing back a week. Not to worry, however: we’ll be delivering one of our planned bonus episodes in its spot. That’s some hot intel for our most devoted supporters!

Actually, it’s kind of remarkable this sort of thing doesn’t happen more often. We have four schedules to coordinate (with the option of one of us dropping out for a pairing here and there) in addition to having guests with schedules of their own. Factor in the weirdness of the movie release schedule and it gets harder still. We’ve always found something to pair with a new movie, but sometimes the new movies excite us far less than the classics to which they’re connected. (See: Woman in the Window.) When we first conceived this podcast I’m not sure we understood the full scope of the logistics, including weeks that sometimes demand six hours of prep time just to watch the films. (See: Our next, not-announced-until-now pairing of Woodstock and Summer of Soul.).

That said, we appreciate that we’re not always the easiest podcast to listen to without putting in a little work of your own. Not that you have to watch both films we talk about with any given pairing, but there is a certain amount of homework involved in following this show. I’ve occasionally wondered if we placed a ceiling on the Next Picture Show’s popularity because it involves that sort of commitment. But I also think that we appeal to the sort of film fan who’s going to spend a lot of time watching movies anyway. (So maybe you appreciate the extra week to complete the Woodstock/Summer of Soul assignment.)

This has turned into a bit of a ramble, so let’s close with a question we can discuss in the comments: What was the movie that brought you back to theaters post-vaccination (assuming you’ve been back). It was Gunda for me. But it didn’t have to be. I wanted to see it (and I’m glad I did) but I knew I was going to see something/anything in theaters two weeks after getting the second shot. Did you wait for the right movie or plunge in? And what did you see? (And if you don’t yet feel comfortable going back, that’s perfectly understandable.)

In the meantime, we hope you’re enjoying our two-parter on West Side Story and In the Heights. (Part one is available now with part two on the way.) And if you want some stuff to read, we’ve got some fine choices for you:

• At The Washington Post, Scott Tobias explores the ongoing second act of Liam Neeson, action star.

• Speaking of returning to theaters, Justin Chang writes wonderfully of the experience in the Los Angeles Times.

• If you like behind-the-scenes Disney stories, you won’t want to miss this oral history of The Hunchback of Notre Dame from our friend Josh Spiegel.

• Anniversaries are a wonderful excuse to write about older movies. Just ask our own Scott Tobias, who wrote about The Rocketeer at 30 for The Guardian.

• Also turning 25: John Sayles’ great Lone Star. Matt Zoller Seitz offers an appreciation at RogerEbert.com and Adam Nayman reflects on the film’s legacy at The Ringer.

• At Vulture, Rebecca Alter sings the praises of Pluto.TV, the weird, free streaming service that often feels like channel-flipping used to feel. And Matt Zoller Seitz talks to Barry Jenkins about his great adaptation of The Underground Railroad.

• Of course, the movie in theaters right now is F9. At Vulture, Chris Lee explains how the franchise ended up in space and our pal Rachel Handler tries to make sense of it all.

• At The Nation, Vikram Murthi looks at the curious third season of Aziz Ansari’s Master of None.