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Episode 100: The Past Six Years and Episodes of Shows and Psychology Squeezed into Three Hours — Worth It!
Join Alex in a celebration of the past six years of CinemaPsych Podcast content and 100 episodes! It’s been a journey, with so many films and guests, and so what better way to highlight that time with a clip show! In this double-sized episode, explore some of my favorite moments and discussions, from great films, actors, and directors to awesome psychology content and critical thinking in art. In addition to the past episode clips, Alex describes the new additions to the website, a reimagined resource for this show and the larger aim of film pedagogy in psychology. The film and clips discussed are grouped by broad psychology category.…
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Episode 082: Would You Take This Drug? Limitless (2011) with Christina Ragan
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Christina Ragan as they continue their tradition of rage (?) watch another movie that has drugs that unlock portions of unused brain matter — Limitless (2011), a Bradley Cooper psychological thriller. Directed by Neil Burger and based on the book The Dark Fields (2001) by Alan Glynn, the film also stars Robert De Niro and Abbie Cornish. Would you take a drug that unlocks amazing brain power, but has a high risk of death? These are important questions that Alex and Christina address, while also explaining the drug actions portrayed in the film AND what amalgamation of drugs could be contained with the NZT-48…
Check out the Neuroscience Teaching Conference!…
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Episode 078: Drugs are Bad, MMKay? Requiem for a Dream (2000) with Melissa Maffeo
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Melissa Maffeo as they delve into the seedy world of drug addiction in one of Darren Aronofsky’s earlier films Requiem for a Dream (2000). The film stars up-and-coming Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans, as well as Hollywood great Ellen Burstyn, as four folks who get caught up in their addictions, fueled by their dreams of better lives and fame. In true Aronofsky form, the visuals and filmmaking get you caught up in these addictions, how they manifest and how they actually destroy the dreams of our four main characters. This film isn’t for the faint of heart, but represents the dark qualities that wait around the corner of drug use and abuse — perfect for dissecting the models of addiction!…
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Episode 019: Fly Fishing and Family Time Dynamics—Can Brad Pitt Be My Brother? A River Runs Through It (1992) with Jason Spiegelman
Join Alex and returning guest host Jason Spiegelman as they discuss the family dynamics in the fly fishing period piece, A River Runs Through It (1992). The film stars Brad Pitt, Tom Skerritt, and Craig Sheffer as father and sons just trying to make it in early 20th century Montana. Honestly, the only thing you can really focus on are the amount of stares people make and all the fly fishing. Makes you want to forget all your troubles and just go wade out into a river!
Check out a fun, early-in-podcast-producing moment from the last time Jason joined us. It’s what some would call “bloopers”.…