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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 055: Autism and a Better Life for Cattle — Temple Grandin (2010) with Sara Bagley
Join Alex and returning guest host Dr. Sara Bagley as they embark on a discussion of Autism Spectrum Disorder and visual eidetic memory in the lovely and inspiring biopic of the real-life ASD advocate AND cattle-life revolutionary, Temple Grandin in HBO’s Temple Grandin (2010)! They discuss the basics of ASD, what the film gets right and what the film ditches for the sake of the narrative, as well as Dr. Grandin’s amazing shift in the cattle industry’s practices. They include nuggets of visual storytelling so that the viewer can feel and experience Temple’s internal struggle and brilliance, expertly portrayed by Claire Danes!…
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Episode 042: A Trans, Religious, Simulation Allegory, Oh My! The Matrix Film Franchise
Join Alex in an exploration of the themes and allegories — that have a psychological flair, of course — in The Matrix (1999) film franchise! In this episode, Alex dives into the Wachowski sisters’ true meaning of the first film, which was a transgender allegory. He also explores the iconic religious allegory, as well as a discussion about simulation theory. Some other details are also discussed, like how you can really function with a giant spike shoved into the back of your skull! (Hint: you can’t.) While there is minimal discussion of the new film, The Matrix: Resurrections (2021), consider this a minor spoiler alert!…
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Episode 033: With L-Dopa, You Too Can Do the Hokey Pokey (But Only if You’re Rigid)—Awakenings (1990) with Sara Bagley
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Sara Bagley in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the wonderful film based on the book of the same name, written by Dr. Oliver Sacks, Awakenings (1990)! The film stars Robin Williams as a facsimile of Dr. Sacks and Robert De Niro in one of his strongest method roles. We discuss everything you wanted to know about L-Dopa and dopamine, among this wild trip based in truth.
Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com), on Facebook (@CinPsyPod), or Twitter (@CinPsyPod). We’d love to hear from you!…
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Episode 028: It Really is Hard to Forget This Film—Still Alice (2014) with Shana Southard-Dobbs
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Shana Southard-Dobbs in a discussion of the psychological concepts in the somber and illustrative film, Still Alice (2014)! Alzheimer’s disease is front and center in this tour de force by Julianne Moore. Both Shana and I thought some of the aspects of the film came too close to home, but not for the memory loss, but that it happens to a college professor and cognitive scientist!
Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com), on Facebook (@CinPsyPod), or Twitter (@CinPsyPod). We’d love to hear from you!…
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Episode 020: Please Don’t Try to Erase This Podcast Episode from Your Memory—Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) with Jordan Wagge
Join Alex and guest host Dr. Jordan Wagge in a discussion of the psychological concepts in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), a cerebral (pun intended!) romp with Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, written by Charlie Kaufman. We don’t recommend getting a procedure to erase memories, for any reason!
You can also find Jordan on Twitter: @jorowags
Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com), on Facebook (@CinPsyPod), or Twitter (@CinPsyPod). We’d love to hear from you!
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Episode 009: One Neuron, You’re Alive; Two Make a Pair! Lucy (2014) Rage Watch with Christina Ragan
Join Alex and Christina Ragan (her FB Group for instructors for Bio and Neuro Psychology) in a discussion of the BAD psychological concepts in Luc Besson’s gobbledegook sci-fi thriller (?) Lucy (2014). It stars Scarlett Johansson as the eponymous Lucy, a woman who unlocks supernatural powers just by using more of her brain, and Morgan Freeman, a science-adjacent person who has really weird theories about space-time and brains. We called this a Rage Watch followed by a Rage Chat! Join us.
Read/download the transcript (may contain errors) here.
Please leave your feedback on this post, the main site (cinemapsychpod.swanpsych.com…