Loading...

PODCAST

Blockbusters and Birdwalks

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray

At Blockbusters and Birdwalks, you’ll listen to reviews and conversations about all kinds of movies, from Academy Award winners to exploitation masterpieces with a mix of commercial hits and obscure favorites thrown in for good measure. The point is recognizing that movies present our culture with the building blocks of social memory, enabling each of us to enjoy ourselves because movies are fun.

tv & film visual arts

All Episodes

39:08

1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation –...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/09/29

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa talk through divergent feelings about a master’s lasterpiece. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Primary screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace”...

en-us

26:44

1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation –...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/09/29

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Chris Metzler think fondly about late 1990s movie experimentation that formed the basis for streaming procedurals. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star ...

en-us

24:08

1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation –...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/09/08

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa sing hosannas to a preferred religious devotion than the Big 3 of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wa...

en-us

22:39

1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation –...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/08/25

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa embrace four letter curse words to review how one vulgar movie musical changed entertainment history. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars:...

en-us

23:57

1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation –...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/08/14

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa negotiate a key boyhood memory that spawned too many sequels and spin-offs. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom M...

en-us

24:54

1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation –...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/08/06

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa worry whether their bots enjoy shoot ’em up entertainment. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” (George Lu...

en-us

24:22

1999 Best. Movie. Year. Ever., a conversation –...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/07/20

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa disagree about the rewards of found footage horror craft while noting a landmark in viral marketing. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars: ...

en-us

25:40

1999 BEST. MOVIE. YEAR. EVER., a conversation –...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/07/13

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa worry about a surprisingly grim, historically successful bargain that demands a young person trade their body, future, and identity for a small town’s idea of glory. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo ...

en-us

15:49

1999: BEST. MOVIE. YEAR. EVER., a conversation –...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/07/07

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa regard small joys in Christopher Nolan’s debut. This is part of a series that overlaps with, and extends, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” (George Lucas, 1999),...

en-us

5:06

INTRODUCING 1999: BEST. MOVIE. YEAR. EVER., a...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/07/06

Remembering the fin de siècle energy that birthed our 21st century, we’ve curated this 15-part series to overlap with, and extend, Brian Raftery’s 2020 book “Best. Movie. Year. Ever.: How 1999 Blew Up the Big Screen”. Screenings include: “Following” (Christopher Nolan, 1998), “Varsity Blues” (Brian Robbins, 1999), “The Blair Witch Project” (Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez, 1999), “The Matrix” (The Wachowskis, 1999), “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” (George Lucas, 1999), “So...

en-us

21:13

REVENGE OF NATURE, a conversation – Episode 7:...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/06/25

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa engage with herpetology, aeronautics, and the brilliance of Samuel Leroy Jackson. *** Referenced media: “School Daze” (Spike Lee, 1988)“Menace II Society” (The Hughes Brothers, 1993)“Pulp Fiction” (Quentin Tarantino, 1994)“Rules of Engagement” (William Friedkin, 2000)“Lethal Weapon” (Richard Donner, 1987)“World War Z” (Marc Forster, 2013)“Child’s Play” (Tom Holland, 1988)“The Terminator” (James Cameron, 1984)“Inglourious Basterds” (Quentin Tarantino, 2009)“X...

en-us

23:45

REVENGE OF NATURE, a conversation – Episode 6: “The...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/06/05

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa wonder if bears prefer eating old or young white dudes. Bon appétit, Bart! *** Referenced media: “The Silence of the Lambs” (Jonathan Demme, 1991)“First Blood” (Ted Kotcheff, 1982)“Glengarry Glen Ross” (James Foley, 1992)“Once Were Warriors” (Lee Tamahori, 1994)“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2” (Tobe Hooper, 1986)“Road House” (Rowdy Herrington, 1989)“The Game” (David Fincher, 1997)“LA Confidential” (Curtis Hanson, 1997)“The Ice Storm” (Ang Lee, 1997)“U Turn” (...

en-us

22:09

REVENGE OF NATURE, a conversation – Episode 5: “Roar”

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/05/23

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa look for scars on performers who pretended to be wildlife enthusiasts, but who were nearly wildlife entrees. *** Referenced media: “Cujo” (Lewis Teague, 1983)“Kingdom of Spiders (John Cardos, 1977)“Aliens” (James Cameron, 1986)“Night of the Living Dead” (George A. Romero, 1968)“Star Wars” (George Lucas, 1977)“Speed” (Jan de Bont, 1994)“Twister” (Jan de Bont, 1996)“Ben-Hur” (William Wyler, 1959)“The Crow” (Alex Proyas, 1994)“Twilight Zone: The Movie” (John La...

en-us

26:21

REVENGE OF NATURE, a conversation – Episode 4:...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/05/12

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa discuss ocean-going travel disasters. *** Referenced media: “Captain Phillips” (Paul Greengrass, 2013)“Force Majeure” (Ruben Östlund, 2014)“Downton Abbey” (Julian Fellowes, 2010-2015)“Cheers” (Glen and Les Charles, and James Burrows, 1982-1993)“The Menu” (Mark Mylod, 2022)“Stand by Me” (Rob Reiner, 1986)“Gilligan’s Island” (Sherwood Schwartz, 1964-1967)Audio quotation: “Triangle of Sadness” (Ruben Östlund, 2022), including “Marea (We’ve Lost Dancing)” (2021)...

en-us

29:47

REVENGE OF NATURE, a conversation – Episode 3: “The Fly”

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/04/27

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa discuss human-insect hybridity to continue the series “Revenge of Nature”. *** Referenced media: “At the Movies” (Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, 1982-1986)“The Fly II” (Chris Walas, 1989)“Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn” (Sam Raimi, 1987)“Evil Dead” (Sam Raimi, 1981)“Raiders of the Lost Ark” (Steven Spielberg, 1981)“Dead Ringers” (David Cronenberg, 1988)“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (Ciro Nieli, Joshua Sternin, and J.R. Ventimilia, 2012-2017)“Teenage Mutant Ninja T...

en-us

26:53

REVENGE OF NATURE, a conversation – Episode 2: “Dersu...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/04/20

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa discuss the predator-prey relationship to continue the series “Revenge of Nature”. *** Referenced media: “A Clockwork Orange” (Stanley Kubrick, 1971)“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Jim Sharman, 1975)“Jaws” (Steven Spielberg, 1975)“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (Miloš Forman, 1975)“Star Wars” (George Lucas, 1977)“The Deep” (Peter Yates, 1977)“The Rescuers” (Wolfgang Reitherman, John Lounsbery, and Art Stevens, 1977)“Orca” (Michael Anderson, 1977)“Eraserhe...

en-us

25:15

REVENGE OF NATURE, a conversation – Episode 1:...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/03/27

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa discuss the presentation of zoonotic disease to begin the series “Revenge of Nature”. *** Referenced media: “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” (Steven Soderbergh, 1989)“Do the Right Thing” (Spike Lee, 1989)“Black Bag” (Steven Soderbergh, 2025)“Ocean’s Eleven” (Steven Soderbergh, 2001)“Ocean’s Twelve” (Steven Soderbergh, 2004)“Ocean’s Thirteen” (Steven Soderbergh, 2007)“Se7en” (David Fincher, 1995)“Shakespeare in Love” (John Madden, 1998)“Breaking Bad’ (Vince Gilliga...

en-us

1:37

INTRODUCING REVENGE OF NATURE

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/03/27

In this multi-part conversation series, we’ve curated a handful of movies, from among hundreds of options, to explore how moviemakers transform the natural world into the antagonistic face of on-screen villainy. *** Referenced media in INTRODUCING REVENGE OF NATURE: “Jaws” (Steven Spielberg, 1975)“The Birds” (Alfred Hitchcock, 1963)“Contagion” (Steven Soderbergh, 2011)“Dersu Uzala” (Akira Kurosawa, 1975)“The Fly” (David Cronenberg, 1986)“Triangle of Sadness” (Ruben Östlund, 2022)“Roar” (Noel ...

en-us

31:13

“Oppenheimer” (2023), a conversation about a Blockbuster

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/03/08

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa discuss the blockbuster and Academy Award-winning Best Picture of 2023. *** Referenced media: “American Fiction” (Cord Jefferson, 2023)“Anatomy of a Fall” (Justine Triet, 2023)“Barbie” (Greta Gerwig, 2023)“The Holdovers” (Alexander Payne, 2023)“Killers of the Flower Moon” (Martin Scorsese, 2023)“Maestro” (Bradley Cooper, 2023)“Past Lives” (Celine Song, 2023)“Poor Things” (Yorgos Lanthimos, 2023)“The Zone of Interest” (Jonathan Glazer, 2023)“Following” (Chris...

en-us

39:16

“Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood” (2019), a...

Blockbusters and Birdwalks ·

2026/02/24

Garrett Chaffin-Quiray and Ed Rosa discuss a blockbuster that is also one of 2019’s critical darlings. *** Referenced media: “Reservoir Dogs” (Quentin Tarantino, 1992)“The Adventures of Cliff Booth” (David Fincher, 2026)“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: A Novel” (2021) by Quentin Tarantino“Pulp Fiction” (Quentin Tarantino, 1994)“Parasite” (Bong Joon Ho, 2019)“Argo” (Ben Affleck, 2012)“The Wrecking Crew” (Phil Karlson, 1968)“Heat” (Michael Mann, 1995)“The White Album” (1979) by Joan Didion“Zodia...

en-us

205 results

Similar Podcasts

They Called This a Movie

Anthony Del Vecchio

Podcast Like It"s ...

Rebel Talk Network

Faithful to... Television Podcast

W!ZARD Studios

The 90s’ Rewind Report

The 90s Rewind Report

Deck The Hallmark

Bramble Jam Podcast Network