Small Beans

It’s a spooky-halloweeny Frame Rate! We bring in the brothers Daniel and Will, fellow filmmakers and friends, to discuss the impact of this strangely memorable yet fairly mediocre film on the elder millennial’s formative years. They also tell us about their new YouTube / essayist project! You know what I mean, beans? Features: ManBoyNice: https://www.youtube.com/@manboynice Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store

Adam Ganser and Abe Epperson discuss the 1998 anime Cowboy Bebop. This time, we talk about the one where Jet finds out his old partner’s secret. Features: Adam Ganser: https://bsky.app/profile/ganz.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store

Dive into the chaotic world of Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film, where personal responsibility collides with social revolution. Highlights include a gripping father-daughter narrative, a character's heartbreaking betrayal, and the absurdity of extremist factions. Benicio del Toro shines in a role that embodies the spirit of mutual aid, while the film's tone nods to classics like Dr. Strangelove. The hosts explore themes of survival, the challenges of representation, and the complexities of motherhood amid societal upheaval.

This episode was paid for by special bean JaneQ via the Pick the Flick tier on our patreon. They picked it and we flicked it! Thanks, Jane! Disclaimer: this episode discusses sexual violence and abuse. It’s a film from beloved director Satoshi Kon that exhibits a great amount of empathy and examination of the male/celebrity gaze. It’s a complex narrative that is definitely worth a watch. This episode contains discussions of those scenes as well as a thorough discussion of how Adam became Abe’s dad. Features: Adam Ganser: https://bsky.app/profile/ganz.bsky.social Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store

This episode covers 2025’s The Long Walk, King’s first book. The hosts discuss the film’s plot, themes, production, and rank it. That’s what you get with KOK. A luxurious long walk across the totally non-dystopic American landscape. Features: Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store

Tom Reimann, writer and podcaster with film commentary chops, helps frame Peter Jackson’s early puppet shockfest. They explore the film’s transgressive muppet parody roots, its crude and dated humor, and impressive low-budget puppetry and effects. Discussion covers standout scenes, tonal contradictions between showtunes and gore, and how this scrappy craft foreshadows Jackson’s later work.

Bridgett and Sarah dive into the thrilling world of The Two Towers, exploring Gandalf's dramatic return and Gollum's complex duality. They discuss Frodo and Sam's grueling journey and the dynamics of powerful friendships. Action sequences shine, especially Legolas's impressive stunts, while the hosts weigh in on the pacing of extended scenes and the importance of worldbuilding. They reflect on their personal reactions to the film and the larger themes of power and loyalty woven throughout the narrative.

Adam Ganser and Abe Epperson discuss the 1998 anime Cowboy Bebop. This time, we talk about the one where Faye gets back at the people who scammed her. Features: Adam Ganser: https://bsky.app/profile/ganz.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store

This is a Richard Jenkins zone. Please enter the Richard Jenkins zone if you would like more Richard Jenkins. His first main role in a feature is a film about an old Scrooge letting some illegal immigrants into his life. Michael and Abe talk about how the film navigates the white savior complex, how chill the ensemble is, and how Jenkins probably has a premium hog. Features: Michael Swaim: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelswaim.bsky.social Abe Epperson: https://bsky.app/profile/abeepp.bsky.social Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store

Sarah and Bridgett discuss the rite of passage that is bad teenage skin. The moisturizers, the serums, the crippling fear. It’s another shiny Rough Stuff. Rough Stuff: https://www.instagram.com/bspodcasting/ Email us your horrible tales: roughstuffpod@gmail.com Support Small Beans and access Additional Content: https://www.patreon.com/SmallBeans Check our store to buy Small Beans merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/the-small-beans-store