Sardonicast 69: Tenet, I'm Thinking of Ending Things, Shortbus

[@tristannoel6536]

1:40 Tenet 20:10 I'm Thinking of Ending Things 59:15 Shortbus 1:21:10 Q&A

[@danielajani7283]

A hero

[@spinhozag.3972]

27:13 I am thinking of ending things spoiler discussion

[@niharmulpuri3995]

Just some guy Who is a guy he probably has early access

[@idkjordash]

Do you guys not read descriptions?

[@jorgepolanco8196]

Thx homie, haven't seen Tenet yet so jumping forward.

[@DavidJohnson-bw2nh]

Jesse Plemons is slowly morphing into Philip Seymour Hoffman

[@Victor-qx3vx]

It’s like Philip Seymour Hoffman and Matt Damon had a baby.

[@b3nl555]

Charlie probably would've casted him if he was still alive.

[@jacksonflood9344]

@@b3nl555 I couldn't imagine Charlie Koufman would have casted the same person over and over. Who is he Tim Burton?

[@emersonriedler]

They even kinda look the same...

[@ryanlts_9684]

@@jacksonflood9344 Ask David Thewlis

[@probablydylan3622]

Since there is ~52 weeks in a year, that means that there will 26 episodes of the podcast per year. Since we are currently at episode 69, we will be at episode 76 by the end of the year. Adding the number of podcasts made per year to this number means that by the end of 2021 we will be at episode 102. Continuing this until we get to episode 420 means that it will happen in 14 years, meaning that episode 420 should happen sometime near the beginning of 2035. By then Adam, Alex, and Ralph will be in thier late 30s, early 40s. If the podcast is still around by then, I would suggest the 2007 film Smiley Face as a good recommendation.

[@aleary2973]

the real hero

[@DemLottBoyz]

This is the only reason I came to the comments.

[@lpld1820]

Nice

[@notmyrealname9059]

Early 2035 is the same release date penciled in for the last part of 'The Genius of Synecdoche, New York'

[@psmstr]

Reefer Madness came out in 1936, so if they miss 50-some episodes, they can do one for its 100th anniversary and the 420th episode at the same time

[@nathanwalkley417]

theres so much to analyse about im thinking of ending things that this could go all day, like just now i realized that her career/ job is dictated by where he is in the school, biology to physics to art is him moving through the building.

[@Matthimeo]

Seems like Nolan really likes it when people have trouble understanding what's going on in his movies, but this time it was by making it impossible to tell what people were saying.

[@mabusestestament]

Yeah, he's cheating.

[@theboss297]

There were chunks of the movie where I couldn't hear ANY of the dialogue

[@mabusestestament]

@Bounty Did it make the movie seem complicated?

[@aramisaac4292]

*laughs in subtitles*

[@theboss297]

@@mabusestestament yeah I had no idea what was going on at points simply because I couldn't hear what was being said, I feel like I'll enjoy it much more with subs

[@bw-xv2rz]

someone said life gave charlie kaufman plemons so he made some plemonade

[@thefilmseeker]

Yeah that was Jay on Letterboxd.

[@Lobsterboy300]

Wholesome

[@FortoFight]

The comments section of the "I'm thinking of ending things" Netflix trailer is a dumpster fire lol. It's full of people that assumed it would be a normal horror movie about a creepy family (the trailer did portray that tbf).

[@PatricioVertiz]

Netflix marketed it as some kind of feminist 'Get Out' or something similar to Midsommar so it's their fault if people were disappointed. At least it made them go see it so idk.

[@therealdrachi12]

Where is the need for the false marketing when it comes to films on Streaming services???? Like in the theater it makes sense, you have to sell tickets so you market it as a regular horror movie... but on Netflix? Just market it as what it is... This way you dont piss off casual movie watchers who expected different, and the people who are more into films watch it anyway and appreciate that Netflix produced it..

[@Datjewboi]

I mean, I hate that too and have been complaining but, how else would Netflix advertise it? They should’ve maybe tossed in a few of the comedic lines or more of the car ride

[@FortoFight]

@@Datjewboi Yeah, I don't really know how I would've made an accurate trailer tbh.

[@SloanWentzell]

maybe they couldve had it so the trailer only shows bits of one setting. like weird brainy funny moments from the dinner scene and only the dinner scene. then people will get the idea that its slow and talky and weird

[@antsmoveaway2087]

I have a theory that charlie kaufman once had a relationship for which he experienced every different form of anxiety that a person can have over a relationship, and every movie is another strand of that experience. Poor guy, good film.

[@aliveslice]

This one is based on a book though. So it wasn't originally by Kaufman which frankly I'm glad to know

[@rattrap1009]

"The tits are fat or whatever" Adum trying to describe straight sexuality is so relatable.

[@greekphilospher2332]

Is he gay?

[@ivosamuelgiosadominguez6649]

@@greekphilospher2332 Yeah. It's not a secret or anything, but if you want hos confirmation, it's on the very first sardonicast episode.

[@Rivecha]

The one we were all waiting for, on multiple aspects

[@lookatmedamnit]

And *accents*

[@zakbrandsinc]

Nice

[@WiloPolis03]

@@zakbrandsinc Lmao obligatory

[@huidobs9531]

20:32 that joke passed both of their heads

[@ivancorredera4241]

Thanks for pointing it out. The joke also went over my head as well.

[@stephengehly2319]

Kinda perfect thematically. Like ironically having your joke be ignored on that subject would be the last straw

[@TwinKids3895]

I noticed that too

[@micahcook2408]

Also the irony of 1:50:00 lmao

[@markec123]

Hmm I don't understand the joke...

[@CaecusYT]

I kept laughing when John David just started doing pull ups randomly.

[@curtisdeese7713]

his definitive character trait

[@alecsb2440]

random?? hes been tasked with saving the world and hes about to enter a warzone that no one in the history of time or space has ever witnessed before. bruh

[@alecsb2440]

better time as any to start working out

[@Franciscavdalmeida]

specially cause we couldnt hear why haha

[@LK_tutturu]

that first pull up with the music and all is especially unintentionally humourous

[@reviewswithgayden3232]

They got it very wrong about the end of the book. There’s only a brief bit of violence wherein the young lady and the janitor and Jake have all become one again and have an inner monologue about how suicide is their only option left and they kill themselves with a coat hanger in the school. It’s very brief, the violence at least, and the moments in the school are less slasher and more the complex thoughts of the young woman/Jake pre suicide. I think both endings are very very different but to say one is better or to write off the book as slasher is wrong

[@kingdaphnes]

Well Adam, you've really sold me on how good I'm Thinking of Ending Things is, and simultaneously convinced me to never watch it. 90% of that entire movie sounds like a dramatization of every negative thought and regret I've had for the past decade. Sitting around in my thirties now stuck taking care of my mother, never getting to make a real life for myself. Don't need to watch my darkest timeline on screen.

[@nicolasdazefilms]

Maybe you'd make a serious effort to change your life if you saw it then. Or, do you wanna take the blue pill?

[@BigItalian7]

@@nicolasdazefilms How about not being so reductive

[@nicolasdazefilms]

@@BigItalian7 It makes me angry when people realize that they have a serious problem in their life but decide not doing anything about it. Then you don't deserve any symptahy whatsoever.

[@yellowfamilyfunny3065]

@@nicolasdazefilms Try telling someone with depression that and see where it gets you. you don't have even the slightest picture of peoples circumstances and if what others do with their lives really makes you mad that seems like a personal issue. A little empathy goes a long way

[@andyzhao7822]

Don’t worry man. Immortality technology might be coming sooner than you think.

[@battleupsaber462]

To be fair, you have to have a very high IQ to understand Tenet. The story is extremely subtle, and without a solid grasp of time travel physics most of the plot will go over a typical viewer's head. There's also The Protagonist's nihilistic outlook, which is deftly woven into his characterisation- his personal philosophy draws heavily from Narodnaya Volya literature, for instance. The fans understand this stuff; they have the intellectual capacity to truly appreciate the depths of these scenes, to realise that they're not just clever- they say something deep about LIFE. As a consequence people who dislike Tenet truly ARE idiots- of course they wouldn't appreciate, for instance, the complexities in Kat's existential catchphrase "INCLUDING MY SON," which itself is a cryptic reference to Turgenev's Russian epic Fathers and Sons. I'm smirking right now just imagining one of those addlepated simpletons scratching their heads in confusion as Christopher Nolan's genius wit unfolds itself on their movie screens. What fools.. how I pity them. 😂 And yes, by the way, i DO have a Tenet tattoo. And no, you cannot see it. It's for the ladies' eyes only- and even then they have to demonstrate that they're within 5 IQ points of my own (preferably lower) beforehand. Nothin personnel kid 😎

[@linhvo1790]

I like the cinematography, but Nolan went easy for the plot and movie lines.

[@sayanghosh520]

It's obviously a Masterpiece( ahead of our time)and thats the problem....

[@iciajay6891]

I have an IQ if 137. I found it pretentious and dumb. Like most of Nolan's movies, hey look great, but are wilfully constructed to make the story telling confusing. To make ppl who get it feel superior.

[@7vanave]

Lol enjoyed that. Btw isn’t it funny that people who know and declare their own IQ tend to be the dumbest person in the room?

[@ellemiller7237]

@@iciajay6891 he got you lol

[@idot148]

I have no idea WTF Alex is talking about, we have IMAX in the UK without 3D.

[@brfcjack]

Some cinemas/screenings have 3D only screens/projectors so maybe alex went to one of those ones accidently

[@theboss297]

Imax I saw it in only had 3D too

[@brfcjack]

@@theboss297 Must be some company policy

[@user-qz2ld3vt2d]

I think he is talking about imax laser vs "liemax". The difference being that imax laser has even more pixels

[@mabusestestament]

What did he see in Imax 3D?

[@gloryon5609]

I remember Shortbus was playing in our local art-house cinema and for some reason, I choose this movie for the first date with a girl. This was our last date, but I loved the movie.

[@alquimista4143]

Without getting too personal Was the movie itself the reason or was it something else?

[@gloryon5609]

@@alquimista4143 I don't know exactly but I thought about it while watching Taxi Driver)

[@alquimista4143]

@@gloryon5609 XD

[@Sp0nge5]

That's a high return play, either she's not the one or she's Mrs gloryon.

[@a_lethe_ion]

Shortbus islike one of my favorite films. its the first and I think only film that uses sex as a way of storytelling, not to make people horny, but to reveal something about the characters. and I love the melancholy and sadness, the emptiness and trauma that 9/11 did thats shown there.

[@ConnorJamming494]

Couldn’t stand I’m Thinking Of Ending Things but Adam’s analysis was really interesting and insightful, I feel inclined to give it another go at some point now.

[@theman44ful]

I think it’s probably worth at least two watches it’s a lot

[@Misadventures_85]

Q & A: 1) Francis Ford Coppola is doing a new cut of The Godfather III. Can you think of any movies that you disliked the theatrical cut, but went back and watched the Director's Cut, and appreciated it more? (1:21:27) 2) Do you think that a film's capacity to make you horny or turned on is worth credit or recognition? (1:25:56) 3) a question for Adum: What are the most egregious and offensive things a film can do when portraying your sexuality? (1:32:16) 4) How can you tell if an indie or art house movie is bad? Where do you draw the line between "At least it's unique. The director probably intended for it to be that way" and "No. That was bad"? And how can you tell that a director's overall artistic voice is not worthwhile despite seeming unique? (1:37:25) 5) If he were alive, do you think Stanley Kubrick would be cancelled due to #MeToo? (1:41:07) 6) All of you are infrequent posters. What kind of pressure does that add to your uploads? (1:41:44) 7) The Academy Awards just announced that starting in 2024 the Best Picture nominees will have to meet two out of four diversification categories. How do you think this will change or affect both representation in the industry and the quality of films? (1:44:49) 8) What effects do you think recent events will have on the film industry? (1:48:48)

[@BirdofKino]

STALKER IS NEXT BOYS. LET'S GOOOOO

[@georgekenwardparker2575]

Adum is Writer, Alex is Professor, and Ralph is Stalker

[@theboss297]

@@georgekenwardparker2575 I need fan art for this now

[@ahnmensch3115]

TARKOVSKY IS THE BEST DIRECTOR EVER YESSS IM SO HAPPY THAT THEY TALK ABOUT IT!

[@grahamproductions6994]

LETS GOOOO

[@ezzysqueeze5890]

YOOOO WHAT'S UP CYNIC! YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH STALKER!

[@1997residente]

Tenet is like the anti-Interstellar: Interstellar is too sentimental and fans defend it to the grave,while by the other hand, Tenet is cerebral,cold and fans have a mixed reaction to it.

[@RonYoYo]

wtf is "cerebral" about that trite

[@Dielawn69]

Wasn't interstellar pretty divisive when it came out?

[@anthonymartensen3164]

@@RonYoYo I guess you're just too smart to appreciate the cerebralness of it

[@1997residente]

@@Dielawn69 Yes,but the ones who liked it were super defensive. I mean, frickin´ film has 8.6/10 on IMDB. If you say it´s ok or it´s bad, people will be like "You don´t fucking get it. It´s a cinematic achievement. The best film of 21th century"

[@nonono7973]

Both suck

[@TheBasaltHorogium]

Really wished they also talked about Feels Good Man, just finished watching it and I am honestly amazed at how great and thought-provoking a meme documentary can be.

[@FortoFight]

Adum did a quickie on it if you're interested in just his opinion.

[@theboss297]

Alex rated it 4 1/2 stars too

[@FilmIsPain]

one of the best films of the year

[@zakbrandsinc]

Ray My favorite movie of the year so far hope they talk about it next Sardonicast.

[@Dethmaster64]

I wish Adam started the episode off with “What are you doing step bro?”

[@HOTD108_]

He should have started it by saying "FATHER!", in reference to Spike Lee's magnum opus OldBoy (2013).

[@lorddevilfish5868]

I would like him to start singing all Star for an intro

[@cultmoss4482]

Adum probably hasn’t seen that shit, you know, cause he most likely isn’t watching straight porn very often

[@benabramowitz18]

Who would you guys all cast to play each other in _Sardonicast: The Movie_ ?

[@fadelpw511]

i want doug walker to play all of them

[@markparkinson6947]

Ralph - Joe Keery Alex - Adam Densten Adam - Jared Leto

[@eduardoqquina1261]

@@fadelpw511 Being Doug Walker (1999)

[@basement_kid]

@@eduardoqquina1261 Synecdoche, Doug Walker (2008)

[@zakbrandsinc]

Ralph must be played by Michael Peña no one else can play Ralph

[@Jormbis]

1:54:15 i dont know why but ralph just calmly asking for another question feels so cozy and everyone just going along with it just makes me feel comfortable with this podcast As much as I love Adam’s constant rants, Alex’s insane laugh, and Ralph being a loud idiot at times, I really love this podcast and the dynamic between the three of them. And for Ralph to be in the mood for one more question, it feels nice. Can’t explain why.

[@DontTouchMyCroissant]

Adam should watch the 3rd SpongeBob movie in the theatre instead, just to spite Nolan.

[@SK-nf9yk]

The sound issue with Tenet is something that we Indians will never complain about because every theatre here plays Hollywood movies with subtitles.

[@Dev-nr4dw]

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: Who asked (Feat: No one) ───────────⚪────── ◄◄⠀▐▐ ⠀►► 5:12/ 7:𝟻𝟼 ───○ 🔊⠀ ᴴᴰ ⚙️

[@SK-nf9yk]

@@Dev-nr4dw I don't know if it's your original idea but I have to say I am genuinely impressed

[@henatatorplays]

Dev idk I think it’s a pretty interesting comment that I wouldn’t have thought about

[@sidharthmalhotra5931]

It depends on the theatre, some theatres don't play English films with subtitles. It's usually mentioned on the ticket or if you're booking online.

[@valentinscosmicrhapsody7201]

same here

[@munkyzzb7504]

Me Watching Tenet: Huh? WHAT DID HE SAY? WHAT'S GOING ON? WHY IS EVERYTHING BACKWARDS AGAIN?

[@wisco9er536]

Yeah the movie requires you to really pay attention to it if you want to really understand it

[@munkyzzb7504]

@@wisco9er536 yeah I think I'll get it more when I watch it again.

[@sudevsen]

Cause episode 69

[@wisco9er536]

@@munkyzzb7504 yeah the movie was way better on my second watch

[@Chad-vk6fb]

i understood like 10% and my ears were bombarded but it was pretty sick

[@BigBeakEntertainment]

Episode 420 in 13.5 years! Get hyped!

[@ivancorredera4241]

Let’s see, they release a new episode every two weeks. There are 52 weeks in a year. We are currently at 69, meaning that there are 351 episodes until we get to 420. That leaves us with 351 divided by 26 episodes a year, and we have a time span of 13.5 years. Bruh.

[@DJGamingSmash]

"I'm Thinking Of Ending Things": Fucking best movie of the year, yet. The acceptance speech at the end is lifted from "A Beautiful Mind". The book heads much further into explaining how the janitor kills himself, and much of that clears up the film, except that Charlie Kaufman changed the ending from the third act onward. There's also a "Stranger Than Fiction" level vagueness of the fact of invention: Did the janitor invent these people and yet they still have "real" lives apart from him and that's how they can talk to him? Or, the much more likely and what I believe, the encounters with multiple versions of himself are just fantasies of himself, and we rarely ever see the "real" him because we're so trapped in his psyche. Brilliant film with SO much insane depth. Makes Tenet's plot look as simple as fucking "A Straight Story"! ...Wait, is this movie just "The 3" from "adaptation."? Also, "Stalker" 's a good movie.

[@nobodyspecial675]

David Thewlis is the best. He starred in a great Mike Leigh film called Naked. Been one of my favourites for years and it's also one of Kaufman's, apparently.

[@theboss297]

Hope one of them recommends Naked I think they'd all enjoy it

[@georgekenwardparker2575]

he also, frankly, killed it in Harry Potter. he's an all-time great in my books, Naked is utterly fantastic.

[@daydreamcon6343]

Naked is my second favorite film, hope they do it as a recommendation at some point

[@angusthom]

He’s fantastic in the third season of Fargo! You should check that out.

[@georgekenwardparker2575]

@@NeverSaySandwich1 oh yes yes yes, Michael Stuhlbarg was also crazy good in that season imo.

[@MmmKayHuuNay]

Tenet was totally like a parody of Nolan films to me!!! Dead on!

[@bomber9912]

I rather think it was a parody on modern film in general.

[@anthonymartensen3164]

@@bomber9912 I agree

[@shelfenthusiast]

you can't stop at 69 you gotta reach 420

[@ossertthewozzard]

That'd be in 13,5 years. Yeah, let's do it

[@FootyCrazyM8]

And then 666

[@_Azagoth_]

I hope they cover The Devil All The Time in the next one

[@dylbethan7034]

In the movie, Toni Collette's character referenced the painting Christina's World which the pig that the Janitor hallucinates in the car window at the very end mirrors. The subject of the painting (Christina) had Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease which is a hereditary caused issue. I just find it interesting because I know that in one of the conversations in the car, the Young Woman references the misogyny in how everybody blamed all of these illnesses on mothers idk

[@micahcook1718]

Not to mention, in the novel he has a mental illness (whether it be schizophrenia or DID), which 'usually' those are passed down from genetically more so from mothers than fathers... I think for this movie, understanding the source material is very important.

[@georgekenwardparker2575]

what a stacked title.

[@elijahfuchs1316]

I read “I’m thinking of ending things” several months ago in preparation for the film. Liked them both, pretty similar until the 3rd act lol. Felt like a good piece for Charlie Kaufman to do Charlie Kaufman things with

[@DJGamingSmash]

Boogie Nights should've been the recconmendation for the episode, with the number.

[@nobodyspecial675]

Wouldn't It Be Loverly? is a track from My Fair Lady, one of the musicals Jake lists in the car. The lyrics are of course relevant to this film. "All I want is a room somewhere, far away from the cold night air... Someone's head resting on my knee, warm and tender as he could be, who takes good care of me, oh wouldn't it be loverly?"

[@jakeram4439]

I think those musicals all have individually significant purposes but for me the purpose of brining up these plays/films is because they’re hopeful/romance plays that contrast to his lonesome and hopeless life.

[@grahamlovesmovies]

Good observation. The reason David Thewlis is credited with it is because he briefly sings it right at the end of the dinner scene.

[@sweetviolents29]

The contrast is nice, yes, but I think the larger purpose it serves is to show where Jake’s unfulfilled expectations for his life come from. One question the film centers is “Why can’t a man like Jake, who has fulfilled his familial and work obligations, feel like his life is enough?” And one part of the Jake’s answer is that his mind is full of stories about beautiful people in beautiful stories who find love and lead beautiful lives. Stories of their lives have taken root in Jake’s brain “Like a virus.” Jake constantly struggles between imagining this unattainable beautiful life informed by film and theater and what he knows is reality... but he can’t seem to disentangle himself from the beautiful lies. When he watches the kids perform musicals, all talent and youth, he notices an illusion that the kids will go on to lead beautiful lives like the ones they perform on stage. He KNOWS this isn’t true (he sees the alumni working at the grocery store all the time) but the illusion is strong. Jake can’t resist performing the fantasy himself, like a ritual that could warp reality... ... until the end, when he at last become so alienated from his own fantasies that it seems like actors are playing them out inside his own head. Point being the musicals are central to the irony of the film, not JUST for contrast. :)

[@henryobrien4824]

I think "I'm thinking of ending things" had a lot more to do with aging than suicide. The parents go through dementia, and the mom is even shown on her deathbed. Everytime the young woman gets a call with a different name Jake uses for her (lucy, lucia, Yvonne) it's the janitor who answers saying "I'm not lucid, I don't feel right" etc. I think this means the janitor is trying to remember his ex gf and their visit to his family but he can't remember her name or how they met, only that they broke up after hence why she keeps saying I'm thinking of ending things. They even show his old hand after he says "I know the high school like the back of my hand" there's just so many clues throughout and I think the aging theme was stronger than the suicide themes but I've only watched it twice at this point

[@DavidJohnson-bw2nh]

I think they keep changing ages because the janitor is trying to decide what stage in his life he could have fit a girlfriend in, and it never works

[@remyd.s2286]

I think it was more of a fantasy than memories of a girlfriend. Her speech to the janitor in the school corridor kinda demonstrates his lack of esteem and self-hatred for not taking risks with girls he met. Her name keeps changing and her character keeps morphing because it's this fantasy that he's taken from all the media he consumes, you see him watching a movie on his break and she morphs into the main character of that movie in the car briefly. Furthermore, there are so many references to books, movies and poetry in their dialogue, and all of those products show up in the background at some point. I do feel like his parents were quite based on his memories, though. That speech he gives about how 'sometimes it feels like nobody notices the good things you do' seems like the struggle he went through caring for his parents alone.

[@micahcook2408]

The “I’m not lucid” comment directs to death/suicide, rather than just losing your wits as you age. Usually in the last stages of dementia, the patient is no longer much eating or talking and it’s odd but their organs begin to act dysfunctional in the end; but to each their own because the author appreciates every angle of analysis that people have or attain.

[@micahcook2408]

I think also knowing the book will help understand the plot twist. I think you’re right but I think this story is very existential and points in many directions. Imo the old hand and the connections of Jake with the Janitor is supposed to be a dead giveaway and Easter egg for the audience to know this is all in the Janitor’s/Jake’s head

[@drewnosky5892]

this, and the most bone chilling thing was the line from david thewlis, with conviction: "you Will notice"

[@isaiahwilliams2642]

Surprised Adum didn't talk about the part in dance sequence where the janitor is a straight up predator and kills the younger version of himself. Really hope he talks about it in his analysis.

[@pandamoo98]

Yeah the Janitor totally did something wrong, the girl thinking about him as a "monster", then when the couple its going to the school and the girl its saying that she dosent want to go, then change to the other actress and its saying something like "No, I dont wanna go, where are we going?" or something like that. Also the girl saying to the woman "im afraid for you, dont go to the car"

[@cleibarnhart]

Yeah, I guess it connects once again to how much he hates himself and sees his true janitor self as a disgusting villain

[@papajohn6839]

It’s the dream ballet from Oklahoma! Look it up on KZbin and skip the first 5 minutes or so. Janitor Jake casts himself as the perverted villain of the show, Jud adding to the point that Jake doesn’t think very highly of himself and he’s very reluctant about letting go of his fantasy

[@isaiahwilliams2642]

Very excited for next episode now that Adum's actually seen Tenet.

[@ريّان-ذ4ت]

A rare episode where I watched all three movies they talked about PogChamp

[@AdamSmith-gi5td]

Tenet was probably the most unnecessarily confusing movie I've ever seen

[@Dethmaster64]

Try saying that after watching Southland Tales

[@MabinogiChristianJ]

I'm curious, since I've seen other say the same thing - why did you perceive the confusing aspects of the film to be unnecessary?

[@MrAllallalla]

@@MabinogiChristianJ the dialogue was mixed so quietly that you couldn't understand what they were saying. Granted I'm not a native speaker but I've heard a lot of american reviewers say the same thing.

[@AdamSmith-gi5td]

@@MabinogiChristianJ For me its how the film is written. Audio mixing aside theres just so much exposition and the protagonist never asks any questions he just absorbs it all faster than I could. It was like Nolan forgot that the protagonist is supposed to be as clueless to everything going on as the audience, and so he forgot to ever have the main character question the exposition or ask for clarification. So before you understand what was going on in one scene its already on to the next, without a character there to be like "wait what, why, how?"

[@alecsb2440]

you only saw it once huh?

[@_0______00__________0_______0]

I completely missed the point of "I'm Thinking of Ending Things" but now I have to go back and rewatch. Adams breakdown was fantastic. POST 2ND WATCH UPDATE: Holy shit this movies good I bet people fucking hated it.

[@raulruizdevelasco6215]

Tenet had great set-pieces, but I was so uninvested that I just didn’t care about anything that was going on and found myself bored.

[@funky35791]

Thanks for answering my question guys!

[@allenjlap]

Jesse Plemons is a very underrated actor

[@kmaldo16]

I kinda see him as filling phillip seymore Huffman shoes

[@angusthom]

He’s especially good in the second season of Fargo.

[@ironwolf56]

@@kmaldo16 He's like what you'd get if you spliced Philip Seymour Hoffman and Matt Damon.

[@Victor-qx3vx]

ironwolf56 Thats exactly what I thought the first time I saw him.

[@musicaleuphoria8699]

0:27 Did Ralph just speak in tongues like the end of Cape Fear?

[@lyricsfromsweden]

Oh, they need to talk about Cape Fear soon.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

52:04 Wouldn't it be Lovely is from My Fair Lady, the song in the play happens after the main character is refused a job due to her having a Cockney accent and therefore common and working class, so it's sort of like an aspiration song, I'm guessing that's why it was used in the movie and it harks back to the school plays.

[@cucumberhorse]

69 being the episode where they talk about Tenet is actually fantastic

[@jacobstraut5601]

Seeing Oklahoma before this is almost a spoiler in itself. Loved seeing the references to it as its a fantastic musical.

[@theman44ful]

I really love adums interpretation of im thinking of ending things, feels very coherent and connected

[@gandalfandferg280]

I went to see Tenet with my girlfriend... we had the whole cinema to ourselves

[@markparkinson6947]

NeverSaySandwich1 Why is that?

[@Enel97]

@@markparkinson6947 because it would be moronic to wear a mask in a cinema where its just you and your girlfriend in the room? you wear the mask in the hallways and exterior whwere there are people and assistants. its how all cinemas are doing it. at least in my country

[@michaeldeguzman3852]

@@Enel97 ok but like who cares?

[@michaeldeguzman3852]

@@NeverSaySandwich1 why does it matter lol

[@markparkinson6947]

Enel97 Makes sense. I would rather wear the mask when I am outside my home, but to each their own.

[@caneronschmalz5795]

My experience in watching it 3 times is identical to Adam's the third time was the best

[@_Azagoth_]

Tenet Theory (spoilers): RobPat/ Neil is Kat's son, going back in time to protect his mum and help the protagonist, who after the film likely basically becomes the step dad. hence Rob's hair is dyed blonde, and he knows so much, and looks after Kat more than he needs to. to me this is clearly true, and adds a lot more character depth and emotion to the film. Nolan even said Neil could have more than one identity.

[@iciajay6891]

I always have to supper slowmo the fanart intro. Adum has achieved peek horse.

[@gloryon5609]

TENET is more like Mission Impossible than Bond movie. I thought a lot about MI:Fallout while watching, and in comparison, TENET is kind of weak on story and character level. And also I appreciate INCEPTION a lot more because of personal connection with Cobb and his goal

[@Tamacat388]

I agree with Blank Check that Inception was basically the story Nolan has always wanted to tell, mixing all his storytelling obsessions and being the most obviously biographical film. After that he no longer had anything to say as a storyteller and just has the new obsession with bringing back big Hollywood epics from the 1950s. Dark Knight Rises being a test run where most of what he talked about when making the movie was how they had so many extras and a huge stadium and so much of it was IMAX and all on actual film so it looks incredible. Story and character aren't as relevant anymore. Which is fine but he has seemed to turn to just making spectacle and tapping into vague huge emotions.

[@elijahfuchs1316]

The action sequences for tenet are immaculate though. Definitely gonna win VFX if there is an oscars this year

[@gloryon5609]

@@elijahfuchs1316 good VFX and even better editing

[@UFT90]

Nice avatar.

[@Paradox-dy3ve]

I'll watch I'm Thinking of Ending Things again with this analysis in mind. Without being able to put any of that together, I found it really tedious and hard to finish. But maybe with this new perspective on it, I'd enjoy it on a second watch! :) Well done with the analysis Adum! I think you nailed this one

[@GasparGa]

30:00 Well I thought that this movie was depressing, while watching it, but now thanks to Adum's explanation, its a whole freaking lot more depressing. Just how i like 'em, thanks!

[@guts1258]

Quiet kid: I'm thinking of ending things Me: Nice man! I love Kaufman too. Quiet kid: Who's Kaufman?

[@MattsAttack9]

When I went to see Tenet last Friday, I watched it in The Director's Hall for the first time. There were two other men there with me. The seats with leather. In the middle of the film, my interest was in and out. For the climax it excited me throughout. The twist surprised me in a positive wayy and I wandered how I hadn't picked up on it earlier in the movie

[@GatheringFirewood]

I watched “I’m thinking of ending things” 5 times in 5 days. It may honestly be my favorite movie of all time. I even went out and bought the book I love Kaufman so much.

[@GatheringFirewood]

I think the book ending is perfect for the medium and the film ending is perfect for its own medium as well. I wouldn’t want either to change a thing.

[@nico.f.]

Where's your profile picture from?

[@GatheringFirewood]

Nico F. I got it from the Instagram @Insanity_gallery_art but the person in the picture is @matieresfecales or @fecalmatterworld

[@nico.f.]

@@GatheringFirewood Thank you, you're a real sweetheart.

[@elijahfuchs1316]

I do have to say I enjoy the books ending more, however I’ve only gone through each medium once. The ending of the book was very tense and creepy and I felt it accompanied the rest of the book very well. The films ending was good but felt somewhat out of place in regards to the rest of the film. I Do have to say that the film’s ending surprised the fuck out of me though lol

[@michaelangelo2192]

I thought the ending/plot of 'I'm thinking of ending things' was kinda obvious?! I do adore how Alex and Ralph were just listening to Adum explain it though haha. Such a likeable crew.

[@andyzhao7822]

Wow, ur smart.

[@rod7049]

Definitely loved I'm Thinking of Ending Things, but I much prefer the experience of reading the novel. The novel is so subtle and the ideas that it presents are not only great but they really help explain what is going on. I feel if I didn't read the novel beforehand, I wouldn't have understood its last act. I highly recommend reading the novel if you want to get a more clear understanding of the story. It's only 200 pages, so it's a very short read (making a reread not difficult at all). And the audiobook is fantastic as well! It does something that gave me fucking chills.

[@MicheallikeMJ]

Shortbus. Perfect for episode 69!

[@maxtrax5660]

Ralph was talking about the TV version of Brazil. The US distributers had a feud with Gilliam and were editing the film without his consent including a happy ending. The US did get a slightly edited cut but the TV version w/ happy ending is used as an example of a studio sabotaging a movie because it didn't test well

[@MrSpartaman300]

I 100% agree with Adum on gay movies. I hate that they almost by default have to be coming out struggle stories. It's not like every straight movie is "Wait, I like the opposite gender?" Just give us some bad sappy gay Hallmark Channel movies already.

[@twogunsnoammo8419]

I loved and still love Interstellar despite the very stupid "love is cool bruh" ending. It's about 90% because of the soundtrack and all that luscious church organ in it.

[@luiginastro8831]

That movie makes me cry, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

[@twogunsnoammo8419]

@@luiginastro8831 Same bruh. Love IS cool :')

[@samfrank3999]

20:31 "I'm thinking of ending things...and also that's the title of the movie"

[@ming2479]

I can't believe Adam missed the part where the janitor restart the car at the very very end.

[@curtisdeese7713]

ikr does that mean he's alive

[@brunobeeftip]

That wasn't the janitor, that's the sound of teachers coming to school to start their day.

[@gwalmer3749]

BRUNO BEEFTIP Or a plow truck clearing out the parking lot.

[@ming2479]

@@brunobeeftip how did you know? It wasn't stated clearly, right?

[@gwalmer3749]

Ming You’re right, it’s not clearly stated. And the sound is largely left up to interpretation since no movement is shown in frame. I just opened up Netflix and simply rewatched the last four or so minutes of the movie with the volume up. To me it sounds distinctly like a plow truck pushing the snow to the curb/in a pile to clear out the snow-covered parking lot. You can even hear the loud periodic scraping of the plow against the asphalt as it nears the camera’s position, before stopping, reversing, and repeating its motions to clear out yet more strips of snow, gradually approaching the Janitor’s parked car.

[@universome511]

Apparently the Truck's engine turns over at the end of the credits.

[@micahcook1718]

It does which is... confusing considering the novel? Like what is Kaufman trying to say? I don't know. The sound also gets louder and louder, probably how imminent death is coming for all of us because ironically, it's something that has to "live" ... I think that sound is definitely Salt Road Trucks or Trash Trucks (the Dairy Queen Blizzards in the trash can are loaded) but could be symbolic of the Janitors soul being gone and wandering aimlessly while the physical body (aka the Snowed-In Truck) is stuck enveloping into the nature surrounding it (circle of life)... but that is kind of also representative of people with DID, Schizophrenia, or even with other mental health issues that can display symptoms of dissociation (mild and severe). And even with sever depression, one can succumb to the darkness of their subconscious and conscious and stay depressed for months on end.

[@universome511]

@@micahcook1718 maybe it has something to do with the trash can full of ice cream cups. He keeps running through the fantasy and chickening out at the end. Or it's a parallel to Kaufman himself. He has these existential thoughts and worries but he doesn't off himself. He keeps on dreaming things up.

[@apolloforabetterfuture4814]

Adam gave tenet a 5 lol

[@friendlypup5650]

Oh, good to know! Time to have an opinion

[@salehali9541]

The story and characters are pretty polarizing from what I can tell.

[@AUSxTECHxGUY]

Yeah, I'd give it 5.5

[@dogandsquirrelslol8966]

Where?

[@BurtonGirl64]

52:26 wouldn’t it be lovely, is from My Fair Lady and similar to Jesse, the father performs it Edit: sorry I didn’t realize it, but ofc people already mentioned this in the comments

[@noahspurlock1901]

I can’t remember how many times my friends asked me “is it me or is the music really loud?” while watching Tenet

[@ShroudedWolf51]

I watched the film at film night a bit ago and at one point, two of the three of us basically gave up trying to understand the dialogue. I use pretty decent quality headphones with my VR headset and it was basically impossible.

[@ndroidMac]

Adam you said nice at the exact moment I saw it was episode 69. Funniest shit that happened me all day thanks.

[@ezzysqueeze5890]

Stalker is the greatest movie ever made! Can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts on it

[@ezzysqueeze5890]

@The Dawg yeah I know it is....CANT WAIT!

[@thepunchmonkey8998]

I was actually saying "fuck Nolan" leaving the theater simply because of the sound mixing. Him saying it has to be seen in theaters where I don't subtitles really left a sour taste in my mouth. I know theatres have those CC machines but I didn't like my experience with those from when I saw the lighthouse and I saw it opening day so I had no idea I might need it.

[@HowTo128]

Right on time! I was looking at the channel and got the notification haha

[@edwardgarrity7841]

I felt like ending things after the movie, now after Adams explanation I feel like ending things again lol, I love this movie, it's a cautionary tale of letting fear rule your life... Glad I watched it while I'm young

[@kimchikinos7601]

Not only does 69 flipped around spell 69 but in a way so does tenet

[@MessrDookie101]

As far as the inverted bullet thing goes, I think it makes sense if you think about it from the perspective of entrance/exit wounds. Obviously a bullet fired normally will have a small entry wound and a large exit wound, because the tip goes in sharply and when the bullet exits it's carved out a large wound due to its wider base diameter (the base being where the firing pin hits.) Obviously, if you fired a bullet backwards in the chamber, it won't work. But a bullet recalled through reverse entropy will now enter base first. I think that's what he meant.

[@poopoo7705]

that is not how ballistics work at all

[@qwertyqwertz2802]

What a good selection of films. So hyped for this!!

[@matthewdeckers]

I really didn't like I'm Thinking of Ending Things when I first watched it. After listening to this, though, I may actually give it another chance soon. A lot of it just went over my head and I'm hoping a rewatch clears some things up. Although I'm still not so sure about Kaufman taking cheap shots at other filmmakers, even if the criticism is arguably valid.

[@alexherrera6414]

The end is reminiscent of just this idea that we can perceive emotion without seeing anyone being sad. Having the end be the janitor killing himself in a gratuitous way would go completely against it. Thats why the whole dancing sequence and the play ending is so goddamn brilliant.

[@LP-lj9ig]

Tenet was awesome. I just wanted to state that.

[@FilmIsPain]

Had the same takeaway as Adam for ITOET, I foolishly recorded my review/analysis on the first day I saw it and I'm already like aaaa I wanna add so much more. Great discussion, wish I could have been a part of it honestly.

[@Tamacat388]

Yea, I had the same basic takeaway as Adam but for some reason I assumed the fantasy was more relevant to the man's memories. I thought the lady was an amalgam of all his past girlfriends and that would explain why she had different backstories but in the end she really just keeps turning back to just being him. I guess it's also possible he never dated or at least never actually brought a girl to his parents.

[@ryanwhittle2586]

Episode 420 is currently 351 episodes away. 1 episode every 2 weeks equals up to 702 weeks for the next 351 episodes to pass. 702 weeks from now is March 6th 2034. Final Result: Episode 420 will be out March 6th 2034.

[@PuertoRicanRattlesnake]

It’s insane how this man recalled this podcast literally in a stream he is doing currently as I’m posting this

[@intelligenceparadigm4931]

Regarding the comments around 1:44:00 I am reminded of the recent video from Shammy, who was very popular for a long time and literally uploaded nothing for about a year and a half, then his first new upload was shown live when it releasee and it was *massively* popular. Many other youtubers, big and small, who cover video game content, were there chatting with everyone too. It was a remarkable event. I knew I was looking forward to something from him still, but didn't have any idea it would blow up like that. He uploaded very rarely even before that, but many of his videos have over a million views despite less than 400k subs, because they're of such high quality that many people return to them and rewatch them even years later

[@che_sidim]

Confirmed the 420 episode will be out somewhere in 17 years Keep em coming boys

[@ScottSullivanTV]

the trailer they uploaded for justice league is the full 4:3 IMAX frame. they'll crop It down to 16:9 or something probably. the one you see on KZbin is actually NOT "cropped for social media"

[@moondusk8385]

Yeepeeee will never miss my dose of Sardonicast. Thank you guys for the laughs and smiles.Sardonicast rules.

[@420-x5o]

What’s up with the dog in I’m thinking of ending things?

[@SaltySparrow]

Adam was definitely internally screaming as Alex and Ralph talked about "I'm Thinking of Ending Things", haha

[@LaTigerGenesis]

Hey Adam, you might get a kick out of exploring the concept of "hauntology" for your next IToET viewing! Kinda like a nostaglia for a future that could have been. Not sure if Kaufman drew on that and sadly haven't read the book yet, but thought you might see some parallels.

[@jakwinner1000]

Favorite moment in the "Im thinking of ending things" When the young women looks put the window and see snow falling on the car. Which is a perfect parallel to the last shot. And could tie back into how he dies of hypothermia

[@VCMR]

There were a whole 5 people including me in the theatre and I live in Vietnam where we don't have an issue with Covid19 at the moment at all.

[@kubalek1000]

I'm Thinking of Ending Things Spoilers . . . . . I don't think The Janitor/Jake ended up dying since during the ending credits you can hear the engine turn over. It's clear daytime now and the janitor is getting ready to work once again, I take the film in big part as exploration of that one day in your life when you're feeling at your lowest and you're strongly contemplating suicide or at least deal with your darkest thoughts, before getting back into normal life the very next day.

[@evam6961]

In the book he kills himself so idk 🤔

[@37blob]

This conversation is funny knowing now that Adam didn’t like Tenet at all