#125 - "Whiplash" - The Greatest Depiction of Chasing Success Ever Made
In this episode, we break down Whiplash — Damien Chazelle’s intense psychological drama about obsession, perfection, and the price of greatness. We dive into the explosive dynamic between Miles Teller’s driven drummer and J.K. Simmons’ terrifying instructor, exploring the themes of discipline, abuse, and artistic ambition. We also analyze the film’s brilliant editing, sound design, and how Chazelle builds unbearable tension through rhythm and silence. Whether you see it as a story of triumph or tragedy, Whiplash remains one of the most powerful films ever made about chasing perfection. Chapters: 00:00 Intro: The mindset for greatness 11:46 Revealing the color symbolism 24:03 Those who love or hate Andrew 26:51 Fletcher vs Andrew 38:28 J.K Simmons 42:55 How you can tell the writing is phenomenal 45:46 Fletcher's most revealing moment 51:38 Gray's hilarious story of getting out of band practice 53:08 Damien Chazelle's intentional shots 56:44 Where Fletcher reveals is twisted purity 1:00:47 Official rating & final thoughts 1:04:11 Cue the music
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#124 - "Casino Royale" - The Greatest Movie in the James Bond Franchise
In this episode, we break down Casino Royale, the 2006 James Bond reboot that redefined the character for a new era. We explore Daniel Craig’s raw and physical performance as Bond, the film’s brutal action sequences, and how the story dives deeper into Bond’s humanity and vulnerability. From the legendary poker game to Vesper Lynd’s heartbreaking arc, we analyze the themes, cinematography, and emotional weight that make Casino Royale one of the greatest spy movies ever made.  Chapters: 00:00 It’s just simply that good 10:02 Why this James Bond is a great character 23:13 The poker game 28:46 David Corenswet's theory on this movie 32:43 Family friendly James Bond 36:40 Crew members getting funny roles 40:58 Letting the audience have fun 42:46 Why Le Chiffre is a great villain 46:45 The torture scene 52:01 Making the story like a poker game 53:30 Our uninformed opinion on the James Bond franchise 59:45 Our official rating & final thoughts 1:07:03 Cue the music
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#123 - "The Hateful Eight" - The Details Tarantino Scatters Throughout a Mystery
In this episode, we break down The Hateful Eight, Quentin Tarantino’s brutal and suspenseful Western. We dive into the characters’ shifting alliances, the tension built inside Minnie’s Haberdashery, and how Tarantino transforms dialogue into pure suspense. We also explore the themes of betrayal, violence, and justice while analyzing how the film mixes mystery, dark comedy, and shocking brutality. From the performances to the cinematography, this is one of Tarantino’s most underrated works, and we unpack exactly why it deserves more attention.
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#122 - "The Social Network" - What Makes This Movie a Modern Classic
In this episode, we break down The Social Network. We dive into David Fincher’s directing style, Aaron Sorkin’s razor-sharp script, and the way the film explores themes of ambition, betrayal, friendship, and greed. We analyze the layered performances of Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and Justin Timberlake, as well as the brilliant use of music and pacing. More than a story about Facebook, this is a film about obsession, power, and the cost of success.  Chapters: 00:00 Mark Zuckerberg is doing alright 12:44 Full screenwriting & filmmaking mastery 22:45 Mark just wants to be frat guy 30:47 Justin Timberlake you doucher 36:15 The Hollywood star on the OG facebook 38:43 The sketchy behavior of Mark Zuckerberg 41:16 How they somehow made this story interesting 45:41 Disney was not happy with Brenda Song 48:30 Andrew Garfield is too likable 52:02 Our official rating & final thoughts 56:09 Cue the music
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#121 - "Scarface" - What Makes This THE Most Iconic Gangster Movie of All Time
In this episode, we break down SCARFACE, Brian De Palma’s legendary gangster film starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana. We talk about what makes this movie one of the most iconic crime epics ever made — from the themes of greed and power, to the brutal violence, and the way it shaped pop culture. We analyze Tony Montana’s rise and fall, discuss the incredible performances, and dive into why this film still resonates with audiences decades later.  Chapters: 00:00 Behind the scenes stories 5:14 The masculine urge to become Tony Montana 15:21 The softer side of Tony Montana 19:20 Manny's death & his crush on his sister 28:46 Oliver Stone living the life of Tony Montana 33:57 The fall of the gangster 41:03 Was Omar an actual snitch? 44:19 Pacino's acting method, and cuss word count 49:21 Why it's impossible not to like this movie 54:25 Our official rating & final thoughts 1:01:23 Cue the music
Just dudes that make movies, breaking down movies, live on a podcast. If you enjoy great movies, sh*t-talk, and film breakdowns you've come to the right place.
The CRWN Cinema Podcast is a movie analysis podcast hosted by Kade Harvey and Gray Pittman with guest stars Mercedes Harvey and Scott Jordan. They watch & discuss classic movies to talk about the film techniques used, give interesting insights, and just have a cinematic hang.
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