Skylight Books Podcast Series

Better Than the Movie 22: HELLRAISER (1987) / THE HELLBOUND HEART w/ Garon Cockrell

Come to... Pod-dy? We're straining for puns over here, but we've got a fun remote-recorded episode today, featuring the return of author and podcaster Garon Cockrell (Demonic and Other Tales). It's a follow-up to last year's Nightbreed episode, in which Tyler voiced his dislike for body horror. For being such a good sport, we reward him with more Clive Barker: the 1987 film Hellraiser, directed by Barker and adapted from his own novella, The Hellbound Heart. There are discussions of the story's psychosexual dynamics and hazy mythology, plus a bit about the sequels and remakes.  

Hosted by Allan Traylor, Tyler Austin, and Justin Remer.

Produced by Justin Remer. (sorry about the mixed-bag sound)
Recorded remotely via Zencastr. 

Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental) by Duck the Piano Wire. 
Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

SKYLIT: Leah Kardos, KATE BUSH'S HOUNDS OF LOVE (33 1/3)

We're podcasting... Yeah yeah yay-yo! Justin speaks with Leah Kardos, the author of the new 33 1/3 book on Kate Bush's Hounds of Love. Together, they discuss the impact of the album and Kate Bush's undersung influence as a record producer. Leah also talks about the process of finding the structure and narrative for her book. There's music nerd stuff in there too, but it's GOOD, smart music nerd stuff. You'll like it.

Produced and hosted by Justin Remer. 
Recorded remotely via Zencastr. 

Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  
Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band.  

Better Than the Movie 21: TOTAL RECALL (1990) w/ Buzzy Cohen

An episode so good, it'll make you wish you had three ears. Buzzy Cohen (Baby Got Facts: Totally '90s Trivia) returns for another delightful episode, breaking down Philip K. Dick's short story "We Can Remember It For You Wholesale" and the 1990 film adaptation directed by Paul Verhoeven, with a screenplay by Dan O'Bannon & Ronald Shusett and Gary Goldman. Reality, virtual reality, false memories, real (?) memories, mutants, great practical special effects, rods of air, a young Sharon Stone, and enough Arnold Schwarzenegger one-liners to fill a burn book. Get your EARS to Mars. We'll see you at the party, Richter. 

Hosted by Allan Traylor, Justin Remer, and Tyler Austin. 
Produced by Justin Remer. 
Recorded at the LAPL Octavia Lab. 

Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire. 
Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

Better Than the Movie 20: THE POLAR EXPRESS w/ Natalie Freeman & Allison Woodnutt

Like the proverbial Christmas miracle, the BTTM crew is back just in the (Saint) nick of time for a holiday-themed final episode of 2024. At the behest of Natalie Freeman and Allison Woodnutt (who you may remember from last year's A HAUNTING IN VENICE episode), Justin, Allan, and Tyler braved the cold to wave down THE POLAR EXPRESS, an illustrated children's book by Chris Van Allsburg (JUMANJI) and a film directed by Robert Zemeckis (BACK TO THE FUTURE). Natalie and Allison were not available for in-studio recording but provided plenty of (possibly not 100% sober) voice notes for the fellas to talk to. This movie is bonkers, and everyone has thoughts.  

Hosted by Justin Remer, Allan Traylor, and Tyler Austin.
Produced by Justin Remer. 
Recorded at the LAPL Octavia Lab.  

Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  
Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band.  

Better Than the Movie 19: GHOST WORLD w/ Chris Andersen

It's America, dude, learn the rules! Chris Andersen (Your Favorite Bad Movie Podcast) joins the BTTM crew to discuss the 2001 adaptation of the Daniel Clowes graphic novel GHOST WORLD, directed by Terry Zwigoff (Crumb, Bad Santa). They discuss how one can grow up relating to a disaffected teen girl played by Thora Birch and find themselves an alienated physical-media-obsessed adult, played by Steve Buscemi. Also: lots of comics talk.

Hosted by Tyler Austin, Justin Remer, and Allan Traylor. 
Produced by Justin Remer. 
Recorded at the LAPL Octavia Lab. 

Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire. 
Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

SKYLIT: Lili Anolik, "DIDION & BABITZ"

Ace interviewer Elodie Saint-Louis sits down with Lili Anolik to discuss Anolik's new book Didion & Babitz. Anolik talks about the complicated relationship between authors Joan Didion and Eve Babitz, their unique perspectives on the Feminist Movement, and how they were each consumed by and motivated each other. Anolik also tells the fascinating story of how she discovered the complexity of this relationship to begin with. If you're a fan of either author, this isn't an episode to miss!

Produced by Elodie Saint-Louis and Mick Kowaleski

Music by Duck! The Piano Wire

Better Than the Movie 18: THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH w/ Mark Rennie

What Price Vincent? Writer and improviser Mark Rennie (The Big Gay Movie Spreadsheet, Eat Pray Dunk) returns for a second appearance on BTTM, just in time for Spooky Season. Under discussion is the Edgar Allan Poe classic "The Masque of the Red Death," adapted to film by director Roger Corman and star Vincent Price in 1964. 

Allan and Justin chat with Mark about horror in general, about Vincent Price in particular, and about a bunch of other digressive topics. Let's get Halloween-y!! 

Hosted by Allan Traylor and Justin Remer. (Miss ya, Tyler.)
Produced by Justin Remer. 
Recorded at the LAPL Octavia Lab. 

Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire. 
Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

Better Than the Movie 17: THE SWIMMER w/ Buzzy Cohen

THIS... IS... JEOP-BUZZY! Jeopardy! champion Buzzy Cohen (Baby Got Facts: Totally 90s Trivia) drops in to talk about John Cheever's small slice of suburban surrealism, "The Swimmer." Burt Lancaster headlines the 1968 film adaptation, scripted by Eleanor Perry (Diary of a Mad Housewife) and directed by Frank Perry (Mommie Dearest). This is Better Than the Movie's first short story discussion, so Buzzy and the BTTM crew also discuss other notable short story adaptations to film.

Hosted by Justin Remer, Allan Traylor, and Tyler Austin. 
Produced by Justin Remer.
Recorded at LAPL Octavia Lab.

Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire 
Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band 

SKYLIT: Danzy Senna, "COLORED TELEVISION"

Premier fiction interviewer Elodie Saint-Louis is back in conversation, this time with the amazing Danzy Senna, to talk about Senna's new novel Colored Television.

 

In this episode, Senna reads from her book, followed by an amazing talk about multicultural identity, Senna's relationship to humor, and who she would choose to soundtrack the novel.

 

Listen in and then stop by Skylight Books on Wednesday, September 4 to see Senna read in person!

 

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Produced by Elodie Saint-Louis and Mick Kowaleski

Music by Duck the Piano Wire

Better Than the Movie Special: TANK GIRL (Friend of the Fest Preview)

The Better Than the Movie boys are hosting a screening of TANK GIRL (1995) on August 24, 2024, as part of American Cinematheque's Friend of the Fest 2024 podcast film festival. So here is a free-floating (read: CHAOTIC) chat about this underground comic-turned-quirky Hollywood movie, including another of Allan's absurd trivia competitions. If you're in LA, pick up a ticket for more of this insanity: SKYLIGHT BOOKS PRESENTS TANK GIRL  

Whether you're attending or not, this episode is an adrenaline jolt of snappy silliness about an absurd and crazy flick.  

Hosted by Allan Traylor, Tyler Austin, and Justin Remer. 
Produced by Justin Remer. 
Recorded at the LAPL Octavia Lab. 

Opening music and game show bed music taken from Duck the Piano Wire's ISOLATION QUARTET 
Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band 

SKYLIT: Matt Singer, OPPOSABLE THUMBS (Siskel & Ebert)

Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert are arguably the most influential American film critics of the 20th Century. Clips from their movie review TV show continue to circulate on social media and Youtube to the delight of new viewers and old fans alike. In his book OPPOSABLE THUMBS, film writer Matt Singer looks at the history of these film critics, the TV show opportunity that brought them together and brought them fame, and their lingering fingerprints on the media landscape. Skylight's Tyler Austin talks to him about the book, about Siskel and Ebert's relationship, and about the team's advocacy for cinema. 

Hosted by Tyler Austin. 
Produced by Tyler Austin, Mick Kowaleski, and Justin Remer. 

Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire. 
Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

Better Than the Movie 16: PERFUME: THE STORY OF A MURDERER w/ Elisa Garcia

We've got a classic on BTTM today that's all killer. DJ and bookseller Elisa Garcia selected PERFUME, the 1985 German novel by Patrick Süskind that was originally deemed unfilmable. But co-screenwriter and director Tom Tykwer (RUN LOLA RUN, BABYLON BERLIN) surely got the job done in 2006. Elisa joins Allan, Tyler, and Justin to discuss the best bits of the book, the genius of Ben Whishaw's lead performance, and... whatever Dustin Hoffman was doing. Smells like a great episode! 

Hosted by Tyler Austin, Justin Remer, and Allan Traylor. 
Produced by Justin Remer. 
Recorded at the LAPL Octavia Lab. 

Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire  
Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band

SKYLIT: Geoff Shackelford, GOLF ARCHITECTURE FOR NORMAL PEOPLE

It's a golfing extravaganza as Geoff Shackelford joins Skylight's Tyler Austin to discuss his book Golf Architecture for Normal People! Together, they talk golf course design, the economic and ecological impacts of a golf course that people don't often think about, and how golf as a game is becoming more accessible to lower-class players. 

 

It's a great episode about golf...for normal people!

 

Produced by Mick Kowaleski and Tyler Austin

Music by Duck, the Piano Wire

Better Than the Movie 15: PLANET OF THE APES

It's a madhouse! The BTTM fellas are on their own this month, talking PLANET OF THE APES. The main focus is the original feature film, directed by Oscar winner Franklin J. Schaffner and scripted by fellow Oscar winner Michael Wilson and TWILIGHT ZONE creator Rod Serling. The fellas compare this classic to the lesser known source novel by Pierre Boulle that inspired the whole franchise. But most things APES get touched upon in this episode too, from the new release in theaters, KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, the failed Tim Burton reboot in 2001, and even the '70s cartoon show. Let Allan, Tyler, and Justin drive you bananas, won't you? 

Hosted by Allan Traylor, Tyler Austin, and Justin Remer.
Produced by Justin Remer. 
Recorded at the LAPL Octavia Lab.

Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire 
Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solmenity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band

SKYLIT: Maggie Nelson, LIKE LOVE

Join us for a conversation with Skylight favorite Maggie Nelson, whose newest collection of essays, Like Love, has already made its way into our booksellers' hearts. One of those booksellers, Elodie Saint-Louis, sat down with Maggie to talk about Like Love, her thoughts on genre distinctions with writing, and much more!

 

Produced by Elodie Saint-Louis and Mick Kowaleski

 

Music by Duck the Piano Wire

 

BUY LIKE LOVE HERE: https://www.skylightbooks.com/book/9781644452813