Load Bearing Beams

You need to stay away from the light! Or do you? What is light anyway? What is truth, what is meaning, what is words? We try getting to the bottom of all of this by discussing the 2001 ghost movie The Others.   Nicole Kidman is Grace, a young mother who seems to have misplaced her marbles. She’s alone in an enormous house with two little moppet children who can’t go into the light because of an illness [citation needed]. For some reason, she still needs to open the curtains every day and pretend like everything’s okay. Grace, we’re here to tell you: surrender. Keep those curtains closed. Don’t bother cleaning. Adopt the darkness, like Bane. You’ll be happier.   Anyway, this movie rules, and it’s a great contrast from last week’s bloody meta mess movie, Scream.   Bonus video: We play The Trailer Challenge(™), where we recall lines from trailers of long ago that stick in our craw, then watch the trailers to see if we’re remembering them correctly. Watch it on our Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok

What’s your favorite Screamy movie? Is it Scream (1996)? Is it Scream (2022)? Or is it one of the numbered Screams?   Well, we’re talking about the one that started it all, the first movie to ever acknowledge that other movies exist*: Wes Craven’s 1996 film Scream!   *not true   Is Neve Campbell, who is indeed good in the movie, doing a little too much “face business” in this film? Is Principal Henry Winkler a little too enthusiastic with those scissors? And what kind of journalist is Gale Weathers, anyway?   Bonus video: We discuss the horror movies that actually, legitimately scare us. Which movies scare you? Watch and weigh in on our Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.   Next week: The Others (2001)   Time stamps: 00:01:58 — Our personal histories with Scream 00:15:32 — History segment: Postmodernism; screenwriter Kevin Williamson sells his script, originally called Scary Movie; career overview of director Wes Craven; brief career overview of Neve Campbell 00:47:03 —

We take a look at what appears to be a “boob comedy” from the year 2000: Road Trip, directed by Todd Phillips, who makes Joker movies now.   It’s the heartwarming story of Josh (Breckin Meyer), a Boring Guy who cheats on his girlfriend but doesn’t mean it. Josh and his pals E.L. (Seann William Scott), Rubin (Paulo Costanzo), and Kyle (D.J. Qualls) do the only thing that make sense: They head across the country on a road trip to keep Boring Guy Josh’s girlfriend from finding out about his betrayal.   And, you know what, this movie’s pretty okay! But we try to figure out why Todd Phillips says he’s not allowed to make movies like Road Trip anymore because of Woke.   Also, we try to get to the bottom of Tom Green.   Bonus video: We talk about our favorite road trips from movies. Watch it on our Twitter (https://bit.ly/4ejg3TC), Instagram (https://bit.ly/3BiT24y), or TikTok (https://bit.ly/4gHLAjv). Next week: Scream (1996)   Time stamps: 00:05:37 — Our personal histories with Road

Friend of the Show Patrick Perot (bass player for Rural Route Nine, official house band of Load Bearing Beams) stops by to preach the gospel of his favorite movie, 10 Things I Hate About You (1999). And he’s right to! It’s a lovely and very funny romantic comedy from back when Hollywood still made those. The chemistry between Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger! The, uh, good efforts given by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Larisa Oleynik! And best of all: Krumholz, Krumholz, Krumholz.   A real-life high school teacher, Patrick is also here to school us on how accurate a representation this is of high school. What grade would he give Kat (Julia Stiles) for her sonnet? And how many students has he had to stop from singing a song over the football stadium’s loudspeakers?   Also, it’s a night recording, so Laci’s in her cups. That always makes things interesting.   Next week: Road Trip (2000)   Time stamps: 00:05:56 — Our personal histories with 10 Things I Hate About You  00:20:45 — History segment:

Laci and Matt are off to learn how to be better camp counselors by getting back to basics. Safety. Canoeing. Shooting arrows. Singing “Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley.” Making love and drawing the ire of Mrs. Voorhees. Trying to keep their bodies fragrance free, so as not to attract bears.   On a totally unrelated note, this episode is about Friday the 13th Part 2, Matt’s favorite entry in his favorite horror series. It’s the debut of Jason as the killer, although he still hasn’t quite nailed his look. Still, it’s an absolute blast and a wonderful time capsule of the 1970s turning into the ‘80s.   So put on your little Mickey Mouse shirt and even littler short pants and join us at Camp Crystal Lake… actually, this one’s at Camp Packanack, but it’s all kind of the same.   Watch this episode in full on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8tQwneeBqsk   Next week: 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) with guest Patrick Perot   Time stamps: 01:10 — Our personal histories with the Friday the 13th franchis

Laci and Matt talk about the 2002 college band-centered classic Drumline, a highly entertaining journey into the world of HBCU marching bands. Nick Cannon is either “great” (Laci) or “perfectly fine” (Matt) as Devon, whose me-first attitude doesn’t quite gel with his teammates on the campus of Atlanta A&T. He is especially at odds with the band director Dr. Lee (Orlando Jones) and drum major Sean (Leonard Roberts). Will they figure it all out in time for the big showdown against the villainous Morris Brown University, whose razzle-dazzle tactics Dr. Lee disapproves of?   It’s a fun and sweet movie and, obviously, we’re shipping Devon and Sean. Get Laila (Zoe Saldaña) out of here!   Watch this episode in full on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kkZ9_ctCMO4   Next week: Friday the 13th part 2 (1981)   Time stamps: 00:00:43 — Our personal histories with Drumline 00:16:56 — History segment: Music producer Dallas Austin (real-life inspiration for the story) develops the project as a movie; direc

Well, the Summer of Spielberg is over, and we say a tearful goodbye with our friends on YouTube. This is the audio from our livestream on YouTube from August 23, 2024. In the exciting conclusion to the episode, Matt will rank all 34 Steven Spielberg films, and it is sure to annoy you, whoever you are and no matter what you believe. The show returns to its classic format next week, September 6, 2024, with an episode about the Nick Cannon-plays-in-a-college-band film, Drumline (2002).  As always, thanks for your support of Load Bearing Beams. And an EXTRA SPECIAL thank you to Wade Hymel and TJ Barends for helping us make the "Summer of Spielberg" theme song. Artwork by Laci Roth. “Summer of Spielberg” theme song credits: Words and music written by Matt Stokes Performed by Wade Hymel (drums/guitar), Laci Roth (vocals), and Matt Stokes (vocals/guitar/bass) Produced by TJ Barends, Wade Hymel, and Matt Stokes Engineered and mixed by TJ Barends at Bare Sounds Studio in Ponchatoula, Louisiana

The Summer of Spielberg comes to a somber, respectful conclusion as we say goodbye to Mr. Spielberg by prying into his personal affairs and taking a look at his latest film, the autobiographical The Fablemans (2022).   It’s the story of young Sammy Fableman (but they’re not hiding that the Fablemans are the Spielbergs) and his budding love of picturemaking. And we have the perfect guest to help us along the way, as we welcome in filmmaker and physical media enthusiast Paul of Twin Flicks (https://www.youtube.com/@TwinFlicks).   Paul tells Laci and Matt about how Spielberg inspired his filmmaking journey, and then the three discuss the real lives of Steven Spielberg’s parents and how Steven decided to finally stop making movies about other people’s divorces and make one about his parents’ divorce.   And how about this? At 75 years old, Steven Spielberg made one of his best-ever movies.   Watch this episode in full: https://youtu.be/ouKRlcanTyw   Next week: We’re taking a week off. The Bonus

Hey folks, please join us this Friday (August 23) at 9:00 p.m. EST on YouTube Live. We're doing a live wrap-up show—the season finale of the Summer of Spielberg. Movie rankings, lessons learned... other stuff, probably. Talk to us live!  Visit the link below to view the stream live (or, afterward, watch a replay). Or, before it starts, click "Notify Me" and why not give it a Like as well? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8pyu7x4Hgo Hope to see you there! 

What do you get when you combine one precocious wizkid director who’s actually not that young, one cocaine-addled producer, one befuddled Frenchman, one Bob Balaban taking notes, and lots and lots of McDonald’s? You get what is quite possibly the greatest science fiction film ever made, Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977).   Our friend Drewbie Doobie’s Movies (@DrewbieDoobieMovies on TikTok) returns to the show to gush about one of Spielberg’s very best movies… maybe his very best. It’s the second time we’ve covered this movie on the show, but back in 2018, we only talked about it for about 10 minutes, and most of that time was spent with Laci complaining about Melinda Dillon not wearing a bra.   This is a beautiful, special movie, but it doesn’t seem like it’s as widely seen as your Jurassics Park and your Jawses. So please, folks, give it a chance.   Watch this episode in full on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bVPDZKa9dFc   Next week: The Fabelmans (2022) with special guest Paul of Twi

Tom Hanks chases Leonardo DiCaprio in one of the most fun cat-and-mouse chase thrillers of all time! And it’s all “inspired” by a true story! As the tagline says, it’s “a true story of a real fraud.” Okay. So how true is it? Well, we looked into it and……. Guys, what we found out is depressing.   Frank Abagnale didn’t do any of the things he claimed he did in his book. You know, the things that are interesting, the things you’re here for. He didn’t pretend to be a lawyer or a doctor, he didn’t forge millions of dollars of checks, he didn’t travel the world as a fake pilot. Indeed, when his book was published in 1980, reporters who bothered doing even the tiniest amount of due diligence were able to debunk his claims. Skeptical reporting has followed Abagnale his entire career. It hasn’t mattered. His story is more fun.   Does that affect the way we view the movie? You’ll have to listen to find out.   Watch this episode in full: https://youtu.be/zui8jgp2bqo   Next week: Close Encounters of the Th

Laci and Matt are off this week, but please enjoy this bonus episode, a recording of our TikTok Live discussion of the Indiana Jones franchise, a companion piece to our episode about Raiders of the Lost Ark. The show will be back next week with an episode about Catch Me If You Can. Thank you for your support of Load Bearing Beams! Get more bonus content from us on our social media channels: Twitter - https://x.com/LoadBearingPod  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/loadbearingbeams/  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@load.bearing.beams 

Laci and Matt are at war with each other like the gunters are at war with the villainous Nolan Sorrento in the Oasis of Ready Player One. And it’s all because they can’t agree on this movie! Is this the first BAD Spielberg movie the show has covered this summer? Or is it another classic?   First we get into the history of the movie, starting with the career of novelist Ernist Cline. From his humble beginnings as a slam poet in Austin to his screenwriting career working with Harvey Weinstein on the film Fanboys, to writing Ready Player One and creating bidding wars for both the publishing and movie rights, Ernie is a true American success story. And then he got Steven Spielberg to direct the thing! Wow! Will Spielberg use this opportunity to do some crucial self-examination about the role he has played in shaping pop culture, in emphasizing nostalgia and sentiment and comfort amongst moviegoers everywhere, keeping them in a perpetual state of adolescence? Or does he just use the cool toys and giant

Is A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) Steven Spielberg’s best movie? It’s certainly his most misunderstood. A.I. Artificial Intelligence is best remembered as a curious Stanley Kubrick project taken over by Spielberg, and the movie does indeed feel like a strange hybrid of the two filmmakers. But that’s part of its magic, because there is no other movie like this.   It’s a movie all about the horror story that is life. Even artificial life. We are cursed by our bodies and brains, folks. Life is a prison. We are in a cage.   But have fun with David (Haley Joel Osment), this child robot who’s out here looking for love, and his best friend Gigolo Joe (Jude Law), who’s also out here looking for love (of a different kind, wink wink). And don’t forget about Teddy (played by himself), an adorable little animatronic bear who stumbles around after David. These three are on a divine quest to talk to God and ask Him what the hell, man.   Watch this episode in full: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Vs9gXx

Unlike lots of people their age, neither Laci nor Matt grew up with the Indiana Jones films. But at least one of them has fallen in love with the franchise as an adult, especially this first film. The two talk about the origins of Raiders of the Lost Ark on a beach in Hawaii in 1977 as Steven Spielberg and George Lucas built sandcastles together. One imagines they were very well-crafted and functional sandcastles, Lucas’s a little too clinical, Spielberg’s a little sappy. Still, they were good castles, is what we’re saying. Matt recalls his first time watching Raiders of the Lost Ark at the relatively late age of 16, while Laci has mushed all the Indiana Jones movies together and experiences all of time as one instant. But she loves Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones! He’s doing a lot of work, she says.  Then the podcast goes very thoroughly through the film, recapping Raiders of the Lost Ark in excruciating detail. Harrison Ford and Karen Allen are great, of course, but Paul Freeman as René Belloq kind of st

The first leg of the Summer of Spielberg is behind us, and we're taking a scheduled week off. But we have another curated clip show for you! This time both Matt and Laci are taking you through it. And this clip show actually features like 25 minutes of brand-new audio from Laci and Matt, relitigating the arguments documented in these clips.  We'll be back with a regular episode in one week (July 12, 2024) with an episode all about Raiders of the Lost Ark. Time stamps: 06:43 — Clip from episode 44 (Hocus Pocus) 15:27 — Clip from episode 7 (Death Becomes Her) 25:42 — Clip from episode 12 (2001: A Space Odyssey) 36:53 — Clip from episode 23 (Back to the Future Part 2) 48:47 — Clip from episode 45 (Psycho) 57:04 — Clip from episode 10 (Drop Dead Fred) 01:08:23 — Clip from episode 15 (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) 01:18:54 — Clip from episode 77 (Wild Wild West) 01:26:46 — Outro music: Matt's demo for the "Summer of Spielberg" theme song

Has there ever been a movie better at predicting (hey!) the future? Swiping, pinching to zoom, targeted ads that follow you everywhere, optical identification, and constant facial surveillance? Hey, it’s like we’re living in some sort of Philip K. Dick nightmare! But it wouldn’t be so bad if life could be as fun as the movie Minority Report, Spielberg’s first of two collaborations with Tom Cruise.   This was supposed to be a Jurassic Park-level blockbuster. Instead, it was merely a solid hit. And it’s very well-liked, but Load Bearing Beams is here to tell you it’s one of the best movies in Steve’s entire career!   Watch this episode in full: https://youtu.be/MiEkZQEiEDI   Next week: We’re off! But there will be another curated clip show hosted by at least one of your Load Bearing pals! Look for it on Friday, July 5, 2024. And then, on July 12, 2024, we’re back with an episode about a little movie called Raiders of the Lost Ark!   Time stamps: 00:05:41 — Our personal histories with Minori

The Summer of Spielberg continues as Laci and Matt were able to buckle their seatbelts in time for their helicopter to land on Isla Nublar, where they meet up with AJ & Kristie from the In Love With Horror podcast to talk about Jurassic Park (1993). The four team up for a rollicking podcast so good it’ll have you shouting “Hello John!” at total strangers.   First of all, this famous action/horror/sci-fi/disaster epic has like 50 incredible lines of dialogue! So we just spend some time saying these lines at each other. But eventually we get into it, talking about the history of Michael Crichton’s novel and its adaptation by Steven Spielberg. Then we take a close look at the movie, wondering just how bad of a boss John Hammond must be and what exactly is the nature of his relationship with Ian Malcolm.   Also, apparently John Hammond was originally intended to sing a song explaining how Jurassic Park works? Instead they did the Mr. DNA thing, but we would love to hear that song. Who knows... may

The Summer of Spielberg begins with Spielberg’s biggest hit, the classic 1982 alien/divorce family film E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.   Adjusted for inflation, this is the fourth-highest-grossing movie of all time. Beloved by generations, it is a lot of fun, yes… but it’s also some dark, dark shit. Laci explains why it’s always been so difficult for her to watch, even though she knows how good a movie it is.   There is much gushing about puppets. There has maybe never been a better puppet in a movie. And there may have never been three better child actor performances than the brothers and sister in this movie.   Next week: Jurassic Park (1993) with our special guests, Kristie & AJ of the In Love With Horror podcast!   Watch this episode in full on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dFtaf-8wxjA   Time stamps: 00:03:35 — We have a new theme song! 00:05:57 — Our histories with E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 00:15:50 — Pre-movie predictions 00:32:28 — History segment: Development and produc

We're taking the week off as we prepare for the Summer of Spielberg, which starts next Friday (June 14) with an episode about E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. But to hold you over, we have this episode where Matt will take you through some of our favorite moments from our back catalogue. Thank you for your support of Load Bearing Beams! The listenership has really grown in the past few months and we want to give new listeners a tour of where the podcast has been and where it's going. Head over to our YouTube channel for bonus stuff that hasn't been on the podcast feed: https://www.youtube.com/@loadbearingbeamspod Or follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@load.bearing.beams    Time stamps: 02:41 — Clip from episode 56 (The Mummy Returns) 08:55 — Clip from episode 41 (Dude, Where's My Car?)  19:24 — Clip from episode 20 (The Lost Boys)  33:54 — Clip from episode 53 (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)  42:00 — Clip from episode 37 (Little Nicky)  45:21 — Clip from episode 61 (Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood)  51:4