What If I Don’t Like It? - A Movie Discussion Podcast

What happens when a filmmaker who loves pushing creative boundaries finally watches Everything Everywhere All At Once for the first time?In this episode of What If I Don’t Like It?, I sit down with filmmaker, documentarian, and creative force behind Running Scared Motion Pictures (‪@RunningScaredMotionPictures‬ ) Josh DeForge, to unpack the Oscar-winning multiverse phenomenon Everything Everywhere All At Once, a film Josh somehow missed… until now!From cinematography and aspect ratio shifts to indie filmmaking, collaborative art, nihilism, family dynamics, and why kindness might actually matter in a chaotic universe, this conversation goes way deeper than a standard movie review.Josh opens up about his own filmmaking process, the realities of independent film production in Western Massachusetts, balancing creativity with budget limitations, and why movies that challenge expectations matter now more than ever.🎬 In this episode we discuss:✨ Why Everything Everywhere All At Once became an instant Top 10 film for Josh✨ The filmmaking choices that make the Daniels’ vision feel unlike anything else✨ Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and the emotional core of the film✨ Multiverse storytelling, absurdism, and existential dread✨ Why weird cinema matters✨ Independent filmmaking, collaboration, and creative risk-taking✨ The return of practical artistry in the age of AI✨ Why “taxes and laundry” might secretly be the most romantic line in modern cinemaPlus: Josh reveals the first movie he remembers seeing in theaters (you will absolutely not guess it), his ultimate comfort movie, and the book he still dreams of adapting to film.Whether you love A24 movies, indie filmmaking, movie analysis, film criticism, or just want to hear two filmmakers passionately geek out about one of the wildest Best Picture winners ever, this episode is for you.🎥 Follow Josh DeForge / Running Scared Motion PicturesYouTubeInstagramFacebook🎙️ About What If I Don’t Like It?Hosted by actress, filmmaker, and film critic Kt Baldassaro (@MovieRuntime), What If I Don’t Like It? explores movies through curiosity instead of judgment, inviting guests to finally watch films they avoided, resisted, or weren’t sure they’d enjoy.🎥 YouTube    / @movieruntime  📸 Instagram   / movieruntime  🎵 TikTok   / movieruntime  🎬 IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3501068/00:00 - 00:00- Welcome + Meet Filmmaker Josh DeForge00:25 - Running Scared Motion Pictures & Easthampton Film Festival03:55 - Pride Fashion Show & Supporting Local Art05:40 - How Josh Got Into Filmmaking07:05 - First Movie Theater Memory (Unexpected Answer)09:35 - Josh’s Ultimate Comfort Movie11:45 - The Book Josh Dreams of Adapting Into a Film13:15 - Why Josh Never Watched Everything Everywhere All at Once15:00 - Why Weird Movies Matter16:50 - The Daniels, Collaboration & Filmmaking Chaos19:05 - Indie Filmmaking on a Budget21:35 - Writing Around Real Locations & Budget Constraints24:05 - Why Collaboration Makes Better Movies26:45 - Catastrophes on Set & Why Filmmakers Keep Going29:00 - Why Artists Create Anyway30:00 - AI, Creativity & The Future of Filmmaking35:55 - Timothée Chalamet Drama (Misquoted?)38:15 - Nihilism, Depression & Why This Movie Resonates41:20 - Kindness in a Meaningless Universe43:15 - The Genius Opening Scene of EEAAO47:00 - Favorite Cinematography & Camera Choices50:10 - Ke Huy Quan’s Incredible Performance54:15 - Why Evelyn Is Such a Compelling Main Character58:55 - Writing Genre Films & Breaking Story Rules01:03:00 - Final Thoughts on Everything Everywhere All at OnceMovies Mentioned in this Episode:1939 - The Wizard of Oz1942 - Bambi1982 - E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial1982 - Swamp Thing1985 - The Goonies1995 - Friday1996 - Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood1997 - Spice World1998 - The Big Lebowski2014 - The Grand Budapest Hotel2016 - Terrifier2018 - Sorry to Bother You2021 - Dune2025 - Sinners

First time watching Con Air (1997)… and somehow this absurd action movie actually works. Is Nicolas Cage the reason this chaotic ‘90s classic still holds up, especially for first-time viewers?In our newest episode of What If I Don’t Like It?, I’m joined by multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker Jaina Cipriano for her first-ever viewing of Con Air... and the results are not what we expected! We break down: - Jaina’s honest first reaction to Con Air- Why the movie’s absurd tone actually works- How ‘90s action films differ from modern blockbusters- The role of humor in high-stakes storytelling- Nicolas Cage’s performance—and why it carries the film- Whether this movie is secretly… good?Plus, we talk about Jaina’s work as a multidisciplinary artist, immersive storytelling, and how fear can shape creative work. 🎧 ABOUT THE PODCAST What If I Don’t Like It? is a film podcast where guests confront their biases by watching movies they think they won’t enjoy, and then we unpack what actually happens! 📍 FOLLOW Jaina CiprianoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jainastudio/Website: https://www.jainaciprianophotography.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jainaphotoX (Twitter): https://x.com/jainastudio📍 FOLLOW Kt Baldassaro ( @MovieRuntime )Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@movieruntimeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/movieruntime/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieRuntimeLetterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/MovieRuntime/🎬 MORE EPISODES YOU’LL LIKE Check out our episodes on Heavy Metal and Bad Boys for more unexpected movie deep dives. 👇 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more film analysis, movie deep dives, and filmmaker conversations.Timestamps:00:00 First Time Watching Con Air?!01:10 Meet Jaina Cipriano04:30 Art, Photography & Filmmaking10:45 Storytelling Across Mediums16:30 Fear, Creativity & Immersive Work24:50 First Movie Memories27:15 Comfort Movies & Favorites30:50 Movies That Should Be Made33:00 Why Jaina Avoided Con Air35:30 First Impressions of Con Air39:00 Nicolas Cage Performance Breakdown44:30 Why the Movie Actually Works49:30 90s Action vs Modern Blockbusters54:30 Cinematography & Visual Style58:30 The Absurdity Factor1:02:00 Favorite Scenes1:05:30 Final Thoughts: Does It Hold Up?

Two weeks ago, I dropped the full deep-dive episode on Heavy Metal with illustrator/ artist Brett Kelley, and if you haven’t checked that out yet, this is your sign.Today’s as part of our new formatting in Season 3, I have a standalone trivia segment packed with some of the wildest behind-the-scenes facts, obscure details, and straight-up insane production stories from this cult classic. From lost music rights that kept the film off home video for YEARS, to the truth behind Taarna’s flying steed, to the real bones used in the animation… yeah, it gets weird.And trust me, this is just the appetizer.🎧 Watch / Listen to the FULL episode by visiting the show page!If you’re into cult films, animation history, or chaotic production stories, this one’s for you.👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more film deep dives, trivia, and behind-the-scenes breakdowns.#HeavyMetal #filmfacts #MovieTrivia #FilmTrivia #80scartoons #CultClassic #animationhistory #filmcommunity #1980sMovies #FilmPodcast #WhatIfIDontLikeIt #cultfilm #filmtok #filmdiscussion #movietok #filmpodcast

This episode, we’re discussing the animated cult classic Heavy Metal. A strange, influential, and often controversial film that helped push adult animation into mainstream conversation.Host Kt Baldassaro is joined by illustrator Brett Kelley for a deep dive into Heavy Metal (1981) : its origins, its visual style, and why the movie still has a devoted following more than four decades later.In this Heavy Metal (1981) review and discussion, we explore:• How the film grew out of the French sci-fi comic magazine Metal Hurlant• The artistic influence of legendary illustrator Jean Giraud• The movie’s unusual anthology format and multiple animation studios• Why the Harry Canyon segment feels like a visual predecessor to The Fifth Element• The cult reputation of the Tarna storyline• How modern anthology animation like Love, Death & Robots echoes its style and structureIf you’re curious about the history of adult animation, cult sci-fi films, or the legacy of Heavy Metal (1981), this episode breaks down why the movie still sparks debate among film fans, artists, and animation lovers.🎨 Follow Brett Kelley & see his artworkShop: https://ko-fi.com/bkartmerc/shopInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bkartworks/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BKArtMerc/🎧 Follow Kt Baldassaro (@MovieRuntime)Instagram & TikTok: @MovieRuntimeYouTube: @MovieRuntimeLetterboxd: @MovieRuntime00:00 Theme Song00:51 Why You May or May Not Like Heavy Metal (ep Teaser)04:28 Welcome to the Episode!10:05 The Evolution of Animation and Storytelling15:38 The Role of Music in Heavy Metal19:18 Characterization and Themes in Heavy Metal25:00 Cultural Reflections and Critiques25:50 Soft Landing32:34 Grimaldi36:18 Harry Canyon45:15 DEN58:54 The Evolution of Heavy Metal Magazine01:06:58 Heavy Metal 2000: A Sequel's Journey01:12:56 The Shift in Heavy Metal's Audience01:13:37 Captain Sternn01:17:45 B-17: A Horror Segment01:23:43 So Beautiful and So Dangerous: Absurdity in Animation01:33:42 The Best Scene in the Movie01:42:11 The Character of Tarna and Her Agency01:55:48 Heavy Metal's Evolution and Future02:01:49 TAARNA02:02:02 The Ending and Its Significance02:07:09 Exploring Iconic 80s Fantasy Films02:13:40 The Possibility of a Remake02:21:11 Community and Heavy Metal Culture02:25:58 The Heavy Metal Collective and Local ImpactMovies Mentioned on this episode:Mean Streets (1973)The Lord of the Rings (1978)Wizards (1977)Alien (1979)Heavy Metal (1981)Dragonslayer (1981)Tron (1982)Conan the Barbarian (1982)Ghostbusters II (1989)The Abyss (1989)Pulp Fiction (1994)The Fifth Element (1997)Blueberry (2004)

Ever wondered why Napoleon Dynamite feels so strangely specific — and why that awkwardness actually works?In this trivia segment from What If I Don’t Like It? (Episode 43), filmmaker Victoria Roccaforte and I break down 10 obscure behind-the-scenes facts about Napoleon Dynamite that reveal how carefully constructed this “random” movie really is.We get into:• Why Jon Heder drew all of Napoleon’s sketches himself• The deliberate choice behind that monotone delivery• How real Preston High students shaped the film’s texture• Why Pedro’s speech was simplified at the last minute• How silence in the edit became one of the movie’s sharpest comedic tools• And the subtle ending tweak that gives the story emotional staying powerWhat looks accidental is intentional. What feels awkward is engineered. And understanding the architecture behind the comedy makes the film even more fascinating — whether you love it or still don’t quite “get it.”🎧 Listen to the full episode for our complete conversation about why this indie breakout still divides audiences decades later.—#NapoleonDynamite #MovieTrivia #FilmTrivia #IndieFilm #CultMovies #FilmPodcast #MoviePodcast #WhatIfIDontLikeIt #FilmCommentary #JonHederTimestamps:00:00 – Exploring the Depths of Napoleon Dynamite00:33 – ONE: Napoleon’s drawings were Jon Heder’s own01:30 – TWO: The monotone voice was deliberate02:24 – THREE: Real Preston High students in the film03:18 – FOUR: The real origin of the tater tots04:04 – FIVE: Pedro’s speech was simplified at the last minute04:53 – SIX: The film changed real-world behavior05:41 – SEVEN: Silence engineered in post-production06:20 – EIGHT: Limited coverage shaped the aesthetic06:54 – NINE: Regional and cultural rhythm behind the humor07:30 – TEN: The ending was refined for emotional durability08:11 – Want to go deeper? Full episode discussion