In this episode, we discuss 1997’s The Edge starring Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin, Harold Perrineau and Elle Macpherson, written by David Mamet and directed by Lee Tamahori.

Here is an excerpt from the Wikipedia entry:

"The Edge is a 1997 American survival thriller film written by David Mamet and directed by Lee Tamahori starring Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin. The plot follows wealthy businessman Charles Morse (Hopkins), photographer Bob Green (Baldwin), and assistant Stephen (Harold Perrineau), who must trek through the elements and try to survive after their plane crashes in the Alaskan wilderness, all while being hunted by a large Kodiak bear and the men's fraying friendships. Bart the Bear, a trained Kodiak bear known for appearances in several Hollywood movies, appears in the film as the bloodthirsty Kodiak, in one of his last film roles."

[...]

Full at the Wikipedia entry

During our conversation, Charles offers an interpretation of The Edge based on an examation of the themes of masculinity it presents in a pop culture, action adventure film form (as that existed in the 1990s). Dennis came into the conversation with quite a few criticisms but adjusts his view, somewhat, as we chat. It was an interesting and lively discussion which I hope you'll enjoy.

References:

In today’s episode, we speak with our Dennis Claxton and his daughter Miranda about their personal histories of film viewing. Both are Angelinos who have taken advantage of the still existing film culture of Los Angeles (small cinemas, revivals of older films and other lovely things).

There isn’t a fixed film under review but Hithcock’s The Birds and Vertigo make prominent appearances.

Enjoy.

This episode began as a thought months ago, not long after the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas attack. At that time, we anticipated violence - there’s a long history of Israeli assaults on the Palestinian people. We did not, however, anticipate a genocidal campaign and widening regional war. It’s a wide ranging talk between Dennis and Dwayne since Charles was unable to join us this time.

Our conversation does not have the structure of our usual shows. There is a film, Farha, at the heart of things and we do discuss it but more as a point of reference than to critique or review. We’ll talk about Farha at greater length on a subsequent show.

The links shared with the show notes will point you to information resources we’ve found helpful in sorting through this unfolding disaster.

Resources

Farha

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farha_(film)

The Great Book Robbery

The Great Book Robbery is a powerful and poignant chronicle of cultural destruction. It tells the story of the 70,000 Palestinian books that were looted by the newly formed State of Israel in 1948. The film weaves together a range of storylines to create a dramatic, engaging, and deeply emotional structure.

https://bbrunner.eu/movie/the-great-book-robbery/

Leila Khaled Interview: Palestine is an International Liberation Struggle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BBvzyKL-G4

A Life in Struggle: Exclusive with Leila Khaled, Icon of Palestinian Resistance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSv0Vqk_ILg

Solidarity with Palestine: Free Resources and Further Reading

https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/blogs/news/solidarity-with-palestine-free-resources-and-further-reading?_pos=4&_sid=e479de814&_ss=r

The 1948 Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine by Ilan Pappé

https://ciaotest.cc.columbia.edu/olj/jps/vol36-141/vol36-141_b.pdf

Ten Myths About Israel by Ilan Pappe

https://www.jadaliyya.com/Author/4114

Gaza An Inquest into Its Martyrdom by Norman Finkelstein

https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520318335/gaza

The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World

by Antony Loewenstein

https://www.versobooks.com/products/2684-the-palestine-laboratory