#112 - "The Wolf of Wall Street" - Scorsese Wants You to Miss the Point
In this episode, we dive into The Wolf of Wall Street and break down how Martin Scorsese uses brilliant filmmaking to distract the audience from just how terrible these characters really are. We explore how the film mirrors the lifestyle it portrays—fast, loud, and reckless—and how that chaos makes it easy to ignore the darkness underneath. We also analyze Jordan Belfort’s character, the outrageous tone, and the psychological tricks Scorsese uses to keep you entertained while showing you the truth.Chapters:00:00:00 How Scorsese distracts you from the debauchery00:05:41 How the beginning sets the stage for insane story00:10:56 Stratton Oakmont's recruitment 00:12:27 The metaphor Scorsese used in penny stock phone call00:15:53 The Jonah Hill scene that reveals the thought process of everyone00:18:41 How Scorsese uses the frame to show Jordan's "superior" life00:20:04 DiCaprio is the only man to pull this movie off00:24:29 The fight against being an ordinary man00:27:40 The amount of iconic scenes in incredible00:29:02 The genius use of a real event as a thematic moment00:30:49 The collapse of Jordan Belfort00:37:15 What was Scorsese trying to say at the end?00:40:43 Last point on distracting you from Jordan's losses00:41:51 The ending00:44:10 Jonah Hill took a pay cut to make this movie00:46:20 Our official rating00:53:34 Cool behind the scenes story of Margot Robbie00:56:41 Final thoughts01:00:29 Cue the music
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#111 - "Top Gun: Maverick" - Exactly What Makes a Truly Perfect Sequel?
In this episode, we break down Top Gun: Maverick and why it stands as one of the best legacy sequels ever made. We dive into how the film honors the original while pushing the action, emotion, and stakes even further. From Tom Cruise’s insane commitment to real flying stunts to the surprisingly emotional story, we explore what makes Maverick hit so hard. We also break down key scenes, character arcs, and the filmmaking techniques that make this sequel soar.Check out: https://crwncinema.comChapters:00:00:00 Intro00:02:43 The perfect sequel00:18:26 The opening scene00:28:29 Setting the stage for conflict00:40:10 Mavericks attempt at changing is harder than expected00:50:35 The ending01:01:26 Our official rating for Top Gun: Maverick01:01:27 Final thoughts01:06:07 Cue the music
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#110 - "Heat" - The Perfect Example of Why Realism is Always Better
In this episode, we break down Michael Mann’s Heat—one of the greatest crime films ever made. We dive deep into the intense rivalry between Al Pacino and Robert De Niro’s characters, analyze the layered motivations, and explore the film’s psychological tension. We also break down the iconic shootout scene, the themes of duality and obsession, and the subtle filmmaking choices that elevate this story far beyond the average heist movie. If you love character-driven crime stories, this one’s essential viewing.Chapters:00:00:00 Intro00:01:11 The hilarious choice of removing Hannas drug use00:03:10 Pacino & De Niro: The other side of the same coin00:06:40 Vincent Hanna's psychology 00:12:37 Two complex men who know who they are00:16:08 The purely masculine themes in this movie00:25:17 Al Pacino has some of his greatest moments ever in this movie00:31:25 The dedication to realism00:40:47 Was the 3 hour run time necessary?00:45:40 Why the writing is top tier00:49:55 Breaking down the ending00:53:00 The coffee shop scene00:55:37 Our official rating of: HEAT00:59:45 Cue the music
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MINI EP - "The Phoenician Scheme" - Movie Review
In this mini-episode, we dive into THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME—breaking down what worked, what didn’t, and whether it’s worth a watch. We explore the cast’s performances, the film’s pacing, standout moments, and the effectiveness of its political and thriller elements. From the tension to the twists, we give our honest take on the story, characters, and overall impact. Tune in for a sharp, no-fluff review of this latest thriller hit.
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#109 - “Reservoir Dogs" - Tarantino's Genius Use of Non-Linear Storytelling
In this episode, we break down why Reservoir Dogs is one of Quentin Tarantino’s greatest storytelling achievements. We dive deep into how the non-linear structure amplifies tension, builds mystery, and reveals character dynamics in unexpected ways. We also explore the hidden depth of each character and how the script uses subtext, silence, and brutal honesty to drive the story forward. If you're into story structure, character psychology, or just love Tarantino, this one’s for you.Chapters:00:00:00 Intro Convo: The things only Tarantino can get away with00:03:21 Tarantino on improv in his movies00:09:40 Tarantino always giving himself the worst lines00:12:11 The connections to the Tarantino cinematic universe00:16:20 How the non-linear story makes the movie much more entertaining00:20:48 What the robbery scene does for the audience00:24:05 Why Tarantino held off on Mr. White & Mr. Blonde's backstory00:28:43 Explaining Mr. White's psychopathic criminal moral compass00:31:17 The Mr. Blonde torture scene intention00:35:57 What Mr Oranges delayed backstory gives the audience00:41:48 How the climax perfectly wraps everything we learned00:46:12 What makes The Commode story such a great scene00:48:53 The small details Tarantino gives his characters that say so much00:53:23 Our official rating of Reservoir Dogs00:57:39 Final thoughts00:59:23 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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