The Story Punk Podcast

In this special Story Punk Wrap-up episode we pause, look back, and take stock of a year that marked a fresh beginning. After a nine-year hiatus, we talk about why we decided to revive the podcast in 2025, what pulled us back into weekly movie conversations, and how returning with new perspective changed our approach to podcasting.
We revisit the movies we analyzed this year, reflecting on what surprised us, what stuck with us, and which films sparked the most interesting discussion. We also talk about the movies we missed along the way, those titles still sitting on our watchlists that we’re itching to catch up on. 
If you’re new to Story Punk, it’s a great snapshot of who we are, how we think about movies, and what to expect in the year to come. If you’ve been listening since the start, consider this our end-of-year conversation with you before the next chapter begins.

Episode 021: This week on Story Punk, we’re celebrating the season with Frank Capra’s timeless holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, and Thomas Mitchell. We revisit why this film endures as one of the most beloved movies ever made, from its humanist themes and emotional storytelling to its lasting place in American cinema.
Along the way, we expand the conversation into a full Christmas movie discussion what defines a Christmas film, movies set during the holidays, how seasonal settings change tone and theme, and why certain films become annual traditions. Expect cozy reflections, film history, and a little festive chaos.
Whether you’re revisiting Bedford Falls or building your holiday watchlist, this episode is our end-of-year gift to movie lovers.
 

Episode 020: This week on Story Punk, Jon Berkowitz is back in the studio with Scott and Drew to revisit Phil Alden Robinson’s smart, prescient tech thriller Sneakers, starring Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, Dan Aykroyd, River Phoenix, Ben Kingsley, and Mary McDonnell. Decades ahead of its time, the film blends espionage, hacking culture, and political paranoia into a sharply written ensemble caper that feels more relevant than ever.
We break down how Sneakers anticipated modern cybersecurity fears, character chemistry and its low tech approach to high tech problems. Also, James Horner’s score, and why this underappreciated 90s thriller deserves a fresh look in the age of surveillance, encryption, and digital power.
 

Episode 019: Our newest Story Punk episode is a special one! It’s our very first interview on the show, and we couldn’t have asked for a better guest.
 
This week, Drew and I sit down with Jon Berkowitz, VP Creative Director at ASPECT, the award winning creative agency behind the trailers and title sequences of some of your favorite entertainment, such as Wicked: For Good, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Crazy Rich Asians, and so many more. Jon breaks down how iconic trailers get made, why titles matter more than you think, and what creativity really looks like behind the curtain.
 
Jon brought incredible insight, great stories, and a whole lot of inspiration for anyone who loves film, games, or storytelling.
Give the episode a listen, share it with a friend who geeks out about trailers, and let us know what movie or game intro has stuck with you the most. If you love film, games, or just pure creative energy, this one’s for you. Hit play, drop a comment, and follow for more story-deep dives.
Follow our page to catch all future episodes, we’re just getting started.
 

Episode 018:  On this week’s Story Punk, we hit the track with Joseph Kosinski’s high-octane racing drama F1: The Movie, starring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, and Tobias Menzies. Powered by the filmmaking team behind Top Gun: Maverick and featuring real Formula 1 teams and circuits, this film blends adrenaline, IMAX-driven spectacle, and intense character drama.
We break down the film’s use of authentic racing footage, Kosinski’s signature cinematographic style, Brad Pitt’s return to blockbuster action, and how F1: The Movie stacks up against other racing classics.
We dive into:• Formula 1 realism vs. Hollywood movie formula• Brad Pitt & Damson Idris as rival drivers• The role of real F1 teams, cars, and circuits• How Kosinski builds tension, speed, and scale• Where F1 fits into the array of modern racing movies

Episode 017: This week on Story Punk we carve into Eli Roth’s slasher throwback "Thanksgiving", starring Patrick Dempsey, Nell Verlaque, Addison Rae, Gina Gershon, and Rick Hoffman. From holiday-horror traditions to Roth’s gleefully brutal set pieces, we break down how this grindhouse-inspired story evolved from a fake trailer into a full-blown seasonal bloodbath.
We’re dropping this episode two days early in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday — so no Thursday release this week. Consider it our little cinematic appetizer before the feast.
We dig into:• Roth’s return to classic slasher vibes• How Thanksgiving fits into modern horror trends• Rick Hoffman character acting appreciation• Holiday-horror legacy and audience expectations

Episode 016: On this week’s Story Punk episode, Scott and Drew methodically dissect David Fincher’s 2023 film "The Killer", a sleek, ruthless assassin thriller starring Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton, Charles Parnell, and Arliss Howard. We unravel its existential assassin mindset, voice-over mantras, graphic novel roots, and how Fincher’s precision meets Reznor & Ross’s haunting score.

Episode 015: On this week’s episode of Story Punk, we do our own research into Ari Aster’s divisive modern Western-thriller starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler. Set in a fictional New Mexico town during the height of the COVID pandemic, the film pits a sheriff against a mayor and unfolds as a raw commentary on polarization, social media, power, and crisis.
We break down Aster’s shift from horror into political satire, examine the layered themes of digital isolation, distrust, and collective madness, and ask whether Eddington hits the mark, or misses its target.

Episode 014 — Scott and Drew decode Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival, a mind-bending sci-fi masterpiece starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whitaker. We explore its emotional storytelling, haunting score by Jóhann Jóhannsson, and how its unique take on time, language, and communication reshaped modern science fiction.

Episode 013: Halloween Scary Movie Series Part 5 of 5. This week we celebrate our 13th episode with an installment for the Friday the 13th franchise, James Isaac’s wild sci-fi take on the slasher series that sends Jason Voorhees into space. Starring Kane Hodder, Lexa Doig, Lisa Ryder, and Chuck Campbell, we dissect the film’s blend of horror and camp, the distinct Canadian-ness of the production, and how this over-the-top sequel became one of the most bizarre entries in the franchise. Of course, no Halloween episode would be complete without some commentary on the horror genre in general, so grab your sleeping bag and fresh trick or treat loot and give our latest Story Punk Podcast a listen.