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Back to the Frame Rate

Back to the Frame Rate

Written by: Nathan Suher
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About this listen

Back to the Frame Rate is a movie discussion podcast where filmmakers, actors, and passionate wannabes come together to celebrate the art of cinema. From beloved popcorn flicks of the '80s, '90s and today, to timeless classics and arthouse gems we cover it all. But we’re not just here to talk movies — we’re here to save them! In a world facing imminent asteroid-induced doom (think Armageddon without the happy ending), we’ve built a fallout shelter for the greatest films of all time. With only enough space for a carefully curated vault of 35mm and 70mm reels, the stakes couldn’t be higher. We comb through the likes of AFI’s 100, Sight & Sound’s Greats, and IMDB’s Top 250 to decide which films are worthy of saving — and which will be purged forever. Join hosts Nathan Suher, Sam Coale, and Briana (Bee) Butterworth as they passionately debate cinema’s survival, ensuring the future of storytelling one reel at a time. Sadly, the space is tight, just enough for us and our cherished 35mm and 70mm film reels. To friends, family, and old acquaintances left in the cinematic dust, our apologies. But fret not, for we vow to emerge when Earth is safe for repopulation. We've preserved the very soul of civilization, ensuring a future where storytelling thrives. Back to the Frame Rate, saving the world one reel at a time! Hosted by Nathan Suher, Sam Coale, and Briana (Bee) Butterworth.© Back to the Frame Rate Art Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) / Cameron Commandments #3 / Human's Are the Real Enemy
    Jan 12 2026

    We’re all about the cinematic journeys that keep the spirit of storytelling alive, even in the face of impending doom. Our main squeeze this week? How this installment feels like a continuation of "The Way of Water" rather than a new chapter in the Avatar saga. We’ll dig into the visuals, the characters, and whether this flick packs the punch we expect from a James Cameron joint. Plus, we can't help but share some light-hearted banter about our favorite (and not-so-favorite) moments, including a character that might just make you want to throw your popcorn at the screen. So grab your snacks and settle in—it's about to get interesting!

    02:05 Diving into Avatar: Fire and Ash

    04:22 Box Office Predictions and Franchise Future

    09:40 Avatar: Fire and Ash - Initial Reactions

    41:03 Final Thoughts and Ratings

    45:26 Recommendation Shelf: Humans Are the Real Enemy

    56:37 Show Wrap-Up and Future Plans

    Take our Poll - Help shape the future of our Podcast!

    Sign up for new online newsletter, Frame Rate Monthly. Email backtotheframerate@gmail.com to subscribe.

    Find all our episodes here on your preferred Podcast app:

    https://backtotheframerate.com

    Back to the Frame Rate is on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/backframerate/

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    https://www.youtube.com/@backtotheframerate - Where you can watch video versions

    Email us at backtotheframerate@gmail.com

    Follow Nathan on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/nathansuher/

    Follow Bee on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/mambobumbles/

    Copyright © Weston Media Center, Inc.

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    59 mins
  • True Lies (1994) / Cameron Commandments #2 / Recasting Arnold into Classic films
    Dec 3 2025

    True Lies, directed by James Cameron, is the centerpiece of our second episode in the mini James Cameron retrospective. We dive deep into this wild 1994 action-comedy that takes the double life trope and cranks it up to eleven. Arnold Schwarzenegger shines as a secret agent whose domestic troubles become hilariously intertwined with his high-stakes espionage life. Spoiler alert: there are terrorists, a nuclear threat, and a whole lot of explosive action. We also get into our Recommendation Shelf segment, exploring films that feature characters living double lives, and then we crank up the fun with a bonkers game where we recast classic films with none other than the Governator himself. Buckle up, it’s gonna be a ride!

    Take our Poll - Help shape the future of our Podcast!

    Sign up for new online newsletter, Frame Rate Monthly. Email backtotheframerate@gmail.com to subscribe.

    Find all our episodes here on your preferred Podcast app:

    https://backtotheframerate.com

    Back to the Frame Rate is on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/backframerate/

    Be sure to Follow us @backtotheframerate

    https://www.facebook.com/backtotheframerate

    https://www.instagram.com/backtotheframerate/

    https://twitter.com/backframerate

    https://www.tiktok.com/@backtotheframerate

    https://www.youtube.com/@backtotheframerate - Where you can watch video versions

    Email us at backtotheframerate@gmail.com

    Follow Nathan on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/nathansuher/

    Follow Bee on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/mambobumbles/

    Copyright © Weston Media Center, Inc.

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    1 hr and 39 mins
  • The Abyss (1989)/ Cameron Commandments #1 / High and Low Pressure Films
    Nov 3 2025

    In this week’s episode of Back to the Frame Rate, we dive headfirst into the deep end with James Cameron’s ambitious sci-fi epic, The Abyss. We explore its groundbreaking underwater cinematography and the sheer technical wizardry that pushed filmmaking to new depths—while also calling out where the dialogue and storytelling don’t quite rise to the surface. We break down the differences between the theatrical and special edition cuts, and talk about how they each shape the film’s emotional core. We talk about our recent theater experience seeing Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another and The Conjuring: Last Rites. Stick around for our “high pressure and low pressure” movie recommendations—perfect companions to Cameron’s underwater odyssey.

    Take our Poll - Help shape the future of our Podcast!

    Sign up for new online newsletter, Frame Rate Monthly. Email backtotheframerate@gmail.com to subscribe.

    Find all our episodes here on your preferred Podcast app:

    https://backtotheframerate.com

    Back to the Frame Rate is on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/backframerate/

    Be sure to Follow us @backtotheframerate

    https://www.facebook.com/backtotheframerate

    https://www.instagram.com/backtotheframerate/

    https://twitter.com/backframerate

    https://www.tiktok.com/@backtotheframerate

    https://www.youtube.com/@backtotheframerate - Where you can watch video versions

    Email us at backtotheframerate@gmail.com

    Follow Nathan on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/nathansuher/

    Follow Bee on Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/mambobumbles/

    Copyright © Weston Media Center, Inc.

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    1 hr and 14 mins
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