This is great stuff and I wish to hell I could see the bits and pieces you do, make these connections, and pull this apart like this. I didn't catch "the future" thing at all when I watched this.

I noticed in your streams recently that you get a LOT of negative feedback in these non-DND videos, so I wanted to leave a positive comment (whereas I would normally just lurk). Dude, I love your movie reviews! I find your insights super interesting. Also, Jerry did a great job of selecting these clips.

I love the differentiation between what the film was “about” vs. the plot.

It may or may not be an actual connection, but the theater she lives under is named Orpheum. It makes sense to me this might be a reference to the greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Hell, the fishman even turns around right before it gets shot at the end, mirroring the end of the myth where Orpheus turns around before leaving the underworld and loses his beloved because of it.

I love listening to Matt talk about movies with insight and clarity. It makes the movie watching experience all the richer.

Love the format of this with your commentary over the footage. Huge shout out to Jerry for the production especially!

This man could upload a five hour video dissecting Megamind and I'd watch ever second.

Del Toro is probably either my favorite or in my top 3 living directors, with Tarantino being on par. Del Toro's constant theme of fantasy, escape, and totalitarianism, and how the three are in constant interplay, really just creates for some fascinating movies for me. It's a shame what they did to his Hobbit.

Matt, I know you are busy with kingdoms and warfare and running a company, as well as with a pandemic. Many other things I am sure have your time, I just wanted to thank you for taking time to make videos and make me think more deeply on subjects. You are an inspiration and I love that you are in this world.

That felt like a MYMNOS Lite edition. Thanks Matt!

This is not an upload I expected from you; I just watch the occasional instalment of Running The Game, but I absolutely had to click on this. Love the way you talk about Del Toro and seem to 'get' what he's going for; it's a wonderful film to wax lyrical about. Ending with describing it as 'a fairy tale' had me grinning and wanting to punch the air. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go watch Crimson Peak because i keep forgetting I didn't watch that one.

Endlessly here for sophisticated analysis, even if I haven’t seen the source material.

Watched The Shape of Water last night. One other thing I noticed along this theme-what totally undoes Strickland and causes him to throw away all “decency” to get results? It’s the general telling him that if he fails, he will be othered too. Just like Elisa, Giles, Zelda, Dmitri, and, yes, the fish-man. He doesn’t love his family, he loves the idea that his family is the model of American success. He doesn’t love his car, he loves that his car shows that he is the model of American success. He loves being in the in group. And the worst thing you can do to someone in the in-group is tell them they’re about to be kicked out.

A professor at my university once said that the sign of a good analysis is that it forever shifts your perception of the piece in question. Loved this video, Matt -- been saving it for a while since I hadn't watched the movie yet, very glad to have seen it now! If you ever get tired of creating, I think you would make a transformative media critic for a lot of young folks out there.

Matt, you must constantly roll Nat 20's on your Insight checks when watching movies. You always point out an angle to the story I had not considered despite already loving and having watched that movie dozens of times. Great stuff.

Holy shit Jerry! You and Matt really made some magic here. This brings me back to Mymnos....

You truly have the best voice for teaching people. It's very easy to follow what it is you're saying and how you connect the points. You repeat, every once in a while the important things and tie everything together beautifully. I am in a weird mood right now and this dissection made me feel really satisfied? That's a weird reaction for this video but it just hit so many points of things I wanted to hear. "The good guys win" It just feels like this story is such an example of the stories I want to see and the stories I want to tell and this video really outlined in my brain why that was/ is the case. This is a very rambly comment and where I am it's late and I am tired so if this doesn't makes any sense I will blame those facts but I just felt like shouting my opinion into the void of a KZfaq comment section will help me externalise my weird feelings. Anyways, great video, loved it.

You’re right, Jerry nailed the editing, great video Matt/mcdm

Wow the film title finally hit me. Water can be and is any shape. No matter how different the shape looks and feels, in the end it's all still made of water. We all each still have our humanity.

It's so strange hearing Colville's voice without seeing his face.

My excitement when I saw one of my favorite creators talking about one of my favorite films was immeasurable. Loved this perspective, and I think it’s something people miss when they see it without really understanding the relationships between all the outcasts. Great video, thank you!

As someone that really appreciates your D&D "coaching" videos, I think this might actually be one of my favorite videos that you've done. Thank you.

HAIL MYMNOS!

Matt's videos on movies are some of my favorites he has a way of talking about things that no one else does. Please make more.

I just discovered this while looking for one of your d&d videos and I absolutely love this content! I know it may not be as popular as your dnd content but I truly do hope you have the opportunity to make more videos like this. Super easy to follow and great connections that I wouldn't have caught otherwise!

Outstanding video. Lovely editing. Mostly I'm just here to add some positivity before the comments turn into ..... well, you know. My wife and I literally say this movie last week and I, having seen the preview of this video, tried to search fort it to no avail, but we just watched this video together and it was almost as enjoyable as watching the Shape of Water again. The bit about the bad guys needing to contextualize their relationships is really outstanding. And, in fact, one thing I noticed when I watched was that the good guys, with no context, are all quite loyal to one another. To the point of crossing spouses, politics, handlers, etc. The bad guys all turn on one another, regardless of how long they've known one another. The general makes it very clear, in fact, that someone's history of loyalty and service and success doesn't matter in any way to him. Very clear.

This is the sort of stuff I love from you. I’m so glad to see all the nerd sides of this channel, from the dungeons and dragons analysis, to the movies, to the novels, to the people. It’s all just so wonderful to me to hear your thoughts on it, thank you.

This is why Matt is such a great DM, and a good mentor/teacher. He doesn't just understand gaming. He understands the elements of a story, his lessons are about how to create an amazing cooperative story. Movies like these set a great foundation to understands themes and tropes that we can use as DMs to create a story that everyone is awed to be a part of.

I would be very happy with an ongoing series of What is X about? Movies fit KZfaq, but I think you could do books and other media in an interesting way in this format.

Honestly, I've been laying off the D&D content lately, this is a breath of fresh air for me personally, and not something I expected to see. Thank you, and I am all in favour for more of this kind of thing. A lot of information condensed into a short video.

Love this instalment in the 'what is the future of our hobby?' series!

As someone who often struggles with the more narrative focused aspects of running D&D, these movie reviews are unbelievably valuable to me as they really help me understand story telling in new ways. Thank you for doing them!

The idea of needing a reason for love and friendship is explored very well in The Lobster too. Great video Matt.

So glad to see you got a bit of your KZfaq juices flowing again! I started watching your channel for "running the game" but I love coming back to it for this kind of content where you just share your thoughts and thereby a piece of your soul so willingly. Thank you!

Your video essays are always well-thought-out and just flow naturally from one point to the next. It's easy to lose track of time watching these things.

The Shape of Water was my favorite movie in years, but Matt’s take has me thinking about it so much deeper now. A rewatch is in the very near future.

I really enjoy this kind of format. Everyone uses source information to create their own narrative. Showing us how to take existing content, break it down into its core elements, and utilizing it in our own storytelling in such a relatable way is the mark of a great teacher

Heaps of great points here. I would add to it that, given Del Toro's own politics, what binds the underdog protagonists is not just the romantic ideal of love at first sight, but also the binds of solidarity. It's a beautiful fantasy where those characters who inhabit the underclass inherently understand their mutual class interests and they identify with one another for those shared interests and their shared humanity as members of the working class, rather than through race, gender, or sexual preference.

See this is kinda why i love this channel, it just opens my head to think more creatively and make connections like these and read between the lines

"The future has no room for fishmen, and gay artists" And I took that personally

I love essays examining story structure like this. We like hearing from your writer creative side, not just your DM creative side.

Those scenes were honestly brilliantly put together. Great job, Jerry! And thanks for the talking, Matt. Love me some more MYMNOS.

This is definitely not what I originally subscribed for, but it's absolutely the kind of thing that keeps me coming back. I've not seen this movie, but it often frustrates me to no end when people fail to see what I consider obvious messaging in a piece of media.

I just wanted to say that as a film fan and DM seeing this on your channel was an unexpected joy, and I’d love to see more of this kind of stuff

Man, this movie was the latest time I cried at a piece of art I think. I'm going to re-watch it soon, prefarbly with comrades at my side. Thank you for reminding me of this beauty of a film.

I love this format, I'd listen to you talk about movies/books any day of the week.

matt this video is so good id be so psyched if you keep making these, a while ago you had a series doing an in depth discussion on 2001 and those were so good too but i really loved the format of this it was so to the point and well crafted

I'm actually crying this was so good. I love how you find the deeper meaning in things and then share them with us. It helps me to think more critically about the media I consume.

"Maybe what's important cannot be said." Well there is a certain element of wonder in communication which transcends simple things such as the spoken (or written) word, in that moment when you can see one soul speak to another with no words, no seeming signals... just a moment when they brush against each other.And then the moment is over, because such things are exactly as ephemeral a you'd think. But. While the moment is over, its effects yet remain.

Beautiful analysis and really thoughtful ideas I hadn't considered before. I would love to see more stuff like this!

Yes! I loved your 2001 film analysis and have always hoped you would do more of this! It really helps give a deeper appreciation of storytelling.

Ah... I love this. Thanks for a great breakdown Matt!

From one young learner to the other, I thank you for sprinkling in references to other beautiful inspirations. You've made a massive impact on how I percieve stories as well as the messages they teach. Above all else Mr. Matt, you have been more than a river to your people. You have been a gracious and strong mentor to a young man from rural Tennessee whom you may never meet, but I assure you the legends you have helped him and his small band of students create will never be forgotten and will be forever cherished. Here's to the future, sir.

Love all your D&D stuff Matt. But I have to say, I get so excited when I see you release something that falls in line with one of your other passions. Your love of these books and movies is palpable and your writing feels far more creative when you can describe them. I rewatch these videos more than almost anything else on youtube. Much love and respect for you and your team.

Been looking forward to this one.

I came to your channel for DnD and I'm staying because of your razor sharp analyses and heartwarming humanism.

I really enjoy your insight in movies, makes me appreciate them beyond a thing to do for a couple of hours for entertainment. It really is eye opening and I'm thankful for this work you are doing.

I am very much in support of more non-D&D videos. Talking about stories is how we make better stories. We can’t have great D&D unless we discuss what is great about everything outside D&D.

Please continue to do these videos. I enjoy hearing your perspective so very much! I love your D&D videos and they're what got me into your channel, however, hearing you speak about; movies, books, and art resonates with me in a way few other things do.

Thank you. I found your insightful analysis of this film to be most enlightening and entertaining. Kudos to Jerod on the editing which was top-notch. I look forward to further installments. Thanks again.

I really, really like this. Watching people break down the things they like into all the bits that tickle them never gets old.

Loved all of your running the game series and between the Black Panther and this one, I am really enjoying your lens on these films. Thank you for this.

Not only excellent narrating but well-written. Not to mention a really good take on a movie that some people really *needed* to have broken down for them. Cheers

This is a spot-on dissection of the movie. Watched it with a friend recently, a friend who's usually on the same page as I am when it comes to movies, and the movie just didn't 'click' with him. The themes of the movie were just not clear to him. I absolutely loved the movie. There are some clear nods to Del Toro's previous work, most notably Pan's Labyrinth. Also: PLEASE do more of this stuff. I came for the D&D material, but since I LOVE movies, I really like this type of material!

I loved this video. Watching this video (and the previous Black Panther one) made me rethink how I view movies and what to look for not just in the context of D&D inspiration but in general. Keep it up!

This is one of the reasons I subscribed to you, Matt. Your D&D videos are superb. They've helped me a lot. But these dissections of movies, like you did with Black Panther, these are spectacular!

Hey Matt! Just want to say that I love watching your ability to analyze the elements of a story and the wonderful commentary you provide. Keep up the good work!

This is fantastic. Great script bursting with insights that really peel back the layers. As much as I love the RTG videos you put out, these are equally as wonderful and exciting. Also HUGE shout out to Jerry for the editing. Phenomenal job all around.

This was short and sweet. A nice thought piece to break up the D&D.

I love your movie analysis vids so, so much. Brilliant work once again.

More of this please! I love your perspectives on and breakdown of film and literary works!

Thank you for sharing your perspective Matt. I'm always excited to hear what you have to say about movies.

I love it! Every time one of your videos goes into analyses of history or stories lile these I am all for it. Thankyou!

Really insightful, Matt! I hope you keep doing movie discussions and analysis!

I just adore you’re video essays! Thank you so much for talking about films who don’t get the attention they need

Thanks a lot for videos like this! I can't get enough of your analysis) We all love TTRPG, but it's always very interesting to hear you talking about the message or meaning, behind the narrative. Hope you enjoyed writing this video)

This feels like an evolution of the MYMNOS streams and I'm 100% sold. And bravo to Jerry for his editing!

I would like to see more videos like this. I love your analysis here and the enthusiasm for sharing what you love whether it be D&D, tabletop games, political theory, or film.

This was a wonderful discussion of the underlying themes of the movie, thank you for sharing your insights.

Okay, I just want to say that I love your DMing guide videos and listening to you talk about D&D. It really helped me DMing and writing good story telling in general. But if you want to make more content like this, commentary/documentary style videos.... Go for it! I love the variety and this was really well done! Loved to hear more opinions about movies or video games sometime! Great job!

Love these videos! Can't wait for more media analysis type videos from you.

Such excellent observations. Jerry's work is so fluid! This was delightful, thank you!

I could listen to these all day. Awesome work Matt!!

Glad to see this video is back up! Great job Matt and Jerry.

Awesome video and awesome format! I love hearing you talking about films and stuff. I also think this kind of videos go nicely with the D&D ones. Narrative, drama, conflict... Learning what makes stories great is awesome and (sometimes) useful!

These videos really show how well versed you are in the actual history of fiction and science fiction, and just how intelligent you are when it comes to the themes and unspoken foci of these works. They inspire me to think about so many things in a different way, which I think is really cool.

Really enlightening video, honestly love seeing this kind of content out of Matt.

Love the video essay, very well written and edited. I would love to see more film/sci-fi discussion on your channel.

I found your channel due to D&D, but your content on films is always great as well. Good stuff Matt.

Delightful to hear more of your film thoughts Matt, wish you had a podcast discussing your thoughts about art

Matt, you are great at breaking down story. The more we can understand story's we can steal them for dnd. The point I'm trying to make is that you do what you want and those who don't know that all story videos are dnd videos have much to learn. I wait for the next essay

Matt, a brief thanks for reigniting my love of movies. I became disillusioned with the industry over the last decade even though plenty of great movies are still to be had...case in point. Loved this video essay. It was as well written as the movie. Please make more!

*Sees clip list* I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready

I’m personally not a fan of the movie but I appreciate the in depth look at it. When I saw the movie I didn’t like it and I didn’t know what I was even looking at, but at least now I know where the appeal is meant to be.

man i gotta say this changed how i viewed the movie. Great work! Hope to see more things like this in the future

One of my favorite youtubers, talking about the amazing subtext and subtlety of my favorite movie of all time?! Is it my birthday?! Thank you for this video, you have made my week.

Would absolutely love to see more of these.

Fantastic video.... After I watched it, I couldn't believe the way others had talked about it. Your reflection on it is excellent. Thanks!

I thoroughly enjoyed this dive into a movie that I was puzzled by when I watched it. Thanks for your take and the well made video :)

It took me a few days to watch this video, i wanted to watch the film first, but I'm glad I waited. This is a great insight into the film, so many ideas I felt but couldn't vocalise