Home Podcasts Eye of the Duck: A Film Podcast
Eye of the Duck: A Film Podcast

Eye of the Duck: A Film Podcast

Dom Nero and Adam Volerich | Morbid Network 277 Episodes Sep 14, 2026

A podcast about movies and the scenes that make them special. Each week, hosts Dom Nero and Adam Volerich explore a movie by finding the scene at its core–what David Lynch calls an "Eye of the Duck" scene. Join Dom and Adam as they celebrate cinema's greatest scenes, charting franchises such as Alien, The Evil Dead, and Indiana Jones, and major movements in film history, like '80s Dark Fantasy, Winter Horror, and Cyberpunk.

Episodes

From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
From Up on Poppy Hill (2011) Sep 14, 2026 02:41:39 It’s Goro Day! This week we are going deep on the embattled, tragic, and nonetheless fascinating collaboration between Hayao Miyazaki and his fledging director son. Whatever you think of Goro’s movies, you’ve got to admit… the story of Studio Ghibli is incomplete without him!But it’s not just the rift between father and son this week. POPPY HILL is an impressive movie in its own right, and we have
The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)
The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) Sep 7, 2026 02:15:19 Finally, a movie about a Pod who casts!This week we are putting the “mini” in miniseries for the Hiromasa Yonebayashi cottagecore classic that is equal parts HONEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS and TOY STORY. And yes, the dad’s name is Pod and he does at one point cast out a fishing line!Next week it’s Goro Miyazaki’s FROM UP ON POPPY HILL (2011). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/in
Ponyo (2008)
Ponyo (2008) Aug 31, 2026 02:27:23 When it comes to Hayao Miyazaki, the ocean is full of mystery and calamity. But one thing is for certain: Ponyo loves ham! This week is Miyazaki’s late-career “movie for five-year-olds” that somehow combines the terror of complete environmental catastrophe with… the joy of floating around in a candle-powered speedboat. And cool jellyfish! Topics discussed: delicious-looking tea, delicious-looking
Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Howl's Moving Castle (2004) Aug 24, 2026 02:28:10 Howl may be the worst type of early 2000s emo hunk. But listeners…We! Can! Fix! Him!!! This week is a real doozy. Dom and Adam are not particularly effusive about Miyazaki’s moody, dark magic sequel to SPIRITED AWAY. It’s bewildering, it’s bizarre, and some moments seem completely incomprehensible. But as an animated film, it’s a spectacle to behold, and we have a lot to celebrate, too. For instan
Spirited Away (2001) with Stephen Hilger (Into the Aether)
Spirited Away (2001) with Stephen Hilger (Into the Aether) Aug 17, 2026 03:04:16 Listeners, it’s time to remember your name. We’re getting Spirited Away this week to a Studio Ghibli production that is often called the most influential animated film of all time. Joining us to help purify the stink spirits and return the river gods to their kingdom is our old friend Stephen Hilger. Topics discussed this week: the enduring mystery of No-Face, why the Radish Spirit rules, whether
My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999) with Nik Long
My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999) with Nik Long Aug 10, 2026 02:17:20 Did Studio Ghibli really make a family sitcom? Kind of! It’s Isao Takahata’s second-to-last film, and we simply couldn’t resist adding it to our series. Joining us to revel in the brilliance (and surprisingly vindictive behavior) of the man they call Paku-San (aka Mr. Munch) is our dear friend and digital producer, Nik Long! Topics covered this week: whether or not YAMADAS is more like EVERYBODY L
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Princess Mononoke (1997) Aug 3, 2026 02:36:28 Before you listen to this episode, please join us in reciting the Ghibli prayer: Oh nameless god of rage and hate, we bow before you! This week we contend with what is unquestionably one of the greatest films ever made, animation or otherwise. It’s a period epic that encapsulates everything we know and love about Studio Ghibli while also somehow raising the bar even higher. And hey, there’s even a
Whisper of the Heart (1995) with Stephen Hilger (Into the Aether)
Whisper of the Heart (1995) with Stephen Hilger (Into the Aether) Jul 27, 2026 02:17:53 Country roads, take us home! Of the many, many movies that use the famous John Denver song, who would've expected the DEFINITIVE one to be about about a couple kids in Western Tokyo who fall in love with a really cool cat statue?  This week our old friend Stephen Hilger of the very great Into the Aether podcast is filling in as guest host! Topics explored by Dom and Steve: Zelda games (of course),
Pom Poko (1994) with Griffin Newman (Blank Check)
Pom Poko (1994) with Griffin Newman (Blank Check) Jul 20, 2026 02:20:36 We’re back! Joining us after our one week hiatus is returning champion, the one, the only... Griffin Newman! We have so much to talk about this week, including: raccoon dogs, Isao Takahata’s hatred of modernity, the history of “serious” animation, Operation Goblin, Star Wars(?), Mr. Belvedere(??), Dave Matthews Band(????), and also How To “Ball Up” a Pipeline! Next week it’s our first non-Miyazaki
Porco Rosso (1992)
Porco Rosso (1992) Jul 6, 2026 02:28:10 Farewell to freedom in the Adriatic and days of wild abandon! We’re soaring back over the sea this week to hang out with our close personal friend, Porco Rosso! This is… the best movie ever made, right? Topics discussed this week: whether or not Han Solo is just Porco in space, Italian antifascism, French antifascism, fascism in general, Looney Tunes, and of course, cool planes. Next week it’s all
Only Yesterday (1991)
Only Yesterday (1991) Jun 29, 2026 02:33:47 Get ready to reconnect with your 10-year-old self. Because we’re about to face some of the most embarrassing (and transcendent) childhood memories in movie history! Topics discussed this week: dividing fractions, the questionable taste of unripe pineapples, Takahata and Miyakazi’s legendary beef, uncanny animated facial muscles, the weather, and whether or not ALADDIN still holds up. Next week we
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) Jun 22, 2026 02:28:29 Finally, an animated film about how the gig economy is BAD but dirigibles are COOL! This week we hang out with the snarkiest cat around, Jiji, and his very cool familiar, a little witch who dreams of something better than eating pancakes for every meal. Even if you're not a freelancer, this film speaks volumes, because work/life balance is impossible and Kiki's about to find out why! Next week, it

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