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 Aug 17, 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

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
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
My Neighbor Totoro (1988) Jun 15, 2026 02:33:35 The catbus is here and we’re off to explore the (friendly) haunted forest! This week we’re worshipping the ancient woodland spirit and face of Studio Ghibli — our good, personal friend, Totoro! But heads up, Adam and Dom have completely different takes on this one, so if you’re looking for a real Siskel & Ebert type disagreement, this is the episode for you. Next week, we take to the skies with KI
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988) Jun 8, 2026 02:52:37 This week, we pay tribute to one of the most devastating (and life-affirming) movies ever made. It’s our very first Takahata film, and… it’s a doozy. We simply couldn’t do a Studio Ghibli series without honoring this masterpiece. **Please be aware that this episode includes some distressing themes around children and violence. We tried our best to celebrate the brilliance of the film but inevitabl
Castle in the Sky (1986)
Castle in the Sky (1986) Jun 1, 2026 02:27:08 Get in, losers, we’re going to Laputa! This week we take flight with Pazu, Sheeta, and a gang of pirates with some seriously questionable motives to find the mythical land in the clouds where cool robots take care of birds (and shoot lasers). It’s the first true Ghibli film, and, man, does it set the bar pretty high. Also... what the hell is going on with the English dub of this film? Next week, i
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) May 25, 2026 02:38:37 Calling all Tolmekians: it’s a series premiere!!!! Today we take flight with the Princess of the Valley of the Wind for our new Studio Ghibli series. What a dream (of madness)! For the next few months we’ll be fully devoted to the works of Miyazaki, Takahata, and the entire Ghibli collective. We hope you’ll join us in the Sea of Decay! The water is fine (it’s only mildly acidic and poisonous). Nex

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