Darren Aronofsky's Hero's Journey

EPISODE 270: Ass to ass.

So, I had never met Darren Aronofsky — one of the most provocative and surrealist and unapologetic filmmakers in all of Hollywood — until he walked into our studio.

We’d reached out to Aronofsky because for a long time, I’ve been fascinated by what seemed like his thoughtfully contrarian approach to storytelling.

He’s the guy who cooked up Requiem for a Dream, with Ellen Burstin, and The Wrestler, with Mickey Rourke, and Black Swan, with Natalie Portman, and mother!, with Jennifer Lawrence.

None of which allowed the audience a happy ending.

But a couple weeks ago — after ingesting Aronofsky’s catalog, in advance — I got a ticket to a screening of his (forthcoming) new movie, Caught Stealing.

I knew absolutely nothing about it.

I had no idea that Caught Stealing’s main character would be a former Major League prospect named Hank, played by Austin Butler.

And I had no idea that after receiving PTFO’s interview request, Aronofsky would ingest a couple of our episodes. Thereby allowing me to discuss the very special kind of surprised that I would be.

YOUTUBE SPOILER ALERT:

Heroes For Zeroes Forever,

Pablo