April 30, 1982. At 40 years old, Kirsten Dunst has managed thus far a storied 37 year long career in front of the camera. From Mary Jane Watson to Marie Antoinette, the Dunst Cinematic Universe boasts no shortage of beautiful, strong and beyond mythic female archetypes portrayed by the acclaimed actress. Lending a tenderness and self-awareness to e…

November 27, 1951. Kathryn Bigelow’s storied career has taken her from cult vampire fare (“Near Dark”) and heady sci-fi commercial failures (“Strange Days”) to Oscar-winning war dramas that blend explosive real-life events with explorations into the confounding psyches of individuals in conflict (“The Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty”). Having co…

September 3, 1969. According to Noah Baumbach (our first Sun in Virgo!), the writer-director doesn't make autobiographical films, but personal ones. His specific brand of pathos typically addresses the neurotic dysfunction of familial and romantic relationships, both torn apart and shoddily sewn back together through enduring love and common unders…

January 17, 1952. A highly influential vanguard in electronic music, Ryuichi Sakamoto's prolific career spans across film, commercials, video games, even the 1992 Summer Olympics. First finding international acclaim in the late ‘70s with Yellow Magic Orchestra, Sakamoto continues to pioneer new sounds in his tireless work as a solo artist and compo…

January 8, 1947. Major Tom. Aladdin Sane. Ziggy Stardust. Thomas Newton. Nikola Tesla. Goblin King Jareth! Needing no introduction, David Bowie was known for his chameleonic transformations into many personas for the stage and screen. His fascinating character work spans decades of acclaimed albums, along with starring roles in both independent and…

November 21, 1965. Björk Guðmundsdóttir calls the ocean her mother, "life, death and sex" her three obsessions, and Georges Bataille's "Story of the Eye," a story all about teenage lovers engaging in increasingly perverse sexual exploits, her favourite book. Known to the world wide as Björk, her storied career spans across award-winning films, genr…

After the well-documented chaos behind the productions of "Badlands" and "Days of Heaven," including on-set mutiny, crew turnover, near deadly fires, and a one punch KO from the man himself, Terrence Malick became something of a Hollywood bigfoot disappearing from the filmmaking industry. Whether he became disenfranchised with the shifting landscap…

November 30, 1943. Emerging in the New Hollywood era, though straying quite far from the likes of the Brat Pack, Terrence Malick begun his cinematic career in 1973 with the vivid, tragic and strikingly beautiful debut "Badlands." Before working in film, Malick was deep in academia - studying abroad, teaching Philosophy at MIT and translating Martin…

June 23, 1927. Bob Fosse was a once-in-a-generation visionary in the world of theatre, dance and, of course, film. After nearly sweeping the 1973 Oscars with his kinetic, disorienting depiction of 1931 Berlin in "Cabaret," Fosse’s filmography has gone mostly overlooked in modern takes on the New Hollywood era. With that, we’re so excited to discuss…

December 7, 1978. As one of the most masterful writer-directors to break out of American independent cinema in the last decade, Jeff Nichols adapts genre filmmaking for arthouse audiences. On the Season 2 debut, Michelle & Jeremy discuss two efforts from his small yet substantial filmography, 2011's "Take Shelter" and 2016's "Loving," as their huma…

February 25, 1983. Lulu Wang's breakout hit of 2019, The Farewell, garnered critical and commercial success in its effective interweaving of both the personal Asian-American experiences and universal themes of loss and disconnection, all tied up in a charming, heartbreaking autobiographical tale. Wang talks of losing "a sense of belonging, a sense …

November 19, 1979. His second feature was a watershed phenomenon that broke new creative and cultural ground, winning countless accolades with a final fumbled win at the Oscars. Barry Jenkins is still early in his career with only three releases behind him, but how the stars do align for this masterful, emotional, deeply complex storyteller. On thi…

According to our noël charts, the holiday season is falling within every house, so what better time to align some compasses and find our north star with all of you! A gift from our home to yours, here’s a special holiday edition of Map to the Stars where Michelle & Jeremy discuss their favourite festive film fare, the great conjunction and podcast …

August 4, 1983. One of the most important figures to rise out of American independent cinema in the past decade, Greta Gerwig channels major Leo and Sag vibes in her singular work as a multi-talented director, writer and actor. Across much of her filmography, Gerwig portrays a restless feminine spirit with characters always driven yet often aimless…

Here at Map to the Cause, Michelle & Jeremy seek the return of auteurs back to their original state of perfect, free from the silly, silly animals that run amok in Hollywood. Blockbuster blasphemy! In this episode, your filmy chartographers travel across America and across the pond to provide insight on the lonely, lost men which pervade Paul Thoma…

June 26, 1970. Paul Thomas Anderson was born and bred in Studio City. This 70s baby blue boy charts a career featuring timeless portraits of vagabonds and misfits all seeking, most failing, to connect with others in his home state of California. In order to rotate about his axis and set the proper course, Michelle & Jeremy thought it fitting to pai…

As Michelle & Jeremy take their second trip 'round the Spielberg sun, they notice solar flares ignite the eternal battle (and depiction) of Good vs Evil, and the iconography of childhood, nostalgia and youthful innocence. Why does Michelle think E.T. is so creepy? How many Hocus Pocus viewings is one too many? Can you really return to your youth vi…

December 18, 1946. The birthday of Hollywood's future sun idol and mythic industry legend who would pave and reshape the La La Landscape with a signature blockbuster blend. Mixing Classical Hollywood roots à la John Ford and David Lean with Norman Rockwell's quaint, uniquely American idealism (though an undertow persists!), Steven Spielberg is the …

Michelle & Jeremy Introduce Themselves to the Maps and to the Stars. Before charting new territory, the resident filmy chartographers find their true north(s) by sharing their astrological backgrounds and some film faves. Why do parties tire them out? What's a house in relation to a planet? What's really the difference between Fincher and Lynch? Al…

Welcome to Michelle & Jeremy Draw a Map to the Stars, the podcast that looks to the stars abroad in Hollywood and above in the night sky. Each episode, Michelle Balderston and Jeremy Ramos-Foley (resident filmy chartographers) guide listeners through the astrological charts of many diverse talents and compare specific elements and themes to their a…