July 15th, 2017
GUEST HOST: GODFREY!!!
Round 2 of our Swede-a-Thon in honor of Michael Nyqvist. We reckon a nice asset to this sequel is a continuation of the tone without 'more of the same.' Different police involved, different dynamic with our 2 leads, and a slightly different approach to our episode as we go into spoiler territory. Those who listen to this episode should have already seen the 1st & 2nd film, so we take liberties that we normally avoid in discussing the finer details of the stories.
As there are no other movies we've covered related to the director, writer, or additional actors in the 2nd film, there are no links for this episode. Links for Nyqvist & Noomi Rapace are in the previous episode description.
July 3rd, 2017
GUEST HOST: GODFREY!!
The modern era has made it far easier for movies to be seen worldwide. Through that, audiences in the U.S. have better access than ever to see movies that have been remade from overseas. This series of films is pretty darn sweet (so far - as Matt hasn't seen them all yet!). Join us as we pay tribute to another god of the silver screen stripped away from us too soon...
Links: Michael Nyqvist: John Wick, Girl in the Book. Others mentioned - Flatliners, Mads Mikkelsen, Robin Hood, Prometheus, Grosse Pointe Blank.
Notes: Okay, Matt was wrong about Colin & Mads pronunciation; he was right about William Baldwin (only so much to be proud of there). We try to get it right, but can't always nail it in the moment. Also - Ace of Base are Swedes, too!!
June 19th, 2017
1962 vs. 2004/
So many times a generation hates a remake because they are attached to the original. Many times we have challenged that attachment. This movie is a titan of its time; on IMDB it is ranked 80% compared to 66% for the remake - since we didn't mention it. Rotten Tomatoes: 87 critic/78 audience; remake - 71 critic/64 audience, the original with a larger consensus of critic & audience agreement. How does Matt's opinion align with the errday public? Tune in to see!!
Links: Angela Lansbury: Last Unicorn. Johnathan Demme: Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia (also Denzel). Denzel Washington: Bone Collector, Much Ado About Nothing, Book of Eli, Malcolm X. Liev Schreiber: Spotlight. Meryl Streep: Fantastic Mr Fox. Jeffrey Wright: Casino Royale.
also mentioned: True Grit & The Quiet American.
June 3rd, 2017
GUEST HOST: GODFREY!!
Join us for the exciting conclusion of our death discussion. Excitement for the movies, not for death & dead people. You know what we mean, consarn it. Labyrinth is a cornerstone of many a childhood. As Matt was limited in his praise for The Last Unicorn (here's a link), you will find him unlimited in his love for this one.
As we sadly witness the Muppet Show disappear as fast as it returned recently, we still have a strong catalog of Jim Henson creations to adore. As a fantasy film, there is only a small amount of overt time references that help it retain potency. We aren't saying it isn't drenched in 80's but hey, so is Blade Runner & that's timeless, right? If you ever liked it, you will probably still dig it as an adult. We would venture that kids growing up now will like it & each generation will come to gain respect for the fireball of beautiful ambiguity that is David Bowie. We forgot to mention that his songs have been used almost 600 times in movies/television (probably a lot more in the next few years.)
We didn't speak of it, but the writing actually doesn't slant Sarah as a 'girl' character. It is a teenager hanging onto youth. The character could have been a boy with almost no alteration in the script, which is significant in making it a rather universal character because that aspect doesn't really affect their story. Yet another subtlety in this movie that seems simple on the surface.
LINKS: Bowie: Prestige. Jennifer Connelly: Stuck in Love (all links on that post). Muppet episode, Dark Crystal. Trevor Jones: Last of the Mohicans (all links on that post). Also, here's the Yankee Rose video!
May 21st, 2017
GUEST HOST: GODFREY!!!
It's not always the answer to discuss the recently deceased, but sometimes you just dive in headlong to confront the loss. Immediately after hearing about Powers Booth, Godfrey & Matt rewatched Tombstone. It then became clear what we needed to do.
These 2 films are connected beyond (now) dead actors by sharing a religious driving force behind terrible actions. The 3rd movie that will in turn be its own episode next week is more about questioning reality. You could also say it comes from Satan - so there's your religious tie-in.
Links are forthcoming, as the need to get this episode out is the most important part. Exhaustion wants your host to get away from the computer chair after massive bouts of editing & re-recording additional material.
NOTES: Here's the kangaroo puncher link. Sweet ass!!
Just to be crystal clear: we love Christian Bale & have said so in multiple episodes. Here we speak of him in Reign of Fire as the only source of talent at that moment for Matt. If you doubt our love, here are links: Batman Begins, Dark Knight, American Psycho, The Prestige, Equilibrium.
LINKS: Powers Boothe: Rapid Fire, Sin City, Tombstone (also Paxton). Bill Paxton: Weird Science, Twister, True Lies, Near Dark, Aliens, Predator 2. Matthew McConaughey: Mud, Dazed & Confused. Kevin Smith: Clerks II, Dogma.
Here is the link to the full song for Seasons (a great recent live version) that ended the episode: a beautifully crafted song. RIP
May 5th, 2017
Death Game (1977) versus Knock Knock (2015)
It should be noted up front that the Sluts LOVE John Wick (& #2!). Here is that episode as evidence. Not sure how it wasn't mentioned, to be honest.
Right, right - onto the actual episode description. Matt compares a remake with a different name. Were they distancing themselves from the original (like Disney from the original Tron?) despite having many from the old film as producers? The old title does kinda sound like a slasher title...
If nothing else, these might sell themselves with women invading homes as the plot. Some who have seen the older film may want to defend it, but we'd be curious if it feels the same to watch it today after 40 years. Does the new version offer a different feel, or enough of a similar feel? Tune in & find out!
Notes: When he said Medea, he meant the Greek tragedy, not the modern comedy movie tragedies.
Links: coming soon. (grin)
April 22nd, 2017
GUEST HOST: BOB FOSTER!!
- Dead Alive/
- Black Sheep (2006)/
- Turbo Kid/
This week we bring you a Kiwi Splatterfest! The blood buckets overflow as these movies push past the average moviegoers comfort zone. For those who can take it, there is some exceptional work that's been done over time. Spanning over 20 years, these movies are shiny jewels of their specific genre. Do the scripts get nominated? No - but do you watch a Bruce Lee movie for the script? Put on some protective wear and hear us gush over blood n guts.
April 10th, 2017
- Adventureland
- Lost in Translation
- Drinking Buddies
As Big action with big heroes in big capes n tights surround us, sometimes we just need a simple movie that won't blow our speakers out or wake up the neighbors. This week we offer you a tiny book of calm for your overstimulated brains. 3 movies that just deal in regular human stuff of daily life. No super powers, no robots, no villains.
What - just plain life?! No, and yes... Obviously movies are art so they have to entertain you while showing you things you may have already lived through (& some you hopefully haven't). Enjoy!!
Notes: It may be Into the Wild that has a decent Kristen Stewart performance in it as well.
March 25th, 2017
GUEST HOST: CHRIS FRED!!
Featured Art: Jeffrey Veregge. Buy T-shirts with some of his art here!! https://shop.fingersduke.com/collections/jeffrey-veregge?page=1
The intended 1st segment for the previous episode, the venom was in buckets which led it to become its own beast. After hundreds of movies, we finally let loose on a flick from the Bay shelf - the only one we can really stand to talk about (other than the rock, here's that episode link!). With so much love for the original Transformers movie (that link here!) & series, we were so PRIMEd to love it. Alas, Mizzle Bizzle makes it hard to enjoy anything retooled with his equipment. Chris also give almost 2 cents on Equilibrium, & 6 or 7 cents on Apatow.
Links: Bay - The Rock. John Turturro - Coens II, III. Tyrese Gibson - Flight of Phoenix
Notes: Matt was wrong about F7. It was in the top 10 highest-gross of all time, which we still think is a bit sad. It wasn't the U.S. that thought so, however - we were about 20% of the total in ticket sales. Action as a uniform medium for an international audience heavily affects the modern blockbuster market. The main reason we won't see another Independence Day film: no one cared in the overseas market... Here's the top 100 to make you happy and sad.
Matt meant to mention the Audi-geddon in Capt. Amer. Civil War. Nearly every car in it is an Audi, but at least you have to look to notice...
March 12th, 2017
- 40-Year-Old Virgin
- Equilibrium
For once in 5 years, we truly let the hate out the gate. The bile has bubbled over and off-the-cuff remarks will no longer cut it: we must tear into that which hurts our brains & heart (and eyes & ears, of course). The 2nd movie was not the intended target, but it fit with the issues at hand in its own way. There will be a 3rd movie from the hate pil in the next episode that will feature Chris Fred!!! Keep an ear out for that. Until then, courage -
Notes: Perhaps a reason why Matt preferred Trainwreck is that Amy Schumer wrote the screenplay as well. He also just realized he has misspelled and mispronounced Angus' last name as McFAYDEN instead of McFADYEN for 20 years!!
Links: Zack & Miri features Elizabeth Banks, Seth Rogan, & Gerry Bednob. Wet Hot American Summer has Paul Rudd & Banks. Catherine Keener: Being John Malkovich, Capote. Emily Watson: Red Dragon, Cold Souls (see the Malkovich link above). Sean Bean: LOTR. Angus McFadyen: Titus, Braveheart. Taye Diggs: Basic, Go. Christian Bale: Batman Begins, Dark Knight, American Psycho, The Prestige. Kurt Wimmer: Law Abiding Citizen, Street Kings (somehow we forgot to mention that).
ALSO: here is the wheezing the ju uice scene with a young Gerry Bednob.
February 26th, 2017
GUEST HOST: BOB FOSTER!!
With our 10th installment of Epic-sodes, we bring you something outside of the U.S. Though passed over in America, Red Cliff was huge in China as one of many representations for a significant era in their history. Unless you've seen it, there are only so many 'big names' attached to this. It is John Woo film, however. Beyond our shared admiration, discussing this gave us an outlet to discuss many things about modern movies, markets, and casting. Enjoy!
Note: Guan Yu breaks all the spears surrounding him & has a fight using others' weapons. Even we get mixed up sometimes (plus it's easy to get lost in the plethora of sweet fights).
Links: Hero. Mulan. John Woo - Paycheck. Links for Kurosawa films upon request (grin). Also inquire within about our LOTR reviews!! comment below & we'll lead you there.. do people use these links? Should we stop? Why am I still typing?
February 10th, 2017
Moviegoers are drowning in sequels, reboots, origins, and recycled ideas. Sometimes it feels right, sometimes it's too soon (lookin' at you, Spider-Man!!). Sometimes a sequel is a huge gamble after too much time has passed. On the other hand, some franchises won't let a year go by without another installment (Speed & Anger-ous, anyone?). Looking specifically at the Hot Tub Time Machine movies, we also cover a handful of titles that are abound in recent times.
Franchises mentioned: Star Trek, Ghostbusters, Gremlins, Zoolander, Mad Max, Indiana Jones, Planet of the Apes, Terminator, and Pirates of the Carribbean. Alright, 2 handfuls.
Links:
January 29th, 2017
- Mr. Pig/
- Zootopia/
- The Beaver/
Adding an animal to a movie usually pushes a button that puts us at ease, as do cartoons and puppets. This episode looks at all those things!! It is also an adventure through having 3 movies unseen before this week. It's not often a great idea, but it brought together 3 totally different approaches to storytelling. It also led to some examples of how writing can limit or cripple important moments.
Though Matt forgot to say it, Mr. Pig was his favorite, through remarkably cheaper in its budget. Big does not always mean best.
Links: Danny Glover: Lethal Weapons & Predator 2. Maya Rudolph: MacGruber.
J K Simmons: Spider-Man 2, Burn After Reading, The Gift, The Ref.
Jodie Foster: Silence of the Lambs. Anton: Anton Yelchin Episode. also Fright Night.
Mel Gibson: (LW above) Payback, Braveheart, Road Warrior.
Jennifer Lawrence: X-Men 1st Class. Joel Murray: God Bless America, Scrooged.
Michael Giacchino: Super-8, 50/50, Incredibles.
January 15th, 2017
GUEST HOST: GODFREY!
Greedy (1994) vs. Brewster's Millions (1985)
If you don't play the lottery, one of the likeliest windwalls you can receive is money from relatives. Death is a serious & usually sad thing, yet it has been a device for comic movie plots more than once. Today we bring you 2 such examples from different decades. Who will come out on top when it comes to bickerin' over bullion?
Links: Michael J Fox - Back 2 Futures. John Candy Episode. Clue (Michael Lynn)
Kubrick Episode (Spartacus). Schwarzenegger 1 (K-Cop) & 2 (Twins). Chris made a vid summary of the 2nd Arnold-isode. View it here! Share it - more views!!
Notes:
So I Married an Axe Murderer actually came out in between the Wayne's World movies (same year as #2), not before.
Siobhan Fallon Hogan has about 60 roles, but Matt stands behind his statement of mostly forgotten characters despite great performances.
Here's a trailer for a newer 'film' that Joyce Hyser was in: TURN DOWN YOUR VOLUME 
Art of Revenge. For all you 3rd Eye Blind fans...
Also, Lin Shaye was the character actor Matt was trying to think of... not to be confused with Linda Hunt.
Johnathan Lynn (Greedy) in fact directed Distinguished Gentleman that had some similarities to a part of Brewster's Millions.
December 5th, 2016
- The Last Dragon
- The Last Unicorn
Two Titans hang out at the same bus stop this week as we look into the staying power of the 1980's. Whether you wanted to kick someone in the face - or just ram a magical horn through their face, there were options to exorcise those demons. Can they face the modern moviegoer? Or can modern moviemakers ever hit the same mark? Listen and find out!!
Note: DeBarge had been around since 1979. Oops.
