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Latest Episodes:

199. 'The Shining', Part II Aug 29, 2024

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In Episode 197, I covered much of the backstory and making-of history behind 'The Shining'.

In this episode, I cover many of the scenes in the film that I didn't get to in Part 1, along with other commentary and observations about the film, Kubrick, 'Doctor Sleep', and 'Room 237'. Come and play with us, for ever...and ever...and ever.

198. 'The Shining', Part 1 Aug 24, 2024

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I went from not really ever wanting to watch 'The Shining' again...to now doing my first-ever two-part episode!

Funny how often the answer to 'why did that film affect me so much as a child?' turns out to be 'DUH!'.

Part 1 covers the origin story of the film, some of the King/Kubrick interplay over the years, the casting, the sound design, the music, and some cinema speculation on what it's all about.

Will post all episode materials and links when I post Part 2, which will cover the design and build of the sets, specific scenes, and MORE.

197. 'Risky Business' (1983) Aug 03, 2024

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Paul Brickman's 'Risky Business' is one of the greatest films of the 80's and is so much more than the "teen sex comedy" many people thought they were getting at the time. Frame by frame, it's really a masterpiece with so many aspects and elements of brilliance. The score by Tangerine Dream, Tom Cruise at NINETEEN, Rebecca De Mornay, the genius editing of Richard Chew...on and on...what an incredible film. And Paul Brickman would direct only ONE more feature film in his career to date. Astounding. Worthy of a rare Saturday pod!

196. 'Summer Rental' (1985) Jul 25, 2024

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Little-seen but worthy, the 1985 John Candy comedy 'Summer Rental' is due for a little revisit and respect!

On the news of a forthcoming and hopefully definitive John Candy documentary directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds, I stumbled across this film (which I'd never even heard of) and found myself gleefully experiencing an expertly-cast superior comedy of its era with a typically warm, truthful, harder-than-it-looks John Candy performance at its center. It's a pleasant surprise of a great family movie and I hope you'll see it out!

195: US Blues Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

I gave up drinking. I gave up drugs. I don't smoke. BUT I CAN'T QUIT DEAD & COMPANY! And I hope I never do!

With the wife and daughter overseas on a girl's trip, I went back to Vegas for Week Seven of the Dead and Company shows over the 4th of July Weekend at the Sphere Las Vegas.

This short (18 minutes) episode is not an inside-Dead show rundown, but a paen to the joys of live music played at this incredible level of proficiency and a call-to-arms to all musicians especially to make the trek before it's too late!

194. 'Vision Quest' (1985) Jul 12, 2024

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Well, it's not really a summer movie but nonetheless I ended up appreciatiating the weird-in-a-good-way 'Vision Quest'. Join me, won't you?

193. 'Breaking Away' (1979) Jun 28, 2024

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Peter Yates' 'Breaking Away' is the greatest Townie Movie of all time.

A heart-warming, feel-good film with an extraordinary sense of place.

192. Brian DePalma's 'Scarface' (1983) Jun 13, 2024

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Say hello to my little podcast about Brian DePalma and Oliver Stone's 1983 Cocainesterpiece, 'Scarface'.

191. 'Scarface' (1932) Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

Before I get to Oliver Stone and Brian DePalma's 1983 Miami-set remake of 'Scarface'...here's a background episode about the 1932 'Scarface', written by Ben Hecht and directed by Howard Hawks, the Steven Spielberg of the 1930's and 40's.

From that still-vital, seminal gangster film, I also found my way to some others:

Little Caesar is a 1931 American pre-Code crime film distributed by Warner Brothers, directed by Mervyn LeRoy, and starring Edward G. Robinson, Glenda Farrell, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. The Public Enemy (Enemies of the Public in the UK)[6] is a 1931 American pre-Code gangster film produced and distributed by Warner Bros. The film was directed by William A. Wellman and stars James Cagney, Jean Harlow, Edward Woods, Donald Cook and Joan Blondell. Underworld (also released as Paying the Penalty) is a 1927 American silent crime film directed by Josef von Sternberg [1] and starring Clive Brook, Evelyn Brent and George Bancroft. The film launched Sternberg's eight-year collaboration with Paramount Pictures, with whom he would produce his seven films with actress Marlene Dietrich. Journalist and screenwriter Ben Hecht won an Academy Award for Best Original Story.[2]

Watch Scarface on Amazon Prime.

Watch Underworld for free here.

Watch The Public Enemy on YouTube.

Watch Little Caesar on YouTube.

Read about the fascinating life of Ben Hecht.

Read the BFI 10 Classic 1930's Gangster Films Article.

190. The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane (1976) May 30, 2024

Show notes

One of the stranger and most poorly-marketed films of the 70's is Nicholas Gessner's adaptation of Laird Koenig's 1974 novel 'The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane'. Far from the horror film the poster and trailer tried to sell audiences on, it's instead an unsettling but realistic portrait of a young girl in an uncertain situation, and a film that I find particularly resonates with people who themselves were 10 or 12 years old in the late 70's.

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