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Criterion Year Week 7: The Silence of the Lambs Sep 07, 2015

Show notes

The Criterion Collection, the last vestige of truly collectible DVD and Blu-Ray movies in existence. These are well produced, fancy pants editions of important and interesting films for the discerning film lover.

We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...

Week 7:

The Silence of the Lambs

Spine Number: 13

Director: Jonathan Demme

Genre: Psychological Thriller/Serial Killer

Movies and TV shows love to feature serial killers. Just love them to bits. And why shouldn't they? I mean, from a writing standpoint, it's kind of a slam dunk. Someone is killing a bunch of people, the killer has an identifiable modus operandi (or M.O. in movie/TV speak), and there is a built in ticking clock. Plus, it allows you to work with criminal profilers. Those people are basically magic. They can look at a crime and know everything about the killer and through their, often dangerous, mental journeys into the abyss they will find a way to stop the killer and save themselves from the demons within. I mean... the genre has everything.

Well... it does if you don't really sweat things like "accuracy."

The truth is, serial killers don't fit into neat little boxes. Yes, they have patterns that they follow, but they aren't grandiose and showy. Yes, some have been, but by and large a serial killer is driven by a need, a compulsion, and their killings are more of a symptom, to quote Hannibal Lector the killings themselves are "incidental."

Profilers on the other hand are far from magic. They are highly trained behavioral scientists who function to narrow the field. They don't magic psychic the information, rather they analyze the facts and get the basics of who the killer is in an effort to find them. White male, no steady work, physically powerful, owns a home, has an abusive background, has probably tried to get gender reassignment surgery... that sort of thing. They look at the behavior and figure out what "type" of person would commit the crime in question so that resources can be focused.

The Silence of the Lambs bu Thomas Harris is the second in a series of serial killer/criminal profiler books and movies that introduced the world to Hannibal Lector, a pure psychopath who "fits no known criminal profile." A brilliant surgeon and psychiatrist who tortured, killed, and ate countless victims. He's a fascinating character rendered... almost maudlin in some of the adaptations.

Not here.

Here is the portrayal that not only made the character iconic, but elevated Anthony Hopkins to the stardom he enjoys today. It is one of three films to win the big five awards at the Oscars (actress, actor, picture, director, and screenplay).

So, join us as we discuss how serial killers and profilers are portrayed in film, and the world of Thomas Harris's FBI in The Silence of the Lambs and beyond.

Next week:

Spine Number 26: The Long Good Friday

Also, check this out.

http://fantasymovieleague.com/
Looks like Summer Movie League has officially become Fantasy Movie League.
It looks quite fun. Here's how it works.
You have an 8 screen theater.
Every week you pick movies and have a budget/salary cap you have to stay under.
Then you compete against other theaters in your league.
It's fantasy football for movie people.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

And remember, you can be a part of the show any time you wild like. How's that? All you have to do is call or e-mail us. If you live in the US, or any place that makes calling the US easy, just dial 512-666-RANT and leave us a voicemail. We will read the Google Voice transcript and play your message. It's both funny AND informative.

If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.

E-mail us at thefilmthugs@gmail.com and we will read/play whatever you send us, or you can e-mail thugquestions@gmail.com to be part of an upcoming "Ask the Film Thugs" show, where we answer questions on any subject without having heard them first.

Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.

Thanks for listening, and until next week...

Jim out.

Criterion Year Week 6: Hard Boiled Aug 30, 2015

Show notes

We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...

Week 6:

Hard Boiled

Spine Number: 9

Director: John Woo

Genre: Hong Kong Action

John Woo defined Hong Kong cinema in the late 80's and early 90's. His over the top action scenes and hyper cool protagonists set the tone for much of what modern action movies have evolved into. The Killer, in many respects, is the most artistic film he made, as we discussed last week. But Hard Boiled... damn. No action move comes close to what Woo achieves here. It's more than just violence, it's poetry in motion. In a genre known as "bullet ballet," and "heroic bloodshed," Woo was somehow able to reach a completely different level than anyone was accustomed to.

So join us in the beautiful violence that is Hard Boiled.

Next week:

Spine Number 13: The Silence of the Lambs

Also, check this out.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.

Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.

Thanks for listening, and until next week...

Jim out.

Criterion Year Week 5: The Killer and Old School Video Stores Aug 23, 2015

Show notes

We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...

Week 5:

The Killer

Spine Number: 8

Director: John Woo

Genre: Hong Kong Action

There was a time when I thought America knew how to make an action movie. We had some great one, really we did. Little did I know that on the other side of the world there was a group of insane visionaries who were churning out some of the most amazing, gorgeous, violent works of cinema imaginable. Names like Woo, Lam, Hark, Chan, Li, Jing, and Fat were working on movies that would, for a certain group of filmmakers and film lovers, define the aesthetic of what action/crime movie would soon become.

They were The Beatles for a generation of filmmakers. You might not know or like their music, but your favorite band... they do. Or your favorite band's favorite band. In some way the work that was don in Hong Kong in the mid to late 80's and into the 90's is a fundamental part of the DNA of modern American film making. You like Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction? Then you like Ringo Lam and John Woo. You like El Mariachi and Desperado? Then you like John Woo and Tsui Hark.

If you knew about these movies and people before... congratulations, you're one of us. You had a local video store that wasn't a Blockbuster of Hollywood Video that was a huge part of your life. You knew the satisfaction of watching a hard core bootlegged video that still had the "play" and "record" graphics on the beginning of it. You have watched movies that had ads for soy sauce and karaoke machines instead of previews. You were there, man!

So, join us in our first of two weeks of exploring the wonder of John Woo and the video store culture that is so sorely lacking from today's landscape.

And join us next week for some totally over the top, ape scat action that you are not ready for!

Next week:

Spine Number 9: John Woo's "Hard Boiled"

Also, check this out.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.

Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.

Thanks for listening, and until next week...

Jim out.

Criterion Year Week 4: The 400 Blows Aug 17, 2015

Show notes

We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...

Week 4:

The 400 Blows

Spine Number: 5

Director: Francois Truffaut

Genre: French New Wave

Some movies change the world. At least... they change the world of film. Francois Truffaut was a respected and feared film critic in France when he decided to take a shot at making a movie.

What he produced, in his first attempt at a feature was one of the most revolutionary pieces of film making ever produced. It was a personal, emotionally raw, and thoroughly engrossing portrait of child with no map, no guideposts, and no mooring trying to find himself. The 400 Blows was one of the foundation films of the French New Wave movement and has gone on to be one of the most influential and respected films of all time.

So... join us as we discuss the beginnings of the Antoine Doinel series with the landmark "The 400 Blows."

Next week:

Spine Number 8: John Woo's "The Killer"

Also, check this out.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.

Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.

Thanks for listening, and until next week...

Jim out

Criterion Year Week 3: The Lady Vanishes and The Basics of Hitchcock Aug 10, 2015

Show notes

The Criterion Collection, the last vestige of truly collectable DVD and Blu-Ray movies in existence. These are well produced, fancy pants editions of important and interesting films for the discerning film lover.

We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...

Week 3:

The Lady Vanishes

Spine Number: 3

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Genre: It's Alfred Goddamned Hitchcock!

The Master of Suspense. That's a hell of a label to throw on a person. I mean... The Master of Suspense? Think about it. That's like when they call Wayne Gretzky "The Great One." There is no attempt to mince words here. Hitchcock is the man. There really is no debating this, at least not with Jim...

Yes, that is a real tattoo.

The Lady Vanishes was one of Hitchcock's last films before moving to Hollywood and becoming Alfred Hitchcock. It was a huge hit and laid the foundation for the type of filmmaker Hitch would become. He set the standard and has yet to be surpassed.

So join us on our Hitchcockian journey through "The Lady Vanishes."

Next week:

Spine Number 5: Francois Truffaut's The 400 Blows

Also, check this out.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.

Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.

Thanks for listening, and until next week...

Jim out

Criterion Year Week 2: The Seven Samurai and its Remakes Aug 03, 2015

Show notes

The Criterion Collection is one of the few remaining reasons people have for buying actual, physical copies of movies. Personally, I would rather drop a few dollars to buy a digital copy of something on Amazon and be able to access it anywhere, at any time and never have to worry about a disk getting lost, stolen, or damaged. I have too many memories of the several hundred VHS tapes that became useless hunks of plastic one day. But for some reason, The Criterion Collection retains an old school hold on me, which is how I have a collection of 52 movies and counting (I actually have 53, but one is the Beastie Boys video collection, which is not a movie).
This week, we take our second step on our year (or so) long look at my personal collection.
Week 2:
The Seven Samurai (Shichinin no samurai)
Spine Number: 2
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Genre: It's the Seven Samurai. That is the genre.
Words like "master," "masterpiece," and "genius" tend to get bandied about all willy-nilly these days. There are too many instances of something or someone simply being good at something and being labeled by our hyperbolic society as one of those superlatives. That being said there are still times when those titles apply.
The following statements are inarguable FACTS!
Akira Kurosawa was both a genius and unquestioned master filmmaker.
"The Seven Samurai" is unquestionably a genius masterwork of cinema.
This is what happens when an absolute master of visual storytelling gets an amazing story and an even more amazing cast. "What is that?" you ask? You get a three hour film wherein every frame is a poster, every face is perfect at every moment, and every light and sound adds to the mood and carries you through an amazing fable that is as engaging and captivating as possible.
There is a reason this film has been remade as (at least) four different films that span genres and time periods. Make no mistake, Seven Samurai is the truth.
In addition to this masterwork, we discuss The Magnificent Seven, The Three Amigos, A Bugs Life, and (to a lesser extent) Galaxy Quest.
Next week:
Spine Number 3: The Lady Vanishes (by Alfred Hitchcock)

Also, check this out.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.

Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.

Thanks for listening, and until next week...

Jim out

Criterion Year Week 1: The Grand Illusion and POW Movies Jul 27, 2015

Show notes

The Criterion Collection is dedicated to gathering the greatest films from around the world and publishing them in editions of the highest technical quality, with supplemental features that enhance the appreciation of the art of film.

That is how the Criterion Collection defines itself. Among film fans it's simply known as the top tier of video releases. Along with curating a collection of important and amazing films, Criterion has introduced many of the extra features that are now standard. The first ever commentary track was on the Criterion laserdisc release of "King Kong."

Criterion collectors take immense pride in their collections, as evidenced in our recent Criterion Collection episode.

We figured we could take it a step further. So, this week we begin our Criterion Year.

Jim has 52 movies in his Criterion collection and we decided to watch one a week (going by spine number, as any real collector would), and discuss that film and how it fits into a certain genre or movement.

Week one:

Le Grande Illusion

Spine Number: 1

Director: Jean Renoir

Genre: Prisoner of war

This movie is an undeniable masterpiece that takes a look at war (in this case World War I) from the ground level. Specifically, it focuses on the experiences of a group of POW's trying to escape a German camp. It examines the nature of war in a rapidly changing world and how the gravity and significance of such a massive event can be lost when you get down to a personal level.

Additionally, we discuss a number of other prisoner of war movies and discuss the different perspectives they give on war in general.

Next week:

Spine Number 2: The Seven Samurai

Also, check this out.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.

Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.

Thanks for listening, and until next week...

Jim out

Long Delayed Sequels Part 2: Finally the topic! Jul 20, 2015

Show notes

This week we finally decided to get down to business and talk about what we said we were going to talk about last week. In retrospect it only seems appropriate considering the topic.
Normally, filmmakers jump on the sequel train right away. If a movie performs it is always best to strike while the iron is hot, right?
Well, not always.
This week we discuss the sequels that took their sweet time. Some took a decade, some took nearly sixty years, but they all happened.
So, join us as we discuss everything from the amazing character and story driven masterpieces to the embarrassing cash grabs that ignore the point of the original so much that the word "sequel" only applies to the name.

Also, check this out.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.

Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.

Thanks for listening, and until next week...

Jim out

Long Delayed Sequels Part 1: The Episode Where We Don't Discuss The Topic Jul 13, 2015

Show notes

Heard you missed us, we're back!
After going dark for a week, something we have only done a handful of times in 5 years, we are back and truly make a valiant attempt to discuss movie sequels that took over a decade to come out.
We tried. However, for reasons that are obvious right off the bat, we didn't so much succeed. What we did instead was just talk about what's happened in the past two weeks. There is some movie talk, but it's more free form than it's been in the past.
That being said, you'll probably like it quite a bit.

Also, check this out.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.

Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.

Thanks for listening, and until next week...

Jim out

The Films of Christopher Guest: How Improv Should Be Done Jun 29, 2015

Show notes

Improvisation is a wildly misunderstood art form. For most people it's about quickly coming up with something funny and going for the laugh. The thing is, most people aren't trained in improv and have little understanding of the subtleties of really good improvisational comedy. Going for the laugh is part of it, however... it's about building a character, creating a scene, and having a sense of trust and teamwork. Basically, it's not about YOU being funny, it's about EVERYONE being funny.
Basically, someone who can come up with some funny lines but who doesn't have the sense of purpose and character in the scene ends up throwing out anything they can think of and steal focus, ruin the flow, and ultimately destroy the scene. Yeah, they got a laugh... but nobody else did and in the end... everybody suffered because of it.
This is where Christopher Guest comes in.
As one of the creators of the "mockumentary" genre, and unquestioned masters of improvisation guest has a long and unparallelled track record of creating some of the greatest comedy masterworks in film history.
But more than that, he has gone back to the origins of theater and created a company of gifted improvisational performers who absolutely bring the house down. His ability to put together a group of people who understand timing, interpersonal dynamics, absolute dedication to character, and posses the unselfish ability to set up and pass the joke off to another performer is truly amazing.
So, join Jim and Clarkson as they discuss the career of one of the most important figures in comedy today.
Also, check this out.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.

Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.

Thanks for listening, and until next week...

Jim out

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