The Nextlander crew branches out into media that doesn’t require a controller to enjoy! Join Alex, Brad, and Vinny as they watch the movies, shows, and anime they’ve either missed out on up to this point in their lives, or just want to revisit again.
131: American Movie (1999) and Coven (1997)
Apr 21, 2025
Show notes
It's time to kick off our month of documentaries, and leading us off is one of Alex's favorite slice of life stories in cinema, American Movie! Join us as we talk through Mark and his motley film crew's attempt at making the next great American horror short film, and then review the aforementioned short film as well. That's right, a double feature (technically)! CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 131: American Movie (1999) and Coven (1997) (00:00:27) - Intro. (00:01:12) - Our first documentary for this month of April: American Movie! (00:07:50) - The set-up, and who is behind this movie. (00:13:15) - Mark's frustrations and failures (and other people's perceptions of him). (00:18:29) - Is this a depressing movie? Also, how viable is Mark's market strategy here? (00:27:52) - The level of access the filmmakers had to these folks. (00:32:18) - Break! (00:32:46) - We're back, and let's talk about the people Mark is able to bring into his orbit. (00:39:03) - The beautiful soul that is Mike Schank. (00:46:35) - Uncle Bill. (00:50:38) - The various other players. (00:56:59) - The long winter of pick-up shots and ADR, and Mark's new love. (01:02:26) - Mark hates having a real job, and all the delightful behind-the-scenes filming footage. (01:07:54) - Getting ready for the premiere. (01:15:17) - We have seen Coven. It is a film that was completed, and we watched it. (01:25:41) - Mark made a movie, but at what cost? (01:29:35) - Where did they all go after this? (01:35:59) - Final thoughts. (01:42:12) - Some quick notes on next week's movie, and outro.
130: Dark City (1998)
Mar 31, 2025
Show notes
We round out our month of weird dystopian cities with the darkest dystopian city of them all: the one literally called Dark City. Join us as we try to find the way to Shell Beach, and along the way finally answer the question of what makes a man: his memory, or his power level. CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 130: Dark City (1998) (00:00:25) - Intro. (00:01:10) - Getting into our histories (or non-histories) with our movie this week: Dark City! (00:07:54) - What is a man? What is real? Is this The Matrix? (00:11:52) - Talking about the city design and its mishmash of eras and architectures. (00:15:00) - How this movie got made, and how it differs structurally between the theatrical and director's cuts. (00:27:30) - Kicking off the movie with Kiefer's Capital A Acting. (00:33:34) - John Murdoch has no idea what's going on. (00:40:40) - The Strangers. (00:48:30) - Emma, you may not have a future in lounge singing. (00:54:15) - Break! (00:55:02) - We're back, and we're taking a trip to the Automat. (00:59:39) - Meeting Inspector Bumstead. (01:04:26) - The Strangers first make contact with Murdoch. (01:12:58) - A brief divergence into Star Trek lore. (01:15:04) - John and Emma meet (for the first time?) (01:18:30) - Mr. Hand reveals his, er, hand. (01:23:23) - Spiral man's crazy apartment, and The Tuning begins. (01:35:22) - Mr. Hand takes the mind juice, and John (briefly) meets a kindred spirit. (01:40:07) - Mr. Hand accosts Emma. (01:44:20) - Visiting Uncle Karl. (01:48:09) - Bumstead's accordian. (01:53:23) - A building sandwich, and John is...under arrest? (02:00:09) - Schreber's big dumps, and what's on the other side of that wall. (02:10:36) - John is dragged to the subsurface city, and Dragon Ball Z happens. (02:18:53) - A terrific epilogue. (02:25:54) - Final thoughts. (02:32:55) - Some foward looking talk for the Watchcast.
129: The City of Lost Children (1995)
Mar 24, 2025
Show notes
Ahhh, the French cinema! It's known for its excellence, and on this week's Watchcast that proves undeniably true as we check out Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro's science fantasy classic, The City of Lost Children. CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 129: The City of Lost Children (1995) (00:00:39) - Intro. (00:02:44) - We head to France for our film this week, The City of Lost Children! (00:06:35) - Alex shouts out the person who first showed him this movie, and some scattered production notes. (00:15:33) - A brief note on the Psygnosis adventure game. (00:16:32) - Onto the film, and its many crying children. (00:21:48) - They're putting brains in fishtanks. They're taking the dreams of your children. (00:24:31) - A strongman named One, and a cyborg cult. (00:33:09) - Miette's gang of orphan thieves. (00:35:30) - Happy birthday brain guy. (00:40:48) - Break! (00:41:09) - We're back, and it's time to meet The Octopus. (00:48:42) - One and Miette bond. (00:51:08) - Day to day life on the oil rig of evil science. (00:57:43) - The cathedral of the Cyclopes. (01:04:22) - Christmas for the Kranks, and a snack for the fishes. (01:13:09) - The Diver arrives, and One gets wasted. (01:21:04) - A nightmare infects the city, and Krank dines with Denree. (01:24:59) - The Octopus orders Marcello's death, and One and Miette find a tattoo. (01:27:48) - One gets the bug juice, and the demise of The Octopus. (01:34:04) - To the oil rig! (01:38:37) - The final dream, and the escape. (01:45:29) - Final thoughts, and some additional Ron Perlman musings. (01:55:10) - Our movie for next week: Dark City! (01:57:41) - Outro.
128: The Warriors (1979)
Mar 17, 2025
Show notes
It's time to take a trip back in time to the crime-scorched hellscape of NYC circa 1979 in Walter Hill's The Warriors! Join us as we bop from the Bronx to Coney Island, taking on the many gangs of clowns and theater kids that run these New York City streets. CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 128: The Warriors (1979) (00:00:55) - Intro. (00:04:08) - Trying to dial into the tone of this movie, and how it compares to the source material. (00:09:39) - Digging into the nature of the various gangs. (00:13:28) - Talking production history. (00:21:39) - On the subject of Fox. (00:26:30) - The troubles of the theatrical run, and the movie's long cultural shadow. (00:31:45) - Our cast of Warriors, and the killer opening credits intro. (00:41:22) - The Bronx conclave. (00:52:15) - Break! (00:52:43) - We're back, and the chase is on. (01:01:14) - The first test. (01:04:52) - The Orphans. (01:14:29) - These actors look like real-ass people, and how average people respond to these characters. (01:17:34) - Fox gets got, and the gang splits. (01:22:08) - Goodbye Ajax. (01:24:48) - The Lizzies, and Swan and Mercy have it out. (01:31:28) - Onto Union Square, the Punks, and a gnarly bathroom fight. (01:35:51) - Making a less than triumphant return to Coney. (01:41:39) - Luther and the Rogues come clankin'. (01:49:50) - Final thoughts. (01:56:24) - On next week's movie (and Vinny's Warriors ranking). (02:00:57) - Outro.
127: Brazil (1985)
Mar 10, 2025
Show notes
We're kicking off our month of Weird-Ass Dystopian Cities with Terry Gilliam's classic satirical nightmare, Brazil! Join us as we pick apart this strange world of failing systems and bureaucratic ass-covering that holds absolutely no similarity to the real world in which we live. Heh. Heh. CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 127: Brazil (1985) (00:00:11) - Intro. (00:01:47) - Our movie this week: Terry Gilliam's Brazil! But which version?!? (00:06:11) - A cinematic Rosetta Stone. (00:17:26) - Our respective attachments to various Gilliam and Monty Python things. (00:21:35) - Was this movie successful? Also, digging into the production. (00:28:04) - Our star-studded cast. (00:37:40) - An intro of exploding televisions and ruinous clerical errors. (00:43:40) - The dreams of Sam Lowry. (00:47:31) - Untangling the web of responsibility for the Buttle/Tuttle affair. (00:52:01) - Break! (00:52:28) - We're back, and it's time to stretch some flesh. (00:58:24) - HVAC anarchy. (01:03:46) - Sam decides to make a house call. (01:10:14) - Central Services gets revenge. (01:16:17) - A Christmas party full of demons. (01:19:26) - Welcome to Information Retrieval. (01:22:49) - The Lint reveal. (01:27:07) - Sam can't stop running into his dream woman. (01:35:06) - Sam has had enough. (01:41:50) - A post-coital SWAT raid. (01:50:05) - A jailbreak in the cooling tower, and things go off the rails. (01:55:27) - The funeral of the seeping woman, and all is not as it seems. (01:59:59) - Final thoughts. (02:06:26) - Our film for next week: Walter Hill's The Warriors! (02:09:48) - Outro.
126: Parasite (2019)
Mar 03, 2025
Show notes
We're closing out February with our second Best Picture winner in a row, this time jetting off to South Korea for Bong Joon-ho's Parasite. How does it hold up a few years removed from its hype? Very well, it turns out! CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 126: Parasite (2019) (00:00:24) - Intro. (00:01:28) - Our film this week is Bong Joon-ho's Parasite! (00:10:12) - A brief note about the (probably) lower number of clips in this episode. (00:11:22) - Getting into the production history. (00:22:04) - Let's get into the movie proper, and talk about our cast. (00:34:37) - A window into the lives of the Kims. (00:38:35) - The Parks, and the importance of keeping up appearances. (00:43:15) - Break! (00:43:40) - We're back, and the scam begins in earnest. (00:49:55) - The dad arrives, and a little about actor Lee Sun-kyun (content warning for suicide discussion). (00:57:14) - Extracting the housekeeper. (01:05:55) - Everything's coming up Kim. (01:13:02) - Ding dong. (01:25:58) - It's a ram-donnybrook! (01:30:40) - That's no ghost. (01:33:08) - Trapped under the world's widest coffee table. (01:37:34) - The effects of monsoon season are not applied equally. (01:41:15) - Barreling toward disaster. (01:50:37) - People start dying very quickly. (01:54:15) - The extended epilogue. (O2:04:39) - Final thoughts. (02:07:32) - Our plans for next month and beyond. (02:12:41) - Outro.
125: The Sting (1973)
Feb 24, 2025
Show notes
This week on the Watchcast The Sting is the thing! Join us as we time warp all the way back to the depressed '30s and delight in the con-artistry of certified grifter hunks Robert Redford and Paul Newman. CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 125: The Sting (1973) (00:00:58) - Intro. (00:03:50) - Our delightful romp of a movie this week: The Sting! (00:11:14) - Brad has somehow never seen another Paul Newman movie. (00:13:13) - Getting into the production history. (00:19:06) - What a cast. (00:24:13) - Some of the stylistic choices they make in the movie. (00:30:11) - Somehow this is (or was at the time) the oldest movie available on Netflix. (00:32:45) - Getting into the movie itself. (00:38:20) - What is going on in Hooker's life. (00:42:04) - Alas, poor Luther. (00:49:04) - Break! (00:49:38) - We're back, and it's time to meet Paul Newman. (00:55:43) - Assembling the crew. (00:59:23) - Riding the poker train. (01:15:05) - This is quite the elaborate production. (01:20:45) - Lonnegan wants to meet the inside man, and a quick chase around Chicago. (01:24:57) - Throwing together a Western Union. (01:27:36) - FBI issue straw hats. (01:34:08) - Hooker is on the hook, and the black-gloved figure is revealed. (01:40:21) - The Big C. (01:53:49) - Final thoughts. (02:02:14) - Our movie for next week: Parasite! (02:04:46) - Outro.
124: Boiler Room (2000)
Feb 17, 2025
Show notes
Self-described Boiler Room expert Jeff Bakalar joins us to pick apart this turn of the millennium stock scam thriller, and while not every part of it holds up to our memories, it does manage to seize on one important truth: men will always find reasons to underfurnish their living spaces. CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 124: Boiler Room (2000) (00:00:17) - Intro. (00:01:18) - Our movie is Boiler Room, and we've got a tri-state bro expert with us: Jeff Bakalar! (00:12:46) - We almost got another Affleck/Damon combo, and some other production notes. (00:15:31) - What is this particular type of scam all about. (00:20:34) - White boys who love hip-hop, and the white boys who love them. (00:21:42) - Getting into the movie proper. (00:29:05) - Dad is not fond of Seth's hustle. (00:30:53) - Seth gets an intriguing offer. (00:37:47) - Break! (00:38:12) - We're back, and it's time to get Afflecked. (00:44:58) - Skipping ahead a bit to talk about the date scene and daddy issues. (00:51:24) - Seth learns the ropes. (00:55:49) - Is Seth winning over Judge Dad? Plus, a look at the ideal male living space. (01:01:26) - Diesel power. (01:09:51) - Seth gets suspicious, albeit maybe not soon enough. (01:15:40) - The FBI shows up, and Seth (FINALLY) shutters the casino. (01:27:59) - Seth finally ruins someone's life, and experiences (some) consequences. (01:32:07) - Things start unraveling fast. (01:40:20) - Last day at JT Marlin. (01:47:00) - An alternate conclusion. (01:49:45) - Final thoughts. (01:59:38) - Outro.
123: The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Feb 10, 2025
Show notes
It may be a new month and a new theme, but the Watchcast ain't quite done with Jude Law yet. Join us as we dive into the twisted world of The Talented Mr. Ripley, and marvel at the gorgeous sights, the excellent performances, and the unbelievable abs on display. CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 123: The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) (00:00:37) - Intro. (00:04:55) - Some notes on the Highsmith novels, and praise for Matt Damon and the screenplay. (00:12:06) - Getting into the production history. (00:23:38) - Off to New York to meet Tom Ripley, and in praise of James Rebhorn. (00:35:27) - Tom arrives in Italy. (00:41:42) - We can't stop talking about Matt Damon's musculature. (00:53:21) - Hitting the jazz clubs, and a little naked chess between bros. (01:00:42) - Break! (01:01:05) - We're back, and here! Comes! Philip! Seymour! Hoffman! (01:11:58) - Real world consequences crash into Dickie's paradise. (01:18:29) - A fateful (and fatal) boat trip. (01:26:23) - Tom's more sinister side begins to take hold. (01:34:19) - A fright at the opera, and an elaborately planned chance meeting. (01:45:36) - Freddie comes calling one night. (01:51:33) - A charming Italian detective. (01:59:10) - A less charming Italian detective, and something with Peter begins to blossom. (02:05:21) - Daddy Greenleaf comes to Italy, and Marge clocks what's really happening. (02:14:10) - Philip Baker Hall outta nowhere! (02:20:20) - Peter, you deserved better. (02:25:49) - Noting the book's different ending, and final thoughts. (02:32:18) - Talking about our movie for next week, Boiler Room! (And Vinny's ranking). (02:27:07) - Outro.
122: Gattaca (1997)
Feb 03, 2025
Show notes
We put Andrew Niccol's dystopian sci-fi murder mystery Gattaca through its paces, and come out the other side feeling like maybe this whole genetic perfection thing ain't all it's cracked up to be. CHAPTERS:
(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 122: Gattaca (1997 (00:00:27) - Intro. (00:01:43) - Closing out the month in style, with Gattaca! (00:04:44) - Production talk, and some of our topline feelings on the movie. (00:18:25) - What a handsome cast. (00:23:06) - Last production notes. (00:29:10) - Kicking off the film proper. (00:39:08) - Vinny gets into some of his personal reasons why the movie resonates. (00:47:22) - Break! (00:47:41) - We're back, and it's time for Vincent to become Jerome. (00:59:16) - The dream job becomes a nightmare. (01:04:34) - Everybody's DNA snooping, and Jerome is tested. (01:15:22) - The one about the twelve-fingered pianist. (01:24:33) - The sort-of-a-twist about the cop. (01:32:25) - It's a raid! (01:37:25) - All our main characters converge. (01:43:46) - Gore Vidal, no! And the brothers finally reunite. (01:51:19) - Time to say our goodbyes and hop on this rocket out of here. (02:00:12) - Where Eugene is traveling to... (02:03:16) - Final thoughts. (02:10:33) - Announcing next month's theme: The Con Is On! (02:14:57) - Outro.
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