32: You Never Got Me Down, Ray
Apr 16, 2024
Show notes
Going postal, a rotten apple, my latest TV noir obsession, a pretty great Lou Gossett Jr. movie, movies are taking over my mind, a girl with personality, the brilliance and excess of Marlon Brando, my so-called acting life, another genius moment with Oliver Reed, some Brando quotes and movies, a little George C. Scott, life getting rough, some more boxing metaphors, getting serious, and a few great quotes. Stuff mentioned: Sugar (2024), An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Iron Eagle (1986), Diggstown (1992), Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982), Burt Kearns Marlon Brando Hollywood Rebel (2024), Fight Club (1999), In at the Deep End with Oliver Reed (1985 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmnK0ty0RBE), On the Waterfront (1954), Streets of San Francisco (1972-1977), The Godfather (1972), Do the Right Thing (1989), The Formula (1980), The Karate Kid (1984), The Wild One (1953), One Eyed Jacks (1961), Apocalypse Now (1979), Joseph Conrad Heart of Darkness (1899), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), Tennessee Williams A Streetcar Named Desire (1947), The Room (2003), The Freshman (1990), The Dick Cavett Show with Marlon Brando (1973 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU-4wmwc2Rw), and Raging Bull (1980).
31: Call Your Grandma
Apr 09, 2024
Show notes
Neglecting our loved ones, smart phones are making us dumber and meaner, a classic thriller, the Belushi baffle, my dad meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger, don't lie about air conditioning, seeing Judge Ito, some brutal and amazing fighters, the all around cool guy Kelly Pavlik, the tragedy of Arturo Gatti, the despicable but ferocious Edwin Valero, a Taxi Driver ripoff in Los Angeles, an unmissable documentary about movies and Los Angeles, the bad ass Burt Lancaster, and a quote or two. Stuff mentioned: Pamela Prickett and Stefan Timmermans "Why Are More Americans Dying Alone?" (Los Angeles Times, March 24, 2024), Jonathan Haidt The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness (2024), Misery (1990), This Is Spinal Tap (1984), Animal House (1978), The Blues Brothers (1980), Saturday Night Live (1975-present), Red Heat (1988), Twins (1988), Pumping Iron (1977), Tim Tszyu vs. Sebastian Fundora (2024), Kelly Pavlik vs. Jermaine Taylor (2007), George Foreman vs. Michael Moorer (1994), Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward I (2002), Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward II (2002), Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward III (2003), Red Nights (1988), Taxi Driver (1976), Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003), David Kipen (editor) Dear Los Angeles: The City in Diaries and Letters, 1542 to 2018 (2018), Sinclair Lewis Elmer Gantry (1926), Elmer Gantry (1960), Unwound "Lady Elect" (1996), and Atlantic City (1980).
30: Here We Are Now, Entertain Us
Apr 02, 2024
Show notes
Making up words, loving Los Angeles, old school restaurants, a possible Columbo episode, a made up movie, this small unknown band named Nirvana, some Kurt Cobain stories, my dearly departed grandmother, some more River Phoenix and Elliott Smith, being a rock star can be hazardous to your health, playing an arena rock concert in my living room, don't mess with Billie Holiday, a moment of sincerity, and George Carlin. Stuff mentioned: Frank Sinatra "L.A. Is My Lady" (1984), Frank Sinatra L.A. Is My Lady (1984), Julian Lennon "Valotte" (1984), Columbo (1968-2003), The Grifters (1990), The Grifters "Rats" (1994), The Grifters Crappin' You Negative (1994), Madonna Sex (1992), Anne Murray "You Needed Me" (1978), Anne Murray "I Just Fall In Love Again" (1979), Starting Over (1979), Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (1991), Dogfight (1991), Running on Empty (1988), Joey Scarbury "Believe It or Not"/Theme from The Greatest American Hero (1981), Nirvana In Utero (1993), Versus "River" (1994), Versus The Stars Are Insane (1994), Versus "Raining" (1999), Rebel Without a Cause (1955), The Room (2003), Night Ranger "When You Close Your Eyes" (1983), Exodus (1960), Leon Uris Exodus (1958), Titanic (1997), Avatar (2009), Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), Paul Alexander Bitter Crop: The Heartache and Triumph of Billie Holiday’s Last Year (2024), Billie Holiday "I'll Be Seeing You" (1944), and Tricia Romano The Freaks Came Out to Write: The Definitive History of The Village Voice, the Radical Paper That Changed American Culture (2024).
29: Kisses to the Crying Cooks
Mar 26, 2024
Show notes
Online dating still sucks, go see Love Lies Bleeding, the tyranny of charity, being a class act and texting people back, psych nurses are weird, the heroic blind psychiatric manager, completely wrenching human moments, a few compelling movies about blindess, some songs and movies about hearing voices, fake fox meat, the compelling Peter Greene, the tragedy of frog legs, ride cymbals can be devastating, an Ernest Hemingway experience, go get Mexican food in Winnemucca, another George C. Scott reference, John Sturges is not to be trifled with, and some quotes. Stuff mentioned: Love Lies Bleeding (2024), Saint Maud (2019), Twilight (2008), Frank Bruni "The Friends Who Got Away" (New York Times, March 14, 2024), Howard Jones "Things Can Only Get Better" (1985), Jennifer 8 (1992), Blink (1993), The Up Series (1964-2019), Drive (2011), Ryan Gosling, Mark Ronson, Slash, and the Kens "I'm Just Ken" (2024 Oscars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmG0983hPUs), Sonic Youth "Schizophrenia" (1987), Kim Gordon Girl in a Band: A Memoir (2015), Thurston Moore Sonic Youth: A Memoir (2023), Guided By Voices "Over the Neptune/Mesh Gear Fox" (1992), Guided By Voices Propeller (1992), Clean, Shaven (1993), The Mask (1994), Pulp Fiction (1994), Bill Conti "Gonna Fly Now/Theme from Rocky" (1976), Chuck Mangione "Feels So Good" (1977), Lipstick (1976), Basic Instinct (1992), Islands in the Stream (1977), Ernest Hemingway Islands in the Stream (1970), Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers "Islands in the Stream" (1983), Ernest Hemingway The Old Man and the Sea (1952), The Old Man and the Sea (1958), Bad Day at Black Rock (1955), The Magnificent Seven (1960), The Great Escape (1963), Elmer Bernstein "Main Title/The Great Escape" (1963 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbsuAbTTsV8), Queen and David Bowie "Under Pressure" (1981), Ernest Hemingway A Farewell to Arms (1929), and Evil Dead 2 (1987).
28: The Loop of Don Henley
Mar 19, 2024
Show notes
Sunnyvale you can rot in hell, a listener question that I made up, from Mattel to microbiology, stomach trouble in New Mexico, traveling cross country with Grandaddy, seeing some famous places, losing my computer at the Graceland Hotel, some nursing school clinical memories, a really cool nurse I met in Washington D.C., and yes, somehow, I work in Stacy Keach and George C. Scott. Stuff mentioned: Final Destination (2000), Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016), Breaking Bad (2008-2013), Grandaddy The Sophtware Slump 2000, Grandaddy Sumday (2003), Grandaddy "Miner at the Dial-a-View" (2000), Grandaddy "Hewlett's Daughter" (2000), Talk Radio (1988), Wild at Heart (1990), Phantasm (1979), Bubba Ho-Tep (2002), Mystery Train (1989), The Clash "Spanish Bombs" (1979), James Yarsky Big Dead Waltz (1997), James Yarsky "When My Feet Left the Ground" (1997), Intimate Strangers (1986), and The Hospital (1971).
27: I'm Not Bad, I'm Just Drawn That Way
Mar 12, 2024
Show notes
Silicon Valley still sucks, wrapping up advertising, nursing is exhausting, going to Skywalker Ranch, meeting Mark Hamill, reading comics in a park, the stupidity of post-credit scenes and encores, the awesome Sam Raimi, the genius that is Logan, trying to pronounce Boyd Holbrook, a forgotten John Ritter movie, and a quote and a joke. Stuff mentioned: Blur "Tracy Jacks" (1994), Taco Bell Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQkNOXzapyk), Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), Dirty Dancing (1987), Obsession (1976), Vertigo (1958), Marvel Comics Power Man and Iron Fist (1972-1986), Frog and Toad Are Friends (1970), The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), Army of Darkness (1992), Drag Me to Hell (2009), Darkman (1990), Howard the Duck (1986), Back to the Future (1985), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), Logan (2017), Shane (1953), In the Shadow of the Moon (2019), Cold in July (2014), The Terminator (1984), The Greatest American Hero (1981-1983), Joey Scarbury "Believe It or Not"/Theme from The Greatest American Hero (1981), Hero at Large (1980), Spider-Man (2002), The Amazing Spider-Man (1977-1979), and Batman (1989).
26: How to Get Ahead in Advertising
Mar 05, 2024
Show notes
My career in advertising, putting my voice in Mattel commercials, yo quiero Taco Bell, working with pros and idiots, don't fuck with Jack Palance, epic dinners, Zack Snyder and dog shit, Tony Kaye and weird shit, the dreamboat Amy Smart, editing with Lou Barlow and Royal fucking Trux, the amazing Videodrome, and a tribute to the editor and great guy Eric Z. Stuff mentioned: Super Mario Bros. (1993), Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future (1985), The Taking of Beverly Hills (1991), D.O.A. (1988), City Slickers (1991), D.O.A (1950), Jack Palance tirade (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkAPvH4epMI), Metric Live it Out (2005), Metric "Combat Baby" (2003), Metric Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? (2003), The Apprentice (2004-2017), American History X (1998), Just Friends (2005), Van Wilder (2002), Sugarcult "Bouncing Off the Walls" (2000 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMJUy_HN-00), Sebadoh "Flame" (1999 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=expcmtqTyC4), Royal Trux Live at Gettysburg (1997 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUd-dyPugZ4), Royal Trux Accelerator commercial (1998 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrnERAMXbLk), Royal Trux "Call Out the Lions" (2000), Royal Trux Pound for Pound (2000), Videodrome (1983), Beastie Boys "Sabotage" (1994), Weezer "Buddy Holly" (1994), Beastie Boys "Fight For Your Right" (1986), Being John Malkovich (1999), Adaptation (2002), Polvo Exploded Drawing (1996), Polvo "When Will You Die for the Last Time in My Dreams" (1996), and Electric Light Orchestra "Mr. Blue Sky" (1977).
25: I'm Too Old For This Shit
Feb 27, 2024
Show notes
The incredible Alexei Navalny, a goofy but great forgotten Los Angeles movie, keeping it together with Ted Lange, meet me at the corner of Corleone and Siegel, Joe Don Baker will kick your ass, the defiance of Lenny Bruce, the foxiness of Valerie Perrine, my Martin Riggs moment, and a few Glorias. Stuff mentioned: Terminal Exposure (1987), Blow Up (1966), Zabriskie Point (1970), The Passenger (1975), The Love Boat (1977-1987), Jack Jones "Love Boat Theme" (1977), Suspiria (1977), Tenebrae (1982), The Godfather (1972), Escape From Alcatraz (1979), Dirty Harry (1971), Charley Varrick (1973), The Outfit (1973), The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976), The Outfit (2022), Lenny (1974), Superman (1978), Maureen McGovern "Can You Read My Mind?" (1978), Deathtrap (1982), Sleuth (1972), Sleuth (2007), Lethal Weapon (1987), Wind River (2017), Gloria (1999), Gloria (1980), Laura Branigan "Gloria" (1982), and Umberto Tozzi "Gloria" (1979).
24: Fuck the Metaverse
Feb 20, 2024
Show notes
Throwing away night guards, Stacy Keach and vitamins, who wants to live forever, Dave Asprey is kind of a fool, the underappreciated movie Elysium, appreciating music, a pretty rough attempt at a beautiful song, follow the arc to Arcturus, a mustache mistake, forgetting what I texted people, the bullshit of Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg, the failure of technology, and a gem from Stevie Wonder. Stuff mentioned: Eric B. & Rakim "Follow the Leader" (1988), Elysium (2018), Henry Purcell Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: Act III, 37. Ground, Aria and Ritornello "When I am Laid in Earth/Dido's Lament" (1688), Jeff Buckley "When I am Laid in Earth/Dido's Lament (1995 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA5UAbl1OWY), Built to Spill "Big Dipper" (1994), Easy Rider (1969), and Stevie Wonder "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" (1973).
23: 90210 Blues
Feb 13, 2024
Show notes
The amazing Terms of Endearment, a not horrible Jack Nicholson impersonation, film school at Loyola Marymount, seether is neither, Jack Klugman and Gunsmoke, an amazing film class or two, my time on the Beverly Hills 90210 set, Hotpants College II, death by a thousand jump cuts, some funny times with my buddy Colin, and a missed and troubled friend. Stuff mentioned: Terms of Endearment (1983), Broadcast News (1987), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1971), Veruca Salt "Seether" (1994), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), Time Bandits (1981), Back to School (1986), Dressed to Kill (1980), Christine (1983), Gunsmoke (1955-1975), The Odd Couple (TV Series 1970-1975), The Odd Couple (1968), Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), Ennio Morricone Once Upon a Time in the West soundtrack (1968), Love and Death on Long Island (1996), Child's Play 3 (1991), Mr. Mercedes (2017-2019), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), Legend (1985), Frank Black "Los Angeles" (1993), and Pixies "Alec Eiffel" (1991).
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