122: Unstable Genius
Dec 30, 2025
Show notes
Going over things, a couple bands somehow related to new years, Alan Arkin is injured, Bronzi beat, some truly odd movie choices, an admirable Texas indie, and a final toast. Stuff mentioned: The New Year Newness Ends (2001), The New Year "Gasoline" (2001), The New Year "Alter Ego" (2001), The Dismemberment Plan "The Ice of Boston" (1997), The Dismemberment Plan The Dismemberment Plan is Terrified (1997), 12 to Midnight (2024), Do You Fear What I Fear (2025), Kickin' It Old School (2007), The Rich Man's Wife (1996), Mad TV (1995-2016), Big Daddy Kane "Set it Off" (1988), Big Daddy Kane Long Live the Kane (1988), The Beast of Trinity Texas (2025), Tinsel Town (2025), and Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon (1998).
121: You Can't Spell Malaise Without LA
Dec 23, 2025
Show notes
Another Hollywood tragedy, I need to leave early today, success is around the corner, a fight that nobody won, revisiting Greene, a brilliant Branzi, news snippets, and Merry Christmas. Stuff mentioned: Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua (December 19, 2025), The Rich Man's Wife (1996), The Caretaker (2025), 12 to Midnight (2024), 10 to Midnight (1983), Olivia Nuzzi American Canto (2025), and Carlos Lozada "Olivia Nuzzi, Karine Jean-Pierre and Eric Trump Have All Written the Same Book" (The New York Times, December 16, 2025 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/16/opinion/olivia-nuzzi-karine-jean-pierre-eric-trump.html).
120: Shit Hill Road
Dec 16, 2025
Show notes
Dream on America, gun nuts, Stanford is an incubator of idiots, some thoughts on Peter Greene, time to get ready for the prom, some fucked up Stephen King movie, hang up on Black Phone 2, and some dime store philosophy. Stuff mentioned: Pulp Fiction (1994), Mask (1994), The Blob (1988), The Rich Man's Wife (1996), Clean, Shaven (1993), Riding the Bullet (2004), Black Phone 2 (2025), and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984).
119: Long Leaks
Dec 09, 2025
Show notes
Another movie to avoid, Francis Ford No-polla, a dumb thought on ratings, don't go chasing waterfalls, a small time likable noir, a crackerjack unmissable thriller, and the genius and madness of Denis Johnson. Stuff mentioned: Jay Kelly (2025), Kicking and Screaming (1995), Sullivan's Travels (1941), The Godfather (1972), Apocalypse Now (1979), Peggy Sue Got Married (1976), Megalopolis (2024), Megalopolis Unbound (2026?), Megadoc (2025), Leaving Las Vegas (1995), It's a Wonderful Knife (2023), Stone Creek Killer (2025), Relay (2025), Hell or High Water (2016), Avatar (2009), Dwight Garner "A Writer Who Dazzled on the Page but Lived for the Margins" (The New York Times, December 2, 2025 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/books/review/denis-johnson-flagrant-self-destructive-gestures.html), Denis Johnson Jesus' Son (1992), The Velvet Underground & Nico "Heroin" (1967), and Jesus' Son (1999).
118: Blame it on Thanksgiving
Dec 02, 2025
Show notes
More excuses.
117: It's Not Easy Being Greene
Nov 25, 2025
Show notes
Losing bearings, nose rings rarely look good, please feed Ariana, emailing the rich and infamous, another pretentious word, Orson Welles and birthdays, Justin Long is funny, and a smoking pope. Stuff mentioned: Wicked: For Good (2025), Wicked (2024), The Outsider (2020), Kru Contemporary Japanese Cuisine (3135 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95816), Coyotes (2025), It's a Wonderful Knife (2023), Smoking Popes "Midnight Moon" (1994), and Smoking Popes Born to Quit (1994).
116: Tricky Dick
Nov 18, 2025
Show notes
Technology versus my mom, no magic pills here, military memories, more thoughts on the new Colin Farrell gambling movie, a new Los Angeles noir, Dead of Winters, do not fuck with Jack Smith, a dead Dick, a cocaine casualty, alcohol, and Groucho Marx. Stuff mentioned: Ballad of a Small Player (2025), Hollywood Grit (2025), Dead of Winter (2025), Dead of Winter (1987), Little Big Man (1970), Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Night Moves (1975), The David Letterman Show (February 13, 2006), The Brady Bunch (1969-1974), Alex Williams "Michael Ray Richardson, N.B.A. Star Derailed by Cocaine, Dies at 70" (New York Times, November 12, 2025).
115: Everyone Needs a Break
Nov 11, 2025
Show notes
Nothing really.
114: Lost in Translation
Nov 04, 2025
Show notes
Counting carbs, a stylish new gambling movie, a corny but undeniably great song, teenage angst, a confusing conversation, the passing of a jazz giant, and some bullshit about storytelling. Stuff mentioned: Ballad of a Small Player (2025), Conclave (2024), Novocaine (2024), and K-Ci and Jo-Jo "All My Life" (1997).
113: It's a Wonderfull Life
Oct 28, 2025
Show notes
A rocky hairline, a great George C. Scott horror movie, a mention Mr. Keach, respect Dev Patel, somehow Jim Parsons gets involved, and some thoughts on Bruce Willis. Stuff mentioned: Tulsa King (2022-present), The Munsters (1964-1966), The Exorcist III (1990), The Exorcist (1973), Child's Play (1988), William Peter Blatty The Exorcist (1971), William Peter Blatty Legion (1983), The Ninth Configuration (1980), Rabbit Trap (2025), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019), Misery (1990), Stephen King Misery (1987), Misery (2015 Broadhurst Theatre), and Roseanne (1988-1997).
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