Unswung Hammer

     This week we pack a toolbox with overlooked titles from The Studio That Dripped Blood.

     Simon, an aged American tourist, picks up Joan, a young local, after Joan had previously lured him into a mugging. This rages her biker gang leading brother, King, who chases them around the coast. Eventually the pair take refuge in a very curious cave full of well mannered school children. An anti-nuclear sci-fi drama directed by a backlisted American director-  The Damned.
     A novelist arrives in an unassuming town, exactly 40 years after its last outbreak of vampires, just in time for its next one. Meanwhile, the reincarnated lady loving vampire finds a finishing school, stuffed to the rafters with nubile young socialites, on the grounds of their castle property. Having become obsessed with one of the students, the novelist maneuvers to become a teacher at the school. Soon enough both of the nubile focused predators cross paths but nothing can sate- Lust for a Vampire.
     Jean Carter, daughter of a small Canadian town's freshly hired school principal, has a restless night and confides to her parents about an event that happened with her new friend and an elderly man. The Carters demand charges be brought against the patriarch of the wealthiest and most powerful family in town. As extreme hostility toward the Carters build, another horrible crime looms in the future. A statement on community being weaponized to support wealth and power at all costs, regardless of victim and history- Never Take Sweets from a Stranger.
     Captain Collier comes to a town on the Romney Marsh to investigate rumors of smuggling. Doctor Blyss, the town's parson, is behind the smuggling ring and has a secret only shared with two others. The town's coffin-maker and a mute former pirate in the custody of Collier. The two men will soon have a fatal confrontation. Based on the first book in Russell Thorndike's classic adventure series and forced to use an alternate title due to Disney adapting another title in the series simultaneously- Captain Clegg.
     All that and Dave watches some TV, Tyler wonders if he's lost a bit of his joy, Kevin wonders if squirrels can smuggle, and Craig watches some deep cuts. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 458- Unswung Hammer

Real Boy

     This week- two films about people pushed to desperate measures for love and socioeconomic security.

     After an emergency landing, a young boy must spend a week with his estranged uncle. Fortunately, the uncle is desperate to manipulate his girlfriend into believing he wants children and jumps at the opportunity. When a promise is broken, dire consequences for all ensue. A cult classic dark comedy- Clifford.

     After a chance meeting, a young couple are drawn together. Substance abuse, emotional issues, domestic violence, and hostile work environments keep them in an untenable situation. Just as it all seems ready to collapse, they find the answer to all their problems, bank robbery. A tragically overlooked social commentary laden romantic crime thriller- Normal Life.

     All that and Kevin bribes wildlife, Dave gets names wildly wrong, Craig plots, and Tyler might have misunderstood an assignment. Join us, won't you?

   Episode 457- Real Boy

Without A Haunt of My Own

     This week- two films about people confronting their worlds changing.

     Lorenz Hart slips away from his creative partner's first work without him to hold court before the opening night celebration begins. As the night goes on, Hart's insecurities, jealousy, and self-destructive tendencies simmer. Richard Linklater's 23rd film boasts incredible central performance, strong support and beautiful production design- Blue Moon.
     After her sister disappears, Joo-young rushes back to their shared apartment to search for her. Meanwhile, the man in the apartment below begins to make threats over noises no one else can hear and the head of the residents group is determined to stop anything from derailing her renovation plans. The first feature from Kim Soo-jin offers a mix of atmosphere and social commentary- Noise.

     All that and Tyler gets a jolt, Kevin marshals his forces, Craig contemplates better mousetraps, and Dave reaffirms that the princess is always going to be in another castle. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 456- Without A Haunt of My Own

Loadsa Shooting

     This week- two films featuring explosions of wildly different natures.

     When Jean, a middle age writer living in Paris, reconnects with Claire, an old friend, at a party. Claire introduces him to her beautiful new toy and draws him into a sadomasochistic triangle. Based on Catherine Robbe-Grillet's Lacanian exploration of abjection and desire, directed by porno chic auteur Radley Metzger, and part of MOMA's permanent collection- The Image.
     A drifter with perfect aim and a lactating sex worker find themselves in custody of the most sought after newborn in the country. The pair try to untangle a conspiracy behind the birth and endless attempts on the baby's life. Meanwhile a henpecked savant assassin is hot on their heels. Michael Davis's cartoon inspired cult action comedy- Shoot 'Em Up.
     All that and Tyler breaks tradition, Dave learns to live with disappointment, Craig deep dives, and Kevin clarifies. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 455- Loadsa Shooting

Back with Another of Those Rothrocking Bleeps

     This week a pair of films about people reluctantly stepping into roles they never wanted but have to for the greater social good.

     After her sister and nephew are murdered, a psychologist with multiple black belts gets psychic powers. Using her new found powers for justice, she begins to investigate the crime ring that is responsible for her sister's murder. A cult classic of the straight to video action era, that takes the star out of her comfort zone and drops her and the audience right into the director's favorite dreams- Sworn to Justice.
     12-year-old John begins to develop episodes of tics and uncontrollable echolalia that no one understands. 13 years later John is directionless and hopelessly resigned to his situation with a diagnosis that offers no hope of reprieve. When he reconnects with a school friend and his family, John begins taking control of his own life. A biopic that skillfully balances the  complicated disorder with an amiable nature supported by a terrific cast- I Swear.
     All that and Craig experiences joy, Tyler experiences pain, Dave still feels noting, and Kevin plots to unearth somethings that may be best left forgotten. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 454- Back with Another of Those Rothrocking Bleeps

fille de joie

     This week- four films about full service sex workers and how dominant social groups view them, from the dawn of the 20th century to Nazi era Germany to modern day Atlanta and Mashhad. 

     A new girl joins an upscale maison close, regulated and licensed legal brothels in France from 1804 to 1946, where a horrific event happened the year before. As she learns the workings of her new environment and gets used to the daily mundanities of their highly restricted and controlled lives. At the same time, the building's landlord is threatening to try and cash in on the house's popularity by skyrocketing the rent far beyond what the madam can afford. Bertand Bonello's fifth feature shows off his highly stylized approach and complex visual storytelling coming into full maturity, House of Tolerance (aka House of Pleasures, orig French title L'Apollonide: Souvenirs de la maison close)
     On the eve of World War II, an ambitious SS commandant devices a plan to use a group of highly trained and loyal young women as informants stationed in a popular brothel that is frequented by both ranking Nazis and international dignitaries. The plan is a huge success but it takes a heavy toll, both emotionally and physically, on the women and the commandant becomes obsessed with one of his spies. Tinto Brass's erotic war drama inspired by an actual event, Salon Kitty.
     A female Tehran-based journalist arrives in Mashhad to track down a serial killer who targets local sex workers and believes he is cleansing the city for the eight Shia Imam. She is blocked at every step by all men in authority that she encounters and beings to consider taking far riskier and increasingly dangerous methods. After his arrest, the public rally around him and his crimes. Ali Abbasi's film about a monster that isn't just a single man but a serial killer society living off deep-rooted misogyny and the complexities for anyone trying to push back, Holy Spider.
     Exploring the lives of four Black trans women sex workers, Daniella Carter, Dominique Silver, Koko Da Doll, and Liyah Mitchell, in New York and Georgia through unfiltered interviews and reenactments. The first feature from D. Smith, best know for her singer-songwriter work with a who's who of Rap, R&B, and Pop musicians in the 2000s, Kokomo City.

     All that and Tyler has the best week he's had so far on the podcast. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 453- fille de joie

Poly Wants A Sacrifice

     This week- two films about alternative family structures.

     One night Veronica meets Abel, a freelance music journalist, at a concert and sparks fly. That same night she meets Zed, a drummer, and sparks fly. She begins dating both men and eventually brings them together in a polyamorous cohabitation. Despite some simmering tension between Zed and Abel, Veronica is mostly content with her life... until she meets successful up and coming director Mike, a recently single serial monogamist, and learns she is pregnant. Will Veronica choose her nontraditional love or throw it all aside for security and tradition? A modernist take on screwball romantic comedy from Greg Araki, one of the indie auteurs of the New Queer Cinema movement, Splendor.
     Sarah Jane is an orphan hired to do live-in secretarial work for a reclusive author of works on the paranormal and occult. His latest work eerily reflects her recurring nightmares about a bloody ritual to summon the cult's demonic master. Trying to settle into her new situation in a new town, she keeps meeting unsettling people and situations. Soon she enlists the help of the local vicar to figure out what is going on. Widely regarded as the turning point for the low budget cult filmmaker whose five decade career spanned every genre with a prolific output, Michael J. Murphy's Moonchild.
     All that and Dave gets weird, Kevin champions to overlooked, Craig gets jealous of recording software, and Tyler keeps sweating in... anticipation... Join us, won't you?
   Episode 452- Poly Wants A Sacrifice