A Dollop of Ortega

     This week- a clump of movies starring Jenna Ortega.

     After a school shooting, Vada Cavell has to navigate her trauma and depression. Isolating herself from her family and closest friend. As Vada struggles to find ways to cope with her trauma, she bonds with those who sheltered with her during the shooting. A powerful debut feature from writer-director Megan Park with incredible performances, The Fallout.
     In an effort to bolster his conservative base, Governor Harper Finn signs an executive order to immediately round up all illegal immigrants and their US-born children. The kids are given a choice, be deported or spend a few months working in a program assisting the elderly. A horror comedy from the Hallivis Brothers about issues facing Hispanic and Latino Americans, American Carnage.
     Charlie has just graduated from college and decides to take a summer job with his older half-brother, Tom, on a scallop fishing boat. Corporate negligence and a string of bad luck lose the brothers two boats, put them in trouble with Canadian authorities, and force them into a desperate situation. A crime thriller with an incredibly talented cast from veteran writer-director Brian Helgeland, Finestkind.
     Jonathon Miller is a failed writer teaching in a small Tennessee town. Cairo Sweet is an 18-year old senior living alone in a large mansion with generational wealth. Cairo is smart, highly literate, and flatters Miller's vanity by having read his terrible book. Miller unsuspectingly finds himself drawn into a plot to give Cairo something to write about for her Yale application essay. The debut from writer-director Jade Halley Bartlett, Miller's Girl.
     All that and we prep for Halloween. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 380- A Dollop of Ortega

Wassup Tony?

     This week- a group of plucky skater punks get into shenanigans in LA and a plucky mob widow tries to start again but neither the Feds or Family will let her.

     A septet of Latin American boys go against the hip hop trends and norms of their South Los Angeles neighborhood and embrace skateboards and punk rock in very tight pants. One day the boys decide to go skate at a school in the affluent Beverly Hills. Little do they suspect this would kick off an odyssey through a creepily camp satirical nightmare of affluence and classism. Only an auteur like Larry Clark would stop to ask this question burning at the forefront of global consciousness... Wassup Rockers.
     Angela is married to a Long Island mafia rising star but the luster of their life has long since been rubbed off for her. When the boss finds out her husband is also having an affair with the same girl, hubby is not long for this world. Angela takes the opportunity to move out of their home of ill gotten gains and start again. Unfortunately for her both the boss and the FBI are desperately trying to get her in their respective beds. Jonathon Demme's broadly wacky comedy loudly swirls around a complex heroine struggling for freedom and a future where she is no longer Married to the Mob.
     All that and Dave takes an uneventful hike, Tyler's backpack has jets, and Kevin begins his nefarious plot to rebuild the squirrel army and take over the local Little Waitrose. Join us, won't you?

    Episode 379- Wassup Tony?

Lethal Tales

     This week- two movies about bromances and violence in remote places.

     Genta has become disillusioned with the samurai life and has left it to be a wondering yakuza. Hanji could no longer tolerate his powerless existence and sold his farm to become a samurai. They find themselves on opposing sides after the assassination of the local chancellor. A darkly satirical look at the late stages of the samurai, Kill! (1968).

     Michael is a graphic designer, living in the city, with his first child on the way. Chris is an addict, erratic and delusional, squatting in an abandoned building on reservation land. When Michael receives a video of Chris', he takes it as a final cry for help. Taking extreme actions the two men soon find themselves caught up in something beyond their comprehension and desperate for a satisfying Resolution (2012).
All that and Tyler confesses his love, Dave schemes, and Kevin dances... dirtily. Join us, won't you?

    Episode 378- Lethal Tales

Dat Florida-Midland Flow

     This week- two films about types of masculinity and finding your way.

     Tyler Williams is a popular senior on the wrestling team. Learning he has a severe SLAP tear that requires surgery as soon as possible to repair, Tyler decides to hide it from everyone, especially his domineering father. When his injury is revealed, Tyler spirals to tragic results. The aftermath of which will test the Williams family and those around them. The third film from critically acclaimed writer-director Trey Edward Shults, Waves.
     Romeo and Gavin have been best friends and neighbors as long as either can remember. When Romeo gets beaten up for defending Gavin from bullies, he is assisted by the slightly strange and aggressive Morrell. Morrell tries to romance Romeo's sister and drives a wedge between the boys, leading to a violent confrontation. The third film from beloved UK cult filmmaker Shane Meadows, as well as the screen debuts of both Paddy Considine and Vicky McClure, A Room for Romeo Brass.
     All that and Dave gets REALLY ranty, Tyler rolls around his happy place, and Kevin might have forgotten something but it probably isn't important. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 377- Dat Florida-Midland Flow
 

Dreaming The Crow Like Dream

      In the doorway of glory he finds Death who puts his hands in hers and whispers to him, :Now... come home, now."

     "Soon", he says.

                                   The Crow, James O'Barr

     This week- four tales of vengeance for souls brought back to put the wrong things right. 
Detroit, a decrepit and crime ravaged city on Devil's Night, when gangs roam the streets leaving only burning buildings in their wake. One year ago, Shelly Webster was raped and mortally wounded as her fiancé, Eric Draven, was shot and thrown out of their loft apartment window. Tonight, Eric returns with the names of those who killed them ringing in his head. The first film entry in the franchise based on James O'Barr's cult masterpiece comic series, The Crow.
     In Salt Lake City, three years ago, Alex Craven is framed for the murder of his girlfriend, Lauren. Tonight, Alex will be put to death for this crime and come back as the next Crow. With his lawyer and Erin, Lauren's sister, to help him, can Alex solve his own case and unravel the conspiracy that killed Lauren and set him up? Can anything bring The Crow: Salvation.
     Jimmy Cuervo has been paroled after serving time for killing a rapist in a fight. He returns home to Lake Ravasu, a town that is divided between a corporate mining town and a Raven Aztec reservation, to be outcast by both sides. Except for his girlfriend, who he was protecting at the time of his crime, Lily Ignites the Dawn. Unfortunately, Lily has eyes which can see prophecies, which puts them in the sights of the local world ending Satanist cult. Jimmy comes back to hunt down the cult. Loosely based on the novel of the same name by Norman Patridge, The Crow: Wicked Prayer.
     In Vancouver, on the night before Halloween, Eric Draven and his fiancée, Shelly, are killed in their loft apartment. One year later, Eric returns guided by a mystical bird and now having supernatural powers. He sets out to not just get revenge but also to find his own redemption. The syndicated tv adaption that was cancelled due to the studio being sold before they could begin the final arc, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven. 
     All that and Dave and Tyler have very different experiences with yet another avian avenger and Kevin gets his feathers plucked. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 376- Dreaming The Crow Like Dream