Intestinal Fortitude

     This week- a pair of comedic classics about absurdist dystopian patriarchies. 

     When he goes to prison for killing the gang responsible for the death of his love, Saiga Riki-Oh (here called Ricky Ho Lik Wong), finds himself at odds with the corrupt system and its enforcers. A cult classic of ultra brutal slapstick martial art splatter violence that. Fun fact- after filming the finale, it took lead actor Fan Sui-wong three days to wash off the blood. Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky.
     When the paranoid commander of the Strategic Air Command decides to take matters into his own hands and gives the go-ahead to drop nuclear bombs on Russia, the US Government springs into action to avert devastation. Only to learn the Soviet Union might have a real doomsday machine and any aggression will automatically annihilate us all. Fun fact- in the 1990s, director Stanly Kubrick and co-screenwriter Terry Southern had worked on a screenplay for a sequel. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.
     All that and plans are set in motion... Join us, won't you?
   Episode 398: Intestinal Fortitude

Visions of a Meditative Man

     This week- we change our earlier plans and try to catch some big fish in honor of David Lynch.

     In a nameless city, caught in an endless rain storm, a trio live with a mystery and possessive forces- Rabbits.
     A surgeon finds a man covered in deformities in a sideshow. Together they study human dignity and our social denial of it- The Elephant Man.
     A body dumped, a family given horrific news, a deeper horror lurking. Lumiere camera and Twin Peaks vibes- Premonitions Following an Evil Deed.
     An elderly man makes up his mind to make amends before it is too late. Even if it means hundreds of miles on a lawn mower.- The Straight Story. 
     A man is left to care for his deformed child in an industrial wasteland- Eraserhead.

     Join us, won't you?
   Episode 397- Visions of a Meditative Man

Dino Dixie String Bikini

     This week two movies about young women and the lengths they will go to for love and connections.

     Tammy is a cheerleader with a crush on football player Michael. When Michael is abducted by Tammy's violent and jealous ex-boyfriend he is left in a coma hovering between life and death. Meanwhile, Dr. Wachinstein is preparing his new creation to show for his investors. All the potentially mad doctor needs is a fresh brain. What twist of fate will bring these three together? Can love blossom between a girl and a 1000 lbs. robot dinosaur? One of the titans of good bad film discussion viewed in all its restored and bloody glory, Tammy and the T-Rex: Gore Cut.
     Star is living with her sexually abusive father and taking care of two half-siblings. When she meets Jake, the top seller in a travelling sales crew, he offers her the chance to get away. Joining the crew, Star navigates her feelings toward Jake, his approach to selling, and the tangled web of relationships between the rest of the crew. The fourth feature from Andrea Arnold and featuring a powerhouse debut performance from Sasha Lane, American Honey.
     All that and a small change of plans as next week we will be placing the brilliance of Nakadai on the shelf for a bit and instead diving into some Lynchian nightmares.

  Episode 396- Dino Dixie String Bikini

Childhood Hangover

     This week- two films about Japanese youth discovering themselves and the world around them told through vibes.

     Three boys decide to keep an eye on the local recluse who lives in a crumbling house with an overgrown garden, figuring he isn't long for this mortal coil. After a little stalking, the boys and old man begin to bond, through repairing the garden, and learn what drove him to be a self-imposed outcast from the world. A snapshot of the moment when childhood ends and repercussions of an act can reverberate through generations. Directed by one the most esteemed post-New Wave Japan filmmakers, Shinji Sômai, Natsu no niwa: The Friends (1994, lit. The Summer Garden: The Friends)
     After celebrating their friend's marriage, an unnamed man (referred to only as senpai) plans to confess his feelings to kurokami no otome (black-haired maiden also referred to as kōhai). Unfortunately, Sempai being too slow to act kicks off both of them wondering through a long night of drinking, underwear theft, introspection, perversion, surrealism, consumption contests, and spontaneous theater. The first full feature by animation studio Science SARU and spiritual successor to cult favorite Tatami Galaxy- Night is Short, Walk On Girl (2017).
     All that and Craig feels vindicated, Kevin might still be wearing the wrong trousers, Dave discovers love isn't always 3D, and Tyler only has eyes for Southern bikinis. Join us, won't you?

   Episode 395- Childhood Hangover
  

Tossed Caesar Salad

     This week... a heaping helping of dramas about how the working class really should finally rise up.

     When Ani, a savvy young Brighton Beach stripper, meets Vanya, the son of disturbingly wealthy Russian oligarchs, they form a nontraditional* relationship. Before long, Vanya is faced with having to go back home to Russia and confesses his love to Ani and desire to marry her for a green card. When Vanya's parents learn of his nuptials, the honeymoon phase comes to a crashing end. The latest feature from Sean Baker, a moving and deeply political work, Anora.
     Set in an alternative reality, New Rome is a dystopian nightmare of corruption and neglect. Fortunately, a visionary architect, who also happens to be part of the wealthiest and most powerful family in the city, has a plan for a utopian future development. Unfortunately, his brilliance is countered at every step by the governmental powers that be and those jealous of his natural brilliance. Heavily referencing Roman history and written like something out of the Ayn Rand school of inane bullshit comes what is likely the final feature** from a legendary director of the 1970s, a brain dead rim job about how artists are fucking magic and above your morality or some bullshit, Megalopolis. 
     All that and Dave completely dissociates to the point of never being whole again, Craig rages into an embolism, Kevin takes a long hard look at his life choices, and Tyler is very sticky for some reason.

*Nontraditional in the way that we are, socially, just not ready to discussion the greater transitional history and reality of most relationships.
** We very much hope is the last, at any rate.

    Join us, won't you?

  Episode 394- Tossed Caesar Salad