Neill Before Us

     This week we take a look at four films starring one of the most versatile chameleons of the last half century- the always brilliant Sam Neill.

     John Trent has had a rough couple of weeks that have lead to him being committed in a psychiatric facility. As he opens up about the eldritch horror he witnessed, only one question remains... Do you read Sutter Cane? John Carpenter's 16th feature film and still one of the best cosmic horrors ever made- In the Mouth of Madness.
     Paige and Leo's newlywed life  is torn apart when Paige loses her memories of the last five years after an accident. Paige tries to resume the life she remembers, without even caring about the glaring questions, and Leo tries to hold on to their marriage, demanding an instant connection and resisting her  need for space. Inspired by a real life story- The Vow.
     After a tragedy, Rae and John Ingram try to heal and connect with an extended trip on their boat. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean they come upon a sinking schooner and find Hughie, who claims to be the sole survivor of a severe food poisoning accident. When John goes to check out the situation, he finds the boat is salvageable and the others on board have all been mutilated. A surehanded thriller in the middle of a vast blue nowhere- Dead Calm.

     A potential general strike looms as violence and gas rationing expand. The prime minister doesn't waste a moment making a fascist power grab. As the country continues to divide and a resistance movement grows, Smith finds himself separating from his wife after learning of her affair with Bullen. Taking to a quiet island, Smith soon finds himself framed for a terrorist attack, arrested, and forced to join a fight he wanted nothing to do with. Roger Donaldson's sharp and suspenseful first feature and Sam Neill's powerful breakthrough performance- Sleeping Dogs.
     Join us, won't you?
   Episode 476- Neill Before Us

Be A Lot Cooler If You Died

 As things fall apart for the Bowdens. Two are jailed, one is institutionalized, and the last one might be taking up storm chasing. Join us, won't you? 

 Cape Fear Minisode 8- Be A Lot Cooler If You Died 

Armored Tales

     This week- two films about people driven to extreme measures to try and grab a small bit of happiness.

     A Queen is desperate for a child but jealousy overtakes her love. An older woman is pursued by an oversexed king and drives her sister to an extreme. A King is obsessed with his pet and neglects his familial duties. An epic Italian-UK-French co-production recounting stories from Giambattista Basile's Pentamerone- Tale of Tales (Italian title: Il racconto dei racconti)
     A criminal mastermind plots his biggest heist yet. A low-level crook obsesses over his ex-wife. A burlesque dancer prepares to escape. A trio of cops bumble around the City of Angels on everyone's trail. An early film from Richard Fleischer who would spend the next three decades making tentpole star vehicles- Armored Car Robbery.

     All that plus Craig gets philosophical while Dave and Kevin burn. Join us, won't you?       Episode 475- Armored Tales

Potentialpopspalooza

     Four dads, zero grills, zero puns. The best evidence yet that something truly terrible is happening. Don't worry, there's plenty of emotional and physical abuse to make up for it. 

   Cape Fear Minisode 7- Potentialpopspalooza

Of COURSE I'd CCH Pound Her

     Someone dosed the iced tea and now we all have to sweat it out together. To make matters worse, Tom and Anna are determined to make issues with their new neighbor and a squatter is going to give the surprise landlords a real headache. 

   Cape Fear Minisode 6- Of COURSE I'd CCH Pound Her

Pools of Attraction

     This week- two movies about women being stigmatized, in very different ways, by societal views.

     Ben's life is going pretty well. He has a great girlfriend who is ready to throw her life plans away to stay by his side, he is the star of his high school swim team, recruiters are fighting over a chance to see his freestyle, and everyone has totally forgotten that not long ago he was a drug dealing sociopath. When he almost runs over new transfer student Madison everything begins to spin out of control. Turns out, she is a massive- Swimfan.

     While supervising a documentary interview with his father, a celebrated blind artisanal seal maker, Dong-hwan learns the remains of his mother were found at a construction site. After a strange confrontation at the funeral, and with the help of the documentary producer Su-jin, Dong-hwan decides to learn the truth of what happened to his mother four decades ago. Yeon Sang-ho writes and directs a mystery based on his own graphic novel- The Ugly [얼굴, literally Face].

     All that plus Dave mixes concrete, Tyler get bullied, Kevin attempts to project across the digital void and Craig wonders about the Michael Douglas of it all. Join us, won't you?

   Episode 747: Pools of Attraction

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

     After a night of drinking with Max, Tom's hangover is far worse than he imagined possible. Anna tracks down Neveah's mother with devastating consequences. Meanwhile, Max meets his new neighbors and they seem lovely.

   Cape Fear Minisode #5- Please Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Of Lochs and Chains

     This week- a pair of films about people desperate for love and only finding pain.
     Katie works full time at the diner to take care of her mother, dreams of going to San Francisco, and tries to reach that goal through supplemental sex work. When she meets fresh from prison Bruno working at a local auto shop, a chain of events that will change her life forever. A first feature from the writer-director and carried by an incredible lead performance- Katie Says Goodbye.
     First Holmes is summoned to the ballet for an unusual request. Later Holmes finds himself with some fishy dealings in Scotland. Two unpublished cases from the files of Doctor John Watson are presented here and draw a clear separation from the literary and flesh Holmes. Billy Wilder's affectionate and humorous pastiche ranks among the best film versions of the great detective- The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.
     All that plus Dave and Kevin carry on with stiff upper lips, a wild Craig appears, Tyler screams into the void, and a visitor arrives with some pressing bidness. Join us, won't you?

   Episode 473- Of Lochs and Chains

 

But What You Make Others See

This week- the boys take a trip to an art exhibit, the girls visit a pop up artist, and Max tries to buy a car in Cape Fear episode 4 "Pierced". 
Cape Fear Minisode #3- But What You Make Others See