Soggy Metal

     This week- two films about ancient times, hundreds of years before the dawn of history, ancient races of people. No one knows who they were or what they were doing...

     Deep below the waves, in the city-state of Atlantis, is a nightmare for any unfortunate surface dweller caught by their raiding parties. Either forced to fight to the death in gladiatorial combat or sent to the mines to labor until you your body gives out. A pair of siblings get to experience all the nasty sides for themselves. Meanwhile, the nefarious Sartor has finally found the blood gem that can fulfill all his ambitions. From the mind of  microbudget outsider auteur Michael J Murphy, a sword and sorcery epic that reaches from the depths of the ocean for the stars, Atlantis.

     Documentarian Marty Di Bergi gets unprecedented access to tell the history of skiffle turned British invasion turned flower power turned heavy metal legends on their 1982 tour to promote their newest album. We take a deep look at how these individuals of strong personalities still work after so many years, their artistic processes, and how the mysterious deaths of multiple drummers has effected them. From controversy to controversy, can the three core members navigate the US road or will they break like the wind? The film that kicked off one of the best output runs from any director since the birth of the medium, Rob Reiner's first classic- This is Spinal Tap.

     All that and Dave fanboys in his pants, Kevin catches his breath but can't get out all the mud, and Tyler shouts across the void. Join us, won't you?

   Episode 418- Soggy Metal

It Was A Different Time, eh?

     This week- a pair of films about young men who love beer.

     Van Wilder is in his seventh year at Coolidge College. After his father cuts off his tuition payment. Van comes up with a scheme to pay by organizing and running parties for the college's diverse social groups. Meanwhile, he is drawn into a triangle with journalism student Gwen and mean-spirited future status focused boyfriend. Will Van make it through his seventh year? Will he finally decide to put on a cap and gown and move on? Will he earn the love of Gwen an the respect of his father? The directorial debut of Walt Becker and the first feature by the writing team of Brent Goldberg and David T. Wagner, National Lampoon's Van Wilder (aka Van Wilder: Party Liaison).
     Bob and Doug McKenzie, the dim-witted hosts of cult Canadian panel show "The Great White North", debut their feature film to disastrous results. Broke, unemployed, and desperately needing beer for their father, the brothers go to Elsinore Brewery hoping to scam a case or two for free. Unfortunately, instead they stumble on a Shakespearian family drama and the plot of a power mad brewmeister. Can the brothers save the unsuspecting Canadian populace? Will they finally be able to earn their father and dog's approval? Based on a popular segment from the sketch comedy series SCTV, written and directed by lead actors Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, Strange Brew.
     All that and Tyler puts out the welcome mat for boys of summer, Dave suffers, and Kevin chortles nearly manically. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 417- It Was A Different Time, eh?

Synaptic Rotation

     This week- two films featuring men abusing their positions of power and the fallout from it.

     Miss Giddens is hired as a governess at Bly Manor. She is immediately taken with her young charge, Flora, and strikes an instant friendship with Mrs. Grose, the housekeeper. Despite the encouraging start, small moments of discomfort begin to poke at Miss Giddens new normal. When Miles is expelled from his boarding school, Miss Giddens finds herself caught up in the effects from the not too distant past. Based on one of the most influential horror tales ever written with a screenplay co-written by Truman Capote, taking a three week break from his magnum opus to work on it, and casting its own shadow nearly as long for itself- The Innocents.
     Lillian founds a ballet company in the name of her late husband. Her ambulance-chasing attorney, Roland T. Flakfizer- assisted by associated   Rocco and Jacques, face off against the late husband's equally conniving lawyer, Edmundo Lazlo. The legal eagles compete to sign the world's greatest ballet dancer, "The Great" Volare, and to deliver an awe-inspiring Broadway debut for the new company. Inspired by the Marx Brothers, even being filmed at the same locations as several of their most beloved films, produced by David and Jerry Zucker, and fully embracing the "they don't make them like they used to" lifestyle- Brain Donors.
     All that and Kevin enthuses, Dave forgot, and Tyler weeps in his Happy Place. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 416- Synaptic Rotation

Marathon Grind

     This week- a pair of movies about men chasing their dreams and competitive glory.

     Babe is a doctoral history student training to run a marathon. His brother, Doc, claims to work for an oil company. Doc really works for the government as a diamond courier for Christian Szell, a Nazi war criminal living in Uruguay. Soon all their paths will cross with devastating and violent consequences. Will Babe finish his thesis? Will Doc survive for the sequel? Do either know anyone who doesn't secretly work for Nazis hiding in South America? Marathon Man.
     Eric dreams of becoming a professional skateboarder. Dustin has resigned himself to a summer of working a fryer before college. Sweet Lou embraces his low key ladies man life style. Matt is desperate to not become a clown, like his parents. All four join together in a desperate final bid to realize their dreams by getting the attention of a pro skater legend on a demo tour. Will the boys steezy to glory or will they sketch themselves to a hospital? A cult comedy by Casey La Scala, Grind.
     All that and Kevin runs both to and from his problems, Dave goes to the happiest house on Earth, and Tyler relives his childhood. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 415- Marathon Grind

A Guy for All Seasons

     This week- a trio of films with a brilliant Aussie actor.

     Edie Sedgwick is a young heiress who studied art and makes the move to New York City. Before long she finds herself a rising model in youthquake fashion and the muse of one of pop art's most enduring figures before addiction and socially ostracized lead to tragic results. The penultimate feature by George Hickenlooper with a stunning lead performance, Factory Girl.
     After his mother's death, J has to go live with his estranged grandmother. A woman his mother kept him far away from because she is the matriarch of a violent criminal family. When the gang's leader, Baz, is killed by police a chain of events is set off that will have long lasting and devastating consequences to J's new world. The first feature from writer-director David Michôd, Animal Kingdom. 
     At the end of World War II a lost work by Vermeer is discovered in a Hermann Goering's hidden treasure trove. Captain Joseph Piller, who works for the Canadian military administration of the Netherlands and former resistance fighter, is tasked with tracking down whoever sold the painting. Soon he discovers Han van Meegrene and arrests him for collaboration and using the sale proceeds to fund a Nazi espionage network. van Meegrene's defense will be not just unexpected but shake up the art world for generations. The only feature directed by producer/conservationist/potential owner of a Houston Texas NHL team Dan Friedkin, The Last Vermeer.
     All that and Dave knows where his towel is, Craig plays puppy nurse, Tyler sees death coming, and Kevin is in the wind on the run from charity. Oh, I mean, FOR charity. Join us, won't you?

   Episode 414- A Guy for All Seasons

Knight Betrayal

     This week- two films about dreamers being betrayed by trusted individuals working for the government.

     In 1968, William O'Neal is arrested for attempting to steal a car while posing as a federal agent. While in custody he is approached by the FBI who make an offer he can't refuse- the charges will disappear if he infiltrates the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party and relays information on its leader, Fred Hampton. Based on a true story, the second feature from Shaka King, Judas and the Black Messiah.

    The CIA has secretly hires Professor Hathaway to make a laser weapon precise enough to carry out illegal political assassinations from outer space. Hathaway recruits a team of brilliant students to do the work for him as he redirects project funds to build a massive new house. As the deadline looms he recruits a budding genius in physics, Mitch, and places him under one of his heroes, Chris Knight, now a disillusioned slacker just trying to survive his final year. A 1980s comedy classic and one of the best college films of that century- Real Genius.
     All that and Dave pregames with the game, Tyler rides the movies like a pro, and Kevin plans a march of the squirrel army. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 413- Knight Betrayal

Talented Lactose

     This week- a pair of films about men on the edges of society taking youths under their wings.

     When washed up former football player, Curtis Plummer, is talked into spending his afternoons with his socially isolated niece, Jasmine. When he discovers her natural football throwing talent, he shapes her into the best quarterback to come out of their depressed former factory town. Inspired by but not even a little faithful to real events of the first girl to participate in the Pop Warner Football tournament, The Longshots.
     On the first anniversary of her daughter's abduction a woman sits on a park bench. Elsewhere, the missing girl and her friends are fighting off demons. And soon The Milkman cometh to both. The second film by Case Esparros, featuring influential performance artist Gary Wilson, and a soundtrack by experimental musician Aaron Dilloway- The Absence of Milk in the Mouths of the Lost.
     All that and Craig has a personal moment, Tyler relives his gridiron glorydays, Dave laments his lack of rennet, and Kevin makes a blood offering to the gods of nü-metal but wears the wrong kind of pants. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 412- Talented Lactose