Corpus Delectus

     This week we learn a lessons on loneliness and self-improvement. 

     Sonya runs her family funeral parlor. She lives an isolated and routine life, above the parlor, with her distant father. The business is slowly going under and she is under a crushing amount of debt owed to a psychotic landlord. Sonya finds an unlikely companion in the unclaimed cadaver of an elderly woman. The third film by Dwein Baltazar and produced by Black Sheep Productions, the Philippine answer to A24, Oda sa Wala (English: Ode to Nothing).
     Susan finds no satisfaction with her working class life and yearns for an escape. When her husband and father start to really push her to have a baby, her fear of forever being shackled to the daily monotony drive her to start attending Open University courses on Literature. Her tutor, Dr. Frank Bryant, is jaded by the pretensions of university culture and drowns his misery in public alcoholism. Susan's verve rekindles Frank's passion for literature and Frank's teaching opens  doors to a bohemian life and newly discovered self-confidence for Susan. Lewis Gilbert's reverse Pygmalion with a pair of fantastic lead performances and based on screenwriter Willy Russell's play of the same title, Educating Rita.
     All that and Dave drops out, Kevin has a strange interlude, and Tyler stands alone in a neon fog. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 444- Corpus Delectus

Lurid Courtship

     This week- a pair of films with unexpectedly exciting visits to boring people's vacation homes.

     When Mia first sees Frida it is love at first sight. Tragically, that won't be an easy revelation as both of them are in long term monogamous relationships and their parents are engaged to each other. When they are the first to arrive at a family weekend, long silent stares give way to indiscretion. Can these women return to their daily lives or have they ignited the flames of undying cyberstalking passion in their hearts? What pain and joy can come With Every Heartbeat (aka Kiss Me, original title Kyss mig).
     Mickey King writes trashy thrillers, often under equally pervy pseudonyms. When a rich anonymous fan offers him a lot of money to ghostwrite an autobiography, Mickey finds himself neck deep in trouble. With a new corpse around every corner and an assassin with a penchant for costumes on his heels, can Mickey discover the truth or will his life end like one of his novels? Mike Hodges second feature film, Pulp.
     All that and Kevin leads a group of plucky squirrels in tense war against a vicious gang of girl guides. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 353- Lurid Courtship

Down and Dirty

     This week- a pair of comedies.

     When two high schools are consolidated a senior, Alan Musgrave, dedicates his life to making sure a new schoolmate, Barbara Ann Greene, gets everything she desires. From sweaters to matricide, Alan is happy to oblige. A buckshot satire of 1960s pop culture directed by one of the era's best comedy writers, Lord Love a Duck.
     When two con men, Lawrence Jamieson and Freddy Benson, find themselves at odds with each other, they settle it the only way they can- with elaborate schemes in a race to be the first to relieve an heiress of $50,000. From royals in exile to grannies desperate for an operation, Lawrence and Freddy are happy to steal from the rich and give to themselves. A 1980s comedy classic from a group of absolute legends writing and directing, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
     All that and Craig swears the fire alarm has chirped its last, Kevin finds a light to brighten up the noir, Tyler double dips in public, and Dave finds a nice quiet corner to read. Join us, won't you?

  Episode 337- Down and Dirty