Poly Wants A Sacrifice

     This week- two films about alternative family structures.

     One night Veronica meets Abel, a freelance music journalist, at a concert and sparks fly. That same night she meets Zed, a drummer, and sparks fly. She begins dating both men and eventually brings them together in a polyamorous cohabitation. Despite some simmering tension between Zed and Abel, Veronica is mostly content with her life... until she meets successful up and coming director Mike, a recently single serial monogamist, and learns she is pregnant. Will Veronica choose her nontraditional love or throw it all aside for security and tradition? A modernist take on screwball romantic comedy from Greg Araki, one of the indie auteurs of the New Queer Cinema movement, Splendor.
     Sarah Jane is an orphan hired to do live-in secretarial work for a reclusive author of works on the paranormal and occult. His latest work eerily reflects her recurring nightmares about a bloody ritual to summon the cult's demonic master. Trying to settle into her new situation in a new town, she keeps meeting unsettling people and situations. Soon she enlists the help of the local vicar to figure out what is going on. Widely regarded as the turning point for the low budget cult filmmaker whose five decade career spanned every genre with a prolific output, Michael J. Murphy's Moonchild.
     All that and Dave gets weird, Kevin champions to overlooked, Craig gets jealous of recording software, and Tyler keeps sweating in... anticipation... Join us, won't you?
   Episode 452- Poly Wants A Sacrifice

Ventre

     This week- two films about men who live violently and do crime. 

      After a long absence from his native Sicily, Tony Aniante finally returns to settle some old debts. Soon the two families that control the area begin to compete for his services. Services rendered in brutal and bloody fashion. Will Tony get the closure he desires? Will the local families realize what really motivates Tony? How long can they keep the higher ups from discovering the tangled web they have made? The third feature from one of Italy's huge stable of 70s exploitation filmmakers, Cry of a Prostitute (original title Quelli che contano, lit. The One That Matters). 
     Tommy "Buns" Bundy and his lifelong friend Sincere move from robbery into drug transport after a nightclub robbery ends violently. As Buns is pulled deeper into a brutal world, Sincere tries to find a way to get his family out, and a betrayed associate plots revenge. Will Sincere be able to start the new life he dreams of? Will Buns go beyond the point of no return and lose his humanity to the hustle? Or will both men become just another data point in year end statistics? The only feature from music video auteur Hyper Williams that has become an urban crime drama cult classic, Belly.
     All that and Dave fights the Gregorian calendar, Tyler damages his vision with blacklights, and Kevin laments missing time with other film buffs of a higher quality. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 431- Ventre

Interstellaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

     This week- a pair of films featuring men embracing new career opportunities. 

     Picking up a couple years after the events of the first film- Adam and Inez's relationship is falling apart from the pressure of children and adulthood. Miguel returns home after several years in prison to find his girlfriend has given birth to another man's child. Marfa Girl is struggling with connecting to her child, the lingering reminder of a brutal sexual assault. Will Adam accept his responsibilities? Can Inez find her own happiness? Will Marfa Girl get the mental and emotional help she so very clearly needs? Larry Clark's surprise sequel and his latest feature to date- Marfa Girl 2. 
     Grinding through paid appearances and fan films the cast of a cult space adventure TV series are barely scraping by. At a convention where they all find themselves at their wit's end with each other and the fans, lead actor Jason Nesmith is approached by a group calling themselves Thermians. Soon the fractured troupe will be swept up in a confrontation of species ending proportions. Will Jason and co prove to themselves they are more than washed up actors only good for openings of laundromats? Will the Thermian species survive until Tuesday? Can an actor's ego block out the sun? A homage to classic sci-fi and voted the SEVENTH best Star Trek film at Trek to Vegas 2013,  Galaxy Quest.
     All that and Dave still can't remember anything, Tyler mourns a well going dry, and Kevin learns he can't run from his problems because it makes his portable Blu-ray player skip. Join us, won't you?

   Episode 420- Interstellaaaaaaaaaaa

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

Getting a Head

     This week- two films about getting, in several common definition senses, a head, also using multiple definitions.

     When a teen in Biarritz, France decide to take advantage of his mother having to live in another country for work and begins hosting sex parties for the whole school to attend. Soon relationships are broken and videos from the parties begin making their way online threaten the make the activity known to all. The first feature from Eva Husson, Bang Gang (A Modern Love Story).
     When the teen daughter of a powerful Mexican crime lord becomes pregnant, a bounty is put on the unborn child's father. Two months later, a Mexico City bar and bar managing pianist  Bennie finds himself on the road with his girlfriend, Elita, on a small errand that will give them both the chance to completely change their futures. Sam Peckinpah's uncompromising and violent black comedy, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia. 
     All that and Tyler asks a simple question. Join us, won't you?
  Episode 407- Getting a Head

We're Gonna Need a Bigger Laser Pointer

     This week- a pair of films about the most basic human need for connection.

     Naturalist, Hank, lives in Africa with a huge number of big cats. Everyone around him are terrified of Hank's massive cat hoard, which continuously harms everyone that comes into contact with it while Hank laughs uproariously. Hank brings his family over for a visit, neglecting to mention how he is living and leaves them to fend for themselves unaware and unsuspecting. A massive undertaking that took over a decade to make, bankrupted the writer-director-producer-star, and 73 members of the cast and crew to be mauled- Roar.
     Manon leaves her crappy job at a grocery store behind to earn more as an exotic dancer at a club which specialized in high concept performance art routines. There she finds new ways to explore her sexuality and new opportunities to pad her income. Manon immediately begins a friendship with coworker Mia, an aspiring actress, which soon blossoms into something more. Manon must make decisions that could have long lasting and far reaching consequences for her new erotic lifestyle and My Sole Desire (original French title: À mon seul désir).
     All that plus Dave is getting senile, Tyler loves to love on loving lovers who love, and Kevin and the 6th badger battalion return from a glorious victory. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 404- We're Gonna Need a Bigger Laser Pointer

(Acid) Bath & Beyond

     This week- English people get up to some not nice things.

     A jogger collapses and wakes up an amputee. An Eastern European totalitarian murders his way up the ranks. Finally, the worst cop in London teams with the angriest young pathologist to stop a brutal killer targeting young women. An absurd exercise in science fiction with support from three of horror's favorite sons, Scream and Scream Again.
     Miriam and her husband take a long trip to visit her sister, Greta, and brother-in-law, Dylan. Sometime in the future, Miriam and Greta's relationship is strained to near breaking while they set up for Dylan's family reunion. Sometime between these scenes, a brutal act of betrayal and an equally brutal act of vengeance. In the end, Miriam makes ice cream. Writer-directors Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli's vicious rape-revenge film anchored by powerful lead performances, Violation. 
     All that and Dave objects, Craig makes recommendations, and Tyler is blissfully unaware of his impending doom at the cute paws of a squirrel army. Join us, won't you?
    Episode 352- (Acid) Bath & Beyond

High as a Comet

     This week- two films about mind altering events.

     Bob leads a crew that rods pharmacies in 1971. After a successful job, a local cop picks up after them without any sign of letting up and forces the gang to hit the road for a tour across the Pacific Northwest. Before long, Bob will have to face the worst hex of all and a few difficult life choices. The second feature from Gus Van Sant, Drugstore Cowboy.
     High School students Taki and Mitsuha switch bodies. Without any known reason or connection. Immediately they begin to cause massive chaos on each other's lives. Shinkai Makoto's Western breakthrough feature and the third highest grossing Japanese film of all time, Your Name.
     All that and a tiny titan plots from the shadows. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 347- High as a Comet

Coyote Enfeeblement

     This week a pair of horror thrillers that have somehow skipped many people's radar. 

     When Nina, Hesty, and Pono decide to go camping on a lake for the weekend, they never expected to meet a pair of hunky divers. When Caroko hired Johan and Tommy to dive for a missing treasure, totally expecting they would be picked off one by one if they didn't work fast enough. An Indonesian thriller that takes a hard left in its last act to become a semi-remake of an 80s slasher classic- Srigala (aka Wolf).

     In the summer of 1979, the father of Adam and Fenton Meiks is visited by an angel. The angel commands him to destroy demons disguised as normal people. In 2001, Fenton Meiks enters the FBI's Dallas field office and tells his story to the agent in charge of the recent God's Hand serial killings. The only feature directed by Bill Paxton, Frailty.
     All that and Craig gets classy, Dave is completely incapable of properly pronouncing anything, and Tyler unveils his most evil scheme yet. Join us, won't we?
    Episode 325- Coyote Enfeeblement

Ad Wrassle

     This week a satire from the 1960s and a sports comedy of more recent vintage. 

     An advertising firm accidently votes its only African-American member as the new chairman-of-the-board. He quickly changes the name and starts claiming to be forging new paths. Their ads make all their clients wildly successful. Meanwhile, the President of the United States and an auto executive plot to force them to break their stated no cigarettes, alcohol, and war toy policy. Will the powers that be win or can nothing break the integrity of Putney Swope?
     Danny is a trucker who dreams of winning the arm wrestling championship. Melanie is a recently divorced, heavily repressed, bakery owner. When Danny is sabotaged by her worst rival, she turns to her old friend Melanie to help her get victory. Can Melanie embrace parts of herself long denied? Will Danny feel the sweet sweet taste of victory? Will the yoga woman ever just eat the scone? All will be revealed through the power of a Golden Arm.
     All that and Dave plays a game, Tyler gets slippery, and Kevin looks down on them both through his golden monocle. Join us, won't you?
    Episode 297- Ad Wrassle

You Can Call These Al

    We close out 2022 with a tribute to prolific high concept low budget auteur Albert Pyun.

     Deciding to make three American urban crime drama films for the price of one, all filmed in the same abandoned factory warehouse somewhere in Eastern Europe, all starring Ice-T and featuring Ernie Hudson Jr. Corrupt has ended years of gang wars by taking over both factions. MJ immediately disrupts the new status quo by stealing from him. Corrupt has always had his eye on MJ's sister Jodi. Will Corrupt get both Jodi and his property? Will MJ and Jodi get out of their deadly neighborhood? Corrupt.
     A mysterious virus that kills all exposed and has turned Boston into a quarantine zone. The only way into the rest of the US is a special passport that is only to government employees or through black market forgeries. Officer Delon, desperate to get her son out, finally buys a fake immediately before called to capture a walking viral timebomb who will kill everyone in Boston within the next 2 hours. Will Delon get her son to safety? Will Boston be swept away in a wave of violent viral violence? Adrenalin: Fear the Rush.
     Brick Bardo is a cop on the planet Arturos. He carries the most powerful handgun in the universe, a Kruger Blaster. When he chases his nemesis through a strange energy field, Brick finds himself stranded on Earth and only 13 inches tall. He is immediately swept up in a neighborhood's personal war on drugs and the gang that supplies them. Fortunately, his enemy has found himself on the opposing side once again. Will Brick reach a more fitting height for an action hero? Will the gang get their hands on the powerful, if tiny, alien bomb that ensures they will be able to rule over the city? Dollman.
     All that and Dave sings, Tyler gets wet, and Kevin's eye balls fall out of his head. Join us, won't we?
  Episode 290- You Can Call These Al

Deeper Underground

     This week- Horror Movie Month begins! Be you a October Horror Challenge participant or an enthusiast who doesn't go for gimmicks or a fan of kids fright flicks or a connoisseur of the extreme, welcome to the most wonderful time of the year. 

     Someone is killing the staff at Pleasure Island, a sprawling resort owned by former beach bum singer, Coconut Pete. Can the staff hold out until the boat arrives to safely take them back to the mainland? Could the killer be the new magic fingered masseur, Lars? Could it be Coconut Pete's nephew? Will aerobics instructor Jenny survive to take her place as a world beloved exercise guru? Is anywhere safe on Broken Lizard's Club Dread?
     Perfection, Nevada... a small town with a big problem. Val and Earl have had enough with their lot as handymen, doing every dirty job as it comes up. The boys decide to pack up and head to neighboring Bixby. Unfortunately, they waited a day to long to come to this realization and will soon find everyone between them and freedom has fallen prey to something new. Rhonda, a seismology student conduction a study in the valley, has found some unusual and worrying readings. Survivalists, Burt and Heather Gummer, believe they are prepared for any situation... they are wrong. A b-movie masterpiece and the last practical creature feature before the CG effects boom... Tremors.
     A squad of British soldiers think they are in the Scottish highlands for a training exercise against a special forces unit. Before long they find only one member of the other squad, alive but grievously wounded. They will soon learn their real reason for being there... as bait for werewolves. Can the squad last the night or will they be taken in the onslaught of teeth and fur? Multiple cult filmmaker Neil Marshall's debut feature, Dog Soldiers.

     All that and Kevin prepares, Dave misses the joke, and Tyler joins in limited capacity through digital voodoo. Join us, won't you?

Episode 277- Deeper Underground

Windows

    This week one man dreams of a life and a town celebrates its people and their eccentricities.

     Ivan is unable to follow in his father's footsteps. He flees Russia, trading the organized crime organization he was meant to one day inherit for the sunny skies of California. Soon he makes friends, meets a girl, and everything starts to look optimistic. Unfortunately, back home, his Uncle has made moves to take control which have put Ivan in the center of his sights. The feature length debut of an infamous disasterpiece auteur. Can you find hops when you are Born into Mafia?
     Virgil, Texas is having a week long run to its sesquicentennial celebration. A stranger has come to witness the proceedings and get a glimpse at those who make it what it is. A celebration of eccentricity and individuality with a great soundtrack and more sets of twins than you could shake a stick at. Roll up for some True Stories.
     All that and Tyler practices his disappearing act, Kevin plans an escape, Dave lets the water hold him down, and Craig plots future acts of violence. Join us, won't you?

Episode 274- Windows

A Natural Bluish Hue

    This week- two films about doctors being less than ethical. 

     Pharmaceutical giant, Roritor, is in need of something new. In his desperation to save his lab, Dr. Chris Cooper will overstate the readiness of his antidepressant, GLeeMONEX. Chemically, the drug reaches into your brain and unlocks on to your happiest memory, chemically, and makes your happy happy, chemically. The drug sweeps the world, quickly caught up in Roritor's plans to make it readily and immediately available to all and an unforeseen side effect makes itself known. A cult classic from the director of Tiger Claws and one of the greatest sketch comedy troupes of all time Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy.
     Jack is a sad boi with mother issues. April is a singer at a club with child abandonment issues. When they meet, Jack's health takes a turn for the worst. Only Dr. Bergman may be able to save him but the good doctor is holding something back. Will Jack succumb to his sad boi? Will April ever get back into skating? What blackmail does the Australian government have on Hugo Weaving? How long until your patience is Expired (aka Loveland)?
     All that and Dave talks about high literature, Kevin overdoses on TV series box sets, and Tyler dresses all emo and shiz. Join us, won't you?

EPISODE 261: A NATURAL BLUISH HUE

Scratched Bark

     This week environmentalism in space and serial killing on Earth.

     The third rock is deforested. All that remains of its plant life and the species dependent on them are stored in massive geodesic domes attached to cargo ships. Word finally comes down that the project is to be abandoned, with all domes destroyed and ships returned to commercial use. Freeman Lowell, resident botanist and ecologist aboard Valley Forge, rebels to save the last dome and with it all that remains of Earth's native plant life. Hoping to hide in the rings of Saturn, Lowell is alone in the dark and Silent Running.
     A serial killer stalks all martial arts masters in the city. Desperate to get out of her assignment to Vice, detective Linda Masterson, played by the tragically misused Cynthia Rothrock, leverages her knowledge of martial arts to get on the case. For reasons, the prime one being his actor fronted much of the money to make the film, her captain decides that she needs the help of another karate cop, Sgt Tarek Richards, played by the less discussed the better Jalal Merhi. Richards soon does a tedious sexism and leaves her in the car while he goes to show off his complete lack of charm and fight skills. Not even Bolo Yeung, stoically shirtless and ready to rumble, can pull this out of the gaping pit of uncharismatic talentless ego driving the scenes. Just why, Tiger Claws?
     All that and Kevin outpaces all, Tyler gets a sprain from fanboy hype, and Dave discovers there's a little Jalal in us all. Join us, won't you?

Episode 245- Scratched Bark

Wicked Project

   This week we kick off the New Year and Japanuary with a double dip of classic anime from the 1980s. 

     For centuries a treaty between the demonic Black World and our own has kept both sides living in relative peace. A peace enforced by the Black Guard. As the timeframe of the original treaty draws to the end, radicalized extremists from the Black World begin a campaign to stop a new treaty from being signed. Human Taki and Black Worlder Makie are tasked with protecting the ratifying human signatory. Will they be able to deliver him safely? Will the radicals succeed in breaking the peace? Can Taki suppress his Bondian sexual compulsions? Can anyone stop molesting Makie? Who will make it out of Wicked City.
     Magical, super powered, and ginger A-ko Megami, and her best friend C-ko Kotobuki, are starting their first day at a new high school. Unfortunately, they immediately land in the sights of Biko Daitokuji, a jealous rich kid with a murderous mecha building hobby, and intergalactic forces speeding their way to Earth searching for their lost princess. Will Biko steal away C-ko? Will the aliens find their royal? Will A-ko ever make it to class on time? Just what is going on with Project A-ko?
     All that and Kevin drags himself across the holly jolly finishing line, Dave doesn't understand the appeal, and Tyler goes completely digital.
     Join us, won't you?

Episode 238- Wicked Project

Tangentially Xmas

    This week we bring 2021 to a close with a three pack of movies that are firmly winter holiday adjacent. 

     Christmas Eve 1918, a lawyer comes to visit Mrs. Allen and her three children. He brings an amazing offer that will get them out of not their squalid apartment and give them a chance to improve their lives greatly. That is, if they don't mind a few ghosts. Before they can say some cockney rhyming slang two of the kids are off on a time leaping adventure that will change their lives forever. Just don't think of The Amazing Mr. Blunden and his paradoxes.
     After a month as classifieds editor at the Los Angeles Eye and finding that she has been sleeping with the wrong reporter to get a career boost, wannabe reporter Kim takes matters into her own hands and, without editorial sanction, begins to look into a woman's strange death by spontaneous human combustion. At her very first stop, she becomes the target of a coven of lesbian witches. Crammed full of ideas cut from a previous feature, cult hero Brian Yuzna brings a tale that appropriately hates everyone but loves giant cockroaches. Who will survive Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation?
     Three odysseys across LA. Sean Baker's raw and up close ground level view of a distinctive and specific sex-trade subculture. Anchored by three phenomenal central performances and filmed with bleeding edge technique and stuffed with style, Tangerine.
     All that and Kevin get serenaded, Dave wonders if Killer Santa was inside him all alone, and Tyler learns the true meaning of Life Day. Join us, won't you?

Episode 237- Tangentially Xmas

Betting on Red

     This week a gambler risks it all and everything comes up cookies.

     Cosmo Vittelli owns a night club on the Sunset Strip and has just paid off a 7-year debt to a loan shark. He decides to take his favorite girls out to celebrate and digs a new hole to the depth of $23,000. Forced to sign over his club as collateral, Cosmo looks for anyway to get his head back above water without losing his cherished burlesque. That is when a gangster acquaintance, Morty, arrives with a deal. All Cosmo has to do is kill a low level bookie who works for a rival group. Is it worth The Killing of a Chinese Bookie?
     Phyllis has been left by her philandering husband. In an effort to maintain a relationship with her daughter during the combative divorce, she takes the reins of the unruly local Wilderness Girls troop. Despite lacking the skills most troop leaders hold dear, Phyllis instead teaches the girls how to survive in the wilderness of their social swamp. Soon she will have a target on her back from a staunch traditionalist in the organization. Will she be able to save Troop Beverly Hills?
     All that and Kevin takes a trip through time, Dave almost dies, and Tyler will always know what Craig did the summer before the summer before the summer after last summer. Join us, won't you?

Episode 213- Betting on Red

Happy Hippy Hoppy Hassles

      This week a pair of cult classics from sun-drenched lands. 

     When the Kelly Affair goes Hollywood they quickly find themselves swept up in a whirlwind of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. Front woman Kelly gets in a fight for her fair share of the family fortune. Drummer Pet finds that it a fairy-tale romance can cover terrifying problems, Manager Harris learns there isn't always a light at the end of the tunnel, Bassist Casey learns that someone must pay the price. Producer Z-man learns that sometimes you just can't get what you want but if you try sometimes you might find... you get a big ass sword. Find out what lies Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
     Jessica lives a peaceful life running an animal sanctuary in the middle of the Australian outback. Her idyllic existence is soon shattered by the arrival of three kangaroo hunters. Not content to just illegally rampage across her land, the trio decide to teacher a lesson for standing against them. As the two sides continue to clash in confrontation after confrontation, it is only a matter of time before they learn that in some places everything is Fair Game.
     All that and Kevin punishes himself, Tyler revels, and Dave stands alone. Join us, won't you?

Episode 210- Happy Hippy Hoppy Hassles