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

Full Court Haunt

     This week- two films about dudes justifying their actions as being pushed to extremes by manipulative outside forces.

     Odin James, an African-American basketball prodigy, has earned a leadership position on a highly competitive  private school's predominately white and upper-middle class team and the interest of many college recruiters. When Odin shares his team MVP award with Michael, Hugo, the coach's jealous son, devises a plot to take them both down so he can step into the team's spotlight. An updated take on Shakespeare and the second directorial feature from playwright and character actor Time Blake Nelson- O.
     Charles Dexter Ward has inherited the grand mansion overlooking the small town of Arkham, Massachusetts. Little does he suspect that is the same place where the town burned his forebearer, the necromancer Joseph Curwen, 110 years earlier. The sixth film in Roger Corman's Poe cycle and the first film adaption of a H.P. Lovecraft story- The Haunted Palace. 
     All that and Kevin and Dave make the most of their time, ignoring the mysterious disappearances around them. Join us, won't you?

   Episode 471- Full Court Haunt

Interpretive Rants

     This week- two films about damaged psychologically manipulative men and the women entangled with them.
     In 1996 a virus wiped out the majority of humanity and forced the survivors underground. Now in a desperate attempt to salvage some future, volunteers are sent back in time in the hopes to trace the virus origin and obtain a sample of it in its purist form. James Cole, a prisoner traumatized from seeing a man murdered in a airport in his youth, is accidentally sent 6 years too early and sets off a chain of events with devastating consequences. Terry Gilliam's feature adaption of Chris Marker's 1967 short film, 12 Monkeys.
     The police investigate the murder of Laura Hunt, killed with a shot to her face in the doorway of her apartment. We the  a young, beautiful, and highly successful advertising executive killed by her sardonic newspaper columnist friend, her parasitic playboy fiancé, her jealous wealthy socialite aunt, or her well intentioned maid? Is there a twist in this knot of boiling jealousies? Directed by one of the most influential directors of the Noir Era and 1999 inductee to the Library of Congress National Film Registry, Laura.
     All that and Kevin has trouble reintegrating into society, Tyler tries new baked goods, Dave is invited out, and Craig fails to rise above it all. Join us, won't you?

   Episode 440- Interpretive Rants
 

Eva Brauhhhhhhhn

     This week a pair of films about desperate men who seek the most toxic relationships with women possible. 

     Marcus is 30-years old and considers himself "a lonely, desperate man". He spends his nights as a security guard alone in an empty location, his days looking at pornography and peeping in windows. Slightly overweight and unable to create relationships, Marcus turns to secretly recording his encounters with prostitutes and losing his grip on reality. A black comedy from experimental filmmaker and musician, Ronnie Cramer with a soundtrack by his no wave post-punk goth adjacent sporadically recording for 40 years band Alarming Trends- Even Hitler Had a Girlfriend.
     A recovering alcoholic bank robber, Doug, from Boston's locally notorious Charlestown are pushed into increasingly dangerous and audacious heists by their neighborhood florist and Irish mob boss as the FBI openly targets them. Meanwhile, Doug begins a relationship with a bank manager he and his crew recently took as a hostage. Can Doug find a way to break the cycle of criminal behavior he inherited from his father? Is there safety in the sunny Florida landscape Doug believes his mother escaped to long ago? The second feature by director-star-cowriter Ben Affleck and based on a book by Chuck Hogan- The Town.
     All that and Dave finds a weird VHS tape, Tyler parks the cahr, Craig finds his twin, and Kevin judges us while sewing tiny general costume for a military squirrel promotion. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 427- Eva Brauhhhhhhhn

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?

A Pair of Genes

     This week- two films starring the brilliant Gene Hackman. 

     Harry Moseby, a former football player turned private investigator, is hired to find a runaway sixteen-year-old. A search that will drag him into a conspiracy and coverup. The fourth genre redefining feature in a row from director Arthur Penn, Night Moves.
     A seasoned nuclear submarine commander and his new executive office clash over how to interpret their orders and at what point does on make a decision that could have grave consequences on massive scales. A pair of masterful performances from the best of their respective generation, Crimson Tide.

     All that and Kevin commissions a new battalion, Tyler celebrates in the way he is most accustomed, Dave has shallow thoughts, and Craig is already reaping what he has sown. Join us. won't you?
   Episode 403- A Pair of Genes

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
  

Rented by the Hour

     This week- a pair of films adapted from the stage.

     1931, Berlin, while finishing his doctorate a British academic, Brian Roberts, takes residence in a boarding house. Finding his room is too small to teach English lessons, which he must to survive, Brian strikes up a friendship with his neighbor, Sally Bowles, a performer at the Kit Kat Klub. Soon Brian finds himself caught up in her bohemian lifestyle. One of the first films to be rated X with fiendishly catchy songs, strong performances, plenty of thought-provoking subtly under the bawdy exterior, and possibly Bob Fosse's most enduring and still relevant work- Cabaret.
     Liz is a street prostitute who is weary of her life and desperate to escape her pimp. As she wonders the late night streets of LA, Liz directly tells the audience of her history, from her youth to the current moment, and why she keeps going. Based on a monologue play, one of the first to be given a NC-17 rating in the US, anchored by a strong lead performance and strong visuals. Ken Russell's satirical drama tries to bring pathos and humanity to the world's oldest profession, Whore.
     All that and Dave finds his memory slipping, Craig discovers pain in the ring, Kevin gets classy again, and Tyler plots to ensure there are no flawless victories. Join us, won't you?
    Episode 356- Rented by the Hour

Spartan Green

     This week- a pair of detectives trying to solve puzzling murders in less than friendly environments.

     While the long range V-1 missiles rain down and an English woman spews Nazi propaganda over the radio, a man dies under mysterious circumstances during a routine operation. While suspicions among the staff spread like wildfire, it is seen as just an accident... until a second body turns up murdered. Based Christianna Brand's book of the same name and the only film adaption featuring her acerbic detective, Green for Danger.
     A wealthy industrialist moves to Sparta, Mississippi to oversee the building of a factory and is soon found dead in an alley. Grabbing the first stranger they see, an African-American man with a fat wallet alone in the train station and immediately try to frame him neatly. The racist officers of Sparta soon learn that the suspect they blindly grabbed isn't just a cop himself but a detective from Philadelphia with the skills they desperately need. Based on the novel by John Ball and starting a film franchise and long running television series with two powerful central performances, In the Heat of the Night.
     All that and Dave gets stapled, Kevin digs up some classics, Tyler puts lotion in a basket, and Craig reveals he was hiding under the porch this whole time. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 350- Spartan Green

Hospitable Tentacle

     This week- two films about tentacled fiends who might also be friends.

     When the moon is blown into a permeant crescent and the monster that claims credit is threatening to do the same to Earth in one year's time... unless the underachieving delinquent misfits of Middle School Class 3-E are able to assassinate it before then. In order to nurture their killer instinct, the multi-limbed monstrosity places itself as their teacher. Will the kids rise to the challenge or will they fail in their duty and doom the whole planet? The live action adaption of a wildly popular manga and anime, Assassination Classroom.
     A cheap Airbnb in Tokyo doesn't keep guests for very long. Every night the same horrific events play out to deadly results. Will anyone survive a night at this dump? Can the fleshy nightmare stalking its rooms be stopped? How has no one noticed like 50 people disappearing after booking this one room? The second feature from director Doug Roos and an impressive exercise practical effects, Bakemono.
     All that and Dave feels ultimate despair, Tyler tries to bring his Sheri Moon tattoos to life, and Kevin plots against the others for steadfastly refusing to record on his days off. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 344- Hospitable Tentacle

French Pressed

     This week- we like French films, a pair of pretentious boring French films, we like French films, three tickets s'il vous plaît.

     Monsieur Hulot, the legendary signature character of Jacques Tati, is a man overwhelmed and confused by the new modernity of Paris, as he and others stumble through six segments both lampooning and celebrating modernist life, and repeatedly encounters, Barbara, a young American tourist who longs to see the old romantic soul of Paris under its gleaming glass and steel skin. Tati's staggeringly massive auteuristic undertaking that both bankrupted him and firmly established his place among the greatest directors in the history of the medium, Playtime.
     Controversial American writer, director, photographer, and lover of nubile young flesh, Larry Clark, turns his specific view of youth culture on Parisians. Math is a bored skater with a horrific homelife who takes up prostituting himself to earn shocking amounts of overpayment for services rendered from kinky older men. JP, Math's best friend and fellow escort, soon begins to realize his love for Math is far from platonic. Marie is the girl who hangs around them in a couple scenes so we can firmly establish the boys sexual preferences. Marie also flirts with a third young sex worker, who only works with older women so he can provide for his family. Soon all the kids find themselves in a whirlpool of sex, drugs, skate videos, and a few more serious felonies. None of them will ever be able to wash off The Smell of Us.
     All that and Kevin gets fitted for a new trench coat, Dave does as little as possible, and Tyler scents all over his happy place.
   Episode 335- French Pressed

A Fistful of Pamphlets

     This week- a pair of films about love and how it can go bad, especially under extreme circumstances.

     When 90s Emo Kid Jamie's father passes away, she is shipped off to live with her aunt and uncle, a pair of devout Jehovah's Witnesses, living in a devout religious enclave. When Jamie catches the eye of the religious leader's daughter, Marike, a tender romance begins. Stolen glances and awkward casual intimacy can only last for so long under strictly intolerant conditions. The feature debut from Sarah Watts and Mark Slutsky, You Can Live Forever.
     When rebellious teen, Tobe, learns gas station attendant, Harlan, has never seen the ocean, she decides to take him to the beach. Harlan and Tobe's relationship soon comes into conflict with her violent outburst prone father and Harlan's less than firm grasp on the reality of situations. A cowboy tale set in more modern suburbia, debuting in the Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard, David Jacobson's Down in the Valley.
     All that and Dave accidentally slips some spoilery hints (this is your fair warning), Craig does us all a solid, Tyler shops for new trash cans with better gripability, and Kevin returns with a velour allergy from a restful week in a Leeds sex dungeon. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 326- A Fistful of Pamphlets

Diagnosis: Samurai Night Fever

     This week two films about Chinese-Americans and cross cultural experiences. 

     Billi maintains a close relationship with her Nai Nai (paternal grandmother), despite there being half a planet between them. When Nai Nai is diagnosed with late stage terminal lung cancer, which the rest of their family have decided to keep secret from Nai Nai. The whole family gathers under false pretenses to have The Farewell.

     Jo and Steve are purchasing their taxi medallion. Their friend, Chan, volunteers to be the transactional go-between. Unfortunately, Chan has disappeared, along with the money. The two men begin a search for their friend in San Francisco's Chinatown population. Wayne Wang's second feature and part of the US National Film Registry, Chan is Missing.

    Join us, won't you?
  Episode 309- Diagnosis: Samurai Night Fever

Daddy's Back

     This week- two movies about people trapped in places they are unable to leave. Some metaphorically, others literally.

     Sascha drifts through her days, getting by as well as she can at work and with occasional visits to her young son. Maria is a dreamer who wants to be a performer and poet. When sparks fly between them, both women embrace their blooming romance but can't see how it could be threatened by their individual outlooks. The second feature by Henrika Kull, Bliss.
     Carlin just wants to keep to himself after he is transferred to a new borstal. Archer is doing his best to inconvenience the staff as peacefully as possible until his sentence is over. Alan Clarke's scathing and unflenching look at the brutality of the old UK borstal sytem, Scum.
     All that and Tyler self soothes, Craig ends his hibernation, Dave feels the ennui, and Kevin's plan for world domination begins to germinate. Join us, won't you?
    Episode 306- Daddy's Back

Futurity Ne'er Expires

     This week the second starring role for one of Hong Kong's most bad ass stars and a film made by a son of a Bond. 

     When Hong Kong detective Michelle Yip, air security guard Michael Wong, and hardboiled Tokyo detective Yamamoto team up to stop a crime boss's daring in flight escape. Little do the expect that it would set them, and all the care about, in the sights of a pair of revenge focused blood brothers. Michelle Yeoh steps out of the supporting role and into butt kicking lead glory- Royal Warriors.
     Asher lost his hearing 20 years ago when his brother was murdered by Ivan. News of Ivan's early release from prison sets Asher on a path of revenge against the man he has dreamed of killing for most of his life. There's just two small complications, the ridiculous script and the fact that Ivan is Asher's father. Sean Brosnan's attempt at Dixie fried revenge- My Father Die.
     All that and Dave feels some feelings. Kevin starts to horde physical media, and Tyler marvels at the Thrasher pictures still glues to his wall. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 298- Futurity Ne'er Expires

A Confederacy of Dunstes

    This week- teenage rebellion and racism. 

     Jay takes the bus 2-hours each way to get a better education so he can fulfill his dream of carpet bombing the Middle East for the US Navy. Nicole is a Congressman's daughter in the middle of a pretty average teenage rebellion with an added layer of unaddressed trauma. When they get together... stuff happens... kinda... and a lesson is learned... sorta... Crazy/Beautiful.
     Kazuma is searching for his lost sister. He finds help from Mako, leader of the girl gang The Alleycats. Unfortunately, he arrives just hours before Baron, leader of the Eagles, decides to rid the town of its mixed race population. Will Kazuma find his sister? Will Baron succeed? Where will Mako and the Alleycats stand when caught between the two? Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter.
     Also Dave jumps into the Holidays, Kevin Hallmarks the days, and Tyler joins the local Reign in Hell Deer biker gang to burn all festive festoonery.
    Join us, won't you?
  Episode 288- A Confederacy of Dunstes

Perpetual Luminescence

     This week- a dream of forgetting and a dream of the undead.

     After learning that his former girlfriend had her memories of him erased, Joel decides to undergo the same procedure. Meanwhile, the staff of the mind wiping clinic have drama of their own. Michel Gondry's surrealist exploration of memory and romance- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
     Keith and AJ want to hire a stripper to bypass the normal fraternity initiation. Since living in a 1980s movie means being unable to do anything in a reasonable way, the pair make a deal with rich and lonely student Duncan to get a ride to the next town where they plan to find a dancer to hire for immediate return to the campus. Going to an area of town where everything else shuts down before sunset, they decide to stop at the most desperate to avoid outside attention club ever opened. Of course, the club is owned and operated by vampires. The first feature by prolific action screenwriter Richard Wenk- Vamp.

     All that and Kevin slips in to some holly jolly, Dave scams for a slot on the nice list, and Tyler has a body cast chair made of Craig. Join us, won't you?
    Episode 287- Perpetual Luminescence

Rural Bags of Dirt

     This week- two unreported sexual assaults, six rapists, and two male leads who make everything about themselves... 

     When Paul, a greasy kid from a small Midwest town, is accepted to NYU on an academic scholarship. The university rooms him with 3 roofie slinging serial rapists from the city who resent his polite and hardworking ways. Soon Paul finds himself sleeping in the back of a strangely always empty veterinarian's office. When, for more reasons that are impossible to discern, his former roommates talk him into letting them throw a party at the vet's while he's out at a concert. Coming home he finds a classmate, hardworking and studious Dora, overdosed and abandoned on his toilet. Romance ensues? Some people have a lot of nostalgia and love for Amy Heckerling's Loser. 

     An American applied mathematician, David, and his English wife, Amy, move to the small Cornish moorland town she grew up in. Taking residence in the isolated and dilapidated Trechers Farm, David hires a few local men to fix the garage and take care of the rat problem. Soon tensions with the locals grow over David's aloofness and cracks in his marriage spread. When David takes in an injured man and refuses to give him over to vigilantes, it all boils over in a rush of violence. Is a civilized man pushed too far, is this the inevitable beast inside a man all along, or is this an inadvertent criticism of the toxic masculinity the filmmaker thought he was celebrating? There are no easy answers in Sam Peckinpah's Straw Dogs.

     All that and Dave sees a doc, Kevin finally turns on a light, and Tyler ate a lot of pie. Join us, won't you?

  Episode 286- Rural Bags of Dirt

Bombs Away!!

    This week three films that did not perform so well at the theatrical box office.

     For the last 1,000 years Earth has been ruled by the 9-foot tall Psychlos. They have been using human slave labor to strip the planet of all resources. A few pockets of free humans still survive in remote areas. Refusing to give up hope, Jonnie Goodboy, leaves the safety he has always known to find a way to revolt. Soon he will be swept up in Psychlo Cheif of Earth Security Terl's plots and machinations. Based on the book by cult leader L Ron Hubbard, a scam to defraud investors pretending to be a film.... Battlefield Earth.
     Chun-Li was taught wushu by her father and lived an idyllic, piano focused, life in her palatial Hong Kong estate. Until the day Bison and Balrog brought a group of the evil criminal organization Shadaloo to abduct her father. Now all grown up, Chun-Li will set out on a quest for revenge. She isn't the only one out for Bison, complicating things are Interpol agent Charlie Nash and Gen, a would be mentor in the ways of super powers. Soon she and her allies find themselves in a race against time to stop Bison's evil scheme of gentrifying land development and to intercept the White Rose, an object he desires more than anything. Based on the classic fighting game series in the looses manner possible, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. 
     In 1964, Frank visited the World's Fair to sell his jetpack. Seeing potential in him, he is given a special pin by a girl named Athena and instructs him to follow her for a cruise through It's A Small World. Not being able to resist, Frank soon finds himself in an alternate dimension full of the most generic pulp sci-fi the 1940s had to offer. Jumping to today, Frank is banished from the shining city of hope and it is up to young domestic terrorist Casey Newton, who keeps breaking into a government facility to stop its scheduled destruction by endangering her father's career and freedom, to save the day with... optimism. Brad Bird's $200+ million dollar flop, Tomorrowland.
     All that and Craig shops for catheters, Dave casts a spell, Tyler awaits a trailer, and Kevin embraces all the world has to offer. Join us, won't you?
Episode 727: Bombs Away!!! or Dear Mr. Laurie, Please Release Paper Soldier. Thanks.

Destruction Unseeing

     This week- a pair of dialog focused single location films with leads who have less than 20/20 vision.
     Harry Roat is looking for a doll. The doll is full of heroin. Suzy Hendrix is still adjusting to life without sight and relies on her husband, Sam, and neighbor girl, Gloria. While Sam is away on business, an old Marine buddy drops by just in time for Suzy to be swept up in deadly con game. Will Roat find his doll? Will Suzy be able to navigate this maze of treachery? Or will they all have to Wait Until Dark.
     Corey is having his annual birthday gathering of his oldest group of friends. This year old secrets and hurts will resurface as their endless bickering and threats finally bubble over. All the while something awful is happening outside those apartment walls. Sometimes its good to get everyone together for The Razing.
     All that and Dave gets witchy, Tyler gets twitchy, and Kevin finally gets treatment for his constantly feeling itchy. Join us, won't you?

  Episode 271- Destruction Unseeing