Prestidigitation Automation

     This week- a whole bunch of people who are in questionable states of mind. 

     When Gallico, an aspiring magician and underappreciated inventor of death defying stage effects, is stopped in the middle of his professional debut by his employer he might finally be pushed too far. With his brilliant mind for tricks and make up, Gallico begins a path of revenge in glorious 3D. Can anyone stop The Mad Magician?
     Young-goon refuses to eat, believing she is a cyborg. After trying to plug herself in to recharge, an action interpreted as a suicide attempt by all around her, she is institutionalized. Il-soon is an anti-social kleptomaniac, who believes he can steal other's attributes and skills, with a penchant for rabbit masks. Will Young-goon waste away, can Il-soon steal her sympathy so she can get revenge on the "men in white"? Either way I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK.
     All that and Tyler gets stuck burning through the witches ditches, Dave finds a hidden treasure, and Kevin gives up speech for interpretive dance. Join us, won't you?
    Episode 299- Prestidigitation Automation

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

Tylery When Wet

     This week three tales of horror and mad science under the high seas. 

     The experimental submarine "Siren I" has gone missing. So the Contek Corporation has decided to drag its whiney and obnoxious designer, Wick Hayes, onboard "Siren II" with an experienced crew and no nonsense Captain to find whatever may remain of the vanished vessel. Soon they will see what lies beyond THE RIFT.
     A group of heroin smugglers accidentally blow up their boat and are forced to take shelter in a seemingly abandoned oil rig. Soon they will find that it houses a new and terrifying threat to all life. Can anything stop Charlie, the result of PROTEUS?
     Deep sea drilling and research station, Kepler 822, at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, is ripped apart by an earthquake. The handful of survivors must walk a mile across the ocean floor to their only hope of escape. Soon they will know exactly what nightmarish horrors stalk the murky depths where light and warmth have no hold at the deepest depths UNDERWATER.
     All that and Dave settles in for a last bit of rage kitty, Tyler designs his own sub (sandwich), and Kevin builds a new friend from used parts. Join us, won't you?
    Episode 298- Tylery When Wet

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

Pious Vice

     This week a pair of walks on the wild side that end in fairly similar results.
     The movie version of a 1980s titan of television. Crockett and Tubs are undercover vice detectives. When they stumble on to a joint federal agency operation against a paramilitary cartel. The operation is leaking information and unable to move forward. Soon Crockett and Tubs take the reigns and find themselves in deep cover making inroad to what could be the largest trafficking takedown in history. Michael Mann's 2006 update of the show that made casual suits cool for a decade- Miami Vice.
     Down a major highway, in the middle of nowhere, you will find a truck stop known for such good and clean sex workers that it has earned a very special call sign. Not far from them a very devout cult have also taken up residence. When a seemingly timid girl from the cult takes refuge with the sex workers, things take a sharp turn into the nightmarish. A throwback thriller that gets the feel right- Candy Land.
     All that and Craig awakens, Tyler searches for beskar, Dave gets toony, and Kevin watches over something truly vile. Join us, won't you?
    Episode 396- Pious Vice

Playing Dress Up

     This week a maniacal vanity project by an aging dancer of international renown and a young franchise actor's second project getting arthouse cred with a French auteur.

     A legendary spy known as "Blackbird", head of the notorious group known as "The Chieftains", takes his whole team into retirement after the death of his... fiancée... or wife... sister, maybe... though I'm pretty sure there are some kid hands in those early quick cuts but whatever. Everything is fine as they operate a high end hotel, while running from their trauma and avoiding any emotional healing, somewhere in the Caribbean. That is until one of "Blackbird"'s former loves arrives with Eric Roberts. So you know bad things are about to happen. Because Eric just has to be up to no good. Anyway, Michael Flatley's spy action thriller with only one dance sequence and it isn't even the right kind of dancing... Blackbird.

     Maureen is waiting. She is waiting for her twin brother, who died of a genetic heart condition, to fulfil their psychic medium pact of making contact from the other side. Unfortunately, it's expensive to wait for the ethereal in Paris. To make ends meet, Maureen works as a home base assistant for an endlessly jet setting super model. She is also being contacted by a mysterious texter who encourages her to indulge in her forbidden desires. Will Maureen bridge the gap to the world of the dead? Will the tempting texter bring her to a sudden and tragic end? Why does she live in denial of her actual job by calling herself a... Personal Shopper.

     All that and Tyler practices holding his breath, Kevin looks into getting a boxset size hiding place put under his skin, and Dave tries to watch something that makes him Shudder. Join us, won't we? 
   Episode 295- Playing Dress Up

Prisoners of the Whispering Sono Club

    This week we close out Japanuary with a three pack of films from auteur Sion Sono.

     Notorious criminal, Nicolas Cage... I mean HERO, is sent by the tyrannical Governor to retrieve his adopted granddaughter, Bernice, who has fled into the mysterious and terrifying Ghostlands to get away from him. Swinging wildly between frustratingly obscure and ridiculously on the nose look at how Western culture treats and uses Japanese culture and people, Prisoners of the Ghostland.
     A wave of seemingly unconnected suicides go overlooked by the public until 54 teenage schoolgirls throw themselves in front of an oncoming train. Soon Detective Kuroda is informed by a hacker of a website that is tracking and counting these suicides before they become public knowledge. The first part of a still unfinished trilogy- Suicide Club (aka Suicide Circle).
     An andriod in a small apartment styled rented spaceship on a decades long journey to make deliveries to the far flung remnants of humanity. A visual meditation, a claustrophobic critique on our isolationist tendencies, a repetitive mystery, a celebration of small moments of beauty set among The Whispering Star.
     All that and Dave refuses to explain, Tyler takes secret selfies, and Kevin picks up the slack for the rest of us. Join us, won't you?

   Episode 294- Prisoners of the Whispering Sono Club