Absolute Shambles

It's Japanese animation time! That's right, you guessed it, PERFECT BLUE (1997), directed by Satoshi Kon and starring the voices of Junko Iwao, Rica Matsumoto and Masaaki Ōkura. The fellas attempt to wrap their noggins around this psychological reality warping masterpiece while, as always, finding a few side roads to sojourn down along the way. Bon appetit. Next up: ROAD HOUSE (1948)

We have returned! And to celebrate this most auspicious occasion we are delving deep into Haskell Wexler's ambitious, lively portrait of 1968 America (and Chicago to be more precise). We talk Wexler, we talk about how goddamn verité this cinema is, we talk flashbacks and how to recognise them (or not) and take a few detours along the way. Next up: PERFECT BLUE, 1998

The trillin' conclusion to our lil not so lil Fast and Furious two-parter. Calum wraps up the series rundown, Ryan presents his thesis on the franchise, Kieran busts out some totally not written last-minute questions. Next discush: POINT BLANK (contrary to what Kieran says)

In a break in regular scheduling, due to unforseen editing delays, your favourite movie chatting trio have decided to engage in a bonus two-episode series diving deep into the Fast & Furious franchise. Why you ask? Good question. Basically Ryan and Calum love it, Kieran is nonplussed and they wish to change that. Will they succeed? Find out over the course of this and the next episode xx

California, early 70s. Two fresh, intrepid filmakers Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz set out to make... well, a movie. And it works! Just about. Tune in for the story of this chaotic production and unexpected classic of independent horror. Next episode: THE QUIET EARTH (1985)

Thursday, 18th August 1994. The 15th Commonwealth Games opens in Victoria, Canada. "Love Is All Around" by Wet Wet Wet is #1 in the UK charts. In Rathmines, Dublin, Martin Cahill is assassinated in his car. So begins 1998's THE GENERAL (well, apart from the first two things), written & directed by John Boorman and starring Brendan Gleeson as Mr Cahill. Also appearing are Jon Voight as his Kerryman garda nemesis and Adrian Dunbar as his goodbuddy pal. It's part heist movie, part outlaw biopic, part rumination on insitutional abuse and societal shift in Ireland, or as Calum most eloquently states, "This is Ireland, for better or worse". Next up: MESSIAH OF EVIL, 1973.

It's Massive War Movie Time!! "Hell yes" you whisper... "Gosh I hope it's about Operation Market Garden directed by Richard Attenborough and stars, amongst many others, Michael Caine, Anthony Hopkins, Sean Connery, Hardy Krüger, Gene Hackman and Edward Fox!" Well bucko, looks like you're in luck because it sure as heck ticks all them boxes! It's a truly huge, immaculately crafted and compassionately told tale of an absolutely disastrous WW2 operation, get it into your eyeballs. Next: THE GENERAL, 1998

I mean if the title doesn't do it for you then what will?? Joe Shishido? I'd say he would. It being a yakuza/Western crossover dripping in jazz and 60s cool? I should think that's plenty. Kieran even reveals the surprising history of Nikkatsu Corporation, for whom this film was made. Oh boy, this is a juicy one. Next up: A BRIDGE TOO FAR, 1977

Peter Fonda directs himelf, Warren Oates and Verna Bloom in THE HIRED HAND, photographed by the legend that was Vilmos Zsigmond and scored by another absolute legend - Bruce Langhorne! It's a Western. But it's not. But it is? Tune in to find out what we think it is and also to hear us fanboy about Vilmos! Next up: A COLT IS MY PASSPORT, 1967.

John Frankenheimer directs Robert Ryan, Lee Marvin, Jeff Bridges, Fredric March and a host of other class act actors in this adaption of Eugene O'Neill's play of d'same name. Its big, it's huge, it's absolutely dripping in brilliantly written dialogue and performances, it's a few lads in a pub for several hours but it's also about e v e r y t h i n g!! Trust us, it's unreal. Watch it. Then listen to us gush about it! Next movie: THE HIRED HAND, 1971

This week finds the film friends diving into the sleazy, slick, kinda fun and very 80s world of Gary Sherman's LISA from 1989 starring Staci Keanan, D. W. Moffett, Cheryl Ladd, and Jeffrey Tambor. There's a sexual predator, synths, one of the best lil' brats we've seen thus far, antiquated plot devices and an intense violent climax. The film's pretty good too. Next up: THE ICEMAN COMETH, 1973

Meat, meat, and more meat! And human trafficking! AND a load of craic!! That's right, it's PRIME CUT starring Lee Marvin, Gene Hackman and Sissy Spacek, directed by Michael Ritchie and featuring the first attempted stabbing with a sausage on screen we, and surely you, have ever seen. There's also mad tonal shifts, classic 70s female scripting and a combine harvester/people chase scene. Unreal. Next show: LISA, 1989

New Year, Same Shambles... new chat! About PHASE IV! Saul Bass! Ant VS Man! If you need more than that, then here's some names. Michael Murphy. Nigel Davenport. Lynne Frederick. Dick Bush!! Also hive-mind-killer ants, "science", societal/political commentary and a sprinkling of body horror. Mup. Next show: PRIME CUT, 1972.

It's here, what you've all been waiting for, the Very Absolute Shambles CHRISTmas Absolute Spectacular! Under investigation is JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, 1973, directed by Norman Jewison, based on the rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, starring Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson (among myriad other wonderfully hairstyled folks). Yes, teeechnically it's more of an Easter story than Christmas but who gives a feic? Re-fill that glass and join the fellas for some absolute pontification on this movie, musicals, the bible, faith in general and 70's Rock Screeching. Merry Secular Week one and all! Next up, next year: PRIME CUT, 1972

Under the microscope and the macroscope: Sidney Lumet's adaption of the play by Ira Levin, starring Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, Dyan Cannon and Irene Worth. A fantastically entertaining Who's Gonna Do It full to the brim with twists. Needless to say, spoilers galore. Because our discussion goes beyond scene 3. Next episode will be a very special Christmas Special!

Get ready for intrigue, thrills, chills and maybe even kills! It's Leave Her To Heaven, technicolour noir/drama/whatever genre it damn well wants to be classic directed by John M Stahl and starring the quality quartet of Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde, Jeanne Crain and Vincent Fucking Price. Next movie: DEATHTRAP, 1982.

Into the snow we go for an expedition into the dark and murky goings on of Snow Hill. The players: Jean Louis Trintignant, Klaus Kinski, Vanetta McGee. The brains: Sergio Corbucci. The big sexy score: Ennio Morricone. Need we say more. No is the answer. Next movie show: LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN, 1945

Greetings o ghouls and gangly ghosts from b e y o n d....! As in the internet ooOoOOoo!! This special bonus Hallowe'en episode finds the lads worming their way around the mysteries and wonders of HOUSE, Nobuhiko Obayashi's demented, deranged, delicious and delirious masterpiece. You even find out what takeaway Ryan and Kieran would pair with it. We are treating y'all tonight! Next week; back to normal with THE GREAT SILENCE, 1968.

Under discussion this week is this gorgeous bit of absolute c i n e m a ; the second film by director Bi Gan starring Tang Wei and Jue Huang. Dreamlike, beautiful, technically off the chain, jaysus what's not to love? Next filmy: THE GREAT SILENCE, 1968

French Brendan Fraser and his trusty multi-ethnicity companion Mani hunt for a killer superwolf in 1700s France, along the way encountering Monica Belluci, a very naughty Vincent Cassel and one or two questionable cinematic choices. Join your favourite movie-dork trio for a great laugh of a discussion about this fantastic slice of early 2000s fantasty/adventure good time. Next up: Long Day's Journey Into Night (2018)

We're getting Hitched and Cocked once again. Now I know we've used the adjective 'classic' a lot but god-DAMN this is a classic! Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine star in this beautiful, magical, dark and gothic as feck drama of relationships and death. Ryan also makes his feelings very clear about Ben Wheatley's unfortunate re-make (watch literally every other film he's made though, he's amazing). Next picture: BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF, 2001

You guys wanted more Ida Lupino so we listened and this episode we bring you her and the Chiselled Noir Face Man himself Robert Ryan, directed by Nicholas Ray aaand Ida Lupino??? Don't worry - we discuss it. There's dark city streets, beat downs, beautiful snowy landscapes, layered emotional journeys AND Ida Lupino! YES we are massive Ida fanboys whattaboutit??? Next movieshow: Hitchcock's classic Daphne du Maurier adaption REBECCA from 1940.

Getting back into it with not House but "Hana-Bi", also known as "Fireworks" written by, directed by, and starring Takeshi Kitano, also known as Beat Takeshi. Yes that Takeshi. Grab yourself some extra large tissues because this is an emotional beauty of a film so it is. Don't worry though, your favourite film fellas still find a way to have a chuckle or two. Next movie: ON DANGEROUS GROUND, 1951. Ida Lupino. Noir. Get sum.

After a wee Euro 2020-induced break the fellows sit themselves down for a lovely wee chat about Neil Jordan's "Mona Lisa", starring Bob Hoskins, Cathy Tyson, Robbie Coltrane and Michael fuckin' Caine. What a cast. The director you may know for Interview With The Vampire and The Crying Game brings you a sensitive, thoughtful and beautifully exploration of London's stinky and rather spiky underbelly. Next movie: Nobuhiko Obayashi's HOUSE (1977)

It's Jackie Chan time. Yes. The fellas gush and pontificate upon this wonderful slice of classic Chan, in which we find him battling pirates and gangsters and doing all that marvellous stunt work you know and love. Don't blink. Next movie: Mona Lisa, 1986.

Part the Third finds Kieran and Ryan chatting to photography maestro Jake Casey about all things camerific and photonean, his approach to shots and subjects, his favourite photo feens, et cetera, ad infinitum. Next week's episode: discussing Project A (1983)

Upload number 20! Milestone, right? To celebrate, the young-fella-m'lads have a fine impassioned ramble and rumination into Akira Kurosawa's truly epic epic Ran. Feudal culture, anime, mythology, sups from cans, it's all there. Have a dive in, do.

Melissa Burke, Mel B, Madame Burkenstein, Melvin, Melishka; many names, one cool creative creator of beautiful jewelleries. Gather 'round, settle down, and listen to Ryan and Kieran chat shite with her.

Laughs? Murder? Deep satire? Multi-faceted emotional responses that make you think about society's relationship to and glorification of violence whilst cackling with laughter and crying at the same time? Man Bites Dog is is the film for you! And this is the film discussion to help you on your road to recovery! Next movie: Akira Kurosawa's Ran from 1985.

In the first of four conversations with Irish creative folks, Kieran and Ryan have a lovely chat with the inimitable Chris Quigley, Limerick-based recording engineer/producer/general music man.

Under the nerdoscope this week is Raw Deal, a prime cut of thoughtful, superbly constructed and executed noir. Anthony Mann directs. John Alton cinematographs. Claire Trevor, Dennis O'Keeffe and Marsha hunt Act. There's even a man called John Ireland. Next movie for your and our delectation: Man Bites Dog, 1992.

The fellas dive headlong into the very 60s Edgar Allan Poe short stories-based anthology flicture Spirits of the Dead; a rollercoaster of spills, chills and thrills brought to you by Roger Vadim, Louis Malle and Frederico Fellini. Next picture show: 1948's Raw Deal.

Robert Muthafeckin' Wise, Michael Crichton, Peter Jackson, Dirty Horrible Space Germ, The Boy Who Lived. The Andromeda Strain has it all. Join us for a chat upon it. Next clicky: Spirits of the Dead from 1968.

Under discussion this week is Raoul Walsh's 1940 Trucker Noir classique They Drive by Night starring George Raft, Ida Lupino, Humphrey "Don't" Bogart "That Joint, My Friend" and Ann Sheridan. It's a good'un. The movie that is. Next week's picture show: The Andromeda Strain.

The boyo's discuss Peter Watkins' horrible, amazing, nasty, important, too-real pseudo-documentary about the effects of a nuclear attack on Britain.

In this special episode the fellas are joined by Paul Smith, graphic visual tall talented tall Kimmage feen. They collectively dive into John Carpenter's 1994 "In the Mouth of Madness". Hell of a ride. Genre, C I N E M A, reality, crackin' wise, it's all there.

Ryan, Kieran, Alana, good time, nice chat, art, energies, self. All sorts of big talk my dudes. Final Ragaire artist chat. Get it int'ya. Calum gets in on the action après ça for a grand aul chat about David Cronenberg's "Dead Ringers" from 1988. Movie chat begins at 62:40.

Ryan and Kieran have a lovely chat with the lovely Róisín about lovely silver and gold smithery. Calum then joins to get poliziotteschi'd; Oliver Reed. Guns. Prison. The Alps. Deadly buzz. Movie chat begins at 62:12

Kieran, Ryan and Herr Hölzinger talk the back off each other about Alex's big heavy art, the art world, the movies, and then the big heavy band he's the Frontsideman of. Good shmeck. Calum then joins as per for a grand aul chat about Hagazussa, (also German - woaahh), the incredible debut feature from Lukas Feigelfeld. Movie discush starts at 81:18

Kieran and Ryan absolutely chat to the wonderful Ciara Smyth about festivals, jewellery, nature and a sneaky bit of Potter. Oh lawd we had a lovely time. Calum then joins to absolutely discuss the absolute classic bit of Hitchcock Tension "Dial M for Murder" from 1954. Class. Movie chat begins at 69:44 (ha)

Ryan and Kieran have a highly lovely chat with The G-Man about G-Town, G-Town, graffiti, football and, drum roll please, Steven Gilligan's favourite pen! Calum then joins to discuss the truly baller no cap out here Hangmen Also Die! from 1943. (movie chat begins at 74:47)

Kieran, Ryan, Martina and Martina shoot the shit, rabbit on, chew the fat (and also the cud) about all things comedic and illustrationesque. Calum then pops in for a chin-wag about the classic John Ford Western, Stagecoach from 1939. What more couldya ask for hah?? Movie chat begins at 59:49

RÍON! RAGAIRE! SHITE! TALKING! Kieran and Ryan chat to Ríon O'Donovan about fruit, fashion, human bones and all things in betwixt. Calum then joins for a discussion of La Chiesa (The Church) from 1989. Shkyup. Movie chat begins at 80:58

Our second artist interview, this time with Katie O'Grady. We discuss her curatorial practice, books and the occult to name but a couple of thangs. After this is our discussion of Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia from 1974. Movie chat begins at 58:44

Kieran and Ryan chat to James Canty about his art, making art in the wake of The Event, future plans and the general craic. Calum then joins in for a chat about Seconds from 1966. Movie chat begins at 57:32

The first of our Ragaire Collective interviews, featuring Katie O'Grady and James Canty, the curators of Ragaire's 2021 online exhibition. They pontificate upon art, curation and the craic. Yurt