Celluloid Pudding: Movies. Film. Discussions. Laughter. History. Carrying on.

The year is 1976, America is busy finding new ways to celebrate their Bicentennial. Somewhere across the Atlantic, in a wine shop in Paris, a somewhat anonymous British wine merchant evolves a plan for a wine “showdown” — the great wines of France vs those young hippie upstarts of Napa and Sonoma, California in a head to head wine tasting, hosted in France. This event would later go down in history as the “Judgement of Paris” and from that day forward, it would have global and historic implications for wine commerce and wine enthusiasts. Bottle Shock is an amusing and palatable little film for any oenophile. It is always a pleasure to have my friend Bill come on as a guest, but when he speaks on wine, it's a heady and deep discussion on the subject. The man has a passion for what he does, and his knowledge on the subject of wine is expansive. This is a great episode to pair up with the episode Bill and I did for the film Sideways, and we think both films would pair well as a double feature and a nice Virginia, Petit Verdot and some Gruyère. By the way, all 50 states now have at least one winery. I hear New Jersey makes a kickass Rose'https://youtu.be/5CauYc4VSJU?si=-VTBLAcwMxQfCZAS

With the long weekend coming up, and Summer just around the corner, we thought it might be fun to cover a film that evokes vibes of late night drive-ins and Sci Fi blockbusters. Tim Burton's 1996 version of space invaders turns the first contact trope on its head. It is mercilessly satirical and simultaneously hilarious. It features a cast of many A-listers (Burton wished he could have had more), and some of what we think is the best cinematic use of CGI compared to other films of the era. Strap in for some fun and many senseless tangents. ACK! ACK! to you all.

We decided to uncork April and let Spring breathe a little. Please excuse our brief hiatus. But we're back with a film title that many might relate to, especially if you've been side eyeing your 401k lately. Margin Call is an amalgamation of the players and pieces involved in the 2008 economic crisis. We are happy to welcome Marty Kady back on the show for this episode, as he had a front row seat for some of the real life drama that happened in Congress for the financial services bail outs. While some may regard Wall Street the iconic film of the world of high finance, or The Big Short as more intellectually accessible, we think Margin Call is a film that has depth, and is elegantly succinct in revealing the culture and values of the financial sector.Episode links: https://youtu.be/yL_PQ81vf74?si=fvRbSzMHrEevLR6Ohttps://youtu.be/W-Q9AOp2FW8?si=n-hyZcbPh9jQtNU_https://youtu.be/J_IFGV9Y13c?si=bcX2Kqx8CpZPwwUOhttps://youtu.be/Mj82-QxN1Ww?si=UkfWds33pBTuNTxL

We are happy to be able to squeeze one more episode into the month of March as we slowly rebuild our programming. Think of this episode as a delayed Valentine— an episode we could've and should've been able to bring to you back in February. This quirky surrealist fairytale about finding love in the back drop of Los Angeles was directed by Mick Jackson, who co-wrote the screenplay with the very funny and multi-talented Steve Martin. While it doesn't have a cast of thousands it does feature great performances from many familiar favorites from both the big and small screen—and supporting appearances by Richard E. Grant, and Sarah Jessica Parker (before Sex and the City fame) absolutely make this film bubble with humor and warmth. Patrick Stewart turns in a hilarious cameo as well. We welcome back former guest and self-proclaimed “non-fluffy man” Rick Tetrault for this episode. This clever, odd, and sophisticated little film is the perfect antidote for the same old Hollywood RomCom rehash. We think you will love it.

Welcome back friends, it's been a hard slog getting the pod up and running again, but I'm happy to report we all get by with a little help from our friends. While we've done quite a few SciFi titles in previous episodes, we haven't quite covered a film that would qualify as a Western. This episode we get to do both. “Serenity” is Jose Whedon's film follow up for the abruptly cancelled Fox tv series “Firefly”— a scifi drama set in the 2500s; a time of pre-warp exploration, pioneer terra forming settlements, and brutal vandals known as “Reavers”. The series didn't quite get a fair shake from Fox as the episodes were aired out of sequence leaving some viewers confused about the overall story arch. By the end, the show was cancelled only airing 11 of its 14 episodes. In spite of this, the show had already established a cult following which only grew with the release of the series DVD, and its popularity was evident with loyal fans —self proclaimed “Brown Coats” supporting the show, and making their presence known at Cons and online. Whedon had been working on a feature film script since the show's cancellation and finally got the backing from Universal Studios (who eventually bought the rights). The project came in under budget, and though it received overall positive critic reviews, winning Hugo and Nebula awards, it only broke even at the box office. The Firefly universe continues to have a devoted fan base and done good work in the name of the franchise, with charity benefit screenings coordinated with “Equality Now”. Whedon and the wonderful ensemble cast of Firefly have created a memorable addition to the genre where the future seems not so distant, and sometimes not so shiny. The space and flight action sequences are beautifully choreographed and production carefully blended CGI with practical effects and sets. The script incorporates much of what Whedon wanted to expand on had the series continued. The crew of the Serenity are heroes we can sympathize with through their failures and vulnerability— each individual expressing their unique perspective as they face the great black void of space, and an uncertain future. Episode link: https://sojo.net/articles/keeping-force/firefly-and-dignity-humanity

Hey guys, sorry for dropping the ball this month, but a big change happened with the podcast. Other than that, everything is fine? *insert cartoon dog in burning room meme here* Seriously though, things are indeed getting a little weird out there. This week's episode is truncated and more of a film recommendation. Ira Levin penned some of the most popular novels from the 1960s through the 70s: Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives, and The Boys From Brazil — all three had successful film adaptations. Levin had a gift for tapping into the popular consciousness and scaring the bejeezus out of the public. Given the political landscape of the day, The Boys From Brazil went to the top of my viewing list. Episode links: The Manhunt for the Angel of Death/Nazi Hunters/Timeline https://youtu.be/pdUdr172yGU?si=5YOganXu1aW7EXKSNYTs archive 1985 https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/10/world/couple-will-face-a-german-inquiry-on-aid-to-mengele.html“My Mission to track down Josef Mengele” Jewish Journal, Feb 19,2020 https://www.thejc.com/news/features/my-mission-to-track-down-josef-mengele-auschwitzs-angel-of-death-rrq3pqm0Book recommendations:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mengele-gerald-l-posner/1100065993https://www.alibris.com/search/books/isbn/9781783789252

Hello beautiful plants and people! Please join us for a deep dive discussion of the 1978 incarnation of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Relevant? Yes. To YOUR life? Yes. This film holds its own oh so many decades later, even when compared to the frightfully lovely original 1956 film adaptation of the book. It is about losing your power, agency, and identity in a world gone mad. Sure there is an alien invasion and a resident expert, and a pop psychologist villain (played by a smooth 70s Leonard Nimoy); and yes, a fetching Brooke Adams as the capable botanist, and Donald Sutherland as a dishy Health inspector...but there are layers and layers here. Please join us for some deep thoughts and deep laughter. Bonus: here's a link for the 1956 original on Internet Archives - a wonderful and FREE resource you should know about ! Take care of one another!https://archive.org/details/invasionofthebodysnatchers1956_201911

Drones reported in Bayonne, New Jersey! No —actually it's our episode celebrating Stephen Spielberg's epic Sci-Fi thriller based on H. G. Wells novel. This classic earned notoriety from the now famous production of the radio play by Orsen Welles Mercury Theater, which was so convincing that some listeners really believed Martians had landed in Grover's Mill, NJ. In 1953, Paramount would release a full cinematic treatment with some of the most impressive visual effects at the time, and we're rewarded with an Oscar for their efforts. Spielberg's installment is updated and brilliantly paced, and the visual effects are (we think) some of best in an era dominated by digital “gloss”. Tom Cruise turns in one of his best performances, and a young Dakota Fanning makes another entry as a child actor into what has been a long and successful transition to present day. This film is a gripping and fun ride. And we thank Tim Robbins for totally creeping us out in the role of Harlan Olgivy. Lots of good episode links to share: “The Night that Panicked America” Paramount Television https://archive.org/details/night-that-panicked-america-1975 “The Night America Trembled” 1957 https://youtu.be/7jeW30vLwds?si=Im1tSlR7PN08KEUz“Orsen Welles-War of the Worlds, 1938 radio broadcast” https://youtu.be/Xs0K4ApWl4g?si=dcQoCQKmJHshWdOd

Hello and welcome to our holiday episode of Celluloid Pudding. Wherever you are on the globe and however you celebrate this time of year, we wish you love, our heartfelt thanks, and good wishes. This time we--your co-hosts Beth and Sam--decided to discuss a beautiful Korean film called Moonlit Winter. The setting is chilly and wintry, but the heart and soul of the film is warm, complex, generational and lovely. This film is truly poetry in motion. We hope you will come along for the ride and also think about renting the film after our discussion. We do have some bonus content that is a little out there. Waaaay out there, concerning the phenomena hovering over New Jersey and elsewhere. We lead with the so-called orbs, but then get down to business with our snow treasure, Moonlit Winter. A very heartfelt Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and Winter Season to all of you from both of us. You mean the world to us.

The frantic holiday season is upon us, but we are breaking from our seasonality trend for this special episode to celebrate our favorite soon-to-be college graduate. Broadcast News has long been a favorite film of ours, and it's a great feeling when a film can be handed down to the next generation and they love it as much as we do. Holly Hunter, William Hurt, Albert Brooks, Joan Cusack present a believable and engaging ensemble (supported by a deft cameo performance by Jack Nicholson). Written and directed by James L. Brooks, the film won critical praise and 7 Oscar noms, and was designated for preservation by United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, as well as making several of AFIs top lists since it's 1987 release. As our Information Age moves into uncharted territory with multiple social media platforms, streaming services, and the increased use of AI for media production, we think it's a film well worth revisiting, if only to remind ourselves (and hopefully our listeners) of the standards that constitute ethical, well sourced, and reliable journalism. “Vincit Omnia Veritas”

Well it's that time of year again, no we aren't talking about post general election hangover, we are referring to that annual culinary and quintessentially American Bacchanalia where we stuff ourselves to the gills with too many carbs, too much gravy, and bad football (the American variety).Yes kids, it's Thanksgiving. This little tale written by Chris Radant, and brought to the screen by Jodie Foster as her second work as director, is one of two films we'll cover in November that are Turkey Day-centric. Featuring lovely performances by an ensemble cast:Charles Durning, legendary Anne Bancroft, Robert Downey Jr., Geraldine Chaplin —with great supporting performances by Steve Guttenberg, and at the time, somewhat “new faces” Dylan McDermott and David Strathairn. The film is a great amuse-bouche to prepare our listeners for the unavoidable annoyances, absurdities, and grievances served alongside the turkey. While we can't always pick our family, we can certainly choose how, and to what extent we get sucked up into the madness at the dinner table. Take what dishes appeal to you (feed the rest to the dog). Sam and I offer our strategies for survival at the end of the episode, or as the saying goes in the film,“just float” —and don't forget to pass the gravy.

Hello all our Goblins, Ghouls, and lovely minions of the dark. We hope you will enjoy our cap off of the most wonderful time of the year. Sam and I gave it a lot of thought, and perhaps in keeping with what seems to be a trend for us in 2024, we opted for a film from South Korea. “The Wailing” is definitely “the full horror film experience” Written and directed by Na Hong-jin, this tale delivers a unique and authentic supernatural experience. Leave any pre-conceived ideas you may have about ghosts, possession, and demons in the lobby, before pressing the play button, and we assure you that you will have a satisfying Halloween watch.

What better way to celebrate the most wonderful time of year than this chaotic, but fun episode with guest (g)hosts Lynda and Michael Hardy. Ari Aster re-invigorated the sub-genre of Folk Horror as writer and director of this film, that has no cheap scares. Break out your Ouija boards and dog-eared copies of “The Key of Solomon” (or whatever favorite Grimoire you have laying around) light a candle and dig into this modern horror masterpiece. Episode links: https://www.horrorhomeroom.com/hereditary-as-folk-horror/

Hello, darlings. Please join us for a ripping good discussion filled with colorful explosions of dialogue and incredulity as we explore Yorgos Lanthimos's oeuvre extraordinaire, Poor Things (2023). We have much heat and spectacular insights about this unique film. We welcome you to listen in, join the fray, to write strongly worded letters to us (or post cards), and to just enjoy the conversation! Perhaps it will inspire you to engage in furious jumping. And do check out the film again and all of our other film discussions! We're here for you.

Hello and welcome to a special episode of The Celluloid Pudding Podcast. We're thrilled to be doing the cult classic film from the 80's, HEATHERS this week with our super guest Thomas. Thomas is a dream guest (You may remember his wit and insights from our episode of The Wedding Banquet), and he spins many a fine tale about rubbing shoulders with Hollywood stars. And I do believe we all bring hilarious insights to a film he--and we--count as a formative Gen X favorite. So, what's your damage? Join us!

Please join us as we discuss our last film of the summer, Fried Green Tomatoes. This incredible film from 1991 is just as fresh today as it was when it debuted. The cast is stellar, solid, and deeply committed to Fanny Flagg's eponymous novel, which was considered for the Pulitzer Prize when it came out. There are layers and layers here, and we hope we were able to pull a few of those layers back for you. This film is a gem and belongs in every film lovers collection. Please join us! We think you'll be inspired to re-visit the film and to think about the many themes that Fanny Flagg uncovered with such a deft, comedic and soulful hand. Episode link https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47477354

Our pod welcomes back one of our favorite guests as film enthusiast and aspiring filmmaker Vivica Dunlap shares another little gem of South Korean cinema. Our listeners know how much Beth and Sam enjoy picking films that match the season, and we think Little Forest is a lovely film to indulge in for the late summer. Kim Tae-ri leads a warm and appealing supporting cast in what we think is a quintessential comfort film about family, friendship, and feeding one's soul. We think this piece will find its way into every film and food lover's seasonal collection. We also encourage our listeners to check out Vivica Dunlap's podcast “It's All In The Subtext” on Spotify.Episode links: The Food Fare: Little Forest Korea https://angelicasoriano.wordpress.com/2020/12/22/little-forest-korea/ Collection of the food in Little Forest https://youtu.be/8dI6H1Yde9A?si=Ixmug9rmaL-GO26D

Sam and Beth discuss a personal favorite from back in the home video days of one night rentals and compounding rental fees. Repo Man is a Gen X cult classic that we think in many ways accurately reflects Gen X sensibilities. If you want to understand Gen X, watch this movie. Lead actor Emilio Estevez set himself apart from the rest of the Brat Pack by choosing interesting projects, which would prepare him for later success as an actor and filmmaker through the coming decades. Director and writer Alex Cox developed this satirical film with fellow UCLA grads, based on his own experiences working with a repo agent. Harry Dean Stanton (of Alien fame), turns in a surprisingly hilarious performance as “Bud” the battle tested veteran of the industry who shows “Otto” (Estevez) all the tricks of the trade as he shares the sacred “code” that all good Repo Men should abide by. This film is kooky, chaotic, and filled with great sight gags, but it also has something to say —-no matter what circumstances we are born into, there is an inescapable confusion and pressure as we are thrown into adulthood: “it still hurts”. BONUS: Our usual opening banter has been replaced this episode with a several minute scathing rant regarding the recent transition and partnership between Podcasters and Riverside. We sincerely hope you tune in.

Sam and Beth roll it back to discuss this quintessential 80s classic directed by Jonathan Demme. It could be argued that this film was responsible for launching the careers of Melanie Griffith, Jeff Daniels, and Ray Liotta —who would all go on to long success as perennial A-Listers (RIP Ray ❤️). It also solidified the status of artists like David Byrne, and Laurie Anderson in popular culture as pioneers and innovators in music. The soundtrack is extensive with 29 songs featuring The Feelies and an iconic performance by Sister Carol (one of Demme's favorite artists and who he also featured in Married to the Mob). We go heavy into the discussion about what defines the true 80s aesthetic, and the authentic early 80s experience —something we think that filmmakers frequently get wrong. This film is a beautiful snapshot of a particularly special time in NYC, where people of all walks of life were creating a scene and making things happen. NYC was going through a time of reimagining and reinvention. Demme's film unfolds to reveal an experience that is one of thousands of tales from the city, and provides the texture and sound that is the closest thing to actually living it. Episode links: “Greetings from New York” (1983) https://youtu.be/49KYA88FfmM?si=l1XofuovZreOWYsS “Jean Michel Basquiat the Radiant Child” https://youtu.be/YMVHH5EKbGM?si=djjPWnTOeKr8h6XA “Art and Music: Street Scene Takeover NYC 1981” https://youtu.be/5rtpO55HJA8?si=UssPDFSVK2s1Mrpq

Please join us for our final film of Pride month! This time we chose the delightful dark humor dramedy, The Handmaiden, directed by Korea's super-director, Park Chan-wook. This is quite a ride of hairpin twists and turns, but we promised to end Pride on a high note, and we delivered! Come. Grab a nice little serving of Soju, close the curtains, and join us!

Please join us for our second film of Pride Month! This time we take on the oh-so-sublime, thoughtful, compelling, sexy, cerebral, and alas, still timely film, The World to Come. Why is it still timely? Because even though this lyrical piece is set in 1856, women are STILL fighting for a level playing field. Beth and Sam discuss the film, the amazing quartet of actors in the film, and the myriad ways in which, yes, we've come a long way, baby...but have taken many steps backward. It is not advisable to be complacent; with complacency comes a return to chattel status. This film is a romance, a tragedy, an ode to women in love, and a warning to take nothing for granted.

New episode will be dropping soon. Sam and Beth also suggest some of our previous episodes that we think our listeners might enjoy as this month of Pride comes to a close. Reminder: We will be dropping one more pride-centric episode after The World to Come.

Reunited and it feels so good! Just in time for Pride, Sam and Beth return with our first episode in June. We decided to mix things up and cover two films that Sam and Beth have wanted to cover since we started our podcast. “Infamous” and “Capote” offer different treatments of two of the most celebrated writers of the 20th Century. Truman Capote and Harper Lee were childhood friends who would grow up to and leave an indelible mark on American literature with Capote's groundbreaking “In Cold Blood” and Lee's Pulitzer winning “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Episode link https://youtu.be/TIJ_uxQa1gM?si=5YaZaOGeQB8Cztn7

HAPPY PRIDE EVERYONE! We are overjoyed to celebrate with you. The podcast wives are REUNITED (and it feels so good)

Inspired by the recent release KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, Beth and Rick felt compelled to do a deep dive into this wildly successful franchise that permeated the pop culture of the early 70s. It also set the bar extremely high for practical makeup effects, earning a special honorary Oscar for artist John Chambers, and would influence and inspire generations of makeup artists that followed. We also somehow managed to segue into an impromptu discussion about WDW and “The World of Avatar” (we aren't sure how that happened, but we decided to roll with it). Beth is ecstatic for the return of her “podcast wife” Sam, who returns in June. We are currently cooking up content to celebrate a fruitful and fruity Month of PRIDE! Episode links “Roddy McDowell home movies” https://youtu.be/lCm74dnwujk?si=R6BrAQrIExQ3QuOf “Making Apes” How artists changed film forever https://youtu.be/rG1twlWuQbs?si=cnNTZk8B9TuVxa5X Bonus link for any WDW “World of Avatar” listeners “An excruciatingly deep dive into the World of Avatar” Jenny Nicholson https://youtu.be/xrIxGWterYA?si=IJ3cPaU1ZMg59oVM

As some of you may have noticed we haven't been posting episodes as frequently, the simple explanation is we are just inundated with life. That's how it goes sometimes, but rest assured Sam and I will be back putting up episodes together as much as we can. Still so thankful for our friends and back room co-hosts for keeping the seats warm and the discussions interesting. For now, enjoy our little foray into a genre our friend Bill lovingly refers to as “Dumb Movies”. Together we tackle the iconic comedy classic, Airplane!”. While some opine that a film that takes so many comedic risks would (and maybe should) never be made today, I think Bill and I agree that effective satire has to challenge our expectations and move us out of our comfort zones. The writing and directing team of Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker were true Hollywood outsiders when they collaborated with director John Landis to bring their own “Kentucky Fried Movie” to the big screen. Airplane! was their first feature and the trio had difficulty finding a studio to make the picture they envisioned. The “ZAZ” trio have had long successful careers in Hollywood, and are Masters of Parody with the successful Naked Gun film franchise as well as films Top Secret and Hot Shots (and PT Deux), and have gone on to great success directing and writing far beyond their college obsession with late night tv commercials. Episode links: “The Making of Jive Talk” https://youtu.be/7fkZdz4Vz10?si=QaQ_t7jXQ9iDCWMb “Behind the Scenes” https://youtu.be/Kn2aTcRJkE8?si=UEMj4g9kWNqcjeYz

Join us for indulging in some lush 70s SciFi. Good friend and resident SciFi connoisseur Rick Tetrault joins Beth for an in depth discussion about a film that many younger film goers have probably never heard of, and that some veteran film buffs haven't thought about in quite some time. Logan's Run was situated in a unique point in the history of the film industry. It might be easily dismissed because only a year after its release both George Lucas and Steven Spielberg would change the industry and film goer expectations for what the genre “should” look like with films —Star Wars and Close Encounters. Just a year before Logan's Run (and the 1976 remake of King Kong) would earn recognition for special achievement in the discipline of Special Effects—and a new Oscar category was born. Lead Michael York is in the prime of his career coming off a slew of successes that ranged from Romeo and Juliet, Cabaret, and The Musketeers film series. Young and winsome Jenny Agutter plays “Jessica Six” and is the perfect on screen partner for York's “Logan 5” (She later went on to turn in a great performance in another favorite of ours An American Werewolf In London). This film uses a myriad of effects devices, and even though it can appear dated for the time, the long panning shot of “the city” where Logan works as a “Sandman” still evokes feelings of nostalgia and a futuristic aesthetic that leaves film goers yearning for tomorrow. Episode links : Defunctland: Walt Disney's City of the Future https://youtu.be/tKYEXjMlKKQ?si=FHujwQeb3I5XDwqM Logan's Run Filming Locations https://youtu.be/1Xhp4Rr1M88?si=dZbjok6Daj9HWffF Film Link LOGAN's RUN Tubi (free w/ limited commercials) https://link.tubi.tv/yNL6md9ftIb

Please join us for a very special episode of Celluloid Pudding. We were delighted to bring back our sparkling and winsome guest host Vivica Dunlap. Celine Song's stunning debut film is thought provoking discourse on the cultural concept of In-yun — “providence or fate” —the Korean notion that some people may be tied together over the course of thousands of years and lives. Are some relationships an inevitability? Can we equate different parts of our life to merely a past life, or an era in one lifetime? We honor our guest Vivica with the official title “Bringer of Beautiful Films” and thank her for recommending this Oscar contender. Filming locations NYC https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/past-lives-greta-lee-celine-song-new-york-city-tour-1234773016/ Join us! Also, please check out our Linktree! https://linktr.ee/celluloidpuddingpodcast?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=c3876001-712d-4c7a-a41d-a2d25726eca2

The Roses are bloody, their divorce is quite tragic, but dark humor rules with Devito's film magic.

Join Sam and Beth for this first offering for the month of February. Director Luca Guadagnino presents Andre' Caiman's novel set in 1983 amidst the backdrop of the lovely cities and landscapes of Lombardy, Italy. It is a film about infatuation, self-acceptance, self-truth, and risking one's heart. Accompanied by music tracks from Sufjan Stevens, this film is a memorable and moving experience. Check out these episodes links: “Where was Call Me By Your Name Filmed” https://giggster.com/guide/movie-location/where-was-call-me-by-your-name-filmed Sufjan Stevens Music https://www.them.us/story/sufjan-stevens-gay-god-queer-faith-javelin

Hey Guys we're back! The New Year didn't roll out the way we planned, Covid is still a thing yo! One of us was faceplanted on an inflate-a-bed and stuffed in a closet until the meds kicked in. No biggie. We're coping, and hope our listeners are doing well. This episode Sam and Beth review our favorite episodes and guests, and plug some of our favorites that we think deserve more love. We also plug our “coming attractions”. We've missed you! Come for the fun, stay for the awkward segues. And check out our Linktree https://linktr.ee/celluloidpuddingpodcast?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=559b4f20-44ae-4847-83ed-bb18dd7a5d02

For Christmas this year we're circling back to the Victorian convention of talking about scary tales. Night of the Hunter (released in 1955 but set during The Great Depression) is a little gem of a film starring Robert Mitchum, Shelly Winters, and Lillian Gish. It is a film where Noir meets Magical Realism, and astonishing things happen, culminating in a tale of Christmas love most pure. We invite you this holiday season to join us as we consider this gripping and stunning piece of cinematic art. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! May you be safe, warm, and filled with good cheer.

Light the Yule and join us in the great hall for merriment, mead, and much feasting! Sam and Beth and our good friend Rick Tetrault (our resident expert on medieval knights) as we celebrate a favorite film that we think is perfect to cozy up with during the holiday season. If you're burned out on Hallmark Christmas movies, John Boorman's epic of the Life of King Arthur is the perfect escape and considered the best of the genre. Grab a bowl of Wassail, and your favorite lord or lady and join us for the legendary Excalibur.

Our Sam has returned! Join us as we partake of this lovely holiday confection featuring the timeless cinematic legends Spencer Tracey and Katharine Hepburn. Released in 1957, it was their first film after a five year hiatus, their first film in color, and it is also their penultimate film. While it may not have enjoyed the gushing reviews when it was released like their earlier films, Desk Set has aged well and is a resounding favorite for filmgoers looking for that perfect interlude between Thanksgiving and the New Year. Witty dialogue and beautiful art direction adorn this piece, and there are some subtle and insightful observations and predictions of the rapidly changing landscapes of mid- twentieth century business through the impact of technological evolution. This episode we cap off our discussion with our own musings about AI with some interesting takes. Episode links: Quantum Computers, Explained with MKBHD https://youtu.be/e3fz3dqhN44?si=F54OaZVVzEnsOj8G ‘Desk Set' ; Murder and Mayhem in ‘Garment Jungle' by Bosley Crowther, NYT, 1957 The Screen: 'Desk Set'; Murder and Mayhem in 'Garment Jungle' https://www.nytimes.com/1957/05/16/archives/the-screen-desk-set-murder-and-mayhem-in-garment-jungle.html

Beth is joined by guest host Marty Kady, Politics Editor for TheMessenger.com as we cover Oliver Stone's star-studded and provocative magnum opus about the JFK assassination. Nov. 22, 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the fateful day in Dallas that has left an indelible mark on the memory of a generation, and the assassination and subsequent investigation has had a lingering and deleterious effect creating doubt, and lack of faith in the social and political institutions of our American community—a lack of faith, and a chasm of distrust that seems to have only grown wider and deeper in the past 6 decades (sometimes to the delight of different sectors of the American community). The pod also thanks guest Mona Tobey (Salt of the Earth, former denizen of Maine) for joining us once again for this episode. You might remember her from our “Dolores Claiborne” episode. Episode links: CBS NEWS “From the archives, Walter Cronkite reports on John F. Kennedy assassination” https://youtu.be/RBenjAJFd4Y?si=NBUq0Y-njomEhim4 “The JFK Assassination As it Happened From NBC News Archives” https://youtu.be/eB9am3HGQs0?si=ySqkTJAVYYtxtHaz “First report of JFK assassination from WFAA” https://youtu.be/32sGmHLUg0w?si=jWWTVNXIpxFGygfv

We're back with special guest host, Ms. Jean “From the Block” take a stab at the pod's first foray in the Mob Genre. Our friend Jean shares some great stories of growing up in the great city of Gotham, and some entertaining insight when you “know a guy” from the neighborhood. We talk food too. Yum! Episode links: “The Real Goodfella Henry Hill” https://youtu.be/023gVPfoXxk?si=crioyJnsX0Ou-nKI “Make ‘em a sandwich they can't refuse: Food in mob movies” The Varsity, Dec. 2021 https://thevarsity.ca/2021/12/05/food-in-mob-movies/ Sam and I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. Safe travels friends.

Beth and special guest host, stage crafter, and podcaster Rick Tetrault present what is one of our consensus favorite Halloween films of all time. Heavily criticized for its excessive grotesque visual effects when it was released (as well as having tough competition with another box office alien ET) it took some time for this film to garner a following thanks to VHS. If you haven't seen this film it's a must see if SciFi/Horror is your jam. The desolate atmosphere of creepy dread In subzero environs will even please viewers who tend to like more traditional atmospheric ghost faire. Get your scary movie bingo card ready and dim the lights. Happy Halloween

The Blair Witch Project is the ultimate "found footage" film, and one that truly launched a whole new genre of horror after it hit theaters and scared and confused the masses. We discuss and delve deeply into this scary gem. Join us as we consider Heather's thesis and how she, Josh, and Mike experience a documentary film expedition gone terribly wrong as they try to uncover the myth of the Blair Witch. Trigger warning: The film--and by extension, our podcast--depicts situations and material some viewers and listeners might find disturbing.

Please help us possess the Halloween season with this phenomenal and simultaneously creepy and charming David Cronenberg film d'horreur. As we chat about the movie, we are, in turns, excited, grossed out, horrified and satisfied. Though The Fly we're covering is a remake of the the original 1958 film, Cronenberg brought it up, up to snuff in 1986 in --and with--style. Who but Jeff Goldblum could be Brundlefly? And who but Geena Davis could be his steely-nerved and leggy love interest? We also have a surprise for you concerning this year's Scary Movie Bingo. Join us!

Please join us as we consider and discuss this wonderful gem of a film from 1978, Coma. Dishy/ambitious Michael Douglas and dishy/brainy Geneviève Bujold headline a film that scoffs at our jaded ways and truly delivers one hell of a chilling medical mystery thrill ride. We consider everything from medical bioethics to the practicality of vertical storage of cadavers...and oh so much more! Get your spook on with us as we lead you toward October! Michael Crichton testimony before Congress https://youtu.be/dXKKCZZ6OvE?si=NssBlPfVsTM-5UhL Robin Cook TEDxWesleyanU “Fiction and Health Policy” https://youtu.be/8CdxAP_7AdU?si=WFnqHhcbGv39ZC8c “Banking On Bujold” Washington Post, Feb, 1978 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1978/02/02/banking-on-bujold/1d9b9d25-270a-40ca-9f0a-6946e661e467/ Fascinating article from Daily Mail on China and alleged illegal Organ Harvesting Chinese surgeon shares experience of being forced to harvest organs https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12521737/China-surgeon-forced-organ-harvesting.html?ito=native_share_article-top

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Also known as FOOTBALL SEASON —American football that is. All kidding aside Fall is probably our most favorite time of year and what better way to celebrate than covering a film starring our favorite hometown OG Florida boy, and one of our favorite actors and human beings— Burt Reynolds. No other actor can pull off what Reynolds can in his portrayal of bad boy “Paul Crewe” (Sandler does a serviceable job, but comes off as a sullen imitation by comparison). Burt Reynolds was an athletic talent in his youth and played for FSU as halfback until his football aspirations were cut short from injury. An 18 yo Burt also had the distinction of being arrested by his own father, Burton Reynolds, Sr. who was served as Riviera Beach's Police Chief. In many ways Reynolds's modest beginnings likely helped him develop a screen persona that was both accessible and intriguing to cinema goers. This film has some bittersweet moments and thought provoking theme's, interwoven with America's ardor for the world's most violent game. In a way, it is the poor man's SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, and because it is the poor man's version it rings a bit more true. You don't have to love or even understand football to appreciate this film. Burt Reynolds FSU football highlight https://youtu.be/Brjf7LWF2lI?si=bsRQbMgdMtVPkSVJ “Doing Time On The Longest Yard” https://youtu.be/xW1Sxro3_2M?si=CmSuiyS_qRJa7iS0 Burt Reynolds filming The Longest Yard https://youtu.be/umpNBdVc8d4?si=24OcwzS4r7AZROId Burt Reynolds John Barbour interview https://youtu.be/BwPIW0zrpOA?si=u6Tn3wH7FlSV62Fy

"Be honest and unmerciful. That is all. ---Lester Bangs.

As we enjoy the last dregs of Summer join Sam and Beth for a light trek through the Midwest in pursuit of intelligent life beyond our galaxy. 1977 was a true cultural moment for generations of film goers as both George Lucas's Star Wars and Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of The Third Kind dominated the box office and fed our imaginations. Bonus content as we ruminate a over the Women's World Cup results (Beth might not be done ranting over this). We also weigh in on the recent House Subcommittee on UAPs. As promised here is the link to Tom Snyder's interview of a very young Steven Spielberg after the film's release https://youtu.be/0vexxHHBvqQ We also recommend the following AP articles to read to keep you up to date on all the most recent UAP news Whistleblower says US concealing 'multi-decade' UFO program https://apnews.com/article/ufos-uaps-congress-whistleblower-spy-aliens-ba8a8cfba353d7b9de29c3d906a69ba7 as well as this article Congress dives into UFOs, but no signs of extraterrestrials - AP News https://apnews.com/article/science-politics-government-and-congress-4234f7cd9379fa1cc4ffd3cf8d5b230a

Join us as we discuss John Carpenter's cult classic from 1981, ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK.

Escape with us to the Santa Ynez Valley for a lovely little romp in the vineyards. Based on Rex Picket's first novel in his Sideways Trilogy, and directed by Alexander Payne, this little ruby of a film brought accolades for a wonderful ensemble cast featuring Paul Giammati, Virginia Madsen, Thomas Haden Church, and Sandra Oh. In 2004, it was the little film that drew audiences in and received multiple awards noms and nods winning Best Picture at Golden Globes, and a Best Screenplay Oscar. Set in the towns of Solveng and Buellton, Payne textures the wine scene with quirkiness, silliness, and snark, but this is also a delightful film about friendship, life transitions, and love reaching its fullest potential, like fine wine. We are very fortunate to have as our guest co-host, our dear friend and resident wine expert Mr. Bill. Think of this episode as a “twofer” — a film discussion with a bonus FREE wine class. Uncork your favorite vino, crank up the AC and join us for this episode.

Rose is displeased. What to do?

Guest host Rick Tetrault joins Beth to tackle the mythical Cimmerian! This is quite a tall order considering how complex and vast a world Conan author Robert E. Howard created. This film was the first installment in what was originally intended to be an entire series of films. The litany of sequels didn't happen, but it was the film that launched Arnold Schwarzenegger's career -ultimately becoming one of the most successful box office heroes of all time. In the fantasy genre, it might be easily overlooked due to its humble approach, but it is a visually beautiful film, with a moving score, and earnest and charismatic performances. Cult classic, Guilty Pleasure, or Comfort Film —pack this one away for a rainy weekend afternoon on your sofa. “Conan Lore Guide” https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGmQwKrJ10Zc73bXk0J3_yaWyrPjGW_Cw “Conan Unchained—The Making of Conan the Barbarian” https://youtu.be/jiQ9rUgQcXI

Closing out a festive month of June is a lovely offering and classic queer film. Check out links below for some edification on Drag History and some great background on Drag style comparisons to explain exactly what those sassy Aussies were creating in the 80s and 90s (it must've been a sight to behold). This film is a feast for the ears, eyes, and soul. HAPPY PRIDE YA'LL! “Birth of a Queen: the making of PQOD” https://youtu.be/65ZHwuIa38k Daily Show: “Beyond The Scenes —The Forgotten Queer History of Drag” https://youtu.be/Hky3LYJ8jQM

This is our second year of podcasting and our second year of honoring the month of

First things first: Woo hoo! SAM IS BACK! Please join us as we discuss this classic, this tour-de-force, this delightful film with an outstanding cast that includes Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Cutis. This is possibly the most gender-bending film of all times; it addresses so many themes that are of the utmost importance today, and it does it with heart, wit, extraordinary talent and exemplary filmmaking. Thank you Billy Wilder! As many states discriminate against and attempt to silence the LGBTQ+ community, we aim to celebrate our brothers and sisters, as well as the time-honored art form of drag performance, the complexity of our gender spectrum, the cinematic arts, and the joy such diversity brings to our lives. ✌️

Join Beth and guest host Devyn for a lighthearted discussion of a listener favorite. We are so happy that Devyn joined as co-host for this episode and shared her “Pai Mei -like” experience as a music major and student of classical violin. As promised we welcome all our listeners to participate and email us your favorite film suggestions. We would love to have you on the show. Kill Bill came to life during the shooting of Pulp Fiction as Uma Thurman and Quentin Tarantino created a lavish homage to martial arts action cinema. Notable references to legends like Bruce Lee and films such as Lady Snowblood adorn the fabric of this film. Lengthy battle sequences lead to the ultimate showdown between The Bride and the man she once loved. The final confrontation is unexpectedly philosophical and emotionally deep. We hope you don't mind our tangents about raiding our parents DVD stash and tv shows referencing other female action heroes. Be sure to join us in June. Sam returns and there will be much feasting and rejoicing.