Cinema Smorgasbord

On a smoky new episode of HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? we're slamming java and puffing darts with Jim Jarmusch in the all-star black and white anthology film COFFEE AND CIGARETTES. Spun off from a series of previous caffeine-drenched shorts (several of which are included here) from as early as the mid-80s, you get interesting collections of actors and musicians (RZA & GZA & Bill Murray! Steve Coogan and Alfred Molina! The White Stripes! Cate Blanchett!) pontificating about a variety of subjects while downing the titular combo. It's all good fun, and you get to hear us talk about it, along with the latest Steve Buscemi news. Enjoy! The post Episode 279 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Coffee and Cigarettes (2003) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

George Kennedy wrote a book! In fact, George Kennedy wrote THREE books, with two being mystery novels featuring him playing himself and on THIS episode of GEORGE KENNEDY IS MY COPILOT we're talking about the first half of 1983's MURDER ON LOCATION featuring intrigue, suspense and lots of dialogue about BOOBS. Then we're going long on Robert Aldrich's classic 1968 men-on-a-mission WWII classic THE DIRTY DOZEN featuring Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine and a dozen convicted criminals sent on a suicide mission. Filled with tough guy character actors and lots of bros being bros. Any good? LET'S FIND OUT. The post Episode 278 – George Kennedy is My Copilot – The Dirty Dozen (1968) (and Murder on Location – Part 1) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

We're taking a brief respite from American films on WE DO OUR OWN STUNTS to return to Hong Kong (and Japan!) for the sequel to the wildly popular WINNERS & SINNERS, it's the even MORE wildly popular MY LUCKY STARS from 1986! Starring the 5 Lucky Stars (minus John Shum, but with extra bonus Eric Tsang), it's bookended with some wild Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao action sequences and the meaty center is full of silly comedy - and lots of uncomfortable stuff because of course there is. How does it stack up to the first film, and exactly how much Jackie do we get in this one? LISTEN AND FIND OUT! The post Episode 277 – We Do Our Own Stunts – My Lucky Stars (1985) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

FURTHER REEDING (the world's finest Oliver Reed-themed podcast) returns with Oliver Reed's first starring role: the 1961 Hammer horror classic CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF! Despite Reed's starring credit he doesn't appear until the half-way mark of the film, but within minutes he shows his potential for stardom.. and that's before he turns into a hairy, drooling monster! A much different werewolf tale than the Universal classics, it's filled with pathos and sadness, but still gives you plenty of carnage in the final twenty minutes or so. LET'S TALK ABOUT IT! The post Episode 276 – Further Reeding – Curse of the Werewolf (1961) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

After a lengthy break, your favorite Bartel-casting comrades return with BARTEL ME SOMETHING GOOD, featuring the second episode of the Steven Spielberg-produced anthology series AMAZING STORIES directed by Paul Bartel, as well as the 1988 slasher comedy OUT OF THE DARK, produced by Bartel and featuring a wild cast including Karen Black, Bud Cort, Geoffrey Lewis, Tracey Walter, Divine, Tab Hunter and - of course - Paul Bartel! It's a packed episode, so check it out! The post Episode 275 – Bartel Me Something Good – Out of the Dark (1988) & Amazing Stories “Gershwin's Trunk” first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

One more episode beaming straight from Newfoundland (on Doug's end) and the BOYS decide to check out the first in the epic French action trilogy currently available on Netflix: 2020's LOST BULLET! Some great fights and plenty of practical car stunts, but how does it stack up to other international action classics of the last few years? WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT! We also get into some of our favorite French action films because WHY NOT? Enjoy! The post Episode 274 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Lost Bullet (2020) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

One a very special REMOTE episode of WILD IN THE STREETS, Doug calls in from Newfoundland to discuss the mixed up crime comedy MEAN FRANK AND CRAZY TONY from 1973. Featuring Lee Van Cleef as a tight-lipped mobster and Tony Lo Bianco as the wannabe wise-guy who worships him, the two get into all sorts of trouble, including an impressive car chase ("Mon dieu!"), a factory shootout and more power drill mayhem than you can throw an apple core at. There's plenty of action, Edwige Fenech and Jean Rochefort pop up in supporting roles, and you even get a horn-heavy score from Riz Ortolani. What's not to love? Listen and find out! The post Episode 273 – Wild in the Streets – Mean Frank and Crazy Tony (1973) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

On this episode of HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? (the world's finest Steve Buscemi-themed podcast), we're looking at TRANSFORMERS ONE, the all-CG origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, with a heavyweight voice cast bringing them to life - including Steve Buscemi as legendary rabble-rouser STARSCREAM. Is it more than meets the eye, or.. uh.. bad? Guess we'll talk it over right after we dig into the latest Buscemi news. It's time to roll out! The post Episode 272 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Transformers One (2024) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

Our name is Praising Kane (the world's greatest chronological Carol Kane podcast), you killed our fathers.. prepare to die! We're finally moving into some iconic films in Carol's oeuvre, and they don't get much bigger than the 1987 fantasy-comedy-romance THE PRINCESS BRIDE, adapted from the beloved William Goldman book of the same name. Everyone loves it.. but did WE? Listen and find out. But before that we have a chat about the very first episode of the short-lived 1986 sitcom ALL IS FORGIVEN, featuring Carol Kane in a supporting role as the head writer of a beleaguered soap opera produced by the inexperienced Paula Russell (played by Bess Armstrong). I'm laughing already! And you'll be laughing too once you start listening. The post Episode 271 – Praising Kane – The Princess Bride (1987) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

Jackie Chan is back in Hollywood (against his better judgment) and is joining a cavalcade of stars including Burt Reynolds, Dom Deluise, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Marilu Henner, Shirley MaClaine and MANY MORE - including ol' blue eyes himself Frank Sinatra - in the cross-country race (?) comedy (?) CANNONBALL RUN II which brings back all the things you know and love(?) about the first film, and.. well, that's just about it. It's pretty much the same thing. Except there's an orangutan this time, and Jackie has been teamed up with Richard Kiel just to make sure we all know he's extra small and (once again) bafflingly Japanese. Listen to Liam's blood pressure rise in REAL TIME as he describes his time with the film. ENJOY! The post Episode 270 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Cannonball Run II (1984) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

I've got the OSCAR fever, hope you got it too! On a returning ERIC ROBERTS is the MAN we're joined by guest - and ON CINEMA, AT THE CINEMA expert Zach Weiss - to discuss Eric Roberts' recent appearance on the 12th Annual Oscar Special. We go deep on the history of the bizarre franchise created by Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington, as well as its various spin-offs, and try to explain just why the heck people would spend hours of their time watching this stuff (a questions we're VERY familiar with on ERITFM!). Just in case that doesn't whet your whistle we also have a look at an episode of the action espionage TV show BURN NOTICE directed by Renny Harlin and featuring an ALL-STAR cast including Dean Cain, Kristanna Loken, and - of course- ERIC ROBERTS! All this and the latest Eric Roberts news IF YOU CAN HANDLE IT! The post Episode 269 – Eric Roberts is the Man – 12th Annual On Cinema Oscar Special (2025) (/w Zach Weiss) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

We can feel ourselves rotting on a brand new episode of Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out covering Cronenberg's latest - and perhaps most personal - work THE SHROUDS from 2024. Vincent Cassel stars as Karsh, a businessman who has developed a technology called a shroud, which allows people to view the corpses of their loved ones after they have been buried. After a targeted attack of his graveyard (including the grave of his late wife), Karsh - with the help of his late wife's sister and her ex-husband - starts to investigate the motivation behind the attack. It's dark, oppressive, oddly funny and awfully odd, but is it great? Let's discuss! The post Episode 268 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – The Shrouds (2024) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

It's the long-awaited return of YOU DON'T KNOW DICK and we've got a barn burner of an episode featuring cinematic podcast royalty Mike White (from The Projection Booth) joining us to chat about the raucous 1980 comedy USED CARS /w Kurt Russell, Jack Warden, Deborah Harmon, Frank McRae and Gerrit Graham! But before that we go deep on what the heck happened to Robert Zemeckis, and how USED CARS came about - and how it was turned into a mid-80s TV show (briefly). All this and, of course, a close look at Dick Miller's (brief) appearance, and it's NON-STOP LAUGHS. Trust US! The post Episode 267 – You Don't Know Dick – Used Cars (/w Mike White) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

In a jam-packed episode of WILD IN THE STREETS we're getting classy with Elio Petri's Cannes jury-prize winning darkly humorous satirical drama INVESTIGATION OF A CITIZEN ABOVE SUSPICION with a dynamite lead performance from Gian Maria Volonté as the "Il Dottore", a police inspector who murders a woman just to prove that he is - as the title suggests - above suspicion. We pair this with a brief conversation about the late Gene Hackman and - uh oh - more talk about politics and if it's possible to make a truly radical political film while under the thumb of a studio. Listen and learn! The post Episode 266 – Wild in the Streets – Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

How do you solve a problem like ANORA, the recent Best Picture Oscar winner directed by problematic(?) fav Sean Baker? It seems like everyone has an opinion on the film (about a young sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch), so why not add OURS into the mix? We get down and dirty with some of the controversies surrounding the film, but mostly just talk about what we liked and didn't like about the film like good little critics. ENJOY! The post Episode 265 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Anora (2024) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

PRAISING KANE returns with the notorious Elaine May-directed, Dustin Hoffman & Warren Beatty-starring bomb ISHTAR from 1986! Featuring those two as hapless songwriters who end up wrapped up in international intrigue in the middle east, it had a famously messy production but is it as bad as its reputation? Or as good as its revised reputation? Also, did you know Carol Kane is in it? SHE IS! But first we have to chat about the 1986 Cinemax comedy sketch special from Bob Goldthwait called DON'T WATCH THIS SHOW, with Whoopi Goldberg, Tim Kazurinsky, Dee Snider, (an uncredited) Robin Williams and - of course - CAROL KANE! It's AWFUL! All this and the latest CK news so LISTEN! The post Episode 264 – Praising Kane – Ishtar (1986) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

On this episode of the world's greatest Steve Buscemi-themed podcast, we're taking a look at the odd coming-of-age nightmare comedy YOUTH IN REVOLT from 2009 where Michael Cera creates a sociopathic version of himself in order to impress a young woman he meets at a trailer park. Stuffed with great character actors (Jean Smart, Justin Long, Fred Willard, Mary Kay Place, M. Emmett Walsh), its episodic format takes some getting used to, but it's much more interesting - and stranger - than the marketing would have you believe. Also, Steve Buscemi is in it (as Michael Cera's father!). All of this and the latest Buscemi news, and all for FREE! You can't pass up that deal. The post Episode 263 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Youth in Revolt (2009) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan are headed to Barcelona, Spain in the 1984 action-comedy spectacular WHEELS ON MEALS, featuring Jackie and Yuen as food truck operators and Sammo as a hapless detective. Of course, we also get a pickpocket damsel in distress (Lola Forner), shenanigans in a mental hospital, car chases, foot chases and one of the best martial arts fights EVER between Jackie and kickboxer Benny "The Jet" Urquidez. We dive into the background and even spend some time chatting about Jackie Chan VIDEO GAMES. Lots to discuss, so let's get to it! The post Episode 262 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Wheels on Meals (1984) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

On this long-awaited return of GEORGE KENNEDY IS MY CO-PILOT the gang are joining Alex Cord, Clu Gulager and - of course - George Kennedy on a beautiful sea voyage only partially spoiled by the presence of a genetically modified cat that spits up a weird gremlin thing that is killing everyone. Uh oh! There's murder, mystery, insanity-due-to-hunger, ankle-biting, finger munching and a bevy of horny teens because, heck, why not? All this and a look at George's time as a pitchman for Schaefer Beer! JOIN US! The post Episode 261 – George Kennedy is My Copilot – Uninvited (1988) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

We knew this day was coming, but it's the FINAL EPISODE of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO VIC DIAZ?, our glorious deep-dive into the film career of "the Filipino Peter Lorre" Vic Diaz which was one of our first ever podcasts under the Cinema Smorgasbord banner. It's been a fine few years, and what better way to round things out than with an all-timer exploitation classic starring Pam Grier and Margaret Markov as two women chained together and making their way through a peril-filled "South American" jungle. Add in a truly demented Sid Haig performance and you've got a recipe for (filthy) fun. And of course we have a tremendous Vic Diaz performance as the sleazy drug dealer Victor "Vic" Cheng! Let's end this thing with a bang! The post Episode 260 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – Black Mama, White Mama (1973) (THE FINALE!) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

The Pope is DEAD and someone needs to replace him in Edward Berger's unique political thriller/mystery CONCLAVE from 2024, featuring Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence, who is leading the replacement process, as well as Stanley Tucci, Lucian Msamati, John Lithgow, and Sergio Castellitto as potential new popes (if they can get the votes). It's fascinating stuff, with a controversial element that we'll get into during our spoiler section (don't worry, we'll warn you!). We also chat about the recent passing of David Lynch in the opening segment, so get ready and LISTEN! The post Episode 259 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Conclave (2024) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

CANADA! DIVORCE! Are there any two sweeter words in the English language? I can think of one: CRONENBERG! On this episode of FURTHER REEDING we're getting personal with the 1979 David Cronenberg-directed horror classic THE BROOD starring Art Hindle, Samantha Eggar and - of course - OLIVER REED! It's a film full of complexity, autobiographical elements, (possible) misogyny and killer mutant kids so you know it's right up our alley. Listen and hear some THOUGHTS! The post Episode 258 – Further Reeding – The Brood (1979) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

On this episode of WILD IN THE STREETS, Maurizio Merli is (former) Inspector Leonardo Tanzi, a retired cop constantly disciplined for his unusual (brutal) methods, which in this case involves faking his own death so he can take down the psychopathic Luigi 'The Chinaman' Maietto (Tomas Milian) and master criminal Frank Di Maggio (John Saxon) in Umberto Lenzi's THE CYNIC, THE RAT AND THE FIST. Full of two-fisted action, and a "laser" wall you have to see to believe, there's plenty to like - and be confused by - here, but is it any good? We talk about the good, the bad and the ugly (and try to decide exactly which character is meant to be the cynic/rat/fist) and will let you know. Enjoy! The post Episode 257 – Wild in the Streets – The Cynic, The Rat and The Fist (1977) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

What better time to watch a computer animated feature about monsters than.. uh.. January? Well, we're doing it anyway! On this episode of HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? we're watching the Sandlerverse-adjacent animated comedy HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA and it's.. actually not too bad. Featuring the vocal talents of Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Kevin James, and - of course - Steve Buscemi, it's about a bunch of monsters in a hotel or something. I don't know. Just listen to the thing. Thanks! The post Episode 256 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Hotel Transylvania (2012) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

It's the first episode of 2024 and PRAISING KANE is packed with wild Carol Kane content, starting with the hour long episode of Shelley Duvall's TALL TALES & LEGENDS adapting the famous poem "Casey at the Bat".. sort of! With Elliott Gould, Howard Cosell, Bob Uecker, Bill Macy and CAROL KANE! It's plenty odd. Then we look at an episode of the 80s comedy crime series CRAZY LIKE A FOX /w Jack Warden and John Rubinstein, featuring Carol Kane guesting as a beleaguered secretary. Then it's time for the main event, the Penny Marshall directed comedy-thriller JUMPIN JACK FLASH starring Whoopi Goldberg and a slew of famous faces in supporting roles- including Carol Kane! It's a Liam O'Donnell childhood favorite, but does it hold up? Let's find out! The post Episode 255 – Praising Kane – Jumpin Jack Flash (1986) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

Happy (almost) new year! We're ending 2024 with an all-timer episode of YOU DON'T KNOW DICK (the world's finest Dick Miller podcast) featuring guest Oscar Goff joining us to not only chat about a Season 6 episode of WHO'S THE BOSS (featuring Dick Miller as a suspicious hotel manager), but also a lengthy discussion on Alan Arkush's beloved 1979 comedy ROCK 'N' ROLL HIGH SCHOOL featuring P.J. Soles, The Ramones, Paul Bartel & Mary Woronov and - of course - Dick Miller! Learn about PUNK MUSIC from the experts! Enjoy and see you on the other side. The post Episode 254 – You Don't Know Dick – Rock ‘n' Roll High School (1979) (/w Oscar Goff) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

It's the Cinema Smorgasbord HOLIDAY SPECIAL and as usual we're heading (virtually) to the Weihnachtsfilmfestival in Berlin, Germany to check out TWO films that played at their 2023 edition. We start with the sweet Korean fantasy comedy SWITCH from 2023, about a superstar actor who learns a few lessons in love and humility after having his life switched with that of his lowly assistant. Then we finish off with the devastating Romanian drama R.M.N., about the xenophobic fallout when some Sri Lankan workers are hired at a Transylvanian bread company. It's a very special episode so why not send the kids to bed and listen? The post Episode 253 – The Cinema Smorgasbord Holiday Special – Switch (2023) & R.M.N. (2022) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

BARTEL ME SOMETHING GOOD returns with two films co-written by the man himself! We start with a rare oddity, the Paul Bartel-starring sex comedy(?) UTTERLY WITHOUT REDEEMING SOCIAL VALUE from 1969, also featuring Don Calfa and a guy who makes robotic art. FUN! Then we're finishing up with the totally bizarre, totally tasteless Police Academy.. uh.. spoof? from 1988 MORTUARY ACADEMY, which reunited Paul Bartel and Mary Woronov! How do we feel about it? It's complex! Listen! The post Episode 252 – Bartel Me Something Good – Utterly Without Redeeming Social Value (1969) & Mortuary Academy (1988) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

A seismic shift in Hong Kong filmmaking occurs on this episode of WE DO OUR OWN STUNTS with the release of the legendary action-comedy PROJECT A in 1983. Directed by (and - of course - starring) Jackie Chan, alongside his Peking Opera classmates Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao, it's a raucous, often hilarious and stunt filled thrill ride packed with pirates, pratfalls and one infamous fall from a clock tower that has to be seen to be believed. It changed filmmaking forever and sent Jackie's already ascending star into the stratosphere. But does it hold up? Let's check it out! The post Episode 251 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Project A (1983) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

It's episode 250(!!) of Cinema Smorgasbord, and what better way to celebrate than a brand new episode of ERIC ROBERTS IS THE MAN covering Eric Roberts' recently released autobiography Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far, as well as the slew of media Eric has been doing around it - including appearing on Dancing With the Stars! For such a monumental episode we needed a monumental guest, so joining us will be fellow Eric Roberts enthusiast (and co-host of The Important Cinema Club and Michael & Me podcasts) Will Sloan, who has some big thoughts on the book, DWtS and SO MUCH MORE. All that and the latest Eric Roberts news, so CHECK IT OUT! The post Episode 250 – Eric Roberts is the Man – Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far (2024) (/w Will Sloan) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

On this bloodthirsty episode of CINEMA SMORGASBORD SELLS OUT we're sitting down with Timo Tjahjanto's epic, gore-filled action film THE SHADOW STRAYS, currently streaming on Netflix! Starring actress/model Aurora Ribero as "13", a 17-year-old assassin who gets suspended after a botched mission and befriends 11-year-old Monji. But when Monji gets kidnapped 13 gets some very, very, very blood revenge on his kidnappers while getting on the wrong side of her assassin group. UH OH! We also chat about Indonesian action as a whole because WHY NOT? Check it out! The post Episode 249 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – The Shadow Strays (2024) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

A trio consisting of fun-loving Tony (Harry Baer), the more serious minded Ric (Al Cliver) and the bombastic Napoli (Vittorio Caprioli) take on the vicious Mazari (Jack Palance) in the 1976 Italian action film RULERS OF THE CITY (aka MISTER SCARFACE), another poliziotteschi classic from genre master Fernando Di Leo which includes a surprising amount of comedy amongst the usual array of car (and foot!) chases, motorcycle stunts and gunfights. Tony years for a relaxing life in Brazil but gets on the bad side of the mob, while Ric wants revenge for the murder of his father, which means they have to stay one step ahead of baddies as they play pool, have group sex and get themselves in deeper and deeper trouble. It's fun! All of this and a little introductory summary of our experience with Italian crime films over these last few years. Check it out! The post Episode 248 – Wild in the Streets – Rulers of the City (1976) (aka Mister Scarface) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

On this episode of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO VIC DIAZ? we're with two American lunkheads (played by Jock Gaynor and Larry Ward) exploring shipwrecks in the Philippines when one of them happens upon the skeleton of an ancient Moro princess.. UH OH! Soon we've got possession, murder, cock fighting, nude underwater photography and a whole lot more (including Vic Diaz)! It even has a fun twist thrown in for good measure. All that and a conversation about sexploitation films and how they make us feel (the answer may surprised you). ENJOY! The post Episode 247 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – The Deathhead Virgin (1974) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

COMICS! WE LOVE 'EM! And so does Alejandro Jodorowsky, and on this episode of the world's finest Jodorowsky-themed podcast JodoWOWsky we're going deep on three of Jodo's most impressive comic works of the 90s and 2000s. We start by checking out his post-Incal collaboration with the legendary Jean "Moebius" Giraud: the mind-bending satire MADWOMAN OF THE SACRED HEART! Next up are two collaborations with the ALSO legendary François Boucq, starting with his epic violent western BOUNCER, and finishing with the playful collection of fables THE SHADOW'S TREASURE. All that and all of the latest Jodorowsky news. Who could ask for anything more? Enjoy!  The post Episode 246 – JodoWOWsky Part 16 – Madwoman of the Sacred Heart (1992), Bouncer (1997-2003), The Shadow's Treasure (1999) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

We were working in the lab, late one night.. recording a brand new HALLOWEEN HORROR PODCAST SPECIAL featuring two recent horror(ish) features to put HEAD TO HEAD! We start with a conversation about some of our recent favorite (and least favorite) horror films before moving onto a discussion on the twisty crime horror STRANGE DARLING from 2023 and ending with the moody British horror DADDY'S HEAD from 2024! CHECK IT OUT! The post Episode 245 – Halloween Horror Special – Strange Darling (2023) & Daddy's Head (2024) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

It's the SPOOOoooOOOkiest month, so why not check out the surprisingly un-spooky (and, honestly, pretty unfunny) TRANSYLVANIA 6-5000 on the world's finest chronological Carol Kane podcast PRAISING KANE? Starring Jeff Goldblum and Ed Begley Jr. as two hapless tabloid reporters forced to go to Transylvania to work on a story about monster sightings, the film has supporting performances from Joseph Bologna, John Byner, Michael Richards, Jeffrey Jones (ugh), an extremely underutilized Geena Davis and - of course - Carol Kane! Directed by frequent Mel Brooks collaborator Rudy De Luca and bankrolled by the Dow chemical company (?) it's plenty weird. How weird? Let's find out! The post Episode 244 – Praising Kane – Transylvania 6-5000 (1985) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

On a returning HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? (the world's finest Steve Buscemi-themed podcast) we're looking at the stylized 90s crime caper THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOU'RE DEAD, featuring a cast full of recognizable faces: including Andy Garcia, Christopher Lloyd, William Forsythe, Bill Nunn, Treat Williams, Christopher Walken, Fairuza Balk and - of course - Steve Buscemi as "Mr. Shhh". But is it just a Tarantino rip-off, or does it have more to offer? LET'S FIND OUT! We also check out the latest Buscemi news because WHY THE HECK NOT? The post Episode 243 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead (1995) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

What's a George Kennedy-themed podcast without a DISASTER? On this episode of George Kennedy is My Co-Pilot California is hit by the BIG ONE in 1974's EARTHQUAKE where an all-star cast (including Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, Richard Roundtree, Lorne Greene, Geneviève Bujold and - of course - George Kennedy) have to deal with the after-effects of a massive tremor that destroys most of California. Of course, before the quake hits there's plenty of melodrama and complex relationships (script by Mario Puzo!), but once the earth starts to move things get properly apocalyptic. Our EARTHQUAKE talk is preceded by a short chat about a late-era episode of the television sitcom WINGS featuring George playing a put-upon version of himself! ENJOY!  The post Episode 242 – George Kennedy is My Copilot – Earthquake (1974) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

CUT THE CRAP! We're post-American excursion and post-Lo Wei scraps and things are about to POP OFF with the first of the Five Lucky Stars series WINNERS & SINNERS starring Sammo Hung, Richard Ng, Charlie Chin, Stanley Fung and John Shum. Oh, and Jackie Chan is here as well, reconnecting with his "big brother" (and Yuen Biao in a tiny part) for the first time in years and transitioning to martial arts/comedy hybrids with higher production values and bigger stunts. This one might lean a bit TOO heavily on the comedy, but you get roller skating stunts, car stunts, and some dynamite action to whet your appetite for what's to come. Enjoy!  The post Episode 241 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Winners & Sinners (1983) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

You can't have an Oliver Reed-themed podcast without eventually dipping into the works of the legendary Ken Russell, and we stick our toes in for the first time with his 1969 melodramatic adaptation of D. H. Lawrence's beloved - and controversial - 1920 novel, Women in Love. Starring Reed alongside Alan Bates, Glenda Jackson and Jennie Linden, the film examines love, sex and death in all manner of permutations, and manages to fit in some notorious nude man-on-man grappling just for fun. We go deep on the film's explicit queerness, the difficulty of working with temperamental actors (and directors) and so much more. ENJOY! The post Episode 240 – Further Reeding – Women in Love (1969) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

Jeremy Saulnier (MURDER PARTY, BLUE RUIN, GREEN ROOM) returns after a lengthy hiatus with the long-in-development Netflix original revenge movie REBEL RIDGE! Starring Aaron Pierre as a marine facing off against the corrupt law enforcement of a small Louisiana town, it's not quite the FIRST BLOOD-riff that the initial trailers suggested, but its mix of crooked cops, a righteous cause, racial politics and a dynamite performance in the lead creates something very special. On this episode of CINEMA SMORGASBORD SELLS OUT we restrain ourselves from delving into spoilers while discussing the film, responding to some of the critiques we've heard since its release, and so much more. Check it out! The post Episode 239 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Rebel Ridge (2024) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

Claudio Cassinelli plays a man on the edge in Sergio Martino's unique eurocrime oddity THE SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF A MINOR which mixes comedic elements, the elaborate (and stylish) murder sequences from the popular giallo films of the time - including a knock-off Goblin-style score almost as good as the real thing - and the usual Poliziotteschi trappings of the era to create something a bit scattershot, but totally unique. Filled with odd flourishes and bizarre choices, it's equally confusing and enthralling - just like our hosts! Check it out!  The post Episode 238 – Wild in the Streets – The Suspicious Death of a Minor (1975) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

On our first episode of YOU DON'T KNOW DICK since Roger Corman's passing at the age of 98 we've brought in those ringers from The New World Pictures Podcast to help us discuss Corman's lasting legacy, their favorite Roger Corman-directed films, biker gangs and biker movies, and - specifically - 1966's THE WILD ANGELS featuring Peter Fonda, Nancy Sinatra, Bruce Dern, Diane Ladd and - OF COURSE- the legendary Dick Miller. Check it out, you squares!  The post Episode 237 – You Don't Know Dick – The Wild Angels (1966) (/w The New World Pictures Podcast) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

On this episode of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO VIC DIAZ? (the world's finest podcast devoted to "the Filipino Peter Lorre" Vic Diaz) we're checking out the oddball 1971 (though filmed in 1965) B&W sorta-spy horror film BLOOD THIRST featuring a wise-cracking cop in a foreign land, a monster that looks like a diseased testicle, many legitimate - and accidental - red herrings and, of course, the legendary Vic Diaz playing a rare good guy. It's pretty entertaining with some nice photography, and also consistently strange for its brief 75-minute run time. We also chat about diseases, FLETCH, and SO MUCH MORE! Check it out! The post Episode 236 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – Blood Thirst (1971) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

On this episode of BARTEL ME SOMETHING GOOD (the world's finest Paul Bartel-themed podcast) we're finishing up the directorial career of Paul Bartel with some television odds & sods! First up are two episodes of the TV show CLUELESS, based on the popular 1995 film starring Alicia Silverstone. This 1996 series is a cut above the sitcoms of the time and brought along a surprising amount of the film's cast, and not only has Paul Bartel behind the camera.. but in front of it as well, playing a crusty old principal in one of the episodes! Then we talk about an interesting rarity; an episode of the British alternative comedy anthology series THE COMIC STRIP PRESENTS directed and co-written by Paul Bartel called DEMONELLA, starring a whole slew of familiar faces in the realm of UK comedy, including Adrian Edmonson, Jennifer Saunders, Robbie Coltrane and a beardless Paul Bartel playing Oscar Wilde! Listen and enjoy! The post Episode 235 – Bartel Me Something Good – The Comic Strip Presents: Demonella (1993) & Clueless Episodes (1996) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

Who loves Bud Cort? We (being the hosts of Praising Kane, the world's most beloved Carol Kane-themed podcast) do! On this episode we're doing a FULL CORT PRESS with not one but TWO Kane/Cort pairings (and some bonus Bud in the news section). We start with a spooky episode of 80s anthology favorite Tales From the Darkside putting Cort against Kane in a light-hearted magic battle. Then we move onto the startlingly unfunny 1984 comedy THE SECRET DIARY OF SIGMUND FREUD featuring Cort as Freud, Kane as his (eventual) wife and some of the most disturbing IMDB trivia involving Klaus Kinski you're likely to ever hear! Can you resist listening after all that? NOPE! The post Episode 234 – Praising Kane – The Secret Diary of Sigmund Freud (1984) & Tales From The Darkside Season 1, Episode 14 ‘Snip Snip' first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

An episode of HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? without Steve Buscemi?! Well, not quite! Though Buscemi doesn't appear in 2022's THE LISTENER, which concerns a help line worker (played by Tessa Thompson) dealing with the trials and tribulations of (unseen) callers in the time immediately following Covid lockdown, it's directed by the man himself! It's a unique film, and we go through its strengths and weaknesses and if it feels tied to a very specific period in history. We also discuss all the latest Buscemi news, including TRANSFORMERS ONE! Check it out!  The post Episode 233 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – The Listener (2022) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

One stage of Jackie Chan's career comes to an awkward conclusion in FEARLESS HYENA 2, with producer Lo Wei taking old footage (from the first Fearless Hyena, along with some bits from Spiritual Kung Fu) along with some a few new scenes filmed before Jackie's controversial move to Golden Harvest to create something predictably incoherent. Filled with actors doubling Jackie (in disguise), pieces that don't quite fit together, and the introduction of Austin Wai as Tung, a mechanical genius with an automatic house, it makes for a bizarre and often baffling viewing experience without ever becoming entirely unwatchable. Have a listen and see if you agree! The post Episode 232 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Fearless Hyena 2 (1983) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

In 1974 Mario Bava was struggling after a series of financial failures and decided to turn towards a genre completely new to him: Poliziotteschi! Adapting a crime story by Michael J. Carroll, he was almost finished filming when the producer filed for bankruptcy, leaving the film to sit on a shelf for twenty years (well after Bava's death in 1980). On this episode of WILD IN THE STREETS we take a look at the revived film RABID DOGS, which exists in FIVE different versions - most notably an unfinished workprint version and a re-edited version with new sequences filmed by Lamberto Bava retitled KIDNAPPED! Was it worth the wait, or should these dogs be put down? LISTEN AND FIND OUT! The post Episode 231 – Wild in the Streets – Rabid Dogs (aka Kidnapped) (1974) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

ERIC ROBERTS IS THE MAN returns and this episode is packed with NEWS, SURPRISES and 2024's AMITYVILLE BIGFOOT, which features a Sasquatch squirting toxic milk out of its nipples (among other things). We're helped along this rocky road by The Nu Metal Agenda Podcast's Cranfather, who assists us in breaking down all the latest Eric Roberts news and social media posts and immediately regrets his decision to choose this film for us to watch. We forgive him! A fun time was had by all, so let's listen! The post Episode 230 – Eric Roberts is the Man – Amityville Bigfoot (2024) (/w Cranfather) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

RSS/iTunes/Spotify Check out all the episodes of CINEMA SMORGASBORD SELLS OUT right here. What? We're back with another CINEMA SMORGASBORD SELLS OUT already?! When the wonderful Luke Higginson (director of the terrific RELAX, I'M FROM... The post Episode 229 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Hard Core Logo (1996) (/w Luke Higginson) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.