Cinemental

Writer/Artist Dennis Calero rejoins us to discuss, well, more compare and contrast the 1931 classic Universal monster film, "Dracula." However, Dennis asked that we listen to film with the new 1999 Philip Glass score featuring Kronos Quartet as well as viewing the Spanish language version filmed simultaneously with the original, using their sets and shooting at night. A very interesting situation to discuss and we know how to talk. This all eventually devolves into a discussion about what the best (and worst) Vampire films are as well. Enjoy!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! IN this second half of our discussion with writer James Ninness, we go spelunking with the ladies of "The Descent", the Neil Marshall-directed film from 2005. Besides being painfully claustrophobic at times, this movie utilizes some aspects of the found-footage genre very effectively. See what we all thought of this 'underground' horror movie. (see what I did there?) Enjoy!

Friend of the show, and occasional guest, writer James Ninness joins us this Scare-a-mental month with one of my two favorite films of all-time, "Alien." We dive deeply into why we all think what we do about this sci-fi/horror masterpiece. pretty much says it all. Enjoy!

In the second half of our discussion with Starlight Runner'd CEO, Jeff Gomez, we watch and assess Panos Cosmatos' "Mandy." A true career pivot for Nic Cage and a powerful film which draws an slight comparison with "From Dusk 'til Dawn"? You better just listen in as two of our hosts have never seen this one before. Get ready for a ride. Enjoy!

After overcoming another lengthy computer issue, we return with the first of a slew of new episodes to help celebrate the Halloween season. First up, our old pal, Jeff Gomez, CEO of Starlight Runner rejoins us with a couple of his favorite horror films. First up, the modern masterpiece that is "The Exorcist." It has been and will remain on of the scariest films ever created and you should listen into Jeff's thoroughly modern views on this nearly (yikes) 50 year old film. Enjoy!

We are in full-blown 'Scare-A-Mental mode, and will be posting new horror movie episodes all month long. First up, special guest Writer/Artist/Creator Dean Haspiel drops one of the most polarizing sequels of all time into our laps. The second sequel to one of the most celebrated horror films ever, William Peter Blatty's "The Exorcist III." We've all seen it, and we all have our own thoughts. Listen in and see where we land on this one. Enjoy!

In the second half of our discussion with Writer/Composer/Director Darren Callahan, we chat about the second of two Mario Bava films from the sixties. Despite the bizarre title, "Kill Baby Kill", this one is more gothic in feel and much more reminiscent of the Hammer Studios films of the time. Listen in now to to part two of our Bava dissection and see what we like and don't like about this field of cinema. Enjoy!

Well, It's that time of year again. When the leaves change and the autumnal breeze brings a chill down one's spine. That's right, I'm talking about SCARE-A-Mental! Lot's of great horror films to digest this year and spit back out for you to ingest and hopefully discover something new. First up, screenwriter/musician Darren Callahan rejoins us with the first of two films by the great Mario Bava, a legend of Italian horror cinema. "Blood and Black Lace" kicks us off this fine October day. Curl up next to the fire and enjoy!

In part 2 of our discussion with Writer/Artist and friend of the show Jerry Ma, we buy a ticket and jump onboard the Korean film, "Train to Busan." Was this film the next evolutionary step for the "zombie film"? Was this just a fortuitous meeting of the "zombie" genre and Korean filmmmaking? Could it jump-start this over-played genre? Listen in and see what we think of this hi-octane entry into the world of the living undead. Enjoy!

My old pal, writer/artist and entrepreneur Jerry Ma returns to the show, bringing with him a modern kung-fu film with a personal connection.  "The Paper Tigers" is an stunning example of what can be done these days with very little budget and a solid story. How good was it , though? I guess you'll just have to listen in and see what we thought of it. Enjoy!

We have dealt with some kung-fu movies in our recent past, but this is our first Bruce Lee film.  Friend and filmmaker, Scott Klein takes us down "The Way of the Dragon". A film which has no connection with "Enter the Dragon", but has a Dragon-based title nonetheless. Yay, marketing. However, even if you're not a fan of these kinds of films, there is still the mighty impressive final fight between (then) non-actor Chuck Norris, who was merely just a 7-time world champion fighter. Riiiight. Listen in, cause there's never not a a good time to watch a Bruce Lee movie. Enjoy!

Well, the time has finally come. Friend and filmmaker, Scott Klein returned to Cinemental and he deemed it was time to watch "The Karate Kid." I had never seen it, I know, I know...I'm probably the last person my age on earth who hasn't seen this 80s stalwart. I'll be honest, I was fine with it, really, but...rules are rules and now I've seen it and if you are interested in what I thought about it, well then...give the show a listen. Enjoy!

For the second film in his visit with us, Writer/Director/Producer Ben Rock brings us one of the underwater monster films from the Summer of 1989, the one that holds the distinction of having one of, if not THE, greatest movie trailers of all-time, "Leviathan." (Go ahead, go to YouTube here and watch it, I'll wait.) Enjoy!

Screenwriter/Director/Producer and all around cinephile Ben Rock returns to Cinemental bringing with him of the single most beautiful films ever shot and one of my all-time favorites, The Coen Brothers' "Miller's Crossing".  We enjoy a rare moment of given enlightenment in a film we all enjoy and that I feel is the pinnacle of the Coen Bros. ouevre. So sit back and enjoy.

So, after a few days off for some much needed R&R we have returned, revitalized and with a host of new episodes to enrich and enhance your good living. We start off with the 2nd part of or our visit with author/musician/critic Raymond Benson as he takes us on a trip , and I mean trip...in a very well-known Yellow Submarine. An animated musical featuring one of the best-known bands ever, The Beatles. Originally skeptical about the project once completed, they fell in love with it. Listen in to see how we felt about it once we regained our senses and leveled out . Enjoy!

It's been 52 years since the state of New York was invaded by an event that drew nearly half a million people and changed music festivals forever. It also introduced the world to some absolutely amazing music. In this  anniversary episode featuring special guest, author and film critic Raymond Benson we dig into the Rock documentary that really defined the genre. Enjoy!

With enlightened thanks to the amazing Patrick J Kennedy, we have witnessed the cinematic wonderland experience that is Russ Meyer's "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls." Saying this was nothing like what I expected is the understatement of the year. Everyone should take the time to experience this piece of cinema history with a screenplay co-penned by legendary film critic,  Roger Ebert. An incredible snapshot of a bygone era in Los Angeles. Enjoy!

So, with visiting writer/producer/editor Patrick J Kennedy we dig into yet another John Cassavetes film. This time around, it's "Killing of a Chinese Bookie." The amazing Ben Gazzara leads this one. How will we feel about this second entry into our fascinating trip into the heart of the library of this legendary auteur? guess you'll just have to listen to find out. Enjoy!

In part two of our 100th episode conversation with writer James Ninness, we discuss his follow-up in a pandemic two-fer, Terry Gilliam's "12 Monkeys." Is it perfect? Find out what we think, it's real easy. All you have to do is listen. Enjoy!

Well, boy howdy! We have reached the 100th episode of our show! There are a lot of thanks to pass around here, but I think we'll save that for our FB and Twitter feeds. So, one of favorite guests, making his 4th appearance (!) author/screenwriter James Ninness graces our presence for this very special episode featuring one of all of our favorite films, Alfonso Cuaron's "Children of Men." A pretty dark tale that strangely fits in our current times. Tune into now to hear us prattle on about a brilliant film that we feel people have kind of forgotten. Enjoy!

In part two of our discussion with Chicago radio legend and pop-culture podcaster (Word Balloon podcast), John Siuntres, we jump into a little film called "Grace of my Heart". Alison Anders' quasi-biopic based (loosely) on the life of Carole King. A young songwriter makes her way through the music business, wanting only to be able to singe her own songs, but is steered towards creating for others and must find her way back to the one thing she loves the most. Listen in to see what we thought of this almost mockumentary. Enjoy!

Epic interviewer John Siuntres, host of the WordBalloon Podcast makes a triumphant return to Cinemental and with him he bears great gifts. The John Boorman film adaptation of the Donald Westlake novel "The Hunter", 1967's Point Blank. Lee Marvin stars as Walker ( film version of the book's character, Parker) a man betrayed and left for dead who has returned from the 'dead' to reclaim the money he feels is owed him. Listen in a see what we think about this flick. Enjoy!

In part two of our discussion with Writer Alex Segura jr., we dip our toes into the shallow waters of Warren Beatty's 1990 adaptation of the classic newspaper comic strip featuring the original hard-boiled detective, "Dick Tracy." Showcasing an amazing cast and stellar prosthetic makeup effects, the world of DT is re-created in a visual tour-de-force that leaves, well....a little something to be desired. Tune in to hear what we really think. Enjoy!

I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. Author Alex Segura, jr. joins us this episode and brings us one of the all-time great films. Francis Ford Coppola's gangster masterpiece, "The Godfather - Part II." The middle chapter of the Corleone saga and considered by many to be the greatest sequel of all-time. Listen in as we discuss and see what we think about it.

So, with Writer/Artist Bob Fingerman's visit we got to watch the amazing 70s classic "The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3". And then...we watched this...movie. This anomalous 80's horror entry has a stunningly dubious story. Pieced together from...well, just listen in as we explain. It's truly an experience you will never forget.

Our return week chugs on along with the first of two train-themed films that were brought to us by our guest, the amazing writer/ artist Bob Fingerman. First up, "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" starring the late, great Walter Matthau in a real zipper of a movie. Some gun thugs take over a NYC subway car for a million dollar ransom and Matthau, a supervisor of sorts for the NYT and ex-cop gets involved with the process.  A truly unsung classic from the mid-70s. Listen in to hear what we thought of it.

You know , when we laid out the bare bones for this podcast we invited folks to bring us their guilty pleasures as their second film choice. So, in a way you could say we brought this upon ourselves. Guest Mike O'Neill lays it down on why he still loves "Howard the Duck" and why you should too. I'm just not sure we're all buyin' it. Listen in and see what happens as the Latham train mildy derails.

We return from a short break, after celebrating our first year in existence. A new friend joins us, Mike O'Neill who works in the film industry in NYC in the locations dept. He brings to us a new favorite of his, the neo-classic mega-actioner that has launched a franchise as well as the second resurrection of Keanu Reeves. See how it all begins in this inaugural entry to the film series. Listen in to see how we feel about it.

For the second part of writer/artist/raconteur Dean Haspiel's visit, he delivers unto us a cautionary tale wrapped in the shiniest paper imaginable. With an absolutely mesmerizing performance by the chameleon James Franco, and a bunch of Hollywood next-gens, this film is nothing that I expected and I would hope after hearing our discussion you'd give it a chance as well.  Check it out and enjoy.

Writer/Artist and friend of the show Dean Haspiel returns to Cinemental with two more polarizing films to discuss. First off, a little-known (at least by us) film by John Huston starring Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor called "Reflections in a Golden Eye". An interesting tale of a closeted military man in the American south in the late 60s.  It's a film worth viewing to make your own decisions about it for sure, but regardless you probably will not forget it. Listen in and enjoy!

Comics legend Walter Simonson and I were chatting one day and he brought up a long forgotten paperback thriller from 1959 called "Runway Zero-Eight". It was written as a novelized version of a TV special that had been aired in 1958 on Canadian TV. Later it was made into the film we decided to watch this week, "Zero Hour!" Who cares? You may wonder...BUT it's the life it would take on 20 years later that makes the story even more interesting. Listen in for the whole story!

The legendary writer/artist of IDW's "Ragnarok" Walter Simonson, joins us once again bringing a couple of great cinematic treats with him. First up, the Stanley Donen classic, "Charade". Sometimes referred to as the 'greatest film Hitchcock never made', this twisty, turny suspense comedy should delight nearly anyone who takes the time to consume it. Take a listen to see how we really feel about it. It was a first watch for a couple of us. Besides NO ONE should miss an opportunity to look at Audrey Hepburn for a couple hours.

Full disclosure, when our amazeballs guest, author, podcaster, blogger, etc. Whitney Matheson chose this one for us, I wasn;t sure how it was gonna hold up. Well, let's juts say you probably don't wanna miss this episode filled with fun anecdotes about our encounters with the main man Pee-Wee himself! Listen in and relive that joyous feeling the first time you heard him and said to yourself, "What  the fuck am I watching?" Enjoy!

Our guest this week, the amazing Whitney Matheson, author, blogger, podcaster...name it, she does it. She has brought us one of our most divisive films to date. The late John Cassavetes' indie masterpiece "A Woman Under the Influence". This is a film that tackles difficult subjects head on and with an unflinching camera's eye. I challenge anyone to view this film and not be moved to some sort of strong opinions about it. Regardless, it makes for great conversation. Listen and enjoy!

Our guest, fellow podcaster and friend Tom Zielinski's guilty pleasure pick this week was something I had seen pieces of over the years but never sat down and watched all the way through. I have now. Give a quick listen as we discuss my media consumption for the week and this forgotten (gem?) film from the late 80s.

Friend of the show and fellow podcaster, Tom Zielinski joins us for the first of two episodes, First off, we dive into a real mind-bender of a flick, "Vanilla Sky, " a  Cameron Crowe remake of a Spanish film ( which also stars Penelope Cruz, in case you're interested). Thisis a film which deserves much discussion. And probably several viewings, but we do our best to break it all down for you. Listen now at cinementalpod.com

So, for the first time in Cinemental history, we are down one man! Due to circumstances beyond out control, we had a guest bow out last minute and we put out the call to our previous guests and lo and behold, writer/Artist Dennis Calero answered the call. Without, two movies to discuss, we chose to dig into two events of recent days: "Zack Snyder's Justice League" & "Godzilla vs. King Kong". We hope you like it! Enjoy!

In the 10 intervening years between his "Night of..." and "Dawn of the Dead" films, George A. Romero made four features. The third of which was 1973's "The Crazies". Combining the rawness of the 'night' and the clear evolution of his style leading directly to films like "Martin" and and eventually "Dawn". Director, writer and composer Darren Callahan joins us for the second part of his visit as we discuss the original "The Crazies". Cause as we all know, any day with a Romero film in it, is usually a good day.

It may not be perfect, but no one can deny that the film screenwriter/composer/director Darren Callahan brings us this week is definitely unique. A completely new take on how we may become infected during a 'zombie' apocalypse is thought-provoking and may just make you ponder language in a new way after you watch it. One of Steve's personal choices for heavily underrated horror films. And Stephen McHattie is just a wonder to behold.   Listen now at cinementalpod.com

Starlight Runner CEO and film producer Jeff Gomez returns with another film for us to dig into and this one will blow your mind! Come take a listen as we discuss "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" a musical based upon a Broadway play directed by and starring the writer/creator of the stage production. A combo you  might not think would work out so well, but here transforms itself into one of my favorite viewing experiences since we started this show.

After a short hiatus, we're back with very special guest and CEO of Starlight Runner, Jeff Gomez. Join us as we jump into the first of two socially impactful film choices from Jeff and we start in New York City in the late 1960s with the John Schlesinger classic, "Midnight Cowboy." Listen in and find out why this film is still so important today.

If not the greatest musical of all-time, certainly the greatest musical, adventure-fantasy of all-time! 1939's "Wizard of Oz is quite simply, a wonder. I'd find it awful difficult to find someone who hasn't seen it, at the very minimum knows the story. Deirdre Brooks re-joins the team to discuss one of her, and our favorite films ever.   View all posters we discuss at cinementalpod.com

Writer /actor Stephen Gevedon returns for a second part of our conversation about film. For the second half of the show we spent in rousing discussion about art and what that means exactly, as we dive into Michaelangelo Anonioni's valentine to London in the 60s, "BlowUp". We dig a little bit  into  'If a tree falls...' territory. Fun! Listen in for another rambunctious recording. Posters we discuss can be seen at cinementalpod.com

For this week's episode we are especially lucky to have made the acquaintance of actor/writer Stephen Gevedon who, amongst a long and varied career, co-wrote and starred in one of our favorite horror films "Session 9".  Stephen sat down with us to discuss that film and another of his favorites, the Francois Truffaut new-wave classic, "The 400 Blows".  Listen in as we pretend to know what the fuck we're talking about in the first half of a rousing film conversation with a consummate pro. View posters we discuss at cinementalpod.com

For the second half of special guest Mike Wickliff's visit, he chose to introduce us to a film we had never even heard of, George C Scott's follow-up film to "Patton". A movie about a guy who thinks he's Sherlock Holmes and just so happens to run across a psychiatric doctor named Watson and they go on a little adventure. It also just so happens to be the source of a certain band from Minnesota that shares the same name. Crazy! Posters we discuss can be see at cinementalpod.com

With one of the most  visually innovative concept films I've ever experienced, return guest Mike Wickliff brings us "Dave Made A Maze". Trust me when I tell you you have NEVER seen a  film like this.  All cinephiles should take the 89 minutes and watch this movie simply for the production design and concept alone. But what about it as a an actual movie? That, my friends, you have to listen in for! View the posters we discuss at cinemental.com

For the second part of our conversation with Writing/Artist power couple Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner, we address the directing debut of of screenwriter/director Shane Black, "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang". A modern L.A. noir with a spectacular cast and filled with Black's typical sing-song dialogue and delivery by a bunch of consummate professionals. Check out our takes on this very unique buddy/crime flick and find out if if it's worth your time or it should get the big kiss-off. Posters we discuss on the show can be viewed at cinementalpod.com

This weeks episodes feature a return guest and a brand new one. All in the same show! Entertainment powerhouses Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner join us for a deep dive (see what I did there) into the Irwin Allen classic, "The Poseidon Adventure".  We go bottom to top, (or is it top to bottom?) on this epic from the golden age of disaster films. We also discuss car shopping and porn. Posters we discuss can be seen at cinementalpod.com

In the second part of our visit with writer/artist Dennis Calero, with his guilty pleasure, he brings us quite possibly one of the most maligned films in cinematic history, "Xanadu". Join us as we chat about what exactly lies at the heart of this roller disco musical fantasy. Did we mention that Olivia Newton-John is in this? And Gene Kelly? Posters we discuss are posted at cinementalpod.com

In this week's show we step into a world of adventure with Writer/Artist Dennis Calero as he explains to us why "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" is his favorite entry in this legendary series of films. Everyone we know has seen this one, so no one's gonna be shocked by anything we have to say, but listen in as we discuss the foundations and all of our own feelings about this action-packed epic & adventure featuring everyone's favorite fedora-wearing treasure hunter. Posters we discuss on "Down the Tubes" are posted at cinementalpod.com

Podcaster/Writer/Artist Mike Dolce brings us his guilty pleasure this week, a little movie some of you may have heard of, called "House". This is not the Japanese horror film, but the 1985 horror/comedy featuring a turn by such 80s stalwarts as Richard Moll and George Wendt, and that's on top of the film's lead, the greatest American hero himself, William Katt. Do we think it holds up? Well, maybe you should listen in and hear for yourself. Posters we discuss on the show can be viewed at cinementalpod.com