Comfort Films Podcast

For the last of our offbeat holiday selections this year, we're talking about an instant new classic for us, The Holdovers! This film bridges the no-man's-land time between Christmas and New Year's Day, when time stretches, everything seems a little foggy, and it's easy to forget what day it is. We're thrilled to welcome first-time guest, long-time friend, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Sanjay Salomon to discuss this film, which has many personal connections to his own youth growing up in Western Mass, at Deerfield Academy (main filming location) no less! We also talk about Alexander Payne's vision of The Holdovers as a part of the 70s film catalogue that includes some of our other favorite movies like Hal Ashby's Harold & Maude and The Last Detail, the top notch performances from Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and first time film actor Dominic Sessa, Ryan Warren Smith's production design that captures the true spirit of a New England winter, and the amazing score from Mark Orton, which draws heavily on 70s influences like Cat Stevens and somehow perfectly evokes both the time and the place of The Holdovers. Pour yourself a tall drink of your choice and ring in the New Year with us!

It's the most wonderful time of the year again, and that means it's time for our holiday special episode! This Christmas season, we decided to revisit a nostalgic animated favorite from childhood, the Rankin-Bass Frosty the Snowman holiday special. We discuss the origins of the song that inspired the cartoon, Jimmy Durante's excellent voiceover, Frosty's place within the Rankin-Bass holiday lineup, and our reactions to rewatching this special after many years. Hop a train to the North Pole with us, and don't forget your magic hat!

This week, our holiday episode is about an obscure little offbeat Christmas film that means a lot to us personally, A Midwinter's Tale - or In the Bleak Midwinter, if you're outside the US. Kenneth Branagh wrote and directed (but uncharacteristically, did not act in) this film about Joe Harper, an out-of-work actor who decides that an independent Christmas production of Hamlet is just the thing to somehow pull him out of his depression and get back on track. Fortunately, the magic of Shakespeare and live performance do come around in the end to remind Joe what life is all about. We discuss the unique relationships formed when working in theater (especially broke indie theater), the high emotions that occur when a group of actors are trapped together for long periods of time, how rehearsal and character work often beget psychological introspection, and this film's place as an unsung Christmas classic that harkens back to better known holiday fare like It's A Wonderful Life. This episode is for the entertainers--the people who are often out there working through the holidays, often for little more than the love of performing, creating family when they can't be with their own. Come tread the boards with us!

We're kicking off a month of non-traditional holiday films with Bridget Jones's Diary, welcoming back guests Kate Duffy and Danny Zeliger to discuss this Sex and the City meets Pride and Prejudice chick flick classic. We talk about the scandal of casting Texas-born Renee Zellweger as a definitively British character, Colin Firth's re-envisioning of his BBC Mr. Darcy as the modern Mark Darcy, Hugh Grant's pitch-perfect though (at the time) against-type portrayal of sleazy Daniel Cleaver, Helen Fielding's brilliant choice to re-imagine Jane Austen in the contemporary era, the movie's perfect balance of humor and romance, John's personal adventures in cooking blue soup, the importance of someone liking you just as you are, and how all four of us see this film as a perfect watch for the Christmas-to-New Year holiday timeframe. Throw on your best reindeer jumper, fill your plate with turkey curry, and give us a listen!

To cap off our Friendsgiving month, we welcome back Christina and Mac from World of Horror Podcast to talk about a feel-good family film that is as sweet as a delicious piece of pecan pie a la mode -- Paddington 2! We discuss the movie's heartfelt themes of family, being yourself, and building community; how Paddington's perspective as an immigrant makes his contributions to society even more unique and valuable; the brilliant use of CGI and visual storytelling that enhances the film rather than replacing the work of artists; the amazing performances from Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, and Ben Whishaw, who brings real humanity to a little bear; and how Christina uses Paddington to teach ethics in the classroom. This film is like a warm hug from a relative you've missed for a long time, and we can't think of a better movie to discuss for Thanksgiving! We are grateful for all our guests this month, and we are grateful to you, our listeners, for giving us a chance to talk movies with you year-round. Have a safe, happy, and comfort-filled Thanksgiving!

For the third installment of our Friendsgiving series, we welcome first-time guest and professional singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Zev Marx-Kahn to discuss Pitch Perfect (2012), which Zev first saw at age 11. It greatly inspired him to join an a capella group once he went to college a few years later, and he's able to share his first-hand experience to give some serious street cred to our movie discussion. We talk about the absolute perfection of Rebel Wilson's Fat Amy, the differences between movie a capella and real-life a capella, the short-term cultural takeover of the "Cups" song, the talented cast and equally sharp musical arrangements, the surprisingly emotional moments in this seemingly fluffy film, and which pie we prefer at our Thanksgiving feast. Aca-join us for an aca-mazing chat!

For this second episode of our Friendsgiving series, we welcome back Etta Goodridge (of previous episodes 35: Legally Blonde and 79: Wet Hot American Summer) to travel back in time to the Middle Ages to solve a monastery mystery with Sean Connery and Christian Slater in The Name of the Rose! We discuss the connections between Connery's William of Baskerville and greatest of all literary detectives Sherlock Holmes, references to the seven deadly sins, F. Murray Abraham's chilling performance as evil Inquisitor Bernardo Gui, Ron Perlman's full commitment to the disgusting role of Salvatore, the accuracy of the history and philosophy underpinning the screenplay, and what exactly was the deal with medieval monk hairdos. Meet us in the secret library for a great discussion!

For the month of November, we're throwing a four-episode Friendsgiving celebration and inviting friends old and new to talk about some of their favorite films! We start with welcoming returning guest Frank Bonanno to discuss the Steve Martin/Rick Moranis mob movie My Blue Heaven, a de facto comedic sequel to Goodfellas (which came out a few weeks later). Writer Nora Ephron was married to Henry Hill biographer Nicholas Pileggi during the writing of Wiseguy and took real stories of Hill's time in witness protection as inspiration for her screenplay. We talk about the Goodfellas connections, the crazy casting process that at one point had Arnold Schwarzenegger playing mobster Vinnie Antonelli, Joan Cusack's excellent work as prosecutor Hannah Stubbs - who holds her own toe to toe with Martin's Antonelli and Moranis's Barney Coopersmith, the difficulties of finding good Italian food in certain parts of the country, and the idea of a heaven populated by mobsters in witness protection. Let's hit the dance floor and do the merengue--don't forget to overtip your server!

For the second of our DisComfort Films episodes for Halloween month, we're joined by special guest and real life pal Cathleen Mortensen Bittner to discuss the one and only Stephen King adaptation directed by the man himself, Maximum Overdrive!  Though this gory, darkly humorous film has never received its due from critics, all three of us consider it a masterpiece of cartoonish, near-slapstick horror.  We discuss King's director influences from Hitchcock to Romero, the hard-hitting AC/DC-dominated soundtrack, the Cold War as a backdrop to this and many other 80s films, Brat Pack star Emilio Estevez's ex-con hero Bill Robinson, the questionably criminal background of Bubba Hendershot (Pat Hingle), the role of anxiety in horror, and the movie's many excellent practical effects, including the very angry soda machine.  Keep a close eye on your appliances and join us to explore the question, “Who made who?”

It's October again--that time of year when comfort gives way to DIScomfort, the fog rolls in, the slashers sharpen their blades, and we gleefully indulge in rewatching some of our spooky season favorites! First up, we're talking about Shaun of the Dead, an Edgar Wright/Simon Pegg collaboration and the first of the Cornetto trilogy, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. This horror comedy has a Ph.D. in zombie movie trivia, and as zombie aficionados ourselves, that puts it right up our alley! We talk about the Pegg/Wright script and its many references to Romero, Carpenter, and other classic horror. We discuss the use of foreshadowing, perfectly timed music sequences, the intersection of horror and humor, the Shaun and Ed bromance, and how a zombie apocalypse is just the type of growth event Shaun needs to rattle him out of his rut. Head on down to the Winchester and give us a listen -- pints are on us!

Have you ever had one of the those days when you just wanted to stop the world and have an adventure with your best friends? We know that we sure have! Along with special guest Jessica Sandidge we dive back in time to reminisce about the blissful freedom of high school skip days as we discuss the John Hughes classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off. We ask the important questions, like if Ferris is a good friend, how do you know when a prank has gone too far, is Ferris just Duckie from Pretty in Pink with financial privilege, and why did Jeannie get a car when Ferris only got a computer? In this episode we pack in more topics than Ferris Bueller can pack activities into a day off. Grab a drink, kick up your feet, and have a laugh with us because as Ferris Bueller said "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Don't miss this awesome episode!

School just started, but we're already ready for a couple of skip days! First off, we're joining Riff Randell (PJ Soles) and The Ramones to take on Principal Togar (Mary Woronov) and her fascist high school administration in this cult classic midnight movie from executive producer and B-movie godfather Roger Corman. We discuss the surprisingly long and complex process of script development, director Allan Arkush's musical pedigree, high school rebellion, lots of behind-the-scenes stories, movie connections and influences, and of course, the music and on-set antics of The Ramones. Come make a black mark on your permanent record with us!

We've got a golden ticket! For the second of our duo of kids' classics, we're indulging in a sweet treat - Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory! We discuss Roald Dahl's wildly imaginative source novel, art director Harper Goff's fantastical visual interpretations of Wonka's candy factory wonderland, the unforgettable soundtrack, the real-life candy bar tie-in to the film, and the incredible cast, including the absolutely incomparable Gene Wilder, who brought heart, soul, and just the right amount of insanity to the title role. Come with me, and you'll be in a world of pure imagination!

I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore... This month, we're talking about kids' classics, and it doesn't get much more classic and comforting than The Wizard of Oz! Claire from Why the Flick podcast joins us to discuss the (occasionally dark and dangerous) history of this landmark movie, the challenges of producing a Technicolor fantasy musical for children in early Hollywood, Judy Garland's megawatt star power, the immeasurable influence of Oz on the movie landscape, and our own personal experiences with The Wizard of Oz as kids and now. Follow us down the yellow brick road and give it a listen!

For the second film in our war movies month, we're staying with WWII but heading over to the Pacific theater to discuss Terrence Malick's modern classic, The Thin Red Line. Unlike its film peer Saving Private Ryan, which came out the same year, The Thin Red Line has not always received universal acclaim, with mixed reactions from viewers and critics alike. It's a totally different type of war movie, realistic in some ways, but even more impressionistic, allegorical, symbolic, and philosophical. For these reasons, Georgia counts it as her favorite war film (and she's in good company, joined by the likes of Gene Siskel and Martin Scorsese). In this episode, we attempt to unlock the film through close character study, allegory, and examination of elemental symbolism, and we also discuss Malick's uniquely holistic approach to filmmaking, the casting that combined Hollywood veterans with unknown newcomers, the score that mixed Hans Zimmer with Melanesian choirs, and John Toll's artistic cinematography and use of natural light. Join us for a deeply philosophical exploration of the meaning of life and art!

Can a war film also be a comfort film? This month we're exploring that question. First up this week, special guest Martin Harries of Film Vs. Film Podcast joins us to discuss one of his favorite comfort picks and a perennial rewatch around the holidays with family, The Guns of Navarone. We talk about the paradox of comforting war films; Carl Foreman's script, which placed mythmaking far above historical fact; J. Lee Thompson's directing style, which balanced blockbuster action sequences with philosophical and moral quandaries; the stellar cast, featuring David Niven, Anthony Quinn, and Gregory Peck in a surprisingly morally grey role; and we make connections between The Guns of Navarone and the many films that borrowed from its formula, including The Dirty Dozen, Star Wars, the James Bond films, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Join our team of specialized film analysts and come on a mission with us!

Have you ever wanted to go back in time to right a wrong? Whether it's correcting an injustice, avoiding a mistake, or preventing an accident, all of us would love to get a second chance to make things right. In Frequency, John Sullivan (Jim Caviezel) gets to live that fantasy, when a freak solar storm causes a disturbance in earth's magnetic field that allows him to communicate with his father Frank (Dennis Quaid) thirty years in the past. Messing with time does have its consequences though, and the ripple effect of their initial change causes many other problems that Frank and John have to race to correct before their window of communication closes forever. In this episode (part of our dads defying space-time month), we talk about Toby Emmerich's screenplay, which flawlessly combines multiple genres; Gregory Hoblit's directorial approach, which grounds sci-fi/fantasy elements with real science; the end credits song by Garth Brooks that ties it all together; and our personal experiences with the film, including Georgia's essay in World Film Locations: Toronto. Come surf the radio waves with us!

To celebrate Fathers' Day in June, we're turning our attention to a pair of films about dads and time travel. (It's a niche, but there are more options than you think!) For our first selection, we're going with Christopher Nolan's Interstellar, which combines complex theoretical physics concepts with a deeply emotional story of a father and daughter, whose bond crosses time and space to quite literally save the world. We do our best as liberal arts kids to discuss the work of physicist Kip Thorne, wormholes, black holes, the effects of the relativity of time on space travel, and time as a physical dimension, while we also explore topics closer to our comfort zone, like the implicit humanism in Hans Zimmer's beautiful score, Matthew McConaughey's deeply emotional turn as Cooper, and Jonathan Nolan's beautifully balanced screenplay. Prepare to board the Endurance and cross the universe with us!

What happens when Star Wars superfans make a Star Wars movie? Rogue One - the missing piece of the Star Wars saga we never knew we needed. It started as a pitch for a standalone Star Wars story from an ILM Visual Effects Supervisor, got a director who had vacationed in Tunisia to visit Star Wars sets and always wanted to be a member of the Rebel Alliance, and was cast with a diverse group of Star Wars fans from all around the world. As a prequel to Star Wars: A New Hope, Rogue One ties in perfectly with the original trilogy, teaching us that the hope started with a ragtag group of rebels on a very personal mission to steal Death Star plans from an Imperial data vault. We're a couple of Star Wars hope junkies from way back, so this one hits us right in the feels. Come save the dream with us!

May the fourth be with you!! To celebrate Star Wars day, we're talking about the last film of the original trilogy (and the only one we haven't yet discussed), and we've brought back the brilliant Christopher Witty (previously on our Goodfellas and Mr. Nice Guy episodes) to help us break down Return of the Jedi. We talk Ewoks, Palpatine, the question of Luke Skywalker's loyalty, Darth Vader's big change of heart, Princess Leia's transformation from firebrand politician to rebel leader, Jabba the Hutt, Han and Lando going legitimate, Max Rebo and the jizz-wailers, special effects, puppetry, sound effects, John Williams's score, and so many other awesome facets of this classic film, in a super-sized episode packed with trivia, laughs, and great memories of a movie that shaped all three of us as 5-7 year olds. Come overthrow the empire with us!

"WARRIORS, COME OUT TO PLAY-AY!" For the second of our juvenile delinquency duo of films, we cover Walter Hill's 1979 cult classic The Warriors. The film is adapted from Sol Yurick's 1965 novel of the same name, which itself is adapted from Xenophon's Anabasis. Walter Hill takes this classical text and filters it through youth gang culture, comic books, and classic film westerns, using a soundtrack from Barry De Vorzon that fuses synth and rock, imaginative costume choices from Bobbie Mannix for creatively named gangs, and a cast of then-unknown actors who have gone on to become household names. Can you dig it? We've got a heavy rep, so press play to check out our little piece of turf.

April is John's birthday month, and this year, we're highlighting his adolescent penchant for juvenile delinquency with a couple of cult favorites. First up is Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel, Rumble Fish, starring Matt Dillon and Mickey Rourke. Conceived of as an art film for kids and an antidote to Coppola's previous Hinton adaption of The Outsiders, Rumble Fish brings together existential philosophy, German Expressionist film, and a percussion-forward score from Stewart Copeland of The Police to tell the story of Rusty James and The Motorcycle Boy. We discuss parallels with Shakespeare and Christianity, themes of freedom and time, the use of color in a mostly black and white film, and many other topics. Channel your inner street tough and punch play (right in the face) to hear all about this amazing film!

It's showtime! The second film in our celebration of cinematic sandworms is Tim Burton's 1988 horror comedy Beetlejuice. John and Georgia hit the dunes of Saturn by way of East Corinth, Vermont, to dig up the ghost with the most. We talk about Michael Keaton's career-defining performance as the titular unhinged bioexorcist, the stellar on-camera practical effects and Oscar-winning makeup, the comedic talents of the all-star cast (including the incomparable Catherine O'Hara, whose Delia Deetz could be a prototype for the zany Moira Rose of Schitt's Creek), the changes in the story from original script to finished film, and our take on Tim Burton's philosophy of death. Grab your copy of The Handbook for the Recently Deceased and meet us on the other side!

To begin Sandworm Appreciation Month (in honor of the release of Dune Part Two), John and Georgia burrow deep into the desert earth of Perfection, Nevada to explore the 1990 cult classic Tremors, starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, and the graboids. Tremors plays like Jaws set in the desert (the original title of the film was actually Land Sharks!), and we relish in the fact that the film is comprised solely of practical effects. We're talking matte paintings, miniatures, hand puppets, mechanical puppets, and more! The stellar supporting cast boasts the likes of Michael Gross (fresh from his Family Ties run), Reba McEntire (in her film debut), and the incomparable Victor Wong (The Last Emperor, Big Trouble in Little China, and Prince of Darkness). Push play, crack a cold one, and meet us in Burt and Heather Gummer's rec room for one motherhumper of a nostaglic party in the desert!

For the second episode of our Jane Austen adaptations month, we welcome first-time guest and world class soprano Jessica Sandidge to discuss her top comfort pick, Sense and Sensibility! This film was Emma Thompson's first feature screenplay writing credit, and it sparkles with Jane Austen's signature wit and wisdom. It was also Ang Lee's first studio directing credit, and his detailed, rich visual style is evident in every frame. Jessica draws on her deep knowledge of music to discuss Patrick Doyle's score, Georgia puts on her English major hat to explain some of the history and conventions of the Regency period, and John brings in his theatrical expertise and extensive movie knowledge to explore the amazing performances of Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, and Alan Rickman and to make some interesting connections between Sense and Sensibility and other, sometimes not-so-obvious, films. But don't worry--we also talk about fainting sheep and gassy horses! Saddle up, preferably on a mount that doesn't have IBS, and give us a listen!

It's February, and love, as always, is in the air this month. So we're celebrating movie love with a duo of Jane Austen adaptations! First up is the Autumn de Wilde feature film directorial debut Emma. De Wilde perfectly marries Eleanor Catton's excellent screenplay adaptation of Austen's novel with her own exceptionally rich visual style to create a film that is both perfectly period and surprisingly modern. From the collaborative use of color in the production design and costume, to the masterful lighting and camera movement choices, to the choice of diagetic music performed by the actors themselves, de Wilde's Emma is a standout adaptation among the many other films crowding the field. Come for a visit at Hartfield with us!

In this second pick for our Gothic Romance month, we discuss the stylish and evocative Guillermo Del Toro film Crimson Peak. This movie is Del Toro's homage to the great literature and film in the genre, including Hitchcock's Rebecca, Jane Eyre, The Mysteries of Udolpho, The Monk, and the work of Mario Bava. Del Toro also brings in some of his own obsessions like insects and ghosts to put his distinctive stamp on the genre, honoring its tropes in some ways and subverting them in others to bring a fresh, modern take to the well explored plot. We discuss the amazing and complex production design by Tom Sanders, the use of color in the film to suggest contrast between characters and settings, the importance of Kate Hawley's intricate costume design, and many other facets of this brilliant and enthralling film. Light a candle, throw on your fanciest nightgown, and explore the dark corners of Allerdale Hall with us!

Welcome to season 3! We're kicking off this season with a couple of episodes on our favorite films from the Gothic Romance genre, and who better to start us off than the master of the macabre, Alfred Hitchcock? Rebecca, starring Joan Fontaine and Sir Laurence Olivier, was Hitchcock's first film made in the US and his only Best Picture winner. The film also earned an Oscar for cinematographer George Barnes, whose talents with light, shadow, and camera movement created the moody atmosphere that pervades Rebecca. It was produced by David O. Selznick, who was coming off the huge success of Gone with the Wind and looking to make another big hit. Deeply faithful to its source material, Daphne du Maurier's best-selling novel, the film is a suspenseful cinematic take on classic Gothic Romance literature. The parallels with Bronte's Jane Eyre are numerous, but it's Hitchcock's ability to dramatize psychological terror that brings this movie into the modern age. Come to Manderley again with us, and watch out for Mrs. Danvers!

For our closing episode of season 2, we are revisiting our annual tradition of talking about a much-beloved holiday special from our youth. This year, it's Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, the classic cartoon that was a holiday staple in both our homes. We discuss the partnership between Looney Tunes animation great Chuck Jones and Ted Geisel, AKA Dr. Seuss, translating the fantastical and imaginative world of Seuss into the medium of moving images, the story behind the now-classic song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," the brilliant casting of horror icon Boris Karloff, and the recurring Christmas theme of anti-commercialism. Be sure to also check out our guest spot on episode 52 of Why The Flick?, where we discuss the live action Jim Carrey Grinch adaptation; it's a great companion piece to this episode! Happy holidays from our family to yours! We look forward to talking more movies with you in 2024.

Happy Holidays from Comfort Films! We're starting off the holiday season with two unparalleled classics that originated in 1946, Miracle on 34th Street and John's mom, Eileen Macey, who is joining us for her second appearance and our second Mom for the Holidays episode. It's a first-time watch for John and Eileen, as they join veteran Miracle on 34th Street viewer Georgia to discuss how unbelievably modern and surprisingly feminist this film is, the amazing performances--including Edmund Gwenn's Oscar-winning Kris Kringle, the movies Miracle on 34th Street influenced (particularly Dear God and Elf), the perils of colorization, the production's coordination with the actual 1946 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade where Edmund Gwenn rode in the parade as Santa, and our Christmas memories of watching (and re-watching) movies with our families. This episode is a gift you can unwrap early, so give it a listen!

In this special episode, John and Georgia spoke with writer, director, producer, composer, actor and all-around fine, upstanding Pennsylvanian, John Harrison. We discuss his 2023 novel, Passing Through Veils, which combines elements of gothic horror and modern thriller for an atmospheric, eerie, and suspenseful Shirley Jackson-meets-Alfred Hitchcock read. Mr. Harrison also shares insights and stories from his film and television career, his many experiences with bringing anthology horror to both the large and small screens (with Creepshow, Tales from the Darkside, and Tales from the Crypt), his work with George A. Romero, his approach to all creative film work as various ways to be a storyteller, and his advice for today's aspiring filmmakers. He also shares information on several upcoming projects we can look forward to from him in 2024 and beyond. We are thrilled to share this amazing talk with a true screen Renaissance man! Give it a listen!

In this last episode of our Robin Williams month, we talk about Mrs. Doubtfire, which just turned 30, and features a highly characteristic Williams performance full of energy, quickfire improvisation, and an excellent mix of humor and heart. We talk about our different reactions to this film as adults (noticing a lot more of the dirty jokes and sympathizing more with Miranda than Daniel), strong connections to other films about dads faced with new responsibilities, the surprisingly non-villainous Stu, played to perfection by Pierce Brosnan, Sally Field's always rock-solid performance, our maximum adoration of Harvey Fierstein, the use of disguise and role-playing as a means to self-discovery throughout literature, and how this film, which handles the theme of children dealing with divorce so tenderly, was like free therapy to us in the 90s (and we're guessing to other Xennials as well). Give it a listen!

It's our 100th episode!! To celebrate, we welcome back one of our earliest guests, the great Kate Duffy, to discuss a film that has been our number one requested comfort film over the course of the show. We talk about the incredible Nathan Lane and his unforgettable breakout role as Albert/Starina, how the film deals with irony around conservative family values, the restrained hysteria of Robin Williams's Armand and how it relates to male anxiety, the advancements (and sometimes, lack thereof) with LGBTQ+ rights, the director/writer dream team of Mike Nichols and Elaine May, Gene Hackman's surprising improv background, Dan Futterman's Val as the villain of the film, the masterful opening shot by the great cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, the major changes in the journalism economy since the mid-90s, and Kate's memories of watching the movie over and over with her dad. We also have a quick talk about our now-extensive back catalog and which episodes stand out to us most. Grab your "pirin" tablets, relax, and join us for the episode that takes us into triple digits!

Shiver me timbers and blow me down! Comfort Films Podcast is dropping anchor in Sweethaven to start a month of celebrating Robin Williams films! In this first episode of the series, we're joined by guest Jenn Riedell for a surreal trip down memory lane as we discuss this buried treasure of a musical, directed by Robert Altman and scripted by Jules Feiffer. Featuring Robin Williams in his first lead role in film, Popeye is also a vehicle for a magical soundtrack of songs from 70s pop star Harry Nilsson. We discuss the amazing set built in Malta, which still exists as a tourist attraction, Shelley Duvall's totally iconic performance as Olive Oyl, Ray Walston's crotchety and hilariously named character Poopdeck Pappy, the bizarre religious underpinnings of Popeye's famous catchphrase, the film's comic strip origins, the many talented circus performers who bring the film to life, and the birth of home video, which paved the way for young Gen Xers to start watching and rewatching comfort movies (complete with some bad humming of the HBO theme song from the 80s). Pop open a can of spinach and give us a listen!

“The grotesque has never really affected or frightened me. I guess it's real-life stuff that frightens me much more.”  (George A. Romero)   In this special bonus horror episode, John and Georgia are pleased to welcome Ryan Carr, artist in residence at the George A. Romero Foundation, to discuss The Amusement Park, a recently rediscovered and restored Romero film that takes a unique and terrifying look at the true horrors that await us all as we age and enter our final years.  Ryan is currently hard at work illustrating a graphic novel adaptation of the film (written by Jeff Whitehead).  We discuss the unfathomably efficient three-day shooting schedule of The Amusement Park; Romero's editing style, visual storytelling genius, and ability to perfectly balance empathy and cynicism; the challenges of translating a film into a graphic novel; how society's treatment of the elderly (on both the micro and macro levels) has failed to improve since the time the film was made in the 70s; the amazing lead actor Lincoln Maazel and his unforgettably expressive face, which Ryan has now drawn an uncountable number of times; and we honor George A. Romero and his team from The Latent Image, who took a commission project from Lutheran Services and made it into a vivid, thought-provoking, timeless piece of art and social commentary.  This is truly a ride you don't want to miss, so queue up and give us a listen!  

For the fourth week of our horror film series, we're looking at another collaboration between masters of horror George A. Romero and Stephen King, The Dark Half. This film explores the Jekyll and Hyde story through a seemingly mild-mannered writer and his dark side (Timothy Hutton in a dual role), an unborn twin who takes form to wreak vengeance on those who have tried to silence him. We discuss the excellent screenplay, faithfully adapted by George Romero from Stephen King's novel; Hutton's nuanced portrayal of both Thad and George; Michael Rooker's definitive performance as Sheriff Alan Pangborn; the sparrow swarm special effects; connections to Hitchcock's The Birds; whether Amy Madigan could have single-handedly taken out George Stark; and Stephen King's own alter ego Richard Bachman. Bring your evil twin to our Halloween party and give us a listen!

Was your high school prom an absolute nightmare? Carrie White can relate and then some! For the third week in our horror series, we dive into the film adaptation of Stephen King's spectacularly tragic tale, Carrie - which not only was King's first published novel, but also his first book to be adapted into a film! In this episode, Georgia and John discuss how Brian De Palma and George Lucas shared casting calls for Carrie and Star Wars, the split screen editing and cinematography choices, Pino Donaggio's haunting score, the richly deserved (and unheard of for a horror film) Oscar nominations for Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie, the impressive car stunt by Dick Ziker, the interesting differences between the book and Lawrence D. Cohen's screenplay, Hitchcock comparisons, and the genesis of the jump scare. Stop on by and geek out with us, because if you miss this episode, they're all gonna laugh at you!

What do you get when you mix together the finest in horror comics, short stories, film, and cake? The classic 1982 film Creepshow, written by the master of horror Stephen King and directed by George A. Romero, the brains behind modern-day zombie lore. For our second Halloween month selection, John and Georgia give an in-depth analysis of the six gory tales that comprise Creepshow's anthology and share personal memories of their first viewings of the film as kids. We talk Stephen King the author, screenwriter, and actor (in his only starring role to date), we praise the execution of the practical and in-camera effects, we explore how longtime Romero collaborator and Director of Photography Michael Gornick achieved the comic book look for the film, we discuss how FX wizard Tom Savini created the incredible Yeti-like monster Fluffy, Ed Harris's super smooth disco moves, the joys of international cockroach trafficking, and we applaud the talents of the all-star cast including Leslie Nielsen, Hal Holbrook, Ted Danson, and Adrienne Barbeau, who make the fantastic characters come to life. Even if your dad threw out your comic book, we've got you covered, so give us a listen!

Did you know that a group of self-taught filmmakers from Pennsylvania, whose only training were the commercials they created themselves, are responsible for redefining the horror genre as we know it today? John and Georgia take a bite out of Night of the Living Dead, the classic 1968 George A. Romero film, celebrating its 55th anniversary this week, that formally established the rules for zombies, without even using the word "zombie"! We talk independent filmmaking, the inspirations for Night of the Living Dead and the films that it in turn inspired, DIY work ethic, the controversial casting of a Black actor in a lead role, how horror films shifted from children's fare to something far greater, the power of drive-ins, flawed characters and heroes who make poor choices, the strength of single-location settings, Romero's choice to stay with black & white film stock, and much, much more. Shamble on down to the graveyard with us for a night of fun! They're coming to get you, Barbra!

In this last episode of our martial arts film month, we welcome guest Frank Bonanno as we shift our focus from Hong Kong to Indonesia with Gareth Evans's bone-crunching film The Raid: Redemption. We discuss the many types of martial arts featured in the film - most notably, pencak silat, an indigenous class of martial arts from Indonesia, the speed, style, and innovation of the cinematography, the mixing of survival horror video game and slasher horror conventions that make this a unique action film, the many fast action/fighting films that The Raid: Redemption paved the way for (including John Wick), the boundless creativity of low-budget film, how a movie this brutal could still be a comfort film, and the absolutely insane stunt work that makes this film a modern masterpiece. Slap on your body armor and storm this building with us!

For the second of our three martial arts episodes, we welcome back the always brilliant Chris Witty (who guested on our Goodfellas episode) to discuss Mr. Nice Guy and all other things Jackie Chan! We talk about Jackie Chan's boundless energy and all-around talent as a martial artist, acrobatic stunt pro, and comedy genius; the influence of silent film stars Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, comedy greats the Marx Brothers, and dance legend Gene Kelly on the movies of Jackie Chan; Sammo Hung, Chan's equally talented lifelong friend, the director of Mr. Nice Guy, and a huge (no pun intended, if you've seen the guy) influence on the growth and direction of Hong Kong martial arts cinema; and the connections between genre films like westerns, martial arts movies, and exploitation films that make them popular comfort watches for lots of people (including the three of us). Get ready to rumble and give us a listen!

This week we're kicking off a martial arts movie month with the film that's widely recognized as the genre founder, at least where Western audiences are concerned, Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon. We talk about Bruce Lee's ability to extol philosophy through action, his unequaled power and mastery of kung fu, the story's many similarities to the James Bond film structure, the excellent stunt team which included legends Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan, stellar supporting performances from black belts John Saxon and Jim Kelly and Mr. Hong Kong Bolo Yeung, and the way that Bruce Lee and Enter the Dragon permanently changed cinema and influenced the many martial arts films that followed in its wake. Meet us on Han's island for a great episode!

For the final week of our Spectator Sports month, we discuss Peter Yates's Breaking Away, which combines a sweet and funny coming-of-age comedy, a class-struggle drama, and a fantastic underdog sports film. We discuss the real-life origins of Steve Tesich's Oscar-winning screenplay, the film debut of character actor Daniel Stern and his niche as the lovable loser, the family chemistry of Barbara Barrie, Paul Dooley, and Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid's bitter and heartbreaking former quarterback Mike, Jackie Earle Haley's amazing maturity (even as the youngest cast member), and the many other qualities that make this film one of the greatest feel-good movies of all time. Hop on your bike and give us a listen!

Do you love Bob Barker? Well, then do we have a great episode for you! For the third week of our spectator sports month, we hit the green with everyone's favorite angry hockey player turned golfer, Happy Gilmore. We discuss how this comedy is also a solid sports film with the story structure to prove it, Christopher McDonald's incredible villain Shooter McGavin, Carl Weathers's hilarious yet heartfelt one-handed golf pro Chubbs, Caddyshack parallels and Burt Reynolds connections, our own personal golf failures, and much more. Meet us on the 9th hole at 9PM, and we'll show you a reel good time. Dress nice!

Georgia and John take the field to talk about one of their all-time favorite baseball films, Penny Marshall's A League of Their Own. We discuss the documentary on the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) that inspired the film; the fiery sibling rivalry between Geena Davis's Dottie and Lori Petty's Kit; Megan Cavanaugh's screen debut as the unforgettable underdog Marla Hooch; the war's lasting effect on gender roles; Tom Hanks's unique role reversal as the disgusting yet charming Jimmy Dugan; the actors' dedication to authenticity (and the injuries that caused); the strong female friendships, including Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna as Doris and Mae, whose friendship persisted both on and off screen; and we exhaustively debate whether Dottie dropped the ball on purpose or if Kit finally bested her sister and won the game on her own merit. The bases are loaded and it's the bottom of the ninth - step up to the plate and give us a listen!

Get ready to shake and bake with special guests Christina and Mac Hare from World of Horror Podcast as we talk a blue streak about the hilarious and heartfelt 2006 Adam McKay/Will Ferrell comedy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.  We explore how a film this funny manages to lampoon with love, we praise the many brilliant performances that elevate the movie above simple comedy (with special emphasis on Gary Cole, Jane Lynch, and our universal MVP John C. Reilly), we dive into Cal and Ricky's deeply flawed yet sweet friendship, we feel the motor running up our legs with Molly Shannon's riotous scene-stealing performance as Mrs. Dennit, we trade our many favorite quotes, Georgia gives her spot on impression of Texas Ranger, and we revel in the absurd hilarity of the American/French rivalry embodied by Will Ferrell's Ricky Bobby and Sacha Baron Cohen's Jean Girard.  With all due respect, rev up your engines and give us a listen, because if you ain't first, you're last!

Georgia and John finish out their month of westerns hanging loose from the noose with the iconic Sergio Leone-directed spaghetti western The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, as they tag along with Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach in their ruthless search across the westernmost front of the Civil War for $200,000 in Confederate gold. We discuss all aspects of this landmark film: casting, cinematography, the indelible Ennio Morricone score, Sergio Leone's directing style that combines opera and silent film, the dangerous stunts, the story's perfect blend of cartoonish humor and violence, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, the anti-war theme, the frenemy chemistry between Eastwood and Wallach, Leone's lasting influence on modern cinema, and what exactly good, bad, and ugly mean in the context of this film and these characters. Ride off with us into the sunset as we go digging for gold!

For the third week of our westerns month, we're discussing another early 50s classic, Shane. This movie has it all - family drama, good versus evil (with plenty of gray area to explore), a coming-of-age story, beautiful western scenery, history, and plenty of suspense. We also discuss the unforgettable performances from Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin, and Jack Palance among others, the costume design of Edith Head, George Stevens's great attention to detail, Loyal Griggs's award-winning cinematography, and the hugely important theme of freedom and independence in the changing west. Belly up to the bar and give us a listen!

In this second film of our Westerns month, we talk about another classic film that both defines and subverts the genre, High Noon, starring Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, and the unknown yet soon-to-be staple western bad guy, Lee Van Cleef. We discuss the masterful use of the clock to build suspense, the many excuses (both good and bad) of the townspeople who refuse to help Will Kane, the juxtaposition of Mrs. Ramirez and Amy--the two women in Will's life, the stark and simple but highly effective cinematography, and the uniqueness of the film as an allegory for Hollywood blacklisting in the McCarthy era. The new marshall doesn't arrive until tomorrow, so round up a posse and give us a listen!

This week, Martin from Film vs. Film Podcast joins us as we kick off a month of westerns with the movie that totally changed the genre, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford as the title characters. We talk about the perfectly balanced William Goldman screenplay that is equally hilarious and tragic, the exceptional director-cinematographer team-up of George Roy Hill and Conrad Hall, the iconic pairing of Newman and Redford that makes this film as much a buddy movie as a western, whether the relationship between Butch, Sundance, and Etta is a love triangle or a love circle, the "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" musical interlude, metafilm moments, the western as American mythology, and the many things to love about this once-dominant film genre. Saddle up your horses and give us a listen!

For our fifth and final episode of the School's Out for Summer series, we're taking a long summer vacation with The Karate Kid Part II. Snatched from the certain doom of a summer in Fresno, Daniel accompanies his mentor Mr. Miyagi to Okinawa, where they face off with a new set of enemies, Sato and his sharply dressed nephew Chozen. We talk about our memories of seeing this film (and reading the novelization) as kids, the surprisingly deep meditations on family and loss, the 50s mania of the 80s, Back to the Future connections, and the absolute banger of a theme song, Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love." Brush up on your drum technique and your O-Bon dance moves and give us a listen!