Living for the Cinema

Twenty-five years ago, director John Woo (Hard Boiled, Face/Off) joined this franchise to helm this long-awaited sequel to the first cinematic adaptation from '96.  And whereas the first film was a paranoid espionage thriller, he and star/producer/mastermind Tom Cruise decided to shift THIS entry in the direction of ramped up operatic action mixed with forbidden romance.  Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is back for his next mission where he must prevent a now disavowwed former IMF-rival Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) from doing something nefarious with a mysterious bio-weapon/virus nicknamed "Chimera."  And to get closer to this new villain's burgeoning operation, Ethan must enlist a beautiful jewel thief named Nyah (Thandiwe Newton) who has a past with Ambrose but....the ONE thing he didn't count on was falling in love. :o And what results is a rip-roaring, mostly-set-in-Australia action EPIC filled with rock climbing, fast cars, roundhouse kicks, and.....DOVES.  This was a major smash upon release and remains one of the more successful films in this long-running franchise....however a backlash has developed since then with many now calling it the WORST of the Mission: Impossible saga.  Our mission - should we choose to accept it - is to determine as to whether it lives up OR down to the hype!See below for a link where you can hear the rare instrumental version of this movie's theme song, cited within this review:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfBiktIrDnQHost & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Based upon the comic strip created in 1931 by Chester Gould, this eye-popping live-action adaptation was long planned by Oscar-winning director Warren Beatty (Reds, Heaven Can Wait) who also elected to star as the titular square-jawwed crime fighter sporting a bright yellow jacket.  Finally green-lit and released by Disney in the wake of the breakout success the prior year of Tim Burton's Batman, the studio was hoping that it could duplicate the mega-blockbuster success of that comic book adaptation, backing its release with loads of marketing hype AND three different soundtrack albums including an assortment of original songs written by Tony-winning songwriting stage legend Stephen Sondheim (West Side Story, Into the Woods) and performed one of its co-stars....that would be Madonna who played Breathtless Mahoney, who is also a key femme fatale for the story.  She is joined by completely STACKED cast by Paul Sorvino, Mandy Patinkin, Glenne Headley, Charlie Korsmo, Charles Durning, James Caan, Dustin Hoffman, AND Al Pacino who plays the film's main villain Big Boy Caprice. Alas the film did solid box office but did not live up to the Batman-level hype...though it DID set a record for most Oscars won by a comic book adaptation with three for Best Makeup, Best Original Song, and Best Art Direction.  This record of three Oscars would not be matched for another 28 years until it was eventually tied by another Disney comic book release, Black Panther. Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

During the waning days of World War II, a group of American soldiers find themselves without a leader nor a mission so they decide to sneak behind enemy lines to attempt to steal a hidden cache of gold which even most Nazi's are aware of.  Clint Eastwood (who plays the titular Private Kelly) leads an all-star cast including Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, Donald Sutherland, Carol O'Connor, and Harry Dean Stanton.  Directed by Brian G. Hutton (Where Eagles Dare), this is as much of a comedic heist film as war movie, let's see how they pull off their mission. Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Welcome to the LIVING FOR THE BOYLE review series!  Daniel Francis Boyle originally hailed from Manchester, England and his filmmaking career took off thirty years ago in 1995 with the release of acclaimed cult thriller Shallow Grave.  And ever since then, Danny Boyle (as he's officially known) has carved out a uniquely successful career not only achieving box office success several times but also winning a few Oscars along the way.  During this time period, he has also become one of MY personal favorite directors, having helmed excellent ORIGINAL stories spanning several genres including children's fantasy, science fiction, crime drama, horror, and biopic.  Over the next few months, I will be reviewing some of my favorite entries from his filmography in the lead-up to the long-awaited sequel to one of his more successful films….28 Years Later which will be released in the U.S. on June 20!From the Oscar-winning writer (Aaron Sorkin) of The Social Network comes another "Based Upon a True Story" exploration of one of the titans of the digital revolution, this time the titular Steve Jobs played by Oscar-nominee Michael Fassbender (Shame, Black Bag).  This story takes behind the scenes in the lead-up to three VERY different product launches headlined by the eventual Apple CEO in 1984, 1988, and culminating in 1998 with the launch of the revoluationairy IMac computer for home and office use.  Along the way, we not only learn about the various ups-and-downs of the Apple/Mac brand as overseen by Jobs but much of his personal drama as well, especially his tumultuous relationship with his daughter Lisa.  This Oscar nominated drama was directed by Boyle and featured a stellar cast including Kate Winslet, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jeff Daniels, and Seth Rogen.Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

The beach town of Amity Island has been experiencing some mysterious attacks from a mysterious entity within the nearby ocean, resulting in some brutal deaths.  And the local police chief Brody (Roy Scheider) is concerned that it MIGHT be sharks....and he's not the only one, there's also the visiting marine biologist Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) who suspects that it MIGHT be a Great White Shark. :o And besides them, there's the local sea-dog Quint (Robert Shaw) who not only believes that it's a Great White Shark but that ONLY he can kill it. And we're off to the sea in Steven Spielberg's classic mega-blockbuster which is about to turn 50!  We're gonna need a BIGGER boat indeed.....Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

From the director (Tobe Hooper) of The Texas Chainsaw Massacare and the writer (Dan O'Bannon) of Alien comes this crazy sci-fi horror thriller about a potential alien invasion which occurs around London after a race of space vampires (yes you read that right) come calling via Haley's Comet and an Earth-bound spaceship.  This ambitious Cannon Pictures release was a notable flop when it was first released in June of 1985 but has since garned a cult following due to several crazy setpieces, ample female nudity (from one alien in particular played by Matilda May), and.....some very inventive visual effects thanks to contributions from the same F/X wizard (John Dykstra) who had worked on the original Star Wars just eight years prior.  Starring alongside May (in her on-screen debut) are Steve Railsback, Peter Firth, Frank Finlay, and Patrick Stewart! Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

How do you follow up a genuine once-in-a-lifetime pop culture phenomenon like the initial release of Star Wars in 1977?  Well if you're writer/director/producer George Lucas, you use your ownership of the franchise to continue the story but in a unique new direction with a new director (Irwin Kirsher) along with a new up-and-coming writer (Lawrence Kasdan) to take over most creative decisions.  You also decide to bring back most of the main cast (Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse/James Earl Jones, Peter Mayhew) while deciding to introduce some exciting new characters including Yoda (Frank Oz) and Lando Calrissian).  Beyond that.....larger scale, more unpredictable twists, and a cliffhanger ending which left many audiences at the time genuinely suprised.  And what resulted was not only an enduring classic which not only redefined the genre but sequels for decades to come.....on the eve of its 45th Anniversary and just in time for May The Fourth, it's time to return to A Galaxy Far, Far Away!   Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Adam (John Travolta) is an intrepid reporter for Rolling Stone magazine currently chasing the biggest story of his career while in LA....when he suddenly comes up with an intriguing back-up story: how healthclubs are becoming the singles bars of the 1980's. :P  And he zeroes in on one healthclub in particular which is called "The Sports Connection" and there he becomes immersed in their world, he is mostly drawn to Jessie (Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis) who is a very charismatic aerobics instructor drawing enthusiastic crowds, though also has a past.  He begins chasing a story about her while also falling for her....and complications ensue.  Directed by James Bridges (The China Syndrome, Urban Cowboy), this was wall-to-wall pelvic thrusts and mid '80's synth-pop music and is otherwise hard to categorize...which might be a major reason it flopped so hard upon initial release almost forty years ago.  But it has since garnered a cult following and is fondly remembered by many as a campy time capsule from a different era.  It also co-stars Laraine Newman, Marilu Henner, Mathew Reed, and Anne DeSalvo.Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Bud (John Travolta) is a young man from the country who moves to Houston to work at the local oil refinery and starts to spend a lot of time at the local country and western bar named Gilley's where he meets Sissy (Debra Winger).  Over much dancing and drinks, they start to fall in love and eventually get married.  Since they are young and impetuous, they start to have problems....and things just get more complicated from there, but can their love prevail?  Along the way, there's plenty of great music and dancing as director James Bridges (The China Syndrome) takes us into this unique subculture of two-step dancing and mechanical bull-riding!Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

HAPPY 400TH EPISODE - Thanks to all listeners and subscribers for your continued support!!! :)Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan) are twin brothers who also are both recent World War I veterans and Chicago gangsters.  It's 1932 and they have now returned to their home town in the MIssissippi Delta to start their own juke joint.  They find the right spot and recruiter plenty of friends and family to get involved including their cousin Sammie (Miles Caton) who plays a mean guitar and Smoke's ex-wife Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) who cooks some great catfish.  They gather various talent and kick off what looks like a promising night of blues music and merry......though there appear to be some unexpected visitors who come calling lead by Remmick (Jack O' Connell) and needless to say, these guys seem to be thirsty....though not for what you would expect. :o And what results is one wild, CRAZY night....not every one is likely to survive that night either!  Hailee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo, and Jayme Lawson are also part of this extended cast in this raucous horror musical (?) from Oscar-nominated director Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Creed).  Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

For the Memories of a Lifetime.....In the Year 2084, Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a mild-mannered construction worker just living the simple life with his loving wife Lori (Sharon Stone).  All seems well and normal, except he's been having these dreams.....about going to Mars, where apparently his eyes can get sucked out of his head if he tries to breathe freely on the surface?? :o Maybe they're not dreams, maybe he has been to Mars....and when he visits a local travel agency (sort of) named Rekall to get memories implanted about a possible trip to Mars, something happens.  People start trying to kill him...and worse, all is not what it seems.  And what results is a wild, bloody adventure where Quaid not only goes to Mars but gets involved in an increasingly violent effort to fend off an oppressive corporate lead by Cohaagen (Ronny Cox) to exploit the population of settlers there by depriving them of air.  Loosely based on a science fiction novel by Phillip K. Dick (Minority Report) and directed by legendary Paul Verhoeven (Basic Instinct, Robocop), this lavish sci-fi action adventure became an instant phenomenon when it was first released thirty-five years ago this June.  Which leaves only one thing left to do....Get Your Ass to Mars!!!!Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Exactly one year after his historic comeback in the seminal Pulp Fiction (which he received an Oscar nomination for), John Travolta followed it up with this slick and crime caper/satire adapted from the Elmore Leonard novel of the same name.  Here he plays Chili Palmer, a mob enforcer from Miami who LOVES movies, is visiting Los Angeles for the first time, and finds himself very eager to get into the movie business.  Once there, he meets a schlock producer (Gene Hackman - RIP), a scream queen (Rene Russo), a pretentious movie star (Danny DeVito), and a menacing wanna-be producer (Delroy Lindo)....among several others.  And wouldn't you know it....Chili finds himself getting involved in the movie business. :) Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (The Addams Family, Men In Black), this would go on to be on of the more quotable and fondly remembered crime comedies of the '90's featuring a cast including several other legends including Bette Midler, the late great Dennis Farina, and the late, great James Gandolfini.  Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Welcome to the LIVING FOR THE BOYLE review series!  Daniel Francis Boyle originally hailed from Manchester, England and his filmmaking career took off thirty years ago in 1995 with the release of acclaimed cult thriller Shallow Grave.  And ever since then, Danny Boyle (as he's officially known) has carved out a uniquely successful career not only achieving box office success several times but also winning a few Oscars along the way.  During this time period, he has also become one of MY personal favorite directors, having helmed excellent ORIGINAL stories spanning several genres including children's fantasy, science fiction, crime drama, horror, and biopic.  Over the next few months, I will be reviewing some of my favorite entries from his filmography in the lead-up to the long-awaited sequel to one of his more successful films….28 Years Later which will be released in the U.S. on June 20!Once Upon A Time, the edgy director of Trainspotting and 28 Days Later decided to make a different type of movie....a FAMILY movie. :) It's a touching story about a recently widowed father (James Nesbitt) who moves his two young sons to the suburbs....when one day, his youngest son Damian (Alex Etel) suddenly discovers in their backyard.....a bag filled with cash!  A LOT of cash no doubt so Damian and his brother (Lewis McGibbon) embark on their own adventure trying to figure out EXACTLY what to do this with this new-found fortune....and what results is a delightful whimsical story involving (among many different things) the transition to the Euro, Mormon neighbors who can transport a LOT of appliances via bicycle, and one of our heroes getting to know all of the most well-known Catholic saints.  It's a true original.   Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Master '80's auteur Lawrence Kasdan (The Big Chill, Silverado, Body Heat) kicked off the '90's with this dark comedy based upon the bizarre true story of a philandering husband whose wife conspired to murder him....and yet he wouldn't die. :o The husband is Joey played by Oscar-Winner Kevin Kline (A Fish Called Wanda, Dave), the wife is Rosalie played by Emmy-Winner Tracey Ullman (Tracey Takes On) and the cast just gets more interesting from there including Oscar-nominee Joan Plowright as Rosalie's mother, Oscar-nominated River Phoenix as Rosalie's friend, PLUS Oscar-Winner William Hurt and Keanu Reeves playing two drug-using cousins.  And believe it or not....each of these characters are involved in this murder plot....AND they're ALL funny no less?? :) This film was pretty much forgotten almost as soon as it was released back in the Spring of 1990, let's find out if it should have been. Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

It's 106 miles to Chicago, they've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and they're wearing sunglasses....The brothers are Joliet Jake Blue (John Belushi) and Elmwood Blues (Dan Ackroyd)....and they're on a mission from God.  Well actually they're on a mission to save the Catholic home where they grew up and to get the band back together.  Seems simple enough but there are a LOT of obstacles in their way including US Marshalls, Chicago police, Illinois State Troopers, the Illinois Nazis, the Good Ol' Boys, and...the late, great Carrie Fisher playing "Mystery Woman" who comes HEAVILY armed! :o John Landis (Animal House, Coming to America, An American Werewolf in London) directed this wildly ambitious action comedy musical loosely adapted from the two titular fictional brothers who performed on Saturday Night Live around this time.  Plot is but an afterthought when you have wall-to-wall car chases and/or extended musical numbers from several R&B music luminaries including Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, John Lee Hooker, and Chaka Khan.  And that's not even accounting for an extended stacked cast including Kathleen Freeman, John Candy, Steven Williams, Henry Gibson, Charles Napier, and countless others!Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Twenty years ago, Sir Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Napoleon, 1492, Black Hawk Down) directed yet another large-scale historical drama.....this time taking place during the Crusades as we watch war escalate between the Saracins and Christian armies sent over from Europe.  And apparently no one really cared. :( The film received middling reviews and box office upon release.  However following in the tradition of another maligned, often misunderstood genre epic which he directed back in the 1980's - Blade Runner - Ridley Scott arranged to have HIS own personal extended director's cut released to DVD, including at least forty minutes of extra footage.  The reaction was not only universally postiive but THIS version (which Ridley insists is the COMPLETE version of the story he was trying to tell) is now looked upon by many as one of his masterpieces.  It also features a stacked international cast including Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, David Thewlis, Marton Csokas, Brendan Gleeson, and Alexander Siddig.  Let's head back to the 12th Century Jerusalem to explore this epic tale!Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

John McClane is Back!  After successfully defeating terrorists at Nakatomi Plaza in the first movie and Dulles Airport in the second movie, McClane (Bruce Willis) is once again working as a NYPD cop.  Hung over and once again on the outs with his wife, he has been called back into duty to track down a mysterious new threat who's not only planting explosives around the city but is specifically asking for HIM.  This threat is named Simon (Jeremy Irons) and he apparently wants to play games with McClaine while he terrorizes the public, even threatening to blow up a local school if our hero doesn't do what he wants on time.  And just as things are heating up, John gets mixed up with a local store owner named Zeus (Samuel L. Jackson) who not only saves his life but ends up being summoned to play these same games.  The two team up to save the city....but what are they saving it from exactly?  The plot just thickens from there as Die Hard director John McTiernan (The Thomas Crown Affair, The Hunt for Red October) returns to direct this well-liked and hugely popular third installment which came out thirty years ago this spring.  Yippee-Ki-Yay.....indeed! Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Out on her first night on the beat, rookie NYPD cop Megan Turner (Jamie Lee Curtis) comes upon a robbery in a grocery store and takes down the perpetrator.  However as soon as she takes him down, things take a strange turn as one witness flees the scene with that perp's weapon.  Soon after, Megan meets a mysterious commodies trader named Eugene played by Ron Silver (Timecop, Reversal of Fortune, The West Wing) and....things get even stranger from there. :o These events kick off a slick, violent action thriller directed by Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Point Break, Zero Dark Thirty) relatively earlier in her career.  Back in the spring of 1990, this film underperformed but has since garnered a cult following....also included in the cast are Clancy Brown, Elizabeth Pena, Louise Fletcher, and Kevin Dunn. Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Welcome to the LIVING FOR THE BOYLE review series!  Daniel Francis Boyle originally hailed from Manchester, England and his filmmaking career took off thirty years ago in 1995 with the release of acclaimed cult thriller Shallow Grave.  And ever since then, Danny Boyle (as he's officially known) has carved out a uniquely successful career not only achieving box office success several times but also winning a few Oscars along the way.  During this time period, he has also become one of MY personal favorite directors, having helmed excellent ORIGINAL stories spanning several genres including children's fantasy, science fiction, crime drama, horror, and biopic.  Over the next few months, I will be reviewing some of my favorite entries from his filmography in the lead-up to the long-awaited sequel to one of his more successful films….28 Years Later which will be released in the U.S. on June 20!Twenty-nine years ago, this raw, high-energy adaptation of Irvine Welsh's novel about a group of young men in Edinburgh (Scotland) scoring heroin took the world by storm.  Of course, it was about more than just the drugs....it was a frenetic crime comedy/drama not only exploring addiction but youth.  It also featured a top-flight cast of up-and-coming UK actors along with an iconic soundtrack!  Starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, Kevin McKidd, and Kelly McDonald, it's time to find out about whether to....Choose Life.   Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

What's this?  Yet ANOTHER movie/series about a married couple who are also spies?!? :o Yes this thriller is about a couple of British spies who both work for the same intelligence agency and apparently there's a dangerous leak which has occurred at this agency.  One of them has been tasked with finding out who the leaker is while the OTHER might actually be the prime suspect....uh-oh, could be silly! :POr maybe not as it's written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Panic Room), directed by Steven Soderbergh (Out of Sight, Erin Brockovich, Ocean's 11), and features a top-flight cast of talent including two-time Oscar-nominee Michael Fassbender (Shame, Steve Jobs) and two-time Oscar Winner Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth, Tar) as the married couple.  The cast also includes rising stars Rege-Jean Page (Bridgerton) and Marisa Abela (Industry) along with two acclaimed alumni from the James Bond franchise, Pierce Brosnan and Naomi Harris.  Sounds intriguing....Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Who doesn't love a movie focused on a party?? :) Well when they're done right at least....Animal House, Bachelor Party....and thirty-five years ago, director Reginald Hudlin (Boomerang) made his debut with one of the better ones.  It also starred a hip-hop duo no less, Kid & Play - Christopher Reid and Christopher Martin co-star as two high school friends who just want to rap, dance, and meet girls.  And that pretty much comprises the story of the movie......they just want to have fun along  the two young ladies they have their eyes on, Sydney (Tisha Campbell) and Sharane (AJ Johnson).  The cast also features several comedy legends including Martin Lawrence, John Witherspoon, and the late, great Robin Harris.  Also featuring great music from Full Force....who also co-star as the main villains!Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer, The Host) returns from his Oscar triumph five years ago with his first directorial effort since his worldwide smash Parasite, which remains the ONLY foreign language film to ever win the Oscar for Best Picture.  This time around, he's directing a high concept sci-fi comedy adventure taking place in the future focusing on Mickey (Robert Pattinson) who works as an "Expendable" for a growing organization looking to colonize a snowy desolate planet.  His job entails being used as a tester of various hostile environments, new viruses, potential vaccines, and any number of deadly situations which can occur on said planet.  The key to his survival is that he doesn't survive most of these ordeals....they have the technology to simply clone him again to restart the process. :o And hilarity ensues!  Also among this stacked cast are Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, and Steven Yuen.  For Mickey, it's time to find out if the 17th time's the Charm. ;) Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

With only their third feature film (following Blood Simple & Raising Arizona), The Coen Brothers (Joel & Ethan) delivered one of the most unique crime dramas of its era...or any era.  This neo-noir takes place during the Prohibition Era in an unidentified American city which is currently enmeshed in an ongoing war between two rival criminal organizations, one lead by Leo (Albert Finney) and the other lead by Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito).  Leo's main advisor and most trusted lieutenant is Tom (Gabriel Byrne) whose fears and machinations are at the core of this story.  And through Tom, we get to encounter a variety of colorful characters including Verna (Marcia Gay Harden), The Dane (JE Freeman), Bernie (John Turturro), Mink (Steve Buscemi) and so many others who are each on one side of this burgeoning conflict.  However the story is not what stands out most about this enduring cult classic....it's the inventive camerawork, bravura performances, gorgeous production design, and endlessly quotable dialogue!  So just in time for St. Patrick's Day, let's find out exactly what the rumpus is....  Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Thirty years ago this month, acclaimed director Wolfgang Petersen (Das Boot, Air Force One, The Perfect Storm) gave us a terrifying viral thriller which at the time MIGHT have seemed like pure fiction....but WAS it? :o Well regardless it was a big hit and featured a stacked cast featuring Oscar-winners Dustin Hoffman, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, and Cuba Gooding Jr plus Rene Russo and the late, great Donald Sutherland. (How did those last two never receive Oscar nominations??) A brand new deadly virus has travelled from overseas via an innocent monkey who stowed away on a shipping barge....and that monkey has landed in Southern California....and this virus has started to spread around one truly unfortunate isolated small town.  People are dying as the virus mutates and the only folks who can stop it are a team of Army doctors who have to figure out how to find a cure.  It's all very '90's though very scary nonetheless....and remember to wash your hands!    Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Six years before she would achieve success and acclaim with The Substance, recently Oscar-nominated French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat directed this nasty little grindhouse thriller.  It's a simple story about a young, aspiring actress/model named Jen (Matilda Lutz) who is staying with her wealthy MARRIED boyfriend Richard (Kevin Janssens) for the weekend at his remote vacation home out in the desert.....when company comes calling with Richard's two hunting buddies (Vincent Colombe, Guillaume Bouchede).  While Richard steps away, one of them assaults her and sadly when he returns, things just get worse from there....as Jen is eventually left for dead, bleeding out in the middle of nowhere.  Once she wakes up though, she finds a way to heal herself in more ways than one and heads out to exact.....REVENGE....on the three men.  And what results is one truly BLOODY affair! WARNING: GRAPHIC VIOLENCE PORTRAYED VIA MOVIE CLIPSHost & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Welcome to the LIVING FOR THE BOYLE review series!  Daniel Francis Boyle originally hailed from Manchester, England and his filmmaking career took off thirty years ago in 1995 with the release of acclaimed cult thriller Shallow Grave.  And ever since then, Danny Boyle (as he's officially known) has carved out a uniquely successful career not only achieving box office success several times but also winning a few Oscars along the way.  During this time period, he has also become one of MY personal favorite directors, having helmed excellent ORIGINAL stories spanning several genres including children's fantasy, science fiction, crime drama, horror, and biopic.  Over the next few months, I will be reviewing some of my favorite entries from his filmography in the lead-up to the long-awaited sequel to one of his more successful films….28 Years Later which will be released in the U.S. on June 20!It's the future, our sun is dying, and we have a crew of relatable scientists and astronauts on a mission to get to the Sun and re-ignite it so that our planet doesn't freeze.  The crew of the Icarus II includes a physicist (Oscar-Winner Cillian Murphy), a horticulturalist (Oscar-Winner Michelle Yeoh), an engineer (Chris Evans), a navigator (Rose Byrne), a sun-drenched psychologist (Cliff Curtis) and is lead by fearless Captain Kaneda (Emmy-Winner Hiroyuki Sanada).  This space adventure received strong reviews back in 2007 but sadly never received much of a theatrical release and was a box office bomb.  However since then, it has developed a solid cult following not the least of which is due to its iconic score from composer John Murphy.  Let's find out if this crew travels too close to the sun....Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

This is the story of Monica and Quincy who both grow up next door to each other in Southern California, apparently enamored of two things: the game of basketball and each other.  And as they grow up, they both develop into excellent basketball players and we also watch as their relationship develops.  Omar Epps (Higher Learning, Juice) eventually plays Quincy who is the son of a retired pro basketball player (Dennis Heysbert) and has aspirations of following in his father's footsteps.  And Sanaa Lathan (Brown Sugar, Alien Vs. Predator) eventually plays Monica who is trying to develop into a pro basketball player despite her mother's (Alfre Woodard) concerns about there being no future in it.  What results is both a love story and sports drama which spans over fifteen years and has built quite up a devoted following since it was first released in the Spring of 2000 to solid reviews and box office.  What better time to review this beloved basketball drama directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King) than JUST in time for March Madness? :) Send us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Twenty-five years ago, director Curtis Hanson (8 Mile, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle) followed up his widely acclaimed crime drama classic LA Confidential with this quirky adaptation of the Michael Chabon novel of the same name.  This tells the simple story of Professor Grady Tripp (Michael Douglas) who wrote ONE great novel several years and is having.....some difficulties....writing the follow-up.  Beyond that, he has one headmaster's wife (Frances McDormand) who he's been having an affair with, a highly impressionable much younger student (Katie Holmes) who is enamored with him, a nebbishy editor/publisher (Robert Downey Jr.) who keeps hounding him for that next book, and.....a wayward student James Leer (Tobey Maguire) whom he gets mixed up with in some incident involving a dog that gets shot.  James Leer also looks up to Grady and also just might be The Next Great American Writer.  And there's more plot and several more characters to boot....plot is almost incidental as this Pittsburgh-set character comedy has more to it than plot.  How about interesting characters, comical situations, and loads of fun dialogue to boot!Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Brady Corbet (Vox Lux) has directed a three and a half hour sprawling tale of a Jewish architect named Laszlo (Adrian Brody) who has escaped religious persecution in World War II Europe to come to America.  This epic drama kicks off with him arriving at Ellis Island in epic fashion, then restarting his career in Pennsylvania where he encounters a local industrialist named Van Buren (Guy Pearce) who hires him to take on increasingly larger projects.  Complications ensue as Laszlo achieves success but also struggles to adapt to an environment which can often be hostile to him, even more-so after his wife Erzsebet (Felicity Jones) is finally able to emigrate from Europe to join him.  Since being screened throughout the festival circuit last year (initially without a distributor), this film has received wide acclaim.  It has also recently received ten Oscar nominations including for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor.  But is it WORTHY of such acclaim?    Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Director Nisha Ganatra (Late Night) delivers a throwback to big studio romantic comedies from twenty years ago with this frothy musical tale of Maggie (Dakota Johnson) who is the beleaguered personal assistant to legendary pop diva Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross)...yet has a good ear and aspirations of becoming a music producer.  And while trying to help produce new music for her boss, she also happens to meet a talented young vocal artist David (Kelvin Harrison Jr) whose music she also wants to produce....they strike up a romance and things just get more complicated from there.  Also co-starring Ice Cube and Bill Pullman, this delightful gem features great music though also had the misfortune of being released five years ago during the early days of COVID, so it never had a proper release.....maybe it's time to spread the word.Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Edward (Richard Gere) is a wealthy industrialist who is feeling lonely one night while on a business trip.  While cruising Hollywood Boulevard, he meets a prostitute named Vivian (Julia Roberts) and he decides to hire her for the week to stay with him....what he didn't count on was falling in love. :o And what resulted was one of the most popular romantic comedies of all time, a worldwide phenomenon which launched Julia Roberts into the stratosphere.   It was directed by the late, great Garry Marshall (Beaches, The Princess Diaries) and also co-starred Jason Alexander, Laura San Giacomo, and Hector Elizondo.  It had a hugely popular soundtrack and features several iconic scenes.....but how does it hold up?  On the eve of its 35th Anniversary AND Valentines Day, let's head back to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and Rodeo Drive, and find out.....Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh (The Ocean's Trilogy, Erin Brockovich, Contagion) returns to the big screen with a simple tale about one suburban family which has just moved into a new home....only to find out that they might not be alone. :o Not only that but they each have their own share of personal issues, mostly depressed teenager Chloe (Callina Liang) who has suffered a recent personal tragedy and ends up being the focus of the story.  This film has been promoted as an intimate "ghost story" but it is as much a family drama...and let's leave it at that.  The rest of the cast includes Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, and Eddy Maday.Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

How do you remake a classic?  Well in the case of trying to bring back the LEGENDARY Private Detective John Shaft of the 1971 Gordon Parks cult hit starring Richard Roundtree, acclaimed director John Singleton (Boyz N The Hood, Poetic Justice) teamed with acclaimed writer Richard Writer (The Color of Money, Clockers) to....NOT remake it, they decided to "re-imagine" the character as a former NYPD cop trying to exact justice in late '90's New York City.  Oscar-nominee Samuel L. Jackson now plays the titular character with Roundtree returning to play his uncle.  This time around, Shaft is determined to bring justice for the racially-charged murder of an innocent young man at a NYC club.  The murderer is played by Oscar-winner Christian Bale (The Fighter), the witness whom Shaft has to find is played by Oscar-nominee Toni Colette (The Sixth Sense).....and beyond that, Shaft also has to combat corrupt local cops PLUS local drug kingpin Peoples Hernandez played by Oscar-nominee Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction).  Throw in some high-octane action, Busta Rhymes as Shaft's driver, AND....the iconic Oscar-winning theme song from Isaac Hayes and what do you get?  Besides several Oscar nominees, you happen to get a surprisingly enjoyable (and very timely) action thriller to kick off Black History Month.  Can you dig it? :)    Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

On January 15, the entertainment world lost a truly unique and highly influential talent….David Lynch (Blue Velvet, The Elephant Man, Twin Peaks) who passed away at the age of 78 from emphysema.  Over his illustrious career, he directed twelve feature films and was nominated for four Oscars including Best Director for this acclaimed classic released in the fall of 2001.  Considered by many fans and critics to be Lynch's best film, this mind-bending mystery has since garnered a devoted following from cinephiles who have enjoyed developing and sharing theories regarding its complex plot.  The overall story mainly focuses on two women, one an amnesiac nick-named Rita (Laura Harring) and the other an aspiring actress named Betty (Naomi Watts) who is new to town.  The town is Hollywood, where dreams of fame and fortune sometimes come true....though more often they lead to bad things. :o And as these two ladies develop a relationship.....well as most other Lynch stories go, let's just say that they get pretty strange.  Also included among the stellar cast are Justin Theroux, Jeanne Bates, Robert Forster, Brent Briscoe, Patrick Fischler, Dan Hedaya, and Billy Ray Cyrus. (Yes you read that right.)  Rest in Peace Mr. Lynch….your legacy will live on WELL beyond your time on this earth.  Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Director Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead & Spider-Man trilogies) just seemed born to apply his skills to a send-up of a spaghetti western and back in the mid '90's he got his chance.  You've got Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct) at the PEAK of her star-power playing the strong-but-silent type, a gunslinger coming to the town of Redemption seeking revenge and getting roped into a gun-duel tournament....Hackman taking his Oscar-winning thug sheriff role from Unforgiven up to 11 as the main villain....journeyman players like Lance Henricksen, Keith David, Pat Hingle, and Tobin Bell all having a blast.  PLUS you have a truly baby-faced Leo DiCaprio and youthful-looking Russell Crowe (in his American film debut) both bringing the heat with interesting supporting characters who form different types of bonds with Stone's protagonist.  What results is a high-energy genre hybrid which was a flop on initial release but has since built up a cult following as it now approaches it's thirtieth anniversary.  Let's find out who is the quickest....Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Chances are if that you were watching some action thriller in the '90's featuring an airplane being hijacked, there was a strong likelihood that it starred Wesley Snipes....as this would be one of three (the others being U.S. Marshalls and Passenger 57) released during that time period with such a sequence.  And amazingly of all three, this would be the one to feature him most up in the air as Snipes stars as U.S. Marshall Pete Nessip who after suffering a tragedy on one such hijacking early in the movie decides to track down said hijackers whom he believes were able to escape via parachutes?? :o Yup it's a crazy theory but it turns out to be true as these hijackers are actually professional sky-divers lead by the nefarious Ty Moncrief (Gary Busey) who has plans to use the convicted master-hacker Earl Leady (Michael Jeter) to utilize his hacking skills for nefarious purposes.  So what does our hero decide to do to apprehend these guys?  Why to infiltrate the insular world of sky-divers of course! ;) And his most important ally/mentor turns happens to be master-skydiver Jessie Crossman played by Yancy Butler (Hard Target, Witchblade).  So yes we get to see SNIPES Up In The SKY during his '90's peak....and directed by John Badham (WarGames, Saturday Night Fever, Bird On A Wire), one of the more underappreciated genre filmmakers of the era. Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Following up starring in a string of big budget genre epics (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Blade Runner, Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi) in the early part of the '80's, Harrison Ford decided to detour just a bit with this smaller-scale suspense thriller directed by the legendary Peter Weir (Dead Poet's Society, The Truman Show).  Here he plays John Book, a Philadelphia police detective investigating a local murder where the ONLY witness is a young Amish boy (Lucas Haas) who happened to be travelling through the area with his mother at the time.  As it turns out, this murder investigation goes up the chain of the local police department and after an attempt is made on Book's life, he flees to the nearby Amish Country where the young boy lives with his mother Rachel (Kelly McGillis).  There as they help nurse John back to health, he not only becomes involved with the local Amish community but develops a forbidden romance with Rachel.  And what results is one of the best thrillers of the decade as it also was eventually nominated for eight Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and what has remained the ONLY Oscar nomination for Ford, Best Actor.   Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Big Nick is BACK!  And so is Donnie the Driver....as played by Gerard Butler and O'Shea Jackson Jr. respectively, they are the only significant hold-overs from the first first Den of Thieves which came out five years.  That original LA-based crime thriller directed by Christian Gudegast (who also returns to direct this sequel) ended up being a bit of a sleeper hit and has garnered a significant following since then via streaming and/or cable.  So how do they continue the story this time around?  By bringing the overall action to both France and Belgium where Donnie (O'Shea Jackson Jr.) is now deeply involved in an ambitious heist to steal gems from the World Diamond District.  And guess who suddenly travels to Nice to find him AND potentially join him?  Why it's Nick (Gerard Butler) who is a now a disgraced former LAPD cop as a result of the events of the previous film.....and now he wants IN? :o In other words.....The Cop Goes Gangster and The Heist Goes Global.  Also included among the international cast are Evin Ahmad, Salvatore Esposito, Orli Shuka.....Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

In the small, isolated Nevada town of Perfection, two aimless handymen Val (Kevin Bacon) and Earl (Fred Ward) were just minding their own business working their latest gig when they suddenly discover strange things occurring....including the inexplicable death of some one who has hidden way up on a light pole in the middle of nowhere.  What were they afraid of....something on the ground....or underground perhaps? :o Well as it turns out, this town has been invaded by large, strange creatures travelling underground....and what results is a wild adventure which might be described as "Jaws on Land." Ron Underwood (City Slickers, Heart and Souls) directed this now beloved cult classic which first under-performed in theaters back in 1990 but has since spawned several sequels and even a TV spin-off.  It also starred Michael Gross, Reba McEntire, Finn Carter, Victor Wong, and....some very nasty sand-worms?Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Wilson (Terrance Stamp) is a career criminal from the UK who is now coming to Los Angeles to find out about what happened to his daughter (Melissa George) who just tragically died in a car accident....or did she?  Her father suspects that she might have been murdered and he suspects that it might have been her wealthy, older record executive boyfriend Terry played by the late, great Peter Fonda.  Along the way, Wilson recruits help from two local actors (Lesley Ann Warren, Luis Guzman) who were friends with his daughter and what results is a stylish, somewhat time-bending revenge thriller which received significant acclaim when it was first released twenty five years ago.  Directed by Oscar-winning legend Steven Soderbergh at the peak of his powers (right between Out of Sight and Erin Brockovich), just tell them that WILSON IS COMING!!!!Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Taking place within a future apocalyptic wasteland, Denzel Washington plays the titular Eli and he's traversing through this wasteland with an all-important book (hence the title)...along with a super-sharp machete blade, shotgun, killer instincts, and car battery-powered IPod Classic.  Things get hairy once he arrives in the wrong town where the local villain Carnegie (Gary Oldman) wants to take possession of this mysterious book.  And what results is an increasingly violent stand-off between Eli and Carnegie's small army of marauders lead by Redridge played by the late, great Ray Stevenson.  Along the way, Eli takes in a sort-of-protégé Solara played by Mila Kunis.  Directed by Allen and Albert Hughes (Menace II Society, Dead Presidents), this bleak action thriller borrows a LOT from The Mad Max Saga but it has a strong enough cast to keep things interesting....   Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Twenty years ago, Two-time Oscar winner Oliver Stone (Platoon, JFK, Wall Street) finally had the opportunity to direct the grand-scale historical epic which he and several of his directing peers (Scorsese, Kubrick) had been trying to helm for decades.....the story of Alexander the Great who once lead a MASSIVE Macedonian Empire which at one point comprised around half of the land mass in the Eastern Hemisphere during ancient times.  He lived one hell of a life conquering much of the ancient world and here he is played by Colin Farrell (In Bruges, The Banshees of Inisherin, The Penguin) whose casting DID raise some eyebrows at the time of release....especially given that he portrayed this character with his heavy Irish accent.  And beyond that, Oscar-winner Angelina Jolie (Girl Interrupted, Salt, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) was cast as his mother Olympias....even though she was only one year older than Farrell at the time.  Beyond that, the stellar cast also includes Val Kilmer, Rosario Dawson, Anthony Hopkins, and the late, great Christopher Plummer among several others.  Also co-written by Oliver Stone, this would also be THE last big budget film he would helm as the $150 million production was not only a commercial flop but also destroyed by critics at the time of release.And yet....a few years later, Stone was able to release his own extended "Director's Cut" on DVD (and eventually Blu-Ray) which is considered by many (himself included) to be a far superior version of this story as it includes 40 additional minutes of footage including some extended action sequences.  So in reviewing THAT version of this film, let's find out if Alexander DID in fact live up to his title. ;) Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Acclaimed independent filmmaker Sean Baker (The Florida Project, Tangerine) both wrote and directed this dramedy about a Brooklyn sex worker/exotic dancer named Ani (Mikey Madison) who one night meets a wealthy young Russian named Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn) at her club.  She dances for him and apparently they hit it off SO well that within a few days, they decide to get married in Vegas.  They soon return to Ivan's enormous waterfront mansion to begin married life when suddenly, some unexpected guests (Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan, Yura Borisov) come calling.  Well not exactly guests....they actually work for Ivan's father who is VERY powerful and none too pleased about his son getting impulsively married like this.  At the request of Ivan's father, they also begin to take steps towards ending this short-lived marriage....and needless to say, Ani has some things to say about that.  And from there, things just get crazier and crazier....Ever since unexpectedly winning the highly prestigious "Palme d'Or" award back in May, this film has received a steady stream of acclaim and additional awards attention to the point where it is now considered one of the front-runners for this year's Oscar race, especially Mikey Madison (Once Upon a Day In Hollywood) who is very likely to win Best Actress at the Oscar's next year for a performance which has many convinced that she is on her way towards becoming a movie star!  Let see if it lives up to the hype...... Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene Gershon Send us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

The Griswalds Are Back!  Only this time, they're staying home for Christmas in this third entry of the highly popular "National Lampoon's Vacation" which started in the early '80s.  Chevy Chase once again returns as the enduringly hapless Clark Griswald while Beverly D'Angelo also returns as Ellen Griswald, his long-suffering wife.  And for the third film in a row, their children Audrey (Juliette Lewis) and Rusty (Johnny Galecki) are played by ENTIRELY different actors.  They also have loads of extended family visiting including in-laws played by Randy Quaid, Doris Roberts, EG Marshall, Diane Ladd, William Hickey, John Randolph, and Miriam Flynn.  Of course with a full house, loads of holiday chaos ensues including rogue squirrels, dried-out turkeys, and super-charged cats!  Celebrating its 35th Anniversary, let's revisit this beloved holiday comedy directed by Jeremiah Chechick and both written and produced by the late great John Hughes. Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Coming out more than sixteen years after its beloved predecessor (2001: A Space Odyssey), this might have been the very first "Legacy Sequel."  Also whereas the first film was directed by the late great cinema legend Stanley Kubrick, this one was helmed by journeyman director Peter Hyams (Running Scared, Capricorn One, Timecop) who in tandem with the author (Arthur C. Clarke) of the original source material was determined to craft a more conventional story as opposed to the ground-breaking 1968 classic which was much more abstract in it structure and tone.  Picking up nine years after the events of that first film, we follow Dr. Heywood Floyd (Roy Scheider) who planned that previous mission of the USS Discovery to Jupiter where those onboard discovered the mysterious "Monolith."  Dr. Floyd is determined to find out what exactly transpired so he hitches a ride with a Soviet mission there commanded by Captain Tanya Kirbuk (Helen Mirren).   And what they eventually encounter and discover is...."something wonderful?"  Also along for the ride are John Lithgow, Bob Balaban, and Elya Baskin in an epic sci-fi adventure which might not approach the majesty of its predecessor but actually holds up better as pure entertainment, now forty years after it was first released in theaters. Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

This is the semi-autobiographical musical story of Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider), a legendary choreographer/director struggling with various addictions as he juggles developing a new stage musical and editing a film he has directed.  And it was directed by legendary choreographer/director Bob Fosse (Cabaret, Lenny) who at the time was dealing with many of the struggles when he wasn't winning multiple Tony Awards and Oscars.  It was a true passion project which also attracted a passionate response as it did well at the box office, received mass acclaim, and was also nominated for multiple Oscars including for Best Picture.  Scheider was also nominated for Best Actor that year, leading a very talented cast including Ann Reinking, Leland Palmer, Cliff Gorman, Ben Vereen, and Jessica Lange.  Jam-packed with several sequences which can be described as sad, sexy, sordid, and joyous, it was quite the original cinematic experience....IT'S SHOWTIME FOLKS!Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

What happens when the acclaimed and idiosyncratic director of JFK, Natural Born Killers, and The Doors attempts to direct a conventional sports drama about his favorite sport?  Multiple Oscar-winner Oliver Stone showed us back in December 1999 that the result would be clearly anything BUT conventional!  And he had quite the cast for this epic tail of a few weeks in the life of the fictional Miami Sharks, a professional football team at a crossroads.   They have a hot-headed new owner (Cameron Diaz) trying in to rein their beleaguered veteran coach (Al Pacino) and have also just lost their veteran quarterback (Dennis Quaid) to a severe injury so they have to replace him with a third string quarterback (Jamie Foxx) with something to prove.  And what results is a wild 160 minutes of big budget football insanity jam-packed with game-related violence, debauchery, and VERY loud arguments!  Also included in this stacked cast are James Woods, LL Cool J, Jim Brown, Aaron Eckhart, Matthew Modine, John C. McGinley, Lela Rochon, Lawrence Taylor, Elizabeth Berkley, AND the late great Charlton Heston. :) It's time to make a run for the Pantheon Cup....Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Fifty years ago, recent Oscar winner Francis Ford Coppola returned to write and direct what was likely one of the most highly anticipated sequels in the history of cinema.....and barely two years after the original film (The Godfather) had set the world by storm not only setting box office records but winning several Oscars including Best Picture.  How could any film live up to that?  Well in the opinions of most who saw it, THIS one did! Returning are stars Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, Talia Shire, and John Cazale among several others in this next chapter of The Corleone Saga with Al's Michael now leading one of the most powerful crime families in the country.  And this time around, he's expanding his empire further by working out a deal with powerful kingpin Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg) to expand operations into Cuba.  Of course, several complications ensue including an attempt on Michael's life which arouses suspicions towards every one around him.  From there, things don't go exactly as planned as Michael's fear and paranoia take him into unexpected directions.  Along the way during this 3+ epic, Coppola also presents us with the origins of Michael's father Vito now played by Robert Deniro.  We follow Vito's story from an orphaned kid travelling from his homeland of Italy to New York City and eventually growing into adulthood, building a criminal empire.  Considered by many to be even better than its predecessor, this would go on to win six Oscars including Best Picture.   Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

STRENGTH AND HONOR!The legendary Sir Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner) returns to Ancient Rome to direct this long-awaited sequel to his Best Picture-winning, blockbuster smash from twenty four years ago, Gladiator.  This continuation takes place around sixteen years later as the legacy of the both Maximus and the late Emperor Marcus Aurelius has seemingly waned.  Rome is now even more corrupt with two childish, manic twin emperors (Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger) now running things as the Roman Empire has stretched itself even thinner under the military leadership of General Acacius (Pedro Pascal)....with bloody, increasingly elaborate gladiator games taking place in the Coliseum now as important as ever!And into this brutal arena, A Hero Will Rise. :) His name is Lucius and he's a slave played by acclaimed up-and-coming actor Oscar-nominee Paul Mescal (Aftersun, All of Us Strangers) while the promoter who owns and controls him is Macrinus played by multiple Oscar-winner Denzel Washington.  Also still in the mix and returning from the first film is Lucilla played by Connie Nielsen (One Hour Photo, Wonder Woman) who seems to recognize this strapping young fighter who's staking Rome by storm....and what results is another swords-and-sandals epic somewhat similar to the first one, only THIS time featuring....sharks? :P  Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Forty years ago this December saw the release of the most popular AND influential action comedies of all time.  This was star Eddie Murphy's immediate follow-up to his two breakout hits the previous years, 48 Hrs. in '82 and then Trading Places in '83, only THIS time he was the sole star above the title for the first time.  And Eddie did not disappoint with this fish-out-of-water comedy about a Detroit cop named Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) who travels across the country to Beverly Hills to investigate the murder of his best friend.  Even though that might not SOUND like the set-up for an comedic film, Murphy's gift for improvisation and a game supporting cast (John Ashton, Judge Reinhold playing two local cops whom he teams up with in Beverly Hills) bring a lot of humor to the proceedings regardless, along with a clever Oscar-nominated script from Daniel Petrie Jr and top-flight helming from director Martin Brest whose follow-up would be the even better Midnight Run four years later.  What results are memorable characters, quotable lines, and of course a kicking soundtrack including an iconic synth score from Harold Faultemeyer.  The Heat IS On! Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/

Closing out a decade comprising two iconic hits (Heat, The Last of the Mohicans), Oscar-nominated director Michael Mann decided to next collaborate with Oscar-winning writer Eric Roth (Forest Gump) on this docudrama about a controversial story which ran at the highly-rated news-program "60 Minutes" just a few years prior.  This news segment focused on an interview with "Big Tobacco" whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand (Russel Crowe) and what damaging secrets he was able to review about the questionable business practices of his former employer, Brown & Williamson.  Unfortunately this segment didn't air right away resulting from various complicating factors including political concerns at the network (CBS) airing it, ongoing litigation from Brown & Williamson, and Wigand's own personal history coming to light.  The producer on this segment and the other key "insider" in this story was 60 Minutes' Lowell Bergman played by Oscar-winner Al Pacino.  And what results is a stirring film which was beloved by critics though not by audiences....it would also receive seven Oscar nominations including for Best Picture.  It remains one of the best films from a sterling year (1999) for cinema and also featured a stacked cast including Diane Venora, Christopher Plummer, Phillip Baker Hall, Michael Gambon, Debi Mazar, Gina Gershon, and Bruce McGill.Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene GershonSend us a texthttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/