Muhf***as I Know

Yes, folks -- I'm back! For one time only, I've decided to dip back over to my dormant podcast and drop this ep, which is really a homemade audio commentary I made for one of the most astoundingly gawdawful movies I saw last year. So, if you want to hear me drunkenly, profanely ramble during a whole movie for an hour and 40 minutes, oh boy, are you in luck!

The following Crizzlecast is one of two I did with Dylan Otto Krider, a journalist/writer and one of my former editors at the Houston Press. As some of you know, I've taken some time off from doing this podcast to deal with other matters. So, I've had this one on the shelf for quite some time. Just recently, I heard that Krider suffered a stroke in the left side of his brain, due to a spontaneous carotid artery dissection that resulted in a blood clot.  He recently had surgery, which was successful, but he is suffering from right side weakness/numbness and is having difficulties speaking and understanding things. This episode was done sometime last summer. We talked about many things. But, more importantly, we talked about the experiences we had working together. He was a great editor and someone I still continue to call my friend. I wish him good luck on his recovery. 

We'll talk about why I haven't posted here in a few months at another time. It's time for me to post a Crizzlecast I've actually held on to because the guest asked me to do so. As you'll listen to this ep, you'll understand why. I talk to filmmaker/actress Marya Murphy, who certainly dispensed a lot more than I expected her to. She first starts off talking about being a victim of stalking. (Wasn't expecting that.) Then, she speaks on the pitfalls of divorce, as she was severing ties with her filmmaker husband at the time. Then, we finally talk about the films she's worked on and what she wants to accomplish as a filmmaker. Yeah, this was certainly a surprising, revealing hour that I'm glad to finally put out there. She gave me the go-ahead yesterday, so here it is.

On this lively edition of the Crizzlecast, I Skype over to LA to talk to multi-talented vocalist Karina Nistal. Nistal and I go way back, when I used to see her dance at a monthly club night back in Houston. We talk about those early days, along with her transition into singing, her years working with her jeweler father as a teenager (and the horrific event that made her leave the business) and how she's handling living in Los Angeles. She also compliments me like crazy during the episode, which I don't know how to handle. And, remember, if you enjoy the episode -- DONATE TO THE PODCAST, DAMMIT!

Yes, after a month of quiet slumber, the Crizzlecast returns! Today's episode has me talking with New York-based filmmaker Jesse Epstein. After several false starts, not to mention her taking care of her newborn baby, we get into talking about her short films, what got her filmmaking, how she's handling life as a mother and, for some reason, my man-titties.  If you would like to hear me talk about my man-titties more, please donate to the podcast so I can keep this going.

I head back over to Brooklyn -- hipster country -- to holla at another Crizzlecast guest. Today, I'll be speaking with Lance Scott Walker, the former Houstonian who wrote for a lot of Houston-based publications before heading over to the East Coast to make it as a writer and musician. We talk about his great moments in Houston freelancing, his musical side project the White Papers and the two books he'll be releasing on Houston hip-hop. Yes, sir -- he's an accomplished author, musician AND he's married to the chick from Elysian Fields. Thank God he lives in Brooklyn -- I have this incredible urge to hit him with a brick just for having it so good! Ah well. 

Today, I head back to Houston (via Skype) and talk to one of my former music-journalism colleagues over there, Kwame Anderson. A former rapper-turned-schoolteacher, we discuss how he still dabbles in music writing for Free Press Houston, which of course slides into what he's hating the most about music today. We also discuss his days dropping rhymes in groups Seeds of Soul and Freedom Sold. He also reminds me that he and I went to college together. (Didn't have the heart to tell him that I forgot all about that.) Kwame also comes up with the term "snowconing them hoes." If that doesn't end up in a rap song, then I have not done my job as a podcaster.

For today's Crizzlecast, I fiberoptically venture out to Brooklyn, the hipster capital of the world, to talk to guest Nathan Gelgud. A film critic I share column space with over at INDY Week, the man is also quite the illustrative artist. I talk to him about the various doodles he has done for others as well as on his own website. Of course, we also chop it up a bit about film and film criticism, which we both agree has made us quite tired and jaded even though we're in our thirties.  It's another one of those beautiful episodes where I find a kindred spirit in the most unexpected of places. Enjoy.

For today's Crizzlecast, I take it all the way up to Sundance country to talk to today's guest. I speak with Scott Renshaw, the head film critic over at the Salt Lake City Weekly. We talk about the Sundance Film Festival as well as his early days reviewing films in high school, what's it like reviewing movies in Utah, his hilarious Twitter page and why it's such a pain in the ass to get a press screening for Star Trek Into Darkness. Talking with film critics is always hilarious. You'll see why when you take a listen to this.

It's another Crizzlecast where I talk to an old high-school classmate. This time around, it's Jennifer Kabay Barnett, a lady who often busted my chops back in the day. We delve into that rather uncomfortably, as well as her new career as a published author, her rampant love of Paul McCartney and anything British and why she feels her Texas home is haunted. By the way, she also break my balls a bit about not reading her book. So, if you want to hear that in all its awkward glory, take a listen.

Yeah, this Crizzlecast is definitely an emotional one. For this episode, I talk to Pam Nelson, former copy editor for the News & Observer, grammar maven and an old colleague of mine. We discuss how she got into journalism and her wild-and-crazy college days. And, then, we get into the deaths that we've had in our family -- and that's when things get really real. Take a listen, but you may want to have some Kleenex nearby.

Here's another "emergency" ep of the Crizzlecast for all you hungry listeners out there. This episode has me rapping with John Munson, who runs the art-house side of Raleigh's Ambassador Cinemas. We delve into his long career playing movies at theaters. We also spend huge chunks of time venting about what's wrong with the movies (publicists, talky audiences, bad movies, etc.) So, take a listen and I promise that, next week, the Crizzlecast will be back to its regular schedule. 

I know, I know -- where the hell have I been? To put it short, I've been going through things, which I'm sure I'll devote a whole Crizzlecast. But, until then, here's a special "emergency" episode for all my muhf***as who listen to this. Today's ep has me talking with Toby Leonard, the all-too-cool proprietor of the Belcourt Theatre, the even-more-awesome art-house theater and performance venue, in Nashvile. We talk about how he got to run and program movies at this place as well as his visits to film fests such as Sundance and Toronto in order to see what he's gonna book in his theater. We also discuss the time I visited the Belcourt and introduced a film there. Let's just say, according to Leonard, they still talk about to this day!

Today's Crizzlecast is special: it's the one where I have a mini-meltdown.  Of course, I wasn't expecting to have one -- nor have it recorded for people to listen to -- but considering how things have been going for me, I decided to get some things off my chest near the end of this ep. I guess I should also mention I spoke to film critic James Frazier for today's show. We talk about seeing films in the Iowa town where he resides, his politics and how he started Critic Speak with former Crizzlecast guest Danny Baldwin. When we start talking about what it's like being a freelancer, that's when things get a bit too real for me. This wasn't my finest hour -- but enjoy it anyway.  

Here's the deal with today's Crizzlecast. Last fall, I interviewed Matt Zoller Seitz, film critic, TV critic, video essayist, blog founder -- whatever you wanna call him. Anyway, we discussed the differences between reviewing movies and reviewing TV, his experiences reviewing movies along with Godfrey Cheshire and Armond White, his love for Spielberg, how hectic it is writing about television these days, the death of 35mm film, seeing 48 Hours with his daughter, that time I stayed at his place during the New York Film Festival -- the whole schmeer. Here's the problem: I had so many other things I wanted to talk with him about, but he had to cut it short because he had to go back to work. At the end of this episode, we agreed to do a second Crizzlecast. To make a long story long, it's April and that still hasn't happened. So, here is what I'm gonna do: I'll post this episode today, and if you want to hear more, please badger and harass Matt about doing a part two with me. I'd appreciate it. 

Sorry for the delay but if you listened to Tuesday's Crizzlecast, you know how things have gotten, well, unfortunate for me lately. But I just had to drop this ep where I spoke to LA buddy Adam Villani. It starts off rather vanilla, with the former blogger discussing his life with a wife and a new baby. But then, he starts talking about black people and swimming -- and that's when the podcast really gets bugnuts crazy. Also, in the middle of it, he discusses his experiences being a contestant on both Jeopardy! and Win Ben Stein's Money. So, there's that.

Yeah, things aren't going well for me these days. Thank God I have a pal like Andrew Dignan, who hasn't exactly been living the good life either, to be there for me to vent. We spend the bulk of this Crizzlecast kvetching about how broke and unemployed we are. But it isn't all woe-is-me stories. We also reminisce about the time I went to Los Angeles and visited him for a few days. We also discuss his on-again, off-again career as a film blogger and his experiences working on a movie starring a ubiquitous, Oscar-winning movie star. Hope you enjoy the episode -- and if you do, for the love of God, please donate to the podcast. I'm dying over here!

Rounding out Aaron Week on the Crizzlecast is a rather lively one-on-one with San Antonio film scribe/video essayist Aaron Aradillas. We talk about how he started out interviewing film critics, how he sees movies with limited vision and what's it like seeing films in the Lone Star State. We also get into some weird territory when he recalls how much he loathed an African-American linguistics teacher back in college. He also tears Jeffrey Wells a new one. Enjoy.

Hey, I've spent weeks talking to guys named Kenji and Dan. Now, it's time to spend a week talking to a couple of guys named Aaron. First up is Aaron Hillis, a well-known film critic and writer who knows a thing or two about distributing and programming movies. We talk about his new hustle as owner and proprietor of New York video store Video Free Brooklyn, as well as discuss his days distributing indie films through Benten Films.  We also discuss what exactly are mumblecore films -- and I don't know if we figured it out. Take a listen and see if we did.

I once again holla at an old, high-school chum for today's Crizzlecast. I actually Skype all the way to Argentina to talk to Paula Lifschitz, a former classmate of mine who is now based in her Buenos Aires homeland. We talk about our former teenage selves as well as the rocky road she traveled to get to where she is today. We also discuss her career as a burgeoning artist. We also break down the differences between England and France that I hope my listeners over there (yes, I do have international listenere) will not take offense to.

This week on the Crizzlecast, I'll be talking to a couple of independent ladies whose intelligence, savvy and beauty can leave a brotha all flummoxed! First up is Asya Shein, the head of the Fusicology marketing and promotion empire. This convo was recorded right before she took off for SXSW in Austin, and given that she was doing three to four things while I was talking to her, she did manage to speak on her early days promoting raves in Toronto, finding her way into the States to promote shows and artists and her thoughts on popular music today. By the way, Shein has very captivating hair. I had to ask what she used for it near the end.

For our final Dan Week guest on the Crizzlecast, I speak with Danny Baldwin -- no, not the actor. Baldwin is a San Diego film critic, best known for his work in Bucket Reviews and, now, Critic Speak. We actually begin talking about other critics, specifically Armond White and previous Crizzlecast guest Victor J. Morton. Eventually, we get into Baldwin's life as a film critic as well as how much of a pain it is watching a decently-projected movie in San Diego. We eventually talk about Daniel Baldwin, and how people get disappointed when they find out Danny's not him. Yeah, I don't understand it either! 

It wasn't until last night that I realized I recently interviewed two men named Dan. So, screw it -- let's have Dan Week on the Crizzlecast! First up is Dan Sallitt, a former film critic, film blogger, film lister and, more importantly, filmmaker. We discuss how he went from reviewing movies to making them. And we also delve into the making of his latest film, The Unspeakable Act, which I like to call the saddest, least creepiest movie about incest you'll ever see.  Basically, if you want to hear expert indie-filmmaking advice from a bona-fide indie filmmaker, I suggest you give this episode a listen.

You wouldn't know it from looking at the photo, but this white boy knows a lot about R & B. Today on the Crizzlecast, I speak to one of my colleagues in the Triangle film-critic circle, Neil Morris (aka the Marquee Marquis). Along with talking about his career in film criticism, we discuss his love for '80s R & B as well as action heroes from that same decade. This sets off a weird-ass debate we have about how the movie stars of today ain't got nothing on Stallone and Schwarzenegger.  By the way, somewhere in the beginning, he makes a crack about giving his age. Before our conversation, I mentioned how some of my previous guests didn't want to disclose their age on the podcast. Don't worry -- I didn't rat anyone out. I just bring that up so past guests won't get pissed and call me up. 

Believe it or not, today's Crizzlecast also doubles as a therapy session for me. I speak with Andrew Johnson, who's not a therapist, but a film blogger and fellow podcast host. I talk to him about growing up in Central and South America, going to college in North Carolina and his days reviewing movies for the college paper. Later on in the episode, Johnson talks about how he used to catch me at movie screenings all sullen and what not. I proceed to tell him there was a reason for that -- and that's when all the deep. dark stuff comes out. Let's just say if you've ever wanted to find out what makes me unbelievably uncomfortable, you need to listen to this ep.

You know when I begin a Crizzlecast singing the Gap Band's "Yearning for Your Love," you know it's gonna be a good episode. And that's exactly what I did when I spoke to today's guest, Monica Castillo. Another film critic from the Boston area, I talk to the lovely and vivacious Castillo about growing up seeing movies in Florida, her eventual move over to reviewing movies in Beantown and how she aided in launching the Boston Online Film Critics Association. We also get into her side hustle as -- a ballroom dance instructor! By the way, she also co-hosts this podcast that I've been on a couple of times. On Tuesday, I'll talk to the other host of that show.

Sometimes, it's hard as hell being a film critic. Just ask today's Crizzlecast guest, Brett Michel. The first film critic from Boston I'll be speaking to this week, Brett and I chop it up about the exhausting ups and downs a freelance critic (especially one from Boston, where attending a movie screening can sometimes be a painful experience) has to go through. Of course, we also get into why he became a film critic in the first place and how serious he takes seeing a movie properly on the big screen. I jokingly said near the end that this episode should be dubbed "Tears of a Critic." Listen to today's episode and see if I'm not far off. 

I'm just gonna say this: I'm was pretty much in a dark place when I interviewed New Jersey artist Jim McHugh for today's Crizzlecast. Another freelance illustrator I've worked with, I managed to plow through with the convo even though I was feeling quite despondent and the whole thing was flanked with technical difficulties. Nevertheless, I did get to know more about Jim and his career as an illustrator for hire. We also get into his influences, his side hustles (one has something to do with Star Wars) and how he feels living in Chris Christie country. Since this talk, I feel slightly better. But I should refrain from interviewing people when I have dark days.

This week on the Crizzlecast, I'll be talking to two illustrators I've worked very closely with over the years. The first one out the box is Baltimore artist Alex Fine. He's a well-known freelancer whose work has been seen in countless publications. We talk about how he's gotten his work in those publications as well as his influences. We also talk about certain celebs he's illustrated that screwed him over. (Yeah, you definitely wanna listen to that!) And near the end, I bring up 2 Broke Girls, which sends my boy off on a rant that definitely has to be heard to be believed. Hey, the man's an artist -- homeboy's got standards!

We close out Muriel Awards Week (I recently wrote a piece over at the official blog) here with a convo with Muriels voter Philip Tatler IV. We talk a lot about old and new movies, especially movies that Tatler, a Tennessee-based, reality-show film editor and cinephile, feels has some remarkable editing. We also discuss the sort of reality shows he has no choice but to edit. We close it out with Tatler and I sifting through Film Comment's Top 50 of last year and seeing which films we thought were Muriels-worthy. By the way, for all those Best Show on WFMU fans, we also talk about unfortunate-yet-sidesplitting moment when I called into the show and got "Bad Companyed" by none other than Tom Scharpling. 

Every year, there is this thing that goes on in the online film-critic community known as the Muriel Awards. (This year's winners are being announced over here.) One of the guys who started this loose and wacky alternative to the Oscars (which I've been a voting member of for several years) is Paui Clark, aka today's Crizzlecast guest. Of course, we discuss how the Muriels came to be, but we also discuss Clark's love of movies and his unorthodox method of rating them. We also delve into how life is treating him now that he's a stepdad and family man. We also learn that movies are likes is referred to as "Paul movies" by his family. Man, that's messed up.

Oh yes -- it's another Crizzlecast where I talk to one of my old spoken-word colleagues from H-Town. Today, I talk to Marie Brown, perhaps one of the most dramatic spoken-word artists I know. We discuss our history as H-Town poets, as well as the poetry scene in Houston, of course. We also get into how Marie found the inspirations for her most powerful poems. She also discusses how one poem I used to do reminds her of this heifer that she works for. Check it!

Since Valentine's Day is coming up, I thought it would be nice if I talked to a couple of lovebirds for a pre-VD show. I found the perfect couple. On today's Crizzlecast, I talk to Amber Nimocks (one of my former editors at the N & O) and her husband, Josh Shaffer (a star columnist over at the N & O). We talk about what has made their marriage persevere for so damn long. We also bring up their careers in journalism, and the head-butting me and Amber used to get into back when we worked together. So, why don't you curl up with that special someone, pop open a bottle of Riunite and listen to me talk to a married couple for an hour or so. Happy Valentine's Day, gotdammit!

William Holden, Tommy Lee Jones, Gerard Butler, Sir Ben Kingsley, Al Pacino -- what do these men all have in common (apart from being movie stars, of course)? They were all interviewed by today's guest on the Crizzlecast, Lewis Beale. Over a few drinks, I talk to the veteran entertainment journalist about all the good and bad experiences he's had chopping it up with celebrities. We also talk about how he still continues to talk to the stars, as well as persevere as a freelance journalist, while living in North Carolina. 

So, this happened. Somehow, someway, I got film and TV actress (and object of many men's desires) Adrienne Barbeau to be a guest on the Crizzlecast. (Yeah, it baffles me too.) We go through all the bullet points of her career: her time as a Broadway stage actress, her time on the sitcom Maude, her period where she was married to John Carpenter and she was his on-screen muse. We also talk about her life as a mom and her new career as a novelist.  And, for those of you who follow me on Twitter, yes, we do get into that night where I drunkenly tried to make Adrienne Barbeau a hashtag.

Today, Kenji Week on Muhf***as I Know comes to a close with this convo I had with film writer Kenji Fujishima. An avid arts and culture junkie, I talk to him about Lena Dunham (which seems to be a constant topic on this podcast), his days growing up in New Jersey, his job at the Wall Street Journal and his new gig as editor-in-chief for In Review Online. We also seem to bond over two things only film nerds can bond over: Werner Herzog and the movie Spaceballs. Don't ask me how we got to that point. Just be glad I got it all for your listening pleasure. 

It's Kenji Week here at Muhf***as I Know, where basically I talk to muhf***as I know named Kenji. The first Kenji up is Kenji Jasper, an accomplished author whose books I've sadly have not read. We talk about how that's a common thing, as well as the current state of book publishing. We also talk about his days writing for Vibe, getting to be the first guy to put groups like OutKast on the map. He also mentions that he's thinking about getting in brunch-making business. Didn't know that was a business, but that's something we get into a taste. (Get it?)

Here's another lovely Crizzlecast that actually left me floating on a cloud.  I go back to my Houston hometown to talk to an old friend, Jeffrey Thames, better known as "the king of grief." A pop music connoisseur, he hosts the Sound Awake program over at KPFT. Of course, we talk about music -- specifically pop music, the Beach Boys, his old days playing in a stage band, his love of karaoke and the spots in H-Town where he bought records in his younger days.  Believe it or not, I also try to convince him that there is still decent, contemporary music out there. And, somehow, some way, we start talking about tranny hookers. But, basically, it's just two music nerds shooting the shit. Go nuts!

For today's Crizzlecast, I went to a friend's house to talk to the guests for this particular episode, Indy Week staff writers Vernal Coleman and Will Huntsberry. As we all gathered around a table, drinking Maxwell House vanilla caramel international coffee with some Evan Williams bourbon in it, we pretty much lost our gotdamn minds. Just here are some of things we discussed: journalism, women, raccoons, smoking crack, cross-dressing, the meaning of the term "caking," Keith Carradine, Dallas, New Journalism, New Orleans, light-skinned black people vs. dark-skinned black people, messing up on-camera, race and a particular actress who may or may not be a guest on this podcast soon. At some point, the actual owner of the house showed up at the end to throw in his two cents. I did this one just a couple of days ago, and I couldn't wait to post it. You'll hopefully find out why. Yeah, this episode is pretty epic!

I'll admit this Crizzlecast isn't one of the better-recorded ones I've done. First off, I did it at the Dunkin' Donuts next to the strip club again. Secondly, there were some loud-ass old people who apparently wanted to make it known this is THEIR Dunkin' Donuts and felt the need to talk as loud as they possibly could. (Unfortunately, I wasn't drunk, so I didn't tell them to shut their asses up!) Nevertheless, I managed to have a nice convo with Corbie Hill, contributing writer to the Independent Weekly, Creative Loafing Charlotte and other publications as well as guitarist for the band Alpha Cop. We talk about how he juggles writing about music with doing music, along with being a family man.  But, bottom line, I'm not doing a podcast over at that Dunkin' Donuts next to the strip club again.

This week on the Crizzlecast, I'll be talking to two journalists who have covered the music scene, but are also accomplished musicians in their own right. First up is Tony Green, a veteran music writer whose work I mostly got acquainted with in the pages of Vibe back in the day. We talk about his history as a music journalist, as well as his brief stint as a radio DJ and his current gig as member of the funk band JeZ Grew. We also ask the Sunshine State-based Green what the hell is up with Florida -- like, seriously. If you wanna know too, take a listen. 

As crazy as this sounds, I have fans. And, sometimes, they get really excited to meet me. For today's Crizzlecast, I talk to one such person. Today's guest is Sheetal Maheshwary, a bubbly lady who's been a fan of mine since my days reviewing movies for the News & Observer. Before you think this is me hollering at this poor woman because I needed some ego-stroking, we talk about things other than her apparent, undying love and devotion for me. We discuss Bollywood movies, her intense love of gaming, her Indian upbringing, whether or not she had "hoe years" in her youth (told you that term would be back), my apparent alcoholism and we get very serious about the shooting in Newtown. We also bring up her Pinterest page. After this conversation, I ended up becoming a fan of hers. You may become one too.  

Yes, friends, a familiar favorite returns to the Crizzlecast. Today's episode has me going back-and-forth once again with former high-school chum Kayla Marie Williams. Some of you may remember the last Crizzlecast she did, which was also one of the more popular convos I've done. We were supposed to start riffing about the highs and lows of 2012, but we started talking about her radio show, Radio Alchemy. From then on, we went into the holidays, documentaries about hookers, the differences between men and women and whether or not Kayla had her "hoe years" (a term you'll also hear in the next podcast). I forgot how much fun I could have talking to Kayla. No wonder so many people love listening to her. 

For today's Crizzlecast, I hang out outside the patio of a bar (you'll find I do that a lot for this podcast) and spend an hour or so discussing music with today's guest, James "DJ Pangean" Leake. A local DJ here in Raleigh, Leake has been spinning house grooves and other music around North Carolina for years. In this episode, we basically geek each other out as we discuss our individual histories with house music. We also hit on why the DJ scene in the Triangle is so on the hush-hush. I believe halfway through, Leake takes a bathroom break and I end up talking to his friend. That's what happens when you record an interview while you're drinking. 

Happy new year, kids! 2013 is officially here, which only means one thing: I gotta talk to some previous Crizzlecast guests about what the hell was up with 2012. This week, I'll be conversing with a couple of my favorite muhf***as about their favorite (and not-so-favorite) things about the past year. Today, I holla at my always-entertaining buddy (and JusFlippin.com editor) Bari Kindle, as we discuss rap music, Katt Williams, Frank Ocean, Django Unchained, Taylor Swift and that Beverly Hills Cop TV show. So, if you have a hangover and need something soothing to listen to, this probably ain't it. We act a damn fool on this one!

The first time I tried to interview New York-based film critic Vadim Rizov for the Crizzlecast, it was the night before Hurricane Sandy hit. Like a dumbass, I thought it wouldn't be a big deal and I could talk to him amidst all the madness that was going on. Ten minutes into the interview, his phone crapped out. So much for that. However, I got him on the line a few weeks later, and we managed to pick up right where we left off. I talked to him about what was it like being in the middle of that mess, along with how he got to be a film critic and his rather peculiar family history. We also spend way too much time discussing Lena Dunham and we SO spoil the ending of Leos Carax's Holy Motors. So, remember, you were warned.

As Gumby once said, Merry Christmas, dammit! I hope you and yours are having a wonderful Christmas. Don't ask me what I'm doing, because it might make you very sad. But I digress. I said I would have a very special treat to give you on this blessed of days, and here it is: A DVD commentary to The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood. That's right, folks! I recorded a full-length commentary to one of the shittiest sex comedies ever made, starring a Bond Girl,  Batman, Sgt. Bilko and Mel Cooley. Why? For one, I've been meaning to something like this with my good friend and fellow film scribe Daniel Johnson. We got together recently and decided to finally record this bitch!  Along with the film, we discuss other things: Daniel's various book projects, the recent movies we've seen, the other shitty sex comedies we've seen in our youths, where the hell our lives are going. Yeah, it's a free-for-all. If you want to partake in the experience of watching the movie along with us, it's currently on Netflix Instant. (That is, if you don't have it on DVD.) Just start playing the movie around the 2:08 mark of our commentary and enjoy. Happy holidays and please send help!

I once again venture out to La La Land -- that's Los Angeles, to you and me -- to talk to somebody for the Crizzlecast. Today, the guest is West Coast cinephile Dennis Cozzalio. The man behind the beloved Sergio Leone and the Infield Fly Rule blog, Cozzalio knows his movies. We discuss what films he has recently dug, how he goes about reviewing films on his blog and the LA moviegoing scene. We also compare our greatest -- and not-so-greatest -- moments in sneaking into theaters to see movies for free. BTW, coming on Christmas Day, I'll have a special holiday gift for all my fans -- all 12 of you. Stay tuned.

I interview a bona fide rock star on the Crizzlecast today! I make a call to the West Coast to talk to Maria Mckee, the former frontlady for the country rock band Lone Justice. It turns out she's also a big movie nerd. We talk about all of that, along with working with Quentin Tarantino, hooking up with Robbie Robertson and collaborating with her husband on their latest project, the movie After thr Triumph of Your Birth. I gotta say this one went shockingly well. So, for all you fans of her and her music, you're welcome!

A couple of Fridays ago, I interviewed friend and Houston spoken-word poet Marcell Murphy. During this time, he told me about his awesome new bride, Makeda. Well, I was so impressed with the Mrs., I asked if I could interview her for the Crizzlecast too. Well, today's the day! I talk to the fellow spoken-word poet (also known as Sassafrass Cypress Indigo) about her poetry, the spoken-word scene in H-Town, how important it is to read anything, her various websites and what she's learned while raising two kids. We also get into what the hell is up with the sistas these days.  See, I told you this lady was awesome!

There are times when I feel like talking to well-known people I know, and there are times when I feel like talking to people I know that aren't so well-known. Today's Crizzlecast guest falls in the latter category. For the hell of it, I interviewed Simone Erica Noz, a Raleigh resident who's also a server over at local, legendary hangout Sadlack's Heroes. During one noisy, occasionally interrupted dinner over at Piebird, I talked to her about her life, how she deals with drunk, obnoxious folk at her line of work, what she gets out of yoga, her personal goals and why she doesn't consider herself a "Barbie" anymore. We also recounted the not-so-fulfilling evening (at least for me) where we both celebrated our birthdays on the same night. Just sit back and enjoy the clattering of silverware.