On the BiTTE

Oh boy. We've found ourselves in a bit of Barney Rubble, eh? However hard we try, we seem to find ourselves back in prison. And in this episode, you can listen to us in "real-time" literally figuring out how many "prison movies" we've already uncovered, and it's alarming.We're back with Mr. Mackenzie after we did YOUNG ADAM all those episodes ago, and it's another pretty bleak and disheartening piece of cinema starring Jack O'Connell in a big bad man prison. Key words here: "Prison Kisses" and you won't be disappointed.Enjoy! (hahah)

Hitting the tonnes with something "special".Episode 101 sees us covering SALÒ, or THE 120 DAYS OF SODOM, with our friends from UNCOMFORTABLE BRUNCH: Josh and Kat. This is a film that, even describing it in any way, will make us look like freaks. We promise that next time we'll cover something funny(-ish). Buckle up buttercups!If you've watched the film, you have an idea what to expect. If you have watched the film and decided to come here for further analysis, can I ask you one thing? Are you OK?

Look at where our tenacity and dedication have gotten us. All the way to episode 100! It is true what they say: if you stick at something long enough in a sequential order, you will eventually reach EPISODE 100. Don't quote me, but I think Mark Maron said that. But what an episode 100 this is. We look at the seminal work of a visionary, David Lynch, who passed away earlier this year. Starring Kyle McLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Laura Dern, Dean Stockwell, and Dennis Hopper, this is the story about finding an ear and figuring out who it belongs to. And Frank, obviously. Beautiful, disgusting, violent Frank. Little did Laura and Ryan know that we recite Frank's lines more often than not in everyday life, which is probably why people may perceive our relationship as far from golden. But that's your fault; you have no sense of humor. Just shut up and listen to our podcast!

Starring Mark Rylance, Kerry Fox, and Timothy Spall, directed by Patrice Chéreau, this film is about the silent sexual encounters of two people amidst the lonely landscape of a dark-set urban London. This is quite a 'big' entry in the pantheon of our OTB legacy, and we take a slightly different tact with this one. It comes out that we quite like this one even if people don't. Isn't that the way it goes though?This is episode 99 as well. That's kinda great, isn't it? Episode 100 is next up (obviously). 

Who'd have thought that answering a magazine advert to be a man's "wife" on an island, fending for yourself for an entire year, would be a terrible idea? They have to live off the land, free from outside influence, a true escape from the monotony of city life in London. We believe this feeling of "escape" is a very "Western" idealist concept. In that respect, it's a very throwaway idea. But these guys actually did it. And here's the end result.Based on the true story of Lucy Irvine, who answered a magazine advert to spend one year on a secluded island with a man she had just met seems too wild to have happened. Starring Oliver Reed and Amanda Donohoe, directed by Nicholas Roeg, this film is a mixed experience, especially as rare as the film is to obtain in its original, legitimate release.

I hope that none of you have ever experienced the intrusion of some bad neighbors. Certainly not to the point that they force you to rent out your prospective second library and refurbish it to become a garish 1970s Post-Modern monstrosity.This is the crux of the film CONVERSATION PIECE, written and directed by master filmmaker Luchino Visconti. It stars Burt Lancaster as the central character. This film is a real treat that is handled with finesse and grace. It's an anxiety-inducing mystery tale about loneliness, generational differences, and lamenting on your past.Just remember, when all the dust settles, it all started because of a painting.

DA DUM DA DUM DA DUM! Heed the sound of the Valentine's drums for the ultimate date night movie!Not really. We're slap bang in the middle of 16th Century Europe where violence and assault run rampant across these lawless lands. Mercenaries are storming castles and war is rife in the region. This is the landscape of Paul Verhoeven's fantasy/romance/drama: FLESH + BLOOD.It's definitely an oddly placed film that's home is undetermined for an audience. Its lack of success when it was released is evidence of that. It's a bit messy. It's a bit uncomfortable. It's a bit uninspiring. If you remember anything from this mess, there are these four words: LIGHTNING STRIKE DOG COLLAR!

"Oh my God! You're the absolute worst for that!"Yeah. Have you ever heard that before? Maybe a bit too much? Well, this film will test your moral compass (somewhat) into whether you think any of these people deserve that title. We don't believe so, by today's messy standards, when there is some true evil out there in the world presently but Joachim Trier's highly successful THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD that trail-blazed to the Oscars is upon us, and in your lug-holes.So, sit back, feel therapeutic, and accept the inevitable. We're going deep, man.

What's cool, full of vibrant colors, gets pretty sexy but also is a bit annoying to the point where you question the integrity of the central relationship? That's probably Jim McBride's remake of the 1960 Nouvelle Vague classic À BOUT DE SOUFLE (in English): BREATHLESS.You might have thought: the most stringent of cinephiles would not touch a remake of this film with the longest of barge poles! It's a classic for a reason; however, this modern, pop-culture-filled, punky injection of 80's Neo-Noir cinema is much better than you might think. It takes some swings and hits most of them if you can get past the fact that Richard Gere's central character is one of the most annoying criminals in existence.Join us as we continue down an odyssey of appreciating Mr. Gere in all his fine glory from 1983.

A new year. A new us.Well, not really. It's the same show basically, just a little older and tired. We're the podcast equivalent of just wanting to go to your bed and having a lie-down. Kinda like the old saps in this fourth (and final) mainline installment of the AMERICAN PIE film series (we're not counting all the straight-to-DVD films either).This is AMERICAN REUNION! And we're back with this bunch of reprobates as they've hit full adulthood and struggling with the woes that come with that. Again, this is another excuse to see what nonsense Jim finds himself brutalizing his member over. It's hilarious.Weren't the 90's awesome?

In the second part of our seasonally titled "DESCENDING INTO DARKNESS", we take you on a trip into a very whimsical murder. A faux documentary crew who follow a serial killer as he maims, murders, assaults, and offends his way through Belgium.The blackest of black comedies and not for the faint of heart, actors and principal crew Remy Belvaux, Andre Bonzel and Benoit Poelvoorde's MAN BITES DOG embodies the very meaning of a cult classic even if you don't (and really shouldn't) agree with the content. One thing that really isn't up for debate is it does give us one entirely unique thing...a better English title than the translated one.We do wish you a good Holiday Season and an even happier New Year, however...we do want to invite you to DESCEND INTO THE DARKNESS WITH US ALL!

Ho Ho Ho Ho-ello there!It has come upon us once again: the Christmas season. And as was aforementioned, its getting darker. We must let you know that this was not planned... or our tolerance levels are so out of whack that we've blackened our souls and have detached ourselves from societal norms...Annnnyyyywwwaaaayyyyyy, there's nothing more Christmas-sy than Lars Von Trier! And this film; starring Stellan Skarsgård and Emily Watson, in her first film role, lets us know that we're in for a rough ride for a good 2 hours and 40 mins. Thankfully, it's all set on an "unnamed Scottish Isle" where everyone's accents are all over the place, the sideburns are "pure 70s", the medical equipment looks outdated, and it's all brown. And that means we're in the past.DESCEND INTO THE DARKNESS WITH US ALL!

Oh boy. Looks like we inadvertently put a bunch of sad (but good) films in a row to wrap up 2024. But honestly, it makes sense.In David Attwood's film, based on the true story of the troubled homeless man called Stuart who meets a writer to detail the intricacies of his life, we are treated to another masterclass from Tom Hardy. In the final part of "Tomsgiving" bit of a tearjerker but it's a good tearjerker. Everyone likes a good cry. It's very therapeutic. Or something.Anyway, get your tissues you fiends!

Whit ye sayin'?! (We can't actually write what he says without getting reported).Yeah, that's right, SIT DOWN! Charlie Bronson is here and he's looking to cause some trouble. We're doing something quite majestic this November. A veritable TOM'S -GIVING! We're doing a Tom Hardy double-bill!We're starting with Nicholas Winding Refn's BRONSON, the "true-ish" story of Britain's Most Violent Prisoner. What we have come to discover is that this breaks the ratio from the 90+ films we've covered so far. This is not one to miss!

Do you hear that? Do you hear that piercing scream in the darkness of the night? No, it's not Wilhelm. It's Belial! The freakishly deformed twin that is intent on murdering the very people that separated him from his loving brother Duane!My goodness! We're so excited! It's finally here! In closing our Spooky Penis Month 2024, we're covering Henenlotter's BASKET CASE; the down-and-dirty video nasty that was inducted into the MOMA Collection for Film Preservation. This is one episode you do not want to miss. A celebration of Horror/Exploitation but also of the purest form that cinema can offer! 

It's that time again! Tis the season, many say! And no, it's October fool! Not Christmas! That's in December, duh!I'm talking about "Spooky Penis Month!" What did you think I was talking about? No matter, we start this Halloween doubler with a real bang. A real bang of overly obsessive nuclear family perfection. All THE STEPFATHER wants is a family. A real family. A family that just "needs some order". "We need some order around here!" This is a horror film about a flannel shirt wearing dad (boomer) who obviously has had enough with the way things are done nowadays and played by the inimitable Terry O'Quinn, we see a man on a psychotic mission to attain that perfect family dynamic. But, as one might expect, that doesn't really come to pass.Get ready for one of Laura's "some times" favourite films of all time!

Welcome to another edition of "THE MOST LITERAL FILM TITLE EVER"! Yeah, it is really that literal. It happens one night in a bar called "Heaven". Watching this film, you'd think every chain bar/restaurant opens its doors to male strippers every weeknight but in Florida, that seems to be the case.You'd never believe that the guy who made ROCKY 5 made this honestly... Oh, and THE KARATE KID. And THE KARATE KID PART II. Oh, and ROCKY, can't forget that one. Yeah, strap in, it's one weird and wild ride for all you John G. Avildsen fans. 

INSERT LATIN PHRASE TO EXPRESS HOW INTELLIGENT WE ARE!This film is a bit of a treat, honestly. There's a lot to like here, the most of which is a Sean Connery really hammering it out of the park with a riveting performance to remind us of how much range he had. Yeah, this also has some rich cinematography, some impressive set design, and some stellar makeup that transforms Ron Perlman into a hunchback. Yeah, we are congratulating this film a fair amount. But not of faith and religion (as we rip the idea apart for the better part of an hour). 

Ah, we're back. We're back in Scotland. I don't remember it being so "blue". Not only that, it's really dark, and moderately attractive men are acting like right twats to very attractive ladies. We're back on the "Ewan Train" with David Mackenzie's YOUNG ADAM. The "erotic" (?) drama about a bunch of folk on a barge and the lives Ewan McGregor's character basically ruins for the sake of creative inspiration. Yeah, doesn't make the most endearing of central characters but that's kinda the point. The one thing we did agree upon at least was the inclusion of custard. More custard, please! There's a bunch of sex in this but it's not as central as you'd think it would be. It just IS, so strap in, we've got a fair amount of stuff to talk about on this one. 

Like Schwarzenegger after him, he just needed to find the role he was born to play. Following the career track of Nicholas Roeg, we come to one of his seminal films, THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH. It's a head-scratcher and we say that with an understanding of Roeg's work being a little disjointed and a heavy use of visual metaphors and match cutting BUT... It would have been nice to get a better through-line in the story. But no one hates this movie at OTB HQ, certainly not when Rip Torn is tearing through this sexy sci-fi circus like a Professor Lothario!

At OTB HQ we're ALL business! But some times, just some times, we like to do a little bit in the name of PLEASURE. Depending on who you speak to (particularly Laura) they will let you know that anything we do is for "pleasure" but before this analogy begins to lose its muster, let's look at the Ninja Thyberg's debut, PLEASURE, based on the short of the same name. It's an in-depth, behind-the-curtain look at the American Adult Entertainment Industry, following a Swedish woman from a small town looking to become the next big porn star. As you might expect, there's A LOT.

Who thought putting criminals in space would be a great idea? I mean, if everyone was kind and everything was successful, would it make a great story? Who can tell but that's the basis of the Claire Denis film HIGH LIFE. Starring Robert Pattison, Mia Goth, Juliette Binoche, André "3000" Benjamin, and Ewan Mitchell, we follow a doomed space mission to a Black Hole and the obvious antics that ensue from locking a bunch of criminals on a spaceship and expecting them to produce offspring. What could go wrong? There's a bunch of fluids being slung around this vessel in scenes wetter than those in ALIEN where Harry Dean Stanton takes a shower in the cargo hold with his clothes on and every other scene where the Xenomorph shows up and it's drooling everywhere. HIGH LIFE is considered a sci-fi horror as well just so you know. That's why I mention it.

Ryan felt we needed to lighten things up and dive back into some digestible fluff that he could get into his snarling teeth. But kinda what we found was that he's been tamed slightly. No longer has the pretentiousness of cinema's past enveloped his dark soul now that he's found the work of Nick Hurran. Yes. Nick. Oh, sweet Nick. This man knows what he's doing with this (one of his many "body swap" films in his filmography). This happens to be one of the better examples. Now, it's no BIG. It's no FREAKY FRIDAY. It's VIRTUAL SEXUALITY: the spunky British comedy with plenty of that late 90's style and lack of taste that the early 00's also brought. But hey, it's nostalgia. You kinda had to be there. (Also, Ryan remains unchanged.)

That train keeps chugging and by pure accidental bliss, we have another film up here with some stark similarities! Would I go on to say this film is "controversial"? Probably. We have some issues with it. As you'll gather, we don't talk about the film much but rather the way the film was made. There's some questionable behavior happening here, and we're not a podcast to let that slide. The two leads however, Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos are exceptional. Honestly, they knock this film out of the park with the rather mediocre material they are given. It's a disappointing shame as this was adapted from the equally exceptional graphic novel by Jul Maroh. This is mostly Ryan's opinion here, Laura thinks the film is pretty good despite our universal disapproval of the off-camera shenanigans. It's just the Director who needs to take a little look in the mirror honestly if any of these allegations are true. Let's hope not dude, because that's kinda messed up!

June has rolled 'round and you know what that means?! It's Pride and we get to cover some LGBTQ+ films. This time, we're dipping into Gay Cinema with one of the best examples of the category. Number 22 in the BFI best LGBT film of all time is Alain Guiraudie's STRANGER BY THE LAKE. A masterful and nuanced take on the mystery genre, this minimalist, intimate, and insular film focuses on the shenanigans of a popular cruising area by the lake and the craziness that ensues over a collection of days. There's plenty to enjoy here as you will tell quite quickly, we didn't even note down time codes for this one; there's almost 90% un-coverage. It would be 100% if it weren't for shots like the car pulling into the parking lot and people talking (with their clothes on). 

You knew this day would come. It was inevitable. We're covering Jane Campion's THE PIANO. How does Ryan feel about this one? This was the one film of the filmography that he remembered quite fondly but now, decades later and now a co-host of an alternative film review podcast, with an active dislike for the other films we have covered of this particular filmmaker, how will it fare? I guess you're going to have to find out if this classic and most revered film of the time passes that gauntlet. (Don't worry about Laura, she loves everything.)

We sent out the call at the end of our A BIGGER SPLASH episode with CHALLENGERS releasing day. It may even be fate that willed us, catching an early preview screening the same week in an RPX ("shaky seats") theatre. There's nothing like a tennis movie in a vibrating seat with some phat, thumping base and Zendaya's moody staring. Along with a tonne of sweaty slow motion from the other stars Josh O'Conner and Mike Faist. But honestly, if you've heard this film is good, they're wrong. It's great!

What could be better? You have the sunshine. You have your lover. You have fresh fruits, food and a beautiful location for relaxation and isolation. But then your veracious and intrusive friend from your past phones up and barges into your life. We've all been there I guess. It starts out like fun then gets painfully annoying when that guy tries to steal away your girlfriend and his daughter just won't leave you alone. In Luca Guadagnino's remake / adaption of the original book/film THE SWIMMING POOL (LA PISCINE) (1969) we see a bunch of equally beautiful people enacting this psychological dramatic piece. In short, floatation devices were created for a reason. 

We are back and with something weird and beautiful! Yeah, in our double dipping on the Yorgos-train, we find ourselves at the 2023 release of the multi-award winning POOR THINGS. This comedy/drama/fantasy film is something special. A feast for the eyes and an incredibly darkly comical tale of a woman brought back to life and given a second chance. Think FRANKENSTEIN, FRANKENHOOKER, FREAKY FRIDAY, and some other period piece that gives you a general idea that this is set some-time-when with a sprinkling of familiarity. With an award-winning performance from it's central lead, Emma Stone and backed up by Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Jerrod Carmichael, and a scene stealing comedy great performance from Mark Ruffalo, this has to be seen to be experienced! Don't let us hold you up! Bella Baxter is a Disney Princess, ya'll!

This episode we look at the early filmography of Yorgos Lanthimos featuring DOGTOOTH! Famous for his more Western entries in his filmography, THE LOBSTER, THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER, THE FAVOURITE and his recent Oscar winner POOR THINGS, we go back to the seminal turning point in his career: DOGTOOTH. He's been a prominent figure in Greek Cinema prior (part of the aptly put "Weird Wave") but it's fair to say that DOGTOOTH put him on the International map, nominated for a Best Foreign Feature Oscar in 2009. Doing so made this deeply darkly comic film (or horror, depending on your interpretation) available to a much wider audience at the time. And what a treat that is! It's funny how films like this have the habit of taking us all to the place we tend to stray to; the darkest places our humor can go honestly. Certainly Josh (not to throw him under the bus). Be warned, there is a lot of sarcastic chatter about inter-familial relations for which we do not seriously condone. But as we say, if you're not laughing, you're crying. Sit in your "sea", turn down the "pussy" and smell your "zombies", here we go! 

Oh boy... What have we done to ourselves? In a moment of uncertainty we decided to double dip into the Winterbottom well. We knew we were going to review this film "at some point" BUT we didn't really know what we were letting ourselves in for. The "arthouse/mainstream/romantic/concert film" is only 69 (lol) minutes long but it feels like it's relatively short runtime. A film that depicts heavily gratuitous un-simulated sexual acts performed by our lead couple, some scenes depicting our lead character's job as a glaciologist (!) and 9 (counted and confirmed) songs of musical acts of the time performing at Brixton Academy in London. If you thought that it would add up to the sum total of "nothing" you'd be close. If you thought it was a bit of a shallow, uncomfortable experiment that doesn't really justify its needs and the pressure put on its performers, you may also be right. If you think its a bit pretentious, you'd also be on the right track. See what we have to say in one of our personal favourite breakdowns of a film we've done in a while.

That's right! We're getting mad wi' it! We're goin' all the way to Manchester, the birthplace of exciting musical new waves since the dawn of time! We're uncovering the Tony Wilson musical biopic 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE! Tony would make you believe this is not a film about him and how instrumental he was in nurturing these HUGE musical talents over the years using his clout as a TV personality to create the legendary Factory Records but you'd think otherwise. Honestly, Michael Winterbottom has made a real special biopic here with a stellar cast of top shelf British talent and cameos from countless musicians who lived through this "true-to-life tale". Don't miss out and enjoy the party! 

wADdUp B*****S! wE'rE cUvErIn' ZOLA! But seriously, before these two oldies get sucked into the chasm of "Gen Z", we're here exploring the 2020 Janicza Bravo film. A tale of stripping, murder, Tampa and illicit tweets. Based on the infamous twitter thread, the film is an excellent allegory of "the American Dream" set to some unique and vibrant stylings. Obviously being set in Florida gives it a very special flavor also. So yeah, sit back and get ready to jump into this darkly comic crime caper that's pretty much seated 99% in truth. And you know THAT because you can find it on Twitter. And Twitter doesn't lie... 

There's a quote at the beginning of the film that states that this text "should not be read or adapted to film". "Wir brauchen Gott" which translates to "we need God" finalizes the warning. I remember being told by my parents when I was younger "if you fiddle about with it too much, it'll fall off". The same can be said for whatever Helen who at every turn, in acts of defiance, tests the boundaries of social normalcy and sexual deviancy. This is the infamous German cinematic gem WETLANDS, directed by David Wnendt. You may be wondering, is it really as bad as people have said? As fairly desensitized individuals, I would say no, because it has genuine heart that if you allow yourself to look at it from anywhere other than surface level, you'll see a genuine story about a teenage girl who acts out as she's trying to get her parents back together. But honestly, for everyone else out there, this film is probably one of the most extreme examples of anything we've covered, so if you're of a sensitive disposition, you have been warned. If that doesn't phase you, the film will play to at the Enzian Cinema in Maitland Florida, as part of the Uncomfortable Brunch programming on Sunday February 4th, 12pm.

In a quatrain Nostradamus stated: "In the year 2024, two self-proclaimed cinephiles who uncover full-frontal male nudity in cinema, will uncover Mike Leigh's NAKED". It's crazy right? We can hardly believe it ourselves. But Nostradamus was right, we are covering Mike Leigh's NAKED. In a career best for David Thewlis, co-starring Lesley Sharp, Katrin Cartlidge, Gregg Cruttwell, Claire Skinner, Ewen Bremner et al., we dive deep into the seedy underbelly of urban London and it's nocturnal dwellers in what some have referred to as an "odyssey". Warnings have been shelled out before but NAKED is one which takes you to a very dark place so be advised even if 50% of us still believes this was a "black comedy". 

We're in the future! The further we progress into the future, the more you feel what a sham all those sci-fi concepts are. ANYWAY what better way to celebrate the future than by going into the past. Yeah, we're covering the highly requested and regarded Todd Haynes, New Queer Cinema staple, 'Glam Rock' celebration: VELVET GOLDMINE. Starring a slew of big names from Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ewan McGregor, Christian Bale, Eddie Izzard and Toni Collette. In the 'THIS IS NOT David Bowie' universe of the 60's and 70's rise of Glam, we have very similar figures pretending to be an Iggy Pop imposter with a dodgy accent. So sit back, kick off those glad rags and platform shoes and settle in! Bang a a gong! Ride a white swan! [INSERT ANOTHER T-REX LYRIC HERE]

We made it to the end of 2023. And OH what a year it has been. Has it been as exciting and riveting as the completely unidentifiable nor unique 2000's? Probably not. In a sudden twist, as part of our annual "Christmas Key Party" (lol jks, kinda) we wined, dined, and we seduced Tighe and Renée into watching the newly released SALTBURN, written and directed by Emerald Fennell. The real twist is that we rarely cover new movies but this is something special. Without going in to too much detail, this might be one of the best moments in any film we've uncovered on this podcast. Seriously guys, if you haven't seen the film, watch it please. Don't ruin it for yourselves listening to us blabber on about it. You have no excuse as the movie is available on Amazon Prime as of today (December 22, 2023) so it's free to subscribers. Expect SPOILERS AHOY in this special festive and bumper final episode of 2023! Happy Holidays and many thanks to our listeners for sticking us out this long! See you in the New Year ya filthy animals!

If you're going to stumble face-first into an "open-style" relationship to test the boundaries of your long-term relationship, maybe have a discussion first. Having "PERMISSION" isn't the issue in this romantic comedy directed by Brian Crano, starring Dan the "German love robot" Stevens and Rebecca "in everything pretty much" Hall. Yes, we're uncovering the 2017 Romantic-Comedy PERMISSION that follows a couple AT THE BRINK OF MARRIAGE who think it's a good idea to have a go at some other folk before "fully" committing. As you can probably guess, there's a disparity between our hosts, and in classic "On the BiTTE" fashion, one of them liked it better than the other. Doesn't take a relationship analyst to figure out who but as the twinkling of the Holiday Season creeps ever closer check out this film that just so happens to be set during Christmastime.

Ryan brings the goods once again with a film with its roots in Scotland! Starring Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Geoffrey Palmer, and the irreplaceable Gerard Butler, MRS BROWN tells the "true" story about the relationship between John Brown and Queen Victoria after Prince Albert's untimely passing. John Madden is in the chair this time round, tackling a period drama about the "Royal" family. There's some comparisons to James Ivory that we make that seem founded but it's purely due to the classical nature of his filmmaking. There's plenty to see here even if the end result is rather unadulterated. Buckle up those bootstraps "woman" and cheer up! Podcast is here!

"What are you thinking? How are you feeling? What have we done to each other? What will we do?" "That's marriage" honestly. Eventually, somewhere down the line, an anniversary treasure trail might turn into a false disappearance and accusations of murder. Thinking them "deep Hasbro thoughts", we're diving into David Fincher's film adaption of the Gillian Flynn novel GONE GIRL and with a stellar cast, music, cinematography and more you're in for one very delicious two and half hours. There's not much to say other than, watch this film, its one of the good ones. So, feel cute, punch yourself in the face and unspool those brains 'cause "when two people love each other and they can't make that work, that's the real tragedy".

The coming of the Eclipse marks the end of our "Spooky Penis Season" but as the runes need collected, the druids gather the sparkly Disney juice, and a Sands is born. Yeah, that's right! We're covering one of the late Julian Sands seminal roles as the eponymous WARLOCK! As a trilogy of films, Julian Sands plays the WARLOCK in the first two movies, alongside Richard E. Grant in the original Steve Miner film and Chris Young in the Anthony Hickox sequel. This is the film that we're uncovering this time, in WARLOCK: THE ARMAGEDDON! And we brought a friend, Tighe, ready to speak over "the rudest that ever troubled daylight!" in the most congratulatory and nostalgic episode in a long while. It's a shame that not only is Julian no longer with us but within this month, Anthony, the Director, is sadly no longer with us. Rest in Peace Kings!

So, we watched the newly restored version of THE DOOM GENERATION at a screening for Uncomfortable Brunch. We dragged fellow completionist Josh Martin (the facilitators of this screening) to chat about what we saw and "uncovered" in this short wrap up.

This is our 3rd year of Halloween content. Even to this day, we can't decide on what to call it. Is it "Spooky Penis Month"? Is it "Halloweiners"? It can probably be a combination of both. Either way, we're starting off our favourite season right with a film we're a little embarrassed to have not seen before. Yeah, it's Robert Hiltzik's cult classic SLEEPAWAY CAMP. I mean, we're glad we waited to cover this film as adults as it's easily one of the best horror films we've seen with an ending that honestly leaves you haunted but also, one of the most important scenes we've covered on this podcast. You honestly won't want to miss our commentary on this classic but if you have yet to see the film, please don't allow it to be spoiled for you. You have been warned!

Ah, "mumblecore". Films, that at the heart of them, focus on mini-budget, dialogue driven independent filmmaking, are, by virtue of their desires, INCREDIBLY respectful of your time. You'll be lucky to get one of these "mumble" films to hit over 90 minutes, so this beautiful 88 minute dive into the "mumblecore-iverse" was the perfect start. NIGHTS & WEEKENDS, the Joe Swanberg and Greta Gerwig (in, effectively, her directorial debut) star, direct and write this film about a relationship over the span of its life with a year gap in-between. This is independent cinema, first and foremost, for the 2000s, a direct development of the same principals since indies conception in the 1960's. We make some valid points with what is a great, polished introduction into the "mumblecore" sub-genre, and it's an area (and director) we'll be uncovering again in the future, even if some of us don't like the term "mumblecore".Also, we're joined once again by our friend, and resident Greta Gerwig enthusiast, Josh Martin!

There's nothing like a little light-hearted solicitation to relive your lost youth and discover how amazing sex could be since your, now deceased, boring husband "missionary Martin" never gave it propa'. So, in walks gigolo Leo Grande (Daryl McCormack) to guide Nancy (Emma Thompson) in her search for the ever-elusive big "O". Just chuck some fit bloke some cash and it'll solve all your problems basically. Some procrastination here, some procrastination there, and that's what Emma Thompson as Nancy does in the sex comedy drama ("sexadramady"?) penned by Katy Brand and directed by Sophie Hyde. It's a weird one. At the heart of the film is a sex-positive message that has some genuinely touching moments from the inimitable Ms. Thompson. But when you come down to it, it misses the mark in giving Mr. McCormack enough meat to play with. You'll get what we mean when you give it a listen. GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE is currently streaming on HULU in the US.

With the 4k restoration from Strand coming out in September, this felt like the perfect time to delve into the world of Gregg Araki. A seminal 90's, Gen-X, angry "fuck you" piece about 3 felons, murders, and mishaps across the desolate plains of the the United States of "whatever". With a twist on our original format, we've decided to use THE DOOM GENERATION to premiere our format "Missed a BiTTE", that explores films that show a little but never the full frontal we've concerned ourselves in our mainline series. We also bring back Josh for more disgusting references and shenanigans seeing as they're a certified screening location for this new restoration, coming to the Enzian in Maitland, Florida on September 3rd. Also, it's Ryan's birthday so come down and buy that fool a drink to ease the pain of gaining age!

We're back in the dark reaches of a pessimistic and aggressive portrayal of the world's "most beautiful place": Scotland. In Ryan's words, it can be a terrifying place. Andrea Arnold's slice of Cinema Verité inspired by the Dogme 95 aesthetic and film movement, really puts you in a scary place that is equally horrifying and mesmerizing. As a counterpoint to the last film we covered, this is also a film about watching people, innocently enough through the eyes of a CCTV operator, but how, through this character's trauma, how that power is easily manipulated for her personal gain. This is a fascinating piece of cinema and one of the strongest debuts from a first-time director. Enjoy this incredibly dark and uncompromising film at your own peril but you won't be disappointed. 

Oh boy...here we go. In a new segment we've decided to dub "Stream Peens" where we explore what multitude of streaming services have to offer that pertain to our interests, we've started with this one...THE VOYEURS! Now, at least Ryan and Laura can come to the agreement that this film is "straight trash" as by design, as an "erotic thriller", it would be a bit trashy. But a resurgence in the mainstream appeal of the genre with 'this' as its flagship? (Scratches head in sarcastic manner) Doubtful. On that basis, it is highly unlikely you'll be seeing anything that 'sexy' on your cinema screens anytime soon but we give this film the attention it deserves and give it the good ol' OTB treatment. Basically, one of us likes it and other hates it (for very good reason). 

We're back on that Ivory train! The Merchant/Ivory Express! Since A ROOM WITH A VIEW, we've been destined to revisit James Ivory as a filmmaker of tremendous honesty and compassion when it comes to realistic cinematic depictions of full-frontal nudity. In this "Clean-Up" Episode, we're covering MAURICE, another adaption from the E.M. Forster catalogue of tales and a memorable addition to the staple of gay cinema. It's a period film and one that Laura loved very much (even if it is a bit long). 

Ooft! This ended up being a long one. Our first (and certainly not last) foray into the work of Peter Greenaway and arguably his most accessible motion picture and contender for the most literal title in cinema history: THE COOK, THE THIEF, HIS WIFE & HER LOVER. It's got Michael Gambon! It's got Helen Mirren! It's got Cockney up the gills, firing at a pace so fast, you'll be screaming for subtitles (well, Laura did anyway). We've welcomed back Kat from Uncomfortable Brunch on her first solo mission to aid in dismantling and examining this seminal work. Strap yourself in, this is a long but ultimately definitive coverage of one of the most interesting films in the pantheon of our On the BiTTE series!

Ryan got very excited when a Don Siegel film he watched had a fairly evident full-frontal moment in the first 7 minutes of the film. His love of 50's, 60's and 70's American cinema cannot be understated as this "historically" focused episode tracks the interesting facts about Alcatraz Prison and the true story this film follows. Yeah, we've done something a bit different here, covering the 1979 action-adventure movie ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ, starring male archetype Clint Eastwood and host of other classic character actors of the time. We recently went to San Fransisco and visited the island so watching the film with actual geographical knowledge and a sense of the conditions of the prison really set a sense eeriness and familiarity we weren't expecting. I mean, this episode could easily be an advertisement for how cool and interesting that place is so sit back, enjoy our holiday snaps and videos and watch Clint stuff a bar of soap down a man's throat for only wanting his puddin'. (In Clint voice) "How about you show me what you got?"