Videodrome Cinema

Join us as we discuss Dead Man's Shoes. Richard returns to his hometown of Matlock, Derbyshire to get even with the thugs who bullied his mentally-challenged brother years ago while Richard was away. Revenge is the name of the game in this low-key British Crime Drama from 2004. Enjoy!

Dripping with magenta and lavender hues, "Mandy" paints a surreal, otherworldly vision of the Pacific Northwest that is inhabited by demonic bikers and maniacal cultists. Nicolas Cage is the questing hero of this rock-and-roll fable, pitting himself against the forces of darkness in the name of his true love Mandy.  This week, along with guest-host Noel Brown, we'll be exploring this visually dazzling horror film that combines classic elements of the hero-fantasy genre with the sludgy sensibilities of doom-metal.

This week, we're taking a look at Ralph Bakshi's biting commentary on racism and the American dream: "Coonskin". Rendered in the surreal, grungy animation that Bakshi is known for, Coonskin takes us an a bizarre, impressionistic trip into 1970's Harlem, in the company of Brother Rabbit and his gang of anthropomorphic animals. This reworking of the Uncle Remus stories drew controversy in it's own time and remains a firey and provocative satire today. Is the film's shock-value justified in the name of transgressive art? Join the conversation on this week's episode!

Enter the baffling universe of Zardoz, as a scantily-clad Sean Connery attempts to murder a society of immortals at the behest of a flying stone head--the god called Zardoz! Notorious for it's cheesy dialogue and campy visuals, this sci-fi nostalgia nugget from the 70s offers up some laughs along with it's heady (if perhaps overly-convoluted) insights into human nature and technology.

This episode, we're stepping into the brutal, futuristic world of "Possessor", where hired assassins neurologically hijack your mind to commit murders with your body! Tasya Vos is the best "possessor" in the game, but when it's your job to forever change identities, it's hard to keep your own. Will this next job finally push her over the edge into insanity? Brandon Cronenberg directs this cold and shockingly violent sci-fi thriller.

The year is 1990. David is a loner that takes care of his ailing mother and is looking for a connection from the outside world by way of a video dating service. By chance David comes across a videotape, Rent-A-Pal. The Pal (Andy), played by Wil Wheaton of Star Trek TNG fame, may not be all he seems. As David develops an unhealthy relationship with the 'Pal' on his TV screen his life descends into madness. Join us as we dive into this story of loneliness, sadness, and psychological disintegration.

Madness is endemic at an isolated castle where a collection of misfit Vietnam soldiers are undergoing a strange, experimental psychiatric play therapy under the guidance of their odd, yet benevolent psychiatrist. This week, we're taking a look at William Peter Blatty's bizarre directorial debut, The Ninth Configuration, a weird tragicomedy that bewilderingly lurches between screwball hijinks and dead-serious soul-searching, offering a frequently confounding, yet always amusing watching experience.

Battle lines are drawn as a Soviet tank mercilessly razes an Afghani village to the ground, leaving a young Mujahideen fighter and a conflicted Soviet trooper to take revenge on the lumbering steel monstrosity. This week, we're taking a look at the unjustly ignored and almost universally forgotten "The Beast" (aka, The Beast of War). A potent anti-war thriller starting Jason Patrick in his follow-up to "The Lost Boys" and George Dzundza as the brutal Soviet tank commander.

A well-to-do suburban family is thrown into turmoil as they individually and collectively struggle to come to terms with the death of a family member in Robert Redford's "Ordinary People". We're taking a look at this classic Oscar-winning family drama, featuring a dream-team of top-notch actors delivering some of their finest work. "Ordinary People" offers a no-frills look into the pain and secret resentments bubbling beneath the surface of family life and what it takes to overcome those hardships.

We're back this week with a second serving of samurai action as we take a look at "The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi"! A rekindling of the classic Japanese film series, the film tells the story of a blind masseur with almost supernatural hearing (and swordsmanship) as he crosses paths with a rogue's gallery of assassins, gangsters, and ronin each harboring their own secret grudges and hidden agendas. Popular Japanese filmmaker, Beat Takeshi, infuses this story with as much humor and music as it has violence and pathos, delivering a toe-tappingly brutal tragicomedy.

This week on the show, we're taking a look at Ghost Dog: the Way of the Samurai, an East-meets-West culture clash, delivering modern-day samurai action with a hip-hop aesthetic. It's the story of a hitman who lives by the code of Bushido, serving his boss with unwavering loyalty, even as his boss tries to kill him following a botched assassination. Directed by celebrated auteur, Jim Jarmusch, this off-beat thriller/comedy comes packing philosophy and firepower in equal measure.

Kevin Costner finds himself with no way out when his girlfriend is murdered by a rival lover: his boss...the Secretary of Defense! We're looking at "No Way Out" this week, a harrowing tale where our hero is in a race against time to prove his innocence while also unwittingly being given the task to prove his own guilt as a murderous enemy agent! Scandal and political intrigue abound in this spy thriller.

We've hit the nail on the head this week on the podcast, it's Nailgun Massacre! Following the barely coherent adventures of a murderous power tool enthusiast, this movie is notorious for it's bad acting, bad music...bad everything. This bit of trash cinema will have you howling in equal parts laughter and pain.

The Halloween season continues on Videodrome Cinema Podcast this week as we take a look at Kathryn Bigelow's cult classic, Near Dark. When a gang of vampire desperados mosey into town stirring up trouble, our hero Caleb gets more than he bargained for as he gets swept up into their nightly hunts for blood. From the cast that brought you "Aliens", comes this gritty thriller that's part vampire movie and part neo-western.

This week, we look at the classic tale of a giant ape-king who is taken from his jungle home and brought to the big city--that's right, it's The Mighty Peking Man, who else? Joined by a Lady-Tarzan and armed with cheesy dialog and cheesier special effects, the Mighty Peking Man (and his screeching animatronic face) takes us on a hilariously campy journey from a stock-footage jungle to the streets of Hong Kong.

Get ready to roundhouse kick a werewolf in the face; it's time to look at "The Brotherhood of the Wolf" this week on Videodrome Cinema Podcast! It's the strange, somewhat true story of the mysterious monster that once terrorized the French countryside and the pair of gentleman adventurers who hunted it down. A dizzy mash-up of fantasy, horror, romance, kung-fu, and Western elements forms this unlikely genre-blending tale.

The streets of the old French Quarter run red as a ritualistic murderer preys upon the ladies of the night and offers up their hearts to his evil pagan god. It's "Mardi Gras Massacre" this week on Videodrome Cinema podcast, an obscure Video Nasty that features no Massacre and barely any Mardi Gras. Join us as we explore the musty thrills of this groan-worthy slasher flick.

This week on Videodrome Cinema, we'll be looking at Netflix's controversial new film, "Cuties" -- an unflinchingly frank look into the issue of hypersexualization of young girls and the ways in which this problem is entrenched into society. A cast of talented young actors star in this film as the eponymous Cuties, a pre-teen girl's dance troupe that find themselves faced with both personal and cultural hurdles as they strive to win big at a dance contest.

Lone Star (1996)When the skeleton of his murdered predecessor is found, Sheriff Sam Deeds unearths many other long-buried secrets in his Texas border town.

Oh Mama, we're serving up an extra-sleazy slice of cinema this week: Burial Ground, the Nights of Terror! It's a zombie invasion, done Italian style, as the moldy, maggot-covered dead arise and feast on the brains of our hapless cast of characters (including a young weirdo with an Oedipus Complex). Blood, guts, zombies, and a dash of incest make up this cinematic stew in this week's episode of Videodrome Cinema!

Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K as we rejoin Bill and Ted, a pair of good-natured goofball metal-heads, on their adventures through time. This time around, the duo (with a little help from their slacker daughters) must write the perfect song that will save all of reality. A music-driven comedy featuring a strong nostalgia factor for fans of the original films, but how does it hold up after 20+ years? Find out this week on Videodrome Cinema!

This week, we dive into the seedy neon-blue world of Ken Russell's "Crimes of Passion". Part satire, part sexploitation sleaze-fest, this story of a professional woman moonlighting as a hooker by night explores the terrain of human sexuality, the fear of intimacy, and the fear of being stabbed by a crazy street preacher with a Razor-Dildo. Check it out!

Sexual obsession and ruthless ambition make a deadly cocktail in this week’s film, “To Die For”. Nicole Kidman has dreams of big-network TV glory. When her husband gets in the way of her plans, he’s got to go. Using sexual manipulation, this blonde pied piper lures a troupe of misfit teens into a sordid murder plot. Join us and our special guest, Mike Galloway, on our look at this darkly comedic true-crime tell-all by celebrated director, Gus Van Sant.Apologies for the poor sound quality of this episode. We had some internet recording technical difficulties.

It’s the end of the world this week on Videodrome Cinema Podcast, as we take a look at 1991’s bizarre and polarizing “The Rapture”: an exploration of the Christian conception of the Apocalypse and one inveterate sinner’s struggle to adopt and maintain faith in the face of Earthly horrors and a silent God.Is it a hokey bible-thumping faith picture or a scathing indictment of religion? You decide!

Step into the ethereal world of the mythological Old American West, as we look at the strange and morbid relationship between legendary outlaw Jesse James and his future assassin, Bob Ford. A story of deranged celebrity worship and murder told in the gilded style of ancient Greek tragedy.

The stakes are high and the blood runs thick on this week’s vampiric episode of Videodrome Cinema. We’re taking a look at George A. Romero’s under-seen horror cult-classic, Martin (1978). This tale follows a troubled youth (who may or may not be a vampire) and the clash of wills between him and his fanatically religious uncle. It’s the old-world vs the new, in this revisionist vampire take, where there is no magic, no fangs...only a boy with a pocketful of razor-blades and a taste for human blood.

Join us as we discuss Sidney Lumet's fantastic courtroom drama, The Verdict. A lawyer sees the chance to salvage his career and self-respect by taking a medical malpractice case to trial rather than settling. Spoiler Alert!!!

Join us as we discuss the highly controversial erotic historical drama, Caligula!

Join us as we take a look at the exceptional 1992 film, The Crying Game. A British soldier kidnapped by IRA terrorists soon befriends one of his captors, who then becomes drawn into the soldier's world. Spoiler Alert!!! Enjoy!

On this episode we review the 1992 film, Diggstown. Where the pros meet the cons.

Join us as we discuss the current protests and racism in film.

Dancer in the Dark (2000) - With Special Guest, Mike Gallaway

Join us as we discuss the complicated and beautiful 1981 film, Possession.

An up-and-coming gangster is tested by the insurgence of an unknown, very powerful threat. Join us as we discuss the excellent British gangster film, The Long Good Friday. Spoiler Warning!!!

In this episode we discuss the 1989 film, Crimes and Misdemeanors. We have a philosophical discussion about the foundations of morality, and take a look at the controversies that surround Woody Allen. Spoiler Alert!!!

On this episode Mr. Noel Brown of the wonderful podcasts Stuff They Don't Want You To Know, Ridiculous History, and others filled in for Lionel. We had a fun discussion about the utterly insane Dario Argento film, Phenomena (1985). If you like Iron Maiden, Motörhead, killer chimpanzees, insect telepathy, and have a soft spot for murderous deformed children... this is the movie for you. Enjoy!

Violence, narcissism, and dark humor. These are the main ingredients that make up the 1992 faux documentary, Man Bites Dog. Join our discussion. Spoiler Alert!!! Enjoy!

Join us as we discuss the cult Sci-Fi film, Dark City. Spoiler Alert!!!

Join us for our remotely recorded discussion of the criminally under-seen film, Prince of the City. A New York City narcotics detective reluctantly agrees to cooperate with a special commission investigating police corruption, and soon realizes he's in over his head, and nobody can be trusted. Enjoy! Wash your hands. Remember that we are in this together. Be careful in public places, and be respectful of others.

Join us as we discuss Little Joe (2019). SPOILER WARNING!!!

Join us as we take a look at The Invisible Man. SPOILER ALERT!!!

Join us as we discuss the long awaited film The Lodge. Originally set to release in 2019, but was pushed back to February of this year. Spoiler Alert!!! Enjoy.

Join us as we discuss the fantastic Spike Lee film, Do the Right Thing. This is an important and complex film about racial bias and police brutality. Despite the film's heavy subject matter, it manages to be vibrant and full of life. Enjoy. Spoiler Alert!

Well... We watched it. Join us as we discuss the 2019 film adaptation of Cats. Spoiler Alert! As if there is anything to spoil. Enjoy!

Join us post Valentines Day as we discuss the 1991 Oliver Stone film, JFK. Spoiler Alert!

Join our conversation about the latest Clint Eastwood film, Richard Jewell. We dissect the craft of making the film, and we discuss a director's responsibility to tell the truth in a film based on a real life event. Spoiler Alert!!! Enjoy...

Discussion and review of David Cronenberg's Videodrome. Spoiler Alert!

Join us as we discuss the very funny and heart warming story of Jojo Rabbit. Spoiler Alert!!!

Listen in on our discussion of one of the best films of 2019, Parasite!

Join us as we discuss the fantastic divorce drama Marriage Story. We also share a few thoughts on Netflix's place in the world of serious film making. Episode contains spoilers!!! Episode will now be delivered on Fridays! Enjoy!!!

Join us as we discuss some of the movies that we saw this year that we did not do a full episode on, and other things. Hope you all have had a great year.