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The most epic rivalry in the History of the Strongman Competition will come to a head next year when two actual giants square off in the boxing ring in front of a worldwide audience. Hafthor Bjornsson (otherwise known as 'The Mountain' on Game of Thrones) will face Eddie Hall (2017 World's Strongest Man) in what can only be describes as a mega-ultra heavyweight bout for the ages. The future fight is immediately discussed on this week's episode and the guys closely examine what events between the two massive competitors took place to spark this famous rivalry. Nic then hosts a fun game of "Musical Would You Rather" in which Kyle must choose between 2 iconic songs and reveal which one is his favorite choice, and why. Some lengthy and sometimes surprising answers are revealed during this segment and they get into some of their favorite guitar solos and sounds as well. Kyle then proposes a question to Nic: "In your opinion, what would be the worst period in history to be alive?" Tune in to hear the answers and let us know yours as well! IG: @homespunyak
In July's Cinefile Rosslyn Hyams speaks to leading French actor Denis Lavant, and a Philippines film director, the prolific and multi-talented Lav Diaz. Click on the arrow on the photo above to listen to the interviews. Or subscribe to Cinefile. The Mountain Also known as a psychosurgical odyssey, The Mountain was released in the US in July on the heels of it's French première at the Champs-Elysées Film Festival. The Mountain has a serious track record, featuring in the Venice Film Festival 2018 followed by Sundance in 2019. US director Rick Alverson's 5th feature is on the surface about the practice of lobotomy, invented by a real-life doctor called Walter Freeman in America in the 1950s. Jeff Goldblum and Tye Sheridan play respectively lobotomiser Dr Wallace Fiennes and his would-be lobotimised photo assistant, Andy. Of course, that's the top layer. Its slow pace, lacklustre palette and trunkated, creepy dialogue, potentially lull the viewer into a mindless state. However, if you seek, you may find issues about today's America, or about many parts of the world today. Alverson puts a lot of thought into this film. The Mountain is a mind-game, where the mostly eery calm of the cajoling or passive characters is blown apart by French actor Denis Lavant. He plays French single-father Jack, who wants lobotomy-mad Dr Fiennes to operate on his teenage daughter, the object of Andy's first love. Lavant is known for his energy and seemingly unbridled action on stage, as well as on screen. His ability to slip into the skin of arresting characters out of a Tolkien novel or a Shakespeare play or from a French equivalent of East Enders, makes him any director’s dream, but he selects carefully. "Jack is already a bit schizo to begin with. I don’t need to analyse this character to be able to play him. I just have to act the character if you like. Rick Alverson is great and really knows how to direct actors. He suggests plenty of imaginative ideas." Listen to Cinefile podcast to hear more about Denis Lavant's take on The Mountain. Ang Hupa -The Halt The four-hour-40 minute long film is largely dark and once again deals with Lav Diaz' main concerns, the politics and sociology of his country, the Philippines. Set in 2034, when the volcanic action has put out the light, a raving, deluded dictator (Joel Lamangan) is manipulated puppet-style by two women security chiefs (Hazel Orencio and Mara Lopez). Their ambition and love of power drives the plot while their passions are inflamed by a love-triangle involving a teacher with a quest and a part-time escort job (Shaina Magdayao). The man to follow is the enigmatic Hook Torollo played by Piolo Pascual. He realises that he will achieve greater fulfillment from helping street children than firing rocket-propelled grenades or the like. Philippines director, writer, producer, composer, editor Lav Diaz could of course say much the same in a shorter time, but he maintains that this would zap his propos. Not just a whim, and far from detracting from the story-telling, the slow pace adds fluidity to Anga Hupa -The Halt, allowing the film to sink in. "I want to work more on spaces, so you can actually touch the thing, a corporal experience with the medium. The so-called audience must also be engaged, not just entertained... rather than being subordinated to the action of Tom Cruise. I want you to see the ants and the birds and the wind." Première at Cannes Lav Diaz', Ang Hupa or The Halt in English premièred at the Cannes Director's Fortnight in May 2019, it also screened at Poland's New Horizons and the Jerusalem Film Festival. Listen to the Cinefile podcast or by clicking on the arrow on the photo above to hear Lav Diaz talking about the dictatorship, street children, homosexuality on film, and why there are a few glimmers of light in his literally dark films.
If there's one universal truth about filmmaking, it's that it's hard as hell to get your picture made. So if you're going to go through all the trouble of making a movie, you better damn well make sure you're not scared to tell the story that you want to tell. Luckily, there's no better time to do this than at the very beginning. Rick Alverson is one of the most daring filmmakers on the planet. His latest film, The Mountain, is a surreal odyssey concerning the very heart of creativity itself: the mind. Or rather the antiquated science behind destroying it. In the film, Tye Sheridan plays a young man who after losing his mother, goes to work with a doctor, portrayed by the unhumanly charismatic Jeff Goldblum, who specializes in lobotomies. The timing of this film's release is no coincidence. While there may not be a literal blade held to our skull, every day we are subject to creative suppression from an overabundance of media, screens and pop culture. And while mainline cinema may do its best to further this narrative, Alverson argues that it's our duty as independent filmmakers to buck the trend and create art that leads to critical thinking. It's a truth that he learned some time along the middle of his career, that filmmaking should be about having a conversation with the medium and not a promotional exercise. Filmmakers should meditate on how they can contribute to the art form itself and not look for personal advancement. There is no better time to start this practice, than at the very beginning. NFS sat down with Alverson and Sheridan to discuss how filmmakers can look to achieve this very notion at SXSW.
This week on Turbulence, A crisis in India with drug addicted parrots causing chaos for opium farmers, the legendary man Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson or better known as 'The Mountain' from game of thrones sets some new records in feats of strength and we shed some insight into sheer quantity of food he consumes and finally, a celibacy pact until marriage ends in major disappointment for a new wife. This week we review a key-chain ornament, the flash score app and a water-man pen. All this as well as our usual topics of What Grinds our Gears and a pretty good game, True or False.
On this week's episode, John beams in live from our Vegas affiliate: KYMT, 'The Mountain'--leaving poor Randy, the compulsive gambler, behind. Plus, a new end of Summer Dope Report from Bob Floyd, Pre-K gauges the gangsta slang "Detroit Style," our man Boots has disappeared AGAIN, and much much more!
This week we are joined by author Katie Kitamura to read and discuss her new book 'A Separation.' 'A Separation' is one woman's inner thoughts as she travels to Greece to try to uncover the mystery of her separated and soon-to-be divorced from husband who goes missing on a research trip.And as always, we close the show with recommendations. Katie recommends 'The Mountain', an upcoming short story collection by Paul Yoon. "[The stories] kind of migrate, there's a path of migration but both through time and through space. They are really beautifully observed." MJ recommends 'Evicted' by Matthew Desmond. "It is this incredible investigation into poverty and the practice of eviction in America and how eviction really is a destabilizing force in America that not only destabilizes families but also whole communities." Aliza recommends 'Feud,' Ryan Murphy's current show on FX. It's about the creation of the movie What Ever Happened to Baby Jane.' I LOVE it. As a series, it is so well done; as social commentary, it is so well done, the actors in it are amazing." Peter recommends the new Comedy Central show 'Detroiters.' "It is freaking hilarious." He also recommends the FX show Legion "It is exceptionally interesting television. Even when the story makes no sense, it is still mesmerizing to watch." And we have a bonus recommendation: this video of a girl professing her love to a broken water boiler, which she thinks is a friendly robot. MJ says, "My emotions were not prepared for this video. It is adorable!"
The boys discuss Jonathan Goodwin signing and Jairus Byrd's back. Dave wonders what is weakest part of the roster. Ralph tries to explain to Dave why Sean Payton lies all the time about injuries.Plus your Twitter questions Game of Throne themed questions like "Will Akiem Hicks be 'The Mountain' for Saints this year?"PS: Donate and the audio quality stays awesome and don't forget to download our Iphone app! Itunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/chronicpodcast/id454883110