Tag Archives: Film Criticism

#73 – Mostly FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS on Blu-ray

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Artwork for the Criterion Collection's release of 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' by Ralph Stedman. (Click on the image for the hi-res version.)

Much to my surprise, the ever-dependable John Black couldn’t make this recording session. Fortunately, film critic Sean Burns (The Improper Bostonian and Philadelphia Weekly) valiantly stepped-up to fill in. And so our Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas episode lives!  Terry Gilliam’s 1998 adaption of Hunter S. Thompson’s “failed experiment in Gonzo journalism” was recently upgraded to Blu-ray by Criterion. And we go on and on about it as, you know, fans do.

Plus we discuss Kelly Reichardt’s Meek’s Cutoff - a film we agree needs more love at the box office.  Do see it if you can.

We recorded episode at Panera Bread across the street from the Coolidge Corner Theater. As always, we tried to find a quiet-ish spot to record (which isn’t always easy). Our apologies for any obtrusive background noise.

Click on the links below and enjoy the show!

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#60 – UNKOWN, CEDAR RAPIDS, I AM NUMBER FOUR and more!

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John Smith (Alex Pettyfer), protecting Sarah (Diana Agron), uses one of his new, postpubertal abilities to halt an oncoming police cruiser in DJ Caruso's 'I Am Number Four.'

This week, John and I discuss the Dark Castle flick Unknown, starring Liam Neeson, the Miguel Arteta comedy Cedar Rapids, and the DJ Caruso-directed, Michael Bay production I Am Number Four.

Plus our picks of the week. I say Tony Scott’s runaway train flick Unstoppable is an excellent Blu-ray choice, John implores you to put the anime Summer Wars in your player, and we both re-live the love of Mel Brook’s 1977 Alfred Hitchcock homage High Anxiety.

Half-sheet poster for 'High Anxiety' (1977), produced, directed and co-written by Mel Brooks.

We recorded live at Panera Bread, next to the Regal Fenway 13 Theater in Boston.

As always, click on the links below and enjoy the show!

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#59 – THE EAGLE, GNOMEO AND JULIET and more!

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Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum) battles the Seal Prince's warriors in 'The Eagle.'

In this episode, John and I discuss the sword and sandals actioner The Eagle, talk with its star Channing Tatum, and try to figure out what Elton John is up to with the 3D animated confection Gnomeo & Juliet.

For our picks of the week, I explain why Frank Tashlin’s 1967 spy spoof Caprice, starring Doris Day and Richard Harris, is the one you must find and watch, and John says Paul W.S. Anderson’s 1994 thriller $hopping, starring Jude Law and Sadie Frost, is not to be missed.

Half-sheet poster for the film 'Caprice' (1967), directed by Frank Tashlin.

Click on the links below and enjoy the show!

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#58 – THE ROOMMATE, SANCTUM and ALL ABOUT EVE on Blu-ray

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Frank McGuire (Richard Roxburgh) leads a team of underwater cave divers in 'Sanctum.'

This week, John and I discuss the new thriller The Roommate and the James Cameron-produced 3-D flick Sanctum.

And for our picks of the week, I revisit Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s classic All About Eve, which is now on Blu-ray, and John says Skin is the film you must see.

Click below and enjoy the show!

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#57 – THE RITE, BIUTIFUL and THE MECHANIC

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Possessed mother-to-be, Rosaria (Marta Gastina), in Warner Bros.' 'The Rite.'

Joining John and me this week is Boston Phoenix film critic and Albany Times-Union blogger Peg Aloi. Our objective: discuss the new Anthony Hopkins thriller The Rite and the Javier Bardem melodrama Biutiful. Then John and I discuss the Jason Statham/Ben Foster actioner The Mechanic – in which I (attempt to) explain The Mechanic‘s unintentional homoeroticism. Such fun.

We then offer our picks of the week. I recommend the new Blu-ray release of Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull. Peg says The Last Exorcism and the Red Riding Trilogy are worth your time. And John implores you to view Man in a Suitcase, which is also new to DVD.

We recorded live at Panera Bread, next to the Regal Fenway 13 Theater in Boston.

Click on the links below and enjoy the show!

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