Living for the Cinema: Recent Episodes
Geoff Gershon
MANN WEEK continues....(Michael Mann that is)
Forty years ago, Oscar-nominated legend Michael Mann (Heat, The Last of the Mohicans, Collateral) wrote and directed this adaptation of the best-selling novel "Red Dragon" from acclaimed author Thomas Harris. This was the FIRST big screen adaptation of Harris' series of stories featuring the iconic character of Hannibal Lector, five years before the Oscar-winning box office phenomenon of The Silence of the Lambs which won Sir Anthony Hopkins his Oscar for potraying Lector. However unlike 'Silence, this film was NOT a success upon release as the subject matter of a criminal profiler tracking down a brutal serial killer had not yet been embraced by mainstream audiences. For this particular story, that FBI profiler is Will Graham played by William Petersen (To Live & Die In LA, CSI) and he is on the hunt for an elusive killer who refers to himself as the "Red Dragon" - that would be Francis Dollarhyde played by the late, great Tom Noonan (Heat, Last Action Hero) who is also struggling with his identity as he pursues new victims. And in THIS version of the story, Hannibal Lector is played by Emmy-winner Brian Cox (Succession, Adaptation, X2) though in a smaller role as he is periodically visited by Graham for advice.....the same FBI agent who also initially arrested him, at great personal cost. This eventual cult classic also co-stars Dennis Farina, Kim Greist, Joan Allen, and Stephen Lang.
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Welcome to MANN WEEK!!!
Based upon the hit '80's TV show of the same name co-created by Oscar-nominated writer/director Michael Mann (Heat, Collateral, The Last of the Mohicans), Mann brought this adaptation to the big screen twenty years ago this summer. The story once again focuses on two partnering Miami police detectives named Sonny Crockett (Oscar-nominated Colin Farrell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx) - they are going undercover to take down a Latin American drug cartel and the similarities to the original show pretty much end there. Among their targets are Jose Yero (John Ortiz), Montoya (Luis Tosar), and Isabella (Gong Li) as they partner with the FBI to stop a major shipment of drugs. However Sonny then starts a romance with Isabella....and complications ensue! Considered a disappointment by both audiences and critics upon initial release, this has since gone on to develop a cult following....especially resulting from a better reception to the eventual "Director's Cut" which was released on DVD. THAT version will be reviewed in this episode.....
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Ned Racine (Oscar-winner William Hurt) is a handsome, sleazy lawyer and Matty Walker (Oscar-nominee Kathleen Turner in her big screen debut) is the alluring wife of a wealthy businessman (Richard Crenna) and one steamy Florida night, they meet and begin a torrid affair. They then conspire to murder Matty's husband as part of an insurance scam.....and a lot of a sweaty, twisty chaos ensues! This Neo-Noir thriller was the directorial debut of Oscar-nominated writer/director Lawrence Kasdan (The Big Chill, Silverado, Grand Canyon) and even though it was only a minor hit when it was first released in the Summer of 1981, it has gone on to be one of the more influential thrillers of the modern era. It also made both William Hurt and Kathleen Turner into instant movie stars.
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Forty years ago this summer, genre master David Cronenberg (Videodrome, Eastern Promises, The Dead Zone, Dead Ringers) directed this remake of the 1958 cult classic of the same name starring Vincent Price. This is the updated story of Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), a quirky scientist who has been developing an exciting new invention geared towards teleportation. He meets an enterprising science reporter named Ronnie (Geena Davis) and together, they not only work to further this technoloy....but they also fall in love. But then one fateful night alone, Seth makes the mistake of "teleporting while drunk" and the pod which he's using happens to have a house fly inside of it. :o And what results is a gradual, gruesome transformation for Seth into.....something else! This film not only became a suprise box office hit but would also go on to win a VERY deserved Oscar for Best Makeup. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Also see below for a hysterical stand-up bit from Martin Lawrence about this movie which is cited in this review! :p
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ITAthB4ai0
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NOLAN WEEK continues....
Adapted from the legendary tale written by Homer, this is the epic tale of one man's treacherous journey home after leading a war effort which has left both him and his men broken and continuously in danger. That war was the Trojan War and the man is Odysseus (Oscar-winner Matt Damon) who yearns to get to his home country of Ithaca where he is king, so that he can reunite with this wife Penelope (Oscar-winner Anne Hathaway) and his son Telemachus (Tom Holland).....or DOES he?? And along the way of this journey, Odysseus and his men will encounter several otherwordly threats Calypso (Oscar-winner Charlize Theron), Circe (Oscar-nominee Samantha Morton) and the Cyclops (Bill Irwin). This is the latest big budget production from Oscar-winning writer/director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, Memento, Inception) as a follow-up to his beloved Best Picture winner Oppenheimer from three years ago. Also included among the stellar, extended cast are Robert Pattinson, Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo, Corey Hawkins, Himesh Patel, Mia Goth, and Emmy-winner Zendaya. Let's find out if it's time to.....DEFY THE GODS.
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Welcome to NOLAN WEEK!
Before reviewing his latest big budget opus (The Odyssey), let's revisit the beloved superhero sequel which helped push Oscar-winning writer/director Christopher Nolan (Inception, Oppenheimer, Dunkirk) into the pantheon of master modern filmmakers. As a direct sequel to 2005's word-of-mouth hit Batman Begins, this was released with much fanfare as it was not only about the continuing adventures of Batman/Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) but also the reintroduction of a classic villain who happpens to be the latest threat to his beloved home of Gotham City. :o This new threat is mysteriously known as the Joker (Oscar-winner Heath Ledger) who has been havoc around the city, not only terrifying citizens but even threatening local organized crime. And what results is an epic battle for the soul of Gotham involving not only Batman and the Joker, but local law enforcement lead by Comissioner Jim Gordon (Oscar-winner Gary Oldman), District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckart), and Assistant DA Rachel Dawes (Oscar-nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal). Also co-starring at least two other Oscar-winners (Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman), this mega-smash would also receive eight Oscar nominations that year including two wins for Best Supporting Actor (Ledger) and Best Sound Editing - it would not only set a new bar for superhero movies moving forward but also action blockbusters.
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Forty years ago this summer, genre master John Carpenter (The Thing, Halloween, They Live) directed this big budget (for the time) extravaganza blending various genres including martial arts, fantasy, and crime drama. Starring Kurt Russell in one of his more iconic roles as truckdriver Jack Burton, it was fast, funny, and phrenetically entertaining! And yet no one really saw it in theaters. :( Fortunately this film did eventually find its audience on cable and video, becoming a cult classic and is now often looked upon as one of Carpenter's most believed movies. It also features a STELLAR cast beyond Russell including Dennis Dun, Kim Cattrall, James Hong, and Victor Wong. So let's hop on the Pork Chop Express and head to Chinatown!
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Olivia Wilde (Booksmart, Don't Worry Darling) directs her third film, also co-starring with Seth Rogen as a beleaguered married couple living in San Francisco. One fateful evening, her housewife invites over the earthy couple from upstairs (Oscar-winner Penelope Cruz, Oscar-nominee Edward Norton) for a dinner party. And things go awry.....what results is one of the most highly acclaimed comedies of 2026 so far, let's see if it lives up to the hype!
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In World War II, a group of NAZI officers come up with a propaganda event in which an all-star NAZI team will play a team composed of Allied POW's in a soccer (football) game. The prisoners agree, planning on using the game as a means of escape from the camp. Directed by the legendary Oscar-winner John Huston (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The Maltese Falcon, The African Queen, Prizzi's Honor) late in his career, this sports drama is lead by Oscar-winner Sylvester Stallone, Oscar-winner Michael Caine, Oscar-nominated Max von Sydow, and the late, great professional football LEGEND Pele. :) Just in time for the last round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup....NOW is the time for heroes.
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Welcome To The 23rd Century.
The perfect world of total pleasure.
....there's just one catch.
This is the story of Logan 5 (Michael York) who lives in a distant future where where every one looks bright, young, and engergetic. That might be because every one is only allowed to live their first life until they turn 30. That's when an light in the palm of their hand blinks red, notifying them that they have to report to a "carousel" where they will then be "renewed" to kick off a brand new life....or WILL they?? :o Tasked with being a law enforcement officer known as a "sandman," our hero is expected to chase and capture those who attempt to "run" when they are summoned to said carousel. But one day, Logan finds out a dangerous secret about this society, he teams up with a young woman named Jessica 6 (Jenny Agutter), and they are now on the RUN. (Hence the title) Released fifty years ago this summer, this film became a popular hit, also eventually earning two Oscar nominations for cinematography and production design. Directed by Michael Anderson (Around the World In 80 Days, Operation Crossbow, Orca), this highly influential sci-fi thriller also co-starred Richard Jordan, Roscoe Lee Brown, Peter Ustinov, and Farrah Fawcett.
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In what was his second film as the titular Man of Steel, the late, great Christopher Reeve returns as Kal-El, the Son of Crypton who has now settled in Metropolis under disguise as Clark Kent, a nerdy reporter a The Daily Planet who also pines for his fellow reporter Lois Lane played by the late, great Margot Kidder. As Superman, he is now doing his part to keep the human inhabitants of Planet Earth safe until.....three Kryptonians come calling lead by the aggrieved General Zod (Terence Stamp) who is seeking revenge against Kal-El after his late father had him imprisoned in the previous film. Together Zod, Ursa (Sarah Douglas), and Non (Jack O'Halloran) begin to wreak havoc on Earth and frigteningly, NO ONE can stop them as they each have similar powers to Kal-El. :o And what results is an intense battle of ONE vs. THREE....can Superman prevail this time around?? Directed by Richard Lester (A Hard Day's Night) taking over from Richard Donner....sort of, this beloved sequel also features returning cast members Gene Hackman, Jackie Cooper, Valerie Perrine, and Ned Beatty. KNEEL before ZOD!!!!
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Kara Zor-El aka Supergirl (Milly Alcock) joines forces with a recent orphan Ruthye (Eve Ridley) who is out to avenge the murder of their parents. Together they embark on an interstellar journey of vengeance and justice, alongside a mercenary named Lobo (Jason Mamoa) who is looking to take out the same villains. Directed by Craig Gillespie (I Tonya, Cruella, Lars and the Real Girl, Dumb Money), this is the latest entry in the recently rebooted DCU (Detective Comics Universe). It has earned mixed reviews from critics, garnered weak box office, and has attracted intense online vitriol (mostly directed at its star) from several online right-wing influencers....but does it DESERVE this kind of response?
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Lt. Colonel Nat Serling (Oscar-winner Denzel Washington) is a recent veteran of Operation Desert Storm and a deadly mistake which he made in the heat of combat is still haunting him. He has been tasked by his officer to investigate the service of recently deceased Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan) who flew a chopper on a rescue mission during that war and is now being considered for the Medal of Honor. As Serling investigates various other soldiers who were involved in this mission, he not only realizes how getting to the truth of what actually occurred is more complicated than he expected, but he also struggles with his own trauma about an incident he was involved with which resulted in the death of a former colleague. Directed by Edward Zwick (Glory, Blood Diamond, Legends of the Fall, Defiance), this stirring military drama/mystery thriller also co-stars Lou Diamond Phillips, Michael Moriarity, Scott Glenn, Regina Taylor, and Matt Damon.
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At the peak of his movie stardom and in the wake of having just won several Oscars for Best Picture-winner Dances With Wolves which he both starred in and directed, Kevin Costner (Yellowstone, Bull Durham, JFK) took on the iconic role of Robin of Locksley for his next major project. He partnered with long-time friend and director Kevin Reynolds (Waterworld, The Count of Monte Cristo) to spearhead this this new adaptation of an iconic story, while also filling key roles with several prominent stars of the time including Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman as Azeem, Christian Slater as Will Scarlett, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Marian, and most importantly at the time.....Alan Rickman (Die Hard) as the Sheriff of Nottingham. What resulted was a very rushed, messy production where several roles ended up being miscast (including California-native Costner as the British Robin) and where the villain pretty much stole the show. And yet when released in June of 1991, this film was a MASSIVE hit (much of that due to Costner's stardom) with several iconic scenes and a best-selling soundtrack. In fact, this would go to be the ONLY genuinely successful on-screen adaptation of the Robin Legend since then.....so did it actually work, does it hold up? Well only one way to find out....and remember that before you embark on this review: No blades! No bows! Leave your weapons here!
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Roy Neary (Oscar-winner Richard Dreyfuss) was just a mild-mannered Indiana family man working for the power company. Until one evening while out on the job.....he had an encounter with an unfamiliar being blasting brilliant light into the night sky. What results for Roy is an increasingly bizarre descent into madness as he not only feels drawn towards seking out these otherworldy beings but also begins to alienate his wife (Teri Garr) and family in the process. And he's not the only one: there's also Jillian Guiler (Oscar nominee Melinda Dillon) who is also drawn towards seeking out these strange, new visitors. Both of their journeys eventually lead them Devil's Tower in Wyoming where these "visitors" might be headed. Also eventually heading this way are two curious scientists (Francois Truffaut, Bob Balaban) who have been trying to figure out the best way to communicate with these extra terrestrials. It all adds up to a transcendant experience and one of THE greatest films from one of our greatest living directors, Two-time Oscar-winner Steven Spielberg (Schindler's List, Raiders of the Lost Ark, ET) as his direct follow-up to the singular phenomenon which was Jaws.
See below for a link to an extended sequence added to the 1980 "Special Edition" of this film, referred to within this review:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqiSIaia-k4&t=197s
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Legendary Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg (Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, ET: The Extra Terrestrial, Close Encounters of the Third Kind) returns to the science fiction genre for the first time in almost twenty years with this mystery thriller focusing on a group of scientists (Josh O'Connor, Oscar-nominee Colman Domingo) who are attempting to find and release classified information from the United States government about the existence of alien life and its presence on our planet. Standing in their way is a shadowy organization lead by Oscar-winner Colin Firth (The King's Speech, Kingsman, A Single Man) and the key towards revealing the truth MIGHT lie with a Kansas City meterologist (Oscar-nominee Emily Blunt) who begins to communicate with others around her in unexpected ways. Will the truth be revealed?? Let's find out....
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Mike (River Phoenix) and Scott (Keanu Reeves) are hustlers working their way around Portland trying to make ends meet, who are also best friends. Together they hit the road to Idaho AND Italy on a journey of self-discovery while Mike tries to find his mother whom he hasn't seen in years. This stirring comedy/drama road movie was written and directed by Oscar-nominee Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk, Drugstore Cowboy) early in his career and was not only considered a breakthrough for independent cinema at the time of its release, but also for LGBT cinema. It also now remembered for containing what MIGHT be the defining performance for the late, great Phoenix who would die tragically just a couple of years later. Let's hit the road and always remember to....Have A Nice Day. :)
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By The Power of Grayskull.....
For the first time in thirty-nine years, He-Man and the other Masters of the Universe are back on the big screen! After being sent to Earth as a young boy more than fifteen years ago to hide him from the evil Skeletor (Oscar-winner Jared Leto), Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) has finally found his sword and is returning to his homeland of Eternia to reclaim his legacy. Of course, it gets more complicated than that as not only has much of Eternia (including Castle Grayskull where he's from) been decimated and taken over by Skeletor and his minions but Adam has to figure out HOW to use the sword and become the hero he was always meant to be.....He-Man. ;) Oscar-nominated filmmaker Travis Knight (Kubo & the Two Strings, Coraline, Bumblebee) directs this modernized adaptation of the He-Man legend which originated on a popular animated show in the '80's. Also included in the cast are Idris Elba as Duncan/Man-At-Arms, Camila Mendes as Teela, and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, among several others.....
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Just in time for 6/6/26.....
It's time to review this influential supernatural horror thriller on the eve of its 50th Anniversary. Directed by Richard Donner (Superman, Lethal Weapon, The Goonies), it focuses on an American ambassador (Oscar-winning legend Gregory Peck) and his wife (the late, great Oscar-nominated Lee Remick) who have recently moved to England after recently having their first child.....or DID they? The child is Damien (Harvey Stephens) who was born under very mysterious circumstances and as he gets to a certain young age, he starts to not only exhibit disturbing behaviors but others around him (including animals) begin to act more strangely as well. COULD he be....the Son of Satan, the Anti-Christ?? :o Only one way to find out.....
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Based upon the viral online phenomenon which he helped launch, YouTube creator Kane Parsons has directed this somewhat expiremental horror thriller focusing on an unique realm containing a never-ending series of strange rooms and corridors. The story focuses on a troubled recent divorcee (Oscar-nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor) who owns a failing furniture store which contains a hidden door to this realm. Once he enters, he begins exploring this realm and becomes obssessed with figuring it. Oscar-nominee Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value, The Worst Person In the World) plays his troubled therapist who also eventually investigates....and liminal horror ensues!
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At the very height of his mid '90's superstardom, Jim Carrey (Ace Ventura, The Truman Show, Liar Liar) received a then record-setting $20 million paycheck to star in this dark comedy directed by Ben Stiller (Tropic Thunder, Zoolander, Reality Bites). Carrey starred as a the titular Cable Guy who installs cable television for a newly single bachelor (Matthew Broderick) living in Los Angeles but then makes the mistake of trying to become friends with him and eventually stalking him. :o And hilarity ensues! Well as it turned out, the movie was quite funny but at the time was poorly received for being just too dark compared to Carrey's recent more family friendly comedies. However in the almost thirty years since its release, this has become much more appreciated for its biting satire and is often considered by many fans of Carrey to be among his best performances. Also co-starring Jack Black and Leslie Mann both very early in their careers, it's time to grab a board.....and/or remote....and go channel surfing!!
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A group of shoplifters (Keke Palmer, Taylour Paige, Naomi Ackie) take aim at a ruthless fashion maven (Oscar-nominee Demi Moore) by stealing her clothes and reselling them at a lower price, partially out of revenge for her stealing several of their fashion designs. This is the latest opus from writer/director Boots Riley (Sorry To Bother You) and that overall description doesn't really do it justice to the many crazy turns which this sci-fi/corporate satire takes. The stacked cast also includes Lakeith Stanfield, Eiza Gonzalez, Poppy Liu, Will Poulter, and Don Cheadle. Get ready for a wild, genre-defying ride!
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Mel and Nancy Coplin (Ben Stiller, Patricia Arquette) are a young couple living in New York City who just had their first child. They can't seem to decide on a name and that's because Mel is feeling lost - he grew up as an adopted child and with the help of Tina (Tea Leoni) from the adoption, he has now been told that they have located who his REAL parents are. And so the three of them venture off across the country with baby to seek out Mel's real parents - several mistakes are made, several misunderstandings occur, and hilarity ensues! Written and directed by Oscar-nominee David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook, The Fighter, Three Kings, American Hustle) early in his career, this remains one of the more underappreciated indie comedies of the '90's and features a stacked veteran cast including Mary Tyler Moore, George Segal, Lily Tomlin, Alan Alda, Richard Jenkins, and Josh Brolin.
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One of the earliest films from Oscar-nominated Austrailian director Peter Weir (Witness, Dead Poet's Society, The Truman Show, Master & Commander), this is a stirring tale of one of THE pivotal events in the history of Australia: their campaign with British forces to fight the Turkish forces in World War I on the hills of Gallipoli more than a hundred years ago. The story focuses on two young Austrailian sprinters (Mark Lee, Mel Gibson) who enlist together and form a strong bond, before eventually facing the brutal realities of "The Great War" when they are sent to fight. When it came out forty-five years ago, this film was not only a seminal event in Australian cinema for war movies overall. It also co-stars Bill Kerr, John Murphy, and Bill Hunter.
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Marshall O'Neill (Sean Connery) has just been assigned to take over security of a new mining colony....on the Jupiter moon of IO. :o Yes this takes place in the future though many things have not changed as much as you would think: suddenly miners are starting to die under some VERY unusual circumstances as it might be as a result of a new illegal drug. Against the advice of everyone around him, O'Neill digs deeper to find out how and why these drugs are starting to spread....and soon finds himself being targeted. Even though this film was a critical and commercial failure upon release forty-five years ago, it has since developed a cult following and is now often affectionately nicknamed "High Noon in Space." Legendary genre filmmaker Peter Hyams (TimeCop, Capricorn One, Running Scared) directed this sci-fi western which also co-stars Peter Boyle, Frances Sternhagen, and Clarke Peters.
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An FBI chemical weapons expert (Oscar-winner Nicholas Cage) and a former SAS soldier turned political prisoner (Oscar-winner Sean Connery) must break into Alcatraz prison when a rogue military group, lead by a renegade general (Oscar-nominee Ed Harris), has taken it over and are now threatening a nerve gas attack on San Franscisco. This high-octane action thriller was a huge smash when released in the Summer of 1996 and helped cement director Michael Bay (Bad Boys, Armageddon, Transformers, Pearl Harbor) as an established brand of filmmaker for decades to come. The stacked supporting cast also includes John Spencer, David Morse, William Forsythe, Vanessa Marcil, Tony Todd, Bokeem Woodbine, and Michael Biehn among several others. Get ready to ROCK!
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Ten years ago, legendary writer/director Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, The Last Boy Scout, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Iron Man 3) put out his latest original vision of yet another buddy cop action comedy, this time taking place in 1970's Los Angeles. The pairing was inspired: a drunken private detective (Ryan Gosling) teams up with a tough guy enforcer (Russell Crowe) to solve both a missing person mystery and an unsolved murder. And the plot just gets increasingly convoluted from there involving the auto industry, porn, and organized crime....both violent and funny complications ensue! The stellar cast of this now beloved cult classic also includes Kim Basinger, Margaret Qualley, Matt Bomer, and Keith David.
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“Living for the STREEP” Series: We are here to celebrate the career of Mary Louise Streep….now known to most as Meryl Streep who has become widely known by critics, film-lovers, and audiences as likely our GREATEST LIVING ACTRESS. Ever since her earlier breakout roles in the late 1970’s in films such as The Deer Hunter, and Kramer Vs. Kramer, she has carved out a filmography filled with brilliant performances in memorable films spanning a variety of genres including biopics, thrillers, family dramas, AND comedies. During this time, she has also earned a STAGGERING TWENTY-ONE Oscar nominations including THREE wins. Over the next several months, I will be revisiting one notable Streep film each month – each highlighting a different type of performance – culminating with the May 1 release of the long-awaited sequel featuring one of her more ICONIC roles as Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada 2.
The Wait is Finally Over. It has been almost twenty years since the original The Devil Wears Prada hit theaters, featuring one of Streep's most celebrated performances which she also received an Oscar nomination for. She's back as Miranda Priestly, once again leading the fashion magazine "Runway" though times have changed the magazine (like all print media) is now struggling....making matters worse, a new scandale has erupted online further putting Miranda's future (and the magazine's future) more at risk. Fortunately whom else should return to the magazine but Andy Sacks (Anne Hathaway) to maybe save the day? Infact several of the key players from that first film are ALSO back including Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, and Tracie Thoms....along with some new additions to the cast including Kenneth Branaugh, Justin Theroux, BJ Novak, and Luciy Liu! Let's see if this highly anticipated legacy sequel lives up to the hype.....
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Acclaimed genre filmmaker Joe Johnston (Honey I Shrunk The Kids, Captain America: The First Avenger) directed this highly anticipated Disney adaptation of the titular graphic novel from the 1980's. It takes place in the 1940's Los Angeles where aspiring pilot Cliff Secord (Billy Campbell) is trying to make a name for himself on the flying circuit until one day, he suddenly finds a mysterious metal device along with his friend/mechanic Peevy played by Oscar-winner Alan Arkin (Little Miss Sunshine, Catch 22). What they soon realize is that this device is actually a secret prototype jet-pack which the local Mafia, the FBI, AND the Nazis (!) are all on the hunt for. :o So Cliff tries on the jet-pack, is able to fly, and suddenly becomes....The Rocketeer! And what results is a fun throwback adventure which was initially a flop upon release in the Summer of 1991 but would eventually garner a cult following. The stellar cast also includes Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly, Timothy Dalton, and the late, great Paul Sorvino.
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In a dystopian 1997, a soldier-turned-bankrobber is taked rescuing the US President after he crashes into Manhattan, which has been turned into a giant maximum security prison.
That's the official description for this gritty, sci-fi action thriller but a couple of key players involved made it more special than that. The solider is Snake Plissken played by Kurt Russell (The Thing, Tombstone, The Hateful Eight) in one of his more iconic performances. The director is genre master John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing, They Live) who inadverdently created a sub-genre with the success of this film forty-five years ago. And the rest of this film's stellar supporting cast includes Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasance, Isaac Hayes, Harry Dean Stanton, and Adrienne Barbeau.
See below for a link featuring a key deleted scene of this film which is highlighted within this review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riSBMj1oLGc&t=20s
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Directed by Oscar-winner Ron Howard (Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, Parenthood), this remains one of the most celebrated big budget Hollywood films about what is likely one of the more cinematic professions.....FIREFIGHTERS. It tells the seemingly simple story of two firefighting brothers in Chicago played by Billy Baldwin (Sliver, Flatliners) and Kurt Russell (The Thing, Tombstone) and their struggles to work together. Not only are they struggling with the dangers of their professions but also the women in the lives played by Jennifer Jason Leigh (Single White Female, The Hateful Eight) and Rebecca DeMornay (The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, Risky Business), along with an ongoing series of fatal pre-planned fires killing various real estate developers around town, which have the lead arson investigator (Robert DeNiro) on the case. This sprawling action adventure which has sometimes been referred to as "Top Gun for Firefighters" also co-stars Scott Glenn, JT Walsh, and Donald Sutherland among several others.
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“Living for the STREEP” Series: We are here to celebrate the career of Mary Louise Streep….now known to most as Meryl Streep who has become widely known by critics, film-lovers, and audiences as likely our GREATEST LIVING ACTRESS. Ever since her earlier breakout roles in the late 1970’s in films such as The Deer Hunter, and Kramer Vs. Kramer, she has carved out a filmography filled with brilliant performances in memorable films spanning a variety of genres including biopics, thrillers, family dramas, AND comedies. During this time, she has also earned a STAGGERING TWENTY-ONE Oscar nominations including THREE wins. Over the next several months, I will be revisiting one notable Streep film each month – each highlighting a different type of performance – culminating with the May 1 release of the long-awaited sequel featuring one of her more ICONIC roles as Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada 2.
The legendary Albert Brooks (Lost In America, The Muse, Modern Romance) wrote, directed, AND starred in this afterlife comedy as Daniel, an advertising executve who just died after colliding head-on with a bus. Alas, Daniel now finds himself spending a few days in a otherwordly weigh station named, "Judgement City" where will sort go on trial to "defend his life." What he didn't count on was falling in love....which he does with Julia played by....you guessed it....Meryl Streep. And what results is a life-affirming romantic comedy also featuring fun performances from Rip Torn (Men In Black) and Lee Grant (Shampoo) as opposing counsel in Daniel's trial.
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This remains one of the more infamous examples of a professional athlete attempting to become a movie star as former NFL linebacker Brian Bosworth stars as Joe Huff, a tough Alabama cop who goes undercover with the FBI to infiltrate and take down a militia group of bikers lead by Chains Cooper (Lance Henricksen) who has ambitions much more dangerous than just being a motorcyle club. Bosworth's pro football career ended prematurely by the time this was released due to injuries and as a result, this film's reputation soured before it even opened in the spring of 1991. The reviews were bad and it flopped at the box office. However....what if it actually turned out to be a genuinely GOOD action film?
As directed by Craig R. Baxley (Action Jackson) who was a former stunt coordinator, this film is jam-packed with impressive action sequences and stunts using various vehicles....and it also features a go-for-broke performance by William Forsythe (Out of Justice, Dick Tracy, American Me, The Rock) as the most menacing member of the motorcycle gang named "Chains." On the eve of its 35th Anniversary, let's revisit the go-for-broke action film which 2002's XXX only aspired to be!
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"Crime is the disease. Meet the Cure."
"The strong arm of the law."
Back in the spring and summer of 1986, those were among several snappy taglines for this highly anticipated action thriller starring Oscar-winner Sylvester Stallone as his direct follow-up to TWO smash successes lead by him the previous year: Rambo: First Blood Part II and Rocky IV. THIS time, he was playing the ultimate cop named Marion Cobretti (nickname: Cobra) who was on the hunt around Los Angeles for a brutal serial killer (or serial killers?) named the Night Slasher played by veteran character Brian Thompson (The Terminator, Miracle Mile, The X-Files). This film was directed by George P. Cosmatos (Rambo, Tombstone) though apparently it ended up being co-directed by Stallone himself. There was much hype for this film when it was released in May 1986 though the reviews were pretty poor, mostly related to its very simplistic plot and extreme violence and.....it did ok at the box office. It wasn't the blockbuster which it was expected to be but the film made solid money at the worldwide box office. Since then, it has garnered an increasingly rabid cult following and is now looked upon as one of Sly's most quotable films....his answer to Dirty Harry. Let's see how it holds up forty years later and find out if.....THIS is where the law stops.....and HE starts. ;)
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From acclaimed writer/director Kristoffer Borgli (Dream Scenario) comes this dark romantic comedy starring Zendaya (Euphoria, Dune's 1 &2) and Robert Pattinson (The Batman, Good Time) as a happily engaged couple whose relationship is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails. Also co-starring Alana Haim, Mamoudou Athie, and Hailey Gates, let's find out if this highly buzzed about new film from A24 is worth the buzz.
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Twenty-five years ago, this high-energy musical adaptation of the both the comic book and TV cartoon was released to much hype....and no one showed up. :( It was a sizeable flop at the box office but has since garned a devoted cult following as a result of its sharp satire and catchy soundtrack. It's a seemingly simple story about three young ladies from the small town of Riverdale who are just trying to break out with their band, The Pussycats. They include Josie (Rachael Leigh Cook), Melody (Tara Reid), and Valerie (Rosario Dawson) and one day, they are just toiling to pick up their next gig when they are suddenly discovered by a shady record producer Wyatt (Alan Cumming) who seems something special in them. They are whisked off to New York City, signed to his label run by the ruthless Fiona (Parker Posey) and overnight, they become a pop sensation now named, "Josie and the Pussycats." However, their success comes with some unexpected consquences and they soon find themselves embroiled in a massive conspiracy involving the delivery of subliminal messages through pop music. :o Directed by Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont (Can't Hardly Wait), this enduring cult hit also co-stars Gabriel Mann, Missi Pyle, and Carson Daly (!)....as you've NEVER seen him before!
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ANYONE SEEN RITCHIE???
That's the central question driving this pulpy action thriller starring Steven Seagal (Under Siege, Hard To Kill, Marked For Death) during his breakout period in the early '90's. Here he plays Gino Felino, a dogged NYPD cop on a mission....to capture the killer of his partner. That would be the aforementioned Richie Madano, a cranked out mob enforcer played by William Forsythe (Raising Arizona, The Rock, Dick Tracy, Stone Cold) who seemes to be on a mission of his own....to rampage around Brooklyn causing trouble. :o And a chaotic cat-and-mouse ensues between cop and robber, leaving in its wake a lot of broken glass and broken limbs! This often (unintentionally) funny action thriller was directed by the late, great John Flynn (Rolling Thunder, Lock Up, Brain Scan) and also co-stars Jerry Orbach, Jo Champa, Gina Gershon, Julianna Margulies, and Dominic Chianese.
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Richard Gere (Pretty Woman, Chicago, American Gigolo) plays Martin Vale, a hot-shot Chicago attorney who just landed his latest high-profile case, the suspected brutal murder of the Archbishop by a rural teenager from Kentucky who was apparently working for the Archbishop. The young suspect is the mild-mannered Aaron Stampler who is played by Oscar-nominee Edward Norton (Fight Club, 25th Hour, A Complete Unknown) in his on big-screen debut which he also received an Oscar nomination for. At first, Aaron seems mild-mannered and innocent....but there's more to him than he seems. :o What results is a wild courtroom drama with lots of twists and turns, also featuring a stacked supporting cast featuring Oscar-nominee Laura Linney, Oscar-nominee Alfre Woodard, Emmy-nominee John Mahnoney, Emmy-nominee Andre Braugher, and Oscar-winner Frances McDormand.
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Just in time for Opening Day 2026, we are revisiting this beloved baseball comedy from fifty years ago starring Oscar-winners Walter Matthau (The Fortune Cookie, The Odd Couple, The Taking of Pelham 123) and Tatum O'Neal (Paper Moon, Little Darlings) as Coach Buttermaker and aspiring star player Amanda respectively. Of course, their team is the titular Bears which is rag-tag group of mostly inexperienced Southern California kids playing Little League baseball. And this team has one major competitor in their league who not only dominates them but bullies them - that team is the venal Coach Turner played by the late, great Emmy-nominee Vic Morrow who co-starred in many popular TV shows around this time including Combat, Charlie's Angels, and Police Story. The baseball team is filled with characters including Kelly Leak (Oscar-nominee Jackie Earle Haley), Ogilvie (Alfred Lutter III), Tanner (Chris Barnes) and Ahmad (Erin Blunt)....and their acumen on the field or at bat might vary but one thing they have in common is that they ALL want to have fun! :) What results from their first tumultuous season together is baseball, smoking, drinking, profanity, and maybe even....TEAMWORK?
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“Living for the STREEP” Series: We are here to celebrate the career of Mary Louise Streep….now known to most as Meryl Streep who has become widely known by critics, film-lovers, and audiences as likely our GREATEST LIVING ACTRESS. Ever since her earlier breakout roles in the late 1970’s in films such as The Deer Hunter, and Kramer Vs. Kramer, she has carved out a filmography filled with brilliant performances in memorable films spanning a variety of genres including biopics, thrillers, family dramas, AND comedies. During this time, she has also earned a STAGGERING TWENTY-ONE Oscar nominations including THREE wins. Over the next several months, I will be revisiting one notable Streep film each month – each highlighting a different type of performance – culminating with the May 1 release of the long-awaited sequel featuring one of her more ICONIC roles as Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada 2.
Directed by the legendary Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Catch 22, Working Girl), this is the harrowing true story of Karen Silkwood (Oscar-winner Meryl Streep) who worked at a plutonium processing plant in Oklahome in the mid '70's. At one point, she is exposed to radioactive materials and she eventually becomes a whistleblower on dangerous practices at this plant. Tragically she died under mysterious circumstances just as she was set to divulge information to the media. This film received massive acclaim upon release and was also a box office hit - it was also nominated for five Oscars including for Best Director (Nichols), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress (Streep), Best Picture, and Best Supporting Actress for Cher who plays Karen's housemate. The stacked cast also includes Kurt Russell, Craig T. Nelson, Fred Ward, Ron Silver, Charles Hallahan, and Bruce McGilll among several other notable actors.
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Science teacher Ryland Grace (Oscar-nominated Ryan Gosling) wakes up on a spaceship light years from home with no memory of how he got there. As his memory returns, he uncovers a mission to stop a mysterious substance from killing the Sun, which can save Earth. Soon he encounters a mysterious being from another planet and together, they form a bond and embark on this mission. This inspiring space adventure comes to us from co-directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse, 21 Jump Street) and was also adapted from a best-selling novel written by Andy Weir who was also the original author of another best-selling sci-fi novel (The Martian) which was also adapted into a highly acclaimed blockbuster more than ten years ago. Also returning from adapting The Martian is Oscar-nominated screenwriter Drew Goddard. The supporting cast including recent Oscar-nominee Sandra Huller (Anatomy of a Fall), Emmy-nominee Lionel Boyce (The Bear) and.....a plucky rock-like creature nicknamed "Rocky" from another planet?? :P
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There Can Be Only One.
Only one Immortal that this - the Immortals are special swordsmen who can live forever, except when they are facing off against other swordsmen who can kill them but ONLY by decapitating them. The Immortal this particular story focuses on is Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) who is from the Highlands of Scotland in the 1500's when he discovers that he has this unique designation. We follow his adventures through several centuries all the way up the "present day" in 1985 New York City where he is now being hunted by a bloodthirsty immortal barbarian named the Kurgan (Clancy Brown). Along the way, he has also been mentored by another Immortal named Ramirez (Sean Connery) in the ways of swordsmanship, along with other special gifts. Featuring songs by Queen and directed by Russel Mulcahy (The Shadow, Resident Evil: Extinction), this action fantasy was a commercial disappointment upon first release forty years ago but has since become a beloved cult classic.
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Oscar-nominated actress Maggie Gyllenhaal follows up her Oscar-nominated directorial debut (The Lost Daughter) from a few years ago with this VERY loose reimagining/adaptation of a portion of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. This portion of course focuses on the desire of Frankeinstein's monster (played by Oscar-winner Christian Bale) create a companion which he gets helps doing from another mad scientist Dr. Euphronius (Oscar-nominated Annette Bening) in 1930's Chicago. The undead woman brought to life is Ida (Oscar-nominated Jessie Buckley) and she relishes her newfound freedom. Together they embark on a Bonnie & Clyde-like adventure, raising hell wherever they go - hot on their trail are two detectives played by Emmy-nominee Peter Sarsgaard and Oscar-winner Penelope Cruz. And chaos ensues.....Here Comes the Motherf&%king Bride!!!
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An undercover Boston cop (Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio) and a mole (Oscar-winner Matt Damon) in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating the Irish Mob in South Boston. The head of that Irish gang is Frank Costello played by three-time Oscar-winner Jack Nicholson and the main handlers for the undercover cop are played by Oscar-nominee (for this film) Mark Wahlberg and Emmy-winner Martin Sheen. Things just get increasingly complicated as investigations on both ends of the law get deeper....and the cast just gets deeper too including several notable players including Alec Baldwin, Vera Farmiga, Anthony Anderson, and Raymond Winstone. The legendary Martin Scorsese directed this and earned his first (and still only) Oscar for Best Director This film also earned three additional Oscars including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Picture. It was also a word-of-mouth box office smash and remains one of the more quotable crime dramas of the past twenty years.
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Released just over thirty years ago to acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival, this was writer/director Tom DiCillo's (The Real Blonde, Johnny Suede) love letter to the trials and tribulations of independent cinema. It takes place most only a chaotic film set where Nick (Steve Buscemi) is the beleaguered director only looking to get ONE good extended take of the next scene for this film which he developed. Of course he's not the only one struggling as there is also a put-upon actress (Catherine Keener) feeling pressure from all sides, an egotistical movie star (James LeGros) who's acting as if HE controls the set, an insecure cameraman (Dermot Mulroney) who's also feeling sick, another actor (Peter Dinklage in his on-screen debut) who is just not vibing with his role, and any other number of players behind the scenes who each have their own issues to deal with. And what results is one of the funniest backstage comedies of the '90's!
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Remember when independent cinema was actually FUN? :p Well this cult classic was released during the height of the indie boom in the mid '90's and was pretty much the launching pad for rising star Parker Posey (Best In Show, Superman Returns, The White Lotus, The House of Yes) who plays the titular character, Mary. Mary is an aimless young lady in her '20's living in Manhattan who's good at organizing, planning parties, and not much else until one day working for her godmother (Sasha von Scherler) at the New York Public Library, she suddenly discovers what might be her calling....to become a librarian. :o This wacky sorta-coming-of-age comedy features a bouncy soundtrack and stellar cast of up-and-comers including Liev Schreiber, Guillermo Diaz, Omar Townsend, and Anthony DeSando. It was also directed by Daisy von Scherler Mayer (Woo, Matilda) who would eventually going on to be a prolific director of prestige TV. Heh-heh-HELLO!!!
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Glenn Powell (Top Gun Maverick, Twisters, Anyone But You) plays Beckett Redfellow, the apparent eventual heir of a multi-billion dollar fortune from the Long Island-based Redfellow clan.....only he's the eighth in line after his late mother was pushed out of the family right before he was born. So inspired by the sudden reappearance of Julia (Margaret Qualley) a seductive socialist he has had a crush on since childhood, he decides to embark on a unique mission to move up closer to that inheritance by murdering everyone else in the Redfellow clan one-by-one. The Redfellow family members who are his targets are played by Ed Harris, Zach Woods, Bill Camp, and Topher Grace among others. Directed by John Patton Ford (Emily the Criminal), let's find out exactly HOW Beckett lives up to the title of this film.
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Back in the '90's, the enduring success of Die Hard helped inspire a slew of action thrillers often focusing on one protagonist taking on a group of terrorists within a confined space....and SEVERAL of them took place on airplanes including Air Force One, Passenger 57, and Con Air. Amidst that crop came this well-liked and successful incarnation taking place on a commercial airplane headed from overseas to Washington, DC.....and hijacked by terrorists who are not only threatening to kill the hundreds of hostages on board but also bringing a dangerous bio-weapon to the launch on the East Coast. :o Fortunately potentially standing in their way are more than just ONE lone man....a savvy CIA analyst (Kurt Russell), several Navy Seals (John Leguizamo, BD Wong, Joe Morton, Whip Hubley), and one brainy bomb expert (Oliver Platt). They have ALL stowed away in the luggage cabin of said plane.....not to mention there's one brave stewardess (Halle Berry) on board who might help them. AND Steven Seagal plays a role too! :) Directed by Stuart Baird (U.S. Marshalls, Star Trek Nemisis), let's get on board and fasten our seatbelts....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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A tough-as-nails cop (Chow Yun-Fat) teams up with an undercover agent (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai) to shut down a sinister gun-runner (Anthony Wong) and the rest of his gang in Hong Kong.
That's the standard IMDB description for the plot of this film but as directed by master action autuer John Woo (The Killer, A Better Tomorrow, Face/Off, Mission Impossible II), it's SO much more! Infact this is now remembered as one of the more influential action films of the 1990's featuring Woo's unique blend of balletic action, melodramatic flourishes, and doves. (Well in this case, origami doves) Beloved action star Chow Yun Fat (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, The Killer) leads the charge as "Tequila," a Hong Kong super-cop who has it all: he's good with babies, he plays a mean clarinet, and he can dispatch with any number of bad guys with a nickel-plated Norinco pistol in each hand. ;) Decades before John Wick would reinvent the action genre with "gun fu," this international sensation did it first....and better?
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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“Living for the STREEP” Series: We are here to celebrate the career of Mary Louise Streep….now known to most as Meryl Streep who has become widely known by critics, film-lovers, and audiences as likely our GREATEST LIVING ACTRESS. Ever since her earlier breakout roles in the late 1970’s in films such as The Deer Hunter, and Kramer Vs. Kramer, she has carved out a filmography filled with brilliant performances in memorable films spanning a variety of genres including biopics, thrillers, family dramas, AND comedies. During this time, she has also earned a STAGGERING TWENTY-ONE Oscar nominations including THREE wins. Over the next several months, I will be revisiting one notable Streep film each month – each highlighting a different type of performance – culminating with the May 1 release of the long-awaited sequel featuring one of her more ICONIC roles as Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada 2.
How you remake a stone cold classic like The Manchurian Candidate? John Frankenheimer's seminal cold war paranoia thriller was released in 1962 and became one of the more celebrated thrillers of that decade? Well if you're Oscar-winner Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, Something Wild), you assemble a very top-flight A-list cast lead by Oscar-winner Denzel Washington, Oscar-winner Meryl Streep, and Liev Schreiber alongside a slew of up-and-coming talent at the time who would eventually become celebrated actors including Jeffrey Wright, Vera Farmiga, Kimberly Elise, and Anthony Mackie. The crazy story (which loosely adapts that of the original) centers on a Desert Storm verteran officer (Washington) who keeps having strange dreams and/or flashbacks to the war....and he's not the only one as he also served with a up-and-coming senator (Schreiber) who is about to run for Vice President, who MIGHT be having the same types of visions. Beyond that, the senator has a very controlling mother (Meryl Streep) who is also a senator and she has some VERY unique plans for her son to rise to power. And the shadowy organization behind all of this is named Manchurian Global who happens to have a lot of military contracts. Things gets just increasingly intense and dangerous for all involved....
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Producer: Marlene Gershon
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One master thief (Chris Hemsworth) is planning one final score to steal some expensive jewels, one burned out, veteran cop (Oscar-nominee Mark Ruffalo) is on the trail to catch him after a rash of recent robberies, and one disillusioned insurance broker (Oscar-winner Halle Berry) gets involved to claim her own piece of the action....and ALL of this takes place along Highway 101 which runs through Los Angelese. From director Bart Layton (American Animals), this sprawling LA crime saga also co-stars several other Oscar-nominees including Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Nick Nolte, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Producer: Marlene Gershon
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It's the late 1980's, the crack cocaine epidemic has hit New York City, and one rising drug kingpin is taking over the market - his hame is Nine Brown and he's played Wesley Snipes in what would be his breakout performance. On his trail and trying to stop him is NYPD Detective Scotty Appleton played by Ice-T in what would be his first major on-screen perfomance. And what results is a violent war to win the city in this heightened crime drama directed by Mario Van Peebles (Posse, Panther) who also co-stars among a stacked cast including Allen Payne, Judd Nelson, Bill Nunn, Vanessa Williams, Bill Cobb, and Chris Rock in an unforgettable performance as Pookie, a recovering crack addict who Scotty takes under his wing. This film was a suprise box office hit upon release also featuring a very popular soundtrack with songs by Color Me Badd, Queen Latifah, Levert, and Keith Sweat among several others.
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Action visionairy John Woo (The Killer, Hard Boiled, Face/Off) directs this high-octane action thriller focused on a couple of "missing" nuclear missiles in the Rocky West and the brewing fight between two Air Force pilots who have different plans for them. Deacon (John Travolta) hopes to use them to threaten to blow up an American city in exchange for a massive amount of money....while his former co-pilot Riley (Christian Slate) tries to stop him and secure the bombs. Also among the cast are Samantha Mathis, Delroy Lindo, Frank Whaley, Bob Gunton, and Howie Long. It also features an iconic score from Hans Zimmer....Ain't It Cool?!?
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Once Upon a Time in the world of professional boxing....Apollo Creed was the champion of the world. He eventually lost his title to Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone who would receive an Oscar nomination for his performance in this film) who would also lose the title before winning it back with Apollo as his trainer. They remained very good friends right up until the day that Apollo tragically lost his life during an exhibition match against the feared Russian boxer, Ivan Drago. But did you know that Apollo actually had a son right before he died??
That son is Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) and he has now become a boxer himself to the consternation of his mother (Phylicia Rashad), only he has been struggling to find some one who can train him. So one day he travels across the country to Philadelphia to seek out the former champion whom his father trained when he needed him the most.....and after some hesitation, Rocky decides to train him as he works his way up the professional boxing circuit. Along the way, Adonis also finds a companion in Philly with the lovely singer Bianca (Tessa Thompson) when suddenly, he has the opportunity to fight for the SAME boxing title which his father previously had. What results is one of the most beloved sports dramas of recent years directed by future Oscar-nominee Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Sinners) as his first major studio film.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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What if your boss was a REALLY ungrateful, unpleasant person and you ended up trapped on a deserted island alone with JUST him??
Well that's the tantalizing premise laid for out for this raucous new comedy thriller from the legendary Sam Raimi who directed both the Spider-Man trilogy in the early '00's along with his now iconic Evil Dead trilogy. Dylan O'Brien (The Maze Runner, Saturday Night) plays the boss and the beleaguered employee who has suprising survival skills is played by Oscar-nominee Rachel McAdams (Spotlight, Mean Girls, The Notebook). And needless to say....things get pretty bloody!
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Producer: Marlene Gershon
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We are approaching the 35th Anniversary of what is likely one of the most celebrated and influential movies of the 1990's. Adapted from Thomas Harris' best-selling novel of the same name, this is the story of student FBI agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) on her first assignment: to develop a psychological profile of the infamous serial killer, Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) who is currently incarcerated in Baltimore. Of course, she also finds herself on a hidden mission as well dispatched by her superior, Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) - she meets with the intimidating Dr. Lecter to also glean clues on how to best catch another serial killer who is currently on the loose, Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). And what results is an intensely brutal and psychogical cat-and-mouse between Clarice, Hannibal, and Bill. Not only was this film a suprise box office smash upon release in February '91 but it would also go on to win the rare "Big Five" at the Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Director for the late, great Jonathan Demme (Philadelphia, Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense, Something Wild).
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Could this be The BEST Zombie Film EVER? Many die-hard fans of the zombie sub-genre might say so and they might be right - this post-apocalyptic zombie epic was also directed by what most consider the creator of this genre, the late, great George A. Romero. (Night of the Living Dead, Monkey Shines, The Crazies) It focuses on two police officers (Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger) and two employees of a local news station (David Emge, Gaylen Ross) who are now on the run after a full-blown zombie pandemic in the US and eventually are able to settle at a local mall where they seem to have everything they need.....though there are plenty of zombies there too. :o We follow their adventures in surviving this dystopian situation and they TRY to have some fun along the way.....and much carnages ensues.
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Just over six months after the previous entry in this franchise (28 Years Later), we return to the post-apocalyptic world of the "infected" in the UK though this time with a somewhat different focus. This story focuses on Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) now exploring the possibility of building a bond and possibly even treating an infected "Alpha" named Samson (Chi-Lewis-Parry). Meanwhile we are following returning character Spike (Alfie Williams) who has now found himself mixed up with a murderous cult roving through the countryside lead by Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell). And eventually these two stories intersect....directed by Nia DaCosta (2021's Candyman, The Marvels, Hedda), this definitely takes some divergent turns from the previous film, let's see if the journey is worthwhile.....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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When evil terrorists have hijacked a passenger plane flying through Europe filled with mostly Americans and they're headed towards Beirut...who are you gonna call? The Delta Force!
Yup smack in the middle of a now legendary run of B-Grade genre films (Missing In Action, Breakin', Cobra), Cannon Films decided to make a statement with this star-studded political action thriller starring Chuck Norris (The Way of the Dragon, Code of Silence, Walker Texas Ranger) and the late, great Lee Marvin (Cat Ballou, The Dirty Dozen) who lead this titular elite squad of warriors to the rescue. Not only that but one half of the Israeli producing duo which ran Cannon - Menahem Golan (Over the Top, Enter the Ninja, The Apple) - actually decided to direct it himself. ;) When first released amidst a true glut of military-themed action films in '86, this was only a middling success but since then, it has garned a devoted cult following thanks to it likely overqualifed cast filled with former Oscar-winners (Marvin, Martin Balsam, George Kennedy, Shelly Winters) and an EXTREMELY catchy theme song created by Alan Silvestri! Well that and we get to see Norris' McCoy dispatch bad guys with missiles from his motorcycle....
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Producer: Marlene Gershon
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“Living for the STREEP” Series: We are here to celebrate the career of Mary Louise Streep….now known to most as Meryl Streep who has become widely known by critics, film-lovers, and audiences as likely our GREATEST LIVING ACTRESS. Ever since her earlier breakout roles in the late 1970’s in films such as The Deer Hunter, and Kramer Vs. Kramer, she has carved out a filmography filled with brilliant performances in memorable films spanning a variety of genres including biopics, thrillers, family dramas, AND comedies. During this time, she has also earned a STAGGERING TWENTY-ONE Oscar nominations including THREE wins. Over the next several months, I will be revisiting one notable Streep film each month – each highlighting a different type of performance – culminating with the May 1 release of the long-awaited sequel featuring one of her more ICONIC roles as Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada 2.
The late, great Oscar-winning filmmaker Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Silkwood, Working Girl) directed this biting comedic drama about Diane, an actress Diane (Meryl Streep) struggling with drug addication and her complicated relationship with her mother (Shirley MacClaine) who was also a famous performer. Also written by the late, great Carrie Fisher (Star Wars, When Harry Met Sally) who was adapting her own semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, this story delves mostly into Diane's frought (and often comedic) misadventures following her recent treatment at a drug clinic including her on-set struggles, her romantic life, and her attempts to carve out a new career for herself. This quotable gem featured a stacked supporting cast including Dennis Quaid, Annette Bening, Oliver Platt, Richard Dreyfuss, and the late, great Gene Hackman.
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Rollie Tyler (Bryan Brown) is a special effects man working on low budget movies in New York City when one day, the FBI suddenly comes calling and they have a unique assignment for him. They would like for him to stage the fake murder of a mobster (Jerry Orbach) whom they recently arrested and will make a witness. So Rollie takes on this assignment and everything goes as planned.....or DOES it? :o Suddenly the Feds are after HIM and the NYPD is on the trail too lead by Detective Leo McCarthy (Brian Dennehy). And what results is a fun cat-and-mouse thriller with Rollie trying to evade the bad guys with his own unique bag of special effects tricks! Directed by Robert Mandel (School Ties, The Substitute), this grew into a well-liked cult hit in the '80's eventually spawning both a sequel and inspiring a TV series of the same name.
Host: Geoff Gershon
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The saga of The Sully Clan and their adventures on the far off planet of Pandora continues with this third entry in Oscar-winning director James Cameron's ongoing franchise which started in 2009 with Avatar....but do we still care? :p Well according to recent box office returns, we certainly do and much of that might due to the continued spectacle of seeing these characters fly and swim and now fight fire on-screen. The fire apparently comes from a new threat who's the leader of an ash tribe named Varang (Oona Chaplin) and as she starts to align with Colonel Quarytch (Stephen Lang, returning from the previous two films), that threat only seems to escalate. And stuck in the middle of this conflict is young human Spider (Jack Champion) who is still loyal to his adopted family of the Sully's but might now also present a new threat to them and the future existence of the Navi on this planet. Once again leading this sci-fi epic are Sam Worthington as Jake and now Oscar-winner Zoe Saldana as Netyri, along with several other returning cast members including Sigourney Weaver, Britain Dalton, Kate Winslet, and Cliff Curtis. Let's find out if Big Jim can pull it off again and if the quality of the story matches the spectacle.....
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Producer: Marlene Gershon
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From acclaimed director Josh Safdie (Uncut Gems, Good Time) comes yet another intense thriller....sort of....THIS time focusing on the trevails of Marty Mouser (Oscar-nominee Timothee Chalamet) who's an aspiring table tennis player working his way up the tournament circuit in the early 1950's. Of course, his journey towards attempting to become a world-class ping pong athlete becomes increasingly complicated as Marty is so impulsive and selfish that he starts to get in his own way. What results is a high-wire character study featuring an array of eccentric and/or dangerour characters whom Marty encounters along the way played by a VERY unique cast including Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A'zion, Tyler the Creator, Emory Cohen, Geza Rohrig, Fran Drescher, Abel Ferrara, and Kevin O'Leary. (Yes the SAME Kevin O'Leary from "Shark Tank")
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Bleek Gilliam (Denzel Washington) is a hot-shot young trumpet player leading his own jazz quintet who loves the music and has a way with the ladies but can't figure out how to reconcile those two things. He's also dating two women (Joie Lee, Cynda Williams) at the same time and can't commit to either of them. He has also a manager (Spike Lee) who's a gambling addict and a saxophonist band-mate (Wesley Snipes) who has developed a rivalry with him. So where does he go from here? In this sprawling romantic musical drama, we follow his complicated story and hear a lot of great music along the way! This was Oscar-Winner director Spike Lee's immediate follow-up to Do the Right Thing and even though it was a pretty unconventional choice to come right after such a seminal film, its reputation has only grown over the past thirty-five years thanks to several sterling peformances from its leads along with a stacked supporting cast including Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, NIcholas Turturro, Ruben Blades, Samuel L. Jackson, and the late, great Robin Harris in his last live action on-screen role.
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Rest In Peace Rob Reiner
Commemorating not only the 35th Anniversary of an iconic adaptation of the popular Stephen King novel of the same name but the recent tragic loss of its director Rob Reiner who was in the middle of a sterling run of instant classics (When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, A Few Good Men, Stand By Me) at the time of this film's release. It's the simple story of fictional best-selling author Paul Sheldon (Oscar-nominee James Caan) who gets severely injured and incapacitated after accidently driving off of a snow road one day in the mountains after finishing his latest novel. Fortunately he's found by a local retired nurse named Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates in the role which won her the Oscar for Best Actress) who gradually nurses him back to health....or DOES she? 😳 Well as it turns out, Annie is Paul's biggest fan and adores his novels about Misery Chastain....and she wants him to KEEP writing them even if he's run out of stories to tell. What results is an increasingly brutal situation as Annie tries to keep Paul prisoner while he plots his escape.
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Producer: Marlene Gershon
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What happens when you take two comedy legends and place them in prison?? :o Well in this particular case, in their second of four collaborations, you have Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles) paired up with Richard Pryor (Bustin Loose, Brewster's Millions, Blue Collar) paired up as two out-of-work-actors who end up in the wrong place and the wrong time and are convicted of a bank heist which they did not commit. As a result, they are both sent to a southwestern prison where they team up with other prisoners to eventually escape via the opportunity of a prison rodeo....and HILARITY ensues! Directed by the late great Oscar-winner Sidney Poitier (yes THAT Sidney Poitier...he was also a director), let's see how this smash hit comedy blockbuster from a different time (forty-five years ago to be exact) holds up.....
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Legendary auteur Terry Gilliam (Brazil, Time Bandits, The Fisher King, Monty Python & the Holy Grail) directs this time-bending sci-fi thriller focusing on one man's unique journey to the past to save the future. That man is James Cole (Bruce Willis) who is currently living in a dystopian 2035 so ravaged by disease that no humans can actually live on the surface of the Earth so he has been tasked by scientists to travel back to the 1990's in Philadelphia to pinpoint the very beginning of a fatal virus which would eventually spread and wipe out most of the Earth's population. As would be expected, several complications occur along the way including being commited to a mental facility where he meets the mad son (Brad Pitt who received an Oscar nomination for his performance) of a reknowned virologist (Christopher Plummer). And he also encounters a therapist (Madeline Stowe) who initially believes him to be crazy though they build a unique relationshiop over time. Co-written by David Webb Peoples (the Oscar-nominated writer of Unforgiven and Blade Runner), this dizzying tale takes features several dizzying turns carried by sterling performances.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Throughout his storied career, the legendary Steven Soderbergh has directed a wide array of highly acclaimed films and/or hits (Out of Sight, Ocean's 11, Magic Mike, Black Bag, Logan Lucky, Contagion, Sex, Lies, & Videotape) and THIS is the film which earned him his only Oscar for Best Director in 2000. This was actually one of two films (the other being Erin Brockovich) which he was nominated for in 2000 which turned out to be a TRULY stellar year for him! It's a sprawling story about the American "War on Drugs" during the late '90's, focusing on several different characters on different sides of the law and various levels of the drug trade including two DEA agents (Don Cheadle, Luis Guzman), a judge who has just been appointed the National Drug Czar (Michael Douglas), the wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) of a suspected drug dealer (Steven Bauer), that couple's conniving attorney (Dennis Quaid), a teenager (Erika Christiansen) who becomes addicted to crack, and one conflicted Mexican cop (Benicio Del Toro who won an Oscar for his performance). It's a complex story delving into a lot of moral grey areas and it's a testament to all of the talent involved (including Oscar-winning writer Stephen Gaghan) that this film was not only highly acclaimed but also a word-of-mouth blockbuster with audiences at the time of release. However twenty-five years later, it is not often mentioned by many as among Soderbergh's best....so how does this ambitious ensemble hold up? Let's find out if any one gets away clean.....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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He'll Save Every One Of Us....
Yes it's the story of Flash Gordon (Sam Jones), the fictitious quarterback of the New York Jets who inadverdently travels into deep space with intrepid travel agent Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) and crazy-but-misunderstood scientest Dr. Hans Zarkov). They land on the mysterious planet of Mongo which is ruled by the vicious Emperor Ming (Max von Sydow) who intends to destroy Earth. :o And together, they embark on a crazy sci-fi adventure to try to save their home planet while also encountering various local leaders who may OR may not be able to help them including Prince Barin (Timothy Dalton), Princess Aura (Ornella Muti), and the boisterous Prince Vultan (Brian Blessed). Forty-five years ago, this comic book adaptation was released into theaters with much fanfare by famous producer Dino DeLaurentis (Serpico, Blue Velvet, Conan the Barbarian, Hannibal) who was hoping that this big budget enterprise would duplicate the success of Star Wars which had come out just three years prior. Disappointingly, the film received weak box office and weak reviews upon initial release but eventually would grow to be a beloved cult classic on cable and video.....with much of its success due to a slam-bang soundtrack by the band Queen! And now its legacy lives on very much due to some VERY catchy music featured throughout including the now iconic main theme song perfomed by the band. Directed by the late, great Mike Hodges (Get Carter, Croupier), it's time to head back to Ming City on our rocket cycle and.......DIIIIIIVE!!!!!
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"Following the style of some of the world's most prolific street artists, an amateur filmmaker makes a foray into the art world."
That's the official IMDB description for this Oscar-nominated documentary but does that even really describe it? Well.....sort of. The amateur filmmaker described is likely Theirry Guetta, a French clothing shop-owner in Los Angeles who never goes anywhere without his camera and we initially seem to follow him as he takes a very strong interest in graffiti artists. So he starts to film various reknowned streets artists in action including Shephard Fairey, Space Invader, Borf, Buffmontster, and eventually.....the legendary Banksy. He builds a relationship with Banksy, decides to film some exciting new acts of street art and then things get increasingly interesting....AND funny! :) Well as it turns out, Banksy himself is the ACTUAL director of this film, Theirry Guetta MIGHT be the actual star, it's all wittily narrated by Welsh actor Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, House of the Dragon), and what results could actually be one of the funniest (yet still insightful) documentaries of all time. ;)
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Sixteen years after the previous film (The Godfather Part II) in this saga won him Oscars for Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Picture...Oscar-winning legend Francis Ford Coppola (Apocolypse Now, Bram Stoker's Dracula, The Conversation) returned to both co-write and direct this final entry in the beloved sage of The Corleone Family. And this time around even though the film was nominated for seven Oscars including Best Picture, it didn't win any.....and the consensus was that it was below the quality for the first two despite including acclaimed performances by its three main stars including Al Pacino (who returned to play Michael Corleone), the late, great Diane Keaton (who returned to play Kay Corleone), and Oscar-nominated Andy Garcia who played Michael's nephew Vincent. Infact, it was considered by many to be by far the weakest film in the trilogy. So thirty years later during an extended COVID lock-down, Coppola decided re-edit Part III and by the end of 2020, a newly reworked version was released to both theaters and streaming. Celebrating The Godfather Part III's 35th Anniversary, we will review this latest version to find out how or IF it improves upon the original version released on Christmas of 1990.
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In honor of its upcoming 30th Anniversary next month, here is our newly remastered (with additional content) review of one of The Greatest Films Ever!
“Don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner….” – Neil McCauley, 1995
And that’s the apparent thesis for one of the most beloved films of the past thirty years spoken by living legend Robert DeNiro sitting across from fellow living legend Al Pacino. Or is it really the main theme of the movie? Maybe it’s just something cool-sounding that a tough guy says but doesn’t really follow through on….director Michael Mann examines that very question among so many others during this almost three hour crime epic focusing on the brewing conflict between two self-obsessed master tacticians on both sides of the law…and the women who love them….along with every one else whose lives they impact. This STACKED cast also includes Val Kilmer, Diana Venora, Amy Brenneman, Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight, Wes Studi, Dennis Haysbert, Mykelti Williamson, Danny Trejo, and Ted Levine among SO many others. Let’s find out if The Action Really IS The Juice…..
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In 1930's Mississippi, three escaped convicts go on the run into the country to find freedom and treasure - they are Everett (George Clooney), Pete (John Turturro), and Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) and along the way, they have a variety of adventures encountering any number of interesting characters. LOOSELY based on Homer's The Odyssey, this was co-written and directed by the Coen Brothers (The Big Lebowski, Fargo, No Country for Old Men) and unexpectedly became their biggest hit at the time. Not only that but the bluegrass soundtrack produced by T-Bone Burnett became a surprise smash. So let's hit the road with The Soggy Bottom Boys and find out who's BONAFIED.! :)
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Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock) is a tomboyish FBI agent who is tasked with having to infiltrate the Miss United States beauty pageant as a contestant (Miss New Jersey) in order to prevent the threat of a bomb attack from a mysterious terrorist.....and HILARITY ensues! :) Actually in this case it did as twenty-five years ago, this became a surprise comedy blockbuster and pretty much cemented the since-then Oscar-winning Sandra Bullock as one of our most popular movie starts in the decades since. And she doesn't do it alone either: the stacked cast includes Benjamin Bratt, Michael Caine, Candace Bergen, and William Shatner. Directed by Donald Petrie (How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, Mystic Pizza, Grumpy Old Men), let's return back to a simpler time when swimsuit competitions were actually something folks watched on TV and....bikini wax jokes were still funny. ;)
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Based upon the 1982 Stephen King sci-fi novel of the same name, this dystopian action thriller takes place in a not-too-distant-future where just a few select corporations run everything and one of them controls most of the entertainment, including THE most popular show on TV, "The Running Man." Our beleaguered hero Ben Richards (Glenn Powell) enlists for this high-stakes reality show which involves him...you guessed it....on the run from various "hunters" who are seeking out him with plans to kill him, anywhere in the country. Directed by acclaimed genre filmmaker Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Baby Driver, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World), this is NOT a remake of the 1987 cult classic of the same name starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Though that film was a loose adaptation of the same novel) And it features LOTS and LOTS of running, go figure! :) Also among the stacked cast are Josh Brolin, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, Michael Cera, and Lee Pace.
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Oscar-Winning legend Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon, Taxi Driver, The Departed) directs this epic tale about The Rise and Fall of the Mob in Las Vegas, based on true events. It's the story of how mafia handicapper Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert DeNiro) took over the Tangiers casino on The Strip and helped bring it to unprecendented sucess, helped by mafia enforcer Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci). He falls in love with a local hustler named Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone) and over time, their relationship deteriorates as does his handle on many crazy things being done by Nicky....and eventually the Mob no longer had power in Las Vegas. Nominated for one Oscar (Sharon Stone, Best Actress), this was initially met with some disappointment upon release as many compared it to Scorsese's similarly themed classic mob epic Goodfellas from five years prior. Over time, its reputation has grown thanks to several memorable scenes and performances - the stacked cast also includes James Woods, Don Rickles, Kevin Pollak, Alan King, and Frank Vincent.
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Director Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane, Prey) returns to the Universe of the the Predator with an interesting new take.....what if we embarked on a hunting adventure with the Predator itself as the main protagonist? Actually the Predators are officially know as "Yautja" species and this particular Yautja is the runt of his clan named Dek played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatan. After some unexpected family turmoil on his home planet, he is inadvertently whisked away to a very dangerous planet named Genna where he has decided to embark on his first hunt for a very rare creature. Along the way, he aligns with a synthetic human named Thia (Elle Fanning) whom is more of an expert on this paritcular creature. And much creature-on-creature violence ensues....though rated PG-13?
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This is the true story of how a special investigative unit (called "Spotlight") of the Boston Globe spent upwards of almost two years working to uncover a massive scandal developing within the Catholic Church involving accusations of priests who were molesting children....and the systemic cover-up to protect those priests. And it was not only an important story but highly acclaimed to the point where this would win the Oscar for Best Picture that year. Directed by Tom McCarthy (The Visitor, The Station Agent, Stillwater), it also features an all-star cast lead by Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, and Stanley Tucci.
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Thirty years ago this November, a brand new James Bond took the world by storm and he was played by Pierce Brosnan. Only eight years after the former television star of "Remington Steele" was initially set to take on the role but then couldn't because of unexpected issues with his former network, a man who seemed born to play 007 was finally able to take on the role. And this time around, Bond had a new actress playing his boss M, none other than Oscar-winner Dame Judi Dench. Not only that, but also some promising new villains played by Sean Bean (Fellowship of the Ring, The Martian, Game of Thrones) and Famke Janssen (X-Men, Rounders). AND a brand new director from New Zealand who cut his teeth on British television, Martin Campbell (The Mask of Zorro, Green Lantern, Casino Royale) helming his first big budget feature film for the first time. And everybody loved it? Let's head back to the mid '90's for the first post-Cold War reboot of one of the most enduring franchises in cinema history.....
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Frank White (Christopher Walken) is a drug kingpin who just got out of prison and is eager to restart his criminal enterprise with his long-term lietenant Jimmy Jump (Laurence Fishburne) helping to lead the way. And off the bat, he goes hard after every rival gang and starts to see success.....only there's crew of NYPD cops who are after him lead by Roy Bishop (Victor Argo) and they're getting close. And what results is a hyper-violent crime drama featuring an all-star cast including David Caruso, Wesley Snipes, Giancarlo Esposito, and Steve Buscemi. Directed by New York legend and long-timer indie auteur Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant, Ms. 45), this came out in the Fall of 1990 amidst a glut of more celebrated gangster movies (Goodfellas, Miller's Crossing, New Jack City) so it got lost in the shuffle but it has since gone on to develop a devoted cult following. So let's head back to the mean streets of late '80's New York and find out....who becomes The King!
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Just over a year after the runaway success of his previous effort, The Sixth Sense, Oscar-nominated writer/director M. Night Shyamalan decided to follow it up with this genuinely unique thriller which had decent reviews and solid box office but was considered a bit of a disappointment mainly because the story was not at all what many audiences expected. However over time, it developed enough of a following that the filmmaker evetually decided to make a proper sequel. This is the strange tale of David Dunn (Bruce Willis), a mild-mannered security officer who has just survived a horrific train crash. No one really understands why or how he was the ONLY survivor of an incident which resulted in the deaths of every one else on board, except......one eccentric comic book art collected/store owner named Elijah Price (Samuel) who might have a theory. Their lives become intertwined and what results is a genuinely original tale of good and evil.
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From Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty, Point Break) comes her first feature film in in more than eight years and it might very well be THE scariest film of the year. :o The premise is simple: a lone nuclear missile has been launched from somewhere in the Pacific and is on a trajectory to land somewhere in the continental United States....in twenty minutes. This nuclear thriller takes us through the various corridors of power of the governernment and those in the most responsive positions in the military - we watch as they scramble not only how to figure out how to prevent this weapon from hitting its target, but also how our military should respond if it DOES hit its target, possibly resulting in the instant deaths of millions of civilians. It's a terrifying sceanario and Bigelow has assembled a top-flight cast lead by Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Tracey Letts, Gabriel Basso, Anthony Ramos, Greta Lee, and Jared Harris. The clock is ticking.....
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A Yale college professor (Oscar-winner Julia Roberts) finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads when a star pupil (Emmy-winner Ayo Edibri) levels an accusation against one of her colleagues (Oscar-nominated Andrew Garfield) and a dark secret from her own past threatens to come to light. Directed by Oscar-nominee Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name, Challengers, Suspiria), this tense workplace drama also touches on many current hot-button issues and co-stars Emmy-nominee Michael Stuhlbarg (A Serious Man, The Shape of Water) and Oscar-nominee Chloe Sevigny (Boy's Don't Cry, The Last Days of Disco).
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For the first time in fifteen years (Tron Legacy, 2010), we are finally returning to The Grid. Though this time around, we are doing so with some new characters including the titular Ares (Oscar-winner Jared Leto) who is a digital soldier created by Dillinger Systems to be the ultimate "expendable" soldier to serve our military in the real world. Unfortunately to the consternation of his creator Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters), Ares is still in need of ONE code in particular to ensure that he can actually last for more than 29 minutes in the real world before deresolution. And that's where Eve Kim (Greta Lee) comes in as she's the CEO of the rival corporation ENCOM...yes the same ENCOM featured in the first two Tron films where the legendary Kevin Flynn (Oscar-winner Jeff Bridges) used to work. Guess WHO might have actual posession of this "permanence code?" As directed by Joachim Ronning (Kon-Tiki, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man Tell No Tales) and featuring music by Nine Inch Nailes, the race for the future is ON....and this time, it spills into the real world!
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Loosely based on the Oscar-winning 1985 drama of the same name and DIRECTLY based on the Tony-winning '90's musical of the same name, this prison drama/musical tells the story of a drifter named Molina (Tonatiuh) and a political prisoner named Valentin (Diego Luna) who share a cell in an Argentinian prison in the midst of a revolution which occurred in the early '80's. Together they share a unlikely bond as Molina helps pass the time by recounting his favorite movie named "Kiss of the Spider Woman" starring his favorite actress Ingrid Luna. Ingrid is played by Jennifer Lopez who also portrays the titular spider woman. And what results is a genuinely unique blend of genres featuring several memorable song and dance numbers....often lead by J-Lo herself. This latest version of a classic story was both directed and adapted for the big screen by Oscar-winner Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Kinsey, Gods and Monsters).
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Sam Neill (Jurassic Park, Event Horizon, Dead Calm) stars as John Trent who is an insurance investigator tasked with finding a reknowned horror writer named Sutter Cane (Jurgen Prochnow) who has apparently disappeared....and just as his latest best-selling novel named "In the Mouth of Madness" has hit bookshelves all over the world. Also causing concern is a growing number of readers of this book who have suddenly gone violently mad. So John embarks on this fact-finding mission with a book editor named Linda Styles (Julie Carmen) and once they arrive at a mysterious town in New Hampshire where they suspect Sutter Cane might be hiding....let's just say that things start to go a bit....MAD. :o This supernatural horror thriller came out just over thirty years ago and was directed by the Master of Horror himself.....John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing, Escape From New York) and it might even be one of his more underappreciated gems! The supporting cast also includes John Glover, Bernie Casey, David Warner, and Charlton Heston.
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Will (Logan Marshall-Green) has been invited with his girlfriend Kira (Emayatzy Corinealdi) to a special dinner party being hosted by his ex-wife Eden (Tammy Blanchard) and her new husband David (Michiel Huisman) at their home. Once there, he is able to able to reunite with a few long-time friends PLUS a VERY flirtatious house guest of the hosts named Sadie (Lindsay Burdge). Also visiting is a mysterious tall, intimidating gentleman named Pruitt (John Carroll Lynch) with some disturbing stories to tell AND once they're there....almost everyone is extremrely physically affectionate....hmmmmm. Needless to say, this is NOT your typical dinner party as traumas are revisited, old wounds are re-opened, and much wine is drunken by the guests. Ten years ago, director Karen Kusama (Girlfight, Jennifer's Body, Destroyer) delivered one of the more tense and unsettling thrillers of recent years so it's time to RSVP and respond to....The Invitiation. :o
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This story mainly focuses on a former revolutionary father (Oscar-Winner Leonardo DiCaprio) and his daugther (Chase Infiniti) in the midst of an ongoing revolution when suddenly both are on the run from a determined government agent (Oscar-Winner Sean Penn) who initially arrested their former revolutionary wife/mother (Teyana Taylor) sixteen years prior. But of course this new highly acclaimed satirical political thriller/domestic drama from Multiple Oscar-nominee (but not yet winner) Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, The Phantom Thread, Licorice Pizza, Magnolia) is about MUCH more than that....or is it? Regardless this film almost defies genre and also co-stars Oscar-winner Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, Wood Harris, and Alaina Haim among several others. Let's see if this lives up the hype....
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This psychological horror thriller from director Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction, Indecent Proposal, Flashdance, Unfaithful) takes us through the horrific journey of Vietnam vet Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) who is now working as a postman in New York City and starts seeing various horrific visions wherever he goes....could they be demons? He doesn't know but they start getting worse and worse, even blending into his everyday life....could they be premonitions resulting from his PTSD? Neither he knows nor his girlfriend (Elizabeth Pena) and the only person who can apparently provide him with some comfort is his personal chiropractor played by Oscar-nominee Danny Aiello. Eventually Jacob does get more answers as to where these visions might be coming from but those only result in more questions.....this mind-bending tale garnered a following throughout the '90's as a result of some genuinely disturbing imagery featured throughout. It also features a pretty stacked cast including Matt Craven, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Jason Alexander, Eriq LaSalle, Ving Rhames, and Macauley Culkin.
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIOLENCE PORTRAYED VIA MOVIE CLIPS
Host: Geoff Gershon
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See below for a link to an extended deleted scene discussed in this review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hkLhMuzk3E&t=415s
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Based upon true events, this legal drama focuses on the appeal process of Claus von Bulow (Jeremy Irons who won an Oscar for this role) after he was convicted for the attempted murder of his wife Sunny von Bulow (Glenn Glose) who was in a prolongued coma during this process. His lead representation was Alan Dershowitz (Ron Silver) who lead an extensive team of his own legal students towards crafting a new defense for Claus. The Von Bulows were extremely wealthy socialites living in Rhode Island and as the story progresses, we delve further into their twisted world as Dershowitz digs further into both of their pasts. The screenplay was co-adapted by the real-life Dershowitz from his own novel recouting all of these events named, "Reversal of Fortune." As directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Barbet Schroeder (Single White Female, Barfly, Our Lady of the Assassins), this film ended up being way more entertaining than any one could have expected and has endured over the past 35 years since its initial release as a colorful, quotable, and often funny tale about the dark side of high society. Just HOW entertaining is it? You have no idea.....
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This film is based upon the true story of an attempted bank robbery occuring in Brooklyn, NY in 1972 which eventually became a prolonged hostage situaion and at the center of it was Sonny, a troubled soul who gets in way over his head. Sonny is played by Oscar-winner Al Pacino (The Godfather Trilogy, Heat, Scent of a Woman) and the film was directed by the late, great LEGEND....Five-time Oscar-nominee Sidney Lumet (Network, 12 Angry Men, The Verdict) smack in the middle of sterling '70's runs for both actor AND director! And the film itself become a phenonenon....not only a box office hit and an acclaimed Oscar contendor (six nominations including Best Picture and Best Director) but also one of the more influential crime drama's of the '70s AND one of the quintessential New York movies. It's a unique story taking several unexpected turns and is at various points tense, funny, and sad. This modern classic which about to turn 50(!) also co-starts John Cazale, Penelope Allen, Chris Sarandon, Sully Boyar, Lance Henricksen, James Broderick, and Charles Durning.
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Forty-years ago, Oscar-winning master Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, Killers of the Flower Moon) directed his second dark comedy in a row (after The King of Comedy) with this quirky New York story which takes place almost entirely during one crazy night. The whole story centers on Paul played by Griffing Dunne (An American Werewolf in London, My Girl, Dallas Buyers Club) who's just a lowly word processor by day but late one night, he decides to meet up with a mysterious, beautiful woman named Marcy (Rosanna Arquette) in the Soho district. When he arrives at her apartment, she's at first not there so he ecounters her very strange, forward roommate (Linda Fiorentino)....eventually some one dies....and things just get stranger from there as Paul finds himself trapped in this ONE part of Manhattan unable to find his way home. The stacked cast for this cult classic also includes Teri Garr, Catherine O'Hara, Will Patton, John Heard, Cheech Marin, and Tommy Chong.
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Producer: Marlene Gershon
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HACK THE PLANET!
Thirty years ago, that was the catchphrase for a high-energy youth culture movie focusing on a diverse crew of good-looking, well-dressed, "teenage" hackers in New York City. All these kids wanna do via modems and computers is to have fun....until they discover a criminal conspiracy with plans to use a computer virus which eventually result in an ecological disaster. Directed by Iain Softely (Backbeat, K-Pax, The Skeleton Key), this techno-fueled romp eventually became a cult classic powered by its danceable soundtrack (Massive Attack, Prodigy, Orbital) and its cast of up-and-comers including Jonny Lee Miller, Angelina Jolie, Jesse Bradford, Laurence Mason, and Matthew Lillard. So let's rewind back to a specific time AND place....when the only options available for enterprising youth....were to Boot Up or Shut Up!
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Acclaimed Oscar-nominated director Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan, The Whale, The Wrestler) returns to the big screen with what MIGHT be his most audience-friendly caper yet....this is the story of a burned-out ex-baseball player named Hank (Oscar-nominee Austin Butler) who unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in a dangerous struggle for survival of late '90's New York City. Upon doing his neighbor Russ (Matt Smith) a favorite while he goes out of town, Hank soon has various unsavory characters who come calling....and the only people who can apparently help him are his long-suffering girlfriend/medic Yvonne (Zoe Kravitz) and NYPD Detective Roman (Oscar-Winner Regina King) who's on the case. Also along for the ride during this increasingly violent crime comedy/drama are Griffin Dunne, Bad Bunny, Action Bronson, Carol Kane, Liev Schreiber, and Vincent D'Onofrio.
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Producer: Marlene Gershon
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The premise is almost deceptively simple: two police detectives - a rookie and a veteran - hunt a serial killer around an unnamed city who has been who has apparently been using the seven deadly sins as his motives for each victim, each one also displayed at the murder scene to signify that one particular sin. Of course as directed by three-time Oscar-nominee David Fincher (Fight Club, Zodiac, The Social Network, Gone Girl), it became a highly influential phenomenon.....a grisly horror classic featuring one of the most talked-about gut-punch endings of all time. It also helped that it starred two movie stars at the peak of their powers: Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman as the veteran Detective Somerset and Oscar-winner Brad Pitt as the rookie Detective Mills. Plus Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow as Tracy Mills....AND Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey as John Doe. Now approaching this film's thirtieth anniversary, let's join our two intrepid detectives on the trail to find out........WHAT'S IN THE BOX. :o
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Oscar-winning writer/director Ethan Coen (No Country For Old Men, Fargo) and wrtier/producer/editor Tricia Cooke (The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where Art Thou) collaborate on their second film together for the second year in a row after 2024's Drive Away Dolls. And once again, their film stars Emmy-nominee Margaret Qualley (Maid, Fosse/Verdon, The Substance) who this time is playing the titular Honey Donohue, who is a private detective investigating multiple murders around Bakersfield....could those crimes be connected? And do they all lead to the local corrupt preacher Drew Devlin played by Chris Evans? (Captain America trilogy, Knives Out, Sunshine) And just how does a local cop named MG Falcone (Aubrey Plaza) whom Honey strikes up a romance with exactly factor into all of this? Let's find out if even just one Coen brother can keep the magic going....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Right at the height of his '90's powers, Oscar-winner Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing, Inside Man, Blackkklansman) decided to direct and co-adapt this powerful crime novel from Richard Price (creator of "The Wire") about a murder investigation in Brooklyn which goes much deeper than any one could have expected. Among the prime suspects is Strike (Mekhi Phifer) who is a beleagured "clocker" which is another term for a middle-man drug pusher. This racket is truly taking its toll on Strike who wants to find an escape.....and on his tail is the lead investigator of this murder, Detective Klein (Harvey Keitel). Further complicating matters is that Strike's legit-working brother Victor (Isaiah Washington) becomes implicated and casting a shadow over all of this are the ruthless machinations of Strike's boss, the local druglord Rodney played by Delroy Lindo. What results is a searing, unflinching crime drama which kind of got lost in the shuffle upon first release but has endured over the past thirty years as one of Lee's most accomplished films. The stacked cast also includes John Turturro, Regina Taylor, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, and Keith David.
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Producer: Marlene Gershon
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For the first time in nineteen years, Oscar-winning director Spike Lee and Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington have re-united for their fifth collaboration after Mo Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man. Washington stars as David, a New York City music mogul with ONE goal at the outset of this story: to retain full control of the record label he had built over the past several decades to reconnect with the music. However some other mysterious figure has other ideas as he calls David out of the blue claiming to suddently have kidnapped the mogul's son Trey (Aubrey Joseph) and he is demanding a LOT of money in return. :o In his corner is personal driver/bodyguard Paul played by Oscar-nominee Jeffrey Wright. And what results is a high-energy thriller/musical/New York movie which also happens to be a loose remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 classic High and Low.
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Last night at 2:17 am every child from Mrs. Gandy's class woke up, got out of bed, went downstairs, opened the front door, walked into the dark ...and they never came back
That's the frightening premise which kicks off this folk horror tale taking place in a small town from writer/director Zach Cregger (Barbarian) and things just get crazier from there as we witness the aftermath of tragic incident from various POV's. We follow various characters directly OR indirectly involved with this incident including Mrs. Gandy herself (Julia Garner), one of the missing kids' father (Josh Brolin), a local police officer (Alden Ehrenreich), and the school's principal (Benedict Wong) among a select few others. And what results is one of the most buzzed about new original movies of the year, let's see if it lives up to the buzz....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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*For much of August, we will be taking a break to get our proverbial batteries recharged - we'll be back to releasing new episodes before the end of the month.
In the meantime, enjoy this special episode going back through our catalog of mor20 episodes to rank THE TOP TEN SEQUELS OF ALL TIME!*Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
Links to Episodes Cited (alphabetical order by title):
https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/episodes/12843457-aliens-1986-re-release
https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/episodes/9697001-batman-returns-1992-living-for-the-batman-series
https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/episodes/13310394-blade-1998-blade-ii-2002
https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/episodes/12653515-the-color-of-money-1986-living-for-the-cruise-series
https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/episodes/14580697-dune-part-ii-2024
https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/episodes/17048990-the-empire-strikes-back-1980
https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/episodes/16187307-the-godfather-part-ii-1974
https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/episodes/15139326-lethal-weapon-2-1989
https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/episodes/14534986-the-road-warrior-1981-living-for-the-max-series
https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/episodes/10591791-star-trek-ii-the-wrath-of-khan-1982
https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/episodes/8718061-terminator-2-judgment-day-1991
https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/episodes/10698821-top-gun-maverick-2022
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Directed by Akiva Schaffer (Hot Rod, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping), this is a a 21st Century relaunch of the crime spoof franchise which kicked off in 1988 with the original "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!" which starred the late, great Leslie Neilsen as Lt. Frank Drebin. Well the mantle has now been passed to Oscar-nominee Liam Neeson (Schindler's List, Darkman, Taken) who plays his son, Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. This time around, he has his own crimes to solve kicking off with the murder of the brother of the mysterious Beth Davenport played by Pamela Anderson (The Last Showgirl, Barb Wire, Baywatch). Furthermore, the prime suspect MIGHT be tech billionaire Richard Cane played by Danny Huston (The Constant Gardener, Wonder Woman, Children of Men). And hilarity ensues? Let's find out if this latest reboot can bring the funny as well as the original....
See below for a link to a special video featuring a DELIGHTFUL scene from another movie featuring a needle-drop used within this movie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77m3XlhQwaI
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Editor: Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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From Sam Raimi, the acclaimed directer of the Evil Dead Trilogy AND Spider-Man Trilogy comes this action thriller which FEELS as if it was based upon a comic book though was actually an original concept developed by Raimi when he was unable to land the rights for The Shadow back in the late '80's. Oscar-nominee Liam Neeson (Schindler's List, Taken) stars as Payton, a mild-mannered scientist trying to develop synthetic skin. Oscar-winner Frances McDormand (Fargo, Nomadland) plays his attorney girlfriend Julie who uncovers a real estate scam, and Emmy-winner Larry Drake (LA Law, Dr. Giggles) plays Durant, the mob enforcer who comes along with his goons to rough up Peyton for the evidence, brutalize him, and leave him for dead after dipping much of his body in acid leaving him burned all over....only Peyton isn't dead. And what results is a wild, crazy, and quotable revenge thriller which came out 35 years ago this summer and developed into a cult hit.
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIOLENCE PORTRAYED VIA MOVIE CLIPS
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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As a follow-up to her beloved '80's cult class Valley Girl, director Martha Coolidge delivered another beloved cult classic two years later with this science-based (sort of) campus comedy starring the late, great Val Kilmer in one of his earliest roles as the wisecracking titular genius Chris Knight. Knight has been tasked with building a laser by his duplicitous professor (William Atherton) though at least he has help in the form of the latest young genius to be recruited to the fictional Pacific Tech - that would be Mitch Taylor played by Gabriel Jarret (Apollo 13, Frost/Nixon) who's definitely in over his head away from his parents for the first time in his life and the ripe young age of 16. Chris has to show Mitch the ropes, they both learn from each other as they work to build that laser, and hijinks ensue!
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Marvel's First Family has returned to the big screen.....could the THIRD (or actually fourth if we're counting the Roger Corman version which never got a proper theatrical release) time be the charm? Well it helps that they brought out the big guns: Matt Shankman (WandaVision) is directing and the all-star cast features Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us, The Mandalorian) as Reed Richards otherwise known as Mr. Fantastic, Vaness Kirby (Mission Impossible Fallout, Napoleon) as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn (A Quiet Place: Day One, Gladiator II) playing Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, and Emmy-winner Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear, Girls) as Ben Grimm otherwise known as Thing. This is still very much a stand-alone story mostly separate from the MCU (which this is a part of) as the Fab Four are settled in New York City but on an alternative Earth. And THIS Earth has some scary new visitors....the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) has come calling declaring that GALACTUS (Ralph Ineson) is on his way to consume the planet....who can stop them?? Let's find out out if Producer Kevin Feige's latest big screen heroes are up to the task.....
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On paper, the set-up for this movie seems fairly conventional: a mild-mannered small-town diner owner named Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) is living an idyllic life in the Indiana countryside with his wife Edie (Maria Bello) and two children when suddenly one night just before closing....two thugs enter his diner and start threatening everyone, start to get violent...and Tom channels the hero inside him to dispatch them and save everyone, then becoming a local hero known all around which starts to attract some attention from the wrong people who go after him and his family.
It almost sounds inspiring....or quirky....or maybe the setup for your typical Liam Neeson action vehicle post-2010. :/ But of course, it's ALL about the execution and thanks to director David Cronenberg (The Fly, Eastern Promises, Naked Lunch) adapting this story from a hyperviolent graphic novel, it's anything BUT conventional. Also co-starring Ed Harris and William Hurt who received an Oscar nominaion for his performance, this is a tense psychological thriller about one man, his violent nature, and how it affects those around him.
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIOLENCE PORTRAYED VIA MOVIE CLIPS
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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WHO is Keyser Soze?
It was one of the more intriguing questions posted within cinemas in the Summer of 1995 and for good reason. Identifying this mysterious spectral crime boss whom EVERY ONE else on screen was afaid of became the central mystery of this small indie crime thriller from a couple of relatively untested fimmakers with a very electic cast. The director was Bryan Singer (X-Men Days of Future Past, Bohemian Rhapsody) and the Oscar-winning screenplay was by Christopher McQuarrie (Mission Impossible Fallout, Jack Reacher). The stacked ensemble cast included Gabriel Byrne, Benicio Del Toro, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollack, Chazz Palminteri, Giancarlo Esposito, Dan Hedaya, Suzy Amis, and Kevin Spacey who also won an Oscar for his memorable performance as Verbal Kint...or was it some one else? ;) This twisty action drama became one of the most talked about films of that year and eventually one of the more beloved, influential films of the 1990's. Now approaching its 30th Anniversary, it's time to head back to the docks of San Pedro and find out if there actually IS any dope on that boat......
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Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty, Point Break) joined forces with writer James Cameron (Titanic, Terminator 2, Avatar) to craft a dark vision of the future....this was released in '95 and the story takes place four years in the future on the eve of New Year's Eve '99. This particular story takes place in a beleaguered Los Angeles beset with violence where the latest vice of choice are "squids" which are virtual reality discs that can deliver any number of visceral experiences for those who get "jacked" into experiencing them. Lennny (Ralph Fiennes) is a purveyor of such squids as he sells them around the LA underworld....until one night, he is provided a mysterious one which portrays something horrible occuring to some one he knows. Is it real? Why did he receive it? And where does it lead? And this kicks off a tense mystery thriller not only involving Lenny but his best friend Mace (Angela Bassett) and his former love Faith (Juliette Lewis) among several others....the stacked cast also includes Michael Wincott, Glenn Plummer, Vincent D'Onofrio, William Fichtner, and the late, great Tom Sizemore.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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During a peak era for Hollywood produced conspiracy thrillers, this was one of the most popular and for good reasons. It was directed by the late, great Oscar-winner Sydney Pollack (Out of Africa, Tootsie, The Firm) and starred two of the most beautiful and enduring stars of this era. Robert Redford (The Sting, Indecent Proposal) stars as Turner who is an mild-mannered analyst for the CIA who suddenly finds every one in his New York City research office brutally murdered while he went out of lunch....and now he's on the run to get answers, also before some one murders him. Along the way, he encounters Kathy played by Oscar-winner Faye Dunaway (Network, Bonnie and Clyde, Chinatown), an unusually observant painter whom he decides to kidnap while seeking shelter at her apartment....and of course they develop a romance....sort of. And hot on his heels is the wily assassin Joubert played by the late, great Max Von Sydow (The Seventh Seal, Flash Gordon, Pelle the Conqueror). What results is a tense cat-and-mouse thriller which was somewhat ahead of its time and is now about to turn Fifty!
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Look Up in the Sky.....
Superman is back and this time he's directed by James Gunn who also helmed the Guardians of the Galaxy Trilogy before switching sides in the superhero genre to now lead DC Studios and this is the FIRST official release now kicking off a brand new extended universe....hopefully. There's a lot riding on this cinematic re-introduction to the Man of Steel (THAT film was the last time) and this time, he's played by David Corenswet (Twisters, We Own This City) in a story which takes place several years into this superhero's introduction to the world. Once again, he also works at the Daily Planet alongside his secret love, intrepid reporter Lois Lane now played by Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) and his arch nemisis is local Metropolis billionaire Lex Luthor played by Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max Fury Road, Warm Bodies, Nosferatu, The Menu). But beyond a few other returning characters, everything else is VERY different from previous Superman movies....including the presence of other meta-humans on the planet, two living parents still back in Kansas, and....the live action introduction of Krypto the Dog? It's time once again to find it we can STILL believe that a man can fly......
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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What has Eight Legs, Two Fangs, and an Attitude?
It's your typical spider of course....only the villains of this creature feature offer much more than that: they swarm, they have high vertical leaps, AND they can kill you with just ONE bite! :o And they happen to reaching the same small-town destination of Canaima at the same time as one mild-mannered family moving from San Francisco out the country for the first time, the Jennings. They are lead by Dr. Ross played by Jeff Daniels (Speed, Dumb & Dumber, The Newsroom) and his wife Molly played by Harley Jane Kozak (Parenthood, When Harry Met Sally, The Righteous Gemstones)....and wouldn't you know it but Ross himself has an irrational fear of spiders, otherwise known as ARACHNOPHOBIA! Directed by Frank Marshall (Alive, Congo, Eight Below) and featuring a stellar cast including John Goodman and Julian Sands, this horror comedy (?) was released thirty-five years ago by a studio which didn't know how to promote it - it still did solid business at the time and is now fondly remembered as one of the better family-friendly scare flicks of the '90's!
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Forty years ago after half a decade of undeniable success (The Big Chill, Body Heat, Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark) four-time Oscar-nominated writer/directed Lawrence Kasdan cashed in that blank check to make his dream project....and old-fashioned Western. And to do so, he assembled an All-Star cast lead by Kevin Kline, Danny Glover, Kevin Costner, and Scott Glenn for this sprawling tale of corrupt sheriff's, reluctant heroes, land disputes, family vendettas, benevolent bar-matrons, small towns under siege, dangerous posses, and of course lots of shootouts. :) Sadly it got lost in the shuffle of a summer dominated by the likes of Back to the Future and Rambo but forty years later, this remains one of THE premiuer modern westerns. Also co-starring Brian Dennehy, Jeff Goldblum, Rosanna Arquette, and Linda Hunt AND featuring a rip-roaring score from Bruce Broughton (Tombstone), it's time to saddle up and head on out to.....SILVERADO!!!!
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From the Producer of Days of Thunder (Jerry Bruckheimer) and the Director of Tom Gun Maverick (Joseph Kosinski) comes a new ORIGINAL summer epic combining elements of both films and even headlined by an major movie star comparable to Tom Cruise.. That would be Oscar-winner Brad Pitt who stars as Sonny, a veteran racer on the verge of retirement who returns to his original sport of passion, Formula One racing. He has been courted back by his his old teammate (Javier Bardem) who now owns a racing team and is being paired with a hot shot rookie racer named Joshua played by British up-and-comer Damson Idris (Snowfall). In the middle of a tumultuous season, they compete together - or against each other - in an increasingly high-stakes series of races, with guidance and assistance from their Team Leader/Designer Kate played by Oscar-nominee Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin). And what results is a pulse-pounding, high-speed racing spectacle.....but is it as good as those other films which clearly inspired it?
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Welcome to the LIVING FOR THE BOYLE review series! Daniel Francis Boyle originally hailed from Manchester, England and his filmmaking career took off thirty years ago in 1995 with the release of acclaimed cult thriller Shallow Grave. And ever since then, Danny Boyle (as he’s officially known) has carved out a uniquely successful career not only achieving box office success several times but also winning a few Oscars along the way. During this time period, he has also become one of MY personal favorite directors, having helmed excellent ORIGINAL stories spanning several genres including children’s fantasy, science fiction, crime drama, horror, and biopic. Over the next few months, I will be reviewing some of my favorite entries from his filmography in the lead-up to the long-awaited sequel to one of his more successful films….28 Years Later which will be released in the U.S. on June 20!
It's finally here! Following several months of hype including one of THE more iconic trailers of recent years, Danny Boyle has returned to this ongoing post-apocalyptic saga. Also returning is screenwriter Alex Garland (Annihilation, Ex Machina) and together they have crafted a new story within this post-apocalyptic universe taking place entirely on the British Isles several years (28 actually) after the initial outbreak of the "Rage virus" which overtook the UK. This story focuses on young Spike (Alfie Williams) who lives on a remote island off the coast of the infected mainland in a quaint village with his mother (Jodie Comer) and father (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). There are several harrowing run-in's with the infected but at its core, this is a coming-of-age story. So does it live up to the hype? Let's find out....
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This is the story of two cellmates in a Brazillian prison who form a unique bond despite coming form very different backgrounds - one is a political prisoner played by the late, great Raul Julia (The Addams Family, Presumed Innocent) and the other is a homosexual window dresser played by the late, great William Hurt (Broadcast News, Body Heat) in the role which won him his only Oscar. Their story takes several unexpected turns as a poltiical thriller, prison drama, and even a tale of fantasy. The titular Spider Woman (Sonia Braga) appears within the fantasy portion and what results is a very emotional tale of survival and compassion which ended up receving four Oscar nominations including for Best Picture that year. It's helmed by Hector Babenco (Ironweed, At Play In the Fields of the Lord) who also received an Oscar nomination for Best Director.
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Six years after the runaway phenomenon that was Gremlins, director Joe Dante (The Howling, Innerspace) finally delivered a sequel....only this time, he brought the action to New York City where Billy (Zach Galligan) and Kate (Phoebe Cates) now live. They both have jobs working at the famous Clamp Tower for the Clamp Corporation which is run by famous billionaire Daniel Clamp (John Glover).....and life is pretty dull overall. Until one day, they're sent an old friend at the tower.....more than an old friend, it's Gizmo the adorable Mogwai from the first film! :) Will they follow "The RULES" this time? :o
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The Scariest Movie EVER Made? Well upon its initial release forty-five years ago, not many critics saw it that way INCLUDING the author of the original novel which this film was based on, Stephen King. But over time, this psychological thriller directed by the late, great Stanley Kubrick (2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, Eyes Wide Shut) has garnerned not only a devoted following but a never-ending stream of speculation about what it meant. Many love it for the memorable main lead performance by Oscar-winner Jack Nicholson (Chinatown, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, Batman) as Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer whose family ends up situated at a VERY remote location known as the Overlook Hotel....he's an aspiring writer but as the winter progresses, he starts to lose his mind. Also with him are his beleaguered wife Wendy played by the late, great Shelley Duvall (Popeye, 3 Women, Roxanne) and their young son Danny (Danny Lloyd) who has begun to experience a sort of psychic power known as.....THE SHINING. :o Also co-starring Scatman Crothers, Joe Turkel, and Barry Nelson, this horror classic has launched spin-off documentaries, weak imitations, and loads of memes - let's head to the Overlook Hotel!
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From Oscar-winning director Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Rushmore, The Royal Tannenbaums) comes his latest uniquely framed and acted adventure about a wealthy businessman (Oscar-Winner Benicio Del Toro) who's on a dangerous mission to not only preserve his wealth but also to possibly reconcile with his daughter played by newcomer Mia Threapleton. Alongside his latest assistant (and insect expert) Bjorn (Michael Cera), they travel around the world encountering a genuinely unique assortment of rival businessmen and/or potential assassins played by an All-Star cast including Tom Hanks, Rupert Friend, Scarlett Johannsen, Riz Ahmed, Bryan Cranston, Jeffrey Wright, and Benedict Cumberbatch. And what results is a colorful, quirky, and symettrical adventure which could only come from the mind of Wes Anderson.
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From the World of John Wick....this is techically a spin-off which takes place between the events of John Wick Chapter 3 and Chapter 4, the focus here is on Eve who is played by Ana De Armas. Eve is an assassin who was initially trainied as as a ballerina, hence the title! The Director of her "academy" is Angelica Huston who was also featured as a character in Chapter 3. Eve is seeking revenge against a rival organization which murdered her father when she was a young child - that organization is lead by The Chancellor played by Gabriel Byrne. And off she goes from New York City throughout Northern Europe on an increasingly violent adventure where she is tasked with defeating rival assassins through a variety of methods including her fists, grenades, flame throwers, knives, and dishes. ;) Along the way, she also encounters the "Baba Yaga" himself, John Wick once again played by Keanu Reeves. Ken Wiseman (Live Free or Die Hard, Underworld) directs with a supporting cast also including Ian McShane, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, and in sadly his final on-screen appearance, the late great Lance Reddick.
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Twenty years ago, this tragic romantic drama took the world by storm by becoming a suprise international box office hit along with garnering massive acclaim. It even eventually won a few Academy awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Socre, and most importantly Best Director for Ang Lee who was coming off of directing two more action-oriented blockbusters before this, Hulk and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. This film's story focuses on two ranchhands just trying to make a living as they embark on herding a massive flock of sheep around the titular Brokeback Mountain. They are Ennis DelMar (Heath Ledger nominated for his performance) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal, also nominated for his) and over severals alone together on this journey, they develop a friendship which eventually becomes something more....
And then we watch over the next twenty years as they keep periodically meeting up even as their lives get increinaly complicated with jobs, marriages, kids, and feelings. :o What results is a beautifully crafted tragic love story which not only broke some barriers given its subject matter but also built up a strong legacy over time as one of a select few modern classics which infamously lost the Best Picture Oscar to a far inferior film. (Crash) What better way to kick off Pride Month 2025 than to revisit this iconic love story!
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Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the rest of the IMF crew are back for ONE last mission....to save the world from The Entity, a massive artificial intelligence collective which has spread so far it is now on the verge of taking over every major nuclear weapons arsenal. And the President (Angela Bassett) is running out of options as Ethan still has possession of ONE key item which our AI overlord still needs....a cruciform key. As this is a direct continuation of the previous Mission: Impossible sequel (Dead Reckoning) from a couple of years ago, most of that film's key cast returns including series stalwarts Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg, along with Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, and Esai Morales as the villainous Gabrial. Also returning is director Oscar-winning writer/director Chris McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects, Jack Reacher) who has now helmed his fourth Mission:Impossible film in a row. Once again, the stunts gets crazier and The Cruise Missile seems to put his life on the line even more for the sake of pulling them off-screen - this leads to crazy action both underwater and up in the air!
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Twenty-five years ago, director John Woo (Hard Boiled, Face/Off) joined this franchise to helm this long-awaited sequel to the first cinematic adaptation from '96. And whereas the first film was a paranoid espionage thriller, he and star/producer/mastermind Tom Cruise decided to shift THIS entry in the direction of ramped up operatic action mixed with forbidden romance. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is back for his next mission where he must prevent a now disavowwed former IMF-rival Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) from doing something nefarious with a mysterious bio-weapon/virus nicknamed "Chimera." And to get closer to this new villain's burgeoning operation, Ethan must enlist a beautiful jewel thief named Nyah (Thandiwe Newton) who has a past with Ambrose but....the ONE thing he didn't count on was falling in love. :o
And what results is a rip-roaring, mostly-set-in-Australia action EPIC filled with rock climbing, fast cars, roundhouse kicks, and.....DOVES. This was a major smash upon release and remains one of the more successful films in this long-running franchise....however a backlash has developed since then with many now calling it the WORST of the Mission: Impossible saga. Our mission - should we choose to accept it - is to determine as to whether it lives up OR down to the hype!
See below for a link where you can hear the rare instrumental version of this movie's theme song, cited within this review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfBiktIrDnQ
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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Based upon the comic strip created in 1931 by Chester Gould, this eye-popping live-action adaptation was long planned by Oscar-winning director Warren Beatty (Reds, Heaven Can Wait) who also elected to star as the titular square-jawwed crime fighter sporting a bright yellow jacket. Finally green-lit and released by Disney in the wake of the breakout success the prior year of Tim Burton's Batman, the studio was hoping that it could duplicate the mega-blockbuster success of that comic book adaptation, backing its release with loads of marketing hype AND three different soundtrack albums including an assortment of original songs written by Tony-winning songwriting stage legend Stephen Sondheim (West Side Story, Into the Woods) and performed one of its co-stars....that would be Madonna who played Breathtless Mahoney, who is also a key femme fatale for the story. She is joined by completely STACKED cast by Paul Sorvino, Mandy Patinkin, Glenne Headley, Charlie Korsmo, Charles Durning, James Caan, Dustin Hoffman, AND Al Pacino who plays the film's main villain Big Boy Caprice.
Alas the film did solid box office but did not live up to the Batman-level hype...though it DID set a record for most Oscars won by a comic book adaptation with three for Best Makeup, Best Original Song, and Best Art Direction. This record of three Oscars would not be matched for another 28 years until it was eventually tied by another Disney comic book release, Black Panther.
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During the waning days of World War II, a group of American soldiers find themselves without a leader nor a mission so they decide to sneak behind enemy lines to attempt to steal a hidden cache of gold which even most Nazi's are aware of. Clint Eastwood (who plays the titular Private Kelly) leads an all-star cast including Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, Donald Sutherland, Carol O'Connor, and Harry Dean Stanton. Directed by Brian G. Hutton (Where Eagles Dare), this is as much of a comedic heist film as war movie, let's see how they pull off their mission.
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Welcome to the LIVING FOR THE BOYLE review series! Daniel Francis Boyle originally hailed from Manchester, England and his filmmaking career took off thirty years ago in 1995 with the release of acclaimed cult thriller Shallow Grave. And ever since then, Danny Boyle (as he’s officially known) has carved out a uniquely successful career not only achieving box office success several times but also winning a few Oscars along the way. During this time period, he has also become one of MY personal favorite directors, having helmed excellent ORIGINAL stories spanning several genres including children’s fantasy, science fiction, crime drama, horror, and biopic. Over the next few months, I will be reviewing some of my favorite entries from his filmography in the lead-up to the long-awaited sequel to one of his more successful films….28 Years Later which will be released in the U.S. on June 20!
From the Oscar-winning writer (Aaron Sorkin) of The Social Network comes another "Based Upon a True Story" exploration of one of the titans of the digital revolution, this time the titular Steve Jobs played by Oscar-nominee Michael Fassbender (Shame, Black Bag). This story takes behind the scenes in the lead-up to three VERY different product launches headlined by the eventual Apple CEO in 1984, 1988, and culminating in 1998 with the launch of the revoluationairy IMac computer for home and office use. Along the way, we not only learn about the various ups-and-downs of the Apple/Mac brand as overseen by Jobs but much of his personal drama as well, especially his tumultuous relationship with his daughter Lisa. This Oscar nominated drama was directed by Boyle and featured a stellar cast including Kate Winslet, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jeff Daniels, and Seth Rogen.
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The beach town of Amity Island has been experiencing some mysterious attacks from a mysterious entity within the nearby ocean, resulting in some brutal deaths. And the local police chief Brody (Roy Scheider) is concerned that it MIGHT be sharks....and he's not the only one, there's also the visiting marine biologist Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) who suspects that it MIGHT be a Great White Shark. :o And besides them, there's the local sea-dog Quint (Robert Shaw) who not only believes that it's a Great White Shark but that ONLY he can kill it. And we're off to the sea in Steven Spielberg's classic mega-blockbuster which is about to turn 50! We're gonna need a BIGGER boat indeed.....
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From the director (Tobe Hooper) of The Texas Chainsaw Massacare and the writer (Dan O'Bannon) of Alien comes this crazy sci-fi horror thriller about a potential alien invasion which occurs around London after a race of space vampires (yes you read that right) come calling via Haley's Comet and an Earth-bound spaceship. This ambitious Cannon Pictures release was a notable flop when it was first released in June of 1985 but has since garned a cult following due to several crazy setpieces, ample female nudity (from one alien in particular played by Matilda May), and.....some very inventive visual effects thanks to contributions from the same F/X wizard (John Dykstra) who had worked on the original Star Wars just eight years prior. Starring alongside May (in her on-screen debut) are Steve Railsback, Peter Firth, Frank Finlay, and Patrick Stewart!
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How do you follow up a genuine once-in-a-lifetime pop culture phenomenon like the initial release of Star Wars in 1977? Well if you're writer/director/producer George Lucas, you use your ownership of the franchise to continue the story but in a unique new direction with a new director (Irwin Kirsher) along with a new up-and-coming writer (Lawrence Kasdan) to take over most creative decisions. You also decide to bring back most of the main cast (Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse/James Earl Jones, Peter Mayhew) while deciding to introduce some exciting new characters including Yoda (Frank Oz) and Lando Calrissian). Beyond that.....larger scale, more unpredictable twists, and a cliffhanger ending which left many audiences at the time genuinely suprised. And what resulted was not only an enduring classic which not only redefined the genre but sequels for decades to come.....on the eve of its 45th Anniversary and just in time for May The Fourth, it's time to return to A Galaxy Far, Far Away!
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Adam (John Travolta) is an intrepid reporter for Rolling Stone magazine currently chasing the biggest story of his career while in LA....when he suddenly comes up with an intriguing back-up story: how healthclubs are becoming the singles bars of the 1980's. :P And he zeroes in on one healthclub in particular which is called "The Sports Connection" and there he becomes immersed in their world, he is mostly drawn to Jessie (Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis) who is a very charismatic aerobics instructor drawing enthusiastic crowds, though also has a past. He begins chasing a story about her while also falling for her....and complications ensue. Directed by James Bridges (The China Syndrome, Urban Cowboy), this was wall-to-wall pelvic thrusts and mid '80's synth-pop music and is otherwise hard to categorize...which might be a major reason it flopped so hard upon initial release almost forty years ago. But it has since garnered a cult following and is fondly remembered by many as a campy time capsule from a different era. It also co-stars Laraine Newman, Marilu Henner, Mathew Reed, and Anne DeSalvo.
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Bud (John Travolta) is a young man from the country who moves to Houston to work at the local oil refinery and starts to spend a lot of time at the local country and western bar named Gilley's where he meets Sissy (Debra Winger). Over much dancing and drinks, they start to fall in love and eventually get married. Since they are young and impetuous, they start to have problems....and things just get more complicated from there, but can their love prevail? Along the way, there's plenty of great music and dancing as director James Bridges (The China Syndrome) takes us into this unique subculture of two-step dancing and mechanical bull-riding!
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HAPPY 400TH EPISODE - Thanks to all listeners and subscribers for your continued support!!! :)
Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan) are twin brothers who also are both recent World War I veterans and Chicago gangsters. It's 1932 and they have now returned to their home town in the MIssissippi Delta to start their own juke joint. They find the right spot and recruiter plenty of friends and family to get involved including their cousin Sammie (Miles Caton) who plays a mean guitar and Smoke's ex-wife Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) who cooks some great catfish. They gather various talent and kick off what looks like a promising night of blues music and merry......though there appear to be some unexpected visitors who come calling lead by Remmick (Jack O' Connell) and needless to say, these guys seem to be thirsty....though not for what you would expect. :o And what results is one wild, CRAZY night....not every one is likely to survive that night either! Hailee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo, and Jayme Lawson are also part of this extended cast in this raucous horror musical (?) from Oscar-nominated director Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Creed).
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For the Memories of a Lifetime.....
In the Year 2084, Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a mild-mannered construction worker just living the simple life with his loving wife Lori (Sharon Stone). All seems well and normal, except he's been having these dreams.....about going to Mars, where apparently his eyes can get sucked out of his head if he tries to breathe freely on the surface?? :o Maybe they're not dreams, maybe he has been to Mars....and when he visits a local travel agency (sort of) named Rekall to get memories implanted about a possible trip to Mars, something happens. People start trying to kill him...and worse, all is not what it seems.
And what results is a wild, bloody adventure where Quaid not only goes to Mars but gets involved in an increasingly violent effort to fend off an oppressive corporate lead by Cohaagen (Ronny Cox) to exploit the population of settlers there by depriving them of air. Loosely based on a science fiction novel by Phillip K. Dick (Minority Report) and directed by legendary Paul Verhoeven (Basic Instinct, Robocop), this lavish sci-fi action adventure became an instant phenomenon when it was first released thirty-five years ago this June. Which leaves only one thing left to do....Get Your Ass to Mars!!!!
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Exactly one year after his historic comeback in the seminal Pulp Fiction (which he received an Oscar nomination for), John Travolta followed it up with this slick and crime caper/satire adapted from the Elmore Leonard novel of the same name. Here he plays Chili Palmer, a mob enforcer from Miami who LOVES movies, is visiting Los Angeles for the first time, and finds himself very eager to get into the movie business. Once there, he meets a schlock producer (Gene Hackman - RIP), a scream queen (Rene Russo), a pretentious movie star (Danny DeVito), and a menacing wanna-be producer (Delroy Lindo)....among several others. And wouldn't you know it....Chili finds himself getting involved in the movie business. :) Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld (The Addams Family, Men In Black), this would go on to be on of the more quotable and fondly remembered crime comedies of the '90's featuring a cast including several other legends including Bette Midler, the late great Dennis Farina, and the late, great James Gandolfini.
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Welcome to the LIVING FOR THE BOYLE review series! Daniel Francis Boyle originally hailed from Manchester, England and his filmmaking career took off thirty years ago in 1995 with the release of acclaimed cult thriller Shallow Grave. And ever since then, Danny Boyle (as he’s officially known) has carved out a uniquely successful career not only achieving box office success several times but also winning a few Oscars along the way. During this time period, he has also become one of MY personal favorite directors, having helmed excellent ORIGINAL stories spanning several genres including children’s fantasy, science fiction, crime drama, horror, and biopic. Over the next few months, I will be reviewing some of my favorite entries from his filmography in the lead-up to the long-awaited sequel to one of his more successful films….28 Years Later which will be released in the U.S. on June 20!
Once Upon A Time, the edgy director of Trainspotting and 28 Days Later decided to make a different type of movie....a FAMILY movie. :) It's a touching story about a recently widowed father (James Nesbitt) who moves his two young sons to the suburbs....when one day, his youngest son Damian (Alex Etel) suddenly discovers in their backyard.....a bag filled with cash! A LOT of cash no doubt so Damian and his brother (Lewis McGibbon) embark on their own adventure trying to figure out EXACTLY what to do this with this new-found fortune....and what results is a delightful whimsical story involving (among many different things) the transition to the Euro, Mormon neighbors who can transport a LOT of appliances via bicycle, and one of our heroes getting to know all of the most well-known Catholic saints. It's a true original.
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Master '80's auteur Lawrence Kasdan (The Big Chill, Silverado, Body Heat) kicked off the '90's with this dark comedy based upon the bizarre true story of a philandering husband whose wife conspired to murder him....and yet he wouldn't die. :o The husband is Joey played by Oscar-Winner Kevin Kline (A Fish Called Wanda, Dave), the wife is Rosalie played by Emmy-Winner Tracey Ullman (Tracey Takes On) and the cast just gets more interesting from there including Oscar-nominee Joan Plowright as Rosalie's mother, Oscar-nominated River Phoenix as Rosalie's friend, PLUS Oscar-Winner William Hurt and Keanu Reeves playing two drug-using cousins. And believe it or not....each of these characters are involved in this murder plot....AND they're ALL funny no less?? :) This film was pretty much forgotten almost as soon as it was released back in the Spring of 1990, let's find out if it should have been.
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It's 106 miles to Chicago, they've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and they're wearing sunglasses....
The brothers are Joliet Jake Blue (John Belushi) and Elmwood Blues (Dan Ackroyd)....and they're on a mission from God. Well actually they're on a mission to save the Catholic home where they grew up and to get the band back together. Seems simple enough but there are a LOT of obstacles in their way including US Marshalls, Chicago police, Illinois State Troopers, the Illinois Nazis, the Good Ol' Boys, and...the late, great Carrie Fisher playing "Mystery Woman" who comes HEAVILY armed! :o John Landis (Animal House, Coming to America, An American Werewolf in London) directed this wildly ambitious action comedy musical loosely adapted from the two titular fictional brothers who performed on Saturday Night Live around this time. Plot is but an afterthought when you have wall-to-wall car chases and/or extended musical numbers from several R&B music luminaries including Ray Charles, Cab Calloway, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, John Lee Hooker, and Chaka Khan. And that's not even accounting for an extended stacked cast including Kathleen Freeman, John Candy, Steven Williams, Henry Gibson, Charles Napier, and countless others!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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Twenty years ago, Sir Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Napoleon, 1492, Black Hawk Down) directed yet another large-scale historical drama.....this time taking place during the Crusades as we watch war escalate between the Saracins and Christian armies sent over from Europe. And apparently no one really cared. :( The film received middling reviews and box office upon release.
However following in the tradition of another maligned, often misunderstood genre epic which he directed back in the 1980's - Blade Runner - Ridley Scott arranged to have HIS own personal extended director's cut released to DVD, including at least forty minutes of extra footage. The reaction was not only universally postiive but THIS version (which Ridley insists is the COMPLETE version of the story he was trying to tell) is now looked upon by many as one of his masterpieces. It also features a stacked international cast including Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, David Thewlis, Marton Csokas, Brendan Gleeson, and Alexander Siddig. Let's head back to the 12th Century Jerusalem to explore this epic tale!
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John McClane is Back! After successfully defeating terrorists at Nakatomi Plaza in the first movie and Dulles Airport in the second movie, McClane (Bruce Willis) is once again working as a NYPD cop. Hung over and once again on the outs with his wife, he has been called back into duty to track down a mysterious new threat who's not only planting explosives around the city but is specifically asking for HIM. This threat is named Simon (Jeremy Irons) and he apparently wants to play games with McClaine while he terrorizes the public, even threatening to blow up a local school if our hero doesn't do what he wants on time. And just as things are heating up, John gets mixed up with a local store owner named Zeus (Samuel L. Jackson) who not only saves his life but ends up being summoned to play these same games. The two team up to save the city....but what are they saving it from exactly? The plot just thickens from there as Die Hard director John McTiernan (The Thomas Crown Affair, The Hunt for Red October) returns to direct this well-liked and hugely popular third installment which came out thirty years ago this spring. Yippee-Ki-Yay.....indeed!
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Out on her first night on the beat, rookie NYPD cop Megan Turner (Jamie Lee Curtis) comes upon a robbery in a grocery store and takes down the perpetrator. However as soon as she takes him down, things take a strange turn as one witness flees the scene with that perp's weapon. Soon after, Megan meets a mysterious commodies trader named Eugene played by Ron Silver (Timecop, Reversal of Fortune, The West Wing) and....things get even stranger from there. :o These events kick off a slick, violent action thriller directed by Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Point Break, Zero Dark Thirty) relatively earlier in her career. Back in the spring of 1990, this film underperformed but has since garnered a cult following....also included in the cast are Clancy Brown, Elizabeth Pena, Louise Fletcher, and Kevin Dunn.
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Welcome to the LIVING FOR THE BOYLE review series! Daniel Francis Boyle originally hailed from Manchester, England and his filmmaking career took off thirty years ago in 1995 with the release of acclaimed cult thriller Shallow Grave. And ever since then, Danny Boyle (as he’s officially known) has carved out a uniquely successful career not only achieving box office success several times but also winning a few Oscars along the way. During this time period, he has also become one of MY personal favorite directors, having helmed excellent ORIGINAL stories spanning several genres including children’s fantasy, science fiction, crime drama, horror, and biopic. Over the next few months, I will be reviewing some of my favorite entries from his filmography in the lead-up to the long-awaited sequel to one of his more successful films….28 Years Later which will be released in the U.S. on June 20!
Twenty-nine years ago, this raw, high-energy adaptation of Irvine Welsh's novel about a group of young men in Edinburgh (Scotland) scoring heroin took the world by storm. Of course, it was about more than just the drugs....it was a frenetic crime comedy/drama not only exploring addiction but youth. It also featured a top-flight cast of up-and-coming UK actors along with an iconic soundtrack! Starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Robert Carlyle, Kevin McKidd, and Kelly McDonald, it's time to find out about whether to....Choose Life.
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What's this? Yet ANOTHER movie/series about a married couple who are also spies?!? :o Yes this thriller is about a couple of British spies who both work for the same intelligence agency and apparently there's a dangerous leak which has occurred at this agency. One of them has been tasked with finding out who the leaker is while the OTHER might actually be the prime suspect....uh-oh, could be silly! :P
Or maybe not as it's written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Panic Room), directed by Steven Soderbergh (Out of Sight, Erin Brockovich, Ocean's 11), and features a top-flight cast of talent including two-time Oscar-nominee Michael Fassbender (Shame, Steve Jobs) and two-time Oscar Winner Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth, Tar) as the married couple. The cast also includes rising stars Rege-Jean Page (Bridgerton) and Marisa Abela (Industry) along with two acclaimed alumni from the James Bond franchise, Pierce Brosnan and Naomi Harris. Sounds intriguing....
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Who doesn't love a movie focused on a party?? :) Well when they're done right at least....Animal House, Bachelor Party....and thirty-five years ago, director Reginald Hudlin (Boomerang) made his debut with one of the better ones. It also starred a hip-hop duo no less, Kid & Play - Christopher Reid and Christopher Martin co-star as two high school friends who just want to rap, dance, and meet girls. And that pretty much comprises the story of the movie......they just want to have fun along the two young ladies they have their eyes on, Sydney (Tisha Campbell) and Sharane (AJ Johnson). The cast also features several comedy legends including Martin Lawrence, John Witherspoon, and the late, great Robin Harris. Also featuring great music from Full Force....who also co-star as the main villains!
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Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer, The Host) returns from his Oscar triumph five years ago with his first directorial effort since his worldwide smash Parasite, which remains the ONLY foreign language film to ever win the Oscar for Best Picture. This time around, he's directing a high concept sci-fi comedy adventure taking place in the future focusing on Mickey (Robert Pattinson) who works as an "Expendable" for a growing organization looking to colonize a snowy desolate planet. His job entails being used as a tester of various hostile environments, new viruses, potential vaccines, and any number of deadly situations which can occur on said planet. The key to his survival is that he doesn't survive most of these ordeals....they have the technology to simply clone him again to restart the process. :o And hilarity ensues! Also among this stacked cast are Naomi Ackie, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette, and Steven Yuen. For Mickey, it's time to find out if the 17th time's the Charm. ;)
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With only their third feature film (following Blood Simple & Raising Arizona), The Coen Brothers (Joel & Ethan) delivered one of the most unique crime dramas of its era...or any era. This neo-noir takes place during the Prohibition Era in an unidentified American city which is currently enmeshed in an ongoing war between two rival criminal organizations, one lead by Leo (Albert Finney) and the other lead by Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito). Leo's main advisor and most trusted lieutenant is Tom (Gabriel Byrne) whose fears and machinations are at the core of this story. And through Tom, we get to encounter a variety of colorful characters including Verna (Marcia Gay Harden), The Dane (JE Freeman), Bernie (John Turturro), Mink (Steve Buscemi) and so many others who are each on one side of this burgeoning conflict. However the story is not what stands out most about this enduring cult classic....it's the inventive camerawork, bravura performances, gorgeous production design, and endlessly quotable dialogue! So just in time for St. Patrick's Day, let's find out exactly what the rumpus is....
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Thirty years ago this month, acclaimed director Wolfgang Petersen (Das Boot, Air Force One, The Perfect Storm) gave us a terrifying viral thriller which at the time MIGHT have seemed like pure fiction....but WAS it? :o
Well regardless it was a big hit and featured a stacked cast featuring Oscar-winners Dustin Hoffman, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, and Cuba Gooding Jr plus Rene Russo and the late, great Donald Sutherland. (How did those last two never receive Oscar nominations??) A brand new deadly virus has travelled from overseas via an innocent monkey who stowed away on a shipping barge....and that monkey has landed in Southern California....and this virus has started to spread around one truly unfortunate isolated small town. People are dying as the virus mutates and the only folks who can stop it are a team of Army doctors who have to figure out how to find a cure. It's all very '90's though very scary nonetheless....and remember to wash your hands!
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Six years before she would achieve success and acclaim with The Substance, recently Oscar-nominated French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat directed this nasty little grindhouse thriller. It's a simple story about a young, aspiring actress/model named Jen (Matilda Lutz) who is staying with her wealthy MARRIED boyfriend Richard (Kevin Janssens) for the weekend at his remote vacation home out in the desert.....when company comes calling with Richard's two hunting buddies (Vincent Colombe, Guillaume Bouchede). While Richard steps away, one of them assaults her and sadly when he returns, things just get worse from there....as Jen is eventually left for dead, bleeding out in the middle of nowhere. Once she wakes up though, she finds a way to heal herself in more ways than one and heads out to exact.....REVENGE....on the three men. And what results is one truly BLOODY affair!
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIOLENCE PORTRAYED VIA MOVIE CLIPS
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Welcome to the LIVING FOR THE BOYLE review series! Daniel Francis Boyle originally hailed from Manchester, England and his filmmaking career took off thirty years ago in 1995 with the release of acclaimed cult thriller Shallow Grave. And ever since then, Danny Boyle (as he’s officially known) has carved out a uniquely successful career not only achieving box office success several times but also winning a few Oscars along the way. During this time period, he has also become one of MY personal favorite directors, having helmed excellent ORIGINAL stories spanning several genres including children’s fantasy, science fiction, crime drama, horror, and biopic. Over the next few months, I will be reviewing some of my favorite entries from his filmography in the lead-up to the long-awaited sequel to one of his more successful films….28 Years Later which will be released in the U.S. on June 20!
It's the future, our sun is dying, and we have a crew of relatable scientists and astronauts on a mission to get to the Sun and re-ignite it so that our planet doesn't freeze. The crew of the Icarus II includes a physicist (Oscar-Winner Cillian Murphy), a horticulturalist (Oscar-Winner Michelle Yeoh), an engineer (Chris Evans), a navigator (Rose Byrne), a sun-drenched psychologist (Cliff Curtis) and is lead by fearless Captain Kaneda (Emmy-Winner Hiroyuki Sanada). This space adventure received strong reviews back in 2007 but sadly never received much of a theatrical release and was a box office bomb. However since then, it has developed a solid cult following not the least of which is due to its iconic score from composer John Murphy. Let's find out if this crew travels too close to the sun....
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This is the story of Monica and Quincy who both grow up next door to each other in Southern California, apparently enamored of two things: the game of basketball and each other. And as they grow up, they both develop into excellent basketball players and we also watch as their relationship develops. Omar Epps (Higher Learning, Juice) eventually plays Quincy who is the son of a retired pro basketball player (Dennis Heysbert) and has aspirations of following in his father's footsteps. And Sanaa Lathan (Brown Sugar, Alien Vs. Predator) eventually plays Monica who is trying to develop into a pro basketball player despite her mother's (Alfre Woodard) concerns about there being no future in it. What results is both a love story and sports drama which spans over fifteen years and has built quite up a devoted following since it was first released in the Spring of 2000 to solid reviews and box office. What better time to review this beloved basketball drama directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Woman King) than JUST in time for March Madness? :)
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Twenty-five years ago, director Curtis Hanson (8 Mile, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle) followed up his widely acclaimed crime drama classic LA Confidential with this quirky adaptation of the Michael Chabon novel of the same name. This tells the simple story of Professor Grady Tripp (Michael Douglas) who wrote ONE great novel several years and is having.....some difficulties....writing the follow-up. Beyond that, he has one headmaster's wife (Frances McDormand) who he's been having an affair with, a highly impressionable much younger student (Katie Holmes) who is enamored with him, a nebbishy editor/publisher (Robert Downey Jr.) who keeps hounding him for that next book, and.....a wayward student James Leer (Tobey Maguire) whom he gets mixed up with in some incident involving a dog that gets shot. James Leer also looks up to Grady and also just might be The Next Great American Writer. And there's more plot and several more characters to boot....plot is almost incidental as this Pittsburgh-set character comedy has more to it than plot. How about interesting characters, comical situations, and loads of fun dialogue to boot!
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Brady Corbet (Vox Lux) has directed a three and a half hour sprawling tale of a Jewish architect named Laszlo (Adrian Brody) who has escaped religious persecution in World War II Europe to come to America. This epic drama kicks off with him arriving at Ellis Island in epic fashion, then restarting his career in Pennsylvania where he encounters a local industrialist named Van Buren (Guy Pearce) who hires him to take on increasingly larger projects. Complications ensue as Laszlo achieves success but also struggles to adapt to an environment which can often be hostile to him, even more-so after his wife Erzsebet (Felicity Jones) is finally able to emigrate from Europe to join him. Since being screened throughout the festival circuit last year (initially without a distributor), this film has received wide acclaim. It has also recently received ten Oscar nominations including for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor. But is it WORTHY of such acclaim?
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Director Nisha Ganatra (Late Night) delivers a throwback to big studio romantic comedies from twenty years ago with this frothy musical tale of Maggie (Dakota Johnson) who is the beleaguered personal assistant to legendary pop diva Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross)...yet has a good ear and aspirations of becoming a music producer. And while trying to help produce new music for her boss, she also happens to meet a talented young vocal artist David (Kelvin Harrison Jr) whose music she also wants to produce....they strike up a romance and things just get more complicated from there. Also co-starring Ice Cube and Bill Pullman, this delightful gem features great music though also had the misfortune of being released five years ago during the early days of COVID, so it never had a proper release.....maybe it's time to spread the word.
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Edward (Richard Gere) is a wealthy industrialist who is feeling lonely one night while on a business trip. While cruising Hollywood Boulevard, he meets a prostitute named Vivian (Julia Roberts) and he decides to hire her for the week to stay with him....what he didn't count on was falling in love. :o And what resulted was one of the most popular romantic comedies of all time, a worldwide phenomenon which launched Julia Roberts into the stratosphere. It was directed by the late, great Garry Marshall (Beaches, The Princess Diaries) and also co-starred Jason Alexander, Laura San Giacomo, and Hector Elizondo. It had a hugely popular soundtrack and features several iconic scenes.....but how does it hold up? On the eve of its 35th Anniversary AND Valentines Day, let's head back to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and Rodeo Drive, and find out.....
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Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh (The Ocean's Trilogy, Erin Brockovich, Contagion) returns to the big screen with a simple tale about one suburban family which has just moved into a new home....only to find out that they might not be alone. :o Not only that but they each have their own share of personal issues, mostly depressed teenager Chloe (Callina Liang) who has suffered a recent personal tragedy and ends up being the focus of the story. This film has been promoted as an intimate "ghost story" but it is as much a family drama...and let's leave it at that. The rest of the cast includes Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, and Eddy Maday.
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How do you remake a classic? Well in the case of trying to bring back the LEGENDARY Private Detective John Shaft of the 1971 Gordon Parks cult hit starring Richard Roundtree, acclaimed director John Singleton (Boyz N The Hood, Poetic Justice) teamed with acclaimed writer Richard Writer (The Color of Money, Clockers) to....NOT remake it, they decided to "re-imagine" the character as a former NYPD cop trying to exact justice in late '90's New York City. Oscar-nominee Samuel L. Jackson now plays the titular character with Roundtree returning to play his uncle. This time around, Shaft is determined to bring justice for the racially-charged murder of an innocent young man at a NYC club. The murderer is played by Oscar-winner Christian Bale (The Fighter), the witness whom Shaft has to find is played by Oscar-nominee Toni Colette (The Sixth Sense).....and beyond that, Shaft also has to combat corrupt local cops PLUS local drug kingpin Peoples Hernandez played by Oscar-nominee Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction). Throw in some high-octane action, Busta Rhymes as Shaft's driver, AND....the iconic Oscar-winning theme song from Isaac Hayes and what do you get?
Besides several Oscar nominees, you happen to get a surprisingly enjoyable (and very timely) action thriller to kick off Black History Month. Can you dig it? :)
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On January 15, the entertainment world lost a truly unique and highly influential talent….David Lynch (Blue Velvet, The Elephant Man, Twin Peaks) who passed away at the age of 78 from emphysema. Over his illustrious career, he directed twelve feature films and was nominated for four Oscars including Best Director for this acclaimed classic released in the fall of 2001. Considered by many fans and critics to be Lynch's best film, this mind-bending mystery has since garnered a devoted following from cinephiles who have enjoyed developing and sharing theories regarding its complex plot. The overall story mainly focuses on two women, one an amnesiac nick-named Rita (Laura Harring) and the other an aspiring actress named Betty (Naomi Watts) who is new to town. The town is Hollywood, where dreams of fame and fortune sometimes come true....though more often they lead to bad things. :o And as these two ladies develop a relationship.....well as most other Lynch stories go, let's just say that they get pretty strange. Also included among the stellar cast are Justin Theroux, Jeanne Bates, Robert Forster, Brent Briscoe, Patrick Fischler, Dan Hedaya, and Billy Ray Cyrus. (Yes you read that right.)
Rest in Peace Mr. Lynch….your legacy will live on WELL beyond your time on this earth.Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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Director Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead & Spider-Man trilogies) just seemed born to apply his skills to a send-up of a spaghetti western and back in the mid '90's he got his chance. You've got Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct) at the PEAK of her star-power playing the strong-but-silent type, a gunslinger coming to the town of Redemption seeking revenge and getting roped into a gun-duel tournament....Hackman taking his Oscar-winning thug sheriff role from Unforgiven up to 11 as the main villain....journeyman players like Lance Henricksen, Keith David, Pat Hingle, and Tobin Bell all having a blast. PLUS you have a truly baby-faced Leo DiCaprio and youthful-looking Russell Crowe (in his American film debut) both bringing the heat with interesting supporting characters who form different types of bonds with Stone's protagonist. What results is a high-energy genre hybrid which was a flop on initial release but has since built up a cult following as it now approaches it's thirtieth anniversary. Let's find out who is the quickest....
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Chances are if that you were watching some action thriller in the '90's featuring an airplane being hijacked, there was a strong likelihood that it starred Wesley Snipes....as this would be one of three (the others being U.S. Marshalls and Passenger 57) released during that time period with such a sequence. And amazingly of all three, this would be the one to feature him most up in the air as Snipes stars as U.S. Marshall Pete Nessip who after suffering a tragedy on one such hijacking early in the movie decides to track down said hijackers whom he believes were able to escape via parachutes?? :o Yup it's a crazy theory but it turns out to be true as these hijackers are actually professional sky-divers lead by the nefarious Ty Moncrief (Gary Busey) who has plans to use the convicted master-hacker Earl Leady (Michael Jeter) to utilize his hacking skills for nefarious purposes. So what does our hero decide to do to apprehend these guys? Why to infiltrate the insular world of sky-divers of course! ;) And his most important ally/mentor turns happens to be master-skydiver Jessie Crossman played by Yancy Butler (Hard Target, Witchblade). So yes we get to see SNIPES Up In The SKY during his '90's peak....and directed by John Badham (WarGames, Saturday Night Fever, Bird On A Wire), one of the more underappreciated genre filmmakers of the era.
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Following up starring in a string of big budget genre epics (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Blade Runner, Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi) in the early part of the '80's, Harrison Ford decided to detour just a bit with this smaller-scale suspense thriller directed by the legendary Peter Weir (Dead Poet's Society, The Truman Show). Here he plays John Book, a Philadelphia police detective investigating a local murder where the ONLY witness is a young Amish boy (Lucas Haas) who happened to be travelling through the area with his mother at the time. As it turns out, this murder investigation goes up the chain of the local police department and after an attempt is made on Book's life, he flees to the nearby Amish Country where the young boy lives with his mother Rachel (Kelly McGillis). There as they help nurse John back to health, he not only becomes involved with the local Amish community but develops a forbidden romance with Rachel. And what results is one of the best thrillers of the decade as it also was eventually nominated for eight Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and what has remained the ONLY Oscar nomination for Ford, Best Actor.
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Big Nick is BACK! And so is Donnie the Driver....as played by Gerard Butler and O'Shea Jackson Jr. respectively, they are the only significant hold-overs from the first first Den of Thieves which came out five years. That original LA-based crime thriller directed by Christian Gudegast (who also returns to direct this sequel) ended up being a bit of a sleeper hit and has garnered a significant following since then via streaming and/or cable. So how do they continue the story this time around? By bringing the overall action to both France and Belgium where Donnie (O'Shea Jackson Jr.) is now deeply involved in an ambitious heist to steal gems from the World Diamond District. And guess who suddenly travels to Nice to find him AND potentially join him? Why it's Nick (Gerard Butler) who is a now a disgraced former LAPD cop as a result of the events of the previous film.....and now he wants IN? :o
In other words.....The Cop Goes Gangster and The Heist Goes Global. Also included among the international cast are Evin Ahmad, Salvatore Esposito, Orli Shuka.....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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In the small, isolated Nevada town of Perfection, two aimless handymen Val (Kevin Bacon) and Earl (Fred Ward) were just minding their own business working their latest gig when they suddenly discover strange things occurring....including the inexplicable death of some one who has hidden way up on a light pole in the middle of nowhere. What were they afraid of....something on the ground....or underground perhaps? :o Well as it turns out, this town has been invaded by large, strange creatures travelling underground....and what results is a wild adventure which might be described as "Jaws on Land." Ron Underwood (City Slickers, Heart and Souls) directed this now beloved cult classic which first under-performed in theaters back in 1990 but has since spawned several sequels and even a TV spin-off. It also starred Michael Gross, Reba McEntire, Finn Carter, Victor Wong, and....some very nasty sand-worms?
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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Wilson (Terrance Stamp) is a career criminal from the UK who is now coming to Los Angeles to find out about what happened to his daughter (Melissa George) who just tragically died in a car accident....or did she? Her father suspects that she might have been murdered and he suspects that it might have been her wealthy, older record executive boyfriend Terry played by the late, great Peter Fonda. Along the way, Wilson recruits help from two local actors (Lesley Ann Warren, Luis Guzman) who were friends with his daughter and what results is a stylish, somewhat time-bending revenge thriller which received significant acclaim when it was first released twenty five years ago. Directed by Oscar-winning legend Steven Soderbergh at the peak of his powers (right between Out of Sight and Erin Brockovich), just tell them that WILSON IS COMING!!!!
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Taking place within a future apocalyptic wasteland, Denzel Washington plays the titular Eli and he's traversing through this wasteland with an all-important book (hence the title)...along with a super-sharp machete blade, shotgun, killer instincts, and car battery-powered IPod Classic. Things get hairy once he arrives in the wrong town where the local villain Carnegie (Gary Oldman) wants to take possession of this mysterious book. And what results is an increasingly violent stand-off between Eli and Carnegie's small army of marauders lead by Redridge played by the late, great Ray Stevenson. Along the way, Eli takes in a sort-of-protégé Solara played by Mila Kunis. Directed by Allen and Albert Hughes (Menace II Society, Dead Presidents), this bleak action thriller borrows a LOT from The Mad Max Saga but it has a strong enough cast to keep things interesting....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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Twenty years ago, Two-time Oscar winner Oliver Stone (Platoon, JFK, Wall Street) finally had the opportunity to direct the grand-scale historical epic which he and several of his directing peers (Scorsese, Kubrick) had been trying to helm for decades.....the story of Alexander the Great who once lead a MASSIVE Macedonian Empire which at one point comprised around half of the land mass in the Eastern Hemisphere during ancient times. He lived one hell of a life conquering much of the ancient world and here he is played by Colin Farrell (In Bruges, The Banshees of Inisherin, The Penguin) whose casting DID raise some eyebrows at the time of release....especially given that he portrayed this character with his heavy Irish accent. And beyond that, Oscar-winner Angelina Jolie (Girl Interrupted, Salt, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) was cast as his mother Olympias....even though she was only one year older than Farrell at the time. Beyond that, the stellar cast also includes Val Kilmer, Rosario Dawson, Anthony Hopkins, and the late, great Christopher Plummer among several others. Also co-written by Oliver Stone, this would also be THE last big budget film he would helm as the $150 million production was not only a commercial flop but also destroyed by critics at the time of release.
And yet....a few years later, Stone was able to release his own extended "Director's Cut" on DVD (and eventually Blu-Ray) which is considered by many (himself included) to be a far superior version of this story as it includes 40 additional minutes of footage including some extended action sequences. So in reviewing THAT version of this film, let's find out if Alexander DID in fact live up to his title. ;)
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Acclaimed independent filmmaker Sean Baker (The Florida Project, Tangerine) both wrote and directed this dramedy about a Brooklyn sex worker/exotic dancer named Ani (Mikey Madison) who one night meets a wealthy young Russian named Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn) at her club. She dances for him and apparently they hit it off SO well that within a few days, they decide to get married in Vegas. They soon return to Ivan's enormous waterfront mansion to begin married life when suddenly, some unexpected guests (Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan, Yura Borisov) come calling. Well not exactly guests....they actually work for Ivan's father who is VERY powerful and none too pleased about his son getting impulsively married like this. At the request of Ivan's father, they also begin to take steps towards ending this short-lived marriage....and needless to say, Ani has some things to say about that. And from there, things just get crazier and crazier....
Ever since unexpectedly winning the highly prestigious "Palme d'Or" award back in May, this film has received a steady stream of acclaim and additional awards attention to the point where it is now considered one of the front-runners for this year's Oscar race, especially Mikey Madison (Once Upon a Day In Hollywood) who is very likely to win Best Actress at the Oscar's next year for a performance which has many convinced that she is on her way towards becoming a movie star! Let see if it lives up to the hype......
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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The Griswalds Are Back! Only this time, they're staying home for Christmas in this third entry of the highly popular "National Lampoon's Vacation" which started in the early '80s. Chevy Chase once again returns as the enduringly hapless Clark Griswald while Beverly D'Angelo also returns as Ellen Griswald, his long-suffering wife. And for the third film in a row, their children Audrey (Juliette Lewis) and Rusty (Johnny Galecki) are played by ENTIRELY different actors. They also have loads of extended family visiting including in-laws played by Randy Quaid, Doris Roberts, EG Marshall, Diane Ladd, William Hickey, John Randolph, and Miriam Flynn. Of course with a full house, loads of holiday chaos ensues including rogue squirrels, dried-out turkeys, and super-charged cats! Celebrating its 35th Anniversary, let's revisit this beloved holiday comedy directed by Jeremiah Chechick and both written and produced by the late great John Hughes.
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Coming out more than sixteen years after its beloved predecessor (2001: A Space Odyssey), this might have been the very first "Legacy Sequel." Also whereas the first film was directed by the late great cinema legend Stanley Kubrick, this one was helmed by journeyman director Peter Hyams (Running Scared, Capricorn One, Timecop) who in tandem with the author (Arthur C. Clarke) of the original source material was determined to craft a more conventional story as opposed to the ground-breaking 1968 classic which was much more abstract in it structure and tone.
Picking up nine years after the events of that first film, we follow Dr. Heywood Floyd (Roy Scheider) who planned that previous mission of the USS Discovery to Jupiter where those onboard discovered the mysterious "Monolith." Dr. Floyd is determined to find out what exactly transpired so he hitches a ride with a Soviet mission there commanded by Captain Tanya Kirbuk (Helen Mirren). And what they eventually encounter and discover is...."something wonderful?" Also along for the ride are John Lithgow, Bob Balaban, and Elya Baskin in an epic sci-fi adventure which might not approach the majesty of its predecessor but actually holds up better as pure entertainment, now forty years after it was first released in theaters.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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This is the semi-autobiographical musical story of Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider), a legendary choreographer/director struggling with various addictions as he juggles developing a new stage musical and editing a film he has directed. And it was directed by legendary choreographer/director Bob Fosse (Cabaret, Lenny) who at the time was dealing with many of the struggles when he wasn't winning multiple Tony Awards and Oscars. It was a true passion project which also attracted a passionate response as it did well at the box office, received mass acclaim, and was also nominated for multiple Oscars including for Best Picture. Scheider was also nominated for Best Actor that year, leading a very talented cast including Ann Reinking, Leland Palmer, Cliff Gorman, Ben Vereen, and Jessica Lange. Jam-packed with several sequences which can be described as sad, sexy, sordid, and joyous, it was quite the original cinematic experience....IT'S SHOWTIME FOLKS!
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What happens when the acclaimed and idiosyncratic director of JFK, Natural Born Killers, and The Doors attempts to direct a conventional sports drama about his favorite sport? Multiple Oscar-winner Oliver Stone showed us back in December 1999 that the result would be clearly anything BUT conventional! And he had quite the cast for this epic tail of a few weeks in the life of the fictional Miami Sharks, a professional football team at a crossroads. They have a hot-headed new owner (Cameron Diaz) trying in to rein their beleaguered veteran coach (Al Pacino) and have also just lost their veteran quarterback (Dennis Quaid) to a severe injury so they have to replace him with a third string quarterback (Jamie Foxx) with something to prove. And what results is a wild 160 minutes of big budget football insanity jam-packed with game-related violence, debauchery, and VERY loud arguments! Also included in this stacked cast are James Woods, LL Cool J, Jim Brown, Aaron Eckhart, Matthew Modine, John C. McGinley, Lela Rochon, Lawrence Taylor, Elizabeth Berkley, AND the late great Charlton Heston. :) It's time to make a run for the Pantheon Cup....
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Fifty years ago, recent Oscar winner Francis Ford Coppola returned to write and direct what was likely one of the most highly anticipated sequels in the history of cinema.....and barely two years after the original film (The Godfather) had set the world by storm not only setting box office records but winning several Oscars including Best Picture. How could any film live up to that? Well in the opinions of most who saw it, THIS one did!
Returning are stars Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, Talia Shire, and John Cazale among several others in this next chapter of The Corleone Saga with Al's Michael now leading one of the most powerful crime families in the country. And this time around, he's expanding his empire further by working out a deal with powerful kingpin Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg) to expand operations into Cuba. Of course, several complications ensue including an attempt on Michael's life which arouses suspicions towards every one around him. From there, things don't go exactly as planned as Michael's fear and paranoia take him into unexpected directions. Along the way during this 3+ hour epic, Coppola also presents us with the origins of Michael's father Vito now played by Robert Deniro. We follow Vito's story from an orphaned kid travelling from his homeland of Italy to New York City and eventually growing into adulthood, building a criminal empire. Considered by many to be even better than its predecessor, this would go on to win six Oscars including Best Picture.
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STRENGTH AND HONOR!The legendary Sir Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner) returns to Ancient Rome to direct this long-awaited sequel to his Best Picture-winning, blockbuster smash from twenty four years ago, Gladiator. This continuation takes place around sixteen years later as the legacy of the both Maximus and the late Emperor Marcus Aurelius has seemingly waned. Rome is now even more corrupt with two childish, manic twin emperors (Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger) now running things as the Roman Empire has stretched itself even thinner under the military leadership of General Acacius (Pedro Pascal)....with bloody, increasingly elaborate gladiator games taking place in the Coliseum now as important as ever!
And into this brutal arena, A Hero Will Rise. :) His name is Lucius and he's a slave played by acclaimed up-and-coming actor Oscar-nominee Paul Mescal (Aftersun, All of Us Strangers) while the promoter who owns and controls him is Macrinus played by multiple Oscar-winner Denzel Washington. Also still in the mix and returning from the first film is Lucilla played by Connie Nielsen (One Hour Photo, Wonder Woman) who seems to recognize this strapping young fighter who's staking Rome by storm....and what results is another swords-and-sandals epic somewhat similar to the first one, only THIS time featuring....sharks? :P
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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Forty years ago this December saw the release of the most popular AND influential action comedies of all time. This was star Eddie Murphy's immediate follow-up to his two breakout hits the previous years, 48 Hrs. in '82 and then Trading Places in '83, only THIS time he was the sole star above the title for the first time. And Eddie did not disappoint with this fish-out-of-water comedy about a Detroit cop named Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) who travels across the country to Beverly Hills to investigate the murder of his best friend. Even though that might not SOUND like the set-up for an comedic film, Murphy's gift for improvisation and a game supporting cast (John Ashton, Judge Reinhold playing two local cops whom he teams up with in Beverly Hills) bring a lot of humor to the proceedings regardless, along with a clever Oscar-nominated script from Daniel Petrie Jr and top-flight helming from director Martin Brest whose follow-up would be the even better Midnight Run four years later. What results are memorable characters, quotable lines, and of course a kicking soundtrack including an iconic synth score from Harold Faultemeyer. The Heat IS On!Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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Closing out a decade comprising two iconic hits (Heat, The Last of the Mohicans), Oscar-nominated director Michael Mann decided to next collaborate with Oscar-winning writer Eric Roth (Forest Gump) on this docudrama about a controversial story which ran at the highly-rated news-program "60 Minutes" just a few years prior. This news segment focused on an interview with "Big Tobacco" whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand (Russel Crowe) and what damaging secrets he was able to review about the questionable business practices of his former employer, Brown & Williamson. Unfortunately this segment didn't air right away resulting from various complicating factors including political concerns at the network (CBS) airing it, ongoing litigation from Brown & Williamson, and Wigand's own personal history coming to light. The producer on this segment and the other key "insider" in this story was 60 Minutes' Lowell Bergman played by Oscar-winner Al Pacino. And what results is a stirring film which was beloved by critics though not by audiences....it would also receive seven Oscar nominations including for Best Picture. It remains one of the best films from a sterling year (1999) for cinema and also featured a stacked cast including Diane Venora, Christopher Plummer, Phillip Baker Hall, Michael Gambon, Debi Mazar, Gina Gershon, and Bruce McGill.
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The Pope has suddenly died and a new one must be elected via a titular conclave as soon as possible at Vatican City. Cardinal Law (Ralph Fiennes) has been tasked with running this conclave and must not only ensure that every viable candidate has been properly vetted but that the nominating and voting processes are fair among all other cardinals. And what results is akin to a courtroom/legal drama with several of the usual trappings including surprise revelations and witnesses. Edward Berger (All Quiet On the Western Front) directs this highly acclaimed new thriller also co-starring John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, and Isabelle Rossellini.
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David Ayers (Suicide Squad, The Beekeeper) directs this brutal war drama which takes place during the last days of World War II along the German front. We follow a crew riding within a tank known as the titular "Fury" which is lead by Brad Pitt's grizzled veteran nick-named "Wardaddy." Pitt leads a stellar cast including Michael Pena, Shia LeBouf, Jon Bernthal and Logan Lerman, the latter of whom plays Norman who becomes the audience avatar as he has just joined this crew and has never experienced combat before. What results is a grisly adventure featuring several intense combat sequences ALL depicted from the vantage point of this Sherman tank.
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In the grand tradition of such intimate war epics as Dunkirk and Black Hawk Down, Oscar-winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Skyfall) directed this ground-level journey of two young British army privates (Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay) who are sent on an urgent mission during World War I to deliver a message that will hopefully stop 1,600 men from walking straight into a deadly trap set by the enemy. And everything which transpires on-screen is conducted within ONE continuous shot. :o One of the more acclaimed and successful war epics of recent years, this film nonetheless was dismissed by several as relying more on its central conceit than telling a compelling story....it was also nominated for ten Oscars including Best Picture, and ended up winning three. Let's embark on this harrowing mission with Lance Corporals Blake and Schofield to see how this holds up five years after it was released.....
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DIVORCE WEEK continues (and concludes) with this game-changing domestic drama directed by Robert Benton (Places in the Heart, Nobody's Fool) which not only nominated for nine Oscars but would also win five Oscars including Best Picture for 1979. Starring as the titular Kramer's are Dustin Hoffman as Ted and Meryl Streep as Joanna - they are a young married couple living in New York City with their young son Billy (Justin Henry) and suddenly one day, Joanna decides to leave. What results is a tense situation involving not only Ted attempting to connect with Billy as a single father but their eventual divorce, including a custody battle over their son. All three stars were also nominated for Oscars along with Jane Alexander who co-stars as Margaret, a family friend who gets caught in the middle of this conflict. This film was also a cultural phenomenon at the time of its release, also becoming the highest grossing box office hit of 1979.
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What happens when you take one of Hollywood's most popular on-screen couples at the time and pin them against each other in a movie about divorce? Thirty-five years ago, newly minted director (and co-star) Danny DeVito was apparently the first to attempt to answer that question....and he did so with the big-time movie star pairing which he had co-starred recently in two popular romantic action comedies (Romancing the Stone, Jewel of the Nile). That would be Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner who play Oliver and Barbara Rose....they were once madly in love but apparently one of them no longer feels that way. :o And what results is a dark, nasty, violent, AND quite funny cautionary tale of what happens when two former lovebirds stop getting polite....and start going to war....all within the house they share no less! ;)
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If a very handsome and friendly young veteran named David visited your home one afternoon with a warm smile and some very kind words about your son whom he served with overseas....wouldn't YOU invite him over to stay? That's the main question which kicks off this lean, mean horror thriller directed by aspiring genre master Adam Wingard (You're Next, Godzilla Vs Kong) and starring Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey, Cuckoo) AS David, the titular guest. It was released ten years ago to much acclaim and minimal box office but has become something of a cult phenomenon via cable, streaming, and physical media since then. Also co-starring is modern Scream Queen herself, Maika Monroe (It Follows, Longlegs) as Anna the older teenage daughter of the Peterson family which David stays with. The rest of the family are played by Leland Orser, Sheila Kelly, and Brendan Meyer....and they all start to really like having David around including Anna. But eventually she starts to suspect that all is NOT as it seems with regards to David....he might be hiding some secrets, some potentially VIOLENT secrets. :o And what results is an unforgettable ride sprinkled with throwback vibes to genre classics from the '70's and '80's including a catchy synth soundtrack!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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There's a serial killer around New York city going around murdering people in increasingly bizarre ways while also leaving increasingly minute details behind as clues. Denzel Washington plays the brilliant criminologist Lincoln Rhymes who has been paralyzed from the neck down but can still solve clues while bedridden and Angelina Jolie plays Amelia, a plucky young beat cop-former model with a natural eye for forensics and...yada yada yada...they team up to catch the killer. Directed by Phillip Noyce (Dead Calm, Clear and Present Danger, Sliver), this would end up be the last of SEVERAL thrillers released throughout the 1990's focusing on the hunt for a serial killer. And while it might not hold up to the best (The Silence of the Lambs, Se7en) within this subgenre, it IS somewhat elevated by a stacked cast lead by Denzel and Angelina, also including Ed O'Neil, Queen Latifah, Michael Rooker, Luis Guzman, and Leland Orser.
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LIVE FROM NEW YORK....For any one born after 1975 (or before), "Saturday Night Live" has been an American entertainment institution...an irreverent weekly platform for up-to-the-minute comedy featuring promising performers, many of whom would go on to be massive stars in various media. But it wasn't always that way....and director Jason Reitman (Juno, Up In the Air) has decided to take to that night in October 1975 when it all started. Specifically, this (loosely) presents us with all of the craziness which preceded the first live taping of the show....taking us through the chaotic 90 minutes leading up to when it was first broadcast. We get to spend time with various notable players involved including Lorne Michaels (Gabriel Labelle), Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), Dan Ackroyd (Dylan O'Brien), Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith), Garett Morris (Lamorne Morris), Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman), and John Belushi (Matt Wood), along with so many others. It's all very frantic and chaotic....and funny? Let's find out if this group of players are ready for prime time.....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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ONE TWO, Freddy's coming for you...
THREE FOUR, Better lock your door...Forty years ago this November saw the release of one of the most influential horror films of all time directed by the late, great Wes Craven who would gradually be acknowledged as one of the true masters of the horror genre having directed iconic genre classics before this (The Hills Have Eyes, The Last House on the Left) and after, most notably Scream which would come out twelve years later. And what he created as both writer and director was a truly terrifying concept: An otherworldly monster who could invade your dreams to murder you while you were asleep. :o
That monster was of course Freddy Krueger played by Robert England, sporting a crinkled fedora and most memorably a leather glove with sharpened razor blades protruding from each finger. Freddy was the stuff of nightmares and quickly caught fire as a hugely popular film icon. Fortunately, there were folks on the side of good to fight and hopefully defeat this new evil force....for this first film, they were lead by mild-mannered teenager Nancy played by Heather Langenkamp. And she had help including her father played by John Saxon (Enter the Dragon) and her boyfriend by a young, baby-faced Johnny Depp in his film debut. Let's head on over to Elm Street....
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Michael Douglas, Mullets, and Motorcycles....what else do you need? 🤔
Well you also have the legendary Japanese movie star Ken Takakura, vibrant young Andy Garcia, gorgeous visuals from cinematographer Jan de Bont, sadly the last performance from Yusaka Matsuda, plus THE first great action score from Hans Zimmer. Oh and it's directed by Sir Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator, Thelma & Louise) though you could forgiven for thinking it might have been directed by his late brother Tony at the time...
Because what we have here is a very slick '80's cop thriller loaded with all of the tropes you would expect from this time period: a renegade New York cop (Douglas) and his partner (Garcia) get immersed in a murder investigation which starts in Manhattan and takes them all the way to Osaka where they start bumping up against not only the local law enforcement (Takakura plays the police officer they team up with) but also a Yakuza on the rise lead by a brutal gangster (Matsuda). It's all quite silly, violent, and EXTREMELY entertaining!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Forty years ago this Fall, we saw the release of one of the most influential genre films of the Modern Era, this low-budget sci-fi horror thriller directed by a young upstart named James Cameron....this being his first full-on feature film. It was a simple tale about a mild-mannered young waitress named Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) who unknowingly holds a very unique position to fight a future war against the machines, the imposing cybernetic assassin (Arnold Schwarzenegger) sent back from the future to kill her, and a spirited freedom fighter ALSO sent back from the future to protect her. That freedom fighter's name is Kyle Reese and he's played by Michael Biehn (Aliens, Tombstone) amidst a pretty strong cast including Paul Winfield, Lance Henrickson, and Rick Rossovich. What results is a tight 100 minute LA-based cat-and-mouse set mostly at night featuring lots of intense action set to a VERY iconic score from Brad Fiedel. Dun Dun Dun DUN DUN...indeed!Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, Bram Stoker's Dracula) has finally done it....he has completed his long-in-the-works passion project, an original story which he began developing as far back as the late '70's. It's about the fictional futuristic city of New Rome where a brilliant architect (Adam Driver) has been tasked with redesigning the city to become more like a utopia. The only people standing in his way are the mayor (Giancarlo Esposito), the power-hungry son (Shia LeBouf) of a local industrialist, an attention-starved reporter/socialite (Aubrey Plaza), and......the wrath of critics and festival audiences from around the world who have been savaging this film for the past several months since it first screened at the Cannes Film Festival. :o
Is it really THAT bad, is this another example of a misunderstood masterpiece, or....is the truth somewhere in between? Only one way to find out....let's head to MEGALOPOLIS!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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The FIRST Rule About Fight Club is....
Do NOT TALK About Fight ClubOf course when this action satire directed by David Fincher (Seven, The Social Network) first opened twenty-five years ago to mixed reviews and mediocre box office, it still HEAVILY talked about by a certain segment of the population which just could not get enough of it. It featured two iconic characters played by Brad Pitt and Edward Norton at the peak of the powers plus a surprising turn by Helena Bonham Carter....along with a game supporting cast including Jared Leto, Holt McCallany, and....Meat Loaf. (Yup the singer, you read that right) And the plot? Well to describe it would be violating the first two rules but let's just say that it all kicks off with the wittily narrated tale of one mild-mannered insurance adjustor (Norton) who is simply having trouble getting to sleep at night....he then meets a mysterious figure named Tyler Durden (Pitt), they decide to begin fighting each other for fun.....and mayhem ensues! And lots of soap of course..... Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Thirty years ago, director Curtis Hanson (LA Confidential, 8 Mile) helped introduce us to what was seemed like a very novel concept on-screen for the first time: "MERYL STREEP, ACTION HERO." Up until this point, Streep had already been nominated for multiple awards along with winning several - she was and still IS considered Our Greatest Living Actress who had delivered memorable performances in mostly serious dramas though in more recently years (in the early '90's) had often branched off into comedy including recent gems like Death Becomes Her and Postcards From the Edge. This adventure thriller set alongside the rapids of a river in Montana was the actress' first real stab at action on-screen....and she did not disappoint playing Gail, an expert rower and rafter who was taking her family (David Strathairn, Joseph Mazzello) for a trip on very dangerous river. Of course, things do not go as planned as they soon encounter a couple of armed killers lead by Kevin Bacon who are fleeing a recent robbery. And what results could somewhat be described as "Die Hard on the Rapids" even featuring Streep and crew performing most of their own stunts.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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"Have you ever dreamt of a better version of yourself?"That's not only the tagline for this movie but for the fictional experimental drug which is offer to our main protagonist. Demi Moore (Ghost, Indecent Proposal) plays Elizabeth Sparkle, a middle-aged actress/fitness guru who has been fired from the TV show she hosts on her 50th birthday. She feels rejected, cast aside, and fearful of losing more of what made her a star. And then comes a mysterious invitation to try a black market drug called "The Substance" which offers her a seemingly enticing opportunity to reverse the aging process.....or does it? :o Of course she decides to partake in this experiment and what results is in fact a younger version of herself played by Margaret Qualley (Drive Away Dolls, Poor Things) who names herself Sue. However based on several specific rules laid out for the titular substance , BOTH versions are not scientifically able to walk and breathe at the same time. And needless to say as those rules are NOT followed to the T, several complications ensue.....several NASTY complications.
Winner of the Best Screenplay Award at this year's Cannes Film Festival, this film has received a lot of buzz and acclaim since then. Directed by Coralie Fargeat as a follow up to her cult hit from 2018 named Revenge, this nutso satirical thriller might be best described as Death Becomes Her meets The Fly meets Requiem for a Dream....NOT for the squeamish. ;)
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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When this erotic mystery was first released in the Fall of '89, it was looked upon as a comeback vehicle for legendary actor Al Pacino who stars as beleaguered NYPD detective Frank Keller who is struggling with both alcoholism and the fallout from his recent divorce. And then Frank unearths a new case which catches his interest.....a series of murders which are all linked to dates set up in personal ads AND the classic '50's song, "Sea of Love." He teams up with a fellow detective played by John Goodman to set up a sting to catch this killer....but setting up a series of dates answering similar ads. And wouldn't you know it, Frank meets some one who catches his fancy.....the mysterious Helen played by Ellen Barkin. Only she might be a suspect too. :o And further intrigue results within this generally well-liked throwback thriller directed by Harold Becker (Malice) and written by Richard Price (The Color of Money).
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
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Thirty years ago, this inspiring prison drama based upon a short story by Stephen King was released to thunderous acclaim and weak box office. Over time via strong video/DVD sales and steady play on cable, it built up a very devoted following to the point where it is now ranked #1 among all films rated on IMDB. It's a beloved story focusing on two convicts at Shawshank Prison named Andy (Tim Robbins) and Red (Morgan Freeman) who become very close friends over several decades. Directed by Frank Darabont (The Walking Dead, The Mist), it was also nominated for seven Oscars including Best Picture. You either get busy living for get busy dying....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
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SOMEBODY....STOP HIM!!! Of course we're referring to Stanley Ipkiss played by Jim Carrey once he puts on that mask, the titular mask for this Summer '94 blockbuster smash which was based on a graphic novel of the same name. Directed by Chuck Russell (Eraser) this was released amidst a breakout year for Carrey, smack between blockbusters Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dumb and Dumber. But THIS was the one where he got to stretch a bit....LITERALLY. :) Carrey plays a mild-mannered banker who one night finds a mysterious mask in the dock of the fictious Edge City where he lives. He soon finds out that once he puts on that mask at night, it transform him into a cartoonishly green party animal who can sing, dance, and do impressions with the best of them! Also starring in this comic book adapted comedy is Peter Greene, Peter Riegert, and in her big screen debut Cameron Diaz. It's time to P-A-R-T-Y.....WHY? Because he's GOTTA!!! ;)
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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The Ghost With The Most is BACK! More than thirty-six years after the original cult smash Beetlejuice was released into theaters, director Tim Burton returns along with Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, and Michael Keaton in the titular role. New additions to the cast include Jenna Ortega (Scream 6, Wednesday), Monica Bellucci (Irreversible, Matrix Reloaded), and Justin Theroux (The Leftovers, Mulholland Drive). The plot? Well....let's just say that there are lots of thrills, chills, laughs, and....disco music? :)
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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WHO KNOWS WHAT EVIL LURKS IN THE HEARTS OF MEN?
Thirty years ago this past summer, director Russell Mulcahy (Highlander, Ricochet) presented the answer to that question with a heavily hyped, lavish adaption of the popular radio show and comic strip of the same name from the '30's and 40's.....and audiences didn't seem to care, neither did critics for that matter. However over time, this art-deco fantasy action thriller has garnered a bit of a cult following thanks to it very strong cast, catchy score (from the late, great Jerry Goldsmith) and some undeniably fun images and set pieces. Alec Baldwin stars as Lamont Cranston, millionaire playboy who also moonlights as....The Shadow, fighting crime and getting to the bottom of evil conspiracies throughout his home city of New York. John Lone co-stars as the main villain Shiwan Khan (a distant descendent of Genghis Khan), Penelope Ann Miller also co-stars as mysterious psychic Margo Lane, along with Sir Ian McKellen as her father Dr. Reinhardt Lane. The stacked cast also includes Tim Curry, Jonathan Winters, and Peter Boyle. It's time to find out.....what THE SHADOW knows..... :o
See below for a link to the official Taylor Dane video of a truly original song performed for this film's soundtrack:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXpWfd1BNkQ
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Seventy years ago, Alfred Hitchcock....the Master of Suspense....gave us the ultimate low-key, low-stakes paranoia thriller focusing on laid-up photographer L.B. played by the late great James Stewart. L.B. has a broken leg and is stuck in his non-air-conditioned New York apartment where he has apparently has nothing better to do than.....watch. Watch his neighbors that is as he lives in the middle of a open courtyard surrounded on all sides by other apartments....especially one apartment across the way where he THINKS he might have witnessed a murder. :o And not only does he keep watching, he ropes in others into this pseudo-investigation including his caretaker played by Thelma Ritter and his girlfriend played by Grace Kelly. What results is a highly influential masterpiece which remains one of Hitchcock's biggest successes....let's see how well it holds up!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
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Thirty years ago, this in-your-face violent satire of murder and media consumption was released to a mixture of acclaim and controversy. Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone (Platoon, Wall Street) presented us with the story of Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory (Juliette Lewis), two crazy lovers who are on a murder spree across the country. What results is not only a national manhunt for them leading to incarceration at a prison lead but a brutal warden (Tommy Lee Jones) but a full-on media circus, with the host (Robert Downey Jr.) of a popular true-crime show at the center of it. What results is a nutso movie which divided both critics and audiences alike, while also remaining a time capsule of one particular era when the likes of Joey Buttafuoco or Lorena Bobbitt became household names.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
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Once Upon a Time in Nazi-Occupied France....
A beloved filmmaker (Quentin Tarantino) directed his first epic period piece just LOOSELY (very loosely) based upon true events....meaning World War II. We follow several different characters all within France at the time including Shoshanna (Melanie Laurent) a Jewish movie theater owner, Lt. Aldo Raines (Brad Pitt), the leader of a small roving grope of Allied soldiers known as "The Basterds," Archie Hickock (Michael Fassbender) a sharp British soldier on a very dangerous spy mission, and the evil Colonel Hans Landa who is hunting for all of them. Landa is played by Christoph Walz in a breakout performance which would win him the first of two Oscars. (He would win his other for a supporting performance in the next Tarantino film.) As their stories converge, we witness plenty of treachery, deceit, and a generous share of Nazi scalps along the way. :o This film came out fifteen years ago this month, was a box office smash, and was nominated for eight Oscars including Best Picture.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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It has been more than seven years since the last entry in the long-running franchise was released....and lord knows how long has it been since we actually saw a GOOD Alien film? (Just one person's opinion) Well the xenomorph is BACK and the titular creature has brought its friends including several "face-huggers." :o And they're ALL after a rag-tag group of young colonists who just want to escape their dreary mining colony for a better world where there is actually daylight. Their ticket to finding a new home is apparently on a nearby decommissioned (and seemingly abandoned) space station floating nearby in space....but not just ANY space station. It's a massive ship called The Romulus and it happened to be run by The Company....and there happened to be some very questionable experiments occurring on-board....with some VERY questionable alien life forms. Needless to say, things get hairy for every one on board lead by Rain played by Cailee Spaeny (Civil War) and her "synthetic" adopted brother Andy played by David Jonsson (HBO's "Industry"). Fede Alvarez (Don't Breathe) directs this sequel/prequel and once again let's find out once again as to whether....in space.....NO one can hear you scream....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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***For much of August, we will be taking a break to get our proverbial batteries recharged - we'll be back to releasing new episodes before the end of the month.
In the meantime, enjoy this special episode going back through our catalog of more than 330 episodes to rank THE TOP TEN VILLIAN PERFORMANCES OF THE 1990'S!***Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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***For much of August, we will be taking a break to get our proverbial batteries recharged - we'll be back to releasing new episodes before the end of the month.
Forty-five years ago, one of The Greatest and Most Influential Science Fiction and Horror films was first released. And now to celebrate the release of the latest entry in the long-running Alien saga - Alien: Romulus - here is a newly remastered review of the original with a few extra features.***
This was only the second feature to be directed by Sir Ridley Scott near the beginning of what would eventually become an illustrious career including Gladiator, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, and The Martian.
The story follows the crew of the Nostromo, a mining ship in outer space in the future which is called to answer a distress call on a nearby planet (LV-426) and once on that planet, they of course get more than they bargained for….eventually meeting the eponymous Alien. :o It stars Tom Skerritt as Dallas, the Captain of this crew along with Sigourney Weaver in her first major role and the one which made her a star…..as Lieutenant Ellen Ripley.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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***For the next couple of weeks, we will be taking a break to get our proverbial batteries recharged - we'll be back to releasing new episodes before the end of the month.
In the meantime, enjoy this special episode going back through our catalog of more than 330 episodes to rank THE TOP TEN VILLIAN PERFORMANCES OF THE 1980'S! Other decade lists to come.....***Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Forty-five years ago in the wake of the record-breaking success of the original Star Wars, the folks at EON Productions lead by the late, great Albert Broccoli decided to take their long-running James Bond franchise in a somewhat different direction.....IN SPACE!!! :) Yes THIS is the one where Agent 007 (Roger Moore) goes to space, though to be fair not until the third act. Directed by Lewis Gilbert (The Spy Who Loved Me), this actually had a pretty similar plot to previous Bond entries like 'Spy Who Loved Me or his other previous film You Only Live Twice: evil billionaire and space maven Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale) has designs on taking over the world....by wiping out the human race with a rare toxin found in the jungles of Brazil, then to be repopulated by a new race of people lead by him up in space. :o Yup it's pretty nutty but it was a huge hit at the time and did manage to entertain.....
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Sixty years, this might have very well been released as THE first franchise blockbuster. It was the third entry in the James Bond franchise (adapted from a series of best-selling spy novels authored by Ian Fleming) which had been rapidly growing in popularity around the world. Helmed by then up-and-coming British director Guy Hamilton, it featured the return of James Bond, Agent 007 of the British Secret Service, once again played by the late great Sir Sean Connery. This time around, he's on a unique mission mostly set within the United States, trying to investigate and eventually take down a plot by the titular Auric Goldfinger (Gert Frobe) to potentially take control of the worldwide gold market....and it just gets crazier from there with henchmen named Odd Job, mysterious women named Pussy Galore, and a spanking new Aston Martin DB5 featuring lots of cool new gadgets. :)
Host: Geoff Gershon
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It only took 28 years but we have FINALLY got a sequel to the beloved mid '90's disaster blockbuster Twister....only is it really? There are no returning characters, only a returning device named Dorothy....and of course several big tornadoes. ;) So yes once again we are following storm-chasers around Tornado Alley not only attempting to figure out new ways to monitor these increasingly destructive storms but also maybe to stop them. The cast is lead by Daisy Edgar-Jones (Where the Crawdads Sing, Normal People) who plays Kate, a "retired" young storm-chaser from Oklahoma who is now getting back into the game after several years of working a desk job in the aftermath of a tragic incident which occurred when she was chasing tornadoes as a grad student. Helping to bring her back is old classmate Javi played by Anthony Ramos (In the Heights) who has landed some newfangled technology which might help them in their ongoing mission to "tame" tornadoes. And along the way, Kate also strikes up a possible romance with the charismatic Tyler (Glen Powell), a YouTube star who also fancies himself as the ultimate "Tornado Wrangler." And needless to say, they all deal with a LOT of bad weather. Oscar-nominee Lee Isaac Chung (Minari) directs our return to The Suck Zone.....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
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Throughout the illustrious career of Oscar-winning director James Cameron (Titanic, Avatar), this remains his ONLY film which can be considered a financial failure. It was his very much his first "blank check" project following the mega one-two punch of The Terminator and Aliens which were his previous two films. Like those two beloved hits, he was once again crafting a sci-fi thriller but this time around.....this particular story didn't take place on land nor in space.
THIS harrowing action thriller - about a marooned deep sea-drilling team lead by the estranged couple of Bud (Ed Harris) and Lindsey (Mary Elizabeth) who all find themselves marooned more than two miles under the surface of the Pacific Ocean - takes place almost entirely underwater but beyond that, more than 60% of the production was filmed UNDER water. For Cameron, this was not only his first big budget production but he was attempting to film extensive underwater sequences on a scale never done before. As a result, the troubled shoot not only went well beyond its planned production schedule but also significantly over budget.
Many cast and crew were miserable, often submerged under water for longer periods than they were comfortable - fortunately no lives were lost but a couple came close. In the middle of a record-breaking summer at the box office lead by the likes of Batman or Indiana Jones, this film opened to middling reviews and disappointing box office. It ended up winning an Oscar for Best Visual Effects and its legacy eventually grew as one of Cameron's most personal films. So now thirty-five years after it was first released, the time has come to revisit.....The Abyss.
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Right smack in the middle of his run of playing James Bond in four consecutive movies, Pierce Brosnan took a SLIGHT detour in this remake of a sorta-classic from 1968, the romantic thriller of the same name starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. This is a somewhat modernized remake as we follow the exploits of a billionaire playboy named Thomas Crown (Brosnan) who also moonlights as an art thief....and the crafty art bounty hunter who's on his tail (in more ways than one) Catherine Banning played by Rene Russo. And wouldn't you know it...these two take a liking for each other. Not only that but could THIS be the best Bond-life performance ever given by Brosnan, even better than when he actually played bond? Inquiring minds want to know in this breezy romantic caper directed by John McTiernan. Yes the SAME McTiernan who had directed action classics such as Predator and Die Hard more than a decade prior....who knew that he also had a romantic streak? :)
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
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Will Ferrell starts as the titular Ron Burgundy, a popular San Diego news anchor in the mid '70's who sees his world turned upside down when his station eventually hires a woman(!) to be a potential co-anchor on his news program. Her name is Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), she's excellent at her job, they start dating, they fall in love.....and complications result. This satirical comedy was directed by Adam McKay (Don't Look Up, Talladega Nights) and features a pretty stacked cast of gifted comedic actors including Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Kathryn Hahn, and Fred Willard. It was released twenty years this month and would end up being one of the more quoted comedies of the 21st Century. Let's find out if how it still holds up....Stay Classy, San Diego!
Host: Geoff Gershon
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Frank Oz (What About Bob?, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) directed this satirical showbiz comedy with a truly unique premise: a now desperate movie producer named Bowfinger is positively set on filming a new movie on the fly with a popular movie star named Kit Ramsey....who doesn't know that he's being filmed. :o Bowfinger is played by Steve Martin who also wrote the screenplay and Kit Ramsey is played by Eddie Murphy.....and since they both performed on Saturday Night Live, this was THE first time these comedic titans would join forces on screen. (And unfortunately the last) Beyond that, Bowfinger also recruits several others to film this stealth movie including an very impressionable young actress played by Heather Graham who just came in from the Midwest and a nerdy assistant named Jif who is ALSO played by Eddie Murphy. Of course other complications ensue including Kit's membership in a local cult lead by Terrance Stamp. Throw in some other random stuff including poodles in heels and Laker girls, and.....hilarity ensues!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) is BACK.....for the first time in 30 years no less. :o We return to the ongoing adventures of the fast-talking, unflappable Detroit police detective who keeps finding excuses to visit Beverly Hills....this time to attempt to help out his now-grown daughter (Taylor Paige) who is now a defense attorney and his old friend Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) who is now a private detective working with her. Also returning are several other beloved characters from the first two Beverly Hills Cop movies in the 1980's including Jeffrey (Paul Reiser), Serge (Bronson Pinchot), and most notably Taggert (John Ashton) who is now the local police chief for Beverly Hills. What results is a throwback action comedy including all of the necessary throwback synth music....including a reprise of the iconic "Axel F" theme. Let's see if the magic is actually back too....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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For the third entry in this successful sci-fi/horror franchise, the story kicks off at the very beginning of this worldwide alien invasion....in New York City, the city that never sleeps. So now these terrifying creatures who are mainly attracted to sound waves....are landing in the ONE place with the most NOISE. :o Our main character this time around is Samira played by Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o who finds herself in the middle of this invasion and we follow her as she attempts to survive....and eventually pairs up with a British law student overseas played by Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things). What results is a contemplative thrill ride as directed by Michael Sarnoski who recently helmed the acclaimed psychodrama Pig starring Nicholas Cage. So once again, remember the main rule: SILENCE equals SURVIVAL.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Twenty-five years ago, this high-energy German-language action thriller started to take the world by storm as it was also released in the U.S. becoming an instant cult phenomenon. The story it quite simple: Manny (Moritz Bliebtreu) is a young drug courier living in Berlin who has just bungled an important money delivery.....he's scared and desperate, so who does his call?? Why his Flaming Red-haired girlfriend...the titular Lola played by Franka Potente. She hangs up the phone and starts to....you guessed.....RUN to help him out And run she does....across Berlin running into a variety of different characters whom she may or may already know....and thus kicks off a relatively short adventure which we see play out multiple times over, each version taking off in different directions. As directed by Tom Tykwer (The International, Cloud Atlas) and with a catchy soundtrack loaded with catchy EDM, what results is is one of the more memorable graduates from the vaunted (cinematic) Class of '99!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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This period crime drama has often been described as "Goodfellas with Motorcyle's" as it chronicles the saga of a Midwestern motorcycle club or "gang" in 1967 adapted from a non-fiction photo-book of the same name. The story focuses on Kathy (Jodie Comer) who is new to this world and has fallen in love with one of the drivers, Benny (Austin Butler) the charismatic, generally quiet biker whom she falls in love with, and Johnny (Tom Hardy) the intimidating leader of this recently formed gang - each of them are loosely based on real people as are several others in this stacked cast including Michael Shannon, Boyd Holbrook, and Norman Reedus. As directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jeff Nichols (Mud, Take Shelter, Midnight Special), we follow their adventures on the road and off....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Directed by the late, great Sidney Lumet (12 Angry Men, Serpico, Network) and in honor of his 100th Birthday (!), this courtroom drama stars the legendary Paul Newman as a semi-alcoholic Boston attorney taking on what might be his most challenging case yet! The family of a pregnant woman - recently sent into a permanent coma in the care of a Catholic-run hospital possibly resulting from the negligence of staff on site caring for her - is now suing said hospital for damages and what results is the textbook definition of a David Vs. Goliath case with Frank on one side and the local Catholic Arch-diocese on the other. Gratefully in Frank's corner is a top legal whiz played by Jack Warden....though leading the defendants is an extremely savvy lawyer played by the late, great James Mason. :o There are legends aplenty in front of and behind the camera of this highly acclaimed legal thriller which was nominated for five Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor! The stacked cast also includes Charlotte Rampling, Lindsey Crouse, Milo O'Shea, and Joe Seneca.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Edited By Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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In honor of Pride Month and celebrating this film's upcoming 30th Anniversary, it's time to embark on the exciting adventures of three drag queens travelling across the Australian Outback on a bus which actually shares its title with this movie. :) This Oscar-winning cult hit was directed by Stephen Elliott and stars Terrance Stamp, Guy Pearce, and Hugo Weaving....yes THAT Hugo Weaving just about five years before his big break as Agent Smith in The Matrix! Everyone's glammed up and wearing fantastically elaborate costumes as they give musical performances (mostly lip syncing the hits) to various audiences wherever they stop. And the eventual goal of this mission? Apparently so one of them can reunite with a key member of his family....it's all very heartwarming, so let's hit the road!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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In honor of the Juneteenth holiday and just in time for the 35th Anniversary of its U.S. release, this is very likely THE signature filmmaking achievement from one of our most important filmmakers. It was written by, directed by , and also happens to start Oscar-winner Spike Lee in a relatively straightforward fictional tale (though loosely based on some true events) of THE hottest day of the summer in one particular neighborhood of New York.....Bedford Stuyvesant in Brooklyn. Spike stars as Mookie who works for Sal played by Danny Aiello - Sal owns and operates the only pizzaria in this particular neighborhood, where his two sons Vito (Ricard Edson) and Pino (John Turturro) also happen to work. One day, a brassy local nicknamed Buggin' Out (Giancarlo Esposito) comes walking into Sal's Pizzaria and starts asking some provocative questions....things get heated between him and Sal and that's JUST the beginning. Enter Radio Raheem played by Bill Nunn along who ALSO has some issues to get off of his chest....and he's not alone. As the day progresses and the heat persists, things get increasingly more tense.....
And what results is a powerful film with a powerful ending which made quite the impact back in the Summer of '89....its impact STILL being felt and discussed today.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
WARNING: There are several racial epithets spoken by characters contained within clips from the movie included in this podcast.
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Just in time for Father's Day, here is a fondly remembered action comedy starring two legends which was first released 45 years ago this month. Those two legends are Peter Falk (TV's Columbo) and Alan Arkin (Oscar-winner for Little Miss Sunshine) who play two VERY different fathers whose respective son and daughter are about to get married. Falk plays Vince who's an agent for the CIA while Arkin plays Sheldon who is a dentist....through a series of unfortunate events, Vince gets Sheldon embroiled in his ongoing effort to take down a global conspiracy to crash the U.S. dollar and hilarity ensues! (It really does.) Directed by Arthur Hiller (Love Story, Silver Streak) and written by Andrew Bergman (Fletch, Blazing Saddles), it's time to go SERPENTINE!!!
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Adapted from the French smash hit of stage screen "La Cage Aux Folles," this raucous farce about two VERY different families about to join via marriage was directed by the late, great Mike Nichols who directed modern classics of various genres including The Graduate, Catch-22, Working Girl, Silkwood, and Carnal Knowledge. It was a smash hit back in the spring of 1996 and was also one of the first Hollywood blockbusters to be lead by gay characters. What helped was that those two leads happened to be the legendary Oscar-winning comedic superstar Robin Williams and the Tony-winning comedic mastermind Nathan Lane who play Armand and Albert who own a successful club in Miami Beach named....you guessed it...The Birdcage. They just found out that their son Val (Dan Futterman) who just got home from college is about get married....to Barbara (Calista Flockhart) who happens to be the daughter of right-wing U.S. Senator Keeley (Oscar-winner Gene Hackman) and his equally right-wing wife played by Oscar-winner Dianne Wiest. And GUESS who's coming to dinner in Miami Beach? :)
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Acclaimed Five Time Oscar-nominated director Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, Boyhood, Before Sunrise) has returned with his latest opus which received a TON of strong buzz on the festival circuit last year....and was then purchased by Netflix and held for a mostly streaming release this year. :/ It's the SEMI-true story of a fake cop named Gary Johnson (Glenn Powell) who worked with the local police to help draw in and apprehend citizens planning on committing murder....by pretending to be a "hit man." Through taking on various disguises and personas, Gary becomes really good at his job until.....one day a potential client comes calling whom he falls in love with. She's Madison (Adria Arjona) and after they meet over the potential murder of her husband.....instead of committing murder, they begin a torrid affair. And of course, further complications ensue....does this live up to the hype of potentially being one of the best films of 2024? Let's find out.....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Thirty years ago, this high-concept action thriller loosely described as "Die Hard on a Bus" surprisingly took the world by storm. It was directed by Jan De Bont (Twister) and stars Keanu Reeves with an uncharacteristically short haircut (for him) as Jack, a young up-and-coming LAPD cop learning the ropes from his more veteran partner Harry played by Jeff Daniels. Together they get roped into a high-rise hostage situation set on an elevator rigged with explosives and after they rescue said hostages, thing just crazier from there! The perpetrator (Dennis Hopper) of this bombing which went awry then ropes them into his next plot....this time with just as many hostages but for even more money.
And THIS time, he has a rigged a bus to explode.....while it traverses the crowded streets of LA....and it will only explode IF the bus drives BELOW 50 MP. :o Enter Annie (Sandra Bullock) who happens to be on this bus.....and then ends up driving the bus as well....Jack gets on the bus to help her and together, they keep finding inventive ways to keep the bus moving around traffic-filled Los Angeles. And chaos ensues....and a love story possibly? What results is one of the more beloved action films of the '90's and only one question remains:
WHAT DO YOU DO? WHAT DO YOU DO?
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Welcome to the Living for the Max series. Over the past 45 years, there has been no other film franchise QUITE as inventive nor as consistently exciting as The Mad Max Saga….four films mostly chronicling the post-apocalyptic adventures of lone wolf Max Roxatansky played three times by Mel Gibson and most recently by Tom Hardy. As each film has been directed by Australian cinematic genius George Miller, they have each reflected his unique vision while also being HUGELY influential on pop culture, more specifically the action genre. So needless to say, new ones don’t come around very often and when they do….it MORE than qualifies as a cinematic EVENT. Therefore over the next several months, I will be revisiting EACH entry of this beloved franchise every month leading up to the U.S. release of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga on May 24!
Well the time has come, the latest installment of this beloved franchise has finally arrived nine years after the previous one. Once again directed by George Miller but this time starring Anya Taylor-Joy (playing a younger version of the title role, taking over from Charlize Theron in the last one) and Chris Hemsworth as a new villain, the demented....Dementus. ;) This time around, we are being told the origin story of Furiosa kicking off with her earlier years as a young girl (Alayla Brown) living in the "Green Place" who is then kidnapped by some marauders who report to Dementus - she also sadly loses her brave mother (Charlee Fraser) in the process as well. And what results is an epic revenge tale set once again in the post-apocalyptic Wasteland of Australia. where we also revisit settings and characters from previous entries. Let's find out if one of the most highly anticipated franchise films of recent years lives up to the hype....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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"The Magic Is Back!"That was the official tagline in the marketing for this highly anticipated sequel to '87's Lethal Weapon when it was first being released just under thirty-five years ago. We were rejoining the story of two very different Los Angeles cops who became friends at the end of the previous film....wild-haired, suicidal widower Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and slowly retiring family man Roger Murtagh (Danny Glover). At a time when the buddy cop action film was a fairly common staple in movie theaters, the first one had received almost universal praise for the performances of these two actors and their undeniable chemistry. So this time around, they're true buddies but they also have new enemies to deal with.....a cabal of South African diplomats who are also running a brutal drug trade on the West Coast, lead by Arjen (Joss Ackland) and Pieter (Derrick O'Connor). And beyond that, they have a new government witness to babysit....Leo Goetz played by Oscar-winner Joe Pesci....could these two new threads intertwine? Let's find out if the magic DID in fact return in this highly successful action sequel once again directed by the late, great Richard Donner.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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COPPOLA WEEK continues! Fifty years ago sandwiched between his two multiple Oscar-winning masterpieces of The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, Francis Ford Coppola finally had studio support to write and direct this passion project which he had been working on since the mid '60's. The story focuses on Harry - a surveillance expert played by Oscar-winner Gene Hackman - who has recorded a mysterious tape of a couple he was assigned to "bug" and hears something concerning on it which sets the plot in motion. The story delves deeply into Harry's mindset as he eventually finds himself in danger....but from whom? This now iconic paranoia thriller was nominated for three Oscars including Best Picture and features a stacked cast surrounding Hackman including Cindy Williams, John Cazale, Robert Duvall, Frederic Forest, Teri Garr, and a pretty young Harrison Ford.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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In time for its upcoming 45th Anniversary, Memorial Day AND the recent resurgence of its Oscar-winning director screening his long-developed passion project (Megalopolis....hopefully coming out later this year), what better time to revisit a film which itself was a long-gestating passion project for Francis Ford Coppola? All of the crazy stories behind its troubled projection have seemingly been remembered as much as the film itself but make no mistake, this Vietnam/Cambodia-set war drama still packs a punch with several memorable sequences including.....one All-Timer scored to Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries?" :o Martin Sheen leads a positively stacked cast including Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper, Laurence Fishburne, Harrison Ford, and a highly memorable turn from Marlon Brando. Let's kick off our Fourth Season (!) with a journey up the Nung River.....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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It's time to return of the most beloved and longest running franchises in cinema, the ongoing chronicles of an alternative timeline in Earth's history when humanity destroyed itself and the apes took over our planet, originally starting with the 1968 classic Planet of the Apes starring Charlton Heston. Coming out seven years after the last entry (War of the Planet of the Apes) which closed out a highly popular and acclaimed trilogy films focusing on the primate protagonist known as Caesar, this story kicks off several generations after that character's passing. The planet is now in fact ruled by apes but several factions have formed including a mild-mannered tribe which raises eagles - this tribe includes our new protagonist Noa (Owen Teague). His village is attacked by a marauding gang of more technologically advanced primates lead by the ambitious Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand) and what results is a challenging journey for Noa to find both his family AND is place in the world. Directed by Wes Ball (The Maze Runner Trilogy) and also co-starring Freya Allen, it's time to see once again if....
Apes Together STRONG!Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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What happens when you combine the directing trio (Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker) behind the spoof smash Airplane , the on-screen debut of one of the beloved movie stars of his generation (Val Kilmer), one of the most acclaimed actors/movie stars of HIS generation (Omar Shariff), satire focusing on World War II spy dramas, musical numbers satirizing Elvis road comedies, one underwater Western saloon fight, AND one extended sequence playing on misperceptions of the Swedish language??
The result is one genuinely wacky comedy which came out just under forty years ago and there has been nothing like it since then. Also co-starring Lucy Gutteridge, Peter Cushing, and Michael Gough, it's time to go skeet surfing OR straighten the rug.....OR to shop at Macy's? :o
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Based on the beloved 1980's TV show starring Lee Majors, this romantic action comedy tells the story of a veteran stuntman Colt (Ryan Gosling), his director Jody (Emily Blunt), and ALL of the craziness which is occurring on and off the set of a major Hollywood production named where the main Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor Johnson) is apparently missing. Directed by former stuntman David Leitch (Atomic Blonde, Bullet Train), this movie is very much a love letter to stunt performers....with lots of other stuff thrown in....including inspired karaoke! :)
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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If you're director Steven Spielberg and producer George Lucas, and you have been tasked with developing a sequel to one of the most beloved and highest grossing action adventures (Raiders of the Lost Ark) of all time, what do you do for a follow-up? Well in this case, you go broader, sillier, and DEFINITELY creepier! :o And apparently, you piss off millions of parents who were ok taking their children to see faces melting off on-screen for the previous one but draw the line at seeing some one rip the beating heart out of a man's chest! :o
What resulted was the PG-13 rating and one of the highest grossing blockbusters of the '80's.....which was also savagely criticized for its high levels of violence and (somewhat justifiably) the cultural insensitivity of several of its characters and its overall setting. And one HELL of a ride featuring several memorable action set pieces and at least ONE beloved side character (Short Round played by future Oscar-winner Ke Huy Quan). So on the verge of its 40th anniversary, how does this movie hold up? Let's find out as Harrison Ford is back as the titular hero along with several new cast-members including Amrish Puri, Roshan Seth, and Kate Capshaw.
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From Oscar-nominated Italian director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name) comes a erotically charged drama about....tennis. At its core is a love triangle among three aspiring professional tennis players played by Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, and Mike Faist. We follow all three characters over a thirteen year period as they struggle through both their athletic careers and their relationships to each other. And playing throughout all of this is high-energy electronic music from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross....what else could you need?? :)
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Welcome to the Living for the Max series. Over the past 45 years, there has been no other film franchise QUITE as inventive nor as consistently exciting as The Mad Max Saga….four films mostly chronicling the post-apocalyptic adventures of lone wolf Max Roxatansky played three times by Mel Gibson and most recently by Tom Hardy. As each film has been directed by Australian cinematic genius George Miller, they have each reflected his unique vision while also being HUGELY influential on pop culture, more specifically the action genre. So needless to say, new ones don’t come around very often and when they do….it MORE than qualifies as a cinematic EVENT. Therefore over the next several months, I will be revisiting EACH entry of this beloved franchise every month leading up to the U.S. release of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga on May 24!
Starring Tom Hardy as the titular Max and Charlize Theron as Furiosa, this might be the most acclaimed (and possibly beloved) action saga of the 21st Century. It tells a simple story of a band of folks attempting to escape enslavement while picking up a couple of strays along the way. ;) One of those strays is Nux played by Nicholas Hoult and he joins a pretty strong extended cast which includes Zoe Kravitz, Riley Keogh, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, and Hugh Keays-Byrne as the frightening main villain, Immorten Joe. :o Also returning as director is the legendary George Miller who received an Oscar nomination for his work, along with nine other Oscar nominations including Best Picture. :) WHAT A LOVELY DAY INDEED!!!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Fifty years ago saw the release of what ended up being one of the more iconic conspiracy thrillers of the 1970's even though it wasn't really a commercial hit upon initial release. Directed by Alan J. Pakula who would go on to direct the even more iconic All The President's Men a couple of years later, it stars Oscar-winning legend Warren Beatty as a journalist working for a small publication in the Pacific Northwest who inadvertently stumbles on a mysterious organization which might have been involved with the recent murder of a U.S. Senator. Once he finds his own life in danger as a result, he decides to attempt to infiltrate this organization and possibly even moonlight as a potential assassin himself to try to expose them and bring them down. And what results is a series of hair-raising situations which will test him in every conceivable way. ;o
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Denzel Washington stars in this intense drama/thriller as Creasey, a sad, alcoholic ex-CIA assassin who finds a new purpose in life as he forms a special friendship with the precocious Pita played by Dakota Fanning. Pita is the daughter of a Mexican industrialist played by Marc Antony who has hired Creasey to serve as a bodyguard since there has been a rash of kidnappings in their area. Tragedy occurs and then Creasey sets off on a brutal mission of revenge where we see his old habits as a trained killer start to manifest themselves. As directed by the late great Tony Scott, this was a film which saw modest success upon initial release twenty years ago but has since gone to grow a significant following.
See below for a link to an alternative ending for this movie as discussed within this review:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5RQWlXoD_s&t=170s
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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The original Die Hard released in 1988 remains one of THE most influential movies of all time as it pretty much set the template for dozens and dozens of action films to follow....just over eight years after it was first released, this was the first one to transport that core story to an ice hockey arena. :)In the lead role of a John McClane-like hero, it starred the "Muscles from Brussels" at the peak of his popularity, Jean Claude Van Damme. And in the critical role of a commanding Hans Gruber-like villain, it starred the reliably charismatic Powers Boothe. One of them holds the lives of more than 17,000 Pittsburgh hockey fans in his hands....and ONE of them stands in his way, WHO will be victorious when the final horn goes off? In the sure hands of journeyman genre director Peter Hyams (Running Scared, Outland), there's only one way to find out!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
HAPPY 300TH EPISODE - Thanks to all listeners and subscribers for your continued support!!! :)
The acclaimed writer/director of Ex Machina and Annihilation has returned to deliver his largest production yet, a dystopian war drama taking place in a possible future where the USA (no longer) is now experiencing its SECOND Civil War as several states have seceded from the Union resulting in an ongoing brutal conflict among several different factions. This story follows four journalists (Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson) as they cover the action in a variety of places around the Northeast on their way to a seminal event expected to occur in Washington, DC. And what results is definitely the most controversial film of 2024 so far.....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Dev Patel, the Oscar-nominated star of acclaimed films such as Slumdog Millionaire and Lion, has become the latest Hollywood actor to take his career in a new direction.....by directing this propulsive revenge action thriller taking place in a fictional city within India modeled on Mumbai. Patel also stars as "Kid" who is a young drifter on a mission to avenge the death of his mother at the hands of corrupt local politicians, gangsters, police, and even religious leaders. And while he's attempting to infiltrate their organization working low-level service jobs, he moonlights as a bare-knuckles fighter on the side ALWAYS wearing a monkey mask....in an attempt to emulate a legend he has known of since he was a kid of Hanuman the Monkey God. Hence the title. ;) And as the story progresses, so does his plan to exact revenge....and the violence predictably escalates as well. Also co-starring in this production are Pitobash, Vipin Sharma, Sobhita Dhulipala, and Sharlto Copley.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Back in the early days of the comic book movies, it was rare to see one released to theaters which was not only financially successful but also generally beloved by fans. There were the Batman films....and then everything else including The Rocketeer, The Shadow, and Dick Tracy. But just under thirty years, one came out which not only proved to be both financially successful and hugely influential for so many other subgenre films which were to follow up but also was being released under unusually tragic circumstances. This was the final on-screen appearance of Brandon Lee who unfortunately died during production as the result of an on-set accident involving the use of a prop gun. It was a shocking turn of events for some one who seemed to have enormous promise as a potential movie star and who also happened to be the son of a legendary movie star (Bruce Lee) who also died under mysterious circumstances almost three decades prior. :(
Under the sure hand of director Alex Proyas, this supernatural revenge thriller turned out better than any one could have expected. It tells the story of Eric Draven, the front man for a local goth rock band in Detroit who is brutally murdered alongside his fiance....but then is brought back temporarily to bring justice to those who wronged him and his lost love. Also co-starring Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott, and Bai Ling, it's time to revisit one of the more beloved comic book adaptations of the '90's...or any decade for that matter.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Thirty-five years ago this May, we first saw the release of a relatively small action drama starring then movie star Patrick Swayze as THE Greatest Bouncer/Cooler around who has been hired to clean up a troubled roadside bar in Missouri named the Double Deuce. The character's name was Dalton and he DID clean up that bar along with the surrounding town of Jasper, defeating the evil Brad Wesley played by Ben Gazzara. Directed by Rowdy Herrington, the movie opened to mediocre reviews and middling box office....but then over time thanks to strong play on cable and even stronger video sales, it became a beloved cult hit.
Now decades later, that original film has garnered such a devoted following that director Doug Liman (Swingers, The Bourne Identity) has decided to remake it in a modern context, this time with acclaimed actor Jake Gyllenhaal (Nightcrawler, Ambulance, Love and Other Drugs) now playing Dalton as a former MMA fighter who has been hired to be a bouncer. The story is now set in the Florida Keys and the main villains are now played by Billy Magnussen and former MMA fight Connor McGregor. Let's review BOTH films and see just how nicely they compare.....until it's time to NOT be Nice. ;)
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Every major filmmaker has to start somewhere....and this Neo-Noir thriller was the feature filmmaking debut for Joel and Ethan Coen forty years ago. Yes the same brothers who have delivered many memorable films since then including Fargo, The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where Art Thou, Inside Llewelyn Davis, and No Country For Old Men for which they won Best Picture at the Oscars. This is the simple story of four people in the heart of Texas: a bar owner (Dan Hedaya), his wife (Frances McDormand), her secret lover (John Getz), and the mysterious stranger (M. Emmet Walsh) hired by the bar owner to spy on them....and possibly more? :o Of course, things get increasingly dicey and violent from there....it's time to revisit one of the more influential thrillers of the 1980's.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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As we approach Baseball Opening Day 2024, what better way to celebrate than to revisit one of the more beloved baseball films of the 1980's, a comedy with heart focusing on a true underdog franchise, the Cleveland Indians? Directed by David S. Ward, the story focuses on one Cinderella season for the ballclub which is now under the control of a new owner (Margaret Whitton) who is determined to have them lose enough games to kill attendance so that she can move the franchise to Miami. Lead by a new manager (James Gammon) and mostly populated with untested rookies, this rag-tag bunch ends up surprising a lot of folks by competing for the American League Pennant. The roster includes Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, Corbin Bernsen, and Rene Russo among several others.....PLAY BALL!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Welcome to the Living for the Max series. Over the past 45 years, there has been no other film franchise QUITE as inventive nor as consistently exciting as The Mad Max Saga….four films mostly chronicling the post-apocalyptic adventures of lone wolf Max Roxatansky played three times by Mel Gibson and most recently by Tom Hardy. As each film has been directed by Australian cinematic genius George Miller, they have each reflected his unique vision while also being HUGELY influential on pop culture, more specifically the action genre. So needless to say, new ones don’t come around very often and when they do….it MORE than qualifies as a cinematic EVENT. Therefore over the next several months, I will be revisiting EACH entry of this beloved franchise every month leading up to the U.S. release of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga on May 24!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
What happens when a top-flight director (Walter Hill - 48 Hours, The Driver) decides to to spearhead a new original story blending various genres including gritty crime drama, rock musical, and star-crossed love story....also setting it within an unrecognizable urban setting and time period? Well the result is one of the more bizarre financial flops of the 1980's which no one at the time truly knew what to make of....not critics, not audiences, not even much of the cast! :)
This "Rock and Roll Fable" tells the story of the mysterious drifter Tom Cody (Michael Pare) and the young lady he loves Ellen Aim played by a very young (at the time) Diane Lane. Ellen leads a fierce rock band known as The Attackers and she herself has been targeted by the villainous Raven played by an also very young (and menacing) Willem Dafoe. This now cult classic is about to turn 40....let's revisit it and hopefully we can get Nowhere Fast! ;)
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Of all of the dozens of post-Pulp Fiction imitators to be released throughout the 1990's, this might be one of the more memorable ones even though it opened roughly 25 years ago to middling box office. It director Doug Liman's follow-up to his seminal indie gem of just three years - Swingers - and while he once again kept the cast young and the locations limited to LA (and Las Vegas), he went a different route with the overall setting and vibe. Whereas Swingers brushed upon swing/cocktail culture (which was a thing back in the mid '90's), this time he shifted the general setting to...Rave Culture. :o The music, the drugs, the dancing....but even moreso any number of crazy situations occurring around it or adjacent to it. Beyond that, there's not much to the plot other than this being one CRAZY night/day for several key characters played by Sarah Polley, Desmond Askew, Taye Diggs, Scott Wolf, Jay Mohr, Katie Holmes, and Timothy Olyphant. Add to that cast notable players including William Fichtner, JE Freeman, Breckin Meyer, AND.....the on-screen debut of a Melissa McCarthy, time to GO!!!
See below for a link to a special video featuring the cast "performing" one of the best needle-drops from the movie:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z4eQ5Jq4_E Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
In the lead-up to St. Patrick's Day, what better time to celebrate than to revisit what is considered by some to be a modern crime drama classic focusing on the Irish mafia? Directed by Phil Joanou (Three O'Clock High), this story focuses on Terry (Sean Penn) who has recently moved back to the old neighborhood - Hell's Kitchen in New York City - and decides to join a "Westie" gang which includes his childhood best friend Jackie (Gary Oldman) and is also lead by Jackie's older brother Frankie played by Ed Harris. Terry also rekindles a romance with his first love Kathleen (Robin Wright) who also happens to be sister to both Jackie and Frankie. Further complicating matters, this Irish gang is currently negotiating a deal with the much larger local Italian mafia with which tensions are very high. :o And everything culminates just in time for St. Patrick's Day! The stacked cast also includes John Turturro, John C. Reilly, Joe Viterelli, and Burgess Meredith.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
What better way to celebrate March Madness than to revisit a basketball movie which actually isn't a basketball movie but does still feature lots of basketball.....sorta? :) Benny and Josh Safdie followed up their breakout success of a couple of years prior - the extremely tense urban thriller Good Time starring Robert Pattinson - with an even TENSER crime thriller starring Adam Sandler as a fast-talking New York jeweler who also happens to be a gambling addict. His habit of betting on NBA basketball games just escalates further and further after he also encounters NBA superstar Kevin Garnett (played by himself) at his store at the same time he receives an extremely valuable stone imported from Ethiopia. And from there, things just get more intense as he makes larger high stakes bets while also using increasingly valuable gems from his store as collateral. This highly acclaimed drama also stars LaKeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Eric Bogosian, and Idina Menzel.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
This is the story of a bored suburban housewife Roberta (Rosanna Arquette) who finds herself drawn to reading personal ads and becomes especially interested in those featuring a mysterious woman named Susan (Madonna) who she ends up sorta stalking. And through a series of unfortunate events, Roberta inadvertently becomes mistaken for Susan while also getting amnesia. :o Along the way she ends up striking up a romance with a charming film projectionist Dez (Aidan Quinn) who happens to be friends with Susan's boyfriend who asked to look after her...also thinking that she is in fact Susan. (Even though she's really Roberta) Toss into the mix a quiet white-haired mob killer (Will Patton) who is on Susan/Roberta's trail seeking stolen a pair of valuable diamond earrings....and chaos ensues. :) Directed by Susan Seidelman (Making Mr Right, She-Devil), it's all very quirky and hopefully charming....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Kicking off Women's History Month, here is a truly unique take on one of the most famous (or infamous) monarchs in the history of French royalty. Kirsten Dunst stars as the eponymous Queen married to King Louis XVI (Jason Schwartzman) - their reign lasted from 1774 through 1793 and happened to be during one of the most tumultuous periods in French history. Though you would be forgiven for not noticing this for most of their story as we watch Marie live a legendarily decadent lifestyle filled with colorful clothes, food, and company.
This was director Sofia Coppola's follow-up to her Oscar-winning smash from three years prior, Lost in Translation, and it was generally looked upon during initial release as a disappointment. Over the past 18 years though, its reputation has grown somewhat thanks to Coppola's inventive direction and her memorable decision to fill the soundtrack with anachronistic New Wave pop music. If nothing else, it's a true original and the stacked cast also includes Judy Davis, Rose Byrne, Jamie Dornan, Asia Argento, and then very baby-faced Tom Hardy. Let Them Eat Cake indeed!!!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Since we are apparently still several years away from the next Star Wars or Star Trek movie on the big screen, director Denis Villeneuve has given us the next best thing....or maybe something even better? :)
This long-awaited sequel to the Oscar nominated sci-fi blockbuster Part 1 picks up EXACTLY where the previous film left off.....Paul (Timothee Chalomet) and Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) now venturing on the desert planet of Arrakis (otherwise known as Dune) with the Fremen tribe lead by Javier Bardem's Stilgar while also becoming getting more acquainted with Chani played by Zendaya. And of course a burgeoning war begins to escalate with the Harkonnens who have violently taken over the desert planet lead by the Baron played by Stellan Skarsgard. Also including in this stacked cast are Florence Pugh, Josh Brolin, Christopher Walken, Dave Bautista, and Austin Butler. LONG LIVE THE FIGHTERS!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
The Coen Brothers are back! Well actually just one of them (Ethan Coen) but he's here to direct while also co-writing and co-producing with his wife and long-term Coen's collaborator Tricia Cooke. And what they have collaborated to deliver is an ambling, quirky, violent crime drama/comedy in the GREAT tradition of previous Coen Brothers' films like Burn After Reading, Fargo, or Raising Arizona.....but is it quite as good as those films?
Well the cast certainly helps as it stars Margaret Qualley (Once Upon A Time in America) and Geraldine Viswanathan (Blockers) as two young ladies who embark on a road trip from Philly to Tallahassee, only to discover that they have a hidden package in their rented car with some VERY sketchy items. :o And of course, there are now various folks chasing after them played by a very stacked cast including Beanie Feldstein, Colman Domingo, Bill Camp, Pedro Pascal, and Matt Damon. So let's find out if this '90's throwback lives up to its pedigree....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Welcome to the Living for the Max series. Over the past 45 years, there has been no other film franchise QUITE as inventive nor as consistently exciting as The Mad Max Saga….four films mostly chronicling the post-apocalyptic adventures of lone wolf Max Roxatansky played three times by Mel Gibson and most recently by Tom Hardy. As everyone has been directed by Australian cinematic genius George Miller, they have each reflected his unique vision while also being HUGELY influential on pop culture, more specifically the action genre. So needless to say, new ones don’t come around very often and when they do….it MORE than qualifies as a cinematic EVENT. Therefore over the next several months, I will be revisiting EACH entry of this beloved franchise every month leading up to the U.S. release of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga on May 24!
And now the SECOND film in this franchise which is considered by many to be the best overall.....well at least was considered to be the best until Mad Max Fury Road came out in 2015. But it's still damn impressive bringing us back to Max who is now a drifter with his own heavily souped up Interceptor wandering around the post-apocalyptic Australian Outback. His character is always on the search for gasoline....as are most others at this point in time which leads to some potential trouble. He finds a massive oil refinery occupied by well-meaning survivors who just want to live in peace. Of course there are more dangerous elements out there who want to take over this oil refinery and they are lead by the evil Lord Humungus played by Kjell Nilsson...and they're not taking any prisoners. :o So here comes Max to try to help them transport their oil to a safer place while avoiding this violent gang which means to overtake them....and what results is a rip-roaring series of action sequences mostly taking place on the open road! Also co-starring are Bruce Spence, Michael Preston, Emil Minty, and Vernon Wells.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Considering that he was one of the most influential musical performers of the 20th Century pioneering an entire genre (reggae) of music, it was only a matter of time before we were to see a big budget studio of biopic of the late, great Robert Nesta Marley hailing from Nine Mile, Jamaica. His life was tragically short but his music has lived on decades after his untimely passing in 1981. This film directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard, We Own This City) focuses on a few critical years of his later life in the mid to late '70's which includes some big events in his life including an assassination attempt on him in 1976 and his eventual performance in important One Love peace concert in Jamaica in 1978. Kingsley Ben-Adir (One Night In Miami, Barbie) stars as the titular musical legend and Lashana Lynch (No Time To Die, The Woman King) co-stars as his wife, Rita Marley.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Probably the best way to describe this movie would be as a "Kung Fu Musical Comedy" but that MIGHT not do it justice! Produced by the founder of Motown Records (Berry Gordy) and directed by one of the early pioneers of African American cinema (Michael Schultz), it was a tale as old as time....of Bruce Leroy (Taimak), a young aspiring martial artist from New York City who aspires to become as accomplished as his idol, the legendary Bruce Lee. Of course, some folks stand in the way of our hero achieving his goal, mainly a local Kung Fu bully Sho'Nuff (Julius Carry III) and a local gangster, Eddie Arcadian played by Christopher Murney. Beyond that, he also might be falling in love with the host of a local music video show, the luminous Laura Charles played by the late, great Vanity. And what results is an enduring cult classic which could ONLY come out during the 1980's featuring loads of memorable fighting, music, and hijinks....all geared towards answering one critical question: "WHO is the MASTER??" Let's find out.....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Just a couple of years before the breakout success of his seminal horror classic, John Carpenter directed this low-budget action thriller focusing on the siege of a soon-to-be-closing LA police station by a some local gangs who are trying to take down a rival gang-leader being held in custody by the police. As the gun fire and violence escalate, every one inside - both cops and criminals - eventually team up to defend themslves and hopefully survive through the morning. This highly influential cult classic stars Austin Stoker, Darwin Joston, Laurie Zimmer, and Tony Burton.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Poor Things is a high-brow steam-punk fantasy which just garnered the second largest number of Oscar nominations for 2023 including BEST PICTURE and has received universal acclaim for this surrealist tale of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone, also nominated for Best Actress), a young woman in Victorian England (?) who has recently been reborn/revived via a series of questionable experiments by a mad scientist Dr. Godwin played by Willem Dafoe. We follow her on several adventures throughout Europe as she explores what it means to be a free-thinking human being. It was directed by acclaimed Polish filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos whose previous film The Favourite also garnered several Oscar nominations five years ago.
Showgirls is a trashy exploitation melodrama which was universally panned upon initial release in '95 while also flopping notoriously at the box office, also receiving multiple Razzie Awards for that year. This story focuses on Nomi Malone (Elizabeth Berkley, who was blamed for its failure and whose career never quite recovered afterwards) who is a wandering dancer (?) who stumbles into Las Vegas seeking fame and fortune, working her way up from an exotic dancer at a sleazy local club to an all-out phenomenon leading THE premiere exotic dance show in Vegas! We follow her character as she navigates through various dangerous and tawdry situations towards becoming.....well it's not really clear. :o This film was directed by Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven who had recently given us Basic Instinct and Total Recall....though from this film on, he was never able to find that level of success in the US again.
Now what could these two films possibly have in common? Well more than you would think, especially the extreme reactions they each seem to elicit from audiences...
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Once the Queen of Rom-Com's, Julia Roberts returned to the genre which made her a household name fifteen years ago and she also reuinited with Clive Owen, her co-star of Closer, their acclaimed drama about about five years prior. And they were both being directed by Tony Gilroy who just about 18 months prior had directed the seminal legal thriller Michael Clayton. It also featured the promising premise of a romantic partnership between an ex-CIA agent (Roberts) and ex-MI6 agent (Owen) joining forces to pull a double cross on two dueling pharmaceutical companies who are they are each now running security for....with the heads of those companies are played by Oscar-nominated acting forces Paul Giamatti and Tom Wilkinson. (RIP) And......nobody really cared nor liked it?? Let's examine why and IF this romantic caper's weak reception was deserved or not.....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Forty years ago this summer, we saw the release of this seminal biopic/concert movie from first-time director Albert Magnoli. It was the feature film debut of Prince who was a rising rock and pop phenomenon at the time and it featured wall-to-wall new songs from Prince and his band at the time, The Revolution. Both the film and its soundtrack became instant phenomenons launching the late, great Prince Rogers Nelson into the stratosphere of all-time musical legends!
The story is only loosely based on his life and it focuses on the The Kid (Prince) who leads an aspiring rock band in Minneapolis and is struggling with both a brutal homelife (he lives with his abusive father played by Clarence Williams III) and just finding his voice as an artist. Also co-starring are Apollonia Kotero as the woman he falls for and Morris Day as his chief musical rival. Let's Go Crazy for a time When Doves Cry. ;)
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Fifteen years ago, we saw the release of one of THE most surprising word-of-mouth hits of the 21st Century and that was this straightforward action thriller directed by Pierre Morel. It starred Oscar Nominee Liam Neeson as Brian Mills, an ex-spy/assassin with a "particular set of skills" who has just found out that his teenage daughter (Maggie Grace) was "taken" while on vacation with her friend in Paris. So he then single-handedly embarks on a dangerous mission to not only find her but to bring her kidnappers to justice. :o And what results is a memorable series of sequences featuring our hero taking out the (Euro) Trash. ;) Will Brian find his daughter before it's too late?? Stay tuned.....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Welcome to the Living for the Max series. Over the past 45 years, there has been no other film franchise QUITE as inventive nor as consistently exciting as The Mad Max Saga….four films mostly chronicling the post-apocalyptic adventures of lone wolf Max Roxatansky played three times by Mel Gibson and most recently by Tom Hardy. As everyone has been directed by Australian cinematic genius George Miller, they have each reflected his unique vision while also being HUGELY influential on pop culture, more specifically the action genre. So needless to say, new ones don’t come around very often and when they do….it MORE than qualifies as a cinematic EVENT. Therefore over the next several months, I will be revisiting EACH entry of this beloved franchise every month leading up to the U.S. release of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga on May 24!
Let's kick things off with the original Australian-produced action thriller which was not only the on-screen debut for Mel Gibson but the first feature film to be directed by George Miller. And it's a relatively simple story focusing an ongoing war in headed-towards-dystopia-Australia between a brutal motorcycle gangs of marauders and leather-clad highway patrolmen who are still trying to keep the streets safe. This is where we meet one of those patrolmen....a simple family man Max played by Gibson......BEFORE he gets Mad. :o
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Ten years ago at the Sundance Film Festival, every one who saw it was just dazzled by this low-budget music drama directed by then up-and-comer Damian Chazelle. And as the year progressed, so did more buzz before it was eventually released worldwide later that year to much acclaim and lots of awards attention. In fact, this film ended up being nominated for five Oscars including Best Picture and ended up winning three, including for Best Supporting Actor. J.K. Simmons won that award for playing the highly memorable Fletcher, a jazz professor who takes one new student under his wing.....sort of. :) That student would be the highly motivated and gifted Andrew played by Miles Teller - he's a drummer with only ONE goal: to become the best! And Fletcher wants him to become the best....but at what cost? What results is one of the more unique stories of a prodigy and his mentor.....which goes to some dark places. So let's find out who's rushing, who's dragging, and WHO'S playing out of tune....
WARNING: There are some racial and homophobic epithets spoken within clips from the movie included in this podcast.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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NAVAL WEEK concludes with a highly acclaimed period seafaring adventure which just turned 20!
Adapted from a series of beloved historical fiction novels from Patrick O'Brian, this film chronicles the journey of the HMS Surprise, a British seafaring vessel sailing across the Southern Hemisphere and in a continuous cat-and-mouse with the French Navy, this being during the height of the Napoleonic Wars in the 1800's. This ship and crew are lead by Captain Jack Aubrey played by Russell Crowe and the physician on board (and Aubrey's best friend) is Dr. Stephen Maturin played by Paul Bettany. We watch them embark on a series of adventures through choppy waters, blistering heat, conflict amongst the crew, and a continuous cat-and-mouse with a more intimidating French vessel known as the Acheron.
Along the way, we get to know Jack, Stephen, and the rest of their spirited crew very well with every aspect of this story and setting being portrayed with an impressive level of historical authenticity thanks to director Peter Weir. This film received ten Oscar nominations including Best Picture, though it ended up losing most of them to the Lord of the Rings; Return of the King awards juggernaut that same year. So let's set sail and see if the weather gage....and Surprise....are on our side! ;)
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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NAVAL WEEK kicks off with what might be The LAST Great Cold War Thriller??
Could be as this adaptation of Tom Clancy's best-selling novel was released literally just a few months after the fall of the Soviet Union. It all takes place during the height of the Cold War back in the early 1980's. There's a brand new Russian submarine in the water which can be apparently run silent and it's lead by Captain Ramius played by Sean Connery....who COULD pass for Russian right? :o Regardless, rumors start to fly among both the Russian and American Navies that he might have gone rogue....resulting a cat-and-mouse out there on the Atlantic Ocean between both naval fleets to find his ship (called The Red October) so that they can find out the truth before it's too late! And inadvertently leading this chase is Jack Ryan, CIA analysis played by Alec Baldwin - he has suspicions that Ramius might NOT be going rogue and what results is a pulse-pounding suspense thriller directed by action-master John McTiernan as his follow-up to Die Hard two years prior. The all-star cast also includes James Earl Jones, Scott Glenn, Sam Neill, Courtney B. Vance, and Stellan Skaarsgard among several others.....THE HUNT IS ON!!!
See below for a link to a video citing the actual translated lyrics to the catchy "Hymm to Red October" theme....just in case you were always curious. :)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRG1UixHvosHost & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
What's this, a well-regarded science fiction conspiracy thriller which featured an all-star cast and yet no one remembers it?? Well yeah if this film happens to come out the same year as Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind....two BEHEMETHS from this era directed by master filmmakers/household names George Lucas and Stephen Spielberg respectively. Whereas this was directed by Peter Hyams....who actually built up a nice filmography himself over the next ten years including Running Scared, Outland, and 2010: The Year We Make Contact. And this being his breakout success which he also wrote, it has ONE hell of a doozy of a plot....
Three astronauts (James Brolin, Sam Waterston, O.J. Simpson) are about to embark on a TRULY historic adventure, THE first manned mission to the planet of Mars! Except they're not actually going to Mars....they're supposed to stay on Earth and ONLY they are to know this. Hmmm....it's a massive space program conspiracy lead by the late, great Hal Holbrook who is orchestrating it from NASA. Fortunately there is ONE brave reporter who is out to uncover the truth and he's played by Elliott Gould. :) And of course don't underestimate the crazy aerial hijinks of a crazy crop-duster pilot played by the late, great Telly Savalas too while you're you're at it. :) Admit to yourself that it sounds intriguing.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Forty years ago amidst a crop of various pop music-driven movies (Flashdance, Breakin), this Herbert Ross-directed teen musical drama hit the world by storm and made a star of its lead performer, the legendary Kevin Bacon. Beyond that, it also had a one of the most memorable soundtracks of the decades featuring several catchy pop gems including the EXTREMELY popular title track from Kenny Loggins. It's generally a simple story of the new kid (Bacon) from the big city who has just moved to a smalltown with his single mother....and discovers to his dismay, that his favorite activity of dancing is NOT allowed in this town for pretty controversial reasons. Amidst a very strong cast including John Lithgow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dianne Weist, Lori Singer, and the late great Chris Penn.....we watch as he gradually changes things in this town for the better....with the help of several new friends no less. And of course, there's LOTS of dancing.....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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From the director of The French Connection, The Exorcist, and.....Cruising :o....this was somewhat of a comeback vehicle for the late, great William Friedkin in the mid '80's after a series of highly publicized flops and commercial disappointments. It's a hard-edged LA-based crime story revolving around two Secret Service agents (William Peterson, John Pankow) attempting to take down the ruthless California King of Counterfeiting played by a then baby-faced Willem Dafoe. And along the way there are no shortage of violent scrapes and shootouts along with loads of gratuitous nudity...and the whole thing is scored by pop band Wang Chung no less! Yes it's time to revisit a true product of its time which also co-stars Dean Stockwell, John Turturro, Darlene Fluegel, and John Turturro in one of his earliest on-screen roles.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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For the first time in more then eight years, the legendary Michael Mann (Heat, The Insider, The Last of the Mohicans) has returned to the director's chair with a project which he has been developing for more than two decades. This is the epic story of Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver) the Italian racer/industrialist who would forever revolutionize both car manufacturing and auto-racing. Only this is isn't his WHOLE story - this film actually focuses on just a few months from his life, though at a very critical time....mainly the Summer of 1957. We watch as the real-life subject of this story deals with not only various challenges related to the solvency of his company but his many personal struggles including dealing with the aftermath of the death of his son. Penelope Cruz co-stars as Laura, his wife, as does Shailene Woodly as Lina....his OTHER wife? Sort of...needless to say, his personal life is complicated as will be the analysis of what was definitely among the most anticipated films of 2023......
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Many would consider Denzel Washington to be our Greatest Living Actor....Period and as part of this podcast's year tradition to celebrate his birthday (December 29), we will revisit one of the lesser-known starring vehicles from early in his career which is this Jamaica-based mystery thriller directed by Carl Schenkel. Denzel stars as the local police chief of a Jamaican resort community who is investigating a murder....with his childhood best friend (Robert Townsend) being the prime suspect...or is he? Along the way there are loads of gorgeous locations, lively music, and a strong supporting cast which includes Sheryl Lee Ralph, M. Emmett Walsh, James Fox, Art Evans, Esther Rolle, and Mimi Rogers. You ain't seen NOTHING but....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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First-director Cordell Jefferson helms this highly acclaimed new comedy/drama starring Jeffrey Wright as a veteran author struggling to find success and also coping with some upheaval within his family back home in Boston - his siblings are played by Sterling K. Brown and Tracee Ellis Ross. His literary agent is played by John Ortiz who has challenged him to write a novel with better commercial prospects,...something more overtly "black." This result is a book filled with racial stereotypes....which unexpectedly becomes a massive success. And what results is a movie that's both funny and touching, with a showcase performance by Wright at its center.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Todd Haynes (Carol, Far From Heaven) directs this domestic drama/psychological thriller starring Oscar-winner Julianne Moore as a suburban woman who had an affair with an underage boy more than twenty years prior and ended up marrying him after she was eventually released from prison. This young boy has grown up into Charles Melton (Riverdale) and the two eventually had a family....now with three teenagers, two of whom are about to graduated high school. Their lives together have seemingly become more mundane now more than two decades removed from scandal....but complicating matters is the introduction of Elizabeth (Oscar-winner Natalie Portman) who is a TV actress who has come to visit them for an extended period of time. She will soon be starring in a film production recounting their affair so she has taken it upon herself to not only "study" Gracie as a person but to become involved with every one else in their lives. And what results is a truly unique story of love, loss, and regret which is unlike anything else you might have seen in recent years....and it's playing on Netflix!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Sam Email (who was the creator of the popular drama "Mr. Robot") directs only his second feature film adapting the 2020 novel of the same name from Rumaan Alam. This is a story of one New York City family (lead by Oscar winner Julia Roberts, Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke) who rents a nice home on Long Island to get away for the weekend....and the father (Two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali) who owns this home returning unexpectedly with his daughter (Myha'la) to also stay there for the weekend. And this is because there has been a blackout in New York City where the father and daughter were attending a symphony.....only it seems that there is MUCH more going down than just this blackout. :o Many disturbing things start to occur outside and to the folks in this house....and as every one becomes increasingly disconnected from the rest of the world, they start to wonder just how massive this event which is occurring happens to be.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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CHRISTMAS MOVIE WEEK 2023 continues! And this second episode happens to focus on a strange, little studio holiday-themed comedy which actually came out thirty years ago this coming Easter....
It stars previous stand-up comedian Denis Leary in his first starring role in a feature film - he plays Gus, a career thief who is robbing the homes of some wealthy residents in a snowy New England town when suddenly he's about to be caught.....so he ends up on the lam with a local couple (Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis) and keeping them hostage in their home while he tries to figure out how to skip town while avoiding the cops. Of course this isn't just ANY couple....they're on the verge of divorce, CONSTANTLY arguing even when in his armed presence. So while trying to figure out what to do and keeping tabs on them, he in essence becomes their.....REF so to say. :) And what results is a raucous R-rated Christmas comedy directed by the late, great Ted Demme.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
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It's CHRISTMAS MOVIE WEEK 2023, Season's Greetings!!!
What better way to kick things off than the much-anticipated sequel to one of THE greatest Christmas movies ever....Die Hard? This came out only two years later and needless to say, it brings back a lot of the elements from that first action classic from '88.....our hero John McClane (Bruce Willis) taking on several terrorists (lead by William Sadler) within a somewhat confined space, his wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) once again in peril, law enforcement on the ground who only make things worse, and unexpected sidekicks who help him along the way. Only this time the action is set at a crowded airport being pummeled by snow AND it's directed by some one new....'90's action-master Renny Harlin who would go on to also direct several other notable action films throughout the '90's including Cliffhanger and The Long Kiss Goodnight, the latter of which is ALSO a memorable Christmas action movie. So strap in, remember to have reliable shoes on, keep extra cartridges handy, be prepared to crawl through new ducts....because it's time to DIE HARDER. ;)
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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The legendary director of Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, American Gangster, and.....Exodus: Gods and Kings (!) has returned to deliver another historical epic. Oscar-nominated legend Ridley Scott (also Alien, Thelma & Louise) directs the story of Napoleon Bonaparte, the renowned French King/General who took Europe by storm just over 200 years ago....and he's played by recent Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix. His beloved wife/empress Josephine is also played by recent Oscar-nominee Vanessa Kirby.
The narrative takes us through Napoleon's tumultuous relationship with Josephine and also through several of the most memorable battles in which he participated....but does it cover his WHOLE story? And does that even matter? Sir Ridley takes us back through history in a manner only he can.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Thirty years ago in the lead-up to its release, this Western historical epic was looked upon as "the Other Wyatt Earp" movie with the troubled production as the following year, there was a much hyped bigger budget biopic of Wyatt Earp starring Kevin Costner coming out. Since they covered similar subjects, both films were in a race for production and this one was first.....with some costs. Over the time of production, it had three different directors eventually landing on star Kurt Russell who also played Wyatt Earp. (The official director is still listed as George P. Cosmatos)
But lo and behold....once it hit theaters in December 1993, people LOVED it! The story focuses on the Earp family (Bill Paxton and Sam Elliott play his brothers) coming to the gold rush town of Tombstone to strike it rich and they do....but they also make enemies with a gang known as "The Cowboys" lead by Curly Bill played by the late, great Powers Boothe. The movie became a sleeper cult hit with a following which just grew and grew over time - to most audiences, it was exciting, funny, emotional, and eminently quotable! Most of the better quotes came from the character of Doc Holliday played by Val Kilmer in an iconic performance. Let's see how it holds up....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Just over thirty years ago, we saw the unheralded release of this latest futuristic action thriller directed by Marco Brambilla starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes....only it was actually more of a comedy. :o And Stallone was actually being INTENTIONALLY funny for a change.....and here was Snipes at the peak of his stardom playing a Joker-like homicidal villain....and playing a prominent supporting role was a younger up-and-coming actress named Sandra Bullock who kind of steals the movie?
Yup this movie ended up surprising audiences and critics alike, not only becoming a solid box office hit but building a legacy of being one of the more quotable and meme-able comedies of its era. It takes place in the not-too-distant future of 2030 in the utopian (?) metropolis of San Angeles where there is no crime, no profanity, and no place to eat out besides Taco Bell! :) A master criminal Simon Phoenix (Snipes) has been released into this environment and they are clearly NOT ready for him....so what better way to take on a maniac than sending in ANOTHER maniac from the past who would be the notorious cop John Spartan (Stallone)? It's STALLONE vs. SNIPES!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Aren't movie weddings SUCH fun?? :) Well it certainly depends on who's attending of course along with the current emotional states of the families involved. This highly acclaimed melodrama from fifteen years ago focuses on the Buchman's, a family which MIGHT not be in the best place at this time despite their oldest daughter Rachel....getting married. (Hence the title) Rachel is played by Rosemarie DeWitt and the potential monkey wrench in her wedding weekend is the return of her sister Kym who is still in recovery after battling drug addiction for most of her life. Kym is played by Anne Hathaway delivering a shattering performance which earned her an Oscar nomination. What follows is a crazy weekend filled with memorable reunions, loads of music, and some intense arguments. This was directed by the late, great Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, Something Wild) towards the end of his storied career. It also stars Bill Irwin, Debra Winger, Anna Deavere Smith, and Tunde Adebimpe along with several others.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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The long-awaited sequel to the 2019 smash hit Captain Marvel is finally here.....and is the Marvel fanbase excited? Well it seems that due to much negative coverage in the lead-up to to its release, they might not be. But is that reflective of its quality? Well for this new entry in the franchise, we have a new talented director on board with Nia DaCosta (2021's Candyman) along with a couple of talented new cast-members including Miss Marvel (Iman Vellani) and Monica Rambeua (Teyonah Parris) who are now joining Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) on her latest adventure to defend the universe. Let's see if this latest entry in the massively successful MCU franchise lives up (or down) to the hype.....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Over the past five decades, there have been several docudramas devoted to stories from The Nixon Era including films focusing on his presidency (Nixon), the investigation of the Watergate break-in (All The President's Men, Dick), and even smaller episodes WITHIN his presidency such as Elvis & Nixon which came out just a few years ago starring Michael Shannon as Elvis and Kevin Spacey as Richard Nixon. But about 15 years ago, Ron Howard directed a somewhat unique POV of President Nixon.....the story of an independently filmed interview between Tricky Dick himself (Frank Langella) and a then somewhat well-known media personality David Frost who was played by Michael Sheen. This movie was also adapted by an acclaimed stage play written by Peter Morgan (The Crown) who would himself adapt his play for the big screen. And not only did it receive some awards attention (nominated for Best Picture) but considering its subject matter, it turned out to be quite entertaining! So it's time to revisit this often funny docudrama also co-starring Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt, Matthew Macfayden, and Rebecca Hall and remember.....if the President does it, it's NOT ILLEGAL! ;)
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Fincher's back! (David that is) As it is Fassbender...Michael Fassbender as his star. The Oscar-nominated director of Seven, Fight Club, and The Social Network has returned towards directing his first full-on thriller in more than a decade. (If we're not counting Gone Girl which is as much a social satire and domestic comedy/drama) Fincher is telling us a story (based on a French graphic novel of the same name) about an unnamed lone assassin (Fassbender) traversing across the globe, determined to go up the chain of another planned kill which affected some one close to him. It's a lean, mean, chilly excursion into the world of a man who specializes in only one particular set of skills....and as he encounters others in this world, those skills are undoubtedly tested. Co-stars included Arliss Howard, Charles Parnell, and Tilda Swinton. It's time to make a killing.....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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For a long-running franchise like the James Bond series, the release of Casino Royale in 2006 was just a shot in the arm - this was the first film starring Daniel Craig as Agent 007 and it was also THE first film in the history of this franchise to be a genuine reboot. It received stellar reviews, made a ton of money, and was beloved by fans....it was also the first entry to end on a genuine cliffhanger. The plan for the next film was to have an immediate follow-up for our lead character as that ending would directly lead into this next story from the first scene on. So needless to say, expectations were QUITE high for this follow-up sequel released just about two years later....
And while this movie did make as much money as its predecessor, the reviews were much worse and for the most part, fans were quite disappointed. This came from a director (Marc Forster) who had never directed a big budget entertainment like this before and it also started filming without a finished script.....and since there was a writer's strike at the time, that script remained largely unfinished through production. AND....this was a generally downbeat story also filmed in an admitted more claustrophobic style. It just left a sour taste in the mouths of audiences which fortunately was forgotten four years later with the release of the beloved Skyfall.
So now revisiting this sequel 15 years later, was it really that bad? Well it featured a strong cast including Olga Kurylenko as the latest "Bond girl," Mathieu Amalric as the latest villain, and some returning cast from the previous film including Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, and Jeffrey Wright. So let's find out....if there was a quantum....of....solace? :\
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Welcome to the second half of this week's run of Brian DePalma/Al Pacino collaborations as this crime drama came out ten years after Scarface starring Pacino in title role in his first performance following his long overdue (and several say not deserved) Oscar win for Best Actor for Scent of a Woman earlier that same year. This was now an older, wiser Pacino....yet arguably just as loud, this time portraying a renowned former drug dealer who just got released from prison and is now trying to go straight.
Only several folks around him have other ideas... including his trusted attorney Kleinfeld (Sean Penn) and potential new rival gangster Benny Blanco (John Leguizamo)....all the while he's trying to rekindle the romance with his former flame Gale played by Penelope Ann Miller. And what results is a big, brash crime epic set in New York City the '70's which is loaded with no shortage of memorable costumes, locales, lines of dialogue, and of course - this being DePalma - some unforgettable suspense set-pieces. Luis Guzman and Viggo Mortensen also co-star in this seminal film which is about to turn 30.
WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE & GRAPHIC VIOLENCE PORTRAYED THROUGHOUT MOVIE CLIPS
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Back in December of 1983, this bloody, epic crime saga from director Brian DePalma (Carrie, The Untouchables, Blow Out) opened to middling reviews and box office....after months of hype regarding its extreme violence and how it depicted the Cuban community in Florida. The controversy never quite died down but its reputation only grew as it went on to become one of the most influential films of the 1980's. Starring Al Pacino as the infamous Tony Montana and loosely based on the legend of Al Capone, we follow his meteoric rise from destitute refugee to excessively wealthy crime boss....and the subsequent fall as well. It also stars Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Robert Loggia, and F. Murry Abraham. Say HELLO to his little friend!!!
WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE & GRAPHIC VIOLENCE PORTRAYED THROUGHOUT MOVIE CLIPS
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Throughout his illustrious career, Oscar winner Martin Scorsese has collaborated with many great actors but two in particular more than any others.....multiple Oscar winning Robert DeNiro and Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio. But now for the first time in his career spanning more than five decades, Mr. Scorsese has finally directed a film starring BOTH of them. And yet, the main star of this particular story might very well be Lily Gladstone playing Molly, a member of the Osage trip in Oklahoma. Taking place in Oklahoma roughly about a hundred years ago shortly after the discovery of MASSIVE reserves of oil in lands where one particular First Nation tribe had been sent, Molly's family has been one of several from this tribe to have struck gold.....well black gold to be exact....otherwise known as oil.
And even as she starts to fall in love with DiCaprio's Ernest, Molly finds herself and the rest of her family on the other end of a murderous conspiracy to take over the oil.....lead by Ernest's uncle, a local sheriff played by DeNiro. What results is a brutal, unflinching tale of greed, love, and betrayal ALL based on true events - this was adapted from David Grann's highly acclaimed non-fiction novel of the same name.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Twenty years ago in the immediate wake of winning his second Oscar (Best Actor for Training Day), our Greatest Living Actor chose this as a follow-up project....a frothy neo-noir taking place in Florida reuniting with a director (Carl Franklin, also director of previous episode One False Move) behind one of his underrated '90's gems, Devil in a Blue Dress. We're of course referring to Denzel Washington who plays local Sheriff Matt Whitlock who finds himself embroiled in the investigation of a local murder....of a woman who he has been having a secret affair with played by Sanaa Lathan with the investigation being LEAD by a Miami detective (Eva Mendes) who happens to be his ex-wife. :o And guess WHO also might be the prime suspect? Complications ensue, get ready for a sweaty good time!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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The Halloween holiday is upon so what better time than to kick in CARPENTER WEEK! Of course this refers to genre master John Carpenter who over the past 45 years has directed several of the most iconic action and/or horror genre films of the modern era including previous episode The Thing, Escape From New York, and of course...Halloween. ;) Many would cite the decade of the '80's as his PEAK era as he helmed a string of popular and/or influential movies loaded with thrills and/or chills....
And this horror thriller certainly qualifies as it's the seemingly simple tale of a teenage boy and his car. Adapted from the Stephen King novel of the same name released earlier this same year, "Christine" is in fact the NAME of said car which is a '58 Plymouth Fury recently restored by mild-mannered teenager Arnie played by Keith Gordon. Of course just as the car has undergone a transformation, so does Arnie as he becomes increasingly infatuated with this vintage automobile....an automobile which also starts to rack up an increasing body count as the story progresses. And the only two people standing in its way end up being Arnie's best friend and girlfriend played respectively by John Stockwell and Alexandra Paul respectively. Once again directed by Carpenter, it's time to hit the road to revisit this cult classic which is about to turn 40!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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The Halloween holiday is upon so what better time than to kick in CARPENTER WEEK! Of course this refers to genre master John Carpenter who over the past 45 years has directed several of the most iconic action and/or horror genre films of the modern era including previous episode The Thing, Escape From New York, and of course...Halloween. ;) Many would cite the decade of the '80's as his PEAK era as he helmed a string of popular and/or influential movies loaded with thrills and/or chills....
Including this low-budget gem from 35 years ago which was met with mild reviews and box office upon initial release but has since garnered quite the cult following....even influencing various areas of pop culture including graffiti and pop songs citing it. This is the story of Nada, a mysterious drifter just ambling into downtown Los Angeles seeking work in construction - he's played by the late, great Roddy "Rowdy" Piper who was a renowned professional wrestler before taking on this role which would be his feature film debut. His character is just looking for work but inadvertently uncovers a massive conspiracy mainly revealed through.....sunglasses? And from that point on, he embarks on a mission to take down said conspiracy, also enlisting the aid of Frank played by Keith David - it's time to chew bubble gum and....kick ass!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Spooky Season has arrived! And what better way to kick it off than to celebrate what many consider to be "The Scariest Movie Ever!" which would be this supernatural psychological thriller first released fifty years ago this coming December. It was directed by the legendary, recently passed William Friedkin partnering with celebrated author William Peter Blatty adapting his very own best-selling novel of the same name.
The story mainly focuses on a mother and a daughter - successful actress Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) temporarily living in Washington, DC to film a movie and tending to her precocious 12-year old daughter Regan played by Linda Blair. Sadly and frighteningly, Regan's behavior starts to become more erratic and increasingly violent...she seems dare-I-say POSSESSED. :o Eventually joining the story are two men of the cloth who have been tasked with rescuing Regan from this evil demon - they are Father Karras played by Jason Miller and Father Merrin, the titular exorcist played by Max Von Sydow. The film would go on to be a instant box office smash along with garnering ten Oscar nominations that year, including for Best Picture and Best Director. Bust out your holy water and crucifix, it's EXORCISM TIME!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Twenty years ago, this Tokyo-based relationship comedy/drama opened to great acclaim and strong word of mouth not only becoming a minor worldwide phenomenon at the box office but also garnering significant Oscar attention. For Sofia Coppola, it was the second film she directed and she earned a nomination for Best Director making her only the THIRD woman to be nominated for that award in Oscar history. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay (won by Coppola), Best Picture, and Best Actor for star Bill Murray who received universal raves for his performance playing against a significantly younger Scarlett Johannsen who also received raves for her performance. They play two very different people both holed up in a high-rise hotel in Tokyo who form an unusual friendship....and that's really the whole story. Let's see how it holds up....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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From the director of Rogue One and Godzilla (2014) comes yet another EPIC science fiction adventure.....and yet this time around, it's based upon a completely original concept. Gareth Edwards (who not only directed by co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Weitz) presents us with a future world taking place in 2067 where the two main factions fighting for control of the planet are humans (mainly from the West) and artificial intelligence (AI). And in the middle of this is a soldier named Joshua (John David Washington) and the young AI child Alphie (Madeleine Yuna Voyles) who he has decided to protect on her mission to find.....The Creator. Also among the cast are recent Oscar-winner Allison Janney, Ken Wantanabe, and Gemma Chan.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Thirty years ago we saw the release of this mystery thriller featuring three promising stars (Alec Baldwin, Nicole Kidman, Bill Pullman), co-written by two promising screenwriters (Aaron Sorkin, Scott Frank), and helmed by one accomplished director (Harold Becker - Sea of Love, Taps). And THE one scene which most people remember from it happens to feature one of the stars referring to himself/herself as God....guess who that was? :) The plot revolves around a sleepy New England school for young women where students are getting murdered but wait there's more! Also co-starring Bebe Neuwirth, George C. Scott, Tobin Bell, and Anne Bancroft.....it's time to revisit one of THE nuttier thrillers of the '90's!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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NORTON WEEK continues! This is of course referring to the legendary actor Edward Norton who broke out big-time with his first ever on-screen appearance in the '96 legal thriller Primal Fear which garnered him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Two years later in '98, he delivered two VERY memorable performances in two VERY different movies which both left their marks on any one frequenting the cinema for years to come - these two seminal films came out just about a month apart and they would make a truly BIZARRE double feature. :)
Tony Kaye (mostly before Norton took over during post, as has been reported since its release) directed a very searing portrait of two brothers Daniel and Derek Vinyard who have immersed themselves in hate and bigotry. The older brother Derek is played by Norton in a performance which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor - he becomes the leader for a Neo-Nazi gang and is eventually sent to prison after committing a brutal murder in front of their home. His younger brother Daniel is played by Edward Furlong who eventually joins this gang after his brother is incarcerated. The story follows the struggles of both brothers along with their mother played by Beverly D'angelo. Other co-stars include Fairuza Balk, Elliott Gould, Stacy Keach, Ethan Suplee, Guy Torry, and Avery Brooks.
WARNING: There are some racial epithets spoken by characters in this movie contained within clips from the movie included in this podcast.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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The time has come for NORTON WEEK! This is of course referring to the legendary actor Edward Norton who broke out big-time with his first ever on-screen appearance in the '96 legal thriller Primal Fear which garnered him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Two years later in '98, he delivered two VERY memorable performances in two VERY different movies which both left their marks on any one frequenting the cinema for years to come - these two seminal films came out just about a month apart and they would make a truly BIZARRE double feature. :)
The first of these was this highly rewatchable poker drama featuring Norton (playing the scheming "rounder" nicknamed "Worm") as part of an extensive cast lead by Matt Damon, also including John Turturro, John Malkovich, Gretchen Mol, Martin Landau, and Famke Janssen. Twenty-five years ago, the buzz surrounding this film helped kick-start a resurgent poker craze and it was directed by John Dahl (The Last Seduction, Joy Ride). It's once again time to splash the pot.....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Just under forty years ago, we saw the theatrical release of what many would consider to be one of THE seminal concert movies. It featured one of the more enduring rock/funk/New Wave bands from that era.....NYC's own Talking Heads lead by innovative front-man David Byrne. He was also joined on stage by several supremely talented musicians including Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Bernie Worrell among several others. It was all shot over four shows over four nights performed in southern California as part of their tour to promote their most recent album "Speaking in Tongues" which would also feature what would be their highest selling single, "Burning Down the House." It was directed by eventual Oscar winner Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs) and the final product resulted in one HELL of a show which is about be re-released in the IMAX format.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Back in the fall of '93 when this first came out, this movie felt like a big deal. This was just a few years after star Macauley Culkin had become a household name after his 1990 starring vehicle Home Alone had taken over the world. Culkin was the highest paid actor in Hollywood for a short time period, he was everywhere, and in typical fashion....there was already a growing backlash against him. After two Home Alone movies playing Mac's brand of violent sadism but strictly for laughs, this felt like the logical next step of course.
Because in this movie, he plays disturbed pre-teen Henry living an idyllic life with this family at a large water-front home in Nantucket....or IS he? Well apparently Henry is homicidal and his visiting young cousin Mark (Elijah Wood) becomes the first to realize this as he witnesses Henry commit all sorts of violent, heinous acts.....including terrorizing his own kid sister (Quinn Culkin) while pulling the wool over his parents, including the sweet-natured Susan played by Wendy Crewson. And of course, chaos ensues! Chaos involving young children in this enduring cult classic directed by Joseph Ruben (Sleeping With the Enemy) - don't say you weren't warned!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Back around the era when this came out in the late '80's/early '90's it felt like there was a new heroic teacher drama (Dead Poet's Society, Lean On Me) being released every six months. This particular inspirational drama was directed by Ramon Menendez and might be one of the best of that group. It's based upon the true story of Jaime Escalante and his advanced math class at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. Escalante was a math whiz and he taught his students not only how to be math whizzes but eventually AP Calculus. And we follow all of their stories towards clearing this difficult academic hurdle. Edward James Olmos stars as Professor Escalante alongside Lou Diamond Phillips, Rosanna DeSoto, Andy Garcia, and several other talented young actors.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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What better way to kick off "Back to School" week than with this brand new raunchy teen comedy directed by Emma Seligman who recently gave us Shiva Baby? The story focuses on two SEEMINGLY dorky (as the movie tells us) lesbian best friends who are both virgins but would prefer to NOT stay that way as they each have their eyes on two cheerleaders for the school football team. The two teenagers are played by Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edibri....and the only things standing in their way include the football player boyfriends of said cheerleaders, the nasty principal, and the fact that nobody really likes these girls at their school. So the obvious solution is.....to start a fight club for girls at the school?? Yes in fact they do and the new fight club is a hit for girls looking to defend themselves....or exact revenge on folks who have hurt them. And what results is a raucous, funny and surprisingly violent comedy which certainly does NOT pull its punches.....
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Thirty years ago this month saw the release of the Directorial Debut of Robert DeNiro with this touching coming-of-age tale set in the violent world of organized crime in the Bronx in the 1960's. The story focuses on the young Colagero (played at different points by Francis Capra and Lillo Brancato) who watch grow up from the ages of 9 to 17 as his parents struggle to raise him right. His father is a bus-driver played by DeNiro and the other major influence in his life becomes the local mob boss Sonny played by Chazz Palminteri who also wrote this film's screenplay which was an adaptation of his own autobiographical stage play of the same name. Of course Colagero is torn between these two powerful figures in his life as he potentially drawn to a life of crime while also starting to fall for a girl from his local school by Taral Hicks. And what results is a sometimes violent, often funny, and always touching modern classic - let's head back to the Bronx!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Robert McCall is back....and this time, he has ventured to Italy after having spent most of the previous two films mostly around his hometown of Boston. McCall is once again played by Denzel Washington in this third (and final) entry of the action film franchise which kicked off in 2014. This is also the third entry in a row directed by Antoine Fuqua who had previously directed Washington to his last Oscar win for Best Actor for the film Training Day from 2001. After recovering from a gunshot injury which nearly killed him, McCall now finds himself settling in a lovely small town in Southern Italy. He's hoping to get past the violence which has marked most of his career in the CIA and his post-CIA career as an....Equalizer. Unfortunately, the local Italian mafia has other ideas as he notices them threatening his town and its people, many of whom he has now befriended. So guess what happens next? Yup the Equalizer starts to.....EQUALIZE once again. ;) Co-stars include Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, and Gaia Scodellaro.
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Once Upon a Time back in the 1970’s, there was NO bigger star in the world than Burton Leon Reynolds from Lansing, MI.....known to most as Burt Reynolds. The late great Burt stars as the eponymous Hooper who is considered by many to be "The Greatest Stuntman Alive!" Hooper LOVES his job and is loving the work on his latest picture - only years of punishment on his body is starting to take its toll so Hooper is starting to wonder how many years he has left in this trade which his girlfriend (Sally Field) is also starting to worry about. That and a hot new stuntman (Jan Michael Vincent) has emerged providing some competition. And what results is a rip-roaring action comedy/drama filled loads of impressive stunts which was directed by stuntman extraordinaire Hal Needham who had also directed Reynolds the year before in the smash hit Smokey & the Bandit.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Twenty years ago, the hype was building for the coming fall release of this, hyped up as "The 4th Film from Quentin Tarantino." Only a strange thing happened on the way towards its release....the director and the studio (Miramax) realized that there was SO much story and so much movie, it had ballooned into an epic of more than four hours! :o So the decision was made to split the movie into two different volumes: Volume 1 came out in October of 2003 and Volume 2 came out six months later in April of 2004. So it became an extended SAGA of one assassin (Uma Thurman playing "The Bride") waking up out of a coma now seeking revenge against the gang of fellow assassins who tried to murder her. The other assassins were played by Vivica A. Fox, Lucy Liu, Michael Madsen, and Darryl Hannah....and they were all lead by Bill played by David Carradine. And of course, our hero's ultimate goal is to.....KILL BILL.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
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Oscar-winning director Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Splash) helmed this racing drama based upon the real-life rivalry between two Formula One racers in the mid '70's....the Austrian Nikki Lauda (Daniel Bruehl) vs. the British James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth). Lauda was cold and cerebral while Hunt was brash and impetuous - these styles came through in how they both raced and lived their lives. Ten years ago when this first came out, it received strong reviews but little awards attention and middling box office. However since it came out, it has garnered a strong reputation as one of the best sports dramas of recent years along with possibly being THE best film ever devoted to auto racing.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Fifty years ago this month, most of the world was first introduced to a true legend of both cinema and martial arts with the release of this action thriller. Of course that legend was the late, great Bruce Lee who tragically passed away just about a month before this movie was to hit theaters. Needless to say, he left his mark playing Lee a Hong Kong spy/martial arts master who is tasked with infiltrating a mysterious island tournament being run by the nefarious Han played by Kien Shih. Lee also has help from two American martial artists who have joined this tournament played by John Saxon and Jim Kelly. Once on the island, they fight, they feast, and they.....interact with various elements (?) and what results is a rip-roaring kung fu classic. Directed by Robert Clouse, it's time to ENTER...THE....DRAGON!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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For the next couple of weeks, we will be taking a break to get our proverbial batteries recharged - we'll be back to releasing new episodes before the end of the month! In the meantime, enjoy this special episode going back through our catalog of more than 220 episodes to rank THE TEN BEST ACTION SEQUENCES so far!Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon Producer: Marlene Gershon
Link for full version of the extended "Terminator 2 Main Theme" by Joslin Music which plays at the end of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba9AeUMjoBoLinks to Episodes Cited (alphabetical order by title):https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/12843457-aliens-1986-re-releasehttps://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/10078157-batman-begins-2005-living-for-the-batman-serieshttps://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/10415668-the-bourne-identity-2002https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/10655810-desperado-1995https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/10229596-the-fugitive-1993https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/12787966-iron-man-3-2013https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/12582081-john-wick-chapter-four-2023https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/11337393-the-last-of-the-mohicans-1992https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/11812829-the-long-kiss-goodnight-1996https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/13047970-mission-impossible-ghost-protocol-2011-living-for-the-cruise-serieshttps://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/10637657-predator-1987https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/8666399-raiders-of-the-lost-ark-1981https://livingforthecinema.buzzsprout.com/1764842/11039604-the-spy-who-loved-me-1977
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The Summer of 1988 was filled with BIG, seminal comedies (actually including the movie Big) which were sizeable hits and had long-lasting legacies including Bull Durham, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and previous episodes Midnight Run and A Fish Called Wanda. Kind of lost in the shuffle was this small, quirky mob comedy directed by Jonathan Demme though it did feature a very promising cast including Dean Stockwell, Mercedes Ruehl, Oliver Platt, Alec Baldwin, and Matthew Modine. Leading this cast was the illustrious Michelle Pfeiffer kind of playing against type with BIG hair, a big attitude and a prominent New Yawk accent - she plays Angela, a Long Island housewife who is....you guessed it....married to a mobster played by Baldwin. Things don't end well for her husband so Angela decides to try to start a fresh new life with her son AWAY from the Mob....but not every one is onboard with that including the FBI and local mob boss Tony played by Stockwell in a performance which earned him an Oscar nomination. And hilarity ensues.....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Have you heard of Blade? He's the scourge of the vampire world and is what they refer to as a "Daywalker" - he has all of their strengths....NONE of their weaknesses.
And he's played by Wesley Snipes, have you heard of him? He was one of the bigger action stars of the '90's back when action stars were actually a thing which would draw folks to go to the movies. The lore of Blade and the charisma of Snipes seemed to be an ideal match at the time and twenty-five years ago this month, we saw the release of that first Blade movie (starring Snipes in the titular role) which was directed by Stephen Norrington. It was not only a surprise hit at the box office but it also earned the distinction of being THE first successful feature film adapted by a Marvel Comics property.....and obviously was far from the last. It co-starred Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson, and N'Bushe Wright.
Four years later came the release of its sequel directed by Oscar-winning genre legend Guillermo Del Toro - both Snipes and Kristofferson returned to be joined by a pretty impressive extended cast including Ron Pearlman, Leonor Varela, Norman Reedus, Luke Goss, and the legendary Donnie Yen. In honor of the 25th Anniversary of this seminal cinema property, what better way to celebrate than a special DOUBLE-FEATURE review of those first two Blade movies!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Concluding NOLAN WEEK, it seemed best to follow up his latest big release with a review of what might be Christopher Nolan's most underappreciated directorial effort. This was his follow-up to the ground-breaking Memento which was released just the year before and this time around, he was working with a major studio with a decent budget, along with several top-flight actors. This is basically a crime procedural taking place in Alaska during a time of year when the sun never sets.
Al Pacino stars as an LA cop who is sent out this way to investigate the murder of a teenage and he finds that because there is constant sunlight, he can't really sleep....hence the title. ;) Recent two-time Oscar winner Hillary Swank co-stars as a local police detective who partners with him on the case and.....the late, great Robin Williams co-stars as a mysterious local writer who apparently had a questionable relationship with the recent murder victim. And what results is a tense cat-and-mouse between cop and suspect.....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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"Now am I become Death, the destroyer of worlds."
Those were the immortal words (quoting Hindu scripture) spoken by the late nuclear physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer on live television twenty years after he helped create the atomic bomb. They have resonated for decades since and they are part of the focus of this large-scale biopic directed by Christopher Nolan. Nolan directs an all-star cast lead by Cillian Murphy who plays the titular figure along with Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Florence Pugh, along with several others of note. The cast is expansive, the scope is expansive, and let's see if Nolan's adaptation of this tragic real-life story (based upon his biographical novel, "American Prometheus") does justice to its subject matter's importance.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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After decades of false starts and several months of building hype, we finally have a live action feature film focusing on Barbie, Mattel's long-running line of popular dolls! And it has QUITE the pedigree: it's directed by Greta Gerwig as a follow-up to her last two films (Lady Bird, Little Women) which both received Oscar nominations for Best Picture. Gerwig also co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach who himself has received multiple Oscar nominations for previous films including Marriage Story. AND it also stars two actors who have received multiple Oscar nominations: Margot Robbie plays our eponymous heroine Barbie while Ryan Gosling plays Ken.
The story follows Barbie living an idyllic life suddenly dealing with an existential crisis which turns everything upside down....and we'll leave it at that as things just get increasingly surreal. The stacked cast also includes Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, America Ferrara, Will Ferrell, and Simi Liu among several others. Let's head to Barbie World!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
It’s summer, it’s disgustingly hot outside, and the local beaches and pools are overcrowded. So what better way to beat the heat during Shark Week than to kick back at home with this shlocky underwater thriller? Well besides the original Jaws of course……
Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger, The Long Kiss Goodnight) directed this and it features an extensive cast including Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, LL Cool J, Stellan Skarsgard, and Samuel L. Jackson.....who has one VERY memorable scene which you might know about. It all centers around a small band of scientists and technicians who are trapped within a very large aquatic facility which is slowly sinking into the ocean. Only they're not alone.....there also happen to be three VERY smart genetically-enhanced sharks who are apparently trying to eat then. :o And water-soaked chaos ensues!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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It has finally arrived! Not the long-awaited latest entry in the long-running Mission Impossible franchise but the concluding episode of our ongoing series focusing on the filmography of Thomas Mapother III....otherwise known as Tom Cruise.
Cruise has returned once again playing IMF super-agent Ethan Hunt and returning alongside him are his fellow team-members played by Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Rebecca Ferguson. Also joining the series for the first time are new characters played by Esai Morales, Hayley Atwell, and Pom Kliementieff among others. And the mission this time? Hunt and crew have to take on a mysterious new global threat....known as The Entity. You can also bet that there will plenty of exciting new action along the way....Expect The Impossible!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
With her directorial debut, long-time screenwriter Adele Lim (Crazy Rich Asians) has delivered a raunchy comedy focusing on four Chinese-American friends as they traverse across China. They are played by Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu - they are on quest to find the birth mother of Audrey played by Park and needless to say, not everything goes as planned. What results is a wild misadventure FILLED with sex, drugs, and rock & roll....actually K-Pop to be accurate!
Host & Editor: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Indiana Jones is BACK....for the FIFTH time! But did he need to be? Well it has been fifteen years since the successful though disappointing (for fans) 'Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and for the first time, we have a new Indiana Jones sequel NOT directed by Steven Spielberg. But the director this time is no slouch....James Mangold has taken the directorial reins after delivering several strong movies over the past 25 years including Logan, 3:10 to Yuma, Ford Vs. Ferrari, and Copland.
For this entry, we cut to 1969 as Dr. Jones (Harrison Ford returning of course) is about to retire as a professor of archeology when suddenly.....he's encountered by his god-daughter Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) who involves him in the chase for a different type of artifact, in fact one he had previously unearthed more than two decades prior. And we're off on a new adventure, also once again involving Nazi's lead by Mads Mikkelsen's Dr. Voller. So once again, it's time to bust out the old whip and fedora....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Playwright Celine Song has made her directorial debut with this highly acclaimed romantic drama which she also wrote the screenplay for. It's the story of Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) who grew up as very close friends in South Korea until Nora's parents moved her to the West at the age of 12. Now as grown adults, they are about to reunite in person for the first time in 24 years in New York City, which is where Nora lives....and is also married. And what results is a touching meditation on memories, life choices, and the how people can be drawn to others at different points in their lives.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Four years ago, the release of this film marked the directorial debut of Olivia Wilde who up until this time had mostly been well-known as an actress. And she really does make quite a memorable debut with this raunchy "One Crazy Night" comedy about two soon-to-be-high-school graduates (Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein) who are the smartest students in their class and the best of friends. As one of them just found out that they are not the only graduates in their class who are going on to bigger and better things, they decide to spend this one last night before graduation to show that they can also have "fun" with the best of them. And what results is a night of parties, drugs, homicidal cabbies, fancy yachts, and various other hijinks! Also along for the ride are co-stars Jessica Williams, Mason Gooding, Diana Silvers, Molly Gordon, and Billie Lourd.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Special Guest Co-Host: Isabelle Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Thirty-five years ago, this raunchy comedy directed by Charles Crichton took the world by storm featuring a melding of British and American comedic talent at the peak of their powers - it even got some Oscar love including Kevin Kline winning the rare Best Supporting Actor for a full-on comedic role. Kline co-stars as former CIA assassin Otto who has been brought aboard the crew of a diamond heist in London recruited by his "sister" Wanda played by Jamie Lee Curtis who is also in on the heist. The heist apparently goes off without a hitch....until one key assailant George (Tom Georgeson) gets arrested and ONLY he knows where the diamonds have been hidden? Or DOES he?
Throw in Monty Python vets John Cleese playing his attorney and Michael Palin playing his animal-loving co-conspirator and what you have is one nutty British/American farce featuring loads of inappropriate gags involving stuttering, animal murder, and other nasty subjects! And of course, at the center of this story is.....A Fish Called Wanda. (A goldfish actually.)
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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This seminal World War II classic is about to turn 60 years old and for many Americans, it's a perennial rewatch usually around this time of year. It was directed by John Sturges and features a legendary cast including Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasance, and James Coburn. Based upon true events, it tells the story of a large band of military officer POW's from the Allied Forces who all been moved to a new German-run prisoner camp. What all of these POW's have in common is they have each attempted multiple times to escape from other Nazi POW camps - apparently THIS camp will be the place where they can no longer escape as the Axis forces can now keep a close eye on ALL of them in one place. So guess what this band of POW's FIRST course of action is? Well you know the title of the movie right? :)
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Our ongoing series of reviews of Tom Cruise vehicles leading up to Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1 is almost over with the release of that long-awaited sequel next month. So what better time to revisit what many consider to be THE seminal entry of the franchise? By the time this movie was released in late 2011, Cruise's star had faded somewhat as had the demand for another Mission Impossible sequel after the disappointing box office of Mission Impossible III in 2006.
But something was different this time....for one thing, this was the live action feature directorial debut of Brad Bird who over the previous 15 years had directed some of our most beloved animated films including The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and The Iron Giant. Also there was less focus on the personal life of Cruise's protagonist Ethan Hunt and more focus placed on the rest of the TEAM - the cast for this one included Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, and Paula Patton. We get to know them a bit more than previous entries. And.....the movie was released initially in IMAX highlightin some seemingly jaw-dropping stunts featuring The Cruise Missile seemingly risking his life this time around. So our mission - should we choose to accept it - will be to determine just what made THIS sequel so special almost 14 years ago.....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Thirty-two years ago, one of the Greatest Coming-of-Age stories and also one of THE great father-and-son stories was released. And now to celebrate Father's Day and Juneteenth Day, here is a newly remastered review with a few extra features.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY &
HAPPY JUNETEENTH DAY!
This coming-of-age drama took theaters by storm with some of the most up-and-coming actors of its time....Cuba Gooding Jr., Larry Fishburne, Ice Cube, Angela Bassett & Regina King to name a few. It's all set where a neighborhood's values cannot often compete with the booming drug and gang culture in this gripping story set in South Central Los Angeles. It was directed by the late, great John Singleton who became the youngest director ever nominated for the Oscar for Best Director as a result and it remains one of the most acclaimed and iconic movies of the 1990's.WARNING: There are some racial epithets spoken by characters in this movie contained within clips from the movie included in this podcast.Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Apparently this movie was first slated to come out more than four years ago? Yup after several years of pre-productions stops and starts, COVID-related delays, a revolving door of talented directors joining the project, and....a lot of dicey criminal activity from its start not long after production completed, DC's stand-alone movie focused on one of its most beloved superheroes is FINALLY coming to the big screen! Ezra Miller stars in the titular role of the Scarlett Speedster, otherwise known as The Flash - his actual character's name is Barry Allen and he's embarking on a unique journey of attempting to change one tragic part of his past through the power of his speed......officially known as the "Speed Force."
Of course he ends causing more damage than expected within a different time line...and chaos ensues. Fortunately, Barry is able to enlist in getting help from an old friend, Bruce Wayne - although this is a different Bruce Wayne than he has known before, this time played by Michael Keaton! Yes the same Michael Keaton who played Bruce Wayne/Batman in Batman from '89 and Batman Returns from '92. Only this time, he's NOT being directed by Tim Burton - the director who finally took on the role of completing this epic saga is Andy Muschietti who recently gave us It: Chapter One and It: Chapter Two. So after all the craziness which lead up to its release, did we actually get a GOOD movie in the end? Only one way to find out....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
COULD this be the greatest sequel EVER? Well considering that it was the long-awaited follow-up to one of the most influential smashes (Saturday Night Fever) of the 1970's and has very little in common with that disco drama outside of bringing back its star (John Travolta) along with some new songs from The Bee-Gee's, then the most likely answer would be NO. Upon release forty years ago, this film was universally panned as a shameless cash grab on the part of both Travolta and its director, Sylvester Stallone....yup that's right, Stallone is a director TOO and this remains the only film he has ever directed which does not feature a prominent role for him. The story brings our hero Tony Manero to slick early '80's Manhattan across the river from his home town of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn - he's now a struggling actor/dancer looking for a breakout opportunity.....and he might have now found it landing a role in the hot new Broadway musical, "Satan's Alley." And we'll leave it that.....the film also co-stars Cynthia Rhodes and Finola Hughes and ALSO features several new songs from Frank Stallone. :o (Yes they are related....he's Sylvester's brother)
See below for a link to the Cinema Snob review of this same movie which is referenced in this review:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFT_0JxQ93E&t=1s
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Spider-Man is BACK! No not the squeaky-voiced Tony Stark-fanboy played by Tom Holland....nope this animated epic features the vaunted return of another Spider-Man from another universe. THIS one is Miles Morales voiced by Shameik Moore who was also the star of this film's Oscar-winning predecessor from five years ago, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. And he's back with his friends and family too, among them Gwen Stacey voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, Peter Parker voiced by Jake Johnson, and Miles' parents voiced by Brian Tyree Henry and Luna Lauren Velez. He also has LEGIONS of new Spider-friends from various different universes voiced by a stacked cast including Issa Rae, Oscar Isaac, and Daniel Kaluuya who plays the ULTIMATE as "Spider-Punk." Every one is involved at various levels with a daunting new mission to keep the various universes from collapsing in on each other and what results is an eye-popping ambitious superhero sequel which many critics are referring to as not only one of the greatest superhero movies ever made but possibly THE greatest animated film EVER. :o Directed by Joachim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson, let's see if this one lives up to the hype!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Based upon a popular off-Broadway stage play performed in the early '90s, this sweet-natured but raunchy romantic comedy was one of the first of its kind when it came out in the mid '90's: it focused on a budding romance between two gay men including the titular protagonist Jeffrey played by Steven Weber who then was best known as the star of the popular network sitcom, "Wings." We follow Jeffrey on a journey of self-discovery amid his struggle to be comfortable building a new connection during the Age of AIDS....and yet most of this played for laughs thanks to an unending stream of comic vignettes written by Paul Rudnick, adapting his own stage show for the screen.
Michael T. Weiss co-stars as the subject of Jeffrey's affections along with Patrick Stewart and Bryan Batt. Also included among the extensive stacked cast are Sigourney Weaver, Nathan Lane, and Kathy Najimy. Just in time for the kick-off of Pride Month, it's time to revisit this groundbreaking rom-com directed by Christopher Ashley!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
"SHALL WE PLAY A GAME?"More sinister words have rarely been heard from an early '80's personal computer with a voice modulator box connected. :/ And they are first spoken by a mainframe computer communicating with our hero David played by Matthew Broderick early on in this 1983 techno-thriller directed by John Badham who had helmed Saturday Night Fever five years earlier. This invitation to play some seemingly innocent computer games sets in motion a story which is equal parts sobering and highly entertaining. We follow this teenage hacker and his classmate/partner in crime (Ally Sheedy) on a adventure which will take them to possibly the most secure defense location in the US....and possibly on the brink of nuclear war. :o This highly influential computer caper first came out 40 years ago and also co-starred Dabney Coleman, Barry Corbin, and John Wood.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Our ongoing series of notable Tom Cruise vehicles from different eras continues, all leading to the release of Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part I coming this July. The next entry in this series focuses on one of the most successful thrillers of the '90's which is approaching its 30th Anniversary - it also happens to be one Cruise's biggest hits but for some reason, it doesn't receive nearly as much ongoing discussion as several of his other blockbusters like Jerry Maguire, Top Gun, or A Few Good Men. Could it be because it was SUCH a dense movie geared towards grown-ups?
Not sure but the pedigree was there - it's an adaptation of the best-selling John Grisham novel of the same name and is directed by the late, great Sydney Pollack (Three Days of the Condor, Tootsie). Cruise stars as Mitch McDeere, a hot young tax attorney just graduating law school who is being courted by big-time law firms from all over the country but chooses one located at a smaller film in Memphis. He moves there with his wife played by Jeanne Tripplehorn and starts to gradually realize that not everything going on at the film might be legit....and trouble ensues. :o The stacked cast includes Gene Hackman, Hal Holbrook, David Straithard, Ed Harris, Wilford Brimley, and Holly Hunter. Apparently NO ONE ever leaves this film alive.....let's find out why. :o
See below for links to two different short funny videos examining one of this film's most memorable scenes. :)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UP8lVT7Daghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gchYh2d0q0oHost: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Throughout his illustrious career as a director, Steven Spielberg has never been afraid to tackle big subject matter and when this World War II epic was first released to theaters twenty five years ago this July, it was a BIG deal. Not only was he returning to the time period and broad category of subject matter (World War II) which had last earned him an Oscar and widespread acclaim with Schindler's List less than five years prior but he was collaborating with who was at the time our most beloved movie star Tom Hanks....who was coming off of two recent Oscar wins himself for Philadelphia and Forest Gump. It also comprised a stacked cast of talented actors, many of whom were on their way towards becoming stars including Matt Damon, Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi, and Tom Sizemore. All of the stars were aligned for what many expected to be a masterpiece....
And in the eyes of most audiences and critics, it WAS. The film was a massive hit at the box office, received universal acclaim and also ended up winning several Oscars as well....including a second Best Director Oscar for Spielberg. It also had a sizeable cultural impact, not only having an effect on most war film moving forward but also the overall perception of World War II including those who fought it who were nicknamed "The Greatest Generation." But how does it hold up as an actual movie? It's time to revisit this story of eight man on a mission to save ONE.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
We kick off our third season with this action blockbuster from thirty years ago starring Sylvester Stallone, John Lithgow, Janine Turner, and Michael Rooker. It came out just a few years after the first Die Hard and was looked upon as just the latest in a series of feature-length "Die Hard On A BLANK" homages released throughout the '90's. The premise of this movie is basically "Die Hard Around the Peaks of the Rocky Mountains" and it also happened to be directed by Renny Harlin who had helmed Die Hard 2 (Die Hart in an airport) just a couple of years prior. And it features a ton of high altitude action in the process. HANG ON!!!
See below for a link to watch the original teaser trailer for this movie which is referenced in this review:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j18n9shdw8Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Yes kids, what you've heard is true! There was once a Fast & Furious sequel WITHOUT Vin Diesel, it featured the late, fondly remembered Paul Walker at his most endearing and Tyrese actually playing a charismatic anti-hero type Roman who is not the butt of the joke....and it was directed by the late, great John Singleton amidst a good run of action films he did in the early '00's. And believe it or not, it was actually a lot of fun. :) Just as the latest (Fast X) in this long-running saga is about to be released to theaters, let's revisit one which came out during simpler times.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Peter Dinklage has won multiple Emmy awards for playing the iconic character Tyrion Lannister on HBO's "Game of Thrones" in a role that helped him become an international superstar. However roughly eight years before that show first went on the air, he had his first true breakout role playing the more unassuming Finbar McBride in this relatively unassuming comedy/drama directed by Tom McCarthy. McCarthy would also go on to bigger things as he would eventually direct the Best Picture-winning Spotlight in 2015. Together they collaborated here on a bittersweet story of a quiet loner who finds that despite his best efforts to keep to himself and JUST study and watch trains, he can't help but meet interesting new people. Playing the various new people whom Finn befriends are Patricia Clarkson, Bobby Cannavale (in one of HIS early breakout roles), and Michelle Williams. On the surface, this is very much a movie about trains but UNDER the surface? Let's find out....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Thirty seven years ago, one of the Greatest Sci-Fi Action Films and Best Sequels of All Time was released. And now to celebrate Mother's Day, here is a newly remastered review with a few extra features.HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!
THIS time, it’s WAR. Ripley returns to LV-426 to take on the chest-bursting monsters that haunt her nightmares, but this time she is bringing along the Colonial Marines! James Cameron directed Sigourney Weaver in this rare genre performance to receive a Best Actress nomination at the Oscars.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
What happens when you take two up-and-coming stars (George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez), a talented director (Steven Soderbergh) eager to break out from smaller indie films at the time, a screenplay adapted from one of THE premiere crime novelists (Elmore Leonard) of our time, and have them collaborate with a top-flight cast filled with talent (Dennis Farina, Don Cheadle, Steve Zahn, among several others) along with some next-level talent behind the camera including the Oscar-winning editor (Anne Coates) of seminal classics like Lawrence of Arabia? You get a smart, stylish, suspenseful, and sexy crime drama which is about to turn twenty-five and remains a career highpoint for several involved.
Clooney plays Jack, a career bank-robber who has recently escaped from prison and his path crosses with Karen played by Lopez who is a Federal Marshall out to bring him and others in for their crimes....but they also happen to like each other. :o And from a story standpoint, that's all you need to know - the rest is cinematic history.
Host & Producer: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Ten years ago, audiences were treated to what would be THE final stand-alone movie focused on the character of Tony Stark/Iron Man played by Robert Downey Jr.....and for his solo swan song, he helped bring over an old friend to direct, Shane Black. Black had previously directed RDJ in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang eight years prior, a dark action comedy which is among several notable entries in the buddy cop drama written by Black including the original Lethal Weapon.
Also returning for this "three-quel" are the previous Iron Man films are Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, and Jon Favreau.....now facing off a couple of new villains played by Guy Pearce and Sir Ben Kingsley. The story focuses on a dangerous new technology developed by one of Stark's rivals which he must face head-on....often without the help of his Iron Man suit no less. And what results is a superhero epic which is fast, funny, action-packed....and takes place during Christmas, go figure!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Apparently May the Fourth has become an official holiday to celebrate all things Star Wars on an annual basis so what better way to honor THIS May 4 than to revisit what is likely the most grown-up and possibly CINEMATIC of this recent crop of streaming shows from that universe? This Disney Plus series - which debuted last fall to critical acclaim and middling ratings - stars Diego Luna returning to play Cassian Andor, the lead character he also played in the recent Star Wars prequel, Rogue One. As you would expect, the show takes place before the events of Rogue One and chronicles Cassian's first efforts towards joining and helping an ongoing Rebel Alliance which is partially lead by Stellan Skarsgard's Luthen Rael.
We see Cassian embark on several adventures including a daring heist of an Imperial base with one group and and an even more daring attempted escape from an Imperial prison. Also included in this extensive cast are Kyle Soller, Denise Gough, Adria Arjona, and Genevieve O'Reilly returning to play Mon Mothma who she also portrayed in Rogue One. The show was created by and is currently run by the amazing Tony Gilroy who wrote the original Bourne trilogy while also writing and directing the Oscar-winning Michael Clayton.
May the Fourth Be With You!
The retro-sounding introductory clip for this show is actually "Andor 1975 TV Intro" from the Aurulnauts YouTube channel linked below:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Pccq0DZVc
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Forty years ago, we saw the release of this THIRD movie of the original Star Wars trilogy - this was the highly anticipated follow-up to what many (myself included) consider to be THE best Star Wars film ever, Empire Strikes Back. It featured the return of several beloved characters and the resolution of a story which was last concluded with quite a surprising cliffhanger at the end of the previous episode. So...did it live up to the hype....and how does it hold up?
Let's find out as we delve into this sequel directed by Richard Marquand and with the returning cast of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, and several others....PLUS the introduction of Ian McDiarmid who plays Emperor Palpatine. May the Force Be With You!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Based upon true events, this recounts the incredible story of Stephen Glass (Hayden Christianson), a young reporter for the New Republic in the '90's who made quite a name for himself writing several high-profile stories for the magazine which garnered a lot of attention for just how entertaining and informative they were....and apparently several of them were entirely made up by Glass. :o What results is a scandal with a very troubled soul at the center of it - along the way, we get to know both editors (Hank Azaria, Pete Saarsgard) and fellow reporters (Chloe Sevigny, Steve Zahn) who were also affected by Glass' deception. Billy Ray directs a journalistic docu-drama which has proven just as relevant today as it was when it was first released twenty years ago.....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Twenty years ago, director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland helped revitalize the zombie subgenre with this seminal post-apocalyptic thriller produced on a shoe-string budget....even though the story isn't technically about zombies. Nope this is the actually story of a fictional pandemic which strikes the UK known as the "Rage" virus.....society becomes gradually wiped out by those who are "infected" which can basically be described as FAST zombies who spew blood which spreads the infection. And at the core of this story is an aimless bike messenger (Cillian Murphy) who was actually in a coma during the first 28 days of this pandemic and a resourceful survivor who he teams up with played by Naomie Harris. Brendan Gleason and Chris Eccleston also co-star as fellow survivors of this outbreak.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Legendary filmmaker and former playwright Martin Ritt directed this family drama set on a farm starring the late, great Paul Newman as the titular Hud who works with the ranch with his father (Melvyn Douglas) and younger brother (Brandon De Wilde) while also making their lives difficult. You see Hud is a scoundrel who drinks too much and he's not making things any better for his family as they experience a looming crisis which could destroy their farm - this could very well be the most irredeemable character Newman ever played and it did earn him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. He didn't win that year but others in the cast did including Douglas and Patricia Neal for Best Actress. This film received enormous acclaim upon release while also being a sizeable hit and.....it's about to turn 60. :)
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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What happens when you hire one legendary TOP-tier movie star (Paul Newman) returning to play a character he played once before 25 years prior (Fast Eddie Felson in 1961's The Hustler)....pair him up with one giant up-and-coming movie star (Tom Cruise)....and then hire possibly THE greatest American filmmaker (Martin Scorcese) of the past 50 years to direct??
Well the result might very well be an excellent road movie/sports drama all set within the world of competitive billiards. If nothing else, it might be worth watching just to see Cruise learn the ropes from Newman....or DOES he? Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, John Turturro, Helen Shaver, and Forest Whitaker also round out the cast.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Thirty years ago and after several delays and titles changes, we finally saw the release of this sprawling crime epic about three brothers growing up in East LA on different sides of the law. It lost money upon initial release as its studio didn't know how to market it nor did many critics know what to make of it. But over time, it garnered a VERY enthusiastic cult following through play on both cable and video.....to the point where you can just utter "Vatos Locos!" to a stranger and he'll smile if he's part of that very cult. :) It was directed by Taylor Hackford (An Officer and A Gentleman, The Devil's Advocate) and features a very large cast lead by Benjamin Bratt, Damian Chapa, and Jesse Borrego.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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After decades of various attempts to bring this prized Nintendo video game property back to the big screen, Mario has finally returned....along with Luigi, Princess Peach, Donkey Kong and the rest of the gang! It's the long-awaited animated adaptation of the world of the Mario Brothers and it comes from Illumination Entertainment, the studio which gave us the Minions - you're welcome. :) And it's a rollicking adventure through a colorful world of mushrooms, karts, and various floating platforms which disintegrate once you step on them. The voice cast is lead by Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, and Seth Rogen - this movie is also co-directed by Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath. As the first animated feature to be reviewed on this podcast, does it live up to the hype? Let's-a-find out!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Fifteen years ago, director James Marsh delivered one of the most purely entertaining documentaries of the 21st century recounting one man's amazing journey.....between two skyscrapers....on a wire. This is the story of Phillip Petit, a French high wire artist who alongside several other conspirators planned and executed the death-defying feat of setting up and then walking on top of a wire connected to the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center back in August of 1974. It's quite a story and he's QUITE the character - let's revisit the film which won Best Documentary Feature at the 2009 Oscars.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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The kevlar-suited master assassin returns for his fourth (and possibly) final film. Yes Keanu Reeves has once again returned as the titular John Wick, this time on a mission to seek out his freedom by taking on the "High Table." He's a man on the run with very few options......but at least he has some necessary allies returning this time as well, once again played by Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane, and the late, great Lance Reddick. He also has a new villain in his sights who's determined to take him out played by Bill Skarsgard along with a new physical adversary played by the legendary Donnie Yen. What results are even more locations and more crazy set-pieces this time around.....once again directed by former stuntman Chad Stahelski. Yeah I'm thinking he's back! ;)
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Forty years ago, this low-budget teen comedy featuring a mostly unknown cast was released to little fanfare but it became an instant sleeper hit and it happened to also introduce the world to the unique screen presence of Nicholas Cage who was only 18 during production. He plays Randy, a bohemian punkish kid from Hollywood who falls hard for the titular girl from the Valley, Julie played by Deborah Foreman - their romance from opposite sides of the tracks starts to resemble the tragedy of Romeo & Juliet, only with much less death. ;) Martha Coolidge directed this charming time capsure from the early '80's featuring a KILLER soundtrack including tunes from Modern English, Men At Work, The Human League, and Sparks.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Our ongoing series of notable Tom Cruise vehicles from different eras continues, all leading to the release of Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part I coming this July. This particular episode focuses on a time in the early '2000's when Cruise was both considered one of the biggest movie stars in the world AND still chasing interesting parts with top-flight directors....this was his first and only collaboration with the legendary Michael Mann who had just recently directed seminal films like Heat and The Insider. Cruise plays an elite hit-man on a one night mission to assassinate six targets in six different areas of Los Angeles....and for transportation, he enlists Jamie Foxx' Max who drives a taxi but aspires to more. He also never envisioned himself driving an assassin around for the night nor does he condone murder - Max is also of course scared for his OWN life which is where the story derives much of its tension.
And what results is an elegantly shot night-time thriller as we follow both Vincent and Max to various locations to meet various characters with an extensive cast that also includes Jada Pinkett-Smith, Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem, and Bruce McGill. Let's find out where the night takes us.....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Fifteen years ago, Jason Statham was gradually making his mark as one of our most reliable action stars having already headlined two Transporter movies and the first of two Crank movies. Amidst all of this action insanity, he took a bit of a departure with a more cerebral starring role in this labyrinthine bank heist thriller based on a crazy series of true events occurring in London in 1971. He leads an amateur gang of thieves out to raid the underground vault of a nearby bank who end up all biting off WAY more than they could have ever expected to chew as they end up getting mixed up with local druglords, government agents, and even members of the Royal Family! Roger Donaldson directs this underrated gem of a thriller also starring Saffron Burrows and David Suchet.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Four armed men hijack a New York City subway car and demand a $1 million dollar ransom for the passengers - they are lead by Robert Shaw's Mr. Blue. (That's his codename among the other hijackers) In response, the city's police try to figure out how to respond - they are lead by transit cop Lieutenant Garber played by Walter Matthau. And what results is a tense action-packed standoff between cops and criminals in a movie which was so influential that it inspired two star-studded remakes in the decades since....including the most recent 2009 remake starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta. The stacked cast for this original version also includes Martin Balsam, Hector Elizondo, and James Broderick - it was directed by Joseph Sargent.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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As we are now in the midst of March Madness, let's revisit one of the more unsung basketball dramas of recent years which happens to feature VERY little actual basketball. Andre Holland stars as Ray Burke, a hot-shot NBA agent representing an aspiring rookie (Melvin Gregg) who is struggling to figure out what to do with himself as the beginning of his first season is delayed as as a result of a protracted lockout forced by the league's owners. Ray plots to figure out ways to both end the lockout AND a possible new way for the players to compete on the court SEPARATE from the League....and that's where the plot starts to thicken resulting in a sports drama which ends up focusing more on what happens OFF the court.
"LFTC" stalwart Steven Soderbergh helmed, edited, and shot this entire film on his IPhone - this is now our FIFTH episode featuring one of his movies, a podcast record! :) Also co-starring are Zazie Beetz, Sonja Sohn, Kyle MacLachlan, and the irreplaceable Bill Duke.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, we revisit the 30th anniversary of one of the most memorable dramas recounting one of the darker periods in the ongoing conflict between the Irish and the British in the 20th Century. This is the unforgettable story of Gerry Conlon, a young man from Belfast who was wrongly convicted and imprisoned for orchestrating the IRA bombing of a British pub in 1974, which resulted in several deaths. His father Guiseppe is also imprisoned and we watch as father and son battle to earn their freedom along with getting to know each other - Gerry is played by Daniel Day-Lewis and Guiseppe is played by Pete Posthelwaite, both of whom earned Oscar nominations. Also earning nominations were Emma Thompson who co-stars as the lead attorney representing the Conlons and the director of the film, Jim Sheridan.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Professional boxing champion Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) returns and this time he MIGHT be facing his toughest opponent. That would be childhood friend and recent ex-con Damian Anderson played by Jonathan Majors. Damian might also have more on his mind than just rekindling their friendship as he's apparently focused on one thing....become the new champion. :o What results is one part psychological thriller, one part boxing drama and ALL of it is helmed by Michael B. Jordan in his directorial debut. Also returning is Tessa Thompson as Bianca Creed although NOT returning is Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa.....hmmm.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Twenty-five years ago, the writing/director duo Joel & Ethan Coen released this as the follow-up to their Oscar-winning classic from two years prior, Fargo. Whereas that film was a tense kidnapping thriller for the most part, the tone of this film was much sillier, filled with jokes related to bowling, nihilism, and White Russians. As a result, the reception from most critics AND American audiences at the time was decidedly mixed....the film was generally viewed as a disappointment back in 1998. But over time, this film started to garner a sizeable cult following and nowadays, many look back on it fondly as a modern classic and one of the Coens' best.
Maybe it's due to the stacked cast? This film stars Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Sam Elliott among several others......The Dude Abides!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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For the next two weeks, we will be taking a break to get our proverbial batteries recharged - we'll be ok and will be back to releasing new episodes by the beginning of March! ;)**In the meantime, feel free to enjoy this special episode counting down the best films released in 2022....just in time for the Oscars which are coming up soon!
If you would like to hear the full stand-alone episodes for any films cited, they are each linked below....**Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
LINKS FOR FULL REVIEWS OF
2022 FILMS CITED IN THIS EPISODE:BROSEVERYTHING EVERWHERE ALL AT ONCEGLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERYKIMINOPEPREYR.R.R.SHE SAIDTARTHE BATMANTHE GOOD NURSETOP GUN MAVERICK
OTHER LINKS:
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For the next two weeks, we will be taking a break to get our proverbial batteries recharged - we'll be ok and be back to releasing new episodes by the beginning of March! ;) In the meantime to celebrate President's Day, enjoy this remastered episode reviewing a dizzying '90's epic.....**Just over thirty years ago, three-time Oscar Winner Oliver Stone directed one of the most controversial major studio films of all time and it was about one of the most consequential events of the latter half of the 20th Century….the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963.
But it wasn’t just about the assassination of a sitting President, it was even more so about the CONSPIRACY behind that assassination and the investigation to uncover the truth about this conspiracy….or at least how Oliver Stone saw things.
And what resulted was a dizzying 3+ hour epic conspiracy thriller/courtroom drama featuring a high-powered cast including Kevin Costner, Joe Pesci, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, Gary Oldman, and too many other notable actors to mention.
Much of what was portrayed in this film was based on fact but much was also based on speculation – how much does this film blur the lines between those two? It’s time to revisit one of the most influential films of the ’90s and how it still holds up even as just a movie…..**Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Over the past 40 years since his breakout starring role in the 1983 comedy Risky Business, one of our most enduring movie stars has been Thomas Mapother IV….otherwise known as Tom Cruise. Over the next several months, I will be revisiting one notable Cruise film each month – each from a different era of his career – culminating with the July 14th release of Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning….Part 1.This month's entry will be this racing drama starring Cruise as Cole Trickle, a mysterious driver from California working his way up the NASCAR circuit. This was very much modeled on the formula of Top Gun which came out four years prior - it was even considered by many to be a pseudo-sequel to that smash hit as both were directed by the late, great Tony Scott. Robert Duvall, Nicole Kidman, and Michael Rooker also co-star in this eminently quotable sports movie which was a mild commercial disappointment upon initial release but has since garnered a devoted following.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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This caps off a trilogy which kicked off in 2012 with the release of Magic Mike which was a surprise international hit - it was directed by Oscar-winner Stephen Soderbergh as a somewhat experimental tribute to male exotic dancers, which was star Channing Tatem's career before becoming an actor. After having his former editor direct the previous sequel, Soderbergh has return to direct this one along with Tatum returning. Our hero Mike has fallen on hard times recently no longer working as a dancer, mostly as a bartender....until while tending bar in Miami, he meets the wealthy and beautiful Max played by Salma Hayek. They have one "magical" night together where he shows his dancing acumen....and they're OFF to London where she has recruited him to direct and reconfigure a stage play at a venue owned by her. It's a goofy, whirlwind romantic musical filled with impressive dancer numbers....let's find out if it's romantic as well.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Valentine's Day is almost upon us and what better time to revisit a romantic comedy from just over twenty years ago? This one stars Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs as two childhood friends who initially bonded through their love of hip-hop music and have remained best friends through adulthood while also both working in the world of hip-hop. But now as they both live in New York City, their lives are getting a bit more complicated as one of them is about to be married....and wouldn't you know it, they MIGHT want to be more than friends. This rom-com - which blends of elements of When Harry Met Sally and Jerry Maguire - was directed by Rick Famuyiwa and also stars Mos Def and Queen Latifah.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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M. Night RETURNS....with this latest psychological thriller starring Dave Bautista, Ben Aldridge, and Jonathan Groff among a few others. A tight-knit family is having a relaxing vacation at a remote cabin when suddenly some one comes knocking....lead by Bautista's Leonard, the visitors are a group of four strangers armed with medieval weapons and a truly uniquely disturbing task for this family of two dads and their adopted daughter: willingly sacrifice one member of your family OR the world will end. :o It's a darkly intriguing premise adapted from the 2018 novel, "The Cabin At The End of the World" written by Paul Tremblay.....and it's the first adaptation of previously written material from M. Night Shyamalan in more than a decade.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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We kick off Black History Month with a stirring musical biopic that came out thirty years ago AND an even more probing recent documentary on the same subject. That subject would of course be the legendary pop singer Tina Turner who is not only among the highest selling recording artists of all time but has also lead quite the extraordinary life. The early part of her career was linked with her ex-husband Ike Turner who while also a talented musician in his own right, also became famous albeit for much darker reasons....mainly his abusive relationship with Tina.
The documentary (directed by Daniel Lindsay and TJ Martin) aired on HBO two years ago and was mainly based upon Tina's autobiography along with the broadway musical "I Tina" which inspired it. Angela Bassett stars as Tina Turner in the narrative feature (directed by Brian Gibson) in a role which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress - Lawrence Fishburne plays Ike Turner, also in a role which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Both films delve into the life of the gifted artist who delivered such memorable pop hits as "Simply The Best" and "We Don't Need Another Hero."
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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This was one of 2022's most acclaimed films and is now apparently one of the frontrunners in the current Oscar race. Among its nominees are Todd Field (In the Bedroom, Little Children) for both writing and directing, along with two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett for Best Actress for her memorable performance as the eponymous Lydia Tar. Tar is a renowned American composer/conductor leading an orchestra in Berlin - she's a worldwide celebrity with an impeccable reputation as a musical genius. But her life soon becomes engulfed in both scandal and a looming sense of danger.....and we follow her on this admittedly wild ride! The film also stars Noemie Merlant and Nina Hoss - let's see if it lives up to the hype.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Continuing this weeks's run of collaborations between Martin Scorsese and Robert DeNiro, we are now approaching the 40th Anniversary of likely the most obscure film which they worked on together. Scorsese returns to direct DeNiro in a completely different sort of role from his more recent tough guy ones in movies like Taxi Driver - this time he plays Rupert Pupkin, an "aspiring comedian" living in early '80's New York City who has only one dream.....to get a stand-up gig on "The Jerry Langford Show" which is the most popular night-time talkshow in the country, loosely modeled on "The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson" at the time. Langford is played by legendary comedian Jerry Lewis in a very different type of actor's turn for him. Pupkin becomes OBSESSED with getting on Jerry's show and in the process starts to stalk him....and hilarity ensues! :) Well at the very least some pretty funny satire......
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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What can be said about one of THE most iconic movies of the past 50 years which hasn't been said already? Well you probably know that it was directed by Martin Scorsese, one of our greatest living American filmmakers. And you probably also know it stars the legendary Robert DeNiro in one of his most iconic roles playing Travis Bickle, the titular taxi driver. You might also know that it was also written by the renowned writer/director Paul Shrader who would go on to craft other iconic films including American Gigolo and Affliction, along with several other collaborations with Scorsese. You probably already have an idea that it tells the story of an Vietnam veteran, disgruntled cab driver who eventually finds himself on a mission to "clean up the streets" of mid '70's New York City in his own unique way of course.
Whatever you might know regardless, it's never a bad time to revisit this classic film which has inspired millions of imitators since its release......all pretending to be tough staring in a mirrow, uttering, "You talkin' to me??"
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Thirty years ago, this urban thriller came out to mild acclaim and pretty strong box office - it stars one of our biggest stars of the time, Michael Douglas, in what would be one of his most iconic roles generally known as "D-Fens." He plays a recently divorced, disgruntled former defense engineer stuck in traffic one humid morning in LA when he suddenly decides....that he has just HAD it! He walks away from his car and starts to venture by foot into greater Los Angeles encountering his share of strangers who are either dangerous or scared of him.....and things get increasingly violent as the day progresses on. On his trail is Robert Duvall as a LAPD detective on his last day before retirement....or will he? Eventually their stories converge in a one o the more controversial thrillers of the '90's - this was directed by the late, great Joel Schumacher who had previously directed movies like The Lost Boys and Flatliners.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Director Todd Phillips (The Hangover) takes us through an alt-world origin story for the titular comic book villain from DC Comics. In this version, he's a struggling comedian/street clown in early '80's Gotham City named Arthur Fleck played by Joachin Phoenix in a role which won him the Oscar for Best Actor.
Three years ago the hype for this movie was deafening, the early acclaim was forceful, the critical backlash was fierce, and the box office was HUGE - it ended up being the first (and only since then) R-rated film to gross more than $1 billion worldwide. Since its initial release, it has been beloved by many and absolutely despised by a loud contingent online. But......was it actually good??
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Remember when Hollywood used to release actual THRILLERS focused on real Earth-based things which involved real regular people who didn't wear capes?? Well you don't have to go all the way back to 1979 to find a strong one (as there were many during the '90's) to find one but this might be one of the more memorable ones as it focuses on subject matter which was a hot-button topic at the time of release: the proliferation of nuclear power. Jane Fonda stars as a TV reporter who might have uncovered some unexpected dangers emerging from a local power plant in southern California, Michael Douglas (who also produced) plays her camera man, and Jack Lemmon plays an operator at said local power plant. This film received several Oscar nominations including for Best Actor (Lemmon), Best Actress (Fonda), and Best Original Screenplay which was co-written by James Bridges who also directed this film.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Could this be one of the most influential genre movies of the '70's? Well if you consider this to be one of the earliest movies to take place over ONE tense night traversing through big city, then the answer is likely yes. Walter Hill (48 Hours) directed this urban adventure of one young gang (the eponymous Warriors) trying to find their way back home to Coney Island from a violent event in The Bronx......all via 50 miles of subway train when they're not fending off rival gangs wearing facepaint, brandishing baseball bats, and/or gliding on old-school roller skates. The cast includes Michael Beck, James Remar, David Patrick Kelley, Dorsey Wright, Brian Tyler, and Roger Hill among several others.....CAN YOU DIG IT??
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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As a writer/director, HOW do you follow up one of the most highly acclaimed and influential films of the past several decades? Well back in 1997, Quentin Tarantino initially disappointed many (myself included) by NOT just giving us a redux of Pulp Fiction which had come out three years prior. Though as it turns out, he actually gave us one hell of a movie which decades later holds up very well as a more mature character piece - this one stars Pam Grier as the titular Jackie Brown alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Robert DeNiro, and Michael Keaton. The story focuses on the pursuit of more than $500k of gun-running money and how so many different folks want to get their hands on it....but it's actually much more than that. Let's revisit one of Tarantino's best!
WARNING: Racial epithets are heard during several clips for this movie.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Five years ago, this sprawling heist movie/crime drama came out to mixed reviews and solid box office. At the time of release, many dismissed it as a knock-off the 1995 classic Heat.....which it is somewhat is. But since then, it has garnered quite a cult following on cable and streaming for that VERY reason: it's a fun, engaging knock-off of Heat. :) And it features a nutso leading performance from Gerald Butler playing Big Nick, the dirty cop to end all dirty cops - he's on the trail of a proficient gang of bank robbers lead by ex-military, ex-con Merriman played by Pablo Schreiber. Also included among the cast are Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and O'Shea Jackson in this twisty action thriller directed by Christian Gudegast.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Remember Cannon Films? They were an independent production company started in the '70s run by two Israeli cousins (Yoram Globus, Menahem Globus) who wanted to bring their cinematic ambitions to the United States....and they released a LOT of movies, most of which were considered schlock in retrospect. But every once in a while, they would release a GENUINE quality film and this was one of them. :) Directed by Andrei Konchalovsky, this is a tense action adventure focusing on two escaped convicts of an Alaskan prison who jump on to a nearby train before eventually realizing that its conductor has died and its breaks are not working. Hence it's a.....RUNAWAY TRAIN. ;) Jon Voight and Eric Roberts star as the two convicts along with Rebecca De Mornay as a rail worker who they encounter on their adventure.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Thirty years ago, director Spike Lee released what at the time was his magnus opus...this highly ambitious biopic of the eponymous iconic civil rights leader played by Denzel Washington. We are taken through the entire life of Malcolm and his journey from street gangster to prominent spokesman for the Nation of Islam. His words and actions as an activist inspired millions while dividing many others. This 190 minute epic received much acclaim and a couple of Oscar nominations, including Best Actor or Denzel who gave one of - if not THE best - performance of his career. It also stars Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, and Al Freeman Jr.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Three years ago, most audiences were delighted by the breezy ensemble mystery comedy Knives Out directed by Rian Johnson and starring an impressive cast lead by Daniel Craig playing the brilliant detective Benoit Blanc. The film was a surprise box office hit when it came out so to no one's surprise, a sequel was planned and that sequel has also been directed by Johnson bringing back Craig's Blanc as our central protagonist. But this time, he has been invited to a pre-planned murder mystery set on the island of an eccentric billionaire played by Edward Norton....or WAS it pre-planned? What results is a dizzying comic mystery featuring a whole new cast of quirky characters including Kate Hudson, Janelle Monae, Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr, and Jessica Henwick.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Big Jim is back! I'm referring to James Cameron of course, the Oscar-winning director of Titanic who also gave us such modern classics as Aliens, The Terminator, Terminator 2, and most recently Avatar which came out in 2009. Despite a lengthy production process and going massively overbudget, that film shocked every one to become a worldwide phenomenon - it starred Sam Worthington as Jake and Zoe Saldana as Netyri, two star-crossed lovers fighting to protect the Navi people on the moon of Pandora.
And now both Jake and Netyri are back as well, this time with several kids who are becoming warriors in their own right. Once again, they have to keep them safe while fighting the "Sky People" once again lead by Colonel Miles Quarych played by Stephen Lang as the human villain of the first film - well THIS time, he now has own Avatar and is on the hunt for Jake and family. Coming out thirteen years after the first film, Cameron has worked exhaustively to craft an even more stirring epic with more impressive visual effects plus state-of-the-art 3D - let's see how his storytelling has developed alongside the technology.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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This year's series of holiday-themed movies concludes with a body-switch comedy from 1988 starring Judge Reinhold and Fred Savage as a father and son who - you guessed it - switch bodies as a result of a mishap with an ancient artifact. What results are hijinks involving middle school bullies, board meetings, heavy metal concerts, motorcycle chases, department stores, etc.....and this all takes place around Chicago during Christmastime. Of course while father and son adapt to their circumstances, they get to know each other better and hilarity ensues. ;) Brian Gilbert directed and this film also co-stars Swoosie Kurtz, Jane Kaczmarek, and David Proval. This came out amidst a slew of other body-switching comedies released within a few months including Like Father Like Son, 18 Again, and Big....and it's actually one of the better ones!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Ten years ago, we saw the release of Kathryn Bigelow's follow-up to The Hurt Locker, a film which not only won Best Picture at the Oscars but for which she became the first woman to be Best Director as well. She and writer Mark Boal decided to tackle the comprehensive subject of the US' ongoing ten year search for Osama Bin Laden....and history occurred just before they started filming, leading to a dramatic overhaul of the story they were trying to tell. What resulted was an in-depth dramatization of how the US intelligence community eventually found Bin Laden with the focus mostly being on one CIA agent at the center of this investigation named Maya (a composite of several real individuals) played by Oscar-winner Jessica Chastain. This film also stars Jason Clark, Mark Strong, Jennifer Ehle, and James Gandolfini among several others involved in this massive war-time prodecural which attracted a ton of controversy.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Thirty-five years ago, writer/director Oliver Stone released the follow-up to his searing Vietnam War drama Platoon which came out the previous year winning Best Picture among several other Oscars.....and this time, his focus was on stock brokers? :o Of course his late father had been a stock broker so this was a very personal subject for Stone and he even brought back the star from his previous film to star in this one....Charlie Sheen. Sheen plays our main protagonist Bud Fox who's an aspiring young stock broker who idolizes one of the most exciting new titans of investment banking, Gordon Gekko who is played by Michael Douglas. One day, he ingratiates himself into Gekko's world and ends up trading for him.....and what results is one of the most quoted and often imitated adult drama/thrillers of the 1980's. Much of what makes it so iconic is the lead performance by Douglas who would win Best Actor at the Oscars. It also stars Martin Sheen, Darryl Hannah, John C. McGinley, and the late great Hal Holbrook among several others. Let's find out if Greed is STILL good!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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The Holiday Movie Season continues.....and strangely enough, this one has quite the pedigree: it's directed by Renny Harlin who gave us the underrated Christmas actioner Die Hard 2: Die Harder and it's written by Shane Black who gave us the Christmas classic, Lethal Weapon. Beyond that, it stars Oscar winner Geena Davis as Charli Baltimore, a former government assassin who contracted amnesia and is now mild-mannered midwestern school teacher with a young daughter.....until of course, former rivals come calling. :o Charli has also teamed up with Mitch Hennessy, a crafty private detective played by Oscar nominee Samuel L. Jackson.....and what results is a quippy, brutal, and entertaining Christmas actioner which more people should have seen while it was in theaters.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Twenty-five years ago, this biting satire loosely based upon Robert Heinlein's military science fiction novel of the same name was released - there was much fanfare as it was a very expensive production co-financed by two different studios and was directed by Paul Verhoeven who had recently given us Total Recall, Basic Instinct, and Robocop. The problem was that most folks who initially saw it didn't seem to get the joke, not audiences nor critics. Much of that was due to a cast of absurdly attractive actors playing absurdly written characters - it starred Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Dina Meyer, and Neil Patrick Harris among several others. Let's revisit this sci fi satire to see how it has held up....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Our ongoing parade of holiday movies continues with likely one of the more beloved ones of the 21st Century with this charming tale of Buddy, the oversized Christmas Elf played by Will Ferrell back when he was still an active cast member of Saturday Night Live. As Buddy is not always fitting in at the North Pole due to his unusual size for an elf, he decides to venture to New York City to seek out his REAL father whom he has been told lives there - the father is played by the late, great James Caan who is obviously taken by surprise meeting the son he never knew he had.
Jon Favreu directed this relatively early in his career, several years before he would both jumpstart the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Iron Man AND revitalize the Star Wars universe as show-runner of "The Mandalorian." It was just simpler times back then as this film became a runaway phenomenon released amidst a slew of sequels to big-time franchises like Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter. It also co-stars Zooey Deschanel, Bob Newhart, Mary Steenburgen, and the late great Ed Asner as Santa.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Based upon their Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation (and novelization) from just a few years ago, this docudrama tells the true story of New York Times' journalists Megan Twohey (Carey Mulligan) and Jodi Kantor (Zooey Kazan) in their exhaustive effort to get to the bottom of rampant sexual harassment and workplace abuse in Hollywood....mainly at Miramax Pictures under the thumb of Harvey Weinstein throughout the '90's and early '2000's. This film was directed by Maria Schrader and also stars Patricia Clarkson, Andre Braugher, and Samantha Morton among several others.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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'Tis the season for holiday movies! And what better way to kick off this season than revisiting this Christmas-themed horror gem from the '80's directed by Joe Dante, starring Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates? The REAL stars are actually the creatures of the title of course - they can start as cute, furry little things known as Mogwai. But if you violate two of the three rules - don't let them get wet and don't feed them after midnight - then they can multiply and transform into much less pleasant scaly creatures who relish violence and mischief! :o What resulted was one of the bigger hits of the 1980's and just an endless parade of holiday nastiness....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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It's time to return to the fictional African kingdom introduced to us in one of the strongest films from the Marvel franchise which was also the RARE superhero movie to receive significant awards attention. Black Panther actually received seven Oscar nominations including for Best Picture and ended up winning three - not bad!
Ryan Coogler also returns to direct though unfortunately the star of that film (Chadwick Boseman) passed away premature a few years after its release, leaving a void as this time around, there is no titular Black Panther. So for this installment, the focus shifts to a few different characters including his sister Shuri (Leticia Wright), his mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett), and a new character from Marvel lore who emerges as a potential new threat to the people of Wakanda.....that would be Namor (Tenoch Huerta), the leader of an underwater kingdom.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Thirty years ago, this small little UK thriller from writer/director Neil Jordan took the world by storm - it was a surprise hit at the box office, received near universal critical acclaim, and it also received seven Oscar nominations including for Best Picture. What ended up being the main driver for much of this film's buzz and success was that it contained a "The Twist" which most audiences weren't expecting....and not just ANY twist either. ;)
Besides that twist, the film features a stellar cast including Stephen Rea, Miranda Richardson, Forest Whitaker, and Jaye Davidson who made QUITE the impression in only his first film role. It's basically a romantic thriller focusing on a former IRA terrorist (Rea) who's on the run and tries to redeem himself by seeking out to protect the girlfriend of a man (Whitaker) who he held captive. Let's find out if this '90's classic is more than JUST its twist.....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Forty years ago before this film directed by Ted Kotcheff came out, star Sylvester Stallone was generally associated with the popular character of Rocky Balboa which was created by him six years prior. Well all of that changed with the surprise success of this taut action thriller released in the fall of 1982 - this was the introduction to audiences of his OTHER beloved character, John Rambo. Rambo is a veteran of the Vietnam War who is simply wandering into a small northwestern town when he starts to get harassed by the local Sheriff Teasle played by the late great Brian Dennehy.
And he's not only harassed but arrested....and some of the local police holding him in custody make matters worse, things start to get violent and he escapes. What results is an action-packed cat-and-mouse game between Rambo and Teasle....and one of the most influential action films of the 1980's.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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True crime dramas have been all the rage on various streaming services and here's a new one on Netflix which is affecting and disturbing, but also a bit different in its approach. Directed by Tobias Lindholm, we are told the true story of a Pennsylvania nurse who was suspected about twenty years of murdering dozens of his own patients in subtle ways at various local hospitals - his name is Charles and he's played by Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne. However the story is mostly told through the point of view of the nurse who befriended him and eventually helped bring him to justice - her name is Amy and she's played by recent Oscar winner Jessica Chastain. What results is a compelling docudrama which leaves its mark on you.....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Forty years ago, Sydney Pollack directed one of the most acclaimed and most successful comedies of all time with this gender-bending sorta-romantic comedy starring Dustin Hoffman as Michael Dorsey. Dorsey is an unemployed actor who suddenly finds success disguised as Dorothy Michaels, a suddenly successful actress who becomes of the leads of a popular daytime soap opera. Jessica Lange plays Julie, her co-star whom Michael falls in love with, Charles Durning plays Julie's father Les who falls in love with Dorothy....and hilarity ensues! The stellar cast also includes Teri Garr, Dabney Coleman, Geena Davis, and Bill Murray.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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More than thirty-five years after its release, Die Hard remains among the most influential action films of all time. Since its release, we have seen dozens of movies following its formula of having ONE good guy within an enclosed space having to take down a group of bad guys lead by a terrorist mastermind.
This came out only four years after Die Hard and pretty much followed that formula to a T: in this case, the good guy is played by Wesley Snipes and he's a counter-terrorism expert now trapped on a passenger plane with a group of terrorists lead by Bruce Payne. And you can bet that Wesley gives them a good fight even when the action shifts off of that plane. Kevin Hooks directed this actioner which is about to turn thirty and as far as '90's Die Hard clones go, this one in particular reminds us to ALWAYS bet on Black! ;)
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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What better way to close out this scary season than to revisit a gothic horror romance from one of our greatest living directors, Francis Ford Coppola, who directed The Godfather Trilogy among several other modern classics. This adaptation of the classic 1897 vampire novel of course tells the epic tale of Count Dracula himself played with wild abandon by Gary Oldman clad in various memorable costumes and under gobs of convincing make-up depending on the scene – the story focuses on his star-crossed romance with Mina played by Winona Ryder. The cast also includes Keanu Reeves, Anthony Hopkins, and Sadie Frost among several other notable actors. Happy 30th Anniversary to a blood-soaked story where Love Never Dies.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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This latest addition to the DC Cinematic Universe stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the titular hero….well he’s not actually a hero, more of an anti-hero who has been bestowed the almighty powers of the gods, THIS is his origin story. Along with that, we also get introduced to the Justice Society lead by Hawkman played by Aldis Hodge who is joined by Doctor Fate played by Pierce Brosnan along with other heroes. The story mostly takes place in the fictional Middle Eastern city of Kahndaq which has been overrun by foreign military powers…..and only ONE man is there to defend its citizens who are trying to revolt. Guess who that happens to be? Jaume Collet-Serra directs this superhero epic….sorry anti-hero epic.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Spooky Season continues with this late ‘90’s throwback to sci-fi horror which is very reminiscent of both Alien and The Shining – this was directed by Paul W.S. Anderson who gave us the Resident Evil series. It’s basically a very gory haunted-house-in-space thriller which flopped upon initial release 25 years ago but has since gained quite a cult following. And for good reason because it features a lot of freaky imagery along with a pretty strong cast including Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Kathleen Quinlan, Joely Richardson, and Jason Isaacs. Let’s head off into space where no one….can understand your messages if they’re spoken in Latin. :o
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Happy 30th Anniversary to one of the most influential independent films of the 1990’s. This was the directorial debut of future Oscar-winner Quentin Tarantino – he also wrote the screenplay and co-stars as Mr. Brown, who is part of a criminal gang assembled to perpetrate a large diamond heist. The overall story focuses on both the lead-up and aftermath of said heist…..and everything that goes wrong. And along the way, we get to meet a unique set of characters played by Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, and Steve Buscemi along with several others.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Thirty-five years ago, we saw the release of a vampire thriller from a hot new director which truly connected with audiences and is beloved to this day – that film was The Lost Boys and it remains pretty beloved to this day. This was the OTHER vampire thriller released that same year – it was the second film to be directed by future Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow and it stars Adrian Pasdar as Caleb, a young man living in Oklahoma who meets a mysterious young woman (Jenny Wright) one night. The two lovebirds connect and then he meets the rest of the family….or so he thinks.
Because this woman doesn’t below to a family, she belongs to a gang of vampires lead by Lance Henrickson and they’re travelling around the country with one main purpose: to feed on others. And as a result, Caleb has to decide whether he wants to join them….or to be fed upon. This cult classic also stars Jeanette Goldstein, Tim Thomerson, and the late, great Bill Paxton.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Fifteen years ago, the screenwriter of The Bourne Trilogy delivered his directorial debut and it was quite a memorable one! Tony Gilroy both wrote and directed this complex legal thriller starring George Clooney in the title role as a legal “fixer” who solves problems for the clients of his law firm that their lawyers really can’t touch. And now Michael comes upon a problem involving one of those said lawyers – his long-time friend Arthur played by Tom Wilkinson – and his involvement with a major class action lawsuit involving a major agricultural company who might be breaking the law. Tilda Swinton won an Oscar for her portrayal of the lead council for that company and she delivers a memorable performance among many others from a top-flight cast firing on all cylinders.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Billy Eichner stars as Bobby, a single, successful, gay podcaster in his ‘40’s living in the big city who thinks he has everything he wants….until he meets Aaron one night in a club, a dreamy attorney played by Luke MacFarlane. And now Bobby THINKS he wants love…..as does Aaron…but it’s never that simple is it? Nicholas Stoller (Neighbors, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) directs this raucous romantic comedy which has attracted a lot of attention for what it signifies and how that plays with mainstream audiences….but is it any good? Let’s find out….
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Noah Baumbach directs this wistful coming-of-age comedy starring Greta Gerwig as the eponymous Frances who is a 27 year old aspiring dancer trying to find her place in the world after her best friend/roommate Sophie (Mickey Sumner) decides to move away with her fiancé to France. We follow her misadventures as Frances struggles to find steady work, a suitable home, and maybe even a bit of romance. This acclaimed indie from ten years ago also stars Adam Driver in one of his earliest roles and was co-written by both Baumbach and Gerwig - both of them would eventually not only get married but would also each receive Oscar nominations for Best Director just a few years later.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
1992 was just a great year for independent cinema……you had SO many memorable smaller films directed by both new directors like Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs) and veteran directors like Robert Altman (The Player). Amidst this crop was this underseen gem directed by Carl Franklin which didn’t have much of a theatrical release nor did it receive much in the way of Oscar attention. However it DID eventually garner a following on home video thanks to being loudly championed by the two premiere film critics of the time on their regular weekly review show….Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. In fact both critics even selected it as THE best film of 1992 which was a very strong year. This neo-noir crime thriller stars Bill Paxton as a small-town sheriff pulled into an ongoing hunt for three suspected murderers played by Cynda Williams, Michael Bowen, and Billy Bob Thornton who also co-wrote the screenplay.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Ten years ago, we saw the second big-screen adaptation of a popular British graphic novel – the previous one (Judge Dredd) which came out in the 1995 starred Sylvester Stallone and was widely disliked by both fans and non-fans of the original comic. As a result, expectations for this latest version were pretty low in the lead-up to its fall release.
And then people saw it…..and most were pretty blown away! The story was straightforward, the villain was memorable (Ma-Ma played by Lena Headey), the action was exciting, and even Dredd himself was portrayed by star Karl Urban as the bad-ass anti-hero that hardcore fans had been hoping for! Unfortunately, it flopped at the box office….though this movie has had a devoted following every since. Let’s revisit this now-cult classic directed by Pete Travis….or was that Alex Garland? :o
WARNING: ADULT LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE FEATURED IN CLIPS FOR MOVIE
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Back in 2019, actress Olivia Wilde dazzled many folks with Booksmart which was her directorial debut – it remains one of the funniest and most inventive comedies of recent years. So as her follow-up, she has given us an original thriller which is much more ambitious….but is it just as good? Well it has a mind-bending premise about a seemingly utopian sequestered village in the desert known as the “Victory Project” and it stars Oscar nominee Florence Pugh as a seemingly happy housewife living there with her adoring husband played by Harry Styles, who’s working for a mysterious boss played by Chris Pine. And of course, there has been significant online chatter lately about the film’s production, director, and cast. Let’s find out if all of this results in a good movie….
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Twenty-five years ago, audiences saw what would be THE first true movie star performance from eventual three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis headlining a large, mainstream action adventure film….and this would also be the last time they would see this as well. No matter because as directed by Michael Mann, it was quite memorable to be taken back to 1757 and told the story of Hawkeye, a white man raised and adopted by the Mohican tribe. Russell Means plays his father, Madeline Stowe plays the British aristocrat whom he falls in love with, and Wes Studi plays a local indigenous guide with a hidden agenda whom he encounters. Amidst a sprawling story of romance, adventure, political intrigue, and tragedy, let’s find out who leaves the greatest impression….
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
In a first for this podcast, I review an entire season of a streaming/TV show….
But not just ANY show... this one happens to be the surprisingly popular spin-off from The Karate Kid movie trilogy from the 1980’s.
It’s a serialized continuation of the adventures of Johnny Lawrence (Billy Zabka), Danny LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), and so many other kooky characters inhabiting this crazy martial arts-obsessed universe mainly taking place around “The Valley” just outside of Los Angeles.
Let’s jump-kick into a world filled with Coors Banquet, cassette tapes, crane kicks and….of course….karate competitions!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Marlene Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Seeing as it’s September, it’s that time of year again…..time for the kids to go back to school! And what better way to commemorate this time period than revisiting what MIGHT be one of the strangest high school comedies from the ‘80’s? It’s the simple of story of Jerry Mitchell (Casey Siemaszko) a mild-mannered Senior student who gets challenged to an after-school brawl by the new intimidating kid in school, the much gossiped about Buddy Revell played menacingly by Richard Tyson. And then we watch over the next six hours as Jerry attempts to exhaust all options to AVOID this fight….including trying to enlist help to take on Revell. It’s quirky, fresh, funny, and definitely underappreciated as this film was a flop when it first hit theaters – since then, it has reached somewhat of a cult status thanks to confident direction from Phil Joanou in what was his directorial debut.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
“LA Crime Week” continues with this Neo-Noir thriller directed by Roman Polanski which is considered by many cinephiles to be one of the best films of the 1970’s. It’s a complex mystery focusing on water distribution, adultery, and murder among other several other matters – the private detective who has been hired to investigate is played by Jack Nicholson in one of his earlier breakout performances. As Nicholson’s Jake Gittes delves further into his investigation, he starts to uncover unforeseen levels of corruption, mainly from local water baron Noah Cross played by the late great John Huston. But at the center of this mystery is Evelyn Mulwray who hired Jake and is played by Faye Dunaway – both Dunaway and Nicholson received Oscar nominations for their performances.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Right on the heels of Boogie Nights, yet ANOTHER all-timer is about to turn twenty-five! And this one is one hell of a sprawling crime drama set in the Los Angeles in the 1950’s focusing on three different LAPD cops played by Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, and Kevin Spacey. It’s quite an elaborate tale involving murder, prostitution, racism, corruption, blackmail, abuse, and even glamour at points – this was directed by Curtis Hanson and adapted from an acclaimed novel from James Ellroy. The stacked cast also includes James Cromwell, David Straitharn, Danny DeVito, and Kim Basinger in the role that won her an Oscar. This begins our “LA Crime Week” with Chinatown to soon follow….
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
RRR (2022)
This is the epic story of Ramu (Allur Sitarama Raju) and Bheem (NT Rama Rao Jr), two fierce soldiers on opposite sides of a long-running conflict in India one hundred years ago between the local residents and their British colonizers. Ramu reports to the British military and is on a mission to find the lead revolutionary who has been hiding in nearby forests - that revolutionary happens to be Bheem. Of course, they become friends at one point starting to fight together unaware of the other one’s roots…..and what results is a CRAZY 3+ hour extravagance of action, fantasy, dancing, revolution, and tigers defying gravity. :o Come learn about this deliriously entertaining Tollywood smash which not only took India but the rest of the world by storm this year! It was directed by S.S. Rajamouli and it’s quite the ride….
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Twenty-five years ago, director Paul Thomas Anderson shook up the cinematic world with this epic tale focusing on the adult film industry in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He borrowed techniques from Robert Altman and Martin Scorcese but he made them his own with this sprawling tale of Eddie Adams, a teenager played by Mark Wahlberg with ONE special gift. This one special gift helps Eddie become an instant star with the name of Dirk Diggler – we witness his rise and fall within the industry along with stories of so many others around him portrayed by an impressively stacked cast including Burt Reynolds, Julianne More, Don Cheadle, the late great Phillip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, and Heather Graham, along with so many others…..
And If you still don’t want to hear this review after reading the above, then that’s not an MP…..that’s a YP, YOUR problem. :O
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Remember when Nicholas Cage was known as Nicolas Coppola? Remember when the mall was THE place to hang out? Remember when half the girls in your high school class were trying to look like Pat Benatar? Remember when Sean Penn was funny?? :o Well if you don’t remember any of those things, here is an iconic tie capsule movie to remind of those and many other things from forty years ago. Yes this high school comedy came out forty years ago and it was not only the directorial debut for Amy Heckerling who would go on to direct Clueless but it was also the screenwriting debut of Cameron Crowe who would go on to write and direct Jerry Maguire. And it has a STACKED cast of future top talent including Penn, Cage, Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Judge Reinhold among several others. It’s time to go back to Ridgemont and find out if playing Led Zeppelin IV on the first date REALLY works….
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
The Predator has returned! Well an earlier version of the fierce hunter from another planet…..and THIS time, he has visited America’s Great Plains more than 300 years ago. So is this a prequel to the 1987 sci-fi action thriller starring Arnold Schwarzenegger? Well sort of....
This time, the story focuses on Naru (Amber Midthunder), a young member of the Comanche Nation who fancies herself a hunter even though she is expected to work more as a gatherer or healer. So she’s off on the hunt to prove herself….and guess who she runs into?? Eventually, more of her fellow tribesman get involved along with a group of French fur trappers.....and bloodshed ensues. Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane) directed this “Hulu Original” and let’s see how it compares to the original.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
For the next couple of weeks, we will be taking a break to get our proverbial batteries recharged - we'll be ok and be back to releasing new episodes before the end of the month! ;)
In the meantime, enjoy this special episode going back through our catalog of more than 120 episodes to rank THE Best Needle-Drops so far – for this episode, we are ranking the BEST FILM SCORES so far.....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
For the next couple of weeks, we will be taking a break to get our proverbial batteries recharged - we'll be ok and be back to releasing new episodes before the end of the month!
In the meantime, enjoy this special episode going back through our catalog of more than 120 episodes to rank THE Best Needle-Drops so far – there will be two separate episodes for SONGS and MUSICAL SCORES. This one is for the songs - enjoy!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Brad Pitt stars in this fast-paced (literally) action comedy from director David Leitch who previously helmed Deadpool 2 and Atomic Blonde. It almost entirely takes place on a high speed train barreling through Japan which has some antagonistic passengers to say the least. Among them are a group of assassins who each seem to have different missions but involving the same set of people, mainly a local crime organization lead by the feared gangster White Death. There’s also a valuable suitcase onboard filled with money that every one seems to want and will kill for…..and chaos ensues! This film also co-stars Bryan Tyee Henry, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Joey King, Hiroyuki Sanada, and a slew of surprise cameos….if you have haven’t already trailers mind you. 😉
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
“Don’t let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner….” – Neil McCauley, 1995
And that’s the apparent thesis for one of the most beloved films of the past thirty years spoken by living legend Robert DeNiro sitting across from fellow living legend Al Pacino. Or is it really the main theme of the movie? Maybe it’s just something cool-sounding that a tough guy says but doesn’t really follow through on….director Michael Mann examines that very question among so many others during this almost three hour crime epic focusing on the brewing conflict between two self-obsessed master tacticians on both sides of the law…and the women who love them….along with every one else whose lives they impact. This STACKED cast also includes Val Kilmer, Diana Venora, Amy Brenneman, Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight, Wes Studi, Dennis Haysbert, Mykelti Williamson, Danny Trejo, and Ted Levine among SO many others. Let’s find out if the action IS really the juice…..
WARNING: ADULT LANGUAGE THROUGHOUT MOVIE CLIPS
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
45 years ago during the summer of Star Wars and Smokey & the Bandit….there was only one action hero who dared to step into the ring and his name was Moore…Sir Roger Moore. 😊 By this point, Moore had played the character of James Bond in two previous entries in this franchise that made some money and had their fans but were still dwarfed by the popularity of the previous films starring Sean Connery – that all changed with this being an international smash hit and establishing Moore’s quippier version of 007 as a fan favorite for years to come.
For his latest mission, Bond has to team up with a rival agent from the KGB, Agent XXX (Barbara Bach), to try to take down yet another powerful industrialist who wants to take over the world – that would be Stromberg played Curd Jurgens who has designs on ruling it all from underwater. And Stromberg is helped by a rather large henchman with a million dollar smile…..filled with sharp metal teeth whose name is Jaws! Richard Kiel co-stars as Jaws in this action epic directed by Lewis Gilbert.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Oscar-winning writer/director Jordan Peele returns with this third film after the horror smashes Get Out and Us…..and this time, he’s taking things in a slightly different direction. There’s still horror involved but there’s also sci-fi and even many western elements. This story focuses on the Haywoods, a brother (Oscar-winner Daniel Kaluuya) and sister (Keke Palmer) running a horse ranch in southern California that was left them by their father (Keith David) who died under mysterious circumstances emanating from something dangerous….up in the sky. :o
And one night as they’re trying to figure out what to do with their dying ranch (business has been much slower since Westerns stopped being a regular thing in Hollywood movies), these circumstances return….scary noises and images, it SEEMS that there might be a UFO hovering near them. So in light of recent economic circumstances, they decide that the most lucrative course of action for them would be to collect ACTUAL footage of the alleged UFO which they can sell for major profit….and that pretty much kicks off the story which has been teased by a very mysterious advertising campaign in the lead-up to this film’s release. Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott, and Brandon Perea also co-star in this very unique summer thriller.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Remember when taking pictures required the use of an actual CAMERA and how the best way to see the fruits of your labor was to have them developed as PHOTOS? Well even if you don’t, it wasn’t that long ago before the age of smartphones – this film actually came out just twenty years ago and features at its center, one unique individual whose job is to develop these pictures for the general public.
His name is Seymour Parrish (otherwise known to others as “Sy the Photo Guy") and he was played by the late, great Robin Williams in what many consider to be among his best dramatic performances. Running a photo lab at the local Sav-mart, Sy loves his job and is also obsessed with the photos of one particular local nuclear family…the Yorkins who are played by Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan, and Dylan Smith.
And of course, this obsession takes on unhealthy levels as Sy becomes more involved in the lives of this family. What results is a tense, little thriller/character piece filled with striking visuals thanks very much to the talent of director Mark Romanek who after years of directing memorable music videos made this his feature directorial debut.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
When this film first came out 35 years ago, one of the taglines was “The Future of Law Enforcement.” Well it’s become abundantly clear that the future has now become the present upon revisiting this sci-fi action classic directed by the legendary Paul Verhoeven who would also go on to direct films such as Total Recall, Starship Troopers, and…..Showgirls? This remains of his best and most influential as it tells the story of Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) a police officer who is new to the dangerous streets of Detroit and gets brutally gunned down his first day on the job. But apparently, that’s not the last we see or hear of Murphy as he is resurrected into a cybernetic crime fighter for the city of Detroit, thanks to the interventions of the all-powerful OCP organization. He becomes known as Robocop and he has one ally partner played by Nancy Allen while having to take on several villains, most notably played by Ronny Cox and Kurtwood Smith.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
WARNING: PROFANE LANGUANGE AND EXTREME VIOLENCE INCLUDED WITHIN AUDIO CLIPS FROM MOVIE
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
The son of Odon returns in his fourth movie within the Marvel Cinematic Universe once again starring Chris Hemsworth as the titular her and directed for the second time (after the previous one, Thor Ragnarok) by Taika Waititi. This time, he has a dangerous new enemy who is out to kill ALL gods (himself included) played by Oscar winner Christian Bale. He is also reuniting with a former love – returning from the first two films is Oscar winner Natalie Portman playing the earth-bound scientist Jane Foster, only this time she seems to be in possession of Thor’s favorite hammer. Also joining us for this new adventure is Oscar winner (!) Russell Crowe as Zeus who….well the less said, the better. What results is a mad-cap adventure with heart which spans several different planets including ours where New Asgard is located – gratefully New Asgard is overseen by returning character Valkyrie, still played winningly by Tessa Thompson. So the gang’s all here (minus Loki) as has the fun returned as well? Let’s find out and at least, we get to hear a lot of Guns & Roses along the way…..
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
RIP to James Caan, one of the more legendary American actors to emerge from the stellar crop of the 1970’s. ☹ He has delivered many a strong performance in many strong movies including The Godfather where he played Sonny Corleone. Over his impressive 50+ year acting career, his starring role as the eponymous thief in this crime drama is considered by many (himself included) to be his best overall performance.
He plays Frank, a seasoned safe-cracker living in Chicago looking for that one “last big score” and he just have found it…..working with local crime boss Leo (the late great Robert Prosky) which might present more issues than just pulling off a difficult caper. All the while, Franks is also trying to build a relationship (and family) with Jesse (Tuesday Weld) while also trying to help his mentor Okla (Willie Nelson) who’s still in prison – needless to say, Frank has a LOT going on and various complications ensue. This was also the feature film directorial debut of Michael Mann who would eventually go on to direct several CLASSIC dramas including The Last of the Mohicans, Collateral, and…..one of my personal favorites, Heat.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
For the week of July 4, 2022, we will be taking a break due to the holidays and to get our proverbial batteries recharged - we'll be ok and be back to releasing new episodes next week! ;) In the meantime, enjoy this remastered episode of my review of a comedy classic.....
**This movie was directed by the late, great comedy legend Ivan Reitman who would give us Ghostbusters a couple of years later. This movie also stars two comedy legends – Bill Murray and Harold Ramis – as two shlubby dudes who decide to join the army to be all that they can be before they turn 30.
How does the humor hold up? Is it actually as subversive as it seemed at the time? Let’s enlist and find out!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Elvis Presley remains one the most popular rock and roll performers since the inception of rock and roll – his music dominated the pop music landscape in the 1950’s and he remained a rock & roll icon through his unfortunate death in 1977. His life has been dissected, discussed, and of course has been portrayed in several movies going back decades.
Acclaimed Australian filmmaker Buz Luhrmann (Romeo & Juliet, Moulin Rouge) directs this latest version, an epic biopic about the rise and fall of the man known to many as “The King” who is played by up-and-coming young actor Austin Butler. Tom Hanks also co-stars as “Colonel” Tom Parker who would become Elvis manager throughout most of his career. And what results is 160 minutes of high energy insanity featuring tons of memorable music – Elvis has ENTERED the building!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Happy 30th Anniversary to this classic fictionalized sports drama about the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) which was started in 1943 during World War II as a temporary replacement or Major League Baseball as most players were serving overseas at the time – it featured several great female athletes from account the country who had never had the opportunity to play baseball at this level before. Geena Davis starts as the catcher Dottie Hinson with Lori Petty as her sister Kit who’s a pitcher – they play for the Rockford Peaches who are being managed by Jimmy Dugan played by Tom Hanks in a performance which earned him an Oscar nomination. The stacked cast also includes Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell, and it was directed by the late great Penny Marshall. Just in time for July 4th, let’s revisit this tale of America’s Pastime….albeit from a somewhat different angle. 😉
And be sure to learn about "The Madonna Rule" at 7:25!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Forty years ago, this sci-fi horror thriller was released as director Carpenter’s follow-up to Escape From New York and Halloween, both of which were quite popular and pretty groundbreaking for the time. It was a remake of the horror classic The Thing From Another World directed by the late great Howard Hawks – it has a top-flight cast of veteran actors lead by Kurt Russell including Keith David, Wilford Brimley, Richard Masur, Donald Moffett, and Alan Dysart among others. It also featured state-of-the-art special effects from modern master Rob Bottin, a hummable score from the legendary Ennio Morricone, and crisp visuals from one of the best cinematographers of this era, Dean Cundey.
Everything about this film was top-of-the-line…..so WHY was it so disliked when it first came out? :o Reviews were relatively bad as was the box office – however over time, this film has become a genuinely beloved cult classic now considered among John Carpenter’s best films. Let’s go back to that isolated scientific facility to find out why....
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Luca Guadagnino directs this touching coming of age drama about a 17 year old aspiring musician named Elio (Timothee Chalamet) living with his parents in Italy who falls in love with Oliver (Armie Hammer) the archeological grad student who is staying with them for the summer. The film is set during the Summer of 1983 and we are treated to sequences of dancing, swimming, bicycling, sumptuous meals, lovely people…..you’ll almost want to be there vacationing alongside them. 😊 This film was nominated for four Oscars including Best Picture and ended up winning Best Adapted Screenplay which was written by the legendary James Ivory. Michael Stuhlbarg also co-stars as Elio's father in this beautiful story of love and heartbreak.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
What’s the BEST way to capture vital information from a renowned terrorist who’s currently in a coma with the only potential source being his extremely paranoid brother? Well if you’re living within the heightened world of this crazy action thriller directed by John Woo, the most obvious suggestion would be for you to surgically swap faces with that terrorist who’s in the coma. :o As wild as this premise seems, now imagine the two faces involved being those of John Travolta and Nicholas Cage at the height of their powers. :o
What results is likely one of the most deliriously entertaining AND meme-worthy blockbusters of the ‘90’s or any decade for that matter! Joan Allen, Gina Gershon, Alessandro Nivola, and Dominique Swain also co-star in this wild action thriller which is about to turn 25.
WARNING: PROFANE LANGUAGE THROUGHOUT FILM CLIPS
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Just when you thought it was safe to try to interact with genetically developed prehistoric creatures….here’s another sequel to this long-running franchise to maybe pour some more cold water on that idea. Yes we are back in the world of raptors, T Rex’, and Chris Pratt looking manly which he certainly does. And every one else is back too from the original 1993 movie including Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum to try to get to the bottom of what seems to be a global ecological disaster that might be emanating from one corporation…..and there MIGHT even be dinosaurs involved too! :o Bryce Dallas Howard and B.D. Wong also return from previous Jurassic films and Colin Trevorrow directs this brand new dino-epic.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff & Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Two trashy urban thrillers from the 1990’s are about to turn 30 and gratefully, they feature top-flight talent! In Unlawful Entry, Kurt Russell and Madeline Stowe play a mild-mannered couple who become the focus of an increasingly unhinged police officer played by Ray Liotta – RIP. ☹ And in Single White Female, Bridget Fonda stars as fashionable Manhattanite who just broke up with her cheating boyfriend and is now seeking a new roommate in her swank apartment – enter Jennifer Jason Leigh’s Hedra who at first seems nice but proves increasingly……let’s say clingy. :o
Both films pretty much follow a time-tested formula around this time which we also saw in movies like The Hand That Rocks the Cradle and Sleeping With the Enemy….and yes ALL of these types of thrillers were trashy but several of them were also fun. 😉 Unlawful Entry was directed by Jonathan Kaplan and Single White Female was directed by Barbet Schroeder.
WARNING: PROFANE LANGUAGE THROUGHOUT FILM CLIPS
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff & Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
We kick off Pride Month 2022 with this Oscar-winning biopic directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting) which delves in the life of slain civil rights activist Harvey Milk who took the city of San Francisco AND the country by storm by becoming the first openly gay politician elected to major office in 1978. His story is both inspiring and touching, with much of the structure of this film and several highlights coming from the 1984 documentary of his life called “The Times of Harvey Milk” which also won the Best Documentary Oscar that year.
Sean Penn stars in the 2008 film as the eponymous activist/politician from Woodmere, NY – he also won the Best Actor Oscar that year and is supported by an impressive cast including James Franco, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, Victor Garber, and Allison Pill. The documentary was directed by Rob Epstein and was narrated by Harvey Fierstein – both films are very informative along with being quite entertaining, let’s delve into both!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Apparently the star of this movie has been in the news a lot lately? Well let's revisit the film and the role that helped cement him into superstar status nineteen years ago....and that would of course be Johnny Depp playing the iconic Captain Jack Sparrow, resulting in not only a blockbuster franchise featuring him at its center but an Oscar nomination he would receive for this VERY role in 2003. Gore Verbinski directed this rollicking adventure on the high seas also starring Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush, Keira Knightley, and Jonathan Pryce....AHOY MATEY!!!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff & Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
He still feels the need, the need for speed! Maverick (Tom Cruise) is back after more than 36 years – he’s still toiling with the Navy as a Captain and still likes flying jets. He has now been called back to the Top Gun academy at Miramar by his superiors….to train a NEW crop of flyers for a top secret mission. Those new flyers include various characters with various call-signs including Hangman, Phoenix, Coyote, and…..Rooster (Miles Teller) who is actually the son of Goose, which was his best friend who died during a training exercise in the first movie. Yes this is indeed a DIRECT sequel to the 1986 smash Top Gun but it’s so much more than just a sequel. 😊 Joseph Kosinski (Tron Legacy) directs this aerial adventure also starring Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Charles Parnell, Glenn Powell, and Ed Harris.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
In honor of Memorial Day, let’s revisit one of the earliest films from a true titan of cinema, the late great Stanley Kubrick – this was only the third feature film he directed, and it came three years before what many consider his true breakout film, Spartacus starring Kirk Douglas. Douglas stars in this as well as a Colonel in the French Army during World War I who is ordered to lead his battalion into an untenable situation right at the edge of the European Front, though No Man’s Land.
What results is a tragic incident involving many deaths that only gets more tragic as some surviving soldiers are to be held accountable for what happened – Douglas’ Colonel Dax also takes it upon himself to defend these men in court. This film is part war drama, part courtroom drama, and ALL compelling! It also stars Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, and George Macready in one of THE greatest anti-war films ever made and from the same filmmaking master who would go on to direct A Clockwork Orange, Dr. Strangelove, and 2001: A Space Odyssey…among several other classics.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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We kick off our Second Season with this gem from the mid '90's. Back in the early ‘90’s, a young aspiring filmmaker from Austin made his first movie for $7,000 with much of the financing coming from selling his body for science – the filmmaker was Robert Rodriguez and his first feature was the celebrated El Mariachi, an inventive action film about a guitar player-turned-assassin seeking revenge.
A couple of years later, he followed this up with a bigger budget Hollywood version of this story which was originally going to be a remake but ended up being a sequel….this time starring Antonio Banderas as the Mariachi, with a significantly bigger budget, and a pretty stacked cast surrounding him including Salma Hayek, Steve Buscemi, Joaquim de Almeida, and Cheech Marin. THIS version was called Desperado and it ended up being one of the best action films of the era!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
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Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Dutch, the head of an elite mercenary extraction squad who are sent deep into the Latin American jungle to “rescue” some high-level US diplomats. And they are quite the crew also including CIA operative Dillon played by Carl Weathers, Mac played by Bill Duke, Billy played by Sonny Landham, and Blaine played by Jesse “The Mind” Ventura – they have all of the fire-power they could possibly need plus a cast including TWO future governors, so what could go wrong?
Well there happens to be a special visitor from WAY out of town who’s on the hunt….for human skulls. :o And this visitor has his own firepower, including laser guns which can dismember his victims along with cloaking technology allowing him to sneak up on them among the trees. What results is ONE hell of a battle between Man AND Alien directed by genre master John McTiernan who would go on to direct Die Hard the following year!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Editors: Geoff and Ella Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Five years ago, acclaimed director Christopher Nolan gave us his first film to be based true events after a career mostly devoted to mind-bending fantasy or science fiction. And the subject matter is undeniably cinematic: the May 1940 evacuation of more than 400,000 Allied troops from the French coastal town of Dunkirk – this was a key turning point of World War II as these troops were generally trapped around a coastal bottleneck surrounded by Nazi/Axis forces closing in from various directions. This film was nominated for eight Oscars including Best Picture and ended up winning three – it stars Fionn Whitehead, Harry Styles, Tom Hardy, and Kenneth Branagh among many others.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
The second part of CLASSIC SEQUEL WEEK brings us another classic franchise entry from the Summer of 1982 – the crew of the USS Enterprise are back and they’re involved in some hairy stuff. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) is now an Admiral for the Star Fleet and while joining the rest of the crew for what was originally going to be a “routine training mission” he finds out about the return of an old foe who is out for revenge against him. That foe is Khan played by Ricardo Montalban and not only is he out for vengeance against Kirk but he is now trying to nab a potentially dangerous new piece of technology from Star Fleet….the Genesis Device.
And what follows is an epic space adventure including the rest of the cast from the The Original Series including Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Nichelle Nichols, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, and George Takei. This was directed by Nicholas Meyer who modeled the narrative on that of a sea-faring adventure.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
It’s CLASSIC SEQUEL WEEK and for the first review of two memorable franchise films which are about to turn 40, we start with this third entry in the Rocky saga – our hero Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) has just defeated Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) for the championship belt and is on top of the world. But a new threat has emerged, and his name is Clubber Lang played by Mr. T. :o Throw in Hulk Hogan playing Thunder Lips, training montages, a classic rocker from Survivor, and you have one hell of a time! Stallone also wrote and directed this film which also co-stars Talia Shire, Burgess Meredith, and Burt Young.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
It’s that time of year when the weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer, it’s early May so WHAT does that mean? Of course, it means the NHL Playoffs are just beginning! And what better way to commemorate the kick-off for professional hockey’s playoff season than to revisit one of THE Most Beloved Hockey Movies of All Time….which happens to star one of THE Greatest Movie Stars of All Time, Paul Newman.
He stars as player/coach Reggie Dunlop of the minor league hockey team, the Charleston Chiefs – they’re a raucous group filled with goons and/or boozers but they MIGHT have a chance to win this season thanks to their latest addition of the Hanson Brothers. Jeff Carlson, Steve Carlson, and David Hanson co-star as the Hanson Brothers in this raunchy, raucous sports comedy directed by the legendary George Roy Hill who previously gave us Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid along with The Sting.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Have you heard of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes? Yup the Billionaire Playboy (Robert Downey Jr.), the Big Green Guy (Mark Ruffalo), that frozen dude with the shield (Chris Evans)….oh right The Avengers! Well ten years ago, we saw the release of their first team-up movie into theaters and in case you didn’t hear, it was a HUGE success. Now seems as good a time as any to revisit this superhero epic directed by Joss Whedon. It also stars Scarlett Johannsen, Chris Hemsworth, Samuel L. Jackson, and Jeremy Renner - together they must all ASSEMBLE to defeat the dastardly Loki played by Tom Hiddleston.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Tom Gormican directs and Nicholas Cage stars as….Nicholas Cage, the famous Oscar-winning actor/former movie star who has spent much of the past decade acting prolifically in many smaller movies but still remains a household name. He’s struggling to find exciting new work as an actor and decides to take up on the offer of wealthy olive oil tycoon from Spain who pays him $1 million to attend his birthday party on the coast of Spain as a special guest.
The olive oil tycoon is Javi played by Pedro Pascal – he is literally THE biggest Nic Cage super-fan you are ever likely to meet and needless to say, the two of them become instant friends. Unfortunately, all might not be as it seems with regards to Javi and his business – the CIA suspects him of foul play and lead by Tiffany Haddish’s operative, they need to recruit some one to infiltrate Javi’s world to get to the bottom of things…..and yup, guess WHO they recruit to do so? 😊 And HILARITY ensues…..
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
In honor of Alien Day (4/26…named after the planet where the alien is first discovered by humans, known as LV-426), let’s revisit the sci-fi horror classic which started it all. This was only the second feature to be directed by Sir Ridley Scott near the beginning of what would eventually become an illustrious career including Gladiator, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, and The Martian.
The story follows the crew of the Nostromo, a mining ship in outer space in the future which is called to answer a distress call on a nearby planet (LV-426) and once on that planet, they of course get more than they bargained for….eventually meeting the eponymous Alien. :o It stars Tom Skerritt as the Captain of this crew along with Sigourney Weaver in her first major role and the one which made her a star…..as Lieutenant Ellen Ripley.
WARNING: INCLUDING FILM CLIPS PORTRAYING EXTREME VIOLENCE
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
It's our 100th Episode!!!! This Brazilian crime epic came out just under twenty years ago and has earned its place in the discussion for THE greatest films so far this century. And for good reason because it is expertly co-directed by Oscar-nominee Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund, along with featuring a plethora of local Brazilian talent in front of and behind the camera. The story mainly focuses on Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues), an up-and-coming young photographer growing up in the eponymous favela area just outside of Rio de Janeiro known as the “City of God.”
But it is SO much more than that as we meet literally dozens of interesting characters, each trying to maneuver their way through a period in the ‘70’s when gangs ruled, the beaches were beautiful, drugs were in high demand, the fashions worn were stylish, and violence was a way of life.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Brian DePalma directed this Prohibition Era crime epic about the eponymous Untouchables and their mission to take down Al Capone, who is ruling the city of Chicago through extreme violence. The Untouchables are lead by Elliott Ness played by Kevin Costner and Capone is played by DeNiro. However the most memorable player is Ness’ right-hand and mentor, Malone played by the late great Sean Connery in the role which won him an Oscar. Andy Garcia, Billy Drago, and Charles Martin Smith fill out the very well-dressed cast. Is everything portrayed true to what really happened at this time in American history? Not in the slightest, but it’s still damn entertaining!
WARNING: MOVIE CLIPS PORTRAYING VIOLENCE
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Lawrence Fishburne stars in this urban crime thriller as an undercover cover working his way up the drug trade around Los Angeles before he eventually goes TOO deep….hence the title. Jeff Goldblum also co-stars as a local drug lawyer who he becomes partnered with – both actors give among the best performances of their respective careers in a film which just turned 30 but still holds up as of the best mob/gangster movies of the 1990’s. It was directed by Bill Duke and also features one of the most popular hip hop soundtracks of its era….including the title track which showcases the studio debut of Snoop Dogg. 😊
WARNING: FILM CLIPS CONTAINING ADULT LANGUAGE INCLUDING RACIAL EPITHETS
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
When this movie came out almost twenty years ago, the expectations just were NOT very high as Matt Damon wasn’t considered an action hero, the director (Doug Liman) wasn’t considered an action director, the series of novels it was based upon had waned in popularity, and most big budget Hollywood action movies at the time were much louder and more bombastic….along the lines of recent hits produced by Jerry Bruckheimer including The Rock, Gone in 60 Seconds, and Armageddon.
But this was a DIFFERENT kind of action movie with a more thoughtful tone, more grounded plot, more subtly paranoia about key institutions like the CIA (this was released less than a year after the 9/11 attacks, and most notably action sequences which felt both more fluid and ground-level. To the surprise of most, it received almost universal acclaim AND blockbuster success launching a very lucrative franchise of Bourne films for years to come – it’s time to revisit the movie that started it all….
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
45 years ago when this first came out, you would have through it might be considered a pretty big event as a big budget follow-up from the recent director (William Friedkin) of The Exorcist and The French Connection….and playing its lead, the star (Roy Scheider) of Jaws. :o As it turns out, it was a VERY troubled production being released by a studio which had no idea how to market it so they didn’t even try.
It was considered a flop upon release but in the decades since then, there has been a growing appreciation for this high tension adventure thriller focusing on four strangers who are tasked with driving six cases of highly unstable nitroglycerin more than 200 miles through very treacherous conditions – it’s a harrowing story expertly told and no, there are NO sorcerers nor any magic involved. 😉
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Together, co-directors/co-writers Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinart have graced us with what is likely the most original and uniquely entertaining film of 2022 so far. It stars Michelle Yeoh as the beleaguered owner of a laundromat who along with her husband (played by Ke Huy Quan) finds herself sucked into an elaborate adventure through the “multi-verse” where we watch several different incarnations of her try to navigate through a conflict which threatens to undo everything! As she traverses though these various universes, we see her as a martial artist and movie star, among much MORE unique incarnations….to attempt to describe it any further just doesn’t do it justice.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
March Madness continues with this sports drama starring Nick Nolte as Pete Bell, the coach for a fictional college basketball program at Western University. Under his leadership, this program has been winning for years but what do you do when the winning stops? Well if you’re Coach Pete, you have some tough decisions to make as to just how far you will go to recruiter the best talent out there for your team, including hot young players portrayed by some of the NBA’s best at the time including Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway. Directed by the legendary William Friedkin who also gave us The Exorcist, this engaging morality tale also stars Mary McDonnell and the late, great JT Walsh.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
**THE prototypical buddy cop movie has just reached its 35th-anniversary as directed by the late great Richard Donner.
It stars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as the iconic Riggs & Murtaugh – they’re assigned as partners for the first time and needless to say, things are pretty tense off the bat.
But as they get enveloped in a complicated murder case involving the death of the daughter of one of Murtaugh’s war buddies, they start to uncover a dangerous conspiracy involving ex-military, drug dealers, and a particularly intimidating mercenary named Mr. Joshua played by Gary Busey. And then things start to get increasingly LETHAL….**
WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE AND MENTIONS OF SUICIDE
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
In the long-standing Hollywood tradition of The African Queen and Romancing the Stone, we have a NEW version of one of those types of stories with this action/adventure rom-com featuring two attractive stars (Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum) on a treacherous quest through the South American jungle to find….the titular "Lost City" of D.
Along the way, we also have Danielle Radcliffe as a mad industrialist who has first kidnapped Bullock’s novelist to help him find treasure buried within this lost city and….Brad Pitt as a very handsome (!) extraction expert who has been hired to rescue Bullock’s character as well.
Upon release, one common question about this new major studio film has been, “Does Hollywood really still make these kinds of movies?” But the even bigger question remains: “Does Hollywood even know how to still make these kinds of movies WELL?”
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Thirty years ago, writer/director Ron Shelton followed up his classic baseball comedy Bull Durham with this buddy comedy/romantic comedy set in the world of street basketball around Los Angeles. It stars Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson as two basketball hustlers who end hustling each other on the courts…..along with teaming up to hustle others. Every one just shines in this movie including Rosie Perez in a star-making performance as Woody’s girlfriend….and there’s even a special cameo from the late, great Alex Trebek along the way!
WARNING: ADULT LANGUAGE
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Thirty years ago, director Paul Verhoeven followed up his modern action classics Total Recall and Robocop with this erotic mystery thriller starring Michael Douglas as a troubled San Francisco police detective investigating the grisly murder of a former rock star. The chief suspect is a famous author who was dating the victim played by Sharon Stone in what was a genuine star-making performance. Of course, the police detective falls for the chief suspect while other folks are murdered and……chaos (or hilarity?) ensues!
WARNING: ADULT CONTENT AND LANGUAGE
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
Fifty years ago this month, we saw the release of one the greatest and most influential films in the history of American cinema. Directed by a then-relatively unknown Francis Ford Coppola and adapted from a hugely popular fictional best-seller from a few years prior from author Mario Puzo, this movie took the world by storm having a instant and long-lasting impact on not only films but pop culture in general. If you weren’t already aware of the actual plot, let’s just say that it’s mainly about….FAMILY. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino star in this crime epic as Vito and Michael Corleone, two generations of leadership over a powerful organized crime family. Also included among this legendarily stacked cast are Diane Keaton, James Caan, Robert Duvall, and Talia Shire.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
**Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, let’s revisit the ‘90’s blockbuster thriller which helped make dying rivers (the Chicago River) green for the holiday mainstream.
This epic blockbuster stars Harrison Ford as Dr. Richard Kimble as The Fugitive on the run after being falsely convicted for the murder of his wife.
It also co-stars Tommy Lee Jones as U.S. Marshall Sam Gerard who’s hot on his trail, in a role for which he won an Oscar. Directed by Andrew Davis, this U.S. Marshall does a hard-target search of every gas station, residence, warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, outhouse, and doghouse!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
**How did a small, idiosyncratic western family drama directed by someone who had not done a feature film in more than a decade become this year’s Oscar front-runner??
Campion has now become the first woman to receive two nominations for Best Director – her previous one was more than 27 years ago for The Piano. The story takes place in 1920s Montana and is mainly focused on two brothers who run a cattle ranch, the woman one of them falls in love with, and her troubled son….or is he?
It stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons, Kirsten Dunst, and Kodi Smit-McPhee… each of whom also received Oscar nominations for their exemplary work.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
**The character of Batman has been everywhere in media in recent years….and yet it has been almost ten years since we had a proper stand-alone Batman movie since "The Dark Knight Rises."
We close out our ongoing series examining this latest incarnation of the Batman/Bruce Wayne character, this time starring Robert Pattinson in the title role and directed by Matt Reeves, who gave us the last two Planet of the Apes movies. Also along for the ride are Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, Paul Dano as The Riddler, Colin Farrell as The Penguin, and Andy Serkis as Alfred…**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/
**We kick off Women’s History Month with this often touching and funny corporate legal drama based on true events directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Julia Roberts in the titular lead role, for which she won the Best Actress Oscar that year.
Julia plays a single mother/ex-beauty queen who gets a job with a law firm in Southern California run by Albert Finney’s Ed Masry, a role he received an Oscar nomination for. Through her work, she gets increasingly involved with an ongoing lawsuit involving the local power company and their questionable actions, allowing toxic chemicals to poison the water of a nearby small town – it all develops into what many consider to be one of the ultimate David Vs. Goliath stories of recent years.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/ Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #erinbrockovich #juliaroberts #albertfinney #stevensoderbergh #aaroneckhart #womenshistorymonth
**Thriller Week continues with the latest directorial effort from the legendary Steven Soderbergh who apparently filmed this on the fly in Seattle at the height of the COVID pandemic.
This movie is a nifty little thriller starring Zoey Kravitz as a tech analyst for a new modern home-based communications device along the lines of Amazon’s Alexa or Apple’s Siri….this one is called the “Kimi.”
While analyzing some voice streams recorded by users of this device, she stumbles onto a recording that might provide evidence of a violent crime. And when she starts to investigate the source of this recording and report it…..she then starts to find herself in danger!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #kimi #stevensoderbergh #zoeykravitz #thriller #hbomax
Twenty years ago, acclaimed director David Fincher followed up his generational anti-establishment classic Fight Club with this more straightforward genre film starring Two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster as a recent divorcee who has moved into a cavernous Manhattan apartment with her daughter played a pre-teen, Kristen Stewart. And this fancy multi-level home happens to have a panic room….and just guess where she and daughter need to hide when burglars come calling? Forest Whitaker, Jared Leto, and Dwight Yoakam co-star as the burglars in this tense home invasion thriller.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #panicroom #jodiefoster #kristenstewart #forestwhitaker #jaredleto #dwightyoakam #davidfincher #howardshore #davidkoepp
LANGUAGE & CONTENT WARNING **During Black History Month, we review this seminal Civil War epic about the first official black regiment….the 54th Massachusetts Infantry led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw played by Matthew Broderick. This story follows his efforts to get his men the opportunity to fight the Confederates along with the training and evolutions of several black soldiers including Trip played by Denzel Washington (which he won an Oscar for), Thomas played by Andre Braugher, and Rawlins played by Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman.
We witness both the struggles and triumphs of this group of men as they not only attempt to fight the South but also for respect and even basic provisions from the racist leadership of the Northern Army. Ed Zwick directed this stirring tale which has no shortage of highly memorable sequences in and out of warfare. (Warning- use of racial slurs in movie clips)
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #glory #denzelwashington #morganfreeman #matthewbroderick #civilwar #andrebraugher #blackhistory #edzwick #jameshorner #harlemboyschoir
**Back in 2005, writer/director Chris Nolan brought us back to Gotham City and more importantly….to the Batman. He took the character of Bruce Wayne/Batman in a completely different direction from previous films (the last one being Batman & Robin in ’97) by starting fresh at the beginning. And what results is one of the most interesting and influential origin stories ever told.
Oscar-winner Christian Bale stars as the titular hero alongside Oscar-winner Michael Caine, Oscar-nominee Liam Neeson, Oscar-winner Gary Oldman, Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman, Oscar-nominee Tom Wilkinson, Cillian Murphy, Rutger Hauer, and…..Katie Holmes...So yes it’s a STACKED cast with some unique choices as we delve into Batman’s famous rogues' gallery as he takes on Scarecrow AND Ras Al Gul. This episode completes our "Living for the Batman" Series before the release of the newest Batman movie (The Batman) comes out in a few weeks.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #livingforthebatmanseries #ChristopherNolan #GothamCity #ChristianBale #GaryOldman #MorganFreeman #LiamNeeson #MichaelCaine #TomWIlkinson #CillianMurphy #RutgerHauer #KatieHolmes #RasAlGul #Scarecrow #BatmanBegins #JamesNewtonHoward #HansZimmer #brucewayne
**Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we review one of the more underappreciated romantic comedies from the ’90s. It was hyped by its studio as “The NEXT Pretty Woman” and while it didn’t even come close to approaching runaway success of that Julia Roberts blockbuster, you could make a case that it’s a superior movie.
It stars Andie MacDowell and ‘80’s French acting phenomenon Gerard Depardieu (in his first English-speaking role) as a botanist and French ex-patriate who get married as part of an arrangement for him to receive his "green card" and permanent resident status.
As you would expect, they both get more than they bargained for as the INS is cracking down on situations like this so they both have to PRETEND that they are a married couple in love….or are they in fact pretending? Acclaimed Australian filmmaker Peter Weir directed this gem as his follow-up to runaway hit Dead Poet’s Society which came out the year before.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #greencard #andiemacdowell #gerarddepardieu #peterweir #romcom #valentinesdaymovie #valentinesday #enya
**15 years ago, we saw the first on-screen pairing of two stars who could have been referred to at the time as the King AND Queen of romantic comedies…
Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore.
Grant stars as Alex Fletcher, former co-lead singer of the fictional ‘80’s pop group known as “Pop.” He’s a former pop star that is now a "has-been" and who now has a shot at his first big break in years as he was recruited to write a new song for CORA, the biggest pop star and who is kinda, sorta loosely based on Britney Spears at the time (mid ‘2000’s).
Alex is still a gifted musician but humorously bad at writing lyrics….and that’s where Barrymore’s Sofie comes in as she’s a former writer who surprisingly has a gift for writing song lyrics. Together, they collaborate on a new love song….and just GUESS what happens along the way? Marc Lawrence directed this very charming rom-com which also features its' share of catchy music.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #musicandlyrics #hughgrant #drewbarrymore #romcom #valentinesdaymovie #marclawrence #popgoesmyheart #romanticomedy
**Happy 30th Anniversary to one of the goofiest and most influential buddy comedies of the ‘90’s starring, based on the Saturday Night Live skit of the same name.
It stars Mike Myers as the titular Wayne and Dana Carvey as his best friend Garth – together they host the show “Wayne’s World” on public access TV out of Wayne’s basement in Aurora, IL. We follow their adventures as both of them are recruited by a nefarious producer played by Rob Lowe to broadcast their show….and get paid for it. Along the way, Wayne falls in love with local rocker Cassandra played by Tia Carrera.
Directed by Penelope Spheeris, this film is loaded to the gills with early ‘90’s excellence – let's see if it's worthy...**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/#livingforthecinema #moviereviews #waynesworld #wayneandgarth #partyon #aurora #mikemyers #danacarvey #Queen #BohemianRapsody #TiaCarrera #PenelopeSpheeris #90s
**Kicking off Black History Month, we revisit this historical crime thriller released just a year ago and starring two of today’s most impressive actors, Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeish Stanfield.
Kaluuya stars as Fred Hampton who was the chairman of the Black Panther Party in Illinois in the late 1960s, mostly around Chicago. He has made quite the name for himself as an effective Civil Rights leader and as a result, is soon perceived by the FBI at the time as a potential threat. Stanfield plays Bill O’Neill who is a local Chicagoan recruited by the FBI to infiltrate the local Black Panthers to help take them down. Of course, O’Neill starts to befriend Hampton and tensions build as both Hampton’s influence grows as do the FBI’s plans to stop him.
Shaka King directs this searing drama which received much acclaim last year along with winning two Oscars including Best Supporting Actor for Daniel Kaluuya.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #judasandtheblackmessiah #danielkaluuya #lakeithstanfield #blackpanther #fredhampton #shakaking #HER #H.E.R. #civilrights #blackhistorymonth #bestsupportingactor #oscar #1960s #Chicago
**Could this be the greatest film about journalism ever made?
It’s certainly one of the most celebrated investigations of one of the greatest political scandals in American history. We follow two young reporters from the Washington Post – Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein – as they exhaustively get to the bottom of not only whom was behind the infamous 1972 break-in at the National Democratic Party headquarters as the Watergate Hotel, but who was covering it up….and how that went, all the way to the White House.
Robert Redford plays Woodward, Dustin Hoffman plays Bernstein, and they are joined by a stellar cast of veteran actors including Jason Robards, Hal Holbrook, Jane Alexander, Jack Warden, and Martin Balsam. Alan J. Pakula directed this classic thriller,
Let’s follow the money and see where it leads…..**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/#livingforthecinema #moviereviews #watergate #watergatehotel #nixon #allthepresidentsmen #bobwoodward #carlbernstein #robertredford #dustinhoffman #washingtonpost #nationaldemocraticparty #1972 #jasonrobards #halholbrook #janealexander #jackwarden #martinbalsam #alanpakula #scandal #politicalthriller
**Joel Coen (of the Coen Brothers) directs this latest adaptation of one of William Shakespeare’s most celebrated plays, this time starring two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington as the titular Macbeth and co-starring three-time Oscar winner Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth.
And what a memorable adaptation it is – everything is filmed in black and white with stark visuals and piercing sound design. Also starring Brendan Gleason and Corey Hawkins and featuring plenty of…double, double toil and trouble, fire burn, and cauldron bubble!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #macbeth #tragedyofmacbeth #joelcoen #denzelwashington #francesmcdormand #brunodelbonnel #carterburwell #stefandechant #bertiecarvel #alexhassell #coreyhawkins #harrymelli
#somethingwickedthiswaycomes #doubledoubletoilandtrouble #shakespeare #StefanDechant #coenbrothers
**How do you follow up a twisted, dark, and somewhat perverted Batman sequel (previous episode Batman Returns) which upset a lot of parents, angered a fast-food franchise, and freaked out a major studio?
If you're Warner Bros., you take the character of Batman/Bruce Wayne….and cast 90's star Val Kilmer and hire Joel Schumacher to direct and cast the biggest stars at the time including Jim Carrey as The Riddler, Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face, Nicole Kidman as Dr. Chase Meridian, and Chris O’Donnell as Robin……plus you add Day-Glo production design, buffoonery from some key cast members, and….Bat-nipples?
As part of our ongoing "Living for the Batman" series, let’s examine how this movie holds up…..**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #batmanforever #valkilmer #jimcarrey #tommyleejones #nicolekidman #chrisodonnell #batmanseries #livingforthebatman #U2 #1995
**This film had the misfortune of being dumped by its studio at the time of release AND coming out the week after Black Panther but make no mistake, this is one of THE most impressive science fiction horror films of recent years.
It was directed by genre master Alex Garland (Ex Machina) and stars Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, and Oscar Isaac.
It all revolves around the expedition of four scientists into a mysterious area of Florida swampland now occupied by alien life known as “The Shimmer” and what transpires there is not for the squeamish!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #annihilation #AlexGarland #NataliePortman #JenniferJasonLeigh #OscarIsaac #TessaThompson #GinaRodriguez #TuvaNovotny #BenedictWong
**Submarine Week continues with this epic underwater journey following a crew of German sailors aboard a U-boat facing off against the British Navy during the latter years of World War II.
Forty years ago, director Wolfgang Peterson (The Perfect Storm, Troy) took the world by storm as this large-scale German production became both a box office hit and recipient of several Oscar nominations.
We dive into life on the submarine with a crew of 42 trying to survive under increasingly tense (and cramped) circumstances as they traverse through the Mediterranean to try to get home. Jurgen Prochnow stars as the ship’s captain.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #dasboot #submarineweek #uboat #uboot #germanuboat #wolfgangpeterson #klausdoldinger #jurgenprochnow
**What better way to ring in the New Year than to do a deep dive….underwater into the world of submarines?
Let’s start this week with this exciting mid-‘90’s submarine thriller directed by the late, great Tony Scott. Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman co-star as the new XO and Captain of the U.S.S. Alabama which has just set sail towards Russia as word gets out of a possible revolution there and the frightening possibility of a new military leader getting control of Russian nuclear weapons. The submarine starts receiving messages about a possible launch of nuclear weapons but then…more messages start to come through and they’re not all clear. What follows is an epic battle of wills between two leaders who disagree over what to do next...tensions get increasingly heightened on the boat with other crewmates as well, played by James Gandolfini, George Dzunda, Viggo Mortensen, and several others.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
EXPLICIT LANGUAGE WARNING
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #crimsontide #denzelwashington #genehackman #coldwar #USSAlabama #jamesgandolfini #tonyscott #hanszimmer
**Remember when The Dark Knight came out in 2008 and how much of a phenomenon it was?
Well, most do but most do NOT remember this shorter, knockoff version of a similar story released about 15 months later in 2009.
It stars Jamie Foxx as a District Attorney playing literal cat-and-mouse with this story’s version of the Joker….that would be the homicidal Clyde played by Gerard Butler who after losing his wife and child is now determined to “bring the whole system down.”
Things get increasingly crazy and violent as Clyde seeks his revenge…but just how entertaining is it? Thanks to director F. Gary Gray and crew, and we’ll examine why.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #lawabidingcitizen #gerardbutler #jamiefoxx #violadavis #FGaryGray #thedarknight #thewho
**What's the final word on this controversial new Matrix movie? Let's find out...
Lana Wachowski returns to direct the new entry in this ongoing saga which started in 1999 as we see the return of Neo played by Keanu Reeves and Trinity played by Carrie-Ann Moss.
Also along for the ride are new and/or reconfigured versions of previously characters played by Jessica Henwick, Neil Patrick Harris, Yahya Abdul-Mateen, and Jonathan Groff. What results is a very meta reintroduction to this universe – let’s see if this trip is worthwhile!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #thematrix #thematrixresurrections #keanu #keanureeves #lanawachowski #carrieannmoss #trinity #jessicahenwick #neilpatrickharris #yahyabdulmateen #jonathangroff #meta
***For the last week of 2021, we will be taking a break due to the holidays and some unexpected illness - we'll be ok and be back to releasing new episodes next week. ;)
Therefore we are releasing an older episode from last year - this is last year's Oscar winner for Best International Feature Film! What better way to ring in the New Year than to treat yourself to......Another Round! ;)
And be on the lookout for reviews of other memorable foreign films (Das Boot, City of God, Run Lola Run) coming soon in 2022......*HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Review of the recent Danish-language comedy drama starring Mads Mikkelsen and directed by Thomas Vinterberg which recently won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
www.livingforthecinema.com
anotherround #thomasvinterberg #madsmikkelson #oscarwinner #druk #theofficialmads #lechiffre #casinoroyale #hannibal #teammads #michaelkhohlhaas #danishfilm
For the last week of 2021, we will be taking a break due to the holidays and some unexpected illness - we'll be ok and be back to releasing new episodes next week. ;)Therefore we are releasing an older episode to celebrate today's (December 28) birthday of The Greatest Actor of All Time......DENZEL WASHINGTON. Denzel turns 67 today and what better way to celebrate than revisiting one of his most purely enjoyable performances and films, this modern classic directed by one of our greatest living directors, Spike Lee.
And be on the lookout for more reviews of Denzel films (Glory, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Crimson Tide) coming soon in 2022..... HAPPY BIRTHDAY DENZEL!!!
Spike Lee directs this New York-based bank heist thriller starring SIX Oscar winners and/or nominees - Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster, Clive Owen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Willem Dafoe, and the late great Christopher Plummer – and the result is a highly rewatchable caper film that lives up to its pedigree. How could it not, with Spike and Denzel leading the charge?
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #insideman #denzelwashington #spikelee #jodiefoster #cliveowen #willemdafoe #newyork #christopherplummer #chiwetelejiofor #moviereview #moviereviewpodcast #heistmovie #denzel
LANGUAGE WARNING
**It’s the end of the world as we know it….but do we feel fine? ☹
Two astronomers played by Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio discover a comet headed towards Earth in six months and it has the potential to destroy all of us. To try to save the planet, they spread the word to every important figure they can find from Rob Morgan playing the head of NASA’s planetary defense…to Cate Blanchett and Tyler Perry playing co-anchors on the country’s most popular morning show…to Meryl Streep playing the President of the United States.
It’s a STACKED cast also including Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, Timothy Chalomet, Ron Pearlman, and….Arianna Grande because why not? Director Adam McKay takes us through** this DARKLY comic look at how society reacts (or doesn’t react) to a looming global crisis.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #dontlookup #merylstreep #jenniferlawrence #leonardodicaprio #cateblanchett #tylerperry #jonahhill #adammckay #endoftheworld
**It’s the Spidey Event of the Season!
Peter Parker/Spiderman (Tom Holland) is back and this time around, he’s coping with the unexpected release of his identity to the public…..along with all of the fallout that comes with that to friends and family.
He comes to his fellow Avenger, Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), to cast a spell to fix things but what results is an unexpected opening into the “Multiverse.” Soon he’s encountering villains from different universes and things get out of hand.
Jon Watts directs and returning to the cast are also Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau along with some familiar faces from Spiderman movies of the past. It’s a trip through nostalgia, let’s see if it lives up to the hype.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #spiderman #nowayhome #PeterParker #DrStrange #multiverse #Zendaya #marisatomeii #jonfavreau #jonwatts #tomholland #tobeymaguire #andrewgarfield #marisatomei #benedictcumberbatch #spidermannowayhome #Marvel
WARNING: LANGUAGE
**Could this be the ultimate Christmas movie??
Well, it depends on who you ask...
It’s the timeless story of New York police detective John McClane played by Bruce Willis on his first visit to Los Angeles – he’s there to see his wife Holly played by Bonnie Bedelia and she happens to be at an office Christmas party. But this party ends up being crashed by a group of unexpected guests led by Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman, and what results is full of explosions, hostage stand-offs, crawling through ventilation ducts, and loads of holiday cheer!
This John McTiernan-directed action thriller is a classic movie choice for this time of year….or any time of year for that matter.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #brucewillis #diehard #alanrickman #hansgruber #christmasinhollis #RunDMC #yippeekiyay #hohoho #christmasmovie
When this came out in 2003, it was marketed as “The Ultimate Romantic Comedy.”
The story takes place over the Christmas holidays in London and stars a who’s-who of top-flight UK acting talent including the late great Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Bill Nighy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Keira Knightly, and even a few notable Americans including Laura Linney and Billy Bob Thornton. AND it was the directorial debut of Richard Curtis, screenwriter of beloved ‘90’s romantic comedies Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill….
Wow, how could this NOT the greatest rom-com EVER??
Let’s find out and also some hints below with a link to Screen Junkie’s “Honest Trailer” for this movie on YouTube…..
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
SCREEN JUNKIES HONEST TRAILER
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #loveactually #christmasmovie #hughgrant
**So just under thirty years ago, Tim Burton directed a sequel to his HUGELY successful Batman movie of 1989….and he made it even weirder….AND it’s a Christmas movie no less.
Just in time for the holidays, it’s time to revisit this bizarrely entertaining Bat-Sequel starring Michael Keaton as the Caped Crusader, Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Danny Devito as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin, and Christopher Walken as Max Shrek.
And don't forget that mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it….**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #batmanreturns #michaelkeaton #michellepfeiffer #dannydevito #christopherwalken #timburton #mistletoe
**‘Tis the season for holiday romantic comedies (not to mention those airing nightly on the Hallmark Channel) which also feature ALL of the cliches and rom-com tropes you have come to know and love!
Here's a Christmas movie that broke out last year for a few reasons:
1) it features an A-List cast, better production values (it’s actually shot on-location), and….
2) at its center is a lesbian couple played by Kristen Stewart and MacKenzie Davis.
Abby (Stewart) and Harper (Davis) – are in love and Harper is finally bringing Abby home to meet her parents for Christmas….or is she? And of course, Harper hasn’t been honest with Abby OR her pretentious family and what results has often been described as the “Lesbian Christmas Version of Meet the Parents.” Let's find out how this crazy holiday rom-com holds up against the rest!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #kristenstewart #mackenziedavis #christmasmovie #moviereviews
“Football Week” continues with this football drama set in Alexandria, VA in 1971 and “based on true events.”
Starring Denzel Washington as Herman Boone, coach of the T.C. Williams “Titans” a varsity football team from the first racially integrated school in its district also fielding the first racially integrated football team in that district as well.
Needless to say, not everyone is getting along and racial tensions at the school and surrounding areas aren’t helping matters either. But as you would expect, this team of Titans comes together under the fierce leadership of Coach Boone to have one more memorable season!
Directed by Boaz Yakin, this inspiring story also stars Will Patton, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst, a very young Ryan Gosling, Donald Faison, and an even younger Hayden Panettiere.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
DenzelWashington #WillPatton #WoodHarris #RyanHurst #RyanGosling #BoazYakin #MarvinGaye #Disney #foodballweek #livingforthecinema
**What happens when you combine the talents of the director of "Top Gun" (Tony Scott), the writer of "Lethal Weapon" (Shane Black), with the star of "Die Hard" (Bruce Willis), and the producer of both "Lethal Weapon" AND "Die Hard" (Joel Silver)??
You get a dark, funny, and ultra-cynical buddy-action comedy, pairing up Willis’ grizzled, chain-smoking/borderline alcoholic PI Joe Hallenbeck with Damon Wayan’s fast-talking, pill-addicted disgraced former football star Jimmy Dix.
You also get loads of laughs and action all in service of a crazy plot involving the murder of a stripper and the escalating corruption of professional football.
It all adds up to a crazy time had by all...**WARNING: LANGUAGEHost: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #brucewillis #damonwayan #halleberry #billmedley
WHO YOU GONNA CALL??? **The director of this new Ghostbusters movie, Jason Reitman is actually the son of Ivan Reitman who directed the first two Ghostbusters movies. This time around, he has given us a direct sequel to the original 1984 classic.
The action is now set in the Oklahoma country where the progeny of the late Dr. Egon Spangler has resettled in a country house and farm that he left them. McKenna Grace stars as his granddaughter with Finn Wolfhard (of Stranger Things fame) as his grandson – Carrie Coon plays their mother and Paul Rudd plays a local teacher who befriends them as they all start to notice SPOOKY things around their house.
And Grandpa Egon also apparently left them loads of cool Ghostbusters gear including that famous “Ecto 1” car. Needless to say, we apparently have a new generation of Ghostbusters on the case – let’s see how this one compares to the previous films and if ‘Bustin still makes us feel good!' 😉**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/#livingforthecinema #moviereviews #ghostbusters #ghostbustersafterlife #jasonreitman #mckennagrace #finnwolfhard #carriecoon #billmurray #danackroyd #erniehudson #sigourneyweaver #anniepotts #paulrudd #bokeemwoodbine #logankim #celesteoconnor #joshgad #jksimmons #robsimonsen #whoyougonnacall #elmerbernstein, #openhighwaypodcast
Shout Out - Open Highway Podcast
**Eddie Murphy plays the con-man Billy Ray Valentine and Dan Ackroyd plays a spoiled investment banker Lewis Winthorp – one is barely making it while the other is living VERY comfortably...
Let's see what happens when they…..trade places! 😉
Of course, they’re not doing this on their own – it’s all plotted by the evil and powerful Duke brothers played by Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche who also get help along the way from Denholm Elliott as a wise live-in butler and Jamie Lee Curtis as a hooker with a heart of gold.
If it all sounds silly and cliched, don’t worry because it’s not – as directed by John Landis, this was one of the smartest comedies of the ’80s featuring two comedic stars at the height of their careers.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ Warning: Movie clips included feature profane language.#livingforthecinema #moviereviews #tradingplaces #eddiemurphy #danackroyd #jamieleecurtis #johnlandis #ralphbellamy #donameche #patrickcowley #sylvester #doyouwannafunk
WARNING- ONE SCENE WITH EXPLICIT LANGUAGE
**Could this be the Best Thanksgiving Movie ever? Well, it’s definitely a contender as written and directed by the late, great John Hughes.
It stars Steve Martin and John Candy as two mismatched strangers attempting to travel home to Chicago for Thanksgiving – along the way, they deal with a lot more than they bargained for traveling via all of the titular modes of transportation. And there are plenty of mishaps involving cigars, credit cards, rental cars, and even pillows... It’s all very funny and heartfelt and in the spirit of what the holiday is all about.
SHOUT OUT to A.J. Chat Podcast** - she will be interviewing Chris Candy and talking about this movie for Thanksgiving
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #planestrainsandautomobiles #stevemartin #johncandy #johnhughes #thanksgiving #chicago #ajchat
**After 5+ years of endless online discourse regarding this film’s quality and what it means, it’s time to revisit this superhero epic directed by Zack Snyder.
In case the title didn’t already convey this, this film presents us with a burgeoning conflict between Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill) as they both attempt to protect the citizens of their respective home cities, Gotham City and Metropolis.
But throwing a monkey wrench into both of their plans are the machinations of the evil Lex Luthor played by Jesse Eisenberg and along the way, we also spend time with Lois Lane (Amy Adams) and a mysterious artifacts curator played by Gal Gadot….
When we’re not seeing disturbing images both on the ground and flashing (pun intended) through the mind of Affleck’s Bruce Wayne. Let’s revisit what works and what doesn’t work about the film which launched a thousand “Martha” memes!
SHOUT OUT: WITH NOTHING TO SAY PODCAST**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #batman #batmanvssuperman #benaffleck #henrycavill #jesseeisenberg #galgadot #zacksnyder #amyadams
**Contrary to what many believe, the Western genre is still alive….and thriving thanks to Netflix.
Here we have a good, old-fashioned tale of rival gangs, redemption, and revenge from a very talented filmmaker directing his first feature no less.
Directed by Jeymes Samuel, it stars Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Idris Elba, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, and Lakeith Stanfield – just a dream team of African American talent providing an underseen POV of how the Wild West really was.
There are musical numbers, shootouts galore, and loads of tense stand-offs – it’s time to find out the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of what makes THIS film unique! 😉**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #thehardertheyfall #westernmovie #jonathanmajors #idriselba #reginaking #jeymessamuel
**Happy 35th Anniversary to what is considered by many to not only be one of the seminal films about the Vietnam conflict but one of the Greatest War Films of All Time.
It was a major breakout for its creator Oliver Stone who himself was a decorated veteran of that war – for this film, he won both Best Director and Best Original Screenplay as he spent many years after returning home writing this screenplay.
This film mainly focuses on the story of newly enlisted Private Taylor played by Charlie Sheen and his evolving relationships with two very different senior officers of his platoon, Barnes played by Tom Berenger and Elias played by Willem Dafoe. We follow these soldiers along with several others as they engage in on-the-ground conflict with the Viet Cong and eventually each other. What results is an unforgettable drama loaded with unforgettable moments and images.**WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE AND MATERIAL
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #platoon #vietnamwar #vietnamconflict #oliverstone #charliesheen #willemdafoe #tomberenger #forestwhitaker #johnnydepp #keithdavid #kevindillon #johncmcginley
EXPLICIT MATERIAL AND LANGUAGE WARNING
**What happens when a local fraternity moves in next door to a young couple with a newborn baby?
Well, hilarity of course thanks to this raucous comedy from director Nicholas Stoller who had also directed past comedic gems including "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Get Him to the Greek."
Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne play the young couple and Zac Efron plays the hunky head of the fraternity – they all start out as friends but of course, things escalate once the frat parties start getting louder and louder. It becomes FAMILY vs. FRAT, the ultimate battle!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #sethrogan #neighbors
**Just under thirty years ago, three-time Oscar Winner Oliver Stone directed one of the most controversial major studio films of all time and it was about one of the most consequential events of the latter half of the 20th Century….the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963.
But it wasn’t just about the assassination of a sitting President, it was even more so about the CONSPIRACY behind that assassination and the investigation to uncover the truth about this conspiracy….or at least how Oliver Stone saw things.
And what resulted was a dizzying 3+ hour epic conspiracy thriller/courtroom drama featuring a high-powered cast including Kevin Costner, Joe Pesci, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, Gary Oldman, and too many other notable actors to mention.
Much of what was portrayed in this film was based on fact but much was also based on speculation – how much does this film blur the lines between those two? It’s time to revisit one of the most influential films of the ’90s and how it still holds up even as just a movie…..**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #jfk #OliverStone #KevinCostner #joepesci #tommyleejones #conspiracy #jfkassassination #leeharveyoswald #warrencommission #kevinbacon #donaldsutherland
**Eight thousand years into the future, the most valuable commodity in the universe is the Spice Melange on the desert planet of Arrakis, otherwise known as “Dune.”
Warring planets and factions will fight for control of it including the Houses of Atreides and Harkonnen – if this sounds familiar, that’s because it is the basis for the story of “Dune” the seminal 1965 sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert AND it was also the basis for a 1984 movie directed by David Lynch.
Well now, the talented French-Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve – the director of Blade Runner 2049, Sicario, and Arrival– has brought it back to the big screen and with a STACKED cast including Timothee Chalemet, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Zendaya, Jason Mamoa, along with several other notable actors. Let’s see how this all translates to the big screen again, especially those sandworms!
SHOUT OUT: NERDS TALKING PODCAST**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #dune #sandworms #hanszimmer #Denisvilleneuve #JasonMamoa #nerdstalking
**As Halloween approaches, what better way to celebrate than to watch one of the more underrated horror films of the 1980s.
This is the story of Charlie (William Ragsdale), a mild-mannered teenager living in suburbia who lives with his mother – one day, two strange new neighbors move in next door and one of them seems to have some VERY strange nocturnal behaviors. One of those neighbors happens to be the mysterious Jerry Dandridge played by Chris Sarandon and Jerry appears to be….a vampire...
What follows is a scary, tense, and funny vampire tale featuring TOP-flight creature effects and a nice supporting performance by Roddy McDowall as the host of a late-night horror anthology show known as ”Fright Night.”
Tom Holland (no not the one who plays Spider-Man) both wrote and directed this movie before making a splash just a couple of years later directing the first Child's Play.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #frightnight #vampiremovie #vampire
**Just in time for Halloween, let’s review one of the craziest horror thrillers from the ‘90’s which came out almost thirty years ago and was directed by the Master himself Martin Scorcese….as his follow-up to a little film called Goodfellas.
It stars Robert DeNiro as ex-con Max Cady who is out for revenge against the attorney Sam Bowden who failed to keep him out of jail 14 years earlier played by Nick Nolte. Sam’s wife and teenage daughter also get put in harm’s way, they’re played by Jessica Lange and Juliette Lewis – everyone just brings it with lights-out performances as both Lewis and DeNiro were nominated for Oscars at the time.
Come out, come out wherever you are!!!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #capefear #martinscorcese #robertdeniro #nicknolte
S P O I L E R R E V I E W
**Michael Myers is back in Haddonfield and guess what he’s doing? Well, the title kind of gives that away but beyond him, also returning is Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode along with Judy Greer as her daughter Karen – Laurie is still recovering from the brutal events of the previous film as this movie picks up literally RIGHT where that one left off.
As a result, several of the local townspeople are on the hunt for Myers as he continues his rampage of death throughout their small town – they’re lead by Tommy Doyle played by Anthony Michael Hall, remember him?? 😊
David Gordon Green also returns as director and takes us through a carnage-filled journey through both the past and present – let’s see how this holds up compared to the surprisingly strong Halloween reboot-quel (?) from 2018!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #halloween #halloweenkills #jamieleecurtis #michaelmyers #davidgordongreen #johncarpenter
**1996 was one great year for movies including a big studio RomCom starring George Clooney and Michelle Pfeiffer which came out just under 25 years ago.
They’re playing mismatched (or are they?) Manhattanites racing around the city, juggling work commitments and kids….all the while falling in love? 😊
Michael Hoffman directs this breezy, funny romp featuring two movie stars at their peak!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #georgeclooney #michellepheiffer #onefineday
S P O I L E R R E V I E W
**Well, it’s finally here….the final James Bond starring Daniel Craig, and wow does he go out with a bang!
The story kicks off with 007 retired living with the lovely Madeline played Lea Sidoux but of course….the criminal underworld comes calling as he once again gets enmeshed with the terrorist organization SPECTRE lead by Christoph Waltz’s Blowfeld along with a mysterious new villain Safin played by recent Oscar-winner Rami Malek.
Also back along for the ride are Bond’s “Scooby gang” including Jeffrey Wright, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, and Ben Wishaw…in addition to a new OO7 played by Lashana Lynch. Cary Joji Fukunaga directs this epic conclusion to the Craig Bond Saga and what results is an epic-length review including major spoilers, so be warned!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/ #livingforthecinema #moviereviews #notimetodie #danielcraig #007 #christophwaltz
**Twenty-five years ago, this small indie neo-noir grabbed the attention of both critics and cinephiles by announcing a talented new duo of directors….the Wachowskis.
Three years later, they would direct The Matrix, and of course, the rest of the world noticed them after that blockbuster!
Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly star as two neighbors who fall for each other…only one of them is living with a local gangster played by Joe Pantoliano who just laundered more than $2 million in mob money. And what results is tense, twisty, sexy, and probably one of the best thrillers of the ‘90’s!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #Wachowski #JoePantoliano #GinaGershon #JenniferTilly #neonoir #90smovies #Bound #tomjones #shesalady
**As Daniel Craig’s run as James Bond is about to come to an end with the release of "No Time To Die", we review this movie which is his most popular Bond film and among the most popular in the history of the franchise.
It co-stars Oscar-winner Javier Bardem as Silva, a truly memorable villain who’s out for revenge against Bond’s boss, M played for the last time by Dame Judi Dench.
The film kicks off with a slam-bang action sequence culminating with Bond being shot and falling into a giant waterfall...a truly hypnotic opening credits' sequence which follows with Adele’s omnipresent title track playing over it, and then….it only gets better?**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
moviereviews #livingforthecinema #livingforthebond #skyfall #danielcraig #jamesbond #notimetodie #cinephiles #adele
Happy 25th Anniversary to the comedy which spawned a dozen catchphrases including “Vegas baby Vegas!” and “You’re SO money!” 😊
It’s one of the ultimate hang-out movies and tells the story of a struggling actor (Jon Favreau who also wrote the screenplay) who moved to LA just about six months ago and is trying to get over the girlfriend he left in New York - his best friend Trent (Vince Vaughn) is showing him the ropes on how to meet someone new…or is he? We follow them along with several other friends around mid ‘90’s Los Angeles wearing bowling shirts, attempting to swing dance, and always on the prowl for “beautiful babies.”
All of this was filmed on the fly by director Doug Liman who would go on to direct big-time action films like "The Bourne Identity" and "The Edge of Tomorrow." After twenty-five years, it’s time to head back to The Dresden!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
moviereviews #livingforthecinema #vegasbaby #swingers
This Chicago based crime drama was directed by Steve McQueen as a follow-up to his Best Picture-winning "12 Years a Slave" which stars Viola Davis as a follow-up to winning her Oscar for co-starring in "Fences" and was written by Gillian Flynn as a follow-up to her Oscar-nominated box office smash "Gone Girl"….so WHY wasn’t it a bigger deal when it came out three years ago??
This Original film features a stacked cast including Viola Davis, Liam Neeson, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, recent Oscar-winner Daniel Kaluuya, Brian Tyree Henry, and recent Oscar-nominee Cynthia Erivo.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews
**In our ongoing Bond series, we revisit the OG Bond, Sir Sean Connery, in this second film in the franchise.
We follow Bond this time in the midst of a Cold War espionage plot where he has to take on SPECTRE, the shadowy organization that is out to kill him along with possibly inciting World War III.
This was PEAK Connery and very much a film of its time, very 1960’s. It also co-stars Robert Shaw as the iconic villain Red Grant along with Lotte Lenya as the infamous Rose Klebb.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #livingforthebondseries #jamesbond #007 #sirseanconnery #coldwar #spectre #1960s
**Just over twenty years ago, Elle Woods taught us that not only do blondes have more fun...
but that they can also make GREAT defense attorneys…..even just one year into law school.
Elle is played by Reese Witherspoon of course in a star-making performance that not only spawned a franchise but also inspired many a high school production. Directed by Robert Luketic, this also starred Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Ali Larter, and the invaluable Jennifer Coolidge.
Let’s revisit this surprise hit comedy and see how that “Bend and Snap” routine really holds up!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #legallyblonde #bendandsnap #harvardlaw #reesewitherspoon #blondeshavemorefun
“Is it safe?”
**If that question sounds eerily familiar to you spoken through a deep German accent, then you’ve experienced this movie before, and if not, then you’re in for ONE hell of a ride!
That dialogue is spoken by the late, great Sir Laurence Olivier delivering one of his finest latter career performances and also receiving an Oscar nomination for his work.
Dustin Hoffman is the main star however as the titular character, a marathon runner/grad student who inadvertently gets involved in a nasty plot involving diamonds, torture, and former Nazi officers now walking among us….in 1976 mind you.
It also co-stars ‘70’s icon Roy Scheider along with William Devane and Marthe Keller. Directed by John Schlesinger and written by William Goldman. Let’s revisit one of the more memorable conspiracy thrillers of the 1970’s.**WARNING: Features Audio of Anxiety-Inducing Torture Scene
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
#livingforthecinema #marathonman #moviereviews #dustinhoffman #sirlaurenceolivier
**Happy 20th Anniversary to the seminal crime drama which finally won Denzel Washington the Oscar for Best Actor!
It all takes place during one day as alluded to in the title as veteran LA detective Alonzo Harris (Washington) takes relative newbie Jake (Hawke) on his first ride-along throughout the city to teach him about the narcotics trade along with a LOT of stuff he wasn’t expecting.
This movie has pretty much become this generation’s Scarface…but is that a good thing?
It was directed by Antoine Fuqua and co-stars Scott Glenn, Cliff Curtis, Eva Mendes, and Ethan Hawke who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor that same year.**WARNING - EXPLICIT MATERIAL
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #denzelwashington
WARNING - EXPLICIT MATERIAL
**In our ongoing series, "Living for the Bond"...we revisit the last Bond film starring Pierce Brosnan as 007 alongside Halle Berry, Rosamund Pike, Rick Yune, and Toby Stephens.
This is one of the wilder episodes in the Bond saga as it starts off with our hero being kept prisoner by the North Korean government for more than a year before he is freed and attempts to uncover a plot to harness the power of the sun within a satellite by a young, thrill-seeking British tycoon which also involves conflict diamonds, lasers, and facial reconstruction.
The movie was hugely successful, generally well-received, and…..now nobody will admit to liking it?? Let’s see how it rates twenty years later…..**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
jamesbond #moviereviews #shakennotstirred #halleberry #007 #livingforthebond #piercebrosnan #madonna #rosamundpike
**Happy 10th Anniversary to what might be the greatest Rocky movie ever but….not actually featuring Rocky nor even in that universe.
This film centers on the Conlon's, two estranged brothers played by Hardy and Edgerton, who are both competing to be the best in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) – yes this is a sports drama but it’s so much more!
It stars Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Morrison, Frank Grillo, and Nick Nolte who was nominated for an Oscar for his excellent raw performance. It’s also directed by Gavin O’Connor who also gave us the terrific Miracle in 2004.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
movie reviews #warrior
**Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal play two wise-cracking Chicago cops who are trying to take down the local drug kingpin played by Jimmy Smits...
But honestly….the plot doesn’t really matter in this as it’s ALL about the chemistry between our two leads, along with some very memorable action sequences.
This ‘80’s action romp is directed by Peter Hyams while also starring ‘80’s mainstays Dan Hedaya, Darlene Fluegel, and Steven Bauer – it might very well be among the best buddy cop movies ever!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
WARNING - HORROR
**You know the legend... say his name five times in front of a mirror and he appears! Well actually we would advise against that but if nobody was doing this, then there wouldn’t be a movie…or several movies.
This is a sequel to the 1992 horror classic of the same name which focused on the Chicago legend played very effectively by Tony Todd.
This time around, we follow the story of a Chicago artist played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as he finds himself enveloped in the legend of Candyman. It’s directed by Nia DaCosta and produced/co-written by horror master Jordan Peele!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
**Our “Living for the Bond” Series continues with one of two films in the 007 franchise starring T-Dal himself….Timothy Dalton.
It all centers on Bond taking revenge against a powerful drug lord played by Robert Davi, it’s all very ‘80’s, and guess what? It’s actually quite good!
We’ll delve into what was jokingly dubbed “A Special Episode of Miami Vice featuring James Bond” and what made it work. It also stars Carey Lowell, Talisa Soto, a baby-faced young Benicio Del Toro, and….Wayne Newton?? ...Ok not everything worked...**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #jamesbond #007
Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon co-star as the iconic characters in this highly influential outlaw road movie directed by Ridley Scott – both actresses were nominated for Oscars along with the screenwriter Callie Khouri who actually won the award for Best Original Screenplay that year.
Young Brad Pitt also co-stars in what many would consider to be one of his early breakout roles alongside Michael Madsen and Harvey Keitel. At the time of release, this movie was considered quite controversial. Hear what Geoff has to say about this star-studded movie of all time!
WARNING - SENSITIVE TOPICS
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #ThelmaandLouise #bradpitt #geenadavis #susansarandon #ridleyscott
**In August 2016, director David McKenzie gave us a satisfying modern Western focusing on two bank-robbing brothers played by Chris Pine and Ben Foster nabbing banks all over Texas with at least one Texas Ranger hot on their trail played by Jeff Bridges.
This movie proves that Hollywood CAN still make good old-school films like this! It was also written by Taylor Sheridan as part of his “Frontier Trilogy” between Sicario and Wind River.
This film nabbed four Oscar nominations, including for Best Picture which is of course lost the award that year to La La Land….wait sorry....I mean Moonlight...**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
WARNING - LANGUAGE
**35 years ago, the wacky directing trio (Zucker, Abrams, Zucker) behind Airplane and The Naked Gun gave us a pretty crazy story: a wealthy clothing tycoon plots to murder his heiress wife but then finds out that she is actually being held hostage….and hilarity ensues!
Let’s revisit this ‘80’s comedy gem starring Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Bill Pullman, Judge Reinhold, and Helen Slater.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/listen-to-podcast
Bettemiddler #dannydevito #livingforthecinema #moviereviews
**Everyone has their first James Bond movie, the version they grew up with –
and this was my first ever James Bond movie and also the man himself, Roger Moore.
This movie just turned 40, which makes me…pretty old?
The late, great Sir Roger Moore stars alongside Topol and Julian Glover in this fast-paced spy-thriller, the 12th film in the enduring 007 franchise.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
WARNING - VIOLENT GORE
**“From the beautiful, twisted mind of James Gunn” as the tagline tells us…yes the vaunted director of Marvel Studio’s Guardians of the Galaxy has now directed a superhero epic for DC…and it’s also REALLY R-Rated!
It stars Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, David Dastmalchian, Viola Davis, Daniela Melchior, and even the voice of Sylvester Stallone****…. among so many others.
The first Suicide Squad film from five years ago made serious bank but nobody really liked it – how does this one compare? Let’s find out….**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #suicidesquad #dccomics #supervillan #margorobbie #idriselba #violadavis #sylvesterstallone
**Before Bond…..before Bourne….before Mission Impossible…. there was this all-out spy thriller directed by the Master of Suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock!
The plot centers on a mild-mannered ad man, Roger Thornhill, who gets mistaken for a spy and is embroiled in a dangerous espionage plot. Our protagonist is played by the legendary Cary Grant at the peak of his movie star powers and he’s not alone - he’s joined by Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Martin Landau, a lethal crop-duster, and the top of Mount Rushmore….**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
Spike Lee directs this New York-based bank heist thriller starring SIX Oscar winners and/or nominees - Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster, Clive Owen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Willem Dafoe, and the late great Christopher Plummer – and the result is a highly rewatchable caper film that lives up to its pedigree. How could it not, with Spike and Denzel leading the charge?
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
What if forty years ago, a brilliant filmmaker (Brian DePalma) directed one of America’s biggest stars (John Travolta) in a very timely, well-crafted thriller involving surveillance….and nobody came?? That’s the story of this film which has gratefully garnered a cult following and a reappraisal from many film-lovers and critics since then.
The actual story is of a sound effects man, played by Travolta, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time to witness a tragic accident….or was it? He saves one woman’s life (Nancy Allen) but as they team up to find out what actually happened, both of their lives become endangered. John Lithgow plays a homicidal killer on their trail…
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
**M. Night Shyamalan – the director of The Sixth Sense, Split, Signs, and Unbreakable - once again takes the audience on a wild ride through mystery and horror.
This time, he’s doing it on a remote beach resort where our protagonists start to experience “changes” and predictably, chaos ensues – Gael Garcia Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Alex Wolff, and Thomasin McKensie play a family at the center of this chaos. Has Shymalan delivered for us another film that’s genuinely scary or frighteningly bad? Let’s find out!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
Happy 30th Anniversary to this tale of an undercover FBI agent and a surfing bank robber thrust together through fate – Keanu Reeves plays the FBI agent and the late great Patrick Swayze plays the bank robber. Oscar-winner Kathryn Bigelow directs them alongside Gary Busey, John C. McGinley, and Lori Petty in one of the more quotable action films in cinema history. Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
WARNING - LANGUAGE
**Ten years ago, this movie was hyped up as “The Female Hangover” and gratefully, it turned out to be so much more than just a raunchy, gross-out comedy.
This was the break-out movie for the new comedy mega-star Melissa McCarthy – a role that she received an Oscar nomination! And she was only a supporting character amidst a stacked cast of gifted comediennes including Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne, and Maya Rudolph – Paul Feig directed this loving tribute to female friendship and Wilson Phillips.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #melissamccarthy #kristenwig #bridesmaids
**Stephen Soderbergh, the director of Out of Sight, Ocean’s 11, Erin Brockovich, Magic Mike, and too many other notable films to list directs this HBO Max movie with an amazing cast including Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, David Harbour, Jon Hamm, Amy Seimetz, Brendan Fraser, Julia Fox, Ray Liotta, and quite a few others!
He has returned to the crime genre focusing on an absurdly twisted heist taking place in 1950’s Detroit with no shortage of twists and double-crosses. Does one of our greatest living directors still have the chops? Find out with my latest review!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
**35 years ago one of the Greatest Sci-Fi Action Films and Best Sequels of All Time was released.
THIS time, it’s WAR. Ripley returns to LV-426 to take on the chest-bursting monsters that haunt her nightmares, but this time she is bringing along the Colonial Marines!
James Cameron directed Sigourney Weaver in this rare genre performance to receive a Best Actress nomination at the Oscars.**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
Coinciding with the release of Black Widow (the first new film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to be released in two years) it seemed like the right time to revisit this HUGELY successful sequel which capped (pun intended) off much of the franchise just a couple of years ago. Let's examine what works and what doesn’t work about the conclusion of The Infinity Saga.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
**Happy 30th Anniversary to one of the most acclaimed and iconic movies of the '90s.
This coming-of-age drama took theaters by storm with some of the most up-and-coming actors of its time. Cuba Gooding Jr., Larry Fishburne, Ice Cube, Angela Bassett & Regina King to name a few. This neighborhood's values cannot compete with the booming drug and gang culture in this South Central Tragedy.*WARNING: There are some racial epithets spoken by characters in this movie contained within clips from the movie which included in this podcast.*
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #cubagoodingjr #icecube #larryfishburn #angelabassett #reginaking #southcentral
This 4th of July, we discuss this Revolutionary War epic directed by Roland Emmerich who also directed Independence Day….but is this movie patriotic? Mel Gibson stars in this tale of war and revenge... Happy Independence Day!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
**One of the most quotable comedies of all time just turned forty!
This movie is directed by comedy legend Ivan Reitman who would give us Ghostbusters a couple of years later. This movie also stars two comedy legends – Bill Murray and Harold Ramis – as two shlubby dudes who decide to join the army to be all that they can be before they turn 30.
How does the humor hold up? Is it actually as subversive as it seemed at the time? Let’s enlist and find out!**
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
Vin Diesel lives his life a quarter-mile at a time while Paul Walker does his best Keanu impression in this "Point Break-on-wheels" action blockbuster that kicked off a franchise and still burns past the competition twenty years later! Rob Cohen directed this classic so let’s find out if there’s still gas in the tank so to speak.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
Do you remember any movies Chris Nolan directed before The Dark Knight?
Twenty years ago, he gave us this masterpiece and it’s quite unforgettable! It stars Guy Pearce as someone who has lost the ability to create new memories but is trying to figure out who a killer is from the past. It’s time to revisit the film where Nolan first made his mark as one of our most beloved directors of the 21st Century.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
Schwarzenegger is back with a vengeance in this awesome world annihilation thriller. Quips and all, this movie celebrates its 30th Anniversary with the world still mostly intact.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
www.livingforthecinema.com
Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, that dude from Entourage, and several dazzling early ‘00’s fashions are featured in this beloved workplace comedy. But none of them can match the power of STREEP…Meryl Streep, of course, in one of her iconic roles.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
You can tell by the way he uses his walk, he’s a lady’s man…it’s time to talk about John Travolta’s breakout film, a seminal disco classic that clearly hasn’t aged well in parts. But that all depends on which version you have seen, let’s discuss!
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
www.livingforthecinema.com
It's the 40th Anniversary of this epic action-adventure movie and the iconic character Indiana Jones! Is it still as good as I remember as a kid? Let's listen and find out because luckily it's being re-released in theaters this summer.Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
The original sci-fi thriller took the world by storm three years ago. Three years later, is that silence still deafening for the sequel? John Krasinski returns as director and Emily Blunt returns as star – it just opened ONLY in theaters, check out the review.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
https://livingforthecinema.com/
Short Movie Reviews from the last 50 years by Geoff Gershon.
www.livingforthecinema.com
**This seminal Spike Lee Joint (how the director refers to his films) is about to turns 30!
Starring Wesley Snipes, Annabella Sciorra, Samuel L. Jackson, and many others…Does this film withstand the test of time?**WARNING - EXPLICIT MATERIAL WARNING
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
www.livingforthecinema.com
livingforthecinema #moviereviews #junglefever #SpikeLee #WesleySnipes #samuelljackson
Zack’s back…directing zombies! That would be Zack Snyder and his latest opus starring Dave Bautista – Was it a return to form for Snyder?
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
www.livingforthecinema.com
Happy 25th Anniversary to the Mission Impossible film franchise! Let’s look back at that first film starring Tom Cruise and directed by Brian DePalma – How does it hold up?
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
www.livingforthecinema.com
Review of the recently released monster action epic directed by Adam Wingard and starring….Godzilla and Kong, among several other human performers as well.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
www.livingforthecinema.com
The long-awaited sequel to the 1988 comedy class Coming to America starring Eddie Murphy – Murphy returns in this one which was directed by Craig Brewer, how does it compare to the original?
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
www.livingforthecinema.com
Review of classic Oscar-winning crime drama directed by the Coen Brothers starring Frances McDormand which just recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary.
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
www.livingforthecinema.com
Geoff’s inaugural review of the classic buddy action comedy directed by Martin Brest, starring Robert DeNiro and Charles Grodin. RIP Charles Grodin (who passed away after this episode was recorded)
Host: Geoff Gershon
Producer: Marlene Gershon
www.livingforthecinema.com