Sordid Cinema Podcast: Recent Episodes
Ricky D
Nobody Movie Review Nobody doesn’t break new ground for the action genre, but director Ilya Naishuller’s fight sequences and stunt choreography are so good— and Bob Odenkirk’s performance is so great— it’s essential viewing for any fan of action cinema. This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast we review the bloody, crowd-pleasing, brutal, and never dull film, and debate if we would want to see a sequel or not. All this and more!
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The Book of Boba Fett Season One Review This week on After Dark, Marc Kariloff of The Nintendo NEXpress Podcast joined to talk about The Book of Boba Fett.
With a lot of sand and a bit of pathos, Star Wars is finally telling the story of Boba Fett’s days after falling in the Sarlacc pit… at least for the first few episodes of Disney+’s The Book of Boba Fett. Created by Jon Favreau and featuring episodes directed by Robert Rodriguez and Bryce Dallas Howard, The Book of Boba Fett is an identity crisis running at hyper speed, splitting its focus between Boba Fett and The Mandalorian – and noticeably tipping its hand to which iconic bounty hunter Dave Filoni, Favreau and company are more interested in. Rancours, Darksabers, and Frank Oz jokes – The Book of Boba Fett has it all, and provides an entry into a wide-ranging discussion on the series itself, and the current state of Star Wars canon. (Also, Randy and Ricky should really watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars?)
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After an 11-year gap, Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson’s megabuck meta-slasher Scream franchise came back with the fourth installment in 2011, and to mark the occasion, Ricky D, Justine Smith and Simon Howell went back and dissect the original trilogy (in complete and spoiler-filled detail) before tackling Scream 4, which was reviewed in both non-spoiler and very, very spoiler-y format. This recording comes from episode 268 of the Sordid Cinema Podcast (formerly known as Sound On Sight).
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Following up from our epic Lord of the Rings ‘cast, Ricky D and Simon Howell had to find a way to keep the ante high to discuss The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. They could think of nothing better than to rope in one of their very favorite critics – and first-time guest – Nick Schager (Slant Magazine, Time Out NY, The Village Voice) to dissect the movie and its attendant technological advances in detail. Discussed: dwarf psychology, videogame aesthetics, 48 frames per second, and Dead Alive.
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The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Review With The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey looming, we faced a problem: how do we tackle Peter Jackson’s epic, 11-hour (if we go by Extended Editions) Lord of the Rings saga without going insane? Ricky D and Simon Howell decided the best course of action was to double down. In this episode, they’re joined by Tolkien fiend Kate Fulzick of the Televerse podcast and Steve Prokopy a.k.a. Capone of Ain’t It Cool News to consider the entire trilogy as a unified entity, as well as weighing the films’ lasting impact on movie and geek culture. This segment was recorded for episode 343 of the Sordid Cinema Podcast (formerly titled, Sound On Sight).
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Heels Season One Podcast Review This week on After Dark, we invited Mariko McDonald of the Talk AEW Podcast to discuss Heels!
You don’t have to be a professional wrestling fan to fall head over heels in love with the new STARZ series starring Stephen Amell. Created by Michael Waldron (Loki) with Mike O’Malley serving as showrunner, Heels centers on a family-owned wrestling promotion (the Duffy Wrestling League) and follows brothers Jack (Amell) and Ace (Alexander Ludwig) Spade as they navigate their way through the world of independent professional wrestling in their small, fictional Georgia hometown of Duffy. And much like sports entertainment, the most compelling storylines are often the ones that develop outside of the squared circle as the brothers wrestle to keep the family business alive while navigating family life in the wake of their father’s death.
Following eight stoic years as Oliver Queen, Amell is perfectly cast here given his long-time love affair with wrestling. In addition, his multiple appearances in several real-life wrestling promotions including the WWE and Ring of Honor, help bring far more nuance to his role. And speaking of the cast, Heels is also blessed with a star-studded supporting cast including Allen Maldonaldo, character actor treasure Chris Bauer and even the ‘Best in the World,’ CM Punk who is unforgettable in his brief appearance as local wrestling legend Ricky Rabies.
By now, you’ve most likely heard someone compare Heels to Friday Night Lights. Well, that’s not a bad comparison since Heels does a superb job in keeping viewers interested even if they are not familiar with the world of professional wrestling, not unlike how Friday Night Lights reached a wide audience including those with no interest in football. And like FNL, Heels is first and foremost a family drama— it just so happens to use professional wrestling as the framing device. Ultimately, Heels is funny, dramatic, often moving, and a well-written love letter to independent wrestling.
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Yellowjackets Season One Podcast Review Welcome to Sordid Cinema After Dark, a series of bonus episodes in which we break down our favourite shows, past and present. Join Randy Dankievitch, Ricky D, and rotating guests as they discuss the current state of television and why they love the shows they love!
In our inaugural episode, we review the first season of Yellowjackets, the new series from Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson that became the sleeper hit of 2021. For the unfamiliar, Yellowjackets tells the story of a high-school soccer team who survive a plane crash deep in the Ontario wilderness and how the traumatic events continue to haunt the survivors, twenty-five years later. Think, Lord of the Flies meets Lost meets Pretty Little Liars meets The Craft. Yellowjackets is many things, including our favorite new mystery drama of the year.
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The Matrix: Down the Rabbit Hole The Matrix is a movie made of groundbreaking special effects, superb martial arts combat, and mind-bending science fiction. It’s a movie that was not only ahead of its time but has stood the test of time and a movie that is still debated, decades later. It’s a film full of ideas, pulling from several influences ranging from Spaghetti Westerns, Hong Kong action cinema Japanese anime, Philip K. Dick, Alice in Wonderland, William Gibson’s Neuromancer, and so much more. The Matrix is a tale of perception and reality, a story about consciousness and about the birth and evolution of consciousness. It’s tackle’s themes of control and freedom; predestination and free will and so much more. Above all, it’s a kick-ass Hollywood blockbuster that offers a wide array of genres blended into what is basically a classic tale of good versus evil. Simply put, The Matrix is one of the greatest movies ever made— easily one of the most influential movies ever made, and arguably the quintessential film of 1999. This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, Tilt Magazine contributor Kent M. Wilhelm drops by to help us discuss why The Matrix is one of our favourite movies of all time!
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Censor Review The act of censorship cuts deep into the heart of Censor, a slick first feature from Welsh writer/director Prano Bailey-Bond. Censor is a nostalgic treat for anyone old enough to remember the infamous “video nasties” scare of the early eighties but it’s also a film about the power of editing, memory, and dealing with traumatic events from your past. In other words, it’s a movie about the grieving process and how deep-lying emotional trauma can cloud one’s identity and judgment— but it’s also a kick-ass psychological horror film that we happen to love. This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast we break down this wonderfully ambiguous, introspective, thoughtful film and tell you why it landed on our list of the best horror films of 2021. All this and more!
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James Wan’s impact on contemporary horror is undeniable. The Malaysian-born Australian filmmaker is not only the co-creator of the Saw and Insidious franchises but he’s also the creator of The Conjuring Universe, the second highest-grossing horror franchise of all time.
Marking his return to horror after a detour into family-friendly blockbuster filmmaking, James Wan’s Malignant once again proves that the producer/director still knows a thing or two about making good horror films. Malignant is a fine patchwork quilt of ’70s and ‘80s horror films and best described as a modern-day Sci-fi, supernatural Giallo with an outlandish plot that feels lifted from the best and worst Dario Argento films.
This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, we’ll tell you why Malignant is one of our ten favourite horror films of 2021 and why we had such a fun time watching it!
The Beta Test Review Writer-director-actor Jim Cummings’ made a splash with Thunder Road and The Wolf of Snow Hollow, two independently produced films that were both very well received on the American indie circuit. His latest, The Beta Test, co-written and directed with its co-star PJ McCabe was 100% crowdfunded and made specifically in a way to avoid the traditional old-school corporate model of moviemaking to have complete control of the final product. The Beta Test is many things: a scathing satire of Hollywood culture; a black comedy; a detective story; and an erotic thriller that doubles as a cautionary tale about the age of digital tracking and your digital footprint. It’ best described as the twisted delinquent cousin to Robert Altman’s The Player— something WGA members will love, and agents will hate! This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, Simon Howell and Ricky D break down why The Beta Test is one of their favourite films of 2021 and explain why Jim Cummings is a star in the making.
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Spider-Man: No Way Home Podcast Review Not even the pandemic can stop millions of people from flocking to theatres to watch the third installment of John Watt’s Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland as everyone’s favourite neighborhood Spider-man! Spider-Man: No Way Home unwrapped the best Holiday gift of all, becoming the first pandemic-era movie to cross $1 billion at the global box office. The numbers that Spider-Man: No Way Home is pulling in are nothing short of incredible and now that everyone has had a chance to see the movie, we figured it was time to deliver our spoiler-heavy review of the film, Joining Ricky D to discuss Spider-Man: No Way Homeis Randy Dankievitch, Marc Kaliroff, and David Harris.
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Scream (1996) Review Wes Craven’s Scream was an unexpected smash hit in 1996, revitalizing the horror genre and inspiring a new generation of self-knowing teen slasher films. For a generation of kids, Scream provided a gateway to horror movies, but how does it hold up 25 years later? In this episode of the Sordid Cinema Podcast, we revisit Craven’s canny, witty, and surprisingly effective slasher film and explain why it not only holds up but remains one of the greatest scary films ever made. Joining us is Tilt Magazine writer, Leah Wersebe.
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Succession Podcast Special! Fans already buying what Succession is selling won’t need us to convince them why they should be watching the show but in this episode of the Sordid Cinema Podcast, we do our best to convince everyone else why they should be watching the popular HBO series by showrunner Jesse Armstrong. And for those who have watched all three seasons of Succession, we break down season three towards the end of the episode and speculate about what could happen moving forward. Joining us is guest host, Randy Dankievitch.
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One False Move Spoiler Review This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, we explain why we agree with Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel that Carl Franklin’s low-budget crime pic One False Move, is one of the best films of 1992. Scripted by Thom Epperson and Billy Bob Thornton, the neo-noir is hard-hitting, skillfully performed, well shot, and perfectly paced. And while the film might not be a masterpiece, it sure is better than your average thriller and also features a breakthrough performance by the late, great, Bill Paxton. Sadly, the film was neglected and forgotten over the years, but we’re here to hopefully change that.
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Anyone who’s even remotely familiar with Quebec cinema will know his name: Xavier Dolan is currently Canada’s chief prestige cinematic export, for better or worse. On episode 398 of the Sordid Cinema Podcast (then known as Sound On Sight), Kate Rennebohm and Justine Smith joined Simon Howell to debate the merits of his sixth feature, Mommy, for which he shared the Best Director prize at Cannes with none other than Jean-Luc Godard.
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Dune 2021 Review There’s a lot to like about Denis Villeneuve’s version of Frank Herbert’s Dune and this week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast we discuss what we admire about the Montreal filmmakers’ adaptation of the complex, weighty sci-fi novel and how it compares to David Lynch’s 1984 vision. We’ll tell you why Dune is a feminist film even if it revolves around a very masculine world and explain why it has some of the best sound design of any blockbuster film in recent memory. We also examine Greig Fraser’s gorgeous cinematography; Patrice Vermette’s incredible production design, as well as the work of Hans Zimmer who spent months creating new instruments to help him and his team, compose the soundtrack. Needless to say, there’s a lot to discuss this week. Enjoy!
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Cube (1997) Review This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, we revisit Vincenzo Natali’s 1997 science-fiction horror film Cube; a low-budget, high-concept, mind-bending, sci-fi-thriller that revolves around people trying to escape a giant cube made of 17,576 different rooms, some of which feature inescapable deadly traps. We debate if Cubewas ahead of its time and discuss why we feel the film was so influential to other movies and TV shows like Squid Game, Battle Royaleand Saw, to name just a few. But what really interests us is the question: how many ways can one man film a movie that all takes place in one room and still keep it engaging? All this and more!
Squid Game Podcast Review You might think we’re late with our review of Squid Game, but we swear, it was all by design. Now that the hype has whittled down, we decided to sit back and discuss the Netflix phenomenon and why we think Squid Game— despite its many flaws— is one of the best shows of 2021.
Squid Game has all the characteristics we love about Korean dramas including unexpected plot twists, over-the-top characters, and a story that grapples with economic anxieties and class struggles. It’s part horror and part dark comedy and boasts a catchy soundtrack and impeccable set design featuring candy-colored, high-concept dystopian sets that reflect how brutal South Korean society is toward the people at the bottom.
If you’re familiar with manga like Liar Game, Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji, and Battle Royale, you know what to expect. Squid Game is all that and more!
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No Time To Die Podcast Review With the help of certified Bond nut and ex-co-host Edgar Chaput, Ricky and Simon take a look at the gargantuan newest entry in the venerable (or at least very, very old) action series, which provides a definitive sendoff for its current star, Daniel Craig. Yes folks, this is our much-anticipated review of No Time To Die! Discussed: what Craig’s tenure says about the state of the character in the new century; the series’ specific and hit-or-miss style of villainry; and the most important issue of all: does James Bond still have sex?
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David Lynch Special Part 1: Mulholland Drive Review In what turned out to be one of the most epic conversations in our podcast’s history, Ricky, Simon, and Edgar Chaput were joined by David Lynch superfan and friend of the show Kate Rennebohm for a two-part dissection of David Lynch’s films: 2001’s Mulholland Drive and 2006’s Inland Empire. Discussed: rabbits, the Lincoln assassination, the significance of doorknobs, yelling at Laura Dern, and many, many more odd tangents. Here is the first half of the special. Enjoy!
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Midnight Mass Review This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, we discuss Mike Flanagan’s Midnight Mass, the Netflix series which some critics are calling one of the best shows of 2021.
The seven-episode creature feature smartly weaves together vampire tropes with biblical texts, blending horror with profound questions about spirituality, religion, and faith— and like Mike Flanagan’s best work, the show prioritizes characters and emotions over cheap scares and shock value. As long as expectations are in check, the series’ provides few scares. In fact, it’s the type of show that will sooner make you cry than have you jump out of your seat— but we love it no less! Sit back, relax, and listen to us discuss in great detail this small screen gem! Joining us this week is TV critic, Randy Dankievitch.
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Nosferatu the Vampyre Review This week, we take a look back at Nosferatu – no, not that one! Werner Herzog’s 1979 stab at the Dracula mythos, Nosferatu the Vampyre, complete with the great and terrible Klaus Kinski as the titular ghoul, is the one we’re taking a look at this time, inspired by recent news that Robert Eggers will be making a run at the same material for his next feature. Discussed: mass rat murder, the weirdnesses of the German/English dual release, and the eternal appeal of this character.
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The Big Sleep (1946) Podcast Review Sex, drugs, gambling, pornography, murder — not the topics one normally thinks of when picturing a Humphrey Bogart movie, but they’re just the tip of the iceberg of dirty dealings in Howard Hawks’ adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep. Sure, detective Philip Marlowe finds plenty of down time to chat up with every coquette and femme fatale that crosses his path, but that’s only in between uncovering blackmail rackets, staring down the barrels of multiple guns, getting worked over by burly goons, and trading bullets with slimy assassins.
This week, the Sordid Cinema Podcast sinks into the seedy underworld and tries to understand exactly what the hell is going on with all the duplicity and backstabbing. Who is after what now, and why? Or maybe we’ll just give up and drink in the juicy banter between Bogey and Bacall. Regardless, there’s plenty to appreciate in The Big Sleep, including some artful dodging of Hays code-era restrictions. But does this Howard Hawks movie pass the Howard Hawks test? For all this and more, have a listen!
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The Suicide Squad Podcast Review This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, we discuss James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, a movie that’s not only edgy, sharp, and funny but directed with so much style and verve, it’s one of the most entertaining comic book movies ever made. With The Suicide Squad, Gunn shows that there are ways to keep things edgy while offering enough humor and action to reach a wide audience and unlike most blockbusters, everyone here is a huge fan including Patrick Murphy, who usually dislikes superhero films. In fact, we are such big fans, we all watched the movie twice this week and we’re to tell you who our favourite characters are and explain why The Suicide Squad stands on its own in a way superhero movies often don’t. All this and more!
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To Live and Die in L.A. Review We continue our informal, intermittent series on grimy cops vs crooks genre movies (see also: Drug War, King of New York, Hard Boiled) with William Friedkin’s slick-but-gritty 1985 thriller To Live and Die in L.A. With its amoral characters, full-frontal nudity, and wildly epic car chase, this is one we (mostly) find lots to rave about.
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It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Old, the latest thriller from the endlessly inventive — if not always successful — director M. Night Shyamalan, has critics divided. Some argue the film features an intriguing concept, but its execution is extremely flawed. Others call it an entertaining thought exercise from one of Hollywood’s most invigorating filmmakers that is never, not fun. Love him or hate him, as cinephiles, we can at least admire how Shyamalan has adjusted to the ebb and flow of his career by self-financing when the money isn’t there. Old is in every respect, an M. Night film— written, directed, funded, and produced by the man himself— and that folks, is enough reason to spend 60 minutes discussing the movie, even if some of us absolutely hate it.
Psycho III Review Reviving Norman Bates for the decade of slasher movies was a no-brainer, but Psycho II dove too deep into irrelevant lore and forgot about the fun. Thankfully, director and star Anthony Perkins righted the wrongs of Norman’s past with the wickedly entertaining Psycho III, an overlooked gem lost in a sea of sequel apathy. Artful filmmaking, economical storytelling, a talented cast, and a wonderful lead performance don’t care that movies with the number three in the title aren’t supposed to be good. Psycho III might not live up to the legendary reputation of Hitchcock’s masterpiece, but it’s a genuinely fascinating look at an iconic character from the man who knew him best. It’s also a solid slasher flick with a dark sense of humor .
This week, Rick, Simon, and Patrick don’t make the same mistake 80s audiences did — we spend a night at the Bates Motel, soaking in all the weirdness. Topics up for discussion include brilliant callbacks, creative transitions, the burden of predecessors, bloody ice cubes, and very well-placed lamps. Sure, there’s one scene most of us would change (exposition dump), but so much more we’d keep preserved like a stuffed bird. For all this and more, have a listen!
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A Quiet Place: Part II Review New movie! Remember new movies? Those still come out on occasion. Simon decided it was time to treat the Sordid Cinema audience to something a little more contemporary than usual, so it’s time to dissect John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place: Part II, which swaps out Office Jim in favor of a very haunted Cillian Murphy. We take this as an opportunity to look at the Quiet Place Cinematic Universe and ponder its future as one of the few major movie series (soon to have its own spinoff!) to not be based on pre-existing intellectual property. Also discussed: the influence of video games, the blessing of short runtimes, and the enduring appeal of family stories set in apocalyptic hellscapes.
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Sleepaway Camp Review This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, Ricky D, Patrick Murphy, and Simon Howell travel back to 1983 and review Richard Hiltzik’s deeply gay-coded Sleepaway Camp. The crew discusses the many different interpretations of the film and breaks down the very famous theory citing two killers, not one. Meanwhile, Ricky explains why Ricky is one of his all-time favourite characters in a slasher film. Of course, we couldn’t review the seminal 80s classic without addressing the controversial, shocking, and some would say brilliant twist ending. All this and more!
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Babe: Pig in the City Podcast Review Originally dismissed by most critics and audiences as too dour and scary for children, George Miller’s Babe: Pig in the City holds up today as a beautiful, haunting portrait of the toll an urban existence can take on both human and hog. This week, the Sordid Cinema Podcast dives into the anachronistic, unwelcoming canals of this fantastical Metropolis, looking for a little decency in a cinematic world of cynicism. Join Rick, Simon, and Patrick as we break down Babe’s almost-certain annihilation at the hands of a pit bull, marvel at the incredible effects and ability of the star animals to hit their marks, and have a good laugh at Ferdinand the Duck’s expense.
So what exactly is ‘sordid’ about Babe: Pig in the City? One of our hosts was (at first) asking that same question – until a certain stretch where George Miller puts audiences through the emotional wringer. Though the story revolves around a talking sheep-pig on a wholesome mission to save his farm, there are moments of dread, suspense, action, and horror as a little pig’s innocence and empathy are tested. There is also a bizarre cameo by Mickey Rooney, a drug bust at an airport, a Thunderdome-like ballroom sequence, and a monkey with a gun. Thank you, Pig, for delivering this crazy feast for the eyes and ears, and for more on Babe: Pig in the City, have a listen!
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Terminator 2 Review In 1984, director James Cameron created the Terminator franchise. His film of the same name explored a war between humanity and sentient machines, in which victory could only be assured by sending a naked bodybuilder back in time. Seven years later, he returned with Terminator 2: Judgement Day, replacing the original film’s lean, gritty action with the pyrotechnics of a swollen Meatloaf video. On episode #120 of the Sordid Cinema Podcast, the Sordid Cinema crew reviewed the entire grim sci-fi action series powered by the uncanny casting of Austrian muscleman Arnold Schwarzenegger as an unstoppable, monotonous killing machine. What follows is the portion of that episode in which we reviewed Terminator 2 just months before Cameron made his return to the big screen with his long-awaited return to sci-fi, Avatar. Present on this episode is hosts Ricky D, Simon Howell, Al Kratina, and Ali McKinnon. Enjoy!
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Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning Review
When is a direct-to-video beat-’em-up also a brutally dark meditation on mortality, identity, and the cyclical nature of violence? When it’s John Hyams’ Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning! This hyperviolent action-horror-sci-fi hybrid divides us: is it a schlocky Z-grade knockoff or a compelling concoction all its own? The always-welcome JCVD and Dolph Lundgren are along for the ride as we hash it out.
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The Cable Guy Review He came…He saw…He tormented…
There are plenty of overnight success stories in Hollywood, but none quite like Jim Carey’s rise to fame. After a stint on In Living Color, Carey transitioned to the big screen with Ace Ventura, which became a sleeper hit in the spring of 1994, grossing more than $100 million on a $15 million budget. Carrey followed that up with blockbusters like The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, Batman Forever, and Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls— all within a span of two years, helping him become the biggest box office draw in Hollywood. From there, the rubber-faced comic was hired to star in the 1996 black comedy The Cable Guy directed by Ben Stiller and co-starring Matthew Broderick, Leslie Mann, Jack Black. The film opened to a respectable $20 million but ultimately became a box office bomb, weighed down by toxic word of mouth from critics who called it a complete misfire. The bigger story, however, was how much money Carey was paid— the actor received $20 million from Columbia Pictures, as well as a 15% backend, and critics couldn’t wrap their head around why a studio would pay so much for any actor to star in a comedy. 25 years later, however, The Cable Guy has found a huge cult following and is now considered one of the best dark comedies of its time— a multi-faceted parody built around a multitude of movie and television-inspired set pieces and references along with an incredible performance by Jim Carey. And not only was The Cable Guy slightly ahead of its time, with its prophetic look on the future and the internet at large— but The Cable Guy was arguably the flashpoint for the next big generation of comedy, paving the way for the next generation of comedies. On this episode on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, we dive deep into what makes the film special, even after all these years.
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Powerful organizations shrouded in secrecy, pulling strings from the shadows, snuffing out all who would dare expose the truth to an unsuspecting populace… It’s hard not to love conspiracy thrillers, and 1970s movie theaters were chock full of them. This week, the Sordid Cinema crew is taking a look at one of the best, the second in director Alan Pakula’s ‘Paranoia’ trilogy, The Parallax View. Clearly taking inspiration from real-life political assassinations, the story features an intrepid reporter investigating a shadowy corporation that appears to be recruiting and training deadly operatives to ‘remove’ political obstacles. But don’t worry about getting bogged down in plot details — there are too many car chases, bar fights, bomb threats, and boat explosions to distract from what’s really happening.
Join Rick, Simon, and Patrick as they explain just what makes The Parallax View such a solid thriller, including the masterful cinematography, excellent staging, and overall likability of star Warren Beatty (even if someone thinks he should have been replaced). But can you trust a film that doesn’t answer all the questions? We may never know exactly what’s goin on, but there’s a lot of fun in trying to figure it out. For all this and more, have a listen!
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Drug War (2012) Review Do you love crime movies but wish they’d just jettison all that junk you don’t really need? You know, love interests? Backstories? Metaphors? Who needs ’em? Johnnie To sure didn’t when he put together 2013’s grim, single-minded Drug War, a movie all three of us found something (or several somethings) to enthuse about. We get into Chinese politics, the (possible) effects of snorting heroin, and consider it as the dark, lower-key anti-mirror of John Woo’s Hard Boiled.
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Raiders of the Lost ArcReview It’s a movie celebrating how they used to make ’em — and yet, they don’t make ’em like Raiders of the Lost Ark anymore. Steven Spielberg’s action masterpiece has aged easily as well as the most valuable cinematic artifacts, showcasing the thrilling combination of a brisk script, daring stunt work, and crisp staging. Oh, and can we forget Harrison Ford’s iconic portrayal of Indiana Jones? Good luck to the next guy who tries to don the fedora. Yes, it’s a film filled to the brim with excellence, from Douglas Slocombe’s searing desert cinematography to Karen Allen’s turn as a feisty boozer with a mean right fist to whoever was in charge of those melting/exploding Nazi heads.
This week sees Rick, Simon, and Patrick put Indy through the wringer once again, as we take a look at what makes Raiders of the Lost Ark so great. Turns out that giant boulder booby traps, ancient tombs filled with deadly snakes, and 1920s circus strong men are just a small part of it. And how does the story structure compare to the James Bond franchise? What are our favorite moments? How can one possibly pick an MVP from such a sterling list of contributors? What — if any — changes would we make to Indiana Jones’ greatest adventure? For all this and more (including finding out which one of us nerds still has an original action figure), have a listen!
Super 8Review After a year of anticipation through teasers, images, and speculation, J. J. Abrams’s third feature Super 8 (featuring his first original screenplay) was released in 2011 to much an overwhelming amount of hype. Fans expected big things while critics seemed out to tear it apart— and it didn’t take long before the film became a source of fierce debate. In episode #276 of the Sordid Cinema Podcast (then called Sound On Sight) Ricky D, Justine Smith and Simon Howell sat down to discuss the sci-fi thriller and settle the score. Or at least they tried. What follows is our review of Super 8 recorded way back on June 11, 2011.
Mission: Impossible 1996 Film Review The Mission: Impossible franchise may be more known today for its death-defying stunts and blistering action, but director Brian De Palma brought different sensibilities to the very first production of this longstanding Tom Cruise vehicle. 1996’s Mission: Impossible is a visually breathtaking ode to filmmaking skill over filmmaking spectacle, a spy thriller that eschews bullet fights and car chases for actual sneaking around. Cat-and-mouse surveillance, tense conversations, and hanging from wires are where most of the excitement lies (at least until the mask comes off at the end, revealing the summer blockbuster beneath).
At the 25th anniversary of the film that kicked off a billion-dollar franchise, Rick, Simon, and Patrick weigh in on the dense script, enjoy the stylish Dutch angles and diopter lenses, and debate just who was most responsible for making this film a success. Is this entry really so different from those that followed? How is the franchise doing as a whole? And where does the original Mission: Impossible rank among its sequels? For all this and more, have a listen!
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Hard Boiled Review This week on Sordid Cinema, we travel back to 1992, and for the first time ever on the podcast, we sit down to review a John Woo film. And not just any John Woo film, but arguably one of the single greatest action movies of all time. It’s one of Woo’s masterpieces and along with A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, and Bullet in the Head, it helped revolutionize Hong Kong action cinema! That’s right folks, we finally get around to discussing the effortlessly cool Hard Boiled.
It’s safe to say, Hard Boiled is a masterpiece of action filmmaking and the ultimate expression of everything Woo became famous for. It’s perhaps the granddaddy of a genre once known as Heroic Bloodshed (a term invented by Rick Baker) and it boasts one of the greatest set-pieces ever put to celluloid— a legendary explosion of gunfire and pyrotechnics that takes up the film’s final hour.
In this episode, we break down all three major action set-pieces, from the opening tea house sequence which features two iconic shots of Chow Yun Fat to the warehouse raid where Johnny Wong seizes control of the Triad gangs, and to the climactic siege on a hospital involving hundreds of extras including a dozen or so newborns trying to escape while the building around them goes up in flames.
Expect to hear us gush over Woo’s direction, the movie’s famous unbroken three-minute tracking shot, Michael Gibbs soundtrack, and of course, the stellar performances from Tony Leung, Chow Yun Fat, and Philip Kwok as the eyepatch-wearing maniac Mad Dog, who’s acting and stunt work, often is overshadowed by his co-stars.
Sit back, relax and get ready for a wild ride. This might be the most action-packed episode of the Sordid Cinema Podcast yet!
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Point Blank (1967) Review Way back on episode 126 of the Sordid Cinema Podcast, we reviewed John Boorman’s gritty, raw crime drama Point Blank, featuring superb performances by Lee Marvin and Angie Dickinson.
The 1967 thriller combines elements of film noir with stylistic touches of the European nouvelle vague and features a fractured timeline (similar to the novel’s non-linear structure), disconcerting narrative rhythms, and a carefully calculated use of film space.
Discussing the film is Ricky D, Simon Howell and former co-host, Ali McKinnon.
Black Coal, Thin Ice Review For our first non-English feature in a minute, we take a trip to Heilongjiang Province to dissect Black Coal, Thin Ice, Diao Yinan’s grim 2014 neo-noir. (Its successor, the more widely-seen The Wild Goose Lake, may, or may not be the subject of a future Sordid episode.) We get a little lost in the film’s dense and troubling plot, neon cityscapes, and many acts of cruelty and malice. But hey, at least there are fireworks!
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The legend of King Arthur has never been lacking in cinematic retellings, but none can compare to John Boorman’s gorgeous and thematically faithful Excalibur. From the vast and tangled web of source material, the director of Point Blank and Deliverance distills the epic myth down to iconic imagery backed by theatrical performances from young actors destined to be stars. This week the Sordid Cinema Podcast discusses the fantastic (and fantastical) filmmaking, dives into the lore, and admires the vision of clunky knights and a wily wizard, all bound together by primeval landscapes and a magical sword.
Join Rick, Simon, and Patrick as they debate the effectiveness of green lighting and ADR, compare Excalibur to another movie involving a quest for the Holy Grail, enjoy Nicol Williamson’s sly (and often hilarious) turn as Merlin, mourn the character of Gawain, and show off their knowledge of one of the most famous tales ever told. Whether you think it’s glorious or a little goofy, there’s plenty to love about Excalibur, so have a listen!
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White Men Can’t Jump Review In 1992, Ron Shelton wrote and directed one of the greatest sports movies of all time starring a then relatively unknown Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrleslon who was previously only known for his work as the fifth lead in the popular sitcom, Cheers. On paper, White Men Can’t Jump shouldn’t have been a hit considering the lack of star power and the fact that the first 20 minutes of the movie revolves around a pickup outdoor basketball game— and yet, this unconventional sports movie became a box office success and helped popularize street ball across North America. There hasn’t been a sports film quite like it since.
This week on the Sordid Cinema podcast, we dive deep into the cult classic and discuss why the movie is just as much about the art of jive as it is about basketball and why this exuberant romantic comedy is as smart about playground basketball as Bull Durham was about minor league baseball.
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Ravenous(1999) Review In one of our most spirited episodes in recent memory, the gang unites with guest Mike Worby to sing the praises of Antonia Bird’s gonzo 1999 cannibal shocker Ravenous. Is it a horror movie, a western, a cannibalism drama, a homoerotic fable, a survival story, a historical epic, a black comedy, or a satire? The answer is yes. Also: lots of talk about Michael Nyman and Damon Albarn’s oddball score, the brilliant cast, Robert Carlyle’s demonic antics, and how to sell your friends on this one-of-a-kind movie.
The GuestReview Way back in 2014, we sat down to discuss The Guest, a pretty crafty genre pastiche written by Simon Barrett and directed by Adam Wingard of You’re Next fame. The film follows a soldier who introduces himself to the Peterson family, claiming to be a friend of their son who died in action. After the young man is welcomed into their home, a series of accidental deaths seem to be connected to his presence leaving everyone questioning who he really is. Joining us for this review was Sound On Sight’s then managing editor, Deepayan Sengupta.
Beyond Thunderdome and Fury Road
In what was supposed to be the very last episode of Sordid Cinema (before we decided to bring back the show), we recorded the second part of our Mad Max extravaganza. In this episode, we start by discussing Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, the third in George Miller’s sci-fi series, and at roughly the 35-minute mark, we dive deep into the visceral feminist anthem known as Mad Max Fury Road. Take a listen and you’ll be sure to learn 50 facts about what is arguably the best action movie in decades.
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Max Max and The Road Warrior The release of Mad Max: Fury Road, George Miller’s triumphant return to the franchise he created 36 years prior (!), prompted us to record a two-part extravaganza devoted to Miller’s series of post-apocalyptic thrillers. We get to Fury Road in the second half of this special; for now, former co-host Edgar Chaput rejoined us to discuss the original Mad Max, as well as its significantly more financially impactful sequel, 1981’s The Road Warrior.
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Apocalypto Review This week the Sordid Cinema Podcast gets to the (ahem) heart of what makes Mel Gibson’s 2006 action-epic, Apocalypto, still such a thrilling watch. The simple story of a Mayan villager brutally kidnapped in order to be ritually sacrificed to appease the gods, who then escapes and must race home to retrieve his expectant wife and child from a flooding well, is filled with period detail, cruel violence, and intense action. Sure, there was a bit of controversy upon the film’s release [see: Mel Gibson], and debate about the authenticity of the depiction of the Mayan civilization, but Apocalypto also went on to win praise from the likes of Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Spike Lee, among others.
But it’s not all tapir-testicle-eating fun. Join Rick, Simon, and Patrick as they muse on the merits of Gibson’s direction, debate the clarity of the film’s messages, praise numerous performances as MVP-worthy, and touch on how the film relates to the rest of Gibson’s filmography. It’s a show packed with discussion about creepy little-girl prophets, similarities to The Passion of the Christ, and creative names for female characters. For all this and more, have a listen!
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Abel Ferrara’s King of New York wasn’t a hit with most critics back at the time of its release, but over the years it has gained a loyal, cult following and is now considered by many, one of the best gangster films of the ‘90s. Not only was the film a significant turning point in the director’s oeuvre but it helped launch the career of Christopher Walken, David Caruso, and Laurence Fishburne.
This week on the Sordid Cinema podcast, we discuss the hard-edged crime thriller along with Ferrara’s career and why King of New York stands the test of time. All this and more!
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Modern thrillers getting you down? Head back to the late 1970s and indulge in Daryl Duke’s The Silent Partner, a nasty, funny neo-noir driven by Elliott Gould and Christopher Plummer’s deadly game of cat and mouse. Loaded with gags, twists, and tons of real Toronto landmarks, the film was a critical and commercial hit at the time, but has since evolved into a cult item beloved by critics and connoisseurs of edgy Canadiana. Ricky, Simon, and Patrick offer their perspectives on the twisted characters and ponder how 21st-century audiences might take to this brutal-but-hilarious caper.
Alex Proyas’ Dark City Review While The Matrix grabbed more attention the following year from sci-fi fans and moviegoing audiences, 1998’s Dark City still holds up as a fantastically imagined search for what it means to be human in a neo-noir city set on a spaceship hurtling through the cosmos. Alex Proyas’ story of a man without a memory, who is trapped in a waking nightmare perpetrated by Nosferatu-looking aliens who swap memories in and out of citizens as if they were positioning pieces of an unsolvable jigsaw puzzle, moves at a breakneck pace while still managing an intoxicating atmosphere. This week Rick, Simon, and Patrick dive deep into the psyche of this great work of imagination, and while they may not resurface with all the answers, the journey is still a great one.
Join us as we break down John Murdoch’s path from a wanted serial killer to mankind’s redeemer, marvel at the impressive production design, muse on Jennifer Connelly’s nightclub singer character (or lack thereof), and try to parse out that ending. And just why does Christopher Nolan’s name keep coming up? For all this and more, have a listen!
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Slaxx Movie Review This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, we review Elza Kephart‘s Slaxx, a playful horror-comedy about possessed jeans that come to life and go on a killing spree at a chic retail store the night before their big release! It sounds silly and it is, but Slaxx is also a sharp satire of consumerism, corporate wokeness, and colonial capitalism. If you’re looking for a fun, witty, satirical new b-movie with plenty of gore; look no further. SLAXX is comfortable, loose-fitting horror satire.
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Donnie Darko, Southland Tales, and The Box Review In episode 167 of the Sordid Cinema Podcast (then called Sound On Sight), we discussed not one, not two, but three Richard Kelly films.
At the time, writer-director Richard Kelly wasn’t around too long, but his three features had all been the subject of intense debate: Is Donnie Darko the great sci-fi fable of the 2000s or a teen angst pretension pit? Is Southland Tales, as the Village Voice’s J. Hoberman contends, a “visionary” film, or creative control gone horribly wrong? And is The Box an incomprehensible sci-fi mishmash or a return to form? Al Kratina, Mariko McDonald, and Simon Howell attempt to answer all these questions without falling into any aquatic time portals.
The Empty Man Review Have you heard the call of The Empty Man? Writer-director David Prior’s weird and wild movie has snuck its way into the hearts and minds of a select few in the months since it was (barely) released. Now, Ricky, Simon, and Patrick face a dilemma: how the hell do you describe a movie seemingly designed to simulate losing your mind? Note: We strongly recommend renting The Empty Manbefore listening! This movie is best served cold.
Brawl in Cell Block 99 Review After his gritty/dreamy horror western Bone Tomahawk, writer-director S. Craig Zahler established himself as a genre talent to watch. His sophomore effort, a prison flick about a bruiser of a man slugging his way into the bowels of a maximum security facility in order to kill an inmate and save his wife, only bolstered that assessment. Brawl in Cell Block 99 is an immersive, raw, visceral experience with a knockout performance from Vince Vaughn that (depending on who you ask) might just be the quickest 132 minutes you’ve spent watching a movie. Or it might be bone-crunching hell.
This week sees Patrick Murphy and Simon Howell tackling Zahler’s off-beat world, guessing at his socio-political leanings, marveling at the hands-on destruction of a car that surely did nothing to deserve it, and making as many references to Dragged Across Concrete as we possibly can. Along the way we cover Vaughn’s terrifically physical performance, go into some of the themes common to Zahler’s work, and chuckle over some great practical effects that may not look ‘real,’ but certainly get the job done. What are our favorite scenes? What would we change if we could? And just what sort of movie watcher will Brawl in Cell Block 99 appeal to? For all this and more, have a listen!
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Ready or Not Review After catching the world premiere of Ready or Not at the 2019 Fantasia Film Festival, co-host Ricky D wondered if the film’s thrills would hold up away from the adoring crowd. Thus, this week the Sordid Cinema Podcast counts down from 100 and fans out in all directions down the labyrinthine hallways to find both the overt and hidden fun in the wonderful premise of a bride participating in a deadly wedding-day tradition. Sure, there could have been a more clever script, and maybe the lore could have used a bit more (or less) fleshing out, but there’s no denying Samara Weaving’s great performance, or some biting scenes involving a nail and the mystery of a possible curse.
Patrick Murphy and Simon Howell join Rick to talk about the entertainment one can get from questioning screenplay choices, debate over which characters could have been expanded or further hidden, and revel in the blood-soaked finale. Along the way they make numerous comparisons to similar films (The Hunt may come up once or twice), enjoy the ambiguity of the supernatural, and wonder just why this incredibly wealthy family owns goats. For all that and more, have a listen!
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Are you losing your mind in quarantine? Need to freak out, break shit, maybe attack a stranger? Now you don’t have to, because Joe Begos’ hallucinatory, wild, and loud Blissis here to do the job for you. (To be clear: this is the 2019 horror movie Bliss, not the new sci-fi film starring Owen Wilson, which we’re sure is fine.) This week, the lads take a deep dive into Begos’ film, discuss the merits of practical effects, the enduring appeal of DIY genre filmmaking, and how one key prop can make all the difference.
The Outlaw Josey Wales Review After firing Philip Kaufman and taking over the production reins himself, Clint Eastwood managed to turn The Outlaw Josey Wales into an iconic western that laid the ground for classics yet to come. This week the Sordid Cinema Podcast takes a deep look at not only what makes this story of a southern farmer hell-bent on revenge a flawed but important step in the actor-director’s career but also contextualizes the film’s place in revisionist 70s westerns. Don’t piss down our backs and tell us it’s raining; Josey Wales might not be Eastwood’s best film, but it contains a treasure trove of wonderful characters and subversions of a revered-but-fallen genre. Joining Rick and Patrick this week is former screenwriter, author, and professor Bill Mesce, who helps us parse out both what makes this film so unique, as well as what could have been improved.
Which supporting character stood out the most? Were all those bullets really as exciting as they were intended to be? And how would things work out if Sandra Locke had never been cast? Sure, we might not be so keen on this particular western romance, the episodic nature of the story gets different mileage from different hosts, and maybe we don’t spit tobacco as much as we could have, but there’s no doubt that we recognize The Outlaw Josey Wales as one of the great westerns that’s as much fun to watch and talk about now as perhaps it ever was. For all this and more, have a listen!
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After much controversy surrounding its premise and the timing of its original release, Craig Zobel’s The Hunt finally dropped into theaters before suffering an unceremonious death due to pandemic closures. But did this tongue-in-cheek story of rednecks being hunted by elitists deserve better? Was misleading marketing a factor in its ultimate demise? This week, Rick and Patrick are joined by returning Sordid Cinema Podcast host Simon Howell to give this entertaining genre film its due. Sure, the satire might be toothless, but it’s hard not to appreciate all the humor and bloody kills that The Hunt does so well.
From gleefully dispatching expected protagonists to a knockdown brawl in a rustic manor, there is a lot to love here. Perhaps more than anything else, however, fans of this type of film will want to savor a fantastically restrained, physical performance by Betty Gilpin (GLOW) as a reticent former soldier who finds being tracked down by self-righteous psychos as a form of stress relief from her daily life as a car rental agent. Streamlined and more mainstream than many of the ads and rhetoric would have suggested, The Hunt should be on the radar for anyone looking for a fun movie night where a guy gets stabbed by a stiletto heel, a woman is doubly impaled by a spiked pit, and a pig names Orwell runs rampant (at least for a while). For a discussion on all this and more, have a listen!
On this episode of the Sordid Cinema Podcast (which was recorded back in 2012), Julian Carrington, Simon Howell, and Ricky D reviewed Compliance, a thriller written and directed by Craig Zobel, and based upon a strip search phone call scam that took place in Mount Washington, Kentucky, in which the caller, posing as a police officer, convinced a restaurant manager to carry out unlawful and intrusive procedures on an employee.
Inherent Vice Review The Sordid Cinema podcast has been around since 2007 and as you can imagine, the show has gone through some major changes over the years including the name. It was originally called Sound On Sight but on January 21, 2015, original hosts Simon Howell and Ricky D sat down to record what was supposed to be the final episode as a team before Simon quit and Ricky decided to rename it. And to send it off in style, they invited Kate Rennebohm and Adam Nayman to discuss one of the best films of 2014, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice.
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David Cronenberg Special On episode 252 of the Sordid Cinema podcast (then named Sound on Sight), we invited Sean Dwyer and Jay Cheel from the Film Junk Podcast to discuss David Cronenberg’s visually audacious, revolutionary, and utterly strange sci-fi thriller, Videodrome— as well as The Fly, possibly his most triumphant and accessible film to date. Enjoy!
In our sixth Cronenberg-themed show (recorded in 2012), we expanded our scope to include David Cronenberg’s very own spawn, Brandon, whose debut feature Antiviralhad just gone wide in Canada. Ricky, Edgar, and Simon tackled the flick, to see how it stacks up against one of daddy’s earlier efforts, 1981’a sci-fi actioner Scanners.
Scanners Podcast Review This week the Sordid Cinema Podcast takes a deeper look at the 1981 cult classic Scanners to see if there’s still more in this tale of telepathic intrigue than a nifty exploding head GIF. Goomba Stomp writer/editor Mike Worby joins Rick and Patrick on their dive into director David Cronenberg’s first commercial hit, discussing where the film stands in his pantheon, debating the effect a rushed production schedule had on the script, and wondering just why the film’s lead actor comes across as a robot. Along the way here are comparisons to Hitchcock and the X-Men, praise for the incredible practical effects, a chuckle over a phone booth that gets blown up but good, and some questions about that twist ending.
Does Scanners still stand the test of time? What sort of tweaks could be made if this film was ever reimagined? And just how many times will that exploding head actually be mentioned? For all this and more, have a listen!
Editor’s Note: We’ve included our original review of Scanners from 2012 at the one hour and fifteen-minute mark of the episode.
Maybe the original isn’t the best around? This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, hosts Rick and Patrick kick off the new year by looking back at an old sequel: John G. Avildsen’s The Karate Kid Part II. It turns out that crane kicking Johnny Lawrence’s face at the All Valley Karate Championship was just a warmup for Daniel-san, as this time he follows his sensei, Mr. Miyagi, to a small village in Japan in order to sort out a long-standing feud. Along the way, they both encounter flying fists, swinging hooks, mini drums, and romantic tea ceremonies. But does this follow-up to a classic stand toe-to-toe with its predecessor?
Though The Karate Kid Part II may have plenty of issues (an overlong recap, a homicidal teenage rival, a lack of focus, and some questionable matte paintings), there is still plenty to love about a sequel that dares to push a franchise forward. The exotic setting and darker tone result in higher stakes, and despite the many familiar beats, this film also has the best romance in the series, as well as an intriguing nemesis in Sato. Join us as we discuss both the highs and lows of this still very watchable slice of the 80s, somehow make comparisons to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and reveal our most memorable moments. For all this and more, have a listen!
Though director Bob Clark may be most remembered for helming the brilliantly sentimental holiday favorite A Christmas Story, his 1974 slasher classic Black Christmas is just as unforgettable, though for very different reasons. The story of a psychopathic murderer who terrorizes the residents of a sorority house just as everyone is about to leave for Christmas break might come to seem like merely a seedy premise for some cheap thrills, but excellent craftsmanship and standout performances result in one of the most unnerving home invasion films ever made. Where’s a Red Rider carbine action BB gun when you need one?
This week Rick and Patrick are joined by filmmaker Keir Siewert to break down exactly what makes this precursor to the slasher genre explosion so effective. Along the way we touch on the film’s creepy use of POV, discuss how the characters enhance the tension and go into how the film inspired John Carpenter to make his own seminal classic, Halloween. But how does that ending hold up? Is Olivia Hussey’s Jess a true ‘final girl’? Could changing one line of dialogue have made an already superb experience even better? For all this and more, have a listen!
Once a staple of holiday programming, Frank Capra’s 1946 masterpiece It’s a Wonderful Life may not be as widely broadcast, but it nevertheless still deserves to be seen by as many as possible. An inspiring story that showcases an inspired performance from star Jimmy Stewart, this tale of a man driven to the brink of suicide who is given a second chance at life remains powerful and effective to this day. What better way for the Sordid Cinema Podcast to kick off the holiday season than by re-taking the plunge ourselves into the world of a disappointed dreamer called George Bailey, the miserly Mr. Potter, and a doddering guardian angel named Clarence.
Rick and Patrick’s trip through the storybook town of Bedford Falls includes talk of a near-fatal poisoning by a druggist, a Depression-era run on the banks, theft of $8000 that could lead to embezzlement charges, loss of hearing, a theory about a possible curse by a marriage-seeking teenager, a supremely talented crow, and discussions of just how many strip clubs a small town needs. Feeling the holiday spirit yet? Find out why the guys believe the notoriously sentimental ending works perfectly, count the references to Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and It Happened One Night, and maybe even learn what a spinster is!
For all this and more, have a listen!
The spoof genre may have descended to near non-existence these days, but neither time nor inferior imitators have grounded what many consider to be one of the greatest comedies ever made. This week the Sordid Cinema podcast takes a look at 1980’s Airplane!, a top-notch example of what an amazing take-off looks like. With a story ripped straight from an obscure drama called Zero Hour! and a healthy sense of irreverence built up from 10 years of disaster movies, this story of an airline flight placed in peril by some rotten fish packs in so many jokes that it will be nearly impossible to see them all in just one viewing.
But who watches Airplane! only once? Surely, not Rick and Patrick (and we’re not calling you Shirley). Join us as we discuss some of the best gags, marvel at how close this film is to comedic perfection (oh, Johnny…), and muse about the potential future of the spoof genre. For all this and more, have a listen!
The People Under The Stairs Podcast Review
After our discussion of Scream 2, we couldn’t help returning to director Wes Craven’s library. This week the Sordid Cinema Podcast is taking a look at one of the odder entries in the horror master’s oeuvre, 1991’s The People Under the Stairs. A mashup of different genres that spans everything from genuine chills to slapstick comedy, this heist/home invasion film might inspire some conflicted thoughts, but there’s still plenty of entertainment to be had, as well as craft to be admired.
Joining Rick and Patrick is returning guest Sean Colletti, co-host of Goomba Stomp’s very own TV podcast The Mid-Season Replacements. We plunge into the intriguing premise, the fantastic performances, and all the tonal shifts that make this movie such an interesting watch. Along the way there are debates over the suitability and state of horror for children, plenty of mentions of a certain black leather outfit, and where this fits into Craven’s pantheon. For all this and more, have a listen!
Hot off the heels of The Sixth Sense, writer-director M. Night Shyamalan decided to follow up his smash psychological horror hit with something fans weren’t quite expecting: a grounded look at the comic book superhero myth. This week The Sordid Cinema Podcast takes a look at that low-key masterpiece, Unbreakable. Rick and Patrick are joined by superfan Aisha Newton (her cat is named Elijah, after Samuel L. Jackson’s diabolical villain) to discuss what makes this film so special these many years later, especially in the context of the flood of Marvel and DC blockbusters that have released since. Those who have yet to see this 2000 film will definitely see a different approach than what they may be used to. So how does Shyamalan’s patient, precise style hold up today? Is there an audience for this type of superhero film going forward? And just what exactly is Rick’s ‘kitchen theory’? For all this and more, have a listen!
Scream 2 Podcast Review ‘Sequels suck! By definition alone, sequels are inferior films!’
So, says Scream’s resident movie geek Randy Meeks, but is he right?
Since the original Scream was so groundbreaking with its pop-culture references and discussions of horror movie formulas, director Wes Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson seemed bound to fail when they released Scream 2 just a year later, in 1997. But to the surprise of movie audiences everywhere, Scream 2features more suspense, more scares, more false alarms, and more red herrings than one can count. And while the sequel may have lacked the original’s element of surprise, one could easily make a strong argument thatScream 2 is as scary and smart as the original, if not more.
And that’s just what we try to do this week…
In this episode of the Sordid Cinema podcast, Tilt Magazine’s Caitlin Marceau joins Ricky D and Patrick Murphy to discuss why Scream 2 is a better movie than its predecessor and how it at times, expertly ratchets up the suspense to unbearable levels. All this and more!
Frailty Podcast Review The late Bill Paxton’s 2001 directorial debut Frailty may have passed by unnoticed at the box office, but over time this low-budget, atmospheric horror film has maintained a steady appreciation. This week Rick and Patrick are joined by Montreal-based film writer and professor Matthew Hays to break down just what makes this underseen gem so good, as well as dive into its themes of religious piety and family dynamics. The story of a man who believes he has been chosen by God to destroy demons living as humans on earth delves into dark places, as this good-natured mechanic also turns his mission into a family affair – even as one of his sons thinks his father may be going insane.
From strong performances to an interesting script with an unreliable narrator, Frailty consistently engages the audience and is sure to surprise them as well with its many (too many?) twists. Join us as we sort out all the plot details and ponder the mysteries. How well does Frailty handle the supernatural elements? Would the film have worked even better with more ambiguity, or is the clarity of vision one of its strengths? For all this and more, have a listen!
William Peter Blatty, author of The Exorcist, wrote and directed this creepy thriller, based on his novel Legion. Thankfully he ignored the events of John Boorman’s disappointing Exorcist II: The Heretic, and abandoned cheap scares altogether, instead allowing the events to unfold like a detective story about one man’s search for faith. The Exorcist 3 isn’t quite as good as the first film, but thanks to some powerful performances by Brad Dourif and George C. Scott, Blatty directs a picture that is just as frightening.
There are several stand-out scenes: The dream sequence with George C. Scott moving through Heaven, delivers a strong punch, and the moment where George C. Scott enters the ward and the camera pans upwards to reveal one of the patients crawling on the ceiling, is spooky as hell. However, the most memorable scene comes when a nurse investigates strange noises during her graveyard shift. Director Blatty shows great patience in holding a far shot for an ample amount of time while making good use of ominous sounds heard in the distance. The sequence culminates with not one, but two of the best jump scares you’ll ever see; both will have you jolt from your seat. On the climactic exorcism scene, Blatty fought with the producers who demanded a frenzy of special effects. In retrospect, this might be one of the rare times in which the studio made the right choice and not the director. After all, what is an Exorcist film without an exorcism?
The picture is also extraordinarily well-acted by the likes of George C. Scott, who provides some of his best work, and Brad Dourif (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), who is equally riveting as The Gemini Killer. Gerry Fisher’s widescreen lensing is put to excellent use within the narrow corridors and caged cells of the asylum and Barry De Vorzon’s eerie score will make the hairs on your arms stand up. Those looking for a truly creepy picture, look no further. On this episode of the Sordid Cinema Podcast, we’ll go over all this and explain why The Exorcist 3 will surely get under your skin.
Though perhaps most famous upon its release for being the most expensive movie at the time, Kevin Costner’s aqua-drenched, apocalyptic epic Waterworld has managed to slough that narrative and stay afloat in a sea of sinking blockbusters. The story of a fish-man who befriends a woman and little girl after surviving an atoll raid by smoking pirate goons is a little more comic-booky than its Mad Max facade might initially suggest, but despite odd tonal shifts and a couple of underwhelming performances, there is still a lot to love here.
This week, Rick and Patrick discuss the best parts of this mega movie, including a bizarre setting, lavish production design, and skillful practical filmmaking. They also dive into the trouble-filled shoot, talk a little of Kevin Costner and director Kevin Reynolds’ filmmaking history, and try their best to come up with apt comparisons for this strange film. With action set pieces that are still amazing and gorgeous, colorful ocean imagery that pops off the screen, doesWaterworld has enough ingredients to shedding its soggy reputation? For all this and more, have a listen!
It’s been more than three decades since Tony Scott’s aerial action drama first flew into theaters and Tom Cruise took our breath away as Lt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell. It was May 16, 1986, to be exact when Top Gun was released and inspired moviegoers around the world to put on aviator shades, bomber jackets and try their best to walk and talk like Maverick! Say what you will aboutTop Gun —you can’t deny the movie was incredibly influential and helped reshape Hollywood action movies moving forward. It made Cruise a superstar and was the start of a hugely successful partnership between Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. And despite its initial mixed critical reaction, the film was also a huge commercial hit grossing $356 million stateside against a production budget of only US$15 million. There’s plenty of reasons to love Top Gun and on this episode of the Sordid Cinema podcast, we’ll tell you why.
Dressed to Kill Podcast Review Though many may not rank it among his best (including our own Ricky D), Brian De Palma’s Dressed to Kill is nevertheless a perfect example of how a particular director can greatly enhance the material through individual craftsmanship and sensibilities. Sure, what should be a fairly simple story of a high-class call girl both investigating and fleeing from the mysterious woman she witnessed commit a bloody murder might get a bit needlessly convoluted and confusing thanks to De Palma’s screenplay, but there is never any doubt in the clarity of the visuals. The director brings his Hitchcockian best here, with several standout scenes worthy of discussion, including a virtuoso flirtation sequence in a museum, as well as a grisly slashing in an elevator.
In addition to the fantastic camerawork, Rick and Patrick also save some praise for the performances, many of which rise above the sometimes-hokey dialogue to create memorable characters (and yes, that praise includes Nancy Allen as call girl Liz). They also discuss De Palma’s influences, and though Dressed to Kill might seem like an overt homage to Hitchcock’s Psycho, it also owes something to giallo horror films of the day. These elements all come together to result in a stylish, adult thriller the likes of which modern audiences could use more of. But can Dressed to Kill still enjoy a wide appeal?
For all this and more, have a listen!
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CandymanPodcast Review This week the Sordid Cinema Podcast takes a look at Bernard Rose’s Candyman– a radical, sophisticated psychological horror film that is just as effective, relevant, and terrifying today as it was upon its release. Joining us is Sean Colletti (co-host of the Mid-Season Replacements Podcast) to discuss Tony Todd’s iconic performance; Philip Glass’s operatic score; Bernard Rose’s Hitchcockian direction, and Virginia Madsen’s powerhouse performance as the so-called hero (but possibly villain), Helen. All this and more!
One of the Best Horror Sequels Turns 30! Gremlins 2: The New BatchPodcast Review This week the Sordid Cinema Podcast takes a look at 1990’s Gremlins 2: The New Batch, one of the strangest sequels ever made by a Hollywood studio. Famous for director Joe Dante’s reluctance to return to his world of the mischievous little monsters without the total creative control eventually granted him, Gremlins 2 plays almost like a satire of the original, as well as of sequels in general and numerous cultural trends at the time. Chaotic, comedic, yet tightly structured, this renegade, Looney Tunes-inspired film mocks everything from the convoluted Mogwai Rules to the sad backstories that Kate seems to have for specific holidays. And thanks to Rick Baker (also a co-producer), there are plenty of amazing creatures perpetrating the hijinks this time around. Bat gremlins, spider gremlins, lighting gremlins – this movie has it all!
Rick and Patrick are joined by writer/film critic Mariko McDonald to parse out the plethora of in-jokes, references to classic horror, odd Easter eggs, fourth wall-breaking, and overall zaniness, while also discussing a bit of the film’s history and how it compares to Gremlins. One could talk for hours about this masterful example of studio-funded anarchy, so for all this and more, have a listen!
La Haine Podcast Review Twenty-five years ago, Mathieu Kassovitz’s French black-and-white drama crime drama La Haine sent shockwaves through the 1995 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation and the Best Director prize.
A story of social unrest, La Haine was inspired by three isolated incidents involving the killing of unarmed young people by police officers (including the famous case of the 17-year-old Congolese Makomé M’Bowolé) that led to three weeks of riots in Paris and surrounding areas.
Starring Hubert Koundé, Saïd Taghmaoui, and Vincent Cassel (in his breakout performance), La Haine is set over 19 consecutive hours in the lives of three young men living in the impoverished, multi-ethnic public housing complexes known as Chanteloup-les-Vignes. We follow the three of them in the aftermath of a riot in a banlieue that left their teenage friend Abdel comatose in a hospital after being brutally beaten by the police. When Vinz recovers a gun lost by a cop during the riot, he feels empowered and decides to take revenge.
Twenty years on, La Haine feels more relevant than ever. It’s arguably the best film made about systemic racism and police brutality— easily the best film released in 2015— and one of the most powerful pieces of urban cinema ever made. Today on the Sordid Cinema Podcast we reflect on the film’s lasting significance and why it holds a special place in our hearts.
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This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast we discuss Neil Marshall’s first feature— the low-budget werewolf action/adventure siege film titled, Dog Soldiers.Frightening, funny, and packed with action, Dog Soldiers is considered one of the five best werewolf movies ever made and was an incredible showcase of Marshall’s (then) burgeoning talent.
It certainly made a name for the director who has since gone onto a highly promising career as a genre director, but is it as good as they say it is?
This week, Tim Maison joins us to help answer several questions we have about the movie including the unexpected plot twist and whether this movie could have used a better script. All this and more!
This week we take a break from reviving older classics to take a look at a recently released indie sci-fi gem called The Vast of Night. The film (now available on Amazon Prime) depicts a fateful evening in a small town in 1950s New Mexico as they host a rival high school basketball team for the big game, but also may be getting some visitors from even further out of town. It’s up to a young switchboard operator and a radio DJ to uncover the truth. Rick and Patrick are once again joined by critic Stephen Silver to discuss the many things that director Andrew Patterson does right in his feature debut, from virtuoso camerawork to the fantastic rhythm he develops using editing. We also praise the engaging performances of the film’s two leads, who anchor the entire production.
The Vast of Night promises sci-fi creeps along the lines of The Twilight Zone, but does it deliver on this? Do all the stylistic approaches work in supporting the story and tone? And just why is that basketball game so important?
For all this and more, have a listen to our breakdown of this wonderful little film!
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Frank Darabont’s The Mist Podcast Review Though its ending may leave some viewers in a daze, Frank Darabont’s 2007 adaptation of Stephen King’s novella, The Mist, is clearly old-fashioned monster moviemaking at its best. This week, Rick and Patrick are joined by artist Dan Bransfield to talk about what makes this simple story of a group of small-towners stuck in a grocery store during the onset of a foggy inter-dimensional invasion such a delightful throwback to B-movie horror.
With a cast of characters (many of whom played by Darabont regulars) that efficiently portray the ugly breakdown of community during a crisis, and a host of mysterious creatures representing the external threat that acts as the catalyst, The Mist is filled with tense moments and fascinating threads (even if some of them seem to go nowhere). Of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few things we might change if we had the chance (child actors or executions of twist endings), but there’s more than enough to love here to recommend for genre fans. What are our favorite scenes? Who is the film’s MVP? Will The Mist stand the test of time?
For a little debate on these questions and more, have a listen!
This week on the Sordid Cinema podcast, we discuss The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover, Peter Greenaway’s most successful film and some would argue his true masterpiece— although not to the taste of the average cinema goer.
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This week the hosts of the Sordid Cinema Podcast take a look at Mel Gibson’s 2004 monster hit, The Passion of the Christ. While the film is known primarily for its extreme level of violence and the controversies surrounding its release, does the film actually accomplish what it sets out to do? Is there a point to all the suffering? Rick and Patrick try to get to the heart of the matter, doing our best to remember the Stations of the Cross while debating the artistic merits of Gibson’s context-reliant storytelling. The Passion may be hard to enjoy, but there’s no doubt it’s a film that offers plenty to talk about.
As usual, we discuss our favorite scenes, wistfully mention a few things we might have changed, and wonder if this violent biblical epic will stand the test of time.
For all this and more, have a listen!
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This week Rick and Patrick are joined by Goomba Stomp writer Marty Allen to discuss one of John Carpenter’s lesser-cited horror classics, 1908’s The Fog. Though it may not have had the impact of such genre masterpieces as Halloween or The Thing, this low-budget story of a group of ghostly lepers who assail a small coastal town contains many of the director's stylistic hallmarks, as well as his usual efficiency. Sure, the third act may suffer a bit from a lack of inspiration, but what comes before is rock-solid filmmaking that should appeal to anyone that loves well-crafted suspense and horror.
So just how well does The Fog hold up for modern audiences? Who (or what) is the film’s MVP? Where does it stand in Carpenter’s filmography? We dive into the production, gush over the camerawork, break down why this screenplay works, and even pick a few nits. For all this and more, have a listen!
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance Podcast Review This week’s show sees Patrick picking another western, but this one is a little more talkie and a little less shooty. John Ford’s 1962 adaptation of The Man Who Shot Liverty Valance centers on a classic genre theme of civilization vs. frontier law. While Ford may be an acquired taste for some, the hosts discuss the fascinating philosophical conflicts at play while praising many (though not all) of the performances, as well as note the uniqueness of the (mostly) action-free film. With Monument Valley never making an appearance, is there enough to look at? Does this slower western still hold up today? Why, oh why, did Ford leave in that classroom scene?
For all this and more, have a listen!
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12 Monkeys Podcast Review This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast we discuss Terry Gilliam’s 1995 sci-fi masterwork 12 Monkeys, which mixes time travel with paranoia set against the backdrop of a dystopian future that both has happened, and is yet to come. Joining Rick and Patrick is film critic and Goomba Stomp writer Stephen Silver, who helps us dive into the intricacies and nuance of this Bruce Willis-led thriller. Along the way, we praise the structure of a script that juggles numerous elements that all pay off handsomely in a pitch-perfect end, debate about which performance really stands out among the cast (for both the right and possibly wrong reasons), and look into some of the history of the film, including the inspiration taken from the 1962 French short La Jetée.
What are our favorite moments? What would we change if we could go back in time? Does 12 Monkeys ultimately still hold up to modern audiences? For all this and more, have a listen!
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Sam Raimi’s The Quick and the Dead Podcast Review 1995’s The Quick and the Dead showed that director of The Evil Dead, Darkman, and Army of Darkness wouldn’t hold back his off-kilter, kinetic style for a western, and the result is thrilling for Sam Raimi fans. While certain aspects (i.e., the script) may not shine in this tale of Sharon Stone’s mysterious gunfighter entering a quickdraw competition in order to enact revenge on the despotic mayor of the small town of Redemption, Raimi ensures that there is always something crazy and meaningful to look at. This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, Rick and Patrick celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary by discussing how the director shapes and enhances the boilerplate story with his unique visuals and panache.
Along the way, the hosts also marvel at the distinct performances by an incredible cast that features a stoic Stone, a deliciously evil Gene Hackman, a badass Russell Crowe, and a young Leonardo DiCaprio, among many others. They also decide which gunfight is the best, pick their favorite and least favorite scenes, and wonder if this version of Raimi still holds up with modern audiences. For all this and more, have a listen!
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This week Rick and Patrick are joined by former Sound on Sight/Sordid Cinema Podcast co-host Simon Howell to talk about Terry Gilliam’s 1985 ambitious dark satire, Brazil. From its incredible vision and art design to the cavalcade of quirky supporting performances by the likes of Robert De Niro, Bob Hoskins, Michael Palin, and Jim Broadbent (among others), there’s plenty to gush over. Sure, the romantic subplot is a bit of a dud (despite some Freudian overtones), but Gilliam’s story of a low-level government employee who meets the literal girl of his dreams while trying to escape a monotonous life of over-complicated machinery and stacks of paperwork resulting from a totalitarian authority is still just as potent and refreshingly unique today as it was back then.
Join us as we discuss just what makes Brazil so special even to this day, marvel over the inventive and often seamless practical effects, suggest some alternative ways to implement the character of Jill Layton, and rank where this entry stands in Gilliam’s filmography. For those dreaming of movies that escape the standard story formula and aesthetic, it doesn’t get much better than this. Have a listen!
Witness 1985 Podcast Review This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, Rick and Patrick get their city hands dirty with 1985’s Witness, directed by Peter Weir. The story of a little Amish boy who watches a grisly murder take place in a train station bathroom manages to combine a subdued-but-tense police thriller with an exceptionally grounded love story between detective John Book (Harrison Fords, in his only Oscar-nominated role) and the boy’s mother, Rachel (played by Kelly McGillis), along with a theme contrasting pacifism and the use of deadly force. The guys discuss how Weir expertly maintains restraint, often opting for subtle facial expressions over dialogue, and plenty of quiet moments abound. The director also once again makes the presence of the land deeply felt, creating an absorbing environment complemented by an otherworldly score by Maurice Jarre.
With so many great scenes, how can we choose the best? What might Rick and Patrick change about this nearly flawless film? Along the way in answering these questions and more, the guys dive into the production history, as well as talk about how this film fits in with Peter Weir’s filmography. Have a listen!
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Color Out of Space Podcast Review This week Rick and Patrick are joined by Goomba Stomp writer and H.P. Lovecraft fan Thomas O’Connor to discuss Richard Stanley’s directorial return to the big screen with Color Out of Space. This story of a rural Massachusetts family who starts a descent into madness after a meteorite plummets onto their property stars Nicolas Cage, who gives another wacky performance that helps sell the sci-fi craziness. Though there is some agreement as to the film’s flaws, the guys talk about the difficulty in adapting Lovecraft, as well as how much Stanley and Cage get right in the attempt. And no, we don’t forget the llamas.
So what scenes really stand out for us? What would we change? Will Color Out of Space stand the test of time, or will its colorful dread fade away? For all this and more, have a listen!
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This week the Sordid Cinema Podcast takes a short break from all the blood and guts to look back at Howard Hawks’ 1940 screwball comedy masterpiece, His Girl Friday. This adapted story of a newspaper writer (Rosalind Russell) trying to break free from the journalist lifestyle only to be lured back in by an incredibly big story — as well as her boss/ex-husband(!), played by Cary Grant — features cascades of whip-smart wit, an abundance of double crosses and double entendres, and fantastic direction from one of old Hollywood’s finest filmmakers.
Rick and Patrick are joined by writer/film critic Mariko McDonald to discuss the impact of Hawks swapping out the original male lead for a female lead, reveal tidbits about the production and how they managed to fit a 191-page screenplay into 92 minutes, pick our favorite scenes as well as elements we might change, and much more! For an in-depth dive into this wonderful classic, have a listen!
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With a list of classics under his belt that include masterpieces like Halloween, Assault on Precinct 13, and The Thing, John Carpenter has long been celebrated by movie lovers, even if many of his films have flown under the radar with general audiences. This week the Sordid Cinema Podcast looks back at one of his most underrated (at least according to us) works, 1994’s In the Mouth of Madness. Rick and Patrick are joined by fellow Carpenter fan and Goomba Stomp writer Christopher Cross to break down just what makes all the psychological horror here so memorable.
So what exactly is going on in this story of a cocky insurance claims investigator tracking down a mysterious horror writer in a creepy town? How much inspiration does the film take from sources like H.P. Lovecraft, the noir genre, Stephen King, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers? Does the lunacy on display hold up today? And what’s with that cast of extras? For all this and much more discussion, have a listen!
For all this and more, have a listen!
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How has this low-budget creature feature about a dusty southwestern town under attack by carnivorous worm monsters managed to secure a place in cult movie history? For this episode of the Sordid Cinema Podcast, Rick and Patrick burrow deep into Tremors in order to break down just what makes this film so special. From the creative and menacing practical effects, to the simple and efficient script, as well as the charismatic cast and skillful camera work, there’s a lot to love here. Join us as we go into some of the production history, discuss in detail our favorite and least favorite scenes, who or what we think the film’s success most relies on, and whether we think Tremors will continue to stand the test of time.
The Sordid Cinema Podcast makes its return, with a new format that sees hosts Ricky D and Patrick Murphy taking a look at some of our favorite films over the years that may have flown under the radar for some audiences. This new version of the long-running show will focus more on discussion and less, on reviews, as we hope to examine the selections from a multitude of angles and break down what makes these films so special.
For our first episode, Ricky D has selected Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite, which landed at the top of Goomba Stomp’s list of the Best Movies of 2019. The guys detail their favorite moments from this genre-bending satire on class that follows a poor South Korean family which scams its way into the employ of a wealthy household. Is Parasite the best film of 2019? There’s a lot to love and talk about, and we hope you enjoy it!
This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast we discuss Gerald's Game, the latest big screen Stephen King adaptation and Super Dark Times, the feature debut of the incredibly talented director Kevin Phillips.
Why it took so long for us here at Sordid Cinema to tackle one of the seminal sci-fi films of all time might be a mystery of the cosmos on par with the is-he-or-isn’t-he debate revolving around a certain bounty hunter named Rick Deckard, but the release of Blade Runner 2049, a direct sequel to Ridley Scott’ 1982 masterpiece Blade Runner, gives us the perfect opportunity to rectify our very human mistake. This episode Rick, Simon, and Patrick are joined by Goomba Stomp writer Shane Ramirez to discuss both films, and there’s a lot to go over. First off, are these films actually good? How does the beautiful cinematography of each enhance its world? What exactly is the difference between human and replicant? And why is Rutger Hauer so awesome? Some questions are never meant to be answered.
Join us as we dive into the history of the original, debate the merits of respective plots, ponder the reaching philosophies (or lack of), and wonder why things meant to blend in with humans act like robots. For all this and more, tune in and have a listen!
This week, Simon is joined by new contributor Chelsea Phillips-Carr and returning former co-host Edgar Chaput to break down what everyone caught at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, as well as to discuss the phenomenon of the festival more broadly. Movies touched on include: a particularly gnarly cannibal documentary, the latest from Paul Schrader, and films by Agnes Varda, Michael Hazavinicus, Agnes Varda, Armando Iannucci, Lucrecia Martel, and many more.
For all this and more, tune in and have a listen!
This week on the Sordid Cinema podcast we discuss Darren Aronofsky’s mother!, a thought-provoking, albeit disturbing vision that may be too unwieldy for mainstream tastes. mother! is everything we should expect from a good horror film, a film that gets a rise out of you and makes your palms sweat – your hands tightly grip onto the armrest – your eyes widen and your jaw drop. It’s a film that grabs your attention and dares you not to look away. mother! does all that and more – it offers the WTF disbelief and while we wouldn’t call it Aronofsky’s best movie, it sure left an impression.
There just aren’t enough movies about crazy killer clowns these days, so it’s with open arms that we welcome Pennywise back onto the screen. He’s grown up a bit, as this latest adaptation of Stephen King’s IT is the first to release theatrically, but not a step has been lost in the process when it comes to terrorizing dorky kids. This week Simon, Rick, and Patrick immerse themselves in a frightening world of town curses, freaky paintings, New Kids on the Block, and tighty whities. How does the new version of IT compare to the 1990 miniseries? Who’s the coolest Loser in the Loser’s Club? Is that one scene from the book really unfilmable? And most importantly, will IT make audiences remember what it’s like to be afraid of slide projectors?
This week on the Sordid Cinema podcast, Thomas O’Connor joins Patrick Murphy and Simon Howell to discuss Steven Soderbergh's out-of-retirement heist flick, Logan Lucky. In the second half of the show, we dig into M. Night Shyamalan’s Split.
This week on the Sordid Cinema podcast, Victor Stiff joins Ricky, Patrick, and Simon to discuss Good Time and Atomic Blonde.
This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, Rick, Patrick and special guest Thomas O'Connor sit down to discuss the best films of the Fantasia Film Festival.