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Tim Wick
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Apr 15 2015
Episode 45 – Birdman
, with special guest: Jena Young
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As has become an annual tradition, we sat down to watch the Academy Award winner for Best Picture of 2014, Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)! We marveled at the amazing Cinematography and the unexpected score. We had a thoughtful conversation about the meaning of the film’s ending. In other words, we watched the movie and then we talked about it. Which is sort of our thing!
The next film on our list is The Usual Suspects!
| Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014) | |
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Rating: 7.7/10 (665,337 votes) Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu Writer: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Stars: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton Runtime: 119 min Rated: R Genre: Comedy, Drama Released: 14 Nov 2014 |
| Plot: A washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production. | |
Apr 01 2015
Episode 44 – Persepolis
, with special guest: Jena Young
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS
This episode, we managed to find another animated film Jena hasn’t seen, which is quite the challenge! In addition to being only our second animated film, it is also our second foreign language film. We watched “Persepolis,” which is a phenomenal film about growing up in post revolutionary Iran. If you are feeling particularly ambitious, we would suggest that this film pairs quite nicely with Argo.
Our next episode will be about the winner of the 2015 Academy Award for Best Picture: Birdman: Or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)!
| Persepolis (2007) | |
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Rating: 8.0/10 (99,815 votes) Director: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi Writer: Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud Stars: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Gena Rowlands Runtime: 96 min Rated: PG-13 Genre: Animation, Biography, Drama Released: 22 Feb 2008 |
| Plot: A precocious and outspoken Iranian girl grows up during the Islamic Revolution. | |
Mar 17 2015
Episode 43 – All About Eve
, with special guest: Jena Young
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Having recently watched The Ten Commandments, we decided that Jena needed more Anne Baxter in her life. What better way to mainline Anne Baxter than with All About Eve! A delightfully witty script and fantastic performances by five great actresses are all you need to know. If you haven’t watched this movie yet, you should rush out and fix that as soon as possible!
Our next episode will be about Persepolis!
| All About Eve (1950) | |
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Rating: 8.2/10 (138,474 votes) Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz Writer: Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Mary Orr Stars: Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders Runtime: 138 min Rated: Passed Genre: Drama Released: 27 Oct 1950 |
| Plot: A seemingly timid but secretly ruthless ingénue insinuates herself into the lives of an aging Broadway star and her circle of theater friends. | |
Mar 01 2015
Episode 42 – Murder on the Orient Express
, with special guest: Jena Young
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Our episode was recorded live at the Trylon theater in Minneapolis. We watched the only adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel that the author actually liked, Murder on the Orient Express. The cast is full of A-list stars including Ingred Bergman, who won an Oscar for her performance in this film. After the movie, audience members joined us for a discussion of the film.
Our next episode will introduce Jena to Bette Davis as we watch All About Eve!
| Murder on the Orient Express (1974) | |
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Rating: 7.2/10 (68,549 votes) Director: Sidney Lumet Writer: Agatha Christie, Paul Dehn, Anthony Shaffer Stars: Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman Runtime: 128 min Rated: PG Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery Released: 24 Nov 1974 |
| Plot: In December 1935, when his transcontinental luxury train is stranded by deep snow, detective Hercule Poirot is called on to solve a murder that occurred in his car the night before, with a multitude of suspects. | |
Feb 15 2015
Episode 41 – L.A. Confidential
, with special guest: Jena Young
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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For our latest episode, we watch a modern take on classic noir as we watch L.A. Confidential. A not yet all star cast including Kevin Spacy, Kim Basinger, Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce headline this film that is recognized among film buffs but mostly forgotten by others. We hope you take the time to check out this movie if you aren’t already a fan.
Our next episode will be recorded live at the Trylon theater on Sunday, February 22nd. We’ll be watching Murder on the Orient Express!
| L.A. Confidential (1997) | |
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Rating: 8.2/10 (615,524 votes) Director: Curtis Hanson Writer: James Ellroy, Brian Helgeland, Curtis Hanson Stars: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce Runtime: 138 min Rated: R Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery Released: 19 Sep 1997 |
| Plot: As corruption grows in 1950s Los Angeles, three policemen - one strait-laced, one brutal, and one sleazy - investigate a series of murders with their own brand of justice. | |
Feb 01 2015
Episode 40 – The Ten Commandments
, with special guest: Jena Young
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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On our latest episode, we explore the world of the Biblical epic via Cecil B DeMille’s Ten Commandments! Charlton Heston is our guide as we explore a time of plagues, lust and burning bushes! We are once again reminded of the awesomeness of Vincent Price and, finally, get to introduce Jena to Anne Baxter. We also spend a little time talking about Exodus: Gods and Kings. Join us for this rollicking trip through the old testament complete with water turning to blood!
At the end of the episode, we claim our next episode will be Murder on the Orient Express. That’s totally wrong. It will be L.A. Confidential.
| The Ten Commandments (1956) | |
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Rating: 7.9/10 (76,580 votes) Director: Cecil B. DeMille Writer: Dorothy Clarke Wilson, J.H. Ingraham, A.E. Southon Stars: Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter Runtime: 220 min Rated: G Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family Released: 05 Oct 1956 |
| Plot: Moses, raised as a prince of Egypt in the Pharaoh's household, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people from slavery. | |
Jan 15 2015
Episode 39 – House of Wax
, with special guest: Jena Young
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Having recently watched Mystery of the Wax Museum, we needed to take the time to watch the more famous remake, House of Wax. Once again we enjoy the screen presence of the great Vincent Price while we experience the birth of 3D! We also run into Reel Education favorite Charles Bronson.
Our next episode will take a closer look at the biblical epic The Ten Commandments!
| House of Wax (1953) | |
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Rating: 7.0/10 (20,151 votes) Director: André De Toth Writer: Crane Wilbur, Charles Belden Stars: Vincent Price, Frank Lovejoy, Phyllis Kirk Runtime: 88 min Rated: GP Genre: Horror Released: 25 Apr 1953 |
| Plot: An associate burns down a wax museum with the owner inside, but he survives only to become vengeful and murderous. | |
Jan 01 2015
Episode 38 – Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
, with special guest: Jena Young
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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For our holiday episode, we returned to the fabulous Trylon Microcinema to watch and discuss Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence. We not only discussed the film but we found ourselves pulled into a conversation about the Hayes code and about 80’s synth tracks! Jena was saddened that this film featured a lot of David Bowie but not a lot of his package. Well, you can’t win them all.
Happy New Year!
Our next episode, we’ll be watching House of Wax!
And we’ll be returning to the Trylon in February for Murder on the Orient Express!
| Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983) | |
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Rating: 7.2/10 (19,770 votes) Director: Nagisa Ôshima Writer: Nagisa Ôshima, Paul Mayersberg, Lourens van der Post Stars: David Bowie, Tom Conti, Ryuichi Sakamoto Runtime: 123 min Rated: R Genre: Drama, War Released: 02 Sep 1983 |
| Plot: During WWII, a British colonel tries to bridge the cultural divides between a British POW and the Japanese camp commander in order to avoid bloodshed. | |
Dec 23 2014
Episode 37 – Mystery of the Wax Museum
, with special guest: Jena Young
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS
This episode focuses on a rather obscure film that is a favorite of Tim and Melissa. Mystery of the Wax Museum has lots of things working for it. It has Fay Wray (of King Kong fame) and is directed by Michael Curtiz (who also directed Casablanca). The film would later be remade into House of Wax, starring Vincent Price. It may take a little while to find this film but the search will be worth it. Enjoy!
Our next episode will be with a live audience from the Trylon Microcinema where we watched Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence.
| Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933) | |
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Rating: 6.8/10 (6,804 votes) Director: Michael Curtiz Writer: Don Mullaly, Carl Erickson, Charles Belden Stars: Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell Runtime: 77 min Rated: Passed Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller Released: 18 Feb 1933 |
| Plot: The disappearance of people and corpses leads a reporter to a wax museum and a sinister sculptor. | |
Dec 01 2014
Episode 36 – Planes, Trains and Automobiles
, with special guest: Jena Young
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS
We were glad to return to the Trylon Microcinema for a live recording this episode! We enjoyed Steve Martin and John Candy in the dramedy Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Tim got to share his own story of travel hell although he was quick to point out that his car never caught on fire. The first part of the episode was recorded in a coffee shop so enjoy the background noise!
Our next episode will be about Mystery of the Wax Museum.
| Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) | |
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Rating: 7.6/10 (159,509 votes) Director: John Hughes Writer: John Hughes Stars: Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins Runtime: 93 min Rated: R Genre: Comedy, Drama Released: 25 Nov 1987 |
| Plot: A Chicago advertising man must struggle to travel home from New York for Thanksgiving, with a lovable oaf of a shower-curtain-ring salesman as his only companion. | |
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