Category: Podcast

Jun 15 2017

Episode 95 – Live and Let Die

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Live and Let DieThis week, we return to our James Bond series with the first installment of the Roger Moore era, Live and Let Die!  Moore was the longest tenured actor to play Bond (this is the first of seven films featuring him as the British super spy).  Chrys VanDerKamp joins us once again to unpack a film featuring some really fun action and some really problematic racism and sexism.  We also take a look at some less than spectacular science and explore the strange rules of psychic sexual contact exhibited in the film.  Eventually, we even talk about the late Sir Roger Moore a little bit!

Next up, we follow Sir Roger Moore to The Cannonball Run!

Live and Let Die (1973)
Live and Let Die poster Rating: 6.7/10 (116,799 votes)
Director: Guy Hamilton
Writer: Tom Mankiewicz, Ian Fleming
Stars: Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto, Jane Seymour
Runtime: 121 min
Rated: PG
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Released: 27 Jun 1973
Plot: James Bond is sent to stop a diabolically brilliant heroin magnate armed with a complex organisation and a reliable psychic tarot card reader.

Jun 01 2017

Episode 94 – The Haunting

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The HauntingOur next episode in the Bond series follows Lois Maxwell (Miss Moneypenny) because George Lazenby really didn’t make any other films of note after his turn as Bond.  Because of that, we used Maxwell’s small role as an excuse to watch The Haunting!  We are joined by returning guest Lana Rosario to watch this extremely creepy ghost story that doesn’t need to resort to anything as cheesy as jump scares to creep you out.  The film is helmed by the great and versatile Robert Wise and stars a group of character actors who you might not immediately recognize but who turn in spectacular performances in this great atmospheric horror film.

Next up, we take a look at the James Bond played by Sir Roger Moore in Live and Let Die!

The Haunting (1963)
The Haunting poster Rating: 7.4/10 (43,061 votes)
Director: Robert Wise
Writer: Nelson Gidding, Shirley Jackson
Stars: Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson
Runtime: 112 min
Rated: G
Genre: Horror
Released: 22 Aug 1963
Plot: Hill House has stood for about 90 years and appears haunted: its inhabitants have always met strange, tragic ends. Now Dr. John Markway has assembled a team of people who he thinks will prove whether or not the house is haunted.

May 15 2017

Episode 93 – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

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We continue our exploration of James Bond and the actors who played him with On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the first and only film featuring George Lazenby as Bond.  Our guest is once again Chrys VanDerKamp, who will be joining us for every bond film as the only two she has seen is Quantum of Solace (which is unfortunate) and Goldfinger (which we showed her.)  On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is a fascinating Bond film as it establishes the premise that Bond can be played by another actor but it begs the question “why this one?”  Also there is a lot of skiing (a lot of skiing), Diana Rigg, and Telly Savalas!

Next up, we will follow Lois Maxwell, the original Miss Moneypenny, to The Haunting!  Sorry – George Lazenby really didn’t make another decent film and The Haunting is FABULOUS!

On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
On Her Majesty's Secret Service poster Rating: 6.7/10 (100,844 votes)
Director: Peter R. Hunt
Writer: Simon Raven, Richard Maibaum, Ian Fleming
Stars: George Lazenby, Diana Rigg, Telly Savalas
Runtime: 142 min
Rated: PG
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Released: 19 Dec 1969
Plot: British agent James Bond goes undercover to pursue the villainous Ernst Stavro Blofeld, who is planning to hold the world to ransom.

May 01 2017

Episode 92 – The Untouchables

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The UntouchablesHaving watched Sean Connery play James Bond, we move on to watching Sean Connery in the only role that earned him an Oscar.  Alex Wick joins us for The Untouchables, a Brian De Palma directed crime drama about Chicago and Al Capone.  The movie features some fantastic set piece action as well as several truly riveting performances including Connery’s Oscar winning turn.  We also gush all over Ennio Morricone’s score because how can you not?

Next up, we take a look at the only George Lazenby Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service!

The Untouchables (1987)
The Untouchables poster Rating: 7.8/10 (335,667 votes)
Director: Brian De Palma
Writer: David Mamet, Oscar Fraley, Eliot Ness
Stars: Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro
Runtime: 119 min
Rated: R
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Released: 03 Jun 1987
Plot: During Prohibition, Treasury agent Eliot Ness sets out to stop ruthless Chicago gangster Al Capone, and assembles a small, incorruptible team to help him.

Apr 15 2017

Episode 91 – Goldfinger

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Goldfinger

Our Bond project officially begins!  Over the next several episodes, we will be watching Bond movies featuring each of the actors who have played this film icon as well as other movies featuring the same actor!  We begin with what many consider the best of the Bond films, Goldfinger!  Our companion for this film was Chrys VanDerKamp, who has limited Bond knowledge and leaves our Educational podcast anxious to learn more about the film series.  Don’t worry – we gave her a list.

Up next, we will watch another of Sean Connery’s best performances when we see The Untouchables!

Goldfinger (1964)
Goldfinger poster Rating: 7.7/10 (204,856 votes)
Director: Guy Hamilton
Writer: Richard Maibaum, Paul Dehn, Ian Fleming
Stars: Sean Connery, Gert Fröbe, Honor Blackman
Runtime: 110 min
Rated: Approved
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Released: 09 Jan 1965
Plot: While investigating a gold magnate's smuggling, James Bond uncovers a plot to contaminate the Fort Knox gold reserve.

Apr 01 2017

Episode 90 – Moonlight

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MoonlightThis episode, we tackle the 2017 Oscar winner for Best Picture: Moonlight!  After the crazy ending to this year’s Oscar ceremony, this film was crowned Best Picture.  We’re guessing you haven’t seen it.  In fact, neither Melissa or Tim had seen it either.  Still, we brought in Pat Wick, who also hadn’t seen it, to be our guest.  The film is notable for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is the fact it is the first film featuring an all black cast to win Best Picture.  It gave us a lot to think about and we hope you watch the film and it makes you think as well.

Next up, it is time to start exploring all of the actors who have played James Bond both in the Bond franchise and outside of it!  We’ll be starting with Sean Connery and Goldfinger!

Moonlight (2016)
Moonlight poster Rating: 7.4/10 (336,072 votes)
Director: Barry Jenkins
Writer: Barry Jenkins, Tarell Alvin McCraney
Stars: Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Trevante Rhodes
Runtime: 111 min
Rated: R
Genre: Drama
Released: 18 Nov 2016
Plot: A young African-American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood.

Mar 15 2017

Episode 89 – The Quiet Man

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The Quiet ManFor our newest episode, we take a look at a project that was something of a dream project for John Wayne – The Quiet Man!  Directed by John Ford and featuring Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, this film is surprisingly unlike what most would expect from names like John Wayne and John Ford.  We are re-joined by Noel Thingvall, who has a better experience with us than he did when we watched La Dolce Vita.  We hope you sit back and enjoy this classic love story about a man, a woman, and a whole lot of tradition.

Next up, we’ll be watching the 2017 winner of the Oscar for Best Picture, La La Land Moonlight!

The Quiet Man (1952)
The Quiet Man poster Rating: 7.7/10 (43,099 votes)
Director: John Ford
Writer: Frank S. Nugent, Maurice Walsh, John Ford
Stars: John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Barry Fitzgerald
Runtime: 129 min
Rated: Approved
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Released: 14 Sep 1952
Plot: A retired American boxer returns to the village of his birth in 1920s Ireland, where he falls for a spirited redhead whose brother is contemptuous of their union.

Mar 01 2017

Episode 88 – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

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Snow White and the Seven DwarfsThis week we have two special guests who join us for the Disney classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Lana Rosario and David Tyler McKay join us with little more than childhood memories of orange soda.  After a viewing of the film, we discuss all the ways it might not work for some modern audiences but also all the ways this film changed the movie industry forever.  It is also important to note that we are talking about dwarfs.  Not dwarves.

Next up, we will watch The Quiet Man!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs poster Rating: 7.6/10 (219,093 votes)
Director: William Cottrell, David Hand, Wilfred Jackson
Writer: Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm, Ted Sears
Stars: Adriana Caselotti, Harry Stockwell, Lucille La Verne
Runtime: 83 min
Rated: Approved
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
Released: 04 Feb 1938
Plot: Exiled into the dangerous forest by her wicked stepmother, a princess is rescued by seven dwarf miners who make her part of their household.

Feb 15 2017

Episode 87 – The Adventures of Prince Achmed

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The Adventures of Prince AchmedOn this episode, we take a look at the oldest existing feature length animated film – The Adventures of Prince Achmed.  Our friend Cetius joins us to discuss this silent film created using silhouette.  It is remarkable to watch the film and recognize how much influence it has had on cinema over the years.  We highly recommend taking a look at this film.  You won’t be disappointed!

Next up, we will take a look at another groundbreaking animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs!

The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)
The Adventures of Prince Achmed poster Rating: 7.8/10 (6,999 votes)
Director: Lotte Reiniger, Carl Koch
Writer: Lotte Reiniger
Stars: N/A
Runtime: 80 min
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
Released: 20 Jun 1929
Plot: A handsome prince rides a flying horse to faraway lands and embarks on magical adventures, which include befriending a witch, meeting Aladdin, battling demons and falling in love with a princess.

Feb 02 2017

Episode 86 – The Man Who Would Be King

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The Man Who Would Be KingOur latest episode features the guest stylings of Bob Alberti!  Bob joins us to talk about The Man Who Would be King.  The film features a post Bond Sean Connery and a pre Jaws 4 Michael Caine as two ex soldiers looking to make a fortune by making themselves kings.  We don’t want to spoil the movie so we won’t tell you how it works out for them.  If you watch the first ten minutes of the movie, however, you’ll probably be able to guess.  As if the two big name actors weren’t enough, this film was directed by the legendary John Houston and the costume designs were by Edith Head!

Join us next time when we’ll be watching The Adventures of Prince Achmed!

The Man Who Would Be King (1975)
The Man Who Would Be King poster Rating: 7.8/10 (52,597 votes)
Director: John Huston
Writer: John Huston, Gladys Hill, Rudyard Kipling
Stars: Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer
Runtime: 129 min
Rated: PG
Genre: Adventure, Drama, War
Released: 19 Dec 1975
Plot: In 1880s India, two former British soldiers decide to set themselves up as Kings in Kafiristan, a land where no white man has set foot since Alexander the Great.