Jul 06 2015
This Week’s Underappreciated Movies
Every Monday, each of us will suggest a film that we feel too few people have seen.
Windy’s Pick of the Week: The Mark of Zorro
I worry that younger people have only watched the Antonio Banderas versions of this iconic character and have missed out on a truly epic and defining performance by Tyrone Power. This is the movie (and performance) that inspires young Bruce Wayne to become Batman, after all. Diego Vega must disguise his skills as a swordsman by playing a mincing nobleman so that he may rescue the common people from tyranny. Along the way, he also gets to woo Linda Darnell – and if you think Catherine Zeta Jones is gorgeous, wait ’til you see Ms Darnell. The bad guy is none other than Basil Rathbone! Who did all his own fencing! Seriously, dig this one up and enjoy Tyrone Power being dashing and clever and charming! Let the swooning commence!
Melissa’s Pick of the Week: Death Race 2000
The original Death Race 2000 lies somewhere between ridiculous cheesefest and frank social commentary, and I love every minute of it. In a dystopian future, a deadly road race is held annually to quell a bloodthirsty populace; points are awarded for running over random pedestrians. The most famous racer, played by Keith Carradine in bondage gear, drives a Corvette decked out to look like an alligator (including teeth). His competitors are no less flamboyant, including a very young pre-Rocky Sylvester Stallone in buffoonish cowboy gear. It’s violent, wry, explosive, unapologetic, and delightfully weird. Director Paul Bartel (who gave us the equally weird Eating Raoul) and producer Roger Corman (who gave us 90% of all other movies) guide this film like they’re soaring a flaming airplane with dead engines: it shouldn’t fly, but it sure does.
(By the way, here are some photos from when I found the alligator car in Illinois.)
Jul 02 2015
Episode 73: Rextopia
, with special guest: Eric Knight
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We have a special delight for you today, dear listeners! Today is the first day of CONvergence 2015, and so we have invited Eric Knight to talk about the 17 years he has spent running the incredible CONvergence movie room, Cinema Rex! CONvergence fans can hear about this year’s film selections (all dystopia themed) as well as learn about the history of the movie room. Those of you aren’t CONvergence nerds can also delight in learning about what goes into making the ultimate movie mixtape every year.
If you would like to drink along with us, we recommend either Maipe Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon or The Show Malbec. Both served us well while recording.
Show notes behind the cut!
Jun 29 2015
This Week’s Underappreciated Movies
Every Monday, each of us will suggest a film that we feel too few people have seen.
Melissa’s Pick of the Week: Drive Angry
It’s over-the-top. It’s often ridiculous. It contains some stunningly bad CGI. But Drive Angry has muscle cars and devil cults and kickass Amber Herd and Nic Cage as a man who has returned from hell for a bit of vengeance. If that has you saying, “Hey, that sounds kinda like Ghost Rider,” you’re not wrong, but I’ll add this cherry on top of the cheese sundae: Drive Angry also features William Fichtner as a mysterious badass named The Accountant. Fichtner steals every single goddamn scene he’s in. It’s really saying something when an actor steals a movie from a hell-escaped Nicholas Cage, but Fichtner is what truly makes this popcorn flick worth a look.
Windy’s Pick of the Week: The Red Shoes
I had thought this is a movie for the true lover of musicals and dance movies: dabblers and dilettantes don’t even bother. Then when it showed at BNAT 11, I got yelled at that I hadn’t recommended it to people sooner. “You knew about this movie and didn’t tell me?” So here – I’m telling you. If you know the classic fairytale, then you already have an inkling of what sort of tale you’re in for – and it’s not going to have a happy ending. It’s about dance and obsession – ambition, but also those who seek to control our talents. Starring the alarmingly beautiful (and talented – she was a star of the ballet stage) Moira Shearer in saturated technicolor, this film is simply stunning. There’s a lot more happening than a ballet, but the central set piece is one that will stick in your memory for years to come.
