Feb 09 2015

This Week’s Underappreciated Movies

Every Monday, each of us will suggest a film that we feel too few people have seen.

guest

Melissa’s Pick of the Week: The Guest

After a family loses a son to wartime, a fellow soldier shows up at the door, saying he was a friend of the dead son. The mother quickly ascertains that the friend has nowhere to stay and offers him lodging for a few days, during which he ingratiates himself to the family. However, something isn’t quite right, and the family’s teen daughter sets out to figure out what is going on.

The Guest is the latest film from Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett, the director/writer team who brought us the fantastic You’re Next. The Guest combines 1980s-flavor mystery-action with some sly comedy and a cast that is clearly enjoying what they do. Plus, the film stars Dan Stevens from Downton Abbey, being all steely-gazed. Enjoy!

Fosse

Windy’s Pick of the Week: Fosse

We just did an episode on Bob Fosse, so it seems appropriate to recommend to you the DVD recording of the stage production of the dance revue show Fosse. Ann Reinking, Fosse’s longtime lover and collaborator, was the creative force behind recreating Fosse’s best, most memorable choreography. Featured are his most well-known numbers like the Cell Lock Tango and Big Spender, but you’ll also be treated to rare recreations of pieces from Fosse’s dance revue Dancin’. If you love Fosse, you need to see this. And if you don’t love Fosse, this will jump-start your newest obsession. (Personal Favorites: Crunchy Granola Suite and Dancin’ Man.)

Feb 05 2015

Episode 52: Goth Baking

, with special guest: ,

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0052 Sweeney ToddGrab your razors, dear listeners, because this week, we go in depth about screen and video versions of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street! And to join us for our analysis, we grabbed two people who had never, ever seen any version of Sweeney Todd before: David Justin and Barb Lind!

If you would care to drink along with the fountains of blood we discuss, we suggest either Castle Rock Winery Pinot Noir or La Granja Garnacha Syrah. Both were fine and inexpensive selections for our evening of murderous musicals, and at least one of those bottles has a chicken on it.

Show notes behind the cut!

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Feb 03 2015

Trailer Tuesday

Feb 02 2015

This Week’s Underappreciated Movies

Every Monday, each of us will suggest a film that we feel too few people have seen.

crippledavengers

Windy’s Pick of the Week: Crippled Avengers (aka Return of the 5 Deadly Venoms)

It’s a 1978 Shaw Brothers martial arts flick. If you know what that means, then you’re probably already watching it. If you don’t know what that means, here’s your chance to have a whole new world opened unto you!

A town is being terrorized by a wealthy kung fu expert and his son who delight in mutilating others. It’s up to several of those who have been crippled by them to band together and save the town! It’s an “unlikely heroes” storyline, with entertaining and clever martial arts.

pina

Melissa’s Pick of the Week: Pina

I almost hesitate to recommend this one, because this film is so beautiful to look at, it’s almost a shame to watch it on anything but a giant movie screen. However, to see it is better than not seeing it at all, right?

Pina is a… documentary? art film? …about German modern dance choreographer Pina Bausch. The film is less about her life than about her work itself. After Pina Bausch passed away, director Wim Wenders (aka the guy who made Wings of Desire) assembled her frequent collaborators, who re-enact Bausch’s greatest works in front of Wenders’ camera. Only part of the wonder of this film is due to the incredible skill of the dancers and choreographer. This movie is filmed so beautifully that even if you aren’t much into dance, it is hard to tear your eyes from the screen.

Jan 29 2015

Episode 51: Gloss Gone Horribly, Horribly Wrong

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0051 Bob FosseThis week, dear listeners, bring out your jazz hands, because we talk about BOB FOSSE! Well, mostly Windy talks about Bob Fosse. But that’s alright, because Melissa suggested the topic because she knew she could be lazy for an episode while Windy expounded upon the greatness of Bob Fosse.

If you would like to drink along with us (and you know Fosse would have wanted it that way), we suggest Esprit Barville Cotes du Rhone, which was a lovely red wine. It’s probably not as high octane as what Fosse would be imbibing were he still alive, but it certainly kept us going strong.

Show notes and links behind the cut!

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