Tag: death

CINE-WEEN 2023: In Defense of DEATHDREAM (aka DEAD OF NIGHT)

If you’re a reader already lucky enough to be familiar with Bob Clark’s 1974 horror classic DEATHDREAM (aka DEAD OF NIGHT), you may be wondering why it’s even appearing on a column of undervalued or undercelebrated films, and it’s true that there’s been a critical re-evaluation of the film that has taken hold over the past decade. But, frankly, I still think there’s work to be done, even within the catalogue of the venerable Bob Clark, where it deserves to sit among his very best: including A CHRISTMAS STORY, BLACK CHRISTMAS and (former most profitable Canadian film of all time) PORKY’S.

Cinema Smorgasbord – Cinema Fantastica – Watchers (1988) & Leviathan (1989)

On this episode of Cinema Fantastica we travel all the way to Molins de Rei, near Barcelona, Spain to attend the 1990 edition of the Molins Horror Film Festival. Or, more accurately, we’re attending the Dotze hores de Cine de Terror de Molins de Rei, a ten hour marathon of recent horror movies that was initially established way back in 1973! The 1990 edition featured a slew of interesting horror films, and our hosts have chosen two to battle against each other: the super-intelligent dog chased by a sasquatch-monkey thing Canadian horror film WATCHERS from 1988 /w Corey Haim and Michael Ironside, and the star-studded underwater mutant monster film LEVIATHAN from 1989 /w Peter Weller, Ernie Hudson, Daniel Stern and more. WHICH FILM REIGNS SUPREME? Listen and find out!

Cinema Smorgasbord – Cinema Fantastica – Big Bad Wolves (2013) & Almost Human (2013)

On this episode of CINEMA FANTASTICA were traveling to the 2014 edition of the Panic Film Festival in Kansas City, Missouri! While early in the festival’s life, this year was packed with genre films and our hosts have chosen two to BATTLE TO THE DEATH. First up is the darkly comedic Israeli thriller BIG BAD WOLVES, and then we go deep on Joe Begos’ directorial debut, the John Carpenter-influenced sci-fi horror ALMOST HUMAN. WHO REIGNS SUPREME? Listen and find out!

Cinema Smorgasbord – We Do Our Own Stunts – The Fearless Hyena (1979)

On this episode of WE DO OUR OWN STUNTS Jackie Chan’s relationship with Lo Wei comes to an end.. sort of.. with Jackie’s directorial debut THE FEARLESS HYENA! Filled with fights (choreographed by Jackie), and featuring perhaps his best performance of the era, it’s a film that owes a lot to his recent successes (with SNAKE IN THE EAGLE’S SHADOW and DRUNKEN MASTER) but also shows his growing confidence and range as a martial artist and creative force. We trace the film’s history, how it affected Jackie’s relationship with Lo Wei, and go through what we’ll be covering in the first few months of 2023. CHECK IT OUT!

Cinema Smorgasbord – Wild in the Streets – Madness (1980)

On a brand new episode of WILD IN THE STREETS, we’re going One Step Beyond with Warhol superstar Joe Dallesandro in the sleaze-filled home invasion thriller MADNESS from director Fernando Di Leo. Featuring plenty of uncomfortable nudity and most of the soundtrack to Caliber 9, MADNESS has hunky Joe terrorizing a married couple (along with the wife’s seductress sister) while trying to uncover some stolen riches stashed in their fireplace. All that, a giant poster of John Travolta that looms menacingly over the proceedings. Is it any good? Listen and find out!

Cinema Smorgasbord – Cinema Fantastica – Coherence (2013) & Why Don’t You Play In Hell (2013)

On this rip-roaring episode of Cinema Fantastica we’re traveling to the 2014 (premiere) edition of the Chattanooga Film Festival in Chattanooga, Tennessee to pit two festival favs  against each other: James Ward Byrkit’s low budget sci-fi mindbender COHERENCE vs Sion Sono’s epic tribute to filmmaking (and “mankind’s greatest achievement”) WHY DON’T YOU PLAY IN HELL? Which movie reigns supreme? Listen and find out!

Cinema Smorgasbord – JodoWOWsky – El Topo (1970)

On this episode of JodoWOWsky, be prepared to live the most wonderful experience of your life! It’s Alejandro Jodorowsky’s legendary acid western EL TOPO, and after seeing it you’ll never be the same. Liam, Julia and Doug break down the history of the film and their experiences with it before delving into the film proper, splitting it into three parts for easier consumption. We finish with a look at Jodorowsky’s comic book follow-up THE SONS OF EL TOPO. Enjoy!

Cinema Smorgasbord – Cinema Fantastica – Cold Fish (2010) & Golden Slumber (2010)

We’re taking another journey through time and space to the film festivals around the globe on another episode of Cinema Fantastica! This time we’re headed to the controversial Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas to check out two Japanese films that played in the 2010 iteration: Sion Sono’s COLD FISH and Yoshihiro Nakamura’s GOLDEN SLUMBER! Check it out!

Cinema Smorgasbord – JodoWOWsky Part 1- Early shorts & Fando and Lis (1968)

Welcome to the PREMIERE episode of JODOWOWSKY, a light-hearted, chronological look through the career of actor, writer, poet, playwright, novelist, editor, comics writer, musician, puppeteer, mime, painter, and so much more.. Alejandro Jodorowsky!

In this episode we look at our hopes for the podcast (as well as some concerns) and then discuss Jodorowsky’s early short films, before coming back from a break to discuss his first feature length movie FANDO AND LIS.