In a jam-packed episode of WILD IN THE STREETS we’re getting classy with Elio Petri’s Cannes jury-prize winning darkly humorous satirical drama INVESTIGATION OF A CITIZEN ABOVE SUSPICION with a dynamite lead performance from Gian Maria Volonté as the “Il Dottore”, a police inspector who murders a woman just to prove that he is – as the title suggests – above suspicion. We pair this with a brief conversation about the late Gene Hackman and – uh oh – more talk about politics and if it’s possible to make a truly radical political film while under the thumb of a studio. Listen and learn!
How do you solve a problem like ANORA, the recent Best Picture Oscar winner directed by problematic(?) fav Sean Baker? It seems like everyone has an opinion on the film (about a young sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch), so why not add OURS into the mix? We get down and dirty with some of the controversies surrounding the film, but mostly just talk about what we liked and didn’t like about the film like good little critics. ENJOY!
On this episode of the world’s greatest Steve Buscemi-themed podcast, we’re taking a look at the odd coming-of-age nightmare comedy YOUTH IN REVOLT from 2009 where Michael Cera creates a sociopathic version of himself in order to impress a young woman he meets at a trailer park. Stuffed with great character actors (Jean Smart, Justin Long, Fred Willard, Mary Kay Place, M. Emmett Walsh), its episodic format takes some getting used to, but it’s much more interesting – and stranger – than the marketing would have you believe. Also, Steve Buscemi is in it (as Michael Cera’s father!). All of this and the latest Buscemi news, and all for FREE! You can’t pass up that deal.
Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan are headed to Barcelona, Spain in the 1984 action-comedy spectacular WHEELS ON MEALS, featuring Jackie and Yuen as food truck operators and Sammo as a hapless detective. Of course, we also get a pickpocket damsel in distress (Lola Forner), shenanigans in a mental hospital, car chases, foot chases and one of the best martial arts fights EVER between Jackie and kickboxer Benny “The Jet” Urquidez. We dive into the background and even spend some time chatting about Jackie Chan VIDEO GAMES. Lots to discuss, so let’s get to it!
On this long-awaited return of GEORGE KENNEDY IS MY CO-PILOT the gang are joining Alex Cord, Clu Gulager and – of course – George Kennedy on a beautiful sea voyage only partially spoiled by the presence of a genetically modified cat that spits up a weird gremlin thing that is killing everyone. Uh oh! There’s murder, mystery, insanity-due-to-hunger, ankle-biting, finger munching and a bevy of horny teens because, heck, why not? All this and a look at George’s time as a pitchman for Schaefer Beer! JOIN US!
We knew this day was coming, but it’s the FINAL EPISODE of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO VIC DIAZ?, our glorious deep-dive into the film career of “the Filipino Peter Lorre” Vic Diaz which was one of our first ever podcasts under the Cinema Smorgasbord banner. It’s been a fine few years, and what better way to round things out than with an all-timer exploitation classic starring Pam Grier and Margaret Markov as two women chained together and making their way through a peril-filled “South American” jungle. Add in a truly demented Sid Haig performance and you’ve got a recipe for (filthy) fun. And of course we have a tremendous Vic Diaz performance as the sleazy drug dealer Victor “Vic” Cheng! Let’s end this thing with a bang!
The Pope is DEAD and someone needs to replace him in Edward Berger’s unique political thriller/mystery CONCLAVE from 2024, featuring Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence, who is leading the replacement process, as well as Stanley Tucci, Lucian Msamati, John Lithgow, and Sergio Castellitto as potential new popes (if they can get the votes). It’s fascinating stuff, with a controversial element that we’ll get into during our spoiler section (don’t worry, we’ll warn you!). We also chat about the recent passing of David Lynch in the opening segment, so get ready and LISTEN!
CANADA! DIVORCE! Are there any two sweeter words in the English language? I can think of one: CRONENBERG! On this episode of FURTHER REEDING we’re getting personal with the 1979 David Cronenberg-directed horror classic THE BROOD starring Art Hindle, Samantha Eggar and – of course – OLIVER REED! It’s a film full of complexity, autobiographical elements, (possible) misogyny and killer mutant kids so you know it’s right up our alley. Listen and hear some THOUGHTS!
What better time to watch a computer animated feature about monsters than.. uh.. January? Well, we’re doing it anyway! On this episode of HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? we’re watching the Sandlerverse-adjacent animated comedy HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA and it’s.. actually not too bad. Featuring the vocal talents of Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Kevin James, and – of course – Steve Buscemi, it’s about a bunch of monsters in a hotel or something. I don’t know. Just listen to the thing. Thanks!
Happy (almost) new year! We’re ending 2024 with an all-timer episode of YOU DON’T KNOW DICK (the world’s finest Dick Miller podcast) featuring guest Oscar Goff joining us to not only chat about a Season 6 episode of WHO’S THE BOSS (featuring Dick Miller as a suspicious hotel manager), but also a lengthy discussion on Alan Arkush’s beloved 1979 comedy ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HIGH SCHOOL featuring P.J. Soles, The Ramones, Paul Bartel & Mary Woronov and – of course – Dick Miller! Learn about PUNK MUSIC from the experts! Enjoy and see you on the other side.


