Tag: Podcast

Cinema Smorgasbord – Praising Kane – Transylvania 6-5000 (1985)

It’s the SPOOOoooOOOkiest month, so why not check out the surprisingly un-spooky (and, honestly, pretty unfunny) TRANSYLVANIA 6-5000 on the world’s finest chronological Carol Kane podcast PRAISING KANE? Starring Jeff Goldblum and Ed Begley Jr. as two hapless tabloid reporters forced to go to Transylvania to work on a story about monster sightings, the film has supporting performances from Joseph Bologna, John Byner, Michael Richards, Jeffrey Jones (ugh), an extremely underutilized Geena Davis and – of course – Carol Kane! Directed by frequent Mel Brooks collaborator Rudy De Luca and bankrolled by the Dow chemical company (?) it’s plenty weird. How weird? Let’s find out!

Cinema Smorgasbord – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead (1995)

On a returning HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? (the world’s finest Steve Buscemi-themed podcast) we’re looking at the stylized 90s crime caper THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOU’RE DEAD, featuring a cast full of recognizable faces: including Andy Garcia, Christopher Lloyd, William Forsythe, Bill Nunn, Treat Williams, Christopher Walken, Fairuza Balk and – of course – Steve Buscemi as “Mr. Shhh”. But is it just a Tarantino rip-off, or does it have more to offer? LET’S FIND OUT! We also check out the latest Buscemi news because WHY THE HECK NOT?

Cinema Smorgasbord – George Kennedy is my Copilot – Earthquake (1974)

What’s a George Kennedy-themed podcast without a DISASTER? On this episode of George Kennedy is My Co-Pilot California is hit by the BIG ONE in 1974’s EARTHQUAKE where an all-star cast (including Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, Richard Roundtree, Lorne Greene, Geneviève Bujold and – of course – George Kennedy) have to deal with the after-effects of a massive tremor that destroys most of California. Of course, before the quake hits there’s plenty of melodrama and complex relationships (script by Mario Puzo!), but once the earth starts to move things get properly apocalyptic. Our EARTHQUAKE talk is preceded by a short chat about a late-era episode of the television sitcom WINGS featuring George playing a put-upon version of himself! ENJOY!

Cinema Smorgasbord – We Do Our Own Stunts – Winners & Sinners (1983)

CUT THE CRAP! We’re post-American excursion and post-Lo Wei scraps and things are about to POP OFF with the first of the Five Lucky Stars series WINNERS & SINNERS starring Sammo Hung, Richard Ng, Charlie Chin, Stanley Fung and John Shum. Oh, and Jackie Chan is here as well, reconnecting with his “big brother” (and Yuen Biao in a tiny part) for the first time in years and transitioning to martial arts/comedy hybrids with higher production values and bigger stunts. This one might lean a bit TOO heavily on the comedy, but you get roller skating stunts, car stunts, and some dynamite action to whet your appetite for what’s to come. Enjoy!

Cinema Smorgasbord – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Rebel Ridge (2024)

Jeremy Saulnier (MURDER PARTY, BLUE RUIN, GREEN ROOM) returns after a lengthy hiatus with the long-in-development Netflix original revenge movie REBEL RIDGE! Starring Aaron Pierre as a marine facing off against the corrupt law enforcement of a small Louisiana town, it’s not quite the FIRST BLOOD-riff that the initial trailers suggested, but its mix of crooked cops, a righteous cause, racial politics and a dynamite performance in the lead creates something very special. On this episode of CINEMA SMORGASBORD SELLS OUT we restrain ourselves from delving into spoilers while discussing the film, responding to some of the critiques we’ve heard since its release, and so much more. Check it out!

Cinema Smorgasbord – Wild in the Streets – The Suspicious Death of a Minor (1975)

Claudio Cassinelli plays a man on the edge in Sergio Martino’s unique eurocrime oddity THE SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF A MINOR which mixes comedic elements, the elaborate (and stylish) murder sequences from the popular giallo films of the time – including a knock-off Goblin-style score almost as good as the real thing – and the usual Poliziotteschi trappings of the era to create something a bit scattershot, but totally unique. Filled with odd flourishes and bizarre choices, it’s equally confusing and enthralling – just like our hosts! Check it out!

Cinema Smorgasbord – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – Blood Thirst (1971)

On this episode of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO VIC DIAZ? (the world’s finest podcast devoted to “the Filipino Peter Lorre” Vic Diaz) we’re checking out the oddball 1971 (though filmed in 1965) B&W sorta-spy horror film BLOOD THIRST featuring a wise-cracking cop in a foreign land, a monster that looks like a diseased testicle, many legitimate – and accidental – red herrings and, of course, the legendary Vic Diaz playing a rare good guy. It’s pretty entertaining with some nice photography, and also consistently strange for its brief 75-minute run time. We also chat about diseases, FLETCH, and SO MUCH MORE! Check it out!

The Shame List Picture Show S8E12 – CHINATOWN (1974) feat. Steve Cuff

On this week’s episode of The Shame List Picture Show, Michael Viers is joined by Steve Cuff of the podcast Optimism Vaccine for a deep dive into the classic film CHINATOWN. They unravel the twists and turns of Roman Polanski’s neo-noir masterpiece, exploring its intricate plot, memorable performances, and the film’s lasting impact on the genre.