This week on the pod, special guest John Bruni returns to discuss a Robert Redford vehicle—the political satire film THE CANDIDATE. We had a long discussion on Redford's performance, how the film's satire has aged, whether McKay is a sympathetic character, and also consider this film in comparison to D.A. Pennebaker's Election and The War Room, and through Andrew Sarris' pointed, yet somewhat blinked critique. Before that, we went over the usual news and what we watched this week.
(Note, my audio feed was coming in low so it has been amplified for consistent volume. Expect some drops during overlapping discussion).
Next week, we welcome back Curtis for a roundtable discussion on 'found footage' films (with a special guest filmmaker).
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:05:11 Shout outs: Netflix's plans to acquire Warner Bros.
00:12:05 New Releases (Five Nights at Freddy's 2; Jay Kelly; Hamnet; Train Dreams)
What We Watched This Week
00:13:12 One Battle After Another (Bruni)
00:17:35 Season of the Witch (Bruni)
00:19:33 The Mastermind (Bruni)
00:21:09 The Last Waltz (Bruni)
00:24:26 The Ice Storm (Bruni)
00:26:59 Nouvelle Vague (Bruni)
00:28:20 Sentimental Value (Bruni)
00:26:00 Tangerine (Bruni)
00:31:30 28 Years Later (John)
00:36:09 Tangerine (John)
00:42:44 Bone (John)
00:44:54 Carnival of Souls (John)
00:47:11 Long Weekend (John)
00:48:40 Shivers (John)
00:49:48 Fast Company (John)
00:53:51 Wendy and Lucy (John)
00:53:51 THE CANDIDATE discussion
01:59:07 Our Scores for THE CANDIDATE
02:12:50 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: Marquee Our Feature Presentation Snipe - 1975
Outro: Hail to the Chief
Read more from John Bruni at: https://www.mediamagpies.com/
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
Dr Curtis Reads: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedler
With Curtis still away, John was joined by Magill to partake in what might be the most self-indulgent episode yet: a discussion on Turner Clay's THE BLACKWELL GHOST series of films (which as of this release is up to eight films, with a ninth on the way). While this discussion was about the filmmaker, the verisimilitude of its presentation, and the ever expanding lore, we did spend a lot of time talking about found footage filmmaking more broadly—with some specific discussion on the recent wave of no-budget 'paranormal haunt' found footage horrors by single auteurs; among them this series, Leaving D.C., Bad Ben, and others.
Before that, we run through our news and what we watched this week.
Next week we return with John Bruni to discuss THE CANDIDATE.
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:54 New Releases (Zootopia 2; Wicked; For Good; The Running Man)
00:06:30 Magill's Zootopia story
What We Watched This Week
00:11:21 Stranger Things Season Five [Vol. 1] (Magill)
00:16:12 Inherent Vice (Magill)
00:19:40 An American Tail + An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (Magill)
00:25:30 When We Went MAD! (John)
00:36:07 Joe's Apartment (John)
00:42:12 The Mummy Returns (John)
00:44:04 Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (John)
00:46:20 Thrilling Bloody Sword (John)
01:50:18 BLACKWELL GHOST Discussion
01:41:33 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: Marquee Our Feature Presentation Snipe - 1975
Outro: Turner Clay - Original Blackwell Ghost Score (from Blackwell Ghost Soundtrack)
https://www.magillfoote.com/
Magill's produced podcast: https://www.trailwentcold.com/
Magill and Grant's new games store: https://taigainteractive.itch.io/
Check out Magill's contributions on Rue Morgue magazine!https://rue-morgue.com/
Check out Magill's wife's new book (The Widow's Charm): https://caitlynpaxson.com/
For a list of noteworthy found footage films, including ones mentioned in this episode: https://boxd.it/DsaW8
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
Dr Curtis Reads: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedler
"Clara was one in a million. One in a billion. One in a googolplex!"
With Curtis away in Japan, John is once again joined by his brother Billy for a 100% sibling pod, going over the final entry in the Back to the Future trilogy. They run down the events of the movie, talk about the production, how this holds up as a Western, and whether this is a better movie (or worse) than Part II. Before that, they run through news and what they watched this week.
Next episode John will return with a special guest to discuss a found footage series.
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:06:30 Shout Outs (RIP Drew Struzan; Crispin Hellion Glover in Ottawa)
00:11:20 New Releases (A House of Dynamite; Predator Badlands; Christy; Die My Love; The Mastermind; Black Phone 2)
What We Watched This Week
00:13:50 Gumby The Movie (Billy)
00:18:10 A House of Dynamite (John)
00:21:20 The Blue Trail (John)
00:24:55 Deathstalker [2025] (John)
00:20:47 No, YOU'RE WRONG! Or: Spooky Action at a Distance (John)
00:30:25 Punch Drunk Love (John)
00:30:44 Faces (John)
00:32:00 Mondo Trasho (John)
00:33:00 BTTF III Discussion
01:09:06 Our Scores for BTTF III
01:13:02 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: Main Title- Alan Silvestri (from BTTF III)
Outro: Doubleback (acoustic instrumental version) - ZZ Top
Credits:
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
Dr Curtis Reads: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedler
Frights, camera, action! For the final outing of spooky season, Curtis and John take on Zach Cregger's WEAPONS (2025), starring Julia Garner, Amy Madigan, and Josh Brolin, alongside special guests Magill and Dr Thomas Britt. The boys discussed what they watched this week before diving into the film discussion. Hot topics include the "comedic" aspects of the film, parasitism, the multiple narratives and perspectives, consumption, police corruption and complacency, Gladys, the meaning of "weapons," and so much more.
Have a spooktacular season!
Tune in next time for the final Sofia Coppola canon entry: PRISCILLA (2023)!
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Shoutouts:
The kind folks I met in Toronto at various stores, cinemas, etc.
Charlottetown Film Festival
New releases: Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere; Chainsaw Man: The Movie
WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK
Curtis: Brute 1976; Frankenstein (2025)John: Twin Peaks: The Return (Ep 7-9); Versus (2000); Ogroff; Kidnapped (2010); The American Scream (2010); The Long Walk
Magill: Microbudget movies Pater Noster and the Mission of Light and They Call Her Death, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie
Tommy: Tron: Ares; Roofman
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:10 News of the Week/What We Watched This Week
00:49:49 WEAPONS Discussion
01:37:12 Our Scores for WEAPONS
01:41:44 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: "Beware of Darkness" by George Harrison
Outro: "Locked" by Ryan Holladay, Hays Holladay, and Zach Cregger (WEAPONS OST)
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
For a list of films covered at Genre Gems: https://letterboxd.com/johnnycakes91/list/genre-gems-2025-festival-lineup/
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
Dr Curtis Reads: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedler
Check out Magill's games here:
https://taigainteractive.itch.io
Tommy and Curtis's forthcoming publications here:
https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-dis-trusting-the-digital-world-in-imaginative-literature.html
New Tommy Britt publication here:
https://discovery.researcher.life/article/sleeping-through-the-big-lebowski-sleep-dreams-and-rest-in-the-coen-brothers-films-and-jeff-bridges-music/491e641b97c735e585ac3d652e42704e
And now, a little something to make your skin crawl! For the third entry of spooky season, Simon and Curtis discuss the period piece body horror THE UGLY STEPSISTER (2025) with special guest Dr Sean Travers. They chat about its connections to THE SUBSTANCE (2024) and GRAFTED (2024), literal and metaphorical parasites, the monstrosity of the transformed body, the pressures of patriarchal expectation, the horrors of indifference, and academic publishing. After the discussion, they also talk about what they watched recently (and what they want to watch for spooky season).
Stay tuned next week for a supergroup discussion of WEAPONS (2025)!
WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK
Curtis: The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre (Philip Fracassi Novel)
Simon: Black Phone 2
Sean: Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Netflix Miniseries); Good Boy (2025 Leonberg Film); It Chapter One; It Chapter Two
WHAT WE WANT TO WATCH
Curtis: Black Phone 2; Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein
Sean: Black Phone 2; Welcome to Derry (TV Series); The Long Walk
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:56 THE UGLY STEPSISTER Discussion
00:27:15 What We Watched This Week/What We Want to Watch
00:36:21 Our Scores for THE UGLY STEPSISTER
00:37:45 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: "Blomserdansen" by Vilde Tuv (THE UGLY STEPSISTER OST)
Outro: "Dunkelheit" by Burzum
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
For a list of films covered at Genre Gems: https://letterboxd.com/johnnycakes91/list/genre-gems-2025-festival-lineup/
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
Dr Curtis Reads: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedler
Check out Dr Sean Travers's monograph (Trauma in American Popular Culture and Cult Texts, 1980-2020) here:
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-13287-2
Pleasant screams, boils and ghouls! John and Curtis return to the spooky canon this week for its second screamy offering: 1972's DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING, directed by Lucio Fulci and starring Barbara Bouchet (and one of Curtis's giallo favourites). The boys are also joined by their favourite librarian, the very hot and cool Katie! They discuss the film as giallo, libraries, the rural setting, misogyny and patriarchal oppression, Donald Duck, the film's taboo topics, and much more.
Next week, Simon is taking the helm with THE UGLY STEPSISTER (2025)!
WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK
Curtis: One Battle After Another; Good Boy (2025 Leonberg film)
John: Grand Ciel; The Ice Tower; Dracula (2025); The Hyperboreans; #MissingCouple; Black Caesar; Megadoc
Katie: Chimp Crazy (HBO Miniseries)
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:05:28 What We Watched This Week/New Releases/Shoutouts
00:39:22 DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING Discussion
01:15:41 Our Scores for DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING
01:19:36 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: "Quei giorni insieme a te (Theme)" by Riz Ortolani (DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING OST)
Outro: "The Adulteress' Punishment" by Riz Ortolani (CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST OST)
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
For a list of films covered at Genre Gems: https://letterboxd.com/johnnycakes91/list/genre-gems-2025-festival-lineup/
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
Dr Curtis Reads: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedler
Hello, boils and ghouls! October is here, which means we kick off the first entry in our fourth annual SPOOKY CANON MONTH! We will return to our weekly cadence to cover our favourite horror films every week. For my pick, we discuss the inimitable 2021 stop-motion classic, by famed special effects guru Phil Tippett: MAD GOD! Joining Curtis and John for this discussion is our long-time recurring guest—Magill Foote! We talk about the almost 30 year long gestation process of this film, the impressive effects work, some of the deeper thematic meaning within a sometimes experimental text, and chat about stop-motion animation more broadly (and Magill shares some examples on some up-and-coming animators in this space). Before that, we run through our news and what we watched this week. John also recaps his experience at Ottawa inaugural GENRE GEMS film festival (see the list of films below in the show notes).
Next week we discuss the Fulci horror classic: DON'T TORTURE A DUCKLING.
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:50 Shout outs: Renting DVDs at the library (or using free streaming services like Hoopla or Kanopy!)
00:10:16 New Releases (One Battle After Another; Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror; Predators; Good Boy; The Smashing Machine)
What We Watched This Week
00:17:53 Combat Shock (Magill)
00:19:31 The Toxic Avenger [2025] (Magill and Curtis)
00:26:53 Zombie Bloodbath (Magill)
00:28:39 Crawlers of Doom, and extended Tokar discussion (Magill)
00:33:41 The Wicked City (Magill)
00:35:36 The works of Joel Haver (Magill)
00:40:53 Troy (Curtis)
00:41:29 Kiki's Delivery Service (Curtis)
00:45:20 Dirty Work (John)
00:49:42 One Battle After Another (John)
00:52:42 The Heirloom (John)
00:53:35 Dead Lover (John)
00:54:42 A Useful Ghost (John)
00:57:16 Zodiac Killer Project (John)
01:00:08 Buffet Infinity (John)
01:02:03 The Last One for the Road (John)
01:03:22 Sirāt (John)
01:05:35 MAD GOD Discussion
01:46:01 Our Scores for MAD GOD
01:51:34 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: Spooky Scary Skeletons - Andrew Gold (Ginny Di cover)
Outro: 'Long Way Down' - From 'MAD GOD'
https://www.magillfoote.com/
Magill's produced podcast: https://www.trailwentcold.com/
Magill and Grant's new games store: https://taigainteractive.itch.io/
Check out Magill's contributions on Rue Morgue magazine!https://rue-morgue.com/
Check out Magill's wife's new book (The Widow's Charm): https://caitlynpaxson.com/
Check out the GENRE GEMS website, with links to their early bird passes: https://www.genregems.ca/
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
For a list of films covered at Genre Gems: https://letterboxd.com/johnnycakes91/list/genre-gems-2025-festival-lineup/
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
Dr Curtis Reads: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedler
"I don't know why we do this"
After doing a few episodes of the works of John Casavettes, we felt it was time to go back to the start to discuss his 1959 low-budget debut: SHADOWS! Joining John for this discuss is our recurring guest John Bruni, who also wrote a recent article on this film (linked below). With reference to that article, we also discussed the background on the film's production, the performances of Lelia Goldoni and Rupert Crosse, its influence on Casavettes later works, and a brief critique of Ray Carney. Before that, we went over the usual news and what we watched this week.
We will kick off our spooky season in a few short weeks and discuss the stop-motion masterpiece MAD GOD!
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:09:32 Shout outs: RIP Robert Redford
00:14:07 New Releases (THighest 2 Lowest; The Long Walk; Spinal Tap II: The End Continues; Him)
What We Watched This Week
00:17:22 Death of a Unicorn (Curtis)
00:18:08 The Terminator (Curtis)
00:20:13 The Long Walk (Curtis)
00:22:05 Panic in Year Zero! (Bruni)
00:25:02: Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (Bruni)
00:26:58 There is No 13 (Bruni)
00:28:10 Five-Minute Films" Afternoon" [TV] (Bruni)
00:29:00 Paris, Texas (Bruni)
00:31:01 92 In the Shade (Bruni)
00:33:11 The Plot Against Harry (Bruni)
00:35:51 Predator 2 (John)
00:42:21 Invasion of the Blood Farmers (John)
00:44:16 The Nun (John)
00:45:28 The Souvenir (John)
00:50:57 The Naked Gun [2025] (John)
00:53:43 Eephus (John)
00:58:02 SHADOWS Discussion
02:05:49 Our Scores for SHADOWS
02:14:00 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: Shadows theatrical trailer
Outro: 'A Real Mad Chick' - scene from 'Shadows'
Bruni's article on Shadows: https://www.mediamagpies.com/first-of-the-independents-shadows/
Check out the GENRE GEMS website, with links to their early bird passes: https://www.genregems.ca/
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
Dr Curtis Reads: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedler
We've finally reached the penultimate Coppola film (at least, until her new Marc Jacobs documentary gets distribution), the 2020 A24/Apple TV+ release: ON THE ROCKS! We discuss the performances by leads, the emotional material this film touches on, our shared gripes, and we get into some extended talk on Bill Murray and the #MeToo movement. Before that, we went over the usual news and what we watched this week.
While Curtis is away, John will return soon with special guest Dr. John Bruni to discuss Casavettes debut picture: SHADOWS.
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:27 Shout outs: RIP Grahame Greene
00:05:13 New Releases (The Toxic Avenger, The Thursday Murder Club, Task (TV), The Conjuring: Last Rites)
What We Watched This Week
00:11:53 Dances with Wolves (Curtis)
00:13:30 The Imitation Game (Curtis)
00:14:47 Terminator Resistance [video game] (Curtis)
00:17:36 Suicide Squad (John)
00:20:40 Terminator 2: Judgement Day (John)
00:26:22 Rosewater (John)
00:30:30 The Battle of Lake Changjin (John)
00:36:20 Burial Ground (John)
00:38:40 ON THE ROCKS Discussion
010:56:40 Our Scores for ON THE ROCKS
01:02:30Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: I Fall In Love Too Easily - Chet Baker
Outro: Identical - Phoenix
Check out the GENRE GEMS website, with links to their early bird passes: https://www.genregems.ca/
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
Dr Curtis Reads: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedler
We're mixing things up this week. Since the next film in our Sofia Coppola Watch Series is her 2017 adaptation of The Beguiled, we decided to discuss this as a double feature in concert with the original 1971 Don Siegel adaption. Much of our discussion touches on the differences between these two films, both aesthetically and narratively, and considers which elements we think these films do well vs. not. Before that, we went over the usual news and what we watched this week.
We will be back in a week to talk the penultimate film of the Watch Series, 2020's ON THE ROCKS.
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:05:13 Shout outs: RIP Terrance Stamp; A new genre film fest in Ottawa (GENRE GEMS, see the link below); and RIP King Cobra JFS
00:13:02 New Releases (Ne Zha 2; Honey Don't!)
What We Watched This Week
00:17:47 Robocop 3 (Curtis)
00:19:34 Bring Her Back (Curtis)
00:21:11 Lee (Curtis)
00:22:14 Memoir of a Snail (Curtis)
00:23:20 Der Schuh des Manitu (Curtis)
00:26:17 Weapons (Curtis)
00:28:28 1923 [Season Two] (Curtis)
00:30:24 War of the Worlds (John)
00:32:08 The Squid and the Whale (John)
00:36:09 The House of the Devil (John)
00:38:24 Saloum (John)
00:40:29 The Taking of Jordan (All American Boy) [short] (John)
00:43:26 Shin Godzilla (John)
00:50:43 THE BEGUILED Discussion
01:24:59 Our Scores for THE BEGUILED
01:27:35 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: The Dove - Judy Collins
Outro: End scene from "The Beguiled" (2017)
Check out the GENRE GEMS website, with links to their early bird passes: https://www.genregems.ca/
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
Dr Curtis Reads: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedler
"Where were you when Kennedy got shot?"
"Which Kennedy?"
"Any Kennedy."
On a special "John's Only" episode—John is joined by our recurring guest and resident Cassavetes scholar Dr. John Bruni to discuss the 1975 neo-noir NIGHT MOVES, starring the late Gene Hackman. This was the subject of some writing by Bruni on Media Magpies (link below in the description) back in March for the Criterion release. Much of our discussion centered around that, and we talked further on post-Watergate cinema, scuzzy and morally corrupt Hollywood, the film's depiction of mistreated women, the titular "knight moves" and what that means in the context of the film's mystery, the excellent Michael Small score, and much more. Before that, we went over the usual news and what we watched this week.
We will be back in a few weeks to continue our Sofia Coppola watch series, talking 2017's THE BEGUILED.
*quick correction, Night of the Hunter was directed by Charles LAUGHTON, not Charles Burnett.
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:05:13 Shout outs: John's Montreal trip; Ottawa Bad Movie Nights
00:13:22) New Releases (The Naked Gun; War of the Worlds; The Bad Guys 2)
What We Watched This Week
00:14:58 Videoheaven [w/ a Q&A with Director Alex Ross Perry] (Bruni)
00:18:28 The Heartbreak Kid (Bruni)
00:19:11 Welcome to L.A. (Bruni)
00:21:01 Choose Me (Bruni)
00:21:40 The Firm (Bruni)
00:23:20 The Devil, Probably (John)
00:30:28 The Opening of Misty Beethoven (John)
00:36:26 Fantasia Fest 2025 recap (Dui Shaw, and The Angel's Egg)
00:40:38 The Amityville Horror (John)
00:45:20 Amityville Horror II: The Possession (John)
0047:15 NIGHT MOVES Discussion
01:31:00 Our ratings for NIGHT MOVES
01:36:28 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: Night Moves Opening Theme - Michael Small
Outro: Night Moves - Bob Seger
Here's the article by John Bruni and John Anderson : https://www.mediamagpies.com/through-the-american-past-darkly-a-new-release-of-night-moves-shines-light-on-gene-hackman/
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
Dr Curtis Reads: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedler
"Are you freebasing or what?"
Curtis and John celebrate years of AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000) with their deep dive into the film on this week's episode. They discuss queerness and homoeroticism in the film, Reaganism and '80s yuppie culture, serial killer fascination, Bret Easton Ellis's book, the female direction, and more. Before they talk about the film, they talk about new releases, shoutouts, and what they watched this week.
Tune in next week for the next Sofia Coppola watch series entry: THE BEGUILED (2017), starring Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, and Elle Fanning.
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:11 Shoutouts / New Releases/What We Watched This Week
00:41:55 AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000) Discussion
01:16:33 Our Ratings for AMERICAN PSYCHO
01:22:25 Coming Up Next!
SHOUTOUTS
Coyote vs Acme
Ozzy Osbourne (The Osbournes, Little Nicky) and Hulk Hogan passed away (Rocky III, Suburban Commando, Mr. Nanny, many cameos)
WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK
CURTIS: The Phoenician Scheme; Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone (BBC Documentary); RoboCop (1987); RoboCop 2 (1990); RoboCop: Rogue City (Video Game)
JOHN: Superman (2025); Eddington; VHYes; Knives Out; Spree
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: Excerpt from AMERICAN PSYCHO (2000), "Hip to Be Square" by Huey Lewis and the News
Outro: "Sussudio" by Phil Collins
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
Check out Curtis's new book reviews series on YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedler
"Girls, time for your Adderall!"
This week on the pod, we jump back into the Sofia Coppola Watch Series to discuss her 2013 crime film, and one of the first distributed by A24, THE BLING RING. Since this is based on real events (or rather, the written account of such events) we spent a little bit of time talking about the real events before getting to the movie. We talked about Coppola's particular take on the heist/crime genre; its comparisons to earlier works like Marie Antoinette and Somewhere; and its status as a piece of 2010s nostalgia (with some predictions that this movie is going to become a cult film with this nascent 2010s nostalgia wave). Before that, we went over the usual news and what we watched this week.
Curtis also has a new series reviewing books on his YouTube channel. You can find the link in the show notes below.
We will be back in a few weeks to discuss a film that recently turned 25: AMERICAN PSYCHO!
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:04:22 Shout outs: RIP Michael Madsen; Curtis' new book review series on YouTube (see URL below)
00:04:13) New Releases (Jurassic Park: Rebirth; M3GAN 2.0.; F1: The Movie; Superman)
What We Watched This Week
00:09:55 Jurassic Park: Rebirth (Curtis)
00:12:52 Dancing Boys of Afghanistan (Curtis)
00:14:44 Agent of Happiness (Curtis)
00:16:50 The Hunger (John)
00:19:50 Heater (John)
00:22:10 Unforgiven (Jon)
00:24:22 Weiner (John)
00:30:22 Grand Theft Hamlet (John)
00:33:39 BLING RING DISCUSSION Discussion
01:01:36 Our Ratings for BLING RING
01:04:19 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: 212 - Azealia Banks
Outro: Super Rich Kids - Frank Ocean
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
Dr Curtis Reads: https://www.youtube.com/@curtisrunstedler
This week on the pod, after some much needed rest and relaxation, John and Curtis reunite to talk another Cassavetes film: THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE. Joining us again for this discussion is our resident scholar and honorary "fifth Beatle" Dr. John Bruni. We talked about the differences between the 1976 and '78 cuts, the electric performance by Ben Gazzara, Cassavetes dabbling with genre elements, the allegories to creating art and the different pressures that infect that process, among many other topics in our nearly hour long chat. We also made references to other Cassavetes films covered in previous episodes (check out our past discussions on HUSBANDS and A WOMAN UNDER THE INFLUENCE).
Before that, we ran through some new releases and movies we watched.
When we return later this month, we will discuss the next film in our Coppola watch series: THE BLING RING
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:04:22 Shout out: Monthly 'L’Amour à Minuit' screenings at Montreal's Cinema L'Amour
00:05:53 New Releases (Materialists; 28 Years Later; Squid Game S3)
What We Watched This Week
00:09:58 28 Years Later (Curtis)
00:14:20 Companion [2025] (Curtis)
00:15:19 The White Lotus [Season Three] (Curtis)
00:16:39 The Phoenician Scheme (Bruni)
00:20:00 Across 110th Street (Bruni)
00;18:47 Born to Win (Bruni)
00:21:06 The Swimmer (Bruni)
00:23:47 Chopping Mall (John)
00:25:08 Knife + Heart [John]
00:27:37 Resurrection [2022] (John)
00:29:44 The VelociPastor (John)
00:32:28 Presence [2024] (John)
00:33:37 CHINESE BOOKIE Discussion
01:37:08 Our Ratings for CHINESE BOOKIE
01:48:36 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: John Casavettes and Bo Hardwood - Rainy Fields of Frost and Magic
Outro: Death Grips x Timothy Carey - Beware the Chinese Bookie (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khniHf7Jbq8)
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
LAUGH IT UP, FUZZBALL! This week on the podcast it's a sibiling show, as John and recurring guest Billy talk the first sequel of the Star Wars saga (celebrating a 45th anniversary this year): The Empire Strikes Back. We discussed our own experiences watching this at home on tape (with the fabulous CBS Fox Video fanfare, who could forget?) and coming back to it throughout the years. Look, this is one of the most discussed movies on any movie podcast worth it's salt. Nothing new to be gleamed here, but we had fun talking shop and some extended Star Wars stuff between the Expanded Universe and sequel films.
Before that, we ran through some new releases and movies we watched.
We'll return soon with a return to John Cassavetes to talk THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE.
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:07:54 New Releases (The Life of Chuck, Bring Her Back, Predator Netflix series)
What We Watched This Week
00;10:24 Megan is Missing (Curtis)
00:13:30 Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai (Billy)
00:15:12 Star Wars Episode Three - Revenge of the Sith (John)
00:20:00 Rappin' [John]
00:22:41 Female Prisoner Scorpion #701 (John)
00:25:00 Friendship [2024] (John)
00:27:00 Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (John)
00:30:56 EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Discussion
01:00:12 Our Ratings for EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
01:06:46 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: CBS Fox Video VHS Intro
Outro: Imperial March — From "The Empire Strikes Back"
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
Curtis returns with John this week to cover another canon pick: Jim Mickle's neo-noir classic COLD IN JULY (2014), starring Michael C. Hall, Don Johnson, and the late (but great) Sam Shepard. The boys talk about what they recently watched, John's recent trip to Toronto and Curtis's vacation to Jordan, supporting Palestine and Palestinian films, and their shoutouts before doing a deep dive into the film.Hot topics include Joe R. Lansdale and his adaptations, DON JOHNSON, masculinity in the film, snuff films, the film's retro setting, the chemistry between actors, the synth-heavy soundtrack, and much more.
Tune in next time as the Valley brothers (John and Billy) and Curtis take on STAR WARS EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK!
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:00 Shoutouts
00:11:15 New Releases/What We Watched This Week
00:53:40 COLD IN JULY (2014) Discussion
01:14:18 Our Ratings for COLD IN JULY
01:17:00 Coming Up Next!
SHOUTOUTS
JOHN: Prince Charles Cinema Update: Westminster Council designated as an “Asset of Community Value” (aka theatre is saved!)
Toronto trip stuff: Hollywood Canteen, Eyesore Cinema
CURTIS: ByTowne Cinema is saved!
New releases: Final Destination: Bloodline; Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning; Lilo and Stitch; The Phoenician Scheme; Friendship
WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK
CURTIS: Bad Faith; Louis Theroux: The Settlers (BBC Documentary); No Other Land; Cannibal Ferox; The Ugly Stepsister
JOHN: The Shrouds; The Frighteners on 35mm; Vampire in Brooklyn; Sinners; Paranormal Activity; Batman Forever
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: "Cosmo Black" by Dynatron (COLD IN JULY OST)
Outro: "Cowboy Mouth (For Sam Shepard)" by Roy Montgomery
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
"Buddy, you're in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Curtis and John team up again with special guest Dr John Bruni for William Friedkin's neo-noir classic TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A., starring William Petersen, John Pankow, Willem Dafoe, and John Turturro. The boys talk about what they recently watched and their shoutouts before doing a deep dive into the film. Hot topics include Wang Chung, gender and queerness, counterfeiting, and comparisons with Miami Vice, and more.
Tune in next time as the Valley brothers (John and Billy) take on STAR WARS EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK!
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:10:55 Shoutouts/What We Watched This Week
00:45:31 TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. (1985) Discussion
01:58:00 Our Ratings for TO LIVE DIE IN L.A.
02:06:30 Coming Up Next!
SHOUTOUTS
JOHN VALLEY: Sinners - Ryan Coogler film breakdown on Kodak’s YT channel : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Ru62uFM0s
New releases: Sinners; The Shrouds
WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK
JOHN VALLEY: The White Lotus (Season 3); Severance (Season 1 & 2); Local Legends; Luz; One Crazy Summer; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always ; Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker
CURTIS: Adolescence (Netflix Miniseries); Keoma; Take Out; Becoming Led Zeppelin; When Evil Lurks
JOHN BRUNI: The Righteous Gemstones (TV Series); Thank You Very Much (2023); Five Easy Pieces; Hickey & Boggs; Busting
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: "Dance Hall Days" by Wang Chung
Outro: "Wait" by Wang Chung (TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. OST)
Check out Dr John Bruni's NEW article on TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A.:
https://www.mediamagpies.com/counterfeit-city-part-2-to-live-and-die-in-l-a/
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
After discussing the garish, expensive, shot-on-location entry from the previous episode, this week's return to the Sofia Coppola Watch Series considers her next film SOMEWHERE, which is a complete departure from those things. Instead, this plays more as slow cinema, shot on mostly on tight-focused handheld with a limited cast. We talk about our favourite moments in the story, the somewhat biographical elements, Elle Fanning and Stephen Dorff's performances, and the always excellent needle drops. Before that, we went over some shoutouts, news items, and what we watched this week.
Next month, we will return with special guest John Bruni to discuss TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A.
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:21 Shout outs:
00:08:26 RIP Wings Hauser; plus happy birthdays to Bill Shatner; Michael Caine; David Cronenberg; and Debbie Harry.
00:10:50 New Releases (The Electric State; Black Bag; The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie)
What We Watched This Week
00:17:01 Mickey 17 (Curtis)
00:18:25 Twin Peaks [TV] (Curtis)
00:20:40 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Curtis)
00:22:25 The El Duce Tapes (Curtis)
00:27:07 Deadpool 2 (John)
00:29:14 Wild at Heart (John)
00:31:09 Picnic at Hanging Rock (John)
00:34:14 No Other Land (John)
00:43:55 SOMEWHERE discussion
01:01:00 Our Scores for SOMEWHERE
01:07:04 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: Foo Fighters - My Hero
Outro: Gwen Stefani - Cool
John Bruni's article on To Live and Die in L.A., mentioned at the end of the episode: https://www.mediamagpies.com/counterfeit-city-part-2-to-live-and-die-in-l-a/
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
"Does Barry Manilow know you raid his wardrobe?"
It's been a while, so this week John decided to celebrate the recent 40th (!) anniversary of one of the all time classic 1980s films by making this a PERSONAL CANON discussion on John Hughes' THE BREAKFAST CLUB. This was a favourite growing up, so we ended up spending a lot of time this ep just talking about what it feels like to be a teenager; our own experiences coming of age; what cliques were we win in high school (fun fact: we went to the SAME high school in suburban Ottawa); before we got to talking about the film itself and considered which elements of it still resonate in 2025, and a larger discussion on Hughes' faded legacy in the decade following his death. Before that, we went over some shoutouts, news items, and what we watched this week.
Next week, we will return to the Coppola watch series to discuss SOMEWHERE.
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:04:15 Shout outs:
00:12:07 New Releases (Last Breath; In The Lost Lands; Mickey 17)
What We Watched This Week
00:14:06 A Complete Unknown (Curtis)
00:16:08 Detroit: Become Human [video game] (Curtis)
00:18:14 You Were Never Really Here (John)
00:20:22 Visitor Q (John)
00:24:29 The Final Year (John)
00:26:48 It's Alive! (John)
00:31:04THE BREAKFAST CLUB discussion
01:11:40 Our Ratings for THE BREAKFAST CLUB
01:16:06 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: Don't You (Forget About Me) 12' ' Version - Simple Minds
Outro: We Are Not Alone - Karla DeVito
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/
This week we return to the Sofia Coppola Watch Series to discuss her soft-historical biopic, MARIE ANTOINETTE. We discussed the film's rising standing over the years; how it continues to explore feminist tropes found in Coppola's earlier films, the sick 80s post-rock and new wave needle drops, and how the film's angle towards class and privilege may not be as blinkered as you may think. Before that, we went over some shoutouts, news items, and what we watched this week.
Next week, we will return with John's canon pick, discussing THE BREAKFAST CLUB.
TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:40 Shout outs:
00:04:01 New Releases (The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep; The Monkey; Paddington in Peru; Captiain America: Brave New World)
What We Watched This Week
00:09:20 Sex In The City 2 (Curtis)
00:10:25 Last Straw (Curtis)
00:11:18 We Are The Flesh (John)
00:14:24 Massacre at Central High (John)
00:16:26 Russ Meyer chatter (Vixen!, and Beneath the Valley of the Ultra Vixens) (John)
00:23:54 Noroi: The Curse (John)
00:27:10 MARIE ANTOINETTE discussion
0:53:00 Our Ratings for GLADIATOR II
00:57:00 Coming Up Next!
CREDITS AND PLUGS
Intro: I Want Candy - Bow Wow Wow
Outro: Killer Queen - Queen
Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91
Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'
https://curtisrunstedler.ca/