Unlike last year, where I hijacked Steve’s pick to align Run Lola Run with the most magical filmic holiday of all, our second annual Groundhog Day Special is a little late this time around, but holy shit is it worth it. I wish I could travel back to 2007 and suck this thing off proper #IdBuyThatForADollar
Category: Debt to Cinema
Debt to Cinema 072: Dancer in the Dark
There are certain films out there that escape convention, or defy description, and despite our best attempts across an hour of conversation here, Lars von Trier’s divisive Palme d’Or winning “anti-musical” is one of them. Through its method of filmmaking, stylistic choices, and overall mood, as bleak as it may be, Trier creates a raw document and testament to the power of music and its escapist qualities from even the most tragic parts of life #IdBuyThatForADollar
Debt to Cinema 071: Nine Lives (2005)
Film is revered as the art form most capable of mimicking the wonder of life, but this anthology of nine interconnected stories told in single takes by Rodrigo Garcia raises the bar. The surreal, and often dark tone these snapshots capture makes for a troubling viewing experience, but what better way to champion strong female leads than with subject matter rarely seen on screen. This might not be a perfect exercise of form over function, but it is; however, an unforgettable journey into the lives of Los Angeleno women #IdBuyThatForADollar
Debt to Cinema 070: Samurai Cop
After the Star Wars Holiday Special, Robocop 3, Freddy Got Fingered, and Yoga Hosers, we’ve built up a good amount of reviews for bad movies. Usually its because one of us is sadistic and feels like making the other endure the pain of an awful film, but every once in a while the internet is wrong and we find a new favorite (here’s looking at you, Catwoman). Join us to find which side of the bad quality coin this falls on: guilty pleasure or guilty of viewing.
Debt to Cinema 069: Tricked
It took us forever to review one of Paul Verhoeven’s flicks, so I thought it would be fun to follow it up immediately with the project released before it. I could describe the experimental nature of the production of this 2012 release, but you’ll probably get a bigger kick listening to this episode with no further introduction. Suffice to say, if any recording defines our different critical styles, its this one.
Debt to Cinema 068: Mean Streets
We’ve featured films from revered directors on this show, but few as prestigious or hard working as Martin Scorsese. This is his first real movie, the chapter that began it all, a coming of age mafioso hang out flick, that premieres much of the style he would later master in Goodfellas and Casino. Despite its flaws, this slice of New Hollywood is an interesting adventure through the neighborhood of the filmmaker when he still had the angst of youth rushing through him.
Debt to Cinema 067: Mixed Nuts
Everyone has that wacky relative, or literally insane friend who keeps things interesting. Well, what if Nora Ephron wrote and directed what Christmas in the company of an entire group of nuts would be like? Its a mixed bag to put it nicely, which is shocking given the skill of the filmmakers and cast on hand. I may have purchased a copy of this one for 25 cents, but a quarter might have been a little too much.
Debt to Cinema 066: Joyeux Noel
German, French, English, the entire world was involved in the war this film is centered around, but it takes a miracle to remind them we’re all the same. The supposedly true event at the heart of this is beautiful, I just wish more surrounding it was actualized. Moving from the horrors of the holiday to this humbling reminder of what makes us human, especially in the face of turmoil, is about as nutty life gets around Christmas (well, until next week that is…)
Debt to Cinema 065: Black Christmas (1974) (Feat. Scream 101)
While everyone else is busy polishing off fruitcake, buying people presents, and doing their best to embody the holiday spirit, Steve thought we should visit the more sinister side of the yuletide season. We were lucky to have the spooktacular Brennan teach us about the slasher genre, while we marveled at this film’s place in it, and guide us on our first journey down Bob Clark’s lesser known Xmas miracle, which gives the best gift of all: fear #IdBuyThatForADollar
Debt to Cinema 064: Terms of Endearment
When going through a tough spot in life, movies that make you feel something are the best medicine. I knew I’d probably like this Best Picture winner, but I didn’t think I would be so enamored. There is so much here, its so lifelike, and seeing Nicholson and McClaine’s affair develop is pure bliss. I loved their characters so much I jokingly asked for a sequel during the episode, turns out they made one. Not sure that flick’s worth the time but this one is #IdBuyThatForADollar
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