Debt to Cinema

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

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

Debt to Cinema

Debt to Cinema 063: Dick Tracy (1990)

Dick Tracy is a peculiar beast – a comic book adaptation and an art film, a promotional tie-in machine and slice of auteur cinema. Everything Warren Beatty, the biggest movie star on the planet at the time, does here from a stylistic standpoint is fascinating, its just a shame its wasted on a generic story.

Debt to Cinema

Debt to Cinema 062: West Side Story

This week I tried something different, I didn’t watch our selection. Coming out of my whirlwind romance made me reluctant sure, but the last time I viewed this Best Picture winner was with my late grandfather, Barry, and I wasn’t quite ready for a revisit. Instead of technical details I share my recollections from having been in a production at the onset of high school #IdBuyThatForADollar

Debt to Cinema

Debt to Cinema 061: Detroit Rock City

Remember those teen films from your childhood you couldn’t seem to get enough of? Just the title on the TV guide would get you excited. It didn’t matter where you tuned in, just being in the presence of the characters made you feel a certain way. Well, despite how awesome the journey is here, this sadly is one of those films, but one however, that lost its luster along the nostalgia highway.

Debt to Cinema

Debt to Cinema 060: The Ruling Class

Topicality is a funny thing in that what is special for a given moment doesn’t always retain its luster. This pick, Steve’s second consecutive selection from Peter Medak, in particular is strange for a non-British audience. Its a quirky, black comedy about politics, but its length and run-on jokes make it hard to recommend. This is one of the few moments where we sacrificed our time so you don’t have to – enjoy!

Debt to Cinema

Debt to Cinema 057: Phantasm

I usually don’t have the balls to watch these kind of movies, so what better selection is there than something remembered for its killer balls? This film kinda has it all (except for explanations) and I’m still not sure what to make of it, but I hope you find our convo on Don Coscarelli’s late 70s classic dreamy.

Debt to Cinema

Debt to Cinema 056: Plan 9 From Outer Space

While the concept of a list of shame is generally reserved for acclaimed things, we believe in equality on this show and give the bottom of the barrel features a shot as well. Steve’s pick this week is a perfect example of why since Ed Wood’s sci-fi, zombie flick is often considered “the worst film of all time,” yet we both agree its hardly bad at all. This B-budget landmark might not be as enjoyable as Catwoman, but its definitely a spooky attraction worth a visit.

Debt to Cinema

Debt to Cinema 055: The Toxic Avenger

If I was smarter I would have picked Michael Crichton’s Westworld to tie-in with HBO’s hit series debut, but I was in the mood for splatter instead. Halloween is quickly approaching after all and I felt like paying off my annual debt to the horror genre here first with the Troma superhero film that started it all #IdBuyThatForADollar

Debt to Cinema

Debt to Cinema 053: A Man For All Seasons

Our second year of this show coincidentally begins with yet another film by Fred Zinnemann – the pair being the only works of his I’ve seen. High Noon is a story about time while this one is a story for all times! If the rest are as good as these two, I’m going to need a bigger wallet #IdBuyThatForADollar