Cinema Smorgasbord

Subscribe: RSS | More

One a very special REMOTE episode of WILD IN THE STREETS, Doug calls in from Newfoundland to discuss the mixed up crime comedy MEAN FRANK AND CRAZY TONY from 1973. Featuring Lee Van Cleef as a tight-lipped mobster and Tony Lo Bianco as the wannabe wise-guy who worships him, the two get into all sorts of trouble, including an impressive car chase ("Mon dieu!"), a factory shootout and more power drill mayhem than you can throw an apple core at. There's plenty of action, Edwige Fenech and Jean Rochefort pop up in supporting roles, and you even get a horn-heavy score from Riz Ortolani. What's not to love? Listen and find out!Read more

How Do You Do Fellow Kids?

Episode 272 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Transformers One (2024)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

On this episode of HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? (the world's finest Steve Buscemi-themed podcast), we're looking at TRANSFORMERS ONE, the all-CG origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, with a heavyweight voice cast bringing them to life - including Steve Buscemi as legendary rabble-rouser STARSCREAM. Is it more than meets the eye, or.. uh.. bad? Guess we'll talk it over right after we dig into the latest Buscemi news. It’s time to roll out! Read more

Praising Kane

Episode 271 – Praising Kane – The Princess Bride (1987)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Our name is Praising Kane (the world's greatest chronological Carol Kane podcast), you killed our fathers.. prepare to die! We're finally moving into some iconic films in Carol's oeuvre, and they don't get much bigger than the 1987 fantasy-comedy-romance THE PRINCESS BRIDE, adapted from the beloved William Goldman book of the same name. Everyone loves it.. but did WE? Listen and find out. But before that we have a chat about the very first episode of the short-lived 1986 sitcom ALL IS FORGIVEN, featuring Carol Kane in a supporting role as the head writer of a beleaguered soap opera produced by the inexperienced Paula Russell (played by Bess Armstrong). I'm laughing already! And you'll be laughing too once you start listening. Read more

Episode 270 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Cannonball Run II (1984)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Jackie Chan is back in Hollywood (against his better judgment) and is joining a cavalcade of stars including Burt Reynolds, Dom Deluise, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Marilu Henner, Shirley MaClaine and MANY MORE - including ol' blue eyes himself Frank Sinatra - in the cross-country race (?) comedy (?) CANNONBALL RUN II which brings back all the things you know and love(?) about the first film, and.. well, that's just about it. It's pretty much the same thing. Except there's an orangutan this time, and Jackie has been teamed up with Richard Kiel just to make sure we all know he's extra small and (once again) bafflingly Japanese. Listen to Liam's blood pressure rise in REAL TIME as he describes his time with the film. ENJOY!Read more

Eric Roberts is the Man Redux

Episode 269 – Eric Roberts is the Man – 12th Annual On Cinema Oscar Special (2025) (/w Zach Weiss)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

I've got the OSCAR fever, hope you got it too! On a returning ERIC ROBERTS is the MAN we're joined by guest - and ON CINEMA, AT THE CINEMA expert Zach Weiss - to discuss Eric Roberts' recent appearance on the 12th Annual Oscar Special. We go deep on the history of the bizarre franchise created by Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington, as well as its various spin-offs, and try to explain just why the heck people would spend hours of their time watching this stuff (a questions we're VERY familiar with on ERITFM!). Just in case that doesn't whet your whistle we also have a look at an episode of the action espionage TV show BURN NOTICE directed by Renny Harlin and featuring an ALL-STAR cast including Dean Cain, Kristanna Loken, and - of course- ERIC ROBERTS! All this and the latest Eric Roberts news IF YOU CAN HANDLE IT!Read more

Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out

Episode 268 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – The Shrouds (2024)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

We can feel ourselves rotting on a brand new episode of Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out covering Cronenberg's latest - and perhaps most personal - work THE SHROUDS from 2024. Vincent Cassel stars as Karsh, a businessman who has developed a technology called a shroud, which allows people to view the corpses of their loved ones after they have been buried. After a targeted attack of his graveyard (including the grave of his late wife), Karsh - with the help of his late wife's sister and her ex-husband - starts to investigate the motivation behind the attack. It's dark, oppressive, oddly funny and awfully odd, but is it great? Let's discuss!Read more

You Don't Know Dick

Episode 267 – You Don’t Know Dick – Used Cars (/w Mike White)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

It's the long-awaited return of YOU DON'T KNOW DICK and we've got a barn burner of an episode featuring cinematic podcast royalty Mike White (from The Projection Booth) joining us to chat about the raucous 1980 comedy USED CARS /w Kurt Russell, Jack Warden, Deborah Harmon, Frank McRae and Gerrit Graham! But before that we go deep on what the heck happened to Robert Zemeckis, and how USED CARS came about - and how it was turned into a mid-80s TV show (briefly). All this and, of course, a close look at Dick Miller's (brief) appearance, and it's NON-STOP LAUGHS. Trust US!Read more

Wild In The Streets

Episode 266 – Wild in the Streets – Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

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!Read more

Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out

Episode 265 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Anora (2024)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

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!Read more

Praising Kane

Episode 264 – Praising Kane – Ishtar (1986)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

PRAISING KANE returns with the notorious Elaine May-directed, Dustin Hoffman & Warren Beatty-starring bomb ISHTAR from 1986! Featuring those two as hapless songwriters who end up wrapped up in international intrigue in the middle east, it had a famously messy production but is it as bad as its reputation? Or as good as its revised reputation? Also, did you know Carol Kane is in it? SHE IS! But first we have to chat about the 1986 Cinemax comedy sketch special from Bob Goldthwait called DON'T WATCH THIS SHOW, with Whoopi Goldberg, Tim Kazurinsky, Dee Snider, (an uncredited) Robin Williams and - of course - CAROL KANE! It's AWFUL! All this and the latest CK news so LISTEN!Read more

How Do You Do Fellow Kids?

Episode 263 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Youth in Revolt (2009)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

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.Read more

Episode 262 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Wheels on Meals (1984)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

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!Read more

George Kennedy is my Copilot

Episode 261 – George Kennedy is My Copilot – Uninvited (1988)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

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!Read more

Whatever Happened To Vic Diaz?

Episode 260 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – Black Mama, White Mama (1973) (THE FINALE!)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

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! Read more

Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out

Episode 259 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Conclave (2024)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

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!Read more

Further Reeding

Episode 258 – Further Reeding – The Brood (1979)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

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!Read more

Episode 257 – Wild in the Streets – The Cynic, The Rat and The Fist (1977)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

On this episode of WILD IN THE STREETS, Maurizio Merli is (former) Inspector Leonardo Tanzi, a retired cop constantly disciplined for his unusual (brutal) methods, which in this case involves faking his own death so he can take down the psychopathic Luigi 'The Chinaman' Maietto (Tomas Milian) and master criminal Frank Di Maggio (John Saxon) in Umberto Lenzi's THE CYNIC, THE RAT AND THE FIST. Full of two-fisted action, and a "laser" wall you have to see to believe, there's plenty to like - and be confused by - here, but is it any good? We talk about the good, the bad and the ugly (and try to decide exactly which character is meant to be the cynic/rat/fist) and will let you know. Enjoy!Read more

How Do You Do Fellow Kids?

Episode 256 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

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!Read more

Praising Kane

Episode 255 – Praising Kane – Jumpin Jack Flash (1986)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

It's the first episode of 2024 and PRAISING KANE is packed with wild Carol Kane content, starting with the hour long episode of Shelley Duvall's TALL TALES & LEGENDS adapting the famous poem "Casey at the Bat".. sort of! With Elliott Gould, Howard Cosell, Bob Uecker, Bill Macy and CAROL KANE! It's plenty odd. Then we look at an episode of the 80s comedy crime series CRAZY LIKE A FOX /w Jack Warden and John Rubinstein, featuring Carol Kane guesting as a beleaguered secretary. Then it's time for the main event, the Penny Marshall directed comedy-thriller JUMPIN JACK FLASH starring Whoopi Goldberg and a slew of famous faces in supporting roles- including Carol Kane! It's a Liam O'Donnell childhood favorite, but does it hold up? Let's find out!Read more

Episode 273 – Wild in the Streets – Mean Frank and Crazy Tony (1973)

Episode 272 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Transformers One (2024)

Episode 271 – Praising Kane – The Princess Bride (1987)

Episode 270 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Cannonball Run II (1984)

Episode 269 – Eric Roberts is the Man – 12th Annual On Cinema Oscar Special (2025) (/w Zach Weiss)

Episode 268 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – The Shrouds (2024)

Episode 267 – You Don’t Know Dick – Used Cars (/w Mike White)

Episode 265 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Anora (2024)

Episode 264 – Praising Kane – Ishtar (1986)

Episode 263 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Youth in Revolt (2009)

Episode 262 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Wheels on Meals (1984)

Episode 261 – George Kennedy is My Copilot – Uninvited (1988)

Episode 260 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – Black Mama, White Mama (1973) (THE FINALE!)

Episode 259 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Conclave (2024)

Episode 258 – Further Reeding – The Brood (1979)

Episode 257 – Wild in the Streets – The Cynic, The Rat and The Fist (1977)

Episode 256 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Episode 255 – Praising Kane – Jumpin Jack Flash (1986)

Your Hosts

Doug Tilley

Liam O'Donnell