Cinema Smorgasbord

Wild In The Streets

Episode 154 – Wild in the Streets – Emergency Squad (1974)

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On this episode of WILD IN THE STREETS we're getting back to basics with Tomas Milian in the revenge thriller EMERGENCY SQUAD from 1974. Milian plays Tomas Ravelli, an Interpol agent who is hell-bent on tracking down the criminals who (inadvertently) murdered his wife, and is - unsurprisingly - willing to break the rules in order to do it. He's kind of a jerk! We also chat about the career of the late Ruggero Deodato, feel conflicted about fascist cops and SO MUCH MORE. Check it out! Read more

Praising Kane

Episode 153 – Praising Kane – Laverne & Shirley (Season 8, Episode 8) & Strong Medicine (1981)

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On this episode of PRAISING KANE we're once again doubling up, starting with an episode of the eighth season of LAVERNE & SHIRLEY which is without Shirley, Lenny or Squiggy.. but we do have dog murder, Charles Fleischer and not much else, except Carol Kane as a streetwise fortune teller. We follow that with the 1981 film adaptation of Richard Foreman's avant-garde play STRONG MEDICINE, steeped in the subject matter championed by his Ontological-Hysteric Theater. Hear us struggle with material we're woefully out of step with! All that and the latest Carol Kane news. CHECK IT OUT.Read more

George Kennedy is my Copilot

Episode 152 – George Kennedy is my Copilot – Cool Hand Luke (1967)

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LISTEN UP, MULLETHEADS! On this episode of GEORGE KENNEDY IS MY COPILOT we're finally covering the film that nabbed George Kennedy his Oscar: it's 1967's COOL HAND LUKE! Featuring a slew of recognizable faces (Strother Martin! Dennis Hopper! Harry Dean Stanton! Joe Don Baker!), an unforgettable lead performance from Paul Newman and a great Lalo Schifrin score, it's a key anti-hero film of the late 60s that helped launch the New Hollywood movement. But this episode is mostly about doing the most outrageous George Kennedy impressions possible. We also listen to George's Oscar speech, so you know you're in for a good time. LISTEN! Read more

JodoWOWsky

Episode 151 – JodoWOWsky Part 10 – The Metabarons Saga (1992 – 2003)

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JodoWOWsky returns in 2023 with an episode devoted to the decade long comic book collaboration between Alejandro Jodorowsky and Juan Giménez tracing the family history of one of The Incal's most notorious (and mysterious) characters: The Metabaron Saga. On this episode we discuss the ENTIRE saga, featuring nearly 500 pages of galactic myths and some of the wildest characters, battles and plot twists you'll ever see. Along the way we discuss Jodrowsky's NEWLY ANNOUNCED FILM, all the recent Jodorowsky-adjacent comic work, and SO MUCH MORE. Check it out, paleo-jerks!Read more

Episode 150 – The Cinema Smorgasbord Holiday Special – Feast of the Seven Fishes (2019) & Scream For Christmas (2000)

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It's the 150th episode(!) of Cinema Smorgasbord, and we're celebrating the end of 2022 with a HOLIDAY SPECIAL! And what better way to say goodbye to another banner year than with two relatively-seasonal, shockingly different movie picks? We start with the coming-of-age comic strip adaptation FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES (starring Skyler Gisondo, Joe Pantoliano, Addison Timlin and Madison Iseman) and move right into the microbudget horror comedy(?) SCREAM FOR CHRISTMAS (starring nobody you've heard of). We also discuss some of our favorite holiday-themed films, discuss our hopes for 2023 and SO MUCH MORE. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Read more

How Do You Do Fellow Kids?

Episode 149 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Ghost World (2001)

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The world's most beloved Steve Buscemi-themed podcast returns with an episode all about Terry Zwigoff's adaptation of Daniel Clowes' GHOST WORLD, starring Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson and - of course - Steve Buscemi! We talk about the difficulties of adapting (non-superhero) comics, how the film compares to the source, how our opinions on the film have changed since we first saw it and SO MUCH MORE. All that and the latest Steve Buscemi news. CHECK IT OUT.Read more

Whatever Happened To Vic Diaz?

Episode 148 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – The Boys in Company C (1978)

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On this episode of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO VIC DIAZ? we're heading into the jungle with Filipino thespian Vic Diaz in the 1978 Vietnam war drama THE BOYS IN COMPANY C, starring Stan Shaw, Andrew Stevens, and Craig Wasson. Similar in structure to Full Metal Jacker (and featuring R. Lee Ermey in a very similar role), it's a sometimes odd, sometimes hard-hitting look at a controversial war that also includes a whole lot of soccer for some reason. It's pretty good, and very different than the usual fair we cover on this podcast. CHECK IT OUT! Read more

We Do Our Own Stunts

Episode 147 – We Do Our Own Stunts – The Fearless Hyena (1979)

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On this episode of WE DO OUR OWN STUNTS Jackie Chan's relationship with Lo Wei comes to an end.. sort of.. with Jackie's directorial debut THE FEARLESS HYENA! Filled with fights (choreographed by Jackie), and featuring perhaps his best performance of the era, it's a film that owes a lot to his recent successes (with SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW and DRUNKEN MASTER) but also shows his growing confidence and range as a martial artist and creative force. We trace the film's history, how it affected Jackie's relationship with Lo Wei, and go through what we'll be covering in the first few months of 2023. CHECK IT OUT! Read more

Wild In The Streets

Episode 146 – Wild in the Streets – Madness (1980)

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On a brand new episode of WILD IN THE STREETS, we're going One Step Beyond with Warhol superstar Joe Dallesandro in the sleaze-filled home invasion thriller MADNESS from director Fernando Di Leo. Featuring plenty of uncomfortable nudity and most of the soundtrack to Caliber 9, MADNESS has hunky Joe terrorizing a married couple (along with the wife's seductress sister) while trying to uncover some stolen riches stashed in their fireplace. All that, a giant poster of John Travolta that looms menacingly over the proceedings. Is it any good? Listen and find out! Read more

You Don't Know Dick

Episode 145 – You Don’t Know Dick – Miami Vice (Season 2, Episode 19) The Fix (1986)

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In 1986, Dick Miller directed an episode of the second season of the massively popular TV series MIAMI VICE called "The Fix" and on this episode of YOU DON'T KNOW DICK, we're going to watch it! Thankfully we have author and Miami Vice aficionado Sarah Kurchak joining us to walk us through the world of Crockett & Tubbs, the corrupt world in which they live, and this episode, which features guest stars Harvey Fierstein, Michael Richards, and NBA hall-of-famer Bill Russell! CHECK IT OUT! Read more

Bartel Me Something Good

Episode 144 – Bartel Me Something Good – Cannonball (1976)

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David Carradine POPS THE CLUTCH again in Paul Bartel's follow-up to Death Race 2000, which features a cross-country race full of oddballs competing for a huge cash prize. Featuring an awesome cast of recognizable faces (Mary Woronov! Gerrit Graham! Robert Carradine! DICK MILLER! Joe Dante!) and even more awesome cameos (Martin Scorsese eating KFC with Bartel and Sylvester Stallone), it's a sometimes shaky, but always entertaining, collection of comedy, musical numbers (?) and car stunts. Find out how it all came together on this brand new episode of BARTEL ME SOMETHING GOOD.Read more

Praising Kane

Episode 143 – Praising Kane – Taxi (Season 2, Episode 17) & The Greatest Man in the World (1981)

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We're DOUBLING UP on this episode of Praising Kane, which features a discussion on Carol Kane's first episode of Taxi (and some very controversial statements from Liam on 80s sitcoms), but also Ralph Rosenblum's 1981 TV adaptation of James Thurber's satirical short story THE GREATEST MAN IN THE WORLD, featuring an introduction by Henry Fonda! Not only that, but we also fit in a discussion on the recent announcement of Carol Kane joining the cast of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS! It's almost TOO MUCH, yet here it is. Enjoy. Read more

Halloween Horror Special

Episode 142 – Halloween Horror Special – Glorious (2022) & Speak No Evil (2022)

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We're BREAKING FORMAT with another super SPOOOoooOKY Cinema Smorgasbord Halloween Special! This time around we're discussing our favorite Halloween costumes and giving some brief thoughts on some recent buzzy horror films, before jumping into spoiler-free discussions of Rebekah McKendry's GLORIOUS and Christian Tafdrup's SPEAK NO EVIL. It gets HEATED! Who cares about parties and trick-or-treating? It's time to LISTEN! Read more

Whatever Happened To Vic Diaz?

Episode 141 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – Spyder (1988)

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On this episode of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO VIC DIAZ? we're discussing the obscure - and unreleased in the USA - action film SPYDER from 1988 starring kickboxing champion Blake Bahner as BRAD SPYDER, a cop on the edge who travels to Hawaii to find out what happened to his beloved (and very dead) partner. If that sounds at all familiar, it's because Roger Corman bought the rights to the film and had it re-edited and released as BLACKBELT II! It's an action-packed (and very short) COBRA rip-off. LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.Read more

How Do You Do Fellow Kids?

Episode 140 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Airheads (1994)

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On HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? we trace the life and career of actor Steve Buscemi, and on THIS episode we're talking about Bob Dylan's new book (with an audiobook featuring Steve Buscemi), the history of his collaborations with Adam Sandler, STEVE BUSCEMI SUPERMAN and - of course - the SNL-flavored rock comedy AIRHEADS from 1994 starring Brendan Fraser, Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Michael Mckean, Michael Richards and Steve Buscemi! What did we think? LISTEN AND FIND OUT! Read more

JodoWOWsky

Episode 139 – JodoWOWsky Part 9 – The Rainbow Thief (1990)

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After the worldwide success of SANTA SANGRE, Jodorowsky was inundated with offers to make horror films, but he found himself more interested in - for the first time - working with a large budget and big stars. His opportunity came in the form of producer Alexander Salkind, who approached Jodo to direct his wife script for a project called THE RAINBOW THIEF, starring Omar Sharif, Peter O'Toole and Christopher Lee. The result (nearly) ended Alejandro Jodorowsky's directing career, with the film barely being release before being dumped onto VHS in the US four years after its completion. But is the final result truly disaster? On this episode of JODOWOWSKY we're breaking down the complicated history and tangled legacy of THE RAINBOW THIEF and asking what the heck went wrong. We also pay tribute to the late Cristóbal Jodorowsky, and discuss Jonathan Ross's 1990 episode of his program For One Week Only devoted to Jodorowsky. Check it out! Read more

We Do Our Own Stunts

Episode 138 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Half a Loaf of Kung Fu (1978)

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On this episode of WE DO OUR OWN STUNTS we're going back in time! Back before SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW or DRUNKEN MASTER, when Lo Wei reluctantly gave Jackie Chan permission to - finally - make the kung fu comedy he always wanted. The result was HALF A LOAF OF KUNG FU, which Lo Wei immediately shelved until the international success of Jackie's Yuen Woo-ping-directed films made him rush it into cinemas. How is it? Listen and find out!Read more

George Kennedy is my Copilot

Episode 137 – George Kennedy is my Copilot – Death Ship (1980)

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All aboard the DEATH SHIP! On this episode of GEORGE KENNEDY IS MY COPILOT we're sailing the high seas with Richard Crenna, Nick Mancuso and a boat possessed by NAZIS in the 1980 Canadian supernatural horror film DEATH SHIP! It's full of propaganda-inspired freakouts, literal blood baths and George Kennedy yelling at people. We also chat about a series of Midas commercials from the early 80s featuring Lee Van Cleef, including one where he faces off against - you guessed it - George Kennedy. ENJOY! Read more

Eric Roberts is the Man Redux

Episode 136 – Eric Roberts is the Man – Hard Luck Love Song (2020) (/w Julie Holland)

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There's been so much Eric Roberts news lately: from the recent release of Michael Flatley's BLACKBIRD, to his appearance in the trailer for Damien Chazelle's upcoming BABYLON (which will be discussed on the NEXT episode), to a recent scary encounter at the Roberts' residence, and we'll talk about it ALL with writer and Carnage Report co-host Julie Holland! After all the news we'll dig into 2020's HARD LUCK LOVE SONG, featuring Michael Dorman, Sophia Bush, Dermot Mulroney, RZA and ERIC ROBERTS! It's based on the song "Just Like Old Times" by Todd Snider, which gets us thinking about other movies based on songs and SO MUCH MORE. Check it out! Read more

Episode 154 – Wild in the Streets – Emergency Squad (1974)

Episode 153 – Praising Kane – Laverne & Shirley (Season 8, Episode 8) & Strong Medicine (1981)

Episode 152 – George Kennedy is my Copilot – Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Episode 151 – JodoWOWsky Part 10 – The Metabarons Saga (1992 – 2003)

Episode 150 – The Cinema Smorgasbord Holiday Special – Feast of the Seven Fishes (2019) & Scream For Christmas (2000)

Episode 149 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Ghost World (2001)

Episode 148 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – The Boys in Company C (1978)

Episode 147 – We Do Our Own Stunts – The Fearless Hyena (1979)

Episode 146 – Wild in the Streets – Madness (1980)

Episode 145 – You Don’t Know Dick – Miami Vice (Season 2, Episode 19) The Fix (1986)

Episode 144 – Bartel Me Something Good – Cannonball (1976)

Episode 143 – Praising Kane – Taxi (Season 2, Episode 17) & The Greatest Man in the World (1981)

Episode 142 – Halloween Horror Special – Glorious (2022) & Speak No Evil (2022)

Episode 141 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – Spyder (1988)

Episode 140 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Airheads (1994)

Episode 139 – JodoWOWsky Part 9 – The Rainbow Thief (1990)

Episode 138 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Half a Loaf of Kung Fu (1978)

Episode 137 – George Kennedy is my Copilot – Death Ship (1980)

Episode 136 – Eric Roberts is the Man – Hard Luck Love Song (2020) (/w Julie Holland)

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