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On this very special 100th episode of Cinema Smorgasbord we kick off 2022 with the wonderful Sarah Jane to look at another George Kennedy classic on GEORGE KENNEDY IS OUR COPILOT. This time we're looking at the mind-bending horror of Adam Simon's BRAIN DEAD. Penned by the late Charles Beaumont, the film features both Bill Pullman AND Bill Paxton, with the former having to question his reality after an accident leaves him with potential brain damage! We also discuss the rise and fall of Breath Asure, celebrity pitchmen, face blindness and - of course - all things George Kennedy. CHECK IT OUT! Read more

Episode 99 – Cinema Fantastica – Merry Christmas Mr. Mo (2016) & A Christmas Fury (2017)

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On our special HOLIDAY episode of Cinema Smorgasbord we travel once again to the Weihnachtsfilmfestival in Berlin, Germany to talk about two Christmas-themed films! We start with the black and white South Korean dramedy MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. MO from 2016, and finish with the made-for-TV Newfoundland-set film A CHRISTMAS FURY from 2017. We also learn about some holiday television traditions, get deep into our daddy issues, and discuss the previous year of Cinema Smorgasbord podcasts. CHECK IT OUT and HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Read more

Whatever Happened To Vic Diaz?

Episode 98 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – A Taste of Hell (1973)

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On this episode of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO VIC DIAZ? we're heading back to 1973 and the surprisingly Filipino-centric war film A TASTE OF HELL. Starring William Smith as an American soldier helping local villagers fight off the Japanese during World War II and John Gardwood as a soldier who gets horribly burned by a Japanese attack and haunts the nearby villages as a monstrous hunchback! It's real weird. But it does have a delight moustache twirling performance by Vic Diaz, and also a pretty amazing decapitation that may or may not directly involve the man. Check it out!Read more

JodoWOWsky

Episode 97 – JodoWOWsky Part 5 – The Incal (1981-2014)

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After the collapse of Jodorowsky's Dune project, the work that went into it went on to influence countless other future film projects, but it also provided the inspiration for another work: the comic series THE INCAL, which began in 1981 in the pages of Metal Hurlant (aka Heavy Metal) and continued the collaboration between Alejandro Jodorowsky and Moebius (aka Jean Giraud). That story took seven years to tell, finally finishing in 1988. Since then there's been a prequel (Before The Incal), an abandoned sequel with Moebius (After The Incal) and a true sequel finished in 2014 (Final Incal). On this episode of JodoWOWsky we check out the entire Incal saga, starting with Jodorowsky's comic background and his first work with Moebius before moving into discussing each novel, before finishing with some final thoughts on the series, as well as our thoughts on the upcoming film version directed by Taika Waititi. And we finish by fan-casting our ideal John Difool! An epic project like The Incal requires an epic-length episode, so grab a whisky and a box of SPV and prepare to experience the greatest graphic novel series ever written.Read more

Praising Kane

Episode 96 – Praising Kane – The Mafu Cage (1978)

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PRAISING KANE returns one of Carol Kane's finest performances, and a truly bizarre cult item. It's 1978's THE MAFU CAGE, and we guarantee you've never seen anything quite like it. Featuring incest, colonialism, orangutan murder and so much more, the film has gained a strong following over the past decade, and we're here to find out why. But we're not alone! Joining us is Cinepunx contributor and film programmer Adrianna Gober to help us unlock the secrets of The Mafu Cage! Read more

Wild In The Streets

Episode 95 – Wild in the Streets – Revolver (1973)

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On this episode of WILD IN THE STREETS we continue our look at the Eurocrime films of the 70s (and beyond) with Sergio Sollima's 1973 poliziottesco film REVOLVER, starring Oliver Reed and Fabio Testi. Featuring a dynamite score from Ennio Morricone, the film has Reed's prison warden Vito Cipriani being blackmailed into releasing a prisoner after his wife is taken hostage. Featuring a twisty plot that ends in pretty depressing fashion (our favorite!), it's both a successful action film and a critique of oppressive governmental infrastructure. FUN! But is it any good? Let's find out!Read more

Episode 94 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Magnificent Bodyguards (1978)

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We made it! Ten(-ish) movies deep, Jackie Chan's career is floundering. Desperate for a hit, Lo Wei pairs him with James Tien and Bruce Leung for a western-inspired fantasy action epic featuring bizarre twists, excessive face-ripping, and music shamelessly stolen from Star Wars and.. heck.. let's make the whole thing 3D! MAGNIFICENT BODYGUARDS may have been Jackie's final film before his breakthrough role in SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW, but it's far from forgettable. Let's check it out! Read more

Episode 93 – You Don’t Know Dick – Night of the Creeps (1986) (/w Scout Tafoya)

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The good news is your dates are here. The bad news is.. they're DEAD! On this episode of YOU DON'T KNOW DICK we're joined by filmmaker and critic Scout Tafoya (author of Cinemaphagy: On the Psychedelic Classical Form of Tobe Hooper) to discuss Fred Dekker's beloved horror-comedy NIGHT OF THE CREEPS from 1986. Along the way we chat about Tobe Hooper, horror movie "secret handshakes", The Monster Squad and, of course, all things Dick Miller. Check it out!Read more

Episode 92 – Halloween Horror Special – V/H/S 94 (2021) & Censor (2021)

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On our HALLOWEEN HORROR SPECIAL we're taking a break from our many themed episodes to instead look at two well-regarded horror films from 2021! We start with the fourth in the V/H/S found footage series: V/H/S 94! Is this a return to form for the often erratic collection of shorts from acclaimed filmmakers? Then we look at the critically acclaimed CENSOR, which focuses on the mental deterioration of a film censor in 80s Britain. We also chat about some of our other recent horror favorites and our thoughts on the state of horror as we reach the end of 2021. CHECK IT OUT!Read more

Episode 91 – Eric Roberts is the Man – Most Wanted (1997)

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On an explosive episode of ERIC ROBERTS IS THE MAN we're joined by Effin' Birds and Swear Trek creator Aaron Reynolds to discuss the Keenen Ivory Wayans-starring action film MOST WANTED from 1997! We also discuss doughnuts as breakfast food, worst first dates, Home Alone (with dogs!), and all the latest Eric Roberts news! CHECK IT OUT!Read more

Episode 90 – George Kennedy is my Copilot – Airport (1970)

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On this premiere episode of GEORGE KENNEDY IS MY COPILOT we're diving into one of George Kennedy's most iconic roles: chief mechanic Joseph "Joe" Patroni, from the legendary 1970 disaster film AIRPORT! We're going to talk about the movie, its legacy, George Kennedy's performance and why the hell anyone would create a George Kennedy-themed podcast. CHECK IT OUT!Read more

How Do You Do Fellow Kids?

Episode 89 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – In The Soup (1992)

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On this episode of HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? we're looking at the Sundance Grand Jury Prize winning comedy IN THE SOUP from 1992, featuring a dynamite performance from the late Seymour Cassel, small appearances from Jim Jarmusch, Sam Rockwell, Stanley Tucci and Carol Kane, and - of course - Steven Buscemi as aspiring filmmaker Adolfo Rollo! We also chat about Buscemi's recent appearance on the WTF podcast, his near-fatal barfight from years back and SO MUCH MORE. CHECK IT OUT! Read more

Whatever Happened To Vic Diaz?

Episode 88 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – Live By The Fist (1993)

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Convicted of a crime he didn't commit, John Merill (kickboxing champ Jerry Trimble) is sent to a brutal island prison run by the sadistic Warden Acosta (Vic Diaz!) in 1993's LIVE BY THE FIST, a straight up remake of 1991's BLOODFIST III! This one has George Takei, though! On this episode of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO VIC DIAZ? we took a close look at this Roger Corman-produced, Cirio H. Santiago-directed action film which features some pretty decent action and.. not much else! CHECK IT OUT!Read more

Episode 87 – JodoWOWsky – Interview with Jodorowsky’s Dune director Frank Pavich

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On a very special episode of JodoWOWsky we're joined by JODOROWSKY'S DUNE director Frank Pavich for a freewheeling conversation covering his first meeting with Alejandro Jodorowsky, the development of the documentary, his influence on Jodorowsky's career over the past ten years, his future projects and so much more!Read more

JodoWOWsky

Episode 86 – JodoWOWsky Part 4 – Jodorowsky’s Dune (1974-1976)

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Following the worldwide success of El Topo and The Holy Mountain, Alejandro Jodorowsky connected with Michel Seydoux to pursue any project he wished. The answer? An adaptation of the beloved, expansive science fiction novel by Frank Herbert. What followed was an epic collaboration involving the director and a collection of legendary collaborators (or "spiritual warriors") including Dan O'Bannon, Jean "Moebius" Girard, Chris Foss, H.R. Giger, Pink Floyd, Salvador Dali, Orson Welles, and that's just the beginning! On this episode we look at how the project developed, how it fell apart, and whether it's truly the greatest film never made. We also look at some of the criticism of the project, the adaptations of Dune that were to follow and - of course - the 2014 documentary JODOROWSKY'S DUNE that helped bring the story to the world. Read more

Praising Kane

Episode 85 – Praising Kane – The World’s Greatest Lover (1977)

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On this episode of PRAISING KANE we're back in the silent era with Carol Kane, but this time in a broad Mel Brooks-ish comedy! Gene Wilder directed, wrote and starred in 1977's THE WORLD'S GREATEST LOVER, a silent-era chuckler about a baker (Wilder) who travels to Hollywood in order to become the next Rudolph Valentino, despite an unfortunate collection of nervous tics. It's plenty wacky, and awfully corny, but does it hit the mark or fall flat? Listen and find out!Read more

Forgotten Gems?

Episode 84 – Forgotten Gems? – What Happened Was… (1994)

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On Forgotten Gems we look at festival favorites that have been cast aside or fallen out of favor. On this episode we're looking at the 1994 Sundance sensation WHAT HAPPENED WAS..., which won the Grand Jury Prize and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival. Directed, written and starring Tom Noonan it examines one painfully awkward date between two co-workers (the other played by an amazing Karen Sillas) and the confrontations and revelations that occur throughout their evening. Spoiler alert: our two hosts have VERY differing opinions on the qualities of this movie! Check it out.Read more

Wild In The Streets

Episode 83 – Wild In The Streets – Almost Human (1974)

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We're getting Wild In The Streets with Umberto Lenzi's gleefully exploitative 1974 crime thriller ALMOST HUMAN (aka THE DEATH DEALER, aka Milano odia: la polizia non può sparare). Featuring a stand-out slimy performance from Tomas Milian, the film follows small-time scumbag Giulio Sacchi as he goes on a spree of murder and mayhem throughout Milan while tough cop Walter Grandi (Henry Silva) is hot on his trail. It's filled with chaos and bloodshed, but is it fascist? Let's talk about it.Read more

Cinema Fantasica

Episode 82 – Cinema Fantastica – Giallo (2009) & Macabre (2009)

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On this episode of Cinema Fantastic (a trip to the genre film festivals around the world) we're traveling to the 2009 London Frightfest in London, England to check out two ultra-violent heavy-hitters: Dario Argento's GIALLO and The Mo Brothers' MACABRE. The tenth anniversary of Frightfest, 2009 marked a big expansion in terms of the festival, which featured plenty of unique, international offerings. Was Argento's Adrien Brody-starring thriller a return to form? Did The Mo Brothers (Killers, Headshot) succeed with their Indonesian spin on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre? Who reigns supreme? Let's find out!Read more

Episode 100 – George Kennedy is my Copilot – Brain Dead (1990)

Episode 99 – Cinema Fantastica – Merry Christmas Mr. Mo (2016) & A Christmas Fury (2017)

Episode 98 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – A Taste of Hell (1973)

Episode 97 – JodoWOWsky Part 5 – The Incal (1981-2014)

Episode 96 – Praising Kane – The Mafu Cage (1978)

Episode 95 – Wild in the Streets – Revolver (1973)

Episode 94 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Magnificent Bodyguards (1978)

Episode 93 – You Don’t Know Dick – Night of the Creeps (1986) (/w Scout Tafoya)

Episode 92 – Halloween Horror Special – V/H/S 94 (2021) & Censor (2021)

Episode 91 – Eric Roberts is the Man – Most Wanted (1997)

Episode 90 – George Kennedy is my Copilot – Airport (1970)

Episode 89 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – In The Soup (1992)

Episode 88 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – Live By The Fist (1993)

Episode 87 – JodoWOWsky – Interview with Jodorowsky’s Dune director Frank Pavich

Episode 86 – JodoWOWsky Part 4 – Jodorowsky’s Dune (1974-1976)

Episode 85 – Praising Kane – The World’s Greatest Lover (1977)

Episode 84 – Forgotten Gems? – What Happened Was… (1994)

Episode 83 – Wild In The Streets – Almost Human (1974)

Episode 82 – Cinema Fantastica – Giallo (2009) & Macabre (2009)

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