Episoder
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INSERT LATIN PHRASE TO EXPRESS HOW INTELLIGENT WE ARE!
This film is a bit of a treat, honestly. There's a lot to like here, the most of which is a Sean Connery really hammering it out of the park with a riveting performance to remind us of how much range he had. Yeah, this also has some rich cinematography, some impressive set design, and some stellar makeup that transforms Ron Perlman into a hunchback.
Yeah, we are congratulating this film a fair amount. But not of faith and religion (as we rip the idea apart for the better part of an hour).
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Ah, we're back. We're back in Scotland. I don't remember it being so "blue". Not only that, it's really dark, and moderately attractive men are acting like right twats to very attractive ladies. We're back on the "Ewan Train" with David Mackenzie's YOUNG ADAM. The "erotic" (?) drama about a bunch of folk on a barge and the lives Ewan McGregor's character basically ruins for the sake of creative inspiration. Yeah, doesn't make the most endearing of central characters but that's kinda the point. The one thing we did agree upon at least was the inclusion of custard. More custard, please! There's a bunch of sex in this but it's not as central as you'd think it would be. It just IS, so strap in, we've got a fair amount of stuff to talk about on this one.
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Mangler du episoder?
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Like Schwarzenegger after him, he just needed to find the role he was born to play. Following the career track of Nicholas Roeg, we come to one of his seminal films, THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH.
It's a head-scratcher and we say that with an understanding of Roeg's work being a little disjointed and a heavy use of visual metaphors and match cutting BUT... It would have been nice to get a better through-line in the story. But no one hates this movie at OTB HQ, certainly not when Rip Torn is tearing through this sexy sci-fi circus like a Professor Lothario!
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At OTB HQ we're ALL business! But some times, just some times, we like to do a little bit in the name of PLEASURE.
Depending on who you speak to (particularly Laura) they will let you know that anything we do is for "pleasure" but before this analogy begins to lose its muster, let's look at the Ninja Thyberg's debut, PLEASURE, based on the short of the same name.
It's an in-depth, behind-the-curtain look at the American Adult Entertainment Industry, following a Swedish woman from a small town looking to become the next big porn star.
As you might expect, there's A LOT.
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Who thought putting criminals in space would be a great idea? I mean, if everyone was kind and everything was successful, would it make a great story? Who can tell but that's the basis of the Claire Denis film HIGH LIFE.
Starring Robert Pattison, Mia Goth, Juliette Binoche, André "3000" Benjamin, and Ewan Mitchell, we follow a doomed space mission to a Black Hole and the obvious antics that ensue from locking a bunch of criminals on a spaceship and expecting them to produce offspring. What could go wrong?
There's a bunch of fluids being slung around this vessel in scenes wetter than those in ALIEN where Harry Dean Stanton takes a shower in the cargo hold with his clothes on and every other scene where the Xenomorph shows up and it's drooling everywhere.
HIGH LIFE is considered a sci-fi horror as well just so you know. That's why I mention it.
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Ryan felt we needed to lighten things up and dive back into some digestible fluff that he could get into his snarling teeth. But kinda what we found was that he's been tamed slightly. No longer has the pretentiousness of cinema's past enveloped his dark soul now that he's found the work of Nick Hurran.
Yes. Nick. Oh, sweet Nick. This man knows what he's doing with this (one of his many "body swap" films in his filmography). This happens to be one of the better examples. Now, it's no BIG. It's no FREAKY FRIDAY. It's VIRTUAL SEXUALITY: the spunky British comedy with plenty of that late 90's style and lack of taste that the early 00's also brought.
But hey, it's nostalgia. You kinda had to be there.
(Also, Ryan remains unchanged.)
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That train keeps chugging and by pure accidental bliss, we have another film up here with some stark similarities!
Would I go on to say this film is "controversial"? Probably. We have some issues with it. As you'll gather, we don't talk about the film much but rather the way the film was made. There's some questionable behavior happening here, and we're not a podcast to let that slide. The two leads however, Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos are exceptional. Honestly, they knock this film out of the park with the rather mediocre material they are given. It's a disappointing shame as this was adapted from the equally exceptional graphic novel by Jul Maroh.
This is mostly Ryan's opinion here, Laura thinks the film is pretty good despite our universal disapproval of the off-camera shenanigans. It's just the Director who needs to take a little look in the mirror honestly if any of these allegations are true. Let's hope not dude, because that's kinda messed up!
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June has rolled 'round and you know what that means?! It's Pride and we get to cover some LGBTQ+ films.
This time, we're dipping into Gay Cinema with one of the best examples of the category. Number 22 in the BFI best LGBT film of all time is Alain Guiraudie's STRANGER BY THE LAKE. A masterful and nuanced take on the mystery genre, this minimalist, intimate, and insular film focuses on the shenanigans of a popular cruising area by the lake and the craziness that ensues over a collection of days.
There's plenty to enjoy here as you will tell quite quickly, we didn't even note down time codes for this one; there's almost 90% un-coverage. It would be 100% if it weren't for shots like the car pulling into the parking lot and people talking (with their clothes on).
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You knew this day would come. It was inevitable. We're covering Jane Campion's THE PIANO.
How does Ryan feel about this one? This was the one film of the filmography that he remembered quite fondly but now, decades later and now a co-host of an alternative film review podcast, with an active dislike for the other films we have covered of this particular filmmaker, how will it fare? I guess you're going to have to find out if this classic and most revered film of the time passes that gauntlet. (Don't worry about Laura, she loves everything.)
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We sent out the call at the end of our A BIGGER SPLASH episode with CHALLENGERS releasing day. It may even be fate that willed us, catching an early preview screening the same week in an RPX ("shaky seats") theatre. There's nothing like a tennis movie in a vibrating seat with some phat, thumping base and Zendaya's moody staring. Along with a tonne of sweaty slow motion from the other stars Josh O'Conner and Mike Faist.
But honestly, if you've heard this film is good, they're wrong. It's great!
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What could be better? You have the sunshine. You have your lover. You have fresh fruits, food and a beautiful location for relaxation and isolation. But then your veracious and intrusive friend from your past phones up and barges into your life. We've all been there I guess. It starts out like fun then gets painfully annoying when that guy tries to steal away your girlfriend and his daughter just won't leave you alone.
In Luca Guadagnino's remake / adaption of the original book/film THE SWIMMING POOL (LA PISCINE) (1969) we see a bunch of equally beautiful people enacting this psychological dramatic piece.
In short, floatation devices were created for a reason.
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We are back and with something weird and beautiful!
Yeah, in our double dipping on the Yorgos-train, we find ourselves at the 2023 release of the multi-award winning POOR THINGS. This comedy/drama/fantasy film is something special. A feast for the eyes and an incredibly darkly comical tale of a woman brought back to life and given a second chance. Think FRANKENSTEIN, FRANKENHOOKER, FREAKY FRIDAY, and some other period piece that gives you a general idea that this is set some-time-when with a sprinkling of familiarity.
With an award-winning performance from it's central lead, Emma Stone and backed up by Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Jerrod Carmichael, and a scene stealing comedy great performance from Mark Ruffalo, this has to be seen to be experienced!
Don't let us hold you up! Bella Baxter is a Disney Princess, ya'll!
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This episode we look at the early filmography of Yorgos Lanthimos featuring DOGTOOTH! Famous for his more Western entries in his filmography, THE LOBSTER, THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER, THE FAVOURITE and his recent Oscar winner POOR THINGS, we go back to the seminal turning point in his career: DOGTOOTH.
He's been a prominent figure in Greek Cinema prior (part of the aptly put "Weird Wave") but it's fair to say that DOGTOOTH put him on the International map, nominated for a Best Foreign Feature Oscar in 2009. Doing so made this deeply darkly comic film (or horror, depending on your interpretation) available to a much wider audience at the time. And what a treat that is!
It's funny how films like this have the habit of taking us all to the place we tend to stray to; the darkest places our humor can go honestly. Certainly Josh (not to throw him under the bus). Be warned, there is a lot of sarcastic chatter about inter-familial relations for which we do not seriously condone. But as we say, if you're not laughing, you're crying.
Sit in your "sea", turn down the "pussy" and smell your "zombies", here we go!
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Oh boy... What have we done to ourselves?
In a moment of uncertainty we decided to double dip into the Winterbottom well. We knew we were going to review this film "at some point" BUT we didn't really know what we were letting ourselves in for.
The "arthouse/mainstream/romantic/concert film" is only 69 (lol) minutes long but it feels like it's relatively short runtime. A film that depicts heavily gratuitous un-simulated sexual acts performed by our lead couple, some scenes depicting our lead character's job as a glaciologist (!) and 9 (counted and confirmed) songs of musical acts of the time performing at Brixton Academy in London.
If you thought that it would add up to the sum total of "nothing" you'd be close. If you thought it was a bit of a shallow, uncomfortable experiment that doesn't really justify its needs and the pressure put on its performers, you may also be right. If you think its a bit pretentious, you'd also be on the right track. See what we have to say in one of our personal favourite breakdowns of a film we've done in a while.
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That's right! We're getting mad wi' it! We're goin' all the way to Manchester, the birthplace of exciting musical new waves since the dawn of time!
We're uncovering the Tony Wilson musical biopic 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE! Tony would make you believe this is not a film about him and how instrumental he was in nurturing these HUGE musical talents over the years using his clout as a TV personality to create the legendary Factory Records but you'd think otherwise.
Honestly, Michael Winterbottom has made a real special biopic here with a stellar cast of top shelf British talent and cameos from countless musicians who lived through this "true-to-life tale". Don't miss out and enjoy the party!
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wADdUp B*****S! wE'rE cUvErIn' ZOLA!
But seriously, before these two oldies get sucked into the chasm of "Gen Z", we're here exploring the 2020 Janicza Bravo film. A tale of stripping, murder, Tampa and illicit tweets. Based on the infamous twitter thread, the film is an excellent allegory of "the American Dream" set to some unique and vibrant stylings. Obviously being set in Florida gives it a very special flavor also.
So yeah, sit back and get ready to jump into this darkly comic crime caper that's pretty much seated 99% in truth. And you know THAT because you can find it on Twitter. And Twitter doesn't lie...
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There's a quote at the beginning of the film that states that this text "should not be read or adapted to film". "Wir brauchen Gott" which translates to "we need God" finalizes the warning. I remember being told by my parents when I was younger "if you fiddle about with it too much, it'll fall off". The same can be said for whatever Helen who at every turn, in acts of defiance, tests the boundaries of social normalcy and sexual deviancy.
This is the infamous German cinematic gem WETLANDS, directed by David Wnendt. You may be wondering, is it really as bad as people have said? As fairly desensitized individuals, I would say no, because it has genuine heart that if you allow yourself to look at it from anywhere other than surface level, you'll see a genuine story about a teenage girl who acts out as she's trying to get her parents back together.
But honestly, for everyone else out there, this film is probably one of the most extreme examples of anything we've covered, so if you're of a sensitive disposition, you have been warned. If that doesn't phase you, the film will play to at the Enzian Cinema in Maitland Florida, as part of the Uncomfortable Brunch programming on Sunday February 4th, 12pm.
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In a quatrain Nostradamus stated: "In the year 2024, two self-proclaimed cinephiles who uncover full-frontal male nudity in cinema, will uncover Mike Leigh's NAKED". It's crazy right? We can hardly believe it ourselves.
But Nostradamus was right, we are covering Mike Leigh's NAKED. In a career best for David Thewlis, co-starring Lesley Sharp, Katrin Cartlidge, Gregg Cruttwell, Claire Skinner, Ewen Bremner et al., we dive deep into the seedy underbelly of urban London and it's nocturnal dwellers in what some have referred to as an "odyssey".
Warnings have been shelled out before but NAKED is one which takes you to a very dark place so be advised even if 50% of us still believes this was a "black comedy".
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We're in the future! The further we progress into the future, the more you feel what a sham all those sci-fi concepts are. ANYWAY what better way to celebrate the future than by going into the past.
Yeah, we're covering the highly requested and regarded Todd Haynes, New Queer Cinema staple, 'Glam Rock' celebration: VELVET GOLDMINE. Starring a slew of big names from Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ewan McGregor, Christian Bale, Eddie Izzard and Toni Collette. In the 'THIS IS NOT David Bowie' universe of the 60's and 70's rise of Glam, we have very similar figures pretending to be an Iggy Pop imposter with a dodgy accent.
So sit back, kick off those glad rags and platform shoes and settle in! Bang a a gong! Ride a white swan! [INSERT ANOTHER T-REX LYRIC HERE]
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We made it to the end of 2023. And OH what a year it has been. Has it been as exciting and riveting as the completely unidentifiable nor unique 2000's? Probably not.
In a sudden twist, as part of our annual "Christmas Key Party" (lol jks, kinda) we wined, dined, and we seduced Tighe and Renée into watching the newly released SALTBURN, written and directed by Emerald Fennell. The real twist is that we rarely cover new movies but this is something special. Without going in to too much detail, this might be one of the best moments in any film we've uncovered on this podcast.
Seriously guys, if you haven't seen the film, watch it please. Don't ruin it for yourselves listening to us blabber on about it. You have no excuse as the movie is available on Amazon Prime as of today (December 22, 2023) so it's free to subscribers.
Expect SPOILERS AHOY in this special festive and bumper final episode of 2023! Happy Holidays and many thanks to our listeners for sticking us out this long! See you in the New Year ya filthy animals!
- Se mer
