Cinecast A/V #4: Overlooked DVD Picks (Dysfunctional Families)

In this Dysfunctional Family edition of Cinecast A/V, Adam goes soft core and recommends a cinephile-friendly (or is that 'SKIN-a-phile'-friendly"?) Bertolucci film. Meanwhile, inspired by his recent audience with Joaquin Phoenix's Johnny Cash, Sam recommends the story of fictional country star Mac Sledge. Booze, broken homes and a menages-a-trois... ah, memories of Thanksgiving.

Please email any feedback to cinecast@cinecastshow.com.

Cinecast #57: It's Pronounced COE-ven

Horror Marathon #3 - Suspiria: Dario Argento's 1977 Italian horror film "Suspiria" may not be widely known among average cinephiles, but to horror buffs it's considered a classic. Adam thought Argento's bold visual style was stunning; Sam wondered if maybe the script was written by an 11 year-old with a vivid imagination. (Oh, Sam.) After panning Argento, Sam woke up to find maggots raining down from his bedroom ceiling. But there weren't enough maggots to scare him... just enough to make him laugh.

Also on the show, we reveal our Top 5 Music Moments.

Music by Ryan Adams courtesy of Bloodshot Records ... Cinecast theme music by Age of the Rifle.



Cinecast #57
:33-11:34 - Horror Marathon - Week 3: "Suspiria"
Music: Ryan Adams, "Shakedown on 9th Street"
12:24-26:58 - Top 5 Music Moments: Requiem for a Valkyrie

Have a comment or Top 5 list you'd like to share? Send us an e-mail at cinecast@cinecastshow.com. Or give us a call at 206-203-CINE and leave a voice message.

Cinecast #56: Biopic Prison Blues

Walk the Line: The music of Johnny Cash is alive and well in director James Mangold's Cash biopic "Walk The Line" -- even as performed by Cash stand-in Joaquin Phoenix. In his attempt to get the full measure of the 'Man in Black', however, Mangold sticks too closely to formula. Phoenix certainly does Cash justice, and Reese Witherspoon is charming as June Carter; but both Adam and Sam can't help feeling that the movie sacrifices depth for breadth.

Also on the show, Listener Feedback, the most embarrassing installment of Massacre Theatre EVER, and a look ahead to our Top 5 Music Moments.

Massacre Theatre presented by the Elemental-Gear podcast, bringing you insightful computing technology opinions, discussions and reviews.

Music by Martin Sexton courtesy of Kitchen Table Records ... Cinecast theme music by Age of the Rifle.



Cinecast #56
:32-16:41 - Review: "Walk the Line"
Music: Martin Sexton, "Diner"
18:15-19:53 - Cinecast Notes (The Only Listener In East Africa)
19:54-33:45 - Listener Feedback (The Princess, the Preppie, the Squid and the Whale)
Music: Martin Sexton, "Love Keep Us Together"
35:03-39:03 - Massacre Theatre: Adam and Sam Unplugged
39:04-46:34 - Top 5 Preview: Music Moments

Have a comment or Top 5 list you'd like to share? Send us an e-mail at cinecast@cinecastshow.com. Or give us a call at 206-203-CINE and leave a voice message.

Cinecast Schedule

This Week

Wednesday, Nov. 23 - "Walk the Line," Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre presented by Elemental Gear, Top 5 Music Moments Preview

Friday, Nov. 25 - "Suspiria," Top 5 Music Moments

Next Week

Wednesday, Nov. 30 - A/V #4: Overlooked DVD Picks (Dysfunctional Families)

Friday, Dec. 2 - "Rent," "Pride and Prejudice" or "The Weather Man," "Halloween," Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre, Top 5

Cinecast #55: Families That Eat Together, Stay Together

Horror Marathon #2: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: "The podcast which you are about to hear is an account of the tragedy which befell a group of two youths, in particular Sam Hallgren and his in-valid co-host, Adam Kempenaar...." If you don't get the reference, it's because you've avoided "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" for as long as we had. And you were probably hoping we'd tell you to go on avoiding it, weren't you? Well, in Week 2 of our six-part Horror Marathon, we've got a surprise for you -- don't fear the meathook.

Also on the show, a bit of Listener Feedback and our Top 5 Dysfunctional Families.

Music by The Handsome Family courtesy of Bloodshot Records ... Cinecast theme music by Age of the Rifle.



Cinecast #55
:33-11:14 - Horror Marathon - Week 2: "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"
Music: The Handsome Family, "The Lost Soul"
12:05-16:41 - Listener Feedback: Too critical?
16:42-30:57 - Top 5 Dysfunctional Families: Capturing the Robinsons

Have a comment or Top 5 list you'd like to share? Send us an e-mail at cinecast@cinecastshow.com. Or give us a call at 206-203-CINE and leave a voice message.

Cinecast #54: Divorce, New Yorker Style

The Squid and the Whale: Indulgent, absent a true protagonist, and maybe even a little condescending to its intended highbrow audience, Noah Baumbach's semi-autobiographical new film is also remarkably detailed, frequently hilarious, and almost impeccably acted. (Sorry Laura Linney, you were, um, less than impeccable). Adam was slightly less effusive in his praise than Sam, but both agree that Baumbach and especially Jeff Daniels as the pretentious patriarch earn all of the praise critics seem to be heaping on them.

Also on the show, Listener Feedback (You Can't Handle The Suck Edition), Massacre Theatre (Dysfunctional Acting Edition), and a look ahead to our Top 5 Dysfunctional Families (Chicken Salad Sandwich, Toasted, Edition).

Massacre Theatre presented by Elemental-Gear ... Music by Dan Bern courtesy of Messenger Records ... Cinecast theme music by Age of the Rifle.



Cinecast #54
:35-17:20 - Review: "The Squid and the Whale"
Music: Dan Bern, "After the Parade"
18:23-22:25 - "Squid and the Whale" cont.
22:26-27:40 - Cinecast Notes
27:41-33:54 - Listener Feedback (Jarhead, Top 5 War Movies)
Music: Dan Bern, "New American Language"
35:34-37:44 - Massacre Theatre
37:45-43:33 - Top 5 Dysfunctional Families

Have a comment or Top 5 list you'd like to share? Send us an e-mail at cinecast@cinecastshow.com. Or give us a call at 206-203-CINE and leave a voice message.

Programming Notes

For the next few weeks Cinecast will remain on a Wednesday-Friday schedule instead of our usual Tuesday-Friday. Tuesday is just a better night for us to record right now than Monday. Here is our projected show schedule for the next few weeks:

Wednesday, Nov. 16
Friday, Nov. 18

Wednesday, Nov. 23
Thursday, Nov. 24 (A/V)
Friday, Nov. 25

Friday, Dec. 2 (one extended edition show)

Starting the week of Dec. 5 we should be back to our usual schedule. As always, thanks for listening!

Cinecast #53: Dawn of the Dukes

Horror Marathon - Week 1: Dawn of the Dead: For us, the scariest part about setting off on a six-week Horror Marathon was the fear of insulting the legions of horror buffs in the Cinecast audience. What if we didn't like George A. Romero's 1978 classic "Dawn of the Dead"? Would we lose half our audience? Well, happily, Romero's balancing act of me-generation satire and zombie-killing mayhem was a hoot.

Also on the show, Cinecast wraps up the eight-week Western-a-Week Marathon by handing out 'The Dukes'. Plus, we reveal our Top 5 War Movies.

Music by Nora O'Connor courtesy of Bloodshot Records ... Cinecast theme music by Age of the Rifle.



Cinecast #53
:34-10:12 - Horror Marathon: "Dawn of the Dead"
10:16-18:42 - Western-a-Week Awards: 'The Dukes'
Music: Nora O'Connor, "Two Way Action"
19:30-23:27 - 'The Dukes' continued
23:28-38:53 - Top 5 War Movies

Have a comment or Top 5 list you'd like to share? Send us an e-mail at cinecast@cinecastshow.com. Or give us a call at 206-203-CINE and leave a voice message.

Cinecast A/V #3: Overlooked DVD Picks (War Movies)

In the third installment of Cinecast A/V, Sam stretches his limber ballerina legs and the definition of 'War Movie', while Adam is man enough to share one of the few movies with an ending so sad that it makes him curl up into a ball and cry for mommy.

Every other Thursday, Adam and Sam will reveal their Overlooked DVD Picks of the Week on a separate dual-format podcast. As a regular Cinecast subscriber, you'll get the audio version of Cinecast A/V delivered the same way you get the Tuesday and Friday shows.

If you're one of the fortunate few currently in possession of a new iPod video, you can subscribe via this separate feed -- http://feeds.feedburner.com/cinecastav -- and have the video version automatically downloaded to your player. Of course, if you don't have one of the new iPods, you can still subscribe and watch the show in iTunes. Or just visit cinecastshow.com every week and watch it here (see 'Watch A/V' images/links above).

Please email any feedback to cinecast@cinecastshow.com.

Cinecast #52: Welcome To The Suck

Jarhead: Based on Anthony Swofford's bestselling 2003 memoir of the same name, "Jarhead" has an interesting -- and relevant -- story to tell about life in the U.S. Marine Corps circa 1990. Unfortunately, director Sam Mendes' film never rings true. Inspired in equal parts, it seems, by Swofford's book and by Mendes's favorite war movies, "Jarhead" lacks the spirit of authenticity that the most memorable war films share. A casualty of style over substance, the movie also features some disappointing performances by a few usually reliable actors.

Also on the show, Listener Feedback: Adam vs. Gandhi, Massacre Theatre: Sam vs. Acting, and a look ahead to our Top 5 War Movies: How I Stopped Worrying And Learned To Love Patton.

Music by Chuck Prophet ... Cinecast theme music by Age of the Rifle.



Cinecast #52
:32-17:21 - Review: "Jarhead"
Music: Chuck Prophet, "Old Friends"
18:54-21:38 - Corrections
21:39-28:59 - Listener Feedback (Capote, Top 5 Biopics)
Music: Chuck Prophet, "Just To See You Smile"
30:16-35:04 - Massacre Theatre
35:05-41:40 - Top 5 War Movies Preview

Have a comment or Top 5 list you'd like to share? Send us an e-mail at cinecast@cinecastshow.com. Or give us a call at 206-203-CINE and leave a voice message.

Romero Switcharoo

I know, I know... week 1 of the Horror Marathon and we're already switching up the schedule. Sorry. Due to some poor Netflix planning by your hosts, we're going to kick off the marathon this week with George Romero's "Dawn of the Dead" instead of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." The first four movies were all released within four years of each other, so I don't think changing up the chronology will be a big deal.

Cinecast #52 with a review of "Jarhead," Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre and a Top 5 War Movies preview will be posted late Tuesday night.

Cinecast #51: Cold Blooded

Capote: Everyone involved in the new film "Capote" shows a lot of restraint -- star Philip Seymour Hoffman, putting on an acting clinic in the showy title role; screenwriter Dan Futterman; and director Bennett Miller all keep Capote, the man, from overshadowing "Capote," the film. If only Adam and Sam had shown as much restraint in their recording of podcast #51. Cinecast celebrates its half-century mark by producing the first edition to clock in at over an hour. We hope you'll indulge us. (We'll be back to our usual, twice-weekly format next week.)

Also on the show, Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre, the concluding film in our Western-a-Week Marathon -- Sam Peckinpah's "The Wild Bunch" -- and our Top 5 Biopics.

Music by Kelly Hogan courtesy of Bloodshot Records ... Cinecast theme music by Age of the Rifle.



Cinecast #51
:38-17:15 - Review: "Capote"
Music: Kelly Hogan, "Strayed"
18:14-24:09 - Cinecast Notes
24:10-32:27 - Listener Feedback (Cinecast A/V, Top 5 Soundtracks)
Music: Kelly Hogan, "Gone"
33:20-35:13 - Listener Feedback (Top 5 Biographical Portrayals)
35:14-37:48 - Massacre Theatre
37:49-47:31 - Western-a-Week Marathon: "The Wild Bunch"
Music: Kelly Hogan, "Sugarbowl"
48:22-1:00:04 - Top 5 Biopics
1:00:19-1:01:54 - Horror Marathon Preview

Have a comment or Top 5 list you'd like to share? Send us an e-mail at cinecast@cinecastshow.com. Or give us a call at 206-203-CINE and leave a voice message.

Cinecasters Get Creative

Reminder: Cinecast #51 will available late tonight (see previous post). Thanks for your patience!

Also, thanks to everyone who has taken a moment to add yourself to the Cinecast-Frappr Map. The same way many of you reacted to Cinecast A/V, Sam and I are getting a kick out of being able to place a face with several of the names we've become familiar with in emails. (Not that you have to include a picture, of course.)

I wanted to take a moment to highlight a few items sent in by listeners with way too much time on their hands... kidding! First, Will Sparks in Charlottesville, VA attached this shot of Cinecast A/V #2 playing on his new iPod. Since Sam and I have yet to take the video plunge, it was great to get a glimpse of what the show looks like for the end user.

After hearing our recent discussion of "A Fistful of Dollars," Carter Schoenfeld in Lexington, KY had Clint Eastwood on the brain. "So when it came time to carve a pumpkin for Halloween," Carter writes, "I decided to try and pay tribute to Clint Eastwood and your show by carving the Man with No Name." Here's Carter's handiwork. Very impressive, I say.

Finally, Jorgen Pedersen figured why speculate what "Elizabethtown" would look like with our dream cast of Topher Grace and Reese Witherspoon when we can actually see it. Here's the new and improved poster. Come on, did Sam and I nail it, or what?

Thanks for all the great feedback (and creative attachments!) everyone.

Where's Cinecast!?

With Cinecast recently celebrating its 50th podcast, I hope you'll indulge Sam and I a quick respite from our twice-weekly grind. We're going to produce one extended edition podcast this week (50-60 minutes). We'll publish the show late Wednesday night, and it will include: a review of "Capote" ... Listener Feedback ... Massacre Theatre ... Western-a-Week Review: "The Wild Bunch" ... and our Top 5 Biopics.

Now for some other news and notes...

Put yourself on the map: Sam and I would like to thank listener Bassam Islam in Culver City, CA for creating the Cinecast-Frappr! map. We've added the link to our header throughout the site and would love to see where all of you Cinecasters are located. Please take a moment to add yourself.

The horror, the horror: With the Western-a-Week Marathon concluding this week, we've finalized the Horror-a-Week lineup (in chronological order):

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Suspiria
Dawn of the Dead
Halloween
Re-animator
Evil Dead 2

The list can also be found along the right rail. I plan to build a separate Horror Marathon page soon. Thanks to everyone who sent in suggestions. We've already received a few emails questioning some of our choices, so I just wanted to take a moment to highlight our criteria. 1) We decided against using any "classic" horror films, such as "The Haunting" (1965). We believe these films deserve their own Marathon later on down the road. 2) With the lone exception of "Halloween," which I have seen, these are movies that neither of us have seen. So for all of you wondering, "Where's 'The Exorcist,' 'The Shining', 'The Thing', 'Psycho', etc...?" None of these made the cut because they are all films Sam and I have both seen and, as it turns out, like very much. The intent of these marathons is to force ourselves to finally catch up to movies we have overlooked, which nicely sets up this email from Chris in CT: "I applaud you two on your choices for the Horror Marathon. Those are all classics of the genre. Which brings me to my reason for e-mailing you... Sweet Jesus!!! You have not seen any of those!?! Keep up the good work! Love the show." Better late than never, right Chris?

Spare some change?: Many thanks to Oliver, David, Chris N., Chris C. and Marcus for generously making a donation to Cinecast in October. Between web hosting and movie tickets, the costs do add up. If you'd like to help support Cinecast, click on the Paypal link at the top right of this page.

Correction: Tim Gerdes in Hamilton, NJ was one of several people who corrected a recent comment I made about how the wonderful Beatles tune "I've Just Seen A Face" was misguidedly replaced by the decidedly average "Drive My Car" on the CD version of "Rubber Soul." Tim explains:

In reference to a comment that Adam made on this past Tuesday's show, "Drive My Car" sits exactly where it should at the beginning of the "Rubber Soul" CD. The Beatles and their producer, George Martin, took great care in selecting the track listings for their British LPs, and the CDs reflect the original albums as the Beatles intended.

When Capitol Records started releasing Beatles albums in the US, they would chop up the running orders, move songs around and hold back a few tracks to create new albums — specific to the US market. None of this was the work of the band though, but rather greedy marketing executives. By the time Sgt. Pepper rolled around, and the Beatles had the clout to demand it, their albums were released in the US with the correct track listings.

I suggest that if you want to hear "I've Just Seen A Face" you look for it on the CD "Help!". Track 12. Sandwiched right where it belongs, between "Tell Me What You See" and "Yesterday".

Thanks for the clarification, Tim. Instead of railing against the studio executives who put the CD out, turns out I should have been ripping on the Beatles and George Martin. Sorry chaps, you got it wrong! I don't want to listen to "Face" on the CD "Help!" For me, it will always be the first track on the album "Rubber Soul" leading right into "Norwegian Wood," and that's the way it should be. Of course, I'm kidding here... but this is just one of those nostalgic things we all fall prey to sometimes. It's better the way I remember it, regardless of the explanation. I can't even hum the tune "Face" without hearing the crackle of the record needle. Clearly, I need to move on...