I was recently a guest -- twice! -- on Mark Begley's Wake Up Heavy podcast to discuss two of my favorite films, <
David Lynch's Eraserhead () and Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver.
I hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I enjoyed talking about them.
Based on a novel from the early 19th century book by Jan Potocki, The Saragossa Manuscript / Rekopis znaleziony w Saragossie (1965) tells the rather oblique tale of Alphonse Van Worden (Zbigniew Cybulski), a Walloon captain of the guard, and his circular adventures in the region of Zaragoza which is in modern day Spain.
Special Guest: Toby Roan Guest Co-Hosts: Paul Zimmerman, Jamey Duvall
Based on Charles Neider's book The Authentic Death of Hendry Jones, One-Eyed Jacks (1961) tells the tale of Rio AKA The Kid, played by Marlon Brando, and Dad Longsworth, played by Karl Malden. The two are outlaws who take very different paths, the Kid being a "noble" criminal while Dad eventually becomes a servant of the law. We watch them spar in the coastal Californian city of Monterrey where the tumultuous water serves as a metaphor for the raging emotions inside each man.
The film was originally supposed to have been a powerhouse production with Sam Peckinpah writing the adaptation, Stanley Kubrick directing, and Brando as the star. But things don't always work out the way they're supposed to. Instead, this became the first and only film that Brando directed.
Daniel Bird and Maitland McDonagh join Mike to discuss the 1948 film from Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, The Red Shoes. The film centers on the tumultuous world of dance, namely ballet. We follow Julian Craster (Marius Goring) and Vicky Page (Moira Shearer) through triumphs and misfortunes.
A favorite of Martin Scorsese, the film is a triumph of melodrama and includes several breathtaking dance sequences, most notably an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Red Shoes.
Mike talks to Steven Okazaki about his documentary, Mifune: The Last Samurai (2016) which examines the samurai films of Toshiro Mifune, especially those he made with Akira Kurosawa.
Mifune: The Last Samurai will be released on home video in the U.S. on April 25, 2017.
Mike talked to producer Randall Emmett about his career (Narc, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, Lone Survivor) and the long journey Martin Scorsese's Silence (2016) took to get to the silver screen.
Special Guest: Allen Baron Guest Co-Host: Howard A. Rodman
Danger signal! It's an episode all about Allen Baron's 1961 neorealistic Blast of Silence, the story bad boy Frankie Bono, a hit man who comes to New York City at Christmas to fulfill a contract. He's torn between his obligation to pull the trigger and his heart.
We're joined this week by guest co-host Howard A. Rodman to talk about "Hart to Hart," Winky Dink, film preservation, and more.
Music:
"A Blast, A Flash, Then... Silence" - Motw Dark Side
"Blast of Silence" - M.O.T.O.
"For Now One" - The Beatles
"Blast of Silence" - Kewpie Dolls
Special Guests: Michael Ballhaus & Darren J. N. Middleton
Just in time for Easter, we're looking at Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ. Initially slated for release in 1984, the film was derailed for years. We examine the history, the controversy, and the film.
Music Mix:
Jesus Was Way Cool - King Missile
Too Much Heaven On Their Minds - Carl Anderson
Ten Wheels For Jesus - Elvis Hitler
Jesus Built My Hot Rod - Ministry
Jesus Christ Pose - Sound Garden
Chocolate Jesus - Tom Waits
Plastic Jesus - Jello Biafra
Always Look on The Bright Side of Life - Harry Nilsson
Man Up - Book of Mormon Soundtrack
Jesus Is Back In Black
American Jesus - Dean Gray
Too Much Heaven on Their Minds
Jesus Christ Superstar - Laibach
Special Guest: Illeana Douglas Guest Co-Host: Skizz Cyzyk
Allison Anders's Grace of My Heart tells the story of Edna Buxton (Illeana Douglas), a singer/songwriter whose life and loves are documented through song.
I was recently a guest -- twice! -- on Mark Begley's Wake Up Heavy podcast to discuss two of my favorite films, <
David Lynch's Eraserhead () and Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver.
Guest Co-Hosts: 
Special Guests: 
Special Guest: 
Guest Co-Hosts: 
Special Guest: 
Special Guest: 
Special Guest: Shawn Levy
Special Guest: Allen Baron
Special Guests: Michael Ballhaus
Special Guest: