On this special episode, Mike talks with the directors of two horror-related documentaries: Kyra Elise Gardner of Living with Chucky (2022) and Daphné Baiwir of King on Screen (2022).
We kick off Czechtember 2022 with a look at Vojtech Jansy’s The Cassandra Cat (1963). Also known as “When the Cat Comes,” the film is a fairy tale about a little city which lives under the protective eye of Oliva (Jan Bierch). When he was young he almost ran away with the circus which featured an unusual act of a cat which could show people their true colors... literally.
Special Guests: Jean W. Cash, Michael Fitzgerald, Dan Shor, Amy Wright Guest Co-Hosts: Maitland McDonagh, Philip Marinello
Maitland McDonagh and Philip Marinello join Mike to discuss the 1979 film from John Huston, Wise Blood. Based on the book by Flahnery O’Connor, the film stars Brad Dourif as Hazel Motes, a veteran who goes to the big city and decides to become a street preacher and he’s not out to make a quick buck though everyone else around him does.
Interviews on this episode include Prof. Jean W. Cash (author of Flahnery O'Connor: A Life), writer/producer Michael Fitzgerald, actor Dan Shor, and actress Amy Wright.
Special Guests: Neal Israel, Gabriel Jarret, Jon Gries Guest Co-Hosts: Chris Bricklemyer, Ryan Luis Rodriguez
Chris Bricklemyer (Outside the Cinema) and Ryan Luis Rodriguez (The Coolness Chronicles) join Mike to discuss the 1985 film from Martha Coolidge, Real Genius.
Written by Pat Proft and Neal Israel, the film stars Gabe Jarret as Mitch Taylor, a 15 year old who is recruited into a top engineering college by Professor Jerry Hathaway (William Atherton). Hathaway has been secretly contracted by the US military to create a new weapon -- a space laser -- which can vaporize a target from the upper atmosphere. Mitch is paired with the hottest of hot shots at the school, Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) in a real career kick-starter role.
Interviews on this episode include Gabe Jarret, Neal Israel, and the one-and-only Jon Gries.
Special Guest: Gaetana Marrone Guest Co-Hosts: Emma Westwood, Kat Ellinger
We’re looking at Liliana Cavani's The Night Porter (1974). Set in 1957 Vienna, Max Aldorfer (Dirk Bogard) is the titular night porter. When a conductor and his wife, Lucia (Charlotte Rampling) check in to Max's motel, he is thrown into a tizzy. He’s been living a quiet life and trying to stay under the radar as he’s a war criminal who has just been confronted with one of his victims... who was also his sex slave.
Released in 1970, Bernardo Bertolucci's The Conformist is set primarily in 1938 Europe. We follow the life of Marcello Clerici (Jean-Louis Trintingant), the titular conformist, a man who tries desperately to fit in and follow the party line.
Special Guests: Belinda Burton-Watts, Dennis Bartok, Craig Rogers Guest Co-Hosts: David Walker, Leon Chase
On this special episode we’re looking at the 1974 film from Sal Watts, Solomon King. The film tells the tale of the titular Solomon King who is portrayed by writer and co-director Watts himself. He’s a former CIA operator who becomes embroiled in international intrigue involving the Middle East. He’s trying to protect the Princess Oneewa (Claudia Russo) from her cousin, Hassan (Richard Scarso), who has assassins in the US and a mole in the CIA. Things look bleak for Solomon King but he’s got Manny and Uncle John on his side.
To commemorate 25 years since its 1997 release New York's Japan Society screened Hayao Miyazaki’s mystical epic Princess Mononoke on July 22, 2022. Mike spoke with IndieWire's David Ehrlich about the seminal anime film.
Special Guests: Kyra Elise Gardner, Daphné Baiwir
Guest Co-Hosts: Spencer Parsons, Chris Stachiw
Special Guests: Jean W. Cash, Michael Fitzgerald, Dan Shor, Amy Wright
Special Guests: Neal Israel, Gabriel Jarret, Jon Gries
Special Guest: Gaetana Marrone
Guest Co-Hosts: Samm Deighan, Dahlia Schweitzer
Special Guests: Belinda Burton-Watts, Dennis Bartok, Craig Rogers
To commemorate 25 years since its 1997 release New York's Japan Society screened Hayao Miyazaki’s mystical epic Princess Mononoke on July 22, 2022. Mike spoke with IndieWire's David Ehrlich about the seminal anime film.
