Episode 219 - Chilly Scenes of Winter (1979/1982)
Mary Versus the Movies
A bland office drone has an affair with his married coworker and becomes obsessed with her, while juggling his suicidal mother and unemployed best friend; did we mention it's a comedy? Starring John Heard, Mary Beth Hurt, Peter Riegert, Kenneth McMillan, and Gloria Grahame. Written and directed by Joan Micklin Silver
info_outline
Hollywood Avalon, ep. 33 - Parsifal (1912)
Mary Versus the Movies
A silent film of an opera sounds like a joke, but no, it's quite real--and honestly pretty disjointed and dull, playing more like highlights of Wagner's opera about the Holy Grail than a film in its own right. We also discuss Catholic theology, transubstantiation, incels, and Happy Days. Starring Vitale Di Stefano, Mario Bonnard, Mary Cleo Tarlarini, and Maria Caserini. Directed by Mario Caserini. This is a preview of the latest episode of our series Hollywood Avalon. To hear the entire episode, join the Mary Versus the Movies patreon for $3/month to hear this and the entire series Hollywood...
info_outline
Episode 218 - Missing (1982)
Mary Versus the Movies
An American journalist goes missing during the 1973 Chilean coup, and his family naively expects the U.S. government to help recover him, not realizing that they're behind the coup. Based on a true story. Starring Jack Lemmon, Sissy Spacek, John Shea, Melanie Mayron, and David Clennon. Written by Costa-Gavras and Donald E. Stewart. Directed by Costa-Gavras.
info_outline
Episode 217 - Walker (1987)
Mary Versus the Movies
An Acid Western about a 19th century American mercenary overthrowing the government of Nicaragua is one of the angriest farces ever committed to film, reflecting on not only the historical attrocities, but also the then on-going attrocities tied to the U.S. Iran-Contra scandals. It's the film that killed director Alex Cox's chances at a mainstream career, but what a way to go. Starring Ed Harris, Richard Masur, René Auberjonois, Peter Boyle, Miguel Sandoval, and Marlee Matlin. Written by Rudy Wurlitzer. Directed by Alex Cox. Music by Joe Strummer.
info_outline
Episode 216 - The Mysterious Castle in the Carpathians (1981) - special guest Josh Seybert
Mary Versus the Movies
We finally welcome our special guest Josh Seybert to talk about a Czech comedy based on a gothic Jules Verne novel about a singing count, his missing girlfriend, and a strange castle in Transylvania. We discuss language, world cinema, slapstick comedy, and why subtitles aren't a big deal. Josh is the host of several podcast projects, including Empathy at the Apocalypse with Andy Mascola, and the upcoming Uncle Morty Show. https://screamingatclouds.libsyn.com/ Starring Michal Dočolomanský, Evelyna Steimarová, Rudolf Hrušínský, Vlastimil Brodský, and Miloš Kopecký, Written by...
info_outline
Episode 215 - New York, New York (1977)
Mary Versus the Movies
Kicking off 2026 with an episode about Martin Scorsese's attempt at a big MGM-style movie: a dark post-war musical about a married pair of jazz performers from the team that wrote Cabaret and starring Liza Minnelli. Sounds like a dream come true for film lovers, right? The result is a flawed film that we ended up liking anyway. Starring Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli. Written by Earl Mac Rauch and Mardik Martin. Directed by Martin Scorsese. Music by Josh Kander and Fred Ebb.
info_outline
Hollywood Avalon, ep. 32 - Gawain and the Green Knight (1973)
Mary Versus the Movies
Once again we visit the a film based on the 14th century, Middle English, Christmas-set poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and walk away somewhat disappointed. Is Mary expecting too much? Why is she so obsessed with this poem? Will there ever be a version that satisfies her? Starring Murray Head, Ciaran Madden, Nigel Green, Anthony Sharp, Robert Hardy, Tony Steedman, and Ronald Lacy. Written by Philip M. Breen and Stephen Weeks. Directed by Stephen Weeks. This is a preview of the latest episode of our series Hollywood Avalon. To hear the entire episode, join the Mary Versus the Movies...
info_outline
Episode 214 - She's Gotta Have It (1986)
Mary Versus the Movies
A young Brooklyn artist juggles her multiple relationships in this romantic comedy, Spike Lee's first feature film, giving sex the Rashomon treatment. CW: rape/sexual assault is discussed Starring Tracy Camilla Johns, Tommy Redmond Hicks, John Canada Terrell, Spike Lee, Raye Dowell. Written and directed by Spike Lee
info_outline
Episode 213 - Who's That Girl (1987)
Mary Versus the Movies
A woman framed for murder, a yuppie lawyer with a socialite fiance, and a mountain lion loose in Manhattan cause havoc in a screwball comedy that maybe needed a couple of rewrites, but ultimately is some pretty mindless fun. Starring Madonn and Griffin Dunne. Written by Andrew Smith and Ken Finkleman. Directed by James Foley.
info_outline
Episode 212 - The Last Waltz (repost)
Mary Versus the Movies
Let's celebrate Thanksgiving 1970s-style, by watching Martin Scorsese's concert documentary of the last performance by The Band (or at least the Band with Robbie Robertson still part of it). It's not just a concert, of course--it's a meditation on the end of the 1960s counterculture, bookending Scorsese's earlier work in Woodstock. We also have an interview with Mary's mother about cinematography, editing, and keeping up with music when you age out of youth culture. Starring Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, Robbie Robertson, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Emmylou...
info_outlineA young Brooklyn artist juggles her multiple relationships in this romantic comedy, Spike Lee's first feature film, giving sex the Rashomon treatment.
CW: rape/sexual assault is discussed
Starring Tracy Camilla Johns, Tommy Redmond Hicks, John Canada Terrell, Spike Lee, Raye Dowell. Written and directed by Spike Lee