#452 Lem's ANDOR, Season 2 (2025)
A Quality Interruption
EPISODE #452-- Lo and behold, we're talking about Star Wars again. Even stranger, though, we're talking about good Star Wars. That's right. We're rapping about season two of ANDOR (2025), from Tony Gilroy, et al. It's a good one. It's a long one. TIME STAMPS (approximately): 4:30: We talk about the production of the show, as well as SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (2018) and ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (2016). 5:30: The Mon Mothma wedding song is called "Brasso." You're welcome. 32:30: We chat about the Prequel Trilogy 43:00: VENTURE BROS (2003 - )mentioned. 49:00: In defense of Dave Filoni, a man...
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#451 Dick's PROSPECT (2018)
A Quality Interruption
EPISODE 451-- To commemorate both good Star Wars and Pedro Pascal's rapid ascent to stardom, we decided to take on the 2018 indie sci-fi film, PROSPECT from Zeke Earl and Chris Caldwell. It's not a great movie, but it's a fun one to think about. TIME STAMPS (approximately): 19:30-- We talk briefly about WARFARE (2025). 22:00-- Raymond Chandler mentioned. 42:30-- PAPER MOON (1973) and Ryan O'Neal being a massive, abusive scumbag discussed. 48:30-- We talk about ANATOMY OF A MURDER (1959) and the origins of the "simple southern lawyer." 50:35-- Cruz recommends SOLARIS (1972). Tartovsky...
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#450 Heinlein's STAR WARS: EPISODE IV - A NEW HOPE (1977)
A Quality Interruption
EPISODE #450-- Just in time to miss May the 4th, but just in time for George Lucas' birthday (happy birthday, George!), we've got STAR WARS from 1977. It's a good one, this flick. You should check it out. We also chat about WARFARE (2025), STALKER (1979), ANDOR (2025), and THE GREATEST NIGHT OF POP (2024). Also, RIP the Pope, I guess. Join the cause at . Follow the us on on Bluesky at kislingconnection and cruzflores, on Instagram and on Tiktok . You can watch Cruz and show favorite Alexis Simpson on You Tube in "They Live Together." Thanks to our artists Julius Tanag () and...
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#449 MacDonald's WILLOW (1988)
A Quality Interruption
EPISODE #449-- We're almost there! To whet your appetite for the big 4-5-0 and to commemorate the life of leading man and weird-energy-haver, Val Kilmer, we're talking Ron Howard's WILLOW from 1988. It's not a good movie! I think it's a pretty good episode, though. You all know Willow. You know what's up. We also rap quizotically about Sidney Lumet's BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD (2007), Tony Gilroy's ANDOR, Season 1 (2022), Apple TV's THE STUDIO (2025), and Yang Fengliang and Zhang Yimou's JU DOU (1991). A solid spread of cinematic splendor, I say! Join the cause at . Follow the us on on...
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#448 Flaubert's SMOKE (1995)
A Quality Interruption
EPISODE #448-- We return to the wild world of 1990's indie cinema with the sit-around-and-chat-based movie SMOKE (1995), staring Harvey Kietel, Forest Whitaker, and, like, ten other 1990's guys. It's a real who's-who of That Guys. We also chat about the documentary SOUNDTRACK TO A COUP D'ETAT (2024), David Lean's LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962), DEN OF THIEVES 2: PANTERA (2025), Netflix's THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT (2020), and David Mamet's HOUSE OF GAMES (1987). A solid little episode with some solid little movies. Join the cause at . Follow the us on on Bluesky at kislingconnection and cruzflores, on...
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#447 L'Amour's DEAD MAN (1995)
A Quality Interruption
EPISODE #447-- After much hooting and hollering, we are back on the podcastin' trail with Jim Jarmusch's seminal DEAD MAN (1995) starign Gary Farmer, Robert Mitchum, and that guy from Pirates of the Caribbean. You know the one. The one with the texts. Anyways, fun movie. An important movie. We also ramble about the Oscar-winning documentary NO OTHER LAND (2024) (now available to rent and stream), BROOKLYN (2015), Michael Mann's BLACKHAT (2015), and the legacy sequel BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F (2024). A solid bunch of movies. A strange bunch of movies. Join the cause at . Follow the us on on...
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#446 Otomo's CONFLAGRATION (1958)
A Quality Interruption
EPISODE #446-- We return from Spring Break and mark the end of Black History Month with a journey back into our BS. That's right, we're talking a Yukio Mishima adaptation from the Golden Age of Japanese Cinema. Today we're rapping about Kon Ichikawa's CONFLAGRATION (1958), a beautiful look into post-War masculinity, obsession, disability, and religion. Good episode of a great movie. We also talk about WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL (2025), RUNAWAY JURY (RIP Gene Hackman), THE TERMINATOR, HBO's THE PITT, Amazon's REACHER, and another Ichikawa banger, FIRES ON THE PLAIN. Good stuff....
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#445 LaValle's GANJA & HESS (1973)
A Quality Interruption
EPISODE #445-- Once more into the breech for Black History Month. Today Cruz and James attempt to understand the impressionistic, indie cult horror classic, GANJA & HESS from 1973. We also mourn the passing of Gene Hackman, talking about THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971), as well as Kon Ichikawa's THE BURMESE HARP (Cruz has been on an Ichikawa kick-- we can't blame him). This is also our last film fro Black History Month, so we hope we did okay by the films, if nothing else. Join the cause at . Follow the us on on Bluesky at kislingconnection and cruzflores, on Instagram and on...
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#444 Bolan's THE EQUALIZER (2014)
A Quality Interruption
EPISODE #444-- We're talking Black History Month. We're talking Dad Cinema. That means only one thing: We're talking Mr. Denzel Washington, America's dad. Today that also means we're talking Anton Fuqua's THE EQUALIZER from 2014. It's a good one. Solid movie. Fun episode. We also talk the latest season of REACHER on Amazon, the Coen Bros' TRUE GRIT (2010), as well as A THOUSAND BLOWS (2025) on Disney+ and THE PITT (2025) on HBO Max. As always: A solid little spread. Join the cause at . Follow the us on on Bluesky at kislingconnection and cruzflores, on Instagram and on Tiktok . You...
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#443 Butler's THE WATERMELON WOMAN (1996)
A Quality Interruption
EPISODE #443-- We continue our celebration of black cinema with the 1996 indie darling, THE WATERMELON WOMAN written, directed, and staring Cheryl Dunye. It's on the Criterion Channel and Collection, so what's your excuse for avoiding this one? Do you hate cinema? We also talk about Oscar nominated pictures WICKED: PART I (2024) and FLOW (2024) (which actually won), as well as the classic medical drama from Cinemax, THE KNICK (2015). ALSO: Sorry if we're a bit out of our element with this one, but why come to us if you want a graduate-level discussion on contemporary black and African American...
info_outlineEPISODE 451-- To commemorate both good Star Wars and Pedro Pascal's rapid ascent to stardom, we decided to take on the 2018 indie sci-fi film, PROSPECT from Zeke Earl and Chris Caldwell. It's not a great movie, but it's a fun one to think about.
TIME STAMPS (approximately):
- 19:30-- We talk briefly about WARFARE (2025).
- 22:00-- Raymond Chandler mentioned.
- 42:30-- PAPER MOON (1973) and Ryan O'Neal being a massive, abusive scumbag discussed.
- 48:30-- We talk about ANATOMY OF A MURDER (1959) and the origins of the "simple southern lawyer."
- 50:35-- Cruz recommends SOLARIS (1972). Tartovsky supremacy continues!
- 54:40-- James recommends THE ORDER (2024)-- the film, not the order.
- 56:00-- Cruz mentions CARVER HER NAME WITH PRIDE (1958) and James talks about the Leo Marks book BETWEEN SILK AND CYANIDE.
- 60:00-- James talks briefly about Denzel Washington's precious little coffee cups in THE EQUALIZER 3 (2023).
OTHER LINKS:
Join the cause at Patreon.com/Quality. Follow the us on on Bluesky at kislingconnection and cruzflores, on Instagram @kislingwhatsit, and on Tiktok @kislingkino. You can watch Cruz and show favorite Alexis Simpson on You Tube in "They Live Together." Thanks to our artists Julius Tanag (http://www.juliustanag.com) and Sef Joosten (http://spexdoodles.tumblr.com). The theme music is "Eine Kleine Sheissemusik" by Drew Alexander. Also, I've got a newsletter, so maybe go check that one out, too.
Listen to DRACULA: A RADIO PLAY on Apple Podcasts, at dracularadio.podbean.com, and at the Long Beach Playhouse at https://lbplayhouse.org/show/dracula
And, as always, Support your local unions! UAW, SAG-AFTRA, and WGA strong and please leave us a review on iTunes or whatever podcatcher you listened to us on!