CinemaSpection

Join Agatha, Tim, and their various guests as they discuss, analyze, critique, mock, and otherwise appreciate some of your favorite (and not-so-favorite) movies, from classics to the newest blockbusters.

Dragonslayer 11/22/2024

Dragonslayer Chris Chipman joins us again as we journey to a long lost age of monsters and movie magic and do battle with 1981's Dragonslayer. Listen as we marvel over the film's incredible animatronic and go-motion effects, examine how the film's portrayal of religion and authority reflects post-Vietnam cynicism, and discuss the movie's place among other 1980s fantasy films. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a crazy, murdering nutbar. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/34113631

The Quick and the Dead 05/24/2024

The Quick and the Dead The street is ours as Peter joins us once again to draw our guns on one of the wildest and most entertaining Westerns ever made, The Quick and the Dead from 1995. Listen as we chronicle the decline of the Western as a film genre in the late 1990s, marvel at director Sam Raimi's visual ingenuity in creating the movie's unique look, and praise producer and star Sharon Stone's foresight in casting then lesser-known actors such as Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and phallic firearm discussions. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/31445957

Salem Horror Fest 2024 - Weekend 1 05/20/2024

Salem Horror Fest 2024 - Weekend 1 In this special episode, Salem Horror Fest returns to haunt the show as as Tim discusses some of the various events, short films, and features presented at SHF 7 including: It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This Livescreamers Sacrificio Slip Free Bench Must Pick Up Today Kombucha! Giallo Overnights Valley of Souls Scam Three Baths Inner Demons Pest The Management Who's There? The Bounce House The Power of the Strike Lady Parts Scratch The Thaw The Basement Cold Young Blondes Stalked and Murdered Faceless After Dark Red Gloves The Perfect Place to Cry The Gourd, the Brad, and the Ghostly The Haunted Baby Carriage From Hell Pontianak The Lure My Scary Indian Wedding I Know What You Need All That You Love Will Be Carried Away One for the Road The Monkey Check out Salem Horror Fest at Salem Horror Fest art by David Dembowski. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/31388182

The Best of 2023 03/01/2024

The Best of 2023 It's our annual wrap-up of the best movies of the previous year as we dive into our favorite films of 2023. Listen as we rationalize why acclaimed "perfect" films didn't make it on our lists and praise the courage of actors willing to let it rip onscreen. Our movie choices feature debauched adventures of the perverted rich, triumphant big-screen adventures of our childhood heroes (whether plastic, geriatric, or atomic), and return appearances by auteurs such as Emerald Fennell, Ari Aster, and Brandon Cronenberg. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and multiple appearances by Larry Fessenden (yay!!). Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/30191088

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 12/21/2023

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation We're spending this Christmas with the Griswolds and enduring squirrels, explosive sewer gas, and other yuletide dangers with a discussion of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation from 1989. Listen as we examine the film's depiction of holiday nostalgia and obsession, praise the underappreciated comic genius of Beverly D'Angelo, and debate the proper amount of Cousin Eddie a film should contain. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a disturbing reimagining of King Kong. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/29176678

The Man With The Golden Gun 11/30/2023

The Man With The Golden Gun Bob Chipman joins us again for our latest 'woke brawl' with 007 and this time we're setting our sights on The Man With the Golden Gun from 1974. Listen as we praise the suave menace of Christopher Lee, pine for the lost Alice Cooper theme song we might have had, and encounter that most rare of circumstances: a James Bond film Agatha enjoyed!! Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and intrusive slide whistles. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/28874793

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari 10/25/2023

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari To truly appreciate this episode, you must become Caligari! We're going back to the origins of horror as we delve into the madness of Robert Wiene's 1920 thriller Das Cabinet des Dr. Caligari A.K.A. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari! Listen as we discuss the disputed origins of the film's story and style, Agatha attempts to explain the nuances of the Expressionism movement that provided the film's unorthodox visual style, and Tim accuses the main character of murder. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a lot of handy strait-jackets. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/28415630

Blue Thunder 07/27/2023

Blue Thunder We're back and we're bringing the Thunder as we welcome Gabe Ciociola to the show on an orientation flight and we use our sophisticated surveillance technology to record a conversation on the 1983 technothriller Blue Thunder. Listen as we discuss the film's themes of police militarization and misuse of technology, gush over the movie's amazing aerial stunts and action scenes, and chart how the original spec screenplay was dramatically changed for the finished film. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a Christmas present controversy. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/27577698

First Run - Sweet Relief 07/02/2023

First Run - Sweet Relief In this quick First Run review, Tim takes on the newest and creepiest internet challenge to review Sweet Relief, the second film from Nick Verdi, director of Cockazoid. Check out The Barrens Hideout Podcast, who held the screening of the film discussed in this episode and recorded a Q&A with the filmmakers: Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. Subscribe to our podcast . Listen to us on Stitcher . Whether you agree or disagree, if you have an opinion on this movie, leave a comment and keep the conversation going. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/27348696

Salem Horror Fest 2023 - Weekend 2 05/11/2023

Salem Horror Fest 2023 - Weekend 2 In this special episode, Tim wraps up his coverage Salem Horror Fest 6 by discussing some of the various events, short films, and features he saw including: Dead End T Blockers The House Sitters Saint Drogo The Blair Witch Project The Hitcher The Weird Kidz Follow Her Guys at Parties Like It Bliss of Evil Swallowed Fright Night Part 2 HeBGB TV Maya Pou The Forest Hills Check out Salem Horror Fest at Salem Horror Fest art by David Dembowski. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/26806926

Salem Horror Fest 2023 - Weekend 1 04/28/2023

Salem Horror Fest 2023 - Weekend 1 In this special episode, Salem Horror Fest is back! Listen as Tim discusses some of the various events, short films, and features presented at SHF 6 including: Candyman Witch Hunt Satan Wants You Demon Box Wolves John Carpenter's The Fog The Blood on Satan's Claw No More Time The Ones You Didn't Burn Pendulum Stag Bury the Bride Demons Check out Salem Horror Fest at www.salemhorror.com Salem Horror Fest art by David Dembowski. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/26679999

Outtake: The Adventures of Charters & Caldicott 03/29/2023

Outtake: The Adventures of Charters & Caldicott As part of his research for our recent episode on Alfred Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes, guest Noel Thingvall did a deep dive into the cinematic career of actors Naunton Wayne and Basil Radford, who steal the movie as the very British comic relief characters Charters and Caldicott. While this particular tangent went a bit too long to be included in the episode, we've decided to present it complete here. Listen as Noel discusses their onscreen partnership through the 30s and 40s where they reprised their roles, and played variations on them, in a series of films. It may not be cricket, but it's a fascinating journey. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/26373471

The Lady Vanishes 03/23/2023

The Lady Vanishes All aboard as Noel Thingvall returns to the show for a train ride into international intrigue courtesy of the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, and his comedic thriller The Lady Vanishes. Listen as we discuss the movie's wild tonal switches, the film's portrait of pre-World War II British politics, and the charm of scene-stealing supporting characters Charters and Caldicott. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and longing for Karloff / Lugosi road comedies. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/26323845

Boston Science Fiction Marathon SF48 02/28/2023

Boston Science Fiction Marathon SF48 We're back for the 48th annual Boston Science Fiction Festival to cover the 'Thon, the 24-hour sci-fi marathon! For the first time in five years we're in person at the Somerville Theater in Massachusetts to record our in-the-moment observations (and exhaustion) on the thirteen films shown for the marathon, which include two Arnold Schwarzenegger action epics, first outings for two classic monsters, encounters with time-traveling doppelgangers, and friendly and unfriendly androids. Please note that due to the nature of this event and the circumstances of its recording, the audio quality is not up to our usual standards. We hope this doesn't detract too much from your enjoyment of this episode. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and an unexpected piano recital. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley. through Lynne Publishing /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/26085459

The Best of 2022 02/22/2023

The Best of 2022 We're back to run down our list of the best movies released during 2022. Listen in as we discuss how the accessibility of movies led us toward some off-beat films, the surge of great horror movies this year, and the value of rewatchability. Our favorite flicks include desperate quests for fame, risk-taking animated films, harrowing looks at the culinary world, and forays into strange performance art. Warning: Contains explicit language, mild spoilers, and praise for the great James Hong. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/26008887

The Apartment 12/22/2022

The Apartment For our final episode for 2022, we've invited Kay Lynch back for a game of gin rummy and a discussion on Billy Wilder's groundbreaking 1960 comedy/drama The Apartment. Listen as we examine the movie's amazing mix of humor and pathos, praise Jack Lemmon's amazing comedic abilities, and criticize corporate culture language-wise, morality-wise, and everything-wise. Warning: Contains discussion of suicidal ideation, explicit language, spoilers, and Tim's clunkiest joke yet. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/25406907

Black Christmas 12/08/2022

Black Christmas Before everyone goes on holiday break, we're inviting film critic Jessica Scott onto the show to help us answer some disturbing phone calls and celebrate the yuletide season with Bob Clark's superior slasher film Black Christmas from 1974. Listen as we discuss the effectiveness of the film's restraint and ambiguity, explore the story's themes of patriarchy and found families, and explain why Barb may be the best slasher movie character of all time. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and symbolic sweaters and fur coats. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/25271781

Live and Let Die 11/30/2022

Live and Let Die Bob 'Moviebob' Chipman joins us for another outing with James Bond, but this time we all get Moore than we bargained for... Roger Moore, as we take on one of the most offensive films of the 007 series with the blaxploitation-influenced thriller Live and Let Die. Listen as we grapple with the movie's incredibly racist plot and characters, take aim at Moore's portrayal of the venerable super-spy, and ponder why the filmmakers decided an obnoxious redneck sheriff should serve as the film's comic relief. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and lots of poorly-served character actors. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/25182270

Night of the Living Dead (Commentary) 10/30/2022

Night of the Living Dead (Commentary) We continue to celebrate horror for October by talking about one of Tim's favorite films and one of the most influential horror movies ever made. We're sitting sit down for a commentary track for the original Night of the Living Dead. Listen as we praise director George Romero's low-budget innovations, explore the various social and racial messages of the film, and comment on its stylistic tweaking of horror conventions. Listen for our countdown on when to start your copy of the movie so it syncs with the commentary. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and it's dead... it's all messed up. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/24847305

Phantom of the Paradise (Commentary) 10/21/2022

Phantom of the Paradise (Commentary) We're celebrating Halloween season with a commentary track for one of Agatha's favorite movies, Brian De Palma's 1974 cult horror musical Phantom of the Paradise! Listen as we praise the amazing songwriting of Paul Williams, identify De Palma's various references to classic films, and marvel at Jessica Harper's dancing. Listen for our countdown to start your copy of the movie. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and awkward traveling mattes. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/24764505

Strangers on a Train 09/20/2022

Strangers on a Train Keep your tickets handy for the conductor as we have a chance encounter with the quintessential Alfred Hitchcock thriller, Strangers on a Train. Listen as we discuss Hitch's foray into film noir, praise Robert Walker's performance as the film's delusional villain, and explore the story's homoerotic subtext. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and carousel casualties. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/24437277

Death Proof (Commentary) 08/31/2022

Death Proof (Commentary) We have miles to go before we sleep so we’re hitting the gas on another commentary track as we talk through one of Agatha’s favorite films: the extended cut of Quentin Tarantino’s exploitation tribute Death Proof. We’ll discuss how the film’s subject matter reflects some of Tarantino’s less savory personality traits and personal history, note how the film was expanded from the version presented in Grindhouse, and point out some of Tarantino’s cinematic allusions. Listen for our countdown to start your copy of the movie. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and lots of pretty cars. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/24222996

Metropolis 08/04/2022

Metropolis From the highest skyscrapers to the deepest catacombs, we're going high and low to examine Fritz Lang's highly influential silent science fiction epic Metropolis from 1927. Kyle Brunet joins us again as we discuss the film's metaphorical depiction of class warfare, compare the screenplay to the excesses of author Thea von Harbou's novel, and analyze the differences in the various versions of the movie. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and the beginnings of our pessimistic new show, Doomcast!! Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/23955042

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (Commentary) 06/21/2022

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (Commentary) It's been 40 years since the release of Steven Spielberg's heartwarming (and heart-glowing) blockbuster E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and we're celebrating with a full commentary track for the movie. Listen as we wax nostalgic about Star Wars toys and Atari games, note the film's parallels with other Spielberg productions such as Close Encounters and Poltergeist, and ponder why there are so many Raggedy Ann dolls in the Taylor household. Listen for our countdown to start your copy of the movie. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and some inarticulate crying. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/23490089

Invaders From Mars (1953) 05/31/2022

Invaders From Mars (1953) Gee whiz!!! Noel Thingvall joins us once again as we burrow into the sand to face William Cameron Menzies' classic 1953 sci-fi chiller Invaders From Mars. Listen as we debate the effectiveness of the film's nightmarish final reveal, criticize Martian mutant couture, and re-examine Tobe Hooper's 1986 remake of the movie. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and an epic battle with a spider. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/23286761

This Island Earth 05/04/2022

This Island Earth Clear your interociter screens as Noel Thingvall joins us again to discuss the pulpy sci-fi thriller This Island Earth from 1955. Listen as we examine the changing politics in the adaptation of the story from its source novel, comment how on how the film's reputation was changed by Mystery Science Theater 3000, and detail the impressive filmography of Orangey the Cat. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and confusion over the pronunciation of Faith Domergue's name. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/23010257

The Public Enemy 03/31/2022

The Public Enemy We’re offering up a generous serving of beer, blood, and grapefruit as we watch another all-time great gangster movie, 1931’s The Public Enemy. Listen as we celebrate the magnetic screen presence of leading man James Cagney, thrill to director William Wellman’s dynamic visual style, and examine how the movie has inspired various crime films throughout the years, from the work of Martin Scorsese to A Clockwork Orange. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and lots of unresolved mommy issues. Also please be advised that in discussing the movie we do discuss a sexual assault and domestic violence that occur in the film. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/22641047

Little Caesar 03/21/2022

Little Caesar We're joining the rackets with the original gangster flick as we talk about Little Caesar from 1931. Listen as we heap praise on Edward G. Robinson's iconic performance as ambitious mobster Rico Bandello, explore the title character's ambiguous sexual orientation, and note real-life incidents of mob violence that inspired the events of the movie. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and lots of 1930s gangster slang, see? Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/22509221

Boston Science Fiction Marathon SF47 02/27/2022

Boston Science Fiction Marathon SF47 It's our 4th annual all-nighter with the Boston Science Fiction Marathon as we endure SF47's onslaught of a dozen sci-fi flicks in 24 hours. We're loaded up on coffee and Moxie as we face ecological disasters, anti-scientific attitudes, cinematic pandemics, thought-provoking explorations of the universe, and a nonsensical Star Wars rip-off. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and a deus ex monkey-na. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/22273832

Bringing Up Baby 02/18/2022

Bringing Up Baby This episode Noel Thingvall joins us again as we dig up missing dinosaur bones, get a leash around a tame leopard, and discuss Howard Hawk's classic screwball comedy Bringing Up Baby. Listen as we analyze whether Katharine Hepburn's impulsive heiress is the original Manic Pixie Dream Girl, chuckle at the risqué innuendos the script manage to slip by the censors, and propose potential sequels involving Mothra and deadly tar pits. Warning: Contains explicit language, spoilers, and descriptions of Bruce Willis dubbed into Japanese. Our theme song is "Nostalgia TV" by Edward Jonathan Blakeley through Lynne Publishing. /episode/index/show/cinemaspection/id/22185752

CinemaSpection

TOPICS