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Informed film discussion for the unrefined connoisseur.
Episodes
Sunday Jun 25, 2017
Sunday Jun 25, 2017
What madness is this? We decided that instead of doing a straight chornological run of the Bond, we would go with a "ping pong" method. How does that work? Basically, we are bouncing between the old and the new ones. We began with Dr. No, follow that with Spectre, next is From Russia With Love, follow that with Skyfall, and so on until we meet in the middle.
So, this week we come at you with the most recent installment "Spectre." This is in many ways a landmark Bond film. It marks the first time since Connery that the most iconic Bond villian, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, could be used. Yes, a Blofeld like figure did appear in For Your Eyes Only, but that wasn't offically Ernst. This is a big deal. Which, of course means that we spend zero time talking about that, and a lot of time talking about how "Blofeld" sounds like the name given to a fat character. It's what you've come to expect.
So, we talk classic Bond, fat names, and Toblerones. It's a damned good time.
We sahll return in two weeks time with... From Russia With Love.
Sunday Jun 18, 2017
Sunday Jun 18, 2017
And a new chapter begins. This week we start our look at the greatest secret agent in film history.
Since his big screen debut in 1962 Bond has been an institution, setting the bar for spy thriller and becoming a cultural icon in the process.
This week we actually look at two versions of Bond. The first being this....
This piece of absolute garbage introduced CIA agent Jimmy Bond, the midwest Wisconsin tire salesman of the year.
It's hard to put into words how bad it is, so check it out.
We also discuss the greatest technical advisor who ever lived, slow moving quickdraw artist Geoffrey Boothroy,
There is a lot to digest here.
But it should be noted, that both of these videos are more interesting than Dr. No.
Evidently, the world was once a very boring place and the idea of strolling along a beach, or walking through a hotel lobby or an airport were considered the height of adventure. That's the only way to explain how this (adjusted for inflation) 8 million dollar movie was able to make (adjusted for inflation) 459 million dollars.
Make no mistake, Dr. No is a boring film, but what can you do, it's Bond.
So join us as we marvel at how damned attractive young Sean Connery was in this introduction to the worlds most famous secret agent.
Don't worry, The Film Thugs will return next week wtih... Spectre.
Sunday Jun 11, 2017
Sunday Jun 11, 2017
The Criterion Collection, the last vestige of truly collectible DVD and Blu-Ray movies in existence. These are well produced, fancy pants editions of important and interesting films for the discerning film lover.
We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...
Pan's Labyrinth
Spine Number: 838
Director:Guillermo Del Toro
Genre: Drama
And just like that, our year and a half journey is at an end. And what a way to end it.
Guillermo Del Toro is really two directors. You have the English filmmaker, who puts out solidly entertaining, bad ass movies. Then you have the Spanish filmmaker, who makes solidly entertaining, artistic, bad ass movies. They are both awesome filmmakers, but there is something about that Spanish guy...
Pan's Labyrinth is something special. It almosts defys categorization. It's a fantasy film that is firmly rooted in a gritty, realistic world. It's scary, but not really a horror. It's a drama, but there is so much childlike wonder in it that... well... hell. Pan's Labyrinth, is Pan's Labytinth.
How good is this movie? It's so good we weren't able to make any jokes about it. Honestly, it's just amazing.
Why waste time writing about it? Check it out and take the final steps on this amazing journey with us.
Next week, our James Bond project begins with Dr. No, and the original TV version of Casino Royale. If you want to watch that first, heads up... it's awful, you can watch it on youtube, or... right here.
Thanks for listening to our Criterion Odyssey and please join us for our trek through the world of 007.
Also, check this out.
The Life Masters is now it's own show with its own site and own dedicated feed. That's right, we have two completely different shows!
Right now check it out at www.thelifemasters.podbean.com.
You can also drink in our brilliance on Youtube for both The Film Thugs and The Life Masters.
http://fantasymovieleague.com/
Looks like Summer Movie League has officially become Fantasy Movie League.
It looks quite fun. Here's how it works.
You have an 8 screen theater.
Every week you pick movies and have a budget/salary cap you have to stay under.
Then you compete against other theaters in your league.
It's fantasy football for movie people.
Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.
And remember, you can be a part of the show any time you wild like. How's that? All you have to do is call or e-mail us. If you live in the US, or any place that makes calling the US easy, just dial 512-666-RANT and leave us a voicemail. We will read the Google Voice transcript and play your message. It's both funny AND informative.
If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.
E-mail us at thefilmthugs@gmail.com and we will read/play whatever you send us, or you can e-mail thugquestions@gmail.com to be part of an upcoming "Ask the Film Thugs" show, where we answer questions on any subject without having heard them first.
Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.
Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.
Thanks for listening, and until next week...
Sunday Jun 04, 2017
Sunday Jun 04, 2017
The Criterion Collection, the last vestige of truly collectible DVD and Blu-Ray movies in existence. These are well produced, fancy pants editions of important and interesting films for the discerning film lover.
We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...
Blood Simple.
Spine Number: 834
Director:The Coen Brothers
Genre: Drama
As we have said before, there are a handful of filmmakers who seem to spring fully formed into existence. These unique, gifted artist hit the scene with a something that shows you pretty much everything you need to know about their style and just grow from there with it. Well, add The Coen Brothers to that list.
While Blood Simple might not seem like much of their later work, it isn't as overtly comedic, it still gives you a distillation of their style in a lean and direct package. There is humor, but there is also moral ambiguity, corruption, and a sense of justice in the end.
But it's also very tense and brutal. But that's what makes it work so well.
So, check it out with us. We promise a good time.
Next time we finish our prolonged year of Criterion with...
Spine number 838: Pan's Labyrinth
Also, check this out.
The Life Masters is now it's own show with its own site and own dedicated feed. That's right, we have two completely different shows!
Right now check it out at www.thelifemasters.podbean.com.
You can also drink in our brilliance on Youtube for both The Film Thugs and The Life Masters.
http://fantasymovieleague.com/
Looks like Summer Movie League has officially become Fantasy Movie League.
It looks quite fun. Here's how it works.
You have an 8 screen theater.
Every week you pick movies and have a budget/salary cap you have to stay under.
Then you compete against other theaters in your league.
It's fantasy football for movie people.
Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.
And remember, you can be a part of the show any time you wild like. How's that? All you have to do is call or e-mail us. If you live in the US, or any place that makes calling the US easy, just dial 512-666-RANT and leave us a voicemail. We will read the Google Voice transcript and play your message. It's both funny AND informative.
If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.
E-mail us at thefilmthugs@gmail.com and we will read/play whatever you send us, or you can e-mail thugquestions@gmail.com to be part of an upcoming "Ask the Film Thugs" show, where we answer questions on any subject without having heard them first.
Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.
Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.
Thanks for listening, and until next week...
Sunday May 28, 2017
Sunday May 28, 2017
The Criterion Collection, the last vestige of truly collectible DVD and Blu-Ray movies in existence. These are well produced, fancy pants editions of important and interesting films for the discerning film lover.
We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...
Chimes at Midnight
Spine Number: 830
Director:Orson Welles
Genre: Drama
Orson Welles is one of the few people who completely earns the title "Genuis." From his early stage work to his groundbreaking radio plays with the Mercury Players to his masterful film work he basically defined every medium he worked in.
Of course people focus on "Citizen Kane," which is resonable. I mean.. when your first movie is constantly duking it out for the title of Greatest Movie Ever Made, it tends to get some attention. But, some of his best and most impressive work was in the world of Shakespeare. His modern fascist retelling of Julius Caesar, his reimagining of MacBeth with an all African American cast are still considered some of the greatest producitons of Shakespear's work ever produced, and that was before he even consiered making movies.
So, what does a ballsy genuis top himself in the world of Shakespeare?
How about adapting three plays into a completely original work that focuses on one of the most well known secondary characters in all of Shakespeare's canon?
Yeah... he did that.
Chimes at Midnight combines elements from The Merry Wives of Windsor, and King Henry IV parts 1 & 2 and follows the character of Sir John Falstaff. Friend and tutor to young King Henry V, and one of the only characters to be almost completely defined by his cowardace.
Chimes at Midnight is a ballsy movie. How many people looked at one of the most respected bodies of work every produced in any language and said, "It's missing something."
But, that's just how Orson rolled.
So, join us as we take a look at this classic work from a one of cinema's most original voices.
Next time...
Spine number 834: Blood Simple
Also, check this out.
The Life Masters is now it's own show with its own site and own dedicated feed. That's right, we have two completely different shows!
Right now check it out at www.thelifemasters.podbean.com.
You can also drink in our brilliance on Youtube for both The Film Thugs and The Life Masters.
http://fantasymovieleague.com/
Looks like Summer Movie League has officially become Fantasy Movie League.
It looks quite fun. Here's how it works.
You have an 8 screen theater.
Every week you pick movies and have a budget/salary cap you have to stay under.
Then you compete against other theaters in your league.
It's fantasy football for movie people.
Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.
And remember, you can be a part of the show any time you wild like. How's that? All you have to do is call or e-mail us. If you live in the US, or any place that makes calling the US easy, just dial 512-666-RANT and leave us a voicemail. We will read the Google Voice transcript and play your message. It's both funny AND informative.
If you live outside the US you can call us on Skype at The_Film_Thugs. You can leave a message, or someone might actually answer.
E-mail us at thefilmthugs@gmail.com and we will read/play whatever you send us, or you can e-mail thugquestions@gmail.com to be part of an upcoming "Ask the Film Thugs" show, where we answer questions on any subject without having heard them first.
Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.
Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.
Thanks for listening, and until next week...