The Film Thugs Movie Show

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Informed film discussion for the unrefined connoisseur.

Episodes

Sunday Apr 10, 2016

Criterion Year Week 29: The Battle of Algiers

Sunday Apr 10, 2016

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...

The Battle of Algiers

Spine Number: 249

Director: Gillo Pontecorvo

Genre: Historical/Political Drama

The very idea of discussing anything political in today's climate is solidly off putting. What should be a civil exchange of ideas has been reduced to vulgar grandstanding. Instead of sharing information and gaining knowledge people have become more interested in either picking a fight to show how stupid and wrong those who disagree with them are, or to get a solid pat on the back from the adoring chorus of like minded individuals. Ideas that are deemed "incorrect" or "improper," are cast aside and ignored. We, as a people, have become a mob, seeking whatever our minds can process as either truth or justice.

Such is the environment that created "The Battle of Algiers."

Gillo Pontecorvo's "The Battle of Algiers," is, essentially, the gold standard for historical/political filmmaking. Centering around the events leading up to and following the Algerian war of the 1950's Pontecorvo uses a cinema verite style that is so completely immersive it is easy to forget you are watching a movie, as it could have easily been constructed from newsreel footage.

This film does what good discussion should do. It shows both sides. There are no clear cut heroes or villains here. Both sides are shown as both the victim and the perpetrators of unnecessary violence against the innocent. Rather than take sides Pontecorvo instead focuses on the problems inherent in colonialism, the struggles of a people fighting for their independence, and a group upholding their sworn duty. It is not an easy film, but good discussion rarely should be.

Essentially, this film is about what happens when you ignore people. Ideas are never wiped out. They hide, they fester, and they spread, but they never really go away. What happens when people who have, what they feel, to be legitimate grievances are ignored? Do they simply forget about it? Or do those ideas find a different way to express themselves.

Be warned, we do get political in this show. But that's ok. You may not agree with us. But that, too, is ok. All that we ask, is that you listen to both what we say and how we say it. Nothing we say should upset you. If it does... your refund is in the mail.

Next Week:

We begin our 5 week John Cassavetes festival with...

Spine number 251: Shadows

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.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

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 Mar 27, 2016

Criterion Year Week 28: Ikiru

Sunday Mar 27, 2016

We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...

Ikiru

Spine Number: 221

Director: Akira Kurosawa

Genre: Drama

When you say Akira Kurosawa to most people, if they've hear of him at all, it's because of Seven Samurai. Which is understandable. I mean... it's an unquestioned masterpiece. Beyond that, people normally still think of Samurai movies. This week, we take a break from that and look at, what was at the time, a contemporary piece.

Ikiru, translated "To Live," is the story of a mid level government bureaucrat who is faced with his own mortality. It asks, essentially, "how does a man who has refused to live face death?"

It's impossible to overstate how beautiful this movie is. From the typically brilliant cinematography to the simple and elegant story to the amazing performances... this is everything we have come to expect from Kurosawa, but with less violence and a much more evident heart.

So, enjoy our take on a truly remarkable and life affirming film.

Next Week:

Spine number 249: The Battle of Algiers

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.

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.

Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

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...

Jim out.

Sunday Mar 20, 2016

Criterion Year Week 27: The Rules of The Game

Sunday Mar 20, 2016

We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...

The Rules of the Game

Spine Number: 216

Director: Jean Renoir

Genre: The most French of French

Before we even get started let me say one thing. We neither understood nor cared for this film at all. It just did nothing. We tried, and it wouldn't meet us halfway. So if you're worried about having to see this first... don't sweat it. We kind of tap dance around it.

Few films have ever come with a more daunting and lofty pedigree than Jean Renoir's "The Rules of The Game." For several decades Sight and Sound Magazine has published a list of what are considered the best films ever made. For ages Citizen Kane has held the top position. However, before Kane's ascension, what film was considered the "greatest film of all time?"

This one was. Jean Renoir's comedy of manners that is said to contain a "scathing critique of corrupt French society."

Something must have been lost in translation. Cut to the chase... we didn't really care for it. Well, maybe that's not the right way to put it. This thing made little to no sense. Perhaps there is a greater base of knowledge about French society on the eve of World War II. But, as it stands... we didn't consider this to be a good movie. Yes, it looks good, and there is most certainly something going on behind the scenes that we are just not familiar with, but... honestly. It doesn't translate.

But what we found was... that's ok. It's fine to not love a movie that is held up as a classic. As long as there is some thought going into your critique and you aren't just disagreeing to disagree, it's completely fine to look at something that everyone swears is important and say... eh, not for me.

So, join us in our look at this beloved masterpiece and our discussion of why dissent is just fine.

Next Week:

Spine number 221: Ikiru

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.

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.

Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

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...

Jim out.

Sunday Mar 06, 2016

Criterion Year Week 26: Throne of Blood

Sunday Mar 06, 2016

We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...

Week 26:

Throne of Blood

Spine Number: 190

Director: Akira Kurosawa

Genre: Samurai Shakespeare Adaptation

You know what? I am well aware that "Samurai Shakespeare Adaptation," is not, strictly speaking, a genre. You know what else? I don't care, because it damned well should be.

I am rarely happier than when we get to watch a Kurosawa movie. The absolute mastery he displays is genuinely humbling. Clarkson commented while watching this that being a filmmaker while Kurosawa was working must have been miserable. No matter what you did, no matter how expertly you crafted a scene, how perfectly lit it was, how delicately staged, no matter how mind blowing it was to you, you knew that whatever Akira was doing at that moment was better.

Side note, did you know that Akira Kurosawa has as many Oscar Nominations as Melissa McCarthy? No disrespect to Melissa, but evidently shitting in a sink gets you as much respect as being possibly the greatest film maker of all time. So... the Oscars can screw off.

But I digress...

Throne of Blood, first of... the most metal name for a movie ever. How can you possibly top that title, you ask? Simple. Make the movie you give that name to Akira Kurosawa's adaptation of Macbeth.

Let me repeat that.

This movie is Akira Kurosawa's adaptation of GOD DAMNED MACBETH!!!

How good is it? Not to oversell, but it's better than everything else that has ever or will ever exist. It's Toshiro Mifune playing Macbeth directed by Kurosawa. I cannot stress this enough,
IT'S KUROSAWA DOING MACBETH!!! Why are you reading this when you could be watching Kurosawa's MACBETH?

We also discuss all the bullshit that our political process has devolved into, and talk about the men's rights dildos and why they are so angry all the time.

Next Week:

Spine number 216: The Rules of The Game

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.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

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.

Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

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...

Jim out.

Sunday Feb 28, 2016

Criterion Year Week 25: Bed and Board/Love On The Run Double Feature

Sunday Feb 28, 2016

We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...

Week 25:

Bed and Board/Love On The Run

Spine Number: 187/188

Director: Francois Truffaut

Genre: French New Wave

Undertaking a series of films that transpires over a long period of time is a daunting task. Last year, "Boyhood" stood as the biggest achievement in this arena, although it was far from the first and far from unique in approach. Setting aside the Harry Potter Movies, and the Up Series of documentaries, Francois Truffaut undertook a similar endeavor over 40 years ago with his Antoine Doinel series, which followed a semi-autobiographical character from his troubled childhood, through his troubled adolescence, into his troubled young adulthood, and his... well, at this point, I think you get it, the kid is troubled.

This week we churn out a double feature to finish the Doinel cycle and see how this kid with no guide navigates life on his own.

Next Week:

Spine number 190: Throne of Blood (Akira Kurosawa's telling of MacBeth)

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.

Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.

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.

Also, we are on twitter @thefilmthugs and on Facebook and Vine.

You can also click on one of our sponsor links below and THEY will pay us. That's right. You won't have to pay a PENNY extra, and Amazon/Onnit/Teefury will give us a little taste.

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...

Jim out.