Episodes
Monday Jan 18, 2021
Sordid Cinema Podcast #566:Scanners: So Good, It Will Blow Your Mind
Monday Jan 18, 2021
Monday Jan 18, 2021
Scanners Podcast Review
This week the Sordid Cinema Podcast takes a deeper look at the 1981 cult classic Scanners to see if there’s still more in this tale of telepathic intrigue than a nifty exploding head GIF. Goomba Stomp writer/editor Mike Worby joins Rick and Patrick on their dive into director David Cronenberg’s first commercial hit, discussing where the film stands in his pantheon, debating the effect a rushed production schedule had on the script, and wondering just why the film’s lead actor comes across as a robot. Along the way here are comparisons to Hitchcock and the X-Men, praise for the incredible practical effects, a chuckle over a phone booth that gets blown up but good, and some questions about that twist ending.
Does Scanners still stand the test of time? What sort of tweaks could be made if this film was ever reimagined? And just how many times will that exploding head actually be mentioned? For all this and more, have a listen!
Editor’s Note: We’ve included our original review of Scanners from 2012 at the one hour and fifteen-minute mark of the episode.
Monday Jan 04, 2021
Monday Jan 04, 2021
Maybe the original isn’t the best around? This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, hosts Rick and Patrick kick off the new year by looking back at an old sequel: John G. Avildsen’s The Karate Kid Part II. It turns out that crane kicking Johnny Lawrence’s face at the All Valley Karate Championship was just a warmup for Daniel-san, as this time he follows his sensei, Mr. Miyagi, to a small village in Japan in order to sort out a long-standing feud. Along the way, they both encounter flying fists, swinging hooks, mini drums, and romantic tea ceremonies. But does this follow-up to a classic stand toe-to-toe with its predecessor?
Though The Karate Kid Part II may have plenty of issues (an overlong recap, a homicidal teenage rival, a lack of focus, and some questionable matte paintings), there is still plenty to love about a sequel that dares to push a franchise forward. The exotic setting and darker tone result in higher stakes, and despite the many familiar beats, this film also has the best romance in the series, as well as an intriguing nemesis in Sato. Join us as we discuss both the highs and lows of this still very watchable slice of the 80s, somehow make comparisons to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and reveal our most memorable moments. For all this and more, have a listen!
Sunday Oct 11, 2020
Sordid Cinema Podcast #556: ‘Waterworld’ is Buoyed by Fantastic Action
Sunday Oct 11, 2020
Sunday Oct 11, 2020
Though perhaps most famous upon its release for being the most expensive movie at the time, Kevin Costner’s aqua-drenched, apocalyptic epic Waterworld has managed to slough that narrative and stay afloat in a sea of sinking blockbusters. The story of a fish-man who befriends a woman and little girl after surviving an atoll raid by smoking pirate goons is a little more comic-booky than its Mad Max facade might initially suggest, but despite odd tonal shifts and a couple of underwhelming performances, there is still a lot to love here.
This week, Rick and Patrick discuss the best parts of this mega movie, including a bizarre setting, lavish production design, and skillful practical filmmaking. They also dive into the trouble-filled shoot, talk a little of Kevin Costner and director Kevin Reynolds’ filmmaking history, and try their best to come up with apt comparisons for this strange film. With action set pieces that are still amazing and gorgeous, colorful ocean imagery that pops off the screen, doesWaterworld has enough ingredients to shedding its soggy reputation? For all this and more, have a listen!
Friday Oct 09, 2020
Sordid Cinema Podcast #555: Feel the Need, the Need for Speed
Friday Oct 09, 2020
Friday Oct 09, 2020
It’s been more than three decades since Tony Scott’s aerial action drama first flew into theaters and Tom Cruise took our breath away as Lt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell. It was May 16, 1986, to be exact when Top Gun was released and inspired moviegoers around the world to put on aviator shades, bomber jackets and try their best to walk and talk like Maverick! Say what you will about Top Gun —you can’t deny the movie was incredibly influential and helped reshape Hollywood action movies moving forward. It made Cruise a superstar and was the start of a hugely successful partnership between Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. And despite its initial mixed critical reaction, the film was also a huge commercial hit grossing $356 million stateside against a production budget of only US$15 million. There’s plenty of reasons to love Top Gun and on this episode of the Sordid Cinema podcast, we’ll tell you why.
Friday Sep 01, 2017
Sordid Cinema Podcast #527: Best of the Fantasia Film Festival 2017
Friday Sep 01, 2017
Friday Sep 01, 2017
This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, Rick, Patrick and special guest Thomas O'Connor sit down to discuss the best films of the Fantasia Film Festival.
Wednesday Aug 30, 2017
Sordid Cinema Podcast #526: ‘Dunkirk’
Wednesday Aug 30, 2017
Wednesday Aug 30, 2017
This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, Simon and Patrick are once again joined by guest Bill Mesce, author of The Rules of Screenwriting, to discuss Christopher Nolan’s latest experiment in complex timelines and blockbuster filmmaking, Dunkirk. This war film is of a different ilk, ditching narrative for a more sensory experience. While at least one of us absolutely gushed over the virtuoso filmmaking, perhaps others weren’t so enthralled by yet another Nolan puzzle box. Join us as we muse over the poetic style, debate the intrusiveness of the unconventional structure, compare Dunkirk with Nolan’s own repertoire as well as past war films, and wonder whether the writer-director could have pushed the limits of big-budget movies still further. For all this and more, have a listen!
Sunday Aug 20, 2017
Sordid Cinema Podcast #525: ‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’
Sunday Aug 20, 2017
Sunday Aug 20, 2017
This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, Simon, Patrick and guest Molly Faust review Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.
Thursday Jul 20, 2017
Thursday Jul 20, 2017
This week on the Sordid Cinema Podcast, we review War for the Planet of the Apes, the third chapter of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise, directed by Matt Reeves. Some of us believe this is the best summer blockbuster in years, a smart, thoughtful, confrontational war pic. A few of us, however, believe the film is burdened by a problematic screenplay. Joining us to discuss the latest installment in the Planet of the Apes series is former co-host Edgar Chaput of Cut Print Film, who recently wrote an epic retrospective of the franchise which you can find here. Also joining us is our former colleague Bill Mesce, author of The Rules of Screenwriting, an insider’s look at the craft and business of screenwriting that explores some of the popular myths while demonstrating how little relevance these rules have to actual filmmaking. All this and more.
Wednesday Jul 12, 2017
Wednesday Jul 12, 2017
Coming after three spectacular films directed by Sam Raimi, and two disappointing films directed by Marc Webb, director John Watts (Cop Car) takes a stab at bringing everyone’s favourite Marvel character back to the big screen one more time. The question on everyone’s mind is whether or not this new solo outing is what our friendly neighborhood web-slinger deserves or is just another by-the-numbers superhero film? Joining us this week to discuss Spider-Man: Homecoming is Goomba Stomp’s Xbox Editor, Tim Maison.
Friday Jun 30, 2017
Sordid Cinema Podcast #522: ‘Baby Driver’
Friday Jun 30, 2017
Friday Jun 30, 2017
Like every Edgar Wright movie, the director’s sixth feature, Baby Driver, takes a wild concept and turns it into a brilliant exercise in high style. This time around, the director’s latest film is a wildly successful romantic-heist-musical-comedy, propelled from scene to scene with a lively soundtrack. One thing Baby Driver has going for it is its crowd-pleasing ability. Yes, folks, Baby Driver has it all: thrills, romance, suspense, dark comedy, nonstop action, a killer soundtrack and a star-making performance from Ansel Elgort. The question is, do we all like it? This week special guest Josh Slater-Williams joins us to discuss Wright’s most ambitious work to date as well as his recent interview with Wright himself. All this and more.