FORCED PERSPECTIVE #113 - The Catch-Up Show - Ant-Man, Jurassic World, H...

We catch-up with Mark and Adolfo after a long hiatus and check in on their thoughts on:

BLACKKKLANSMAN
HEREDITARY
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP
JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM
THOROUGHBREDS
WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?
INCREDIBLES 2
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3
CHRISTOPHER ROBIN
SCOOBY-DOO & BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD
SKYSCRAPER

Plus our thoughts on:
The AQUAMAN extended look trailer
The CAPTAIN MARVEL trailer
The Joaquin Phoenix JOKER movie
The James Gunn controversy
Mark's visit to NY ComiCon
And Adolfo's Appearance on TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES!

THE ESSENTIAL FILMS PODCAST Episode #025: CITY LIGHTS (1931)

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EPISODE DESCRIPTION

NOTE: Watch Adolfo Acosta on Turner Classic Movies, introducing CITY LIGHTS with Ben Manciewicz, this Sunday, October 14 at 11 AM CT/12 PM ET

On today’s adventure, Adolfo and Mark go back to the silent era for Charles Chaplin’s CITY LIGHTS (1931)! The film that got Adolfo a fan programmer spot on TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES(!) On this week’s show:

Discovering Charlie Chaplin movies.
The best introduction to Chaplin
Silent films in the “Talkie” era
CITY LIGHTS isn’t really a “silent” film
Chaplin’s reluctance to transition to talking pictures
How the film was originally conceived
The hate-hate relationship between Chaplin and Virginia Cherrill
The butler is a jerk
Chaplin’s favorite scene in the film
“Can you see now?”



FILMS REFERENCED:

THE KID (1921)
THE GOLD RUSH (1925)
THE JAZZ SINGER (1927)
MODERN TIMES (1936)
GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)
THE GREAT DICTATOR (1940)
MONSIEUR VERDOUX (1947)
BICYCLE THIEVES (1948)
LIMELIGHT (1952)
SALO OR THE 120 DAYS OF SODOM (1975)

SOCIAL MEDIA
TWITTER: @EssentialFilms, @FPMoviePodcast, @Adolfo_Acosta, @Sportsguy515
FACEBOOK: The Essential Films

The Essential Films Podcast Episode #024: Bonus Features - Vinegar Syndrome, Blaxploitation, Trashy Movies & The Woes of Physical Media

BONUS FEATURES


Warning: The following is unedited raw audio with NSFW language.

STREAM IT or SUBSCRIBE AND DOWNLOAD ON ITUNES


In this episode:

• Mark’s buried treasure
• Vinegar Syndrome
• Cult Movies
• Mark’s film canister unboxing
• Mark’s penchant for trash cinema
• Does Cinemax exist?
• Boutique Labels
• Shedding some DVD weight

Films Referenced:

• ORGY OF THE DEAD (1965)
• THIS,THAT AND THE OTHER! (1970)
• I DRINK YOUR BLOOD (1970)
• SHAFT (1971)
• SWEET SWEETBACK’S BAADASSSSS SONG (1971)
• TROUBLE MAN (1972)
• SUPER FLY (1972)
• PETS (1973)
• THE MACK (1973)
• MASSAGE PARLOR MURDERS (1973)
• BLACKENSTEIN (1973)
• CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE PEANUT BUTTER FREAK (1975)
• HER NAME WAS LISA (1979)
• CANNIBAL FEROX (1981)
• DEADLY DAPHNE’S REVENGE (1987)
• ICE CREAM MAN (1995)
• THE RUNDOWN (2003)
• MR. & MRS. SMITH (2005)

LINKS:

• Vinegar Syndrome
• “Million Dollar” Collection
• ICE CREAM MAN trailer

The Essential Margot Kidder

Margot Kidder

1948 - 2018

On May 14, 2018 the film and superhero worlds lost their Lois Lane when actress Margot Kidder passed away at the age of 69. Her career started with television appearances in shows such as "McQueen" and "The Mod Squad" before landing her first film role in Norman Jewison's GAILY, GAILY in 1969, starring alongside Beau Bridges and George Kennedy. She continued to work in both television and small roles in films before landing a major part in the Brian De Palma thriller, SISTERS which led to roles in BLACK CHRISTMAS and THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER. But of course her career skyrocketed when she landed the role of Lois Lane in SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE. Kidder went on to become a big star and reprised the role in 3 sequels. She returned to the Superman universe in a series of episodes of "Smallville" in 2004 as an unrelated character. She also starred alongside James Brolin in the horror mega hit THE AMITYVILLE HORROR in 1979. She worked regularly through the 90s in films like TRENCHCOAT, SOME KIND OF HERO and MAVERICK until a well publicized mental health issue. After recovering, she became a mental health awareness advocate and continued acting all the way through 2017, her most high profile film being 2009's HALLOWEEN II. She was a political activist until the end, protesting military involvement in Iraq and the Keystone oil pipeline.  Below are her essential films.

SISTERS

1973

Director: Brian de Palma

Role: Danielle

"Where is she?"

"Don't you remember? She was always here."

One of the first of many Alfred Hitchcock homages by de Palma, SISTERS tells the story of Philip, a young salesman who takes a young model, Danielle (Kidder) out on a date, which is interrupted by Danielle's ex husband. After eluding him several times, the two go back to her apartment where they sleep together. The story gets twisted from this point forward, and at the risk of revealing spoilers, I'll just say that something is very very wrong with Danielle. A brutal murder takes place and Danielle's neighbor, Grace (Jennifer Salt) is the only one willing to investigate. 

BLACK CHRISTMAS

1974

Director: Bob Clark

Role: Barb

"Oh, why don't you go find a wall socket and stick your tongue in it. That'll give you a charge."

BLACK CHRISTMAS broke a lot of ground in the slasher movie genre, and inspired many future horror films from HALLOWEEN to FRIDAY THE 13th. As a sorority house start to make plans for the Christmas season, a series of anonymous and chilling phone calls start to unnerve them. At first, the police ignore the sorority sisters, but after a murdered child is found dead, they set up a wiretap in the house to hopefully catch the stalker. But will the girls make it out alive? If you've seen slasher movies before, you probably know the answer. While most of the film may seem like it relies on tropes, it's important to remember it started a lot of the tropes to begin with. Kidder plays Barb, one of the sorority girls, a sarcastic smart ass who at one point eggs the caller (named "The Moaner" by the girls) on. Will that prove to be a fatal mistake? What do you think?

SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE

1978

Director: Richard Donner

Role: Lois Lane

"You've got me?! Who's got you!?"

The role that made her famous. The casting process for Lois Lane was almost as exhaustive as Superman's, auditioning many actresses before finding Margot Kidder. Richard Donner specifically said he wanted a "knockout", which Kidder certainly was very attractive, but also able to play a seasoned reporter and be witty as well. Kidder brings the right spark to the role of the smart-ass Daily Planet reporter. She also has fantastic on-screen chemistry with Christopher Reeve, which for these two characters is incredibly important. No other Superman film has quite been able to capture that. You need to believe in Superman/Clark's love for Lois for the ridiculous "spin time backwards" climax to have any effect at all. With Reeve and now Kidder gone, the world is a little bit dimmer.

THE AMITYVILLE HORROR

1979

Director: Stuart Rosenberg

Role: Kathy Lutz

"I just wish that... all those people hadn't died here. I mean... ugh! A guy kills his whole family. Doesn't that bother you?"

Supposedly based on a true story, THE AMITYVILLE HORROR is the chilling tale of George and Kathy Lutz, a young couple buying their first home. But the house has a dark past, and it soon manifests itself in all manners of horrific ways. A monster success for its time, it was the highest grossing film of the year and was the highest grossing independently produced film of all time until 1990 (when it was unseated by, of all things, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES.)  Kidder contributed a lot to genre cinema, with SISTERS, BLACK CHRISTMAS and SUPERMAN, and continues the streak here. Her performance alongside James Brolin as the terrified wife is excellent, in an otherwise average horror film.

SUPERMAN II

SUPERMAN II: THE RICHARD DONNER CUT

1980 & 2006

Director: Richard Lester (Theatrical), Richard Donner (Donner Cut)

Role: Lois Lane

"What an undemanding male this Superman must be."

"Yeah, and you could use a tuck here and there yourself, sister."

During the filming of the original SUPERMAN in 1978, Richard Donner was also directing scenes for the sequel simultaneously. After finishing production on I, Donner was fired by producers the Salkind brothers over creative differences. Richard Lester was hired to replace Donner and finish the sequel, with a different direction. In 2006, Warner Brothers released the Donner Cut, which included scenes that Donner had shot but were cut and a different version of the film. Both versions are enjoyable, but Lester's is very wacky and silly in parts. I prefer the Donner Cut as it portrays Lois as much more intelligent and capable. From the outset, she is convinced Clark is Superman and spends a good portion of the first act trying to get him to reveal himself, as opposed to the theatrical version where she finds out accidentally. The same charm and chemistry between the two leads is still ever present and they don't recapture it again in any of the sequels.

OTHER NOTABLE FILMS

GAILY GAILY (1969)

QUACKSER FORTUNE HAS A COUSIN IN THE BRONX (1970)

THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER (1975)

SOME KIND OF HERO (1982)

SUPERMAN III (1983)

TRENCHCOAT (1983)

SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE (1987)

MOB STORY (1989)

MAVERICK (1994)

HALLOWEEN II (2009)

Forced Perspective #111: 2018 Summer Movie Preview!

New Forced Perspective Podcast is up! The 2018 Summer Movie Preview! Deadpool 2! Solo! Jurassic World! Incredibles 2! and much more!

The Essential Films Podcast #23 - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980)

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What is thy bidding, our masters? On today’s adventure, Adolfo and Mark learn about the ways of the force and resist the Dark Side as they discuss the 1980 STAR WARS epic: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK! On this week’s show:

The lack of hype for SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
How we first experienced EMPIRE
The 1995 THX Remastered VHS tapes
The film’s most famous line is often misquoted
George Lucas as an independent filmmaker
Hiring Irvin Kershner as Director
The early versions of the story
The 1997 Special Editions
The proper order to watch the Saga
George Lucas is Kermit
Who knew the twist ending ahead of filming?
When did Lucas know Leia was Luke’s sister?
How do you pronounce “AT-AT”?
Switching out Emperors
Why is talking to a Muppet NOT goofy?
“I know.”
The reaction from fans in the 1980s
The differences of the original cut VS the special editions
“Despecialized” Editions

FILMS REFERENCED:

STAR WARS (1977)
SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE (1978)
RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983)
ROBOCOP 2 (1990)
CLERKS (1994)
STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999)
STAR WARS: EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES (2002)
EMPIRE OF DREAMS (2004)
STAR WARS: EPISODE III - REVENGE OF THE SITH (2005)
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (2015)
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (2016)
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI (2017)
SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (2018)

BONUS CONVERSATION (iTunes Version ONLY):

THE WARRIORS (1979)
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (2018)

LINKS:
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR Alamo Drafthouse Menu: https://drafthouse.com/nyc/news/eats-assemble-avengers-infinity-war-specials-are-here
HOW FANS REACTED TO EMPIRE STRIKES BACK IN 1980: https://io9.gizmodo.com/heres-how-fans-reacted-to-the-empire-strikes-back-in-19-1821551259
ISLE OF DOGS Alamo Drafthouse Menu: https://drafthouse.com/nyc/news/japanese-inspired-canine-approved-isle-of-dogs-specials-are-here

Forced Perspective #110 - AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR - SPOILER REVIEW!

Spoilers Begin at 21:09.

Music: Www.purple-planet.com

Join Mark, Adolfo and Draven as they discuss the MASSIVE Marvel Cinematic Universe event that was 10 years in the making: AVENGERS INFINITY WAR!

Twitter:
@FPMoviePodcast
@Sportsguy515
@Adolfo_Acosta
@EssentialFilms

Facebook.com/fpmoviepodcast
Facebook.com/TheEssentialFilms

Forced Perspective 109: A QUIET PLACE, ISLE OF DOGS, BLOCKERS, RAMPAGE

Today on our show!

Reviews for:
A QUIET PLACE
ISLE OF DOGS
GEMINI
BLOCKERS
RAMPAGE

Plus Mark gets "Twitter Famous" by uploading the video of Michelle Pfeiffer being asked bizarre questions at the now-infamous SCARFACE 35th Anniversary panel.

WEBSITE
essentialfilmspodcast.com

TWITTER:
@sportsguy515
@Adolfo_Acosta
@FPMoviePodcast

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/fpmoviepodcast

Credit: Music: http://www.purple-planet.com

The Essential Films Podcast #21 - BONUS EPISODE - Lebowski, The Long Goo...

BONUS EPISODE!

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Raw unproduced audio of Adolfo and Mark shooting the breeze.

On today’s adventure:

• Mark’s Alamo Drafthouse Adventures 
• SEVEN (1995) 
• 70 MM of HOWARD THE DUCK (1986) 
• BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA (1986) 
• THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998) 
• “This is what happens when you French a stranger in the Alps!”
•  THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940) 
• VERTIGO (1958) 
• GREASE (1976) 
• THE LONG GOODBYE (1973) 
• GEMINI (2018) 
• Arnie’s mustache 
• PUMPING IRON (1977) 
• SSSSSSS (1973) 
• THE BIRDS II: LAND’S END (1994) 
• PHASE IV (1974) 
• OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN (1983) 
• COBRA (1986) 
• SHAKMA (1990) 
• BASKET CASE (1982) 
• FRANKEN HOOKER (1990) 
• BRAIN DAMAGE (1988) 
• 80s trash 
• THE GARBAGE PAIL KIDS MOVIE (1987) 
• SECRET AGENT DOUBLE-O SOUL (1990) 
• BEST FRIENDS VOL. 1 (2018) 
• SCARFACE (1983)

The Essential Films Podcast #22 - SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE (1978)

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We’re back from the Phantom Zone!On today’s adventure, Adolfo and Mark fight for Truth, Justice and the American way when they discuss the 1978 superhero movie pioneer SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE! On this week’s show:

Clamshell VHS Tapes
One of the first superhero films
Christopher Reeves: Adolfo’s childhood hero
Henry Cavill’s mustache
Brandon Routh’s Christopher Reeves impression
A time when Superhero films were non-existent
All superhero movies trace their origin to Superman
An important milestone for superhero films
How do you make someone fly?
The cheesiness of Can You Read My Mind
How long it takes to even see Superman
The long process of casting Superman
Marlon Brando at his laziest
Brando scored big
Green bagels
Christopher Reeves doesn’t get top billing
The wacky names considered to play the title part
Christopher Reeves’ amazing dual performance
“You’ve got me? Who’s got you?”
The electric chemistry between Reeves and Margot Kidder
Dual filming on Superman and Superman II
Krypton’s blowing up? FAKE NEWS
Lax adoption paperwork laws
The ludicrousness of Lex Luthor’s plan
Why Lex Luthor is awesome even though he differs from the comic book
Hackensack, New Jersey
Does Superman REALLY spin the Earth backwards?
“Head Canon”
The iconic score streak of John Williams
What’s missing from modern superhero films
Evil Superman flicking peanuts
The 3 Hour TV cut

FILM REFERENCES IN THIS EPISODE:

FLASH GORDON (1936)
THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN MARVEL (1941)
BATMAN (1943)
CAPTAIN AMERICA (1944)
BATMAN AND ROBIN (1947)
SUPERMAN AND THE MOLE-MEN (1951)
ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (TV Series, 1952-1958)
BATMAN (TV Series, 1966-1968)
THE GODFATHER (1972)
LAST TANGO IN PARIS (1972)
STAR WARS (1977)
SUPERMAN II (1980)
SUPERMAN III (1983)
SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE (1987)
BATMAN (1989)
DARKMAN (1990)
THE SHADOW (1994)
THE PHANTOM (1996)
SPAWN (1997)
STEEL (1997)
STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999)
X-MEN (2000)
SMALLVILLE (TV Series, 2001-2011)
SPIDER-MAN (2002)
STAR WARS: EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES (2002)
STAR WARS: EPISODE III - REVENGE OF THE SITH (2005)
SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006)
IRON MAN (2008)
TED (2012)
THE AVENGERS (2012)
MAN OF STEEL (2013)
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (2015)
JUSTICE LEAGUE (2017)
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI (2017)
KRYPTON (TV Series, 2018)
BLACK PANTHER (2018)
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (2018)
RED SPARROW (2018)

FORCED PERSPECTIVE 108: Ready Player One, Love Simon, Tomb Raider, Pacific Rim Uprising