Albatross Applesauce: A Film Blog and Podcast

How many comedic Westerns that feature Nat King Cole as a Greek chorus can you name?  Not only that, but "Cat Ballou" was also an Oscar-winner for Best Actor in 1965.  Lee Marvin turns in the classic performance as a washed-up gunfighter.  It's an over-the-top delight that somehow managed to snatch the coveted acting prize from some other, more serious performer like, I don't know...Rod Steiger or something.  Marvin was cast against type and he is clearly the greatest thing about this somewhat dated film, which was named the #10 Greatest Western of All Time by the American Film Institute.  If you're thinking about watching "Cat Ballou", take a listen to this episode. You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on that link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player located below: Lee Marvin as Kid Shelleen, soused as a louse. Switching gears, we turn to "Blackfish", a fascinating new documentary out in theaters now.  The film explores the mystique around killer whales (orcas) as they live in the wild and how their cruel imprisonment at theme parks such as SeaWorld leads to the deaths of three trainers at the hands of an orca named Tillikum.  This disturbing expose on what happens when those carefully choreographed whale tricks go awry makes compelling use of home movie footage that captures the terror when the trainers are at the mercy of their whales.  "Blackfish" manages to balance itself as an indictment of the inhumanity of orca parks, a compelling aquatic thriller and an ode to beauty of these intelligent creatures in their native waters. Cruel?  This documentary certainly does its part to help us think so.

Hello, listeners.  What can I help you with?  Sorry, I'm not sure what you said.  You want to listen to the "Jobs" podcast? You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on that link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player located below: Ashton Kutcher portrays one of the most respected visionaries of the past...37 odd years.  He has the walk, the look of Steve Jobs but falls short of the mark in creating a fleshed out character.  Phil thinks he is the wrong choice for the role, Andrew thinks with the right director the performance would be successful.  What Phil and Andrew agree on is that "Jobs" needs an upgrade, badly. Kutcher as Jobs, introudicng the iPod for the first time. On a completely different note, Leonard Kastle's cult 1969 crime drama "The Honeymoon Killers" gets the Albatross Applesauce treatment in our Criterion Corner.  A film about an odd couple who go around murdering lonely women that is based on actual events!  This black and white and darkly humorous gem features a classic performance by Shirley Stoler as the severely troubled nurse who falls head over heels for Tony Lo Bianco's suave, Spanish lothario.  It's certainly a disturbing picture - but very artful and worthwhile viewing.

We're pleased to bring you another special episode, which we have devoted entirely to the films of Nicolas Winding Refn.  This Danish-born auteur has made his films primarily in English and won international acclaim for "Drive" in 2011.  Refn's new film is currently being raked across the coals by critics and audiences alike.  We believe in Refn's talents enough to include him in our series on notable filmmakers.  The films we watched are: "Only God Forgives" (2013) Refn's latest film stars Ryan Gosling and takes place in an incredibly violent part of Bangkok.  A disturbing but fascinating vision, and one that has been universally savaged by nearly all critics, everywhere. You decide - does the wallpaper emote more than Gosling in this film? "Drive" (2011) won Refn the Best Director prize at Cannes and made him a hot property.  This film also drew a lot of accolades for Albert Brooks' performance against type as a vicious gangster.  Here we see the beginning of Refn's collaboration with Gosling.  The Gos personality is portrayed as the strong, silent type. A moment of calm just before the storm. "Valhalla Rising" (2009) is a brutal epic about ancient warriors on a voyage to the Holy Land.  It features a notable scene where the main character uses his thumbnail to slice a man's stomach open and then pulls his guts out and dumps them on the ground.  Charming. The strong, silent type. "Bronson" (2008) stars the formidable Tom Hardy as the real-life criminal extraordinaire, Charlie Bronson: Britain's most violent prisoner.  This violent (duh) but very stylized film owes a lot to Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange" but also displays a forceful and original talent in Mr. Refn.  Hardy portrays the lost man who lived in solitary confinement for 30 years with aplomb. Tom Hardy puts on quite the show for us in this film. You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on that link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player located below: We came to the conclusion that all of Refn's movies feature a violent, anti-social male character who cannot function in society.  Romantic comedy, it ain't.  But Nicolas Winding Refn is a master stylist who deserves his own episode.

Welcome back, loyal listeners. The second half of this episode has a decidedly musical bent to it.  Although you probably couldn't find two more different kinds of music.  "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is a musical in the grand old tradition of vaudeville and tap dancing.  It has the distinction of being the 98th Greatest Movie of All Time, according to a 2007 poll by the American Film Institute.  This is truly a film like they just don't make any more, and at the center of it is none other than gangster hoodlum extraordinaire James Cagney.  This film will be a revelation to filmgoers who only know Cagney as the tough guy from movies like "The Public Enemy" and "White Heat."  Cagney is one helluva hoofer and he was hand picked to play the American patriot-songsmith George M. Cohan by Mr. Cohan himself.  It's one of the all time great performances. Cohan tries to convince investors to back one of his shows. You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on that link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player located below: For the last portion of the show, Phil and Andrew review the heavy metal doc "Anvil: The Story of Anvil" about the eponymous Canadian band that influenced a score of prominent heavy metal groups, but never found the success that they ultimately deserved.  It's a feast of raw emotions, heartbreaks and disappointments and the power of rock.  While billed as being "Hilarious" Phil and Andrew both drew on the poignant aspects of the story in their review, bringing it all together to make a larger point about the dearth of warmth in most modern movies. This film goes up to 11.

If you've never heard us before, we're glad this is your first Albatross Applesauce episode.  Cause this one is fun.  Join Andrew and Phil in a rollicking discussion (some might say evisceration) of the new film starring Aubrey Plaza entitled, "The To-Do List."  In this piece (of cinema) the serious-looking Plaza plays an 18 year old girl attempting to gain a lot of sexual experience very quickly.  Within 1 hour and 44 minutes to be exact.  But seriously, she is a rising college freshman who has never done anything sexual before.  The film consists of her quest to complete a variety of sex acts before the semester begins, the culmination being losing her virginity to Rusty Waters, a tanned, hunky, guitar-playing lifeguard.  Andrew and Phil may have reviewed their worst movie ever. Not very sexy. You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on that link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player located below: In a complete 180 degree spin, we discuss the Nicolas Roeg film "Insignificance" for our Criterion Corner.  These films couldn't be more different and here at Albatross Applesauce we pride ourselves on our eclectic selection.  This intelligent adult drama (three things that don't apply to "The To-Do List") is based on a stage play that pits Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio and Senator Joe McCarthy in one hotel on one night in New York City.  What follows is a dialogue-driven tour-de-force that somehow never feels stagy.  Phil loved the film, but others may have a different reaction. Very sexy. Stay tuned for our second half when we review the James Cagney chestnut, "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and the heart-warming documentary favorite "Anvil: The Story of Anvil!"

Greetings, intrepid move fans! For the second half of this episode, Phil and Andrew tackle the highly emotional Oscar-winning drama, "Ordinary People" directed by Robert Redford.  This painful but extremely well-acted film is one of the most gut-wrenching, realistic family tragedies ever committed to celluloid.  It also won the Best Picture and Best Director prize in 1980.  Many devout cineastes consider this a travesty, and portend that "Raging Bull" and its director (one Martin Scorsese) unequivocally should have won those two awards.  Before you jump on that bandwagon, loyal listeners and film buffs, do check out "Ordinary People".  One thing for sure is that Timothy Hutton deserved his Oscar for that film as much as any actor ever did for theirs. Not the picture-perfect suburban life they had hoped for, perhaps... You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on that link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player located below: Rounding out this rather serious mini-sode is the Palestinian documentary "5 Broken Cameras", directed by Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi.  This film takes a personal approach to the larger conflict between Israel and Palestine in that it solely consists of the home movies of the cameraman depicting a local struggle for land between the native Palestinians and the Israeli Army.  The title is a poetic reference to the filmmakers' persistent attempts to document this infraction, even after their cameras are destroyed, one after another.  "5 Broken Cameras" was the recipient of many international awards and proves that an important story trumps big budgets when it comes to documentary. And here we are, with the titular cameras and the filmmaker himself.

Boo. Scared?  Don't be.  It's just Phil and Andrew with another podcast!  This week we both scream for the new Pixar film, "Monsters University."  Listen as we discuss the current state of Pixar films and compare this one to it's predecessor, "Monsters, Inc." (which happens to be Andrew's favorite film from the animation juggernaut).  We both notice that "Monsters University" seems to be more about satirizing the college experience than continuing the poignant streak of other Pixar films.  Tune in for more! You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on that link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player located below: One of many throwaway sight gags in this film.For this Criterion Corner, Phil and Andrew dig deep with their review of Danny Boyle's "Shallow Grave", a diabolical thriller in the best sense of the word.  The DVD contains some highly illuminating extra features, on top of a stylish and inventive film about three twenty-somethings who discover a briefcase full of money and how their friendships get torn (painfully) asunder.  It promises to be bury exciting!  Sorry, I just turned into the Cryptkeeper for a second there.  We hope you will listen! It would appear that something is...afoot? And for the second half of this episode we will discuss an excellent film notorious for usurping the Oscar from Martin Scorsese as well as a very recent documentary fresh off of an Academy Award nomination.  Keep listening...

"Didja listen to the new Albatross Applesauce podcast?" "Oh, yah!" Or something like that.  Join us, intrepid listeners, for our latest offering as we discuss the indie crime classic, "Fargo" directed by Joel Coen.  Many will have seen this snowy, bloody thriller already, but we invite you to revisit the film.  Andrew and Phil touch on the Coen's affinity for Americana as well as some of the criticism that has been leveled at them for alleged contempt for their characters.  It will be a spirited discussion, you betcha, yah... She's doing some pretty good policework there, Lou.You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on that link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player located below: And finally, we discuss the documentary "Cave of Forgotten Dreams", directed by, (and starring) the venerable Werner Herzog.  This affectionate portrait of the oldest cave paintings in the world features some truly beautiful images of 32,000 years ago...and a few other scenes that Phil didn't particularly care for.  Perhaps the most controversial Albatross Applesauce conversation yet...?  You decide... An example of one of the many fascinating paintings from the Chauvet Caverns.

Welcome back, loyal listeners.  In this podcast, Andrew and Phil talk about the new Seth Rogen-James Franco-Jay Baruchel-Jonah Hill-Craig Robinson-Danny McBride vehicle, "This Is The End."  This horror-comedy is a refreshing take on the somewhat stale Apatowian comedies that have glutted the multiplex for the past several years.  Our aforementioned lovable goons find themselves faced with none other than The Apocalypse, and they must make gut-wrenching life or death decisions, such as who gets to eat the last Milky Way.  Open your ears and your mind to try and guess the song parody that Phil sings at the beginning of this episode.  "This Is The End" kept Phil and Andrew laughing and they hope you tune in to decide if this film is worth your $10+ box office dollars. The usual suspects...You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on that link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player located below: For the 'AA' Criterion Corner, the dynamic duo review "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp", a sumptuous Technicolor cinematic feast from 1943 that has been championed by such contemporary directors as Martin Scorsese and Wes Anderson.  The film is also considered by many to be the greatest British film ever made, so naturally, Phil and Andrew had to review it.  Legend has it that Winston Churchill himself tried to stop production of this wartime tale.  The film follows 40 years in the life of the titular character, a stiff-upper-lip British soldier.  As you history buffs know, when this film was released, London was getting blitzed by the Nazis, and "Blimp" portrays a supporting German soldier character in a highly sympathetic light.  This enraged Churchill, but it's a credit to the British democracy that filming was allowed to continue, and now we have a great film as a result.  Overall the film examines the shift in British military values from the Boer War to World War II, and poignantly shows how Blimp's tactics of fighting a "gentleman's war" became obsolete in the face of the Nazi terror.  This is another film we hope you check out, although it couldn't be more different from "This Is The End"! A silly hats party, perhaps? Tune in next week for the second half of this episode when Phil and Andrew review a seminal film by the Coen Brothers and a recent documentary by warrior-poet, Werner Herzog.

Oh, you all are in for a treat.  Here's a name some of you may not know: Ray Harryhausen.  He did come into the public consciousness last month when, sadly he passed away at the age of 92.  Who was this man?  Well, he is probably the greatest, most prolific and influential special effects man in the history of the movies. The man himself, with some of his creations. Perhaps you remember seeing images he helped create.  A giant octopus wrapping it's tentacles around the San Francisco Bay Bridge.  A massive cyclops swiping at tiny humans at it's feet.  Or maybe the archetypal Harryhausen creation of a living skeleton clutching a sword and slashing at the human hero. And slash they do. For this Special Podcast, Phil and Andrew revisit four classic Ray Harryhausen films: It Came From Beneath the Sea (1955), 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957), The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958) and his ultimate film Clash of the Titans (1981). You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on that link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player located below: Ray Harryhausen was a huge influence on nearly all filmmakers working today who feature fantastic special effects.  You know the names, Spielberg, Lucas, Cameron...Ray Harryhausen lovingly labored over his stop motion creature effects for hours upon hours, creating fluid movements and a genuinely believable physical presence on film.  Phil and Andrew both lament the unconvincing CGI effects that are all over most contemporary films.  Join them as they revisit these four extremely fun and magical films that celebrate the genius that was Ray Harryhausen. Destroying great landmarks with terrifying creatures has been a longstanding cinematic tradition.