Broken VCR

By Chad & HochTV & Film Film History

Broken VCR episodes

July 04, 2023 #68 Field of Dreams (1989)
Phil Alden Robinson's 1989 mystical ghost story love letter to baseball, FIELD OF DREAMS, is our feature presentation this week. We talk the construction of the Iowa-set baseball field, Robinson's adapted screenplay, the under-appreciated performances of Amy Madigan and Burt Lancaster, whether the film is a ghost story or a baseball story, and so much more. We also discuss our TOP 7 KEVIN COSTNER films in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Join us for the first film in our BIG WEIRD SUMMER series. Subscribe to the podcast, and become a regular!
1 hr 44 min
June 27, 2023 #67 The Swimmer (1968)
Frank Perry's 1968 suburban allegorical dream-state drama, THE SWIMMER, is our feature presentation this week. We talk Sydney Pollack taking over the film, Burt Lancaster's performance, the early beginnings of the New Hollywood era, and much much more. We also get into this week's SILVER SCREEN 7 where we pick our TOP 7 BURT LANCASTER FILMS. Check out our fourth and final film in our JUNE GLOOM SERIES. It's been a bummerific 4-film ride through June!
1 hr 56 min
June 20, 2023 #66 Stand By Me (1986)
Rob Reiner's 1986 Stephen King coming-of-age adaptation, STAND BY ME, is our feature presentation this week. We talk Rob Reiner's becoming involved in the project, what Stephen King thought of the film, River Phoenix, the dead body at the heart of the film, nostalgia, and so much more. This is a big one. We also get into this week's SILVER SCREEN 7 where we pick our TOP 7 Video Rentals as Kids. Check out the third film in our JUNE GLOOM SERIES. It's been a bummerific way to kick off the summer!
2 hr 12 min
June 13, 2023 #65 The American Friend (1977)
Wim Wenders' 1977 Euro-noir, THE AMERICAN FRIEND, is our feature presentation this week. We talk the performances of Dennis Hopper and Bruno Ganz, Wenders obsession with the author of the source material, the beautifully captured ugliness of the film, and much much more. Plus, we get into this week's SILVER SCREEN 7 where we pick our TOP 7 FOREIGN FILMS RELEASED on CRITERION COLLECTION. Check out the second film in our June series, JUNE GLOOM. It's been a bummerific good time.
1 hr 56 min
June 06, 2023 #64 In The Bedroom (2001)
Todd Field's 2001 New England domestic revenge drama, IN THE BEDROOM, is our feature presentation this week. We talk Stanley Kubrick's influence on the film, Todd Field's inspiration, Tom Cruise's advice on how to handle Harvey Weinstein, Sissy Spacek and Tom Wilkinson's powerhouse performances, capturing the quaint suburban community, and so much more. Plus, we get into this week's SILVER SCREEN 7 where we pick our TOP 7 SISSY SPACEK MOVIES. Check out the first film in our June series, JUNE GLOOM. It's going to be a bummerific good time.

1 hr 54 min
May 30, 2023 #63 Butt Boy (2019)
Tyler Cornack's 2019 ass-vortex infused dark cop noir fantasy, BUTT BOY, is our feature presentation this week. We talk the social media origins of the film, the shoe-string budget, the ridiculous premise and how serious the filmmakers approached it, and much much more. This is a fun one that finds Chad & Hoch at odds like they've never been before. Arguments will ensue. Plus, we dive into our SILVER SCREEN 7 where this week we pick our TOP 7 ODDBALL COMEDIES. Come check it out!

1 hr 37 min
May 23, 2023 #62 Observe & Report (2009)
Jody Hill's 2009 dark and twisted mall cop romp, OBSERVE & REPORT, is our feature presentation this week. We talk Jody Hill's style of filmmaking and comedy, if lead characters in comedies have to be likable, the "Date Rape Controversy" surrounding the film, Anna Faris, and so much more. As usual, we also have our SILVER SCREEN 7 where this week we pick our Top 7 Mall Movies. Lend us your ears!

1 hr 43 min
May 16, 2023 #61 Fail Safe (1964)
Sidney Lumet's 1964 Cold War brink of doom suspense film, FAIL SAFE, is our feature presentation this week. We talk the lawsuit filed by Stanley Kubrick and others over the film's perceived plagiarism on the source novel and DR. STRANGELOVE. We also touch on the blacklisted screenwriter, lack of energy, and the one-note tone of the film. There's a lot to discuss and this one may surprise you. We also pick our least favorite Sidney Lumet films in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Join us!
1 hr 30 min
May 09, 2023 #60 Sideways (2004)
Alexander Payne's 2004 wine country road trip buddy comedy, SIDEWAYS, drunkenly stumbles into our feature presentation this week. We talk the stellar performances, Alexander Payne, wine country, the dynamic of Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, George Clooney's connection, the film's impact on the Wine Industry, and much more. We also pick our Top 7 Comedies of the 2000s decade (2000-2009) in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Fill your wine glass, and give it a go!
1 hr 44 min
May 02, 2023 #59 A Place In The Sun (1951)
George Steven's 1951 American dark-drama, A Place In The Sun, is our feature presentation this week. We talk the talent and tragedy of Montgomery Clift and the ghostly urban legends surrounding him. We also get into Elizabeth Taylor and Shelley Winters in the film, and the dark turn the film takes that completely caught us off guard. And as usual, we have our SILVER SCREEN 7 where this week we pick our Top 7 movies from the 1950s. Stop by and check us out!
1 hr 50 min