Cinebuds

“Creepy kids” is practically a movie genre unto itself, especially if you broaden the scope and rightfully include films like Baby Geniuses and characters like Sid from Toy Story. Generally, though, these spooky little squirts are a well-deserved subset of horror that’s ripe for conversation — including the one in this episode of Cinebuds.

The easy thing to do would be to just jump into examples and rattle off a list, but that isn’t their style. Our film-loving duo digs down to the foundation and determines what qualifies as a “creepy kid” movie. What age is prime “creepy kid” territory? What are the tropes that connect these films? How did Martin Short find his way into the subgenre?

Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette

Cinebuds on the sound board with Immortal Girlfriend talking about the Milwaukee duo's past, present and future.

-Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette

Are you tired of the multiverse? The Marvel Cinematic Universe? The universe in general? Do we have a movie for you — as long as you’re down for a movie that ridicules those things while also being kind of reverential about them???

There’s really only one Marvel character who could handle such an assignment: the fourth-wall-breaking, wise-cracking, foul-mouthed Deadpool. But the part Ryan Reynolds was born to play is only half of the cinematic equation in the latest MCU offering. Hugh “I’ll never play Wolverine again” Jackman is, of course, back as Wolverine to provide the gravitas to Reynolds’ goofiness — a balancing act that gets a lot of attention from Dori and Kpolly in this episode.

That’s really what the success or failure of Deadpool & Wolverine rides on. If it’s too smarmy and self-referential, there’s no substance for Wolverine to dig his adamantium into. If it’s too substantial, then we’re missing out on the smarm of a Deadpool movie. For one of our Cinebuds, the movie got it just about right.

Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette

Even if you really love movies, you likely have at least one genre that’s sectioned off with caution tape. For Dori, it’s romance. So when Kpolly approached her with an unapologetically romantic selection for this episode, her instinct was to turn tail and head the other way. Then he said the magic words:

“It’s Icelandic.”

OK, not the most traditional of magic words. But it was at least enough to pique Dori’s interest and get her eyeballs on the film at the center of their conversation: Touch. 

This story from household name Baltasar Kormákur is miles away from the rom-coms that have very nearly ruined romances for Dori. It’s a decade-spanning journey one man takes to track down his first love, and of course there are very dramatic stakes involved. There are also not one but THREE languages featured in the film, which allowed our Cinebuds to check off the rare “trilingual Icelandic romance” off their genre bucket list.

So did Touch completely restore Dori’s belief in love (or movies about love anyway)? Or was it an obvious attempt to get her to cry in public?

Produced and edited bt Marcus Doucette

Kristopher Pollard and Dori Zori are joined by Radio Milwaukee's Jen Ellis as they talk about the new biker flick, The Bikeriders. Over the course of a decade, a Midwestern motorcycle club evolves from a gathering place for local outsiders to a sinister gang, threatening the original group's way of life. Tom Hardy, Austin Butler and Jodie Comer lead a strong cast capturing an era of motorcyle clubs transitiononing into gangs, and the consequences that become inevitable and deadly.

Our hosts also dive into Chicagoland accents, as well as vintage bikes and style.

-Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette 

Unlikely revenge thriller Thelma goes through the Cinebuds rinse. Thelma follows the titular nonagenarian lead as she gets scammed and gets revenge in a film that is part comedic and part Mission: Impossible in all the best ways.

Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette

Dori and Kpolly delve into Femme, a fascinating take on the revenge film theme and one that keeps you guessing while delving into themes of redemption, self-acceptance and taking back your strength. It's a film with a very powerful arc yet may be triggering for some.

Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette

Problemista centers on Alejandro, an aspiring toy designer who's struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. As time on his work visa runs out, a job assisting an art-world outcast becomes his only hope to stay in the country and realise his dream.

The film is directed by and stars Julio Torres, who's joined by the always-wonderful Tilda Swinton. Kristopher and Dori had all the feels for this comedy-fantasy hybrid, and also chat about their current cinema playlists, as well as the upcoming Pride-friendly showcase coming to Milwaukee's iconic Oriental Theater.

Produced & edited by Marcus Doucette

The comedy subgenre of “oh crap I’m pregnant and not ready to have a baby” is fertile ground. Pun intended. Recent years have brought us the likes of Juno, Knocked Up and Waitress, and to that list we add the focus of this episode: Babes.

It should first be noted that the comedy chops behind this recent release are strong. Ilana Glazer penned the script along with Broad City alum Josh Rabinowitz, Pamela Adlon handled directing duties, and Glazer stars with the similarly wonderful Michelle Buteau. Of course, great talent does not guarantee good results. And R-rated comedy is a tricky area to navigate. So how does this one fare?

Obviously, we’d like you to listen to the full podcast to find out. But we can say, like Glazer’s character in Babes, initial results are positive.

- Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette

The Mad Max saga continues, and Dori Zori is joined by guest host Marcus Doucette to talk about the post-apocalyptic hellscape the series is set in, as well as some of the great performances in this prequel to 2015's Fury Road.

Produced and edited by Marcus Doucette