Cinema Chop Shop

Just days after 47 Ronin Remembrance Day, and coincidentally the release of The Last Jedi, Travis, Mark, Hilary and Brew Boss Shawn get together to talk about samurai movies, and their influence on the Star Wars saga. This week's films are the classic Rashomon (1950) directed by Akira Kurosawa, a compelling film with a non-linear narrative that ushered Japan into the modern cinematic world, and The Sword of Doom (1966) where the gang wonder who from today could best portray the titular sword-wielding sociopathic samurai.

Podcast Overlord Brew Boss Shawn reigns supreme over lowly bartender Travis for Time Travel week on Cinema Chop Shop. Travis and Shawn read some listener mail then review the results of the first ever Cinema Chop Shop Facebook challenge. The first film this week is A Connecticut Yankee (1931), where Will Rogers travels back to King Arthur's court in the second adaptation of the Mark Twain novel, and our oldest film yet. After the break, it's the classic The Time Machine (1960), the first film adaptation of H.G. Wells' genre-defining story. Also this week: Energy drink and beer check-ins, the Department of Corrections Department and #MovieMarathon2017!

Travis, Brew Boss Shawn, Michele and Hilary gather in The Mancave to raise a glass to a round of bar movies to celebrate National Bartender Day. First up is British cult classic Withnail and I (1987). a harrowing look into the life of alcoholics, a story about addiction that can easily be transcribed to today's world. Things are decidedly lighter for our second film, Cocktail (1988) starring Tom Cruise, where Travis tries to salvage this sorry movie by turning to the source material. Finally, it's the return of THE WILD CARD

Travis and Brew Boss Shawn commemorate the anniversary of DB Cooper's unexplained hijacking by talking about some classic heist films from the 70s. First up is $ (1971), where Warren Beatty and Goldie Hawn find a moral justification for robbing a German bank. After the break it's The Hot Rock (1972) where the boys take on the task of finding the modern Robert Redford. Then, it's the return of T. Hanks-giving! with a discussion of A League of Their Own (1992).

A festive feeling is in the air as Travis and Brew Boss Shawn gather to give thanks and discuss Thanksgiving movies, a genre you thought didn't exist. The first film is Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), featuring Mia Farrow and an ensemble cast too long to list here. After the break there's a flop in the shop when they recast Dutch (1991) starring Ed O'Neill. Of course it's not just Thanksgiving, but T. Hanks-giving too, so we wrap up the show with Big (1988) starring America's dad Tom Hanks. Also the return of regular segments Energy Drink Check-in, Department of Corrections Department (with a thorough explanation of who exactly wrote The Bridge of the River Kwai from last week's episode), Midnight Double Feature, Beer Check-in, #MovieMarathon2017 and a special segment where we share what we are thankful for. Enjoy the show and have a wonderful holiday!

Travis and Mark are back to commemorate Veteran's Day by celebrating and breathing new life into some classic war movies. The first film is David Lean's classic The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) starring Sir Alec Guinness as a British POW in an Oscar-winning performance. Then it's high adventure with Gregory Peck in The Guns of Navarone (1961), where Mark celebrates Movember with some mustache-inspired recasting. Also the return of regular segments: Energy Drink Check-in. The Department of Corrections Department, Midnight Double Feature, Beer Check-in, #MovieMarathon2017 and THE WILD CARD. __

This week, Travis, Producer Andrew and Brew Boss Shawn talk about the best game you can name: the good old hockey game, and movies! Travis explores the wild world of hockey slang, Andrew blows a 3-1 lead, and Shawn is first onto the ice with picks for "Midnight Double Feature." The films this week are Youngblood (1986), starring Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves' French-Canadian accent, and the iconic sports movie Slap Shot (1977), starring Paul Newman. Hockey fans Shawn and Andrew bring a lot of enthusiasm and trivia to this barnburner of an episode!

Our celebration of horror movies finishes in gruesome fashion, with Travis, Brew Boss Shawn and Hilary talking about slasher movies. First up is Alice, Sweet Alice (1976, originally known as Communion). where the an alignment of the stars leads to Travis stepping on Shawn's toe. After the break, another underrated summer camp slasher in The Burning (1981), which features early performances by Holly Hunter and Jason Alexander. Finally, it's the return of the Wild Card, where the gang picks players for a fearful foursome from a late 90s flick. Happy Halloween!

Travis, Michele, Hilary and Brew Boss Shawn convene before Scary Movie Night VIII to talk about this year's double feature: Werner Herzog's art house horror film Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) and small town serial killer mystery Jennifer 8 (1992). Which Parks and Recreation cast member finds a new role of a lifetime? Find out on Cinema Chop Shop. Happy Halloween!

Travis is joined by friends of the podcast Zhixia and Michele to discuss Asian horror films that have been remade for American audiences. After visiting the Department of Corrections Department, and sharing our picks for "Midnight Double Feature," the first film this week is Takashi Miike's Audition (1999). After the break, a brief recap of #2017MovieMarathon then on to recasting South Korean vampire movie Thirst (2009). That's right, vampires. Happy Halloween!