Cinema File Podcast

1971 cult classic "Harold and Maude" turns 50 this year, and it also happens to be OnlineAthens entertainment writer Andrew Shearer's all-time favorite movie. This is a recording made directly after his friend Xtina watched it for the first time, so things get a bit sniffly.

For her debut feature film, "No Ordinary Love," due on June 15, 2021, Fort Worth, TX-based writer-director Chyna Robinson took on the very real and highly sensitive issue of intimate partner violence and masterfully wove it into the cinematic medium. The result is a powerful viewing experience with an urgent message.

Andrew hasn't been to the movies since March 2020, but the lure of Chris Rock starring in a horror movie was enough to get him back in a theatre. He recorded this podcast from his car directly after seeing "Spiral: From the Book of Saw." Which was scarier: the movie or going back to the movies during a worldwide pandemic?

Why do we care about the 2021 Oscars? Because for once – and it took a worldwide pandemic for it to happen – everyday film fans actually got to see all the Best Picture nominees in the comfort of their own homes weeks before the ceremony. Join former Blockbuster co-workers Andrew and Sam as they give their picks and predictions for this year's "Superbowl Of Cinema."

Released the same year as "Star Wars," Japanese experimental filmmaker Nobuhiko Obayashi's teenage horror masterpiece "House," a.k.a. "Hausu" came out. Panned by nearly all critics in its day, the effects-heavy mystery was a hit with young audiences due to its expert marketing campaign, youth-centered story and wild visuals. Decades later, "House" holds up beautifully, and remains a gorgeous and gory work from one of cinema's most original minds.

Former Blockbuster Video co-workers Andrew and Sam review a bunch of movies they watched in March 2021 including "Jumbo," "Godzilla vs. Kong," "Slaxx," "Tina," "Coming 2 America" and more.

In this interview recorded on March 19, 2021, the one year anniversary of the launch of Kino Lorber's virtual screening platform, Athens Ciné executive director Pam Kohn speaks to Kino Lorber senior vice president of theatrical and nontheatrical distribution and acquisitions Wendy Lidell about the impact it had on keeping independent theaters going.

Conversation moderated by OnlineAthens arts and entertainment reporter Andrew Shearer.

Like the punk records and underground films that inspired and informed her tireless work ethic, Debbie Rochon is a rare find in an age where discovering a cool, obscure independent artist is an increasingly less unique possibility. In this interview recorded on March 11, 2021, Rochon discusses her early life on the streets, experience as a stage performer, and rise to become an icon in the world of indie cinema.

For his follow-up to the 2013 folk horror movie "Jug Face," Nashville-based writer-director Chard Crawford Kinkle involved local family and friends to make "Dementer," a truly frightening character piece set in a center for adults with special needs. In this audio interview, Kinkle tells OnlineAthens reporter Andrew Shearer about casting his older sister in a leading role, and how festival audiences reacted to the film's unique tone.

In honor of the 7th anniversary of the special "CultCore" episode series, Andrew speaks to Kate Owens just moments after she finished watching the 1974 Pam Grier classic "Foxy Brown," co-starring Antonio Fargas and Bob Minor, and directed by Decatur, Ga. resident Jack Hill.