The world's most beloved Steve Buscemi-themed podcast returns with an episode all about Terry Zwigoff's adaptation of Daniel Clowes' GHOST WORLD, starring Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson and - of course - Steve Buscemi! We talk about the difficulties of adapting (non-superhero) comics, how the film compares to the source, how our opinions on the film have changed since we first saw it and SO MUCH MORE. All that and the latest Steve Buscemi news. CHECK IT OUT.

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On this episode of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO VIC DIAZ? we're heading into the jungle with Filipino thespian Vic Diaz in the 1978 Vietnam war drama THE BOYS IN COMPANY C, starring Stan Shaw, Andrew Stevens, and Craig Wasson. Similar in structure to Full Metal Jacker (and featuring R. Lee Ermey in a very similar role), it's a sometimes odd, sometimes hard-hitting look at a controversial war that also includes a whole lot of soccer for some reason. It's pretty good, and very different than the usual fair we cover on this podcast. CHECK IT OUT! 

The post Episode 148 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – The Boys in Company C (1978) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

On this episode of WE DO OUR OWN STUNTS Jackie Chan's relationship with Lo Wei comes to an end.. sort of.. with Jackie's directorial debut THE FEARLESS HYENA! Filled with fights (choreographed by Jackie), and featuring perhaps his best performance of the era, it's a film that owes a lot to his recent successes (with SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW and DRUNKEN MASTER) but also shows his growing confidence and range as a martial artist and creative force. We trace the film's history, how it affected Jackie's relationship with Lo Wei, and go through what we'll be covering in the first few months of 2023. CHECK IT OUT! 

The post Episode 147 – We Do Our Own Stunts – The Fearless Hyena (1979) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

On a brand new episode of WILD IN THE STREETS, we're going One Step Beyond with Warhol superstar Joe Dallesandro in the sleaze-filled home invasion thriller MADNESS from director Fernando Di Leo. Featuring plenty of uncomfortable nudity and most of the soundtrack to Caliber 9, MADNESS has hunky Joe terrorizing a married couple (along with the wife's seductress sister) while trying to uncover some stolen riches stashed in their fireplace. All that, a giant poster of John Travolta that looms menacingly over the proceedings. Is it any good? Listen and find out! 

The post Episode 146 – Wild in the Streets – Madness (1980) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

In 1986, Dick Miller directed an episode of the second season of the massively popular TV series MIAMI VICE called "The Fix" and on this episode of YOU DON'T KNOW DICK, we're going to watch it! Thankfully we have author and Miami Vice aficionado Sarah Kurchak joining us to walk us through the world of Crockett & Tubbs, the corrupt world in which they live, and this episode, which features guest stars Harvey Fierstein, Michael Richards, and NBA hall-of-famer Bill Russell! CHECK IT OUT! 

The post Episode 145 – You Don’t Know Dick – Miami Vice (Season 2, Episode 19) The Fix (1986) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

David Carradine POPS THE CLUTCH again in Paul Bartel's follow-up to Death Race 2000, which features a cross-country race full of oddballs competing for a huge cash prize. Featuring an awesome cast of recognizable faces (Mary Woronov! Gerrit Graham! Robert Carradine! DICK MILLER! Joe Dante!) and even more awesome cameos (Martin Scorsese eating KFC with Bartel and Sylvester Stallone), it's a sometimes shaky, but always entertaining, collection of comedy, musical numbers (?) and car stunts. Find out how it all came together on this brand new episode of BARTEL ME SOMETHING GOOD.

The post Episode 144 – Bartel Me Something Good – Cannonball (1976) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

We're DOUBLING UP on this episode of Praising Kane, which features a discussion on Carol Kane's first episode of Taxi (and some very controversial statements from Liam on 80s sitcoms), but also Ralph Rosenblum's 1981 TV adaptation of James Thurber's satirical short story THE GREATEST MAN IN THE WORLD, featuring an introduction by Henry Fonda! Not only that, but we also fit in a discussion on the recent announcement of Carol Kane joining the cast of STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS! It's almost TOO MUCH, yet here it is. Enjoy.

The post Episode 143 – Praising Kane – Taxi (Season 2, Episode 17) & The Greatest Man in the World (1981) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

We're BREAKING FORMAT with another super SPOOOoooOKY Cinema Smorgasbord Halloween Special! This time around we're discussing our favorite Halloween costumes and giving some brief thoughts on some recent buzzy horror films, before jumping into spoiler-free discussions of Rebekah McKendry's GLORIOUS and Christian Tafdrup's SPEAK NO EVIL. It gets HEATED! Who cares about parties and trick-or-treating? It's time to LISTEN! 

The post Episode 142 – Halloween Horror Special – Glorious (2022) & Speak No Evil (2022) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

On this episode of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO VIC DIAZ? we're discussing the obscure - and unreleased in the USA - action film SPYDER from 1988 starring kickboxing champion Blake Bahner as BRAD SPYDER, a cop on the edge who travels to Hawaii to find out what happened to his beloved (and very dead) partner. If that sounds at all familiar, it's because Roger Corman bought the rights to the film and had it re-edited and released as BLACKBELT II! It's an action-packed (and very short) COBRA rip-off. LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.

The post Episode 141 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – Spyder (1988) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.

On HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? we trace the life and career of actor Steve Buscemi, and on THIS episode we're talking about Bob Dylan's new book (with an audiobook featuring Steve Buscemi), the history of his collaborations with Adam Sandler, STEVE BUSCEMI SUPERMAN and - of course - the SNL-flavored rock comedy AIRHEADS from 1994 starring Brendan Fraser, Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Michael Mckean, Michael Richards and Steve Buscemi! What did we think? LISTEN AND FIND OUT!

The post Episode 140 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Airheads (1994) first appeared on Cinema Smorgasbord.