Comfort Films Podcast

In this last episode of our martial arts film month, we welcome guest Frank Bonanno as we shift our focus from Hong Kong to Indonesia with Gareth Evans's bone-crunching film The Raid: Redemption. We discuss the many types of martial arts featured in the film - most notably, pencak silat, an indigenous class of martial arts from Indonesia, the speed, style, and innovation of the cinematography, the mixing of survival horror video game and slasher horror conventions that make this a unique action film, the many fast action/fighting films that The Raid: Redemption paved the way for (including John Wick), the boundless creativity of low-budget film, how a movie this brutal could still be a comfort film, and the absolutely insane stunt work that makes this film a modern masterpiece. Slap on your body armor and storm this building with us!

For the second of our three martial arts episodes, we welcome back the always brilliant Chris Witty (who guested on our Goodfellas episode) to discuss Mr. Nice Guy and all other things Jackie Chan! We talk about Jackie Chan's boundless energy and all-around talent as a martial artist, acrobatic stunt pro, and comedy genius; the influence of silent film stars Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, comedy greats the Marx Brothers, and dance legend Gene Kelly on the movies of Jackie Chan; Sammo Hung, Chan's equally talented lifelong friend, the director of Mr. Nice Guy, and a huge (no pun intended, if you've seen the guy) influence on the growth and direction of Hong Kong martial arts cinema; and the connections between genre films like westerns, martial arts movies, and exploitation films that make them popular comfort watches for lots of people (including the three of us). Get ready to rumble and give us a listen!

This week we're kicking off a martial arts movie month with the film that's widely recognized as the genre founder, at least where Western audiences are concerned, Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon. We talk about Bruce Lee's ability to extol philosophy through action, his unequaled power and mastery of kung fu, the story's many similarities to the James Bond film structure, the excellent stunt team which included legends Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan, stellar supporting performances from black belts John Saxon and Jim Kelly and Mr. Hong Kong Bolo Yeung, and the way that Bruce Lee and Enter the Dragon permanently changed cinema and influenced the many martial arts films that followed in its wake. Meet us on Han's island for a great episode!

For the final week of our Spectator Sports month, we discuss Peter Yates's Breaking Away, which combines a sweet and funny coming-of-age comedy, a class-struggle drama, and a fantastic underdog sports film. We discuss the real-life origins of Steve Tesich's Oscar-winning screenplay, the film debut of character actor Daniel Stern and his niche as the lovable loser, the family chemistry of Barbara Barrie, Paul Dooley, and Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quaid's bitter and heartbreaking former quarterback Mike, Jackie Earle Haley's amazing maturity (even as the youngest cast member), and the many other qualities that make this film one of the greatest feel-good movies of all time. Hop on your bike and give us a listen!

Do you love Bob Barker? Well, then do we have a great episode for you! For the third week of our spectator sports month, we hit the green with everyone's favorite angry hockey player turned golfer, Happy Gilmore. We discuss how this comedy is also a solid sports film with the story structure to prove it, Christopher McDonald's incredible villain Shooter McGavin, Carl Weathers's hilarious yet heartfelt one-handed golf pro Chubbs, Caddyshack parallels and Burt Reynolds connections, our own personal golf failures, and much more. Meet us on the 9th hole at 9PM, and we'll show you a reel good time. Dress nice!

Georgia and John take the field to talk about one of their all-time favorite baseball films, Penny Marshall's A League of Their Own. We discuss the documentary on the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) that inspired the film; the fiery sibling rivalry between Geena Davis's Dottie and Lori Petty's Kit; Megan Cavanaugh's screen debut as the unforgettable underdog Marla Hooch; the war's lasting effect on gender roles; Tom Hanks's unique role reversal as the disgusting yet charming Jimmy Dugan; the actors' dedication to authenticity (and the injuries that caused); the strong female friendships, including Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna as Doris and Mae, whose friendship persisted both on and off screen; and we exhaustively debate whether Dottie dropped the ball on purpose or if Kit finally bested her sister and won the game on her own merit. The bases are loaded and it's the bottom of the ninth - step up to the plate and give us a listen!

Get ready to shake and bake with special guests Christina and Mac Hare from World of Horror Podcast as we talk a blue streak about the hilarious and heartfelt 2006 Adam McKay/Will Ferrell comedy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.  We explore how a film this funny manages to lampoon with love, we praise the many brilliant performances that elevate the movie above simple comedy (with special emphasis on Gary Cole, Jane Lynch, and our universal MVP John C. Reilly), we dive into Cal and Ricky's deeply flawed yet sweet friendship, we feel the motor running up our legs with Molly Shannon’s riotous scene-stealing performance as Mrs. Dennit, we trade our many favorite quotes, Georgia gives her spot on impression of Texas Ranger, and we revel in the absurd hilarity of the American/French rivalry embodied by Will Ferrell’s Ricky Bobby and Sacha Baron Cohen's Jean Girard.  With all due respect, rev up your engines and give us a listen, because if you ain’t first, you’re last!

Georgia and John finish out their month of westerns hanging loose from the noose with the iconic Sergio Leone-directed spaghetti western The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, as they tag along with Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach in their ruthless search across the westernmost front of the Civil War for $200,000 in Confederate gold. We discuss all aspects of this landmark film: casting, cinematography, the indelible Ennio Morricone score, Sergio Leone's directing style that combines opera and silent film, the dangerous stunts, the story's perfect blend of cartoonish humor and violence, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, the anti-war theme, the frenemy chemistry between Eastwood and Wallach, Leone's lasting influence on modern cinema, and what exactly good, bad, and ugly mean in the context of this film and these characters. Ride off with us into the sunset as we go digging for gold!

For the third week of our westerns month, we're discussing another early 50s classic, Shane. This movie has it all - family drama, good versus evil (with plenty of gray area to explore), a coming-of-age story, beautiful western scenery, history, and plenty of suspense. We also discuss the unforgettable performances from Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin, and Jack Palance among others, the costume design of Edith Head, George Stevens's great attention to detail, Loyal Griggs's award-winning cinematography, and the hugely important theme of freedom and independence in the changing west. Belly up to the bar and give us a listen!

In this second film of our Westerns month, we talk about another classic film that both defines and subverts the genre, High Noon, starring Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Lloyd Bridges, Katy Jurado, and the unknown yet soon-to-be staple western bad guy, Lee Van Cleef. We discuss the masterful use of the clock to build suspense, the many excuses (both good and bad) of the townspeople who refuse to help Will Kane, the juxtaposition of Mrs. Ramirez and Amy--the two women in Will's life, the stark and simple but highly effective cinematography, and the uniqueness of the film as an allegory for Hollywood blacklisting in the McCarthy era. The new marshall doesn't arrive until tomorrow, so round up a posse and give us a listen!