DeGen Cinema Podcast

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay are back from suspension, and are on the case to talk about one of the sweatiest action movies of all-time, 'Die Hard with a Vengeance.' Andy kicks off the episode by recalling when he saw this movie with his grandpa and it led to his school bringing in a social worker. Then the boys borrow a quarter to make a call on a payphone and tell the audience how this belongs in the annals of the franchise's original entry as a masterpiece. John McTiernan lends his steady hand to the proceedings, as the movie catapults the viewer straight into the uncontained action sequences captured with real location shots in '90s New York. Some of the location action is so insane it seems that stunt people (or extras) were certainly maimed while filming. The guys also talk about the sandwich board scene which led to the second funniest edited-for-TV moments in 'Die Hard' history. Bruce Willis' John McClane may have been suffering through a hangover the entire movie, but fortunately this movie was shot back when both Willis and Samuel L. Jackson gave a damn. Along with the chemistry of the two leads is a wonderfully hammy performance from the usually-refined Jeremy Irons as the baddie. The cast is then filled out with incredible character actors, and a number of real-life New Yahkers who capture the powder keg feeling that can only be emulated in the streets of NYC. This episode's so good that you'll be calling your ex at the end to tell them you love them, and they should listen too. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay make your wishes come true and tackle the horror box office phenomenon, 'Obsession.' Bombay breaks the ice by mentioning how the film gave him flashbacks to the most chaotic and unhinged first date he ever went on.

Then the fellas head to the music store to discuss a movie that has been described as 'Tales From the Crypt' for Zoomers, and why that rocks. Of course Inde Navarrette's powerhouse performance as Nikki deserves all the accolades. She not only sells the physical horror of this monkey's paw fable, but delivers subtleties that capture how devoted love can truly devolve into a mental illness. Unfortunately, she is paired with the milquetoast Bear, whose faux-fake guy persona — and lack of any defining personality traits — make him beyond unbearable. While Curry Barker's runaway smash hit may not reinvent the genre, it does treat both mainstream audiences, and horror sickos alike, to a bonkers third act that is all wrapped together with a feel-bad ending. Similar to the end credits, this episode will leave you audibly sobbing (with laughter, not tears). 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay tell you to hold onto your butts, as they talk about the 1993 wondrous classic, 'Jurassic Park.' Andy starts off the episode by telling a story about when he got very drunk with friends and went to see a dinosaur exhibit at a museum, but was forced to rush out in a hurry after causing a scene.

Then the boys prove that like life, degeneracy finds a way, as they give the dirtbag analysis treatment to Steven Spielberg's beloved film. They recall how this movie was a mega-phenomenon on release and completely captured the imagination of kids, and adults alike. Obviously much credit goes to the VFX department, but the flick is also peppered with some genuinely frightening imagery. Plus, the cast is led by a trio of freaks, as genre favorites Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum found their mainstream grooves. Spielberg did it all while also working on his other stone cold masterpiece that same year, and the dichotomy of the two projects may have literally bled over to John Hammond's amusement park. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay rub the furry walls while talking about the 2010 party-comedy, 'Get Him to the Greek.' Andy kicks the episode off by recalling a time he hid M in his backdoor region to take it on a flight to a Phish concert. 

Then the fellas chat about a studio comedy that seems to be from a bygone era. You definitely couldn't make this movie today ... because it stars Diddy and Russell Brand. The film almost propelled Brand into A-list superstardom before folks realized his portrayal of the pretentious rockstar had very little fiction. Along the way the flick is filled with copious amounts of overindulging on substances while having a riot and acting irresponsibly. Most will remember Jonah Hill's character being forced into perverse party situations including the all-time hilarious 'Jeffrey' strip club sequence, but it's Rose Byrne who stealthily comes away with the MVP — cementing her place on the Degen Cinema Mount Rushmore of comedy. The movie may run out of steam, and drag on too long, but the podcast episode comes in at a perfect length, and features tales and insights that'll make you feel as if you just smoked a Jeffrey. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay welcome you to the revolution, as they talk about '90s action favorite, 'Under Siege.' Bombay starts it off by recalling the time he saw this movie as a kid and had an awkward exchange with a friend's mom during the infamous cake scene. 

Then the boys get things cookin' as they discuss how this may be not only Steven Seagal's overall best flick, but his most likeable performance. That comes partially because he takes a backseat to Tommy Lee Jones' delightfully unhinged bad guy role that sees him spouting off anti-establishment phrases while dressed as a '60s rocker. It helps that his right hand man is portrayed by the always deliriously delectable Gary Busey, who kills a commanding officer while in outrageous drag. Seagal's sidekick throughout the whole ordeal is the charmingly adorable Erika Eleniak who treats everyone to some gratuitous nudity in a scene that the guys argue may be Top 5 most replayed scenes of the VCR era. Add in Andrew Davis' assured action direction, that features Seagal delivering some all-time brutal kills for a studio film, and you have an unforgettable action movie, and episode. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay head to the clock tower to catch lightning in a bottle as they discuss the 1985 classic, 'Back to the Future.' Andy kicks off the podcast by telling a story when he overdid with partying at a fair and wound up at a crazy car dealership that specializes in Deloreans. 

Then the guys give this family movie the Degen treatment. There's a lot of discussion about how Robert Zemeckis captured the '80s wonderment, and was helped by Alan Silvestri's occasionally gripping score. In addition to the technical aspect, the hosts devote a lot of time to whether or not Lea Thompson was a smokeshow back in the day, and the icky logistics of going back in time just to have the opportunity to hook up with the teenage version of your own mother. Michael J. Fox was famously the second choice to star in the franchise, but it's Christopher Lloyd's cartoonish depiction of Doc Brown that sells the essence of a film with a mostly bonkers premise. So order a Pepsi Free or a Tab from the milkshake counter and settle in for a surprisingly unhinged episode. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay show off their particular set of skills while talking about the movie that launched the old man action blockbuster, 'Taken.' Andy starts things off by remembering a time he had to use his years of training as a user to literally sniff out, and track down a friend who went missing after a concert. 

Then the boys dive into one of the most befuddling studio action trilogies, a movie that defied all odds (and logic) and turned Liam Neeson from a well-respected acting legend into a late-career, slow-moving, gruff-speaking CIA specialist who specializes in torture, and poorly-choreorgraphed combat. Admittedly, this is not the fellas favorite movie ever covered, but much like audiences in 2008, they had a blast watching it — and playfully poking fun at Neeson as Bryan Mills. The film soared because of one gripping scene of Bryan Mills on the phone that was used as the crux of a trailer with bits of action peppered throughout. The guys also spend time debating on just how much the gorgeous Maggie Grace (who is 10 years older than the 17 year old she plays) would have fetched on the black market. Similar to when you catch 'Taken' on cable, you won't be able to turn this episode off. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay just got back from hanging out in Old Detroit to talk about the '80s classic, 'RoboCop.' Bombay kicks off the episode by recalling the first time saw this movie as a youngster, and unwittingly found himself involved in a friend's crimespree. Then the guys ask, "Can you fly, Bobby?" as they discuss seeing the simultaneous low class, and high class brilliance of a film built on tenets of scathing (hilarious) satire that also happens to feature some of the most over the top violence, and gore, in a studio film. They look back fondly at RoboMania, which included a Saturday morning cartoon, and Andy's parents even hiring a RoboCop lookalike for a birthday party. Peter Weller is gripping as the titular robotic police officer, but Kurtwood Smith's delighted unhinged portrayal as the menacingly even Clarence steals the show — along with his looney brand of masochistic thugs. There's plenty of wonderful characters actors, from Miguel Ferrer to Ray Wise, who all do their part to portray a terrifying dystopian Detroit that's only a tad bit scarier than the city was actually in the '80s. Similar to the news segments, and bonkers commercials stingers Paul Verhoeven added throughout, this episode will leave you laughing with delight, and if not, then it's "Your move, creep." 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay find their tempo as they talk about 2014's psychological masterpiece, 'Whiplash.' Andy opens up the episode by recalling the time he saw a drummer in school lose his mind and attack the music teacher. Then the fellas dive into Damien Chazzelle's breakout film that presents as a sports movie, but is actually more akin to a two-hander thriller. The film is stuffed with jazz nerd specificity — and is an ode to the insane skill and work ethic it takes to become talented enough to play in one of these ensembles — which serves as a background for J.K. Simmons' maniacal Fletcher. Sure, the film is about pathological focus, but Fletcher's tyrannical outbursts are not only terrifying, but they are legitimately hilarious as he delivers one boundary-pushing offensive quip after another. Miles Teller is equally as compelling as the quiet spoken, yet low-key narcissistic drummer who yearns for Fletcher's approval while eschewing his own doting father — played by a wonderful Paul Reiser, who delivers a chilling expression as he witnesses his son transform into a monster during the transcendent closing sequence of the film. Throughout the episodes the boys reference 'The Godfather' movies, and other certified classics, as they believe more people in the film community should be heralding it as the propulsive perfectly-placed psychological thriller that it is. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay head to a center for ants to talk about the 2001 comedy classic, 'Zoolander.' Bombay is the first to walk the runway, as he harkens to the gas pump fight scene by telling a story that involved a dangerous gasoline fire when he was a teenager. 

Then the guys discuss a movie that was basically an extended sketch premise stretched thin at only 89 minutes, but still worked and became a cultural powerhouse thanks to a stacked cast and an onslaught of laughs. Not only did he star, but Ben Stiller also directed this movie packed with quit-cutting wild energy, and overflowing with celebrity cameos. A few of the standouts being a post-'Titanic' Billy Zane, and the effervescent David Bowie who gets beckoned to call Stiller and Owen Wilson's epic walk off. The flick is packed with countless examples of himbo idiocy humor, and in a movie filled with gorgeous faces it's Christine Taylor's perfect face, and perfect delivery as the straight person that helps ground it. Not only did the film give us laughs, but it also provided the signature Blue Steel look that was a joke in the early 2000s, and later became the de facto face both men and women default to in photos for the social media era. After listening to this off-the-rails recording you'll agree that it's a really, really, really ridiculously good episode.