DeGen Cinema Podcast

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay just got off a plane because they had a scary premonition, and then decided to talk about the first installment in a surprisingly hilarious horror franchise, 'Final Destination.' Bombay starts off the "I'm never gonna die" teenage hubris discussion by recalling a running joke he and a friend had in high school about memorial services for fellow classmates who met a grisly end. Then the fellas safety-proof their homes before talking about the film with a premise that was initially mined from an X-Files spec script. This installment in the franchise is almost quaint compared to how ludicrous it would become, but all the tenets are there of wild Rube Goldberg-style deaths, to gut busting lines about youngsters hoping to cheat death. The boys recap their favorite deaths, including the "You can just drop f***ing dead" bus scene that features a Nine Inch Nails song about reaching your final destination. Plus, they recap times in their youth where they narrowly avoided death, and try desperately to make sense of Ali Larter's hot girl goth-welder character. This episode will leave you laughing in the face of death. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay pick up some cans of silly string and pizzas to enjoy a wild night talking about 'Big.' Andy kicks things off by telling a story about a one night stand that ended abruptly after the girl walked into his man-child cave room adorned that showcased his affinity for comics. Then the fellas decide to give another beloved child's movie the Degen treatment, and discuss Penny Marshall's 1988 film. This starts with the guys pitching gritty remakes, and imagining how the story of a child turning into a man overnight, and heading to downtown New York in the '80s would work out for him in the real world. Afterwards, they get to the cherished coming-of-age romp which was really just a nearly two-hour showcase for Tom Hanks' star potential, as he hams it up. Sure, his depiction of an 11-year-old interacting with adults is more reminiscent of a toddler, but the film does nail the fact of young guys throwing their friends under the bus to get their hands on some boobies. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bomabay ask to use your guyses phone so they can get some chapstick and talk about the 2004 comedy gem 'Napoleon Dynamite.' Bombay remembers growing up with a kid who lied about his summer exploits like Napoleon telling classmates he killed wolverines. Then the boys strap on a pair of moon boots to discuss a flick that was a genuine cultural phenomenon. Set in Idaho in the 2000s, but steeped in '80s nostalgia the movie is the definition of specificity breeding universality. Which leads the guys to talk about their school cafeteria, and how tots not only rock, but are the perfect food fight weapon. Of course, besides the eats, they need to mention Kip being the man and pulling babes off the internet in the pay-per-minute internet era. Speaking of women, they have to mention Pedro and his family which includes a hot chola sister, and hard nosed cholo cousins that have his back. Perhaps the unsung star is Uncle Rico who maybe can't toss a pigskin over a mountain, but has the greatest on-camera steak throw of all time. The episode closes, as it should, discussing Napoleon's killer dance moves that he not only performs in moon boots, but without breaking character. So knock it off, get yourself a dang quesa-dilla, and check this one out. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay skip fourth period to go trip off some H.F.S. before talking about '21 Jump Street.' Andy gets the ball rolling by talking about cops who peaked in high school, and how he had a beef with one that led to a wild altercation and a restraining order. Then the boys are given the assignment by their angry yelling police captain to talk about one of the funniest movies of the 2010s. They kick it off by discussing Channing Tatum's loveable himbo/dummy character, and how much the guys appreciate that the movie addresses how handsome he is in that setting. There's also a heated debate about dyed blond hair vs frosted tips, and living in the Slim Shady era. Plus, they mention how this movie features one of Ice Cube's best roles, and how his hard exterior persona is perfect for comedy. Of course, they reminisce a bit about high school, and the use (or overuse) of acronyms to name the trendy chemicals of the time. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay set the mood by putting on Side 1 of Zeppelin IV, so they can talk about the classic high school comedy 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High.' Bombay starts it off by remembering the time(s) he finished embarrassingly quickly just like Mike Damone when he got a chance with Jennifer Jason Leigh's Stacy. Then the fellas head over to the pool to chat about Phoebe Cates' legendary topless scene that broke VCRs throughout the '80s as being the most rewound scene in the home movie rental era. Besides the nudity, the film had plenty of laughs, and insights to offer about the teenage experience, and gets remembered for crude moments, but packs a wallop emotionally. Lost in the fray is the fact that this raunchy teen comedy written by a very young Cameron Crowe was directed by a woman. The guys relate to their own high school experience of skipping classes and working crappy retail jobs at the mall, and of course they make time for Sean Penn's surfer burnout Spicoli. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay quit their jobs at the diner kitchen in dramatic fashion so they can rush home and talk about the second half of 'Heat.' In the continuation of their special two-part coverage of the movie, they discuss the back half that features the greatest shootout scene caught on camera. It's 30 years later and the scene is still untouched, and filled with minute details from Michael Mann as the actors clearly displayed military handling of the weapons, and the director even made sure the bags of money were close to how much they'd weigh in real life. After shattering the cerebral touch of the first half of the flick with the shootout, the movie shifts to a revenge thriller as Rober De Niro's McCauley goes on a mission to tie up loose ends, while Al Pacino's Vincent's home life falls to pieces. Both men are forced to deal with the consequences for their poor decisions, as the film ends with a violent encounter that solidifies their feelings for one another. Andy and Bombay then take a moment, wipe away their own tears, and bask in the beauty of their favorite movie. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay get back from dealing with three dead bodies off the sidewalk of Venice Boulevard to talk about the movie that led to the impetus of Degen Cinema. It's a very special 100th episode as the fellas discuss a film they are so obsessed with it had previously been off-limits of even being mentioned on the podcast, Michael Mann's Heat. In this episode they tackle the diner scene and everything earlier as this was how the film was divided when first released on a double cassette VHS.  The boys recall the first times renting it in their youth, and then repeated viewings on cable, as this masterpiece featured the cinema equivalent of Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro squaring off at the height of their respective powers. Mann crafted this over the better part of two decades in the business, which included a lackluster TV movie that was basically a dry run for what would later become "Heat." A movie that, 30 years later, features what is still considered the best shootout scene captured on celluloid. Crafted with top to bottom incredible performances, it's also crammed with innumerable cool scenes, and unforgettable lines. You're gonna love this episode cause it's got a GREAT A**!

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay decided to bring their degenerate sensibilities to a kids classic as they discussed 'Goonies.' Andy starts with a bang as he remembers playing around with dynamite like the gang uses in the film, but the results were far more frightening than what was depicted on screen. Then the boys talk about a movie that found the perfect '80s alchemy, and is so steeped in nostalgia it seems slightly AI-created. First they tackle the tough subjects, such as 60% of the film's runtime revolving around ripping on Chunk being overweight, and Sloth being mentally challenged. In the case of Chunk the on-camera shaming seemed to work as the real life actor went on to become a major player in Hollywood. It wasn't only those characters who had it rough, but Andy makes a case for the Fratelli family, who besides their murderous traits are just your typical Long Island crew. Bombay recalls the movie inspiring him and friends to go on an underground adventure in the sewers, and how it was far more harrowing than this Richard Donner-directed flick made it appear. Basically the episode devolves into the guys confessing all their sins just like Chunk being interrogated, except with less stories about pouring puke on people at the theater. By the end of the ep you'll find yourself doing the Truffle Shuffle.

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay decide to go to shore and get a bigger podcast, as they discuss one of the greatest films ever made, 'Jaws.' Bombay starts off the episode by relating how difficult it can be fitting in when you're new to a small town like Amity, and how it almost led to him getting arrested as a youth. Then the fellas cast off to talk about the movie. First by pouring one out for the opening girl who gets got by Jaws, Chrissy and her wonderful sweater puppies. Then there's discussion about why Alex Kintner, who was played by an actor with the last name Vorhees, maybe deserved to die. Plus, the guys talk about the three main leads who helped elevate this simple tale, and how Robert Shaw was a real life heavy drinker who didn't care for the cut of Richard Dreyfuss' jib. Add all that with the true arrival of John Williams, and the brilliance of a young Spielberg who was forced to improvise, and you have the birth of the summer blockbuster. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay hit some bombs at the driving range before talking about one of the great sports comedies, 'Happy Gilmore.' Andy tees off first by retelling the story of when he drugged everyone at his golf camp as a kid. Then the boys discuss this ultra-silly movie that wound up being the prototype for Adam Sandler comedies. They waste little time getting to the infamous Bob Barker cameo where he squared off with Sandler, and showed some seasoned chops as a fighter because the 70 year old game show host trained with Chuck Norris. Of course, the film is littered with the requisite cast of misfits in a Happy Madison production including the one-handed Chubbs, played to hilarious effect by Carl Weathers. Besides those lovable tertiary characters there's the evil Shooter McGavin at the center of it all, who we get to see devolve into a gremlin-person. Make sure you check out this episode cause we eat pieces of s*** like you for breakfast.