DeGen Cinema Podcast

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay map out a wedding season itinerary to discuss 'Wedding Crashers.' They open the episode by sharing stories of crashing weddings, and one tale ends with a beating after accidentally crashing the wedding of a made man. Then the boys talk about a movie that laid the groundwork for frat-bro dialogue in the 2000s. A flick with countless quotable lines that is spearheaded by a comedy-prime Vince Vaughn, and anchored with a killer cast. Among that cast is the effervescent Jane Seymour, who definitely earned the right to have been motorboated (a term that wasn't widespread before this film's release). The fellas debate whether it's easier to meet someone at a wedding, or a bar. Afterwards they go into mourning as the second half of the film comes to a screeching halt and devolves into a rom-com that nobody cares about. Fortunately, Will Ferrell and his grief-humping character pops up to salvage the poorly-paced third act. Ask your mom to throw together some meatloaf and "lock it up" while you put on this episode. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay fly out to Siberia to get some solitude so they can talk 'Rocky IV.' Bombay opens Round 1 by telling a story about a friend who started a fight he couldn't win, much like Apollo Creed. Then the fellas go back to grassroots training so they are prepared to talk about this peak '80s movie that starts off as the worst movie ever, padded with clips and story beats from previous entries in the franchise, but by the last 20 minutes it morphs into possibly the most important film in the history of American cinema. The guys try to make sense of what Paulie was doing in this movie, as he contributed both nothing to the training or the comedic elements. Even though they've each seen this countless times growing up, both of the hosts are shocked at just how many montages there are when you actively pay attention to his befuddling movie — that somehow wins you over. Similar to Ivan Drago, Sylvester Stallone decided to take the "I must break you" approach and bludgeon viewers with tedious montage after montage. Anyway, cue up "Living in America" and get the episode started. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay celebrate Valentine's Day by talking about everyone's favorite rom-com of the 2010's, 'Gone Girl.' Bombay starts it off by recalling a time he dated a woman who became so upset with him that she threatened to "Gone Girl" him. Then the fellas discuss this elevated form of high trash art that opens like a rom-com, and turns into a brutal thriller that is a socio-commentary on relationship dynamics. The guys open with a debate about whether it's considered cheating if the mistress is as hot as Emily Ratajkowski, which leads to discussion about Ben Affleck's loveable "himbo" performance that helped remind the world that he is still a great actor. They also cover how Amy's brilliance at framing her husband is only overshadowed by her stupidity in the real world — why did she carry all that money on her person? Rosamund Pike's Amy may not be street savvy, but she is cold and vindictive, and the perfect character for David Fincher's detached aesthetics. This all adds to a perfectly degen Valentine's Day which will have you contemplating unspooling your lover's brains to see what they're thinking.

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay take five months off to relax at a mountainous inn and discuss one of the greatest and most unnerving films of all time, 'The Shining.' Bombay kicks it off with a story about using an old school typewriter, Jack Torrance style, while outta his mind high on shrooms. Then Andy reminisces about the time he overdid it on psychedelics and walked into a furry convention in a hotel ballroom. Despite the heavy tone of the movie the fellas keep it light while discussing Stanley Kubrick's visually audacious opus. They mention Jack's drink of choice, a bourbon and egg liqueur, which is one of the oddest movie cocktails they ever noticed. Afterwards, the guys try their best to make sense of Jack accepting the job offer which was replete with one minor caveat: the last man who had your job went insane and murdered himself and his family. Then they talk about Jack Nicholson's insane faces throughout the entire runtime, and Shelley Duvall's performance that was unfairly maligned for years for being cranked to a 12 — but is alarmingly effective. The boys also go over how it wasn't such a bad deal for young Danny Torrance who got free reign in the sprawling hotel on his Big Wheel-trike, while getting to spend time with some cute twin girls his own age. Pop the episode on and listen to us forever, and ever, and ever...

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay just got back from pullin' off a job at Brainerd so they can talk about the Coen Bros' crime-comedy masterpiece 'Fargo.' Andy kicks off the episode by remembering when he dragged a group of friends (and their parents) to see this R-rated chiller in theater. Then the boys indulge in a fountain of conversation...a geyser, as they talk about what is perhaps the Coens' funniest movie. Stuffed with inept criminals and all-around low lifes, the film features a never-funnier Steve Buscemi and his sociopathic partner who embark on a crime/killing spree to kidnap the wife of William H. Macy's bumbling Jerry. Fortunately, Frances McDormand's saintly Marge is on the case to pick up nightcrawlers, endless orders of fast food, and apprehend the criminals who robbed and murdered people all while ruining a perfectly beautiful day. The lying and scheming degens may be popping out of every crevice — including hotel bars at the Radisson — but Marge's resolute goodness prevails. Oh geez, just check out the episode. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay are in total control of their environments as they talk about the modern bro-sterpiece 'Den of Thieves.' Bombay starts things off by remembering the time he made the same mistake as the main character, and ruined his chance with a girl by sexting the wrong number. Then the boys head to the Federal Reserve to deliver Chinese food they left in an air duct, and then grab their notepads and try to make sense of one of the most entertaining but beguilingly convoluted heist movies. All while attempting to avoid fixating on a certain 1995 crime classic that this movie overtly cribs from. Besides the confusing plot, this flick has a lot going for it including an ultra-sleazy performance from a bloated Gerard Butler as Big Nick — who belongs in the Degen Hall of Fame. Tonally, the movie is as hard to follow as the confounding heist caper, but it's a slick love letter to Los Angeles and features some surprisingly good performances (50 Cent), and a fantastic closing shootout. Come for the cops who party with prostitutes, and stay for the perplexing British accent used by Ice Cube's kid. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay grab their blankets and microphones and head to a haberdashery to discuss 'The Hateful Eight.' Andy puts the stew on then tells a story about the time school was cancelled so he went to a friend's place for some extracurriculars, and the party quickly spiraled out of control. Then the boys sit down and get cozy to talk about one of the great winter movies that fully captures the feel of being stranded in a snowstorm. Even though the flick is a chamber piece it features some of Quentin Tarantino's most stunning photography capturing the snowy vistas. Afterwards, the movie with a gargantuan runtime settles into a whodunnit for the ages filled with vile characters. Centering around the capture of the always-great Jennifer Jason Leigh, the cast is uniformly great including a scene-chewing Walton Goggins, and a curmudgeonly Bruce Dern. On top of being beautifully shot and wonderfully acted, the movie is bolstered by a wonderful score. The fellas get movie geeky and discuss how the film's Oscar win for the score was a vindication for a genre masterpiece. Overall, the movie is a degen classic filled with mean bastards, and mean bastards, you need to hang. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay grab their amplifiers and head to Lee's Palace to talk 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.' Bombay kicks it off with party stories from the era when the movie takes place — Toronto in the late 2000s — including stealing from the Pizza Pizza on King and Brant, and sneaking booze into cheval on King West. Then the fellas head to battle of the bands to discuss the definitive panel-to-screen comic book movie that is stuffed with visual gags and flourishes that should be exhausting, but somehow works in a charming way. It helps that the film is overflowing with top tier talent including a pre-fame Kieran Culkin as the smarmy gay roommate, and Aubrey Plaza as the foul-mouthed disapproving sister of the titular character. The guys discuss how Scott Pilgrim is low-keyone of the most degenerate main character ever covered on the pod, as he has barely any redeeming qualities, but manages to garner attention from a bevy of beautiful, and talented women. Edgar Wright is able to pull it all together while adding top notch music, and better-than-they-should be action set pieces in what is one of his last great movies. 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay have their police scanners on so they can be on the scene to talk 'Nightcrawler.' Andy finds the first lead by recalling a time when he was too chummy with a dealer, which similar to the characters in the movie, resulted in finding himself in increasingly more dangerous situations. Then the fellas discuss one of the best movies of the 2010s. A film featuring a transformative performance from Jake Gyllenhaal, who trades in his Hollywood charm for sociopathic smarm as Lou Bloom. It was a turn that made the mainstream take notice, even though it somehow went unrecognized at the Oscars. If Gyllenhaal was the lead actor, then Los Angeles may be the real star, as the gorgeous cinematography is a love letter to the City of Angels. The gripping crime thriller also features the late great Bill Paxton in sleazy god mode. After listening to this episode you may need a bandaid, but remember, "If it bleeds, it leads." 

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay go out to the coast, get together, and have a few laughs as they discuss the Christmas masterpiece, 'Die Hard.' Andy gets things detonated by recalling the times his family brought him to see the 'Die Hard' sequels in theater when he was still very young, and how that led to trouble at school. Then the fellas take their shoes off to make fists with their toes as they talk about a movie that was on repeat in nearly every household in the late '80s/early '90s — long before it was universally recognized as requisite holiday viewing. Bruce Willis's movie star-making role as the wisecracking, but very non-superhuman hero, not only spawned a series of sequels in the franchise, but changed action cinema forever. In fact, Nakatomi Tower was filled with talented actors on that night, as Alan Rickman turned in a bad guy performance for the ages, and brought along a group of henchmen that capitalized on developing their characters even with limited screen time. To complement Hans's team is a cast of memorable civilians just trying to get home for Christmas, including the smarmy Ellis who learns a fine lesson in negotiating. Director John McTiernan cleverly took those characters, and the template of a thriller to create a true action classic. Listening to us talk this film while telling old stories will have you saying 'Yippee ki yay motherf...."