Films(trips)

Leaving the art of illusion behind them, Andrew and Dave turn their attention instead to the art of bartending!

That's right: this time, the duo are taking at look at the infamous 1988 romantic-drama Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise. What do the pair make of the critically despised box office smash? Does Bryan Brown continue his streak of being endlessly charming? And just how great is that soundtrack (minus that one song)? Tune in and find out!

Next Episode: Films(trips) hits 250 episodes!

All music by Andrew Kannegiesser. Editing by Dave Babbitt.

Get ready to be dazzled by the deadly art of illusion!

No, wait. That was the sequel.

Anyways, Andrew and Dave return this episode to discuss director Robert Mandel's 1986 cult film F/X, starring Bryan Brown and Brian Dennehey! How does this thriller of its era hold up? What beloved childhood figure turns up here? And why isn't this film what you think it is? Tune in and find out!

Next Episode: Before Tom Cruise got into a habit of trying to kill himself on every film he makes, there was a time where all he had to do was learn how to mix drinks. 

All music by Andrew Kannegiesser. Editing by Dave Babbitt.

Andrew and Dave stick with American indie cinema by following actor Vondie Curtis-Hall to Jim Jarmusch's 1989 anthology comedy-drama, Mystery Train! Just what do the duo make of the film which has a cast that includes Youki Kudoh, Masatoshi Nagase, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Cinque Lee, and Joe Strummer amongst others? What the heck is "trajection"? And just how great is Michael Mann's Manhunter? Tune in and find out!

Next Episode: Everyone thinks it is a buddy movie, but let me be clear: it isn't a buddy movie. 

All music by Andrew Kannegiesser. Editing by Dave Babbitt.

Andrew and Dave follow Samuel L. Jackson from National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 to one of his most acclaimed performances in writer-director Kasi Lemmons' 1997 film, Eve's Bayou.  How does the critically acclaimed film hold up twenty-six years on?  How expertly does Lemmons navigate the formal and narrative complexities of the material? And just how great is the essay that comes with the Criterion Collection release of the film? Tune in and find out!

Next Episode: Hotels and non-linear storytelling!

All music by Andrew Kannegiesser. Editing by Dave Babbitt.

(Note: Due to an audio glitch, Andrew sounds like Daffy Duck this week. Sorry about that, folks)

Leaving the future and the Federation of Planets behind them, Andrew and Dave instead decide to celebrate the 30th anniversary of a film nobody really remembers: National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Emilio Estevez! Is this one of the better comedies to feature the National Lampoon branding, or one of the legion of awful films with it that you can find in supermarket used bins across the world? Just what was in the air in 1993? And why can't Dave find the supposed deleted scene with Christopher Lambert? Tune in and find out!

Next Episode: Roger Ebert was 100% right about the quality of this one.

All music by Andrew Kannegiesser. Editing by Dave Babbitt.

With the help of Photo Flo: Terror in the Smiles host Eric Jones, Andrew and Dave once again boldly go where all of Star Trek fandom has gone before to discuss Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), the ninth film in the franchise. What do the trio make of the third film to feature the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation? Just how thoughtful is the film in addressing the complexities of colonization and forced relocations? And what is it with Anthony Zerbe and head specific trauma? Tune in and find out!

Next Episode: "It means I'm pretentious."

Don't forget to subscribe toPhoto Flo: Terror in the Smiles.

All music by Andrew Kannegiesser. Editing by Dave Babbitt.

James "The 'H' Is Silent" Hrivnak once again joins Andrew and Dave for a tour of the James Bond films! This time out, the trio discuss the 1989 entry in the series, Licence to Kill, directed by John Glen and starring Timothy Dalton!

How has this more controversial Bond film held up over time? In what ways does this film mark the end of an era? Why does Beaches come up? Tune in and find out!

Next Episode: Don't abbreviate the title of this Star Trek film to its initials. Trust me.  

All music by Andrew Kannegiesser. Editing by Dave Babbitt.

Help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Is that the cry of Andrew and/or Dave, the hosts of Films(trips)? Would you even do anything if it was?

At any rate, the podcasting duo take a look at director Kurt Neumann's 1958 horror film, The Fly, starring Patricia Owens, A; (David) Hedison, and Vincent Price! Why is context important with regards to watching this film? Is it the film that you imagine if you've never seen it before? And just what did the near producer of this film do to tick off the Guilds? Tune in and find out!

Next Episode: David Hedison doesn't have any luck with animals OR insects. 

All music by Andrew Kannegiesser. Editing by Dave Babbitt.

Having survived Plan 9 from Outer Space (turns out it wasn't much of a plan), Andrew and Dave find themselves shipwrecked on an island belonging to one Dr. Moreau! More specifically, the podcasting duo discuss Island of Lost Souls, director Erle C. Kenton's 1932 adaptation of the famed H.G. Wells' novel The Island of Dr. Moreau! How shocking is this pre-Code horror film? How impressive is Charles Laughton in the famed role? Why does the band Devo come up so much? And why does Stanley Fields delight so much in this film? Tune in and find out!

Next Episode: HEEEEEEELP MEEEEEEEEEEE!

All music by Andrew Kannegiesser. Editing by Dave Babbitt.

BEHOLD! I hope you are interested in the future, for that is where we shall spend the rest of our lives!

More specifically, you are about to spend the next little bit with Andrew and Dave, the hosts of Films(trips), as they take a look at filmmaker Ed Wood's infamous PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE (at least if you click play, that is)! Is the film really the worst ever made? (Short answer: no, not by a long shot.) Is the film as ineptly made as has been claimed? And why does Bela Lugosi keep walking around that tree? Tune in and find out!

Next Episode: ARE WE NOT MEN?

All music by Andrew Kannegiesser. Editing by Dave Babbitt.