Holy Terrors

We started this show with each of us discussing five movies that mean the most to us. We decided to revisit this idea and give five more movies each that have impacted us throughout the years and film lovers and as people. It was a lot of fun to try and guess each others' extended lists now that we've spent nearly two years talking movies. Hope you enjoy the discussion.

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Brian Keiper @Brianwaves42

Michele Eggen @micheleneggen

Follow the show on Twitter @MovieLifePod

We apologize if this episode isn't quite your tempo... but it should be! Because we have two awesome movies to talk about today on Movies for Life, all about musicians and somewhat "explosive" drummers. First we worry about whether we're rushing or dragging in talking about the anxiety-inducing stress-fest that is 2014's WHIPLASH! We discuss the brilliant and enigmatic performance of JK Simmons; the pressure and struggle of wanting to be great and still have a happy life; and just the overall exceptional way this story is told. Then we switch gears almost completely and spend the next hour laughing our way through Rob Reiner's classic rock mockumentary, THIS IS SPINAL TAP from 1984! You know the lines and the jokes, and yes, pretty much all of them are repeated here in this episode, but that's the true joy of a movie like this. Brian talks about the reality of many of the situations portrayed in the movie, and we give high praise to the standout performances of Christopher Guest and Michael McKean (even though everyone kills it in this movie!). So enough of our yakking, get to listening to this episode!

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Movies For Life podcast: @MovieLifePod

Brian Keiper: @brianwaves42

Michele Eggen: @micheleneggen

Today we are joined by Rachael Hauschild to discuss one of her favorite movies, THE PHILADELPHIA STORY from 1940 starring James Stewart, Katherine Hepburn, and Cary Grant. We cover the waterfront on the film, classic movies, James Stewart/Anthony Mann westerns, John Waters, Michael Shannon, Paul Newman and much more. It's a joyous conversation and you are cordially invited to join in the fun!

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Rachael: @MaxFischers

Brian: @Brianwaves42

Michele: @micheleneggen

Welcome back, Movies for Life listeners! For the show this week, we have a pretty perfect pairing of movies that were most likely made to go together all about perfection, ambition, jealousy, and passion and all in the backdrop of the world of ballet. First up for discussion is Brian's pick of THE RED SHOES from 1948, directed by Powell and Pressburger. It's one of the greatest and most beautifully stunning movies of all time, with a heartbreaking and tragic story. Then up next, we're talking about a very personal film to Michele for her pick - 2010's BLACK SWAN, directed by Darren Aronofsky. Listen as we talk about the complex yet relatable main character of Nina, as the movie follows her journey of self-discovery, in more ways than one. 

Follow the hosts and the show on Twitter: 

Movies For Life podcast: @MovieLifePod

Brian Keiper: @brianwaves42

Michele Eggen: @micheleneggen

We did a bad bad thing...

Welcome to another sexy episode of Movies For Life! Today we're diving into the world of sexy movies, erotic thrillers/dramas, marriages, and cheating! And we have two amazing films to talk about so let's get right to it. First up is Michele's pick of UNFAITHFUL from 2002, directed by Adrian Lyne and starring Diane Lane and Richard Gere. And while yes, the sex scenes in this movie are very steamy, it's the incredibly complex and nuanced performances from the two stars and the way their relationship is handled that really makes this a standout film. Then up next in the discussion we have Cruise. Kidman. Kubrick. That's right, it's Stanley Kubrick's last film, his masterpiece from 1999, EYES WIDE SHUT. It's a daunting film that actually ends up being not so daunting as we get into all of the things that this movie addresses, and offer up some pretty cool theories of our own! As always, thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy the discussion!

Follow the hosts and the show on Twitter:

Movies For Life podcast: @MovieLifePod

Brian Keiper: @BrianDKeiper

Michele Eggen: @micheleneggen

In this special bonus episode of our Friends' Forever Favorites series, we are joined by Vinny Tucceri of the Cult Movie Stars Podcast to discuss the masterful gambling comedy CALIFORNIA SPLIT (1974). We discuss the dynamic between the two stars, Elliot Gould and George Segal, the many supporting characters (and women named Barbara), Altman's style and legacy, and much more. Join us for this very fun conversation, we bet you'll have a great time.

Follow our guest: @vinnybutbetter

And the hosts:

Brian: @BrianDKeiper

Michele: @micheleneggen

and the show @MovieLifePod

We'll show you the life of the mind! That is, as we get into the minds of the main characters of our movies this week. It's time for Films About Filmmaking again, and this time we're looking at two movies about the trials and tribulations of Hollywood screenwriters. Michele's pick is first up for discussion and it really needs no introduction - we're talking about one of the greatest movies of all time, SUNSET BOULEVARD from 1950! Directed by the amazing Billy Wilder and featuring an untouchable performance by Gloria Swanson, this classic remains a classic for a reason. Then we talk about our first movie from the Coen Brothers, 1991's BARTON FINK. We gush over its stars John Turturro and John Goodman before trying to decipher just what this enigmatic tale is all about. Thank you all so much for listening to the show and we hope you enjoy this episode!

Follow the hosts and the show on Twitter:

Movies For Life podcast: @MovieLifePod

Brian Keiper: @BrianDKeiper

Michele Eggen: @micheleneggen 

Hail to the king, baby! The King of Horror, that is! This week on Movies For Life, we're talking about a couple of our favorite film adaptations of the works of the one and only Stephen King. First up on the episode is Michele's pick of PET SEMATARY from 1989, directed by Mary Lambert. The darkly comic meditation on grief and death still packs a huge punch to both of us, especially as we realize our personal reasons for feeling that way and how this story might actually be the most terrifying one King has ever written. Then we discuss Brian's pick of John Carpenter's 1983 film version of CHRISTINE! It's a film that has moved up in the ranks for both of us in terms of Carpenter movies and King adaptations, and we talk about all the reasons why. How we both see the main characters in different ways than we have before, and the very real symbolism behind just what a "Christine" can really mean and do to a person. 

Follow the hosts and the show on Twitter:

Movies For Life podcast: @MovieLifePod

Brian Keiper: @BrianDKeiper

Michele Eggen: @micheleneggen

We are joined by our friend Jessica Scott to discuss one of her favorite movies, Jacques Demy's The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964). We talk about how beautiful it is, how like life it feels, and how it loves movies. It is one of the most unique movies we've ever covered, an anti-musical that loves musicals and a film that loves American movies while still subverting many of the tropes found in them. We had a wonderful time discussing it with Jessica!

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Jessica Scott @WeWhoWalkHere on Twitter

Follow the hosts:

Brian Keiper: @BrianDKeiper

Michele Eggen: @micheleneggen

Follow the show @Movie Life Pod

As mentioned several times on Movies For Life already, Brian and Michele are both big fans of the late horror director Wes Craven. We've already covered two of his films (yes, there will be more in the future!), and this one is a major favorite of his diverse filmography. From 1994, we're talking about WES CRAVEN'S NEW NIGHTMARE! It is truly a groundbreaking, inventive, and extremely smart horror film and we discuss all the ways that make it the amazing accomplishment it is. From the actors and director playing versions of themselves, to what this new version of Freddy really means and represents, we hope this discussion is as thorough as this brilliant film deserves! If you loved our episode on the original A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, then this episode would be a great companion piece to it, much like the films themselves complement each other. Enjoy the conversation!

Follow the hosts and show on Twitter:

Movies For Life podcast: @MovieLifePod

Brian Keiper: @BrianDKeiper

Michele Eggen: @micheleneggen