Jason and the Movienauts

This week Eric Hoffman joins Jason to talk about two 1970s films that take on the idea of a pandemic in very different ways. In George Romero's The Crazies, a virus is loose in a small Pennsylvania town that makes all its residents crazy. Jason loves the low budget, handmade feel of the film while Eric was frustrated by its amateurishness. But Eric and Jason agree on No Blade of Grass, a heavy downer of an ecological fable directed by Cornel Wilde. Whether you've seen these movies or not, we think the pod is worth a listen. And of course, there are SPOILERS aplenty!

Michelle is back to continue our discussion of the films of Billy Wilder. This time, two films which are on and around the second world war: the wartime prison drama Stalag 17 and the mapcap Cold War comedy One, Two, Three. Michelle has some nuanced takes on Stalag 17 that Jason finds fascinating, but no nuance is needed to know that One, Two, Three is an absolute wild delight.

Good listening from them as always!

Yep, Paul and Shawn are back to continue our discussion of the Alien franchise, with a look at the controversial Hulu series Alien: Earth. This show takes the xenomorphs to our planet for some havoc and craziness, but the even more havoc comes from all the other aliens come to Earth, as well as all the different cybernetic people who are fighting for control of our planet.

The guys have a lot to say about the concepts and characters in this most intriguing TV show.

Jason is just back from the very fun Orcas Island Film Festival and he ranks his favorites from the fest. What did he think of No Other Choice, Hedda, Sentimental Value and other films you’re interested in seeing? What was best and worst? Find out in this quick 30 minute rundown!

This is an episode near and dear to Jason's heart, as Eric and he connect again to discuss three movies by Jason's favorite director, Robert Altman.

Eric loves Altman's work too, and the guys love to tackle the complicated movies from the great directors, so this week the guys are talking Altman's great mysterious trio of complex female centered dramas: 3 Women, Images and That Cold Day in the Park.

No matter how much thought you've given these films, we think you'll come to some new revelations about them (at least Jason and Eric did during the show), plus have a good time while digging deeper.

Michelle is back again and she and Jason are once again discussing the brilliant films of the great Billy Wilder. This time they discuss the films which feature Marilyn Monroe. There's no question that Some Like It Hot is one of the greatest comedies of all time, a delirious, delightful, dizzy masterpiece of sheer lunacy. In other words, Jason and Michelle liked it.

They also look at The Seven Year Itch, which is also a fine movie but much more problematic and complicated for a contemporary viewer. Monroe's character is just called The Girl in the film, which only hints at the problematic aspects of this film which is also quite fun, clever and entertaining.

We also think this pod is entertaining and hope you agree!

Paul and Shawn are back to continue our look at the movies in the Alien and Predator franchise. This week we're stuck looking at two of the most infamous movies of their era, Aliens vs Predator and Aliens vs Predator: Requiem.

Can the guys who found goodness in the Twilight films find things to like in this one? You might be surprised to learn the answer is actually yes!

Tune in and see if you agree.

Eric and Jason have been discussing some complicated and depressing movies, so they felt like it was time to take a mental break and talk about two classics from Woody Allen, Purple Rose of Cairo and Zelig. Coming in the middle of perhaps Allen's richest and finest era, both movies take on ideas of identity, fiction versus reality, and fame in ways completely unique to Allen.

In other words, they make for great conversation!

Michelle is back, which means it's time to talk Billy Wilder again. This time the pair discuss the films Wilder made with the luminous Audrey Hepburn, Sabrina and Love in the Afternoon. As it turns out, these films have more in common than just their lead actress and they're a perfect contrast thematically and emotionally for each other.

As always, Michelle and Jason dig deep and have some wonderful insights.

Eric is back with some more fascinating recommendations among Japanese directors. This week the guys start their look at the films of  Keisuke Kinoshita with a shared look at Twenty Four Eyes and The River Fuefuki. Both are intriguing, deeply heartfelt looks at the ravages of war and time on small Japanese societies. Both are worthy of deep discussion. And both stirred up real passions for both of the guys.