Left of the Projector

We are back again this week for the first bonus episode between regular interview discussions. This episode I will give some thoughts on one of the best horror movies ever made: Black Christmas. 

For those who are big horror buffs, you probably know all about it. For those who aren't or just missed this 1974 gem, I'd encourage you to find it (it's free right now on many sites) and watch it. 

Black Christmas was a genre-defining film that established the slasher/psychological thriller era even before the famed Halloween by John Carpenter. You'll find themes rarely found in horror movies as well as the first use of "The call is coming from inside the house" in a horror film.

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This week we dive into yet another 90's film with the memorable film Pleasantville. I promise we'll do some new movies soon...

Pleasantville stars Toby Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, William H Macy and Joan Allen. People probably remember it best for the stark difference from black and white movie into color. The movie evokes a lot of strong symbolism, whether director Gary Ross meant it or not.

I'm joined this week by Emlee aka The Jolly Leftist on TikTok who suggested this episode for its interesting themes. While some are overused, it's still is poignant today.

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Sergio Leone revitalized the western genre with banger after banger in the 1960s and 70s. Clint Eastwood was often his muse, though not in this film. With an incredible cast, Leone brings to the surface the dark underbelly of the "old west." As an Italian filmmaker, Leone was somewhat of an outsider in his perception of the North American western expansion. Along with that expansion was the brutal exploitation of black, brown, and indigenous people. US Government and capital interests ruled with an iron fist and the two tracks of the railway enabled the expansion.
If you're not a fan of westerns, this one will change your mind.
Sergio Leone obituary
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In 1998, Jim Carrey was in the midst of his peak comedic film era and yet he opted to join on The Truman Show, a film far from funny. At that time, we thought of Carrey as Ace Ventura or Lloyd Christmas and not as the sad sack that was Truman Burbank who, unbeknownst to him, was being broadcast to billions of people every second of the day.

I talk to Zoo about the implications of this depressing "comedy."  The Truman Show is a reminder of the commercialization that was seen to this day. Everything is for sale, everything is a jammed pack full of advertisements and we may have lost some of our own identities in the process.

Notes:

‘The Truman Show’: Weir and Niccol’s Uplifting Yet Prophetically Disturbing Dystopian SatireHow we made The Truman Show – 20th anniversaryMusic by HoliznaCC0, Orphaned Media - Swingin' Richard

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There have been numerous film iterations of Batman over the last 3 decades, but the new version really brings new depth to the Batman character. While there are very few superhero films that make political statements, we do get about half a movie of solid undertones. As I discuss with my guest Matt Galvatron, Batman superfan, Matt Reeves does put together a marvelous movie but does fall short when it comes to fully flesh out the political message. 
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Paul Verhoeven's masterpiece RoboCop was ahead of its time. The poignant satire on police, capitalism, militarism and neoliberalism stands today as one of the GOATs. I chatted with Farhad about this true masterpiece. You may be reading these words and saying: Are we talking about that fun action movie with a half man, half robot? Yes. Yes we are.

Buckle up...

Notes:
Film School Rejects: "The Violent Satire of 'RoboCop' by Kieran Fisher
Tropics of Meta: "What Robocop Tells Us about the Neoliberal City, Then and Now" by Keith Orejel

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Most Cohen Brothers movies are classics, while The Hudsucker Proxy may have flown under the radar and never reached that status. Written in 1985, finished in 1991, and released in 1994, the film was also written by Sam Raimi and turns out to be more pertinent today. The movie was written to depict ordinary men and how they too can become heroes. The film took us back to 1958 New York City and gives us a glimpse of corporate life and how a small-town college graduate can achieve big things.

While this doesn't stand along side The Big Lebowski or Fargo, it deserves its day in the sun.



Music by HoliznaCC0, Orphaned Media - Swingin' Richard

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This week I am joined by SmirkGently to discuss Mike Judge's masterpiece, Office Space. While the movie was not a big hit in theaters, it gained a cult following in the years that followed on Comedy Central. The movie brought us so many classic lines that have just become part of everyday vernacular.

When viewing the movie today, it's impossible not to see that technology has changed, but the commonalities of office work haven't. From Hawaiin Shirt Friday, to waiting for just one tiny piece of chocolate cake at Collin's birthday celebration. The monotonous aspects of office life were perfectly brought to life in this classic.

Music by HoliznaCC0, Orphaned Media - Swingin' Richard

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In the inaugural episode, I chat with Andy about the classic film 'The Matrix.' Released in 1999, it changed action movies forever with special effects we'd never seen before. Beyond the effects, the audience is left with the chilling knowledge that the world as we know it is not real, it is a simulation. How might we understand that in today's context of global capitalism and alternatives? 

Notes/Links:

The Wachowskis stated that The Matrix was born out of "rage at capitalism."

Music by HoliznaCC0, Orphaned Media - Swingin' Richard

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