Michael and Us

While the rest of us were locked indoors, Boris Johnson and his staff were enjoying lockdown-era parties. The ensuing scandal helped topple his premiership. We discuss the new TV movie PARTYGATE (2023), and reflect on how the former British Prime Minister failed to "democratize the hedonism." PLUS: We find a choice bit of forgotten Alexandra Pelosi content from the archives.

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/92102138

It's Halloween, so we offer a fond nod of the hat to our old old friend Count Dracula by discussing NOSFERATU, PHANTOM DER NACHT (1979) - and because we've both just read Werner Herzog's new autobiography, we discuss how its depiction of science vs. the unknown fits squarely into the larger Herzog project. PLUS: More reflections on the crisis in Gaza.

VANCOUVER: See Luke and Ed Broadbent in conversation at the Central Library on November 1 - https://vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/650b36ea2d0219cf8b5cf95f

In this special interview episode, Luke talks to Ettingermentum about the defining figure of modern Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They discuss how Netanyahu's long political career has fundamentally reshaped Israeli society, and how the October 7 attack has changed his legacy.

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - GET IT HERE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/470-height-of-w-91780490

Would you believe that our old friend Alexandra Pelosi has released her second film about January 6th in less than a year? In THE INSURRECTIONIST NEXT DOOR (2023), our favorite scion tries to find "common ground" with some of the rioters who breached the Capitol... and ends up making the same movie she always makes. We will never quit you, Alexandra Pelosi. PLUS: Who is to blame for Canada's cost-of-living crisis?

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - GET IT HERE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/469-patriots-by-91428493

With the crisis in Gaza on our minds, we spend a little time with one of the most acclaimed Palestinian filmmakers, Elia Suleiman, and his lovely film IT MUST BE HEAVEN (2019).

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"We Cannot Cross Until We Carry Each Other" by Arielle Angel - https://jewishcurrents.org/we-cannot-cross-until-we-carry-each-other

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Order Luke's new book "Seeking Social Democracy: Seven Decades in the Fight for Equality," coauthored with Ed Broadbent - ecwpress.com/products/seeking-s…cracy-ed-broadbent

TORONTO: See Luke and Ed Broadbent in conversation at the Toronto Reference Library on October 22 - www.eventbrite.ca/e/seeking-social…ets-713793665067

VANCOUVER: See Luke and Ed at the Central Library on November 1 - vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/650b36e…0219cf8b5cf95f

Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/467-underwater-90598569

What happens when the most famous Nazi filmmaker makes a nature documentary at the ripe age of 100? We watch Leni Riefenstahl's UNDERWATER IMPRESSIONS (2002), and see if we can find any traces of fascism in the swan song of Hitler's favorite filmmaker. PLUS: Is the internet getting worse?

In DEATH WISH 4: THE CRACKDOWN (1987), Charles Bronson wages a one-man war against the Los Angeles drug trade, despite being as old-looking as anyone has ever looked. We discuss how the ridiculous fourth entry in the iconic action franchise takes its reactionary politics a step beyond "law and order." PLUS: We discuss two milestones in cinematic surrealism (1989's THINGS and 1994's TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME) and bid farewell to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Preorder Luke's new book "Seeking Social Democracy: Seven Decades in the Fight for Equality," coauthored with Ed Broadbent - ecwpress.com/products/seeking-s…cracy-ed-broadbent

OTTAWA: See Luke and Ed at the Ottawa Writers Festival on October 10 - https://writersfestival.org/events/fall-2023-in-person-events/seeking-social-democracy

TORONTO: See Luke and Ed Broadbent in conversation at the Toronto Reference Library on October 22 - www.eventbrite.ca/e/seeking-social…ets-713793665067

VANCOUVER: See Luke and Ed at the Central Library on November 1 - vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/650b36e…0219cf8b5cf95f

See Will moderate a Q&A following the Toronto premiere of Nate Wilson's THE ALL GOLDEN at the Revue Cinema on November 2 - https://revuecinema.ca/films/the-all-golden-toronto-theatrical-premiere/

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/465-no-movie-90050486

We catch up on the news, with due consideration given to:

✓ The latest Republican presidential primary debate

✓ Rolling Stone's list of "The 50 Worst Decision in Movie History"

✓ Canadian parliament salutes a member of the Waffen-SS

Late in his career, Akira Kurosawa plumbed his subconscious and came up with DREAMS (1990), one of his most underrated films. We discuss the ways that this film captures the mood and style of a dream, and its unifying theme of humankind's relationship with nature. PLUS: We attempt to define the ambient politics (and anti-politics) of the post-Trump years.

"Martin Scorsese: 'I Have To Find Out Who The Hell I Am'" by Zach Baron - https://www.gq.com/story/martin-scorsese-profile

Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - www.patreon.com/michaelandus

Preorder Luke's new book "Seeking Social Democracy: Seven Decades in the Fight for Equality," coauthored with Ed Broadbent - ecwpress.com/products/seeking-s…cracy-ed-broadbent

TORONTO: See Luke and Ed Broadbent in conversation at the Toronto Reference Library on October 22 - www.eventbrite.ca/e/seeking-social…ets-713793665067

VANCOUVER: See Luke and Ed at the Central Library on November 1 - vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/650b36e…0219cf8b5cf95f

See Will introduce THINGS (1989) at the Fox Theatre on October 3 - www.foxtheatre.ca/movies/the-impor…classics-things/

In 2019, Clint Eastwood's RICHARD JEWELL took aim at two institutions — the FBI and the media — that were supposed to save America from Trumpism. We discuss one of the veteran auteur's most beautiful films, which is also one of his most loaded and ambiguous political hot-potatoes. PLUS: David Brooks' expensive meal, Doug Ford's about-face, and Jean-Luc Godard's film criticism.

"David Brooks and the $78 airport meal the internet is talking about" by Timothy Bella - https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2023/09/22/david-brooks-newark-airport-meal/

See Will introduce THINGS (1989) at the Fox Theatre on October 3 - https://www.foxtheatre.ca/movies/the-important-cinema-club-masterpiece-classics-things/

Preorder Luke's new book "Seeking Social Democracy: Seven Decades in the Fight for Equality," coauthored with Ed Broadbent - ecwpress.com/products/seeking-s…cracy-ed-broadbent

TORONTO: See Luke and Ed Broadbent in conversation at the Toronto Reference Library on October 22 - www.eventbrite.ca/e/seeking-social…ets-713793665067

VANCOUVER: See Luke and Ed at the Central Library on November 1 - https://vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/650b36ea2d0219cf8b5cf95f

Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus