One of John Woo's action masterpieces, The Killer is a standout work of classic Hong Kong cinema.

A film that sent ripples through Hollywood, it grabbed international attention for Woo and star Chow Yun-fat, forever changing the action genre.

Mixing melodramatic neo-noir with fluid action set pieces, the film further explores Woo's themes of "heroic bloodshed," raising questions about honor and friendship.
And it fires a lot of bullets and blows many things up, of course, because it's a John Woo movie.

Travel back with me to the late 1980s, where we explore the thrilling and gripping aspects of this movie, as well as its legacy, including influencing filmmakers such as Luc Besson (Leon: The Professional), the Wachowskis (The Matrix), and Robert Rodriguez (Once Upon a Time in Mexico).

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An action thriller, Year of the Dragon is, at times, shocking and still controversial.

After the failure of the epic western Heaven's Gate, which nearly ruined Academy Award-winning director Michael Cimino's (The Deer Hunter) career, Year of the Dragon was set to be his comeback.

Starring Mickey Rourke and John Lone, the movie pits a newly assigned Chinatown Police Captain up against a young, rising Chinese Triad member ready to take power. As their battle continues, the situation becomes increasingly personal between the two.

The film did only okay business at the worldwide box office. Still, over time, it has emerged as a cult favorite among some audiences.

Featuring a complete replica of Manhattan Chinatown, a gripping score, and arresting cinematography, it's not hard to see why.

But the film remains mired in controversy and divides opinion.

Join me for this episode as we delve into what makes the film work, where it falls short, and discuss the problematic way it handles its characters' treatment of Chinese Americans.

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Filmmaker Anna Biller's labor of...comedy/horror,  The Love Witch is unlike most any movie you'd see in the 2010s.

Shot on 35 mm film, it's an homage to 1960s horror and Technicolor pictures.
This time, the serial killer is no male -- it's a witch named Elaine, out for love. And her kind of love? Well, it kills.

The film's unique style and subversive humor have gained it a cult following. A movie featuring the "female gaze" and exploring gender roles and feminist ideas, it has serious critical and fan appreciation.

Actor Samantha Robinson's performance in the lead role was named one of the best performances of the 21st Century so far by The New Yorker, and it is not to be missed.

But despite all the accolades, was this film fan put under the spell? Well, listen to find out.

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The directorial debut of the legendary Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away), The Castle of Cagliostro combines the whimsical style of the master animator with the adventurous flair of an Indiana-Jones-style serial.

Gentleman thief Arsene Lupin III and his sidekick, Jigen, journey to the tiny country of Cagliostro where they fight to save young Princess Clarisse from Count Cagliostro and his men.

Tricky gadgets, trap doors, clock towers, tricked-out Fiat 500s, and rooftop acrobatics await in this entertaining, romantic, and charming adventure.

This review breaks down all the film's fun while also discussing its lasting impact and legacy across the animation landscape.

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Like The French Connection's stylish cousin, To Live and Die in L.A. blurs who's a cop and a criminal.

An action thriller Neo-noir, the movie boasts a thrilling car chase and features the grind, scheming, and sex appeal of 1980s Los Angeles.

Director William Friedkin considered it one of his top works, and I and many others toss it in the mix for the very best movies of the 1980s.

In this episode, we'll discuss what this film glues together: a bit of Robby Müller and crew's cinematography; Wang Chung's synth soundtrack; performances from actors like Willem Dafoe and William Peterson; and, of course, that ending.

I also share some fun facts about the making of the movie and discuss its lasting legacy.

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Leviathan is a science-fiction horror that's part of the 1980s underwater movie craze. 

The film didn't fare so well at the box office, and on the surface, it's a head-scratcher as to why.

There are famous names behind the film -- like special effects master Stan Winston, artist Ron Cobb, and composer Jerry Goldsmith, for a start. RoboCop himself, Peter Weller, leads a fun cast.

The movie hasn't received a glowing critical re-appraisal. Still, there are quiet corners of the internet and plenty of YouTube comments in clip uploads that sing its sea-song praises.

So is Leviathan good? Well, I'm winking which way that goes, but you can't see that. So you have to listen to find out.

This episode will explore all the yeses and nos and discuss the movie's legacy.

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The Raid was a low-budget martial arts/action film from Indonesia that rocked the genres and gained worldwide attention.

But instead of playing it safe and replaying the original's formula, The Raid 2 goes for it all.

The first movie unfolds over a few hours. But the sequel? It's a two-and-a-half-hour epic undercover cop crime saga that unfolds over two years.

And not to worry. Writer/director Gareth Evans expanded the scope of the action as much as the story. 

Stars and choreographers Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian return, along with the explosive Cecep Arif Rahman and more.

But does it all come together?

Listen to this episode as I explore where the movie shines, where it could have been improved, and what the legacy of this sequel is to the action and martial arts genres.

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The cult film that is like a middle finger to the feel-good vibes of corny 1980s teen movies, satirical Heathers is a masterclass in dialogue and slightly surreal.

More for adults than adolescents, the movie exposes the true underbelly of high school social games. And instead of tickling that belly, well, it pokes it.

Starring a very young Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, join me for this discussion of a highly quotable and sharp-witted film that still endures as a classic.

I'll discuss what makes it worth your time and the film's lasting legacy on teen genre films.

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A medieval fantasy adventure, The Green Knight is a modern re-interpretation of the old poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by the Anonymous Poet.

From acclaimed director David Lowery and produced by A24 (among others), the film's production design and cinematography has wowed critics and captivated some audiences -- at least those that saw it.

With a release date interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, this spellbinding movie faced challenges to get in front of viewers.

But when you add in the film's strong acting performances and commitment to an interpretive, open-ended narrative, this movie is a somewhat lost treasure I predict audiences will swoon for as a 2020s classic in the years to come.

Join me for this discussion of The Green Knight's excellence and so-far legacy.

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W.D. Richter and Earl Mac Rauch's Buckaroo Banzai is hard to explain and was challenging to market.

Facing box office competition from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Ghostbusters, and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, the off-beat, complicated science-fiction comedy action film washed out of theaters.

But after slipping onto home video, all the weirdness that made the film fail with its theatrical release won it fans.

Starring Peter Weller (RoboCop), John Lithgow (3rd Rock from the Sun), Ellen Barkin (Diner), Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), Clancy Brown (Highlander), and more, the film brings a knockout cast and care-free creativity.

But does its screwball hi-jinx add up to a great watch or a middling mess?

In this episode, I look into why the film divides opinion, where it lands for me, and discuss its legacy.

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