Alex Cox emerged in the 80s as one of the great hopes for counter cultural cinema and faded into obscurity almost as quickly. Azed and Jay talk about how his rise and fall mirrored many of the themes that recur throughout much of his filmography, but are also present in maybe their most fully realized form in his debut film Repo Man. Cox's films explored the punk movement, self-mythologizing, and the commodification of the counter-culture as plainly and with as much insight as any filmmaker before or since.

 

Of course one message towers above all the rest -- Don't trust anyone over 30 kids. They're all either sell outs or pedophiles (And sell outs don't give you candy before they screw you).

Another in our series of 'criminally forgotten" films and filmmakers, Azed and Jay discuss the short but fascinating collaboration of Frank and Eleanor Perry. Their 1969 film Last Summer is the primary subject, but the films David and Lisa, The Swimmer, and Diary of a Mad Housewife are also discussed.

The Perry's explore themes of alienation and delusional thinking especially as experienced by those living in the repressive world of the Northeastern upper class and the children whose identities are formed in this callous and cynical environment.

We also discuss the futility of caring about the Oscars, the recent death of Hollywood legend Stanley Donen and the excellent new TV series Russian Doll.

With it's emphasis on gender relations, class distinctions and anarchic political ideology, the screwball comedy is a lost art that maintains its relevancy in the current zeitgeist. Azed and Jay are joined by producer and journalist, Raúl Pinto to discuss the rise and fall of the screwball comedy and each of them select a personal favourite to explore. Also, in this episode, we employ a rapid-fire, exchange of witty barbs and double entendre's and Jay dresses up as a 12 yr old girl...but he always does that so not really relevant to mention it here.

Jay's pick: Howard Hawks' Bringing Up, Baby (1938), Azed's pick: Preston Sturges' The Lady Eve (1941) and Raúl's pick: Billy Wilders' The Major and the Minor (1942).

Azed and Jay discuss 2019 in typically unconventional style. Yes they list their favourite films of the year, but the episode is actually dedicated to a series of random categories selected by a super-intelligent chicken named Harold. These categories include, most depressing film of the year, best CGI and best use of a super-intelligent chicken (which in retrospect doesn't seem like a random selection Harold).

Tune in and enjoy the best 2018 had to offer.

Why are so many Christmas movies about suicide, despair, poverty and criminality? Isn't it supposed to be all about peace, love and hope? In this episode , Azed and Jay welcome filmmaker, Sean Cisterna (Kiss and Cry) to discuss their favourite Christmas movies. Sean breaks down his chosen favourite, Gremlins, to reveal the fascinating subtext woven deep in this seemingly benign monster movie. Jay unearths an obscure Ukrainian Christmas movie called Melody for a Street Organ, and Azed chooses a Jimmy Stewart Christmas classic, but not the one you're thinking about. Also, in the spirit of the holidays, we fully analyse the alternative version of 'Jingle Bells' and attempt to comprehend what it is that is causing Batman to smell. Could it be a glandular issue?

Orson Welles' The Other Side of the Wind has finally been finished and released by Netflix. Welles is a mythic figure in the world of cinema and this film, started in the early 70's and unfinished at his death in 1985, stands as the last statement of a cinematic giant. Or does it? Can it really be considered a Welles film considering it was completed by a group of his friends and acolytes?  Azed and Jay discuss the film and all other things Welles over cigars and a 10 course meal. Also discussed in this episode: the deaths of Bernardo Bertolucci and Nicolas Roeg, All in the Family, Azed's first date with his wife and, as always, some pee and poo.

In this episode, the first in a new series we are calling "Criminally Forgotten", where we unearth a cinematic gem from the depths of obscurity. Here we discuss the exquisite yet obscure 1987 film adaptation of Marilynne Robinson's novel Housekeeping, written and directed by the Scottish auteur, Bill Forsyth, whose career has also been almost completely erased from cinematic memory.  Forsyth, better known for his quirky yet extremely nuanced films Gregory's Girl and Local Hero, here realizes what we consider to be one of his finest achievements and one of the best films of the 80's.

Is there a canon for cinema? What metrics are used to determine the best films out there? Are there objective criteria or is all down to what hits you? And most importantly, does porn count? In this episode Azed and Jay are joined by filmmaker, Omar Majeed to discuss these ideas and to reveal our own lists of the best films of the 2000's thus far. IMPORTANT NOTE: Azed's list is the best of the three.

Azed and Jay discuss the magnificent First Reformed starring Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried. Written and directed by Transcendental Cinema theorist and acolyte Paul Schrader, the writer of Scorsese classics Taxi Driver and Raging Bull.

Azed and Jay discuss the magnificent First Reformed starring Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried. Written and directed by Transcendental Cinema theorist and acolyte Paul Schrader, the writer of Scorsese classics Taxi Driver and Raging Bull.