Remainders

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On this episode of Remainders we watch the 2002 thriller Signs. Peak M. Night Shyamalan, Signs is a perfect distillation of the director’s best work – masterfully crafted horror tension and emotional resonance. Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix play brothers in rural Pennsylvania when crop circle signs begin to appear on their farm. A man who has recently lost his faith, Gibson is forced to confront his internal struggle and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Where does Signs fit in M. Night’s filmography? What are the prevailing theories about the aliens in Signs? And what exactly does Lionel Prichard and The Wolfington Brothers have to do with all this?

Other topics include Darren’s art shows in L.A. and Chicago, new work with Cypress Hill, best performances by Joaquin Phoenix, Psycho and Exorcist legacy sequels, David Gordon Green and directors working in multiple genres, The Creature From the Black Lagoon in 3D, and Michael Caine’s paycheck for a summer home.

Songs of the Week

Rag Doll by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

Boyz Are Gonna Rock by Vinnie Vincent Invasion

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On this episode of Remainders we watch the 1935 John Ford movie The Informer. The story of Gypo Nolan, a disgraced IRA man of war in 1920s British occupied Ireland and his willingness to sell out his comrade best friend for a small reward. Victor McLaglen gives an all-time great sweaty performance as Gypo and his descent into guilt, remorse and whiskey until atonement is the only option. An underappreciated classic from John Ford.

Other topics include lessons in Irish independence, Ti West’s X Trilogy, visiting the Vista and the Music Box Theatre, more 80s hair metal, Riot Fest, The Scissors in Chicago, and the new Films of Faith Scorsese collection.

Songs of the Week

Tell Me by Catfish Haven

Trick or Treat by Fastway

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On this tribute episode to the late, great Roger Corman, we watch the 1980 B-movie classic Humanoids From the Deep. The story of a small California fishing town terrorized by human-like sea creatures killing men and assaulting women, Humanoids is the quintessential drive-in film with good reason. Fish monsters, small town brawling, dead animals, lots of naked women, and plenty of creature-feature gore. It has it all. One of the first movies Corman produced after beginning his independent film production empire, Humanoids is just one of many reasons why Roger Corman is an absolute titan in film history.

Other topics include practical creature effects in the 80s, Godzilla marathons, The Walking Dead as a soap opera, Halloween physical media, Nascar in Chicago and Vegas, and Joe Bob Briggs honoring Corman.

Songs of the Week

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Il cielo in una stanza by Mina

Shocker by The Dudes of Wrath

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On this episode of Remainders we watch the 1951 classic A Place in the Sun. George Eastman is a poor but ambitious young man who becomes entangled with two women after beginning a job with his rich uncle. Based on the Theodore Dreiser novel An American Tragedy, morality and class mobility take center stage as George exposes his inner demons in order to achieve the status and possibly the love he aspires to.

Other topics include Woody Allen’s influence by A Place in the Sun, censorship in classic Hollywood, the shift of morality in the movies, the new 4K release of Killer Klowns From Outer Space, The Planet of the Apes franchise, and whether Galaxy Quest is a perfect film.

Song Picks of the Week

Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want by The Smiths

My Name Is Death by John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, Daniel Davies

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On this episode of Remainders we watch the 1957 classic murder mystery Witness for the Prosecution. Directed by Billy Wilder with all-time great performances by Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power, and Marlene Dietrich, Witness is an adaptation of the Agatha Christie play and is considered one of the best of the decade. Laughton plays a beleaguered and retired judge trying to salvage his health who is lured back into the courtroom after a man is accused of murder – only to discover his wife may not be the salvation they’d hoped for. With some of their best work by Wilder, Laughton, Power, and Dietrich, Witness is an all-time mystery classic.

Other topics include Charles Laughton’s 50s run, courtroom dramas, recent shows, modern Hollywood and streaming woes, Late Night with the Devil, The Fly collection and 80s horror remakes, and other physical media pick-ups.

Songs of the Week

Send Me Home by Murder by Death

The Big Ship by Brian Eno

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This week on Remainders we watch the 1996 biopic Basquiat, a glimpse into the short life of postmodernist and art-world icon Jean-Michel Basquiat. Directed by Julian Schnabel and starring a young Jeffrey Wright, Basquiat follows his rise to fame in 1980s New York City and the hotbed of creativity crossing paths with Andy Warhol and others. Containing one of the most notable and talented casts of any film from the decade, Basquiat is a portrait of an artist made from an artist – an ode to the act of creativity itself.

Other topics include the Academy Awards, Godzilla winning its first Oscar, Oppenheimer, Ennio Morricone at the Music Box, social media and art, and what makes a good biopic.

Songs of the Week

Raining In My Heart by Buddy Holly & the Crickets

Series of Dreams by Bob Dylan

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This week on Remainders we watch the 2019 documentary 63 Up. Part of the long-running British film series that started in the 1960s, The Up Series has been following its cast of characters since they were 7 years old. Originally intended as a study on the British class system, their personal lives have become the purpose over the decades of filming. About as unique of a film project as can be, and a clear influence on contemporary directors like Richard Linklater, this epic story of regular people continues to unfold.

Other topics include A.I. and movies, social media and The Up Series prediction of social fame, rewatching Tenet and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, 90s movies, and how Anthony Hopkins punches a bear in The Edge.

Songs of the Week

Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime by Beck

Blues and Sentimental by Jay McShann

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On this episode of Remainders, we watch the 2002 biographical comedy drama 24 Hour Party People. Steve Coogan plays Tony Wilson and follows his work in late 1970s and early 1980s post-punk with such bands as Joy Division, New Order, and Happy Mondays. Consistently breaking the fourth wall tied together with Coogan’s brand of snark, the story of Manchester in the 70s is a pivotal piece in the history of modern music.

Other topics include Poor Things and Yorgos Lanthimos, Russell Mulcahy movies, True Detective, the idea of “selling out”, personal punk and post-punk influences, Oasis drama, the work of Billy Childish, and more British rock.

Songs of the Week

She’s Electric by Oasis

We’er Gone by Thee Headcoats

Wild Man by Thee Headcoatees

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This week on Remainders, we watch the 1974 horror-comedy rock opera Phantom of the Paradise. A cult classic by Brian De Palma, Phantom has gained notoriety in the decades since its release thanks in part to De Palma’s legendary filmography, but also because of a small but rabid fan base that hails to this insane mashup of horror and glam rock.

Other topics include Killers of the Flower Moon, Chicago legends Siskel & Ebert and Tom Skilling, January movie marathons, Godzilla Minus One and the Oscars, new Criterion pickups and the lost art of movie posters.

Songs of the Week

Goodbye Eddie, Goodbye by The Juicy Fruits

Dilemma by Green Day

Don’t Toss Us Away by Lone Justice

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This week on Remainders, we watched the 2001 Icelandic fantasy-drama No Such Thing. Directed by Hal Hartley, with a stealthily great cast and aspirations to surreal stories like Beauty and the Beast and Beowulf, No Such Thing tries to have its cake and eat it too. A throwback pick to the era of endless DVDs, revisiting this drama leads to some surreal and honest opinions on the movies and how they age.

Other topics include TLB in Chicago, Godzilla Minus One, Ti West and Mia Goth’s X-trilogy, favorite movie experiences of 2023, Star Wars commentaries and Tony Gilroy, physical media corner, and how black metal can save a movie.

Songs of the Week

Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor) by Robert Palmer

Love is a Long Road by Tom Petty

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