Reviewed Podcast

"A person who don't look out for himself is too dumb to look out for anyone else." Bearing that in mind, Mike, Ivan, and Dave enter the world of "the grift" with Stephen Frears's thriller, The Grifters. This film was quite the critical darling when it was released in 1990, nominated for four Oscars including best director. But, it seems to have largely disappeared from popular conversation. We dig up this classic flick to determine if it's worthy of being included in the canon of great "con" movies. Join us for our discussion...just try to not to get too caught up in the hustle.

With the help of special guest film critic Laremy Legel, Ivan, Dave, and Mike break the first and second rules of Fight Club and...well...talk about Fight Club. Although it was box-office disappointment when it was released theatrically in 1999, David Fincher's dark take on Chuck Palahniuk's twisted novel has since amassed a huge cult following—it's currently #10 on IMDb's top 250 list. So, now, over 15 years later, we determine if that popularity is warranted. Is this film as smart as so many claim? Or, is it more of an exercise in visceral style rather than substance?

Featuring Steve Martin in his first starring role in a major motion picture, Carl Reiner's The Jerk is a comedy touchstone of sorts—it is consistently ranked as one of the best comedies ever made. But, now, almost 40 years later, are the laughs still as big? Dave, Mike, and Ivan check out this seminal fool's journey to find out. Phone books not included.

Coming in at three hours, director Milos Forman's Amadeus—a film chronicling the life of the notorious composer as told by his rival Antonio Salieri—is certainly a prestige picture. Adorned with impressive performances, lavish costumes, and of course, illustrious music, it practically swept the Oscars in 1984. But, now, over 30 years later, does it still remain as intoxicating? Dave, Mike, and Ivan cinematically travel to 18th century Vienna—re-watching this tale of hubris, jealousy, and genius—in order to find out.

The year was 1994 and an unknown New Jersey director named Kevin Smith maxed out his credit cards to create a black-and-white indie comedy film about foul-mouthed service employees. The rest, as they say, is history. Clerks went on to launch Smith's career in Hollywood. He has since become a "name," associated with such low-budget cult classics as Chasing Amy, Dogma, and Clerks II . Now, as Smith seems to be entering a new phase in his career with his use of new-media to spawn interests for projects like Tusk, we revisit Clerks and see if it's worthy of a re-view. Is it a genuine comedy classic? Or, did Smith just produce his film at the right time? With the 2015 Sundance film festival just on the horizon, Ivan, Mike, and Dave do their best to answer that all important question.

A critical darling (but commercial flop) when it was released in 2002, Paul Thomas Anderson's Punch-Drunk Love is a divisive movie. Emotional, romantic, and undoubtedly weird, it features Adam Sandler ditching his "Happy Madison" schtick, replacing it with some serious acting chops. When looking back at this film 13 years later, how does it stack up amongst the rest of PTA's canon? Moreover, is it truly a masterpiece as some critics claim?

To celebrate the storied career and life of filmmaker Mike Nichols, Dave, Mike, and Ivan turn to the Graduate—a seminal 60s comedy about recent college grad, Benjamin Braddock who has an affair with the wife of his father's business partner, Mrs. Robinson. The film is undoubtedly a classic. So, as we close out 2014, join us for the discussion. Yes, we are undoubtedly trying to seduce you.

Although superhero films currently dominate the modern box office, there was a time when their presence was less ubiquitous. The year was 1989 and a young oddball director by the name of Tim Burton was coming off his success of the fantasy horror film, Beetlejuice, to take on DC Comic's famous Dark Knight, bringing comedic actor Michael Keaton along for the ride. In re-watching Burton's Batman again in 2014, Dave, Mike, and Ivan ask that age old question: does it hold up? Or, is it outclassed by Christopher Nolan's newer, sleeker entries into the canon?

Dave, Mike, and Ivan revisit director Paul Thomas Anderson's contemporary epic Magnolia, a mosaic of interrelated characters in search of love, forgiveness, and meaning in the San Fernando Valley. Now that it has been 15 years since the film's release in theaters, does it qualify as a cinematic masterpiece? Or is it just bloated, pretentious fluff?

Halloween is upon us. Mike, Dave, and Ivan re-inspect David Cronenberg's 1986 "creature feature" The Fly starring Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis. Often considered to be a gooey masterpiece, does this film hold up?