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 In this episode, Marty gives Clif the movie Boyhood to watch and Clif gives Marty the movie Project Hail Mary to watch. 

First up is Boyhood, Richard Linklater's ambitious coming-of-age film that follows Mason from childhood through his arrival at college and is filmed over twelve actual years with the same cast. Clif and Marty dig into the film's unique production, it's time-capsule quality and it's great technical achievement. The question at the heart of their discussion: is watching someone grow up enough to make a compelling story? Marty finds plenty to appreciate in Linklater's experiment, while Clif has a few more reservations.

Then it's off to space for Project Hail Mary, the new sci-fi adventure starring Ryan Gosling as a science teacher who wakes up alone aboard a spaceship with no memory of how he got there. As his memories return, he discovers that saving Earth may depend on solving an enormous scientific mystery and an unexpected friendship. Clif and Marty talk science, storytelling, the film's visual choices, Ryan Gosling's particular brand of likability and how a big, expensive space movie can still feel surprisingly warm and human.

Along the way: Ethan Hawke's questionable parenting choices, Beatles mixtapes, Ryan Gosling's Mickey Mouse Club past and Rocky the alien.

#TalkingPondo #FilmPodcast #Boyhood #ProjectHailMary #RichardLinklater #RyanGosling #SciFiMovies #MovieReview 

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 In this episode, return guest Derek Schlender ("Schlender 5 Productions") joins the podcast. He brings along the movie Dragonheart: A New Beginning. Marty and Clif give Derek the movie Rollerball (2002) to watch.

First up is Rollerball, the much-maligned remake of the 1975 sci-fi classic. Clif, Marty and Derek dissect everything from the chaotic editing and baffling storytelling to the early-2000s soundtrack overload, while asking how a movie with this much money and talent behind it could go so spectacularly off the rails.

Then it's on to Dragonheart: A New Beginning, the direct-to-video follow-up to the fantasy favorite. The gang struggles to find anything resembling the magic of the original as they pick apart the effects, performances, questionable story choices and a dragon that doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Even Derek admits he may have pushed his luck with these picks. But, sometimes tearing apart a bad movie can be just as entertaining as celebrating a great one.

Along the way: fake Russian accents, Pink and Slipknot cameos, Scooby-Doo comparisons, poisoned skeletons, dragon anatomy and Derek apologizing over and over.

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 In this episode Ryan Verrill, co-founder of Antenna Releasing, joins the podcast. He brings along the movie The Last Stop in Yuma County. Marty and Clif give Ryan the movie Streets of Fire to watch.

Before diving into this week's picks, Ryan talks physical media, boutique Blu-rays and what it takes to launch a new independent film distribution company. 

First up is Streets of Fire, Walter Hill's neon-soaked rock 'n' roll fairy tale starring Michael Paré, Diane Lane and Willem Dafoe. Clif, Marty and Ryan celebrate the film's unforgettable visual style, killer soundtrack, larger-than-life characters and why this gloriously over-the-top cult classic still feels perfectly '80s. 

Then it's on to The Last Stop in Yuma County, the tense crime thriller from Francis Galluppi. With Ryan having worked alongside Galluppi through Antenna Releasing, the discussion offers a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on the film's journey to audiences, while also celebrating its sharp writing, terrific ensemble cast and expertly sustained tension. 

Along the way: physical media collecting, puddles as cinematography, music videos hiding inside movies and a lot of Walter Hill appreciation.

#TalkingPondo #FilmPodcast #StreetsOfFire #TheLastStopInYumaCounty #RyanVerrill #AntennaReleasing #PhysicalMedia #MovieReview 

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 In this episode, special guests Geoffrey Notkin and Jessica Stone are back on the podcast. Geoffrey and Jessica bring along the movie Excalibur. While Marty and Clif give them Point Blank to watch. Enjoy this special "Talking Boorman" episode, celebrating two films of the legendary director John Boorman.

First up is Point Blank, Boorman's stylish revenge classic starring Lee Marvin. Clif, Marty, Geoffrey and Jessica discuss the film's dreamlike storytelling, unforgettable visuals, why it still feels decades ahead of its time and Marvin's commanding performance.

Then it's time to unsheathe the sword for Excalibur, Boorman's epic retelling of the Arthurian legend. The gang celebrates it's breathtaking imagery, unforgettable performances and the lasting influence it's had on fantasy films for more than forty years.

Along the way: Sid Haig surprises, sword-and-sorcery nostalgia, fantasy movie rabbit holes and cinematic metaphors everywhere you look.

 #TalkingPondo #FilmPodcast #JohnBoorman #PointBlank #Excalibur #LeeMarvin #FantasyFilms #MovieReview 

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 In this episode, Ben Haslar from Reels of Justice joins the podcast. He brings along the movie Blade. Marty and Clif give Ben the movie Batman to watch.

First up is Batman (1989), Tim Burton's gothic take on the Caped Crusader starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson. Clif, Marty and Ben revisit the film that launched the modern comic book movie era. They discuss everything from Burton's unique style to Nicholson's unforgettable Joker. This version of Gotham City still casts a long shadow over superhero films today.

Then it's time for Blade, where Wesley Snipes slices his way through vampires in one of the coolest action films of the '90s. The gang talks about the movie's influence on comic book cinema, it's groundbreaking action sequences and why Blade doesn't get the credit it deserves for paving the way for the superhero boom.

Along the way: Juggalo origins, Batman movie rankings, vampire fashion, Michael Keaton appreciation and memorable movie quotes.

#TalkingPondo #FilmPodcast #Batman89 #Blade #MichaelKeaton #WesleySnipes #MovieReview #ComicBookMovies 

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 In this episode, Marty gives Clif the movie Moonlight to watch and Clif gives Marty the movie The Martian to watch. 

Clif and Marty blast off to Mars before coming back down to Earth for one of the most acclaimed dramas of the last decade.

First up is The Martian, where Matt Damon finds himself stranded on the Red Planet with nothing but potatoes, duct tape, disco and an unreasonable amount of optimism. Clif and Marty debate the film's direction, pacing and if the science is 'hard' or not.

Then they turn to Moonlight, Barry Jenkin's Academy Award winning coming-of-age drama starring Mahershala Ali. Clif and Marty discuss quiet storytelling, unforgettable performances and how the film's themes of identity and loneliness create a powerful counterpoint to The Martian. Sometimes the biggest journey isn't through space. It's figuring out who you are.

Along the way: 1980s slang, listener mail and potatoes as a survival strategy.

#TalkingPondo #FilmPodcast #TheMartian #Moonlight #MattDamon #MahershalaAli #MovieReview #SciFiMovies 

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 In this episode, special guests Drew Kallen-Keck plus Ben Cheknis and Andrew Coltrin from "The Two Vague Podcast" join the podcast. Ben and Andrew bring along the movie Strange Brew. While Drew brings the movie Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead for everyone to watch.

First is Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, Tom Stoppard's delightfully brainy adaptation starring Gary Oldman and Tim Roth. The gang dives into fate, free will and if this might be the ultimate "theater kid" movie. There's plenty to chew on. 

Next is Strange Brew, where Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas prove that Shakespeare and Bob & Doug McKenzie have more in common than anyone expected. Clif, Marty, Andrew, Drew, and Ben celebrate the film's wonderfully goofy charm, debate how much Hamlet is really in the script and agree that the movie is quintessentially Canadian. 

Along the way: prank phone calls from high school, Pink Floyd deep cuts, theater stories, Richard Dreyfuss appreciation, charcuterie jokes and enough Hamlet references to make your old English teacher proud.

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#TalkingPondo #FilmPodcast #StrangeBrew #RosencrantzAndGuildensternAreDead #GaryOldman #RickMoranis #CultCinema #MovieReview 

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 In this episode, Marty gives Clif the movie Scream 7 to watch and Clif gives Marty the movie The Long Walk to watch. 

First up is Scream 7, which brings Neve Campbell back as Sidney Prescott for another showdown with Ghostface. Clif questions the film's writing, predictable twists and increasingly over-the-top kills, while Marty argues that the franchise still knows how to reinvent itself, balancing nostalgia with a few fresh ideas. It's one of the liveliest debates the show's had in a while.

Then it's on to The Long Walk, where the conversation shifts from masked killers to psychological endurance. Clif and Marty discuss how the adaptation captures the hopeless tension of King's story, the emotional toll of the competition and why sometimes the scariest horror movie doesn't need monsters at all.

They also cover listener mail, AI deepfakes, safe rooms with questionable design choices and the age-old question of whether horror fans are willing to forgive absolutely anything if Ghostface is holding the knife.

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 In this episode, Ryan Luis Rodriguez from Reels of Justice joins the podcast. He brings along the movie Working Girls. Marty and Clif give Ryan the movie Psycho to watch.

First up is Psycho, Alfred Hitchcock's legendary shocker that changed horror movies forever. Clif, Marty, and Ryan discuss Norman Bates, the famous shower scene, and why the film still works even when everyone already knows the ending.

Then it's on to Working Girls, Lizzie Borden's low-key but fascinating look at a day in the life of sex workers. The conversation covers the film's resemblance to Sean Baker's slice-of-life approach, its sense of humor, then finally, it's matter-of-fact tone and humanity.

Along the way: Norman Bates business management strategies, courtroom podcast updates, arguments over cult classics, and the realization that some movies are a lot stranger than their reputations suggest.

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 In this episode, Clif and Marty welcome special guest Bobby LePire for a double feature that goes from chaotic 1980s comedy to long-lost stop-motion sci-fi. Bobby brings along the movie The Primevals. Marty and Clif give Bobby the movie D.C. Cab to watch.

First up is D.C. Cab, Joel Schumacher's first feature as a director. Clif, Marty, and Bobby try to make sense of a movie that feels like five different comedies stitched together with duct tape, cocaine, and a flamethrower. The conversation covers Mr. T, Gary Busey and how this bizarre train wreck somehow became a cult favorite and commercial success overseas. 

Then they head into the mountains with The Primevals, the decades-in-the-making fantasy adventure featuring Yetis, aliens, stop-motion creatures, and enough practical effects to make old-school genre fans very happy. The gang discusses the movie's fascinating production history and whether this passion project was worth the wait. 

Along the way, Hamburger University becomes an actual topic of conversation, Poland's apparent love affair with DC Cab gets investigated and the phrase "interesting train wreck" gets repeated for a reason.

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Theme Song "The Rain" by Russ Pace

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