I continue the GODFATHER Themed Week with a brief overview on the ANALYZE THIS crime comedy franchise:

*Do these comedy films make use of their gags or is there more wit to be desired?
*How does De Niro's gangster spoofing nature work here when compared to Mad Dog and Glory & Midnight Run?
*Why did so many accuse these films of being a Sopranos knockoff when these were both owned by Warner Bros. to begin with?

SONG USED:

"Analyze" by Sharpshooters (from HBO's The Wire OST)

The 2nd week of GODFATHER Themed Material starts:

In this brief overview, I mention some of the Electronic Arts videogames that dominated consoles in the mid '00s.

What were the missed opportunities?

Why were many okay with the blatant GTA style exploration?

And what other cool gangster mayhem could you do while being a street soldier for the Corleone family?

SONG USED:

The Godfather Theme by Nino Rota.

We conclude the week with our final SOPRANOS themed episode for this GODFATHER MONTH: Ranking the Villains of the Saga!

TALKING POINTS:

*Co-hosts Oreo Brewer & Josh Hansen join us to remark on the unusual style of this franchise

*Is Phil Leotardo the deadliest gangster?

*Do both Ralphie and Mikey give everyone else a run for their money?

*And how does Tony seem less like a villain in comparison to all the other instigators while refusing to apologize for this unethical actions?

Come get philosophical (while you see our therapist)!

FUNNY AUDIO INTRO:

"Monsters, Muppets, And Madness (James Gandolfini was on Sesame Street)" by Frank Caliendo (All Over the Place Comedy Album)

To continue the themed week, we dive into our favorite GODFATHER movie moments that live rent-free in our minds:

*Is Tales from the Hood the best at doing parodies of Godfather's shocking death scenes?

*Why is Clemenza soooo badass (in both the book and films)?

*How many movies have done death squad-style marches set to a music-filled montage and Biblical type imagery?

*What other disturbing backstories do we gain from certain side characters?

*All that and why you, the lisener, CAN ACT LIKE A MAN!

VOICEMAILS & INTROS BY OUR GUESTS:

Cam Ray SemiProductions,

SayShoe (Pic A Flic Podcast),

Mike-EL,

Lezlie Sawyer

& Anthony Francis

MUSIC USED:

"The Godfather Theme Music" by Nino Rota

While continuing to focus on the influence of THE GODFATHER for this themed week, I dive into the GHETTO DAWG hood action dramas from the '00s:

*What filmmakers today are the best at using limited resources and not overcomplicating their plots now that all filmmaking is digital?

*How do these films make their material bigger than it actually is?

*How does it handle various subplots while avoiding confusion or one plot twist too many?

*Will they appeal to B-movie fans of '90s Hood flicks, underground fighting films and drive-in revenge movies or are they just a fad nowadays?

MUSIC INTROS/OUTROS:

"Fire It Up/Get Low Beats" by Apple Free to Use Music

Join us for another special side-episode of ALL VERSIONS OF... where we discuss multiple directors cuts of both famous and infamous movies!

For the GODFATHER theme week, it was time that we dived into the next divisive crime epic by the same film crew known only as THE COTTON CLUB.

What serious changes were enhanced and truly benefitted this problematic film?

What were the main components that made it a burden upon intial release?

Will anyone give it a second chance or is the damage basically done?

And more Coppola trivia to display in this minisode!

GUESTS:

Gil Palmer

Filmmaker Mark Oguschewitz

Speaking of True Talents, let's have a Godfather Themed Month: Enjoy our summary of Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo's movie trilogy!

*Why is it so embroiled in the pop culture zeitgeist?

*How does John Wick basically make mild nods to Godfather's Italians with its Russian characters?

*We also reference homages, the unmade Part 4 sequel, discuss less-talked-about trivia as well as real-life gangster stories.

*Plus, a deep focus on the Hyman Roth scene in Part 2!

TRAILER INTRO:

"The Godfather Saga" TV Promo (1977)

MUSIC USED:

"The Godfather Theme Song" by Nino Rota

Our all-star cast discusses the appeal, ups-and-downs and pop culture expertise of comedic filmmaker/actor Kevin Smith.

Talking points Include:

*New Jersey culture that Kevin recreates, some surprisingly positive takes on Clerks 2

*Kevin's comic book & TV contributions

*Is him being stoned the reason for why he cries so much inbetween his geeky rants?

*We dives into some of his graphic novels and the appeal of the Clerks characters.

*How Kevin basically shoots his small-scale films w/ friends much like people he admires (Spike Lee) & how he's a mixture of a more serious Leslie Nielsen, Farrelly Brothers crudity, a Bill & Ted duo, pre-SouthPark/Judd Apatow parody guy & geekier Mel Brooks.
*Which of his serious films were rather solid and which ones fell flat?
*The change in the '90s indie film scene & art house favorites to the '00s digital underground films & mismarketing by the various studios that occurs.
*Plus, James describes a hysterical convention signing where he met Kevin in-person!

OUR GUESTS INCLUDE: 

Jeremy "Squatchy Largefoot" Bryant,

Josh Hansen,

Ryan McGann,

Travis Crawford,

Tim Caldwell

& Oreo Brewer!

SONGS/CLIPS USED:

"The Fuck Song" from Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back

Kevin Smith disses/riffs by RiffTrax Commentary for Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan

Indie Comic Book Creating Duo Joe Kazmer & Jarrod Burris (Collision Force) get an exclusive interview!

They tell the inspiring story of how the duo's creativity energy came to be stemming post-pandemic. 

They also lay out some neat advice on networking with well-known artists, taking the crowdfunding seriously & always outlining what journey will take their original characters on next.

I also also ask about Jarrod's filmmaking forays, how they got to work with Image Comics illustrator Chris Johnson and being inspired by G.I. Joe!

I get to welcome another unique talent to interview:

Actress/Dancer Morgana Shaw!

TALKING POINTS:

*Her credits include: Home Fries, True Women, Salem, Little Woods, The Long Game & The Passenger but what role as a stand-in changed her life for the better for years to come?
*She gets to detail how to bring life to both one's work and your own personal day-to-day routine.
*She discusses her recent move to New York, various work in Southern states and how to treat the work as both fun material and as a commitment.
*How working with Sally Field inspired her own acting skills and choices.
*And how to focus on working with others you know are BOTH a worthwhile collaboration and finding purpose vs. worrying about impressing everyone else!

Get schooled, embrace the fun and get ready to listen to a serious teacher on the craft of acting!