The LAMBcast

We bypassed the usual Poll for Movie of the Month, The Genre for July was to be a Comedy Film, and Mel Brooks just happened to be turning 100 last week, so the choice was obvious. We are having a "Brooksapalooza" on this Episode. We celebrate, critique, rank and discuss the 11 feature films directed by the comedy genius who is still with us and working. James Wilson returns to the show after a long sabbatical, Howard Casner once again shows his iconoclastic credentials, The Vern tries to keep up with all of the films and Aaron Neuwirth champions "Spaceballs" and "Silent Movie" like no ones business. We do a ranking to cap off the show and you will want to chime in with your rankings as well because after the first couple of films, there is little consistency. Vould you like to have a roll in ze hay? Come join the guests this week as we do exactly that.

Recording got delayed so the June MOTM is here for you the first week of July. And even though we just did a MOTM in the Film Noir genre, the community chose a film this month that straddles the line between heist film and Noir, the 1956 French classic "Bob le Flambeur (The Gambler/High Roller). Howard Casner suggested the film so he ends up leading the discussion with Richard and Dave Anderson. Director Jean-Pierre Melville gets proper kudos for this stylish looking slow burn which turns the heist film on it's head. A quick show with lots of spoilers.

Two old guys talk about a kids movie and get the nostalgia feels. Todd Liebenow and Richard have some deep talk about childhood, family and social media, as well as enjoying the newest entry into the Toy Story Franchise. If you are not sentimental, this may be an episode that will make you so. In spite of the billing credits, Jessie (Joan Cusack) is the star of this particular film, and a battalion of horses or advanced Buzz Lightyears are not going to change that. So get that snake out of your boot, bring some Kleenex to the show, and let's go to Infinity and Beyond.  

Steven Spielberg is back in his blockbuster habitat with a June release. Will his return to a science fiction summer movie be a success? We will find out as Aaron Neuwirth and Justin Gott return to the show after some online fretting by the host concerning Spielberg's audience appeal. Howard Casner was an early in on the show, and as is often the case, he is a bit of an outlier of opinions. How is this movie like Scorsese's "The Irishman", should we trust the media even less than the government, just how good is Emily Blunt? Theology, politics, and human nature are all part of the conversation, come have a listen.

Update: The accidental crossfades in the episode have been removed. This is a cleaner version of the show now. 

Regardless of the box office, the LAMBs this week were very enthusiastic about the updated version of "Masters of the Universe". For some it is an extension of their childhood nostalgia, for others, who have no roots in the toys, cartoons or previous film, it was just a relief to find something geared to entertainment. Fangirls Jeanette Ward and Heather Baxendale Walsh join the show to prove "They Have The Power!"

Another guest host brings the heat to the Lambcast this week, as Matthew Simpson leads noir aficionado Howard Casner, and Physical Media Maven Dave Anderson, through a discussion of a lesser known entry in the genre.  "The Big Combo" has gained a reputation as time goes on, and the guests this week explain why. It may not be the star of the film that draws them in, but the antagonists, from top to bottom are all up to speed. Watch out for the spoiler wall because the plot is full of twists and characters who may also be twisted. 

A new Star Wars Movie usually excites the Lambs to a bleating frenzy, but this week's episode drew only the loyalist of fans. Matthew Poirier of the "Direct to Video Connoisseur" podcast and site, takes over the hosting duties while Richard is traveling. Matt's guests are Jeanette Ward and Todd Liebenow and they have things to say. Most of those things are good, but there is some criticism along the way. Everyone sees the seams of a series seasons worth of episodes being stitched together, but there were not really any complaints about it. Matt admittedly lets some digression in the conversation slip through, but that is the kind of thing that makes a show worth listening to. 

The LAMBcast is infused with Videogame enthusiasts this week, chafing at the bit to share their thoughts about the latest version of the cinematic Mortal Kombat franchise. All hands are on deck to engage in verbal Kombat with Lisa Leaheey, Matt Poirier, Aaron Neuwirth and Jeanette Ward seek their Arcana as fists, swords, razor hats and fireball fly.  If you like videogames, this conversation is right up your alley. 

We have a new format for an episode, and guest hoist Aaron Neuwirth takes over the reins this week as a bunch of movie bros take on the Hollywood Remake Cycle. There are plenty of bad remakes, but this show focuses on the ones that the guests think are worth a damn. See if you agree with Aaron and his guests Matthew Simpson, Matthew Poirier and Dave Anderson. They find some remakes that you may not have realized were remakes and a few obvious ones that stand up to and even exceed the original. The Exit Question asks what film you would like to see remade, and your suggestions are welcome.

We skipped franchise MOTM tradition this April and stick to the new genre format. Animation was the choice for April and the selection of 1982's The Last Unicorn seemed to be a popular one for the guests this week. Rachel Wagner, Matthew Simpson, Tony Cogan and Bubbawheat all are struck by the look of the film, and the characters in the story. There were a few reservations about other elements of the movie, but generally you can say all the guests this week were fans of the film.