The Seat Struck Movie Podcast

"Buddy, you're in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Curtis and John team up again with special guest Dr John Bruni for William Friedkin's neo-noir classic TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A., starring William Petersen, John Pankow, Willem Dafoe, and John Turturro. The boys talk about what they recently watched and their shoutouts before doing a deep dive into the film. Hot topics include Wang Chung, gender and queerness, counterfeiting, and comparisons with Miami Vice, and more.

Tune in next time as the Valley brothers (John and Billy) take on STAR WARS EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK!

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:10:55 Shoutouts/What We Watched This Week

00:45:31 TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. (1985) Discussion

01:58:00 Our Ratings for TO LIVE DIE IN L.A.

02:06:30 Coming Up Next!

SHOUTOUTS

JOHN VALLEY: Sinners - Ryan Coogler film breakdown on Kodak’s YT channel : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Ru62uFM0s

• New releases: Sinners; The Shrouds

WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK

JOHN VALLEY: The White Lotus (Season 3); Severance (Season 1 & 2); Local Legends; Luz; One Crazy Summer; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always ; Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: "Dance Hall Days" by Wang Chung

Outro: "Wait" by Wang Chung (TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. OST)

Check out Dr John Bruni's NEW article on TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A.:

https://www.mediamagpies.com/counterfeit-city-part-2-to-live-and-die-in-l-a/

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

After discussing the garish, expensive, shot-on-location entry from the previous episode, this week's return to the Sofia Coppola Watch Series considers her next film SOMEWHERE, which is a complete departure from those things. Instead, this plays more as slow cinema, shot on mostly on tight-focused handheld with a limited cast. We talk about our favourite moments in the story, the somewhat biographical elements, Elle Fanning and Stephen Dorff's performances, and the always excellent needle drops. Before that, we went over some shoutouts, news items, and what we watched this week.

Next month, we will return with special guest John Bruni to discuss TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A.

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:21 Shout outs:

• John's Trip to Montreal
• Silent Hill f announced
• Werner Herzog set to make his animation debut

00:08:26 RIP Wings Hauser; plus happy birthdays to Bill Shatner; Michael Caine; David Cronenberg; and Debbie Harry.

00:10:50 New Releases (The Electric State; Black Bag; The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie)

What We Watched This Week

00:17:01 Mickey 17 (Curtis)

00:18:25 Twin Peaks [TV] (Curtis)

00:20:40 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Curtis)

00:22:25 The El Duce Tapes (Curtis)

00:27:07 Deadpool 2 (John)

00:29:14 Wild at Heart (John)

00:31:09 Picnic at Hanging Rock (John)

00:34:14 No Other Land (John)

00:43:55 SOMEWHERE discussion

01:01:00 Our Scores for SOMEWHERE

01:07:04 Coming Up Next!

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: Foo Fighters - My Hero

Outro: Gwen Stefani - Cool

John Bruni's article on To Live and Die in L.A., mentioned at the end of the episode: https://www.mediamagpies.com/counterfeit-city-part-2-to-live-and-die-in-l-a/

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

https://curtisrunstedler.ca/

"Does Barry Manilow know you raid his wardrobe?"

It's been a while, so this week John decided to celebrate the recent 40th (!) anniversary of one of the all time classic 1980s films by making this a PERSONAL CANON discussion on John Hughes' THE BREAKFAST CLUB. This was a favourite growing up, so we ended up spending a lot of time this ep just talking about what it feels like to be a teenager; our own experiences coming of age; what cliques were we win in high school (fun fact: we went to the SAME high school in suburban Ottawa); before we got to talking about the film itself and considered which elements of it still resonate in 2025, and a larger discussion on Hughes' faded legacy in the decade following his death. Before that, we went over some shoutouts, news items, and what we watched this week.

Next week, we will return to the Coppola watch series to discuss SOMEWHERE.

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:04:15 Shout outs:

• John: His 'going viral' story
• Curtis: His trip to Bosnia and Serbia

00:12:07 New Releases (Last Breath; In The Lost Lands; Mickey 17)

What We Watched This Week

00:14:06 A Complete Unknown (Curtis)

00:16:08 Detroit: Become Human [video game] (Curtis)

00:18:14 You Were Never Really Here (John)

00:20:22 Visitor Q (John)

00:24:29 The Final Year (John)

00:26:48 It's Alive! (John)

00:31:04THE BREAKFAST CLUB discussion

01:11:40 Our Ratings for THE BREAKFAST CLUB

01:16:06 Coming Up Next!

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: Don't You (Forget About Me) 12' ' Version - Simple Minds

Outro: We Are Not Alone - Karla DeVito

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

https://curtisrunstedler.ca/

This week we return to the Sofia Coppola Watch Series to discuss her soft-historical biopic, MARIE ANTOINETTE. We discussed the film's rising standing over the years; how it continues to explore feminist tropes found in Coppola's earlier films, the sick 80s post-rock and new wave needle drops, and how the film's angle towards class and privilege may not be as blinkered as you may think. Before that, we went over some shoutouts, news items, and what we watched this week.

Next week, we will return with John's canon pick, discussing THE BREAKFAST CLUB.

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:03:40 Shout outs:

• Curtis: Mara sisters in a new Herzog film

00:04:01 New Releases (The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep; The Monkey; Paddington in Peru; Captiain America: Brave New World)

What We Watched This Week

00:09:20 Sex In The City 2 (Curtis)

00:10:25 Last Straw (Curtis)

00:11:18 We Are The Flesh (John)

00:14:24 Massacre at Central High (John)

00:16:26 Russ Meyer chatter (Vixen!, and Beneath the Valley of the Ultra Vixens) (John)

00:23:54 Noroi: The Curse (John)

00:27:10 MARIE ANTOINETTE discussion

0:53:00 Our Ratings for GLADIATOR II

00:57:00 Coming Up Next!

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: I Want Candy - Bow Wow Wow

Outro: Killer Queen - Queen

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

https://curtisrunstedler.ca/

John and Curtis team up again with special guest (and John Cassavetes scholar) John Bruni to take on Nicolas Roeg's 1976 science fiction film, starring David Bowie. The trio talk about what they watched, shoutouts of the week, and new releases before doing a deep dive into the film. Hot topics of discussion include Bowie as an alien, capitalism, Newton's experiences on Earth, the montage, and more.

Stay tuned for the next Sofia Coppola watch series next week: MARIE ANTOINETTE!

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:45 News of the Week/Shoutouts/What We Watched This Week

00:47:22 THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (1976) Discussion

01:30:33 Our Ratings for THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH

01:37:43 Coming Up Next!

NEWS OF THE WEEK

• Remembering David Lynch (1946-2025)

  • Terrifier 3/Leone drama recap

  • Scrapped Prince doc from Netflix

  • New releases: Grafted; Companion; Flight Risk; Becoming Led Zeppelin

WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK

JOHN VALLEY: The Blackwell Ghost, The Shop Around the Corner; The War Wagon; The Straight Story; Universal Language

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: "Starman" by David Bowie

Outro: "An Ending (Ascent)" by Brian Eno

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

Curtis, John, Simon, and special guest Ivana try to maintain the balance with THE SUBSTANCE (2024), starring Margaret Qualley, Demi Moore, and Dennis Quaid. The Fantastic Four talk about what they watched, shoutouts of the week, and new releases before doing a deep dive into the film. Hot topics of discussion include feminist angles and male gaze of the film, its satirical elements and critique of ageism and sexist beauty standards, the "monstrousness" of ageing, and the mystery of THE SUBSTANCE itself. Lots of butts and guts for all!

Stay tuned for the next Sofia Coppola watch series in February: MARIE ANTOINETTE!

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:00:55 News of the Week/Shoutouts/What We Watched This Week

00:17:40 THE SUBSTANCE (2024) Discussion

00:57:37 Our Ratings for THE SUBSTANCE

01:02:10 Coming Up Next!

NEWS OF THE WEEK

WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK

JOHN: Wobble Palace; Ghost Town Anthology; Virus (1980); Inside

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: Excerpt from THE SUBSTANCE (2024)

Outro: "The Substance" by Raffertie (THE SUBSTANCE OST)

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

The Ridley Scott Watch Series refuses to die! After our 'soft' conclusion, Scott released his long awaited sequel GLADIATOR II in November of last year, so we finally got around to talking about it. Joining us this week is our old guest and Gladiator-head IN-HWAN. Cards on the table here: we had some gripes with the movie. We talk about some of the things that worked and didn't work for us. We also discussed some of the production notes, including the original and very strange Nick Cave script for a Gladiator sequel featuring a time travelling Maximus! Before that, we went over some shoutouts, news items, and what we watched this week.

For our big Episode 150 milestone, we'll be discussing the recent body horror THE SUBSTANCE with some special guest appearances.

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:05:40 Shout outs:

00:07:36 New Releases (Mufasa: The Lion King; The Damned; From Ground Zero)

What We Watched This Week

00:08:14 It Ends With Us (Curtis)

00:09:29 Silo [TV]  (Curtis)

00:10:35 Seed of the Sacred Fig  (Curtis)

00:11:50 Star Trek Prodigy (In-Hwan)

00:15:22 The Wolf of Snow Hollow (John)

00:18:38 Baby Blood (John)

00:20:36 Evil Does Not Exist (John)

00:22:51 Neon Genesis Evangelion [TV] (John)

00:25:15 Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion (John)

00:28:54 GLADIATOR II discussion

01:03:35 Our Ratings for GLADIATOR II

01:08:40 Coming Up Next!

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: From Saturday Night Live "Paul Mescal / Shaboozey" (December 7th, 2024)

Outro: Overture - Gladiator II

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

https://curtisrunstedler.ca/

John and Curtis are joined by special guest Dr Thomas Britt for a deep dive into 2023's LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL, starring David Dastmalchian. The boys talk about their shoutouts, what they watched this week, and new releases before discussing the film. They talk about the Satanic panic, and comparisons to GHOSTWATCH, found footage and lost media aspects, and '70s TV programs.

Tune in next week for the latest Ridley Scott watch series installment: 2024's GLADIATOR 2!!

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:03 News of the Week/Shoutouts/What We Watched This Week

00:23:00 LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL (2023) Discussion

01:14:58 Our Ratings for LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL

01:22:47 Coming Up Next!

NEWS OF THE WEEK

WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK

CURTIS: Die Feuerzangenbowle

TOMMY: Devs (TV Series)

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: "Prevues of Coming Attractions"; Excerpt from LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL Trailer

Outro: "Baby Blue" by Badfinger

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Quinn: @seatstruckreviews

Also check out Quinn's NEW YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@seatstruck

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

" ...SUNTORY TIME!'"

Happy Boxing Day! We are back after a long hiatus to continue our Sofia Coppola Watch Series, discussing her most popular film: LOST IN TRANSLATION. We talked about our reaction coming back to this film, going over some of the relatable vibes, the relationship dynamic between Murray and Johansson, and some of our misgivings around the film's racial humour. Before that, we went over some shoutouts, news items, and what we watched this week.

Next episode, we will be joined again by Dr. Thomas Britt for a discussion on the 2023 horror LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL.

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:07:11 Shout outs:

00:09:00 Happy Birthdays (Bjork, Jodie Foster, Ridley Scott, and Jennifer Connolly)

00:09:30 New Releases (Dune Prophesy; The Creep Tapes; Gladiator II; Wicked; Street Trash; Seeds of the Sacred Fig; Nosferatu; Nickle Boys)

00:17:53 Anora (Curtis)

00:20:40 Small Things Like These  (Curtis)

00:22:40 Lord of the Rings: The War of the

00:25:00 Parasite (Curtis)

00:27:00 Back to Black (Curtis)

00:28:13 God Told Me To (John)

00:31:13 Freaky Farley (John)

00:34:33 Idle Hands (John)

00:36:35 Smile 2 (John)

00:38:17 Frogman (John)

00:39;17 Challengers (John)

00:42:17 LOST IN TRANSLATION discussion

01:06:48 Our Ratings for LOST IN TRANSLATION

01:14:36 Coming Up Next!

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: Brass in Pocket - The Pretenders

Outro: More than This - Roxy Music

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'

https://curtisrunstedler.ca/

John and Curtis kick off their NEW Sofia Coppola watch series with 1999's THE VIRGIN SUICIDES, starring Kirsten Dunst and based on Jeffrey Eugenides' bestselling novel. The boys talk their shoutouts, what they watched this week, and new releases, before diving into the film discussion. They chat about the Coppola as a filmmaker, the book, the film's ambiguity, the suicides, how the town collectively remembers the girls, and more.

The Sofia Coppola watch series continues next week with 2003's LOST IN TRANSLATION, starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson!

TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction

00:08:20 News of the Week/Shoutouts/What We Watched This Week

00:43:36 THE VIRGIN SUICIDES (1999) Discussion

01:24:28 Our Ratings for THE VIRGIN SUICIDES

01:36:54 Coming Up Next!

NEWS OF THE WEEK

WHAT WE WATCHED THIS WEEK

CURTIS: The Handmaid’s Tale (Season 2); Heretic (2024); The Outrun

CREDITS AND PLUGS

Intro: "Strange Magic" by Electric Light Orchestra

Outro: "Dead Bodies" by Air (THE VIRGIN SUICIDES OST)

Follow John on Letterboxd—@johnnycakes91

Quinn: @seatstruckreviews

Also check out Quinn's NEW YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@seatstruck

Curtis: https://www.the-back-row.com/ - check out 'Runstedler's DVD Pick of the Month'