Two Geeks and a GIT Classic Movie Reviews

Episode 188: This pairing focuses on the genre known as Urban Fantasy, that being supernatural events taking place "modern day." And we begin with one of the best urban fantasy films of the 80s, 1986's "Highlander!" Featuring the unique cinematic direction of Russell Mulcahy, the film stars Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown, and Roxanne Hart as it tells the story of Connor MacLeod, a scotsman who was born in 1518 and is, for all intents and purposes, immortal. But there have been others, and now it's down to only a few, as "The Gathering" is happening, and Connor must fight to be the victor and winner of "the prize," even though no one knows what that prize actually is. With breathtaking cinematography, a tour de force by Brown as the film's villainous "Kurgan," and a soundtrack by the band Queen, this is a highlight of so many great things from the 80s all wrapped up in a single film!

Episode 187: This is the second look at the films of Monty Python, and in this episode we move ahead four years to 1979's Monty Python's "Life of Brian!" Directed by Terry Jones, and again starring Jones, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, and Michael Palin, this is a different take on British comedy as we follow the life of Brian Cohen (Chapman), who happened to be born in the manger next door to Jesus. Thus begins his loosely parallel life to Jesus, including being mistaken for being the Messiah (or at least A Messiah)! While the film created a lot of controversy (including being banned in some places until just five years ago), it has become a favorite of Python fans around the world, and even of the Pythons themselves! Plus, find out what urban fantasy films will make up the trio's next pairing as they head toward Episode 200!

Episode 186: It's the best in British comedy for this pairing! Buddy, Chad, and Jeff are reviewing two of the funniest, oddest, most successful British comedy films of all time, by one of the best comedy troupes of all time: Monty Python! First up, 1974's "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," which is almost literally the Holy Grail of English comedies! Directed by the Terrys (Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam) and starring Jones, Gilliam, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, and Michael Palin, this is a very unique telling of the Arthurian legend and King Arthur's quest for the holiest of holy objects: The Grail. Complete with insolent peasants, mighty enchanters, vicious rabbits, French taunters, and coconut horses, this is a decidedly silly film that's been placing on top-50 and top-100 comedy films of all times lists for decades! If you haven't seen this movie, go out and watch it first, then come back for the review (we don't want to ruin any of the jokes)!

Episode 185: Moving ahead five years from the first film in our Christmas Horror pairing, we turn to an anthology film done differently than most, where each story has (at least tengentially) a link to the holiday season. Directed by Grant Harvey, Steven Hoban, and Brett Sullivan, we meed Dangerous Dan (William Shatner), a veteran DJ broadcasting to Bailey Downs on Christmas Eve. As the overall 'narrator' of the story, he is part of the glue that ties the various stories together: An investigation of a year-old Christmas murder in the basement of a convent-turned-high school, a police officer cutting corners to get a free Christmas tree, a dysfunctional family making a surprise visit to an estranged aunt, and a tale of Santa defending himself against bloodthirsty zombie elves and his ancient nemesis! Not all stories are created equal, but overall it's a rollicking, supernatural, creepy good holiday time! Plus, the trio announce what their first official pairing of the new year will be, and you won't want to miss it!

Episode 184: Christmas horror films (and yes, that's a genre) are the focus of our final 2019 pairing, and we begin with a film made in the home of the Santa Claus myth. Written by the Helander brothers (Jalmari and Juuso) and directed by Jalmari, the film stars a real-life father and son team, Omni and Jorma Tommila, as Pietari and Rauno Kontio. Rauno is a reindeer herder, while Pietari is a typical young boy, living out in rural Finland. When the reindeer herd is slaughtered, Pietari comes up with an unbelievable explanation. But when they find a naked old man with white hair and a long white beard, Pietari's theory begins to sound less fantastic. Add in a corrupt evil American corporation and some ancient Finnish mythology and you have a truly unique Christmas story which, according to Buddy, is more of a dark fantasy than a horror film but, nevertheless, is definitely worth your viewing hours!

Episode 183: Our second December holiday film for 2019 is the one immortalized by Turner Television who, since 1997, has aired a 24-hour marathon each and every year! What movie are we talking about? Why... 1983's "A Christmas Story," of course! Directed by Bob Clark, and starring Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Schott Schwartz, and Peter Billingsley, this is the story of 9-year-old Ralphie, living in the suburbs in the pre-war 1940s. All he wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB Gun, but everywhere he turns, everyone is telling him it's too dangerous for him to have, crushing his hopes and dreams. Alongside that is a story of being a kid around the holidays and everything else such a kid would have to deal with, including a bratty little brother and a local bully! Beloved by people everywhere... excemt in the Two Geeks and a GIT recording studio. Find out which member of the trio isn't a fan, and then find out how said member is getting revenge on the other two in the next pairing!

Episode 182: It's time again for our December holiday pairing! This year, we begin with a true classic, 1947's "The Bishop's Wife." Directed by Henry Koster and starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven, this film tells the story of Bishop Henry Brougham, a devout and good man nearing the end of his energy, who prays for guidance amidst the struggles of finding funding for a new cathedral. His wife, Julia, fears that the Bishop may be drifting away from his marriage, his daughter, and the true meaning of his congregation and community. Enter Dudley, an oddly charming gentleman who befriends everyone he meets, and begins to turn the Brougham's lives upside-down, in a good way. Will Dudley be able to help Henry and Julia sort through their assorted problems while still guiding them toward a happy ending for all? You'll have to watch the movie (and listen to the podcast) to find out!

Episode 181: In the second film in our pairing of musicals written specifically for the silver screen, we move ahead two years to the film that found Paramount unveiling their new widescreen technology which they called "VistaVision!" "White Christmas," directed by Michael Curtiz, follows Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby) and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) as they're celebrating Christmas at the front in Germany, 1944. They're giving their regiment a holiday program on Christmas Eve, which is also when their respected commander, Major General Thomas F. Waverly (Dean Jagger), is being transferred. Shortly after, Phil saves Bob from a collapsing building, thus setting the stage for Phil bamboozling Bob into starting a two-man act after the war. After the duo becomes quite successful, they're asked to review the Haynes Sisters act by an old pal from the army... or so they think. This leads them to change their plans and head to Vermont with Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy (Vera Ellen) Haynes, where they find a warm-weather-locked skiing inn. And, as it turns out, the inn is run by someone they know from way back, and they hatch a plan to help save the inn from the lack of business caused by the high temperatures! Plus, find out what two films the trio will be talking about for Christmas this year!

Episode 180: This episode begins our pairing of musicals made specifically for the silver screen with perhaps THE movie musical of all time, 1952's "Singin' In the Rain!" Directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly, the film stars Kelly as silent-film heartthrob Don Lockwood, who is an on-screen couple with Lina Lamont, played amazingly by Jean Hagen. Donald O'Connor plays Cosmo Brown, Don's best friend since childhood and the musician that plays the music to put Lena and Don in the right mood for their on-screen romantic adventure. But when Don meets Kathy Seldone, played by Debbie Reynolds in her first major dancing role, sparks fly (in the wrong direction at first, of course). Set in Hollywood right as the industry was transitioning from silent films to talking pictures, the romance has to keep out of sight of a jealous Lena and navigate the Hollywood system at the same time! Arguably the most famous cinematic musical in film history, it's a classic for a very good reason; it's an amazingly well put-together story in just about every way!

Episode 179: The second film in our Woody Allen film pairing moves ahead two years to 1979 for the love-letter crafted specifically to and for New York City, "Manhattan!" Also directed and written by, and starring Woody Allen, it tells the story of Isaac, a 42-year-old man who is dating a 17-year-old beauty, Tracy (played by Mariel Hemingway). His best friend Yale (Michael Murphy) is married, but having an affair with Mary (Diane Keaton), and introduces Isaac and Mary. Sparks fly, and soon enough Mary's cut things off with Yale and Isaac has broken up with Tracy. The two give their relationship the old NYC try, but will it work out? You'll have to watch the movie to find out, as the trio resolutely refuse to spoil the ending, although that's close to the only thing all three agree on. Plus, find out what two musicals written specifically for film will be the subject of the next set of reviews!