Upon Further Review

An aging silent film queen (Gloria Swanson) refuses to accept that her stardom has ended. She hires a young screenwriter (William Holden) to help set up her movie comeback. The screenwriter believes he can manipulate her, but he soon finds out he is wrong. The screenwriter's ambivalence about their relationship and her unwillingness to let go leads to a situation of violence, madness, and death.

Noah and Jonesy dive deep into the pool that is one of Billy Wilder's most iconic films, garnering 3 Academy awards: Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction, and Best Music. Does the film still hold up 76 years later? Is it truly considered one of the best films every made? We'll the judge of that.

Next Up: Catwoman (Oh, Jesus. Help us.)

When two male musicians (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon) witness a mob hit, they flee the state in an all-female band disguised as women, but further complications set in as one musician begins to fall in love with one of the bands lead attractions (Marylin Monroe).

Noah and Jonesy take a peek at Billy Wilder's 1959 Hollywood satirical farce, Some Like It Hot! The guys examine how Wilder is able to hide bold sexual symbolism in plain view, Marylin Monroe's eccentric personality and the difficulties it created for the production. Known as one of the most enduring treasures of movie history, this is a film all about sex, yet, Wilder finds a way to fill the story with an overflow of heart and charm. However, the true question stands... Does this film still hold up today? Is it truly one of the greatest every made? We'll be the judge of that.

Next: Sunset Boulevard (1950)

In Vietnam in 1970, Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) takes a perilous and increasingly hallucinatory journey upriver to find and terminate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a once-promising officer who has reportedly gone completely mad. In the company of a Navy patrol boat filled with street-smart kids, a surfing-obsessed Air Cavalry officer (Robert Duvall), and a crazed freelance photographer (Dennis Hopper), Willard travels further and further into the heart of darkness.

Noah, Jonesy, and guest Marco Bottiglieri debate over perhaps one of Francis Ford Coppola's greatest directorial achievement. The guys find themselves deep down the river as they try and understand this hallucinatory brilliant and bizarre take on war as they dissect the poetic cinematography, mystical sound design, and unsettling ending. There is greatness throughout Apocaplyse Now, however, there is also madness. One can not live without the other.

Next: Some Like it Hot (1959)

Following the closing arguments in a murder trial, the 12 members of the jury deliberate the verdict of an inner-city teen-- which could mean death if found guilty. As the twelve men try to reach a unanimous decision while held up in a room, on the hottest day of the year, one juror (Henry Fonda) casts considerable doubt on elements of the case. Personal issues soon rise to the surface, and conflict threatens to derail the delicate process that will decide one boy's life.

Noah and Jonesy deliberate on Sydney Lumet's 1957 feature film debut. They dive deep into how Lumet creates drama and action in a film that is set in a single location through pacing, camera angles, and depth of field. Does a film set in one place deserve to be one of the best? Was the teen troublemaker truly guilty?

Next: Apocalypse Now

When a young woman is killed by a shark while skinny-dipping police chief Martin Brody wants to close the beaches, but mayor Larry Vaughn overrules him, fearing that the loss of tourist revenue will cripple the town. Ichthyologist Matt Hooper and salty ship captain Quint offer to help Brody capture the killer beast, and the three engage in an epic battle of man vs. monster.

Noah and Jonesy talk about the birth of the summer blockbuster and one of the most iconic horror thrillers to date. How the hell did they make a fake, barely workable shark feel menacing? Did Spielberg really laugh when John Williams revealed the initial score of the film? And did Robert Shaw perform that entire speech in one take? Drunk? Listen and find out. Here's to swimmin' with bow-legged women.

Next: 12 Angrey Men (1957)

Walts Disney's boldest experiment Fantasia brings to life his vision of blending animated imagery with classical music. What had begun as a vehicle to enhance Mickey Mouse's career blossomed into a full-blown feature that remains unique in the history of animation.

Noah, Jonesy and special guest Britta Jones discuss the story behind one of Walt's greatest experiments and one of his most heartbreaking projects. The technical side of what it takes to create an animation, abstract fine-art and the issues with public reception.

Next: Jaws (1975)

**Sorry for the shotty recording. Soundboard started going out. We just bought some new toys.

A tuneful, heartwarming story, based on the real-life story of the Von Trapp Family singers, one of the world's best-known concert groups in the era immediately preceding World War II. Julie Andrews plays the role of Maria, the tomboyish postulant at an Austrian abbey who becomes a governess in the home of a widowed naval captain with seven children and brings a new love of life and music into the home.

Noah and Jonesy talk about the whimsical music and the characters that sing them. Why was this Christopher Plummer's most hated role, yet brought him the most success? And how close was Julie Andrews portrayal of Maria to Mary Poppins?

Next Up: Fantasia (1940)

Hey, you carpetbaggers, it's time to discuss that movie that's famous for all the wrong (or are they?) reasons: The Birth of a Nation!

Tag team champions Noah Kinsey and Jonezy discuss Confederate revisionist history, why the director was hurt by accusations that his film was racist, and explain the reasons why - despite portraying the KKK as the film's valiant heroes - this film deserves to be on the list of greatest ever made.

Next, we go from KKK to Nazis with:

The Sound of Music (1965)

Hey, paisan, this week we're talking about a sequel that got as much academy love as its first one: The Godfather Part II!

The Holy Trinity - Noah Kinsey, Amy J Cordova, and Jonezy - talk about how effective the balance with the present day and flashbacks was, De Niro's Brando impression, who Francis Ford Coppola wanted to direct this film, and more.

Next week's episode:

The Birth of a Nation (1915)

Hey, you web-toed mariners, it's the Counterpoint episode on a movie considered one of the WORST ever made: Waterworld!

The Holy Trinity - Noah Kinsey, Amy J Cordova, and Jonezy - discuss production problems, Costner's digital hairline, and why urine is valued so much in this sea world.

Next week's episode:

The Godfather Part II (1974)