Cinema Smorgasbord

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In a jam-packed episode of WILD IN THE STREETS we're getting classy with Elio Petri's Cannes jury-prize winning darkly humorous satirical drama INVESTIGATION OF A CITIZEN ABOVE SUSPICION with a dynamite lead performance from Gian Maria Volonté as the "Il Dottore", a police inspector who murders a woman just to prove that he is - as the title suggests - above suspicion. We pair this with a brief conversation about the late Gene Hackman and - uh oh - more talk about politics and if it's possible to make a truly radical political film while under the thumb of a studio. Listen and learn!Read more

Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out

Episode 265 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Anora (2024)

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How do you solve a problem like ANORA, the recent Best Picture Oscar winner directed by problematic(?) fav Sean Baker? It seems like everyone has an opinion on the film (about a young sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch), so why not add OURS into the mix? We get down and dirty with some of the controversies surrounding the film, but mostly just talk about what we liked and didn't like about the film like good little critics. ENJOY!Read more

Praising Kane

Episode 264 – Praising Kane – Ishtar (1986)

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PRAISING KANE returns with the notorious Elaine May-directed, Dustin Hoffman & Warren Beatty-starring bomb ISHTAR from 1986! Featuring those two as hapless songwriters who end up wrapped up in international intrigue in the middle east, it had a famously messy production but is it as bad as its reputation? Or as good as its revised reputation? Also, did you know Carol Kane is in it? SHE IS! But first we have to chat about the 1986 Cinemax comedy sketch special from Bob Goldthwait called DON'T WATCH THIS SHOW, with Whoopi Goldberg, Tim Kazurinsky, Dee Snider, (an uncredited) Robin Williams and - of course - CAROL KANE! It's AWFUL! All this and the latest CK news so LISTEN!Read more

How Do You Do Fellow Kids?

Episode 263 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Youth in Revolt (2009)

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On this episode of the world's greatest Steve Buscemi-themed podcast, we're taking a look at the odd coming-of-age nightmare comedy YOUTH IN REVOLT from 2009 where Michael Cera creates a sociopathic version of himself in order to impress a young woman he meets at a trailer park. Stuffed with great character actors (Jean Smart, Justin Long, Fred Willard, Mary Kay Place, M. Emmett Walsh), its episodic format takes some getting used to, but it's much more interesting - and stranger - than the marketing would have you believe. Also, Steve Buscemi is in it (as Michael Cera's father!). All of this and the latest Buscemi news, and all for FREE! You can't pass up that deal.Read more

Episode 262 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Wheels on Meals (1984)

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Yuen Biao, Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan are headed to Barcelona, Spain in the 1984 action-comedy spectacular WHEELS ON MEALS, featuring Jackie and Yuen as food truck operators and Sammo as a hapless detective. Of course, we also get a pickpocket damsel in distress (Lola Forner), shenanigans in a mental hospital, car chases, foot chases and one of the best martial arts fights EVER between Jackie and kickboxer Benny "The Jet" Urquidez. We dive into the background and even spend some time chatting about Jackie Chan VIDEO GAMES. Lots to discuss, so let's get to it!Read more

George Kennedy is my Copilot

Episode 261 – George Kennedy is My Copilot – Uninvited (1988)

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On this long-awaited return of GEORGE KENNEDY IS MY CO-PILOT the gang are joining Alex Cord, Clu Gulager and - of course - George Kennedy on a beautiful sea voyage only partially spoiled by the presence of a genetically modified cat that spits up a weird gremlin thing that is killing everyone. Uh oh! There's murder, mystery, insanity-due-to-hunger, ankle-biting, finger munching and a bevy of horny teens because, heck, why not? All this and a look at George's time as a pitchman for Schaefer Beer! JOIN US!Read more

Whatever Happened To Vic Diaz?

Episode 260 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – Black Mama, White Mama (1973) (THE FINALE!)

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We knew this day was coming, but it's the FINAL EPISODE of WHATEVER HAPPENED TO VIC DIAZ?, our glorious deep-dive into the film career of "the Filipino Peter Lorre" Vic Diaz which was one of our first ever podcasts under the Cinema Smorgasbord banner. It's been a fine few years, and what better way to round things out than with an all-timer exploitation classic starring Pam Grier and Margaret Markov as two women chained together and making their way through a peril-filled "South American" jungle. Add in a truly demented Sid Haig performance and you've got a recipe for (filthy) fun. And of course we have a tremendous Vic Diaz performance as the sleazy drug dealer Victor "Vic" Cheng! Let's end this thing with a bang! Read more

Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out

Episode 259 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Conclave (2024)

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The Pope is DEAD and someone needs to replace him in Edward Berger's unique political thriller/mystery CONCLAVE from 2024, featuring Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence, who is leading the replacement process, as well as Stanley Tucci, Lucian Msamati, John Lithgow, and Sergio Castellitto as potential new popes (if they can get the votes). It's fascinating stuff, with a controversial element that we'll get into during our spoiler section (don't worry, we'll warn you!). We also chat about the recent passing of David Lynch in the opening segment, so get ready and LISTEN!Read more

Further Reeding

Episode 258 – Further Reeding – The Brood (1979)

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CANADA! DIVORCE! Are there any two sweeter words in the English language? I can think of one: CRONENBERG! On this episode of FURTHER REEDING we're getting personal with the 1979 David Cronenberg-directed horror classic THE BROOD starring Art Hindle, Samantha Eggar and - of course - OLIVER REED! It's a film full of complexity, autobiographical elements, (possible) misogyny and killer mutant kids so you know it's right up our alley. Listen and hear some THOUGHTS!Read more

Episode 257 – Wild in the Streets – The Cynic, The Rat and The Fist (1977)

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On this episode of WILD IN THE STREETS, Maurizio Merli is (former) Inspector Leonardo Tanzi, a retired cop constantly disciplined for his unusual (brutal) methods, which in this case involves faking his own death so he can take down the psychopathic Luigi 'The Chinaman' Maietto (Tomas Milian) and master criminal Frank Di Maggio (John Saxon) in Umberto Lenzi's THE CYNIC, THE RAT AND THE FIST. Full of two-fisted action, and a "laser" wall you have to see to believe, there's plenty to like - and be confused by - here, but is it any good? We talk about the good, the bad and the ugly (and try to decide exactly which character is meant to be the cynic/rat/fist) and will let you know. Enjoy!Read more

How Do You Do Fellow Kids?

Episode 256 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Hotel Transylvania (2012)

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What better time to watch a computer animated feature about monsters than.. uh.. January? Well, we're doing it anyway! On this episode of HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? we're watching the Sandlerverse-adjacent animated comedy HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA and it's.. actually not too bad. Featuring the vocal talents of Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Kevin James, and - of course - Steve Buscemi, it's about a bunch of monsters in a hotel or something. I don't know. Just listen to the thing. Thanks!Read more

Praising Kane

Episode 255 – Praising Kane – Jumpin Jack Flash (1986)

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It's the first episode of 2024 and PRAISING KANE is packed with wild Carol Kane content, starting with the hour long episode of Shelley Duvall's TALL TALES & LEGENDS adapting the famous poem "Casey at the Bat".. sort of! With Elliott Gould, Howard Cosell, Bob Uecker, Bill Macy and CAROL KANE! It's plenty odd. Then we look at an episode of the 80s comedy crime series CRAZY LIKE A FOX /w Jack Warden and John Rubinstein, featuring Carol Kane guesting as a beleaguered secretary. Then it's time for the main event, the Penny Marshall directed comedy-thriller JUMPIN JACK FLASH starring Whoopi Goldberg and a slew of famous faces in supporting roles- including Carol Kane! It's a Liam O'Donnell childhood favorite, but does it hold up? Let's find out!Read more

You Don't Know Dick

Episode 254 – You Don’t Know Dick – Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979) (/w Oscar Goff)

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Happy (almost) new year! We're ending 2024 with an all-timer episode of YOU DON'T KNOW DICK (the world's finest Dick Miller podcast) featuring guest Oscar Goff joining us to not only chat about a Season 6 episode of WHO'S THE BOSS (featuring Dick Miller as a suspicious hotel manager), but also a lengthy discussion on Alan Arkush's beloved 1979 comedy ROCK 'N' ROLL HIGH SCHOOL featuring P.J. Soles, The Ramones, Paul Bartel & Mary Woronov and - of course - Dick Miller! Learn about PUNK MUSIC from the experts! Enjoy and see you on the other side.Read more

Episode 253 – The Cinema Smorgasbord Holiday Special – Switch (2023) & R.M.N. (2022)

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It's the Cinema Smorgasbord HOLIDAY SPECIAL and as usual we're heading (virtually) to the Weihnachtsfilmfestival in Berlin, Germany to check out TWO films that played at their 2023 edition. We start with the sweet Korean fantasy comedy SWITCH from 2023, about a superstar actor who learns a few lessons in love and humility after having his life switched with that of his lowly assistant. Then we finish off with the devastating Romanian drama R.M.N., about the xenophobic fallout when some Sri Lankan workers are hired at a Transylvanian bread company. It's a very special episode so why not send the kids to bed and listen? Read more

Episode 252 – Bartel Me Something Good – Utterly Without Redeeming Social Value (1969) & Mortuary Academy (1988)

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BARTEL ME SOMETHING GOOD returns with two films co-written by the man himself! We start with a rare oddity, the Paul Bartel-starring sex comedy(?) UTTERLY WITHOUT REDEEMING SOCIAL VALUE from 1969, also featuring Don Calfa and a guy who makes robotic art. FUN! Then we're finishing up with the totally bizarre, totally tasteless Police Academy.. uh.. spoof? from 1988 MORTUARY ACADEMY, which reunited Paul Bartel and Mary Woronov! How do we feel about it? It's complex! Listen!Read more

We Do Our Own Stunts

Episode 251 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Project A (1983)

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A seismic shift in Hong Kong filmmaking occurs on this episode of WE DO OUR OWN STUNTS with the release of the legendary action-comedy PROJECT A in 1983. Directed by (and - of course - starring) Jackie Chan, alongside his Peking Opera classmates Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao, it's a raucous, often hilarious and stunt filled thrill ride packed with pirates, pratfalls and one infamous fall from a clock tower that has to be seen to be believed. It changed filmmaking forever and sent Jackie's already ascending star into the stratosphere. But does it hold up? Let's check it out!Read more

Eric Roberts is the Man Redux

Episode 250 – Eric Roberts is the Man – Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far (2024) (/w Will Sloan)

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It's episode 250(!!) of Cinema Smorgasbord, and what better way to celebrate than a brand new episode of ERIC ROBERTS IS THE MAN covering Eric Roberts' recently released autobiography Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far, as well as the slew of media Eric has been doing around it - including appearing on Dancing With the Stars! For such a monumental episode we needed a monumental guest, so joining us will be fellow Eric Roberts enthusiast (and co-host of The Important Cinema Club and Michael & Me podcasts) Will Sloan, who has some big thoughts on the book, DWtS and SO MUCH MORE. All that and the latest Eric Roberts news, so CHECK IT OUT! Read more

Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out

Episode 249 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – The Shadow Strays (2024)

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On this bloodthirsty episode of CINEMA SMORGASBORD SELLS OUT we're sitting down with Timo Tjahjanto's epic, gore-filled action film THE SHADOW STRAYS, currently streaming on Netflix! Starring actress/model Aurora Ribero as "13", a 17-year-old assassin who gets suspended after a botched mission and befriends 11-year-old Monji. But when Monji gets kidnapped 13 gets some very, very, very blood revenge on his kidnappers while getting on the wrong side of her assassin group. UH OH! We also chat about Indonesian action as a whole because WHY NOT? Check it out!Read more

Wild In The Streets

Episode 248 – Wild in the Streets – Rulers of the City (1976) (aka Mister Scarface)

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A trio consisting of fun-loving Tony (Harry Baer), the more serious minded Ric (Al Cliver) and the bombastic Napoli (Vittorio Caprioli) take on the vicious Mazari (Jack Palance) in the 1976 Italian action film RULERS OF THE CITY (aka MISTER SCARFACE), another poliziotteschi classic from genre master Fernando Di Leo which includes a surprising amount of comedy amongst the usual array of car (and foot!) chases, motorcycle stunts and gunfights. Tony years for a relaxing life in Brazil but gets on the bad side of the mob, while Ric wants revenge for the murder of his father, which means they have to stay one step ahead of baddies as they play pool, have group sex and get themselves in deeper and deeper trouble. It's fun! All of this and a little introductory summary of our experience with Italian crime films over these last few years. Check it out!Read more

Episode 265 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Anora (2024)

Episode 264 – Praising Kane – Ishtar (1986)

Episode 263 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Youth in Revolt (2009)

Episode 262 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Wheels on Meals (1984)

Episode 261 – George Kennedy is My Copilot – Uninvited (1988)

Episode 260 – Whatever Happened to Vic Diaz? – Black Mama, White Mama (1973) (THE FINALE!)

Episode 259 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Conclave (2024)

Episode 258 – Further Reeding – The Brood (1979)

Episode 257 – Wild in the Streets – The Cynic, The Rat and The Fist (1977)

Episode 256 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Episode 255 – Praising Kane – Jumpin Jack Flash (1986)

Episode 254 – You Don’t Know Dick – Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979) (/w Oscar Goff)

Episode 251 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Project A (1983)

Episode 250 – Eric Roberts is the Man – Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far (2024) (/w Will Sloan)

Episode 249 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – The Shadow Strays (2024)

Episode 248 – Wild in the Streets – Rulers of the City (1976) (aka Mister Scarface)

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