Cinema Smorgasbord

Wild In The Streets

Episode 326 – Wild in the Streets – The Big Racket (1976)

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On a pulse pounding returning WILD IN THE STREETS Fabio Testi is trying to take down the protection racket in Rome but is up to his elbows in red tape, but after one incident too many he's fired and has to assemble a crack squad of cons to take down the baddies in Enzo G. Castellari's action packed THE BIG RACKET from 1976. Full of wild set pieces and some particularly nasty moments, it's an over-the-top romp with a final bloody action sequence inspired by The Wild Bunch! But how do our oh-too-sensitive hosts deal with all this? Let's find out!Read more

We Do Our Own Stunts

Episode 325 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Police Story (1985)

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It doesn't get much better than this. On a long-awaited WE DO OUR OWN STUNTS Jackie Chan fulfills his long-term goal (devised partially as a response to his experience with James Glickenhaus' The Protector) to make a different kind of Hong Kong martial arts movie and pulls it off in spectacular fashion with 1985's POLICE STORY. Containing some of his most celebrated fights (the glass-filled mall spectacular) and stunts (the shantytown car chase, the umbrella assisted bus stunts and - of course - his dangerous pole slide), it changed the game for martial arts films, and launched Chan's career into the stratosphere. BUT DOES IT LIVE UP TO THE HYPE?! On this episode of WE DO OUR OWN STUNTS we look at the stories and history behind the film, and where it exists in Jackie's career. Read more

Do You Otaku?

Episode 324 – Do You Otaku? – Delicious in Dungeon (aka Dungeon Meshi) (Season 1)

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In Delicious in Dungeon an adventuring group tries to track down and kill a dragon that ate one of their members, but can only survive by killing and eating the monsters they find along the way. Sounds simple, right? Well, this comedy-adventure series is anything but, with loads of often odd humor, detailed cooking sequences and some impressive world building.. BUT WILL DOUG LIKE IT? That's the question on this episode of DO YOU OTAKU? where Liam once again introduces Doug to a full season of a popular anime series and tries to convince him that it's worthwhile. LISTEN AND SEE HOW IT WORKS!Read more

Serpent's Path: The Films of Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Episode 323 – Serpent’s Path: The Films of Kiyoshi Kurosawa – Suit Yourself or Shoot Yourself: The Heist (1995) & Suit Yourself or Shoot Yourself: The Escape (1995)

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After starting his V-Cinema adventure with MEN OF RAGE and YAKUZA TAXI (both covered on our last episode) Kiyoshi Kurosawa began his most ambitious project yet: a series of SIX films featuring two bumbling, but loveable, gangsters played by Shô Aikawa and Kôyô Maeda who continually find themselves in unlikely, comical scenarios (with - naturally - bursts of sex and violence). Kurosawa would shoot two of the films at a time, and on this episode of Serpent's Path we're checking out the first two entries. In 1995's Suit Yourself or Shoot Yourself: The Heist our pair end up falling for the same woman, only to be forced to help her raise money for a sick relative once she gets involved with (wait for it!) the yakuza. Then, in Suit Yourself or Shoot Yourself: The Escape (also from 1995) the two are hired by a Yakuza boss to spy on his daughter and her boyfriend, only for them to get wrapped up in a tale of love, betrayal and AUSTRALIA. All that and plenty of context, so ENJOY!Read more

How Do You Do Fellow Kids?

Episode 322 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – The Ridiculous 6 (2015)

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We RETURN TO THE SANDLER-VERSE on this episode of HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? (the world's finest Steve Buscemi podcast) with the 2015 made-for-Netflix western-comedy THE RIDICULOUS 6 featuring Terry Crews, Taylor Lautner, Rob Schneider, Jorge Garcia, and Luke Wilson and Sandler himself as the titular 6, as well as appearances by Will Forte, Steve Zahn, Nick Nolte, Danny Trejo, Harvey Keitel and.. uh.. Vanilla Ice as Mark Twain. Oh, and it sucks! It's really bad! Hear us suffer, please.Read more

Bartel Me Something Good

Episode 321 – Bartel Me Something Good – Chopping Mall (1986) & The Living End (1992)

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On this free-wheeling episode of BARTEL ME SOMETHING GOOD we're doubling up with two films featuring notable Paul Bartel ACTING performances. Uh.. kinda. We start with the cult-classic killer robots in a mall horror film CHOPPING MALL, directed by Jim Wynorski. With an all-star cast including Kelli Maroney, Barbara Crampton, DICK MILLER, Gerrit Graham, Mel Welles, Angus Scrimm and - of course - Paul Bartel and Mary Woronov, reprising their roles from EATING RAOUL! Then we put on our deerstalker hats and pull out our magnifying glasses as we solve the mystery of WHERE IS PAUL BARTEL (as "Twister Master") IN GREGG ARAKI'S THE LIVING END?! The record will be changed PERMANANTLY as we discuss Araki's transgressive 1992 road comedy-drama ALSO featuring an appearance by Mary Woronov. Have a listen, friends!Read more

Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out

Episode 320 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Send Help (2026)

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We're selling out again.. and much faster than usual! On this explosive episode of CINEMA SMORGASBORD SELLS OUT we're surviving on wild boar and coconut water with the help of Sam Raimi in 2026's SEND HELP, his return to low-budget thrills starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien! That pair got stranded on a deserted island after a (appropriately violent) plane crash, but here's the twist: O'Brien is McAdams' overbearing, piece of garbage boss and McAdams is obsessed with survivalist books and TV shows. The pair learn a lot about love, friendship and MURDERING EACH OTHER. Did we like it? I dunno. Let's find out!Read more

Podcast

Episode 319 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

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WHAT'S THE BUZZ?! TELL ME WHAT'S A-HAPPENIN! On this episode we're SELLING OUT FOR THE LORD as we tackle Norman Jewison's adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR featuring (wussy) Ted Neeley as Jesus and (bad-ass) Carl Anderson as Judas. Doug asks Liam all sorts of uncomfortable religious questions. Y'know, for fun! We'll talk the history, the performances, the accusations of anti-semitism, all that stuff! Also, what is the DEAL with this Jesus guy? Listen and find out! Read more

Podcast

Episode 318 – Praising Kane – The Lemon Sisters (1989)

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We like to have fun here on PRAISING KANE, the world's finest chronological Carol Kane-themed podcast, but occasionally - rarely - even Carol Kane's charms are not enough to lift up a film, and that's certainly the case with Joyce Chopra's misguided misfire THE LEMON SISTERS from 1989 (though held back from release until 1990). Despite a dynamite supporting cast (including Elliott Gould, Aidan Quinn, a young Nathan Lane, and Ruben Blades) and the talented trio of Diane Keaton, Kathryn Grody and Kane herself as the titular Lemon Sister (friends who grew up together on the Atlantic City boardwalk who sing standards in a nightclub.. sorta), it's just a disaster. Bad music, incomprehensible plot elements, and a lack of chemistry just dooms the whole thing. But is there ANYTHING to recommend it? Listen and find out!Read more

Wild In The Streets

Episode 317 – Wild in the Streets – Young, Violent, Dangerous (1976)

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Three well-to-do young men go on a crime and killing spree for KICKS while Tomas Milian is.. uh.. kinda on their trail in Romolo Guerrieri's YOUNG, VIOLENT, DANGEROUS from 1976! Milian is sort of wasted, but the trio are a hoot (and there's plenty of homoerotic under(?)current as well, because of course there is! There's blood, murder, and a tremendous car chase. Who could ask for anything more? We also discuss our favorite trios for some reason. ENJOY!Read more

How Do You Do Fellow Kids?

Episode 316 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – The Big Lebowski (1997)

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On a brand new episode of HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? we're finding a stranger in the alps with THE DUDE and all his funny pals in The Coen Brothers' neo-noir cult favorite THE BIG LEBOWSKI from 1997. Featuring Jeff Bridges as the dude, John Goodman as his pal Walter Sobchak and - of course - the great Steve Buscemi as the mild-mannered Donny (and also Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Turturro, Sam Elliott and MORE). We talk about Dudeism, oat sodas, Caucasians.. all that stuff! Enjoy!Read more

We Do Our Own Stunts

Episode 315 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Heart of Dragon (1985)

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Before we get to the sublime (POLICE STORY) we need to experience the ridiculous, and it doesn't get much more ridiculous than 1985's HEART OF DRAGON which features Jackie taking care of his developmentally delayed brother (played by Sammo Hung) even though he really just wants to be on the SWAT Team.. or a police officer.. or a sailor. While sometimes a total disaster (the Sammo antics are NOT GREAT) it also features some extraordinary choreography (from Yuen Biao), particularly in the Japanese version we watched for this episode that has TWO extra fight scenes and closing credits outtakes. Hear some conflicted opinions on this episode of WE DO OUR OWN STUNTS!Read more

Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out

Episode 314 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Is this Thing On? (2025)

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On a returning CINEMA SMORGASBORD SELLS OUT we're talking about Bradley Cooper's divorced dad energy mid-life crisis comedy-drama IS THIS THING ON? for some reason. Will Arnett plays a RICH BASTARD who divorces former volleyball star Laura Dern and turns to stand-up comedy to discover insights about himself and somehow we STILL decided to watch it. Bradley Cooper plays a character named BALLS! Yikes! Anyway, there are plenty of shocking revelations, so give it a listen. Spoilers ahead, but who cares? Read more

Further Reeding

Episode 313 – Further Reeding – Tommy (1975) (/w Kolleen Carney Hoepfner)

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On a brand new episode of FURTHER REEDING (the world's finest Oliver Reed-themed podcast) you can SEE US, FEEL US, TOUCH US and HEAL US as we check out Ken Russell's all-star film adaptation of The Who's classic rock opera TOMMY starring Roger Daltrey, Ann-Margret, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Jack Nicholson, Tina Turner and - of course - OLIVER REED! We couldn't cover such an epic experience by ourselves, so we're joined by special guest Kolleen Carney Hoepfner to cover the good and bad of Russell's overblown, over-the-top, synth-heavy monster! Our senses will never be the same!Read more

Eric Roberts is the Man Redux

Episode 312 – Eric Roberts is the Man – Luck of the Draw (2000)

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On an UNPRECEDENTED new episode of Eric Roberts is the Man, we're covering a film.. FOR THE SECOND TIME! Due to a series of unfortunate events (and fading memories) The Catered Quiz host (and Family Feud veteran) Rick Katschke joins us for our second kick at the all-star counterfeit money crime caper LUCK OF THE DRAW from 2000 (/w Dennis Hopper, Ice-T, Michael Madsen, William Forsythe and - of course - ERIC ROBERTS). Did we like it any more this time? GUESS YOU'LL HAVE TO LISTEN AND FIND OUT. All that and the latest Eric Roberts news. ENJOY.Read more

Wild In The Streets

Episode 311 – Wild in the Streets – No, The Case is Happily Resolved (1973)

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What if you witnessed a murder but the ACTUAL murderer goes to the cops first and accused YOU of being the killer? UH OH! That's what happens to Enzo Cerusico's hapless Fabio Santamaria in 1973's comically titled NO, THE CASE IS HAPPILY RESOLVED where Fabio's attempts to not get involved in the criminal justice system lands him in a heap of trouble, while the actual murderer (a school professor played by Riccardo Cucciolla) is treated like a hero by the cops. It's a dire look at class differences, the criminal justice system and making a lot of BAD decisions when you think someone is looking for you. At least, until a terrible, tacked-on ending (which we discuss!). CHECK IT OUT!Read more

Serpent's Path: The Films of Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Episode 310 – Serpent’s Path: The Films of Kiyoshi Kurosawa – Men of Rage (1994) & Yakuza Taxi (1994)

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Kiyoshi Kurosawa is coming off a rough patch after controversies around SWEET HOME in 1989 and the financial failure of THE GUARD FROM UNDERGROUND in 1992, but after retreating into television work he's about to be given a new lifeline in the 90s: V-CINEMA! This straight-to-VHS trend focusing on genre fare ended up being a training ground for a number of favorite directors and Kurosawa dives right in, first with the extremely silly (but quite fun) crime-comedy YAKUZA TAXI, and continuing with the cycling drama (adapted from a Yasuhito Yamamoto manga) MEN OF RAGE. On this episode of SERPENT'S PATH we look at everything Kurosawa was up to, how he ended up on these two films, and detail some of our own frustrations watching them. ENJOY!Read more

You Don't Know Dick

Episode 309 – You Don’t Know Dick – The Trip (1967)

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We're going GUESTLESS and UNTETHERED on this episode of YOU DON'T KNOW DICK, and what a long, strange trip it is! We're checking out the Roger Corman-directed 1967 film THE TRIP starring Peter Fonda, Bruce Dern and Dennis Hopper and it's full of surreal visuals, mind-expanding dialogue and hippy nonsense! Roger Corman went on an LSD trip as prep for the film, and he imbues it with plenty of independent energy (helped by Fonda and Hopper filming guerilla style on the streets of LA), but is it consciousness expanding weirdness or boring nonsense? Let's find out!Read more

How Do You Do Fellow Kids?

Episode 308 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – The Impostors (1998)

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Steve Buscemi.. the CROONER? It happened! In this episode of HOW DO YOU DO, FELLOW KIDS? we're checking out Stanley Tucci's throwback comedy THE IMPOSTERS from 1998 where Tucci teams with Oliver Platt as a pair of struggling actors/con-artists who find themselves in the middle of MANY plots when they accidentally stowaway on an ocean liner. I'm laughing already! And you'll be laughing(?) alongside an all-star cast that includes Alfred Molina, Tony Shalhoub, Hope Davis, Lili Taylor, Richard Jenkins, Allison Janney, and - of course - Steve Buscemi as "Happy" Franks. Also Woody Allen shows up. Anyway, all that and the latest Buscemi news. Stop reading this and start listening!Read more

Episode 326 – Wild in the Streets – The Big Racket (1976)

Episode 325 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Police Story (1985)

Episode 324 – Do You Otaku? – Delicious in Dungeon (aka Dungeon Meshi) (Season 1)

Episode 323 – Serpent’s Path: The Films of Kiyoshi Kurosawa – Suit Yourself or Shoot Yourself: The Heist (1995) & Suit Yourself or Shoot Yourself: The Escape (1995)

Episode 322 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – The Ridiculous 6 (2015)

Episode 321 – Bartel Me Something Good – Chopping Mall (1986) & The Living End (1992)

Episode 320 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Send Help (2026)

Episode 319 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

Episode 318 – Praising Kane – The Lemon Sisters (1989)

Episode 317 – Wild in the Streets – Young, Violent, Dangerous (1976)

Episode 316 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – The Big Lebowski (1997)

Episode 315 – We Do Our Own Stunts – Heart of Dragon (1985)

Episode 314 – Cinema Smorgasbord Sells Out – Is this Thing On? (2025)

Episode 313 – Further Reeding – Tommy (1975) (/w Kolleen Carney Hoepfner)

Episode 312 – Eric Roberts is the Man – Luck of the Draw (2000)

Episode 311 – Wild in the Streets – No, The Case is Happily Resolved (1973)

Episode 310 – Serpent’s Path: The Films of Kiyoshi Kurosawa – Men of Rage (1994) & Yakuza Taxi (1994)

Episode 309 – You Don’t Know Dick – The Trip (1967)

Episode 308 – How Do You Do, Fellow Kids? – The Impostors (1998)

Your Hosts

Doug Tilley

Liam O'Donnell