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“Stick this is your trophy case.” It’s November, and to paraphrase Alfred Lord Tennyson, in fall a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of…sports, or, since one of our films is British, sport. And since we are still in quarantine, what better idea that to combine sports with prison. Sounds like the perfect time for Episode 32 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. For this episode, I am happy to welcome back a previous guest, film enthusiast, creator of the Film a Day blog, and host of the LAMBCast podcast Richard Kirkham, who has chosen the Robert Aldrich directed Burt Reynolds vehicle, The Longest Yard, and I have chosen the angry young man Tony Richardson drama, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, both about sports and prisons. And in this episode we answer such questions as: What was the alternative ending for The Longest Yard? Which people associated with the movies are part of long film dynasties? What did Aldrich think of Reynolds and what did Reynolds think of Aldrich? How does James Bond and Alfred Hitchcock fit in? What is the difference between James and Edward Fox? Who started the crazy old ladies films? What is an angry young man and what do they want? Meanwhile, check out Richard’s Film a Day blog at http://kirkhamclass.blogspot.com/ And the LAMBCast at http://www.largeassmovieblogs.com/

“I live, I die. I LIVE AGAIN!” Do you sometimes think we’re on the edge of an apocalypse? That tomorrow you might wake up to a barren and dog eat dog wasteland of mass destruction? And I’m not talking America after the election. Sounds like it’s time for Episode 31 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. For this episode, I am happy to welcome back a previous guest, the host of the Cathode Ray Mission, Adam Ferenz, who has chosen George Miller’s blockbuster reimagining of the George Miller cult classic franchise Mad Max, Mad Max: Fury Road, and I have chosen L.Q. Jones cult classic adaptation of enfant terribles sci-fi author Harlan Ellison’s cult classic A Boy and His Dog, two apocalyptic films about some very strange strangers in some very strange lands. And in this episode, we answer such questions as: How does the Brady Bunch and Green Acres fit in? What did Miller steal from Ellison that led to Mad Max: Fury Road? How did Tom Hardy break his nose? How many hours of footage was there for Mad Max and how long did it take to view it? What was the controversy over the last line in A Boy and His Dog? And check out Adam Ferenz’s Cathode Ray Mission podcast at https://www.blogtalkradio.com/deviantlegion/2019/09/14/adam-ferenzs-cathode-ray-mission

“It’s coming out of me like lava”. Is there some event you’ve been missing out on since the quarantine kicked in? Are you having those wedding bell blues? Are you not going to the chapel? Are you not getting married in the morning? Sounds like it’s time for Episode 30 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. For my listeners, please like, follow or comment. I’m especially looking for more reviews on iTunes and I’d love to know what you think. For this episode, I am happy to welcome two guests, actors, producers and radio hosts, Jasper Cole and Ralph Cole, Jr., who have chosen the hit marital farce that gave us the national treasure known as Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids, and I have chosen the art house hit from Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, Monsoon Wedding. And in this episode we ask such questions as: Does the bathroom scene hurt the film, make the film, or both? Which movie made 30 times its cost? What is the legacy of Bridesmaids? Where did the idea for Monsoon Wedding come from? Where does Miss Marple fit in? Fill in the blank: weddings are a __________? Why did Jon Hamm not get his credit? And listen to Jasper and Ralph on their radio show at https://www.blogtalkradio.com/oneononejcole Look for Jasper Cole in the film Kambucha Cure and as producer, Never and Again, due out in 2021 And Ralph Core, Jr. in The Undertaker’s Wife and Boy Culture

“It’s alive! It’s alive!” Do you think there may be just a bit too much ego out there? That there are people who think they can do no wrong? That morality doesn’t apply to them? And I’m not talking about politicians and lawyers…or film directors. Just in time for Episode 29 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, my guest, animater, blogger and film enthusiast Curt Headly, has chosen the Steven Spielberg blockbuster with game changing special effects, Jurassic Park, while I have chosen the timeless horror classics, a set of three, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein and Son of Frankenstein, all films about scientists trying to play god. And in this episode we answer such questions as: Are these simply genre films or is there more to them that first meets the eye? How does the Age of Enlightenment and Modernism fit in? Which is the most popular dinosaur? What does North by Northwest have to do with it? What was so unsettling about the special effects in Jurassic Park? Where does Nazism fit in? What is a golem and would you want to be one?

“I want my lavender spats.” What is about kids? Those annoying little rug rats and curtain climbers that cause you nothing but misery, pain and despair? Wouldn’t it be great if you could do something about them? But you can’t, can you? Because they’re kids. Can’t live with them, can’t kill them…or can you? Just in time for Episode 28 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. For this episode, I am happy to welcome back a returning guest who earlier joined me on Pop Art to discuss The Omen and Village of the Damned, Damien Riley. As someone especially interested in horror, I was thrilled to have him return for the Halloween episode. Damien has chosen perhaps the underrated non-Halloween Halloween movie, Halloween III, Season of the Witch, while I have chosen the overlooked and also perhaps underrated Dr. Seuss fantasy/musical The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T, both with diabolical plots aimed at children. And in this episode, we answer such questions as: why did neither film succeed or meet expectations? What did Dr. Seuss have to say about The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T? Who is or were married while working on these two films? Who dubbed Timmy Rettig’s voice? Who was the voice of the curfew announcer in Halloween III? What is a Hans Conried and would you want to be one? And did the Simpsons do it? And be sure to check out Damien’s blog: rileyonfilm.com

“Hope for the best, expect the worst.” Running short of cash? Need some extra income? Would some rare and precious jewels help out? But what if everybody else and their cousin are after them as well? Just in time for Episode 27 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, my guest is writer/director/producer Drew Hall (Convergence, now on Amazon), who has chosen Guy Ritchie’s British crime farce Snatch, while I have chosen the Mel Brooks film nobody has seen or heard of, The Twelve Chairs, both with a disparate group of characters trying to locate some jewels. And in this episode we answer such questions as: Which movie is a vending machine snack and which is a well prepared steak? What is the primary difference between Ritchie and Tarantino? Why did Woody Allen and Mel Brooks’ careers go in different directions? Why did Gene Wilder not do The Twelve Chairs? What is a Dennis Farina and would you want to be one? How well does Ritchie’s style hold up today? What is the source material for Spaceballs?

“Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads.” Is there something about this time period that just isn’t working for you? Wouldn’t you love to travel in time and do something to fix things? Like the apocalypse? Or maybe to stop your parents from making an absolute mess of everything? Sounds like the perfect time for Episode 26 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, my guest, writing coach, trainer and narratologist Dimitri Vorontsov chose the immensely popular time travel movie from filmmaker Robert Zemeckis, Back to the Future, and I chose the experimental, art film La Jetee from avant garde French filmmaker Chris Marker, both about going back in time to events earlier in their or their parent’s youth. And in this episode we answer such questions as: Which scene from BTTF is the funniest when seen in a Russian movie theater? Which one made Dimitri cry? What is the main difference between La Jetee and Twelve Monkeys? What is the inciting incident in BTTF and does it break all the rules of modern day film structure? What does Greek tragedy, Christianity and film noir have to do with these films? What is it with French intellectual cinema? Is BTTF racially insensitive? How does Donald Trump fit in and are we living through Back to the Future II? And check out Dimitri’s new screenwriting contest and websites: https://superstarscreenwriters.com/?fbclid=IwAR32Uul-DVYSsjy6l94Nl5B6dd6d1kP7nRAim7jtCy6JtBhOhkGLueh6IE0, https://www.facebook.com/groups/SuperstarScreenwriters/

“I don’t do requests.” Is there someone in your life you wish wasn’t? Maybe a group of people? Or maybe you’re just plain bored? I have a solution—how about taking up…hunting? Sounds like the perfect time for Episode 25 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. This time my guest, writer and film critic, influencer and book reviewer, Hermione Flavia chose the perhaps bit too relevant Arnold Schwarzenegger dystopian action film The Running Man and I chose the pre-code adventure classic, The Most Dangerous Game, both films about men hunting men for sport. And in this episode we answer such questions as: What are the major differences between the films and their source material? Who is the first recorded black person to play a white character in film? Who are the saving graces of each film? What was Richard Dawson’s condition for doing The Running Man? How relevant is The Running Man to the world today? And where does The Family Feud and Scooby Do come in? What is pre-code? And what is it about those fashions? And have a look at Hermione’s blog at wildfiremotionpictures.com.

“They’re young, they’re in love and they kill people.” Running low on cash? Need some extra pocket money? Or have you realized that banks are just an evil institution that deserve no quarter? The perfect time for Episode 24 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, my guest, film enthusiast, writer and blogger Kira Comerford, chose the modern day western Hell or High Water and I chose the game changing Warren Beatty/Faye Dunaway classic, Bonnie and Clyde, both films about bank robbers. And in this episode we discuss such issues as: How do you make characters who do bad things interesting or likeable to the audience; what is a Dale Dickey and would you want to be one; what is the double meaning in the title Hell or High Water; what major change did they make to Clyde Barrow’s character and why then did C.W. Moss’s character make no sense; why is Bonnie and Clyde one of the most important movies ever made; what do the three crosses signify; and many more.

“Do the shuffle Truffle.” Feeling attacked? That the world is closing in on you and your friends? Feeling the need to come together and fight back and protect what’s yours? The perfect time for Episode 23 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. For my listeners, please like, follow or comment. I’m especially looking for more reviews on iTunes and I’d love to know what you think. This time, my guest is Hollywood hyphenate, writer, director, producer, podcaster Donald McKinney, III, who is appearing for the second time on the show. Donald joined me on the premier episode of the podcast where we discussed Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. This time round, Donald chose everyone’s favorite coming of age treasure hunt story, The Goonies, and I chose the dark German anti-war film The Bridge, both films about a group of teen friends who band together to save their home. And in this episode we ask such questions as: How did Josh Brolin ruin an important shot in The Goonies? Who dubs Dennis Quaid and Kris Kristofferson in German films? What is an Anne Ramsey and would you want to be one? What happened when Richard Donner went to Hawaii? What does Oedipus Rex have to do with it? Is it Captain Blood or The Sea Hawk? What happened to Casablanca when it premiered in Germany? And listen to Donald’s podcast The REAL Short Box at https://www.facebook.com/therealshortbox/, https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-real-short-box and other streaming platforms.

“We’re on a mission from God.” Feel like there’s something you should be doing that you aren’t? Are you ignoring some calling, perhaps? Maybe that there is some sort of goal, or even a mission, that you should be on? The perfect time for Episode 22 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. For my listeners, please like, follow or comment. I’m especially looking for more reviews on iTunes and I’d love to know what you think. This time around, my guests, fellow podcasters Anna Keiser and Derek Dehanke, have chosen the Dan Ackroyd/John Belushi musical extravaganza The Blues Brothers, while I chose the austere 1971 Japanese masterpiece by Masahiro Shinoda Silence, both with stories about characters on a mission from God. And here we answer such questions as: Are Nazis funny? Who or what is a Mako and would you want to be one? Is there cultural appropriation here? Why didn’t the Blues Brothers do better at the box office than it did? Why did it go over budget? Which is the better film—Shinoda’s or Scorcese’s? Listen to Anna and Derek’s podcast 80’s Movie Montage on popular streaming sites. And look out for Anna’s supernatural dark comedy short She Had it Coming.

“What if I told you that God and the devil made a wager, a kind of standing bet for the souls of all mankind?” Have you been thinking that maybe there’s just a bit too much evil in the world? Not sure what is getting into people these days? What is possessing people to act the way they do? The perfect time for Episode 20 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. For this episode, my guest, screenwriter Jordan Trippeer, chose the Keanu Reeves apocalyptic comic book vehicle Constantine, while I chose the new wave South Korean horror thriller The Wailing, both with stories about characters confronting demons and great evil. And here we answer such questions as: Myth Constantine? Why was there no sequel to Constantine? Just what is it about South Korean films? Which film has the less forgiving worldview? How does Kill Bill, Vol. I fit in? What the hell is the Book of Revelations? And many others.

“We’re gonna need a bigger boat.” Feeling a bit bored? Need some outside activity? Maybe you should take up hunting? If so, who would you want helping you? John Wilson or Quint? Sounds like the time for Episode 19 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, my guest, writer and filmmaker Steve Wise (the award winning Sur’vi, soon to be seen on Amazon), has chosen the Steven Spielberg game changing summer blockbuster Jaws, while I have chosen the Clint Eastwood movie nobody has seen or heard of, White Hunter Black Heart, both with stories about characters obsessed with hunting down wild beasts. And in this episode, we’ll answer such questions as: Why is the shark named Bruce? What did the IRS have to do with the casting? Who was supposed to originally play Quint? Why doesn’t Hooper die in the film? Why is Clint Eastwood so good in WH, BH? Who plays Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn? Has Clintwood ever lost a fight in his movies? And may more. And don’t forget to check out Steve’s website at https://stephenjwise.com/?fbclid=IwAR0zlhdz9uw02JPLQ9zdwQPr7fszNUZd5usKsGtakWBluEbjMTP-5Nkb7x8 and company page at http://realitycheckent.com/?fbclid=IwAR1QeY1zK8OnPdOVs82DOe5BU1uiONNHXmrOCvcU--AtlUttMIhFaw8-sAE

“That’ll be the day.” Concerned about your kids these days? Wondering about their safety? Just how far would you go to keep them safe? Who would you rather come after you if you are abducted? Ethan Edwards or Marlin? The perfect time for Episode 18 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I’ll select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, my guest, blogger and film reviewer Drew of Drew’s Movie Reviews, has chosen the Pixar/Disney animated classic and ironic fish out of water film Finding Nemo, while I have chosen the John Ford/John Wayne classic western The Searchers, both with adults who are looking for abducted children. And here we answer such questions as: Why were Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres cast in the movie? What makes Pixar movies so special? What makes The Searchers a great movie…or is it one? How does the Batcave come into all this? Why was the shark named Bruce? Should Andy Serkis get an Oscar? How many Hitchcock references can you name? And what is John Wayne’s real name? And check out Drew's Movie Reviews at drewreviewmovies.wordpress.com

“Wax on, wax off. Wax on, Wax off.” Feeling the world is ganging up on you? Feeling targeted in some way? Even bullied by those around you? Who would you rather have on your side? Mr. Miyagi or Eli? The perfect time for Episode 18 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, my guest, film enthusiast and podcaster, Todd Liebenow (of The Forgotten Film and Walt Sent Me Podcasts) chose the Ralph Macchio/Pat Morita iconic coming of age martial arts classic, The Karate Kid, and I chose Swedish filmmaker Tomas Alfredson’s moody, atmospheric new take on vampire films, Let The Right One In, both about bullying. And here we answer such questions as: How can you combine getting free labor while training someone for martial arts; who was the original choice for Mr. Miyagi; where the heck are the adults, for God’s sake; what does Let the Right One In bring to the vampire genre; what happens when you don’t invite a vampire in and they come in; and how are the issues of bullying dealt with and resolved in each movie, if they are indeed.

“Lies, deceit, mixed messages... this is turning into a real marriage”. Not quite feeling yourself these days? Do you suspect you might not be who you think you are? Maybe that you might even be…someone else? Just in time for Episode 17 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I select a film from the more art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, my guest, filmmaker and screenwriter AJ Bermudez, chose Hong Kong filmmaker John Woo’s over the top action thriller Face/Off while I have chosen David Lynch’s surrealistic neo-noir Mulholland Drive, both with characters who are not exactly themselves for most of the story. And here we answer such questions as: What happened to John Woo in America? What the hell is going on in Mulholland Drive? Is John Travolta better at playing Nicholas Cage, or Cage better at playing Travolta? What are the best scenes in each movie? What do I and David Lynch have in common and what do the French have to do with it? What is the weakest scene in Face/Off? Who or what is Harve Presnell and would you want to be one?

“Never give up. Never Surrender.” Feeling a bit overwhelmed? That the world is ganging up against you? Need some outside help? Time for Episode 16 of Pop Art, a podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I choose a film from the more art/classic side of cinema to go with it. For this episode my guest, filmmaker Anna Remus, has chosen the cult classic space opera, voted the 7th best Star Trek film of all time, Galaxy Quest, and I have chosen Akira Kurosawa’s great samurai epic Seven Samurai, both films in which a band of intrepid heroes join forces to defend a small defenseless group threatened by a vicious enemy. And here we answer such questions as to which characters correspond to other characters in both films? Why didn’t Galaxy Quest do better at the box office? What did Toshiro Mifune do that was so revolutionary in Seven Samurai? Who almost had the lead in Galaxy Quest and who is our favorite Galaxy Questian? What does Kevin Spacey have to do with it? And listen to other episodes of the podcast and don’t forget to Like, Comment and Follow.

“By the way, I would have voted for Obama a third term, if I could.” Are you feeling a bit paranoid these days? Wondering if your mind’s your own? Time for Episode 14 of Pop Art, the podcast where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I choose a film from the more art/classic side of cinema. This time my guest, Anastasia Washington, stand up comedienne and co-host of the Cereal Killer podcast, chose the Jordan Peele game changing horror film, Get Out, and I chose writer/director Shane Caruth’s experimental, WTF sci-fi film, Upstream Color, both films about mind control. And we talk about such subjects as: Why is Get Out perhaps the most important movie of the 2010s? What is genre meets diversity? Pigs, pigs, pigs? Which ending for Get Out is the best? What happens when you write, direct, star in, edit, compose music, co-photograph and self-distribute a movie? What can be achieved on a nothing budget? So keep thinking good thoughts, if they are indeed your thoughts. Also, like, comment and follow.

“Wanna hear the most annoying sound in the world?” Running a bit short of money these days? What would you do if, out of nowhere, you suddenly found a large amount of money in your possession? Find out what others have done in Episode 14 of my podcast Pop Art where my guest chooses a movie from popular culture and I choose a film from the more classic/art side of cinema. This time my guest, Hollywood hyphenate actor/writer/director/producer Alan Ritchson (his latest project Cicada 3301 will be released…well, when this quarantine thingy lets up) chose the Farrelly brothers first film, the outrageous farce Dumb and Dumber, and I chose the film noir cult classic Too Late For Tears, both about people who find themselves suddenly in possession of a great deal of filthy lucre. And in this episode we answer such questions as Why did Jeff Daniels only get $50,000 to do the movie while Jim Carrey got $7 million? What is the appeal of Jim Carrey? How does Clint Eastwood fit in and what does it have to do with toilets? What is the appeal of film noir? How were women seen in the 1940s and 1950s? What is a Dan Duryea and would you want to be one? And don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT and FOLLOW.

“I have to return some videotapes.” Is the quarantine turning you a bit…crazy? Perfect time to list to the latest episode of Pop Art, my podcast where the guest chooses a movie from pop culture and I select a film from the art/classic side of cinema with a connection to it. This time, my guests Tessa Markle and Carolina Alvarez of Femme Regard Productions have chosen the adaptation of bad boy Bret Easton Ellis’s book American Psycho and I have chosen bad boy Roman Polanski’s atmospheric black and white horror film Repulsion, both concerning characters who, let us say, are going off the deep end a bit. And here we answer such questions as: Which is the more feminist film? Does the ending of American Psycho work? What does Gloria Steinem have to do with any of it? What is important about the female orgasm in Repulsion? Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT or FOLLOW.