A Quality Interruption

EPISODE #460 -- We continue to valiantly plow through our backlog with the indie yakuza/heist/hangout film, HANA-BI (1998), written, directed, and staring Takeshi Kitano (AKA Beat Takeshi). It's a short one. Give it a listen! TIME STAMPS: 3:20-- First mention of TAKESHI'S CASTLE 5:55-- We talk about PRINCESS MONONOKE (1998) and its score. 23:00-- Lem is mentioned. You know Lem. 24:30-- OUTRAGE and...

EPISODE #459-- Overcoming the grad school blues, we finally have a new (old) episode for you. This week we tackle the classic/hoary Schwarzenegger sci-fi thriller, THE RUNNING MAN (1987, dir. Paul Michael Glaser). We also talk about a lot of other stuff. Star Wars and the like. You know how it is. TIME STAMPS : 1:15-- We talk about "clankers" as a concept 4:45-- "Tenet" and the "Tenet Rap" by Trav...

EPISODE #458 -- Today we talk about the (rightfully) maligned, but still intersting international thriller, MR. ARKADIAN (1954) AKA CONFIDENTIAL REPORT from none other than Orson Wells. TIME STAMPS : 1:10: We mention THE PHOENECIAN SCHEME (2025). 6:05: We talk about Hiroo Onoda. 9:05: James talks about the Jackie Gleason film GIGOT (1963) for some reason, as well as THE GRAND ILLUSION (1937). 15:3...

EPISODE #457 -- After another delay, we are back. This time we're talking about the LA-based pot-boiler/paranoia thriller, MIRACLE MILE (1988), directed by Steve de Jarnatt, staring Anthony Edwards, Mare Winningham, and Brian Thompson (you know, the guy with the face from The Terminator).  We also talk about Orson Welles' THE TRIAL (1962), Danny Boyle's 28 YEAR LATER (2025), Doc and Publick's THE...

EPISODE #456 -- We're back! Not that we ever left. Today we talk about the Japanese suit move MECHANICAL VIOLATOR HAKAIDER from 1995. We also talk about Adult Swim's THE VENTURE BROS (2004 - 2022), the sequel 28 DAYS LATER (2002), and Apple TV's THE MURDERBOT CHRONICLES (2025). And some other stuff, probably. OTHER LINKS: Join the cause at Patreon.com/Quality . Follow the us on on Bluesky at kisli...

EPISODE #455 -- Alexis Simpson returns to talk to us about the feminist/kinda-problematic cult classic TANK GIRL (1995) directed by Rachel Talalay. It's a good one. Both the movie and the show. Worth your time. We also talk general nonsense about the 90's, the failures of third-wave feminism, and how racist and weird some of the alt-rock scene used to be. We also talk WATTSTAX (1973), DIE HARD (19...

EPISODE #454-- We do some post-Andor manifesting by taking on the end-of-WWII drama DOWNFALL (2004). It's not just a meme, it's actually a pretty solid movie about Hitler blowing his brains out (and other things). TIME STAMPS: 3:49: We talk about the magic of Bruno Ganz (RIP) 5:05: We lament the current state of streaming 8:35: STAR WARS MENTIONED 27:00: We talk briefly about Wagner 23:00: ANDOR M...

EPISODE #453 -- We get back into the QT-verse with the Robert Rodriguez-directed gorefest FROM DUSK TILL DAWN (1996). It's not very good and we talk about why. You should probably go see SINNERS (2025) instead or even TALES FROM THE CRYPT: DEMON KNIGHT (1995). Not VAMPIRES (1998), though. TIME STAMPS: 10:00: We talk about the difference betwen THE THREE CABALLEROS and THE THREE AMIGOS. 41:00: Does...

EPISODE #452-- Lo and behold, we're talking about Star Wars again. Even stranger, though, we're talking about good Star Wars. That's right. We're rapping about season two of ANDOR (2025), from Tony Gilroy, et al. It's a good one. It's a long one. TIME STAMPS (approximately): 4:30: We talk about the production of the show, as well as SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (2018) and ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (...

EPISODE 451 -- To commemorate both good Star Wars and Pedro Pascal's rapid ascent to stardom, we decided to take on the 2018 indie sci-fi film, PROSPECT from Zeke Earl and Chris Caldwell. It's not a great movie, but it's a fun one to think about. TIME STAMPS (approximately): 19:30-- We talk briefly about WARFARE (2025). 22:00-- Raymond Chandler mentioned. 42:30-- PAPER MOON (1973) and Ryan O'Neal...

EPISODE #450-- Just in time to miss May the 4th, but just in time for George Lucas' birthday (happy birthday, George!), we've got STAR WARS from 1977. It's a good one, this flick. You should check it out.  We also chat about WARFARE (2025), STALKER (1979), ANDOR (2025), and THE GREATEST NIGHT OF POP (2024). Also, RIP the Pope, I guess. Join the cause at Patreon.com/Quality . Follow the us on on Bl...

EPISODE #449-- We're almost there! To whet your appetite for the big 4-5-0 and to commemorate the life of leading man and weird-energy-haver, Val Kilmer, we're talking Ron Howard's WILLOW from 1988. It's not a good movie! I think it's a pretty good episode, though. You all know Willow. You know what's up. We also rap quizotically about Sidney Lumet's BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD (2007), Tony...

EPISODE #448-- We return to the wild world of 1990's indie cinema with the sit-around-and-chat-based movie SMOKE (1995), staring Harvey Kietel, Forest Whitaker, and, like, ten other 1990's guys. It's a real who's-who of That Guys. We also chat about the documentary SOUNDTRACK TO A COUP D'ETAT (2024), David Lean's LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962), DEN OF THIEVES 2: PANTERA (2025), Netflix's THE QUEEN'S GA...

EPISODE #447-- After much hooting and hollering, we are back on the podcastin' trail with Jim Jarmusch's seminal DEAD MAN (1995) starign Gary Farmer, Robert Mitchum, and that guy from Pirates of the Caribbean. You know the one. The one with the texts. Anyways, fun movie. An important movie. We also ramble about the Oscar-winning documentary NO OTHER LAND (2024) (now available to rent and stream),...

EPISODE #446-- We return from Spring Break and mark the end of Black History Month with a journey back into our BS. That's right, we're talking a Yukio Mishima adaptation from the Golden Age of Japanese Cinema. Today we're rapping about Kon Ichikawa's CONFLAGRATION (1958), a beautiful look into post-War masculinity, obsession, disability, and religion. Good episode of a great movie. We also talk a...

EPISODE #445-- Once more into the breech for Black History Month. Today Cruz and James attempt to understand the impressionistic, indie cult horror classic, GANJA & HESS from 1973.  We also mourn the passing of Gene Hackman, talking about THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971), as well as Kon Ichikawa's THE BURMESE HARP (Cruz has been on an Ichikawa kick-- we can't blame him). This is also our last film fro...

EPISODE #444-- We're talking Black History Month. We're talking Dad Cinema. That means only one thing: We're talking Mr. Denzel Washington, America's dad. Today that also means we're talking Anton Fuqua's THE EQUALIZER from 2014. It's a good one. Solid movie. Fun episode. We also talk the latest season of REACHER on Amazon, the Coen Bros' TRUE GRIT (2010), as well as A THOUSAND BLOWS (2025) on Dis...

EPISODE #443-- We continue our celebration of black cinema with the 1996 indie darling, THE WATERMELON WOMAN written, directed, and staring Cheryl Dunye. It's on the Criterion Channel and Collection, so what's your excuse for avoiding this one? Do you hate cinema? We also talk about Oscar nominated pictures WICKED: PART I (2024) and FLOW (2024) (which actually won), as well as the classic medical...

EPISODE #442-- We finally get around to celebrating Black History Month with the formative SET IT OFF from 1996. Directed by F. Gary Gray and staring Vivica A. Fox, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinket, and the mean doctor from Scrubs, SET IT OFF tells the story about four black women in LA pushed to their limit, who decide to start robbing banks. It's pretty fun, I don't know. We also talk about ANUJA (202...

EPISODE #441 Just in time for awards season, we look back at everyone's favorite French director Jacques Audiard and his previous work about Tamil refugees in Paris. We also talk Severance, Johann Sacre Bleu, Treasure Island and Gate of Hell.  Join the cause at Patreon.com/Quality . Follow the us on on Bluesky at kislingconnection and cruzflores, on Instagram @kislingwhatsit,  and on Tiktok  @kisl...

EPISODE #440-- We return to Schwarzenegger Land with this very particular moment in US-USSR relations known as Red Heat (1988). It's also a return to Walter Hill though he doesn't show off nearly as much. We also talk Thief (again), the latest Wallace and Gromit, Sweethearts, The Hidden Fortress, Never Cry Wolf, and Basquiat.  Join the cause at Patreon.com/Quality . Follow the us on on Bluesky at...

EPISODE #439-- Sorry. It's been a weird 2024. It's been a weirder 2025. I won't apologize. Anyways, here's our Top 10 films of 2024. There's some pretty crazy overlap here! Check it out. Get excited. Almost none of our stuff is nominated for Oscars, which is a pretty fun side effect of being completely out of the loop when it comes to cinema! Join the cause at Patreon.com/Quality . Follow the us o...

EPISODE #438-- After a long holiday hiatus we are back to talk about the romantic dark fantasy FLESH + BLOOD (1986) from Paul Verhoven, staring Rutger Hauer and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Is it a great movie? No. Is it good? Kinda. What's important, though, is that we are very funny and talented and have a good time making a meal of a very messy movie. We also talk about the importance of Pluto TV, the...

EPISODE #434-- Cruz and James go back to Canon Films with ground zero for the 80's ninja explosion Revenge of the Ninja (1983). It's a good one. . . the episode, not the movie. . . actually, the movie is pretty good, too. It fits right in there, you know? We also talk about the Kollywood film JAILER (2023), the anime GHOST CAT ANZU (2024), and the classic film noir EXPERIMENT IN TERROR (1962). Lot...

EPISODE #436-- Cruz and James return to the past with the classic musical/mania movie, A HARD DAY'S NIGHT (1963). It's the first and best movie of The Beatles. We talk rock n' roll, the 1960's, and Paul's terrible little ditties, among other things. It's a good one.  We also talk the Miyazaki two-fer THE BOY AND THE HERON (2023) and MIYAZAKI AND THE HERON (2024), as well as Paul Schrader's 1984 ma...