Paul and Corey Cross the Streams

"I'll see you in court!" is this month's theme. A courtroom is about as dramatic as it gets, folks. Competing interests in which only one side can win, and the power of the state is there to call the balls and strikes (allegedly). This week, Paul chose to interrogate that "allegedly" part. Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory (1957). Based on Humphrey Cobb's novel, which was based on a true story, Pat...

"I'll see you in court!" is this month's theme. A courtroom is about as dramatic as it gets, folks. Competing interests in which only one side can win and the power of the state is there to call the balls and strikes (allegedly). This week, Corey chose Witness for the Prosecution (1957). Based on Agatha Christie's successful play (which she adapted from a short story), Witness for the Prosecution...

No dip into film history would be complete without a swim through New Wave. A movement born in France in the 1950s within the pages of the magazine Cahiers du Cinema – New Wave began when a group of adventurous film critics tried their hands at tearing down old concepts of film grammar and subjects and replacing them with kinetic, symbolic, and abstract examinations of social alienation, psychopat...

No dip into film history would be complete without a swim through New Wave. A movement born in France in the 1950s within the pages of the magazine Cahiers du Cinema – New Wave began when a group of adventurous film critics tried their hands at tearing down old concepts of film grammar and subjects and replacing them with kinetic, symbolic, and abstract examinations of social alienation, psychopat...

So, April was a wild ride of a month, gang. Paul got COVID, and Corey flew to Philadelphia to meet his granddaughter! Apologies for not getting you episodes sooner. This month, the theme is I.P.; however, it really went in a much different direction. This episode, Paul chose Little Women (2019). Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott and adapted and directed by Greta Gerwig. Paul and Corey absolu...

So, April was a wild ride of a month, gang. Paul got COVID, and Corey flew to Philadelphia to meet his granddaughter! Apologies for not getting you episodes sooner. This month, the theme is I.P.; however, it really went in a much different direction. This episode, Corey chose Cider House Rules (1999). Based on the novel by John Irving, this is one of those films that plays big during award seasons...

"I have never seen it [Jaws 4], but by all accounts it is terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific." - Michael Caine Stars are just like us! They'll take soul-sucking jobs purely for the money. And that's what this month's theme is: "Terrific-House Movies." This week, Paul, of course, chose the film that kept Michael Caine from accepting his Academy Award in-perso...

"I have never seen it [Jaws 4], but by all accounts it is terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific." - Michael Caine Stars are just like us! They'll take soul-sucking jobs purely for the money. And that's what this month's theme is: "Terrific-House Movies." This week, Corey chose Jackie Chan's Rush Hour (1998). After a stint in Hollywood, Chan returned to Hong Kon...

February's theme is "Team Ups." When Hollywood wants to pack butts in seats, sometimes, all it takes is a couple movie stars' names above the title. And this week, Paul chose one that kinda echoes Corey's: Twins (1988). A movie whose success seemingly benefited its stars and director in a surprising and monetary way beyond their wildest dreams. For everyone else - it sucks! A premise in search of...

Happy New Year and welcome back! We're STAR-ting off 2022 with a bang. February's theme is "Team Ups." When Hollywood wants to pack butts in seats, sometimes, all it takes is a couple movie stars' names above the title. And this week, Corey chose one that definitely, definitely fits the bill: Rain Man (1988). We had so much fun with Tom Cruise in Eyes Wide Shut , we brought him back. And then…Dust...

"Christmas Time is here!" It's our final episode of 2022, and Paul wants to ring in the old year with a...bang. It's Stanley Kubrick's final film: Eyes Wide Shut (1999). A film that received modest praise when it was released, its estimation and appreciation for its...prescience has grown considerably. And with a Christmas tree in nearly every shot, Eyes Wide Shut is more of a Christmas movie than...

"Christmas Time is here!" It's this month's theme, and it gives Paul enough room to bring in something weird next episode... This week, Corey is letting his inner(?) Grinch out to play with Bad Santa (2003). Like any gross-out comedy of the '00s, you inevitably wonder: Just how badly doesn't it hold up? Tune in to find out... This Month's Theme : Christmas Time Is Here This Episode's Focus : Bad S...

This month, Paul and Corey are talking about "Sports!" From Huey Lewis to Ted Lasso, who doesn't love sports? This week, Corey chose Eight Men Out (1988) and get ready, folks, because Corey unleashes his inner Paul. You've never heard such a deep dive into labor organizing in baseball! Free agency, integration, the IWW, and more! This Month's Theme : Sports! This Episode's Focus : Eight Men Out (1...

This month, Paul and Corey are talking about "Sports!" From Huey Lewis to Ted Lasso, who doesn't love sports, folks? This week, Paul chose Fences (2016) - adapted from August Wilson's play and directed by and starring Denzel Washington. A murderer's row of talent! Paul gets to talk about his hometown of Pittsburgh, Corey wows with his baseball knowledge, and you won't care if you ever go back! Thi...

It's October...SPOOKY! This month's theme is "Ugh. A Horror Movie." Paul and Corey both just have a hard time with the genre, so it's taken us some time to get around to it. This week, Paul chose a classic, The Blob (1958). Corey has a...personal relationship with this film, as well. Ultimately, the film was incredibly boring, but I don't know - maybe kids in the '50s just liked going to drive-ins...

It's October...SPOOKY! This month's theme is "Ugh. A Horror Movie." Paul and Corey both just have a hard time with the genre, so it's taken us some time to get around to it. This week, Corey chose a film with which he has a SHOCKING connection - Brian De Palma's Sisters (1972). Sooo much to discuss: Second-wave feminism, Hitchcock, the Manson Family, brainwashing. Cut a slice of birthday cake and...

It's September, Labor Day, and Paul and Corey are talking about Workin'. This week, Corey chose the memeable cult hit, Office Space (1999), Mike Judge's first live-action film, based on his animated shorts, Milton . If it's the '90s, you know Paul is going to mention the End of History, but the film and discussion will surprise you as to what the boys thought...worked...and what didn't. This Month...

It's September, Labor Day, and Paul and Corey are talking about Workin'. This week, Paul chose a film that deserves WAY more attention, Blue Collar (1978), Paul Schrader's directorial debut that he co-wrote with his brother, Leonard. Paul and Corey discuss Calvinism, Richard Pryor, Marx's Labor Theory of Value, 20th century American labor history, and more! It's a rollicking good time. This Month'...

This month, Paul and Corey are talking about film noir. Its preoccupations and tropes. Its themes and style. This week, Paul chose a true classic, Double Indemnity (1944). PACCTS' second Billy Wilder film, Double Indemnity established so much of what one imagines when they hear "film noir." Paul and Corey discuss the Hays Code, Wilder's work with co-writer Raymond Chandler, and the subversive quee...

This month, Paul and Corey are talking about film noir. Its preoccupations and tropes. Its themes and style. And to do a little switcheroo, Corey is starting us off with a "neo-noir." Blood Simple (1984). PACCTS' second Coen brothers film and their first, Blood Simple may have been made on a shoe-string budget, but it contains so many seeds of what audiences would see from them over the years. You...

This month, Paul and Corey are talking about "Outer Space." Science. Adventure. The unknown. This week, they are joined by Barbra Dillon in order to discuss the Errol Morris documentary, A Brief History of Time (1991). How many siblings does it take to explain black holes? Did Corey turn into the Star Child? You'll just have to tune in to find out... This Month's Theme : Outer Space This Episode's...

Space: the final...place to explore...unless we found another place in which case that would be the final...place.  This month, Paul and Corey are talking about "Outer Space." Science. Adventure. The unknown. This week, they are discussing The Martian (2015). Based on the novel of the same name, there's a lot to discuss in a story about a guy by himself... This Month's Theme : Outer Space This Epi...

"By the light...of the silvery moon...your sister June..." That's a line from the George Burns' 1988 vehicle, 18 Again! , which is neither here nor there. The point is: It's June! At some point during the month, there will be a full moon. And we'll all fall in love and lose our minds. This week, Paul chose the PERFECT film for this month: Moonstruck (1987). Oscar-winning performances from Cher and...

"By the light...of the silvery moon...your sister June..." That's a line from the George Burns' 1988 vehicle, 18 Again! , which is neither here nor there. The point is: It's June! At some point during the month, there will be a full moon. And we'll all fall in love and lose our minds. This week, Corey chose The Heartbreak Kid (1972), perhaps the cringiest film ever made. Directed by Elaine May, wr...

The Canon.  Who and what gets to belong in the "cultural conversation," and who gets to decide? Paul and Corey discuss that and more in this month's episodes. This week, Paul chose the classic King Kong (1933). Where can you even begin with this? Corey described it as "the most offensive film we've watched for the show. Start to finish." Paul and Corey grapple with the tropes used in and ideology...