Politics of Cinema

Over the next few episodes, we're taking a look at some independent African American auteurs that made landmark films.  On this episode, Kathleen Collins' Losing Ground (1982). Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

Over the next few episodes, we're taking a look at some independent African American auteurs that made landmark films.  First up is Charles Burnet's Killer of Sheep (1978). Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

On this episode, we take a look at the hilarious and politically timely film Plan B (2021) from director Natalie Morales. Follow us at:  Patreon  /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

On this episode, we take a look at one of the most watched Netflix films of all time (according to Netflix), Adam McKay's Don't Look Up (2021). Follow us at: Patreon /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

On this episode, we take a look at one of two Ridley Scott films to be released in 2021 - The Last Duel.  It's feminism and feudalism  in this #MeToo era film that is filtered through a 14th century France lens.   We also mention a few holiday films that we watch this season. Here is the Slate article Isaac mentions.  Follow us at: Patreon /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

We're back in the waters of contemporary cinema for this episode. Dear Comrades! was Russia's official submission to the Academy Awards for 2020 and the most recent film of Andrei Konchalovsky's erratic and storied career.   From collaborating with Tarkovsky to directing a Kurosawa script to working with Stallone to Bryan Adams cameos to documentaries and tv work...still going strong at 84 years o...

On this episode we chat about a few films that exemplify the theme of Film Noir and Capitalism.  Underworld USA (1961), Never Let Go (1960), Mildred Pierce (1945), New World (2013) and Pickup on South Street (1953) are highlighted. Then we dive into Jules Dassin's noir masterpiece, Night and the City (1950). Follow us at: Patreon /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

Wrapping up our October coverage of the films of George A. Romero with a discussion of Monkey Shines (1988), The Dark Half (1993) and all six films in the Dead series.   Isaac and Aaron also chat about what they've been watching this Halloween season.  Isaac - Curse of the Cat People (1944), Lord of Illusions (1995) & Angel Heart (1987). Aaron - House (1977), Death Bed: The Bed That Eats (1977) &...

This October we're diving into the films of George A. Romero.  Sure, he's known as the father of the zombie film, but he also made a fascinating vampire film that came out the same year as Star Wars - Martin (1977). Isaac and Aaron also chat about what they've been watching this Halloween season.  Isaac - Titane (2021), Abby (1974), Frenzy (1972), House of Usher (1960) and Viy (1967).  Aaron - Hau...

This October we're diving into the films of George A. Romero.  Sure, he's known as the father of the zombie film, but we're starting off with a look at his deeply personal 1981 film about a troupe of medieval knights who travel the land performing jousting events on motorcycles.   Follow us at: Patreon /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

Our fourth and final episode in our series on the history and politics of the blockbuster film.   On this episode we focus on the Transformers franchise, 300, The Passion of the Christ and the Fast Franchise. We also touch on The Matrix, Hunger Games, The Sixth Sense, The Blair Witch Project, Gladiator, Spielberg & Tom Cruise, toxic fan reactions to Star Wars: The Last Jedi.  Follow us at: Patreon...

Our third in a series on the history and politics of the Hollywood Blockbuster.  We're in the 1990's for this episode and we discuss Ghost, the return of Star Wars, Disney animation, Will Smith (aka Mr. July 4th), Kevin Costner and James Cameron.  We also discuss: Twister, Independence Day, True Lies, Men in Black, 90's conspiracy theories and the continued trend of studio consolidation.  Follow u...

Our second in a series on the history and politics of the Hollywood Blockbuster.  We're in the 1980's for this episode and we discuss the Vietnam War trend via Good Morning, Vietnam, Platoon & Full Metal Jacket.  We then deconstruct the Rambo franchise for the conspiracy theory nonsense that it really is.   We also discuss: Top Gun, Flashdance, Stir Crazy, Tootsie, Beverly Hills Cop, Three Men and...

We kick off a series on the history and politics of the Hollywood Blockbuster with a conversation about its origins in the 1970's (and a few films that were earlier).  We discuss Jaws and Star Wars, but mostly it's a lot of Superman talk. We also touch on: The Sound of Music, James Bond films, The Godfather, The Poseidon Adventure, The Exorcist, Rocky, Smokey and the Bandit, Close Encounters of th...

On this episode we take a look at Chloé Zhao's Nomadland (2020) and also the oddly negative reviews from some Leftist film critics as well as Armond White.   Follow us at: Patreon /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

We're celebrating May Day all month long by looking at various portrayals of workers on film.  On this episode Aaron has chosen Barbershop (2002) and Isaac has chosen The Molly Maguires (1970). Follow us at: Patreon /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

We're celebrating May Day all month long by looking at various portrayals of workers on film.  On this episode Isaac has chosen How Green Was My Valley (1941) and Aaron has chosen Empire Records (1995). Follow us at: Patreon /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

We're celebrating May Day all month long by looking at various portrayals of workers on film.  On this episode Aaron has chosen Car Wash (1976) and Isaac has chosen Salt of the Earth (1954). Follow us at: Patreon /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

We're celebrating May Day with a triple feature of very different films about factory workers.  Bill Duke's The Killing Floor (1984), Ron Howard's Gung Ho (1986) and the collectively made Finally Got the News... (1970). Follow us at: Patreon /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

It's Double Feature time!  Isaac has paired up two 1980's Class War horror films for this episode: John Carpenter's They Live (1988) & Brian Yuzna's Society (1989).   Follow us at: Patreon /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

What do The Pink Cloud, Enter the Ninja, Safe House, Revenge of the Ninja, Citizen Kane, Ninja III: The Domination and Bound all have in common?  They were all discovered through our #PoCWatchChallenge. Up next, Watch Challenge #4 - Films About Labor from different decades. Films about the labor movement, the nature of work, relationship between bosses and workers, we want to see how these portray...

We're taking a look at Pre-Code Hollywood with a discussion about Blondie Johnson (1933). Follow us at: Patreon /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

It's Double Feature time!  Isaac has paired up two eco-apocalypse films for this episode: Cornel Wilde's No Blade of Grass (1970) & Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke (1997).   Follow us at: Patreon /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

Another Deep Dive episode and another return to the cinematic well of 1968.  This time we take a look at Sergio Corbucci's masterpiece The Great Silence . You can stream The Great Silence on Kanopy or YouTube (but buy the Blu-ray). Follow us at: Patreon /  Twitter  /  Instagram  /  Letterboxd  /  Facebook  

What do 1968 < 2018 > 2068 (2018), Afronauts (2014), The Last Angel of History (1996), The Changing Same (2001), Watermelon Woman (1996), Eve's Bayou (1997), Bamboozled (1999), School Daze (1988), The Learning Tree (1969) and Welcome Home Brother Charles (1975) have in common?  They were all discovered (or re-watched) during our February Watch Challenge. Here's the link to the UCLA L.A. Film Rebel...