Rare Cuts Media Society

Part 1 of The Summer of Sports - Escape to Victory (1981) In this episode, Rare Cuts Media Society kicks off a summer-long arc focused on sports movies—starting with Andrew’s Pick: the unlikely combination of World War II and soccer in the 1981 film Escape to Victory (known simply as Victory in the U.S.). Join us as we unpack this unique blend of war drama, sports action, and star power, featuring...

Part 4 of Concept albums - Head by: The Monkees (1968) In this episode, hosts Andrew, Rob, Mike Ross, and Eric dive into Eric’s concept album pick: “Head,” the 1968 cult film and accompanying soundtrack by The Monkees. What starts as a foray into the world of concept albums quickly spirals into a discussion on pop stardom, artistic reinvention, and surreal cinematic experiments. The crew explores...

Part 3 of Concept albums - The Raven by: Lou Reed (2003) In this episode, your hosts Andrew, Eric, Mike, and Rob dive into Lou Reed’s 2003 concept album, The Raven—an ambitious tribute to Edgar Allan Poe that’s as chaotic and enigmatic as Poe’s own life and works. Andrew picked it thinking it would be more about Poe, but Lou Reed had other ideas.  Together the panel recount Poe’s tumultuous biogra...

Part 2 of Concept albums - Dispepsi by Negativeland (1997) In this episode of Rare Cuts Media Society, Andrew, Rob, Eric, and Mike dive into a fizzy topic that brings back a tidal wave of nostalgia—the Cola Wars. From childhood taste-test memories at the mall to family loyalties over Coke or Pepsi, the hosts pour out personal stories and debate the greatest beverage rivalries of the ‘80s and ‘90s....

Part 1 of Concept albums - Abigail by King Diamond (1987) In this episode, your hosts Andrew, Eric, Rob, and Mike are kicking off a brand-new theme: concept albums. And what better way to start than with Rob’s Pick the 1987 metal masterpiece "Abigail" by King Diamond? This episode isn’t just a music review—it’s an exploration of the very idea of a concept album. The hosts discuss what se...

Part 4 of The Holiday Season - January/New Year In this episode, Eric Picks something disney for the New Year… dig into the curious case of Dick Tracy (1990)—a movie that was marketed as the next big cultural phenomenon but somehow slipped through the cracks of nostalgia. The crew kicks things off by recalling their own memories of Dick Tracy: the early-90s media blitz, video game tie-ins, trading...

Part 3 of The Holiday Season - December/Christmas! On this episode of the Rare Cuts Media Society, hosts Andrew, Mike, Eric, and Rob dive into the unconventional holiday spirit with a deep discussion of the 2003 animated film "Tokyo Godfathers." Rob Picked this month and leads the group through the unique story of three homeless individuals in Tokyo who find an abandoned newborn on Chris...

Part 2 of The Holiday Season - November/Thanksgiving! This month, Mike brings the 2015 indie drama "Krisha" to the Thanksgiving  table—a movie about a woman who reenters her family’s orbit for a tension-filled Thanksgiving after years struggling with addiction. Joined by Andrew, Rob, and Eric, the hosts dig into what makes this micro-budget film both unsettling and deeply authentic, from...

Part 1 of The Holiday Season - October/Halloween! In this episode, Eric Andrew, Rob, and Mike dive deep into the eerie 1988 film Lady in White—a unique Halloween-season pick that blends ghostly chills with heartfelt, personal storytelling. Set in 1962, the movie follows young Frankie Scarlatti as he uncovers a decades-old mystery, encountering both supernatural forces and the grim realities of sma...

Part 4 of James Bond Sidecars: George Lazenby In this episode, Eric Andrew, Rob, and Mike dive deep into the oddity that is "Fox Hunt," the 1996 interactive movie/video game mashup that dared to blend live-action slapstick comedy with ’90s-era full-motion video gaming. This time Eric Picked the James Bond Side Car for Georg Lazenby! This installment marks the finale of the Society’s Jame...

Part 3 of James Bond Sidecars: Sean Connery In this week's episode, our hosts Andrew, Eric, and Rob,take a dive deep into the shadowy world of 19th-century Pennsylvania coal mines as they dissect Mike’s Pick for Sean Connery’s Bond the 1970 historical drama "The Molly Maguires," starring Sean Connery and Richard Harris. Kicking things off, the crew reminisces about their favorite Sean Co...

Part 2 of James Bond Sidecars: Daniel Craig Its a special milestone episode of Rare Cuts Media Society! In this 50th installment, your hosts gather to celebrate by diving into the 2004 British crime thriller, Layer Cake, starring a pre-Bond Daniel Craig. This episode is all about uncovering hidden gems, and the team brings their signature humor and insight to a film that arguably set the tone for...

Part 1 of James Bond Sidecars: Roger Moore Rare Cuts Media Society dives headfirst into a new theme and the 1978 film "The Wild Geese"—a hidden cinematic gem where Bond is not quite Bond, but still acts a whole lot like him. Assigned to explore the non-Bond roles of James Bond actors, this episode spotlights Sir Roger Moore as a sly mercenary pilot on a secret mission in southern Africa,...

In this mini episode, We kick off a new theme! Rare Cuts Media Society takes a break from the usual hidden media gems to launch into the world of suave spies and shaken martinis. But instead of discussing the iconic James Bond films themselves, the team takes on “James Bond Sidecars”—lesser-known works from the actors who’ve played 007 over the years: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Pie...

Part 4 of Rowdy Roddy Piper In this installment, your hosts Andrew, Rob, Mike Ross, and Eric set out to unearth another hidden media gem—this time diving into the lesser-known corners of wrestler-turned-actor Roddy Piper’s film career. With Mike’s pick of the episode, the group shifts focus to the independent Canadian film "Clear Lake" (2012), reflecting on why Piper gravitated toward in...

Part 3 of Rowdy Roddy Piper In today's conversation, we dive deep into the world of professional wrestling and beyond, as we unwrap the life and legacy of one of its most charismatic figures—Roddy Piper. Join your hosts Andrew, Mike, Rob, and Eric as they explore the complexities of Roddy Piper through the lens of Eric’s Pick, the “A&E Biography WWE Legends: Rowdy Roddy Piper."In this epi...

Part 2 of Rowdy Roddy Piper In this episode of Rare Cuts Media Society, Andrew Picks our Second Rowdy Roddy Piper movie as they delve into the classic 1988 film "They Live." This month, the team is continuing their exploration of Rowdy Roddy Piper's cinematic ventures, following their previous look at "Hell Comes to Frogtown." They discuss the film’s social commentary on consum...

Part 1 of Rowdy Roddy Piper In this episode of Rare Cuts Media Society, hosts Andrew, Eric, Mike, and Rob, dive into the 1988 cult classic "Hell Comes to Frogtown," featuring the legendary WWF/WWE superstar Rowdy Roddy Piper in one of his iconic film roles. Exploring the intersection of wrestling and cinema, this installment kicks off a new arc dedicated to the media projects of the unfo...

Part 4 of the Holiday Theme Time - January New Year In today's episode, Mike picks The Phantom Carriage, a silent film to ring in the new year!  Hosts Andrew, Rob, Eric, and Mike embark on a captivating journey back to the early days of cinema as they explore the 1921 Swedish silent film, "The Phantom Carriage." Join them as they unravel the film's production intricacies, the groundbreak...

Part 3 of the Holiday Theme Time - Christmas In today's episode, Andrew Picks Terry Pratchett’s The Hogfather to celebrate the Hogswatch…er um…I mean the Christmas Season! Join hosts Andrew, Rob, Eric, and Mike as they dive deep into the 2006 British TV Miniseries Terry Pratchett’s the Hogfather. The story follows Death, the Grim Reaper, and his granddaughter Susan as they attempt to save Hogswatc...

Part 2 of the Holiday Theme Time - Thanksgiving In today's episode, Eric Picks St Elmo’s Fire to celebrate the Fall season and Thanksgiving! Join hosts Andrew, Rob, Eric, and Mike as they dive deep into the 1985 film "St. Elmo's Fire." While this Brat Pack classic might be remembered for its iconic theme song, the hosts tackle the film's controversial portrayal of post-college adulthood...

Part 1 of the Holiday Theme Time - Halloween In this episode of Rare Cuts Media Society Rob has the Pick! Mike, Andrew, and Eric dive into the depths of the 1932 classic horror film "The Old Dark House," directed by James Whale. They unravel the hidden layers of the film, exploring subtle LGBTQ subtexts, unique character dynamics, and its blend of horror, comedy, and romance. Discover ho...

Rare Cuts Media Society is on the road and every road trip needs some great tunes. IN this special edition one off episode, the Panel each pick a different bit of music to listen to on in the car….and all of the artists had to be Missourians As the Rare Cuts Media Society travels the great state of Missouri, they picked jams that span geography from St. Louis’ favorite Yahct Rock son, Michael McDo...

Superhero Summer Part 4: Superman the Radio Serial (1940) Rare Cuts Epic Superhero Summer goes back to another DC comics Legend to finish out the picks. Mike picks Superman the Radio Serial from 1940. This version of superman aired in radio syndication every few days from 1940 until the early 1950’s resulting in over a thousand episodes. The Rare Cuts Media Society doesn’t listen to all of them bu...

Superhero Summer Part 3: The Rocketeer 1991 Rare Cuts Epic Superhero Summer goes back one more time into the Disney Library with 1991’s The Rocketeer. Andrew picks this adventure film about a young pilot who stumbles upon a jetpack that transforms him into a high-flying hero, battling Nazis and saving the day in 1930s Los Angeles. "The Rocketeer" stars Billy Campbell as the titular hero,...