April Newsletter!

Our upcoming episode features Edwin Brienen’s film Terrorama! (2001)

Current Film Obsessions

Ryan - Our Discord (please join please join) continues to inspire discovery of new and old films. This month we screened 2002’s The Count of Monte Cristo (a superb romp with above-average performances), The Heroin Busters (Fabio Testi and David Hemmings are sanctuary for many of us), and The American Friend with Bruno Ganz and Dennis Hopper.

Notable personal viewings this month: 

The Naked Civil Servant - John Hurt’s complex portrayal of Quentin Crisp in the 1975 film further adds to the irreverent and robust acting abilities he could tap into; a mixture of gut-wrenching pain, heart aches and survival in pre-WWII Britain. The broad message from the film is Crisp’s vigilance to be himself at all costs and be damned humanity that cannot accept his existence. 

The Cat (Die Katze) – Director Dominik Graf’s layered heist film is a superb example of taking a fairly ordinary plot but putting every finishing touch on small details that keep tension throughout. Radiance continues to chose titles that are beyond the pale and we hope more Graf films may be in the future (such as Neon City and Die Sieger). 

Torment (L’Enfer) – Claude Chabrol’s interpretation of writer Henri-Georges Clouzot rips into the fabric of characters pushed to their wit’s end becoming more and more alarming. Francois Cluzet as Paul has moments that are frightening, akin to the likes of DeNiro’s Max Cady. I had no idea later era Chabrol could be this cutting and vicious yet authentic in its depiction of the danger in human nature.  

Parker – Been knee deep in film festival judging (please go to the Southern Oasis Film Festival in my honor), but a few picks I can remember from being on break:

Carcinoma – This is the only Marian Dora film I plan on watching for the time being (mostly due to animal stuff I’m not a fan of). I grossed out my partner vaguely describing it and I’m surprised I liked it as much as I did. Worth watching if you like body horror of a more realistic fashion and plotting your own death via tumor.

Venus in Furs – Needed to visit Uncle Jess for the first time in a while. Did not regret drifting away to trumpet noises and erotic ventures of the mind. Also did not expect Klaus Kinski to appear (I don't learn no matter how much Euroschlock I watch) so color me happy. Honorable mention to Erotic Symphony for also being a much better film than I was expecting. Do not be surprised if you see me log more and more Franco over the coming weeks.

Blue Velvet – Have mentioned on the podcast before. I would be shocked if you didn’t know what this was, especially after David Lynch's passing earlier this year. Watched in 4K on a spring break date and it was more marvelous than it was 2 months ago. Please fill this blind spot if you haven’t already, or else I will spray for bugs in your apartment.

Snake in the Eagle's Shadow - I've been watching a lot of Jackie Chan thanks to a local screening of Rumble in the Bronx. This is easily my favorite of both his early work and 1970s kung fu as of now, and while I know many complain that Chan spends too much time being the butt of jokes, doesn't the old beggar make up for it? Or how about the kickass opening sequence? Or this scene? Never mind what happens to the cat...

Music Discoveries

Ryan - Steven Wilson’s much anticipated The Overview is everything we needed to have affirmed this year. Inspired by the cognitive change phenomena experienced when first reflection on earth during space travel, the beauty and the insignificance of our place in the galaxy is depicted in the lyrics and music. 

Destroyer’s 2025 return with Dan’s Boogie has lyrics that only the mind of Dan Bejar can drum up. Musically there’s not heroic stretching going on but his lyrics are unique, and the music simply there to support it. 

Ruby Haunt’s Blinking in the Wind album should be a fall listen in the woods, but their ho-hey-ness mixes with Belle and Sebastian comfort food to create a Sunday-spring morning necessity.

Parker –  I guess I’ve made an active effort to listen to more Boy Harsher and Mitski? I don’t keep up with my music stuff like I used to. Maybe the addition of Japanese City Pop is the most notable thing added to my “most listened” playlists – certainly not something you hear on the radio.  

Q&A 

1. What is the most imperfect/flawed film you love to repeat watch?

Parker - Most of my “comfort watches” are things I deem perfect and/or impactful to myself (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Re-Animator, Flesh for Frankenstein, Bill Hicks: Revelations, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm…).  Blood for Dracula may be my best answer to this – of course I love Udo Kier and Arno Juerging’s overacting, but I can’t stress how much I hate Joe Dallesandro’s character in it so much. Not to mention the hasty writing and mixed political signals Paul Morrissey incorporated. In the end, shirtless sick Dracula heals all.

Ryan – Uwe Schrader’s Kanakerbraut and Mau Mau, Eckhardt Schmidt’s The Gold of Love, Clue, Box of Moonlight, Nordsee Ist Mordsee. Bud Cort’s Hysterical (1983) and 1983’s parody Flicks are flawed and fun deep cut comedies worth attention.   

2. Name a film that heals the broken soul on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Parker - Sundays I’m usually catching up on class notes or watching football when it’s that time of year. Maybe something Italian? I don’t know, I nearly cried watching City of the Living Dead the other night so I’m maybe not the person to ask.

Ryan – Couldn’t be more pleased to turn on Amadeus, Moonstruck, Harvey, Riddle of Fire (listen to our episode!), or anything from the Carry On series. The battle of the important viewings on a Sunday versus the background films is ever the challenge. Music being just as important as film, the tension between each format of enjoyment can be tough to manage.

3. Underappreciated Actor/Director/Film?

Parker - No one told me Catriona McColl was the lead in all three entries of Fulci’s Gates of Hell trilogy so props for that, I’ve seen all three in recent memory to know she plays the same thing in all three, but she does a good job and has such an iconic face! And props to Wheels on Meals for being one of the more fun things I’ve seen recently – can’t watch depressing things all the time, so enter the holy trinity of Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, and Sammo Hung.

Ryan – Guido Leontini in eurocult is a titan of poliziotteschi and drama, yet his George Kennedy-like looks and stout physique makes him a bit of a Cowardly Lion meets James Hetfield character actor. Il Piatto Plange, Brothers Till We Die, and Blonde In Black Leather are excellent starter doses of Leontini. Initially my objective was to watch all of Gordon Mitchell's films, but that became too daunting. Guido to the rescue; now I'm halfway through his filmography!

Thank you all for being patient with us as 2025 continues to bitch slap us into oblivion, we really do appreciate it! See you guys soon for Terrorama!

Parker & Ryan