Episodes
The Coen Brothers' 1996 cold as ice but "Minnesota Nice" black comedy true crime film, FARGO, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss the title of the film, it being based on a true story (or not), the "Minnesota Nice" dialect, Frances McDormand, and much much more. We also pick our TOP 7 STEVE BUSCEMI FILMS in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out the show, subscribe, and become a regular here at The Broken VCR!
Published 01/02/24
Jeremiah S. Chechik's 1989 physical comedy holiday classic, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is our feature presentation this week. We discuss John Hughes script, the revolving door of potential directors, Chevy Chase conjuring his best Harold Lloyd, Randy Quaid's iconic character, and so much more! We also pick our TOP 7 CHEVY CHASE films in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7.Check out the show, subscribe, and become a regular here at The Broken VCR!   DISCLAIMER: Chad's audio is rough this...
Published 12/26/23
Nancy Meyer's 2006 Christmas Rom-Com, THE HOLIDAY, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss the long runtime, the two-stories within the film, Kate Winslett & Cameron Diaz, Jack Black in an out-of-character role as a leading man in a chick flick, Eli Wallach, and much much more! We also pick our TOP 7 CHICK FLICKS in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7.Check out the show, subscribe, and become a regular here at The Broken VCR!
Published 12/19/23
Alexander Payne's 2023 1970s Christmas throwback comedy, THE HOLDOVERS, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss the subdued emotion of the film, how it stacks up against Alexander Payne's filmography, the 70s film look achieved on digital, the understated Christmas tone, and much much more! We also pick our TOP 7 PAUL GIAMATTI FILMS in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7.Check out the show, subscribe, and become a regular here at The Broken VCR!
Published 12/15/23
Charles Band's 1984 lo fi sci-fi time traveling Christmas action film, TRANCERS, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss the 80s B-Movie action boom, time travel in film, director Charles Band, and much much more! We also pick our TOP 7 NON-SPACE SCI-FI MOVIES in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out the show, subscribe, and become a regular here at The Broken VCR!
Published 12/12/23
Ted Kotcheff's 1971 dust-covered, sweat-drenched Aussie Christmas thriller, WAKE IN FRIGHT, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss the film nearly being lost forever, the desolate Australian setting, the steady flow of alcohol, the controversial kangaroo hunting scene, and much much more! We also pick our TOP 7 DONALD PLEASENCE MOVIES in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out the show, subscribe, and become a regular here at The Broken VCR!
Published 12/05/23
Hugh Wilson's 1984 over-the-top slapstick cop comedy, POLICE ACADEMY, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss the cast of characters that elevate the story, Kim Cattrall, how the film has faded into obscurity after a long run of sequels, the podium blow job scene, and much much more! We also pick our TOP 7 UNDER-APPRECIATED 1980s COMEDIES in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7.Check out the show, subscribe, and become a regular here at The Broken VCR!
Published 11/28/23
Eli Roth's 2023 Thanksgiving-themed slasher film, THANKSGIVING, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss if this film lived up to the trailer from GRINDHOUSE, the genre's charm or lack thereof, director Eli Roth, the film's killer "John Carver", and much more! We also pick our TOP 7 HOLIDAY THEMED SLASHERS in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7.Check out the show, subscribe, and become a regular here at The Broken VCR!
Published 11/24/23
Woody Allen's 1986 Thanksgiving relationship dramedy, HANNAH AND HER SISTERS, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss Woody's long takes, why Mia Farrow was critical of the script, capturing New York City, the incredible cast, and much more! We also pick our TOP 7 WOODY ALLEN MOVIES in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out the show, subscribe, and become a regular here at The Broken VCR!
Published 11/21/23
David Fincher's 2023 nihilistic assassin case-study, THE KILLER, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss writer Andrew Kevin Walker reuniting with Fincher, the music of The Smiths, terrible footprints, what goes on in an assassin's mind, if Fincher has a signature look and if it has grown stale, and much much more! We also pick our TOP 7 DAVID FINCHER FILMS in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7.Check out the show, subscribe, and become a regular here at The Broken VCR!
Published 11/17/23
David S. Ward's 1993 gritty college football deep cut, THE PROGRAM, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss the heavy use of cliches and sports tropes, the big NCAA schools working with the film, the film's connection to Schindler's List, the iconic football characters of "Lattimer" and "Alvin Mack", how to not ride bitch on a motorcycle, and much much more! We also pick our TOP 7 JAMES CAAN FILMS in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out the show, subscribe, and become a regular...
Published 11/14/23
Sydney Pollack's 1969 surreal, eccentric war-time allegory, CASTLE KEEP, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss the weight of Vietnam War-era World War II films, the film's ties to the real life Amityville Horror murders, Burt Lancaster bringing Sydney Pollack onto the film, the incredible castle set piece, whether the film is anti-war or pro-war,  the eccentric cast of characters (including Bruce Dern, Peter Falk, Patrick O'Neal, Scott Wilson), and much much more. We also pick our...
Published 11/07/23
Martin Scorsese's 2023 historical period true crime behemoth, KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss the running time, Leonardo DiCaprio & Robert De Niro's performances, Robbie Robertson's score, if Lily Gladstone's character is "one-note", and debate if the film is good or not. Spoiler: Hoch and Chad do not agree on this one. We also pick our TOP Leonardo DiCaprio & Martin Scorsese Collaborations in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out the...
Published 11/03/23
Tobe Hooper's 1974 visceral Texas fried nightmare meat grinder, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is our feature presentation this week. We discuss Tobe Hooper's mind set during the film, the dead rotting animal corpses on set, horror in the sunshine, Gunnar Hansen's character work, the brilliance of the opening & closing scenes, Robert Burns art direction, and much much more! We also pick our TOP 7 1970s HORROR FILMS in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Subscribe, become a regular, and tell your...
Published 10/31/23
Tom Holland's 1985 suburban "Boy Who Cried Wolf" vampire film, FRIGHT NIGHT, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss the Chris Sarandon's hesitation to star in the film, the Backlot magic of the production, the iconic movie poster, the phenomenal year in Horror that 1985 was, the horribly painful contact lenses used in the Special FX of the film, and much much more! We also pick our TOP 10 VAMPIRE FILMS in this week's extended version of the SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out the ninth...
Published 10/24/23
Robert Rodriguez's 1996 south of the border bank robber vampire thrill ride, From Dusk Till Dawn, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss the film being Tarantino's first paid writing gig, the vampire mythology present, Salma Hayek's iconic dance & her fear of snakes, as well the character of Earl McGraw, why Robert Rodriguez pushed Tarantino to make the film, and much more! We also pick our TOP 7 GEORGE CLOONEY MOVIES in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out the eighth entry...
Published 10/17/23
Roman Polanski's 1967 vampire comedy homage to Hammer Horror, The Fearless Vampire Killers, or Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are In My Neck, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss Roman Polanski's romance with Sharon Tate beginning on the film, the set design and soundstage artistry, the charming vampire lore, The Manson Family, Murders, and why Polanski says "The film reminds me of the happiest time of my life." We also pick our TOP 7 ROMAN POLANSKI MOVIES in this week's SILVER SCREEN...
Published 10/10/23
Kathryn Bigelow's 1987 Neo-Western vampire noir, NEAR DARK, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss the music of Tangerine Dream, James Cameron's hidden hand on the film, Bill Paxton's character "Severn", the X-Factor of the film, character actor Troy Evans, and much much more! We also pick our TOP 7 LANCE HENRIKSEN MOVIES in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out the fifth entry in our DOUBLE-STUFFED OCTOBER series. Subscribe, become a regular, and tell your friends about us! Happy...
Published 10/03/23
The case: Dawn of the Dead (1978) vs Dawn of the Dead (2004). Hoch will be arguing for Zack Snyder's remake while Chad will be defending George A. Romero's 70s original. Opening and closing statements, and four key exhibits in our Cross Examination.    Check out our fourth entry in our DOUBLE-STUFFED OCTOBER film series running through Halloween. Subscribe, become a regular, and tell your friends about us!
Published 09/26/23
Lew Lehman's 1981 perverse creature feature revenge horror, THE PIT, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss the issues with the screenplay, the perverted 12-year old peeping Tom at the heart of the film, the Director not being allowed to film nude scenes, the Teddy Bear, the pit-dwelling Trogs, and all of the madness within. We also pick our TOP 7 SMALL MOVIE CREATURES in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out the third film in our DOUBLE-STUFFED OCTOBER series. Subscribe, become a...
Published 09/19/23
Richard Ciupka's 1983 Canuxploitation winter slasher film, CURTAINS, is our feature presentation this week. We discuss the dysfunctional set, two creative minds clashing clashing to create a disjointed final film, Line Griffin's performance, that ice skating death scene, that doll, and much much more! We also pick our TOP 7 CANUXPLOITATION FILMS in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out our second film in our DOUBLE-STUFFED OCTOBER series. Subscribe, become a regular, and tell your friends...
Published 09/12/23
The Philippou Brothers' possession film for the TikTok generation, TALK TO ME, is our feature presentation this week. We give our instant reaction to the film and talk updating the possession subgenre, the use of Practical FX, the embalmed hand, if new horror takes itself too seriously, and much much more. We also pick our TOP 7 OZPLOITATION FILMS in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out this bonus episode and all of our regular Tuesday drops! Subscribe to the podcast and become a regular!
Published 09/08/23
William Asher's 1981 horrific contemporary Oedipus tale, BUTCHER, BAKER, NIGHTMARE MAKER, is our feature presentation this week. We talk the incredible performances from Susan Tyrrell and Bo Svenson, the director/cinematographer switch that saw Jan de Bont leave the production,  the portrayal of homosexual characters and the homophobic character of "Detective Carlson" and much much more. We also pick our TOP 7 FILMS WITH THE WORD "NIGHT" IN THE TITLE in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out...
Published 09/05/23
Emile Ardolino's 1987 sexy, summer, dance phenomenon, DIRTY DANCING, is our feature presentation this week. We talk screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein's real life setting the stage for the film, the animosity between PATRICK SWAYZE and JENNIFER GREY, the movie's iconic soundtrack, Swayze's love of "These Arms of Mine" love scenes, and much much more. We also eulogize filmmaker William Friedkin and pick our TOP 7 WILLIAM FRIEDKIN FILMS in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out the final film in...
Published 08/29/23
Steven Brill's 1995 summer fat camp family comedy, HEAVYWEIGHTS, is our feature presentation this week. We talk Disney's issues with the edginess of the film, Judd Apatow's involvement, the method performance of Ben Stiller, if this film could be made today, and much much more. We also pick our TOP 7 SUMMER CAMP FILMS in this week's SILVER SCREEN 7. Check out the eighth film in our BIG WEIRD SUMMER series. Subscribe, become a regular, and tell your friends about us!
Published 08/22/23