RETROSPECTIVE: Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai [Blu-ray]

“The Way of the Samurai is found in death.”

With Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai, it seems like Jim Jamursch set out to make the coolest movie ever.

An RZA-soundtracked crime-drama in which a cornrow-wearing Samurai-hitman played by Forest Whitaker must take on the Italian Mafia?…

PODCAST: Sugarland Express [Let’s Jaws For a Minute]

In this episode, Sarah and MJ are joined by Rob Wallis to talk about Spielberg’s major studio debut, The Sugarland Express.

They discuss its similarities and differences with Duel, the “aw, shucks” style performances, how the film was received by critics such as Ebert, Siskel, and Pauline Kael, and how the film was influenced by Westerns, Italian Neorealism, and the French New Wave.…

RETROSPECTIVE: McCabe & Mrs. Miller [BFI Southbank]

Or how the West was sold.

CONTAINS SPOILERS, INCLUDING THE ENDING OF THE FILM

Robert Altman’s 1971 “anti-Western” is a gently ironic paean to the gentle charms of the more civilised frontier and a salutary lesson about the dangers of unchecked capitalism.…

PODCAST: The Lecter Variations [Movie RobCast]

SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Hannibal (2001), Red Dragon (2002), Hannibal Rising (2007), and the Hannibal TV series. 

After the epic dissection of The Silence of the Lambs and Manhunter in our last episode, The Movie Robcast moves onto The Lecter Variations.…

PODCAST: The Silence of the Lambs & Manhunter [Movie RobCast]

SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains numerous spoilers about The Silence of the Lambs and Manhunter. It also references strong language featured in The Silence of the Lambs’ dialogue.

Episode 115 of The Movie Robcast conducts a full investigation into two classic movies, both of which celebrate anniversaries this year.…

RETROSPECTIVE: Link

Did you ever watch that episode of Malcolm in the Middle with the monkey butler and think, “This, but a feature version with General Zod as an anthropology professor and a young Elisabeth Shue”?

If so, I firstly applaud the specificity of your tastes and, secondly, boy, have I got some news for you.…

PODCAST: Whiplash (feat. Tessa Scott) [Movie Robcast]

*SPOILER WARNING* – This episode features Whiplash spoilers throughout, including discussion of the plot twists and the film’s climax.  

Episode 92 of The Movie Robcast sees Robs Daniel & Wallis looking back at Damien Chazelle’s blistering, Oscar-winning 2014 debut, Whiplash; a strong contender for Rob W.’s…

RETROSPECTIVE: Nightmares & empathy in The Elephant Man

RETROSPECTIVE: Nightmares & empathy in The Elephant Man

When you think of David Lynch, you think America, or at least a surreal vision of it: a severed ear in a vacant lot, a suited man with a shock of hair, an old man riding his tractor along a lonely highway; cherry pie and damn fine coffee.…