Cinebanter Rewind: DRAG ME TO HELL (2009)

The mp3 of this episode can be found here.

In this episode, a classic, horror-filled Cinebanter episode is revisited just in time for the Halloween holiday.

The breakdown is as follows:

• 0:00 Intro by Tassoula
• 0:32 Original 2009 Review of DRAG ME TO HELL
• 28:54 Credits

We hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane!

Cinebanter #116 - WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE?

The mp3 of this show is here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula contemplate the camp of the classic film WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? In the Last Five®, Michael explores some treasured French shorts while Tassoula laughs her way through a new political spoof. They also respond to listener feedback about their DARK KNIGHT RISES episode. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 Discussion of WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE?
• Break
• 12:38 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 13:30 The Last Five®
• Break
• 39:31 Listener Feedback (Branden in Houston)
• 46:13 Credits & Outtakes

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: BALTHAZAR; THE RED BALLOON and THE WHITE MANE; LUST, CAUTION; ROBOT & FRANK and COMPLIANCE. Tassoula's Last Five were: ANTON CORBIJN: INSIDE OUT; CELESTE & JESSE FOREVER; MARGARET; GOOD WILL HUNTING and THE CAMPAIGN.

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

Special thanks to Brad Daane and Mark Cummins, and Vincent Do for providing the original music in this episode.

Tassoula has reviews, musings and movie-related product links at Tassoula's Movie Review Blog.

Reviews and/or notes of movies Michael sees can be found at his MichaelVox website.

Feedback is always welcome - you may leave comments here or e-mail the hosts at cinebanter@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy the show!

SIFF Sighting: TWO FOR THE ROAD (Classic, United Kingdom)

Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney play Joanna and Mark: a 60s-era couple that succumbs to the stereotypical failures of a wedded union.

They begin, as most couples do, passionately in love with one another; playful and carefree.

They're both gorgeous, charismatic and engaging, so what could possibly go wrong, right?

Their story is told in non-chronological flashbacks, so we alternately experience their best memories along with their worst. Sort of like real life, which is alternately touching and frustrating.

The most entertaining bits feature them on a road trip with another couple and their obnoxious young daughter Ruthie (Gabrielle Middleton). The parents here are on the cusp of the generation that started letting discipline go out the window in favor of allowing kids to explore their "feelings" and "experience independence." The little brat spotlighted in this role is a perfect example of why that parenting trend was (and continues to be) a huge failure—blatant displays of entitlement and general disrespect. But I digress...

The two leads here behave much like the couple in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, which came five years prior to this film, but without the same intensity or venom.

Their fights are uncomfortable, sure, but not entirely enough to convince the audience they won't eventually kiss and make up.

Overall, it's not a bad film, and the recent restoration by The Film Foundation and Twentieth Century Fox makes the print glow with nostalgia and light.

TWO FOR THE ROAD screened at the 38th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

Cinebanter #78 - L'AVVENTURA

The MP3 of Cinebanter #78 is available here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula avoid current films to instead review the 1960 classic L'AVVENTURA. In The Last Five®, Michael finds another freaky Asian flick, while Tassoula recounts two of the most romantic films in existence. The hosts also respond to two Listener Last Fives and Listener Feedback about their most recent show. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 L'AVVENTURA Discussion
• Break
• 14:10 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 14:35 The Last Five®
• Break
• 49:15 Listener Last Fives (Nathan in Lincoln; Scott in Tallahassee) & Feedback
• 1:06:04 Credits & Outtake

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: DISTRICT 9, ADVENTURELAND, THE WAY WE GET BY, THE ISLE and WHICH WAY HOME? Tassoula's Last Five in this episode were: SOUND AND FURY, IT MIGHT GET LOUD, BEFORE SUNRISE, BEFORE SUNSET and WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER?

If you'd like to subscribe to the show (it's free, of course) via iTunes, click here.

The show is also available on Podcast Alley, and blubrry. Please vote for us at any of those sites and leave comments if you like what you hear.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

Special thanks to Brad Daane and Mark Cummins for providing the original music in this episode.

Reviews and/or notes of every movie Michael sees can be found at his MichaelVox website.

Tassoula has reviews, musings and movie-related product links at Tassoula's Movie Review Blog.

Feedback is always welcome - you may leave comments here or e-mail the hosts at cinebanter@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #71 - BREATHLESS

The MP3 of Cinebanter #71 is available here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula reverse the clock and review the French classic BREATHLESS. And in the Last Five®, Michael talks up a good film from his Secret Movie Club while Tassoula heads to the multiplex for a popcorn blockbuster. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 BREATHLESS Discussion
• Break
• 18:27 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 18:59 The Last Five®
• 47:26 Credits and Outtakes

If you'd like to subscribe to the show (it's free, of course) via iTunes, click here.

The show is also available on Podcast Alley, and blubrry. Please vote for us at any of those sites and leave comments if you like what you hear.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: YEAR OF THE DOG, STAR TREK, SEX IS COMEDY, CHARLIE BARTLETT and THE LAST LULLABY. Tassoula's Last Five in this episode were: ALMOST FAMOUS, JUPITER'S WIFE, MAMA MIA, NINE GOOD TEETH and ANGELS & DEMONS.

Special thanks to Brad Daane and Mark Cummins for providing the original music in this episode.

Reviews and/or notes of every movie Michael sees can be found at his MichaelVox website.

Tassoula has reviews, musings and movie-related product links at Tassoula's Movie Review Blog.

Feedback is always welcome - you may leave comments here or e-mail the hosts at cinebanter@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #69 - LA DOLCE VITA

The MP3 of Cinebanter #69 is available here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula seduce their listeners with talk of the sweet life in LA DOLCE VITA. In the Last Five®, Michael takes the episode number to heart with a Breillat marathon, while Tassoula bravely weighs in on a film made my Michael's pals. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 LA DOLCE VITA Discussion
• Break
• 20:22 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 21:04 The Last Five®
• 1:01:48 Credits and Outtakes

If you'd like to subscribe to the show (it's free, of course) via iTunes, click here.

The show is also available on Podcast Alley, and blubrry. Please vote for us at any of those sites and leave comments if you like what you hear.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: PERFECT LOVE, ROMANCE, FAT GIRL, BRIEF CROSSING and ZERO WOMAN: A DANGEROUS GAME. Tassoula's Last Five in this episode were: U2 3D, THE SIMPSONS MOVIE, THE NANNY DIARIES, CANARY and A TOUCH OF EVIL.

Special thanks to Brad Daane and Mark Cummins for providing the original music in this episode.

Reviews and/or notes of every movie Michael sees can be found at his MichaelVox website.

Tassoula has reviews, musings and movie-related product links at Tassoula's Movie Review Blog.

Feedback is always welcome - you may leave comments here or e-mail the hosts at cinebanter@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy the show!