A Fond Farewell

Hi listeners and friends,

It's unfortunate to have to say this, but it seems this rendition of The Brooklyn Film Theorists podcast has reached a conclusion. As can be expected from your hosts, we parted amicably - our schedules have become too divergent and despite our fondness for each other's company, it was becoming unfathomable to record shows on a week by week basis. Rick and I will surely work together again in some capacity and for the time being, enjoy the twenty five episodes we've put together during the 8 months we were on the air.

Much thanks and love goes out to Rob Christman and Mic Blaque, two talented producers who've put in time, energy and spirit into making these episodes happen.

I'll be taking the blog down shortly in order to rework it visually and make sure all the episodes are up on ITunes in the right order. They should be up permanently in a few weeks. Feel free to drop me a line with any questions at cinefile88@gmail.com.

Take care,

Mark

Episode 25: "Bellflower"/"13 Assassins"

This week, Mark and special guest Cody Robison talk Sundance hit "Bellflower", a "mumblecore grindhouse" film and Takashi Miike's "13 Assassins", notable for the hour-long battle sequence that closes out the film. "13 Assassins" is now on Netflix Instant Play.

Episode 24: "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest" feat. Chaz Kangas

This week, Rick gives his blessing to Mark and guest Chaz Kangas' discussion of the documentary "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest".

Check out Chaz's album "A Personal Reference" right here .

Episode 23: "Transformers 3"/"The Destructors"

This week on BKFT, Rick and Mark tackle Michael Bay's newest fightin' robot extravaganza and talk about a little-known 70s thriller "The Destructors".

Nostalgia for our Youth

Whenever I go out recently, people that find out that I'm a "movie guy" always recommend JJ Abrams Super 8. Inevitably, I have to tell them that I am not a fan of the film and I already  reviewed it on the podcast that I cohost (Episode 21, Super 8/ If I want to Whistle, I Whistle.) As always, the other people become defensive and tell me that they enjoy the film on the level of it being a good summer blockbuster. This line of reasoning is classic Roger Ebert; basing a film's merits around what genre it belongs to. In the case of Super 8, many people, particularly in the Generation X and Y ("millenials") age brackets, yearn for a throwback family adventure film such as Goonies or Back to the Future (which I hope to host an entire podcast about later this summer) that they grew up with in the 1980's. Simply put, Super 8 is not that film. It is entertaining on a summer time mattinee level, but the characters are instantly forgettable, with only Elle Fanning's leaving any lasting impression, which is more a statement on the talented young actress. What sets Richard Donner's Goonies apart is it's hilarious and touching characters and it's tightly wrapped story. There might be an actor in the movie known as Chunk, but the story has no fat to it. It moves along at a brisk pace, walking a tight balance between scenes of emotional discovery for the children and family friendly action sequences.
So the next time you see me out, I'm glad to discuss one of the major passions in my life- films- but please, no more Super 8 arguments. I yearn for the type of coming of age adventure films I loved growing up. And when I see one, I'll let you know.

Episode 22: "Black Death"/"Green Lantern"

This week on BKFT, Rick and Mark theorize on "Black Death"'s take on religion and contemplate reasons for the failure of "Green Lantern".

That Just Happened

Jenn (disgustedly), "Oh my God, they're coming out with a Step-up 4?"
Me, "Unless John Chu is on board, I'm not seeing it."