Thursday 5 December 2013

Episode 28: Unadaptable


This month, we start by talking about Paul Walker's death and how it affects the future of FAST & FURIOUS 7.

On the lighter side of things, Steve recommends a movie to me that he didn't care for at all, but felt I would really enjoy: director William Friedkin's 1983 flop DEAL OF THE CENTURY, a war arms satire starring Chevy Chase!

I review what I feel is the best film of 2013 so far, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, plus BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR, Spike Lee's remake of OLD BOY and BIG STAR: NOTHING CAN HURT ME, a documentary about the 70s rock band whose cult following brought them out of obscurity.

We also talk about the golden days of movie novelizations and Steve reviews INDIE GAME: THE MOVIE which is a revealing doc about the merciless and painful obsession of creating video games.

Friday 1 November 2013

Episode 27: The Great Void


This month Steve and I delve into alternate kinds of dark territory by reviewing the monolithic sci-fi hit GRAVITY and the remake of MANIAC starring Elijah Wood. I also review THE KILLER SNAKES, a 1973 horror film produced by the Shaw Brothers. We also discuss the difficulties of separating art from artist, case in point: the author Orson Scott Card, who wrote the book ENDER'S GAME, and his controversial stance on homosexuality. Can you endorse a person's literature, film or other work of art and easily reject their unpopular opinions and actions? This and a whole lot more great chatter on this episode.

Thursday 3 October 2013

Episode 26: Punchy Titles


Steve and I talk about the viral phenomenon that is SHARKNADO and why this made-for-cable shark hybrid movie became so successful. Steve reviews two recent documentaries about movies: CLEANFLIX which reveals how Mormons are able to watch R-rated films and THAT GUY WHO WAS IN THAT THING, about the lives and careers of some very familiar character actors.

I review two notable classics, the 1966 adventure THE NAKED PREY and Wim Wenders' classic PARIS, TEXAS. Steve also recommends a film with the wonderful title of MAGIC COP.

Thursday 5 September 2013

Episode 25: The Summer's End



This month, Steve and I wrap up the summer by discussing the works of Edgar Wright and his latest film THE WORLD'S END and we also talk a lil' Woody Allen as I review his new film BLUE JASMINE. We also exchange our thoughts about a very interesting New York Times article about how fatherhood changes movie-going habits in surprising ways. Here's a link to that story here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/magazine/two-sucked-thumbs-up.html?ref=magazine&_r=2&

Friday 2 August 2013

Episode 24: Where's Your Personal Limit?


This month, Steve and I praise PACIFIC RIM and discuss Guillermo del Toro's fine career, but things get a lot darker when Steve recommends (with reservations) a horror film that combines drug abuse, sex, an Elvis look-a-like and a parasitic baby, it's title: WON TON BABY! Speaking of having reservations, Steve had a few of those as I reviewed the startling documentary THE ACT OF KILLING, which allowed men who committed genocide to artfully recreate their crimes on camera. Even if you're an adventurous filmgoer like we are, we all have limits. Does this film cross it for you?

Friday 5 July 2013

Episode 23: Project Sequel


Steve has made a point of watching underrated sequels of the past, including FRENCH CONNECTION 2, which we both discuss in length. How many sequels include a harrowing drug addiction battle in the middle? Plus I review THE LONE RANGER and recount my childhood obsession with VHS recording. We also pay tribute to the late James Gandolfini and Jim "Black Belt Jones" Kelly. Listen! Download! Comment!

Friday 7 June 2013

Episode 22: Rain and Death




This month, Steve gushes over FAST & FURIOUS 6 and we both agree that the new punk rock documentary A BAND CALLED DEATH is well worth seeing and that the morbidly named band is well worth listening to. We review Michael Douglas as Liberace in BEHIND THE CANDELABRA and we also speculate as to why Leonard Nimoy is allowed in the J.J. Abrams STAR TREK universe and not William Shatner. Plus, Steve sings praises of the classic musical SINGIN' IN THE RAIN.

Thursday 2 May 2013

Episode 21: Macho Topless Moments



Steve had fun watching Tom Cruise in COCKTAIL on Blu-ray, which is a movie that doesn't seem to understand how bartender really works. He also dug into his pile of shame and pulled out ALIEN VS. PREDATOR: REQUIEM and SKYLINE. I review two offbeat classic films released on Blu-ray by Olive Films: the science-gone-wrong/film noir hybrid SHE DEVIL (1957) and the terrific and under seen black revolutionary film UPTIGHT (1968) I also give my take on Danny Boyle's latest film TRANCE.

We also do a belated tribute to Roger Ebert and discuss what we enjoyed about his diverse body of work. Enjoy!

Friday 5 April 2013

Episode 20: You Must Remember This




Hey folks, Andrew here.

Roger Ebert has died at the age of 70. This is a major loss to lovers of cinema and film criticism. I grew up watching Siskel & Ebert and later Ebert & Roeper as well as reading his reviews of the latest movies. His influence on me was so profound that it went beyond just movies. He taught me so much about criticism, writing, journalism, and thinking and he shaped my sensibility as a young filmgoer more than anyone, including many of the filmmakers I admire. He is already missed.

This episode includes a brief salute to Mr. Ebert but a proper tribute to him from Steve and I will take place on the following episode next month.

On this show, Steve and I crosstalk about Harmony Korine's SPRING BREAKERS and what we loved about it. Steve enthusiastically appraises WILLOW, which recently got released on Blu-ray. Towards the end of the show, we also talk about the power of Chuck Norris' beard, which he lost when he recently shaved it off!

Aside from hearing the podcast on this blogger site, you can subscribe to the show on iTunes. Please do so and leave a review as well. See you at the movies.

Friday 1 March 2013

Episode 19: What's Up, Willis?




We're back! Did you miss us? After a two month hiatus, we finally return to podcast land! The only real change to the show will be our scheduling. Instead of one new show a week, it will now be a monthly show. The benefit of this, besides making it easier for our busy schedules, is that we'll have more time to watch a lot of movies and therefore, have a lot to discuss for your listening pleasure. A new episode will be made available the first Friday of every month here and on iTunes.

On this episode, Steve and I both agree that A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD was a disappointment but we switch gears and agree that the Barbra Streisand comedy WHAT'S UP, DOC? is a fantastic movie. I also recommend a couple of British gangster films from the 70s and Steve raves about a British horror film. Listen in, blokes!

Thursday 21 February 2013

Rebooting




Hey folks,

As you may already know, LIVING IN LETTERBOX has been on hold for over a month. Skype issues, scheduling and commitment problems have put the podcast in a standstill that has made it's future uncertain. But now, Steve and I have agreed that the best solution is to bring you the show once a month instead of once a week. Steve juggles fatherhood, a fulltime job and other obligations so once a month seems more workable for us.

We're just about ready to resume recording and uploading the show for your listening pleasure once again. An update will follow shortly. We hope you continue to listen and spread the word about our podcast via Twitter, Facebook and other social media. See you at the movies.

-Andrew

Friday 11 January 2013

Episode 18: His Name Is Django / The Best of 2012


After a few weeks off we finally return with our first show of 2013. We take a look back at our favourite films of last year but first, we finally dig into the gritty, bombastic spaghetti western take on the nastiness of slavery in DJANGO UNCHAINED which just received a few Oscar nods.