This is the last episode for a few weeks, covering two new VOD releases (HOLLER and THE DRY), Steven Soderbergh’s 1950s noir NO SUDDEN MOVE (now playing on HBOMAX) and an actual 1950s noir—Joseph Lerner’s GUILTY BYSTANDER (now playing on both the Watch TCM app and the website https://www.bynwr.com
https://anchor.fm/terry-mccarty/episodes/HOLLERTHE-DRYNO-SUDDEN-MOVEGUILTY-BYSTANDER-e13tui2
New 4th of July episode discusses THE TOMORROW WAR (the Chris McKay-directed, Chris Pratt-starring futuristic epic now on Amazon Prime) and VOYAGERS (from Neil Burger, director of LIMITLESS and now available for inexpensive rental/streaming).
https://anchor.fm/terry-mccarty/episodes/NEW-SCIENCE-FICTION-THE-TOMORROW-WAR-AND-VOYAGERS-e13sj77
The latest episode continues my occasional examination of 70s Westerns (essentially the last hurrah for the genre before it became mostly niche product seen in 80s art houses). First 12 minutes on Clint Eastwood, with a shoutout to Burbank’s LexG and his comprehensive podcast episode on Clint’s career from Sergio Leone’s Man With No Name trilogy to 1990’s THE ROOKIE, which could be regarded (in spirit) as a better farewell to Dirty Harry Callahan than Clint and Buddy Van Horn’s THE DEAD POOL.
Remainder of the episode defines deconstruction of the Western as a conscious veering away from traditional storytelling by way of scripting, aesthetic choices, directorial/actor decisions. Films discussed include McCABE AND MRS. MILLER, BUFFALO BILL AND THE INDIANS, BAD COMPANY (1972), THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JUDGE ROY BEAN, ZANDY’S BRIDE, THE MISSOURI BREAKS and PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID (with mentions of Sam Peckinpah’s later BRING ME THE HEAD OF ALFREDO GARCIA and CONVOY).
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pC8HI5tw0s6nlHVC4n88N?si=RZ6tnfK6RoifNrYiRp71NA&dl_branch=1
Discussion of two movies available in theaters and on streaming services. Also discussed: differing reactions to Disney+ charging roughly $30 for a movie for its first three months vs HBOMAX making WB releases available for no extra charge (but for just a month) plus inquiring as to why studios consider their streaming income and number of viewers per movie to be none of the public or press’s business.
I’ll be doing some non consecutive episodes on the decline of the Hollywood Western in the 1970s. And, as with genre films in decline, there are some interesting to good ones (largely ignored by audiences) released during this period.
This episode discusses John Wayne’s trajectory from the Oscar-winning peak of TRUE GRIT into the valley of clinging to an outdated image/stubbornly staying at one with his core, tradition-bound audience (one exception being Mark Rydell’s THE COWBOYS, which shocked some 1971-72 viewers with Wayne dying from multiple gunshot wounds by primary villain Bruce Dern).
Also, the 1971 PLAYBOY interview (where Wayne let loose with racist views of Native Americans and racist/patronizing commentary on Black people) is discussed—along with my guess as to why the pushback (and yes, there was criticism at the time) did little damage to Wayne’s career.
Finally, after 1976’s THE SHOOTIST, Wayne said goodbye to the Western genre—as a commercial pitchperson for headache medicine Datril and Great Western Bank.
https://anchor.fm/terry-mccarty/episodes/1970s-WESTERNS-THE-TWILIGHT-OF-JOHN-WAYNE-e12enrl
Comparing the move-the-story-forward success of A QUIET PLACE PART II to the often sluggish retreading of THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT https://anchor.fm/terry-mccarty/episodes/SEQUELITIS-THE-CONJURING-THE-DEVIL-MADE-ME-DO-IT-VS-A-QUIET-PLACE-PART-II-e1271un
Discussion of films released between 1961 and 1982—including Roger Corman underwater and in outer space, Willian Shatner’s Italian Western, 50s pop star Fabian as 30s gangster Pretty Boy Floyd, the 1978 remake of THE BIG SLEEP and Bette Davis as a bank robber in hippie disguise https://anchor.fm/terry-mccarty/episodes/Bonus-Episode-TEN-GUILTY-PLEASURES-e11puoe
This is a project in its infancy, but should become stronger and more vibrant in the weeks to come.
I now have a podcast with the title REVIEWS AND OTHERWISE, focusing on film/TV present and, sometimes, past. Here’s a link to the premiere episode: https://anchor.fm/terry-mccarty/episodes/Reviews-And-Otherwise-Episode-1-e11oab6
Enjoy and subscribe if you wish to hear more.
