All posts by Robert Yaniz Jr.

Podcasts

Close Watch Episode 7: ‘Do the Right Thing’ (feat. David Snyder)

Spike Lee is without a doubt one of the most essential filmmakers of his generation. And 1989’s Do the Right Thing is widely considered his masterpiece. So this episode, we’re giving this indelible classic its due.

David Snyder joins the show as we discuss Lee’s ground-breaking use of hip hop in the film, his stellar ensemble cast, and how Do the Right Thing balances a variety of tones to create something wholly unique.

SYNOPSIS
Salvatore “Sal” Fragione (Danny Aiello) is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin’ Out (Giancarlo Esposito), becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria’s Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin’ Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin’ Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise.

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Podcasts

Close Watch Episode 6: ‘The Wicker Man’ (1973) (feat. Amy Otero)

The Wicker Man has gotten a bad rap in recent years, thanks to the widely ridiculed 2006 remake starring Nicolas Cage. But this episode, we’re setting aside the “not the bees!” jokes for a closer look at the original 1973 classic.

Amy Otero joins the show to go in-depth on The Wicker Man. We’ll discuss its representation of pagan culture, how it uses folk music, and its influence on horror. Who is the real villain of director Robin Hardy’s movie?

SYNOPSIS
Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) arrives on the small Scottish island of Summerisle to investigate the report of a missing child. A conservative Christian, the policeman observes the residents’ frivolous sexual displays and strange pagan rituals, particularly the temptations of Willow (Britt Ekland), daughter of the island magistrate, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee). The more Sergeant Howie learns about the islanders’ strange practices, the closer he gets to tracking down the missing child.

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Podcasts

Franchise Detours Episode 9: ‘Cult of Chucky’ (feat. film critic Angie Aguayo)

Playtime is just about over. After seven wild films, 2017’s Cult of Chucky brings our inaugural mega-series to a close. And writer-director Don Mancini takes an appropriately go-for-broke approach with (so far) Chucky’s final cinematic outing.

In the final episode of our Child’s Play/Chucky mega-series, film critic Angie Aguayo joins us to talk Cult of Chucky. We’ll discuss how the film revolutionizes the franchise, the many returning characters who come to play, and how the movie sets up Chucky’s future.

Of course, USA/Syfy’s Chucky is already building on what Cult of Chucky sets up. Angie and I delve into what we hope to see there as well. Perhaps when season 1 concludes, we’ll reconvene for a review of Chucky. But for now, listen in as Angie and I, however briefly, join the Cult of Chucky.

SYNOPSIS
In writer-director Don Mancini’s follow-up to 2013’s Curse of Chucky, the killer doll (voiced by Brad Dourif) returns to terrorize survivor Nica Pierce. This time around, Nica is confined to an asylum for the criminally insane after taking the fall for Chucky’s crimes. Meanwhile, Chucky has some scores to settle with his old nemesis, Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent).

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