All posts by Robert Yaniz Jr.

Podcasts

Close Watch Episode 4: ‘The Crow’ (feat. Brian Skutle of Sonic Cinema Podcast)

General audiences might remember Alex Proyas’ 1994 movie The Crow for the tragic on-set death of star Brandon Lee. Yet, despite that infamous incident — or, perhaps, in part because of it — the film — based on the comics by James O’Barr — inspired a cult following that endures today. And this episode, Brian Skutle of the Sonic Cinema Podcast helps us discuss why.

Normally, The Crow would have been a contender for our sister podcast, Franchise Detours. However, Proyas’ film tells a standalone story. And besides, Brian’s love for this film certainly merits the Close Watch treatment. We’ll discuss what The Crow means to him, how its genre-blending tone sets it apart, and what most people misunderstand about it.

Join us as we journey back to the alternative music, goth aesthetic, and pre-MCU comic book movies of the 1990s as we take flight with The Crow.

SYNOPSIS
The night before his wedding, musician Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) and his fiancée are brutally murdered by gang members. On the anniversary of their death, Eric rises from the grave and becomes a supernatural avenger. Tracking down the thugs responsible for the crimes and mercilessly murdering them, Eric eventually confronts head gangster Top Dollar (Michael Wincott) to complete his macabre mission.

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Podcasts

Close Watch Episode 3: ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ (feat. Thomas Greene of Movies After Work)

Shane Black is a name that tends to elicit either unbridled enthusiasm or consternation from moviegoers. Black started out as an actor before hitting it big as the legendary screenwriter of Lethal Weapon. Then in 2005, he made the leap to directing his own scripts. And this episode, Thomas Greene of Movies After Work joins us to discuss Black’s directorial debut, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang stars a pre-Iron Man Robert Downey Jr., a post-Batman Val Kilmer, and a star-making turn by Michelle Monaghan. The film’s blend of noir subject matter and buddy cop energy turned it into a cult classic for some, despite its box office underperformance. But Thomas and I will delve into how it was a pivotal movie for not only those involved but him as well.

We’ll discuss how accurately Black captures the Los Angeles scene, why the movie impacted Thomas’ own writing, and which of the movie’s three lead performances ultimately steals the movie.

SYNOPSIS
Two-bit crook Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) stumbles into an audition for a mystery film while on the run from the cops. Winning the part, he lands in Hollywood, where he’s flung into a tangled, murderous conspiracy with his childhood sweetheart, Harmony Lane (Michelle Monaghan), and hard-boiled private eye Perry van Shrike (Val Kilmer).

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Podcasts

Franchise Detours Episode 6: ‘Bride of Chucky’ (feat. Pablo Saldana)

After seven years, 1998’s Bride of Chucky revived the Child’s Play franchise in a most surprising way. But is the movie the series’ apex or a weird step in the wrong direction. In any case, director Ronny Yu’s film notably unites Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif) with his blushing bride, Tiffany Valentine (Jennifer Tilly).

In the fourth episode of our Child’s Play/Chucky mega-series, Pablo Saldana helps us discuss why Bride of Chucky is such a pivotal turning point for the series. We’ll discuss the movie’s introduction of Tiffany, how it anoints Chucky as a top-tier horror villain, and how series writer Don Mancini takes creative control of Chucky’s cinematic shenanigans.

Listen in as we enter the “Chucky and Tiffany” section of the Child’s Play franchise. And prepare to meet Chucky’s seed with Mancini’s directorial debut in our next episode.

SYNOPSIS
Killer doll Chucky (Brad Dourif) is resurrected by ex-girlfriend Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly). But following an argument, Chucky kills Tiffany and transfers her soul into a bride doll. The pair of murderous playthings embark on a quest to return to human form. And Chucky and Tiffany turn to Jesse (Nick Stabile) and Jade (Katherine Heigl), who are unaware that their cargo is alive.

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