Crooked Table Podcast

After decades in the industry, Danny Trejo finally landed his first leading role in 2010. Directed by longtime Trejo collaborator Robert Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis, the wild action movie served as the culmination of Trejo's career up to that point. And they called it Machete. Based on a fake trailer Rodriguez directed for Grindhouse -- his 2007 double feature with Quentin Tarantino -- Machete leans into exploitation and politically incorrectness with reckless abandon. And the film's effort in capturing the grimy tone of 1970s B-movies is a hell of a good time. Sandro Falce returns to the show to talk about not only Machete and the whole Grindhouse phenomenon. We'll also cover Rodriguez's even more insane 2013 sequel, Machete Kills. Plus, we throw some wishful energy into the ongoing prospect of the third film, Machete Kills Again... in Space! So join us as we take a stab at talking all about Machete. SYNOPSIS Machete: After nearly being killed during a violent fight with a powerful drug lord (Stev

Many critics consider Paul Thomas Anderson one of the greatest living American auteurs. And with 2007's There Will Be Blood, Anderson proved he and Daniel Day-Lewis complement each other's distinctive skill sets. At least for some moviegoers. After all, Anderson's films aren't exactly mainstream crowd-pleasers. Enter 2017's Phantom Thread. A full decade after their first collaboration, Anderson and Day-Lewis reunited to tell the story of a meticulous dressmaker and the woman who changes his life. Ryan McQuade joins the show to discuss why Phantom Thread is one of his favorite films. We'll discuss the movie's version of romance, its sense of humor, and if it will truly be Day-Lewis' final movie. So join us as we step inside the House of Woodcock for an in-depth discussion on Paul Thomas Anderson's Phantom Thread. SYNOPSIS Renowned dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his sister Cyril (Lesley Manvile) are at the center of British fashion in 1950s London -- dressing royalty, movie stars, h

Over the years, Kai Yaniz has endured Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Room, and -- most infamously -- Cats. Now Rob finally makes time for our long-awaited Crooked Commentary of Can't Hardly Wait. The 1998 teen comedy was written and directed by Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan. And it also happens to be the perfect encapsulation of the late 1990s. Join Kai, Rob, and an ensemble cast of up-and-coming young actors for one wild and crazy night. It's Can't Hardly Wait! SYNOPSIS School's out, and an entire graduating class -- from football stars and cool girls to complete nerds -- gathers at a wealthy classmate's home for a party. There, the artistic Preston (Ethan Embry) hopes to move in on Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt), the beauty he has admired from afar for years. Dorky William (Charlie Korsmo) schemes to pay back meathead Mike (Peter Facinelli) for years of bullying, and would-be rapper Kenny (Seth Green) gets locked in a room with snarky Denise (Lauren Ambrose). SHOW NOTES Join the Crooked Table

Last year, author and vocalist Lori London brought 1945's Christmas in Connecticut to the Table. Now she's back with another Barbara Stanwyck comedy, 1941's Ball of Fire. Featuring an Oscar-nominated lead performance and a screenplay co-written by Billy Wilder, director Howard Hawks' movie deserves to be rediscovered. Join Lori and I as we discuss how Ball of Fire captures the power of words, why Stanwyck is the perfect choice for the lead role, and how it holds up nearly 80 years after its release. Of course, we'll also talk about Lori's children's book series, The Amazing Adventures of Tripi the Fly, and what the future has in store for the tiny traveler. So journey with us into a world full of 1940s slang, Stanwyck's crackling chemistry with Gary Cooper, and get ready to roll with laughter as we talk Ball of Fire. SYNOPSIS Hoping to update his chapter on modern slang, encyclopedia writer Professor Bertram Potts (Gary Cooper) ventures into a chic nightclub. Inside, he meets the snarky burlesque perf

The Holocaust isn't exactly brimming with comedic potential. But in the right hands, the real-life horrors of World War II can serve a noble cause. In some cases, this harsh setting can underscore the futility of hate and the absurdity of prejudice. Such is the goal of this episode's movie, writer-director Taika Waititi's 2019 Oscar winner Jojo Rabbit. On her first appearance, Karen Peterson brought Bridget Jones's Diary to the Table. But we had a lot more ground to cover this time. We'll discuss how some moviegoers grossly misunderstood Jojo Rabbit, what Waititi changes in his adaptation of Christine Leunens' 2004 novel Caging Skies, and why Scarlett Johansson is the undisputed heart of the movie. So brush up on those dance moves, turn up some Bowie, and prepare to tell Hitler to eff off as we launch into 2019's "anti-hate satire" Jojo Rabbit. SYNOPSIS Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis) is a lonely German boy who discovers that his single mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl (Thomas McKenzie)

Our year-long journey through the Harry Potter series continues with year three: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. After back-to-back installments from director Chris Columbus, the franchise finally spreads its wings. This is thanks, in large part, to the addition of future Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity, Roma). Following our Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith episode, Jackson Smith returns for another fantasy threequel. We'll discuss how Cuarón builds on Columbus' foundation, how Michael Gambon's Dumbledore compares to Richard Harris, and why Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is widely considered the best of the series. So hop onto the Knight Bus, work on your Patronus charms, and manage your mischief. It's time for our in-depth discussion about Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Next month, we're hitting the Triwizard Tournament for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! SYNOPSIS Harry Potter's (Daniel Radcliffe) third year at Hogwarts starts off badly. The teenage w

John Wayne is, of course, synonymous with the classic Hollywood Western. Yet, the first movie of his we're covering on this show is actually a romantic comedy. Wayne reteamed with director John Ford and Maureen O'Hara for 1952's The Quiet Man. And the shift in genre paid off for the trio behind 1950 Western Rio Grande. The Quiet Man turned out to be one of the year's biggest box office hits. And we were honored to welcome film critic Caitlin Kennedy to the show to discuss the movie. We'll discuss why The Quiet Man has endured after all these years, how the central relationship dynamic has aged, and what makes The Quiet Man Caitlin's favorite film. SYNOPSIS After accidentally killing an opponent in the ring, boxer Sean Thornton (John Wayne) leaves America and returns to his native Ireland, hoping to buy his family's homestead and live in peace. In doing so, he runs afoul of Will Danaher (Victor McLaglen), who long coveted the property. Spitefully, Will objects when his fiery sister, Mary Kate (Maureen O'

Another year has passed, and once again, Rob is celebrating his birthday with a special episode. Last year, he brought on his mom, Jeannine Yaniz, to talk Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Now it is Kai Yaniz in the hot seat. And the movie in question this year is Judd Apatow's 2005 comedy The 40-Year-Old Virgin. We'll discuss how well the movie's sense of humor has aged, the flawless ensemble cast, and how the movie's premise is ultimately a bit deceptive. Moreover, Rob and Kai will discuss why Apatow's directorial debut was such an impactful movie for him and its role in launching a number of huge comedy stars. Apatow's latest movie, The King of Staten Island, is now streaming. So there's no better time -- the movie celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, after all -- to revisit The 40-Year-Old Virgin. SYNOPSIS Andy Stitzer (Steve Carell) is an amiable single guy who works at a big-box store. Living alone, 40-year-old Andy spends his free time playing video games and curating his action-figure collection.

Riddle me this, riddle me that... it's finally time to talk about the Bat. That's right. Somehow, the Crooked Table Podcast has never taken on a Batman solo movie. And with news Michael Keaton may return to the Batsuit, the Dark Knight's future has never been brighter. Sadly, that exciting news came out the same day we learned of director Joel Schumacher's passing. So, on this episode, partially in tribute to Schumacher's work, Kai Yaniz joins the show as we watch and discuss his 1995 film, Batman Forever. The movie is often criticized for turning away from Tim Burton's gothic aesthetic and paving the way for Batman & Robin. Alas, on his 25th anniversary, we aim to reclaim Batman Forever. So flash that Bat-signal, polish your two-sided coin, and slap on a green leotard covered in question marks (if you have one laying around, that is). Because it's time to start talking Batman Forever. SYNOPSIS Batman (Val Kilmer) faces off against two foes: the schizophrenic, horribly scarred former District At

This episode, we return to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for an in-depth chat about Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. In many ways, Year Two feels like the end of an era for the franchise. Director Chris Columbus left after this point, taking the warm and fuzzies largely with him. And the late Richard Harris makes his final appearance as Albus Dumbledore. Teri Sears joins the show to help us unlock Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. We'll address why the movie is perhaps too slavish to J.K. Rowling's novel, how it marks the series' first incremental steps into the dark, and which character is shockingly devoid of much-needed development. So brush up on your Parseltongue and tame that bloodthirsty beast if you can. Oh, and enjoy our in-depth discussion on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Next month, we're heading straight for Azkaban prison! SYNOPSIS The second installment of boy wizard Harry Potter's (Daniel Radcliffe) adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and

For the second time, we're covering a James Cameron film on the show. And just like Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Aliens is a testament to the filmmaker's ability to deliver a thrilling, game-changing sequel. The 1986 follow-up to Ridley Scott's Alien is the rare example of a second film elevating its predecessor by building on what's come before in innovative new ways. And like T2, Aliens was so good it doomed its franchise to decades of desperate attempts for relevance. Will Nexii joins the show to discuss why Aliens is one of his favorite films, the impact of Sigourney Weaver's Oscar-nominated performance on mainstream cinema, and why it's still not too late for Aliens to get a worthy sequel itself. And as a bonus, we'll speculate whether Cameron -- the man behind two of the best first sequels ever made -- can possibly make the world excited about the Avatar franchise again. So, just in time for Alien Day, join us to discuss the mother of all sequels: Aliens. SYNOPSIS After floating in space for 57 y

As soon as we caught a glimpse of the infamous first trailer for Cats, we knew it would be a perfect addition to our Crooked Commentary series. After all, we've talked about some great films in the last few installments, including The Nightmare Before Christmas, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and When Harry Met Sally... So it's about time we get Crooked Commentary back to awesomely bad movies like The Room. Directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Tom Hooper (The King's Speech), Cats assembles an outstanding ensemble cast that includes Judi Dench, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, and Taylor Swift. Unfortunately, it also uses bizarre computer-generated "digital fur" effects and bears essentially no plot to speak of. Still, we found ourselves unable to look away. Kai Yaniz, once again -- this time more begrudgingly than usual -- returns for this very "jellicle" Crooked Commentary episode. So get a saucer of milk and prepare to meet Rum Tum Tugger, Macavity, Skimbleshanks, and the rest of the gang. This i

As a righteous dude once said, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." That and countless other insanely quotable lines propelled writer/director John Hughes' 1986 hit, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, to become one of the biggest comedies of the decade. Even now, more than three decades after its release, fans are still discovering and revisiting Ferris Bueller's Day Off Kimberly Cook returns to the show to dig into why Hughes' release is her favorite movie and why it continues to resonate with all generations decades later. We'll discuss Matthew Broderick's iconic performance, his character's key relationships, how Ferris' serves as a litmus test of the viewer's own life journey, the movie's use of breaking the fourth wall, and that age-old question: is Ferris Bueller an asshole? So hop in your best friend's dad's Ferrari and take our latest episode for a spin. After all, if you had access to a car like that, would you take it back right away? SYNOPSIS

It's April Fool's Day! And because we can all use a bit of silliness right about now, the Crooked Table Podcast is setting aside the usual format for a timely jaunt into the world of magic and illusions. No democratizing the film criticism conversation this week. And this week's special episode isn't even (exclusively) designed to be a tie-in to our just-launched Harry Potter series. Rather, the concept is directly inspired by a longtime friend and recurring guest of the show. The Famous Ashley Grant returns for a third (or fourth) time -- no one really knows -- to discuss her thoughts on the wackiest unofficial holiday, reveal why she prefers magic and illusions over pranks, and tease her latest project. Then we'll discuss some of the best movies featuring witches, wizards, magicians, and illusionists. Spoilers: The Boy Who Lived does get a special mention. So take your front row seat to a podcast episode the likes of which you've never seen, er, heard. And let us dazzle your ears with a fun, laid-back c

Last year, we had a blast running through all nine episodes in the Star Wars saga. But now that the Skywalker has risen (kinda?), we're turning our attention to a bunch of British witches and wizards. That's right: 2020 is the year of Harry Potter. Because this year really could use a bit of magic right about now. Bri Azmoudeh of Geeky Girl Gab joins the show to help us travel back nearly two decades -- yes, really -- when J.K. Rowling's best-selling book series first made the leap to the big screen. We'll talk about how director Chris Columbus sets the tone for the series, the young cast of then-unknowns, and what has made Harry Potter such an enduring phenomenon. So accio podcast and enjoy our deep dive into Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. SYNOPSIS An adaptation of the first of J.K. Rowling's popular novels about Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), a boy who learns on his eleventh birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. He is s

In the interest of providing broader coverage of cinema history, we always love the chance to cover either a classic or foreign release. So, of course, it was a blast to cover Federico Fellini's 1963 Italian film, 8 1/2. The film is more self-reflective than most, a cinematic fever dream brought to life. The parallels between Marcello Mastroianni's Guido -- a middle-aged movie director at a creative and personal crossroads -- and Fellini himself are stark, blatant, and fascinating as hell. Brian Susbielles of InSession Film joins the show to help us dig into Fellini's masterpiece. We'll discuss why 8 1/2 has endured as one of cinema's greatest achievements, whether the movie is indeed a comedy, and where it ranks among Fellini's esteemed filmography. Join us for a surreal journey through Fellini's own psyche and 8 1/2, a film that continues to challenge and entrance viewers more than a half-century after its release. SYNOPSIS Troubled Italian filmmaker Guido Anselmi (Marcello Mastroianni) struggles with

In the 1980s, few filmmakers were as in-demand and influential as John Hughes. The man basically created the concept of the teen movie with films such as Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Yet, after that run, Hughes did the last thing anyone expected: he grew up. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles marks his directorial entry into adult comedies. And boy, is it a great one. Jamie Williams last appeared on the show to talk 1999's Man on the Moon. But now, we're taking our first-ever trip to Hughes. We'll talk about how the director created the comedy dream team of Steve Martin and John Candy, why Candy should have been an Oscar contender for his work, and how Planes, Trains, and Automobiles might be the best (or only?) Thanksgiving movie ever made. SYNOPSIS Easily excitable Neal Page (Steve Martin) is somewhat of a control freak. Trying to get home to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with his wife (Laila Robins) and kids, his flight is rerouted to a distant city i

After Whiplash won critical acclaim and a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for J.K. Simmons, writer/director Damien Chazelle could have done anything. So, naturally, he decided to make a modern-day tribute to lavish Hollywood musicals of yesteryear. The resulting film, La La Land, went on to become an unprecedented smash, to the tune of nearly $450 million worldwide. Although it didn't win the Academy Award for Best Picture, Chazelle's film finally gets its due on our show. The Lady-Wan of Screen Fix makes her Crooked Table Podcast debut to talk all things La La Land. We'll go in-depth on the complicated romance at the film's center, the two worlds that unite to create its distinct tone, and -- of course -- that iconic Justin Hurwitz score. You have the invitation. You have the [web] address. So, join us for "a lovely night" as we -- let's be honest -- mostly lavish praise on Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, and La La Land in general. Here's the ones who dream! Enjoy! SYNOPSIS Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Em

Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan won his first Academy Award for the acclaimed domestic drama Manchester by the Sea. But more than a decade and a half before that film, Lonergan burst onto the scene with his directorial debut, You Can Count on Me. Both movies tackle the fallout of family tragedies and feature standout performances. You Can Count on Me focuses on the broken bond between a sister (Laura Linney) and brother (Mark Ruffalo). And while neither guest Dames Marvs -- from CF3: Cult Fans, Films & Finds -- have a sister, we both connected to the very grounded sibling dynamic. Moreover, Lonergan's naturalistic style of storytelling captures the profound truth that lies in the mundane. Listen in as Dames and I break down Lonergan's film and discuss at length why we can always count on Ruffalo to deliver incredible performances. SYNOPSIS Sammy (Laura Linney) is a single mother who is extremely protective of her 8-year old son (Rory Culkin). She is satisfied with living in the small town she gre

Director Robert Eggers burst on the scene in 2015 with The Witch. And when he did, horror audiences didn't know quite how to react. The film -- subtitled "A New England folktale" -- follows a Puritan family in 1600s New England and its inevitable descent into hell. However, its period setting, era-accurate dialect, and slowly building tension came across as jarring to audiences accustomed to jump scares and slasher films. Amy Otero joins the show this episode to help us analyze what makes The Witch such a powerful and distinctive cinematic experience. We'll touch on Anya Taylor-Joy's star-making performance, the truth behind the film's divisive ending, and the thematic similarities between Eggers' The Witch and Ari Aster's Midsommar. We'll even throw in a bit of a mini-review for Eggers' sophomore effort, 2019's The Lighthouse. Ready to live deliciously? Then listen in as we tackle The Witch. SYNOPSIS In 1630 New England, panic and despair envelop a farmer (Ralph Ineson), his wife (Kate Dickie), and t