Thu, 18 April 2024
Ep. 405: By the Decade -- 1990s Bonus -- "The Shadow" (1994) / "Matinee" (1993) / "Quiz Show" (1994)
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" Available on Spotify and Apple Episode 405 includes: -What's the opposite of an R.I.P. for O.J. Simpson? -Trailer reaction for "Joker 2" and a possible new "Matrix" movie from a not-Wachowski? -Nate has finally seen "Indy 5" and... it's even worse than he worried. -"Godzilla x Kong" is a silly monster smash 'em up that works on its own dumb fun terms. -By the Decade -- 1990s Bonus - "The Shadow" / "Matinee" / "Quiz Show" -The guys close out the awesome decade of cinema that was the 1990s with a misguied big-screen revamp of 1930s radio serial action hero "The Shadow" with Alec Baldwin, then discuss the pleasures of Joe Dante's nostalgic and warm-hearted ode to the appeal of movies with "Matinee," and end on analyzing the commentarry and impact of the little-talked about Oscar-nominee for Best Picture for 1994, the behind-the-scenes movie on the early TV gameshow scandal, "Quiz Show." |
Thu, 28 March 2024
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are close to finishing the 1990s examination of film, leading to the final year, one that stands as one of the greatest in movie history. The guys have taken on even more this week, starting with the failed pilot from a lot of comedy heavies, "Heat Vision & Jack," the dark side of "Babe" with the TV movie adaptation of "Animal Farm," and then Martin Scorsese's "Brining Out the Dead" with Nicolas Cage. Available on Apple and Spotify Episode 404 includes: -Trailer reactions: "The Crow," "Good Times," "Wicked," and response to the "Quiet on the Set" doc series. -Nate says "The Beekeeper" is an enjoyably bonkers Jason Statham action movie. -Ben says "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" is a fun if lesser adventure for the larger fandom. -By the Decade -- 1999 -- "Heat Vision & Jack" / "Animal Farm" / "Brining Out the Dead" -The guys discuss the much-heralded failed TV pilot co-written by Dan Harmon, directed by Ben Stiller, and starring Jack Black and Owen Wilson as the voice of a sentient motorcycle, then the TV adaptation of George Orwell's classic allegoray "Animal Farm" about the Russian Revolution, and finally Martin Scorsese's overlooked fever dream of Nicolas Cage struggling with life as an EMT in "Bringing Out the Dead." |
Tue, 26 March 2024
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are back and crusin' through the radical 1990s of cinema, this time stopping to examine "Deep rising," the creature-feature that helped launch Stephen Sommers before "The Mummy," and a failed TV pilot directed by Joe Dante, "Warlord: Battle for the Galaxy," otherwise known also as "The Osiris Chronicles," a sci-fi TV show that never got further than its second introductory episode. Available on Apple and Spotify Episode 403 includes: -R.I.P. Richard Lewis and the creator of Dragon Ball and its many iterations. -2024 Oscar recap and Nate finally reviews "Oppenheimer." -Ben has some complicated thoughts on "Poor Things." -Netflix's "Damsel" isn't quite Ben's "Damsel," and it suffers because of this. -By the Decade -- 1998 -- "Deep Rising" / "Warlord: Beyond the Galaxy" -The monster movie is an enjoyably campy B-movie that showcases the strneths of Sommers and his love of the sci-fi/action movies of old, and the guys have very little positively to say about "Warlord" and its failed attempts to develop an interesting new future world and characters worth following. It's a big miss. |
Sat, 16 March 2024
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are back and ready to sing the praises of the cinematic year that was 1997, primarily with the subversive classic that today's modern fascists confuse as being pro-fascism, "Starship Troopers," and less so the second Full Moon Pictures selection of the 90s, "Hideous!", a movie about rich jerks who collect genetically deformed freaks who then break loose and wreck terror... or should have. Available on Apple and Spotify Episode 402 includes: -Nate is perplexed by the one-half Coen Brother lesbian sex comedy "Drive-Away Dolls." --Ben comes to "Dune Part Two" with some significant praise and some grumbling over extnesive ength. -By the Decade -- 1997 -- "Starship Troopers" / "Hideous!" -"Starship Troopers" is still as aweosme today as it was back then, even more ahead of its time and socially relevant in an age of rising fascism and rightwing forces, and then "Hideous!" is a low-budget creature feature with some promising ideas and a lack of imagination to do anything with them, plus some of the most gratuitous nudity for one poor woman in the cold. |
Fri, 23 February 2024
It's been a while but the "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are back with an even bigger episode, as there's much to discuss and get caught up on, as well as transition into the fils of 1996, this time the indie comedy about two Italian brothers trying to save their restaurant in "Big Night" and then "The Island of doctor Moreau," the unholy mess that became the sci-fi action thriller about animal-human hybrids made even more famous by Marlon Brando's bizarre onset behavior and the production firing its director after four days. Available on Apple and Spotify Episode 401 includes: -At long last, reactions to the 2024 Oscar nominations and snubs. As usual, Ben is unamused. -We have a Fantastic Four cast, and does Marvel have a vision for going forward? -The guys have survived the twisted web of "Madame Web," a sperhero movie nobody wanted. -The guys split on "Argylle," Matthew Vaughn's latest spy action-comedy. -By the Decade -- 1997 -- "Big Night" / "The Island of Doctor Moreau" -The indie comedy ends up not quite being what the guys hope for whereas the ridiculous movie that has animal-human orgies, Val Kilmer impersonating Marlon Brando, and Fauriza Balk as a cat lady ends up delivering way more entertainment than could possibly be hoped for regarding the movie's reputation. |
Fri, 19 January 2024
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are working their way through the kickass 1990s and this week's episode places them square in the middle, 1995, and both movies are about sci-fi future worlds about downloadable experiences that nefarious forces are after. It's the Keanu Reeves pre-"Matrix" vehicle, "Johnny Mnemonic," and the slightly classier yet still sordid "Strange Days" starring Ralph Fiennes and Angela Bassett. Avaialble on Apple and Spotify Episode 398 includes: -Trailer reactions: "Abigail," "Spaceman," "The First Omen," and "Lisa Frankenstein." -They've used A.I. to reanimate George Carlin for a "new" "comedy" "special," and it's an ehtnically troubling brave new world for any dead celebrity. -Nate runs through thoughts over "Maestro," "Leave the World Behind," "Poor Things," "The Zone of Interest," "Bottoms," and "American Fiction." -Ben discusses "Aproia," "Nimona," "Corner Office," and "The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster." -By the Decade -- 1995 -- "Johnny Mnemonic" / "Strange Days" -The guys tackle the schlocky cyberpunk future that has Keanu Reeves as a human courier where his brain is the flash drive that a lot of weirdos want and Kathryn Bigelow and James Cameron's collaboration about a scary future world where humanity is prone to paying for voyueristic experiences catered to them, plus a noir-style murder mystery and police brutality conspiracy at no extra charge. |
Thu, 4 January 2024
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are working their way through revisiting the 1990s of film, and this week it's 1994's turn as the guys watch the John Carpeneter horror freakout "In the Mouth of Madness" and Peter Jackson's "Heavenly Creatures" with stunning debut performances by Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet. Available on Apple and Spotify Episode 397 includes: -R.I.P. great character actor Tom Wilkinson and the rich dad guy from "Parasite." -Nate reviews a lot of movies like "Godzilla Minus One," "The Boy and the Heron," "Napoleon," and more. -The guys are left thoroughly unimpressed by Zack Snyder's "rebel Moon: Part One." -By the Decade -- 1995 -- "In the Mouth of Madness" / "Heavenly Creatures" -The gents findspooky merit in John Carpeneter's forgotten ode to Lovecraftian madness with a very game Sam Neill and celebrate Peter Jackson's proof of concept movie with "Heavenly Creatures" that he can do serious Oscar-worthy dramas with his style and signature too. |
Sun, 24 December 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are continuing their jaunt through the most awesome decade pf film, the 1990s, and in this episode they're exmaining two movies from 1993, the animated class that introduced Miyazaki to millions of Americans, "My Neighbor Totoro," and the reviled slasher movie "Jason Goes to Hell." Available on Spotify and Apple Episode 396 includes: -Jonathan Majors officially a convicted abuser and now officially fired by Marvel as well. -Does anyone care about a "Bevery Hills Cop 4"? -The critical appeal and "camp value" of Netflix's "May December" is lost on Nate. -Ben champions the derided disney movie "Wish" and questions why we needed a "Wonka" prequel. -By the Decade -- 1993 - "My Neighbor Totoro" / "Jason Goes to Hell" -The guys discuss why Miyazaki's enchanting animated adevnture still works so well channeling a childlike perspective and a sense of wonder, and then, surprise, come to defend the artistic swings of "Jason Goes to Hell" that had the Friday the 13th fanbse in an uproar. They're wrong, this maligned movie is better. |
Sun, 17 December 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are carrying on through the 1990s examining one year every episode, and this time it's the movies of 1992, with the guys watching Robert Altman's Hollywood satire and career comeback "The Player" and then a schlocky Full Moon Pictures horror movie Ben has always wanted to watch, "Seedpeople." Available on apple and Spotify Episode 395 includes: -R.I.P. Normal Lear, Andre Braugher, but definitely not Henry Kissinger -"Beau is Afraid" sure is... soemthing, and "Saltburn" leaves a bad taste in your mouth. -Behold the tansphobic travesty that is The Daily Wire's sports "comedy" called "Lady Ballers." -By the Decade -- 1992 -- "Seedpeople" / "The Player" -The guys work through their disappointment with both movies, discussing why "Seedpeople" grows tiresome despite some killer creature design, and why the comedy of "The Player" might be too droll or inside-baseball to really land as comedy in our modern day and age. |
Thu, 23 November 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" have leaped forward into a new decade, the safe confines of the 1990s, and they're looking at two under-valued and weird entries from 1990, the surreal rom-com "Joe Versus the Volcano" and the wild meta sequel "Gremlins 2" that broke many rules of what sequels should be. Available on Apple and Spotify Episode 393 includes: -The Screen Actors Strike is over! Hooray! -Ben is let down by indie comedies "Bottoms" and "Dicks: The Musical." -Nate says "The Killer" and "Five Nights at Freddy's" are two movies that miss their marks. -The guys defend "The Marvels" as a perfectly enjoyable and fun B-movie. -By the Decade -- 1990 -- "Joe vs. the Volcano" / "Gremlins 2" -First is a surprisingly offbeat and satirical rom-com that seems to have been forgotten and then it's a crazy creatures sequel that is literally one of Ben's favorite movies and the future of the podcast might be at stae if Nate doesn't enjoy it. |
Fri, 10 November 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are finishing their look at the movies of the 1970s one year at a time, closing the decade on 1979's Oscar-winning satire "Being There" and "Time After Time" about H.G. Welles chasing Jack the Ripper through moder-day (a.k.a. 1979) America. Available on Spotify and Apple Episode 392 includes: -Marvel in further trouble and the changes that may be ahead to course correct Phase 5. -R.I.P. Michael Gambon, Suzanne Sommers, and Matthew Perry -Nate grimaces through "Pain Hustlers" while Ben champions one of the two 2012 movies he recently watched. -By the Decade -- 1979 -- "Time After Time" / "Being There" -The guys discuss their disappointment with the imagination of a cat-and-mouse game between Welles and Jack the Ripper that doesn't know what to do with its characters, and the quaintness of "Being There," a much-heralded comedy that is a little too gentle in our modern age to land too many satirical blows. |
Fri, 27 October 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are back from a month-long hiatus with an explanation, a lot of movies to dish about, and two films from 1978 to discuss, the schlocky double-feaure of Hitler clones with "The Boys From Brazil" and living killer ventriloquist dummies and a young Anthony Hopkins in "Magic." Available on Spotify and Apple Episode 391 includes: -What's happened since we last recorded? Well, sit down for a bit. Also, the writer's strike is over. -Nate runs through seven movies he's seen in the last month, including "No One Will Save You" and the new "Mission: Impossible," while Ben details two obscure movies from the 1960s, one of which almost certainly was the inspiration for the "Mask" comic that later became the Jim Carrey movie. -By the Decade -- 1978 -- "The Boys From Brazil" / "Magic" -Nate celebrates both movies as entertaing and well-executed schlock thrillers with wurprisingly strong if hammy acting, whil Ben quibbles over whether wither should have been less serious given their preposterous premises . |
Sat, 16 September 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are working their way toward the end of the 1970s decade, two films at a time, and it turns out 1977 might be the best one yet with a lesser-known cult comedy from the likes of many Monty Pythom alums, "Jabberwocky," and recently deceased director William Firedkin's epic men on a mission thriller about transporting nitro through the jungle with "Sorceror." Available on Spotify and Apple Episode 390 includes: -Movies pushed back! Dead Bob Barker and Jimmy Buffet! Danny Masterson sentenced to 30 years! More Godzilla in multiple formats! -Ben has broken his strike-prohibition and seen "Blue Beetle" and has some thoughts. -Ben's trek back to the films of 2011 yeilds mixed results with "Mr. Popper's Penguins" and the DC animated "Batman Year One." -By the Decade -- 1977 -- "Jabberwocky" / "Sorcerer" -The guys discuss the scatershot, Pyton-adjacent medieval comedy from director Terry Gilliam, "Jabberwocky," a mildly interesting preivew of the director's filmmaking to come, and they sing the praises of William Friedkin's balls-to-the-wall action adventure jurney of the soul into hell, the intense "Sorcerer." |
Thu, 31 August 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are back and digging into the year 1976 with the blaxploitation monster take on Jerkyl and Hyde, "Dr. Black and Mr. Hyde," and with the last movie of Alfred Hitchcock's career, the low-stakes "comedy" about fake psychics and jewel thieves, "Family Plot." Available on Spotify and Apple Episode 389 includes: -R.I.P. the original Harley Quinn, Arleen Sorkin. -In solidarity with the strike, Ben is only reviewing old movies, and this episode it's from 1960 with "the Time Machine" and "The Flesh and the Fiends." -Nate has finally seen "Barbie" and has good things to say about horror indie, "Talk to Me." -By the Decade -- 1976 -- "Dr. Black and Mr. Hyde" / "Family Plot" -The guys discuss two more disappointing movies from the 1970s. First a blaxploitation movie that does nothing with its race-flripping monster-alter ego premise, and then Alfred Hitchcock's final movie that sadly proved that the legendary director had been eclipsed. |
Sat, 19 August 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are making their way through the 1970s and examining two movies by each calendar year, and this episode looks at 1975's paranoia thriller "Three Days of the Condor" starring Robert Redford, and the strange and nihilistic "A Boy and His Dog" set in a post-apocalyptic Southwest and featuring a teenage loner and his dog looking for food and women. Available on Spotify and Apple Episode 388 includes: -R.I.P. William Friedkin and look deeper into his udnerrated filmography. -Nate says "Heart of Stone" is another bland Netflix espionage action movie meant to take a nap through. -Ben has rejected new Hollywood movies in solidarity with the strikes, so he now chooses movies from the 1960s and 2010s to catch up on, like his own By the Decade. This week: Zack Snyder's animated owl movie. -By the Decade -- 1975 -- "Three Days of the Condor" / "A Boy and His Dog" -The guys are disappointed by another supposed classic of paranoia 70s thrillers and more impressed by the weird and off-putting cult classic "A Boy and His Dog" which inspired both George Miller's Mad Max series and the Fallout video games. It's got a telepathic dog too. |
Sun, 6 August 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are halfway through the 1970s decade and discussing one of the most famous films of that decade, Mel Brook's Western comedy "Blazing Saddles," and a far lesser known movie based on a play, "Rhinoceros," which reteams the comedy duo from "The Producers." Can they make movies like this today? Available on Apple and Spotify Episode 387 includes: -R.I.P. Paul Ruebens and Sincead O'Conner. -Nate has seen the new disappointing "Project Greenlight" movie and lived to tell the tale. -Ben finds the big "Barbie" movie to be a good time for all. -By the Decade -- 1974 -- "Blazing Saddles" / "Rhinoceros" -Can you really not make movies like "Blazing Saddles" today, and the better question is, why would you want to? The guys reassess Mel Brooks' classic comedy and the artistic intent of "rhinoceros," a movie based upon a play, also starring Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel, about people turning into rhinos and how people view this. |
Fri, 14 July 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pictures" are continuing to journey through the 1970s decade, and this episode tackles 1973, with the guys discussing the psychedelic French animated sci-fi allegory "Fantastic Planet" and the Oscar-winning con artist caper "Paper Moon" directed by Peter Bogdonavich. Available on Spotify and Apple Episode 386 includes: -SAG joins the WGA and goes on strike! Also, Jonah Hill possibly a bad person too. -"Sound of Freedom" is a well-meaning but draggy action movie right up the QAnon alley. -Ben has seen "Asteroid City" and has some very irate thoughts about Wes Anderson. -By the Decade -- 1973 -- "Fantastic Planet" / "Paper Moon" -The guys discuss the strange French animated movie with striking but off-putting imagery, and then they discuss Peter Bogdonavich's throwback to classic Hollywood capers with father-and-suaghter team Ryan O'Neal and Tatum O'Neal. Whatever positives are there tainted by Ryan O'Neal being a garbage person. |
Thu, 6 July 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are delving through the 1970s of cinema one year at a time, and this episode looks at two movies from 1971, the popular and acclaimed thriller "Deliverance," and the lesser-known low-budget Hammer horror movie "Raw Meat" about an unfortunate cannibal causing trouble in London's underground. Avaialble on Apple and Spotify Episode 385 includes: -R.I.P. Alan Arkin and Ray Stevenson and the studio blockbuster when its budget is north of $300 million. -Nate thinks "Nimona" is an animated fantasy well worth its journey to get here. -Ben declares "Dial of Destiny" a better Indiana Jones avdenture than "Crystal Skull." -By the Decade -- 1972 -- "Delierance" / "Raw Meat" -The guys discuss the Best Picture-nominated tale about a group of men being terrorized by rapist hillbillies and its approach and lasting impact of John Boorman's "Deliverance," and then "Raw Meat," also known as "Death Line," a Hammer horror movie about a cannibal living in the London subway that manages to be so crushingly boring while also being compassionate about its tragic monster figure. |
Fri, 30 June 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are pushing through the 1970s decade in film, and this episode's stop is with 1971, as the guys discuss the Norman Lear-directed satire "Cold Turkey" about an entire small Midwestern town trying to quit smoking for a cash prize, and the grimy thriller "Klute" starring Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland. Available on Spotify and Apple Episode 384 includes: -James Gunn casts his Clark Kent and Lois Lane, plus "The Flash" is bombing. -New Babylon 5 animated movie and a "Bird Box" sequel set in Barcelona that actually looks good. -Nate thinks "No Hard Feelings" is okay, while Ben cheers on "Elemental" -By the Decade -- 1971 -- "Klute" / "Cold Turkey" -The guys discuss the scattershot paranoia crime thriller "Klute," where Jane Fonda won a Best Actress Oscar, and then the attempted social satire about the tobacco industry's grip on America, "Cold Turkey." |
Thu, 22 June 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" have begun a new decade for their retrospective and they're taking aim at the 1970s, the era of autuer directors flexing their creative muscles and for new voices to emerge. They discuss two movies from 1970, the soldiers-as-scoundrels caper "Kelly's Heroes" starring Clint Eastwood and Telly Savalas and Don Rickles, and then "Watermelon Man," a social satire about racism from the vision of director Melvin Van Peebles. Available on Spotify and Apple Episode 383 includes: -Ben learns about the breaking news of OceanGate's lost sub of billionaires touring the Titanic. Irony explodes. -Trailer reactions to "3 Body Problem" Netflix series and "Quicksand." Yes, it's a contained thriller about a couple trapped in quicksand, the overly prevalant fear of many a child. -Nate declares "Elemental" a cute and winning romance from Pixar. -Is the long-gestating movie "The Flash" an unmitigated disaster? No. Is it good? Not really. -By the Decade -- 1970 -- "Kelly's Heroes" / "Watermelon Man" -The guys discuss the men-on-a-mission WWII action movie with Clint Eastoowd leading a group of soldiers into enemy territory to rob a German bank of its gold, and then director Melvin Van Peebles' racial satire of a white man who wakes up one day and becomes black. |
Fri, 16 June 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" have finished the 2000s decade but the 2000s aren't done with them yet. Each host picks one bonus movie from the decade to watch and discuss before the shove along to the 1970s and examine the films year-by-year. Ben picks a movie he's meant to see for years, 2005's spy comedy/gay romance "D.E.B.S.," and Nate selects the British time travel comedy, 2009's "FAQ About Time Travel." Available on Apple and Spotify Episode 382 includes: -R.I.P. Cormac McCarthy, Treat Williams, and John Romita Sr. -More movies being delayed likely thanks to the writers' strike. At this rate, your grandhcildren might be alive for the fifth "Avatar" movie. -Nate says "Creed III" is more of the same but with conviction. -Ben declares "Transformers: rise of the Beasts" to be squarely in the middle between the good of "Bumblebee" and the exhausting bombast of Michael Bay. -By the Decade -- 2000s Bonus -- "D.E.B.S." / "FAQ About Time Travel" -The guys find the spy comedy "D.E.B.S." to be cute and charmingly low-key as ir priotitizes its lesbian romance between enemies, and the very "Doctor Who"-esque TV movie "FAQ About Time Travel" has enough fun and clever developments to satisfy fans of time travel.
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Mon, 12 June 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are coming to a close on their By the Decade look back to the first decade of the twenty-first century. This time the guys hit the final year of the decade, 2009, and talk about the family movie with guinea pig spies, "G-Force," and the ten-year-later sequel to a cult DVD movie from the late 90s, "The Boondock Saints." Available on Apple and Spotify Episode 381 includes: -An extensive debate about the development of the new TV model in the binge era as well as where we go now that the streaming wars appear to be in their contraction stage. Read the Vulture article here, folk. -Nate reviews "Super Mario Bros.," "The Little Mermaid," and the Max original, "Reality." -Ben's opinion of "Across the Spider-Verse" may not be what you expect. -By the Decade -- 2009 -- "G-Force" / "Boondock Saints 2" -The guys discuss the family film about a super agent team of guinea pigs voiced by the likes of Penelope Cruz and Sam Rockwell, but most of the discussion is reserved for the sequel to 1999's cult movie, "The Boondock Saints." It's self-parody but seeming to lack the awareness, and Ben hates every second of it. |
Fri, 2 June 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are working their way to the last couple years of their dive into the movies of the 2000s, checking out 2009's trio of kids/family films such as "Shorts," by mistake apparently, "The Spiderwick Chronicles," and the big-budget anime adaptation from the Wachowskis, their chaotic and colorful flop, "Speed Racer." Available on Apple and Spotify Episode 380 includes: -R.I.P. Tina Turner, as well as original content that streamers are deleting forever. -There is a lot to discuss with the revelations of the toxic work environment of the "Lost" writer's room and the reactions from those in power. -"Hypnotic" is a twist-dependent thriller with a wasted twist. -"Fast X" is saved through the sheer goofy charisma of Jason Momoa. -Ben says the new live-action "Little Mermaid" is -By the Decade -- 2008 -- "Speed Racer" / "Spiderwick Chronicles" / "Shorts" -The guys discuss the Robert Rodriguez's goofy and goopy non-linear kids movie, the charming YA fantasy siege movie, and the bombastic assault on their senses that is "Speed Racer," a movie that is not deserving of its critical reassessment. It's "kids movies" all around! |
Thu, 18 May 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are back and examining the films of the first decade of the twenty-first century year by year. This time it's 2007, an otherwise stellar year of cinema, but the guys aregoing for lesser known examples, specifically the "Underdog" live-action movie unfortunately voiced by Jason Lee, and "Mr. Brooks" where Kevin Costner is a serial killer trying to live an ordinary life in the suburbs but having a hard time giving up his old addictions. Avaialble on Apple and Spotify Episode 379 includes: -Some minor new trailers ("Five Nights at Freddy's" anyone?) and discussion about Garth Brooks quixotic attempt to remake himself an emo singer-songwriter. -"Petr Pan & Wendy" is a noble failure in the realm of Disney live-action remakes. -Ben says "Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3" is the least of the trilogy, and he's having a hard time defending the rampant animal cruelty as gratuitous emotional manipulation. -By the Decade -- 2007 -- "Underog" / "Mr. Brooks" -The guys discuss what, if anything, is appealing about the "Underdog" children't movie and who exactly it was meant for, and then spend more time appreciating the many different conflicts in "Mr. Brooks" before coming up with storytelling changes that would have made an overstuffed but good genre movie more streamlined and even better. |
Sat, 6 May 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" have returned from wedding duties and are looking back at two films from the year 2006, James Gunn's directorial debut, the body horror comedy "Slither," and Ivan Reitman's very bad and very cringe-inducing "comedy" about dating and breaking up with a superhero, "My Super Ex-Girlfriend." Available on Apple and Spotify Episode 378 includes: -R.I.P. Jerry Springer and Ben's anticipation for "Dune: Part Two." -Oh, yeah, there's also a writer's strike going on. What does it mean for Hollywood? -Ben sings the praises of horror comedy "Renfield." -By the Decade -- 2006 -- "Slither" / "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" -Both movies prove disappointing for very different reasons. Gunn's "Slither" feels like a mismashed collection of its influences without the heart to hold it together beyond pastiche, and "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" is a poorly aged movie about women being crazy and needy from the point of view of a bad boyriend and other mid-2000s sexual politics. |
Fri, 14 April 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are going through the 2000s decade in film year-by-year and have worked up to 2005, selecting two movies to view and discuss, the sci-fi action thriller "Aeon Flux" that flopped and the little-known drama/dark comedy/conservative fantasy, "Edmund," starring William H. Macy as Travis Bickle but as a middle-aged middle manager. Available on Apple and Spotify Episode 377 includes: -Three new "Star Wars" movies announced. -New "Marvels" trailer to make Internet man-babies weep. -Nate has seen the glory of "John Wick 4" and the mediocrity of "65." -Ben finds the "Super Mario Brothers" movie to be strictly for kids. -By the Decade -- 2005 -- "Aeon Flux" / "Edmund" -The guys break down their disaapoinment with the big screen live-action adaptation of one of the better adult cartoons from the 90s, "Aeon Flux," and then dive into the provocative and befuddling "Edmund" based upon David Mamet's one act play. |
Sun, 9 April 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are working their way through the first decade of the twenty-first century and year-by-year examining two movies for reappraisal, and with 2004 it's the old school monster mess "Van Helsing" and the motorcycle action "comedy" with a Goth Jaime Pressly and a douchy Adam Scott (and others), "Torque." Available on Spotify and Apple Episode 376 includes: -Marvel's going through some rough times with management and everything relating to the very serious charges against Jonathan Majors. -Trailer responses to "Barbie," "Across the Spider-Verse," and more. -Ben has seen "Avatar 2" and is not happy about it. -The guys split on the new "Dungeons & Dragons" movie. -By the Decade -- 2004 -- "Van Helsing" / "Torque" -The guys discuss two schlocky movies that have their appeal, first the big budget summer blockbuster that wasn't, "Van Helsing," and then the "Fast and Furious"-but-on-bikes knockoff, the trashy and ridiculous action thriller "Torque." |
Fri, 24 March 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are working their way through the early 2000s in their newest segment, and this time it's the year 2003, where they elect to watch two disaster movies on very different budgets and creative approaches. "Nothing" is a small Canadian movie by Vincenzo Natali (Cube, Splice) about two best friends waking up to find the world has been repalced by an endless white void. "The Core" is a schlocky Hollywood disaster where a bunch of famous faces journey to the center of the Earth to re-start the planet. Available on Spotify and Apple Episode 375 includes: -R.I.P. Lance Reddick, a wonderful character actor with an amazing voice. -Nate catches up with "Cocaine Bear" and the killer Winnie the Pooh movie. -The "Shazam!" sequel is the least essential of all DCU movies. -By the Decade -- 2003 -- "Nothing" / "The Core" -The guys discuss the intriguing indie "Nothing" and its creative choices, and then find different levels of enjoyment with the schlocky disaster throwback of "The Core." |
Sat, 18 March 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are examining the 2000s decade year-by-year, and they've worked their way to 2002, and now they're discussing Robin Williams' dark comedy directed by Danny DeVito, the kids TV satire, "Death to Smoochy," and the inexplicable college sex comedy involving two rephrensible men cloning a lady and then training her to be their "perfect woman/sexual partner," the little known, and for a reason, "Repli-Kate" starring James Roday, Ali Landy, the "Doritos girl," and the requirement for every sex comedy in the 2000s, Eugene Levy. Oh, it's bad on many levels, especially as a condemnation of men. Available on Apple and Spotify Episode 374 includes: -Oscar recap! Hooray for "Everything Everywhere" and hat it means going forward. -"The Little Mermaid" trailer debuts... during the literal Oscar telecast. -Ben is bored by "65" and deliberates all the ways it could have been better. -By the Decade -- 2002 -- "Death to Smoochy" / "Repli-Kate" -Ben still feels "Death to Smoochy" hits a special place for him, while Nate finds it to be too clunky and obvious and redundant, but both guys dig into the many many ways that the National Lampoon "Repli-Kate" comedy defies consent and feminism and good thinking. |
Sat, 11 March 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are finally back and catching up on movies and trying to recall all the details of their double-feature highlighting the cinema of 2001: the pop-punk fizzy satire "Josie and the Pussycats" and the Jet Li plus Jet Li action-thriller about the multiverse before it was all the rage, "The One." Available on Apple and Spotify Episode 373 includes: -R.I.P. Richard Belzer, Raquel Welch, and not so Tom Sizemore. -The guys make their preidctions for the upcoming -The guys discuss whether "Knock at the Cabin" is good Shyamalan or bad Shyamalan. -Ben declares "Ant Man 3" the best of the series and much better than its bad reviews. -By the Decade -- 2001 -- "Josie and the Pussycats" / "The One" -Both films overlooked at their time and both of them prove to have some merit. "Josie" is a goofy but good natured satire on consumerism with some bops, and "The One" is a sci-fi action movie with impressive choreography and the fun duo of Jason Statham and Delroy Lindo as bickering time cops. Next up: 2002! |
Sun, 12 February 2023
The "Dirty Sons of Pitches" are introducing a new segment where they go year-by-year through a decade of film, highlighting two movies unseen or looking to rewatch, and the first decade is that of the twenty-first centry. Starting with the year 2000 (cue Conan voice), the guys watch cult comedy "The Specials" written by James Gunn (!) and directed by Craig Mazen (!) and while it doesn't fully work, it's worlds better than "Whipped," a detestable rom-com with such odious characters, atrocious comedy, and inept filmmaking. It is, simply, one of the worst movies this podcast has ever viewed. Enjoy. Available on Spotify and Apple Episode 372 includes: -James Gunn's blueprint for the DC universe going forward. Discussion ahead. -Nate has seen "Babylon" and sings its praises. -Ben has seen "Shotgun Wedding" and "Alice, Darling." -By the Decade -- 2000 -- "The Specials" / "Whipped" -The guys talk about the history and cast of cult superhero dark comedy "The Specials" and then try and make sense of just how truly awful "Whipped" is as a comedy and an artifact of human beings. |