Join co-hosts Andy J Ritchie and Donnchadh Tiernan as we watch and discuss 2 films decided by the toss of a coin.
Episodes
Monday Nov 09, 2020
Monday Nov 09, 2020
The dystopian future is nigh this time on Call It, Friendo as we tackle two “end of the world” movies of vastly differing quality.
First, the good one, Bong Joon-Ho’s 2013 train-based action sci-fi film “Snowpiercer”. Apart from celebrating the excellent set design, we also discuss some of the logistical issues of living on a train for 15 years.
Second, the bad one, Michael Anderson’s 1976 effort “Logan’s Run”. Coming only one year before Star Wars, the gulf between what the two films achieved is frightening. On the plus side, Jenny Agutter gets naked again. Swings and roundabouts, I suppose.
Timestamps
Snowpiercer (00:13:30)
Logan’s Run (01:01:00)
Links
Limmy – Sentenced to life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xv8JjBmRfU
Justwatch.com – streaming and rental links
Monday Nov 02, 2020
Monday Nov 02, 2020
It's men on a mission meets men planning a heist this week with 2 classic films from the '50s and '60s.
First up to bat is Robert Aldrich's surprisingly jolly WW2 romp, The Dirty Dozen, a film that paved the way for future fare such as Inglourious Basterds and the reputedly awful Suicide Squad.
Its partner is the celebrated French Film noir heist movie Rififi, directed by blacklisted American director Jules Dassin, and providing a gritty look at the mean streets of 1950s Paris.
Timestamps
The Dirty Dozen (00:01:00)
Rififi (01:13:30)
Links
Behind The Scenes - The Dirty Dozen
Elia Kazan at The Oscars
Justwatch.com – streaming and rental links
Monday Oct 26, 2020
Monday Oct 26, 2020
We are thankfully leaving Vin Diesel and the Riddickverse behind this week as we delve into two films from the same visionary director, Nicholas Roeg. Both films leave an indelible imprint on the viewer with their unorthodox editing and striking imagery.
The first, 1973’s Don’t Look Now, is a meditation on grief through the lens of the supernatural, boasting one of cinema’s most unforgettable endings.
The second, 1971’s Walkabout, tells the story of two children lost in the Australian outback who meet a young Aboriginal boy. This dark tale shows the beauty and chaos of nature along with the insanity of modern man.
Timestamps
Don’t Look Now (00:00:45)
Walkabout (01:06:45)
Links
Dusted – Pale Light (music from off of Donnchadh’s favourite ever TV show “Banshee”)
Justwatch.com – streaming and rental links
Monday Oct 19, 2020
Monday Oct 19, 2020
After watching some truly great films on the podcast, we decided to take things down a notch or five by delving into the Riddickverse.
We start by discussing the origins of the character in Pitch Black before moving into a breakdown of David Twohy's 2004 follow-up The Chronicles of Riddick. We ponder some of the issues of retconning a B-movie horror antihero into a "Lord of the Rings in space" chosen one trope.
As if that wasn't enough, we then move on to discuss the third film in the trilogy, 2013's Riddick, where Twohy and co. return to more familiar R-rated territory.
Mainly we talk about Vin Diesel's ego which, after all, is the real star of the show.
Timestamps
The Chronicles of Riddick (00:11:00)
Riddick (00:54:30)
Links
Vin Diesel debuts his new song on The Kelly Clarkson Show:
Louis CK tells the story of Vin Diesel on the MTV Awards:
Monday Oct 12, 2020
Monday Oct 12, 2020
In this week's episode, we discuss two action films based on the 1950 novel "Le Salaire de la Peur" by Georges Arnaud. Both films involve 4 men down on their luck in fictional South/Central American towns driving trucks full of nitroglycerin across 300 miles of treacherous terrain.
The first is "The Wages of Fear", the 1953 French/Italian adaptation directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot and filmed entirely in the south of France.
Secondly, "Sorcerer", the 1977 remake directed by William Friedkin and released at the same time as a little film called "Star Wars".
Which one will come out on top?
Timestamps
Wages of Fear (00:00:50)
Sorcerer (00:52:40)
Links
Tangerine Dream - Sorcerer Soundtrack: https://youtu.be/xw08GQw0hBI
Monday Oct 05, 2020
Monday Oct 05, 2020
In this week's episode, we discuss two documentaries which deal with seemingly tortured individuals undertaking extremely impressive physical and mental feats.
First, 2018 climbing doc "Free Solo", which tells the story of Alex Honnold and his attempt to scale the El Capitan rock face in Yosemite National Park without any equipment.
Secondly, "Little Dieter Needs to Fly", a 1997 Werner Herzog documentary about the brilliantly named US pilot, Dieter Dengler, who was shot down over Laos in the Vietnam War.
Timestamps
Free Solo (00:01:30)
Little Dieter Needs to Fly (00:35:15)
Links
Christopher Plummer talking about Terence Malick – https://youtu.be/xw08GQw0hBI
Dieter Dengler on “I’ve Got a Secret” in 1967 - https://youtu.be/csX_7a2loMA
Monday Sep 28, 2020
Monday Sep 28, 2020
In this week's episode we discuss two films from acclaimed Japanese director Kinji Fukusaku, both heavily influenced by his experiences during WW2.
First, Battles Without Honor and Humanity, a gritty depiction of a post-war Yakuza family and a film often hailed as Japan's answer to The Godfather.
Second, Battle Royale, a controversial yet celebrated post-apocalyptic tale of high school students trapped in a fight to the death.
Which one will come out on top?
Timestamps
Battles Without Honor and Humanity (00:01:00)
Battle Royale (00:49:20)
Links
Shibuya Meltdown - https://www.instagram.com/shibuyameltdown
Mishima Soundtrack - https://youtu.be/T9rB33JnvyM
Monday Sep 21, 2020
Monday Sep 21, 2020
In this week’s episode, we start with a discussion of Christopher Nolan’s latest blockbuster, Tenet, before choosing our top 3 Nolan films.
Then, we move on to Stanley Kubrick’s 1956 film noir, The Killing, and talk about well a 64-year old horseracing heist movie holds up in 2020. We also delve into the mad life of character actor Timothy Carey.
Finally, we talk about John Boorman’s 1967 American crime movie, Point Blank, and ponder over whether the events depicted in the film actually take place, or if they are a figment of the protagonist’s imagination. We also answer the important question: Just how hard was Lee Marvin anyway?
Timestamps -
Tenet (00:00:48)
The Killing (00:24:30)
Point Blank (01:13:35)
Saturday Sep 12, 2020
Saturday Sep 12, 2020
In the episode, we discuss The Square, Ruben Östlund's dark satire of the art world, and The Lobster, an even darker comedy about the nature of modern relationships.