A monthly show that reviews one film director per episode with the occasional bonus episode. Episodes 123-172 were hosted by Brad & Al. As of 2022, new episodes will be hosted by Jim and/or Bill.
…
continue reading
Tracks of the Damned is a horror film commentary track podcast hosted by Patrick Ripoll. Finally, some new use for that huge DVD collection you've been ignoring! Informative! Entertaining! Weird! Adjective!
…
continue reading
You don’t have to love Christmas to love this podcast. Film critic Collin Souter and renowned sheep expert Kerry Finegan delve into every type of Christmas movie they can find. Classics, non-classics, horror, Hallmark, obscurities, foreign, shorts, TV specials, unnecessary sequels and remakes. Even films that you might not think of as traditional Christmas movies. The great, the awful and the unusual, all year round.
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
117: Meet Me In St. Louis (feat. Patrick Ripoll)
1:40:12
1:40:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:40:12
Kerry and Collin are joined be frequest guest Patrick Ripoll (co-host of 96 Greers) to talk about one of the essential Judy Garland movies, the technicolor marvel "Meet Me In St. Louis," in which the song "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" made its debut and would eventually become a standard. Vincente Minnelli's timeless classic would also m…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
116: Nothing Like The Holidays (feat. Alejandro Riera)
1:34:08
1:34:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:34:08
First-time guest Alejandro Riera joins Kerry and Collin to talk about the Chicago-based family comedy "Nothing Like The Holidays," which came out in 2008 and features a predominantly Puerto Rican cast. This follows the "Family Stone" and "This Christmas" formula of having all the grown-up kids coming home for the Christmas season, all of whom are f…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 227: Keith Gordon + Underrated Films of the 2000s
2:26:54
2:26:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:26:54
Couldn't be more thrilled to share the latest conversation I had with one of my favorite returning guests, actor/writer/director Keith Gordon who may remember as Arnie from John Carpenter's Christine. He's been on several times in the past to not only talk about his films and his career but particular movies he thinks you should seek out from a par…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
115: Six Weeks (feat. Peter Sobczynski)
1:48:31
1:48:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:48:31
The tearjerker "Six Weeks" starred Mary Tyler Moore, Dudley Moore and a talented ballerina named Katherine Healy. It came out in 1982 during awards season and managed to score two Golden Globe noms and a Razzie nomination. Frequent guest Peter Sobczynski has been waiting for over a year to talk about it with Kerry and Collin and even went so far as…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Bonus Episode: Longlegs & In a Violent Nature (feat. Patrick Ripoll)
1:39:24
1:39:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:39:24
Get it on, bang a gong, get it on! Patrick Ripoll (of 96 Greers) joins me once again, returning to discuss two horror films that left me a bit perplexed. About six years ago, I asked Patrick to come back on to review David Gordon Green's Halloween along with the Suspiria remake simply because I wanted to hear his thoughts. Upon walking out of both …
…
continue reading
Prior to their recent trip to New Zealand, Collin and Kerry looked up "New Zealand Christmas movies" and this was the result. "Kiwi Christmas" follows a typical formula for an ABC Family Christmas movie in which Santa Claus doesn't want to do his usual rounds on Christmas Eve, so he hides in Auckland, New Zealand and hangs out with a family during …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
113: Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas In July (1979)
1:11:55
1:11:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:11:55
Kerry and Collin take a look at the feature-length Rankin/Bass movie (and TV special) "Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas In July" and are bewildered by how plot-heavy and overloaded it is with exposition and countless new characters. What is the proper way to react to Frosty dying (again)? Is Scratchy the Evil Reindeer sufficiently evil? And what does…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Bonus Episode: 1994 Review - The Year In Music
2:06:07
2:06:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:06:07
For this excursion into something besides movies, in case you didn't know, I once hosted Voices & Visions and I would recruit friend and Austin-based journalist Dan Solomon to go back 20 years to talk about a year in music - an art form that I love every bit much as film. For this summer tradition, my guests and I curate a new list of ten favorite …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
112: 4th of July Movies Actually: Independence Day (1996)
1:29:00
1:29:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:29:00
A detour into the 4th of July, Kerry and Collin talk about the biggest hit of 1996, Roland Emmerich's alien invasion epic "Independence Day," which gives America permission to make our holiday a worldwide holiday because of something WE did. Suck it up, world! How does this movie play today now that we all know a little more about computers? Is the…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 226: Christopher Nolan Part II (feat. Erik Childress)
2:37:38
2:37:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:37:38
Once again, the format has changed a little for an experiment. Not quite a magic trick if you will, but Erik and I hope to "incept" you with our collaborative ranking of a director's filmography (not a draft, repeat not a draft). Last time Erik Childress was on to talk Christopher Nolan, it was way back in 2011 - the very first year of this podcast…
…
continue reading
Kerry and Collin talk about "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" every chance they get in this episode because it's a far more interesting subject, but because it's not holiday-based, they stick to the format as best they can by talking about the 2002 sequel, "The Santa Clause 2." Why aren't the rules consistent in these movies? Why does a real-world woman ha…
…
continue reading
In honor of its 30th anniversary, Kerry and Collin look back at a forgotten little gem starring Paul Newman, Melanie Griffith, Jessica Tandy, an uncredited Bruce Willis and an early role for Philip Seymour Hoffman. It's a "hang-out movie" that spans Thanksgiving to New Years. Why did Willis not get credit for playing a major role? Could this be vie…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 225: Another 50 Favorites (feat. Bill Ackerman)
7:32:08
7:32:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:32:08
Do you remember when Bill Ackerman and I revealed our 50 favorite movies episode for the 10-year anniversary of this show? That was Part One in what eventually has become a trilogy! Little did you know, when I briefly had a Patreon, we did a sequel that was exclusive for subscribers. I no longer have Patreon so not only do you get Part Two (50 More…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 224: 50 More Favorites (feat. Bill Ackerman)
6:23:40
6:23:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
6:23:40
Do you remember when Bill Ackerman and I revealed our 50 favorite movies episode for the 10-year anniversary of this show? That was Part One in what eventually has become a trilogy! Little did you know, when I briefly had a Patreon, we did a sequel that was exclusive for subscribers. I no longer have Patreon so not only do you get Part Two (50 More…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
109: The Bishop's Wife (1947) (feat. John A. Zukowski)
1:30:59
1:30:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:30:59
Kerry and Collin are joined by author John A. Zukowski, author of the book "Christmas On the Screen: Reviewing the Evolution of American Spirituality," which provides a springboard into the discussion of the classic "The Bishop's Wife," starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven. Why did America need so many movies about celestial beings an…
…
continue reading
Kerry and Collin take a listener request and talk about an obscure TV movie called "Little Miss Millions," starring Howard Hesseman and (Jennifer) Love Hewitt. The film is directed by Jim "Chopping Mall" Wynorski, whose entire filmography is covered in this one single episode. How many times does Collin drop "Midnight Run" into the conversation? Do…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 223: Olivier Assayas (feat. Patrick Ripoll)
2:50:53
2:50:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:50:53
Two reasons this podcast exist: Film Junk and Patrick Ripoll. So I'm always grateful when Patrick returns since he's the OG co-host of this show. He's always doing killer work with Reg on 96 Greers that I highly recommend. But I vividly recall two moments of the past decade: his love of Clouds of Sils Maria and my love for Personal Shopper. Made a …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
107: Easter Movies Actually - Jesus Christ Superstar (feat. Brad Strauss)
1:21:48
1:21:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:21:48
The Easter holiday is when many people pull out the Biblical epics and none of them rock harder than Norman Jewison's adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice's immortal "Jesus Christ Superstar." Brad Strauss returns to chat with Collin and Kerry about the film's controversy, production problems and why this Biblical movie endures while others ha…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 222: 1994 - The Year In Review
6:24:19
6:24:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
6:24:19
The epic yearly retrospectives continue as we travel back 30 years to rewatch, reconsider and share favorites along with many memories too! Join me on this 6-hour plus journey alongside Chicago critics Erik Childress and Collin Souter. Many laughs, songs, clips, trailers, excerpts and so much more! Thank you so much for the support and for listenin…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
106: St. Patrick's Day Movies Actually: The Commitments (feat. Jim Peebles)
1:56:25
1:56:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:56:25
St. Patrick's Day calls for a celebration of all things Irish. Why not celebrate the "Blacks of Dublin" with the 1991 musical comedy "The Commitments"? Kerry and Collin are joined by their friend Jim Peebles to talk about what might be the greatest fictional band of all time. Who are/were the Commitments? Where are they now? How authentically Irish…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
105: Little Women (1994) (feat. Laura McDougal and Allyson Dykhuizen)
1:37:04
1:37:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:37:04
Kerry and Collin are joined by Laura McDougal and Allyson Dykhuizen (founders of an online community geared towards knitting and garment making, among other things) to talk about the 1994 version of "Little Women." How does this version compare to others, most notably Greta Gerwig's version? Who is the "worst" little woman in the film? Do men alway…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
104: Valentine's Day Movies Actually - Valentine's Day (2010)
1:30:08
1:30:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:30:08
The first detour from Christmas takes Kerry and Collin to the beloved and behated Valentine's Day. Conveniently, that also happens to be the name of the movie they talk about. Garry Marshall's last three films were holiday-based rom-com adventures. "Valentine's Day" might be the best of the three, but will likely be the only one covered on this sho…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 221: Alain Resnais (feat. Kate Blair)
2:21:25
2:21:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:21:25
When I first saw Hiroshima Mon Amour, this particular director went on the long list of names I wanted to cover. Alain Resnais is an internationally acclaimed film director, associated with both the Left Bank Group and the Nouvelle Vague. His preoccupation with the themes of time, memory and history, and his dazzling exploration of cinematographic …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
103: A Disturbance In The Force (feat. director Jeremy Coon)
1:18:57
1:18:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:18:57
The Star Wars Holiday Special remains a curiosity item for many, mainly for its sheer awfulness. In this episode, Kerry and Collin talk with director Jeremy Coon about his wonderful documentary on the notorious television special, "A Disturbance In the Force" (now available on VOD and blu-ray). Should this wretched television special be officially …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 220: Favorite Films Of 2023 (feat. Bill Ackerman & Patrick Ripoll)
4:29:01
4:29:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:29:01
The title of this episode says it all. Over four hours of nerdy movie conversations and recommendations all about the year 2023. Two Director's Club mainstays return. Bill Ackerman (host of Supporting Characters and guest host of this show) along with Patrick Ripoll (co-host of 96 Greers) join me as well all share their favorite films of 2023. No c…
…
continue reading
For this year's Nutcracker entry, Kerry and Collin fulfill a listener request with "The Nutcracker Prince," surprisingly not a direct-to-video animated film from this era, but sure feels like one. What is Blue (or Bleu) Cheese Cake? Is it acceptable to have a Nutcracker movie without the slightest hint of ballet? Is it worth the effort to travel to…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 219: Charlie Kaufman (feat. Sharon Gissy)
2:21:11
2:21:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:21:11
Happy New Year! This is a podcast. The Director’s Club Podcast. Maybe you should get a coffee first before listening. A coffee and a muffin might help. Gosh I’m so tired. But what a way to start the new year. Podcasting with a wonderful person like Sharon. Then editing it. Then writing these show notes. The thing that you’re reading right now. Or m…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 101: Elf - 20th Anniversary
1:38:47
1:38:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:38:47
Friend of the show, Jim Peebles, joins Collin and Kerry for a look at one of the most enduring and successful of all Christmas films, Jon Favreau's 2003 comedy "Elf," starring Will Farrell as the eternally childlike Buddy The Elf and James Caan as his long lost father. How does the film hold up after 20 years? Did the film breathe new life into the…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 100: Trading Places - LIVE at Elk Grove Theater
1:19:59
1:19:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:19:59
Kerry and Collin take the show on the road for their 100th episode (or is it?). They are joined by frequent guests Erik Childress and Peter Sobczynski for a discussion in front of an audience following the screening of the film. Does John Landis' film represent Eddie Murphy at his peak? How does this movie work as a time capsule of '80s greed and s…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 99: Scrooged (feat. Ed Daly)
1:38:32
1:38:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:38:32
Ed Daly, author of "The Christmas Book," joins Kerry and Collin for a discussion on the 1988 classic comedy "Scrooged," starring Bill Murray. For Ed, it was a memorable childhood moviegoing experience. For Collin, it was a memorable teenage experience working at a movie theater at the time. For Kerry, it was a memorable cable TV staple. Does it hol…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 98: BONUS! TV Christmas episode round-up, Blu-rays and Books!
1:20:30
1:20:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:20:30
Kerry and Collin talk about the Christmas episodes from Murder She Wrote, Moonlighting, Psych, The Office, Pee-Wee's Playhouse and The Bear. Collin also covers some holiday offerings new on blu-ray/4K and offers his choices for the best blu-ray/4K releases of the year. Finally, they each recommend a movie-related book ("Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 218: Frank Oz (feat. Ross Bratin & Tripp Burton)
3:07:32
3:07:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
3:07:32
Just in time for turkey day, in which we have a lot to be thankful for, comes this delightful discussion with plenty of fixins. Fresh from their excellent new podcast, A Tripp Through Comedy, two new guests join me but I've been following them ever since we all met during Triviaspotting. Ross Bratin and Tripp Burton join me to talk all about the fi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 97: Best. Christmas. Ever! (feat. Marya E. Gates)
1:31:03
1:31:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:31:03
Film critic Marya E. Gates joins Collin and Kerry to talk about Netflix's latest holiday offering, "Best. Christmas. Ever!" This "fam-com" stars Heather Graham, Brandy and Jason Biggs and is directed by Mary Lambert of "Pet Sematary" fame. How does this film figure into the rest of her work? Do rich people really have multiple, full-size Christmas …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 96: The Holdovers (feat. Steve Prokopy)
1:26:34
1:26:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:26:34
The first big Christmas film of the season, Alexander Payne's "The Holdovers," is actually pretty great (the first Christmas movie of the season is rarely ever good). Film critic Steve Prokopy joins Kerry and Collin for the discussion of this theatrical release that is worthy of your time at your local theater (SPOILERS WARNING FOR THIS EPISODE!). …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 217: James Wan (feat. Chloe Waryan)
2:21:34
2:21:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:21:34
This episode is about the same running time as The Conjuring 2! Why does a horror movie need to be well over two hours? One might inquire to breakthrough horror filmmaker James Wan and that's exactly what I set out to do for this Halloween spooktacular! This is my favorite month of the year for a reason! Well, actually we have another delightful ep…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 95: Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation (feat. Patrick Ripoll)
1:19:39
1:19:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:19:39
The tradition continues! Patrick Ripoll joins Kerry and Collin once again to look beneath the early-'90s, direct-to-video sheen and plunge into the most disturbing of depths to dissect "Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation," quite possibly the most disgusting movie ever covered on this show (and yes, we did cover that Kirk Cameron movie). Is it…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Episode 94: Anna and the Apocalypse (feat. Peter Sobszynski)
1:54:37
1:54:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:54:37
Who doesn't love a good musical-zombie-Christmas movie? Kerry and Collin are joined by frequent guest Peter Sobczynski to talk about the 2017 horror-musical "Anna and the Apocalypse" and break down how it manages to mix vastly different tones into a tight 93 minutes. How different is the film today when viewed after the height of the real pandemic?…
…
continue reading