At the Movies with the Roomies

Pardon our absence but the podcast is back! The guys are mostly healed from their various ailments and so they begin European film month (better late than never) with Italian cinema. Italian movies should be familiar to listeners, as that country has been the home of the most Academy Award winners for best foreign film and helped create the spaghetti Western drama.To kick off our guide to Italian movies, we brought on a special guest who actually took a class on the subject! The movies we discuss in depth include:Unfair CompetitionDivorce Italian StyleBicycle ThievesAnd of course many more we mention in passing. Do you have any you would add? Let us know below or at 240-MOVIE-82.We also discussed some current movie topics, like:the Netflix/Marvel collaborationthe new Miles Davis biopicand, most importantly, where it is pronounced "bye-opic" or "bye-oh-pic"Weigh in below or give us a call! Next week - ze Germans.

The guys wrap up a fun month of discussing scary movies with a surprise and the next topic of the month - horror comedies. These are the movies that make you laugh one minute and scream in terror the next. To help the two hapless cohosts with this episode, they bring in a special guest, whose taste in movies is only surpassed by her taste in roommates. The movies discussed (with spoiler alerts) in this episode include:Shaun of the DeadEvil Dead 2Cabin in the Woodsand others. The guys also add another movie (finally) to their Sh*t Movie List and discuss next month's topic: making foreign films understandable.

While the 1970s and '80s saw the heyday of the scary movie genre, the 1990s saw the genre begin a slide back into mediocrity which, by the 2000s, meant we were being fed formulaic horror and not-scary thrillers. What went wrong and how did Hollywood screw up so badly? The rise of the international market and the demand for safe big-budget tent pole movies has left scary movies behind, relegated to low budgets and poor cliches. But more than that, the film industry forgot at times what makes a good scary movie both good and scary.On tonight's podcast we highlight some of the best horror of the past 23 years, including:Scream28 Days LaterThe Sixth SenseSignsAuditionThe Blair Witch ProjectThe RingLet the Right One InSawWhat movies would you include as the best horror movies from 1990 until today?Next week we wrap up our discussion of horror with those movies that straddle the line between scary and funny - the scary comedies, or those movies you and your friends debate into which category they fit. Join us as we talk Shaun of the Dead, Cabin in the Woods, and more.

The 1970s and 1980s were the heyday of thriller/horror movies. To try and capture those scary times, the guys discuss:The ExorcistThe OmenJawsAlienFriday the 13thHalloweenAn American Werewolf in LondonEvil Deadand many more. What do these movies have in common? Not much except they all build upon movies we discussed in previous podcasts. Scary movies of this time expand on previously established scares and it is not until the 1990s and beyond that we begin to see more innovation in horror. Not coincidentally, this is when scary movies begin to suck.The guys also discuss why religion is a good foil in horror movies, is The Exorcist the greatest horror movie of all time, why don't terror/horror/thriller trilogies work, and which of these movies are overrated.Disagree with something we said? Want to add your $0.02 on these or other movies of this time period? Leave a comment below or call us at 240-MOVIE-82.

In this week's podcast we take a look at a few different types of movies and share why they were so appropriate for this time and place. As Will said, now they are starting to get legitimately scary. The first kind was the mob monster movie, where films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Night of the Living Dead showed that society could be turned and the individual could be the hero. Thinly veiled as a social and political commentary, both movies definitely provide scares in a new way and have been spun off numerous times.The second kind of movies set the stage for next week's discussion on the expansion of horror, and to explain why we chose two Hitchcock classics.What is your favorite movie from this era, and do you agree with our thoughts on these movies?

We kick off Halloween month by taking a look at the difference between horror movies and thrillers, as well as how early monster movies defined later scary movies.

Two college roommates talking movies and providing some in-depth knowledge why some movies are good and why some aren't.

The roomates are joined by a special guest this week to discuss the Indiana Jones trilogy, or what happens when Lucas gives up a little bit of creative control to his buddies. Also, we introduce a new feature - the S**t Movie list - and talk some movie news.

Using his most famous trilogy as a guide, the guys take a hard look at Star Wars: A New Hope, the Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi in their critical cinematography to determine the merits of George Lucas filmmaker. The result? Mixed. Listen why.

The roomies begin their month-long examination of the works of George Lucas, beginning with THX 1138 and American Graffiti. They also touch on his impact on film making through ILM and review the latest movie news.

The guys return from hiatus to discuss Children of Men, as well as recent movie news including Ben Affleck at Batman. They also announced their new project for the month of September - George Lucas month.

In anticipation of Elysium, and because they're darn good movies, the guys kick off dark science fiction movie month by discussing cult classics Dark City and Blade Runner. Share your thoughts on these two classics!

Fresh off reviewing their favorite Guillermo del Toro movies, the roomies take aim at his newest flick. The guys discuss this entertaining summer movie and share how it is very different than other high-budget disaster movies. Also, the podcast has a spoiler-free half and a spoiler-filled half for all audiences!

Well, life interfered and we've been delayed in seeing Pacific Rim. To make it up to you, Robert and Will review the work of director Guillermo Del Toro, focusing on the two Hellboys and Pan's Labyrinth as a way to prepare you to watch Pacific Rim. Enjoy our first classic rewind episode!

In their second episode of the podcast, Will and Robert tackle the newest interpretation of a Shakespearean play - the comedy Much Ado About Nothing. Filmed in Joss Whedon's house during a break from filming The Avengers, this is an intensely personal project for the famed producer that stars many of his usual cast of characters.