Cinemaslave

Cinemaslave #118: Rama's Great! Sam Worthington Ain't!

Joe gives the lion's share of his attention and affection to one of the most perfect and personal films to come along in a very long time: Nina Paley's animated feature, SITA SINGS THE BLUES. Ms. Paley drops by to chat with us about the history of the project, but Kent from Cincinnati has to ruin the good vibes by indirectly getting Joe started on the CLASH OF THE TITANS remake and its constructed-from-oak leading man. Fortunately, two Val Lewton films help get the taste of a skinhead, Keanu-esque Perseus out of our collective mouths. (I know, I know... that's what *SHE* said, right?)

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Apr 13th 2010 22:18 // Cinemaslave // 1 Comment

Where are the show archives?

Hi folks,

Recently I've received a bunch of e-mails inquiring about the older episodes of Cinemaslave, most of which are no longer available on the website. Sadly, this looks unlikely to change in the near future. The amount of space and bandwidth it takes to host these podcasts is simply too cost-prohibitive. We'll continue to host the ten (or so) most recent episodes on the site, but the older shows will no longer be downloadable.

However, that doesn't mean I don't want you to have them. Since I'm always looking for ways to offset the cost of bandwidth, web hosting fees, Netflix membership, and the other miscellaneous expenses I routinely incur to bring the show to you, I've decided to offer the older episodes on CDROM for those who want them.

As such, for a PayPal show donation of US $15 each, you can receive any of the following:

Cinemaslave Volume 1 (Epsiodes 1-25)

Cinemaslave Volume 2 (Episodes 25-50)

Cinemaslave Volume 3 (Episodes 51-75)

Cinemaslave Volume 4 (Episodes 76-100)

Once we cross the episode 125 mark, a fifth volume will be available containing shows 101-125.

If you're interested in getting the four current volumes (100 shows) on a single DVD-R, you can get them at a reduced price of US $50. That's fifty cents a show, and these prices include shipping anywhere in the world.

If you're interested in seeing a list of which films are discussed in which episode, you can view the list here.

Please note that the show's PayPal address (seagull2525 at yahoo dot com) is not the same as my personal e-mail.

More news episodes will follow soon. Thanks for your continued support of the show. If you have any questions, let me know.

--Joe

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Mar 28th 2010 12:32 // Cinemaslave // 3 comments

Cinemaslave #117: A Leopard Off the Starboard Bow

A movie works best when a viewer can believe in its setting and time frame, and Joe uses this theory to explain why some Friday the 13th films suck more than others. (You're welcome.) Although the bulk of the episode is given over to the next two films in our Val Lewton marathon, Joe also finds time to wax poetic about a recently unearthed Don Coscarelli gem, and fills you in on some big changes coming down the podcasting pike.

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Mar 21st 2010 22:45 // Cinemaslave // 3 comments

Signs of Life

I just wanted to post a brief message to let everyone know that yes, the show is coming back. Two weeks ago I finished my freshman year at Misericordia University (with a 4.0 GPA, thank you very much), and schoolwork has been occupying far too much of my life recently. I suppose that's the price of trying to get a degree when you're in your late '30s. Between school work, my full-time job, two kids, a wife, and my various film/writing projects, I'm genuinely amazed that I have time to go to the bathroom, much less podcast.

As such, future episodes of Cinemaslave are likely to rely a bit more on other people. I've already got two interviews booked for upcoming episodes, and I'm very excited about both of them. And while Cinemaslave will mostly continue to be me yakking at you by myself, I'll soon be adding a new segment to the podcast, during which I'll analyze genre films with a co-host. More on this soon.

At any rate, I want to thank everyone for their patience. Cinemaslve still has a pulse, although it's been undeniably weak lately. But don't worry -- the illness wasn't terminal.

-Joe

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Mar 9th 2010 21:21 // Blog // 2 comments

Cinemaslave #116: Rotoscoping Renfield

Joe's all-time favorite movie, F.W. Murnau's 1922 silent horror masterpiece NOSFERATU, is getting the 3D treatment in a new remake/reimagining/re-editing/modernization called ORLOCK THE VAMPIRE IN 3D. Special guest Keith Carter, the animator/director behind ORLOCK, joins Joe for an in-depth discussion on this new project, the lure of 3D technology, the appropriateness of tinkering with classic films, the world's greatest video stores, and other Cinemaslave-flavored topics. The Val Lewton marathon continues next episode with THE LEOPARD MAN and GHOST SHIP. Happy Halloween!

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Oct 31st 2009 00:56 // Cinemaslave // 3 comments

Cinemaslave #115: Hooray for Zombiewood!

A sad time in Cinemaslave-land as we mourn the man who arguably invented movie fandom. (No, dummy, not Michael Jackson.) Joe also opens up the rather dusty listener feedback archives before fawning all over Disc 2 of the Val Lewton box set, which contains the films I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE and THE BODY SNATCHER. Oh, what a time.

The third installment of the Val Lewton marathon, to be released on the 12th of Whenever, will feature the films THE LEOPARD MAN and GHOST SHIP.

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Jul 14th 2009 21:48 // Cinemaslave // 6 comments

Review: The Old Dark House (1932)

An overlooked horror gem gets a second chance on DVD.

James Whale's The Old Dark House, released a year after Frankenstein but a year before The Invisible Man, found the prolific filmmaker in a playful mood. Temporarily turning his back on the straight macabre elements that brought him his greatest fame, Whale instead chose to send up both the horror genre and himself in this dark comedy about one of the most bizarre households ever captured on celluloid. Think The Addams Family, with David Lynch directing.

The story itself is pretty standard stuff -- three travelers get stranded in the English countryside after a torrential rainstorm washes out the road, forcing them to take shelter at a creepy gothic mansion. Immediately things get interesting when the door is answered by the mute figure of Boris Karloff, who allows the trio inside to meet his employers, a strange family headed up by a positively delightful 102-year-old patriarch (played without a hint of irony by a woman in a fake beard) and his overprotective daughter, the latter of whom spends most of the film reminding the interlopers that there are no beds available for them.

The first thing you'll notice about The Old Dark House is how damn funny it is. I shamefully put off watching this film for ages, sure that it would be little more than an anachronistic throwback to the cornball schlock of a bygone era... and yet, the fact that this is exactly what the movie delivers is what makes it so endearing. The Old Dark House is one of the most entertaining films I've seen in months, filled as it is with (intentionally) hilarious dialogue, gleefully campy performances, and a wicked sense of mischief that never dissipates. Indeed, Whale even opens the picture with a special Producer's Note, reassuring audiences that yes, the "Karloff" in this film is indeed the same gentleman who played the Monster in the previous year's Frankenstein, lest viewers be distracted by this burning question as they watch the movie. It's a masterstroke with which to open the story, setting the proper tone while simultaneously poking fun at the very concepts of celebrity and stardom.

Special mention must also be made of the glorious black and white cinematography by frequent Whale collaborator Arthur Edeson (who would later go on to shoot Casablanca for Michael Curtiz). The photography here does not so much illustrate the story as envelop the viewer. One of the things the movie does best is play its visuals totally straight; even though the tone of the film is satirical, it's shot like a "real" horror movie, with deep shadows, off-kilter camera angles, and distinct pools of light and darkness. Viewers who believe that color is inherently superior to black and white would be well-advised to spend some time getting lost in the majestic cinematography and composition of this comedic gothic masterpiece.

Kino's DVD edition of The Old Dark House presents the film in a fair transfer that reveals moderate damage to the source print, but considering the movie was believed lost for many years (with the only existing print literally found decomposing on a shelf), this is not surprising. The real joy, of course, is that it has survived at all, and Kino has expended considerable effort in getting the movie to look even this good. Special features include separate audio commentary tracks with actress Gloria Stuart and a James Whale expert. There is also an interesting interview with Curtis Harrington, a personal friend of the eccentric director who single-handedly brought about the film's rediscovery and restoration. Highly recommended.

Buy the DVD at Amazon

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Mar 8th 2009 09:54 // Cinemaslave // 1 Comment

Cinemaslave #114: Better Irate Than Never

Joe's unexpected four-month hiatus from the show is revealed to be nothing more than a dream -- it turns out he had the power to return to the podcast all along simply by clicking his heels together three times. There's ramblings aplenty here, as Joe explains where he's been, why it sucks a little less to watch movies in Scranton these days, and ushers in the first installment of our brand new Val Lewton marathon with a look at 1942's Cat People and its amazing sequel, 1944's Curse of the Cat People.