Trash, Art, And The Movies
The podcast that pits arthouse cinema against brainless entertainment—and then declares a victor.
TAATM #125: Whiplash vs. Drumline

Paul and Erin review two films about drummers in training. First: WHIPLASH, director Damien Chazelle's high-intensity arthouse hit about the conflict between an aspiring young drummer and the abusive conductor of his school's showcase jazz band; then, DRUMLINE, director Charles Stone III's 2002 musical drama starring Nick Cannon as a drumming prodigy whose ego and hot temper might cost him his dream of performing with his university's marching band. A bandleader who idolizes Charlie Parker, or a bandleader who idolizes Earth, Wind and Fire: which will prevail?

Plus: our quick takes on M*A*S*H, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY—PART 1, WHY DON'T YOU PLAY IN HELL?, and RICH HILL.

Direct download: TAATM_125__Whiplash_vs._Drumline.mp3
Category:TV and Film -- posted at: 12:51pm EDT

Paul and Erin unfold two films about Playboy bunnies: first, THE HOUSE BUNNY, the 2008 comedy starring Anna Faris as a bunny-in-exile who stumbles into a job as "house mother" for a sorority of unpopular, misfit college coeds; then, STAR 80, Bob Fosse's grim 1983 biopic starring Mariel Hemingway as Dorothy Stratten, a Playmate of the Year whose promising movie career was cut short when she was murdered by her estranged husband. A virtuous boyfriend who works at an old-age home, or a creepy boyfriend who sells homemade mail-order bondage chairs: which will prevail?

Plus, we offer our quick takes on ROSEWATER, FORCE MAJEURE, and GOODBYE TO LANGUAGE. Also: readers name their favourite cinematic chefs!

Direct download: TAATM_124__The_House_Bunny_vs._Star_80.mp3
Category:TV and Film -- posted at: 3:28am EDT

Erin and Paul review two films about women with supernatural kitchen skills. First: LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE, the 1992 film adaptation of Laura Esquivel's magical-realist novel about a lovelorn turn-of-the-century Mexican woman who pours all her sadness and heartbreak into her cooking; then, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, the 1999 romantic comedy starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as a cook at a struggling restaurant who is transformed overnight into New York's most celebrated chef thanks to the influence of a magical crab. Food that makes everyone cry and then throw up, or food that makes everyone cry and then float in the air: which will prevail?

Plus our quick takes on INTERSTELLAR, BIG HERO 6, WHIPLASH and BIRDMAN.

Direct download: TAATM_123__Like_Water_For_Chocolate_vs._Simply_Irresistible.mp3
Category:TV and Film -- posted at: 9:09pm EDT

TAATM #122: Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow vs. The Aviator

Paul and Erin review two films from 2004 looking back at America's 1930s love affair with high-flying airline adventure: Kerry Conran's retro-futurist visual-effects extravaganza SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, and Martin Scorsese's Howard Hughes biopic THE AVIATOR. Plus: our quick takes on NIGHTCRAWLER, STARRED UP, THE BABADOOK, and MOMMY.

Direct download: TAATM_122__Sky_Captain_And_The_World_Of_Tomorrow_vs._The_Aviator.mp3
Category:TV and Film -- posted at: 2:09am EDT