Trash, Art, And The Movies
The podcast that pits arthouse cinema against brainless entertainment—and then declares a victor.
TAATM #114: Pickpocket vs. Thief

Heather bids a (hopefully temporary) goodbye to the podcast by discussing two movies about guys who really, really like to steal things. First: PICKPOCKET, Robert Bresson's 1959 arthouse classic starring Martin Lassalle as an inscrutable young Parisian man who supports his meagre lifestyle by lifting people's watches and wallets; then, THIEF, Michael Mann's stylish 1981 neo-noir starring James Caan as a master jewel thief whose dreams of going straight are dashed when he begins doing heists for a powerful Chicago gangleader. Black-and-white realism or Tangerine Dream: which will prevail?

Plus: our quick takes on THE PERVERT'S GUIDE TO IDEOLOGY, THE SEVEN SAMURAI, BAD TIMING, THE ZERO THEOREM, and SIX BY SONDHEIM.

Direct download: TAATM_114__Pickpocket_vs._Thief.mp3
Category:TV and Film -- posted at: 3:58pm EDT

Erin and Paul review two fake autobiographical origin stories from two gigantic pop stars. First: 1984's PURPLE RAIN, starring Prince as a hypertalented, self-destructive young musician struggling to overcome a difficult home life and to find an audience for his scandalous brand of sexed-up R&B dance music; then, 8 MILE, Curtis Hanson's 2002 drama starring Eminem as a dead-broke trailer-trash underdog trying to make a name for himself within Detroit's competitive rap-battle underground. "Let's Go Crazy" or "Lose Yourself": which will prevail?

Plus our quick takes on SNOWPIERCER, GET ON UP, LOCKE, and COHERENCE.

Direct download: TAATM_113__Purple_Rain_vs._8_Mile.mp3
Category:TV and Film -- posted at: 3:20pm EDT

TAATM #112: Gangs Of New York vs. The Warriors

Paul and Erin review two movies about organized big-city street violence, set roughly a century apart. First: GANGS OF NEW YORK, Martin Scorsese's 2002 epic starring Daniel Day-Lewis as a ruthless mid-19th-century crime boss and Leonardo DiCaprio as a young man on a mission of revenge against him; then, THE WARRIORS, Walter Hill's 1979 cult favourite about a street gang trying to stay alive as they travel from the Bronx all the way back home to Coney Island after they are framed for the assassination of a charismatic gangleader. A jar full of human ears, or a guy with soda bottles stuck to the ends of his fingers: which will prevail?

Plus our quick takes on THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, THE TASTE OF TEA, COLD IN JULY, STAKE LAND, THE CONGRESS, and TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME: THE MISSING PIECES.

Direct download: TAATM_112__Gangs_Of_New_York_vs._The_Warriors.mp3
Category:TV and Film -- posted at: 2:44am EDT