The Searchers (1956) Audio Commentary

This man, though not a real Native American, has a great head of hair

RC-2015-101: The Searchers (1956)



I've once again teamed up with the King of Commentaries himself, Tysto, to talk through another great western. We find much to like, love, and laugh at in John Ford's VistaVision classic. Discussion wanders between the winds like an eye-less Comache to cover the long shadow of influence cast by the film (Star Wars, Scorsese, Buddy Holly), the liabilities of Jeffrey Hunter's performance, and Tysto's fascinating family history (his ancestors once kidnapped Natalie Wood's sister!). We also extol the virtues of wearing suspenders with jeans (well, I do) and stare longingly at Mose Harper's ripped-to-shreds six-pack abs. Why not take off your spurs and join us?

Show Notes

• The true story of Cynthia Ann Parker
• The "You Must Remember This" podcast episode about Wayne's war (non)record
• Jonathan Lethem's essay "Defending the Searchers" is actually viewable on Google Books
• George Chakiris played Bernardo in West Side Story
• Don't forget Zarban's site for tons of fan commentaries 

Download the mp3.

iTunes.

The Big Lebowski (1998) Audio Commentary

Zen and shiftlessness are often indistinguishable from one another

RC-2014-102: The Big Lebowski (1998)



Now that the National Film Registry has deemed Lebowski "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant," I thought it the perfect time to delve into the Coen's 1998 comedy/noir/half-assed thinkpiece on Reagan-era zeitgeist. I get lost in the beautiful shadow work of Deakins, point out relevant tropes found throughout the Coen's work, and speculate about what people will remember the day John Turturro dies. After explaining exactly what I think the movie's themes are, I decide that it doesn't matter because the Coens don't really mean any of it.

Show Notes

• Documentary about Lebowski culture
• William Kunstler documentary
• The Wikpedia page for Ron Kuby actually mentions his being name-checked in the film (I didn't mention that he and Kunstler were friends)
• Brunswick actually makes all kinds of shit, not just bowling and billiards
• Roger & Gene's original review

Download the mp3.

iTunes.

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly (1967) Audio Commentary

The late Eli Wallach, the star of and secret sauce in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

RC-2014-101: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1967)



Reflect on the recent passing of Eli Wallach by re-watching his finest hour. Which was actually three hours. I team up with the grand poo-bah of fan commentaries, Tysto, for an appraisal of Sergio Leone's classic. We converse about firearms, Steve McQueen (Bullitt, not 12 Years a Slave), and the movie's leisurely-but-cinematic storytelling. We also laugh at the antics of Tuco and at the over-representation of characters named "Shorty."

To sync, hit "pause" after the MGM logo fades to black.

Show Notes

• Visit Tysto.com and Zarban.com for tons of fan commentaries
• I incorrectly referred to the film Winchester '73 as "Winchester '76"
• The John Ford picture Two Rode Together (1961)
• A nice remembrance of Wallach by Richard Corliss

Download the mp3, or mosey on over to iTunes.

The Sopranos (S1E1) "The Sopranos" (1999) Audio Commentary

Tony in the pool. No ducks.

RC-2013-118: The Sopranos (S1E1) "The Sopranos" (1999)



With the recent passing of James Gandolfini, I felt it'd be a good time to do something I'd been meaning to do: a commentary on The Sopranos. I begin by candidly acknowledging my love for the show, ladling praise on David Chase and the late Gandolfini before explaining the series' significance. The show had a truly unique sense for the surreal and a wonderful sense of humor, I decide, and that's what set it apart in its genre. While describing how the pilot episode is different from the body of the series, I find time to wax nostalgic about how perfectly of its time The Sopranos was and explain the family's intricate hierarchy. Then I drop a bunch of Italian curse words. Salud!

Download the mp3, or let iTunes break your balls.