Episode 219 is also the result of a listener request! Tom Barclay asked us to check out "12 Angry Men" (which we talked about in our last episode) and we picked an equally-amazing film to pair it with, from 1962, "To Kill a Mockingbird!" Based on the Pulitzer-winning novel by Harper Lee, this film recalls three summers (and a bit more) in the life of young Scout Finch (Mary Badham), her brother Jem (Phillip Alford), and their friend Dill Harris (John Megna). Their father, Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck, in probably his best role ever) is asked by Judge Taylor (Paul Fix) to take on the task of representing an African-American man named Tom Robinson (played by the incredible Brock Peters) who is accused of beating and raping a young girl in the South of the 1930s. But, cast against this story, is the children's fascination with their supposedly violent and captive neighbor Boo Radley (Robert Duvall in his first credited film role). As the summers pass, the stories are told, eventually culminating in an ending that blends both storylines together. Another example of just what American Cinema can be at its finest! Plus, the Geeks and G.I.T. reveal what classic comedian will be the focus of their next two reviews!
Episode 218 comes to you via a listener request! Tom Barclay told us he "would love to hear a '12 Angry Men' episode (my new fave classic film)." Well, ask and ye shall receive! Directed by the legendary Sidney Lumet, and written by Reginald Rose, this is a certified American classic! The film focuses almost solely on 12 men in the jury room, deciding the fate of an 18-year-old boy accused of murder. If convicted, he will be executed. At the beginning, there are 11 for conviction and just one juror who has "reasonable doubt." As the film unwinds, so does the evidence and testimony from the trial as the 12 try to determine what the right thing to do actually is! Starring Martin Balsam (Juror 1), John Fiedler (Juror 2), Lee J. Cobb (Juror 3), E.G. Marshall (Juror 4), Jack Klugman (Juror 5), Edward Binns (Juror 6), Jack Warden (Juror 7), Henry Fonda (Juror 8), Joseph Sweeney (Juror 9), Ed Begley (Juror 10), George Voscovec (Juror 11), and Robert Webber (Juror 12). An absolutely top-notch example of just what film can be, and a not-to-be-missed treasure of American cinema!
Episode 217 is the second review in our pairing of Carl Reiner films. Reiner passed away on June 29th, 2020, but he was, and will always be remembered as, one of the best comedians in the history of media in the United States. This time, we move ahead to 1987 for Reiner's directorial take on the high school comedy genre, one that shows a deeper affection for its characters than almost any of its contemporaries. The story follows gym teacher Freddy Shoop (Mark Harmon in an unusual comedic role) who gets drafted to teach remedial English in summer school by his nasty Vice Principal Phil Gills (Robin Thomas). And were it not for the help of AP History teacher Robin Bishop (Kirstie Alley in her first Hollywood film role), he'd have no chance of succeeding and securing tenure! Add to this a cast of amazing supporting actors like Patrick Labyorteaux, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Gary Riley, Kelly Jo Minter, Ken Olandt, Shawnee Smith, Richard Steven Horvitz, Fabiana Udenio, and the incredibly funny Dean Cameron, and you have an absolutely watchable (and re-watchable) comedy that leaves you feeling happy and satisfied! Plus, the trio divulge what listener request they're fulfilling for their next pairing!
Episode 216 begins our pairing in honor of comedy legend Carl Reiner, who passed away on June 29th, 2020. The first film in the pairing is a feat of technical brilliance and comedy genius that sends up classic film noir in a way different from any other, in 1982's "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid!" Directed by Reiner, written by Reiner, George Gipe, and Steve Martin, the film follows Martin as hardboiled private dick Rigby Reardon, about to head out on vacation when he meets Juliet Forrest, played by Rachel Ward. Forrest hires Reardon to find her father whom she fears dead, but that's just the start of the story! Featuring clips from nineteen other classic film noir movies, this is a blending of past and present that reveals the true genius in the writing, directing, cinematography, editing, and acting that this film has to offer! Also starting Reiner and veteran character actor Reni Santoni, who also recently passed away, this is a comedic package sure to please discerning fans of funny, whether you're also a fan of film noir or not!
Episode 215 is, perhaps, one of the finest films ever made, and one of the most impactful. Finishing our Films You Should Definitely See Once, we turn to 1993's "Schindler's List." Directed by Stephen Spielberg, with a screenplay by Steven Zaillian based on the book by Thomas Keneally, this film details the real life of Oskar Schindler, a German entrepreneur during World War II who became an unlikely hero to the 1,200 Jewish prisoners he employed in his factories. Schindler (Liam Neeson) brings Jewish prisoner Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley) into his business as his bookkeeper to help him rescue Jewish prisoners from the Holocaust by employing them in his metalworking factory. He meets Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes) who is in charge of the camp the Jewish prisoners are incarcerated in. Slowly, Schindler's factory gains a reputation as a haven, somewhere where workers aren't abused or killed. As the war goes on, and the atrocities continue, Schindler begins to see that his haven may just be his chance to help change the lives of so many unfortunate victims of the Third Reich. Make sure you watch to the very end! Plus, the trio reveal which films they're going to review in the next pairing as a tribute to Carl Reiner!
Episode 219 is also the result of a listener request! Tom Barclay asked us to check out "12 Angry Men" (which we talked about in our last episode) and we picked an equally-amazing film to pair it with, from 1962, "To Kill a Mockingbird!" Based on the Pulitzer-winning novel by Harper Lee, this film recalls three summers (and a bit more) in the life of young Scout Finch (Mary Badham), her brother Jem (Phillip Alford), and their friend Dill Harris (John Megna). Their father, Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck, in probably his best role ever) is asked by Judge Taylor (Paul Fix) to take on the task of representing an African-American man named Tom Robinson (played by the incredible Brock Peters) who is accused of beating and raping a young girl in the South of the 1930s. But, cast against this story, is the children's fascination with their supposedly violent and captive neighbor Boo Radley (Robert Duvall in his first credited film role). As the summers pass, the stories are told, eventually culminating in an ending that blends both storylines together. Another example of just what American Cinema can be at its finest! Plus, the Geeks and G.I.T. reveal what classic comedian will be the focus of their next two reviews! 
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