Episode 74: Steve Oedekerk's Kung Pow! Enter the Fist

This week, we dive into the unnerving world of Lurker (2025), the latest from filmmaker Alex Russell. What begins as a seemingly grounded drama slowly curdles into something far more unsettling—a sharp, modern thriller about obsession, proximity to fame, and the blurry line between admiration and intrusion.In this episode, we unpack Russell’s direction, the film’s creeping tension, and how Lurker captures the anxiety of living in an always-online world where access feels constant and boundaries feel optional. We explore its performances, its tonal shifts, and whether the film ultimately sympathizes with its title character—or quietly condemns them.Is Lurker a cautionary tale for the digital age? A character study of loneliness? Or something even darker?Tune in as we break it all down.

Chosen One! In Episode 74, we take a flying leap into the deliriously stupid, endlessly quotable world of Kung Pow! Enter the Fist (2002). Writer-director-star Steve Oedekerk splices himself into a classic martial arts movie and cranks the absurdity to max—complete with squeaky voices, impossible fight physics, CGI cows, and jokes that hit like a surprise fist from offscreen.We break down how Kung Pow! became a cult comedy touchstone, why its aggressively dumb humor still works (or doesn’t), and how Oedekerk’s commitment to the bit turns nonsense into an art form. From the Chosen One’s tragic backstory to the most baffling training montage ever filmed, we ask the big questions—like how did this get made and why can’t we stop quoting it?Prepare your tongue… and listen now.

This week, we dive into Elio Petri’s razor-sharp political satire Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970), a darkly comic thriller that dissects power, authority, and institutional corruption. Starring Gian Maria Volonté in a tour-de-force performance, the film follows a high-ranking police official who commits murder—and then dares the system to hold him accountable.We explore how Petri blends absurdity with menace, using irony, repetition, and Ennio Morricone’s unforgettable score to expose the psychology of authoritarianism. From its historical roots in post-1960s Italy to its unsettling relevance today, this episode unpacks why Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion remains one of the most incisive critiques of power ever put to film.Authority is questioned. Guilt is theatrical. Justice is optional.

In this episode, we dive into Hirokazu Kore-eda’s 2023 drama Monster, a delicate and emotionally layered story told from multiple perspectives. We explore how the film slowly reshapes our understanding of truth, intention, and human connection as it shifts between the viewpoints of a worried mother, a struggling teacher, and two boys caught at the center of a mysterious incident.We unpack the film’s nonlinear structure, its commentary on social pressure and misunderstanding, and the way Kore-eda uses perspective to challenge our assumptions. We also discuss Ryuichi Sakamoto’s haunting final score, the performances that anchor the narrative, and the themes of identity, empathy, and compassion that make Monster one of the most quietly powerful films of the decade.Whether you’ve seen the film or are discovering it for the first time, join us as we explore what happens when the truth depends on who’s telling the story—and why Monster asks us to look deeper before we judge.

This week, we chat about Sean Baker's Anora from last year. It won plenty of awards and we think it was great as well. So sit in and enjoy a relaxing hour of three friends yap about a good movie.

This week we talk about Ken Russell's The Devils from 1971.

This week, we’re looking at Once Were Warriors (1994), the powerful New Zealand drama that shook audiences worldwide. Directed by Lee Tamahori, the film tells the story of the Heke family, led by Jake “the Muss,” whose explosive violence collides with Beth’s strength and resilience as she struggles to protect her children. Unflinching in its depiction of domestic abuse, poverty, and cultural identity, Once Were Warriors is both heartbreaking and vital—a raw portrait of generational trauma and survival that has lost none of its impact.

In this episode, we dive into Tickled (2016), the jaw-dropping documentary that starts with journalist David Farrier stumbling upon the quirky world of “competitive endurance tickling” videos. What begins as a lighthearted curiosity quickly spirals into a dark investigation uncovering harassment, intimidation, and a shadowy empire behind the strange subculture. We’ll explore how a seemingly harmless fetish unraveled into a chilling story about power, control, and secrecy—and why Tickled remains one of the most unsettling and unforgettable documentaries of the past decade.

This week, we’re white-knuckling through William Friedkin’s Sorcerer (1977) — the tense, explosive thriller that nearly got buried by Star Wars but aged into a masterpiece.Sweat, dynamite, and Tangerine Dream: is this Friedkin’s most underrated film?

This week, we’re cracking open Sneakers (1992) — the ultimate ‘90s tech-heist thriller with an all-star cast: Redford, Poitier, Kingsley, and a young River Phoenix.Encryption, espionage, and one hell of a soundtrack — how does this cult classic hold up in our digital age?