The Art of Self-Defense

Now... There is a fair amount of controversy surrounding this film ever since it was first screened at Cannes back in 2003, and I'm not talking about his dated belt. Roger Ebert slated the film. Gallo called him "fat". Ebert did not relent. Gallo cut the film down from 114 mins to 98 mins. Ebert rejoiced, awarded it a 3/4, and seemingly forgot everything Gallo called him. But that isn't really that controversial. I'm talking about what transpired at the end of the movie with Chloë Sevigny, which got everyone so upset.Yeah, if you didn't already know, you're gonna find out and you'll probably hate it. This is a film that had us on the fence for a significant amount of its runtime, and there are some pleasant surprises. Or as "pleasant" as the film allows you to feel.

If there's anything you're bound to enjoy, it's a good fight movie! This doesn't have "FIGHT" in the title, but adopts the more measured and assured term "SELF-DEFENSE". Fighting shouldn't be encouraged or promoted, but looking after yourself should, respectfully.That brings us to Riley Stearns' 2019 black comedy THE ART OF SELF-DEFENSE, which follows a "weak" man who gets beaten up, decides to learn to fight, and discovers his inner manliness.As dystopian as this world is presented, I do appreciate the idea of just being able to buy something that is generically named "DOG FOOD" to eliminate the time wasted in having to think about my choices.Before I bore you with how complicated my life is buying dog food, enjoy this film review.

Back in the 1970's in the United Kingdom, there was a sole female Director of a movie. It was an avant-garde, cinematic depiction of the person's stage work and a perfect example of "Panic" Cinema. That film is THE OTHER SIDE OF THE UNDERNEATH.It's a cinematic journey we could not take on our own so we brought back Josh and Kat of Uncomfortable Brunch to bring a bit of academia to the table. We also introduce a new segment that tests Josh's proclivities. In an episode that talks about everything but the film in question, we believe our thought process is accurate.Everything makes sense... eventually.

Ricky, Ricky, Ricky! We're back with our first episode stalwart, Richard Rush!We always knew we were going to return to the world of Rush, this time in his most notable film, THE STUNT MAN. Starring Peter O'Toole, Barbara Hershey, and Steve Railsback, this film tells a tale about a wanted felon who stumbles onto a film set and 'just begins working' as a stuntman, and everyone loves him.As you might expect, there is a lot of 'Rush-isms' in this, for better or worse. But honestly, we wouldn't have it any other way! Remember, King Kong was only 3'6". It was the 'movie magic' that made him tall.

Oh boy. We've found ourselves in a bit of Barney Rubble, eh? However hard we try, we seem to find ourselves back in prison. And in this episode, you can listen to us in "real-time" literally figuring out how many "prison movies" we've already uncovered, and it's alarming.We're back with Mr. Mackenzie after we did YOUNG ADAM all those episodes ago, and it's another pretty bleak and disheartening piece of cinema starring Jack O'Connell in a big bad man prison. Key words here: "Prison Kisses" and you won't be disappointed.Enjoy! (hahah)

Hitting the tonnes with something "special".Episode 101 sees us covering SALÒ, or THE 120 DAYS OF SODOM, with our friends from UNCOMFORTABLE BRUNCH: Josh and Kat. This is a film that, even describing it in any way, will make us look like freaks. We promise that next time we'll cover something funny(-ish). Buckle up buttercups!If you've watched the film, you have an idea what to expect. If you have watched the film and decided to come here for further analysis, can I ask you one thing? Are you OK?

Look at where our tenacity and dedication have gotten us. All the way to episode 100! It is true what they say: if you stick at something long enough in a sequential order, you will eventually reach EPISODE 100. Don't quote me, but I think Mark Maron said that. But what an episode 100 this is. We look at the seminal work of a visionary, David Lynch, who passed away earlier this year. Starring Kyle McLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Laura Dern, Dean Stockwell, and Dennis Hopper, this is the story about finding an ear and figuring out who it belongs to. And Frank, obviously. Beautiful, disgusting, violent Frank. Little did Laura and Ryan know that we recite Frank's lines more often than not in everyday life, which is probably why people may perceive our relationship as far from golden. But that's your fault; you have no sense of humor. Just shut up and listen to our podcast!

Starring Mark Rylance, Kerry Fox, and Timothy Spall, directed by Patrice Chéreau, this film is about the silent sexual encounters of two people amidst the lonely landscape of a dark-set urban London. This is quite a 'big' entry in the pantheon of our OTB legacy, and we take a slightly different tact with this one. It comes out that we quite like this one even if people don't. Isn't that the way it goes though?This is episode 99 as well. That's kinda great, isn't it? Episode 100 is next up (obviously). 

Who'd have thought that answering a magazine advert to be a man's "wife" on an island, fending for yourself for an entire year, would be a terrible idea? They have to live off the land, free from outside influence, a true escape from the monotony of city life in London. We believe this feeling of "escape" is a very "Western" idealist concept. In that respect, it's a very throwaway idea. But these guys actually did it. And here's the end result.Based on the true story of Lucy Irvine, who answered a magazine advert to spend one year on a secluded island with a man she had just met seems too wild to have happened. Starring Oliver Reed and Amanda Donohoe, directed by Nicholas Roeg, this film is a mixed experience, especially as rare as the film is to obtain in its original, legitimate release.

I hope that none of you have ever experienced the intrusion of some bad neighbors. Certainly not to the point that they force you to rent out your prospective second library and refurbish it to become a garish 1970s Post-Modern monstrosity.This is the crux of the film CONVERSATION PIECE, written and directed by master filmmaker Luchino Visconti. It stars Burt Lancaster as the central character. This film is a real treat that is handled with finesse and grace. It's an anxiety-inducing mystery tale about loneliness, generational differences, and lamenting on your past.Just remember, when all the dust settles, it all started because of a painting.