#97 Blue Velvet 40th anniversary with Brian Eggert

In Cineversary podcast episode #97, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ honor the 40th anniversary of Blue Velvet, directed by David Lynch. He’s joined this month by Deep Focus Review author Brian Eggert, named the 2024 Critic of the Year by the Independent Film Critics of America. Together, they explore what makes Blue Velvet so potent four decades later, its impressive Lynchian touches, what we can learn from the film today, and much, much more. Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #96, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ commemorates the 90th anniversary of Swing Time, directed by George Stevens. Joining him on the dance floor is Brian Seibert, a renowned dance critic for The New York Times and author of the book What the Eye Hears: A History of Tap Dancing; and George Stevens Jr., son of the Swing Time director and founder of the American Film Institute. Together, they’ll examine why Swing Time is a cut above in the fancy footwork department, what elevates this material above other Fred and Ginger films, the exceptional songcraft on display, and much more.Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #95, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ commemorates the 75th birthday of Strangers on a Train, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Seated adjacent on this train ride is Stephen Rebello, contributing screenwriter on the 2012 film Hitchcock, and author of Criss-Cross: The Making of Hitchcock’s Dazzling, Subversive Masterpiece Strangers on a Train. Erik and Stephen swap insights and opinions on why this film is essential viewing, its subversive sexual dynamics, salient themes, and much more. Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #94, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ honors the 20th birthday of Pan’s Labyrinth, directed by Guillermo del Toro. Joining him on this journey to the underground realm is TCM host Alicia Malone, author of TCM Imports: Timeless Favorites and Hidden Gems of World Cinema. Together, Erik and Alicia sneak into the Pale Man’s lair and explore what makes this film a timeless masterwork, how to distinguish between what’s real vs. fantastical, significant themes, and much more. Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email showcomments or suggestions to [email protected]

In Cineversary podcast episode #93, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ celebrates the 60th birthday of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, directed by Sergio Leone. He’s joined in this installment by Sir Christopher Frayling, a renowned UK-based historian, art critic, broadcaster, and author of Once Upon a Time in Italy: The Westerns of Sergio Leone. Together, Erik and Christopher dig up the gold on this picture and explore its evergreen qualities, immense impact on cinema and popular culture, major themes, and much more.Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #92, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ puts candles on two cakes: one for Buster Keaton’s The General, celebrating a 100th birthday, for which he is joined by Thomas Doherty, a professor of American Studies at Brandeis University; and Charles Chaplin’s Modern Times, marking a 90th birthday, for which Erik is accompanied by film historian Jeffrey Vance, author of the book Chaplin: Genius Of The Cinema. Erik and his guests explore how these masterworks by the two greatest silent film comedians have aged so gracefully, their impact on cinema, key thematic takeaways, and much more. Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #91, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ sends 50th birthday wishes to Taxi Driver, directed by Martin Scorsese. Accompanying him on this anniversary cab ride is TCM host and Film Noir Foundation president Eddie Muller. Erik and Eddie examine how Taxi Driver has stood the test of time, why it’s worthy of celebration five decades later, its impact on cinema, key thematic takeaways, and much more. Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #90, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ commemorates the 80th anniversary Notorious, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Joining him in this installment is Kim Newman, the renowned UK critic and film scholar, esteemed journalist, and award-winning author of The Definitive Guide to Horror Movies. Erik and Kim head down to the wine cellar to uncork exactly what makes Notorious great, why this movie deserves kudos 80 years later, what makes this film different from other Hitchcock works, salient themes, and much more.Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #89, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ celebrates the 80th birthday of Brief Encounter, directed by David Lean. He and his guest David Thomson – the distinguished film critic, historian, and author of Sleeping with Strangers: How the Movies Shaped Desire – climb aboard the romance express and discuss why this film still matters, its impact on cinema, relevant themes, and more. Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].

In Cineversary podcast episode #88, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ honors the 50th anniversary of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, directed by Milos Forman. He and his guest Patrick McGilligan – a film historian and author of Jack’s Life: A Biography of Jack Nicholson –  check themselves in for a voluntary visit to Nurse Ratched's ward as they profess how crazy they are for this movie and discuss what makes it great, its influence on cinema, pivotal themes, and more.Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to [email protected].