033 Waiting for Guffman by Christopher Guest

This week Matt and Mark review 1997's Waiting for Guffman by Christopher Guest. In the mockocumenteray genre he made famous with follow-ups Best in Show and A Mighty Wind, Guest blends ad-lib sketch and musical comedy into a film length feature. Mark explores the plight of the characters, while Matt attempts to overcome his cynicism in order to embrace their delusional yet sincere need to entertain. Both of us wonder, however, if Guest's stereotypical portrayal of gay Corky St. Clair won't be the equivalent of "black face" a few decades down the road. Enjoy! 

Download: 033 Waiting for Guffman by Christopher Guest    

032 Fight Club by David Fincher

Breaking the first rule of Fight Club, we're talking about Fight Club this week. David Fincher serves up a nihilistic schizophrenic parable about the inherent paradox of masculinity and modern civilization. Viewing the film in middle-age may have tempered Matt and Mark's ideological reaction to the subject matter, but we definitely avoid the old man "grumpitude" of Roger Ebert's less then complimentary review. More of an 'amoral' film, FC paints nihilism in a dysfunctional and harsh light when compared to our current consumerist hypocrisy; neither an attractive option. Fight Club stars Edward Norton, Helen Bonham Carter, and Brat Pitt. Enjoy!

Download: 032 Fight Club by David Fincher

031 Vertigo by Alfred Hitchcock

Usurping reigning champion Citizen Kane as the "Best Film of All Time" according to the British Film Institute (and thankfully so), Matt and Mark review Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 masterpiece Vertigo, starring James Stewart and Kim Novak. With such a weighty title, we try to give this film its due. Mark cuts to the l'essence of Stewart's John "Scottie" Ferguson character by calling Scottie out for his nascent pimp-hand as his obsession warps him into a most diabolical Pygmalion. Doing what M.Night Shyamalan attempts but rarely succeeds at, Hitchcock pulls off one of movie history's famous twists. With a beautiful mid-century San Francisco as the backdrop, Vertigo has most definitely earned its BFI accolades. Enjoy!

Download: 031 Vertigo by Alfred Hitchcock