The Criterion Collection, the last vestige of truly collectible DVD and Blu-Ray movies in existence. These are well produced, fancy pants editions of important and interesting films for the discerning film lover.
We continue our journey through Jim's collection of movies with...
Week 23:
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Spine Number: 175
Director: Terry Gilliam
Genre: Terry Gilliam
There are certain pieces of culture, pop or otherwise, that are tied to certain ages. If you read Tolkein for the first time as a 10-13 year old it could open up a world of possibilities in literature for you. If you read it for the first time at 25, you will be annoyed at all the mentions of buttered toast and overlong song lyrics. Did I just read the words "tra la la la la?" Fuck this book. Stephen King normally takes hold when you are in your early to mid teens. Kerouack? Probably best when you are in your early 20's.
Then there is Hunter S. Thompson. Depending on when you discover his writing, he is either a genius or just kind of annoying. Both of us discovered him at the right age, early 20's, right about the time this movie hit.
There was a certain, undeniable appeal to it. An appreciation of the drug fueled, anarchic aesthetic that made the whole thing seem a lot more important than it actually was. Thompson occupies a strange place on the border of the mainstream, too strange to fully ingratiate himself, too gifted to be completely cast aside. He stands as a cultural oddity both beloved and despised. And really, I don't believe he would have it any other way. Well, I actually think he wouldn't give a damn one way or the other.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which began as an assignment to write photo captions for a motorcycle race and spiraled into a piece of pop culture canon seems, on its surface, unfilmable. Well, unfilmable to anyone but Terry Gilliam.
So, join us and see how this perfect combination of writer and director fare in this undeniable head trip of a film.
Next week:
Spine number 186: Stolen Kisses
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The Life Masters is now it's own show with its own site and own dedicated feed. That's right, we have two completely different shows!
Right now check it out at www.thelifemasters.podbean.com.
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http://fantasymovieleague.com/
Looks like Summer Movie League has officially become Fantasy Movie League.
It looks quite fun. Here's how it works.
You have an 8 screen theater.
Every week you pick movies and have a budget/salary cap you have to stay under.
Then you compete against other theaters in your league.
It's fantasy football for movie people.
Our league is Film Thugs 2015 and the password is Porterhouse.
And remember, you can be a part of the show any time you wild like. How's that? All you have to do is call or e-mail us. If you live in the US, or any place that makes calling the US easy, just dial 512-666-RANT and leave us a voicemail. We will read the Google Voice transcript and play your message. It's both funny AND informative.
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Also, be sure to check back often for our new endeavor The Life Masters, where we answer questions to other advice columnists.
Thanks for listening, and until next week...
Jim out.
Criterion Year Week 21: The Royal Tenenbaums
Criterion Year Week 20: Traffic
Criterion Year Week 19: Sullivan's Travels
Criterion year Week 18: Withnail and I
Criterion Year Week 17: Rififi
Criterion Year Week 16: The Rock
Life Masters Episode 30: Here Are Your Choices, You Don't Have Any Choices
Life Masters Episode 29: These Kids Today With Their Phones, Their Loud Music, Dan Fogleberg, Their Zima, Hula Hoops, and Pac Man Video Games
Life Masters Episode 28: At Some Point, You Gotta Movie On
LIfe Masters Episode 27: Sometimes Nice People Can Also Be Dicks
Life Masters Episode 26: Ever So Delicate
Life Masters Episode 25: The Incredible, But Somewhat Understandable, Vanishing Boyfriend
Whiplash: A special 28 minute version of 5 Minutes With The Film Thugs
Life Masters Episode 24: The Incredible Vanishing Husband
Life Masters Episode 23: That Exit Looks Mighty Nice
Life Masters Episode 22: My Son Loves Me, But I Don't Agree With Him
Criterion Year Week 15: Gimme Shelter
Criterion Year Week 14: Sanjuro
Criterion Year Week 13: Yojimbo
Criterion Year Week 12: Chasing Amy
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