A very special episode of Double Feature. The visual arts – cinematography, style, and finding your voice. Alice has a new project out by NYC based band ACTIVITY. What it’s actually like to shoot on 16mm. Tangible differences between analog and video. A film survival collective you probably didn’t know about. Watch the music video for Activity: Where the Art is Hung. Continue reading
Two crooked takes on kids with Crank-infused Mom and Dad and the 2021 Norway film The Innocents. Intense and emotionally charged performances. Nicolas Cage is at it again. New reports state: plot is happening. Giving a voice to the voiceless. Genetic psychopaths and how they are sometimes on television. Grappling with the violent urges. Youthful cruelty, the exploration of power, and the emotional violence and conflicts within relationships. Two films that touch on the theme of testing childhood morals and values.
Taking the other path – delving into the two cult horror films with The Keep and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Miss Osbourne. It’s a day for very dark secrets on Double Feature.
The Keep, a supernatural horror film set during World War II, follows a group of Nazi soldiers who unknowingly unleash a powerful and ancient evil while stationed in a mysterious castle in Romania. The film explores themes of good and evil, the consequences of tampering with dark forces, and the power of faith.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Miss Osbourne” a French-German horror film based on the classic novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, follows the story of Dr. Jekyll, a scientist who becomes obsessed with separating good and evil in the human psyche and ultimately transforms into the monstrous Mr. Hyde in spectacular fashion. The film takes on themes of duality, the dangers of obsession, and the blurred lines between good and evil.
The Keep and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Miss Osbourne have been recently re-re-rediscovered as cult dark-genre movies and are known for their exploration of distinct visuals used to exploring deeper, darker secrets.
Through the chaos of it all, Double Feature takes on a Claire Denis double feature. As is often the case with Denis, here are two highly regarded films – “Both Sides of the Blade and Stars at Noon. This episode digs into the themes and experience with no previous Claire Denis homework required.
Both Sides of the Blade, a dramatic film about a soldier who returns home after serving in a war-torn country, explores the psychological toll of combat and the challenges of reintegration into civilian life. The film discusses trauma, guilt, and the difficulty of navigating relationships after experiencing intense and life-changing events.
Stars at Noon, a psychological thriller set in weird-future, follows a journalist who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy while investigating the disappearance of a scientist. As she uncovers the truth about the scientist’s research and its connection to a powerful and secretive organization, the journalist is forced to confront her own beliefs and values. The film explores themes of power, corruption, and the manipulation of truth.
Both “Both Sides of the Blade” and “Stars at Noon” have been praised for their thought-provoking themes and the ways in which they challenge audiences to consider deeper questions about the world around us.
Michael makes Alice watch a movie so you don’t have to. Just what elevates Jackass to such heights? Maybe Impractical Jokers has the answers. In this episode of the podcast, analysis is conducted through the framework of performance theory. Both films considered feature a group of individuals engaging in pranks and stunts for the enjoyment of their audience. By investigating the power dynamics and representation within these performances, this episode engages with the concept of humor and the formation of identity in modern media. The cultural significance of these films is also examined, as they both obscure the distinction between reality and fiction and subvert traditional conceptions of masculinity. Through a thorough analysis of the films’ techniques and themes, this episode endeavors to provide a deeper understanding of the role and impact of prank-based entertainment.
A larger conversation about the shrinking world and the hidden rip-off cinema within it. In this episode of the podcast, the cultural impact of the films Lady Terminator and Robotrix is examined. Lady Terminator, a horror film about a woman possessed by an ancient spirit, became a cult classic in Indonesia and gained a dedicated following around the world. Robotrix, a science fiction film about a group of scientists who create a group of advanced female robots, was praised for its unique take on the traditional “femme fatale” character. Both films have influenced pop culture and spawned a number of sequels and imitators. Through interviews with fans and experts, this episode explores the enduring appeal of these films and their place in the broader context of horror and science fiction.
A film too sexual for audiences to take at its deeper meaning. A film too awards-season for audiences to not want it to be about a sex joke. In this episode of the podcast, wade into the cultural impact of the films Lolita (1997) and My Octopus Teacher. Lolita, a drama film about a man’s obsession with a teenage girl, sparked controversy and debate upon its release for its depiction of pedophilia. The book was similarly not spared… but just what is Lolita? My Octopus Teacher, a documentary about a man’s relationship with an octopus, became a hit on streaming platforms and won numerous awards. Both films explore themes of love, obsession, and the blurred lines between humans and nature. Whether you’re a fan of taboos or tentacles, this episode has something for everyone.
Memory, identity, and the human experience. A podcast that just won’t quit. The films Koyaanisqatsi and Memoria are analyzed for their thematic elements. Koyaanisqatsi is a documentary film that explores the relationship between humans and the natural world, and the consequences of technological progress. Memoria is a drama film about a young man struggling to come to terms with his past and build a better future. Both films explore themes of memory, identity, and the human experience. Through a close examination of the films’ plot, characters, and themes, this episode offers a nuanced look at these thought-provoking and emotionally powerful films.
The rumors are true. Double Feature has returned. In this episode of the podcast, the cultural climate of streaming-only film releases is examined through a watch of recent movies Prey and Orphan: First Kill. Prey is a horror film about a group of friends who become stranded on a remote island and must fight for survival against a group of cannibalistic predators. Orphan: First Kill is an unlikely sequel to an underrated cult gem. Both films explore themes of survival, trust, and the dark side of human nature. As streaming-only releases have become more common in the film industry, these films and others like them have gained a niche and sometime random following among viewers who appreciate their unique blend of horror, suspense, and drama. This episode discusses the appeal of these films and their place in the broader context of streaming-only releases.
Double Feature completely resets the show. New listeners, start here. An all-new format – uncut, uncensored, unprovoked. Hosts with emotional stability issues now welcome. Nope is a film that explores the themes of spectacle, violence, and the erasure of Black people in American entertainment history – using science fiction and myth to fill in the gaps in the historical record and confront the grief and violence of that absence! On the other hands… The Black Phone explores the use of horror as a means of cultivating empathy and dealing with real-world trauma, as well as the importance of remembering and acknowledging the victims of evil in order to confront and prevent it.
