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Back to the Balcony

198 episodes - English - Latest episode: 24 days ago - ★★★ - 2 ratings

An amused second look at movies and culture from the last century.

Film Reviews TV & Film Comedy
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Episodes

196 Groundhog Day

April 05, 2024 06:32 - 45 minutes - 42.6 MB

It's hard to review funny movies but Groundhog Day may be the most hilarious and the most well thought out comedy movie of all time. Guest Scott Faulconbridge makes a compelling argument for why it's so good and what we respond to in the movie.

Two Generations on the Road to Morocco (1942)

March 22, 2024 06:13 - 51 minutes - 46 MB

What happens two distant generations meet a movie hit from the 40's? Will it stand up or was this a huge mistake? Mario Bernardi guests with Chris Jarvie (who is literally, half his age) to talk about the best of the Bob Hope and Bing Crosby road pictures, The Road to Morocco. Is here a renaissance coming, will a new generation embrace it? Will the old generation ev en remember it? Turns out to be a pretty fascinating discussion with an unexpected obstacle to universal acceptance.

Back to School (1986)

March 08, 2024 06:58 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MB

Bret Measor joins Jimmy along with guest engineer Kristian Reimer (who forgot to turn his microphone on) to talk about the legacy of Rodney Dangerfield and his 1986 movie, Back to School. Bret loves it, Jimmy likes it but wishes it could have revealed more of Rodney and less shenanigans. Is he right or Bret? Give it a listen to find out. 

Leslie Nielsen - Comedian?

February 23, 2024 10:25 - 46 minutes - 41.7 MB

Ryan Sim and Mitch McBeaudry join Jimmy to figure out if Leslie Neilen is a great comedian or someone who just got lucky a couple times and coasted on that career ever afterwards. Ryan Sinm says he was a natural comedian and 1988's The Naked Gun proves it. Mitch says no, just look at 1995's Dracula: Dead and Loving It. Somewhere's along the way Mel Brooks gets bashed.

Most Romantic - The Notebook (2004) Or Casablanca (1942)

February 09, 2024 19:11 - 50 minutes - 43 MB

Just in time for Valentine's Day it's Chris Wuergler and Kristian Reimer the most romantic movie. Is it 2004's paean to gooey love The Notebook or that tale of gritty sacrifice, 1942's Casablanca? A fun episode that also speaks to the romance in all of us.

Uncle Buck (1989)

January 26, 2024 05:49 - 50 minutes - 47.1 MB

Mario Bernardi and guest engineer Ryan Sim join Jimmy to re-visit Uncle Buck and the curious idea that no one understands children like somebody who doesn't have any. That's just one of the plot holes in a movie that still stands up surprisingly well. Listen to find out why.

The Fugitive (1993)

January 12, 2024 07:23 - 52 minutes - 45.2 MB

Guest Chris Wuergler and engineer Phil are totally in love with this movie. No, I mean really. I've never seen so much enthusiasm coupled with amazement that Jimmy doesn't share their infatuation.

What About Bob? (1991)

December 29, 2023 05:00 - 42 minutes - 39.6 MB

Mario Bernardi revisits a movie he hated the first time around. His reaction this time is completely different. So what caused the change because it didn't have that effect on Jimmy.

Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)

December 15, 2023 11:11 - 50 minutes - 44.1 MB

Bob Kerr is one of our most thoughtful, insightful, truly original guests and a man who loves the magic of Christmas. And yet, his favourite Christmas movie is Ernest Saves Christmas. Jimmy thinks the only magic is what kept the franchise going to this point. A funny review that takes us all back to our younger days when the standards weren't as high.

Rush Hour (1998)

December 01, 2023 06:42 - 47 minutes - 42.5 MB

Guest Ronald Hae sees Rush Hour as more comedy than drama. Phil leans towards the suspense. Jimmy leans towards end of life therapy if he ever has to watch it again. 

Back to the Future Versus Hot Tub Time Machine

November 17, 2023 05:40 - 47 minutes - 44.1 MB

Somehow this got away from Jimmy when Patrick Coppolino admitted that Manolis Zontanos was right and Back to the Future was the better movie. But he still found enough redeeming value in Hot Tub Time Machine to put up a spirited defence. And then Manolis starts definding it. Very funny episode with a couple of naturally funny people.

Time Bandits (1981)

November 03, 2023 05:13 - 45 minutes - 40.5 MB

Guest Greg Dobrowski wants to talk about a most unusual movie, 1981's Time Bandits. it's kind of like the Wizard of Oz on acid. It's kind of like a lot of things, but is it a good movie? Jimmy has some strong feelings here.

Friday the 13th Versus Nightmare on Elm Street

October 20, 2023 04:02 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MB

Guests Ryan Sim and Mitch McBeaudry face off again to determine not just the best movie but the best movie franchise, Friday the 13th versus Nightmare on Elm Street. Jimmy found both movies so scary he hosted the show from under the covers.

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (1962)

October 06, 2023 04:48 - 46 minutes - 43 MB

Guest Keh Dee dips way back in the past to the birth of Hag Horror for the classic tale of sisters and fame with 1962's Whatever Happened to Baby Jane starring two of classic Hollywood's screen divas - who happened to share a mutual hatred in real life. Jimmy can't believe she chose a movie he's wanted to talk about for eight years.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

September 22, 2023 17:16 - 51 minutes - 45.3 MB

Bob Kerr returns with a new kind of horror, 1991's Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Funny as always but there's also an interesting segment about whether The Terminator movies are the source of everyone's anxiety about AI. Jimmy's not worried but then he's still getting over the shock of moveable type. That's a really smart joke.

License to Kill VS Casino Royale - The Best James Bond

September 08, 2023 05:38 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MB

Chris Jarvie and Ryan Schnider join Jimmy to decide the best James Bond movie of all time, 1989's License to Kill or 2006's Casino Royale. Weird fact: License to Kill has nothing to do with Bond's license and outside of the card game taking place there, Casino Royale has nothing to do with the casino. Where do they get these names?

Breaking Away (1979)

August 25, 2023 05:53 - 43 minutes - 42.7 MB

Quick, name another movie where bicycle racing played a major part? Yeah, Jimmy and Mario couldn't either. Mind you, Mario contends this isn't a sports movie, it's a coming of age movie. Jimmy's not so sure. Special guest engineering by Len Perdic.

A Star Is Born Vs. Tropic Thunder

August 11, 2023 04:48 - 44 minutes - 39.7 MB

What's the best movie about show business? Chris Wuergler thinks it's 2018's A Star is Born. Barry Carter disagrees, he says it's 2008's Tropic Thunder. You couldn't get two movies that were further apart yet they both make a convincing argument. And Jimmy will say? Listen to find out.

Murder By Death (1976)

July 28, 2023 05:16 - 44 minutes - 103 MB

This could very well be the companion  episode to the one we did a couple months ago about the movie Clue (with Dave Sokolowski). This time Mario Bernardi praises Murder By Death and Jimmy finds it's not the comic gem he remembers. Whose right? You may be surprised.

100th Anniversary Show

July 14, 2023 04:05 - 1 hour - 144 MB

We know our 100th anniversary was a couple years ago but thanks to Covid we had to put off our big celebration - until now! So much fun, so many great memories - plus ice cream cake and champagne. Stories, insights, jokes - even a quiz. What a great way to kick off season 8.

Mighty Ducks (1992) Vs. Slap Shot (1977)

June 30, 2023 05:56 - 44 minutes - 101 MB

The gloves come off when comedians Gerry Hall and Chris Jarvie try and decide what's the greatest hockey movie of all time. Both are big sports fans - which begs the question why talk about the most under-represented sport in cinema history? According to Wikipedia, there's more films about bull fighting. Funny episode.

Silence Vs. The Departed

June 16, 2023 04:00 - 50 minutes - 115 MB

Guests Joel Van Vliet and Allie Moore insisit that Martin Scorsese makes the most intense movies - they just can agree about which one is best. Joel says it's 2016's Silence, Allie says it's 2006's The Departed. So essentially a movie about priests in Japan is more intense than a movie about infiltraters in the police and gangs of Boston. Jimmy doesn't say much in this one - they do all the work for him. Our most fast paced episode.

Clue (1985)

June 02, 2023 04:00 - 45 minutes - 105 MB

Comedian Dave Sokolowski considers Clue a great movie because it so seamlessly builds on the characters of the board game. Jimmy thinks that's a liability. Funny for what it is or not funny because of what it is? Give it a listen and tell us what you think.

Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery Vs. Moonraker

May 20, 2023 13:04 - 51 minutes - 119 MB

This shaped up to be a cakewalk deciding which was the best spy spoof movie of all time. Instead, things got turned around in one of our funniest episodes with guests Ryan Sim and Mitch McBeaudry.

Fahrenheit 451 (1966)

May 05, 2023 04:00 - 46 minutes - 106 MB

Is it about books or TV or censorship or ridiculous ideas? Mario Bernardi and Jimmy go back in time to talk about the movie based on a book they had to read in high school. While they don't reveal how they did when tested on it you get a pretty good idea based on their discussion. Surprisingly insightful.

Lawnmower Man Versus Star Wars - A New Hope

April 21, 2023 05:50 - 51 minutes - 118 MB

Patrick Coppolino and Kristian Reimer join Jimmy to determine once and for all which movie has the worst special effects. Patrick Coppolino makes a pretty convincing argument for 1992's The Lawnmower Man. Kristian Reimer makes a surprisingly convincing argument for every tampered version of 1977's Star Wars - A New Hope. Most shocking reveleation: Patrick has never seen Star Wars.

A Day at the Races (1937)

April 07, 2023 05:00 - 44 minutes - 102 MB

Will anybody remember the Marx Brothers in fifty years? That's just one of the things Jimmy and guest Mario Bernardi ponder as they talk about a movie that isn't even the best Marx Brothers movie. So why not talk about their best? According to Mario, it's only for one reason: Tuttsi-fruittsi. If that doesn't mean anything you definitely have to give a listen. Fun and you might even learn something about some comedians who deserve to be remembered.

The Bodyguard (1992)

March 24, 2023 05:25 - 55 minutes - 127 MB

Once in a great while a movie comes along that makes Jimmy appreciate how good Love Story was. Chris Wuergler does it again with The Bodyguard, part Whitney Houston music video, part Kevin Costner trying to remember how many emotions he knows.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

March 10, 2023 06:24 - 51 minutes - 118 MB

Okay, it's a sexist comment but would you really expect Chris Wuergler to bring us 1994's The Shawshank Redemption? Traditional wisdom is women don't want to see a movie that doesn't have women in it but Chris has a deep and abiding affection for this one. Jimmy is hard pressed to disagree and Phil goes missing in action for a while.

Johnny Dangerously (1984)

February 24, 2023 14:00 - 48 minutes - 111 MB

Comedian Larry Smith tries to convince Jimmy there's something beautifully funny about the movie Johnny Dangerously even if it's not great art. It's fascinating how two individuals can look at the same thing and see two different things. A funny look at a movie that may or may not be funny.

Rocky III (1982)

February 10, 2023 05:30 - 46 minutes - 107 MB

Good grief, guest Bret Measor can't stop talking about the Rocky movies! This time it's Rocky III. Jimmy says it's just another formula fight movie, Bret begs to differ - then insists Rocky IV has to be next. Nice try, Bret.

Spaceballs Versus Shaun of the Dead

January 27, 2023 06:29 - 47 minutes - 109 MB

And now for something entirely different - that isn't Monty Python. Mitch McBeaudry and Ryan Sim face off to determine the best movie parody of all time. Is it Spaceballs or Shaun of the Dead? Or something entirely different (that still isn't Monty Python). Give a listen and then let us know your candidate.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

January 13, 2023 21:36 - 47 minutes - 109 MB

Guest David Green spares us some time (that's a very clever pun when you see what the movie is), to talk about The Big Lebowski. Okay, maybe it's not all that clever but it is a fun podcast. A real treat for Coen brothers fans.

Heathers (1989)

December 30, 2022 06:21 - 50 minutes - 115 MB

The ever insightful Bob Kerr joins Jimmy to talk about 1989's Heathers. Besides movie talk there's speculation on the state of croquet and a fascinating discussion on the viability of cow tipping. 

Die Hard (1988)

December 16, 2022 06:59 - 46 minutes - 107 MB

It's a Christmas miracle! That's guest Chris Jarvie's explanation for all the insanity in 1988's Die Hard, a movie requiring millions of dollars worth of destruction to repair a marriage and help a cop learn to kill again. What a heart-warming Christmas movie.

Trains, Planes and Automobiles (1987)

December 02, 2022 06:41 - 49 minutes - 116 MB

Planes, Trains and Automobiles is one of the most beloved holiday movies that everybody forgets. People generally forget it but when you bring it up they go, "Oh yeah, I really like that movie." It's such a perfect movie that even Jimmy is hard pressed to disagree with guest Mario Bernardi.

The Jerk (1979)

November 18, 2022 13:46 - 46 minutes - 108 MB

The Jerk was either ground-breaking or destroying. Guest Mario Bernardi is of two minds, he remembers it with fondness from his youth but finds much to cringe about today. Did it show us the Steve Martin we'd later come to love? Download to find out.

Nothing But Trouble (1991)

November 04, 2022 05:39 - 44 minutes - 102 MB

Having plummed the quality level with Howard the Duck, it was thought all but impossible to find anything worse this side of Ed Wood. Then along comes Bobby Knauff with Nothing But Trouble. Blew the budget making it slick, just forgot to make it worth watching - but that's just Jimmy's opinion.

Gremlins (1984)

October 21, 2022 05:16 - 46 minutes - 106 MB

The seasonally challenged but still lovable Kristian Reimer brings us 1984's Gremlins - a movie that insists they aren't called Gremlins for some reason. They insist on a lot of unbelievable stuff that Jimmy finds less than believable. 

You've Got Mail (1998)

October 07, 2022 07:21 - 39 minutes - 90.8 MB

People like Tom Hanks in You've Got Mailed give love a bad name. Meg Ryan doesn't have the business accumen to run a lemonade stand. Hard words but food for a lively debate on the merits of the movie with guest Chris Wuergler.

Romancing The Stone (1984)

September 23, 2022 04:15 - 46 minutes - 106 MB

Chris Wuergler joins us to talk about Romancing The Stone. Is it a movie about romance or adventure? And about that ending - who should get the money. JImmy has thoughts but then when hasn't he?

North by Northwest (1959)

September 09, 2022 05:00 - 43 minutes - 100 MB

Guest Pat Ordowich joins Jimmy to consider what made North by Northwest a great movie. Turns out it was one of the actors. Hint: It wasn't James Mason.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

August 26, 2022 05:16 - 46 minutes - 106 MB

Is Pulp Fiction a comedy or a gangster film. Jimmy says comedy but guest Manolis Zontanos disagrees. As usual Phil takes the guest side. Is he wrong? Listen to find out.

My Cousin Vinny (153)

August 12, 2022 05:15 - 49 minutes - 114 MB

My Cousin Vinny pits Jimmy's notorious dislike for leaps of logic and guest Scott Faulconbridge's equally notorious willingness to enjoy anything that's put in front of him. Interesting sidebar about why comedy doesn't get enough respect from the movies.

Back to the Future (1985)

July 29, 2022 05:01 - 52 minutes - 119 MB

Guest host Joal Van Vliet mercilessly grills a surprise guest on what makes Back to the Future so bad. Turns out he's out of his mind.  Give a listen and see if you don't agree.

Howard The Duck (1986)

July 15, 2022 12:36 - 42 minutes - 98 MB

Ryan Sim provides a vigorous defence of the movie Howard the Duck while admitting he fell asleep three times while watching it. He also demonstrates an appalling ignorance of pop culture when he admits to not knowing who H. R. Pufnstuf is. 

Kentucky Fried Movie (1977)

July 01, 2022 05:07 - 43 minutes - 100 MB

A weird movie that enjoyed a vogue in the seventies and eventually spawned the beloved Airplane! Guest Mario Bernardi keeps saying he didn't like it but he keeps finding moments to enjoy. Jimmy revels in it.

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

June 17, 2022 05:03 - 47 minutes - 109 MB

Guest Mitch McBeaudry takes a $25,000 film school education and tries to explain why An American Werewolf in London is a great movie. Jimmy restrains himself from suggesting he's owed a refund.

The Man Who Fell To Earth (1976)

June 03, 2022 05:30 - 47 minutes - 110 MB

Mario Bernardi brings The Man Who Fell to Earth - a movie he saw on first release but which he remembers virtually nothing. But something spoke to him this time. It spoke to Jimmy too and he wanted to turn on something else.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

May 20, 2022 05:40 - 47 minutes - 110 MB

Now would could be wrong with a great movie like this? A lot, surprisingly - but is it still entertaining once the band-aids come off (that's a great mummy pun - too bad there isn't a mummy in the movie)? Give a listen and be the judge.