Cinema File Podcast
214 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 months ago - ★★★★★ - 13 ratingsAndrew Shearer has been the voice of film at OnlineAthens and the Athens Banner-Herald since 2009.
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Episodes
Cinema File 450: On "Wonder Park" and Parental Guidance
March 19, 2019 18:21 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBDoes the poor critical and audience response to Paramount Animation's "Wonder Park" say more about our attitudes towards what kinds of family movies have permission to address the subject of trauma than it does about the film itself? Take a ride in the car with OnlineAthens film critic Andrew Shearer for a free-form meditation on the successes and failings of modern family entertainment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Cinema File 449: O Captain! My Captain!
March 08, 2019 16:44 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBAndrew and Sam deliver an intergalactic power punch of new movie reviews including Captain Marvel, Madea Family Funeral, Border, Greta, Fighting With My Family, Period End of Sentence, Horror Noire and many more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Cinema File 447: "Greta" Expectations
March 04, 2019 14:56 - 26 minutes - 24.7 MBDo acclaimed, award-winning filmmakers always need to make highbrow cinema, or is it okay for them to sometimes have fun camping it up in the commercial realm? With "Greta," Neil Jordan, Isabelle Huppert and Chloe Grace Moretz might have just created a piece of modern grindhouse gold (or the goriest Lifetime movie ever, which is okay too). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Cinema File 446: Andrew Goes To College
March 01, 2019 16:57 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBOnlineAthens film critic Andrew Shearer was invited to speak to Betina Kaplan's Latin American Film Studies class at the University of Georgia on February 19th, 2019. With no journalism degree or formal training, Andrew details how he ended up covering film for the Banner-Herald over the past decade as well as his filmmaking adventures with local stars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 445: Jada will slay ya in 1995's "Demon Knight"
February 27, 2019 18:12 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MBA year before "Scream" was credited with breathing new life (death?) into the horror genre, longtime Spike Lee director of photography Ernest Dickerson broke new ground by casting Jada Pinkett as the hero of his underrated special fx monster fest "Demon Knight," released in 1995 under the "Tales From the Crypt" banner. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 444: Picks and predictions for the 2019 Academy Awards
February 20, 2019 03:31 - 38 minutes - 35 MBLet's not forget that despite the prestige and fanfare, the Oscars are a television show, and even people who haven't seen any of the nominees tune in to see what the American royalty (celebrities) are wearing to the event. But for movie fans, will there be any surprises? 2018 was an exciting year for film no matter what, but anytime the Academy breaks from tradition sends shock waves through the industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 443: The disarming wit of "Velvet Buzzsaw"
February 08, 2019 18:27 - 57 minutes - 52.7 MBThe only people who would feel safe putting their arm inside a giant chrome sphere are people who never saw a "Phantasm" movie, and they'd deserve whatever happened to them for not having seen a "Phantasm" movie. This episode incluses reviews of "Velvet Buzzsaw," "Piercing," "I/O," "Destroyer," "Fyre Festival," "If Beale Street Could Talk" and more. IG/Twitter @cinemandrew See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 442: Kidman fights crime, fake teeth and wigs in "Destroyer"
February 04, 2019 18:20 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBNicole Kidman got Theron'd up to 11 for her Oscar-nominated performance in Karyn Kusama's new crime thriller "Destroyer." She's just as good as you;d imagine but how's the rest of the movie? Hear Andrew and Xtina's SPOILERY notes after they leave the theatre. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 441: Hot tracks meet cold flesh in "Return of the Living Dead"
January 30, 2019 16:16 - 1 hour - 57.9 MB1985's "Return of the Living Dead" basically wrote the template for the modern horror comedy and added brains to the now-commonplace mythology seen in pretty much all zombie-related entertainment. In this episode, Andrew talks to Kate right after she watched the cult classic film for the first time. (Contains excerpts from "Burn the Flames" by Roky Erickson and "Trioxin Theme" by Francis Haines) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 440: Is "Glass" a train wreck (and does anyone survive)?
January 18, 2019 17:53 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBM. Night Shyamalan's "Glass" is the third part of a trilogy that began in 2000 with "Unbreakable" and returned as the surprise ending of 2016's "Split." Did the original film leave you wanting more, or did its genius lie in its simplicity? In this episode, Andrew reviews Shyamalan's latest and looks back at his entire filmography. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 439: The Oath, the Car, his wife & her lover
January 11, 2019 17:00 - 56 minutes - 51.4 MBVideo stores may be gone, but the clerks live on! Former Blockbuster reigster jockeys Andrew and Sam start the new year off with a bunch of new reviews including "The Oath," "Vice," "The Car: Road to Revenge," "Welcome to Marwen" and many more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 438: It's my Bird in a Box
January 04, 2019 14:13 - 27 minutes - 24.7 MBOver the holidays, Susanne Beir's "Bird Box" was viewed by over 45 milliion Netflix subscribers. Would it have been as successful had it been released to theatres, or would its similarities to movies like "A Quiet Place," "The Mist" and "The Happening" worked againt it in the crowded marketplace? Andrew looks into the possible reasons for its appeal and issues a challenge (that doesn't involve a blindfold). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 437: The best movies of 2018 (and a bunch of other stuff)
December 28, 2018 16:52 - 1 hour - 63.2 MBDidn't get everything you wanted for Xmas? How about one top 10 movie list, two top 5 movie lists, and reviews of Mary Poppins, Bumblebee, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse? You're welcome, and you don't have to get us anything. Well, ok, good reviews on iTunes wouldn't hurt. Actually, would you? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 436: Will "The Favourite" be your favorite?
December 24, 2018 05:34 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBAndrew and his friend Xtina went to see the R-rated period piece "The Favourite," and had a PG-13 conversation about it after. Will fans of director Yorgos Lanthimos enjoy it? Will people who have no idea who that is enjoy it? Will Olivia Colman get an Oscar? We talk about it all. Your ears have been warned. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 435 - Looking back at "Don't Look Now" (1973)
December 17, 2018 20:08 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBEnglish filmmaker Nicolas Roeg passed away the day after Thanksgiving this year, leaving behind one of the most incredible streaks of important cinema in a decade full of important cinema. In this episode, Andrew is joined by Amy from The Bloodlust podcast do take a look back at his 1973 feel-bad classic, "Don't Look Now" starring Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 434: iPhone filmmaking and fashion with Jennie Cain of Viva Wild
December 07, 2018 17:33 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBWe rely on smartphones for everything and can't seem to keep our hands off of them until it comes time to create "professional" videos and photography, but attitudes about what is truly needed to make valid art is changing. Athens, Georgia artist Jennie Cain is one of those leading the charge, and in this conversation she discusses finding power and how to be original in today's cultural landscape. Photo by @_alexarivera :: Explore @viva_wild See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 433 - One minute they're perfectly normal: "Rabid" (1977)
November 30, 2018 19:41 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MBAs the first images from the Soska Sisters' remake of fellow Canadian horror master David Cronenberg's landmark 1977 cult classic "Rabid" make the social media rounds, we take a look back at the original film with a leading lady almost as shocking as where they decided to put her fangs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 432 - Don't have an Oscars. Just give everything to "Widows."
November 16, 2018 18:51 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBThe easy way to describe how good "Widows" is would be to say director Steve McQueen proves he can be better at Scorsese than Scorsese is now, or that he gave us a look at what Hitchcock would've done with "Set It Off." But there's way more to it. Also on the podcast: why it's ok that Filmstruck is going away and a look at Stan Lee's contribution to the future of movies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 431 - "Suspiria" exists in defiance of horror gatekeepers
November 07, 2018 14:49 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBIn what may be a first in the history of horror film, Luca Guadagnino's remake of the 1977 Italian shocker "Suspiria" has absolutely no interest in the male fan base of the original. Instead, it forges its own unique path and emerges as a modern classic (and one of the year's grestest movies) in its own right. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 430: Does art belong in horror? Just ask "Ganja & Hess"
October 31, 2018 03:01 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBBill Gunn's groundbreaking 1973 art-horror film "Ganja & Hess" tells the story of an anthropologist (Duane Jones, "Night of the Living Dead") who becomes a vampire shortly before meeting a complex and elegant woman (Marlene Clark, "Switchblade Sisters") who challenges his existence. With gorgeous cinematography by James E. Hinton and experimental music by Sam Waymon, "Ganja" is a unique experience in the world of horror that transcends genre and time period. Andrew, Kate and Amy relate their ...
Ep. 429 - Forward slash: "Halloween"-style comeback plans for 5 horror icons
October 23, 2018 17:04 - 26 minutes - 24 MBIf history is any indication, the success of the new "Halloween" movie means our franchise-driven entertainment culture will likely see comebacks for at least one other slasher movie icon. In this episode, I take 5 over-sequelized movie maniacs and outline plans for their original survivors to return to finish what they started. Follow Andrew on IG/Twitter @cinemandrew See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 428 - You Can Learn a Lot From a (Haunted) Dummy
October 19, 2018 15:06 - 56 minutes - 51.6 MBWhy is Jack Black the new king of kiddie horror? Why does Drew Goddard need 2 1/2 hours to ape '90s Tarantino? And what Netflix series is entirely about feces? Find out as former video clerks Andrew and Sam review their most recently-watched movies! Included: Goosebumps 2, Bad TImes at the El Royal, Smallfoot, Hal, The House With a Clock in its Walls, American Vandals, Beast, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 427 - Being a Horror Fan is Getting Old
October 12, 2018 18:28 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBDo horror movies get under your skin as you get older, or do you not scare quite as easily? This episdode covers Atlanta's Monsterama convention, reaction to the new "Pet Sematary" trailer, Nicolas Cage's "Mandy" and more. Follow Andrew on Insta @cinemandrew See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 426 - An Expert's Guide to Kickstarting a 'Massacre'
October 03, 2018 20:06 - 49 minutes - 45.1 MBAfter a successful series of crowdfunding campaigns for family films and romantic comedies, Ohio-based director Henrique Couto started off October 2018 by raising half of his $13,000 goal in 24 hours for two slasher movie sequels. In this interview, Couto details his approach to using Kickstarter and some of the things indie filmmakers should (and should not) do when running their campaigns. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 425 - "Savage Beach": So nice, we went there twice
September 28, 2018 18:03 - 1 hour - 66.9 MBIf you ever saw an Andy Sidaris movie, you knew his style instantly. Heroic women, explosions, wailing guitar, and usually a ninja or two. In this episode, Andrew and Kate check out 2 of the 12 films in the LETHAL Ladies series: 1989's "Savage Beach" and its 1998 sequel, "Return to Savage Beach" starring cult film legend Julie Strain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 424: I Was A Teenage Blockbuster Manager
September 21, 2018 16:45 - 1 hour - 66.1 MBAndrew got a job at Blockbuster Video in 1995 right after graduating high school. By age 19, he was a manager with 6 Employee of the Month awards. This is where he and Sam met, and they share some of their VHS adventures in this episode (as well as some new movie recommendations, because old clerks never die; they just get PVT'd). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 423: We need to talk about "Sadie"
September 17, 2018 17:38 - 44 minutes - 41 MBProducer Lacey Leavitt ("Safety Not Guaranteed," "Laggies") is on tour with the new film "Sadie" as part of the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers, which stopped in Athens on Sept. 16th for a screening at the Morton Theatre. Lacey spoke to Andrew in the lobby about the serious topics the film addresses and the response it has received from audiences on the tour. Visit sadiefilm.com to find out when "Sadie" will be playing near you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...
Ep. 422 - The creepy ballet of "Suspiria" and "Black Swan"
August 31, 2018 15:26 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBWith the trailers for the upcoming "Suspiria" remake getting creepier and more mysterious, CultCore podcast hosts Kate Owens and Andrew Shearer take a look back at the 1977 Dario Argento original as well as Darren Aronofsky's 2010 spiritual sister film, "Black Swan." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 421 - A lifelong Muppet fan's reaction to "Happytime Murders"
August 24, 2018 18:29 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBThere's no question that Brian Henson's "Happytime Murders" is for an adult audience. But is the art of puppetry - especially when it comes to feature films - somehow reserved for kids only? OnlineAthens film columnist (and lifelong Muppet fan) Andrew Shearer had a few ranty thoughts after seeing the film. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 420 - Moviepass, I'm breaking up with you
August 16, 2018 12:54 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MBAfter almost one full year of membership, Moviepass reached an all-time low in its once mighty but now rapidly deteriorating service. Are they actively encouraging customers to cancel in an effort to make subscription numbers more manageable, or are members jumping ship prematurely? OnlineAthens movie critic Andrew Shearer finally cut his card, but Ohio filmmaker Henrique Couto is still hanging on. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
Ep. 419 - "BlacKkKlansman" shows age hasn't mellowed Spike Lee
August 10, 2018 17:49 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBSaying "BlacKkKlansman" is a comeback for Spike Lee would be ignorant, as he has proven a master in nearly every genre over multiple decades, but it's very much a sample of everything the director has learned and achieved as an artist. Take a trip back to 1979 for a true story that speaks truth to power in today's world.
Ep. 418 - I started crying 90 seconds into "Christopher Robin"
August 08, 2018 18:27 - 54 minutes - 50.3 MBFormer video clerks Andrew and Sam may not be sligning VHS tapes anymore, but they're still here to tell you about the best movies they've seen lately. Included in this episode are reviews for "Christopher Robin," "Night Comes On," "Game Night," "Wonder," "Teen Titans Go! To The Movies," "Eighth Grade" and more. Follow Andrew on IG/Twitter @cinemandrew
Ep. 417 - "Eighth Grade" will take you back, zits and all
August 03, 2018 02:24 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBWith "Eighth Grade," first time director Bo Burnham has crafted a light drama full of awkwardness, bravery, fear and triumph that is guaranteed to bring back memories of middle school whether you want it to or not. Think of it as a class reunion that only costs the price of a movie ticket (and a few squirms here and there).
Ep. 416 - CultCore: "Night of the Lepus" a hare-ifying '70s wonder
July 27, 2018 16:38 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBA staple of sleepy weekend afternoon television, 1972's mutant bunny flick "Night of the Lepus" might seem like something out of a childhood nightmare instead of a film that actually exists. Except it does, and it's out on blu ray now from Scream Factory. Feast your ears on Andrew and Kate's hare-raising discussion.
Ep. 415 - "Sorry To Bother You": Is it cool to like really weird movies?
July 20, 2018 12:29 - 29 minutes - 26.8 MBBoots Riley's debut feature "Sorry To Bother You" is an increasingly bizarre and powerful ride that recalls some of the best experimental comedies of decades past such as "Repo Man" and "Being John Malkovich," but is it still cool to like weird movies? Will it be dismissed in today's "what did I just watch" culture, or will audiences identify with and embrace its creativity and relevance?
Ep. 414 - CultCore: "May" and "Excision" rule the creepy girl school
July 19, 2018 13:44 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBThe creepy girl subgenre is probably one of the least often explored in all of horror cinema any yet almost always yields a classic whenever someone makes one. In this episode originally published in July of 2014, Andrew and Kate take a look at Lucky McKee's 2002 sleeper "May" and Richard Bates Jr's 2012 body horror comedy "Excision." Follow @cinemandrew on IG/Twitter for more stuffs.
Ep. 413 - Interview with "Classic City Queens" producer Trey Leonard
July 06, 2018 18:54 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBTrey Leonard served as producer of "Classic City Queens," a documentary that shines a light on the drag community in Athens, Georgia. Directed by Andie Leeds and edited by Alana Casto, the short was recently nominated in the long-form, nonfiction category for a Student Production Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Southeast. Trey spoke with Andrew about his experiences as a UGA film student and the importance of finding a compelling story. View the film at www.treyl...
Ep. 412 - May I borrow your sleeve, "Neighbor"?
June 30, 2018 13:59 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MBIf you cry watching the trailer for "Won't You Be My Neighbor," don't forget to wear long sleeves (or bring an entire box of Kleenex) when you go see it. And it's rated PG-13 for a reason: Like Fred Rogers and his pioneering childrens' show, the documentary is deeply affecting and even upsetting at times, but it's essential and unforgettable.
Ep. 411 - Top 5 Movies of 2018 (So Far)
June 22, 2018 18:50 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBIs a movie great just because it makes a lot of money? is a movie bad just because it doesn't? Former video clerks Andrew and Sam might not be beding the counter from you anymore, but they still watch a lot of movies. In this episode, they take a look at the top 5 best they've seen in 2018 so far.
Ep. 410 - CultCore: Anna Nicole, Action Hero
June 21, 2018 15:39 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBAnna Nicole Smith was famous for a lot of things, but her brief career as an action hero wasn't necessarily one of them. In this episode of our CultCore series, Kate Owens and I take a look back at her two explosive mid-90s direct-to-video flicks, "To The Limit" and "Skyscraper," both currently available on Amazon Prime.
Ep. 409 - "Superfly" brings summer's anti-heroes
June 15, 2018 14:49 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBFor his update of the iconic 1972 Gordon Parks Jr. action drama "Super Fly," Director X delivers an exciting - and surprisingly subversive - summer crime epic that has more car chases and kung-fu than you might expect, but it also stays true to the anti-heroes of the '70s instead of just using their names and image.
Ep. 408 - Try not to lose your head over "Hereditary"
June 07, 2018 22:15 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBWith "Hereditary," A24 takes another step forward in elevating what's become of the modern horror genre by taking a grim '70s style plot and conjuring up a few modern shocks to make it all go down easier. Does it work? Let's say there are more spoilers in the trailer than in this review.
Ep. 407 - Johnny Knoxville is the king of Fail (but his movies can't)
June 04, 2018 18:19 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MBIn a career that basically created "Fail Army" and its culture in 2000, King Jackass Johnny Knoxville apparently is allowed to keep failing as long as its his skull that gets hurt and not the box office of his movies. Here are my notes after seeing his latest, the period underdog comedy "Action Point."
Ep. 406 - "Solo" Scores So High
May 24, 2018 11:59 - 24 minutes - 22.1 MBEqual parts western, romance, heist flick and sci-fi action - and much like the main character and his crew - it's impossible to resist the breezy-paced charm of "Solo." My prediction is that "Star Wars" fans will probably want Ron Howard doing more entries in the franchise, Rian Johnson to do less, and Donal Glover to appear in all of them.
Ep. 405 - Daphne & Velma Don't Need Dudes Or A Dog
May 23, 2018 18:52 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBScooby, Shaggy and Fred are in trouble, and not the kind they're used to. Not just because they're nowhere to be found in "Daphne & Velma," but also because you won't miss them when you're watching it.
Ep. 404 - "Revenge" isn't a dish, but you'll get served
May 11, 2018 19:20 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBCoralie Fargeat's bloody thriller "Revenge" fought back in real life by featuring negative comments from male YouTube users in the film's trailer, making it clear that they are not the intended audience but rather the literal target. So who is "Revenge" for, and does it transcend the pitfalls of its genre or succumb to them?
Ep. 403 - Captain Andrew: The Worst Avenger
May 01, 2018 16:09 - 28 minutes - 26 MBSo I walked out about half way through "Avengers: Infinity War," but not because it was a bad movie. Has a life spent not being a fan of video games or episodic television finally got the best of me, ir is the Marvel Cinematic Universe truly broad enough for some of its films to appeal to specific audiences? Tell me on Instagram and Twitter @cinemandrew that I need to go back and finish.
Ep. 402 - What will the Hasbro Cinematic Universe be like?
April 23, 2018 13:19 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBInspired by last week's news that "The Fate of the Furious" and "Straight Outta Compton" director F. Gary Gray is set to helm a live action film based on (supposedly obscure) '80s toy franchise "M.A.S.K.," OnlineAthens movie columnist Andrew Shearer speculates on other Hasbro properties that could be turned into films, and the possibilities for a Marvel-like "shared universe." Follow Andrew on Instagram and Twitter @cinemandrew
Ep. 401 - Chopping it up with Chef Mia Mayo
April 17, 2018 14:18 - 1 hour - 76.5 MBDo old movies disintegrate when they get remade? Has modern horror fandom alienated old school geeks? Is the Masters of the Universe movie really ok? Hear all this and more as Andrew hits the kitchen with Daily Grindhouse columnist and culinary cut-up Mia Mayo.
Ep. 400 - Let's Get Physical (Media)
April 06, 2018 17:15 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBWhat's cool about having a library of movies at your house, apartment, igloo, deep sea diving bell, etc? What practical purpose does physical media serve in teh age of streaming and digital download? The answer - for me anyway - goes back generations. See my collection (and other movie-related nerdery) on Instagram @cinemandrew