If there’s one thing we know about the xenomorphs in the Alien films, it’s that they’re very, very good at reproducing themselves… Join us this episode as we watch the new sci-fi horror picture Alien: Romulus and its 1979 sci-fi horror granddaddy, Alien, and ask ourselves: is it possible we might have watched the same […]
Author: James Ruzicka
Popcorn Counter: In Dreams
Going to the cinema is like experiencing a shared dream. (Especially when the film is so bad we fall asleep in it – and that’s happened to us more than a few times.) But who is the finest auteur of films as dreams? Is it Federico Fellini, or David Lynch, or is it Arnold Schwarzenegger […]
Twisters vs The Wizard of Oz: Twisted Wizards
We’re processing trauma and fighting a mighty wind at the Two Reel Cinema Club this episode, as we go to see the new weather-based action sequel Twisters, and compare it to the 1939 family classic The Wizard of Oz. Twisters can’t stop quoting from Oz, but the parallels don’t end there: both films centre around […]
Popcorn Counter: The Song-Movies-Name-Quiz
(*Turns to camera*) You may remember that back in the 1980s and 90s they used to name a lot of films after songs. Seriously. A LOT. It was like an actual thing. So come and join us at the Popcorn Counter this week, where we’ve turned those Song-Named-Movie-Tune-Films into a Song-Named-Movie-Tune-Film-QUIZ. (*Cut to title card […]
Popcorn Counter: Community in Conspiracy
With films like Capricorn One, Three Days of the Condor and The Parallax View, the Watergate scandal meant the 1970s was the golden age of Hollywood conspiracy thrillers. OR WAS IT?! Join us at the Popcorn Counter this episode as we keep our heads down and ask in quiet voices if conspiracy cinema is not as simple […]
Fly Me To The Moon vs Capricorn One: Moon Units
We’re lost in the desert, deep in conspiracy country this episode, as we enjoy the new Scarlett Johansson / Channing Tatum ‘how they could have faked the moon landings’ rom com Fly Me To The Moon, and compare it to its direct antecedent, the 1977 Elliot Gould ‘how they might fake the Mars landings’ thriller […]
Popcorn Counter: Funny Ha Ha
We’re wiping away the tears of a clown at the Popcorn Counter this episode, as we spend a happy twenty minutes asking: how come so many well known actors got their start as stand up comedians, and yet there seem to be so few films about comedians? We draw parallels between comedians and writers, wonder […]
I Used to be Funny vs Punchline: I Used to be a Punchline
It’s comedy night at the Two Reel Cinema Club this episode, as we watch the new Canadian dramedy I Used To Be Funny and compare it to an early Tom Hanks picture, Punchline, from 1988. Both films are set in and around stand-up comedy venues, and it’s fascinating to see what’s changed and what’s not […]
Popcorn Counter: The Eponymous Movie Quiz
Everyone loves a quiz. Well, we do. Well, one of us does. This week at the Popcorn Counter, Maurice has inspired us to make a note of just how many eponymous films there are on the IMDb. So join us for an eponymous movie quiz, where we’ll give you a trickle of clues to help […]
Am I Ok? vs Maurice: Is Maurice Ok?
Everyone’s coming out this week at the Two Reel Cinema Club, as we watch the new-ish Tig Notaro comedy Am I Ok? and compare it to 1987’s Merchant Ivory heritage picture Maurice. When stood next to each other these two films have a lot to say about the experience of coming out as LGBTQ a […]