Film Junk Podcast

"I've seen people as they are, without pretense. I've seen their beauty and their ugliness with my own eyes." At long last, Film Junk is finally showing legendary director Akira Kurosawa a little love with a review of his 1958 epic adventure film The Hidden Fortress. Is it one of his all-time masterpieces? Many would argue not. But it is a pretty fun watch that served as a loose inspiration for Star Wars, which was our excuse for digging into it. Is Toshiro Mifune one of the manliest actors who ever lived? How do you hide gold inside wood? Should older movies be held up to the same level of plot scrutiny as modern ones? Does every fire festival serve terrible sandwiches? Grab your yari and meet us on the battlefield for the latest episode of Film Junk, you shitworm.

May the Schwartz be with you! To kick off Star Wars month here on Film Junk, we are revisiting a beloved parody film from Mel Brooks, which also happened to have been a very formative experience for a certain budding Prince of Comedy. Spaceballs may not be Brooks' most acclaimed or successful movie but it very well could be his most ludicrous. What makes a great comedy that stands the test of time? Was Spaceballs the first movie in cinema history to use an extended shot for comedic purposes? Why is there no Luke Skywalker equivalent in this movie? Do we have any hope at all for the upcoming sequel? Get surrounded by assholes and check out the latest episode of the Film Junk Podcast.

"I just feel so alone, even when I'm surrounded by other people." On this week's episode, we return to Tokyo for a bleary-eyed re-evaluation of Sofia Coppola's 2003 indie dramedy Lost in Translation. Despite being often referenced on the podcast, it was time to finally let Frank air his grievances about this era of Bill Murray's career and see how the movie holds up over 20 years later. Is it really intended as a May-September romance or is it just about the need for connection? Does the movie's view of quirky Japan feel overly snarky and borderline racist? Is it a dick move for an actor to ask if he should turn his head left or right? Has anyone actually figured out the secret whisper at the end of the movie? Pour yourself a glass of whiskey and make it Suntory time with the latest Film Junk Podcast.

"I just feel so alone, even when I'm surrounded by other people." On this week's episode, we return to Tokyo for a bleary-eyed re-evaluation of Sofia Coppola's 2003 indie dramedy Lost in Translation. Despite being often referenced on the podcast, it was time to finally let Frank air his grievances about this era of Bill Murray's career and see how the movie holds up over 20 years later. Is it really intended as a May-September romance or is it just about the need for connection? Does the movie's view of quirky Japan feel overly snarky and borderline racist? Is it a dick move for an actor to ask if he should turn his head left or right? Has anyone actually figured out the secret whisper at the end of the movie? Pour yourself a glass of whiskey and make it Suntory time with the latest Film Junk Podcast.

Who's fighting and what for? Why are we fighting? The idealism of the '60s gave way to tragedy and darkness in December 1969 as captured in the seminal Rolling Stones documentary Gimme Shelter. Directed by The Maysles Brothers and Charlotte Zwerin, this is more than just a concert film but rather a complex masterwork that would influence non-fiction filmmakers for many generations to come. Is there a difference between direct cinema and cinema verité? Is Mick Jagger's stage banter "cringe"? Should all live musical performances sound just like the original album recording? Who is better... The Beatles or The Rolling Stones? Get yer ya-ya's out on this week's episode of Film Junk.