I caught this at The Castro Movie Theater in San Francisco during their Midnite For Maniacs triple feature which they sometimes hold on Friday nights. It was the second feature and the place was packed. Great film, great audience, great night. It may not have been quite as cool as the time you guys and Jessica went to see JAWS with me at the Fremont last July…but it was VERY damn close.

Oh and Shawn…Paul Reiser definitely does not go FTW. I’d be happy to elaborate on that theory later on if you want, but I just got back and right now I need to get some sleep!

Marc if I could give me vote to you to do something useful with I’d be happy to go along with that, but for obvious reasons that ain’t gonna happen. You are right though, maybe its time for me to grow up and start being a responsible citizen. When you start seeing repulsive videos popping up of people being beheaded just because they are American and in the wrong place at the wrong time then maybe its time for me to start taking my vote seriously. Seeing things of that nature leaves me far more angry than horrified, and so maybe I should remember that anger when I start to shrug off the election. Maybe it is worth it for me to vote just to take a (very)small step toward making this an America where we are not hated by every other country.

Also it sounds like you have seen the other variations of the “last man on earth” flicks. If you say Big Willy Style does justice to the role than I will try to track it down – though I think its probably gone from theaters by now. I always thought Will Smith was a talented and capable actor and I’m glad he was able to make the jump into some more serious roles. I still can’t forgive him for stealing the first ever “Best Rap Performance” grammy from Public Enemy. Parents Just Don’t Understand over Don’t Believe the Hype? PLEASE. I guess I just have a rather strong fondness for both Price and Heston for their hammy overacting greatness – gotta love it! That fondness probably stems from the fact that Price is sadly no longer with us and Heston probably doesn’t have much time left on the great big clock. It was interesting to find out that the idea for that remake was being kicked around so long that it was originally proposed that Ridley Scott direct and that the star would be none other than our own governor Ah-nuld. Now THAT I would pay to see, HA!

I agree that the original “Alien” film is spectacular and I appreciate it a little more every time I see it, but you have to accept that hollywood isn’t going to churn out another monster flick of that level with the current state of the biz. Alien was the last great horror film to be added to a decade that was full of great thrillers and horror flicks. They don’t make em like that anymore. The 70′s were special like that. However Cloverfield was a good effort I feel, and although some will gripe about the camera it is the gimmick of the hand held camera that makes the film work over what would have been just another Godzilla pic. If you can find it on the big screen then it is definitely worth seeing. Wasn’t “Aliens” a really kick@$$ sequel though?

Kiss confused me at first. They have this reputation for being a hard core band that are totally about rebellion against your parents. Then you learn they are responsible for totally mild and dull songs like “Rock and Roll All Night” and it’s like whuh? 89 year old folk singers perform edgier material.

If you want an interesting interview listen to the one with Terry Gross interviewing Alice Cooper. Cooper actually intelligently explains the appeal of himself and of groups like Kiss. I guess it’s really more about the performance than about the music.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14138145

“I can’t believe that guy threw his chewing gum wrapper on the sidewalk. And he was wearing white pants after Labor Day. What a horrible movie!”

And then Shawno says, “Are you sure you don’t know where you left the umbrella?”

Meanwhile, I just can’t stop the Podcast Roundup. It’s taken on a life of its own:

And now we’ve mentioned him again

Diana,
Linnea’s sounds great. I don’t work that day. Call me (or, maybe email).

Teacher Marc,
Cloverfield is great. Check it out.
And, I think I know a bit more about politics than it might seem. I know that Obama was senator in IL, and people were pretty happy with him there. I have been noting who drops out of the race for president, and who won the primaries in different states. Can’t make sense of the numbers, though. I’ve actually gone around the net, and read stuff of a few of the candidates, and all that, so I could decide who to vote for. I just seem ignorant when ya put a microphone in front of me, I guess!

Rowley,
Started watching “Black Books”. I think that guy is me, in a parallel universe!

The Parallax View (Matt),
OMG! You finally listened to a show! Yay! And ya wrote a book, too. Awesome! As far as Juno, I did not remember that Juno told Paulie that he was the father, but, now that I think about it, I remember. Still, I don’t think Paulie really “got it”. And your driving wasn’t bad at all, it was just the aftereffects of the Cloverfield movie, and the camera work that finally got me. No worries. Heh. You big comment reminds me of a certain goodbye letter!

Oh, and Will Smith by far out performs his predecessors as Robert Neville. He’s amazing. Check it out.

It took a “couple” reminders but I FINALLY got round to listening to one of your podcasts. Although it was the first it will, probably, not be the last. No seriously though, in all honesty it was really good and I was decidedly impressed. This is in all likelihood the most banal things anyone who knows you could say but you two play off each other very well and make for a good team – but I do mean it sincerely. At first it seemed as though Shawn was dominating and I thought: “YO, relax Shawn”, but then Jenn got in on a lot of the fun as well and it came off great. Love the name Hyper Nonsense too, mad props to both of you for that.

Couple of thoughts:

Hate me now, but I have NEVER voted in my life. Call me what you like, but I just don’t feel it makes any difference. The idealism in me died long ago. Having said that, this election figures to be one of huge historical importance for numerous and obvious reasons. I am very interested to see who will represent for Democratic party. Just don’t expect to see me at any voting booths later on.
Shawn, I’m glad you stopped playa hatin on Trader Joe’s. Ain’t nuthin wrong with tha TJ. I feel you in that I too changed my tune on that establishment after trying but a few of them items. My only gripe (and its legit I feel) is that the place is always so DAMN crowded. I have tried to be a Slick Rick and go at odd times when I think its logical that less people will be there only to find that everyone else in town had the same “bright” idea. So it always backfires and blows up like a Civil War musket. I have never felt so claustrophobic in a grocery store. Also, what are you two doing buying wine at TJ’s that ISN’T Two Buck Chuck? I mean seriously.
I like the Flux Capacitor/ Back To The Future reference. Did I mention that I recently met Crispin Glover aka GEORGE MCFLY???!!!!1 Oh yeah, only about a couple dozen times.
I agree that the third HP film was easily the best. Not to name drop but it was directed by Alfonso Cuarón who also directed the exceptional “Children of Men”, which is, I think, one of the best films of this decade and easily the one of the best films I have seen in a theater on its first run in a long long time.
Haven’t seen “I am Legend”, but although I dig Will Smith, Big Willy Style ain’t got NUTHIN on Vincent Price or Charlton Heston – the two actors who played his character in previous adaptations of the story.
I like your commentary on Juno. It seems you guys thought about the film a lot more than I did after seeing it. It was a nice good solid film, but I’m not sure if it is anything too special, and I don’t see it collecting much, if anything, at the Oscars this weekend. Two things though: Juno did in fact tell Paulie(the boy that got her pregnant) that she was indeed pregnant by him before she went to the abortion clinic. This was as he was leaving his house early in the morning to catch up with his fellow track mofos. Remember she camped out in his yard that night with her friend so she could catch him on the way out. Once she sees his reaction to the news she assures him that it’s okay and she is going to take care of it, or something to that effect. Also, if I remember correctly, isn’t there a scene where she convinces her father not to tell Paulie’s parents? I could be wrong, but that would explain why his parents were not really in the frame.
Jenn I’m sorry my mad driving skillz made you feel sick after seeing Cloverfield. You should tell me to pull over next time!!! j/k. Shawn did you ever figure out what the voice says at the end of the film? Don’t tell me we waited an extra three minutes just to hear the “Cloverfield Overture”. You both picked up on this but I wanted to add to the ridiculousness of the camcorder. I understand why you couldn’t say this in your podcast, but I just thought I’d point out this irony *****SPOILERS***** Not only does the camera take a lickin and keep on tickin, but it outlives all the main characters! I mean the footage had to be recovered somehow, right? It survived being in the monster’s mouth whereas the cameraman – “Hud”- was bitten in half or decapitated……or something. It also survived the collapsing of the tunnel in the park whereas the two wound be lovers appear to have perished. I thought that was pretty funny all things considered.
Had to pass up on the Gene Simmons interview. I really cannot stand kiss. They are like the poor man’s aerosmith – who were already the poor man’s Rollingstones. Both bands should be taken out back and shot as far as I’m concerned. Nothing more pathetic than dinosaur- rock- band- has- beens. Although I should maybe hold my tongue because U2 will get there someday soon. Kiss was really just classic example of a style over substance band and their songs say little to nothing at all. “i wanna rock and roll all night, and party everyday” wow, thats deep…and thats like their whole freakin tag line! They are to the 70′s what madonna was to the 80s and 90s.

Okay that was WAY too long but since it was my first time listening I just thought I’d give y’all a long response. Loved the show and look forward to hearing more. Btw is that “Teacher Marc” the same one who worked Saturday mornings? Whats up, yo? Its Matt – you know the nefarious white guy you always got stuck at the cash warp with.