Considering the Cinema Ep. 033: The DVD Infatuation Podcast – August 2020

Posted on August 22, 2020 by producer

With the release of Episode 033 of Considering the Cinema, you’re hearing dreams coming true and history in the making! So many people for so long have hoped and wished for a podcast run by “the Leonard Maltin of the Internet,” an American Treasure, the Amazing but Subtle Dave “Dr. Shock” Becker! Since 2010, Dave has been the author of the prolific film blog DVD Infatuation.com, with which Dave completed a remarkable challenge where he reviewed 2,500 movies! (Jay conducts two great interviews with Dave during and after this challenge. Listen to those here: First Interview and Retrospective Interview.)

But finally, for the first time ever, Considering the Cinema is proud to present The DVD Infatuation Podcast with Dave “Dr. Shock” Becker! Dave brings you a great episode, just under an hour long, that’s comprised of three great segments: Film Critic Influences and François Truffaut, A Year in Movies: 1981 (including Dave’s Top 20 for that year) and Music in the Movies: Frank Sinatra. This debut episode of The DVD Infatuation Podcast a must-listen podcast episode! If you enjoy this episode, let us know! Watch for Dave’s September 2020 edition next month!

Thanks for checking out Considering the Cinema Podcast and Considering Horror Cinema, The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of Movie Podcasting… Don’t forget: You can email Jason at ConsideringTheCinema@gmail.com or post a comment in the show notes for this episode. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Ep. 032: Why M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village (2004) Is a Masterpiece

Posted on July 30, 2020 by producer

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Today, as this episode releases, is July 30, 2020 — the 16-year anniversary of the release of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village (2004). For those who don’t know, “The Village” is a social-psychological Thriller about how innocence can be lost by trying to protect it too fiercely.

If you could spend three hours and 17 minutes trying to explain why your all-time favorite movie is a masterpiece, would you do it? Damn right! Your host of Considering the Cinema, Jason Pyles (aka “Jay of the Dead”), has spent years trying to explain why M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village (2004) is his all-time favorite film and and cinematic masterpiece. It is doubtful that anyone will listen to all three hours and 17 minutes, but Jay just had to put this out there on the official record. Plus, if someone ever asks for an explanation again, this episode exists!

Don’t worry, this isn’t a three-hour solocast! In Episode 032, Jay welcomes three different special guests, including his wife, Natalie Pyles, filmmaker and podcaster Joshua Ligairi, and filmmaker Mack Robins. This episode is comprised of five sections, namely Section 1: Memories of Opening Night with guest Natalie Pyles, Section 2: Box Office, Section 3: Story and Theme with guest Wolfman Josh Ligairi, Section 4: Technical Filmmaking and Soundtrack with guest Mack Robins, and Section 5: Listener Question and Concluding Thoughts. Listen as long as you’re able!

Warning: This episode will have major plot spoilers for M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Village” (2004).

Considering Horror Cinema Ep. 031: The Rental (2020) and The Pool (2019)

Posted on July 29, 2020 by producer

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Jay returns to the movie theater for the first time in 141 days (nearly five months)! To celebrate, in Episode 031 of Considering Horror Cinema, your late-night Horror host Jason Pyles (aka “Jay of the Dead”) brings you two feature reviews of The Rental (2020) and the Thai Survival Horror Beastly Freak flick The Pool (2019). Be advised, you could play a drinking game with how many times Jay of the Dead uses the word “egregious” while reviewing “The Pool.” Jay also recounts his experience of returning to the theater.

If you’re a huge Horror fan, you can view all of Jay’s HORROR ONLY episodes at Considering HORROR Cinema.com. Jay of the Dead also hosts a WEEKLY HORROR PODCAST with BillChete and Lady Phantom at Horror Movie Weekly.com. Thanks for listening to Considering the Cinema Podcast and Considering Horror Cinema, The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of Movie Podcasting… Don’t forget: You can email Jay at ConsideringTheCinema@gmail.com or post a comment in the show notes for this episode. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Ep. 029: The Postcard Killings (2020), Only (2020), Into the Void (2020)

Posted on June 21, 2020 by producer

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Join Jason Pyles (aka “Jay of the Dead”) with a podcast version of a late-night drive home from the movie theater, as you “talk” movies with Jay and listen to late-night radio. In Episode 029 of Considering the Cinema, Jay brings you reviews of 2020 new release movies on VOD, such as The Postcard Killings (2020) and Only (2020) and Into the Void (2020). Jay also brings you a review of Retribution (1987), as well as some Mini Reviews and listener voicemails. Also, be sure to check out Jay of the Dead’s weekly Horror movie podcast at Horror Movie Weekly.com, with co-hosts BillChete and Lady Phantom.

Thanks for listening to Considering the Cinema Podcast and Considering Horror Cinema, The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of Movie Podcasting… Don’t forget: You can email Jason at ConsideringTheCinema@gmail.com or post a comment in the show notes for this episode. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Ep. 025: The Wretched (2020), The Other Lamb (2020), All Day and a Night (2020), Arkansas (2020), 90 Feet From Home (2020), Cry for the Bad Man (2020)

Posted on May 9, 2020 by producer

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Episode 025 of Considering the Cinema was recorded on Friday, May 8, 2020 — the 39-year anniversary of the release of the ’80s Slasher film, “The Burning.” To celebrate, your late-night host Jason Pyles (aka “Jay of the Dead”) stays up late and solocasts with you to review six 2020 new release movies on VOD, including The Wretched (2020) and The Other Lamb (2020) and Arkansas (2020) and All Day and a Night (2020) and Cry for the Bad Man (2020) and 90 Feet From Home (2020).

Jay also brings you a few noteworthy Mini Reviews and some great listener voicemails from Eric from Chicago; Tonee Smith (aka Star Nerd); “Long-time, First-time”; The Gray Man from Ohio; Andrew from West Virginia; an imposter “Fake GregaMortis” and Bill Van Veghel from Land of the Creeps horror podcast!

This episode is dedicated to Shane the Maniac Cop and his mother.

Considering the Cinema Ep. 024: Extraction (2020), 1BR (2020), Party Hard Die Young (2020), True History of the Kelly Gang (2020)

Posted on April 28, 2020 by producer

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Welcome to Episode 024 of Considering the Cinema, The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of Movie Podcasting. This week your late-night host Jason Pyles (aka “Jay of the Dead”) stays up late and solocasts with you about four new 2020 movies, including Extraction (2020) and True History of the Kelly Gang (2020) and the Horror films 1BR (2020) and Party Hard, Die Young (2020). Jay also brings you a number of Mini Reviews and some great listener feedback! Give it a listen!

Considering the Cinema Ep. 019: The Gentlemen (2020), The Turning (2020), Movie Shaming and High Noon (1952)

Posted on January 31, 2020 by producer

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Welcome to Considering the Cinema, Episode 019, in which your late-night host Jason Pyles (aka “Jay of the Dead”) brings you reviews of the 2020 new releases, The Gentlemen (2020) and The Turning (2020). Jason also welcomes filmmaker Mack Robins, director of the short film Unseen, to discuss Movie Shaming and High Noon (1952). And of course, Jason also brings you some Mini Reviews of what he’s been watching lately, including an overview of The Sopranos TV series. Don’t forget to check out Considering the Cinema’s new Episode Archive!

Thanks for listening to Considering the Cinema Podcast and Considering Horror Cinema, The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of Movie Podcasting… Don’t forget: You can call the new voicemail number at (801) 215-9704 or email Jason at ConsideringTheCinema@gmail.com or post a comment in the show notes for this episode. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Ep. 018: Bad Boys for Life (2020), VHYes (2020), Best Picture Nominees Overview, and Video Store Nostalgia With Dr. Shock

Posted on January 23, 2020 by producer

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Bad boys! Bad boys! Whatcha gonna do? After a 17-year hiatus, we finally get the third (and presumably, the final) installment of the Will Smith / Martin Lawrence buddy cop action trilogy with Bad Boys for Life (2020). You have the right to remain silent and listen to Episode 018 of the Considering the Cinema podcast, featuring your host, Jason Pyles (aka “Jay of the Dead”). During this show, Jay also reviews VHYes (2020). You will also get to hear another interview with Dave “Dr. Shock” Becker of DVD Infatuation.com. Jay and Dave talk about their nostalgic memories of the VHS video rental store days. Also, Jason brings you a great overview of the Best Picture nominees! One more thing: Considering the Cinema has a new Episode Archive! Check it out!

Considering the Cinema Ep. 012: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood … and Rochester

Posted on August 5, 2019 by producer

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Welcome to Episode 012 of Considering the Cinema. During this show, your host, Jason Pyles welcomes four different guests. Dave “Dr. Shock” Becker helps Jason review a new documentary called Mac and Cheese: Road to Queso (2019). Then Jason welcomes his old co-hosts from Movie Podcast Weekly (Andy, Karl and William) to help him review Quentin Tarantino’s newest film, Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood (2019). We discuss the recent loss of Rutger Hauer and provide a Mini Review of The Art of Self-Defense (2019). You’ll also hear listener feedback voicemails from Raul and The Gray Man, and this episode has three prize-giveaways. Join us!

Don’t forget to subscribe for free, so you don’t miss this year’s two upcoming “Best of the Decades” shows: Top 10 Horror Movies of the 2010s Decade — and — Top 10 Movies of the 2010s (all genre), slated for late December, early January releases, respectively. Both of these episodes will include panels of guest hosts who will join Jay to bring you the very best of the 2010s decade. These shows will be FREE and only available here through Considering the Cinema Podcast.

Considering Horror Cinema Ep. 007: The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of Movie Podcasting

Posted on June 4, 2019 by producer

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Happy June, and welcome to another episode of Considering the Cinema Podcast. Episode 007 is a short Considering Horror Cinema show, where your late-night Horror host, Jay of the Dead, introduces the very first edition of a specialty segment titled, Jay of the Dead’s Zombie Hive! The zombie movie under review for this segment is The ReZort (2015).

Also in Episode 007, Jay of the Dead teases some very exciting episodes coming up on the Considering the Cinema Podcast, including two incredible “Best of the Decades” shows: Top 10 Horror Movies of the 2010s Decade — and — Top 10 Movies of the 2010s (all genres), slated for late December, early January releases, respectively. Both of these episodes will include panels of guest hosts who will join Jay to bring you the very best of the 2010s decade. These shows will be FREE and only available here through Considering the Cinema Podcast, so be sure you subscribe to this feed.

Thanks for listening and Considering Horror Cinema! Don’t forget: You can call my new voicemail number at (801) 215-9704 or email me at ConsideringTheCinema@gmail.com or post a comment in the show notes for this episode. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Movie Review: Aladdin (2019)

Posted on May 28, 2019 by producer

By Jason Pyles

Just a quick, random note about this side-by-side artwork comparison: I was going to comment on this on Twitter, but I honestly didn’t have the energy. (Besides, Adam Frazier @AdamFrazier on Twitter, ended up doing it for me.) What can be said, really? Studios continually try to ride the wave of other successful films by emulating and imitating their poster art — down to every little detail, even color scheme — trying everything they can to strike gold again. It’s really a non-story, but I must admit that I noticed it instantly when I first saw this “Aladdin” poster art.

By way of preface, my family revisited the original, animated “Aladdin” from (1992) — on VHS, no less — just two days before seeing the new live-action version. And I should also mention up front that I have been a Will Smith fan since about 1988, even before his TV show, because I bought his cassette tape of “He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper.” I’ve been supporting Will Smith (as much as possible) ever since, though “After Earth” even pushed my limits.

Having said all of the above, following in the footsteps of Robin Williams to reprise this genie role is a thankless and futile endeavor. Will Smith does a fine job as the genie, don’t get me wrong, but nobody’s going to give him much credit, regardless of how good his performance is. The world would never let anyone top Robin Williams’ genie performance, especially now that he’s gone and under such tragic circumstances. It would be like remaking “Citizen Kane.” It’s a fool’s errand. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Horror Movie Review: Brightburn (2019)

Posted on May 27, 2019 by producer

By Jay of the Dead

“It may sound absurd, but don’t be naive
Even heroes have the right to bleed
I may be disturbed, but won’t you concede
Even heroes have the right to dream
And it’s not easy to be me

Up, up and away, away from me
Well, it’s all right, you can all sleep sound tonight
I’m not crazy
Or anything.”
— Superman (It’s Not Easy) by Five for Fighting

I’ve thought about it many times before. Everyone has. What would we do if Superman went on a rampage — and I don’t mean flicking peanuts at whiskey bottles? We’d all be screwed. Sure, Superman’s one weakness is Kryptonite, but who has that lying around? And even if you had some, how would you ever “use it on him”? I mean, Lex Luther is an evil super-genius, and even he’s had trouble applying the ill effects of the glowing green crystals to the Man of Steel.

“Brightburn” has a great premise for a Horror movie. And since we’re in the midst of a tidal wave of superhero movies, I suppose a movie like “Brightburn” was inevitable. In fact, the cinema has been shifting this direction for some time now with all its anti-heroes, super villains and straight-up monsters: “The Punisher,” “Hellboy,” “Watchmen,” “Deadpool,” “Split” and “Glass,” “Suicide Squad,” “Venom,” “Brightburn,” coming soon “Dark Phoenix,” and in October, “Joker.”

Now with movies like “Split,” “Venom,” “Brightburn,” and “Joker,” we have two phenomena that we really haven’t seen very much previously: An evil super villain’s stand-alone origin story, and a comfortable slide down into the darkness of the Horror genre. Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Movie Review: Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)

Posted on May 12, 2019 by producer

By Jason Pyles

I can accept that “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” was not made for me. I’m older than most Pokémon hunters or whatever you call people who do such things. Therefore, I’ll confess right up front that I know nothing about this universe.

In fact, when I first heard of this film, I was very dismissive and even annoyed. But then my buddy Ryan told me to watch the trailer because I would be surprised by how “not terrible” it looks. To my shock, he was right! And the fact that Ryan Reynolds (“Deadpool”) was voicing Pikachu was another feather in this film’s cap, so to speak.

Even so, I probably would not have seen this movie. But I’m a dad, so I took my two kids and had a great time. Sure, there’s something to be said for seeing a movie when you’re in a great mood and already having a great day after some Chinese food, Wendy’s, movie shopping, and of course, Dairy Queen.

Sometimes when I read a Roger Ebert review where he seemed grouchy and incredibly dismissive, I just assume that he saw the film when he was tired or hungry or already having a terrible day. (This might not be true at all. But because I believe this, I am very mindful and careful about allowing my mood to affect my opinion of a movie.) Continue reading →

Considering the Cinema Horror Movie Review: The Head Hunter (2019)

Posted on May 9, 2019 by producer

By Jay of the Dead

I am always impressed when filmmakers return back to the basic, fundamental roots of what makes the art of motion pictures so potent. For instance, the well-meaning duo of Danish directors Lars von Trier (“Antichrist,” “The House That Jack Built”) and Thomas Vinterberg created the stringent “Dogme 95 Manifesto” in 1995.

Don’t worry. I won’t launch into a whole big thing, but for those who don’t know: In essence, Dogme 95 dictated that the cinema should be created by using the classic components of story, theme, performance, etc., while eschewing any reliance on the “vulgarity” of special effects or any other modern filmmaking technology. In short, the point was to “get back to the basics,” the bare bones heart of filmmaking, where the director remains free to be an artist without being henpecked by studio interference.

And that odd little preface brings me to a notable 2019 Horror film called “The Head Hunter,” formerly known as “The Head.” (Side note: “The Head Hunter” is an excellent title because its meanings are multi-faceted.) In fact, this film is not just notable for 2019; I would argue that it is also notable for the 2010s decade. “The Head Hunter” was released on April 5, 2019, and it just hit Redbox on May 7. Continue reading →

Considering Horror Cinema Ep. 005: The Monster Problem, $5 Bargain Bin Gas Station Horror Movies, and Weekend Horror VHS Rentals From the Local Video Store

Posted on April 19, 2019 by producer

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Are you a Horror fan? Me too! I used to host three different Horror movie podcasts, so I love to explore this powerful genre and its many sub-genres. Therefore, some of my Considering the Cinema episodes are going to be dedicated to focusing solely on Considering Horror Cinema! So, Episode 005 is a long-form show, and it is entirely dedicated to exploring the Horror genre. And while I am expecting Horror fans to enjoy this episode, I am also hopeful that people who are typically non-Horror fans will also give it a listen. Above all, my underlying passion is always the cinema and film criticism. If you feel the same way, I still think you’ll enjoy your time Considering Horror Cinema with me. This is a solo podcast for people who don’t typically like solocasts…

In Episode 005, your host Jason Pyles (aka Horror moniker “Jay of the Dead”) will discuss “The Monster Problem,” video rental store nostalgia and looking for Horror movie gems in the $5 bargain bins at truck stops and gas stations. And to help me reminisce about video store nostalgia, the Gillman Joel Robertson of Horror Movie Podcast, Retro Movie Geek and Universal Monsters Cast appears as a guest contributor! I will also bring you Feature Reviews of I Trapped the Devil (2019), Jordan Peele’s Us (2019), Sole Survivor (1984) on VHS, and for some reason, Camp Death III in 2D (2019). You will also get to hear two of my three specialty segments, Jay of the Dead’s Beastly Freaks, when I’ll review Night Wolf (2012), and Jay of the Dead’s Perishable Predicament, when I review a Survival Horror film called Thirst (2010).

You are welcome to call my new voicemail number at (801) 215-9704 or email me at ConsideringTheCinema@gmail.com or post a comment. Be sure to join me for my upcoming Episode 006, when I bring you a recap of the 2019 movies I’ve seen from January through April! Join me! Continue reading →