Episode 104 - It's week 2 of our October coverage of Horror Remakes, and we are covering the 1990 remake of Night of the Living Dead, which was directed by special effects legend Tom Savini. In addition to covering these remakes all month, we will also be joined by a new special guest each week. For this one we are joined by superfan Barely Ashley. You would be hard pressed to find a bigger fan, not only of this film, but of the horror genre in general. We had a blast. Join us for the fun.
And join us next week as we cover The Thing (1981) with another special guest.
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Epsiode 103 - It's October! And it's an Anthony R month which means we are doing some horror for sure. This month we are looking at Horror Remakes that hold their own against the original, or possibly even surpass the original. And all month long we will be joined by special guests. This week we are joined once again by OOTim to discuss the 2002 remake of The Ring. We run down our general thoughts about remakes, and go down a vortex about the title of the original Japanese version before breaking down the remake starring Tim's crush Naomi Watts.
Join us for the fun.
And tune in next week when we are joined by another special guest for Night of the Living Dead (1990)
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Episode 102 - This week we are joined but special guest 00Tim, who schools us all on the classic Sci-Fi Blade Runner (1982). Tim is a huge fan of the the film and without him we most likely would have been floundering around trying to talk about this one. So tune in and learn something. And we also learn next month's theme. For October we are continuing with the remake theme and flipping from OG Sci-Fi to Horror Remakes. Week 1 is The Ring (2002) where we will be joined once again by OOTim.
Join us for the fun
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Episode 101- Pack your bags, we are headed to a theme park of the Wild West. Before there was the HBO series, there was the original film Westward (1973) centered around two friends who visit a kind of adult fantasy camp where people get to live in the Wild West for 1000 dollars per day, amongst lifelike robots. Sure there are guns, but it's all maintained and nothing can go wrong.. right? Tune in to find out. And let us know which world you would like to visit.
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Episode 100 - It's our 100th episode! And in classic MRAC fashion we lost track and forgot which episode we were on and it went unmentioned other than in the outtakes at the end when we talk about how it was last week. Either way, we are doing out usual thing and talking film. This is week 2 of Original Sci-Fi films that have been re-did. We watched and discussed The Time Machine (1960), a movie based on an HG Wells story about a man in the turn of 20th century who travels forward in time. Join us for the fun, and even though we haven't seen the remake we implore you to watch the original!
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Episode 99 - It's a new month here at MRAC, and for September Pete is bringing us the OG version of classic sci-fi films that have been re-did... or remade. For week 1 we watched and discussed The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), a classic science fiction film about an alien that comes to earth with his giant robot friend to warn the earthlings about their behavior. After some nerding out on the accuracy of the science in this 1950's work of fiction, we get into this one. And as always we encourage you to skip the remake and watch the OG.
Tune in soon for week 2 where we watched and discussed The Time Machine (1960)
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Episode 98 - This week we head over to America to put a big shiny ninja bow on this month. We dive into the Cannon gem of a ninja film: Enter the Ninja (1981). While the whole trilogy is worth watching we only have time to get into the first installment of a fully trained American ninja helping his American war buddy save his land in the Philippines, which is being threatened by a local warlord. And what an office this warlord has. This wraps up the month, so stay tuned in until the end when Pete makes his reveal for next month.
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Episode 97 - This month we head back to Japan and we are animated. This is anime ninja week, part 4 of Marco's deep dive into ninjas. We are watching an early anime classic Ninja Scroll (1993). Ninja scroll is the story of a vagabond ninja who gestured dragged into battling a group of demons involved in a plot to overthrow the shogunate. And just because this is animated don't let it fool you to thinking you can watch this on a plane. Just ask Pete. We hope you enjoy this episode which was long delayed in being released. Coming soon is our conclusion of Ninja Month, and Pete's reveal for next month.
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Episode 96 - Pack your bags because we are headed back to China as the ninjas take on the Shaolin monks. This week's main feature is the Ninja vs Shaolin (1983). This one is more kung fu than ninja and the ninjas are not portrayed very favorably. It once again features Japanese in China as the Japanese employ ninjas and other schemes to try and take over a Shaolin Temple. It is pretty ridiculous and low budget but it has some great martial arts. We had a lot of fun discussing this, and Brian and Marco spent some time discussing the supplemental: 5 Elements Ninja, a Shaw Brothers production.
Tune in next week as we cover some anime and watch Ninja Scroll (1993).
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Episode 95 - This is part 2 of our ninja coverage. This week we are looking at another classic Japanese ninja origin film; Castle of Owls (1963). This is a more polished version of last weeks story of ninjas plotting against the powers that be as well as each other. There is also an intriguing story of ninja having to choose between duty and their prospective love interest. This week we are also joined by long time friend of MRAC; Colin. Join in for the fun.
And join us next week as we head back to China as the ninja takes on king-fu in: Ninja vs Shaolin (1983)
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Episode 94 - Pack your bags, and keep you nunchucks packed, because we are transitioning from Kung Fu to Ninja month. This is a Marco month, so the month wouldn't be complete without an old Japanese film. And this may not be the last. We are digging deep into he origins of the ninja with Shinobi no Mono (1962), a story about ninjas plotting against ninja and other powers that be. We try to break this one down in spite of the ridiculous subtitles in the version we watched. It was quite the journey. Join us for the fun.
And stay tuned for part 2 coming soon; Castle of Owls (1963)
And let us know your thoughts by emailing us at mracfilmclub@gmail.com
Episode 93 - Our schedule has not been consistent lately but helpfully we are back on track after a summer of travel and adventures, all while watching Kung Fu films. This wraps up July and our month of Kung Fu Legends. This week we watched Ip Man (2008) starring Donnie Yen. Ip Man is the story of a Kung Fu master defending his town and country once again from those pesky Japanese. The real Ip Man was the teacher of Bruce Lee, so we come full circle to wrap things up.
And we are carrying this momentum over to next month as we move over to Japan to cover a series of Ninja films. First up is Ninja: A Band of Assassins (1962), brought to you by Marco.
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Episode 92 - This is a big week as we covered 2 Kung Fu legends and their respective films. The main feature is Once Upon a Time in China (1991), which stars Jet Li as he attempts to thwart foreign forces who are trying to move into mainland China, while also protecting his aunt who might not really be his aunt. The supplemental is Drunken Master 2 (1994), which stars Jackie Chan also attempting to thwart foreign forces who are attempting to steal Chinese artifacts, using his drunken boxing style. We cover a lot in this one so strap yourself in and grab some wine.
And dropping soon will be the final installment of Kung Fu legends month where we watch and discuss Ip Man (2008) starring Donnie Yen.
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Episode 91 - Welcome to week 2 of our coverage of 5 Kung Fu Legends along with one of their representative films spanning 4 decades. This week we in the 80's and are discussing Gordon Liu and The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984). Eight Diagram Pole Fighter involves a plot to wipe out the Yang Family in dynastic China and one brother's following struggle. We discuss the Shaw Brothers and the over the top fighting sequences, as well as some plot. Tune in for our regular coverage and Marco's extended coverage of the martial arts in film.
And Tune in next week as we tackle Jet Li AND Jackie Chan, with Once Upon a Time in China (1991), and Drunken Master 2 (1994).
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Episode 90 - Pack your bags, and don't forget your nunchucks because we are headed to Hong Kong for a month of Kung fu films. This month we are going by decade and looking at a different film starring a different legend of Kung Fu cinema each week. Week 1 we are covering Bruce Lee and the film considered his best: Enter the Dragon (1973). Enter the Dragon, described by Pete as a mix between James Bond and Mortal Combat, displays Bruce Lee's martial arts prowess along with his ability to play the leading man. Join us as we (primarily Marco) dive deep into the martial arts.
And join us next next time as we cover Gordon Liu and Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984)
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Episode 89 - This week we put a bow on our month in Korea exploring various genres. Our final film is The Good, The Bad and the Weird (2008) which is a western set in Manchuria in the 1940's. It is an interesting film which is a parody/riff on The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, where a mix of Korean, Chinese and Japanese characters are all going after a map that allegedly leads to buried treasure. There are lots of colorful characters and stars an MRAC favorite Song Kang-Ho. We had a lot of fun with this one so sit back and enjoy.
Brian also reveals our next month: Kung Fu Legnds. So join us next week as we watch Enter the Dragon (1974) with Bruce Lee.
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Episode 88 - This is part 4 of A Korean-Style Wedding buffet of Korean Genre film, where we are covering a variety of genres from Korean cinema in the early 2000's. We even have our host for the month live from Seoul, South Korea. This week we watch a vampire film from one of the more well known Korean directors: Park Chan-Wook's Thirst (2009). Thirst is the story of a priest who becomes a vampire and has all of the style, disturbing moments and subtle humor you'd expect from a Park Chan-Wook joint. We also go down an unexpected vortex about eating dog, an opinion QQ feels strongly about. Don't miss out.
And Tune in next week as we wrap up our Korean month with The Good, the Bad and the Weird (2008)
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Episode 87 - Pack your bags, and don't forget to pack a barf bag because we are diving headlong into extreme horror for our third week of A Korean Wedding-Style Buffet of Korean Genre Film. The Butcher (2009) is a shaky cam / found footage-style film about a director murdering folks to create snuff films and it's not for the squeamish... just ask Marco. We had a very special guest this week: Raul aka Raghoul aka Gore Whore aka Papi Chulo from the Headlong Into Monsters Podcast. We loved having Raul on and he really helped us to elevate the conversation on this gore fest of a film. Tune in for the fun!
And tune in next week as we turn to vampires for Plate 3 - Thirst (2009)
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Episode 86 - For the our second plate of the Korean-Style Wedding Buffet of Korean Genre Film we are going light with a Rom-Com as the main feature. We don't venture into the Rom-Com genre often, but we are branching out this month and watching the pinnacle of the Korean Rom-Com genre with My Sassy Girl (2001). My Sassy Girl was based on a real-life anonymous online blog written by a buy about his girlfriend. The boy, a college student, in this is named Gyeon-Woo, and after saving a drink girl on the subway he stumbles into a relationship with her. And she is quite the sassy girl. We also spend time discussing another comedy called Like a Virgin (2006) which follows the young trans character Dong-Gu who joins the school Sirrum (Korean wrestling) team to win the money in a tournament to get a sex change.
We packed a lot into this one so tune in and join the party.
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Episode 85 - Pack your bags. We are headed once again to South Korea. The title of this month is "A Korean-style Wedding Buffet of Korean Genre Film." The concept is rather than focusing on one director of genre of Korean film, we are offering up a buffet of different genres featuring one genre per week, with each film being released between 2001-2010. The first course is an action/suspense thriller The Chaser (2008). The Chaser was based on a real life serial killer and features a former cop / current pimp who goes searching for one of his girls who goes missing, and a suspense filled chase ensues. This film has action, suspense, and some signature Korean brutality on film. Tune in to hear us break it down.
And tune in next week as we dive into Romantic Comedy and watch and discuss My Sassy Girl (2001)
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