Midnight Movie Cowboys

A Study in Tangents

 

Hey friends, yes it's been a month since the last episode (we'll blame Stu for that) but we are back with a new one, and well, whilst we do cover the 1965 Sherlock Holmes film A Study in Terror, it's primarily made up of about 80% tangents - sorry fam.

Anyway, we hope you'll enjoy this one, it's got kind of a review in there somewhere, and as stated tangents galore.

See ya next episode

Lords of Chaos

 

Aaaaaarrgghhhh, mumble mumble, cookie monster vocals and all, the MMC (all 3) are back with a new episode. This time we travel to Norway to the late 80's, and delve into the rather bizarre tale, via film, of a band from that neck of the woods - Mayhem. 

Lords of Chaos is a somewhat ambivalent look at the life (and many deaths) of Mayhem, as told by filmmaker Jonas Akerlund.

So sit back, and listen to this mind blowing (pun intended) episode of one of the strangest bands to ever have graced (or disgraced) the music scene.

Enjoy

 

The Sartana Films

 

Eric Zaldivar is back, joining John and Hunter to discuss the "Sartana" series of spaghetti westerns. We talk about the Gianni Garko films, as well as the late George Hilton's one-off as the character. 

Eric is known for his expertise on the genre, check out his video below on "His Name Was Holy Ghost" for some further trivia on the "Sartana" films!

The Street Fighter Series

Get ready to smash some x-ray skulls with John and Hunter as they examine the legendary "Street Fighter" films, starring Sonny Chiba! This is one we attempted to record years ago, but technology occasionally makes fools of us all. With the recent-ish arrival of the Shout! Select Blu-ray set, we decided to tackle all three films.

Remember, the "Sister Street Fighter" movies are not part of this series, despite what Christian Slater would have you believe!

You can watch the movies on those Shout! discs, or you can check all three films out for free at the Internet Archive. Ain't modern life grand?

 

 

 

Nemesis

 

This week, John and Hunter take a look at Albert Pyun's cyberpunk classic, "Nemesis", starring Olivier Gruner. It mixes John Woo action and William Gibson concepts nearly ten years prior to the Matrix, and remains an underseen genre-mixing movie. We also talk about Albert Pyun's career, and the qualities that make him an interesting director.

 

Dragged Across Concrete

Finally! At long last, the MMC crew review S. Craig Zahler's latest film, Dragged Across Concrete. Better late than never, right? John and Hunter are joined by filmmaker and regular guest Garo Nigoghossian ( which is why it took so long to edit this one).

This episode was actually recorded back in March, which is why we are talking as though Captain Marvel is new and Ben Affleck and Kevin Smith aren't pals again. Check out the trailer for the movie below, as well as the sweet O'Jays track from the film the director wrote with the band. Share with your friends!

 Dragged Across Concrete Trailer

 
"Shotgun Safari" by The O'Jays

Rock Month: Blue Öyster Cult

 

We finish out Rock Month 2019 with our collective pick, Blue Öyster Cult! John and Hunter take a look at the discography of the classic line-up, from their self-titled debut, all the way to the iconic "Fire of Unknown Origin". We also discuss their later career, their influence (or lack thereof), the rich themes of their songs, and the large cast of characters outside of the band that contributed to their music. Go listen, and check out some further viewing below!

"Veteran of the Psychic Wars", one of the handful of tunes BÖC wrote with sci-fi/fantasy author Michael Moorcock.

 

 

As John mentions, for kids growing up in heartland America, the only place you could hear any MC5 was on a BÖC live record.

 

 

As mentioned on the show, BÖC guitarist Buck Dharma produced a little-known solo album called "Flat Out".

 

Rock Month: Roky Erickson & The 13th Floor Elevators

 

 

For the third week of Rock Month, Hunter picks the psychedelic world of late Texas rock n' roll legend Roky Erickson, from his sixties group, The 13th Floor Elevators, to his erratic, UHF and schizophrenia-inspired solo career from the eighties, to 2010.

If you've never been introduced to Roky's crazy world, you're in for a treat. Also, we recommend the documentary on Erickson's troubled life and career, "You're Gonna Miss Me", it's a must see!

 

The 13th Floor Elevators on "American Bandstand"

 

"You're Gonna Miss Me" Trailer

Rock Month: Empire Records

 

Rock Month 2019 continues! For our second week, John Grace did something unorthodox for Rock Month, he picked a movie instead of a band, and the movie he picked is nineties cult favorite "Empire Records"! Joining Hunter and John is returning guest Zolly Becker. The various cuts of the movie, the soundtrack, the glory of Rex Manning, and many other topics are discussed. Go listen!

   

Rock Month: Volbeat

Heeeeyyyyy everybody. Well it's that time of year again - Rock Month!! Yes we are a little behind schedule with it this year, but we WILL get our 4 Rock Month episodes out there. First off, as it always is, is Stu's pick, and this time we travel to Denmark, home of the heavenly tasting Havarti cheese, and the mighty VOLBEAT.

We go through their entire studio discography, and a tangent or two is thrown in there also (yes Eddie Trunk, we're looking at you)

For the first time ever, no John on this one, so Hunter and Stu get to geek out over Michael Poulsen and the Volbeat crew.

Have fun with this one and if you haven't heard them yet, go check out Volbeat.

Enjoy.

Motley Crue: The Dirt

Why go arh and wanna deez, John go tend to his hiva beez, why arh, why arh, kickstart why arh.

And with those indecipherable lyrics, as sung by the christmas ham himself Vince Neil, the MMC boys, along with friend and returning guest from way back when - Richard Kuhn - look at the forever touted Motley Crue biopic - The Dirt.

For those of you who have read the book, you would know it is basically the Naked lunch of Rock biographies i.e it is un-filmable. So, how did Netflix and their team fair up? Well you'll have to listen to find out.

This is one of our longer episodes we have done in a while, there is a lot of 80's hair metal tangents interspersed in here also.

Enjoy

 

Cobra Kai and a Bunch of Tangents

 

TANGENTS... that is all, that's all you are gonna get on this one

So, Hunter wasn't able to make this weeks episode, so, Stu and John decided to just wing it this week. No Topic? No Problem. There is a lengthy discussion on the awesome Youtube Red series COBRA KAI, however littered throughout the rest of the episode is just tangents. On what exactly? Well you are gonna have to listen on and find out.

See ya next week

Enjoy

The Octagon

 

We're back with another Chuck Norris flick, this one being the 1980 opus of inner-monologue echo, "The Octagon". Chuck is joined by Lee Van Cleef, Ernie Hudson, and Chuck's cool mustache. It's like an Alan J. Pakula thriller with ninjas. Speaking of ninjas, no one will admit they exist. They're like the Freemasons or something!

Check it out on Amazon Prime here! Trailer below!

 

An Interview with James LaFond

 

Whats up troops? We're finally back with a new episode, and this one is a ripper of a show. For this one, we are joined by author and boxing aficionado James LaFond.

We discuss his books, his career, a lot of boxing, but overall we just shoot the breeze, and James is a great guy also.

We reckon you'll have fun with this one, if you wanna complain about this episode not being long enough, don't blame us, blame Stu's electrician (listen on, it'll make sense).

Enjoy.

Ronnie Coleman: The King

Yeah buddy! the MMC crew are back, and digging into the world of Bodybuilding once again. Hunter is on board for his first ever MMC Bodybuilding episode. This time we look at the documentary, on one of the greatest, and some would say controversial, bodybuilders of all time - Ronnie Coleman.

What shrouds this man in controversy you ask? Well, he was one of the pioneers, of the 'Mass Monster' phase that was ushered into Bodybuilding in the mid to late 90's, he was certainly the most successful one.

However, as years have gone by, and with Coleman in retirement, his insane training regiment, has finally taken it's toll. Numerous back surgeries have left Coleman nigh on crippled at the moment.

Give this a listen, then give it a watch. A fascinating documentary, on a guy who had it all and throughout managed to keep his humility, unfortunately, he couldn't keep his mobility.

See ya next episode

Lightweight baby!!

Enjoy

The Outlaw Josey Wales

 

This week, the MMC takes a look at a long overdue episode, Clint Eastwood's "The Outlaw Josey Wales". Of course, you can't talk about Josey without mentioning the strange tale of the source novel's author, Forrest Carter, who was actually Asa Earl Carter, a speechwriter for George Wallace. We also go into the film's troubled production history, covering the firing of original director Philip Kaufman, and how Clint's longtime flame Sondra Locke figures into it. Go listen! And remember, dyin' ain't much of a livin', boy.

 

 

Treasure Island

 

Argh me mateys, we be back again with a skull and crossbones filled episode, talking about the Charlton Heston led film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevensons classic TREASURE ISLAND.

tis a tale of violence and adventure, shiver me timbers, this 'un is a good 'un

Leave us an itunes review, lest ye be made to walk the plank.

See ya next week

Paul McCartney Really is Dead: The Last Testament of George Harrison

 

Hey friends, we're back with a new episode this week, and well, it's an odd one. This week, Hunter, John and Stu (if it really is Stu and not a double) look at the Joel Gilbert mockumentary - Paul McCartney Really is Dead: The Last Testament of George Harrison.

So, for those of you who have heard the conspiracy theory that Paul McCartney died back in 1966, and was replaced by a double, give this a whirl, you will most definitely have some fun with it. For those of you who have never heard the tale, again, give it a whirl - and don't believe a word. The filmmakers are clearly just having some fun with this, and so should you.

Turn me on Dead Man

See ya next week

Sherlock Holmes and the Spider Woman

Hello lads and lasses, by jove, we have another mysterious tale we cover this week, for you all. 'tis the tale of Sherlock Holmes and the Spider Woman. A tale of pyjamas, pygmies, spiders, and brown face. Whatever do we mean? Listen on and find out.

See you next week, meet us in the merseyside for that one.

Enjoy

 

The Black Stallion

 

We're back from Christmas and New Year break! It's a different sort of movie this week, John and Hunter look at Carol Ballard's art-house children's classic, "The Black Stallion", produced by Francis Ford Coppola. Stay tuned, because next week, the game's afoot!

 

The Long Good Friday

Alright me old China Plate, the MMC lads this week look at the British Gangster classic 'The Long Good Friday', starring the quintessential cockney actor Bob Hoskins.

A highly influential film, how does it still hold up? Well, as far as we are concerned, it 's still the tits. 

So dive on in with us, into the British underworld, with this masterpiece.

See ya next week.

From Russia With Love

 

What's up friends? Back again this week with another episode. This time we return to, a film franchise we have barely covered during the MMC's time, the world of James Bond.

From Russia with Love is one of the overlooked Bond films, the follow up to the hugely popular Dr. No, and the predecessor to the monster hit that was Goldfinger.So how does it hold up some 50 years plus later? Listen on and hear our thoughts on it.

See ya next week

The Ninth Configuration

 

On this episode, we explore William Peter Blatty's bizarre seventies cult thriller "The Ninth Configuration", also known in some regions as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Killer Kane". For you "Exorcist" fans out there, Blatty considers this one to be an unofficial sequel to the film, along with "Exorcist III". This weird excursion into theology and madness stars Stacy Keach, Jason Miller, and Ed Flanders. Go check it out!

 

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll

Greetings rockers, this week the MMC gang takes a look at "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll", the Ian Dury biopic starting the mighty Andy Serkis. We also discuss Dury's musical career, as well as his career in acting. Check out the trailer below, as well as some tunes from Dury and his band. Cheers!

 

The Source Family

Hey friends, we are back with another episode. this week, it's a look into the strange world of James Baker, who later re-invented himself, into the the self appointed guru for f**ked up hippies - Father Yod.

It's a true tale, of a self proclaimed god, the fervent worship by his followers, sex and a whole slew of other things usually practiced by cults.

So, grab a protein salad, some plants and weeds from your garden, blend them up into a shake, sit back and listen on with us.

See ya next week

Enjoy

The Karate Kid

 

Hey friends, we're back with a new episode this week (we plan to now make our episodes far more frequent than as of late). This week we dive into the world of LaRusso, and look at the 1984 *classic* THE KARATE KID

The first, and really the only good Karate Kid film gets put under the microscope, and we look at what works, and what doesn't about this film.

So stop sanding the floor, waxing on, waxing off or whatever cheap labour you are doing at the moment, and join us, as we look at The Karate Kid.

Next week, we look at a documentary, about a rather unique family.

Enjoy

Snake in the Eagle's Shadow

 

John and Hunter return to the world of Jackie Chan to look at the film that made Jackie a star, "Snake in the Eagle's Shadow". We discuss how Chan's early vehicles were different from his later films, as well as why "Drunken Master" is so overrated.

"Snake in the Eagles Shadow" is available on Blu-ray from Twilight Time. Or, you can watch it on YouTube below!

Join us next week, when we'll discuss John G. Avildsen's "The Karate Kid". 

 

Dirty Harry: Sudden Impact

 

Greetings, punks. In this episode, the MMC crew return to the Dirty Harry franchise by taking a look at the only entry officially directed by Clint Eastwood himself, "Sudden Impact". Go listen, and make our day.

The Monkees: HEAD

Head, Head, Head... so repeats the voice, on the film we cover this week, The Monkees surrealist comedy HEAD. A film by a band, that most considered a joke, and had, a rather silly television series, would be considered somewhat of a strain to get through right? but is it? Did we like it? Who did? Who didn't? You will just need to listen on and find out, ya dig?

See ya next week

Flaming Star

The gangs all here this week. This episode was recorded, the day of Burt Reynolds death, so there is a bit of Burt talk on this one. 

Our main discussion is the Elvis film Flaming Star, however there are side tangents on Elvis also.

It all makes for a bit of Elvis goodness.

Go get it.