The Mo and The Ro

Bear in mind that this is a special presentation and that is why this episode is long! If you don’t have the time to watch the whole episode in one sitting feel free to pop over to our Facebook page where it can be viewed at your leisure in three smaller parts! Enjoy!

While nothing earth shattering, we wanted to do a videopost that might help you get to know us a little better! So our first one is a list of songs that you might not imagine would be on our playlists! Hope you enjoy!

The list of the Ro is in the house. If you have no issue with the two of us talking at length for 45 minutes – then by all means please watch the upcoming video special. For those of you a little more pressed for time, as the kids swarm you, or the kitchen is on fire and the alarm is really becoming quite urgent – here is my list in point form.

THE RO’S LIST

5 – Repo Man

Honestly, it may or may not be underrated, and perhaps it’s the “cult” status that I love and if more people appreciated this piece of work, I may hate it. Who knows. What I can tell you though is that if you wish to see a quick evolution in American cinema over 20 years, watch this, then watch Pulp Fiction. It’s not ripping it off, it’s an homage fool.

Movies don’t need to necessarily be comprised of an introduction, fight off some conflict, and end happy – OK this one sort of does, but you get the feeling it’s a little rough around the edges and glad to be. It was a trendsetter.

4 – Very Bad Things

Maybe it’s my cavalier attitude towards death, that makes me feel bad that – particularly in north America – everyone seems hung up on death, in all the wrong ways. This film, among other things (wealth of information on destroying bodies for one), is a bold faced celebration of people dying. Do not mistake it for simply being degenerate ultra violence where no one has a conscious – that was simply a coincidence.

3 – Network

Yes there are Academy awards won here, but as The Mo states in our video special – there is a generational gap responsible for this film not getting the recognition it deserves.

Plus if you want to discuss the present, go back to this movie. Reality TV, web videos of people dying, rotten.com….I would argue this was the awakening to those future potentials for society – whether for bad or worse. It doesn’t so much argue for or against, as much as it warns that things will change as attitudes towards what constitutes “too much” evolve from one generation to the next.

2 – After Life (Wandafuru Raifu)

What memory would you choose to live for eternity after you die? Don’t answer me now (wait until you die), but keep it in mind. Until then, enjoy this gem from Japan that puts a new spin on dying – it’s really not so bad – unless you’re like me and can never choose between soup or salad, let alone eternity.

1 – Quick Change

OK I will admit I really enjoy Bill Murray, so this isn’t so much a stretch he’s on the top of my list for underrated films.  Maybe not the first “cool” bank heist movie ever – but it is the funniest, regardless of whatever you giggled at occasionally while watching Ocean’s Eleven. Don’t worry however, it’s not all about cool, unhindered bank heist – it’s more about what happens if you escape but get trapped in your own escape.

I wish I had this on DVD now – I would watch it, but wait for the rest of you to come over too. Bring some chips, I have lots of popcorn.

The video post will be up shortly………we must warn you in advance that due to the fact that it is a special feature it is quite long! For those of you who do not want to watch the entire video post here is our lists with a short blurb on each film!

THE MO’s LIST

5 – The Contender

Years before Hillary and all the glass ceiling kerfuffle came along this little known film that in the words of Roger Ebert was “one of those rare movies where you leave the theater having been surprised and entertained, and then start arguing.” Brilliant acting by the incredibly talented Joan Allen and Jeff Bridges, both of whom earned Oscar nominations for their performances.

4 – Some Kind Of Wonderful

John Hughes’ much better, darker version of the “Pretty In Pink” tale is a real gem and just improves with each viewing. Boy from wrong side of tracks falls in love with girl from right side of tracks, turns out girl is actually from wrong side of tracks, best friend of boy is a girl who is also in love with the boy!….Phew!……Showcaseing early performances by many actors who went on to bigger fame.

3 – Maurice

A before it’s time, telling of a forbidden love. It had a love triangle, sadness, courage, and unbelievably for the ’80’s, a happy ending. The ending of the film itself spoke volumes because until then gay love stories always had unhappy endings and Merchant/Ivory wanted to buck the trend! Criminally, it was the only Merchant/Ivory film that did not score multiple Oscar noms, only being nominated for Best Costume Design. Gee…….i wonder why?!

2 – The Long Kiss Goodnight

Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) is a suburban mother and schoolteacher with a seemingly normal life in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. However, she had been found badly injured and suffering from amnesia several years previously, and has no memory of her past. When she’s attacked by an escaped convict, Samantha dispatches her attacker with lethal self-defense skills she wasn’t aware she possessed. She hires wisecracking, ethically challenged private investigator Mitch Henessey (Samuel L. Jackson) to help her find the truth about her past. Great chemistry between the leads and one of the first action films with a female lead that was actually awesome!

1 – Powder

Remarkable film. Incredible acting, and despite it’s sad ending, it is one full of hope for all of us. Powder is a 1995 film directed by Victor Salva, about a boy, nicknamed “Powder”, with incredible intellect, telepathy, and paranormal powers. It stars Sean Patrick Flanery in the title role, with Jeff Goldblum, Mary Steenburgen and Lance Henriksen in supporting roles. The film questions the limits of the human mind and body while also displaying their capacity for cruelty, and the hope that humanity will advance to a state of better understanding.
Pack the Kleenex, close the blinds, switch off the phone and enjoy!