Text Matt & Adam! On the latest Two for the Road: Movies with Matt and Adam, we take a look at two from independent film maker Hal Hartley. "Trust" (1990) is about a pregnant 17-year-old who gets together with a so-called dangerous man after they're both kicked out of their respective homes. "Simple Men" (1992) storyline has two brothers searching …

Text Matt & Adam! We're back with the theme "the movie process". Many people consider "8 1/2" (1963) to be Fellini's masterpiece. A movie director tries to figure out his next project. What's a dream? What's real? Sometimes were not sure. "Black Bear" (2020) stars Aubrey Plaza as woman film maker trying break her creative roadblock. The first thirt…

Text Matt & Adam! Back from their internships at the Parallax Corporation, Matt and Adam have a couple paranoia thrillers this week. Z (1969) is the realistic portrayal of a progressive politician who ends on the wrong end of a club. Fascism, mob violence, a political cover-up? That would never happen today.... In The Parallax View (1974), we meet …

Text Matt & Adam! We're back with a couple lesser known Philip Seymour Hoffman films. Owning Mahoney (2003) was Hoffman's first starring role. Based on a true story about a Toronto banker who steals millions to support his gambling habit. Sidney Lumet's "Before the Devil Knows Your Dead" (2007) is a must see. The story of two brothers robbing their…

Text Matt & Adam! We're back! Our theme for this show is "home invasions" and we start out with an oldie but goodie, Sam Penkenpah's "Straw Dogs" (1971). Dustin Hoffman said he did it for the money, but he and co-star Susan George were both wonderful in their roles. Not for the squeamish. "The Strangers" (2008) is a film that we liked more than mos…

Text Matt & Adam! Asian romance is the theme this week, but the guys may have picked the wrong movies. They disagree about the point of "In the Mood for Love", but agree its worth a watch. "Past Lives" is a much hyped yet intimate film asking the question "Can you return to your younger self (and lost love)?" The answer might surprise you. Next sho…

Text Matt & Adam! In and out of jail is the latest theme. Robert Mitchum, a show favorite, once again does not disappoint in "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" (1973). Mitchum is supported by a stellar cast and a tight script. "Straight Time" (1978) is a little known Dustin Hoffman movie with him.a different kind of role - a man fresh out of prison who s…

Text Matt & Adam! Nuclear Annihilation is the theme this weak. First, "On the beach provide a yawning stare into oblivion. We suggest some ways it could be spiced up (hint/: Ava Gardner is involved). Next up, Sidney Lumet's "Fail Safe" manages to do a lot with just old guys talking in rooms (26:34). Probably not in Lumet's top 5, but it entertains …

Text Matt & Adam! Multi storylines is the theme . Ron Howard's "Parenthood" (1989) is a comedy in Steve Martin's wheelhouse. Supported by a stellar cast and screenplay, Martin gets to show off his comedic and acting skills as an insecure dad who desperately doesn't want to be like his own dad. Ang Lee's "Eat Drink Man Woman" (1994) is one of his cl…

Text Matt & Adam! We check out a couple of films with criminal women. Alfred Hitchcock had just come off a run of four of his classic films when he directed "Marnie" in 1964. The story of a woman thief with a dark past, who has a weird relationship with a rich guy. The movie's poster had the words, suspenseful, sex, mystery, and there was none of t…

Text Matt & Adam! Psychopaths is the latest the latest theme. First up, "White Heat", James Cagney classic star turn as Cody Jarrett, the psycho criminal gang leader who doesn't mind killing and also had a weird thing for his mother. The on screen violent tendencies are much milder in this film, than it is in our second feature, "Ichi the Killer". …

Text Matt & Adam! What a weekend is the theme this week. The guys raise a glass to Billy Wilder's "The Lost Weekend" for its mostly accurate but sometimes cartoonish portrayal of alcoholism. Jonathan Demme's "Rachel Getting Married" caused some disagreement but not about Anne Hathaway's crazy hotness. Was it the movie or the characters that one of …

Text Matt & Adam! We watched a couple of chess movies. "Fresh" (1994) is a film about a teenager who takes lessons he learned from the chess board to help him survive the streets of NYC. He's always 3 or 4 steps ahead. John Leguizamo's "Critical Thinking" (2020) tells a true story about a high school chess team from Miami win chess tournaments. The…

Text Matt & Adam! We celebrate Ben Gazzara - sort of. First up is "Saint Jack" (1979), a wonderful Peter Bogdanovich film that seems to be written for Gazzara. The story of an American wanting nothing more than to open a brothel in Singapore. We loved this film and agree that it is as underrated as they come. Our second feature is not really a Ben …

Text Matt & Adam! Teenage Killers as our theme. "The Boys Next Door" (1985) is the story about two outcasts who take a deadly road trip the day after they graduate from high school. The two leads, played by Maxwell Caulfield and Charlie Sheen, are good in a predictable story that doesn't carry the punch our second film has. Gus Van Sant's "Elephant…

Text Matt & Adam! Oops, I witnessed a murder is the latest theme. "Deep Red" (1975) is the second film we've reviewed by Italian horror director Dario Argento, and it is much like the first, "Suspiria". Lots of head scratching moments, yet we both liked it. Argento is inventive in ways to kill people. DePalma's "Blow Out" (1981) was a new genre of …

Text Matt & Adam! Affairs gone bad! "Little Children" (2006) is less about children, and more about childish adults. Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson give masterful performances as a cheating couple. Don't miss Jackie Earle Haley's (Bad News Bears) acting return. "The Housemaid" (2010) is our latest South Korean film, and it doesn't disappoint. As m…

Text Matt & Adam! The kids aren't alright is our latest theme. Based on a true story, "Rivers Edge" (1986) is about a group of high school kids who don't feel or do much of anything after one of them kills his girlfriend. Also based on a true story, "Bully" (2001) takes us to South Florida where a bunch of not-so-bright teenagers decide to kill a f…

Text Matt & Adam! Sleuth's sleuthing. Jane Fonda won Best Actress for "Klute", a suspenseful film about a NYC call girl who winds up in an investigation of a missing man. Some interesting camera work, never got boring and is unique as any movie you'll see. Worst name ever for a must-see film. "Decision to Leave" is the latest from "Old Boy" directo…

Text Matt & Adam! The end of the world is the latest theme and we have a couple of must-sees. "Last Night" (1998) is a little-known Canadian film starring Sandra Oh. It's the last night on earth and everyone knows it, but they all handle it differently. Two-time academy winner, director Alfonso Cuaron gave the world one of the best films we've revi…

Text Matt & Adam! Deep Cover is the latest theme , and it makes sense that one of our films is called "Deep Cover"(1992). Laurence Fishbourne and Jeff Goldblum star in this undercover cop story and they both kill, acting wise that is. Director Bill Duke show off his chops. David Cronenberg's "Eastern Promises" (2007) is as tight of a Russian mob mo…

Text Matt & Adam! Mad cap movies is the latest theme and only one of our films really fit that description. "Arsenic and Old Lace" (1944) is the tale of two sweet, old ladies who show kindness to strangers by killing them. Cary Grant stars as their nephew Mortimer who finds out their secret and then zaniness ensues. "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" (1988)…

Text Matt & Adam! "Bad ass chicks" is the theme with two 80's films suggested by a listener. "Night of the Comet" (1984) is the story of a comet that whizzes by Earth and turns most people to dust, but others to zombies. Two teenage sisters battle zombies and find love along the way. "The Legend of Billie Jean" (1985) shows what can happen when a t…

Text Matt & Adam! Mistaken identity is the latest theme. David Mamet's "Things Change" (1988) is the story of an old Italian shoe shiner who's agreed to take the fall for a murder, but then is mistaken for a Mafia boss. Matt loves this film and Adam liked it but thought it could have been better. "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999) is one of those und…

Text Matt & Adam! Showdown is the theme. "High Noon" (1952) is one of the best/most famous westerns of all time. Gary Cooper won an Oscar for his portrayal of Marshall Will Kane, but that is not the only thing going for it. The script is progressive and way ahead of its' time. John Wayne called it the un-American, which made the boys love it more. …

Text Matt & Adam! Actors playing against type is the theme. Jason Priestly stars in "Coldblooded" (1995) as nice guy bookie who's forced to become a hit man. Turns out he's good at it. It could have been funnier. Dark comedies should have comedy. Tom Hanks plays against type as our second hit man in "Road to Perdition" (2002. Sam Mendes is one of t…

Text Matt & Adam! From the mailroom to the boardroom is the theme this week. Michael J. Fox's "The Secret of My Success" (1987) was a film young Adam liked and still does. Matt thinks it needs a little recasting and definitely a new soundtrack. "The Hudsucker Proxy" (1994) was a box office disaster for the Coen Brothers, but they followed it up wit…

Text Matt & Adam! We took listener advice and watched "Harvey" (1950). So, this week's theme is giant invisible rabbits. Jimmy Stewart plays the amiable Elwood P Dowd, a man whose best friend is a 6 foot three- and one-half tall rabbit only he can see. Or perhaps not. Matt loves this film for its sweetness, but Adam was bothered by the shrillness o…

Text Matt & Adam! Neo-Noir is the theme. Robert Altman's "The Long Goodbye" (1973) is one of many Phillip Marlowe films made and it's one of the best. Elliot Gould is terrific as the mumbling, smart-ass gumshoe. We liked the film, but thought the ending was way out of character. "Brick" (2005) is modern day high school murder mystery that uses dial…

Text Matt & Adam! Bad lieutenant's is the theme for this week. "Bad Lieutenant" (1992) seemed like a logical choice and while it's not "bad", it's not that good either. A bad cop's life is circling down the toilet and we watch the last days. It's incoherent but saved by Keitel's fearless portrayal of a man at the end of his rope. In Korea's, "A Har…

Text Matt & Adam! Failed comedians is the latest theme. Martin Scorcese's "The King of Comedy" (1982) is about a loser who will do anything to be on TV because he thinks it'd be better to be a King for a night than a schmuck for a lifetime. Marty's most underrated film? Joaquin Phoenix crushes the role of a lifetime in 2019's "Joker". Next, bad cop…

Text Matt & Adam! The theme for this week is fixers. "Michael Clayton" (2007), stars George Clooney as a bag man for a huge law firm that is representing a Monsanto-like company. The lead attorney on the case has a mental breakdown and Clooney has to clean it up. Matt and Adam wanted more Clooney fixing. Brad Pitt is a different kind of fixer in "K…

Text Matt & Adam! "I love this stupid movie" is this week's theme. "Rhubarb" (1951) is the story about a cat who inherits a major league baseball team. Definitely a little stupid, but also very funny. Rhubarb is played by Orangey, a cat that with 30 acting credits to his name and the only animal to be named winner of the prestigious Patsy Awards (a…

Text Matt & Adam! On the lam is the theme for this week. Sam Peckinpah's "The Getaway" (1972) is based on the pulp novel written by Jim Thompson and stars Steve McQueen. With all that going for it, you'd think it would be a really good film, but it's just not. It's not bad but could have been better with a recast of the two leads. "Midnight Special…

Text Matt & Adam! "Messed up mentors" is this week's theme. "Wonder Boys" (2000) has its issues but was an undeserving box office flop. A lot going on but could actually have been longer if a couple characters had been fleshed out. We agree with one RT critic:"there's a lot to like in this fine mess of a film". Sean Connery plays a J.D. Salinger ty…

Text Matt & Adam! Hashish will put you in foreign prisons is the theme this week. "Midnight Express" (1978) is the story of an American college student attempting to smuggle 2 kilos of hash. He's caught and thrown into a horrible prison. Loosely based on a true story, it was great and star Brad Davis stole the show. "Return to Paradise" (1998) is b…

Text Matt & Adam! Cat and mouse films this week. William Friedkin's "The French Connection" (1971) is based on the true exploits of NYPD Detective Popeye Doyle, a street level narcotic agent who engages in a battle of wits with a French heroin smuggler. Popeye is Matt's favorite Gene Hackman character of his film career. From South Korea. "The Chas…

Text Matt & Adam! People on boats is the theme this week. "The Perfect Storm" (2000) is based on the huge best seller far from perfect. In fact, it's terrible. From the screenplay, the acting and terrible score, there is very little to like. Ok special effects, but that's it. Worst George Clooney movie.?From Greece, "Chevalier" (2015) is likable be…

Text Matt & Adam! Scam movies is the theme this week. David Mamet's "House of Games" (1987) is an interesting look at how con artists ply their trade, but is dragged down a bit by the performance of the lead actress. Show favorite Giovanni Ribisi stars in "Boiler Room" (2000), and he's as good as he always as the son of a judge who gets involved wi…

Text Matt & Adam! Oscar fail month wraps with one burning question - is it easier to portray a modern famous person or one that has been dead for 130 years? Malek won for his Freddy Mercury , but mostly for his concert scenes. The film was more of a medley (meh-dley). Meanwhile, in "At Eternity's Gate", Dafoe submerged himself into one of the world…

Text Matt & Adam! Oscar fails month continues with the 2009 Best Director category. Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire" is probably the best choice of those nominated. The direction was best when the characters were young in the slums of Bombay, but it bogged down in the second half. Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" is a modern day film noir m…

Text Matt & Adam! Oscar fails month with 1999 Best Picture winner "Shakespeare in Love" (1998). Comedies generally don't win the Oscar's top prize, and this one was just okay. "Life is Beautiful" (1998) is the story of a man who tries to shield his son from the fact they are in a concentration camp. Roberto Benigni won Best Actor pretty much playin…

Text Matt & Adam! "Oscars Fails March" continues with two films about race relations. "Driving Miss Daisy" won Best Picture, but compared is one dimensional and could have been made in the 60's (6:37). While Lee's film is highly energized and screaming in your face that it's now time to really talk about our relations with each other. Still relevan…

Text Matt & Adam! Oscar mistakes is the theme for the next few weeks. In 1970, John Wayne won Best Actor for his role in "True Grit" (1969) and Dustin Hoffman did not for "Midnight Cowboy". John Wayne played Rooster Cogburn as John Wayne, except for an eye patch. Dustin Hoffman should have won for his portrayal of Ratso Rizzo, a New York City down …

Text Matt & Adam! Desperate Dudes is this week's theme. Vermont's own Treat William stars as a corrupt NYC police officer trying to right his wrongs in Sidney Lumet's "Prince of the City" (1981). Williams is terrific as he rides an emotional rollercoaster in this nearly three-hour film. From Korea, "A Bittersweet Life" (2005) is the story about a m…

Text Matt & Adam! The theme is quirky films. Spanish director Pedro Almodovar's "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" (1988) was a minor hit and probably minor Almodovar. Miranda July's "You and Me and Everyone We Know" (2005) nailed the quirkiness in a good way. A funny and sometimes sad film about lonely people making connections (or not). …

Text Matt & Adam! French Noir is the theme for this week. Louis Malle's "Elevator to the Gallows" (1958) is a story about two lovers whose plan goes awry in every way possible. Like "After Hours" with murder and Miles Davis. "Le Samourai" (1967) featured an incredible opening shot, an unusual lead, and another great soundtrack. Next up Quirky films…

Text Matt & Adam! Killer teens is the latest theme. "Heavenly Creatures" (1994) is an outstanding film in so many ways. Peter Jackson's (Lord of the Rings, meh) finest film? Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet steal the show in their debuts as the murderous duo. "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" (2017) - the best film of 2017? Unnerving to watch, it is d…

Text Matt & Adam! Nicolas Cage is the theme for the latest episode. "Mandy" (2018) is the story about a couple quietly living in the country until they are terrorized by some sort of cult and LSD-crazed bikers (03:26). "Pig" (2021) has Cage living as a recluse in the country again, but this time with his prized truffle pig. Someone steals the pig a…

Text Matt & Adam! Military gold heist is this week's theme. Matt last saw "Kelly's Heroes" (1970) at the drive in as a 16 year old, and was disappointed that it didn't hold up well. "Heroes" started out on a good note, but got bogged down while trying to figure out what kind of movie it wanted to be. "Three Kings" (1999), set during the first Gulf …