PodCast 246: "Out Of Sight" (1998) - A Social Bobcat / Neo-Noir Episode w/ Ryan

Watched:  06/16/2023

Format:  BluRay

Viewing:  Third?  Fourth?

Director:  Soderbergh

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The Social Bobcat is back to dig deep into this 1990's classic of cool. Join us as we take a look at what forces were at play in the 1990's, what works in this movie that makes it okay to be cool, and that putting Clooney and JLo in your movie is not a bad idea.

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The Signal Watch PodCast · 246: "Out Of Sight" (1998) - A Social Bobcat / Neo-Noir Episode w/ Ryan

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Music:

Fight the Power, Pt. 1 - The Isley Bros. 

Foley, Pt. 2 - David Holmes, Out of Sight OST 

Noir and Neo-Noir Playlist

The Signal Watch PodCast · Noir Watch

Happy Birthday to Jane Russell and Erica Durance

 

Today happens to mark the birthdays of both Erica Durance and Jane Russell.  

Durance is most famous around this site for her portrayal of Lois Lane on TV's Smallville, where she was an absolute highlight of the show.  She's currently doing a lot of TV and TV/Film work, so who knows what she'll be in this year, but I think we can guarantee a couple of Hallmark films.

Russell is a star of the studio-era of Hollywood, and there's many books and articles about her, and you can do your own research, but you should absolutely see Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.  

And, pondering Durance's early starring role, I do wonder what an A-List Superman of the 1940's and 50's would have looked like with Russell as Lois.  There's any number of actors who could have put on the cape, and I always think of Ruth Roman for Lois, but Russell would have been a fascinating choice.  

Anyway, keep your eyes peeled for Durance, who it looks like may have a mystery-movie series now on Hallmark.

Art House NSFW Watch: Singapore Sling (1990)

Watched:  06/19/2023

Format:  Criterion

Viewing:  First

Director:  Niklos Nikloidas

Sometimes JAL pitches a movie and, knowing nothing about it, I say "sure.  This will surely be different from my usual fare."  And, indeed, such is the case with 1990's Singapore Sling, a Greek-made film in English and French, that was part of a movement I'd never heard of before, that being a Greek-based Shock Cinema.  I am unsure this is a real movement, but this is maybe the second Greek film I've ever seen, and I know no one who is Greek, so, why not?

Firstly, I'm not sure I actually think you should watch this movie.  It's a real YMMV bit of cinema that is intended to deliberately provoke and upset and make you laugh.  In the US we'd call it exploitation cinema for lack of a better label, but I'd argue that label is on the wrong jar in this case.  

In general, I don't ask the question:  what is this movie for?

New Movie Watch: Ghosted (2023)

Watched:  06/17/2023

Format:  Apple+

Viewing:  First

Director:  Dexter Fletcher

What's funny about Ghosted (2023) is that if it came out 25 years ago, this movie would have been a fairly big theatrical hit.  Now it's dumped on Apple+, who immediately cease advertising any movie they own two days after the movie is released.  So, you probably already forgot to watch this one - if you ever considered it - and it's more than likely you forgot it exists.

It's also the sort of thing people used to go see, but now just shrug at, because we've seen a lot of stuff like this since True Lies (in my experience).  If you did see the trailer and thought "I know exactly what this is, so I'm good", you aren't wrong.  It's a movie that feels generated by AI at the script level, and relies entirely on the charm of stars Chris Evans and Ana de Armas - who are both charming as hell.