PODCAST

Ex Rated Movies

A movie podcast by two guys who used to date but don"t anymore. We cover a broad range of movies focusing on style, substance, and originality. Or a complete lack thereof! Come join the "fun"!

tv & film visual arts

All Episodes

Episode 197 Gremlins 2: The New Batch

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/05/19

It’s a true testament to how great Gremlins is that practically everyone came back to work on Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990). And the fact that studio execs held out until Joe Dante was willing to make it with complete creative control, proves that whatever unique blend of horror and comedy that this movie achieves, is unrepeatable. Bigger and wackier than the first, yet still ringing all the same bells, this delightfully satisfying sequel is the ideal example of what can happen when art and

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Episode 196 The Wiz

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/05/11

Evillene would be pleased because this week, we’ve got good news; we’re talking about The Wiz (1978)! Starring an age-inappropriate Diana Ross, a peanut-butter-cup-wrapper-sporting Michael Jackson, and directed by a put-the-camera-in-the-nosebleeds Sidney Lumet, this one-of-a-kind flick reimagines The Wizard of Oz with an all-black cast singing familiar story beats in soul and gospel style. Filled with huge set pieces, imaginative costume design, excellent vocal performances, and tight choreography,

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Episode 195 The Secret of NIMH

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/05/03

It seems that for those of us who grew up in the 80’s, The Secret of NIMH (1982) either conjures fond memories of a magical adventure or summons terrifying traumas of non-stop peril. The Exes and their newly minted #1 guest Travis Vogt, are solidly in the former category. Helmed by Don Bluth and completed by a team of Disney expats, this masterpiece of old-school hand-drawn animation tells a grim tale of a nameless widow mouse who, when faced with impossible choices, finds the courage to conquer

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Episode 194 Brand Upon the Brain

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/04/28

It’s been a while since we visited the strange, idiosyncratic world of Guy Maddin, but Brand Upon the Brain (2006) reminds us that we should definitely check in with it more often. Deploying frequent rapid cuts, melodramatic music, and cinematography reminiscent of film’s silent era, Maddin has concocted a feverish delirium of gender obfuscation, Oedipal implication, and Nosferatu insinuation on a shoestring budget. His films with their dazzling singular style and convoluted plots may be difficult

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Episode 193 A Scanner Darkly

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/04/19

Drugs drugs drugs drugs drugs! In honor of 4/20, today’s episode is all about drugs, man. Based on the Philip K. Dick novel and directed by Richard Linklater, A Scanner Darkly (2006) weaves a trippy, paranoid tale of an undercover narcotics officer who may be in over his head. Done in mesmerizing rotoscope-esqe animation and featuring an amazing cast that somehow includes Alex Jones, this cautionary tale about the high cost of addiction criminalization has an emotional resonance that keeps it from

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Episode 192 Repulsion

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/04/13

If you feel a bit disoriented seeing this week’s movie title instead of Sicario, don’t fear! You’re not having a break with reality! Ryan pulled a switcheroo behind the scenes and forced Matt to talk about Repulsion (1965) instead. Directed by Roman Polanski, this slow burn fever dream stars Catherine Deneuve (in her first role) as another Carol suffering from mental health problems who is left alone to stew in her psychosis. And while some of the special effects betray its shoestring budget, this

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Episode 191 Spring Breakers

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/04/09

It’s spring break y’all! Time to slap on a bikini bottom and polish up your grill because we’re covering Harmony Korine’s impressive tale of youth gone wild, Spring Breakers (2012). Filled with mesmerizing slo-mo montages and provocative juxtapositions, this neon-hued joyride defies expectations as it follows four young women in search of hedonism, power, and all that life has to offer. Join us as we ask: is this movie a bluff that no one wanted to call? What’s up with Gucci Mane’s face tattoos? And

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Episode 190 Martha and Veronika Voss

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/03/15

While obscure German arthouse cinema might not scream “party time” to most, here at Ex Rated Movies, it’s a downright jubilee! Throughout the 70’s and into the early 80’s, Ranier Werner Fassbinder (not to be confused with Michael Fassbender) was a talented and innovative voice in cinema. Though problematic (and sometimes hard to watch), his films combine difficult subject matter with creative visual flourishes and breathtaking imagery. Our double feature Fassbinder Filmbender includes the maybe

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Episode 189 Birth

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/03/08

Happy Birth (2004) Day! This episode has been a long time coming so we’re giving ourselves a congratulatory pat on the back as we tackle this icky squicky drama about a woman whose decade-long dead husband is seemingly reincarnated in the body of a 10 year old boy. Directed by the gifted Jonathan Glazer and starring Nicole Kidman in what may be her finest role, this muted, solemn tale challenges its viewers to accept the preposterous premise and truly wrestle with the messy implications contained

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Episode 188 Notes on a Scandal

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/03/01

On paper, Notes on a Scandal (2006) has our names written all over it. A sapphic British psychosexual thriller starring Judy Dench and Cate Blanchett? Yes please! However in practice, the movie doesn’t quite live up to its promise. Despite its rich subject matter, stellar performances, and competent production, the film relies heavily on tired voiceover, leaves important themes virtually unexplored, and muddies many scenes with an oppressive Philip Glass score (sorry, Philip). It all adds up to a

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Episode 187 Dangerous Liaisons

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/02/22

We’ve hinted about doing Dangerous Liaisons (1987) for ages and today, my dear listener, is the day. Based on the late 18th century epistolary novel by Choderlos De Laclos, and directed by Stephen Frears: The King of Middlebrow Cinema™, this wicked little gem dares to paint the French aristocracy as snipey manipulators bent on vindictive sexual conquest and calculated emotional revenge. Come for the extraordinary cast, elaborate intrigue, and opulent production design. Stay for the exquisite

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Episode 186 Possession

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/02/15

It’s Valentine’s Day season and Matt is reviving an old tradition we have here at the podcast of celebrating a day devoted to romance with a movie that doesn’t have a hint of romance in it. Possession (1981) is a movie that defies categorization. Part relationship drama, part sci-fi horror, part Cold War allegory (maybe?), Andrzej Żuławski’s emotional tour-de-force stars Isabelle Adjani (giving an impassioned performance) and Sam Neill (once again playing an unwanted husband) as they reckon with the

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Episode 185 The Hitch-Hiker

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/02/08

January 2021, a month that will surely only be remembered for Bean Dad and Game Stop stock, is now behind us. That means we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming with the only Hollywood film noir directed by a woman, The Hitch-Hiker (1953). Based on the real-life cross-country killing spree of Billy Cook, certified “cool lady” Ida Lupino tells this brutal and emotionally wrought tale with empathy and flair. While perhaps not a typical noir, this desert-set, chiaroscuro-drenched affair

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Angels in Americathon 6: Heaven, I'm in Heaven

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/01/21

After more than six hours and four bottles of wine, we’ve reached the end of our journey. And while we neglect to mention the episode’s title, we did remember to look up the production designer! Heaven, I’m in Heaven closes out Angels in America on a supremely satisfying note. Unfortunately, the play’s dismal analysis of conservative American politics remains accurate to this day, but it’s message of hopeful progress through adversity endures as well. Join us for the tired and tearful final

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Angels in Americathon 5: Beyond Nelly

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/01/18

Part five, Beyond Nelly, left us dirty, tangled, and torn. It also confirmed Ryan’s bi-ness. This installment finds Hannah calling Prior “Batman”, Belize describing a fabulous version of heaven to Roy, and Harper learning about change from a bitter lady of the plains. Things are getting heavy as the grindy gears of justice slowly spin towards their inexorable ends as new relationships begin to bloom while other fade away. Join us for an episode that includes a three wiener callback, beautiful

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Angels in Americathon 4: Stop Moving!

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/01/14

Perestroika begins with Stop Moving!, a slower chapter that takes its time establishing the new places and situations our characters find themselves in. Louis and Joe are shacking up and talking about smells. Prior is home and having wet dreams about an angel with eight vaginas. And Belize is reluctantly taking care of Roy who is now slowly deteriorating in the hospital. What is the pterodactyl sex move? Where does Ryan land on the Kinsey scale? How would middle toe sex work? The answers to these

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Angels in Americathon 3: The Messenger

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/01/11

Part three of Millennium Approaches, The Messenger, serves as a nice tonic to the emotionally difficult previous chapter. It starts with Michael Gambon and Simon Callow looking like they’ve been dredged in flour and it ends with Meryl Streep dressed as Ethel Rosenberg gleefully commenting on the melodious sounds of a touchtone phone. We’re halfway through and the cracks are starting to show as we discuss the lamentable consequences of venery, purple v mauve, and our undeniable similarities to

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Angels in Americathon 2: In Vitro

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/01/07

Second acts tend to be downers. And since In Vitro is the second act of Millennium Approaches (the first play of the gay fantasia Angels in America), it’s a bit of a downer. Everyone is either breaking up with their SO’s in bad faith, or getting all intestinal with their AIDS infections, or both! At least this chapter introduces Belize, who enters glitteringly with his fabulous coat and graceful air to salve our already weary emotional states. We’re two episodes in and we still haven’t looked up the

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Angels in Americathon 1: Bad News

Ex Rated Movies ·

2021/01/04

2020? We’ve had plenty! 2021? We’ve had none! Well, we’ve had a little bit. It’s January and that means bonus content time here at Ex Rated Movies. This year we’re tackling the sprawling HBO miniseries, Angels in America (2003). Directed by Mike Nichols and starring Meryl Streep and Al Pacino (among others) this bold and clear-eyed work wrestles with AIDS, homosexuality, and the storm that surrounded them in 1980’s America. Join us for Bad News, the tone-setting first chapter of our Angles in

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Episode 184 Batman Returns

Ex Rated Movies ·

2020/12/28

Christmas may be over, but we still have one last Christmas in December episode up our stocking! We’re closing out the celebration (and the year!) with a movie that is so inside our wheelhouse, it may as well be the damn wheelhouse. Tim Burton’s Batman Returns (1992) is an incredible confluence of a thoughtful script, Hollywood money, artful directing, perfect casting of a committed cast, amazing costumes, spot-on production design, a killer score, and the best transformation scene of any character,

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