Just The Discs - Episode 120 - "The To Watch Pile" Vol. 1

On this new series, Brian and a guest will talk through a bunch of discs they have in their "To Watch" Pile (a phenomenon all collectors will be familiar with), but have not yet gotten a chance to check out. For this first round, Brian is joined by YouTuber and returning guest Aaron Pynn to chat about some movies they've been waiting to get to on disc. Labels touched on include Nameless Media, Film Movement, Arrow Video, Scream Factory, Vinegar Syndrome, Kino Lorber, Scorpion Releasing and more!
Check out Aaron's Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC86Rb_aoMKA3IKKZwJBhLVQ

Please rate and subscribe if you like the show!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/justthediscss-podcast/id1205661081

The show is also available on Stitcher:
http://stitcher.com/s?fid=131109&refid=stpr

And Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/4pVs0GizflEFQT23FDFsY2

Or You can Listen to and download the episode right here:

Follow the Show on Twitter here for Episodes and new Blu-ray News!
https://twitter.com/justthediscspod

We're also on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/justthediscspod/

We now have t-shirts (& other merch)! Support the show and get some cool stuff! 
https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/4782952-just-the-discs-logo

Discs Covered on This Episode:

THE HITCHER (Nameless Media)

MURDERLUST (Intervision)

THE REFLECTING SKIN (Film Movement)

UNIVERSAL HORROR COLLECTION: VOLUME ONE (Scream Factory)

THE REPTILE (Scream Factory)

GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE (Vinegar Syndrome)

BILLY THE KID VS. DRACULA (Kino Lorber)

New Release Roundup for the week of August 20th, 2019

MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION on Blu-ray (Criterion)
https://amzn.to/31HdJA5

CRUISING on Blu-ray (Arrow)
https://amzn.to/2Z7gkS0

THE HARDER THEY COME on Blu-ray (Shout Factory)
https://amzn.to/2H7GCgK

THE WITCHES on Blu-ray (Warner Archive)
https://amzn.to/31yIxTs

LAST YEAR AT MARIENBAD on Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)
https://amzn.to/31E23Ol

THE BUSTER KEATON COLLECTION: VOLUME 3 (Cohen Media)
https://amzn.to/2Z5Hfxu

BILLY THE KID VS. DRACULA on Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)
https://amzn.to/2Z3OQwE

THE 4D MAN on Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)
https://amzn.to/2Z6AcF0

HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN on Blu-ray (Scream Factory)
https://amzn.to/2Ty1tPk

DINOSAURS! on Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)
https://amzn.to/2KxfNEY

WILD IN THE COUNTRY on Blu-ray (Twilight Time)
https://www.twilighttimemovies.com/wild-in-the-country-blu-ray/

THE PRESIDENT'S LADY on Blu-ray (Twilight Time)
https://www.twilighttimemovies.com/presidents-lady-the-blu-ray/

SWEET CHARITY on Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)
https://amzn.to/31Grtew

THE MARRYING MAN on Blu-ray (Kino Lorber)
https://amzn.to/2Z2VHXj

Underrated '89 - Kevin Maher

Kevin Maher is a writer-producer and the host of KEVIN GEEKS OUT, a live video variety show. You can see his video essays at www.LoveKevin.com.

1989 saw the start of the Bush presidency and the demise of “7-Up Gold”. Mel Blanc died, and Jake Lloyd was born. Movie theaters were showing a number of franchise sequels and launches, but here are six films that didn’t get their due.

SONNY BOY (dir. Robert Martin Carroll)
Filmmakers like Jess Franco talk about combining grindhouse and art house, SONNY BOY delivers. The result is a polarizing cult film, which some viewers will inevitably call “difficult to watch.” But the rest of us will be thrilled to see weirdo character actors in starring roles: Paul L. Smith shines. Brad Dourif showcases an array of hairstyles over the film’s 20-year story. Plus, Sydney Lassick with a fake mustache.

THE TALL GUY (dir. Mel Smith)
This British rom-com puts the “light” in delightful. THE TALL GUY is structured as a charming triptych, alternately focusing on West End revues, a love story and high-concept musical theater. (Director Paul Smith and screenwriter Richard Curtis were old pros of sketch comedy, so they do for ‘80s revues what 30 ROCK did for TV Sketch shows.) Plus, it’s Jeff “Brundlefly” Goldblum playing an actor playing the Elephant man in a stage musical.

LEVIATHAN (dir. George P. Cosmatos)
The summer of ‘89 included a rash of undersea adventures. LEVIATHAN is like an Italian knock-off of THE ABYSS, copying bits of JAWS, ALIEN, and DIE HARD for good measure. This is by no means a “hidden gem waiting to be rediscovered” but a late ‘80s action movie that’s better than its reputation. The secret weapon is Ernie Hudson.

HOW TO GET AHEAD IN ADVERTISING (dir. Bruce Robinson)
Satire doesn’t deal in lot of laugh-out-loud moments, even more so when it’s British Satire. This critique of advertising is preachy, but bizarre. Plus, a superb performance by Richard E. Grant. For best results, go back in time and show this film to your impressionable teenage self.

SKIN DEEP (dir. Black Edwards)
By 1989, Blake Edwards’ brand of comedy was an endangered species. (Not because of its dated sexual politics, but because of the gag-driven approach.) This was the second-to-last theatrical feature from the director of THE PINK PANTHER, VICTOR/VICTORIA and THE PARTY. Watching SKIN DEEP today, it’s refreshing to see the lack of ad-libs and lengthy improvisation. Here’s a filmmaker constructing comedic scenarios and letting them play out like a farcical Rube Goldberg machine, filled with a horny lothario, a hateful mother-in-law, zany car accidents, and a tough-talking shrink (played by choreographer Michael Kidd!)

(Buy this poster here: https://etsy.me/2Tzhgh0)

THE ‘BURBS (dir. Joe Dante)
It took me multiple viewings (over several years) to “get” THE ‘BURBS, the same way people require repetition to unlock THE BIG LEBOWSKI or Radiohead’s OK Computer. In 2016, Joe Dante screened it as a double-feature with IT’S A GIFT, and I understood how parts of THE ‘BURBS play like a W.C. Fields film.