There are currently close to half a million movies in circulation that date from the turn of the 20th century to the present day. Obscuria Filmcast explores the countless films of note that have slipped through the cracks of history for one reason or another. Our selections include box office flops that went on to become cult classics, made-for-TV movies that hold a special place in our hearts, groundbreaking documentaries that you've probably never heard of, as well as any obscure film with an emphasis on the strange, surreal, or grotesque. Each week we rotate to a different host who presents a film for the other hosts to watch for the upcoming episode. If you'd like to suggest a film for an upcoming episode and be featured as a guest on our special clubhouse edition of the podcast, feel free to email us at obscuriafilmpodcast@gmail.com.
Whether you are a fan of Godzilla movies and the Kaiju genre or not, this film is truly authentic to the genre. For a film like this to come out in 2003 with real, scaled set design, real actors in costume, and minimal special effects, particularly when CGI and Michael Bay-Style explosion sequences were the order of the day, is a testament to the discipline and rigor of the filmmakers. I recommend watching this film on as large a screen as possible in a completely blacked out room for the best possible experience. And if you have young children, even better. This is a film the whole family can enjoy.
15 Jul 2022
"Body Parts" (1991), Episode 25
In this classic 90s body horror sci-fi flick we have Jeff Fahey star as the recipient of an arm transplant with some questionable ethical ramifications, not to mention some serious lifestyle consequences for the recipient and the family he loves. Worth mentioning is a standout performance from supporting actor Brad Dourif (Chucky, from "Child's Play", Billy Bibbit, from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest") who plays the other arm transplant recipient. This film is totally bonkers and everything you'd hope to find in an over the top body horror flick from the turn of the 90s decade.
22 Jun 2022
Episode 24: "Freak Out", 2015
In this Kafkaesque Israeli Horror Comedy, one nerdy desk jockey sets out for a weekend of compulsory military patrol with his three machismo counterparts who bully him incessantly. It's not clear what the hell is happening on this military base, but something strange is afoot. In this episode, we invite you to explore this peculiar film, full of political and social symbolism and allegory dealing with many layers of Israeli culture and society.
22 Jun 2022
Episode 23: "High Spirits", 1988
"High Spirits" was made because MGM heard Warner Brothers was making a "Beetlejuice"-type movie, so MGM wanted their own version whacky, undead, love story comedy. Steve Guttenberg is a brilliant actor, but he is directed a little off in this absurd tale of... sex? and... ghosts? and... alcoholism? Peter O'Toole did his own stunts and was actually drunk in the movie. You can see Liam Neeson deliver a joke. Something got lost in the edit with this weirdo masterpiece suffering from 'too-many-cooks-in-the-kitchen' syndrome. But "High Spirits" is free on this wonderful platform.
22 Jun 2022
Episode 22: "The Swimmer", 1968
The American dream has been elusive for many people over the years. In cinema the conventional "American dream" process has been executed many times. But in 1968's "The Swimmer" the aftermath of achieving the American dream is laid out for us. This film is a hidden gem because it has Burt Lancaster shirtless the whole time (with seeing his bare butt) and it has all the hallmarks of convention starting with it's movie star Burt Lancaster, following with it's cast of suburban functional alcoholics chumming it up and having a good exchange of gossip. But, as the viewer watches we get clues about Ned (Burt Lancaster); the type of man he is, or at least was; why he won't allude to where he was the past couple of years; does he have money problems? etc. Upon the ending of the film the viewer is left filling-in-the-blanks creating a story which poses the question of 'if we were to fall from grace would we even notice?'
8 Apr 2022
Episode 21: "Arizona Dream", 1994
"Arizona Dream" is the 90s independent cinema that is so loose, obscure, and meaningful that you wonder how it ever got made, way back when smoking cigarettes was still cool. You ask yourself, 'Which Hollywood executive approved THIS script?' This movie has one of the best casts I have ever seen, Johnny Depp, Lili Taylor, Faye Dunaway, Vincent Gallo, and Jerry Lewis each embody their characters so well it makes the viewer envious they weren't on set during the making of this movie to give 'atta boys' to the cast & crew for doing such a good job! There are two versions of this film, which always gets me excited, there is a 120 minute and 142 minute versions so choose wisely.
24 Mar 2022
Episode 19: "American Mary", 2012
"American Mary" shows us what Canadians are up to. If you wanted to see a compelling movie where you see the main character not change at all, this is your bag. If you wanted to see David Cronenberg's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" but have it not be about vampires this would be your favorite movie. Also, the lighting fixtures in the art design are impeccable.
22 Mar 2022
Episode 20: "Surfwise", 2008
Surfwise" 2008, is an exploration into spirituality and nature as told by an old man who lived the life few have ever experienced and forced his family to do the same. The concept for this movie, 2 parents and 9 kids in a camper driving around these great United States learning life from the human point-of-view. It's such a great concept that if anyone would write it into a screenplay no one would believe it possible, but here it is.
7 Feb 2022
Episode 18: "Private Practices: The Story of a Sex Surrogate", 1985
Imagine you know a guy who struggles to approach women and assert himself, so much so, that he hires a professional to help him. I know what you might be thinking. Sure, guys have been hiring prostitutes forever to help them get over whatever sexual hangups they might be struggling with, but that's not what the 1985 film "Private Practices: The Story of a Sex Surrogate" is really about. In this probing and intimate documentary, Filmmaker Kirby Dick explores the sexual therapeutic journeys of two men, Kipper, a 25 year old painfully shy virgin, and John, a 45 year old divorcee who has been struggling with feelings of sexual inadequacy; and a woman, Maureen, The Sex Surrogate who is going to heal them. This episode contains explicit content and is intended for adults only.
23 Jan 2022
Episode 17: "Clue", 1985
"Clue" has one of the most fantastic casts every assembled. Each one of these amazing six actors of the main cast are (near) legends. This comedy is the most perfect murder mystery because there are three endings, and each ending's scenario fits into the narrative of the movie. So, even if you know the ending of the movie, you'd want to see it again to see if the other two endings fit. This movie is Jonathan Lynn's directorial debut and went on to do "My Cousin Vinny" seven years after this film. If you're a Tim Curry fan you need to see this, there is no "Clue" without Mr. Curry. If you have a thing for French maids you'll love this movie.
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