DeGen Cinema Podcast

Whiplash (2014) | Fist Fighting Your Music Teacher

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay find their tempo as they talk about 2014's psychological masterpiece, 'Whiplash.' Andy opens up the episode by recalling the time he saw a drummer in school lose his mind and attack the music teacher. Then the fellas dive into Damien Chazzelle's breakout film that presents as a sports movie, but is actually more akin to a two-hander thriller. The film is stuffed with jazz nerd specificity — and is an ode to the insane skill and work ethic it takes to become talented enough to play in one of these ensembles — which serves as a background for J.K. Simmons' maniacal Fletcher. Sure, the film is about pathological focus, but Fletcher's tyrannical outbursts are not only terrifying, but they are legitimately hilarious as he delivers one boundary-pushing offensive quip after another. Miles Teller is equally as compelling as the quiet spoken, yet low-key narcissistic drummer who yearns for Fletcher's approval while eschewing his own doting father — played by a wonderful Paul Reiser, who delivers a chilling expression as he witnesses his son transform into a monster during the transcendent closing sequence of the film. Throughout the episodes the boys reference 'The Godfather' movies, and other certified classics, as they believe more people in the film community should be heralding it as the propulsive perfectly-placed psychological thriller that it is.

Zoolander (2001) | Starting Crazy Gasoline Fires

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay head to a center for ants to talk about the 2001 comedy classic, 'Zoolander.' Bombay is the first to walk the runway, as he harkens to the gas pump fight scene by telling a story that involved a dangerous gasoline fire when he was a teenager.  Then the guys discuss a movie that was basically an extended sketch premise stretched thin at only 89 minutes, but still worked and became a cultural powerhouse thanks to a stacked cast and an onslaught of laughs. Not only did he star, but Ben Stiller also directed this movie packed with quit-cutting wild energy, and overflowing with celebrity cameos. A few of the standouts being a post-'Titanic' Billy Zane, and the effervescent David Bowie who gets beckoned to call Stiller and Owen Wilson's epic walk off. The flick is packed with countless examples of himbo idiocy humor, and in a movie filled with gorgeous faces it's Christine Taylor's perfect face, and perfect delivery as the straight person that helps ground it. Not only did the film give us laughs, but it also provided the signature Blue Steel look that was a joke in the early 2000s, and later became the de facto face both men and women default to in photos for the social media era. After listening to this off-the-rails recording you'll agree that it's a really, really, really ridiculously good episode.

Mallrats (1995) | Boozing With Old Men At a Mall

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay find a kid stuck in the elevator while they head to the mall to discuss the 1995 comedy staple, 'Mallrats.' Andy starts things off with a story about an old man he used to drink and smoke with outside a mall whose body didn't react well to all the imbibing.Then the fellas say breakfast, shmreakfast as they discuss a VHS favorite that fully embodied the look and dialogue of '90s comedies. Filmed back in an era when hanging out at malls was commonplace for the youth, this was Kevin Smith's sophomore effort which wound up being a coming out party for star Jason Lee. Even though it was packed with pithy lines, and killer performances from the likes of Jason Mewes, it also exposed Smith as not being the most deft hand behind the camera. That doesn't matter however when you have a young Shannen Doherty, a gorgeous Claire Forlani, and a smouldering Joey Lauren Adams in front of the camera to distract from the uninspired direction. It's a hard-R nerd comedy filled with social rejects, who provide a fun-filled 90-plus minutes that will have your 13-year-old inner self chuckling the whole time.

Safe (2012) | Picking Up Streetwalkers in Cabs

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay find themselves in a mob war between the Russians and Chinese as they discuss the criminally underrated actioner 'Safe.' Bombay kicks things into action with a story similar to what Jason Statham does, as he took a cab to pick up a lady of the night. Then the boys talk about an action flick that is overflowing with bone crunching action, and pithy Statham one liners. The movie is referred to by some as John Wick 0.87 as it was a dry run for the 87North stunt guys to test out their fight choreography concepts before launching the John Wick franchise. In many ways, 'Safe' is as important to action cinema as any American movie of the past two decades. Along with being an incredible vehicle for Statham to flex his chops, it also has a '90s New York feel, and that's thanks in large part to being directed by Boaz Yakin. The Israeli New Yorker who wrote the 1989 'The Punisher' movie, and has a varied filmography including 'Fresh,' 'Remember the Titans,' and 'Uptown Girls.' Besides the incredible action, there's a ton of heart in this film as it uses the trope of two loners forming a family themselves in a cruel world. It's riddled with otherworldly action, but also grounded in a grittiness that will have you wondering why the 87North crew hasn't given Statham his own franchise.

Pineapple Express (2008) | Getting Served Divorce Papers While Surfing

Degens Andy S and Brandon Bombay keep the 4/20 vibes going and spark up a cross-shaped spliff before talking about 'Pineapple Express.' Andy takes the first hit by recalling a wild time he was living the post-divorced bachelor life, and one of his greatest days was abruptly ruined while heading out to surf. Then the fellas talk about David Gordon Green's action-comedy that is an all-around stoner's delight. Starts off as a weed hang movie with Seth Rogen's Dale spending time at James Franco's Saul's pad. This reminds the guys of the days they used to hang out at weed dealer friend's house, and how it led to many uncomfortable interactions with customers. That leads to discussing Rogen's iconography and wondering if he is his generation's Cheech/Chong (sans permanent sidekick). Besides the two leads there's also a great role from an unkillable Danny McBride who swoops in and steals virtually every scene he is in. In the last third the movie switches gears to a full blown action flick, while also keeping the gags rolling. Add on top a sizzling Rosie Perez, and you have the makings for the perfect movie to watch while getting smoked out.