MRAC Film Club

Top Dog, Week 4 - Frost/Nixon (2008)

Episode 137 - Pack your bags because we are headed back to the US of A. We recorded this on Memorial Day so Happy Belated Memorial Day everyone. For this week we watch and discuss a complicated figure in our nation's history; Richard Nixon. Frost/Nixon is a 2008 historical fiction directed by Ron Howard. It is a dramatized account of the legendary interviews of the former president Nixon by David Frost. And just as Frost and Nixon went four rounds together face to face, we all debate this film... all except for Marco who watched the wrong film again. But of course he came with opinions. Tune in for this conversation devoid of technical difficulties And tune in next week for our last week of this month when we watch and discuss Vice (2018). We will also find out what we are watching next month. email us at mracfilmclub@gmail.com

Top Dog, Week 3 - The Death of Stalin (2017)

Episode 136 - Pack your bags, we are headed to the Soviet Union under the rule of Joseph Stalin. This week we watch and discuss The Death of Stalin (2017), a dark comedy about the death of Stalin (it's not just a clever name) and the ensuing struggle for power amongst his underlings. DISCLAIMER: This episode we had some technical issues due to internet issues. As result there may be some jumps in conversation and points where the conversation does not synch up well with some us talking over each other. We apologize for this but wanted to put it out anyway in the best form we could. SO enjoy the best you can. Next week we watch and discuss Frost/Nixon (2008) email us at mracfilmclub@gmail.com

Top Dog, Week 2 - The Great Dictator (1940)

Episode 135 - Pack your bags, we are headed to the nation of Tamainia circa 1940. It is week 2 of Top Dog month, a month focusing on films related to authoritarian rule and struggles within government. This week we are watching Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator (1940) which features Chaplin playing dual roles as a Jewish barber/ WW1 vet, as well as the dictator Adenoid Hynkel, which is a satirical version of a certain dictator from history. This is a unique film in history so tune in to hear a much tamer conversation than last week's. Also tune in next week when we watch and discuss The Death of Stalin (2017) email us at mracfilmclub@gmail.com

Top Dog, Week 1 - Firebrand (2023)

Episode 134 - Pack your bags, we are headed to England during the reign of King Henry the 8th. Why? Because it's Top Dog month, and for the next 5 weeks we will be exploring authoritarian rulers and struggles within government. And boy does this week start off with a bang. The discussion gets "fiery" for the film Firebrand (2023). Firebrand is a historical fiction film set during the reign of King Henry VII and his marriage to Catherine. There is some heated debate about how historical this fiction is and the issues within the historical fiction genre in general. If that type of debate sounds appealing to you then you must tune in for this one. And tune in next week as we watch and discuss Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator (1940). And email us at mracfilmclub@gmail.com

A Cinematic Critique of Japanese History, Week 4 - Kuroneko (1968)

Episode 133 - Pack your bags, and get ready to possibly leave Japan if you can survive the journey through the dark bamboo forest. This week we wrap up our month in Japan by watching and discussing Kuroneko (1968). Directed by Kaneto Shindo, Kuroneko is a classic Japanese supernatural story set during a time of civil war in Japan. After two women are murdered by a gang of samurai, the samurai go mysteriously missing one by one at the hands of a couple of local ghosts. Does a local cat have anything to do with it? Tune in to find out what QQ thinks. And tune in next week as Pete brings us the theme of Top Dog, and for the first week we are watching Firebrand (2023) email us at mracfilmclub@gmail.com