Two for the Road: Movies with Matt and Adam

Back from their internships at the Parallax Corporation, Matt and Adam have a couple paranoia thrillers this week. Z (1969) is the realistic portrayal of a progressive politician who ends on the wrong end of a club. Fascism, mob violence, a political cover-up? That would never happen today.... In The Parallax View (1974), we meet a mysterious corporation up to no good (29:30). Warr

We're back with a couple lesser known Philip Seymour Hoffman films. Owning Mahoney (2003) was Hoffman's first starring role. Based on a true story about a Toronto banker who steals millions to support his gambling habit. Sidney Lumet's "Before the Devil Knows Your Dead" (2007) is a must see. The story of two brothers robbing their parents jewelry store. Nex

We're back! Our theme for this show is "home invasions" and we start out with an oldie but goodie, Sam Penkenpah's "Straw Dogs" (1971). Dustin Hoffman said he did it for the money, but he and co-star Susan George were both wonderful in their roles. Not for the squeamish. "The Strangers" (2008) is a film that we liked more than most critics (2

Asian romance is the theme this week, but the guys may have picked the wrong movies. They disagree about the point of "In the Mood for Love", but agree its worth a watch. "Past Lives" is a much hyped yet intimate film asking the question "Can you return to your younger self (and lost love)?" The answer might surprise you. Next show - who knows? We&apos

In and out of jail is the latest theme. Robert Mitchum, a show favorite, once again does not disappoint in "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" (1973). Mitchum is supported by a stellar cast and a tight script. "Straight Time" (1978) is a little known Dustin Hoffman movie with him.a different kind of role - a man fresh out of prison who soon realizes that the deck is st

Nuclear Annihilation is the theme this weak. First, "On the beach provide a yawning stare into oblivion. We suggest some ways it could be spiced up (hint/: Ava Gardner is involved). Next up, Sidney Lumet's "Fail Safe" manages to do a lot with just old guys talking in rooms (26:34). Probably not in Lumet's top 5, but it entertains to the last scene. And we l

Multi storylines is the theme . Ron Howard's "Parenthood" (1989) is a comedy in Steve Martin's wheelhouse. Supported by a stellar cast and screenplay, Martin gets to show off his comedic and acting skills as an insecure dad who desperately doesn't want to be like his own dad. Ang Lee's "Eat Drink Man Woman" (1994) is one of his classics; not

We check out a couple of films with criminal women. Alfred Hitchcock had just come off a run of four of his classic films when he directed "Marnie" in 1964. The story of a woman thief with a dark past, who has a weird relationship with a rich guy. The movie's poster had the words, suspenseful, sex, mystery, and there was none of those. On the brighter side, "Emi

Psychopaths is the latest the latest theme. First up, "White Heat", James Cagney classic star turn as Cody Jarrett, the psycho criminal gang leader who doesn't mind killing and also had a weird thing for his mother. The on screen violent tendencies are much milder in this film, than it is in our second feature, "Ichi the Killer". From Japan, Ichi is based o

What a weekend is the theme this week. The guys raise a glass to Billy Wilder's "The Lost Weekend" for its mostly accurate but sometimes cartoonish portrayal of alcoholism. Jonathan Demme's "Rachel Getting Married" caused some disagreement but not about Anne Hathaway's crazy hotness. Was it the movie or the characters that one of us disliked?Up ne