Vintage Cinema Rewind

The Beast (1988) Spoiler Free Primer

“I NEED A WOMAN!” As Vintage Cinema Rewind leaves Oscar season in the dust, they set their sights on sandier shores. That’s right, they’re back with the oft-overlooked 1988 cult classic: The Beast! Michael is part of a Russian tank unit with too much blood on his hands. But when he and his men storm an innocent village and leave nothing but ruin in their wake, Blake—the local Khan—swears revenge. What follows is a nail-biting cat-and-mouse game throughout the wastes of Afghanistan. Can Michael and his comrades escape the canyon unscathed? Or will David finally slay Goliath? (This episode is dedicated to our friend Nick—our one and only listener!)

Z (France/Algeria 1969) Deep Dive

Oscar season concludes on this week's Vintage Cinema Rewind. And in honour of these preposterously troubled times, we're continuing with our Deep Dive on Costa-Gavras's Z--a howling screed against totalitarianism! The noose of justice is tightening! Witnesses are being silenced! The truth remains obscured! Can Blake wade through all the red tape and redder corpses to uncover what truly happened to Michael? Can be bring down the fascist regime? Or will all his efforts ultimately prove futile?

Z (France/Algeria 1969) Spoiler Free Primer

Oscar season continues on Vintage Cinema Rewind. And this week, we’re covering the Z—Costa-Gavras’s screed against the scourges of fascism. Michael is a distinguished leftist politician giving a speech about nonviolence and nuclear disarmament. But when he’s clubbed to death in the streets, Blake—the magistrate—is appointed to uncover the truth. But as he digs deeper, a sprawling, labyrinthine web of conspiracies and abuses begins to reveal themselves. Can he bring the culprits to justice? Even when those same culprits dictate what justice means?
 
Where to watch: Z - movie: where to watch streaming online

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (China/Taiwan - 2000) Deep Dive

"Whatever path you decide to take in this life... be true to yourself." Vintage Cinema Rewind is back with their Deep Dive on Ang Lee's award-winning wuxia masterpiece: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The battle for Jen's soul continues! After she steals off in the dead of night with the Green Destiny, Blake and Michael end up chasing her across half of China. But as Jen wreaks eighteen years of repressed rage across the countryside, can they convince her to surrender the blade and accept Blake's tutelage? Will Blake and Michael finally confess their feelings for each other? Or will yet more blood be shed before the night is up?

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (China/Taiwan - 2000) Spoiler Free Primer

To repress one’s feelings only makes them stronger. Well this week, Blake and Michael have a lot of feelings in need of expressing. Vintage Cinema Rewind kicks off Oscar season with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon—Ang Lee’s wuxia masterpiece. Blake is an aging warrior who has decided to stop living by the blade. But when Michael attempts to deliver his sword to their feudal lord, a thief steals it from them. The assailant turns out to be a noblewoman trapped both by tradition and the resentments of her mentor. Can Blake and Michael intervene and steer her towards the light? Or will they all remain trapped in darkness?
 
Minor correction: Ang Lee, the Director, is Taiwanese.
 
Where to watch: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - stream online

Like Water for Chocolate (Mexico - 1992) Deep Dive

Things continue to boil over on Vintage Cinema Rewind. This week, Blake and Michael are back with their Deep Dive into the strangest romantic drama to ever come out of Mexico, Like Water for Chocolate. Tita returns home from the mental institution to find that her tyrant of a mother has been finally done away with. But complications continue to escalate with her sneering older sister, the revolution, and a doctor who has taken a certain liking to her. Will she and Pedro finally end up together? Or will we all end up with onions on our heads?

Like Water for Chocolate (Mexico - 1992) Spoiler Free Primer

It’s somehow both the gloomiest and most romantic time of the year. As Valentine’s Day rears it’s ugly head once again, Vintage Cinema Rewind celebrates with Mexico’s most sizzling flick: Like Water for Chocolate! When a young woman is denied a chance at happiness thanks to the burdens of tradition, she instead channels her passions into cooking. But the stars haven’t just conspired against her and her love, they seem to be actively trying to force them apart. Can she find a way to return to her paramour’s arms, despite all the sneering mothers, revolutions and mental institutions (this movie is a rip) trying to keep them apart? Or will the only water in this chocolate be from tears?
 
Where to watch: Like Water for Chocolate - watch streaming online

The Grey Fox (Canada - 1982) Deep Dive

HANDS UP! Vintage Cinema Rewind is back with their rootinest tootinest Deep Dive on Canada's mellowest western: The Grey Fox! Blake is laying low while plotting his next scheme. However, most of the locals aren't entirely fooled by his well-meaning miner persona. And things take a more complicated turn when he falls in love with a local woman and Pinkerton agents catch his scent. Yet even still, he's determined to pull off one last job. Can he escape with a cache of ill-gotten riches? Or will he be forced back into stripes with only fourteen dollars and a jar of kidney pills for his trouble?

The Grey Fox (Canada - 1982) Spoiler Free Primer

This podcast has an ambition that just won't quit. Vintage Cinema Rewind is back with Canada's mellowest Western: The Grey Fox! Blake is an aging stage-coach robber struggling to adjust to a world that has left behind. But after dusting off his six-shooters and embarking on a newfound life of crime, he reconnects with Michael, an old associate. He needs to lay low while plotting his next job. But will this sleepy little town finally cause him to go straight?
 
Where to watch: The Grey Fox - movie: where to watch streaming online
 
Free (Poor Quality) YouTube version: https://youtu.be/thFI5kWKR-o?si=mB4A522Cbt9DhpY4

Barry Lyndon (1975) Deep Dive

A lady who sets her heart upon a pair of thirty-something podcasters must prepare to change lovers pretty quickly, or her life will be but a sad one. Vintage Cinema Rewind is back with their Deep Dive on Stanley Kubrick's strange little masterpiece: Barry Lyndon. Blake has achieved everything he could ever want. He survived the Seven Years' war. Escaped not one but two armies. And has now married a rich woman with seemingly limitless coffers. But now that he's reached such heights, he decides to set about legitimizing himself as a proper noble. However, he might just realize too late that the problem with climbing higher is that he then has so much further to fall...

Barry Lyndon (1975) Primer

Welcome to the Year of Our Lord 2026! And in honour of both Blake's birthday and the unyielding horrors, Vintage Cinema Rewind is celebrating with Stanley Kubrick's oft-overlooked classic: Barry Lyndon! Blake is an Irish peasant trapped in a doomed love affair. And after a disastrous duel forces him into hiding, he flees to mainland during the Seven Years' War. But following a series of truly preposterous missteps, he ends up under the tutelage of Michael--a one-eyed spy and notorious card shark. Can they rise above their impoverished stations and make off with some quick cash? Or is it time to cash in their chips?

VCR 2025 Year End Wrap Up

What a year! What a time to be alive. As 2025 rounds to close, Blake and Michael sit down to reflect on the seemingly endless stream of movies they've subjected themselves to. What were their favourites? What were their least comfortable viewing experiences? And what, oh what, does this coming year have in store for them?

Cosy Dens (Czech - 1999) Deep Dive

A very Merry Christmas to all who celebrate from your favourite frenemies at Vintage Cinema Rewind. Today we're continuing to ring in the season with our Deep Dive on the Czech classic: Cosy Dens! The holidays continue to stretch on with the three families. But with such close proximity comes an even greater strain. Can Blake and Michael overcome their disdain for each other? Or are even greater forces already moving against them?
 
Full Movie: https://youtu.be/6QTieSQeNvE?si=v9ovxO0R_arzmDFI

Cosy Dens (Czech - 1999) Primer

Happy Holidays from Vintage Cinema Rewind. And this year, we've pooled their resources to bring you our Primer episode of Cosy Dens, an iconic Czech Christmas film. Michael is coping with an extreme case of unrequited love. Meanwhile, Blake is a tyrant approaching his fourth heart attack. Can they and their families finally come together in yuletide bliss? Or will this Christmas end up soaking with the fish?
 
Full Movie: https://youtu.be/6QTieSQeNvE?si=v9ovxO0R_arzmDFI

Army of Shadows (France - 1969) Deep Dive

France's shadiest army returns on Vintage Cinema Rewind. On this week's Deep Dive on Jean-Pierre Melville's Army of Shadows, Blake and Michael continue their guerilla warfare against the Nazis. But despite an inspired new arrival (and even a trip abroad!) they continue to meet misfortune on all sides. Can they finally part Hitler's grip around their homeland? Or is it finally time for them to stop running?
 
 
Where to watch: Army of Shadows - movie: watch streaming online

Army of Shadows (France - 1969) Primer

Prepare to join the resistance on Vintage Cinema Rewind. On this week's episode, Blake and Michael prowl the murky streets of Paris in Jean-Pierre Melville's Army of Shadows. France is currently being strangled by the iron grip of the Nazi regime. But as hope wanes, our intrepid cohosts run a dangerous skirmishing run against the fascist overlords. But as more and more paths lead to dead ends, can they truly overcome their oppressors and liberate France? Or will the goose-stepping forever continue?
 
Where to watch: Army of Shadows - movie: watch streaming online

The Battle of Algiers (Algeria - 1966) Deep Dive

The revolution continues on Vintage Cinema Rewind. This week, Blake and Michael are back with their Deep Dive on the recently-trending The Battle of Algiers! As the hunt for Blake continues, the people of Algeria find themselves caught in a hail of gunfire. But as Michael narrows in on his target, Blake takes a moment to question both his methods and the true impact of violence upon the native populace. And with his own execution drawing near and the rebels truly find a better way, can the residents of Algeria find a better way? Or will their home become little more than a barrow?
Full Movie: La Batalla de Argel - Sub Esp-Eng - The Battle of Algiers - 1966 - HD

The Battle of Algiers (Algeria - 1966) Primer

Vintage Cinema Rewind is back with yet another classic of international cinema! This week, they're covering The Battle of Algiers, the iconic docudrama that was referenced in Paul Thomas Anderson's acclaimed One Battle After Another. As the iron grip of colonialism tightens around Algeria, Blake--a young street thug--is drafted into the rebellion. But as the city around them becomes a scarred mess of cinder and barbed wire, are they truly helping the native populace? And when Michael--a French commander--is brought in to sniff out the freedom fighters, can they still win the hearts and minds of their people? Or will they end up forced back into the shadows?
 
Full Movie: Full Movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpn4Htfrv88

The Sweet Hereafter (Canada - 1997) Deep Dive

There are no accidents on Vintage Cinema Rewind. Things continue to devolve on this week's Deep Dive on Atom Egoyan's The Sweet Hereafter. As the trial date approaches, Blake subpoenas the grieving Michael. But when he turns to his neighbours for help, his pleas fall on deaf ears. Will the citizens of Sam Dent receive their lucrative payout? Or will the Pied Piper have his vengeance?
 
Full Movie: The Sweet Hereafter - El Dulce Porvenir - Atom Egoyan - Película completa subs español

The Sweet Hereafter (Canada - 1997) Primer

The rubber leaves the road on this week's Vintage Cinema Rewind. In honour of Michael's 33rd birthday, they decide to cover Atom Egoyan's Canadian classic: The Sweet Hereafter. When a school bus ride ends in tragedy, a community falls into mourning. But when big city lawyer Blake rolls into town to profit from the calamity, Michael has objections. Can he chase this snake from the city? Or will this story end in more tragedy?
 
Full Movie: (3) The Sweet Hereafter - El Dulce Porvenir - Atom Egoyan - Película completa subs español - YouTube