Vintage Cinema Rewind

Movie Draft 1

Three podcasters. Nine movies. It’s our first ever movie draft on VCR! Each of us selected 3 movies based on the preselected categories of Genre, Director, or Wild Card and presented our selections to each other and you. Who drafted the best three movies? What are you most excited to watch? Let us know in the comments below!
 
Where to find each of the movies: https://www.justwatch.com/ 

8½ (1963)

On this week's episode we welcome a special guest on the podcast, Mike! For his first episode, he decided to go big with the critically and historically significant Italian film 8½. Federico Fellini's classic surreal dramedy about a director struggling with director's block which mirrors his own experience making the film became an influential piece of filmmaking history and has inspired many of the most important directors over the past 50 years. We discuss who this movie may be for in today's cinematic viewing, break down some of the more surreal scenes, and shed light on the background of the director to provide context for this conceptually difficult movie.
 
Stay tuned for the next episode where we do our first movie draft!
 
Where to watch: 8½ - movie: where to watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

Marilyn Monroe Month: Some Like It Hot (1959)

For part two of Marilyn Monroe Month on the podcast, we covered the 1959 hit comedy, Some Like It Hot. Starring alongside Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, this is the Monroe movie you won't want to miss! We discuss whether the comedy still holds up in 2022 and some of our favourite scenes, while reflecting on Monroe's career and some of the personal struggles she was dealing with at the time of production.
 
Where to watch: Some Like It Hot - movie: watch streaming online (justwatch.com)
 
 

Marilyn Monroe Month: The Seven Year Itch (1955)

This month on the podcast we're celebrating the filmography of Marilyn Monroe, one of the most iconic and culturally significant actresses of all time. For part one of our two part series we looked at Monroe's most commercially successful films, The Seven Year Itch. Also starring Tom Ewell and directed by the great Billy Wilder, this film includes one of the most iconic images of Marilyn Monroe's life (and it isn't what you imagine)! Stay tuned for part two where we explore the classic film Some Like it Hot.
 
In addition, we have a special announcement regarding a movie draft which we're really excited to be doing in September. Feel free to drop some ideas regarding the categories we've selected in the comments below!
 
Where to watch: The Seven Year Itch - movie: watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

Jaws (1975)

Shark Weeeeeek! For our first shark week on the podcast, we decided to watch the 1975 summer blockbuster Jaws directed by Steven Spielberg. Both our first time viewing, we discuss how well the movie has held up nearly 50 years later, an iconic score, memorable quotes and some of the most tense scenes ever filmed. 
 
Where to watch: Jaws - movie: where to watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

Conan the Barbarian (1982)

In the most recent episode of VCR we went on an adventure into the Sword and Sorcery genre with the 1982 film that put Arnold Schwarzenegger on the acting map, Conan the Barbarian! It was a very fun, nostalgic trip into the peak of gutter Arnold sounds, funny haircuts, snake arrows, and of course sorcery. Check it out below.
 
(One more apology for the audio, we've done some tuning between episodes and finally have things cleaned up)
 
Where to watch: Conan the Barbarian - movie: watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

Harakiri (1962)

On VCR’s first foreign vintage movie we went back to 1962 with one of Kobayashi’s best, Harakiri. This gut-wrenching, or rather spilling, film explores what happens when honorable and code bound Samurai lose everything and become Ronin.
 
We had a lot of fun viewing and discussing this one; everything from the filmography and story telling, to the characters and soundtrack is boiled down to the simplest and most powerful levels of contrast. Check out the discussion below!
 
Where to watch: Harakiri - movie: where to watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

Heat (1995)

Part 2 of our Michael Mann director series is finally here, with the 1995 Crime Thriller Heat. Al Pacino and Robert De Niro face off in one of the most epic heist films of all time, inspired heavily by real life people and events. With a notable supporting cast, fast paced branching story, you won't even feel the 3 hour runtime of this movie. We talk who this movie is for, interesting behind the scenes trivia, and revisit and dissect some of our favorite scenes.
 
Check out part 1 of our Michael Mann series, Thief (1981).
 
Where to watch: Heat - movie: where to watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

Thief (1981)

This month we're diving into the filmography of Michael Mann. Our first film discussion is centered around the Neo-Noir Crime film Thief (1981), Michael Mann's feature film debut. Starring James Caan, Tuesday Weld and Willie Nelson, this film is rich with characters and rooted heavily in the real life exploits of Chicago criminals which were on set consulting during the filming. This film was a blast to discuss and dive into the making of, it's legacy on Hollywood in the 80's and our own personal reviews. 
 
Stay tuned for part two of the Michael Mann series, where we discuss what could be Michael Mann's magnum opus film Heat.
 
Where to watch: Thief - movie: where to watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

The Iron Giant (1999)

This week we watched our first animation film, The Iron Giant (1999). A critical darling that nearly faded into obscurity, this film now has a strong cult following and has been referenced countless times since. Staring Vin Diesel, Eli Marienthal and Jennifer Aniston, the film is about a boy with a big imagination in a small town stumbling upon the Iron Giant, a mysterious creature from Outer Space. Full of comedy and heart, we dive into why this film wasn't initially a hit, our favourite moments, and why you should watch it yourself!
 
Where to watch: The Iron Giant - movie: watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

The Fifth Element (1997)

This week we're paying tribute to the legend Bruce Willis, with the 1997 cult classic The Fifth Element. This quirky sci fi action comedy boasts an all star cast including Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, and Milla Jovovich. We break down this often misunderstood film and discuss Bruce Willis' career.
 
Where to watch: The Fifth Element - movie: watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

Episode 9: A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

Revenge! We're back to our main series with the 1988 heist comedy classic, A Fish Called Wanda. This off beat comedy starring Monty Python great John Cleese and Michael Palin, along with Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline about a rag tag team of thieves may have you laughing yourself to death! 
 
Where to watch: A Fish Called Wanda - movie: watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

VCR at the 1959 Oscars Presents: North by Northwest

Welcome to part two of our 1959 Oscars Series, where we dip into the Master of Suspense's filmography, Alfred Hitchcock's suspense thriller North by Northwest. A classic starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason about a bad case of mistaken identity. We discuss the highest rated film to not win a single award during the 1960's Academy Awards.
 
Where to watch: North by Northwest - movie: watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

VCR at the 1959 Oscars Presents: Ben-Hur

Welcome to part one of our 1959 Oscars Series, where we explore one of the most celebrated films of all time, the 1959 Biblical Epic Ben-Hur. In the second Charlton Heston movie we've covered, Judah Ben-Hur goes on an epic journey of revenge against a childhood friend turned mortal enemy. Dominating the Oscars in 1959, this film stands as one of the most awarded films of all time. Join us for part two where we compare Ben-Hur to another famous movie from the 1959 Oscars season.
 
As a side note, sorry for the poorer audio quality. As new podcasters we're still trying to work out all the kinks!
 
Where to watch: Ben-Hur - movie: where to watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

Episode 8: Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Little Shop, Little Shop of Horrors! For our first Musical or Mystery? episode we chose the 1986 comedy-horror musical Little Shop of Horrors. A remake of sorts featuring the Canadian comedian Rick Moranis alongside Ellen Greene, Steve Martin, and a host of great cameos. Buckle up for this hilarious and surprisingly emotional rollercoaster of a film!
 
Where to watch: Little Shop of Horrors - movie: watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

Episode 7: When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

With Valentine's day coming up, the boys decided to talk about the classic Rom-Com When Harry Met Sally... (1989), starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. One of the greats from the minds of Rob Reiner and Nora Ephron, this movie explores the relationship between men and women in a very heartfelt and authentic fashion. This movie in particular was a blast to discuss and dissect the themes and ideas, and whether they are outdated in 2022.
 
Where to watch: When Harry Met Sally... - watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

Episode 6: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

This week's episode the boys watched Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), one of the greatest Buddy movies of all time, from the end of the Western movie era.
 
Where to watch: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - streaming (justwatch.com) 

Episode 5: Soylent Green (1973)

Happy New Year! What better way to celebrate 2022 than with the dystopian crime thriller Soylent Green, a film released in 1973 taking place in 2022 starring Charlton Heston, Leigh Taylor-Young and Edward G. Robinson. What did the film industry of 1973 predict correctly about a time 50 years in the future? What did they get wrong? Why does Soylent Green taste so good? Have a listen where we dive in and answer all these questions and more!
 
Where to watch: Soylent Green - movie: watch streaming online (justwatch.com)

The Matrix Resurrections (2021) Review

It's here! The Matrix Resurrections is now in theatres and streaming on HBO max. To conclude our mini series on The Matrix Resurrections, we bring you our review coming out of the film premier on December 22nd. We've kept the first half of the review as spoiler free as possible, diving into the characters, themes, effects and filming and direction of the film, as well as our initial reviews. In the second half we dive more into the plot and our favorite/least favorite scenes. 
 
Did you agree with our thoughts? Let us know your thoughts on the most divisive film of 2021 in the comments below!

The Matrix Resurrections Primer Part 2

The Matrix Resurrections releases December 22, 2021 and here at Vintage Cinema Rewind we are PUMPED. This week's episode is a two part Primer of everything you need to know about the Matrix before the 4th movie hits Theatres and HBO Max. In this episode we cover the events of The Matrix Revolutions (2003) and The Animatrix (2003), as well as the extended Matrix universe, including comics and games, which may be relevant before the 4th movie is released.
 
And if that wasn't enough, we share our favorite online Matrix theories that may be confirmed in Resurrections, plus some of our own personal theories and review of the franchise. 
 
Need a Primer on The Matrix (1999) and The Matrix Reloaded (2003)? Check out our channel for part 1 of this primer!
 
Where to watch:
The Matrix Revolutions: The Matrix Revolutions - movie: watch streaming online (justwatch.com)
The Animatrix: The Animatrix - movie: watch streaming online (justwatch.com)