The STACKS

Join Stephen as he is once again joined by Joe to dive deep into the latest buzz in the gaming world! This week, the duo dissects the explosive reveal of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6—is it a game-changer or more of the same? They also explore the mysterious upcoming DLC for Alan Wake 2 and what it might mean for Remedy’s haunting narrative universe.

In a nostalgic twist, Stephen and Joe unpack the excitement around the Silent Hill remake, discussing how it honors the original while bringing something fresh to the table. They also dive into the retro-tinged UFO 50, a quirky collection of indie gems promising a trip down memory lane.

Be sure to follow Joe everywhere you can to engage with his excellent writing on games

Hello again gentle listeners! Stephen and Jack are back to talk about things they've watched, read, played, listened to, and generally done with their time on Earth the past few weeks/months. Stephen talks games and orcs, Jack talks space marines and heresy, everyone talks movies, and everyone has a good time doing it too!

Stephen is joined by special guest Tannner to talk about 2024 in horror, and a wider discussion about horror cinema from the past few years! The dizzying highs, the lowest lows, the middling middles! We've got it all covered here.

Here it is, our final celebration of Giallo cinema.

Stephen, the madman that he is, sat down and watched a smorgasbord of Italian murder mysteries and scuzzy horror tales, and boy are we going to talk about them! We grade dozens of movies against our own Giallo scale, forget our own metrics, dogs try and get on the microphones, and we generally have a wonderful time talking about murder and violence, Italian style.

Stephen is joined by video games journalist Joe Richards to talk about a whole parade of cool and exciting video games.

Be sure to follow Joe everywhere you can to engage with his excellent writing on games

On this fancy UNLOCKED Patreon episode, we check in with our main man M Night Shyamalan and talk about his new concert film Trap.

Listen through to the end to hear the announcement of our next series!

In this episode, Stephen and Jack dive deep into MaXXXine, the latest entry in Ti West's horror trilogy. As we close out our Giallo season, we break down the film's ... interesting exploration of '80s culture, the evolution of its leading character, and how it stacks up against its predecessors, X and Pearl.

On this episode, Stephen and Jack talk about a range of films that take the trappings and conventions of giallo cinema, invert and augment them, and create something new.

In this episode, Stephen and Jack talk through four cinematic cornerstones of the giallo genre and work out the defining characteristics of the great Italian murder mystery.

Join us next episode for some contemporary spins!

We kick off our new Giallo miniseries with a film named after the genre! Join us as Stephen and Jack talk through Dario Argento's bewildering 2009 film Giallo. We have a wider discussion about Giallo cinema, what makes a good one, the works of Dario Argento, and what on earth is happening in Giallo (2009).

Join us next episode for some foundational giallo classics, listed at the end of this episode!

We're back in the office to talk about the things we've seen, heard and played over the past few weeks! We talk about our favourite 5 films of 2024 so far, Jack's current manga obsession, Doctor Who, and more!

Stay tuned for our next miniseries, on GIALLO movies!

On this episode of The STACKS, we're darting into the shadows and talking about two notable Fuller noirs, The Naked Kiss (1964) and Pickup on South Street (1953)! We also break down this subseries in general and give thoughts on our Samuel Fuller journey.

You sneaky listener you, you've got access to a one-off sneak preview of our world famous YEAR subseries on the STACKS Patreon feed! We get a random year from a number generator, and we have to draft a quick top 10 list of the BEST films of that year!

On this episode we span the wheel, and the wheel gifted us with the year 1950.

Please consider supporting The STACKS on Patreon! If you like our show, it would mean the world to us if you were able to support in any way.

On this episode of The STACKS, we're joined by a Samuel Fuller expert Philip Marinello to talk about Fuller's WAR pictures!

The focal points of this discussion are The Steel Helmet (1951) and The Big Red One (1980), and some great contextual conversations about Fixed Bayonets (1951), China Gate (1957), and Verboten (1959)!

On this episode of our Samuel Fuller miniseries, Stephen and Jack tackle two of Fuller's most controversial films, White Dog (1982) and Shock Corridor (1963).

We're embarking on a new director deep-dive series, so say hello to episode 1 of 6 on the filmography of American auteur Samuel Fuller!

On this first episode, we talk about his 1969 film Shark! Stephen provides vital context about Samuel Fuller, the production of Shark! and the surrounding industry, and we talk about OTHER Samuel Fuller films that were taken away from him.

We're back in the office to talk about the things we've seen, heard and played over the past few weeks! We go through a bunch of early 2024 film releases, Jack talks about Hitman, and Stephen talks about Balatro! We also layout the plan for our upcoming SAMUEL FULLER season! Be sure to watch along.

It's time. The biggest awards show of the year. Stephen and Jack (you know, the STACKS) talk through the HIGHS and LOWS of cinematic culture over the past year. Best director, best picture, best performance, most acting, worst movie, best cinematography, best music, the categories you know and love, with some fun ones along the way!

Thank you for sticking with us for the last few years, we're back and better than ever.

We predict the winners of the second most important award show in cinema history. Stephen and Jack are joined by Emma and a baby to talk hot Oscar insider picks in a fun gamelike way, and we also talk about Maestro for a bit.

Stephen counts down his top 10 video games of 2023 (with some honourable mentions thrown in for good measure).

A Q&A session with Caden Stockwell and Piper Mohring about their debut feature-length film Phases of a Daydream. We talk about their process and influences, the themes of the film, future projects, and more!

The STACKS Culture Club Episode #1

Welcome to the first episode of our new subseries Culture Club - our monthly tradeoff of cultural objects we hold close to us.

Stephen and Jack talk about Baths' third studio album Romaplasm! This twisty electronic pop record is rich with elegant sound design and an introspective queer dialogue.

It's very nice to be back in the Office after a few months off work, and we're here to talk through some of our favourite Japanese movies that we watched for this year's JAPANUARY Challenge!

Jack talks Star Trek, Stephen talks Mountain Goats, it's like we never left.

We're so back. We missed you too!

Stephen and Jack are back to talk about all the things they've watched, reviewed, played, read, and listened to over the past few weeks! We start with a big catchup of 2023 releases (including Bottoms, Past Lives, Expend4bles), Stephen talks us through the most recent Netflix show Gamera: Rebirth! Jack talks about two rad-looking comics. We talk about some fun games we've been playing, and generally just have a fun time talking about things we like.

Although the podcast will be going on a brief hiatus, you can still catchup with everything Stephen and Jack do through their respective links!

Stephen & Jack discuss the complete works of Jane Campion, the New Zealand filmmaker known for her distinctive and award-winning contributions to cinema, including "The Piano" and "The Power Of The Dog." We discuss her early experimental works, her made-for-TV movies, her TV shows, and her powerful cinematic works.

Make sure to subscribe, rate and review wherever you can, and consider chipping in a few coins at The STACKS Patreon to help us keep producing these podcasts!

Stephen HAS to talk about the video games he's playing right NOW.

Starfield. Baldur's Gate 3. Sea Of Stars. Venba. Quake 2.

NOT Pac-man.

thestacksonfilm@gmail.com

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's The STACKS!

Welcome back to Ki-NO THANKS! Our series about bad movies, critically rejected movies, or movies about quests for peace. Your favourite superheroes Stephen and Jack are here to talk about, supposedly, the worst Superman movie ever, Superman IV!

We talk through our experience with Superman onscreen, and discuss this CANNON FILM GROUP entry into the Superfranchise.

Stephen kicks Jack out of the podcast and brings on his good friend and fellow literature connoisseur Dan to talk about John Keats and Lord Byron onscreen.

The pair discuss Jane Campion's movie Bright Star, before talking through Ken Russel's Gothic. This is a wonderful conversation full of poignant insights into the world of romantic poetry, and how these filmmakers attempt to translate it to the silver screen.

It's warm! Well, not that warm. We live in England you see. BUT, it IS summer, and The STACKS boys are here to give a wrap-up on the movies, TV, books, games, and other types of good stuff they've been keeping themselves occupied with recently.

00:00 - It Begins

01:02 - Summer movie roundup - The Flash, Meg 2, Hidden Strike, Shin Kamen Rider, Hundreds of Beavers, Command Z, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and more!

23:45 - Tv talk! X Files, Succession, the news!

26:11 - Book corner! Their Eyes Were Watching God, Time's Arrow, Wizard's First Rule

38:50 - Game and watch, Stephen talks to Jack about the games he's been playing - The Murder of Sonic The Hedgehog, Dordogne, Cassette Beasts, MyHouse.wad!

50:00 - It ends!

Threads is a powerful and haunting British television movie directed by Mick Jackson, released in 1984. The film is a realistic portrayal of the potential consequences of nuclear war and its devastating effects on society. Set in the city of Sheffield, England, the story follows the lives of several characters before, during, and after a nuclear conflict between NATO and the Warsaw Pact.

However...

Did you know Mick Jackson directed OTHER movies? TV Movies? Documentaries? Well, Stephen is here to talk Jack through the ENTIREIRTY of Mick Jackson's filmography, placing the films into five distinct categories based on quality and whether you should actually seek them out.

We return to our Ki-no Thanks series, with Jane Campion's In The Cut from 2003. Yes, this series began by looking at the (supposedly) worst movies ever made, but we've slowly adapted this to include movies that were rejected by audiences and critics alike but may have found their audience later down the line. On today's episode, we're joined by writer/director, film enthusiast, and In The Cut fan Carol Fitzgerald!

Following the gruesome murder of a young woman in her neighbourhood, a self-determined woman living in New York City – as if to test the limits of her own safety – propels herself into an impossibly risky sexual liaison. Soon she grows increasingly wary about the motives of every man with whom she has contact – and about her own.

We discuss the film at length and touch on the career of Meg Ryan, the ways in which Campion recontextualises a narrative and form popularised by the 90s Erotic Thriller, and then we end up talking about Oppenheimer for a while.

Stephen and Jack talk about four incredibly silly movies. Growing up in the UK, the STACKS gang were obsessed with the Monty Python troupe, and are here today to revisit their cinematic output:

- And Now for Something Completely Different (1971)

- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

- Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)

- Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)

We discuss our history with the Pythons, and how it felt to revisit these movies, and we also briefly touch on the wider films of the individual members.

Stephen and Jack are back to talk to your eyes about the things they've seen and listened to and read and played!

00:00 - It Begins

02:30 - Movie corner. Polite Society, Fast X, Across The Spiderverse and more!

37:30 - Stephen talks tunes - Metallica

45:20 - Video games! Neon White, Zelda, Redfall, Hollow Knight, and more!

1:11:00 - It ENDS

On this episode of The STACKS we delve into the cultural milestone that is Spike Lee's iconic film, "Do the Right Thing." Released in 1989, the movie continues to resonate with audiences, sparking conversations about race, police brutality, and social unrest. Join us as we explore the film's enduring relevance and its ability to inspire introspection and dialogue.

We kick off the discussion by providing historical context, examining the socio-political climate of the late 1980s and the racial tensions that plagued urban communities. We highlight how Spike Lee, as the writer, director, and lead actor, masterfully portrays the microcosm of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, where the story unfolds. Through vivid characters, he captures the complexities of racial dynamics and the simmering tensions that escalate throughout the film.

The conversation delves into the moral dilemmas faced by the characters, including Mookie, played by Spike Lee, who must navigate conflicting loyalties and personal responsibility in the face of injustice. We discuss the impact of the film's controversial ending, debating the moral implications and its broader social commentary.

Join us for a captivating and comprehensive retrospective (or selectospective) as we delve deep into the remarkable body of work created by the visionary filmmaker, Spike Lee. In this episode of The STACKS, we embark on an enthralling journey through the lens of Lee's films, exploring their cultural significance, artistic achievements, and impact on the world of cinema.

Stephen and Jack take an in-depth look at Lee's iconic movies, starting from his early breakthroughs and progressing through his illustrious career. From his debut feature "She's Gotta Have It" to the groundbreaking "Do the Right Thing," and the powerful "Malcolm X," we discuss how Lee tackled issues of race, identity, and social injustice, making a lasting mark on American cinema.

For a ranking of the films discussed, please head over to the STACKS Patreon page!

Welcome back to KI-NO THANKS! Our subseries here on the STACKS where we talk about the worst (or supposedly worst) movies of ALL time. Today, we kick off a short Spike Lee season, by talking about two REMAKES Spike directed in the mid-2010s. Oldboy (2013) based on Park Chan-Wook's incredible Oldboy (2003), and Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2014) based on Bill Gunn's monumental blaxploitation film Ganja & Hess (1973).

We talk about Spike as a creative voice, our history with the original films, and how these remakes differ! Stephen also took a deep dive into the original Oldboy manga... and has thoughts.

All questions and recommendations to thestacksonfilm@gmail.com

On this episode of The STACKS, Stephen and Jack break down the films of Warren Beatty! From his directorial debut Heaven Can Wait, we talk through every film Beatty directed (and we included some writing/co-writing credits for good measure). Listen as Stephen breaks down Beatty's roaring political epic Reds, Jack gushes over Dick Tracy, and we mull over Warren Beatty's commitment to the Dick Tracy persona and ZOOM calls.

(I know we were meant to be covering Elaine May, as I'm sure is referenced in this episode, but some emergency hard drive issues have thrown a spanner in the works there. Have no fear! An Elaine May ep of some sort will be hitting the feed in due course!)

All questions and recommendations to thestacksonfilm@gmail.com

When you ISH upon a TAR,
Your dreams come true.

Welcome back to KI-NO THANKS! Our subseries here on the STACKS where we talk about the worst (or supposedly worst) movies of ALL time. Today, we kick of Elaine Maypril by talking about Ishtar, one of the most notorious bad movies of all time. But what if... it was good?

Stephen and Jack sit down and talk about the comedic layers at play, May's approach, and why people thought this was/is worthy of the title 'Worst Movie Of All Time'.

Please please please rate and review the podcast if you can, we'd really appreciate it!

All questions and recommendations to thestacksonfilm@gmail.com

It's time for another water cooler check-in with your favourite podcasters, Stephen and Jack! 

00:00 - It Begins

01:20 - Quick Mando Season 3 thoughts

03:50 - PsychOdyssey - documentary series about Double Fine and the development of Psychonauts 2

22:00 - Video game talk - Diablo 3, Diablo IV Beta, Resident Evil 4 REmake, and more!

50:50 - Jack talks about Berserk! Manga time!

59:00 - Stephen talks about the BOOKS he's been reading including New Blood in Contemporary Cinema: Women Directors and the Poetics of Horror 

1:06:00 - Random movie wrap-up!

1:14:00 - It just ends!

What a month it has been here on The STACKS! We've tackled one of the most interesting and unique voices in contemporary cinema, and on this episode we break down M. Night Shyamalan's entire filmography! From his early days writing and directing films such as Praying With Anger and Wide Awake, right through to his most recent motion picture Knock At The Cabin!

On this episode of The STACKS, Stephen and Jack tackle M Night Shyamalan's superhero stories - the Eastrail 177 trilogy. We talk about the three films individually, and how (and if) they work together as a combined trilogy of movies.

March Night Shyamalan rolls on with a Ki-No Thanks episode on Lady In The Water (with a Ki-No Mini on The Visit at the end too)! 

Apartment building superintendent Cleveland Heep rescues what he thinks is a young woman from the pool he maintains. When he discovers that she is actually a character from a bedtime story who is trying to make the journey back to her home, he works with his tenants to protect his new friend from the creatures that are determined to keep her in our world.

Stephen and Jack talk about a film they deem a swing and a miss - an ambitious but flawed work that feels very personal to M Night, but does not come together as well as initially intended. What is Paul Giamatti doing? What's up with the guy with one big arm and one small arm? Why are there so many Bob Dylan songs here? Tune in for discussions on these hot topics and MORE! 

It's time for another water cooler check-in with your favourite podcasters, Stephen and Jack! 

00:00 - It begins

01:30 - Video game talk - High on Life, Sifu, Final Fantasy 7, Goldeneye, HI-FI RUSH and more! 

48:00 - Video game... TV talk! Stephen starts The Last Of Us!

50:00 - Book talk! RZA's Tao Of The Wu, Dilla Time, White Noise, Tarkovksy's Sculpting In Time, 

1:04:00 - MOVIE TALK! Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Till, Enys Men, All The Beauty And The Bloodshed, Ant-Man 3, Close, Ressurection, MRS HARRIS GOES TO PARIS, Dog, The Whale, and MORE! 

1:40:00 - Gorefest 2023! 

1:50:00 - It ends! 

As always, we appreciate any and all ratings and reviews of the podcast. You can email us anything and everything - thestacksonfilm@gmail.com