The Sundae Presents

It's part three of Love at Worst Sight, so Dean showed Ciara a legendary bit of trash: The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies!!? They talk about some fun stories from its production, the naive artistry of its best parts and whether the main character is the worst boyfriend of all time. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ List of films considered the worst: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_considered_the_worst Best of the Worst: Blood Shack (aka The Chooper): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8qGSkcX6R0 Short segment on The Pike amusement park from “I Remember Long Beach”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkRp8bfO4hM Notes on "Camp" by Susan Sontag: https://monoskop.org/images/5/59/Sontag_Susan_1964_Notes_on_Camp.pdf

In the second episode of Love at Worst Sight, Ciara finally makes Dean watch Elaine May's iconic comic flop Ishtar. They talk about its legendarily troubled production, how it became a punchline and why it deserves to be reclaimed. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ List of films considered the worst: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_considered_the_worst You Should Watch Ishtar: https://thesundae.net/2019/10/28/you-should-watch-ishtar/ Roger Ebert's review of Ishtar: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ishtar-1987

In the first episode of their new miniseries, Love at Worst Sight, Dean puts Ciara through the ordeal of M. Night Shyamalan's infamous flop The Happening. They talk about whether it's funny, whether it's meant to be funny, and how it could possibly have ended up like that. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ List of films considered the worst: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_considered_the_worst In Defense of The Happening (Yes, Really): https://thesundae.net/2017/07/09/in-defense-of-the-happening-yes-really/ Roger Ebert's review of The Happening: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-happening-2008

For the first time ever, we have a guest! Darren Mooney of The Escapist and The 250 joined the pod to show Ciara and Dean a film neither of them had seen: Michael Mann's 2006 big-screen adaptation of Miami Vice. They talk about Colin Farrell's accent, Jamie Foxx fleeing the set mid-production and why a Miami Vice film barely takes place in Miami. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ Follow Darren on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Darren_Mooney Follow The 250 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetwofifty Episode 22, Spring Breakers: https://thesundae.net/2022/11/15/spring-breakers-the-sundae-presents-episode-22/

A year after Whedon v Snyder, it's another "versus" episode: Dean brought Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai and Ciara brought its US remake The Magnificent Seven. They look at how each film examines the cultural figures of the samurai and cowboy, what changed in adaptation (and what didn't), and how much craic they are. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ The Rashomon Effect Effect: https://thesundae.net/2018/05/20/the-rashomon-effect-effect/ Episode 10, Ikiru: https://thesundae.net/2021/12/19/ikiru-the-sundae-presents-episode-10/

It's an emergency episode! (Though maybe not released on an emergency schedule.) Ciara watched Zack Snyder's 2009 film adaptation of Watchmen, so she and Dean recorded an episode about it. They talk about the assassination of JFK, whether Rorschach is cool and the absence of a squid. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ Episode 12, Whedon v Snyder: The Justice League Special: https://thesundae.net/2022/01/26/whedon-v-snyder-the-justice-league-special-the-sundae-presents-episode-12/

Happy holidays! For our second Christmas Special, Dean showed Ciara that timeless seasonal classic, Lynne Ramsay's 2002 suicide drama Morvern Callar. They talked about how funny it is, whether the main character is a psychopath and if it's even a Christmas film. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ Ciara on Ms .45 in Crooked Marquee: https://crookedmarquee.com/a-woman-waging-war-ms-45-at-40/ I Miss You More Than I Did Yesterday: https://thesundae.net/2019/05/20/i-miss-you-more-than-i-did-yesterday/ Episode 11, It's a Wonderful Life: https://thesundae.net/2021/12/23/its-a-wonderful-life-the-sundae-presents-episode-11/

For the last regular episode of the year, Ciara showed Dean one of her first favourite films, Best Picture winner Kramer vs. Kramer. They talk about whether it's balanced, whether it's antifeminist and which of the characters Dean wanted to kill at various points. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ Teri Bach's review of Kramer vs. Kramer: https://socialism.com/fs-article/movie-review-kramer-vs-kramer-vs-women/ Bonus Episode 2, The Deer Hunter: https://thesundae.net/2022/09/26/the-deer-hunter-the-sundae-presents-bonus-episode-2/

Dean follows through on his longstanding threat to make Ciara watch a Harmony Korine film, the 2012 black comedy (?) crime drama (?) Spring Breakers. They talk about its grotesque visual excess, James Franco's repulsive performance and whether the whole film is just a big joke. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ Avicii and EDM’s Promise of Post-Recessional Excess by Emily Yoshida: https://www.vulture.com/2018/04/avicii-and-edms-promise-of-post-recessional-excess.html Roger Ebert's review of Joe Versus the Volcano: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/joe-versus-the-volcano-1990 Make It, Don't Fake It: https://thesundae.net/2020/11/17/make-it-dont-fake-it/

It's our second annual Halloween Spooktacular, so Ciara showed Dean the most appropriate movie possible, John Carpenter's 1978 slasher masterpiece Halloween. They talk about its genre-defining visual style, its iconic kills and whether Dr. Loomis is the worst psychiatrist in the history of cinema. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ Pauline Kael's review of Halloween: https://scrapsfromtheloft.com/movies/halloween-1979-review-by-pauline-kael/ Check out Ciara on Lucio Fulci in Fangoria: https://www.fangoria.com/original/lucio-fulci-so-much-more-than-the-godfather-of-gore-dont-torture-a-duckling-at-50/ (and the other time she was in Fangoria: https://www.fangoria.com/original/christopher-landon-reinventing-slasher/) Episode 20, White Dog: https://thesundae.net/2022/10/17/white-dog-the-sundae-presents-episode-20/

Ciara goes "full Dean" by showing him the controversial 80s racism drama White Dog. They talk about its bleak ending, Birth of a Nation, and why the studio sold it up the river. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ Original trailer on Betamax: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP9KXt2TE2k Armond White's Criterion essay on White Dog: https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/848-white-dog-fuller-vs-racism

We have a film emergency! Dean watched The Deer Hunter, so he and Ciara recorded a bonus episode. They talk about its portrayal of Russian-American identity, the controversial Russian roulette sequence, and how much its director loved lying. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ I Feel Far Away: Class (and) War in The Deer Hunter: https://thesundae.net/2019/04/15/i-feel-far-away-class-and-war-in-the-deer-hunter/ Dog Day Afternoon: The Sundae Presents Episode 7: https://thesundae.net/2021/09/26/dog-day-afternoon-the-sundae-presents-episode-7/ The 250, Episode 279. The Conversation: https://soundcloud.com/the250/theconversation-podcast-fin Jonathan Rosenbaum’s review of The Deer Hunter: https://jonathanrosenbaum.net/2018/06/the-deer-hunter-flabby-beyond-belief/

Dean shows Ciara his favourite film from 1994, Neil Jordan’s gay vampire fantasia Interview with the Vampire. They talk about how gay it is, the complexities of vampires as metaphors and Tom Cruise’s electric performance as Lestat. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ Gender Troubles in The Crying Game: https://thesundae.net/2020/01/06/gender-troubles-the-crying-game/ Michael Collins Remains an Irish Cornerstone 25 Years Later: https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/michael-collins-liam-neeson-anniversary/ My First Vulnerability is the Last Thing You’ll See: https://thesundae.net/2021/06/13/my-first-vulnerability-is-the-last-thing-youll-see/ Our previous gay romantic horror episode: https://thesundae.net/2022/04/03/frankenstein-bride-of-frankenstein-the-sundae-presents-episode-14/

Ciara shows Dean the polarising first Star Trek film, Star Trek: The Motion Picture. They talk about why it's nicknamed The Slow-Motion Picture, whether Kirk and Spock are boyfriends, and the beauty of its abstract special effects. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ Star Trek: The Motion Picture – re:View by RedLetterMedia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUxZmen6G2U/ Gutless, Spineless, Gormless, Directionless, Neurotic, Underachieving, Cowardly Pile of Smeg: The Arnold J. Rimmer Story: https://thesundae.net/2019/06/25/gutless-spineless-gormless-directionless-neurotic-underachieving-cowardly-pile-of-smeg-the-arnold-j-rimmer-story/ 

Dean shows Ciara his actual favourite film of all time, Terry Gilliam's 1985 dystopian sci-fi comedy Brazil. They talk about its infamously tumultuous production, its nonideological dictatorship and its retrofuturist aesthetic. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog/ The Battle of Brazil – A Video History: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHUErLzVeXc Pauline Kael’s review of Brazil: https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/movies/brazil Episode 4, Speed Racer: https://thesundae.net/2021/07/04/speed-racer-the-sundae-presents-episode-4/ Episode 10, Ikiru: https://thesundae.net/2021/12/19/ikiru-the-sundae-presents-episode-10/

Ciara finally shows Dean one of the most absurd films he's never seen: Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen's musical classic Singin' in the Rain. They talk about the history of the movie musical, how funny Donald O'Connor is and whether or not the main characters are in a throuple. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog The Mere Possibility of the Movie Musical: https://thesundae.net/2020/11/24/the-mere-possibility-of-the-movie-musical/ Roger Ebert on Singin' in the Rain: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-singin-in-the-rain-1952 All We're Looking for Is Love from Someone Else: https://thesundae.net/2017/09/24/all-were-looking-for-is-love-from-someone-else/

In their first ever bonus episode, Ciara and Dean continue discussing the Bourne Trilogy because, frankly, there's a lot to say about the Bourne Trilogy. Whenever the Bourne Trilogy isn't on screen, people should be asking: where's the Bourne Trilogy? They talk about mass surveillance, MKUltra and how much Paul Greengrass loves handheld cameras. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog Ciara on how films portray the Bush administration in Current Affairs: https://www.currentaffairs.org/2020/11/hollywood-the-bush-years-and-americas-memory-hole Episode 15, The Bourne Identity: https://thesundae.net/2022/05/01/the-bourne-identity-the-sundae-presents-episode-15/ Ciara and Dean talking about another conspiracy thriller on another podcast: https://soundcloud.com/the250/theconversation-podcast-fin?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fthe250%252Ftheconversation-podcast-fin

In a rare role-reversal, Dean shows Ciara a popular mainstream film she has bizarrely never seen: The Bourne Identity, starring Matt Damon. They talk about its difficult production, how evil the CIA is, and The Long Kiss Goodnight. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog 24 Reasons The Bourne Identity & The Long Kiss Goodnight Are The Same Movie by Couch T: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA_FQjt8oNI Episode 5, Good Will Hunting: https://thesundae.net/2021/08/02/good-will-hunting-the-sundae-presents-episode-5/ Ciara and Dean talking about another conspiracy thriller on another podcast: https://soundcloud.com/the250/theconversation-podcast-fin?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fthe250%252Ftheconversation-podcast-fin

Ciara hits Dean with another classic horror double bill as he watches James Whale's Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. They talk about the censorship of the first film, the queer themes of the second and ask: who's the real monster anyway? (It's Dr. Frankenstein.) Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog Ciara on Happy Death Day in Fangoria: https://www.fangoria.com/original/christopher-landon-reinventing-slasher/  My First Vulnerability is the Last Thing You'll See: https://thesundae.net/2021/06/13/my-first-vulnerability-is-the-last-thing-youll-see/ You Kill That Man, You Die Next: https://thesundae.net/2019/08/19/you-kill-that-man-you-die-next/

It's a return to normalcy as Dean once again makes Ciara watch some film you've never heard of that he watched on a whim: Marco Bellocchio's 1965 film debut Fists in the Pocket. They talk about its complex portrayal of disability, ambiguously amoral characters and mad incest vibes. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog Notes on Hamlet (2000): https://thesundae.net/2018/05/13/notes-on-hamlet-2000/ God Sent Me To Piss The World Off, Part 1: https://thesundae.net/2020/04/12/god-sent-me-to-piss-the-world-off-part-1/ I Was Cured, All Right: https://thesundae.net/2020/07/06/i-was-cured-all-right/ Do I Look Like the Kind of Clown Who Could Start a Movement?: https://thesundae.net/2020/10/05/do-i-look-like-the-kind-of-clown-that-could-start-a-movement/

Ciara and Dean each brought a film this episode, but also... the same film? For our first (proper) double episode, Ciara made Dean watch the Whedon Cut of Justice League, and Dean made Ciara watch the Snyder Cut. They talk about corporate heartlessness, the inherent silliness of superheroes and Batman getting old. They also laugh at the bad guy a lot. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog Five Years in Hell: a Reflection on the Superhero TV Boom: https://thesundae.net/2017/06/25/five-years-in-hell-a-reflection-on-the-superhero-tv-boom/ Crisis on Infinite Shows: https://thesundae.net/2020/06/08/crisis-on-infinite-shows/ Ghostbusters (2016): a Hillary Clinton Story: https://thesundae.net/2017/05/07/ghostbusters-2016-a-hillary-clinton-story/ Martin Scorsese on Marvel movies: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/opinion/martin-scorsese-marvel.html

For our first Christmas Spectacular, Ciara helps Dean rid himself of one of his most grievous shames: never having seen It's a Wonderful Life. They talk about its view of capitalism, the brilliance of its final act and whether there's even such a thing as corny. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog Bosley Crowther's review of It's a Wonderful Life: https://www.nytimes.com/1946/12/23/archives/the-screen-in-review-at-three-theatres-its-a-wonderful-life-with.html Too Pop for the Punk Kids: https://thesundae.net/2021/11/28/too-pop-for-the-punk-kids/ The last time we did a film where someone pretends to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge into a river to trick Jimmy Stewart into jumping in after them: https://anchor.fm/the-sundae/episodes/Vertigo-e11rmt6

In a shocking twist, Dean shows Ciara a film widely acknowledged as one of the greatest of all time: Akira Kurosawa's Ikiru. They talk about its humour and humanism, Kurosawa's influences and how the main character's son is a complete piece of shit. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog “Akira Kurosawa - Composing Movement” by Every Frame a Painting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doaQC-S8de8 Bosley Crowther’s review of Ikiru: https://www.nytimes.com/1960/01/30/archives/screen-drama-imported-from-japanikiru-has-premiere-at-the-little.html Ciara’s article on Michael Collins in Paste: https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/michael-collins-liam-neeson-anniversary/ The Rashomon Effect Effect: https://thesundae.net/2018/05/20/the-rashomon-effect-effect/

Dean shows Ciara a film released after they met instead of before they were born: the 2014 Kristen Wiig vehicle Welcome to Me. They talk about the positive thinking movement, Wiig’s career arc and why Oprah sucks. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog Barbara Ehrenreich on positive thinking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvwyhSeLZT8 Oprah’s long history with junk science: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/1/9/16868216/oprah-winfrey-pseudoscience Matthew McConaughey’s Oscar speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD2cVhC-63I Ben Affleck’s The Town: https://twitter.com/danclyne/status/941548911277289473

For our first Halloween Spooktacular, Ciara shows Dean a Sam Raimi double bill: The Evil Dead and Evil Dead II. They talk about the genius of Bruce Campbell, innovation born from ignorance, and all the different kinds of goo. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog "Why Would You Need To Guard A Dead Man Stuck In A Two-Foot Refrigerator?" by Ciara in Bright Wall/Dark Room: https://www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2018/08/15/weekend-at-bernies-2/ You Should Watch Vic Reeves Big Night Out: https://thesundae.net/2019/09/01/you-should-watch-vic-reeves-big-night-out/

Ciara makes Dean watch one of her actual favourite films, Dog Day Afternoon. They talk about sexuality and gender, optimism and the Attica prison massacre. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog "The Boys in the Bank" by P. F. Kluge and Thomas Moore: https://books.google.ie/books?id=5VYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA66 Radical Empathy and the Prison-Industrial Complex: https://thesundae.net/2018/11/05/radical-empathy-and-the-prison-industrial-complex/

Dean shows Ciara D.W. Griffith’s 1920 silent melodrama Way Down East. They talk about its weird Christian feminism, silent film acting and sleepy kitties. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog “The Grace of Keanu Reeves” by Angelica Jade Bastién: https://www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2016/04/21/the-grace-of-keanu-reeves/ You Should Watch Charlie Chaplin: https://thesundae.net/2017/08/13/you-should-watch-charlie-chaplin/ Way Down East on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhdUHLloHmg

Ciara makes Dean watch Good Will Hunting for the first time. They talk about class, toilet humour, and whether Ben Affleck is a good actor.  Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog Cancelled Too Soon: Mindhunter: https://thesundae.net/2021/07/26/cancelled-too-soon-mindhunter/ My First Vulnerability is the Last Thing You’ll See: https://thesundae.net/2021/06/13/my-first-vulnerability-is-the-last-thing-youll-see/ Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Win Original Screenplay (feat. Jack Lemmon wildin' out): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8RIS5GJqAg Ben Affleck getting unmatched on a dating app: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFdNADcemJk

Dean shows Ciara his favourite film released in his lifetime: the Wachowski Sisters’ 2008 children’s action blockbuster Speed Racer. They talk about digital effects, sensory overload and whether blockbusters can be anti-capitalist. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog “In Defense of Disco” by Richard Dyer: http://history-is-made-at-night.blogspot.com/2008/05/in-defence-of-disco-richard-dyer.html In Speed Racer’s fossil-fuel-free future, speed is freedom: https://www.polygon.com/movies/22446139/speed-racer-movie-cars-fossil-fuel-commentary An entire episode of Lazy Town: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHyzxdmQhDc Chapo Trap House's Avatar episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2SrCbSFVeVdGoFiaDRkW5k?si=8DCtQONCTIqG-jZyjjfH9Q&utm_source=copy-link&dl_branch=1 Speed Racer Is Not an Art Film: https://thesundae.net/2017/07/31/speed-racer-is-not-an-art-film/

Ciara makes Dean watch only his third Alfred Hitchcock film, the 1958 classic Vertigo. They talk about cops, pretty colours, and Dean's aversion to films made between 1934 and 1967.  Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog The Hays Code: http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/592022/ A bunch of dolly zooms, including Vertigo and Jaws: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OO3pqJVLAc Socially Awkward Penguin: https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/socially-awkward-penguin James F. Maxfield and Vertigo as An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge: https://www.salon.com/2018/09/08/is-vertigo-just-the-fever-dream-of-a-dying-man/

Dean makes Ciara watch the Wim Wenders movie Wings of Desire for the first time. They talk about war, peace, and Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls. Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog Wim Wenders interview: https://youtu.be/N_jaBDec_3I Sundae Film Awards 2021: https://thesundae.net/2021/04/25/the-sundae-film-awards-2021/

In the inaugural episode of The Sundae Presents, Ciara makes Dean watch the Steven Spielberg classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial for the first time. They talk about drunken empathy, Jesus parallels, and penis breath.  Visit The Sundae: https://thesundae.net/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sundaeblog Spielberg talking about the special edition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uV8Ffi-3Qg Is Stranger Things a personal tribute to Hitler? https://thesundae.net/2017/05/28/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-nostalgia/