Sober Cinema

Two years ago on January 6, 2017 the world welcomed with open arms yet another attempt by Hollywood to solve race relations once and for all. HIDDEN FIGURES, the story of three African American mathematicians who help put an American into space, opened to box office and critical success as it expanded into wide release. ACCIDENTAL COURTESY: DARYL DAVIS, RACE & AMERICA on the other hand opened to controversy and a weekend gross less than a MacBook Pro. So what three genius level black women couldn't do is left to three dumb dudes on a movie podcast to finally fix once and for all. On this week's episode of SOBER CINEMA will it be the mainstream release or the forgotten film that deserves your attention. On that note could you also click all of our links as well:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

One year ago the world heard an awful lot about Kevin Spacey being replaced at the last minute in a film scheduled to be released just over a month later on Christmas Day. For their opening weekend of December 29-31 Ridley Scott's ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD would be the top new release at the box-office but would fade over the Oscar season as Paul Thomas Anderson's PHANTOM THREAD expanded and became the object of cinephiles fascination. We expect the same of our guest Web Bist as he opens the show by calling SOBER CINEMA the whitest thing since Daniel Day Lewis as a 1950s dressmaker. One could choose to take this as a compliment but you can decide for yourself by clicking on the links below:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

Our episode on con artists and con amateurs includes superfan Jairo who has FINALLY managed to con his way onto the great SOBER CINEMA, bringing his love of comb overs, dogs in the bedroom and sex in the park for our episode on AMERICAN HUSTLE and TRICKED. Five years ago on December 13, 2013 these two films delighted audiences with a look at lust and betrayal... and characters under a lot of stress from the combination of those two things. However we find ourselves totally relaxed as we contemplate moving to Europe just like our guest... though we'd prefer to be nowhere near the man who brings you THE TRUE BROMANCE FILM PODCAST and MARK AS PLAYED to your podcast players. You won't either, so go ahead and click on OUR links instead:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

It's the holiday season... which means we are tired of Christmas movies and jump back six months to June 8, 2018 with warmer weather and the release of warmer family films such as HEREDITARY and HEARTS BEAT LOUD. To do so we bring on Andy From Work as a guest to tackle the horror of Nick Offerman having a heart in a part very much removed from the iconic Ron Swanson. Also the OBVIOUS heir to the DUMB AND DUMBER crown that is Toni Collette making mistake after mistake when her pet's head falls off. Along with that particular surprise THE Nasty Hellcat talks about getting soft in his old age much like the disgusting nude bodies on display in the horror movie box office hit. Is that enough to get a man to fully embrace the indie spirit and fatherhood seen in Brett Haley's film? One host suggests going back to alcoholism and the other really loves seeing children die on screen. Happy holidays!Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobe

On December 4, 1998 the world was exposed to the great pipes of LITTLE VOICE and the sound of one man's passionate solo love in Gus Van Sant's remake of PSYCHO. Our mainstream release starring Vince Vaughn as the classic Norman Bates character was reviled upon release, and while we may not surprise you with our focus on the sound design of this film (for when do we not spend ten minutes talking about that when it comes to cinema?) we may with a bit of a defense for this experiment. And that surprise continues with our forgotten film as the late 90s Miramax Oscar bait branding gives way to the always great man slut Michael Caine.This may very well be... the greatest episode of SOBER CINEMA. Find out by clicking on the links below:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

Eight years ago on November 24, 2010 the world let its hair down at the movies with Disney's TANGLED and some poor bastard's BURLESQUE. The former may now be the little sister to FROZEN but at the time it was another major animated hit for the company that would soon own every IP, while the latter was a not-so-successful flick at the box office for Cher's no longer animated face. However this Christina Aguilera starring film does offer some valuable lessons even now: like how completely asexual women dancing erotically in minimal clothing can be. It really is quite a feat that we recommend you not try at home... unless you are superfan Jairo who is probably doing just that right now. As for the rest of you, spend your time clicking these links below:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

On November 17, 1978 stern, disapproving fathers everywhere were coming to terms with the fact that their sons were absolutely, positively DORKS. For Ralph Bakshi was bringing her hybrid animation adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's THE LORD OF THE RINGS to the big screen while George Lucas was cashing a (hopefully) big check to see his Star Wars universe adapted to a television variety hour now known infamously as THE STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL. One of these is an earnest but lesser attempt to get a fan property right, while the other shows absolute disdain for its subject matter. So which one do you think we end up talking about more to celebrate this Thanksgiving? Find out with a listen on this great Life Day or just click for spoilers at the links below:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

We continue the Hollywood tradition of celebrating Christmas on early November weekends by taking a trip back to November 13, 2015 when LOVE THE COOPERS and JAMES WHITE hit the silver screens with decidedly different examinations of families in crisis. In the former, the top new box office opener stars Diane Keaton and John Goodman as parents of a large star-studded family on the verge of their last Christmas together due to an impending divorce; and in the latter Christopher Abbott must come to terms with the fact that his mother played by Cynthia Nixon is dying. As one SOBER CINEMA critic on this very episode puts it: "it felt like I was dying and I wish I was." You most likely will feel the same if you click the links below:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

Much like Hollywood and your obnoxious neighbor, once Halloween is over... the Christmas season begins. One year ago on November 1, 2017 A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS rang in the holiday two months early, and Greta Gerwig's solo directorial debut LADY BIRD opened in limited release and immediate Oscar consideration. And although the BAD MOMS sequel would go on to gross $130 million worldwide, strangely it may be our forgotten film as people (monsters) may be unaware that there even was a sequel to spotlight the greatness of Kathryn Hahn. However the Saoirse Ronan starring Best Picture nominee stayed in the pop culture conversation with overwhelming praise... and a small degree of backlash provided from one of our hosts. So join us as we put Mila Kunis and Laurie Metcalf in the podcast gladiator ring to determine The Ultimate Bad Mom.Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

On October 26, 2007 Steve Carrell betrayed his on-screen brother Dane Cook and America cheered for DAN IN REAL LIFE, which opened second to SAW 424, at the box office. The nation was not so kind to similar antics from Philip Seymour Hoffman when he tried to pull the same shit with Ethan Hawke in Sidney Lumet's final film BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD which opened on the same day. Some things are expected of a sitcom star taking the leap to big screen romantic lead that would be beneath the greatest actor of his generation. Nothing is beneath us though as we tackle the appropriate amount of thrusting in an opening sex scene, meet cutes with eyebrows on fleek Juliette Binoche, and the joys of being called Chico by a threatening Michael Shannon. Also click ALL OF THESE LINKS, thanks:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

We've seen FIRST MAN. And now thirty-five years later we finally get around to the three plus hours to see if we have THE RIGHT STUFF. That's obviously doubtful to our listeners, and perhaps even more so is if we have ALL THE RIGHT MOVES, the other and initially more successful film released on October 21, 1983. Both films look at expected masculinity of their time, which is why we forgive them for not living up to the manliness of THE Nasty Hellcat. Find a real hero, not these astronauts or Tom Cruise, at the links below:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

We compare the hellish existence of THE Nasty Hellcat against another cursed creature in BAD LUCKY GOAT... and also an attractive white college girl being punished by movie geeks for the ultimate sin of not having seen GROUNDHOG DAY in HAPPY DEATH DAY. On Friday, October 13 2017, this light slasher horror film opened to $26 million while our forgotten but charming foreign film starring a dismembered goat made $170.One hundred. AND seventy dollars.Do we right this wrong and choose the forgotten film over the mainstream success? And can THE Nasty Hellcat's life become even more cursed? Find out on this episode or at the links below:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

On October 6, 2000 the world was introduced to the awkward humor of Ben Stiller explaining the process of milking a cat to Robert De Niro in MEET THE PARENTS and the continued exploration of race in America from Spike Lee in BAMBOOZLED. And as usual this great country found the idea of milking a cat more palatable (who wouldn't???). We attempt to discuss these films with as much respect as three white dudes (a rarity in podcasting really) can while talking about intimate moments with house pets. For more of that, check out our social media presence at the links below:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

As we are probably one of the most popular producers of online content, we feel it is our responsibility to celebrate the anniversary of David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin's classic THE SOCIAL NETWORK. However this was not the only film on the end of anonymity released on October 1, 2010... for our forgotten film on this episode is THE Nasty Hellcat selected slasher flick CHAIN LETTER. One film should have won Best Picture and the other is the usual vengeance tour from one of our co-hosts and "friends" to force us to waste precious minutes of our lives. Speaking of which, here's all of our social media links:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

In honor of co-host THE Nasty Hellcat's birthday, we program what he calls "the greatest achievement in cinema" JACKASS NUMBER TWO. Much like the second GODFATHER this film met with instant critical acclaim upon its release on September 22, 2006, while this was very much not the case for the presumably respectable war drama FLYBOYS. Journey back twelve years with us as we see if we've gained the maturity needed to applaud the heroes of WW2 as opposed to our usual desire to see a man kicked in the nuts. Mostly the latter at our social media links below:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

It's been one year since the release of a new adaptation of Stephen King's IT and the South Korean hit MEMOIR OF A MURDERER on September 8, 2017. So we decided to celebrate not only these films by remembering our youth (which also involved sleepovers with perverse clowns) but also where we are now... cantankerous old men who hate everyone and everything. Find more of our charming film discussion at the links below and thanks for the download!Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

To celebrate this summer's Hulu series CASTLE ROCK (pretty fun) and our country increasingly divided by politics (not as fun) we look back twenty-five years ago to August 27, 1993. On that day NEEDFUL THINGS was the popular mainstream release of what would most assuredly be another disappointing Stephen King adaptation as Max von Sydow comes to down as the devil getting his groove back with some small town Americana greed. Our selected forgotten film for this date damn well should have stayed that way as Robert Downey Jr. learns us a thing or two about "the youth vote" in the documentary THE LAST PARTY. Learn nothing with us and thank you for the download!Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

On April 21, 2017 the world was gifted with a bold cinematic experience featuring a woman who just would not take no for an answer. A woman who would not let her passion for bringing people closer together be stifled by the cynics or the practical aspects of life. That woman most would say is Jane Jacobs as seen in the documentary CITIZEN JANE: THE BATTLE FOR THE CITY. But here at SOBER CINEMA we say nah, it's Katherine Heigl in UNFORGETTABLE. Don't try that elitist crap with us, we have a catfight to watch. Join us!Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

Here at SOBER CINEMA we encourage you to get out of the house and live (also because you are more likely to listen to our podcast if not surrounded by those who love you and/or Netflix). With that being said, here are two films released on April 15, 2005 where the characters are offered this same advice, and find that ignoring the hosts can be quite perilous. In the more popular selection Ryan Reynolds does his best (which isn't much) impression of Jack Nicholson in THE SHINING for the remake of THE AMITYVILLE HORROR; and in HOUSE OF D, David Duchovny presents a cover band version of all coming of age stories. This at least gives your hosts more to talk about than just Mr. Deadpool's impressive abs. If you need more than that in your life... follow us at the links below:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema

One host who will not be named (mainly because he is the one who is writing these show notes) just could not stay away from the Nicholas Sparks Cinematic Universe for too long, so we dive back in and celebrate the glory that was the April 10, 2015 release of THE LONGEST RIDE starring Little Scottie Eastwood and Little Britt Robertson who just make an ADORABLE couple. Not so much with the indie darling of that day CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA as Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart spend most of this art film debating the nature of art in film... with occasional flirting. We try to keep the timelines straight of both these features as they both take pleasure in making a mess of a straight narrative, and we attempt to do the same in podcast form. If you would like to follow us in other forms, hit the links below:Support what we do with bonus content and early episodes on PatreonListen: iTunes/PodbeanFacebook/Instagram/Twitter: @sobercinema