Showing posts with label interaction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interaction. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Super Watch: "Superman: The Movie" (1978) in San Antonio w/ NathanC


Tollin, NathanC and yours truly


Watched:  07/02/2024
Format:  Theatrical/ Santikos/ TPR Cinema Tuesdays
Viewing:  Unknown
Director:  Richard Donner


For years, our own NathanC (the famed Nathan Cone of Texas Public Radio/ TPR's Cinema Tuesdays) has been trying to secure a print or digital copy of Superman: The Movie to include in the annual summer classics film series he hosts via TPR.   

Travel and other challenges have beset our ability to pull this off, but this year the stars aligned and Nathan was able to get WB to send a copy.  On July 2nd, 2024, I was able to attend the screening and help out.  Nathan asked that I help intro the film, and then stay for a Q&A.  You can visit the Q&A as both audio and transcript here on the TRP website.

Unsurprising to me is that Nathan is a great host; professional but warm and fun.  Clearly the crowd that came out is enthusiastic - they were there a good hour before curtain and buzzing.  The Santikos theater in Northwest San Antonio was nicely appointed and had primo seats with nice side tables for popcorn and - for me - to quickly jot some notes.

I was incredibly nervous about the Q&A as (a) I have a tendency to over-answer any given question, and (b) I was concerned I would not be able to answer a question thrown my way.  

Prior to showing up, Nathan mentioned that a former DC Comics staffer, Anthony Tollin, was going to be in attendance.  Anthony was at DC during a fascinating period of transition, when the original old guard was silver-haired but still around and the next generation was coming in and bringing new ideas to comics.  Folks like Kirby were mailing in work, but working for DC, you might see Siegel and Shuster come into the office.  He knew Julie Schwartz!  He colored Gil Kane!

To someone like me, this is like finding out that you're going to be talking to Gene Kranz or an equivalent.  Especially when I found out Mr. Tollin had been assigned to Christopher Reeve to shepherd him around DC Comics when Reeve came in to do some research.  




I couldn't help it, so I jumped the gun and immediately included Mr. Tollin in the Q&A, and, after, I asked him to sign some comics which he'd worked on.  As a side-note, Mr. Tollin also works on The Shadow novella reprint collections and has written a lot of those Smithsonian mini-books you may have seen associated with CD releases of radio programs.

As a point of Mr. Tollin being kinda extra cool, if you look at the first picture, he's wearing the rings worn by The Phantom in the comic strips.

The questions were insightful and on a level interested in narrative more than the technical achievements of the film - and maybe that worked well for me.  I have *thoughts* on Superman, and I think I was able to answer folks' queries - and loved one woman's questions about the nature of our secret heroism.  I wanted to high-five her so bad.

Anyway, thanks to Nathan and Texas Public Radio for such a great night.  And to Mr. Tollin for showing patience with a fanboy.  Oh, and I got to see San Antonio-based pal, Courtney M!  Always a delight.

Depending on a few factors, I really want to slip down to San Antonio for the screening of Pandora's Box starring Louise Brooks.  

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Halloween Watch Party - Coming this Friday




Coming this Friday:  a WATCH PARTY

But I am not telling you what we're watching.  You just have to trust.  Which, I mean, don't.

Day:  10/06/2023
Time:  8:30 Central/ 6:30 Pacific
Service:  Amazon Streaming/ Watch Party
Cost:  No more than $4


(link live 10 minutes prior to show)

Friday, June 2, 2023

Friday Watch Party: Mad Max - Beyond Thunderdome




Last week we lost world-famous musician and performer Tina Turner.  

Turner didn't appear in that many films, but she was in a starring role in the least likely of films, the third Mad Max installment, Beyond Thunderdome.  She plays the mayor-figure and matriarch of a town in post-apocalyptic Australia, and she has magnificent earrings.  

Opinions vary on Turner in the film, but we've been team-Aunty Entity since we literally jumped into a van full of kids being taken to the movie at the local cinema.  But this is also, simply, a pro-Tina Turner household.


Day:  June 2, 2023
Time:  8:30 Central, 6:30 Pacific
Runtime:  107 minutes
Cost:  $4.29 HD / $3.79 SD

I'm realizing I saw this when I was 10, and, hoo-boy.  My parents were paying zero attention to what I was watching as a kid.

(link live 10 minutes before show)


Friday, April 28, 2023

Friday Watch Party: Reform School Girls




It's time.  

Day:  Friday - 04/28/2023
Time:  8:30 Central, 6:30 Pacific
Runtime:  1 hour 34 minutes
Cost:  $4

(link live ten minutes before show)


Thursday, April 20, 2023

Friday Watch Party: Superman IV - The Quest for Peace

cool job, but you left two behind, Clark



Earlier this week we saw the 85th anniversary of the first appearance of Superman and Lois Lane in print in the famed Action Comics #1.  It's a great comic, and Superman has had many great stories to tell over the years.

This is probably not one of them.

Starting from a promising set-up, the movie is plagued with budgetary issues that impact everything along the way.  It has its highlights, but...  yeah.

Join us as we leap a good decision in a single bound, and behold:  Superman's apartment and its curious decor!  Lenny Luthor!  Lex's goofy scheme to infinite wealth!  A literal Chippendale's dancer as our super-powered meanie/ horn-dog!  

It's the movie that killed a franchise and set Superman back 20 years at the cinema!

Day:  Friday 04/21/2023
Time:  8:30 Central/ 6:30 Pacific
Cost:  $3
Runtime:  90 minutes

(link live ten minutes before showtime)

Friday, April 7, 2023

Friday Watch Party: Ryan's Movie Selection Surprise!!!

literally never been this happy or excited, ever



It's almost my birthday, but rather than y'all surprising me, I'm going to use the opportunity to surprise YOU!

Who KNOWS what we'll choose for our birthday flick?  You're going to have to attend to find out!

Day:  Friday, April 7th
Time:  6:30 Pacific, 8:30 Central
Cost:  no more than $5
Runtime:  no longer than 1:45


(link live 10 minutes before showtime)

Friday, March 31, 2023

Friday Watch Party: Prom Night



I'm still, as always, on my Jamie Lee Curtis kick, and I've been meaning to do Prom Night since we kicked off the ol' Covid lockdown.  So, let's do it.

I've never seen this thing, but it's got JLC, so we're assuming it can't be all bad.  But you'll have to axe her, I guess.

Hey, it was this or Virus, and apparently even JLC doesn't like Virus.  So we'll save that for when Dug is around.

Day:  Friday 03/31/2023
Time:  8:30 Central, 6:30 Pacific
Cost:  $2


(link live 10 minutes before showtime)
Special Help Instructions:  After clicking the link, you will see a "watch with ads" button and "More Purchase Options" button.  Click " More Purchase Options".  On that screen, select "Rent HD $1.99"




Thursday, March 23, 2023

Friday Watch Party (Jamie Edition): A Fish Called Wanda





My favorite Jamie's favorite movie stars one of my other favorite Jamies.  And that's how we'll be watching A Fish Called Wanda for Jamie's birthday.  No, not that Jamie, this Jamie.

Anyway, I like this movie quite a bit, so it's not a tough sell.  I no longer yell "asshoooooole" at people on the road, but there was a time.

It is like an hour and 45, so we'll need to get going pretty quick.  

So, here's to Jamies with oval faces and good cheekbones, Oscar winners and birthday girls alike.


as a JLC fan, this brought me great joy



Day:  03/24/2023
Time:  6:30 Pacific, 8:30 Central
Cost:  I think it's free on Prime

Join us for the heist of the century!

(link live 10 minutes before showtime)


Friday, March 10, 2023

Friday Watch Party: The Killers (1946)



This one is a straight up banger.  The Killers (1946) brought the world Ava Gardner (we're celebrating her centennial) and Burt Lancaster.  It's based loosely on a short story from Ernest Hemingway, directed by Robert Siodmak and is the noiriest noir that ever noired.  

Also features Edmond O'Brien, Albert Dekker, Charles McGraw, William Conrad, Sam Levene, and a dozen other "hey, THAT GUY" type actors.  

I say "this is one of my favorite movies" a lot, but this one IS one of my faves and genuinely solid.

Day:  03/10/2023
Time:  8:30 PM Central, 6:30 PM Pacific
Cost:  $4


(link live ten minutes before showtime)


Friday, March 3, 2023

Friday Watch Party: Strangers on a Train




You've all suffered enough.  I mean, the past few weeks of watch parties have been a real gauntlet and test of intestinal fortitude.  And while "strangers on a train" sounds like something incredibly dirty, it's actually the title of a phenomenal movie directed by no one less than Alfred Hitchcock.  This is how we pivot at the Signal Watch.

I haven't seen this flick in decades, but I remember loving it at the time circa 1997.  It's a popular Hitch favorite, so let's get on that train and see who wants to swap murders.

Day:  03/03/2023
Time:  8:30 PM Central/ 6:30 PM Pacific
Cost:  $3-$4

(link live 10 minuts before showtime)

Friday, February 24, 2023

Friday Watch Party: In the Line of Duty 2 - The Super Cops (aka: Yes, Madam!)




I've dreamed of this one becoming available for our Friday-viewing pleasure.  I've never seen it, but it stars Oscar-contender Michelle Yeoh* and American Martial Arts phenom Cynthia Rothrock dubbed for some reason by a lady with a British accent.  

It's a chance for us to bear witness to acrobatics, flying kicks, slow-motion-bodies-falling-through-glass and all the best bits of mid-80's HK non-prestige cinema!   

Day:  02/24/2023
Time:  8:30 Central/ 6:30 Pacific
Service:  Amazon
Cost:  $0 for Amazon Prime subscribers

(link live 10 minutes prior to showtime)

*be still my heart


Friday, February 17, 2023

Friday Watch Party: Come Celebrate Raquel Welch with "Kansas City Bomber"



Sadly, this week we lost movie star Raquel Welch.  

Let's remember this singular movie star with a movie that shows her acting, her toughness and let's Welch look terrific while elbowing jerks off a banked track.  

Day:  Friday  02/17/2023
Time:  8:30 Central/ 6:30 Pacific
Service:  Amazon
Cost:  $3

(link live 10 minutes before showtime)


Friday, February 10, 2023

Friday Watch Party: Birdemic 3 - Sea Eagle




Look, we all know what this means.  But we're doing it anyway.

I can promise you nothing but confusion, tears, rage, and some low-grade long-term trauma.  But I think it's important we do this.  Everything up to this point has been a training for this moment, really.  Now is when we prove our mettle.

Day:  Friday 02/10
Time:  8:30 Central/ 6:30 Pacific
Service:  Amazon
Cost:  $4

(link live 10 minutes prior to show)


Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Friday Watch Party: Gorilla at Large






reminder:  you can always see what we're up to each week by clicking on the Watch Party tab or seeing what's up by checking under the "Interaction" label.  



Friends, this may be the most exciting title for a movie I've ever seen in my whole g-d life.  

I was pretty thrilled with just the name, but then I saw it stars Anne Bancroft, Raymond Burr, Lee J Cobb and Cameron (Space Mutiny) Mitchell, and, y'all, I done lost my mind when I noted an appearance by none other than Lee @#$%ing Marvin.

Do I know anything about this movie?  I do not.  But how can we go wrong with a gorilla, a circus, and Lee J Cobb?

Day:  Friday 02/03/2023
Time:  8:30 Central/ 6:30 Pacific
Cost:  $4


link live 10 minutes prior to showtime




Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Friday Watch Party : The Amazing Mr. X



housekeeping note!  HEY.  We've added a "Watch Party" tab to the main menu.  If you ever wonder what's up with the next Watch Party and can't immediately find a link, click on the "Watch Party" option.

So, I'm told The Amazing Mr. X is being shown at this year's Noir City in Oakland.  By K, who works in Oakland.  I guess she knows.  

Anyway, I ain't against anything with THIS poster, and it has Cathy O'Donnell, who is great.

Let's watch this thing. 

Day:  01/27/2023
Time:  8:30 PM Central/ 6:30 Pacific
Cost:  Free for Amazon Prime members

(link live 10 minutes before show)


Friday, January 20, 2023

Friday Watch Party: ZARDOZ (1974)



I've never seen Zardoz beyond the first 20 minutes, and so now I'm going to watch it.  We're ALL going to watch it.  

Here's all you need to know:  

I would kill for 1/200th of the confidence it takes to say "yes, put me on film in that"



Anyway, I am told the movie occurs in 2023, which is now.  So, put on your red diaper and hurt-me boots, and let's watch this thing.

Day:  Friday, 01/20/2023
Time:  8:30 Central, 6:30 Pacific
Service:  Amazon
Cost:  $4, and a small bit of your sanity


(link live 10 minutes before show)

BEHOLD!  The trailer.

Friday, January 13, 2023

Friday Watch Party: The Woman In Green




We don't want to fall too far off pace, so on Friday we'll watch a Sherlock Holmes movie.  Because I like Sherlock and you can't stop me.  There are three women listed, I don't know who they are, and which will look swell in green (in black and white).  

I assume there's a mystery.  This is Sherlock Holmes.  But we're really here for Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.  And mysteries.  And the *idea* of "green".  

Day:  FRIDAY THE 13th (of January, 2023)
Time:  8:30 Central, 6:30 Rain-Soaked Coast
Service:  Amazon
Cost:  Free if you have Prime

(link ready 10 minutes before showtime)

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Friday Watch Party: Holiday in Handcuffs

we're going to be studying the composition of this poster for decades to come




What could be more merry than watching 90 minutes of Unlawful Restraint charges pile up?  Not to mention assault, etc...

Join us as I get in a trifecta of Saved by the Bell alumni in Christmas movies in this Mario Lopez/ Melissa Joan Hart pair-up.  (See:  Lucky Christmas and Northpole).  

Is it good?  Probably not.  Is it free?  It depends on how you categorize your Amazon Prime membership and viewings.  

Anyway, you'd hope something with handcuffs this much at the center of the film that isn't The Defiant Ones would be kind of fun.  I don't know how any of this set-up will play out in a way that doesn't work a bit like the Saw franchise, but that doesn't seem very Christmassy.  And it's not, like, *fun* handcuffs.  It's an ABC Family original film.  

It's also got Markie Post!  Who doesn't love Markie Post?  No one.  She was great.

But I am sure we can make something out of this.

Day: Friday December 23rd
Time:  8:30 Central, 6:30 Pacific
Service:  Amazon
Price:  I think it's streaming for free with Prime

(link live 10 minutes before showtime)

Friday, December 16, 2022

Friday Watch Party: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"




I was not of a mind in 2000 to go see the Ron Howard-directed adaptation of Dr. Seuss's perennial holiday classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  But I've mellowed, and in careful consultation with Jenifer, we've chosen this movie to extend the Holiday Watch Party festivities.

Jim Carrey is a fine actor, I find him very funny.  I find this suit unnerving.  What I've seen of Jeffrey Tambor in the movie also makes me want to burn Whoville with fire.  I do not tolerate uncanny valley stuff in CGI very well.  Do it in real life, and my blood runs cold with the Lovecraftian implications.

I don't know what else is in this 105 minute movie that wasn't covered in the children's book or 30 minute TV show, but it does seem the filmmakers were like "we should unnerve Ryan by putting the lovely Christine Baranski in this and make her a sexy Who.  That should @#$% him up but good."    

my grinchy heart will grow three sizes that day


I don't know what the context is of this whole scenario, but let's find out. Here's to Opie Cunningham.

Day:  Friday 12/16/2022
Time:  8:30 Central
Length:  1:45
Service:  Amazon
Price:  $4

(link live 10 minutes before show)

Friday, December 9, 2022

Friday Watch Party: A Christmas Melody





When it comes to people who have tried to make a career out of Christmas media, it's hard to top Ms. Mariah Carey and/or Ms. Lacey Chabert.  Way, way back in 2015, this power duo teamed up for a single Hallmark movie.  Hold onto your hats, because this one was also directed by Mariah Carey.  I'm pretty sure its about a kids' singing competition or concert or some nonsense. 

Anyway, this combo is like loading your 5 lb. bag of Christmas with like 100 lbs. of Christmas, and we're gonna do it, and we're gonna like it.  No, I have not seen the full movie, just parts of it, which seems impossible.  

We're gonna Holiday the @#$% out of this %$#@.

Day:  Friday - 12/09/2022
Time:  8:30 Central, 6:30 Pacific
Service:  Amazon Streaming
Cost:  $3-$4