YMRT - Helter Skelter

As you're well aware, we here at This Cinematic Life are huge fans of Karina Longworth and her wonderful podcast - "You Must Remember This". 'Becca'lise even wrote a glowing piece on it a few months back. Well, now that the World War II based "Star Wars" season is over, Longworth has decided to turn her focus towards one of Craig's favorite topics - the late 1960's! More specifically, this season will be focused on the Manson Murders and all of the various Hollywood players who intersected with both perpetrators and victims. The first episode, which serves as a sort of crash-course in the world of late 60's Hollywood, can be found  right now either HERE or via your preferred podcatcher app.

Since episodes only drop weekly, Craig has put together a list of some of his favorite films from/about this period. Hopefully these will help you to get by between weekly fixes and give you some insight into this extremely weird and bi-polar period in tinseltown history.

• On Her Majesty's Secret Service
• Gimme Shelter
• Repulsion
• Seconds
• CQ
• Blow-Up
• Catch Me If You Can
• The Party

Podcast Recommendation: The Canon

A podcast I've gotten really into lately is Wolfpop's "The Canon," featuring film critics Devin Faraci of Badass Digest and Amy Nicholson of LA Weekly arguing over which films belong in the canon of great films. They each present their opinions (often fiercely disagreeing), and then they leave it up to the listeners to vote online. The most recent episode was about Rocky Horror Picture Show (obviously deserves to be in the canon, at least according to Amy). Sometimes they make it particularly brutal and have a "VS" episode, where listeners have to pick between two very worthy options. Some of their showdowns have included Star Wars vs Empire Strikes Back, ET the Extra Terrestrial vs Close Encounters of the Third Kind (how can you choose??), and Alien vs Aliens (Alien is the clear winner). Next week is Annie Hall vs Manhattan, can't wait!

You'll find yourself totally siding with one of the critics in one episode, and then by next week you've completely turned against them. That's all part of the fun! While they deal some low blows, you know they're still pals at the end of the day and that's why we love (to hate) them. It's crazy and a lot of fun, and it feels like when you argue with your fellow cinephile pals after watching something particularly discussion-worthy. Give it a listen HERE!

Podcast Recommendation: You Must Remember This

Craig's been a long-time advocate of podcasts, especially (or exclusively?) those having to do with film. I was a little late to the bandwagon, but I'm happy to recommend some of which I've grown pretty fond. Today's podcast recommendation is called You Must Remember This, which is created, hosted, produced, and diligently researched by Karina Longworth. Longworth is a film critic, author, and journalist and I love the way she narrates the stories she tells. Her focus is, in her words, "exploring the secret and/or forgotten histories of Hollywood’s first century." Her subjects are a lot of names you know (Judy Garland, Liz Taylor, Howard Hughes, Lauren Bacall), and quite a few you may be less familiar with (Frances Farmer, Val Lewton, Kay Francis). All of the episodes shed a little light onto a part of Hollywood history you probably didn't know about, and it has been very eye-opening for a classic film fanatic like me. I definitely suggest giving it a listen!

More info here: http://www.infiniteguest.org/remember-this/ 

Invasion of the Pod People!

As much as I love radio, I hardly listen to it anymore. Part of this has to do with the fact that since the demise of Indie 103, there aren't really any stations out there playing the type of stuff I want to listen to. But the chief reason for my abandonment of the airwaves, is the sheer number of podcasts I listen to on a regular basis. In any given week, I will listen to roughly five or six hours of podcasting. It's even come to the point where I will listen while I shower so as to not fall behind.

So that I don't have to be alone in my addiction, here are some great film-related podcasts for you to get hooked on!

Doug Loves Movies

If you're ever in Los Angeles, I highly recommend you attend one of weekly Doug Loves Movies recordings at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Host Doug Benson's guest list is always a surprise and always awesome. Ever want to meet Jon Hamm? This could be your chance! He might even pick your name-tag and play The Leonard Maltin Game on your behalf! Even if you can't make it to the city of Angels, audio evidence of this hilarity plops every Friday.