Nighthawks' Podcast

Come with us, across the Atlantic and into the Great White North, as the boys in the Nighthawks Diner explore the Norwegian black comedy IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE.

Equal parts FARGO-era Coen Bros. and Scandinavian Noir (Nordic Noir... "Noirdic?"), this little movie has a lot going on for it. A favorite of festival audiences, IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE seems to have fallen between the cracks with mainstream audiences in the U.S. Why is this? Is it the cultural differences? Is it the subtitles? Is it the relative age of the characters?

Matt and Trevor take a superficial glance at IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE, in the hopes that our listeners will give it a chance and check it out. If you've already seen the film, take a peek behind the spoiler curtain and get granular with us.

The Netflix tentpole big-budget-juggernaut was released on Netflix recently.

Is Netflix's future so BRIGHT they have to wear shades? Or is the new David Ayer film BRIGHT low on luster?

The shadow of sexual misconduct hangs over the film's writer, Hollywood legacy Max Landis. Is it possible to separate art from artist?

The boys in the Nighthawks cafe have to see if they can sort out a lot of problems, and even more expository world building, to get to the heart of a film that's big on ideas, but maybe not so hot on execution.

What's more is, in honor of BRIGHT's shortlisting for a Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar nomination, we decide to give you an update on the road to the Academy Awards. Nighthawks' own Oscar Czar, Cameron Maris swings by the Nighthawks diner AFTER the episode, for a very special awards season update.

We are one with The Force, The Force is with us. We are one with The Force, The Force is with us. We are one with The Force, The Force is with us.

In Nighthawks Episode 55, we talk about Star Wars Episode VIII- The Last Jedi. Like Donnie Yen wandering deftly, but blindly, through the crossfire, Matt and Trevor wander into the battleground as they opine about the latest film in the core Star Wars saga.

A movie that has proven to be divisive among fans, it seems like you either love it or hate it. The Nighthawks have their own opinions about the film. They also, in a not-too-surprising meta twist, have their own opinions about your opinions.

Then again, the movie seems to have an opinion about all of our opinions.

Director Rian Johnson, of LOOPER and BRICK fame, takes the 2017 edition of the Star Wars franchise into bold new territories, subverting expectations, forging ahead, and putting its own brand on the beloved property. Did they go a step too far?

Meanwhile, the political conversation continues to boil. Is The Last Jedi an allegory for our modern political spheres? Our modern pop culture fan spheres? Both?

Or is this Carababba tabac cigarra just a cigarra?

Join us at the conceptual Nighthawks cafe as we avoid the Star Wars Christmas Special, and talk about the wars among the stars that you want to hear about.

Disagree with us? Agree? Let us know.

Trevor and Matt play a game of catch-up for this episode. Having covered Star Wars from Episodes 1-7, over two episodes back in 2015, it's time for another double feature.

In Nighthawks Episode 54, the boys discuss 2016's Rogue One- A Star Wars Story. Matt makes a shocking confession about where he places the newest Star Wars prequel in his personal ranking of excellence, and Trevor ranks them differently, but compelling cases are made.

A bold new direction for the Star Wars franchise, tonally and stylistically, this isn't your grandfather's Star Wars. Or, more accurately, it's closer to your grandfather's idea of a "War" film than one might give credit for, walking in blind.

On top of being a prequel and on top of being a recent release in a turbulent fan culture, Rogue One caught some political flack as to its casting choices. Is Rogue One a bold step forward for a more inclusive Hollywood? Or is it an affront to the choices made in the classic trilogy.

Matt and Trevor have a few opinions about that...

Here we are, we're going to wade into the fray. But suffice it to say, if we were on the Disney payroll, we'd be driving better cars.

Tonight the Nighthawks talk about a movie in current release, the latest WB/DC Tent Pole event film: Justice League.

Not unlike THE AVENGERS that came before (in many cases waaaay not unlike enough), WB/DC slams a bunch of bankable (?) heroes into a Save-the-Cat film, that resembles so many other films of its kind, we almost kind of would rather have watched them.

While neither Matt nor Trevor "hated" or even "disliked" Justice League, they don't hold back in the opinion that they were expecting a little bit more, and the puzzlement as to why they didn't get more.

From the filmmakers behind Found Footage 3D: "When he's hired to document the behind-the-scenes action of the ultralow-budget horror movie Spectre of Death ("the first 3D found-footage horror film"), an aspiring filmmaker packs up his camera and travels with the film's crew to a creepy cabin in the woods. But when the fictional evil presence from their film begins appearing in his behind-the-scenes footage, he has to figure out how to stop it, or it just may find its way into the real world. In the same way that Scream deconstructed the slasher sub-genre in the 90’s, FF3D takes a found-footage horror movie and populates it with people who are aware of all of the rules, tricks, and clichés of the genre. They know how to make a found footage movie. But do they know how to survive one?"

FOUND FOOTAGE 3D, the latest release from SHUDDER, is a meta exercise, a pitch black comedy, a geek screed against the mundane, and a fully functional horror movie.

To help Trevor and Matt reveal all the Matryoshka dolls of FF3D is the film's writer and director, Steven DeGennaro. In this full interview, DeGennaro walks the Nighthawks through a soup-to-nuts behind-the-scenes look at this sharply funny and deviously clever entry in the meta horror lexicon.

It's the most murder filled time of the year!

It's October, and that means it's time for MONSTOBERFEST RETURNS. This is by-and-large because October is when Halloween is, which gives us a good excuse to watch spooky movies. Movies like the aptly named slasher classic, John Carpenter's HALLOWEEN.

But October 2017 is something truly special, as well. To make things extra spooky, October also hosted a 13th day on a Friday. Which means it's a good time to break out the classic copy of Sean S. Cunningham's FRIDAY THE 13th.

Both about misfortune befalling fumble-prone horny teenagers, when mysterious killers begin picking them off in a brutal, and gruesome manner.

In what ways are these two major slasher films the same? In what ways are they different?

Have a seat in the booth and join the conversation.

Two years ago, this podcast took a monstrous turn.

We are, of course, being cheeky. In October of 2015 the Nighthawks were actually kind of finding a stride, and in quick succession they launched their October Halloween programming. The original Monstoberfest remains among the Nighthawk's favorite episodes, and are often called back to.

So, why not bring back a good thing? Every good horror property needs a sequel, right?! Dare we say, "franchise?"

Monstoberfest Returns.

In any event, we're bobbing for another bite at the Halloween apple this year, and we're kicking it off in a big way.

History is riddled with examples of toxic fan culture, and sadly it's an issue that we, as a society, have just begun to discuss. While the Nighthawks are putting a bookmark in that slot, for a more in-depth look at actual fan culture, they thought they'd take a stab at the artistic side.

1925's Phantom of the Opera is a seminal film that would help set the stage for genre films throughout history. An early silent effort, this adaptation of Gaston Leroux's novel strikes closest to the heart of the source material. Andrew Lloyd Webber may have painted a picture of a pitiful and romantic Phantom, but 1925 was far less kind. When they adapted the story about the gaslighting murderer who felt privileged to a woman's virtue, they felt he should be a bad guy. With legendary makeup effects that still hold up today, this Lon Chaney masterpiece is a must-watch for the film completest.

Good news, Phantom of the Opera is a public domain film and can be viewed numerous places online. Simply search for it.

The Nighthawks' second film is the Rob (not Carl) Reiner adaptation of Stephen King's Misery. The only King adaptation (so far *eyebrow waggle*) to win an Oscar. James Caan plays Paul Sheldon, a badly injured author who has been "rescued" by his number one fan, from an icy death. Annie Wilkes, played to perfection by Kathy Bates, turns out to be less of a savior and more of a nightmare. We've all heard that we should be careful meeting our heroes, sometimes it's our heroes who need saved from us.

More Monstoberfest Returns to come! Watch this space for details.

If you are a victim or have been affected by sexual assault, you are not alone. You are loved, you are supported, you are believed. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) has set up a National Sexual Assault Hotline; available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call 1-800-656-4673

For more information, check the RAINN website-
https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline

There's been a lot said over the past few weeks about some of the brands that we have traditionally supported on the show, specifically Fantastic Fest and The Alamo Drafthouse. Recently criticism has been focused at Alamo Drafthouse, Fantastic Fest, and Drafthouse founder/C.E.O. Tim League, regarding the firing and rehiring of a Drafthouse employee who had been accused of sexual assault. While we felt it was important to address this controversy and discuss our feelings, we did want to avoid granular exploration of the details. As a matter of fact, several allegations against former Drafthouse associate and AIN'T IT COOL NEWS founder have surfaced even after we first put this episode "on Memorex."

The fact of the matter is, beyond the conversation that's being had online and in the media, the most important part of that conversation was happening in Austin, Texas this week, during Fantastic Fest. As we had made the decision to not attend (long before the controversy), this is a conversation that is still being had and is one that we aren't yet privy to. In that vein if the specifics of the controversy interest you, we'd like to direct your attention to the WOMEN IN CASKETS podcast. Friends of the NIGHTHAWKS, Jen and Dawn are the eponymous WOMEN IN CASKETS and they bring their perspective to genre film, episode after episode. This week the WOMEN IN CASKETS crew are front and center at Fantastic Fest, and they're offering a great perspective from the ground level of both the festival and the controversy.

However let us make one thing perfectly clear: We do not condone sexual assault under any circumstances, full stop.

Meanwhile, the real thrust of this episode is to give due attention to one of the shining lights of Fantastic Fest in years past. Mattie Do is not only remarkable for being the only female genre filmmaker in Laos, nor is she simply the only female filmmaker in Laos, period. Mattie is an effervescent tour de force of personality, who's artistry and passion have treated her well as a filmmaker. She is a major keystone in the building of a film scene in Laos, and has recently begun on the path to a possible Oscar nomination.

Variety recently said that Do was regarded as "one of Asia’s hottest new film-making talents."

Do's latest film DEAREST SISTER, our topic tonight, played Fantastic Fest 2016. Do's other directed film, CHANTHALY also played Fantastic Fest, as did RIVER- a Laos-set thriller on which Do served as a producer. Following a release on the streaming service SHUDDER in early 2017, DEAREST SISTER was submitted by the country of Laos for consideration in the "Best Foreign Language Film" category at the Academy Awards. This is the first Lao submission in the country's history.

Full disclosure, Mattie is a friend of the podcast, and when we heard the news that she was being submitted for an Oscar nomination, we knew we'd be getting into an episode on DEAREST SISTER, soon enough. While the road to nomination is long and full of pitfalls, and the road to a win even longer, we certainly wish Mattie the best of luck in the coming months. We're very excited to see this film get some recognition

Neill Blomkamp is known for such films as ELYSIUM, CHAPPIE, and DISTRICT 9. Once upon a time, he also tried to develop a few films that never made it off the ground, such as the WETA assisted HALO project, and an unused pitch for a new version of the ALIEN story, starring Sigourney Weaver.

But have you seen Blomkamps latest films? What if I told you it was only a matter of clicking a link and taking the time to watch them?

That's all it is.

Neill Blomkamp as launched Oats Studios, an artist collective that's released several projects, including some quick-bite skit-like videos; and three fully realized short films that function both as self-contained narrative and as a pitch reel for a potential future project.

Blomkamp is hoping to catch the eyes of a fanbase, to help directly fund future projects through Oats Studios. Both as expansions of their current projects and a launchpad for new ideas.

The three short films we cover in tonight's episode are:

RAKKA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjQ2t_yNHQs

FIREBASE
https://youtu.be/Tm0V24IEHao

ZYGOTE
https://youtu.be/pKWB-MVJ4sQ

Watch these shorts (Should take about 90 minutes, the same as a feature) then listen afterward for a little post-movie coffee and discussion. Matt and Trevor are saving you a seat at the booth...

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