The Cine-Files

There is simply nothing else like this show with the depth of their exploration of films. Steve leads with his head and John with his heart, but it makes for an engaging exchange of ideas. They do struggle with recency bias. If there was a drinking game based on one of them saying some part of this week’s movie was one of their favourites or best of all time or surely deserved an Oscar, half their audience would be dead from alcohol poisoning. It makes me chuckle every time.

A nice Midwestern lady in a nowhere town will dress nicely and do her hair for lunch at the Radisson. She may not have been dolled herself up to flirt, but rather to feel pretty, presentable for a class outfit like the Rad, with a soupçon of sexual curiosity, but only if you insist. A hugely pregnant woman might be happy of a few compliments from a an old high school friend but mostly she can’t wait to get home to Norm and tell him all about it. It might liven up their sex life - now and for years to come. She’s friendly and kindhearted - and she likes people. But she loves Norm. That expectation of fidelity in marriage may have at one time been a feature of life in the flyover states. You folk out West don’t get those breezes. Why would anybody assume Marge was out seeing if she could scout up new talent unless they’d never seen or experienced fidelity in any relationship? When she inserts a bit of cop voice at the very end of telling him to get back on his own side of the table, the movie fan gets a thrill followed by suspension of disbelief at her charm in the moments that follow. We see her telling herself what to do next and dealing with dismay at how this reunion is turning out, since it’s now clear there’s something seriously wrong. And lo, she may have been a fool for agreeing to meet him. Women often have to top up their life skills to keep up with their professional ones. Marge is the practical Midwesterner through and through. She’d most likely been hoping to try the food at the Radisson. Big, substantial, carb and gravy laden stick to your ribs comfort food goes down well in those cold, cold winters.

I stumbled upon this a few months ago and really enjoy it as a self proclaimed movie critic . However I’m not sure of the guys have realised that this is more than just movie reviews podcast but about lots more including your special relationship on the mic. I feel I know you and if that is not great movie making then…

Unlike Steve’s films that ruin Hollywood, The Cine-files do understand what makes this podcast great, and continue to mine deeper for those gems that connect us to the stories and characters we love.