DeGen Cinema Podcast Degen Cinema Podcast

Degenerates Andy S and Brandon Bombay do their best to piece together their debaucherous pasts as they discuss 'The Hangover.' Bombay pours a stiff one while trying to remember a few nights where he overshot the mark and blacked out, and the boys commiserate over shared experiences when nights out became absolute blurs. Then they look at one of the most successful studio comedies of all-time, which 15 years later has a true throwback feel. A film with a dozen comedy set pieces that permeated pop culture, and was propped up by an insular Zach Galifianakis performance. 'The Hangover' spawned a billion "wolfpack" jokes, but it's packed with a series of comedy set pieces that permeated pop culture, and marked the end of an era for a certain type of comedy. 

Degenerates Andy S and Brandon Bombay keep their legs crossed as they discuss the quintessential erotic thriller, 'Basic Instinct.' Andy kicks things off by recalling a relationship with a wildly unhinged woman, whose BPD tendencies had major alarm bells ringing. Then the guys talk about Paul Verhoeven's sleazy studio blockbuster that is as much about two degenerate characters finding each other, as it is about solving a string of murders. This is basically the ultimate relationship red flag movie. A star-making role for Shannon Stone's Catherine Tramell, who was a trailblazing bisexual who uses and discards men. Played against Michael Douglas' inept detective Curran, who mistreats women while bumbling along trying to solve the case. The film looks gorgeous and is peppered with jarring violence, similar to any toxic relationship.

Degenerates Andy S and Brandon Bombay kick things into fifth gear as they talk about the modern crime classic, 'Drive.' Bombay recalls how when the movie started permeating into popular culture he bonded with a stripper who loved the film and its indelible soundtrack. Then the fellas dissect Nicolas Winding Refn's gorgeously shot movie which borrowed heavily from crime films from the '70s and '80s, and transposed those aesthetics into the modern era. Arguably one of the great style over substance movies of this decade, the film stars a magnetically brooding Ryan Gosling, and is buoyed by not only an infectious soundtrack, but a mesmerizing score from Cliff Martinez. Those soothing visuals and sounds are juxtaposed against jarring violence which would go on to become a staple in Refn's later works. 

Degenerates Andy S and Brandon Bombay head south of the border to discuss a modern action classic, 'Desperado.' Andy starts off the jam session by opening his guitar case full of stories and talks about the time he accidentally got involved in a giant bar brawl. Then the guys discuss a movie that starts much like our podcasts, with a great story. A movie that featured star-turning roles in scintillating performances from Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek, who had sizzling chemistry together. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, who had an assist from early-career Quentin Tarantino, 'Desperado' is a genre masterpiece that is not only one of the coolest movies of the '90s, but one of the coolest movies of all-time. Pour yourself a margarita, or piss-warm chango, and enjoy our Cinco de Mayo themed ep. 

Degenerates Andy S and Brandon Bombay discuss a Quentin Tarantino classic that often gets overlooked in his filmography — 'Jackie Brown.' The action gets rolling with Bombay telling a story about a very drunk friend who rode in the back of a truck, and saw a prank hilariously backfire. Then the fellas examine Tarantino's follow up to 'Pulp Fiction,' a breezy slow moving hang out movie with a heist at the center of the narrative that seems tertiary. A movie filled with bumbling characters who made being screw ups their life's work. There's memorable turns from Samuel L. Jackson, Robert De Niro, and Bridget Fonda, but it was the casting of the titular Pam Grier, and genre legend Robert Forster that pulled the movie together. 'Jackie Brown,' when you absolutely, positively got to entertain every motherf***er in the room, accept no substitutes. 

Degenerates Andy S and Brandon Bombay celebrate 4/20 by rolling up a fat one and discussing 'Inherent Vice,' an incredibly funny movie featuring an underrated all-time stoner character. Bombay starts off the session by reminiscing about the time when he was a mutual fund dealer and cost a client a bunch of money because he got too high before work. Then the guys delve into an unusually hilarious film that could only be made by a craftsman such as Paul Thomas Anderson who perfectly encapsulates a period in Los Angeles. The hosts talk about how oddly true to the bizarre source material the film remains while it invites the viewer into a labyrinthine mystery overflowing with absurd characters. Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Benicio del Toro, and even Martin Short deliver arguably their funniest performances. This is an ephemeral movie that pairs perfectly with weed, so grab your 4/20 goodies and let it wash over you. Moto pod-acako!