Episode 17: The Christmas Show - Parental Guidance from Bad Santas, terrorists & Ben Affleck

We all have our favourite Christmas movies: MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, A CHRISTMAS STORY, etc. But there are many holiday films that don't get the attention that those titles do. On our first Christmas show (and the last episode of 2012) Steve and I shed some light on a few neglected Yuletide flicks. Steve also gives his expert opinion on THE HOBBIT. Pour yourself some eggnog, dim the lights and have a listen!

Episode 16: One for Bond, One for the West

This week, Steve talks about his enthusiastic first ever viewing of GOLDFINGER on Blu ray, as he goes through his 007 boxset. And I prime myself for DJANGO UNCHAINED's Christmas Day release by outlining my plan to watch as many classic westerns as possible, including spaghetti westerns like MY NAME IS NOBODY, THE GRAND DUEL and offbeat American westerns like the underrated gem HANNIE CAULDER, starring Raquel Welch.

Also, I review the indie comedy SLEEPWALK WITH ME, starring stand-up comedian Mike Birbiglia, which I feel is one of the best films of this year. Plus Steve reveals how Peter Jackson successfully squashed plans for a Hobbit straight-to-DVD ripoff. Listen, enjoy and leave us your comments or suggestions below! And if you enjoy this podcast, please spread the word on Twitter, Facebook or by classic word of mouth!

Plus! We're finally available directly on iTunes! Subscribe and please leave us a rating or review!

Episode 15: What's So Funny? A look at modern comedies

It seems Steve and I have much different tastes when it comes to comedies. In the past decade, we've experienced a rising popularity in ribald rated R comedies like THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, BORAT, THE HANGOVER & BRIDESMAIDS. I've enjoyed these films. My co-host Steve has not. This week, we explore our disagreements in comedies, including what we believe are underrated classics of the genre, including some that are misunderstood (see above.) Listen in to see who has the last laugh.

Episode 14: A Visit From The Drunken Master

Steve is busy with baby duties so he is out of commission this week. But at the last minute I snagged my good friend, nicknamed The Drunken Master, to be my substitute co-host. We do a radio show together called The Drunken Master Revue, which airs Mondays at 9am EST on 93.1 CKCU-FM here in Ottawa. You can listen to that program live or archived at ckcufm.com

On this special episode, we talk everything from Star Wars porn, to Django Unchained, Cloud Atlas, James Bond and more. The Drunken Master knows his stuff and has strong opinions so he's the perfect sub to join me this week.

Oh, and if you're wondering why I have a picture from WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S at the top, you'll have to hear the episode to find out. Enjoy!

Episode 13: Bonus show! A conversation with stuntman/actor/filmmaker Gary Kent

Hey folks!

I mentioned via Twitter that I'd post two episodes this week but Steve is sick with a little bronchitis, so instead of a regular show, I thought I'd reach back into my personal archives and present an interview I did a couple of years back with Gary Kent, a stuntman, actor and filmmaker whose over 50 year career in the film business includes rubbing (bruised) elbows with Jack Nicholson, Warren Oates, Lee Marvin and filmmakers like Richard Rush (Freebie and the Bean) Al Adamson (Satan's Sadists) and Brian DePalma (Phantom of the Paradise.) He's done stunts on various biker, horror and even softcore skin flicks, often playing "Bad guy #1". He's directed two independent films: the 70s headtrip flick THE PYRAMID and RAINY DAY FRIENDS, a drama about cancer survival, both of which have been rereleased on DVD after years of obscurity.

When you work in movies, anything can happen. One of Gary's more bizarre stories includes crossing paths with Charles Manson and his followers while on location shooting a western. All his stories are documented in his memoir SHADOWS & LIGHT. Great stories abound!

Episode 12: Sweaty fever dreams

If you wake up hungover in a dusty and humid shack and some dirty bloke forcefully puts a beer in your hand, you're probably in the movie WAKE IN FRIGHT, a lost and found 1971 Australian film that displays the surreal nightmare that is a lost weekend in the outback. Steve and I review it plus I talk about another lost film that also combines sweat, desperation and violence all in a desolate setting: SONNY BOY, which features the late David Carradine playing a woman. Also, I talk about the FOUND FOOTAGE FESTIVAl, a live comedy show hosted by comedians Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett, which came to Ottawa last week.

Please note: this episode was supposed to be online last Friday but technical issues held us back (argh!) Anyways, here it is. Please enjoy and leave us comments!

Episode 11: A different kind of Darwinism

This week I review a very unique and original documentary called DARWIN which is about a soon-to-be ghost town in Death Valley occupied by 35 eccentric characters. Steve reviews Seth McFarlane's TED, we recommend some new podcasts plus we ramble on about everything from a possible CASABLANCA remake, ROAD HOUSE 1 & 2(!),audio commentaries and why 80s bad guys enjoyed having multiple TVs so they could smash one of them in anger. That's the beauty of podcasting, you can digress randomly and get away with it.

Episode 10: The Selling of the Force

George Lucas retired and sold his stuff to Disney and a new Star Wars epic has been promised! So many questions, so many possibilities. Steve and I discuss all this but not for too long because this week we have our first guest: filmmaker Paul Bunnell, director of a sci-fi musical called THE GHASTLY LOVE OF JOHNNY X.

We also reviews some random titles. I try to psychoanalyze a 1973 shocker about infantilism called THE BABY, plus Steve praises PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4 because the plot involves an X Box. Have a listen and subscribe via iTunes or hear the show download/sync free on Stitcher Smart Radio through your mobile device. Any suggestions, questions or comments? Leave some below or tweet us: Andrew @andrewlapo or Steve @kieswetter

Episode 9: Clinical Sexual Terminology

If you really think about it, nudity seems to be lacking in today's Hollywood movies, at least for erotic purposes. Steve and I analyze that plus we discuss a select number of memorable sexual moments in film, plus we pay tribute to the late Sylvia Kristel, star of the Emmanuelle films, plus reviews of movies Steve and I viewed in the past week including the much anticipated horror release V/H/S.   As always you can send us your comments and suggestions below or on Twitter: Andrew: @andrewlapo or Steve: @kieswetter Give us your picks for best erotic movies or even just something cool you've seen recently that you think we should check out! 

Episode 8: The Long Goodbye - Films That Shocked Us

Steve and I compiled a list of films that are truly disturbing or have at least one shocking moment. We tried to make our selections unpredictable and not obvious. One of Steve's picks nearly cost him his relationship! Tune in if you dare... Give us your most shocking movie picks via Twitter: @andrewlapo (Andrew) and @kieswetter (Steve) or in the comments section below.

Episode 7: Time is of the essence

This week, we discuss LOOPER in more detail plus reviews of DEATH WATCH, a sci-fi drama about reality TV starring Harvey Keitel, THE VISITORS directed by Elia Kazan and the film debut of James Woods plus Steve professes his love for the PARANORMAL ACTIVITY series. We also share our thoughts on the new trailers for THE LONE RANGER, HITCHCOCK and A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD. We also pay tribute to the late cinematographer Harris Savides, who passed away this week. He was the talented DP on such films as ZODIAC, BIRTH, AMERICAN GANGSTER and many others. Click play!

Episode 6: Killers, Grabbers and Masters

After a one week absence, Steve and I return with a hefty helping of new movies to talk about including William Friedkin's savage and shocking KILLER JOE, Paul Thomas Anderson's elusive and fascinating THE MASTER, the Irish creature feature GRABBERS, the ambitious sci-fi outing LOOPER, plus more. If you have any suggestions for show topics or movies for us to add to our staggering "pile o' shame" drop us a line on Twitter: Andrew (@andrewlapo) and Steve (@Kieswetter) or leave us some words below. Enjoy!

Episode 5: Assignment Miami Beach

This week I review a couple of Toronto Film Fest entries: the tawdry Harmony Korine film SPRING BREAKERS and the ballsy southern fried thriller THE PAPERBOY. Plus, Stephen reviews THE HUNTER starring Willem Dafoe and the Dance Dance Revolution to the death indie THE FP. And, is Robocop's new get-up worthy or not? Have a listen!

Episode 4: If there's no R rating on the VHS box, it's not R rated

This week, Steve reviews a book that outlines the marriage of video games and movies and I explain how renting R rated movies (some with Charles Bronson) as a child has made me a better movie geek. Plus we discuss more Toronto International Film Festival picks, some of which you may hear reviewed on the next episode. If you like your podcasts on the go, you can hear us on the Stitcher Radio app. You can listen to us on your mobile device while on the bus, at work, in the tub, anywhere! Take advantage! Also, please leave us feedback below and say hi to us on Twitter: @andrewlapo (Me) and @kieswetter (Steve).

Episode 3: Back in Training

Hey folks, Andrew here. On our third episode, we pay our respects to Michael Clarke Duncan, a gentle giant of a character actor, who passed away this week at the age of 54. We also try to analyze the befuddling Clint Eastwood speech at the Republican National Convention. In the movie review arena, Steve raves about a 1970s Australian slasher film called SNAPSHOT, which was directed by the man who would go on to give us FREE WILLY. I review LAWLESS with Shia LeBoeuf and Tom Hardy plus I explain why BREAKING BAD could be the best film of the year despite the fact that it's a TV series. One more thing, you can now find our podcast on Stitcher Radio (linked above) where you can stream our show on your mobile device. Listen to us at the gym, on the bus or even in the bathtub! Why not? Portability is everything! Enjoy, and as always, please leave us some nice comments/suggestions below or on our Twitter accounts: @andrewlapo or @kieswetter.

Episode 2: The Sequel

We survived our pilot episode and despite our difficulties with recording Skype (anyone have any tips?) we prevail with an MP3 Skype recorder! This week, Stephen and I review some cool movies (SIDE BY SIDE, the Keanu Reeves produced documentary about digital vs. film) and the classic Canuck thriller THE KIDNAPPING OF THE PRESIDENT, starring William T.J. Hooker Shatner. We also discuss some exciting Kickstarter projects that all film fans should know about and we pay our respects to Muppeteer Jerry Nelson. Please send us sugary comments/suggestions below or on our respective Twitter pages: @andrewlapo & @kieswetter Enjoy!

Episode 1: The Pilot !

Hey folks, Welcome to LIVING IN LETTERBOX, a podcast featuring two dudes who own too many DVDs, know way too much about movies and have a lot to say about em'... Your hosts Andrew Lapointe (myself) and Stephen Kieswetter kickstart this new podcast with a tribute to filmmaker Tony Scott. We also discuss a new app that will allow fools to text in movie theatres without the blinding light of their phones. Good or bad? We also skim through the selections of this year's Toronto International Film Festival, plus more! Have a listen! And remember, you can follow either one of us on Twitter: @kieswetter & @andrewlapo. And please leave any super polite and nice comments or suggestions below.

A fresh start.

Hey folks, My name's Andrew Lapointe and as of late I've hosted a modest little podcast called CINEMA SCORE. Over the past few weeks, I've really gotten hooked on this podcasting thing. It has motivated and inspired me and has given me a reason to get my ass out of bed on my days off. I started CINEMA SCORE only a short time ago and part of the journey has been learning how to improve my podcasting skills. Last week I had my friend Stephen Kieswetter on the show and it went so well that I decided maybe he should become a co-host. Two movie geeks who know too much about movies and who own too many DVDs is a good on-air combination. In addition to this, I feel that a name change is in order. The name CINEMA SCORE never had any real significance to me. It just had a nice ring to it. Then I discovered that CINEMA SCORE is the name of a movie marketing firm in Nevada. Hoping to avoid copyright conflicts, I started to think of a new title for the podcast. Not easy of course. With so many movie podcasts out there how do you stand out? Fortunately, it didn't take me too long to think of a good title that I hope will be distinctive. Here goes: LIVING IN LETTERBOX. With this new title, the podcast will mostly stay the same. Interviews will be featured, the music will still be provided by the band THE HILOTRONS, but this time having Stephen as a co-host will make it more lively, interactive, funny and interesting. The thought of me continuing to talk to an invisible audience alone doesn't hold much interest for me. Having a partner does. I hope that this change will open up an opportunity to reach more listeners and attract an audience, maybe even sponsors. This new podcast will take over CINEMA SCORE, but all seven episodes of that show will remain available here. Stephen and I hope that you'll check out our new show, share it with others via Twitter and Facebook, and even participate! Our first episode will be coming very shortly. -Andrew Lapointe, Newbie podcaster @andrewlapo