Reel Rap

It's that time again -- a new season of Reel Rap is upon us. The Season 8 premiere introduces Mario and Melvin Van Peebles and features a freewheeling discussion of their joint directorial effort Gang in Blue. Tune in and tube out! Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Reel Rap's back! You love peak TV, don't you? Well, think of this like a reboot.  Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Described as a "meta-soap opera," PERSONAL PROBLEMS(1980) conceived by Ishmael Reed and directed by Bill Gunn is a singular viewing and listening experience. Shot by world renowned Italian photographer Robert Polidori, scored by the excellent Carman Moore, with music by the inimitable Sam Waymon, this movie is a recently restored treat to behold. Bill Gunn is a stage actor turned director and his skill and ingenuity is undeniable. The fact that he got all of these artists in one place for the duration of the shoot is a testament to his skill as a human and artist. Check out the film on the Criterion Channel or at Kino Lorber. Buy the soundtrack for the movie here: https://readinggroupcompany.bandcamp.com/album/personal-problems Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Reel Rap is back in the business of making sense of the film landscape. We might not mention a single movie in this episode, which is a big relief to some of you, I know. The voicemail line is always open and we are standing by! Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Telling the truth can be dangerous business? You're telling me! Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Stay Tuned! Find all new episodes on splittoothmedia.com!!!! Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Shane and Bennett discuss Elaine May’s masterpieceJohn Cassavetes and Peter Falk star in May’s 1976 film that reflects the chaotic nature of life and teaches about film in a way that no class or textbook could ever convey. Bennett and Shane declare Mikey and Nicky one of the best films ever made and May an unrivaled genius — a far cry from previous Reel Rap films and directors. They also discuss smoking on trains, belt hygiene and drinking out of tiny glasses."TV sucks. Movies mostly suck. Write from the heart and don’t take a writing class" — Shane Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Elaine May’s second film is another relationship comedy that fires on all cylindersCharles Grodin, Jeannie Berlin and Cybill Shepherd star in Elaine May’s second film — an all-time-great comedy — The Heartbreak Kid. In this episode Bennett also reveals the official Reel Rap opinion of Alec Baldwin and they debate the prospect of swallowing chewing gum. Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Elaine May’s time in the hot seat begins with her impeccable directorial debutReel Rap pivots to Elaine May’s filmography in this week’s episode. May stars in her 1971 directorial debut, A New Leaf, alongside Walter Matthau in the high-society comedy about a rich man who goes broke and decides the quickest way to rebuild his fortune is marry a rich woman (May) and kill her. Shane and Bennett marvel at May’s near-perfect comedic timing on script and screen, the film’s ability to bounce between beats and how quickly May and Nichols both became technically advanced directors. Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Reel Rap revisits the film that provided Nichols his only Oscar win for Best DirectorEveryone’s favorite sophomoric philosophers tackle Mike Nichols’ best-known, Oscar winning effort with 1967’s The Graduate. Along with special guest Ryan McClosky, Shane and Bennett discuss how their appreciation for the film has shifted through the years and how the leads —Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross — and various side characters read differently more than 50 years later. Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

In the freshly reupholstered hot seat for Reel Rap Season 6: Elaine May and Mike NicholsLegendary comedy-duo-turned-filmmakers Elaine May and Mike Nichols are the subject of the sixth season of Reel Rap. Shane and Bennett kick things off with Nichol’s directorial debut, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Adapted from Edward Albee’s hit 1962 play, Nichols’ sharp-tongued, star-studded 1966 film lets the booze flow and the insults fly between Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, George Segal and Sandy Dennis. Shane and Bennett also share their favorite insults in the film, discuss how cleaning products have evolved and relive the craziest tears they’ve gone on. Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Reel Rap concludes their journey through the filmography of Sofia CoppolaIn the finale of Reel Rap’s season devoted to Sofia Coppola, Shane and Bennett discuss her 2017 remake of the Civil War drama ‘The Beguiled.’ The film tells the story of a wounded Union soldier (Colin Farrell) being taken in by a group of women (including Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning) in a boarding school. They also give their final rankings of Coppola’s filmography. Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Reel Rap makes its triumphant return to the films of Sofia Coppola.After taking a short break for Split Tooth Media‘s 31 Days of October Horror series, Shane and Bennett resume their deep dive into Sofia Coppola’s filmography. Episode 4 covers 2010’s Somewhere, her subdued follow-up to the critically maligned Marie Antoinette (2006). They also share stories about bad bar experiences and discuss the gossip surrounding Benicio del Toro’s elevator cameo. Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Ancient daggers, inexplicable dream logic and the scariest sound of all — Shane’s impression of a burping crow. Reel Rap stands divided on this 1973 experimental blaxploitation vampire film and reflects on a letter from director Bill Gunn to white critics about how black art is received by mainstream media. Links:https://www.nytimes.com/1973/05/13/archives/to-be-a-black-artist-a-black-artist-.htmlhttps://www.austinfilm.org/2018/07/bill-gunns-holy-grail-of-film-personal-problems-presented-in-2-parts/ Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Happy New Year Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Shane and Bennett discuss the third most important event of 2001, Bill Paxton’s directorial debut in FrailtyWhen similar murders to “The God’s Hand Killer” begin again, Adam (Matthew McConaughey) recalls his childhood with his father (Bill Paxton) who claimed to be killing demons in order to prevent Judgement Day. But when Adam’s brother, Fenton (Levi Kreis), also begins seeing the demons, new questions arise. Reel Rap dives into this thriller that blends wholesomeness and religious extremism with a dash of humor. Shane also tells the story of how he cut off a toe as a teenager. Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Actor Charles Laughton’s first and only directorial effort, The Night of the Hunter (1955), follows a mysterious preacher with “LOVE” and “HATE” knuckle tattoos on the hunt for $10,000 hidden in a little girl’s doll. Reel Rap puts on their best southern accents to dig into the strange Gothic fantasia and rate the Bible an 8 out of 10.Also in this episode: smelling salts, reviews of weird and peculiar film reviews and an ice cream-serving family named the Spoons. Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

In this episode they discuss the initial reception to the film’s historical inaccuracies, how its style emphasizes the story and Rip Torn’s portrayal of a disgusting, decadent monarch. Also in this week’s episode, Bennett contemplates quitting his job, Shane talks like a pirate and they argue the value of fireworks. Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

Posted on https://www.splittoothmedia.com/reel-rap-lost-in-translation/ on 9/20/19Most best of the 2000s lists include Lost in Translation (2003), often near the top. The film garnered four Oscar nominations and Sofia Coppola took home the award for Best Original Screenplay. Coppola’s definitive style is on full display in this film and Reel Rap examines the interplay between Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson and how their secondary relationships help define their characters.In this episode Shane and Bennett also discuss superfluous self-care products, the repulsive act of drinking milk and how our relationships to film change over time. Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com

This episode is hosted by Split Tooth Media!In the first episode of Reel Rap Season 5, Shane and Bennett discuss Sofia Coppola’s directorial debut film, 1999’s The Virgin Suicides. They discuss how Coppola’s signature style began to make itself known in everything from the costumes and casting, to the acting and its portrayal of youth.Also in this episode, they discuss the perennially underrated Kirsten Dunst, taking pride in work and the how film both employs and deconstructs the male gaze. Subscribe at reelrap.substack.com