Nighthawks' Podcast

Herbert West has a perfectly good head on his shoulders, and another one in a dish on his desk.Throwing back to an episode originally recorded in 2015, we present to you this treasure from the vaults. In a theme that would later be echoed in our episode THE UNFILMABLE WILLIAM GIBSON, the boys look into a different literary auteur. H.P. Lovecraft was a pulp writer in the 1920s, who would die penniless and unrecognized. Nearly 100 years later Lovecraft has left an indelible mark on all horror to come since. Probably not since Edgar Allan Poe can we find another author who presented such a watershed moment for modern horror.Matt and Trevor have read Lovecraft's HERBERT WEST: RE-ANIMATOR, a serialized short story about a man with Victor-Frankenstein syndrome. But re-animating corpses of humans proves to have some horrific consequences.This short story was adapted into a 1985 film from director Stuart Gordon, H.P. LOVECRAFT'S RE-ANIMATOR. This hard-R rated salute to comedy and horror, comes from the school o

It's the latest entry from the DC theatrical cinematic universe. It's SUICIDE SQUAD.It isn't very good.But people seem to have a problem with people thinking it isn't very good.We feel like we make a compelling case, and we certainly don't blame anyone who disagrees with us.This is the world we live in.Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jai Courtney, and more team up as the villains come anti-heroes in order to save the world, but under duress.I think. The movie isn't terribly clear.Music:Grand Premiere of STATUS, the official Nighthawks Podcast theme song, as re-recorded by the original artists, Chris Bucheit and Cameron Maris, under their new project: MIDDLE CLASS JOE.Check out MIDDLE CLASS JOE on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2btsVX6HARDER THAN YOU THINK; courtesy SLAMjamz records; Written by Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Gary G-Wiz; Performed by Public Enemy.POPCORN; courtesy Musicor; Written By Gershon Kingsley Charles Gordanne Michaël; Performed by Hot ButterBEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD THEME; Courtesy Mtv; Written By Mike Judge; P

Like a thief in the night it came out of nowhere, all pale skin and teeth. We didn't know what it was, but by the time it left us a different and more enlightened people.STRANGER THINGS was the unable-to-be-anticipated television event of the summer. Operating a low key pre-release campaign amounting to little more than two intriguing albeit light-on-content trailers and a few billboards peppered around L.A. Relatively speaking and not unlike one of the enigmatic central characters; STRANGER THINGS came out of nowhere, with little warning, and packed a hell of a punch.The Nighthawks, this week, opted to stay home from the cinema and binge all eight episodes of this latest offering from NETFLIX. Not only was the series found to be rich with topics for discussion, the grander phenomenon of long-form narrative television and surprise releases provide their own grist when we pay a long overdue visit the Nighthawks Trailer Cafe.Music: Should I Stay or Should I Go-The Clash, from the album COMBAT ROCK. As appe

It was 2001. Shortly after the attacks on 9/11. Directed by Michael Mann and starring the likes of Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, John Voight, Mario Van Peebles, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Joe Morton; the film Ali is released to critical acclaim and earning two Oscar nominations in short order.It would be easy to tell the up-from-the-streets story of a young Kentucky boy named Cassius Clay. Tell the story about rising to the challenges of professional boxing as Clay battles his way to the national stage. The formulas for that story were all written long ago. But that's not where this film goes.ALI (the film) asked some tough questions of a Country that found itself thrust into a war in Afghanistan. Obviously, Michael Mann had no idea that the United States would be the victim of a terrorist attack in the months leading up to the release of this Muhammed Ali biopic, but he doesn't "pull any punches" (sitcom laugh track.)Instead, ALI (again, the film) faces issues like race and religion head on, as it tells the sto

Another one from the year-one vaults. In this never-before-heard "lost" episode (this one was never so much "lost" as it was just our back up in case something went wrong) the guys in the Nighthawks cafe bend the format a bit.Discussing two movies simultaneously, the pair watched the classic street gang genre opus THE WARRIORS and also watched the documentary RUBBLE KINGS about the very real world that inspired THE WARRIORS.The streets of the South Bronx were a no man's land where police feared to go and ambulances dared not enter. Street gangs on every corner threatened violence at any moment. In the fictional world of THE WARRIORS a street gang is framed for a transgression that they didn't commit, while deep behind enemy lines. In RUBBLE KINGS it's up to the anti-gang gang to try to broker a peace and keep the youngsters of New York from murdering each other.Where one gives credibility to the other, you'll be shocked at where the real vs. reel line is for THE WARRIORS.

Well ladies and gentlemen, I can't speak for Matt, but when we started this podcast one year ago, I wasn't sure what it would become. I didn't know if it would be just us talking to the ether, finding an audience exclusively among our friends and parents, or if it would actually be (what we refer to in the industry as) "a thing."12 months removed from our first episode where we reviewed MAD MAX FURY ROAD, I can say with some degree of assurance that THE NIGHTHAWKS PODCAST is "a thing." This is due in no small measure to all of our listeners. From those regulars who have been listening since the beginning to the people who will undoubtedly listen to this as their first episode. We cannot thank you enough for lending an ear to our endeavor. This wouldn't be fun if we were talking to nobody, and we likely would have given up long ago. So... thank you for allowing that not to happen.The podcast continues to grow and evolve, and we still want that feedback. Let us know what you'd like to see in the year to

Sometimes you just can't help the way things work out.The lion's share of this "lost" episode was recorded in November of 2015. The new wrap-around intro and outro was recorded in February of 2016. Today we decided to quit sitting on it and just release the thing.Unfortunately, no sooner than we began uploading to file to our podcast host, then it was discovered that Madeleine Lebeau has died at the age of 92. Lebeau was considered by many to be the last living cast member of Casablanca.After careful consideration, we've decided to release the "lost" CASABLANCA episode as originally planned and hope that people understand the context under which it was created and posted, and don't see it as an insensitive traffic grab on our parts. We're saddened to learn of the passing of this remarkable actress, who (in real life) escaped Nazi-occupied France with her then-husband, who also appears in the film. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Ms. Lebeau, her family, and her loved ones.Casablanca, a story about l

A belated order of Mother's Day love to the moms at the Nighthawks cafe. We're not talking about Peggy, the Nighthawks cafe waitress with the matronly instincts that makes sure that we eat all of our meat before we have our pudding. No, we're talking about our ACTUAL mothers; they who have given birth and succor to Trevor and Matt.In this episode the boys have discovered that their respective mothers share something in common: a healthy respect for Robert Redford and Paul Newman. For a special longer-than-average episode, the guys discuss BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID (a favorite of Mrs. Matt's Mom) and THE STING (beloved by Mrs. Trevor's Mom).These two films showcase the broad-spectrum wide appeal of Redford and Newman. The screen radiates as the actors ooze charisma, all while the snappy repartee crackles off the deftly written page and onto the screen.The dynamic duo plays thieves in both films, armed with six shooters in one and cock-sure confidence in the other. While the rakish Robin Hood ca

When the Nighthawks Podcast first started off, there were two things the guys wanted to do:1.) To aid in the accessibility of film as an art form.2.) To shine a light on films that people may have missed.The meat and potatoes of this episode comes solidly from these goals. In this episode Matt and Trevor discuss two films, with strong female protagonists, where the main characters have to overcome a deprivation of their senses. These are films that not only share a theme of sensory deprivation, not only are they movies with strong female leads, they're also movies that may have escaped the attention of the movie-going public at large.First up the horror-action home-invasion thriller HUSH. Directed/co-written by OCULUS helmer Mike Flanagan, and co-written/starring Kate Siegel, HUSH follows a deaf mute author living on her own in rural Alabama, as she is beset upon by a particularly sardonic killer. Hot off the griddle at SXSW 2016, the film was picked up by NETFLIX and is currently streaming on that service

Admittedly the Nighthawks haven't dabbled in the Devil's Lettuce in a while, but with such a ripe field to choose from, they couldn't turn down the opportunity to talk about a stoner comedy for the occasion.The origins you hear about 4/20, the official/unofficial stoner holiday, are about as varied as the people you ask. Some people are very observant and will be partaking in the cash crop of Colorado during April 20th, others may not be so inclined.Either way it's a cultural phenomenon and, even though it's been... *checks watch* ...a while since the Nighthawks have celebrated 4/20 in the fashion, they decided to explore a stoner movie anyway. The smokers aren't the only ones allowed to have fun.This 4/20 film is HALF BAKED, an all-but-forgotten title from the late 90s that the boys just can't bring themselves to call a "forgotten gem." While the movie succeeds at what it aims to do (which isn't much), there's a lot to explore, including sowing the seeds of a comedy juggernaut that would fly past HALF BAK

It's a triumphant return to the Nighthawks Studio after a brief seasonal break. The boys are still living in the aftermath of some life upheaval, but they were dying to talk about last week's hit movie (and this week's not-so-hit movie) BATMAN VS SUPERMAN : DAWN OF JUSTICE aka BVS : DOJ (affectionately read out loud as "BEAVIS DODGE.")It's a real slobber-knocker as the champion of the sun clashes against the Dark Knight. But is it a clash of the titans, or is it a clashing of teeth during a particularly unpleasant make-out session. The guys will parse things out as they reoccupy the Nighthawks Cafe booth, for the first time in six weeks.

Let's get down to brass tacks. We're talking about FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS for this episode of the Nighthawks Podcast.This deceptively deep movie is from film auteur and former Python, Terry Gilliam, and stars Johnny Depp as the enigmatic Dr. Hunter S. Thompson- er... Raoul Duke.Hunter S. Thompson's book is said to have defined a generation, and within it beats the soul of a man who is looking for one last grasp at the sixties. What follows is a true-to-some-degree story about a drug addled journalist and his drug addled attorney taking on Sin City. Will Vegas be the paradise they seek, or just another money making shill?We lost Dr. Thompson 11 years ago, this month. The Nighthawks present this discussion as our humble tribute to an American folk hero.

Join us for a non-traditional St. Valentine's Day in the great white North, with a fantastic Canadian horror film.All is not as it seems in the provincial Ontario town of Pontypool. A shock-jock FM radio DJ is going through his usual motions, when the the world starts to go to Hell. It's up to DJ Grant Mazzy, producer Sydney Briar, and production assistant Laurel-Ann Drummond to keep it together as the town outside falls apart.Written by Tony Burgess and Directed by Bruce McDonald, PONTYPOOL is a thought-provoking and fiercely intelligent horror film, that marries superb writing with stellar performance.

Too much Oscar talk for just one episode; Matt, Trevor, and guest host Cameron Maris have a second cup of coffee. What movie deserves the best picture nod, what other important races are there, and what does the recent rule changes mean for Oscar in the future?

The first of two episodes with some in-depth discussion of the upcoming 2016 Academy Awards! Trevor and Matt have a guest in the cafe this evening. Cameron Maris, a musician from Austin and aficionado of awards season, drops in to lend a little credibility to the discussion.On the block for this hour is the performance categories, as well as the recent conversation of racial inequality that has been plaguing The Oscars. Not to mention, Trevor has a very specific eye on a best Animated Feature contender, and a few criticisms of a movie nominated for best picture.

A beloved and pivotal voice in modern science fiction is said to have been a founding father of Cyberpunk and for coining the term "Cyberspace." William Gibson has already left an indelible mark on literature, but is yet to be a cross-over success in film. We examine one failed attempt in 1995's JOHNNY MNEMONIC as well as the short story that inspired it. What went wrong? We can only speculate, but we have a good idea, and our read from the sideline.Also discussed: The trailer from the newest film we're excited for: HAIL CAESAR!

We mention in this episode (a discussion of the recently departed Lemmy and David Bowie,) that Alan Rickman passed the day after the record. During the post production phase, we've lost many other contributors to the arts.Sadly, we cannot give a fitting tribute to all we've lost, there simply isn't time, and the podcast would simply become a year-round in memoriam, and would probably leave the hosts in a very dour mood.Instead we offer this humble episode, part eulogy part film discussion, to two of the artists whose loss we felt acutely. Also, please consider making a donation of money or time to the cancer charity of your choice, to honor these and many other unsung heroes who fight the hard battle.

It's the eight film from Quentin Tarantino, and it's got a lot to chew on. Race, classism, gun violence, hubris... all on display in a small cabin inhabited by some hateful people.Matt and Trevor, the proprietors of the Nighthawks Cafe and its best customers, spent many formative years in Wyoming. They'll give you their take on how THE HATEFUL EIGHT treats its setting. They'll also try and tackle some of that deeper substance in the movie too.Hang on tight, we reserve the spoilers until the end, so everyone can enjoy. We'll see you in the snowy snow, amid the high Wyoming wastes.

No big deal, it's just a box office shattering juggernaut that represents the collision of a successful property with a hugely successful entertainment conglomerate. We're here to talk about it.What follows is the absolutely spoiler-ridden podcast, wherein Matt and Trevor get downright granular on their discussion of the newest film in the STAR WARS saga. Complimentary to Episode 21, this episode is an exploration of the film, by two people who have see it, for the people who have seen it.We're not kidding. Lots of spoilers ahead.Like... big spoilers.Don't say you weren't warned.

We're excited for Star Wars! But we realize not everyone can get to the cinema right away. So, we recorded this episode especially for folks who haven't seen STAR WARS EPISODE VII THE FORCE AWAKENS. We talk original trilogy, prequel trilogy, special edition trilogy, what works and what doesn't.We discuss our feelings of anticipation and our desires for Episode VII.If you HAVE seen episode VII, then you can still get a lot of enjoyment here, and be on the look out for the chock-full-o'-spoilers NIGHTHAWKS Episode 22.