Obscuria FilmcastExplicit

by Abram Kaplan

There are currently close to half a million movies in circulation that date from the turn of the 20th century to the present day. Obscuria Filmcast explores the countless films of note that have slipped through the cracks of history for one reason or another. Our selections include box office flops that went on to become cult classics, made-for-TV movies that hold a special place in our hearts, groundbreaking documentaries th ...   ...  Read more

Podcast episodes

  • "Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S." (2003), Episode 26

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    "Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S." (2003), Episode 26

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    Whether you are a fan of Godzilla movies and the Kaiju genre or not, this film is truly authentic to the genre. For a film like this to come out in 2003 with real, scaled set design, real actors in costume, and minimal special effects, particularly when CGI and Michael Bay-Style explosion sequences were the order of the day, is a testament to the discipline and rigor of the filmmakers. I recommend watching this film on as large a screen as possible in a completely blacked out room for the best possible experience. And if you have young children, even better. This is a film the whole family can enjoy.

  • "Body Parts" (1991), Episode 25

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    "Body Parts" (1991), Episode 25

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    In this classic 90s body horror sci-fi flick we have Jeff Fahey star as the recipient of an arm transplant with some questionable ethical ramifications, not to mention some serious lifestyle consequences for the recipient and the family he loves. Worth mentioning is a standout performance from supporting actor Brad Dourif (Chucky, from "Child's Play", Billy Bibbit, from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest") who plays the other arm transplant recipient. This film is totally bonkers and everything you'd hope to find in an over the top body horror flick from the turn of the 90s decade.

  • Episode 24: "Freak Out", 2015

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    Episode 24: "Freak Out", 2015

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    In this Kafkaesque Israeli Horror Comedy, one nerdy desk jockey sets out for a weekend of compulsory military patrol with his three machismo counterparts who bully him incessantly. It's not clear what the hell is happening on this military base, but something strange is afoot. In this episode, we invite you to explore this peculiar film, full of political and social symbolism and allegory dealing with many layers of Israeli culture and society.

  • Episode 23: "High Spirits", 1988

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    Episode 23: "High Spirits", 1988

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    "High Spirits" was made because MGM heard Warner Brothers was making a "Beetlejuice"-type movie, so MGM wanted their own version whacky, undead, love story comedy. Steve Guttenberg is a brilliant actor, but he is directed a little off in this absurd tale of... sex? and... ghosts? and... alcoholism? Peter O'Toole did his own stunts and was actually drunk in the movie. You can see Liam Neeson deliver a joke. Something got lost in the edit with this weirdo masterpiece suffering from 'too-many-cooks-in-the-kitchen' syndrome. But "High Spirits" is free on this wonderful platform.

  • Episode 22: "The Swimmer", 1968

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    Episode 22: "The Swimmer", 1968

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    The American dream has been elusive for many people over the years. In cinema the conventional "American dream" process has been executed many times. But in 1968's "The Swimmer" the aftermath of achieving the American dream is laid out for us. This film is a hidden gem because it has Burt Lancaster shirtless the whole time (with seeing his bare butt) and it has all the hallmarks of convention starting with it's movie star Burt Lancaster, following with it's cast of suburban functional alcoholics chumming it up and having a good exchange of gossip. But, as the viewer watches we get clues about Ned (Burt Lancaster); the type of man he is, or at least was; why he won't allude to where he was the past couple of years; does he have money problems? etc. Upon the ending of the film the viewer is left filling-in-the-blanks creating a story which poses the question of 'if we were to fall from grace would we even notice?'