The MacGuffin

In this latest art house action thriller, Haywire, director Steven Soderbergh returns to some familiar stylistic territory while simultaneously adding to a growing subgenre. The story is rather basic when it comes to the plot; a black-ops special agent for a private security firm is double-crossed after pulling a job and seeks out revenge. Since Soderbergh is such an interesting and dynamic filmmaker, he takes a rather tired plotline and revitalizes it with style and character. Last year director, Nicolas Winding Refn did a similar (and even better) job of stylizing a retro concept with the film Drive, and pumped life into a seldom-sought-after genre of the art house action thriller, especially in a time of mega-budgeted, fantastical epics such as superheroes, transforming robots, and kung-fu-ing sleuths of Scotland Yard—all of which provide many grandiose explosions.

In honor of Beneath the Darkness, Spencer and Greg discuss Dennis Quaid. For New Year’s they tackle party movies, before giving DVD picks of the week.

Another Top 5 segment from The MacGuffin. This time Allen and Brandi share their top 5 letdowns.

This segment is also available on Stitcher and iTunes. The audio version can be downloaded directly from here. After you’ve watched the video please vote in our poll and share which one you think is the best.

Another Top 5 segment from The MacGuffin. This time Brandi and Allen share their top 5 directors that should make a horror film.

This segment is also available on Stitcher and iTunes. The audio version can be downloaded directly from here. After you’ve watched the video please vote in our poll and share which one you think is the best.

Another MacGuffin Film Podcast Top 5′s segment. Inspired by the film Moneyball, Brandi and Allen share their top 5 Brad Pitt films.

This segment is also available on Stitcher, iTunes, and Zune. The audio version can be downloaded directly from here. After you’ve watched the video please vote in our poll and share which one you think is the best.

Spencer and Greg discuss Steven Soderbergh in advance of Contagion, look back on the career of Matt Damon, and give their DVD picks of the week.

Another MacGuffin Film Podcast Top 5′s segment. Inspired by the film Contagion, Brandi and Allen share their top 5 Steven Soderbergh films.

This segment is also available on Stitcher, iTunes, and Zune. The audio version can be downloaded directly from here. After you’ve watched the video please vote in our poll and share which one you think is the best.

King of Marvin Gardens

Around Christmas time last year, I picked up a copy of the Criterion Collection’s box set “America Lost and Found: The BBS Story.” It wasn’t until just a couple weeks ago that I finally sat down and watched King of Marvin Gardens, starring Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern, Ellen Burstyn, and Julia Anne Robinson. Directed by Bob Rafelson, who was coming off the critical success of Five Easy Pieces, King of Marvin Gardens takes a different look at the male psyche in modern America. The story centers around two brothers (Nicholson and Dern) and the nature of their relationship.

A look back on the sometimes tumultuous career of Nicolas Cage in honor of the release of Season of the Witch, a discussion of some of the best DVD commentaries, and DVD picks of the week.