Dr. Maria talks to Mikey about the new documentary on John Casablancas (Elite Model Agency founder, record label honcho and father of Julian 'Strokes' Casablancas), Casablancas: The Man Who Loved Women.
Dr. Maria brings in Alex Gibney's 2016 documentary, Zero Days, about Stuxnet - a computer worm designed by the US Government. Capable of taking out industrial control systems (power grids, ATMs, telecommunications), it was initially designed to scupper Iran's nuclear program, but the virus/worm grew to be a much bigger threat.
Dr. Maria talks to Mikey about the 'Tasmanian Twin Peaks' television series, The Kettering Incident. What is it about the hyperreal, the surreal + TV narratives set in small towns? Also: Mike talks a fair bit about hippos. Fair enough.
Dr. Maria talks to Mikey about The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, a 2016 feature-length documentary by Morgan Neville about Silkroad, Yo-Yo Ma's arts and educational organization that connects musicians, composers, artists and audiences from around the world to promote multicultural artistic collaboration.
Dr. Maria talks to Mikey about One Punch Man: a Japanese superhero parody webcomic turned anime about an average superhero who's grown bored of his ability to fell any enemy with a single punch.
Dr. Maria reviews German comedy/drama Toni Erdmann, a hefty three hour depiction of an aging father's attempts to embarrass his fusty corporate daughter out of her straight-laced ways. And into, erm, 'nunches'. (You'll have to listen.) Due for a Jack Nicholson led remake in the near future, does Erdmann surpass the sad stereotypes surrounding the German sense of humour? Or add fuel to the trope-y fire?
Dr. Maria reviews new documentary David Lynch: The Art Life, a detailed look into the life of the celebrated cinematic auteur that includes footage from over 20 interviews that took place in Lynch's own home. Mike strays down a very Lynchian path, while Rob, Maria and Sarah stay happily in the gutter.
Dr. Maria Walls reviews 2015 Danish-German historical drama war film "Land of Mine" directed by Martin Zandvliet. Mikey reels off a few classic tales about World War II era NZ.