Kosher Sessions: Episode 2

This episode features The Kosher Kid, Ryan Schmidt, and Neil Leff-Wilson. We offer our unique views on BLACK DYNAMITE, the remake of The Karate Kid and Zoolander 2. Also, Neil has a bit of knowledge to share with the world and our listeners. Check out the new episode below!

Black Dynamite

 by Ryan & the Kosher Kid

Ryan: 4/4 banana peels
Kosher Kid: 4/4 banana peels
Travis: 4/4 banana peels

When you sit down to watch this film you get the feeling it is something special. Starting with the first searing taps of a high hat the 70's funk soundtrack takes you back to the good old days of blaxploitation. Director Scott Sanders set out with Michael Jai White and Byron Minns to pay homage to the genre of Grindhouse flicks that gave the world Shaft, SuperFly, Dolemite, The Mack, and Truck Turner; and they did an incredible job!

CAN YA DIG IT?!

Hell yeah I can! Black Dynamite was the most fun I have had watching a movie since Borat! Michael Jai White plays Black Dynamite, an overly serious former CIA agent turned community activist, who is determined to find the men who not only killed his brother but sell drugs to the orphans, and he does a fantastic job. "Dynamite is gunna make it alright!" He takes on a community of pimps with names like Cream Corn, Kotex, Tasty Freeze, and Chocolate Giddy-up.

Given that this film is based on any number of blaxploitation films, it is a fun and original movie that will keep you laughing all the way through. The dialogue is filled with jive and the shooting is beautifully flawed. At one point there is even a microphone clearly in the shot. This movie gives you a bevy of different treats,gratuitous nudity, flying daggers, kung fu, meaningless sex, baby mama drama, and a shit load of explosions.These are things that would normally take away from a film, but in Black Dynamite this only adds to the fun. There's also a number of cameo's from actors like Arsenio Hall, Brian McKnight, and John Salley.

Alright Jive Turkey's, need a good laugh?! Grab your Anaconda Malt Liquor, a few of your friends, and pop Black Dynamite in your viewing device!

Kosher Sessions: Episode 1

Welcome to Kosher Sessions, the official podcast of Fresh Bananas!

This episode features The Kosher Kid, Ryan Schmidt, and Neil Leff-Wilson. We offer our unique views on Shutter Island, Martin Scorsese, Alamo Drafthouse, Sing-A-Longs, and the Oscars! We hope that you enjoy this first podcast and can forgive us for some of our mistakes, we're young!

As always, we are fueled by your comments. So, listen to the cast below and drop a comment to let us know what you think!

Shutter Island

Rating: 3.5 out of 4 bananas


by Ryan

This movie is a classic film noir, filled with mystery and suspense. Martin Scorsese has once again given the world an intelligent and memorable film. Shutter Island is based off the novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane, who also wrote Mystic River and Gone Baby Gone. The story follows U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner Chuck (Mark Ruffalo) who have been brought to Shutter Island to investigate the disappearence of a murderer. As time goes on, everything is not as it seems. The story is filled with lies, deceite and despair and many twists and turns. We are constantly left to wonder is this reality or is this a dream?

DiCaprio really does a great job in this film. Taking on a tough role, he executes it with great vigor and accuracy. The entire cast played their roles well, adding to the suspense and drama. You really never know who is genuine or who is playing mind games. The pictures Scorsese displays on the screen are beautiful, rich in color, yet unbelievably bleak. His shot sequencing and usage payed homage to the great noir directors like Alfred Hitchcock. One aspect that I really liked about this film was the score. The brooding and ominous chords and undertones set the table well for what the viewer is watching. The music enhanced the picture, it wasn't just something extra.

The one issue I take with this film is that the ending takes too long to develop. While it is a very intelligent and well thought out ending, it loses most of its impact in explanation. There had been so much build up and so much to sort out that the only way to do the story justice is to unravel it all.

This is yet another great film from one of the best directors to ever get behind the camera. There is no reason not to go see this film. Based on the marketing, some of you may think this film is scary, or a horror film, its not. Its a suspense and drama, go see it.

Review by Travis -

3.6 / 4 banana peels

While Shutter Island must labor to justify it's big twist at the end, it makes up for it in being one of the most engaging movies I've seen in a long while.

When I told Ryan and Matt that this movie made me uncomfortable as I was watching it, they didn't know what I was talking about. But it did. It's like walking around in a dark house with a metal screeching noise that's always right behind you, no matter how much you try to turn around and confront it. Like Ryan mentioned though, it's not some horror movie that tries to be scary. It's just a movie that gets into your head and stays there throughout. Some people would call it a mindf***...and that's a pretty accurate word I would use to describe it.

I think that was what Scorsese intended...to make the audience as uncomfortable as possible in order to reflect the feelings of the story's main character, played by Leonardo DiCaprio.

There's no doubt that Scorsese can direct a film well. He can change the audiences emotions with a single change of the frame. The pacing here is superb. Violence is nothing new with Scorsese movies and this movie certainly has some disturbing graphic scenes, ones that are there to keep the attention of the audience. They are amazing, not because I enjoy violence, but because in the context of what's going on... violence is perfectly natural for the characters to partake in and/or recall from their past. Reminds me of Lord of the Flies.

Some of the most captivating moments occur during DiCaprio's "dream" sequences. These sequences are pure cinema magic (these are the moments that made me uncomfortable as I watched them) and some people might not even identify them as sequences that Scorsese has directed...though it was pretty obvious sometimes with the absolutely perfectly lighted sets, which was fine with me.

Dicaprio lets out what I consider an awesome performance for a character so inherently complicated from the get-go. Ben Kingsley plays tricks with your head with his character's sinister yet caring demeanor. Jackie Earle Haley was awesome in his only scene. I love that guy and for the brief time he is there, he gives a hell of a performance.


You want to see this movie. For those of you who don't want to sit through a movie that makes you seriously guess at the ending twist, don't bother.


I'll have to be honest...I consider this movie a modern classic. I enjoyed the change of theme for Scorsese, which makes me like this better than The Departed. It's in my top 5 Scorsese films, for sure...but it's tough to narrow that list down any more.

If you have already seen this, or will be seeing it soon, drop us a comment and let us know what you think! We always want to hear what you have to say!


Review by: Kosha' Kid Kerwin


2.5/4

Scorcese's latest film Shutter Island is a mind engaging film of Hitchcockian like proportions. We are thrown into the film as Teddy Daniels and his partner Chuck Aule make their way toward a mysterious and remote  prison off the coast of Boston known as Ashcliff to investigate the disappearance of one of the prisoners. Leonardo DiCaprio does a respectable job as a flawed hero, US Marshal Teddy Daniels. Teddy suffers from sudden migraines and headaches and a vivid imagination. He  goes back and forth between dreamscape and reality that we the audience almost do the same. The movie itself was very well acted and directed and the pacing is great for the first 3/4th's of the movie. My only complaint would be the drawn out conclusion and anticlimactic twist. The film would have been captivating to me if it was more open ended and concise. I use the word concise loosely because I felt there were some redundant scenes that took away from the climax. This movie perhaps deserves a second viewing, I am sure I missed many nuances throughout this complex and deeply layered film.

I implore you to make your own judgments and opinions, go see this film and tell me what you think!

Lord of the Flies

by Ryan

4/4 banana peels

Lord of the Flies is a film adaption of William Golding's novel of the same name and directed by Peter Brook. The story follows a group of English school boys who are stranded on an island in the middle of no where. Kind of sounds like Lost? The boys time on the island begins civilized, but soon the constructs of society are stripped away to only leave the innate animal nature of humans. At least I think that's what William Golding was going for.

Anyways, the film has its hero and his antithesis, it has the lovable fat kid, and a bunch of wild kids. Whats amazing for this film is the sense of terror and pure savageness that is expressed through film. While not having anything materially offensive in the film, the original rating of this movie was X (in 1963 that is) just for the themes. The movie at times feels unrehearsed and in dissaray, which is probably due to the style of shooting. Much of the script was left open to interpretation and the director encouraged the kids to improvise and act out on their carnal natures. However, I feel this adds to the overall message of the film rather than detracting.

While this film is almost a literal interpretation of the novel it is based on, it does something that most films can't really do anymore. It makes care, its makes you feel, and it makes you connect. It's truly a gem and it's no surprise that the Criterion Collection has remastered and released this film.

If you venture to see Lord of the Flies, drop us a comment and let us know what you think.

Big Fan

Review by: Matt Kerwin "Kosher Kid"

3.2/4 Banana Peels

It’s a dark, cold and desolate Friday night in Staten Island this is where we first encounter the short, tubby 35 year old man, Paul Aufiero. He sits in a small enclosed corridor, his place of sanctuary, also known as a toll booth in a parking garage. Paul works the night shifts as a parking garage attendant and he seems to be at ease while on the clock. He mindlessly ignores the cars that pass through, like they are taking him away from something that’s really important inside his booth. Around him in his microscopic work space is a radio and a doodling pad with a pen. He makes good use of these items while softly mumbling to himself and writing his thoughts down on the pad while listening to a local sport’s talk radio station. He seems perturbed by what the current caller, known as Philadelphia Phil is telling the DJ. Phil is mocking the local sports team, the New York Giants and predicting that his team the Philadelphia Eagles will be victorious over the Giants come Sunday night. It is in this moment where we discover that Paul Aufiero is not your ordinary parking garage attendant. In fact Paul lives a double life. By day, he is your average parking garage attendant and by night he is a super fan of the New York Giants football team.

The movie Big Fan directed by Robert D. Siegel starring Patton Oswalt is more than just a sports movie, its disturbing tale of one man’s so called life. As I was watching this film I kept thinking, “There are people in this world just like Paul". Paul lives with his mother who feeds, clothes, and shelters him everyday. Like a 10 year old kid, Paul has a poster above his bed; the poster is of his favorite football player Quantrell Bishop. However Paul is more than just a “fan” he is obsessed with Bishop and the Giants. He identifies so strongly with Bishop, his idol that it’s kind of alarming. Paul thinks he is the city of New York, his team, and his hero. When the Giants lose, you see a piece of Paul lose with them. He bleeds that bright blue and red, until the next game rolls around the following week. Supporters of opposing teams like Philadelphia Phil are enemies. Watching every Giants game come Sunday is not just a hobby for Paul and his buddy Sal, it’s a job. Unfortunately Paul thinks he has a life, a wonderful life as a super fan.  I recommend this film to anyone that likes a good character study with very dark undertones.

upcoming reviews- A Serious Man, The Believer, A Prophet, Shutter Island, Gomorrah

Oscar Rundown!

 

by Ryan

The Oscars will be on before you know it (March 7th) and the nominations have been out for about two weeks now. So, it seems it might be time for me to give you my view on what will happen, should happen, and is just plain wrong.


Best Picture:
Who will win: Avatar
Who should win: The Hurt Locker

Each film has 9 nominations, each in many of the key categories that are historically needed to win best picture. I get this overwhelming feeling that the Academy wont be able to see past Avatar's eye candy and its all-time high gross. It's really unfortunate because Cameron's ex-wife, Katheryn Bigelow, has really put together a superb movie that explore's the construct of the modern soldier's mind. While Avatar might have pushed the envelope as far as tech goes, The Hurt Locker really advanced the art of the entire film.


Actor in a Leading Role:
Who will win: Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
Dark Horse: Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker

Although I haven't seen the film, critics cannot stop raving about Jeff Bridges' performance in Crazy Heart. At least when they stop oogling about George Clooney in his mediocre performance in Up in the Air. Jeff Bridges has already won 4 pre-oscar awards. You might ask then, why not George Clooney if critics can't stop oogling? If you take a look at ew.com, Jeremy Renner has been nominated for as many awards as George Clooney AND has won more pre-oscar awards. While it seems the critics say they can't get over George Clooney, they actually prefer Renner.


Actress in a Leading Role:
Who will win: Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
Dark Horse: Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side

Meryl Streep is the one to beat this year, she has been nominated and won many of the critical awards. Although, I'm still curious about this film. It didn't really seem to be one that would launch an Oscar winner. That's really where I see Bullock stealing this award. The Blind Side is a film that will continue to generate buzz and elevate Bullock to an Oscar. Has anyone seen Julie & Julia? Drop your comment.


Actor in a Supporting Role:
Who will win: Christoph Waltz, Inglorious Basterds

No question. Have you seen Inglorious Basterds? Christoph Waltz will win, I guarantee. If he doesn't, I want you to drop me a comment to remind me how wrong I was.


Actress in a Supporting Role:
Who will win: Mo'Nique, Precious

In much the same way the Actor in a Supporting Role is on lock, so it seems this one is. Mo'Nique has won all but one pre-oscar award, the same as Christoph Waltz. As you go down the list of her counterparts, there really aren't any names that stick out. What do you think?



Do you agree with me? Do you have something to say about this post? Drop us a comment!

Koroshi No Rakuin (Branded to Kill)

 

by Ryan 

3/4 banana peels

Do the Japanese know how to make movies, or do the Japanese know how to make films? Before I get into the actual film, I just want to let everyone know they should check out a Japanese film SOON. They know how to make horror films better than Hollywood. I can't tell you how many times Hollywood takes a Japanese film, tries to "Americanize" the film, and the film flops. A few to name include "The Grudge", "The Ring", "Pulse" and "One Missed Call". They are also surprisingly good at making western and mob films as well. So head down to Blockbuster or hit up your Netflix queue and watch a Japanese film.

With that said, Branded to Kill is an insane Japanese mob, or more appropriately, yakuza film. Seijun Suzuki's film follows the life of the yakuza's #3 killer, Hanada. He falls in love with a beautiful vixen who forces him to take a near impossible mission. When he botch's the kill, the yakuza deems Hanada expendable and sends the #2 killer after him. The rest of the movie follows Hanada and his assention and eventual final battle with the #1 killer.

This film is roughly equivalent to the American "Grindhouse" films. The movie is very interesting in the way the story is woven. It begins very similar to a James Bond movie, but as Hanada falls in love and madness, so does the movie. We are lost in a sea of metaphors and confusion through most of the middle of the film. As we come out of the hole, the movie plays out like a common revenge flick through the end. This sounds like a pretty bad movie, but it comes out pretty brilliant.

The feel that Suzuki creates with the use of black and white and Jazz music is incredible. This is a one of a kind film that should be taken in as a glimpse into another culture. A film that takes a different view on the common mob flick. 

Check it out! If you actually take the time to watch this 1.5 hour long film, drop us a comment and let us know what you think!

A Town Called Panic

Review by: The Kosher Kid

 Kosher Kid: 3.8/4 Banana Peels
Ryan: 4/4 Banana Peels


"OHHHHHH, NO!!!!!!"


Who needs logic when you can have panic? I just watched the craziest, pointless,dumbest movie to date, and loved every minute of it. This film was brilliant!

A Town Called Panic is a French stop animation film from directors Stephane Aubier and Vincent Patar a Belgian duo that bring this charming story to life. The film has no real plot structure or sense of direction. The town itself is always in a sense of, forgive me if you will,  "panic". The three main characters are Cowboy,Indian and Horse. Everyone in the town acts like incompetent children except Horse, who seems to be the sensible adult . Imagine as if a child decided to play with some action figures and created an imaginary world for their playground. That's what  A Town Called Panic would be like. All of the characters, except Horse move around on little platforms much like the plastic army men are positioned on. This doesn't prove to be a problem though, because they all seem to get around fine sans any difficulties.

Without giving much of the plot away(as if there really is any) it's Horse's birthday so Indian, Cowboy and the rest of the town throw him a surprise birthday party. After the party, one absurd thing happens after another and the movie keeps you guessing until the final frame. If your looking to be entertained and want to watch a unique and delightful  film a la Toy Story on speed, check out A Town Called Panic.

Dead Man

Rating: 2.5/4 Banana Peels
Kosher Kid: 1/4 Banana Peels

Review by Ryan

Dead Man is Jim Jarmusch's quirky take on the western genre. Johnny Depp plays an accountant, William Blake, from Cleveland who is on the run after an accidental murder. He befriends an indian named "Nobody" who mistakes him for the famous writer, William Blake, and prepares him for his journey to the spirit worlds. The cast also includes many starrs like Crispin Glover, John Hurt, and Billy Bob Thornton.

The Western genre is one that conjures up images of outlaws, horses, saloons, and epic gun battles at the OK Corral. One can virtually smell the gunpowder during a western. Jim Jarmousch, however, decides to take the genre a different direction. While no shortage of outlaws, horses, and saloons, Jarmousch's tale lacked any gun fight of substance (and really action for that matter). The film was extremely slow and at times hard to watch. The "cut-to-black" transition was used way too much and got to the point where it was annoying.

Oddly enough, there was something charming about this movie that I can't really put a finger on. The film is entirly shot in black and white, and Neil Young's score of searing guitar chords worked well with the film. The dialogue was quirky but worked for the film. The intro to the film was very nice, a philosophical metaphore for the journey west. Johnny Depp did extremely well in a somewhat challenging role.

This film was filled with eerily quirky metaphors for life and journey to the end. It was a nice change from today's fast paced, no holds barred, in your face movies a-la Transformers. However, I'm not sure I would recommend it to many people.

Looking for a challenge? Rent Dead Man!

The Film That Dethrones AVATAR is . . . Dear John?

by Ryan

Yea, the Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried chick flick turned in a record breaking Super Bowl weekend opening, and did something that Sherlock Holmes, The Book of Eli, and It's Complicated couldn't do. Avatar was dethroned for the first time in seven weeks, making a still respectable $23 million dollars; Dear John made over $32 million dollars according to boxofficemojo. The total box office take for Avatar sits at over $2 billion dollars, larger than the GDP of many third world countries.

When you first hear that Dear John(29% on RottenTomatoes) dethroned Avatar, you might be surprised. A flimsy chick flick takes down the highest grossing film of all time. Even though Avatar has been out for seven weeks now it still seems far fetched. Looking under the hood could show why this was such a success. According to E! online, around 80% of the tickets bought for Dear John were by females and 60% of tickets sales were under 21. Sooo, the twinies floated another film!

It'll be interesting to see what happens next weekend when the normal movie go-ing crowd returns to theaters. Avatar could return to the top, considering most of Dear John's fan base has already seen the film. However, it could stay up top when wives and girlfriends bring their boyfriends back to the theaters for Valentines Day.

I put my stake in Avatar, what do you think? Drop us a comment!