The Jacked Up Review Show Podcast

It's time that we dive into some True Crime Biopics for the real-life Italian Mob:

For the third entry being released this week, I get to cover the various John Gotti and Gambino Family portrayals in cinema!

 

Which actor probably gave it their all when researching Gotti's mannerisms and persona?

 

Were any of these films objectively well-made or were they just cashing in on the news media craze on one of America's most notorious crimelords?

 

And which film ends up being the biggest headscratcher by even dramatized biopic standards?

 

FILMS REVIEWED:

Getting Gotti,

Gotti (1996),

Witness to the Mob,

Boss of Bosses

& Gotti (2018)

 

SONG INTRO:

"Afloat Synth Arp" by Apple Free-to-Used Music

Another Mario Puzo mini-series adaptation gets a spotlight: THE LAST DON PARTS I AND II.

 

How do the filmmakers handle their own concept while doing plot and style nods to Puzo's earlier GODFATHER material?

 

Where does this popular CBS network hit rate in terms of his other adaptations?

 

What material does the sequel mini-series go awry on?

 

Plus, some well-acted clips from the show are played!

 

 

 

SONG USED:

"Tempting Secrets" by Kevin MacLeod.

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Two adaptations of GODFATHER creator Mario Puzo's bibliography get a spotlight: one of them a divisive movie revisited thru its director's cut and a obscure NBC mini-series event.

 

How did actor John Turturro feature in both of these?

 

Was there anyway to feature the Corleones in The Sicilian or was it all legally impossible?

 

And what positives and negatives can one reflect on from either book adaptation?

 

Plus, we also note other GODFATHER trivia and the bogus reason why critics like Roger Ebert gave it an okay review but not a glowingly excellent one (which he later regretted but alas we make sure that no one forgets it).

 

I'll make you an offer you can't refuse and that's entertaining your ears!

 

 

 

MUSIC USED:
"The Sicilian OST" by David Mansfield

 

INTRO CLIP:

Mario Puzo 1996 interview with Charlie Rose- promoting THE LAST DON novel.

As a Bonus Episode, you're treated to an excelusive Interview with Make-Up Artist-Hair/Stylist Rey Medrano.

 

His credits include:

The Taylor Sheridan Crime Shows,

Harold and Kumar 2,

Love and Death,

Cruel Summer

and many other political biopics/faith dramas/horror flicks/period dramas!

 

 

 

We also get to talk about set etiquette, how he's forming his new store Odyssey Comics & the memories he's blessed to cherish. Don't miss this touching yet sensitive and realistic take on how to keep going in this everchanging film industry!

For the penultimate episode this week, we note the documentaries about Godfather Producer Robert Evans:

 

First with a brief overview (with clips) on the doc The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002) and then some serious praise for the biopic mini-series The Offer (2022).

 

Which actors in THE OFFER steal the show portraying the real-life yet very unusual figures who helped that difficult to film movie come together?

 

And we also showcase some of the dumbest people in real life who've given hot takes about these classic films!

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLIPS USED:

Live Well and Thrive with Mike Torchia: Melissa Prophet Interview,

Howard Stern 2009 interview with Francis Ford Coppola

&

"Your Own Crime Syndicate" comedy bit by Ernie Kovacs

It's another excuse to talk about all things Pacino and De Niro related during this GODFATHER themed week:

 

We examine some of their various Action-Mystery-Slasher Movies in this retrospect.

 

Why do so many of these films fail to capture the earlier success of the actors respective hits Cape Fear, Heat, Insomnia & The Devil's Advocate?

 

 

The Films Reviewed Include:

*And Justice For All

*True Confessions

*Sea of Love

*Night and the City (1992)

*City Hall

*The Fan (1996)

*Ronin

*The Local Stigmatic

*15 Minutes

*City by the Sea

*Hide and Seek (2005)

*88 Minutes (2007)

*Righteous Kill

*Hangman (2017)

 

 

 

SPEAKERS:

Cam Sully, Oreo Brewer, Gil Palmer, Mike Ensing, James Bruno & Rich Cyr

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLIP INTROS:

AFI Francis Ford Coppola Toast by Pacino & DeNiro (2025)

Funny Quotes by the Actors from Glengarry Glen Ross, Midnight Run and Meet the Parents

A detailed overview on the iconic 1995 film HEAT and its 2022 book sequel (soon to be a movie itself) get examined in this lengthy yet dedicated summary of its still-rather impressive themes, thrills and characters.

 

What separates Michael Mann's style from the Coppolas, Scorseses and Walter Hills of the world?

 

What key character in the book sequel gets a huge persona change that feels VERY unbelievable?

 

We try to sell our filmbuff buddy James on seeing this film. Will we be successful?

 

Listen in and find out!

 

 

 

SONGS/CLIPS USED:

Siskel and Ebert Review Clip

"Alarming Bass" by Apple Free to Use Music

Val Kilmer interview on Larry King Live

"God Moving Over The Face of the Waters - End Credits (Film Version)" by Moby & Kronos Quartet

"Force Marker" by Brian Eno

 

 

I continue the GODFATHER Themed Week with a brief overview on the ANALYZE THIS crime comedy franchise:

 

*Do these comedy films make use of their gags or is there more wit to be desired?

*How does De Niro's gangster spoofing nature work here when compared to Mad Dog and Glory & Midnight Run?

*Why did so many accuse these films of being a Sopranos knockoff when these were both owned by Warner Bros. to begin with?

 

SONG USED:

"Analyze" by Sharpshooters (from HBO's The Wire OST)

 

The 2nd week of GODFATHER Themed Material starts:

In this brief overview, I mention some of the Electronic Arts videogames that dominated consoles in the mid '00s.

 

What were the missed opportunities?

 

Why were many okay with the blatant GTA style exploration?

 

And what other cool gangster mayhem could you do while being a street soldier for the Corleone family?

 

 

 

SONG USED:

The Godfather Theme by Nino Rota.

We conclude the week with our final SOPRANOS themed episode for this GODFATHER MONTH: Ranking the Villains of the Saga!

 

 

TALKING POINTS:

*Co-hosts Oreo Brewer & Josh Hansen join us to remark on the unusual style of this franchise

 

*Is Phil Leotardo the deadliest gangster?

 

*Do both Ralphie and Mikey give everyone else a run for their money?

 

*And how does Tony seem less like a villain in comparison to all the other instigators while refusing to apologize for this unethical actions?

 

 

Come get philosophical (while you see our therapist)!

 

 

 

 

FUNNY AUDIO INTRO:

"Monsters, Muppets, And Madness (James Gandolfini was on Sesame Street)" by Frank Caliendo (All Over the Place Comedy Album)

To continue the themed week, we dive into our favorite GODFATHER movie moments that live rent-free in our minds:

 

*Is Tales from the Hood the best at doing parodies of Godfather's shocking death scenes?

 

*Why is Clemenza soooo badass (in both the book and films)?

 

*How many movies have done death squad-style marches set to a music-filled montage and Biblical type imagery?

 

*What other disturbing backstories do we gain from certain side characters?

 

*All that and why you, the lisener, CAN ACT LIKE A MAN!

 

 

 

VOICEMAILS & INTROS BY OUR GUESTS:

Cam Ray SemiProductions,

SayShoe (Pic A Flic Podcast),

Mike-EL,

Lezlie Sawyer

& Anthony Francis

 

 

 

 

MUSIC USED:

"The Godfather Theme Music" by Nino Rota

While continuing to focus on the influence of THE GODFATHER for this themed week, I dive into the GHETTO DAWG hood action dramas from the '00s:

 

*What filmmakers today are the best at using limited resources and not overcomplicating their plots now that all filmmaking is digital?

 

*How do these films make their material bigger than it actually is?

 

*How does it handle various subplots while avoiding confusion or one plot twist too many?

 

*Will they appeal to B-movie fans of '90s Hood flicks, underground fighting films and drive-in revenge movies or are they just a fad nowadays?

 

MUSIC INTROS/OUTROS:

"Fire It Up/Get Low Beats" by Apple Free to Use Music

Join us for another special side-episode of ALL VERSIONS OF... where we discuss multiple directors cuts of both famous and infamous movies!

 

For the GODFATHER theme week, it was time that we dived into the next divisive crime epic by the same film crew known only as THE COTTON CLUB.

 

What serious changes were enhanced and truly benefitted this problematic film?

 

What were the main components that made it a burden upon intial release?

 

Will anyone give it a second chance or is the damage basically done?

 

And more Coppola trivia to display in this minisode!

 

GUESTS:

Gil Palmer

Filmmaker Mark Oguschewitz

Speaking of True Talents, let's have a Godfather Themed Month: Enjoy our summary of Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo's movie trilogy!

 

*Why is it so embroiled in the pop culture zeitgeist?

 

*How does John Wick basically make mild nods to Godfather's Italians with its Russian characters?

 

*We also reference homages, the unmade Part 4 sequel, discuss less-talked-about trivia as well as real-life gangster stories.

 

*Plus, a deep focus on the Hyman Roth scene in Part 2!

 

 

TRAILER INTRO:

"The Godfather Saga" TV Promo (1977)

 

MUSIC USED:

"The Godfather Theme Song" by Nino Rota

Our all-star cast discusses the appeal, ups-and-downs and pop culture expertise of comedic filmmaker/actor Kevin Smith.

 

Talking points Include:

*New Jersey culture that Kevin recreates, some surprisingly positive takes on Clerks 2

 

*Kevin's comic book & TV contributions

 

*Is him being stoned the reason for why he cries so much inbetween his geeky rants?

*We dives into some of his graphic novels and the appeal of the Clerks characters.

 

*How Kevin basically shoots his small-scale films w/ friends much like people he admires (Spike Lee) & how he's a mixture of a more serious Leslie Nielsen, Farrelly Brothers crudity, a Bill & Ted duo, pre-SouthPark/Judd Apatow parody guy & geekier Mel Brooks.

*Which of his serious films were rather solid and which ones fell flat?

*The change in the '90s indie film scene & art house favorites to the '00s digital underground films & mismarketing by the various studios that occurs.

*Plus, James describes a hysterical convention signing where he met Kevin in-person!

 

 

 

OUR GUESTS INCLUDE: 

Jeremy "Squatchy Largefoot" Bryant,

Josh Hansen,

Ryan McGann,

Travis Crawford,

Tim Caldwell

& Oreo Brewer!

 

 

 

SONGS/CLIPS USED:

"The Fuck Song" from Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back

Kevin Smith disses/riffs by RiffTrax Commentary for Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan

Indie Comic Book Creating Duo Joe Kazmer & Jarrod Burris (Collision Force) get an exclusive interview!

 

They tell the inspiring story of how the duo's creativity energy came to be stemming post-pandemic. 

 

They also lay out some neat advice on networking with well-known artists, taking the crowdfunding seriously & always outlining what journey will take their original characters on next.

 

I also also ask about Jarrod's filmmaking forays, how they got to work with Image Comics illustrator Chris Johnson and being inspired by G.I. Joe!

I get to welcome another unique talent to interview:

Actress/Dancer Morgana Shaw!

 

TALKING POINTS:

*Her credits include: Home Fries, True Women, Salem, Little Woods, The Long Game & The Passenger but what role as a stand-in changed her life for the better for years to come?

*She gets to detail how to bring life to both one's work and your own personal day-to-day routine.

*She discusses her recent move to New York, various work in Southern states and how to treat the work as both fun material and as a commitment.

*How working with Sally Field inspired her own acting skills and choices.

*And how to focus on working with others you know are BOTH a worthwhile collaboration and finding purpose vs. worrying about impressing everyone else!

 

Get schooled, embrace the fun and get ready to listen to a serious teacher on the craft of acting!

I get to interview Cinematographer Luisa Mendoza:

We're diving into some true entertainment talents for the rest of this week so it was only fitting that we start off with examining her many skillsets while she shares some neat advice for all entertainers!

 

TALKING POINTS INCLUDE:

*Inbetween her neat stories about using Panasonic cameras, we also talk about different tech used for way more convenient technology.

*She talks about speaking on the college boards and studying film in St. Louis.

*She talks working for clients like NFL Films, Toyota and HGTV.

*How her many international travels including a Machu Picchu videoshoot!

*And how camera lenses are always the most important thing to buy in this career field.

 

 

Stuart Mulrain (And Why Not? Podcast) joins me for another game of 2 Movies, 1 Theme: this time, we dive deep into the '80s inspiring dance dramas Flashdance and Footloose!

 

*Do the studios know what makes for a good dance movie formula or are they just hoping to attract crowds going to something infamous like the Breakin' movies?

*Which of the original casting choices for either film might've actually worked better?

*Why did both of these often beloved dance dramas surprisingly survive a barrage of negative reviews initially?

*Do they rival Rocky and other dramas with their "show (don't tell)" editing approach?

 

You don't have to dance but please come listen to us jam!

 

 

(Disclaimer: I didn't use the trailers as there's none of them that doesn't use copyrighted music, plus, we wanted to focus on the trivia & why the films appeal rather than the great music itself.)

We previously did epic franchise face-offs with both FREDDY VS. JASON and STAR WARS VS. STAR TREK and it was time to conclude another epic one for this summer:

 

Come listen to the most divisive one yet with a franchise face-off special dedicated to ALIEN VS. PREDATOR!

 

 

TALKING POINTS:

*We might agree which is objectively a better movie but which saga is just far more enjoyable?

 

*We might have trouble deciding who has better visual effects and gore but who has better military badasses?

 

*Which actually has far more underrated sequels?

 

*And which one benefitted from having better villains, spin-offs and even book tie-ins?

 

 

It's a geeky fun time and you'll even learn something from this passionate discourse!

 

 

 

THE PODCAST DEBATORS:

Cam Sully,

Filmmaker Jack Bennett,

Cliff Stevenson & Shane Kelley (Movies by Minutes),

Josh Hansen (Action Movie Book Club),

James Avinash Jackson,

Jonathan Orr,

Charlie Hildebrand,

Daniel Ryan

Oreo Brewer,

Ethan Weeks

& Gil Palmer

 

 

 

 

 

MUSIC/SFX USED:

"Fox Fanfare" by John Williams,

"Jaracanda" by Apple FreeToUse Music,

Starship Troopers (International Trailer /"Code Red") theme by Alan Silvestri,

Predator creature vision sound effects

& "I Stand Alone" by Godsmack