Random Thoughts of a Movie Insomniac (September 2026)

 The Vern returns to talk about a few new and a slew of classic movies he saw on the big screen.

The Red Shoes (1948) w/ Becca of Do You Expect Us To Talk

 

One of the most gorgeous technicolor films in exisistence gets talked about on this episode. The Red Shoes involves a ballerina, torn between the love of her craft and the love of another. This movie was a major influence on Martin Scorsese, Brian DePalma, Francis Ford Coppola and so much more.

Is Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma(2026) one of the year's best

 

The Vern gives his quick thoughts on the new horror feature, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. Starring Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder. The movie was directed by Jane Schoenbrun and it is considered by many critics to be very good. But how does a fan of the genre feel about this fresh new take. Watch The Vern's review and find out

The End of Oak St (2026) is what a summer blockbuster should be

 

Dinosaurs are back in a big way in this new action adventure thrill ride from director David Robert Mitchell (It Follows).

Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Non Spoiler Review)

 This was origianlly recorded right after a Press Screening with my good buddy Ashley

The Vern reviews Her Private Hell (2026)

 

On this bonus episode.  The Vern gives his quick thoughts on Nicolas Winding Refn's (The Neon Demon, Drive) latest opus, Her Private Hell.   This movie has been getting a lot of diverse opinions by critics but when it come to art. Having different opinions is a good thing.

Guess who's coming for dessert. A written review of The Invite (2026).

 

The Invite

Cast: Seth Rogan, Olivia Wilde, Penelope Cruz, Edward Norton

Writers: Will McCormack, Rashida Jones, Cesc Jones(original screenplay)

Director Olivia Wilde

**** and a ½ *’s out of Five Stars

 

What happens when a frustrated married couple(Seth Rogan and Olivia Wilde) invites their openly romantic adventures neighbors (Penelope Cruz and Edward Norton) over for dinner.  You get pure comedy gold in this updated version of the Spanish language film, The People Upstairs. But even if you are not familiar with that one, The Invite could be seen as a newer version of Bob & Carol &Ted & Alice meets Carnage.

Coming Soon.. The Lair of Lynch podcast

 

Hi All

The Vern is here to announce a brand new podcast coming to you soon.  It's going to be all about the movies, the music and other art works of one,  David Lynch.   Check out the announcement episode and please email me cinemarecall@gmail.com or leave a comment if you would like to become a member of this exciting new podcast.

Supergirl 2026 doesn't soar, she just floats. (written review)

 

Supergirl(2026)

Cast: Milly Alcock, Jason Momoa, Eve Ridley

Writer: Ana Nogueira

Director: Craig Gillespie

***’s out of Five Stars

The only connection I have to this character is from the 1984 movie.  Didn’t read the comics and had little to no interest in the TV show so if you dear reader don’t agree with anything in this review.  Please just say that I’m an old guy who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Supergirl (1984) Franchise Detours (Sneak Peek)

 

On today's episode. I'm sharing my guest spot on Franchise Detours with Robert Yaniz jr talking about the original Supergirl from 1984. With a brand new movie coming to theaters next week. I thought this would be a great opportunity to revisit the one that started it all.

Wet Paper Bag 2026 (written review)

 

Wet Paper Bag

Cast:  Nicole Weber, Adam Burke, Mike Bredon

Writer: Adam Burke

Directors  Jud Nichols, Adam Burke

*** and a 1/2 *s out of Five 

A host of a podcast and her producer pose as a married couple to investigate a wellness center where her sister was last seen.

Wetiko (Written Review)

 Wetiko

Cast: Juan Daniel Garcia Trevino, Neil Sandilands, Dalia Xiuhcoati

Writer and director: Kerry Mondragon

*** and 1/2 *'s out of Five

Four Rooms (1995) w/ Scott K of The Church of Tarantino podcast

 

For this episode of Recalling Rodriguez we are discussing the antholgy film, Four Rooms and more specifically. The third section called, The Misbehaviors. Featuring Antonio Banderas and Tamlyn Tomita as two parents who want to celebrate New Years Eve but don't have anyone to watch over their two kids( Lana McKissack, Danny Verduzco). So in enters Ted THe Bellboy( Tim Roth) who is paid a lot of money to babysit them. What could possibly go wrong??

Joining The Vern to discuss this short film from Robert Rodriguez is The Reverend Scott K from The Church of Tarantino Podcast

Hypnotic (2023) w/ Cam Sully of Jacked Up Review Show.

 

Ever have one of those days where you go to work and then realize you have no controll over what you do. It's like some person is controlling all your actions. Worst yet, all of your friends are under some sort of spell and you can't help because some jerk is able to hypnotize someone with little effort. What do you do?

Well you let film experts like The Vern and his guest Cam Sully of Jacked Up Review Show Podcast to talk about the film, Hypnotic. Directed by Robert Rodriguez & Starring Ben Affleck, William Fichtner, and Alice Brega. 

Diamonds/Diamanti (2026) Written Review

Diamnti (Diamonds)

Cast: Luisa Ranieri, Jasmine Trinica, Vanessa Scalera

Writers: Elisa Casseri, Carlotta Corradi, Ferzan Ozpetek

Director: Ferzan Ozpetek

*** and a 1/2 *'s out of Five

When it comes to fashion I am an absolute dud in that area.  Take a look inside my closet and you will see four pairs of jeans(all plack) and a wide assortment of movie and tv related shirts. I only own two nice suits in brown and black  and while my own taste is indeed daft.  I am in awe whenever I see a truly spellbinding costume in a movie  and I imagine just how much effort in time it went in to create something that will forever be immortalized on the screen.

The Rotten Truth: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Sneak Peek)

 

Here is a preview of The Rotten Truth where Donnie Roberts and The Vern talk about Terry Gilliam's film adapation of Hunter S Thompson's book, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. It has a 50 % rating on Rotten Tomatoes which means some think it's utter trash and while others hail it as a masterpiece. Where do you lie?

"Get Over Here" and watch Motral Kombat II (2026) The Vern's Written Review.

Mortal Kombat II

Cast  Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee

Writer: Jeremy Slater,

Director: Simon McQuoid

**** out of Five Stars

The Ballads of Billie Eilish: A written review of Hit Me Hard and Soft(2026)

 Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft

Cast: Billie Eilish

Director: James Cameron, Billie Eilish

*** out of Five Stars

When Kurt Cobain passed away in April of nineteen ninety four.  I remember seeing a lot of news footage of people saying how much his music affected them.  That he alone was the voice of a generation and how his lyrics gave strength to those who felt weak.  The same thing happened for fans of John Lennon and Prince after they died and this got me into thinking about the impact Billie has on her fans.  There is one moment during this concert documentary where people are telling us how much Billie's music speaks to them.  When you see reactions to them crying  and hugging eachother while reciting lyrics to her songs.  It's clear that she has quite an impact on a lot of her fans.  Look, I imagine Miss Eilish will ber here for a very long long time.  She is not addicted to any hard core drugs, is able to deal with mental stress through her music and has great suppourt from her family her friends and certainly her fans. It is just fascinating on how one person can influence and affect millions.

From Dusk til Dawn (1996) w/ Aaron Neuwirth

 

While they were promoting Reservoir Dogs and El Mariachi. Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino met and soon after they would begin working together on projects. One of them is a little horror movie about two bank robbers(George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino) who just wanted a safe spot to lay low for a few hours.

PTA Meetings: Licorice Pizza(2021)

 

Continuing our series on the films of Oscar winning director, Paul Thomas Anderson. The Vern brings back on film critic and composer, David Rosen of Piecing it Together to talk about Licorice Pizza. A slice of life rom com in the 70's featuring outstanding debut performances from Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim.