The Top 100 Project

The cynical and mean subject of the 67th Next 100 Project podcast is one of our favourites. Information is power. Burt Lancaster is remarkably good as the bullying gossip columnist, but Tony Curtis (just about) matches him. J.J. and Sidney are sharks who deserve every bad thing coming to them...but, man, they’ve got some great dialogue to say along the way. Guzzle down some Sparkplug Coffee as you delve into SSoS!

Despite the thunder-thieving controversy at the Oscars, Moonlight is a tremendous motion picture. Our 66th edition of the Next 100 Project tackles that Oscar screw-up, of course, but we dig deep into all areas of this indie hit. Barry Jenkins’ direction, the subtle script and the entire cast (especially Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris and Trevante Rhodes) are marvelous pluses in this quiet flick that tackles plenty of tough issues. Drink up some Sparkplug Coffee as you digest our discussion.

The 65th Next 100 Project ‘cast is all about obsession on a Gollum level...and Gene Tierney’s title character is THE PRECIOUS! This movie belongs to Clifton Webb though. He’s an unusually effete presence in this unusual film noir. So track down some Sparkplug Coffee, then gobble up our jibber jabber!

The best Trek movie was an easy choice for Next 100 Project episode #64. Nimoy & the space cowboy Shatner do some of their greatest work here and Montalban kills it as the title baddie. The flick is exciting, well-paced and emotional. We also talk a bunch about the entire Trek universe. We suggest you grab some Sparkplug Coffee before you hear what we have to say about The Wrath Of Khaaaaaan!

Stanley Kubrick’s anti-war classic is what we’ve got for the 63rd episode in the Next 100 Project. Kirk Douglas brings the ferocity in a movie filled with moral calamity. The fairly small cast is fine, but the (true) story and Kubrick’s direction are what set this apart from most “war is hell” movies. Fill up your cupboard with Sparkplug Coffee, then get on the path to our podcast.

The monumentally influential sci-fi/horror hybrid that pits Ripley against the xenomorph is the subject of our 62nd Next 100 Project podcast. Ridley Scott, Sigourney Weaver and dozens of talented people made a classic that was one of the most egregious oversights in AFI Top 100 history. This is a juicy episode, so order up some juicy Sparkplug Coffee and then zap this sucker into your ears!

61 Next 100 Project podcasts and here’s our first (John Ford) western in a very long time. John Wayne is as commanding (and layered) as ever while Jimmy Stewart is as J-J-J-Jimmy as ever. We enjoyed this sad movie about a quiet hero, but we have a few clever critiques too. Do yourself a favour and nab some Sparkplug Coffee, then shoot us into your earholes!

We’ve hit 60 eps in the Next 100 Project and it’s a biggie. The 3rd of the original Star Wars flicks has 2 new (and underrated) villains and it ties up a lot of the loose ends. Problems? Sure, but this is a fabulous end to the series. (well, until the prequels did a number on all that). Anyway, we enjoyed the Jedi. You should enjoy some java from our longtime sponsor, Sparkplug Coffee. Also, we dedicate this episode to the late and very great Geoff Wall. The Force will be with him...always.

Episode numero 59 in the Next 100 Project touches on 3 different documentary movies about movie-making. Our focus is on HoD, but we also dig into Lost Soul (the making of Island Of Doctor Moreau) and Making The Shining. We reviewed Apocalypse Now & The Shining way back when, btw, so check out those old podcasts. Oh, and snag some Sparkplug Coffee!

The 58th edition of the Next 100 Project takes us to a foreign land yet again, but what a high-larious foreign land it is. This is one of the greatest comedies ever made (way better than Holy Grail...yes, we said it!) and feels fresh even though it's nearly 4 decades old. The Pythons are excellent across the board. It's an Easter treat! Click that button to hear us rave, but we also urge you to get a tasty drink from Sparkplug Coffee.

The 57th Next 100 Project podcast is the rare sports episode. Geena Davis and Tom Hanks are terrific, but the whole cast of kooky characters (even Madonna) delivers. Penny Marshall’s baseball flick has its faults (the bookends, the pacing of some scenes), but it’s a delightful way to wile away a few hours. Don't cry as you order some Sparkplug Coffee, then get some dirt in your feminist skirt hearing about the ladies who sure can play some ball.

Travel with us to Crusades-era Sweden for Episode #56 in the Next 100 Project. Ingmar Bergman’s iconic film about religious faith and the plague is filled with gorgeously bleak imagery. Max Von Sydow established himself in this picture, but Gunnar Bjornstrand & Bibi Andersson stand out even more. So what this one comes down to is: “are you there, God? It’s me, Ingmar.” Before you get out your chess board, hit up Sparkplug Coffee for a dose of some mighty good java.

The 55th Next 100 Project podcast (and our 200th podcast overall, yay!) takes us to ’70s Brooklyn and drops us in the disco scene. John Travolta’s star-making performance, with all its machismo and dancey talents, is easily the best thing about the flick. It’s hard to argue against the authenticity of the rape scenes or the racism, but man, that material makes this movie a rougher experience than you might expect from a disco movie. Stay alive with Sparkplug Coffee and then activate the podcast about the white suit.

The Coens & the Cage combine to give us Next 100 Project ep # 54. Joel & Ethan have always been great at crime movies and their brand of comedy tends to be a bit oddball. However, just like the filmmakers and their star, Bev & Ryan didn’t fully agree on the ‘Zona. Laugh it up whilst you guzzle some Sparkplug Coffee!

The 53rd Next 100 Project podcast finds us delving into vampire action of the silent-movie kind. Max Schreck remains one of the creepiest blood-suckers in cinema history and he, and the overall atmosphere, are clearly the best things in the flick. F.W. Murnau directed a few classics, but this is his classic-est. Stay awake with some Sparkplug Coffee as you digest our bloody thoughts!

Our 52nd Next 100 Project podcast marks the end of Oscar Month. This movie is expert at making people’s eyes rain. Death by cancer’ll do that. Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger and ol’ Saint Nick all won acclaim, but the relationship between the leading ladies is the real story here. Pretty nice film debut for writer/director Jim Brooks too, huh? Enjoy some Sparkplug Coffee as you rocket through our chat about the Terms.

The Oscars are on February 26th, so here’s a detailed week-ahead glance at the big show. This 51st Next 100 Project podcast is packed with our thoughts about all 9 Best Picture nominees, all 20 acting noms, the 5 directors and even a little about most of the other categories. Dive in. Also, dive into Sparkplug Coffee!

Make it an even 50 in the Next 100 Project! We cheat a bit in Oscar Month by featuring a flick that didn’t win Best Picture (but we think it was hosed!). Spacey, Crowe, Pearce and so many other actors are awesome, but Basinger is the one who snagged a gold naked guy. Huge props to Curtis Hanson for directing this period piece so well. Guzzle some Sparkplug Coffee as you hear us dissect this modern noir...or is it noir?

49 episodes into the Next 100 Project and now we tackle a racy, lurid and ultra-fun Oscar-winner. T’was a controversial choice for Best Picture in 2002, but the flick has some tremendous song-and-dance numbers and some excellent performances. Zellweger & Zeta-Jones are dynamite, while Gere offsets those bad girls with loads of panache. Caffeine up your blood with some Sparkplug Coffee, then hunker down with this deliciously mean musical from 15 years ago!

Episode #48 in the Next 100 Project series takes us to a mystical fantasy world in Japan. Hayao Miyazaki’s well-loved animated opus was a Godzilla-level hit. It remains as fascinating and moving as it was 15 years ago. Go get your Sparkplug Coffee and then soak in our final January podcast!