Podcast
Back to the Balcony
Hosted by Jim Ordowich · EN
An amused second look at movies and culture from the last century.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
250th Episode With Sunset Boulevard and L.A. Confidential - Hooray!
4d ago00:51:55Tap to summarizeYes it's our 250th episode as Jimmy and Phil reflect on it all and Phil makes a big announcement. But wait! They also made each other watch a movie as well to talk about. Jimmy chose Sunset Boulevard (and pointed out the surprising similarity to it and the life of Mae West). And Phil chose the modern noir classic, L.A. Confidential. A little nostalgia, a lot of fun.
Transcribe →Monty Python's Meaning of Life (1983)
3w ago00:43:02Tap to summarizeGuest Ryan Visser joins Jimmy to find the Meaning of Life but find only a legendary sketch group's most underappreciated film or an absurdist train wreck. No one is neutral about this movie.
Transcribe →Dogma (1999)
May 800:49:25Tap to summarizeGuest Mitch McBeaudry displays an impressive amount of religious knowledge while extolling the virtues of the outragious 1999 movie Dogma. Is it intentionally confrontational to religion or is it about a crisis of faith. Funny as always but surprisingly deep and interesting.
Transcribe →Some Like It Hot (1959)
Apr 2900:43:44Tap to summarizeConsidered by many - including guest Mario Bernardi - to be one of the funniest movies ever made. Both funny and disturbing by today's standards is it still good enought to survive as one of the classics of all times? A fascinating and hilarious examination of what it takes to be timeless.
Transcribe →Cars (2006)
Apr 1000:49:26Tap to summarizeAnother exception as we wander into the new century to test guest Chris Jarvie's theory that the Pixar movie Cars is the greatest movie ever made about, well, cars. Mario Bernardi wades in with his opinion and what happens is a first rate review full of laughs and insights.
Transcribe →Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Mar 2700:53:34Tap to summarizeWhat can we say that's new about Raiders of the Lost Ark. Turns out, a lot. Kristian Reimer joins us for what turned into a far ranging and often hilarious discussion about Raiders. Is it a timeless masterpiece that deserved more recognition at Oscar time or just another adventure film? Listen, and judge for yourself.
Transcribe →Fargo (1996)
Mar 1300:46:51Tap to summarizeScott Faulconbridge is back and he's talking about a movie that's totally different from what he's brought in the past - 1996's Fargo. But is it really all that different? Jimmy think so but Scott makes a convincing argument for a quirky, black comedy masterpiece. He brings a unique vision - if for no other reason than for where he saw it. Funny and engaging.
Transcribe →Inception/Key Largo
Feb 2700:46:58Tap to summarizePhil and Jim get together again to watch each other's movie choice and discuss them. Phil made Jim watch Inception and Jim made Phil watch Key Largo. Jim got confused, Phil got bemused. So who do you think got it right?
Transcribe →Practical Magic (1998)
Feb 1300:45:41Tap to summarizeHappy Valentine's Day everybody. It's our special Valentine's episode with everybody's favourite cutie pie Chris Wuergler. Chris brings a little magic with her movie for lovers, 1998's Practical Magic. But is it all that magical? Or practical for that matter. As usual with Chris, it's another fun episode.
Transcribe →The Big Sleep (1946)
Jan 3000:46:44Tap to summarizeIt's a different time, a time when the world was black and white and nothing made sense - especially the movie The Big Sleep. It was Chris Wuergler's choice but even she can't make sense of it. What is there about this film noir classic that nobody on the podcast is getting. Maybe it's just the mystique of Bogie? Listen to find out. Another fun episode.
Transcribe →