Fantastic Foreign Films: Amelie (2001)

Movie: Amelie

Country: France

If you've not enjoyed this quirky classic from director Jean-Pierre Jeunet, you are missing one of the finest foreign films ever. In my opinion, anyway. Audrey Tautou is spot-on perfect in the titular role, and most everyone else equally wonderful. The pic on the right links to the IMDb page.

Fantastic Foreign Films: Departures (2008)

Film: Departures

Country: Japan

Those listening to the podcast already realize how much my family and I love Departures. It's a wonderful look at the dignity of death, life, and family, no matter what forms they may take. For those with Netflix, this one's available as an instant-view. You won't regret it!

iTunes Online Again

Our new feed was accepted by iTunes, so we have a new store listing with all episodes showing. For those wishing to subscribe, please search for Cavebabble Podcast, or simply click on the button on the right side of this blog page, and it will load. Thanks for listening, everyone!

Cavebabble Episode 71: Whatever Happened To...

From toys to games to former popular trends, tonight we ask the question, "Whatever happened to..." Join us as we trip and fall down memory lane. This episode is brought to you by Rose-Colored Glasses.

Unknown Actor Appreciation: Christopher McDonald

Actor: Christopher McDonald

Age: 55

You know him from: Thelma & Louise, Grumpy Old Men, Quiz Show, Happy Gilmore, Flubber, The Perfect Storm, Spy Kids 2

I want to punch Christopher McDonald in the face. Hard. And that's a compliment. He plays smarmy and condescending better than most people I've seen. It's almost too good a fit- I often wonder what type of guy he is in real life. I doubt he deserves a punch.

iTunes Woes...

Each week, I make sure the podcast has been uploaded correctly by opening iTunes, which automatically downloads the latest episode for me. Well, having just purchased a new computer, I was setting up iTunes again, and went to the Cavebabble page in the iTunes store... only to find that the feed has been broken since January of this year! Anyone subscribing to us on iTunes since that date has been accessing the wrong feed, and probably have left, thinking we don't podcast anymore. Oh, woe! A Feedburner redirect is the culprit, and having deleted that Feedburner feed, I have no way of updating iTunes with the correct one.

If anyone wishes to subscribe to our true feed within iTunes, please do the following:

Within iTunes, under the Advanced menu at the top, choose Subscribe to a Podcast. When the window pops up, enter:

http://cavebabble.libsyn.com/rss

Boom! You're subscribed. I will continue attempting to fix our current store feed, but wanted to pass the information along.

Cavebabble Episode 70: Yeah, Baby! The Mojo of Austin Powers

Austin Powers is coming to town, and he's bringing his mojo with him. Tonight, we babble about the three films featuring the International Man of Mystery. Behave! This episode is brought to you by Body Hair.

Still Editing...

We recorded the latest Cavebabble episode late Sunday afternoon, but thanks to uneven microphone levels, I'm having to spend far more time editing than usual. Add a night program at the library this evening, and it equals Eric not being able to post the show until tomorrow night. Subject? Austin Powers.

Unknown Actor Appreciation: Xander Berkeley

Actor: Xander Berkeley

Age: 54

You know him from: Over 170 (!) productions, including Sid and Nancy, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Candyman, Apollo 13, Heat, Air Force One, Amistad, and Taken

I hadn't realized just how many roles Xander has played over the years. I certainly enjoyed watching him take a blade through the head in Terminator 2, though. Mostly, I'm distracted by Berkeley's eyes, which always seem as bloodshot as Ben Browder's (Farscape).

All Functions are Normal

A file processing error has been fixed, and Episode 69 is working correctly now. Please revisit the post below to listen to or download this episode. I apologize for it not being functional the last 24 hours. Mel Brooks was so angry that he's refused to direct the Cavebabble movie. Oh well, there's always Uwe Boll, right?

Cavebabble Episode 69: It's Good to Be the King- Mel Brooks Movies

It's good to be the king, and the Cavebabblers are here to pay respects to the king of parody, Mel Brooks. We take a look at six Brooks films, from The Producers to men running around in tights. Also featured is our review of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. Join us! This episode is brought to you by Igor.

Unknown Actor Appreciation: Cliff Curtis

Actor: Cliff Curtis

Age: 41

You know him from: Rapa Nui, Once Were Warriors, Three Kings, The Insider, Training Day, Whale Rider, Sunshine, Live Free or Die Hard

I'm an unabashed fan of Cliff Curtis, even if now and then I forget his name. A native of New Zealand, his portrayal of Porourangi in Whale Rider is in perfect union with the performances of Keisha Castle-Hughes and Rawiri Paratene. It's a magical film, and remains one I can't watch with dry eyes. Beyond this performance, however, Curtis also shines brightly in a wide array of blockbusters. Watch him now! His next role is Firelord Ozai in The Last Airbender.

Unknown Actor Appreciation: Richard Jenkins

Actor: Richard Jenkins

Age: 63

You know him from: Silverado, Sea of Love, Absolute Power, Snow Falling on Cedars, The Core, The Kingdom, The Visitor

He was nominated for a best lead actor Academy Award for The Visitor, yet somehow his name slips your mind. Richard Jenkins more than earn his way onto this list with a long series of roles, and a familiar face.

Unknown Actor Appreciation: William Fichtner

Actor: William Fichtner

Age: 53

You know him from: Strange Days, Contact, Armageddon, Black Hawk Down, Blades of Glory, The Dark Knight, Prison Break

Fichtner is often chosen for morally ambiguous roles, which he plays quite well. Do you like him? Do you hate him? He allows for both, at times in the same character. I've decided to like him. Your results may vary. Either way, although his name may slip your mind, his performances won't.

Unknown Actor Appreciation: David Morse

Actor: David Morse

Age: 56

You know him from: St. Elsewhere, Twelve Monkeys, The Rock, Contact, The Green Mile, Disturbia, The Hurt Locker

Yes, it's him. You know, that guy. David's calm, reassuring demeanor makes him a perfect choice for supporting roles. He's like your uncle Fred, but drinks less. And he always has your back.

Unknown Actor Appreciation: Glenn Morshower

Actor: Glenn Morshower

Age: 51

You know him from: Everything, including Under Siege, The River Wild, Air Force One, Godzilla (1998), JAG, CSI, Black Hawk Down, both Transformers movies, and Friday Night Lights

Face it, Morshower has played nearly every military and law enforcement role in the last 25 years- at least those not played by Raymond Cruz. And, like Cruz, he's also found his way into a slew of sci-fi shows, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, Enterprise, The X Files, Babylon 5, and Quantum Leap. Way to go!

Unknown Actor Appreciation: Raymond Cruz

Actor: Raymond Cruz

Age: 48

You know him from: The Rock, A Clear and Present Danger, Alien: Resurrection, Training Day, The Closer

In military and law enforcement roles, Cruz is a familiar face. I'm having a tough time seeing him as nearly fifty years old now, though. Sheez, am I getting old, too? Raymond also has managed to play small roles in two of my favorite sci-fi shows, The X-Files and Deep Space Nine.