Let's Take Five

The Five started off on a bad foot where Gene Kelly played an American who went to Paris. Maybe The Young Girls of Rochefort will end up differently for the guys. It's co-stars Gene Kelly who plays an American in a French film. It's one of the most beloved films by Jacques Demy who has a brilliant approach to musicals and this his tribute to the Hollywood that Kelly helped establish.   Gene Kelly's Five 1) An American in Paris 2) Singin' in the Rain 3) It's Always Fair Weather 4) The Young Girls of Rochefort 5) Xanadu   –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their review of Xanadu. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord 

The weirdest Five continues as Austin tests Eric's patience with Gene Kelly with the film that tested Hollywood's patience with Gene Kelly: It's Always Fair Weather. It is the story of three soldiers who reunite after ten years to discover they aren't the friends they once knew. It's experimental and not always perfect, but it goes for some really bold ideas. Perhaps it'll work better as a sci-fi film...?   Gene Kelly's Five 1) An American in Paris 2) Singin' in the Rain 3) It's Always Fair Weather 4) The Young Girls of Rochefort 5) Xanadu   –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their review of The Young Girls of Rochefort. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord 

Last week was a bumpy start for the Gene Kelly Five with a more negative review than usual. But now it's time for a true Hollywood classic: Singin' in the Rain! Will this charming movie about a charming trio in a charming era of Hollywood charm these two guys with a podcast? Will it make them laugh or will their tears cause the rain where one could sing in? We'll let you find out on this good morning.   Gene Kelly's Five 1) An American in Paris 2) Singin' in the Rain 3) It's Always Fair Weather 4) The Young Girls of Rochefort 5) Xanadu   –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their review of It's Always Fair Weather. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord 

After five weeks of beautiful, incredible and dense Russian cinema, Austin presents some lighter Hollywood musicals. What can go wrong? Immediately the guys examine the Best Picture winner An American in Paris and how toxic it is to women and honestly everyone. This may not be the perfectly selected Five but we're going to make the most out of it.    Gene Kelly's Five 1) An American in Paris 2) Singin' in the Rain 3) It's Always Fair Weather 4) The Young Girls of Rochefort 5) Xanadu   –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their review of Singin' in the Rain. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord 

'Tis the season where Austin and Eric are looking to watch and rewatch horror films. Like they did last year, they're taking a bonus episode to highlight some of their favorites. These are fun popular films that are some of the best to watch this month, a few of which almost were on a previous Five set. Sit back, relax and ignore the pack of wolves who have been starring at you in the dark for the past five minutes.   –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their review of An American in Paris. Artwork by Ray Martindale Spooky Theme Song by Adam Lord     

Five weeks later and it feels like we have circled the universe of cinema. We're saying that we're fans of Andrei Tarkovksy! The guys look back on the five they watched and tried to sum up such a visual master of a filmmaker. Also they announce their next Five which may not start this week...   Andrei Tarkovsky's Five 1) Ivan's Childhood 2) Andrei Rublev 3) Solaris 4) The Mirror 5) Stalker   –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their horror movie bonus episode. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord     

It's The Wizard of Oz meets Jaws in a science fiction zone created by aliens. This can only be Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker. Eric and Austin break down one of the greatest films that Eric has seen on this podcast as three men risk everything to go to a mysterious Room that can fulfill their greatest desire. The guys dive into what that could entail and how Tarkovksy makes the ordinary so creepy and dangerous.   Andrei Tarkovsky's Five 1) Ivan's Childhood 2) Andrei Rublev 3) Solaris 4) The Mirror 5) Stalker   –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Wednesday for their wrap-up of Andrei Tarkovksy and the announcement of their next Five. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord   

Andrei Tarkovsky's The Mirror often doesn't feel like a film, but like a trip to the museum or a poem. It moves in its own path that sometimes feels indecipherable to Austin and Eric, but it's also never a burden on the experience. The guys struggle to find the right words to say about this movie, but it's definitely worth watching.    Andrei Tarkovsky's Five 1) Ivan's Childhood 2) Andrei Rublev 3) Solaris 4) The Mirror 5) Stalker   –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their review of Stalker. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord   

The one you loved died. And then they come back not exactly as they once were. Is this a ghost story or a miracle? This is the dilemma at the heart of Solaris. The guys dive into the science fiction masterpiece about what is discovered above a mysterious planet. Andrei Tarkovsky's style blends brilliantly with this new genre as he dives into his themes of identity, connection and higher power with ground-breaking beauty.   Andrei Tarkovsky's Five 1) Ivan's Childhood 2) Andrei Rublev 3) Solaris 4) The Mirror 5) Stalker   –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their review of The Mirror. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord   

No more easy episodes! Last week we had Ivan's Childhood in which we definitively stated that Ivan had a childhood. With Andrei Rublev, it's more complicated. The guys dig into exactly why this is a man whose life should be studied and whether or not Andrei Tarkovsky believes in what he is doing.  The guys couldn't dig into this dense and brilliant biopic alone so they are thrilled to be joined by writer/filmmaker Ed Leer who gives us fantastic insight into this journey into an artist. Also Austin not so subtly transitions to get a story about working with Terence Malick.    Andrei Tarkovsky's Five 1) Ivan's Childhood 2) Andrei Rublev 3) Solaris 4) The Mirror 5) Stalker   –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their review of Solaris. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord   

Austin and Eric started their journey to Russia with the first film in their Andrei Tarkovsky Five: Ivan's Childhood. It's the emotional story of a young boy who finds himself as a war spy after his family was killed. And yet it's a beautiful film. Welcome to the cinematic contradiction of Tarkovksy.   Andrei Tarkovsky's Five 1) Ivan's Childhood 2) Andrei Rublev 3) Solaris 4) The Mirror 5) Stalker   –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their review of Andrei Rublev. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord   

And like that, we have finished our Robert Altman Five starting with a war that ended too late and ending with a radio show that didn't actually end. The guys look back at the films they covered and the ones they didn't. Then they announce their new Five that starts this week. (Be sure you have a coat.)   Robert Altman's Five 1) MASH 2) McCabe & Mrs. Miller 3) Nashville 4) Short Cuts 5) A Prairie Home Companion    –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us on Friday for the review of the first film from their new Five. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord 

Bad jokes, boy we love them. Robert Altman's real life final movie was about the fictional final episode of A Prairie Home Companion and all of the people involved with the beloved Garrison Keillor radio show. Unlike the real show, this involved an angel and a real Guy Noir walking around, but somehow that made it feel even more grounded to the guys as they took comfort in the comforting sounds of county music and puns.   Robert Altman's Five 1) MASH 2) McCabe & Mrs. Miller 3) Nashville 4) Short Cuts 5) A Prairie Home Companion    –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Wednesday for their wrap-up of Robert Altman and the announcement of their next Five. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord 

For this episode about Short Cuts, Eric and Austin were tempted to create several different perspectives of the film that all interconnected and created a feeling of dread. Instead perhaps the only way it can be clear is if they took a step back from it all. Anywho! The guys review this Robert Altman film that he made almost two decades after Nashville where he adapted an entire collection of Raymond Carver stories with so many brilliant actors.    Robert Altman's Five 1) MASH 2) McCabe & Mrs. Miller 3) Nashville 4) Short Cuts 5) A Prairie Home Companion    –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their review of A Prairie Home Companion. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord 

The guys take a road trip south to Nashvile and after a weekend, they realized there is a lot more going on than they thought. Also they're pretty sure that weird mute was Jeff Goldblum. Eric and Austin look into the 1975 classic Robert Altman film, Nashville, and learn what it means when Altman takes his naturalism to a new level.   Robert Altman's Five 1) MASH 2) McCabe & Mrs. Miller 3) Nashville 4) Short Cuts 5) A Prairie Home Companion    –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their review of Short Cuts. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord 

McCabe & Mrs. Miller is always written that way to highlight that the relationship between the two titular characters is a business one. It's like calling a production duo Lugar & Mr. Martindale. However, that bond is tested this episode as Eric is under the weather and they record the show in different rooms. Is it a metaphor for how these two survive a Robert Altman anti-western or does it end up a perfect piece of art? No middle ground.   Robert Altman's Five 1) MASH 2) McCabe & Mrs. Miller 3) Nashville 4) Short Cuts 5) A Prairie Home Companion    –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their review of Nashville. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord    

For eleven seasons, the 4077 MASH was run by Alan Alda but before that it was under the rule of Donald Sutherland and Robert Altman. Their anti-war dark comedy MASH tested the bounds of decency and remains a hilarious and unique piece of art. The guys are joined by their friend Nick Hussong to start this Robert Altman Five.   Robert Altman's Five 1) MASH 2) McCabe & Mrs. Miller 3) Nashville 4) Short Cuts 5) A Prairie Home Companion    –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their review of McCabe & Mrs. Miller. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord  

It's as if we never said goodbye. But we did. Charlie Chaplin provided one of our most fascinating Fives to date thanks to his innovative craft and creativity. The guys look back at the movies they covered and the ones they didn't. Also they announce the next Five...   Charlie Chaplin's Five 1) The Gold Rush 2) City Lights 3) Modern Times 4) The Great Dictator 5) Monsieur Verdoux   –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for the first review of their new Five. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord  

In The Great Dictator, Chaplin played a Jewish Barber who was often like The Tramp, but not officially. In Monsieur Verdoux, he is playing something brand new. It is a character without the hopeful aspirations, instead he is a serial killer who keeps marrying and murdering women so he can financially support his original family. How do the guys react to Chaplin's much darker experiment of a film?    Charlie Chaplin's Five 1) The Gold Rush 2) City Lights 3) Modern Times 4) The Great Dictator 5) Monsieur Verdoux   –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Wednesday for their wrap-up of Charlie Chaplin and the announcement of their next Five! Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord

Chaplin speaks! After three films where The Tramp only went as far as singing gibberish, Chaplin takes on two roles filled with important dialog in The Great Dictator. One is the Jewish barber returning home to see his neighborhood has been turned into a World War II ghetto. The other is a childish cruel dictator who has the same mustache as Chaplin... The results are groundbreaking cinema concluding with a perfect ending.    Charlie Chaplin's Five 1) The Gold Rush 2) City Lights 3) Modern Times 4) The Great Dictator 5) Monsieur Verdoux   –Leave us your thoughts on this movie at TheArtImmortal.com –Subscribe to Eric’s video game YouTube channel, Constant Diversion –Listen to Austin’s other podcast, The Immortals.   Email Twitter iTunes YouTube   Join us next Friday for their review of Monsieur Verdoux. Artwork by Ray Martindale Theme Song by Adam Lord