Back To The Balcony

Mario Bernardi brings The Man Who Fell to Earth - a movie he saw on first release but which he remembers virtually nothing. But something spoke to him this time. It spoke to Jimmy too and he wanted to turn on something else.

Now would could be wrong with a great movie like this? A lot, surprisingly - but is it still entertaining once the band-aids come off (that's a great mummy pun - too bad there isn't a mummy in the movie)? Give a listen and be the judge.

Chris Wuergler and a surprise guest try and convince Jimmy that Dirty Dancing is more than cliches and convenient dialogue. First of two episodes with a guest engineer - who still sides with the guests despite Jimmy's instructions.

Nothing like a light and fluffy episode about hubris, dinosaurs running amuck and chaos theory. Comedian Patrick Coppolino talks with Jimmy England about his favourite movie and how he did it live in Levity, his comedy club.

If this shows up twice in your downloads our apologies but the first attempt never got released. Luckily, we're trying again because this was an unusual episode on a genre we've never done before. With comedian Bob Kerr.

Kristian Reimer returns to plead the case for Beverley Hills Cop and the cult of Eddie Murphy. To Jimmy it has all the depth of cotton candy. Will Jimmy finally give ground when it comes to a movie with no pretensions beyond entertainment? Download and listen.

Jimmy interviews Dan Brennan who was in the movie Carlito's Way. Well, sort of but probably not. An enigmatic introduction for a fascinating movie and an even better podcast.

The movie Jimmy wasn't looking forward to turned out to be not the tissue fest he expected. Maybe that's because it resonated with him and guest Mario Bernardi. 

A few hours late getting this posted which would have been a tragedy because this talk about Tootsie with comedian Scott Faulconbridge was one of our best. Worth it if not to hear about Scott's grand romantic gesture.

Guest Mario Bernardi and Jimmy wallow in nostalgia with 1969's Cactus Flower. Phil disappears half-way through but nobody notices until the end. Doesn't bode well for Phil. 

Comedian and wild man Joel Van Vliet returns to gleefully sing the praises of the mostly improvised movie Waiting For Guffman while poo-pooing improv in general. Unexpected hi-light is when he tries to convince Jimmy he was the star in his church play and not just sheep number 2.

Swords, sorcerers and guest Barry Carter to talk about 1981's Excalibur.This movie about the King Arthur legend is one of Barry's favorite films of all time. Jimmy found it as believable as professional wrestling - which it strongly resembled.

Halfway through the podcast Chris Wuergler realizes she could have talked about something other than National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Not to worry, Jim and Phil find plenty to talk about and even Chris comes around to admitting there's something of value here. 

When the moon hits your eye does it drive you daffy? Chris Wuergler insists it can, Jimmy insists that's not science. But will they agree on 1987's Moonstruck? You might be surprised.

In a first for Back to the Balcony, Jimmy and Phil are joined by Ryan Sim to talk about the stoney flick Half Baked. Phil and Ryan know what's going on, Jimmy thinks it's an expose on incompetent bakers.

In a complete reversal Phil the engineer is the guest - while Mario Bernardi is the guest engineer - so he can talk about 1992's Unforgiven (not to be confused with The Unforgiven which is a different movie entirely). This might actually be a great movie but Jim has trouble coming to grips with Phil being the one who chose it.

A treasured memory of Jimmy and guest Mario Bernardi comes crashing down when a movie from their youth doesn't hold up for them. They've also don't like Tootsie Rolls either so take that with a grain of salt. A surprisingly funny episode for one where Jimmy and the guest agree.

Comedian and actor Val Cole joins Jimmy to talk about her favorite movie, 1980's Raging Bull, a movie about boxing with very little boxing. Val loves its gritty realism - the same quality Jimmy admired in The Little Mermaid.

Joel David Van Vliet was raised on the movie What's Up Doc?. In an episode that proves the harm that comes when you do something like that he insists it's the finest movie ever made - even when compared to a similar Cary Grant movie. Jimmy's so nonplussed he doesn't know how to respond half the time. One of the craziest episodes ever.