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Episodes
Saturday Feb 27, 2021
Saturday Feb 27, 2021
Today’s episode is a review of the 2021 Warner Bros. film ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’. Based on the last days and months in the life of Black Panthers leader Chairman Fred Hampton, the film details his revolutionary mission to unite oppressed groups across the city of Chicago, the Black Panther Party's conflicts with the Chicago PD and ultimately the FBI, and Hampton's betrayal at the hands of undercover informant Bill O'Neil, played by Lakeith Stanfield. Daniel Kaluuya delivers an Oscar-worthy performance as Hampton, and actors Dominique Fishback and Jesse Plemmons are also great in supporting roles.
On the podcast, we discuss the effort it took writer-director Shaka King and producer Ryan Cooglar to get the blessing of Hampton's family for this project, the filmmakers' attempts to stay true to real-life events while also staying true to their artistic vision, and despite our quibbles with the narrative, how the film smartly weaves cat-and-mouse thriller with government conspiracy, love story and biopic sensibilities.
Monday Feb 22, 2021
Monday Feb 22, 2021
The brilliant 2016 documentary ‘I Am Not Your Negro’ is available right now on Netflix and Hulu, and you should watch it. We did.
Narrated by actor Samuel L Jackson, the film is based on an unfinished manuscript by celebrated author James Baldwin. Baldwin's intent with the manuscript was to show the overlap in the lives of civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., all of whom were friends of his.
This podcast has never reviewed a proper documentary before and with it being Black History Month here in the states, we jumped at the chance to change that. In the conversation, we discuss the use of archival footage from the civil rights movement, what makes for an effective documentary, feeling like an ‘other’ in your own country, and the insights offered by ‘I Am Not Your Negro’ into the life and life's work of the late James Baldwin.
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Originally broadcast in 2012, here is a classic interview from our 'Barchives' with renowned illustrator, the late David Grove (1940 - 2012).
Grove hit the scene in the early 1970s, bringing his illustration to paperback book covers and advertising. His singular style quickly became highly influential and sought after in the industry.
In the early 1980s, Hollywood beckoned Grove and he produced memorable posters and artwork for a slew of films such as ’Never Cry Wolf’, ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ and ’The Outsiders’. Grove was inducted into the Society of Illustrators’ Hall of Fame in 2007.
This episode continues our re-presentation of classic interviews and roundtables from our previous incarnation as SiDEBAR: The Pop Culture Podcast into our podcast feed. We hope that our listeners, both new and old, will enjoy these vintage back episodes and follow us here for new episodes of Sidebar Forever!
Monday Feb 08, 2021
Monday Feb 08, 2021
In a movie, a death scene is not unlike a dramatic scene, a love scene and even an action scene. They all serve to advance the story and make an impact on the viewer. But sometimes when a despicable character in a film meets a gruesome end, it can also be ... enjoyable?
On today's episode, Dwight and Swain discuss the most outrageous, shocking, and in certain cases, meaningful deaths in popular TV and film. We’re talking Hans Gruber falling off the Nakatomi in 'Die Hard', Quint getting gobbled up by the great white in 'Jaws', the off-screen passing of James Evans on 'Good Times', Carrie's abusive mother being telekinetically crucified by her daughter, and a bunch more.
We also get into surprise deaths that you didn't see coming like Ned Stark losing his head in season one of 'Game of Thrones' as well as deaths that move a central character forward like the untimely demise of King T'Chaka in Marvel's 'Civil War'.
As always, thanks for listening.
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Monday Feb 01, 2021
There are jobs, there are careers, and then there are undeniable careers.
On today's podcast, we get into it as we celebrate three renowned actors with long and studied careers: Sir Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, Amistad), Robert De Niro (The Godfather II, Raging Bull) and Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Marvel's The Avengers).
From their most famous roles, to their versatility and to their staying power; we salute these fine thespians and all that they have accomplished. We also try to determine exactly where in their careers is the threshold point where they crossed over from working actors — to stars.
As always, thanks for tuning in.
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2021 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson
Monday Jan 25, 2021
Monday Jan 25, 2021
Today’s podcast is a review of 'The Fast and the Furious' the 2001 action film about illegal street racing starring Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Paul Walker and Jordana Brewster. With the ninth installment of this series steering its way into theaters soon, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the landmark original. That's right, it's Dom, Letty, Brian, Mia, Vince, and the villainous Johnny Tran and his gang. And Ja Rule, too.
The three of us jumped right in the driver's seat discussing the cast and themes in the movie, obvious comparisons to 1991's 'Point Break', the stunts and set pieces, and how 'Fast 1' birthed what has become a billion dollar franchise. Later, we switch gears and ask the big question: HOW MANY MORE OF THESE CAN THEY MAKE?
All right, all right, pump your brakes ... we're just kidding. Thanks for listening.
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2021 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson
Monday Jan 18, 2021
Monday Jan 18, 2021
Today's podcast is a throwback to the great 'What If' and 'Elseworlds' comics of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. We're talking alternate reality stories of Batman teaming up with Harry Houdini, Superman as a Soviet agent, Jane Foster finds the hammer of Thor and Iron Man as a traitor.
You see, for fans like us, what blew our minds about these stories wasn’t simply the out-there nature of these ideas. It was the infusion of real consequence and change into familiar characters who often remained in stasis.
In the conversation, we reminisce about some of our favorite 'What If' and 'Elseworlds' stories and have a few laughs, especially while discussing a classic, all-star issue of Marvel's 'What If?' (#34 to be exact).
What are some of your favorite 'What If' and 'Elseworlds' stories? Hit us up on our socials and let us know. And as always, thanks for listening.
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2021 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson
Monday Jan 11, 2021
Monday Jan 11, 2021
The man in the beskar armor has returned in Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni's epic tale of bounty hunting, double crosses, giant monsters, and galaxy-hopping adventures in season 2 of Disney’s ‘The Mandalorian’.
All of the familiar faces from season one are back, too: Cara Dune, Greef Karga, Moff Gideon, and of course, Baby Yoda (we find out his true name). But we also get some fresh faces with this new season: Morgan Elsbeth, Cobb Vanth, and from ‘Rebels’ and ‘Clone Wars’, Bo-Katan Kryze and Ahsoka Tano. It's a real hoot!
In the conversation, Dwight and Swain compare the violence and kills from seasons one and two, talk about the casting choices of Rosario Dawson, Katee Sackhoff and Timothy Olyphant, and revel in the return of Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett. Also, RIP to the Razor Crest.
Both seasons of ‘The Mandalorian’ are available on the Disney+ app. Check 'em out ASAP. We have spoken.
As always, thanks for listening to the podcast. And don’t forget to share us on your social media so new listeners can find us as well.
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2021 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson
Monday Jan 04, 2021
Monday Jan 04, 2021
As previously announced by Warner Bros, "Wonder Woman 1984" hit theaters and HBO Max on Christmas Day. Stars Gal Gadot and Chris Pine with director Patty Jenkins are back with more adventures of our favorite Amazon, along with Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal as the big bads in the movie. Early reviews are lukewarm at best and we understand why. The sequel has problems that the 2017 original film did not. The runtime, pacing, confusing plot points and character motivations – there’s a lot to unpack.
Thus, Dwight and Swain are here with their podcast review. And hey, it ain't all bad. Kristen Wiig is terrific as the brilliant but awkward Dr. Barbara Minerva (aka Cheetah), and there's a mid-credits easter egg that will make you stand up and cheer.
Spoilers abound on the episode, so you've been warned. Thanks for listening.
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2021 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson
Monday Dec 28, 2020
Monday Dec 28, 2020
Today’s episode is an epic lovefest for two of the greatest science fantasy magazines ever published: Epic Illustrated and Heavy Metal.
Like an entire generation of readers, Dwight and Swain became huge fans of Epic and ‘Métal Hurlant’ back in the mid 80s. The most revered science fiction, fantasy and comic book storytellers of all time were featured in their hallowed pages: Moebius, Michael Moorcock, Jim Starlin, Wendy Pini, Boris Vallejo, Luis Royo, Jon J. Muth, Richard Corben, Jo Duffy, Enki Bilal, Marie Severin, Jeffrey Catherine Jones, H.R. Giger, Simon Bisley, Pepe Moreno, Harlan Ellison, the Hildebrandt Brothers and many, many more.
In the conversation, Dwight and Swain give their first impressions of the magazines, namecheck their favorite artists from that era, and of course, discuss the 1981 ‘Heavy Metal’ movie as well as a one-time rumored David Fincher/James Cameron produced sequel.
The hosts of Sidebar Forever are of the opinion that Epic Illustrated and Heavy Metal closed the gap between amazing book cover paintings and amazing comic book art. They were tastemakers and showed the world what great fantasy stories could, and should be.
By the way, four decades later, Heavy Metal magazine is still being published.
As always, thanks for listening to the podcast. For more episodes of the show, visit us at sidebarforever.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
SIDEBAR FOREVER ©2020 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt and Adrian Johnson