Episode 37 - The Penis is Evil

John Boorman has given us many great films over his illustrious career. Two of our All-Time favorites are Deliverance and Excalibur.  Before he brought us his version of the incredible James Dickey novel though, he gave the world 1967's Point Blank which stars Lee Marvin, Angie Dickinson and features the debut of John Vernon.  This is a twisty story of criminals and double-crosses, of organizations and the man who stands up against them. It is the story of Walker, who wants his 93K, no matter what.  A brilliantly realized film, technically excellent and featuring a very challenging narrative.  Played very low-key, this surely set the tone for the world would expect from cinema in the 70s.  After Boorman had given the world Deliverance, he was given free reign for his follow-up, so he wrote and directed a real mind-bender, 1974's Zardoz.  Featuring surreal imagery, subtle technology, and enough satire to choke a horse, this is an unfairly lambasted effort.  Starring James Bond himself, Sean Connery, it is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where armed bands of Exterminators follow the command of huge, floating stone head, to wipe the earth clean of brutals. Your choices with Zardoz are to laugh AT it or to laugh WITH it, as it is both serious and also purposely goofy.  Watch it twice, watch it three times, and show it to others, just to see the WTF look on their faces.Send us your thoughts on the show and recommendations for future episodes to [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also reach us on Facebook, Instagram, Letterboxd. YouTube.