Episode 42 - JCVD *Listener's Choice*

Jean-Claude Van Damme plays a meta-version of himself in this somewhat puzzling exercise in cinema.  In "JCVD" he finds himself to be a hostage inside of a bank, where out in the streets, people have assumed that he is the criminal.  What follows is an examination and deconstruction of the myths surrounding the legendary action star's celluloid persona.  The revelation of "JCVD" is the movie hero himself, who displays a captivating self-awareness and command of his emotions.  He is clearly capable of more than just kicking and bone-snapping; the film's highlight is a wistful monologue that seems to flow extemporaneously from Van Damme's heart in a quiet moment removed from the action.  But needless technical manipulation spoils the enjoyment of watching this film.  Hardcore fans of Van Damme's action movies will either be bored or intrigued by this sensitive glimpse into the soul of a man who is often known for beating the shit out of people. You can download the podcast here by right-clicking on the hypertext link and choosing "save as", or you can use the convenient player located below:If you cannot see the audio controls, listen/download the audio file here