Let Me Bend Your Ear Podcast

Hosted by Frank Goicuria

Discussion and reviews of movies new and old.

Episode 59 - In the Heat of the Night (1967)

January 16, 2021  /  Frank Goicuria

I review the 1967 film In the Heat of the Night starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger.

The film is based on John Ball's 1965 novel of the same name and tells the story of Virgil Tibbs, a black police detective from Philadelphia, who becomes involved in a murder investigation in a small town in Mississippi.

Director: Norman Jewsion

Episode 57 - Mank (2020)

December 13, 2020  /  Frank Goicuria

I review the David Fincher Netflix film “Mank” starring Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried , Arliss Howard and Charles Dance. The film chronicles Jospeh L. Mankiewicz writing the screenplay “American” which would become “ Citizen Kane”

Episode 56 - Hidden Horror Gems with Niamh - High Tension (2003)

October 31, 2020  /  Frank Goicuria

I am very happy to present the debut of Hidden Horror Gems. This recurring segment will feature horror buff and previous guest Niamh discussing lesser known horror films from outside the US.

In this episode she discusses the 2003 French film “ High Tension”

If you are a fan of True Crime check out Niamh's blog at CrimeInMyPocket.com and follow her on Twitter (@crimeinmypocket)

Episode 55 - Halloween Special II

October 22, 2020  /  Frank Goicuria

I welcome Niamh, author of the Crime in My Pocket blog for the 2nd annual Halloween special.

We discuss 2 horror films: Sinister starring Ethan Hawke and in keeping with last year’s special we discuss a John Carpenter film this year its the 1982 film The Thing which I had not seen before.

Episode 52 - RBG, The Wright Brothers and Tenet's Poor Box Office

September 21, 2020  /  Frank Goicuria

I am breaking format for this episode and hitting three different topics.

First I discuss the political ramifications of replacing Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court and the utterly predictable hypocrisy of Mitch McConnell ( I called it back in Episode 28)

Next I discuss the excellent David McColliugh book on the Wright Brothers.

I wrap up with the poor box office numbers for “Tenet” and discuss what I think this means for theatres in the short term.

Episode 51 - Tenet (2020)

September 07, 2020  /  Frank Goicuria

I discuss the latest fim from Director Christopher Nolan ( “Dunkirk” , “Inception”) . This action packed , globe trotting , mind bending film marks the return of movies to theatres amid the COVID-19 pandemic,

The film stars John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Dubicki and Kenneth Branagh.

Episode 50 - The Fisher King (1991)

August 30, 2020  /  Frank Goicuria

I discuss and review the 1991 film “The Fisher King”. Its the story of a self absorbed radio talk show host whose life is shattered by a violent event and his freindship with a homeless man and their search for the Holy Grail.

The film is directed by Terry Gilliam ( “Brazil”, “!2 Monkeys”, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) and stars Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams, Mercedes Ruehl and Amamda Plummer.

Episode 49 - Tucky Williams

August 20, 2020  /  Frank Goicuria

In this episode I speak to Writer - Director Tucky Williams and discuss her LGBT film “ Girl/Girl Scene” . Her 80’s themed homage to John Hughes’ “ The Breakfast Club” was pulled from Amazon after a targeted hate campaign. Tucky discusses her successful battle to get the film back on the platform.

We also discuss meteorology , David Fincher and why the 80’s rule.

Catch both the movie and tv series “Girl/Girl Scene” on Amazon Prime.



Episode 48 - Matewan (1987)

August 12, 2020  /  Frank Goicuria

I review the film Matewan written and directed by John Sayles. The film is based on the true story of the 1920 Matewan Massacre involving West Virgina Coal Miners attempting to unionize vs. the coal mining company that owned the town of Matewan.

The cast includes James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell, David Strathairn, Kevin Tighe, Gordon Clapp and Chris Cooper in his film debut.

Episode 47 - Da 5 Bloods (2020)

June 13, 2020  /  Frank Goicuria

In this episode I review the new Spike Lee film “Da 5 Bloods” the story of a group of Vietnam Vets who return to Vietnam to recover the remains of thier leader who was killed in action as well as a stash of gold they buried.

The film stars Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Isaiah Whitlock, Jr., Norm Lewis , Jonathan Majors and Chadwick Boseman.

The film is streaming on Netflix now.

Plus I announce that I am starting a Patreon for the podcast begining August 1 !

Episode 46 - What is your default position? (On Race)

June 06, 2020  /  Frank Goicuria

In light of the recent murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd I ask the question “ What is your default position “ on issues of race and how does that position inform your reaction to the events of the past few weeks.

My sincere hope is this episode will have you search INWARD for the truth of where your heart lies and hopefully engage and face the uncomfortable truths that need to be dealt with.

Episode 45 - Trolls World Tour and the VOD Battle

May 09, 2020  /  Frank Goicuria

In this episode I discuss the decision of Universal to release Trolls World Tour on VOD , bypassing the theatres due to the pandemic and their subsequent annoucement that they will be releasing more films day and date in theatres and VOD. AMC and Regal theatres have announced that they will not show any Universal film that does not honor the theatrical window.

Will this be the end of waiting for movies to hit the home market or will there be a course correction to shape a new exhibition window? Check out the episode to hear my thoughts on this potential paradigm shift.

Episode 44 - COVID - 19 - My thoughts

April 27, 2020  /  Frank Goicuria

I went back and forth on doing a COVID-19 episode. I even recorded one a few weeks ago that was wiped out during audio transfer and figured maybe that was the cosmos telling me something (even though I dont believe that) and at that time decided I would not record it again.

The last few weeks have changed my mind. In this episode I touch on the personal impact this pandemic has had on me and discuss the polarized political response.

Episode 43 - Winston V Mariota - Part Deux

April 08, 2020  /  Frank Goicuria

I am joined by Chad from the Sports Car Unleashed Podcast to follow up om our episode from last year discussing the quarterbacks of our respective teams Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota.

We discuss what happened to them this past season and what the future may hold for both of them.

The episode also covers the landscape of the NFL in light of the Pandemic, where the free agent QB’s landed this off season and of course Chad and I commiserate over being long suffering fans of teams that have struggled or just missed glory.

Episode 42 - The Best Defense No One Talks About

January 14, 2020  /  Frank Goicuria

I finally do a sports topic ! It’s been awhile. I discuss the 1997-2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense. This unit has 2 current members of the Hall of Fame in Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks and 2 potential members in John Lynch and Ronde Barber yet no one thinks of this defense when discussing the best of all time.

In this episode I give my reasons as to why I think this is the case and I discuss how a great draft , a key free agent and the arrival of first time head coach Tony Dungy combined to create one of the great defenses in history and caused half the league to employ the “Tampa 2” defense.