Cold Feet (film, dir. Dornhelm, 1989) [F08]

Matthew Crosby returns for another film episode, this time with at least 80% more emeralds-hidden-in-a-horse. We discuss some of the big performance choices and tonal frustrations in this mostly-forgotten 80s comedy, and assess Waits's work as an actor in perhaps his biggest film role.

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Cold Feet Trailer, via YouTube (dir. Robert Dornhelm, 1989)

Tom Waits in Cold Feet segment from Big Picture with Chris Connelly, via Youtube (1989)

Mystery Train (film, dir. Jarmusch, 1989) [F07]

Back for a second week, Matthew Crosby joins Martin and Sam to take a look at Jim Jarmusch's 1989 multiple-narrative movie Mystery Train. While we're all full of love and excitement for the quirks and details of the film, there's some debate as to the strength of some of the acting performances, the narrative coherence, as well as whether it's Elvis or Carl Perkins.

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Mystery Train Trailer, via YouTube (dir. Jim Jarmusch, 1989)

Jiffy Squid trailer, Mystery Train feat. Tom Waits, Screamin' Jay Hawkins & Cinqué Lee, via YouTube (1989)

Elvis or Carl Perkins, Mystery Train feat. Masatoshi Nagase & Yûki Kudô, via YouTube (1989) - no subtitles but you get the idea, right?

Down By Law (film, dir. Jarmusch, 1986) [F04]

Sam and Martin welcome friend of the show Matthew Crosby to dig into one of Waits's most sizeable film roles, the 1986 Jim Jarmusch classic Down By Law. Immediately proving their analytic credentials by remembering at least two of the main characters' names, Matthew, Sam and Martin discuss the acting strengths (and weaknesses…?) of the three protagonists, the improvisational elements in the scripting, as well as Jarmusch's ability and willingness to film actors listening.

Music extracts used for illustrative/review purposes include:
Jockey Full of Bourbon, Rain Dogs, Tom Waits (1985)

Tango Til They're Sore, Rain Dogs, Tom Waits (1985)

Down By Law trailer, via YouTube (dir. Jim Jarmusch, 1986)

Down By Law & Variety (album), John Lurie (1987/1999)

Fishing With John - Episode 2 - Tom Waits, via YouTube (1991)

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