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The Stinking Pause Podcast

The Stinking Pause Podcast

Auteur(s): Scott Paul and Liam
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 Reviewing movies since 2013 - some good...some not so good. Art
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  • Episode 202 - California Split (1974)

    Episode 202 - California Split (1974)
    Oct 23 2025

    Episode 202 - California Split (1974)

    "Goddamnit, lady, you don't throw oranges on an escalator!"

    Get ready for one of the most zesty, freewheeling, and flat-out entertaining buddy films ever made! Robert Altman's 1974 gem, California Split, isn't just a movie; it's an experience. Forget a tight, pre-planned plot. Instead, imagine you're a fly on the wall, dropped right into the hazy, electrifying, and slightly chaotic world of two compulsive gamblers who are in it for the sheer, unadulterated thrill of the action.

    The film kicks off when two men, Bill (George Segal) and Charlie (Elliott Gould), meet by chance at a smoky, low-stakes California poker room. Bill is a magazine writer, a seemingly "straight" guy who just can't resist the siren call of a bet. Charlie, on the other hand, is a force of nature—a fast-talking, charming, and goofy whirlwind of a man who seems to live entirely in the moment, surviving on his wits and an unshakeable belief in the next hot tip.

    Their meeting is pure 70s gold. After being (falsely) accused of colluding at the table, they get roughed up and robbed in the parking lot. But instead of being a downer, this bizarre, hilarious incident bonds them instantly. Charlie, brushing off the mugging, just grins and tells Bill, "You're a winner!" And with that, one of cinema's most magnetic and chaotic friendships is born.

    What follows is a brilliant, meandering tour of the Golden State's gambling underbelly. These two are inseparable, a perfect odd couple plunging headfirst into every bet they can find. They hit the racetrack, shouting at the horses with infectious glee. They shoot pool, they play more poker, they'll even bet on an exhibition basketball game—it doesn't matter what the game is, only that there's action. Charlie is the ultimate enabler, a guy who can turn a simple trip to the bar into a high-stakes adventure, and Bill is all too happy to be pulled along for the ride.

    The film captures the feeling of gambling better than almost any other. It's not about the grim consequences; it's about the buzz, the camaraderie, the secret language shared between those who "get it." It's about the high of the chase and the electric-shock feeling of pure, unadulterated possibility.

    Of course, living on the edge eventually raises the stakes. Bill finds himself in a deep hole with his hard-nosed bookie. But in the world of California Split, this isn't a moment for despair—it's a call to action! It's the catalyst for the ultimate "go-for-broke" plan. Bill decides to cash in his straight life, selling his car and possessions to build one giant bankroll. The plan? To leave the small-time L.A. scene behind and head to the mecca: Reno.

    The final act in Reno is what it's all been building toward. Bill and Charlie, now with a serious pile of cash, hit the casino floors ready for the big time. Bill, powered by a mix of desperation and adrenaline, enters a high-stakes poker game, sitting down with real-life legends (including the iconic Amarillo Slim, playing himself).

    This is Bill's moment. He's in the zone, playing with a focus and fire we haven't seen before. And Charlie is right there with him, the ultimate hype man, beaming from the sidelines and betting on his new best friend. The tension is incredible, the chips are flying, and Bill starts to go on an unstoppable hot streak. The piles in front of him grow higher and higher as he takes down pot after pot. It's the kind of run every gambler dreams of...

    What happens when a man who can't stop finally starts to win? You'll have to watch to find out. California Split isn't really about the final score; it's about the intoxicating journey, the magic of a perfect, crazy friendship, and the absolute joy of riding the wave.

    This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts

    Follow us on Twitter @StinkingPause

    email: thestinkingpause@gmail.com

    Thanks for listening!
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    1 h et 9 min
  • Episode 201 - All Night Long (1962)

    Episode 201 - All Night Long (1962)
    Oct 8 2025
    Episode 201 - All Night Long (1962) "Me? Oh, I belong to that new minority group: white American jazz musicians. They're going to hold a mass meeting in a phone booth." Get ready to step into the coolest party of 1962. Basil Dearden's All Night Long is a cinematic powder keg, a film that brilliantly transplants Shakespeare's classic tragedy Othello into the vibrant, smoke-filled world of the London jazz scene, and it does so with an electrifying pulse that never lets up. This isn't just a drama; it's a front-row seat to a once-in-a-lifetime jam session, featuring knockout performances from real-life jazz giants like Dave Brubeck, Charles Mingus, and Johnny Dankworth. The result is a stunningly stylish and suspenseful ride that swings to its own dynamic rhythm. The story unfolds over the course of a single, spectacular evening. Wealthy music enthusiast Rod Hamilton (a wonderfully suave Richard Attenborough) is hosting an anniversary party for the golden couple of the jazz world: the supremely talented bandleader and pianist Aurelius Rex (Paul Harris) and his beautiful wife, Delia Lane (Marti Stevens), a celebrated singer who has happily retired from the stage for a life with her husband. The setting is a chic, converted warehouse on the Thames, buzzing with the energy of musicians, friends, and the infectious sound of bebop. The champagne is flowing, the music is hot, and love is in the air. For Rex and Delia, it's a perfect celebration of their first year together. But lurking in the shadows of this joyous occasion is the ambitious and conniving drummer, Johnny Cousin (a riveting Patrick McGoohan). Johnny has big plans to launch his own band, but his financial backing hinges on one crucial element: persuading Delia to be his lead singer. When Delia, devoted to Rex and her new life, politely turns him down, Johnny's ambition curdles into a venomous plot. If he can't get her to join him, he'll destroy the very foundation of her happiness. With a wicked grin and a drummer's sense of timing, he sets out to poison Rex's mind, spinning a devious web of lies to convince the bandleader that Delia is having an affair with their trusted friend and saxophonist, Cass Michaels (Keith Michell). What follows is a masterclass in tension, made all the more thrilling by the incredible musical backdrop. As the party roars on, with Mingus plucking his bass and Brubeck commanding the piano, Johnny moves through the crowd like a phantom, orchestrating his symphony of destruction. He slyly gets Cass to smoke a "drugged" cigarette, loosens his tongue, and then, in a stroke of cunning genius, uses a reel-to-reel tape recorder to capture and manipulate conversations. He masterfully edits the tape to create a false, damning narrative of Delia and Cass's "love affair." McGoohan is absolutely electric as the scheming Johnny, his intense eyes darting around the room, always a step ahead, turning a joyous celebration into his personal playground of chaos. The music acts as the film's heartbeat, with each sensational performance escalating the drama until it reaches a fever pitch. When Rex finally hears the doctored tape, his love and trust shatter, leading to a raw and explosive confrontation that silences the entire party. But just when it seems tragedy is inevitable, Johnny's web of deceit is heroically untangled by his own long-suffering wife. The truth comes crashing down, and Johnny's grand ambitions are left in ashes. In a powerful final scene, he is left alone, frantically beating his drums in a furious, solitary solo. The party is over, but for Rex and Delia, there's a glimmer of hope as they walk out into the dawn, their bond tested but ultimately not broken, ready to pick up the pieces. All Night Long is a triumph—a sharp, exhilarating fusion of high drama and spectacular music that remains an absolute knockout. This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @StinkingPause email: thestinkingpause@gmail.com Thanks for listening Scott, Paul, and Charlie
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    1 h et 29 min
  • Episode 200 - Jurassic Park (1993)

    Episode 200 - Jurassic Park (1993)
    Oct 5 2025

    Episode 200 - Jurassic Park (1993)

    "Look... We can discuss sexism in survival situations when I get back"

    Get ready for an adventure 65 million years in the making! Steven Spielberg's 1993 masterpiece, Jurassic Park, welcomes you to an extraordinary theme park where dinosaurs roam the earth once more. Eccentric billionaire John Hammond has the brilliant idea to bring these prehistoric giants back to life for a spectacle unlike any other. He invites a team of experts, including paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant, paleobotanist Dr. Ellie Sattler, and the ever-charismatic chaotician Dr. Ian Malcolm, to endorse his creation.

    What begins as a tour filled with wide-eyed wonder at the sight of majestic Brachiosauruses and adorable baby raptors quickly turns into a heart-pounding fight for survival. When a tropical storm and corporate espionage lead to a massive power failure, the park's most fearsome predators, including the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex and cunning Velociraptors, are unleashed. With its groundbreaking special effects that still astound today and an iconic, soaring score by John Williams, Jurassic Park is a thrilling and unforgettable cinematic adventure that will leave you breathless and believing that "life finds a way."

    This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts


    Follow us on Twitter @StinkingPause

    email: thestinkingpause@gmail.com


    Thanks for listening

    Scott, Paul, and Charlie
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    1 h et 8 min
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