I Dig Crazy Flicks with @CatBusRuss
Episode 273 - Indiana Comic Convention 2026: Impromptu "Aliens" Expert, Cats & Credit, and "The Sword and the Sorcerer"
Indiana Comic Convention 2026 may not have been the most fun CatBusRuss has had at a nerdfest, but this was probably the most productive. He was able to put himself out there enough to vastly reduce his promotional material, and his efforts allowed him to demonstrate that he is a personable and authoritative voice in nerd culture.
If he was not a strong convention visitor, could he have talked his way onto another panel?
After visiting some really cool artists and catching up with hot sauce vendors, the rest of his day was dedicated to checking out panels. Nitin Bhojraj gave a great macroeconomics introduction by speaking of his goal to document every fiscal transaction in the "Star Wars" universe. Author/Translator/Lecturer Zack Davisson provided a fun history about cats in Japanese culture, and how they are all magical. The team from the Ray Bradbury Center had an amusing panel about historical inaccuracies in video games and whether or not they are a bad thing.
But when it came to panels, Russ getting to join Chris Martinez from the "Big Dumb Monsters" podcast to talk about the 40th anniversary of "Aliens" was a highlight. Two of the panelists were no shows, there was no moderator, so a our podcast host volunteered his services and perhaps saved the panel. If he can figure how to put this in next year's panel submission form, he will at least save on the cost of admission. He just needs to keep his cool and not start a fight with the FanX group.
Speaking of fighting, CatBus completed his week exploration of sword and sandals movies by checking out the "Iron Eagle" of 1982's shirtless fantasy films, Albert Pyun's "The Sword and the Sorcerer". It left our host wondering, "Why did they not give this guy all the money to make his movies?" It proved that he could be a winner when given the right budget.
If you are looking for a fun snack for a Pyun budget, try a flavor from Doich! Snacking Dough. It is cookie dough with more protein, less sugar, and none of the eight major allergens. Our host is not a cookie fan, but this stuff taste great and leaves you feeling full quickly. Follow the link below to save 20% on your order and give Chocolate Chip, Birthday Cake, or WTFudge Brownie dough a try.
Episode 274 - "Daisies" (1966): Anarchic Czech Lasses & Vern from Cinema Recall
Vern from "Cinema Recall" asked CatBusRuss, "Is "Daisies" was the most "off-the-wall" feature he has ever discussed on "I Dig Crazy Flicks"?". The answer will be provided by the end of the episode.
Vera Chytilova's "Daisies" is an experience and may be suitable for the "How Did This Get Made?" podcast. Not because it is a bad film. (With the exception of "Kpop Demon Hunters", The Criterion Collection does not put subpar features into their library.) It is amazing that this film got made in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, 25 years before the Iron Curtain fell. We are very fortunate that this film ended up being well preserved because once the Commies paid attention to this film after its success, it was banned.
This film is about two young women, both named Marie, who are bored in a country that expects them to live with nothing while the bourgeoise live in elegance. They decide to take advantage of their youth and beauty and start exploiting rich men. Enough of the vegetable rations. Lets have steak and dessert. If Russ had an issue with the ladies actions, it is the flippant waste of Johnny Walker.
This is a sly satire and protest film that seems like something that would have difficulty with the American Hayes Code, and it plays out like that. If the satire is not enough for you, the mise en scene and psychedelic color choices should sell you on "Daisies".
The only thing that CatBus could immediately compare the nature of the girls in "Daisies" to is Tom Green in his film "Freddy Got Fingered". Our host knows that film has its supporters, but if you watch Chytilova's classic, you will realize that the critics in 2001 knew what a bad feature is.
"Daisies" is a winner of a feature. If you want a winner of a snack, try a flavor from Doich! Snacking Dough. It is cookie dough with more protein, less sugar, and none of the eight major allergens. Our host is not a cookie fan, but this stuff taste great and leaves you feeling full quickly. Follow the link below to save 20% on your order and give Chocolate Chip, Birthday Cake, or WTFudge Brownie dough a try.
