Mark Cousins

Moviedrome Mondays: Leon: The Professional (1994) and Le Samourai (1967) (Mark Cousins intro)

by John Charet

The 10th season of Moviedrome ends with a double-bill consisting of two crime thrillers helmed by Frenchmen.

Leon: The Professional (1994)

I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to French cult director Luc Besson’s 1994 action classic Leon: The Professional. Readers can also read Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was November 15, 1998 (read here). I agree with all of the praise that Cousins showers on this film.

Here is a youtube video link to Mark Cousins Moviedrome intro to Leon: The Professional

Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer

Le Samourai (1967)

I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to legendary French director Jean-Pierre Melville’s 1967 neo-noir classic Le Samourai. Readers can also read Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was November 16, 1998 (read here). Once again, I agree with everything Cousins states here about this masterpiece. If any of you readers are interested, here is a list of my favorite Jean-Pierre Melville films (read here).

Here is a youtube video link to Mark Cousins Moviedrome intro to Le Samourai

Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer

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Moviedrome Mondays: Carrie (1976) (Mark Cousins intro)

by John Charet

I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to director Brian De Palma’s 1976 horror classic Carrie. Readers can also read Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was November 8, 1998 (read here). Considering that former Moviedrome presenter Alex Cox had introduced it before in season 6 (read here), all of you are probably aware by now that I am a huge fan of the film. Either way, If any of you readers are interested, here is a list of my favorite Brian De Palma films (read here).

Here is a youtube video link to Mark Cousins Moviedrome intro to Carrie

Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer

Here is a youtube video link to an episode of his own BBC series Scene by Scene where Brian De Palma served as the guest

Moviedrome Mondays: Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974) (Mark Cousins intro)

by John Charet

I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to late director Michael Cimino’s 1974 crime comedy Thunderbolt and Lightfoot. Readers can also read Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was November 1, 1998 (read here). Not much to add here except that I concur with Cousins completely on this one. If any of you readers are interested, here is a list of my favorite Michael Cimino films (read here).

Here is a youtube video link to Mark Cousins Moviedrome intro to Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer

Moviedrome Mondays: Caged Heat (1974) (Mark Cousins intro)

by John Charet

I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to late famed director Jonathan Demme’s 1974 exploitation pic Caged Heat. Readers can also read Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was October 25, 1998 (read here). Not much to argue with here except that while far from a masterpiece, Caged Heat still ranks for me as one of the better entries within the women in prison subgenre.

Here is a youtube video link to Mark Cousins Moviedrome intro to Caged Heat

Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer

Moviedrome Mondays: The Killers (1946) (Mark Cousins intro)

by John Charet

I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to director Robert Siodmak’s 1946 film noir classic The Killers. Readers can also read Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was October 19, 1998 (read here). Not much to add here except that I agree completely with Cousins. While I still rank 1949’s Criss Cross higher, The Killers is still a masterful Siodmak noir and it is every bit (at least for me) as great as Don Siegel’s 1964 remake.

Here is a youtube video link to Mark Cousins Moviedrome intro to The Killers

Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer

Moviedrome Mondays: Cat People (1982) (Mark Cousins intro)

by John Charet

I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to director Paul Schrader’s 1982 erotic horror thriller Cat People. Readers can also read Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was October 11, 1998 (read here). While far from a genuine classic like the 1942 original (read my review here), it’s visual style serves as the glue that holds it together. Last, but not least, we get an atmospheric Giorgio Moroder score and late legendary musician David Bowie’s awesome theme entitled Cat People (Putting Out Fire). Nevertheless, I think Rutger Hauer should have been casted instead of Malcolm McDowell as Nastassja Kinski’s brother. On an unrelated note, Schrader has directed two great films (First Reformed and The Card Counter) and a very good one (Blue Collar).

Here is a youtube video link to Mark Cousins Moviedrome intro to Cat People

Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer

Here is a youtube video link to another trailer for the film

Moviedrome Mondays: Funny Bones (1995) (Mark Cousins intro)

by John Charet

I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to director Peter Chelsom’s 1995 comedy Funny Bones. Readers can also read Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was October 4, 1998 (read here). Been a while since I have seen this one so I will have to check it out again in the future.

Here is a youtube video link to Mark Cousins Moviedrome intro to Funny Bones

Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer

Moviedrome Mondays: Shaft (1971) and Force of Evil (1948) (Mark Cousins intro)

by John Charet

This week’s Moviedrome Monday blog entry is a double-bill consisting of a neo-noir and a film noir – both shot on location in New York City.

Shaft (1971)

I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to African-American director Gordon Parks 1971 action crime thriller Shaft. Readers can also read Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was September 27, 1998 (read here). Along with Melvin Van Peebles Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (also from 71), the more mainstream Shaft is reported to have birthed the blaxploitation subgenre, though Ossie Davis Cotton Comes to Harlem (from a year earlier) is sometimes credited as the earliest example. Either way, this is truly a fun film (as Parks himself states) galvanized by Soul singer Isaac Hayes iconic score and theme song – winning an Oscar for the latter.

Here is a youtube video link to Mark Cousins Moviedrome intro to Shaft

Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer

Force of Evil (1948)

I have posted a youtube video link below to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to blacklisted director/writer Abraham Polonsky’s 1948 crime drama Force of Evil. Readers can also read Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was September 28, 1998 (read here). I agree with every single word of praise that Cousins showers on this film noir classic.

Here is a youtube video link to Mark Cousins Moviedrome intro to Force of Evil

Here is a youtube video link to what may be the film’s original theatrical trailer

Moviedrome Mondays: Trespass (1992) (Mark Cousins intro)

by John Charet

Season 9 and the two that follow happen to be the shortest seasons of Moviedrome to date.

Since I could not find a youtube video link to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to Walter Hill’s 1992 action-thriller Trespass, readers will have to rely on Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was September 20, 1998 (read here). I really do not have anything to add except that it is a very good Walter Hill film. If any of you readers are interested, here is a list of my favorite Walter Hill films (read here).

Here is a youtube video link to the film’s original theatrical trailer

Moviedrome Mondays: Highway Patrolman (1991) (El Patrullero) (Mark Cousins Intro)

by John Charet

Since I could not find a youtube video link to Moviedrome presenter Mark Cousins introduction to cult director Alex Cox’s 1991 crime drama Highway Patrolman (El Patrullero), readers will have to rely on Cousins intro transcript here. The episode’s original airdate was March 8, 1998 (read here). Now isn’t this an interesting Moviedrome pick? Cousins is introducing viewers to a film directed by the former host of the aforementioned program, which in this case happens to be it’s director Alex Cox. Not much to add here except that I agree 100 percent with Cousins thoughts on this excellent film. If any of you readers are interested, here is a list of my favorite Alex Cox films (read here). Also, check out the season 5 episode of Moviedrome that featured then host Cox introducing his great 1987 film Walker, that I recapped here.

Here is a youtube video link to the Kino Lorber 2018 re-release trailer

Here is a youtube video link to Alex Cox’s own intro to the film

British film critic Mark Kermode interviewed Alex Cox twice back in 2016 – watch the youtube video links here and here

While we are it, Kermode also interviewed Mark Cousins that same year – watch the youtube video link here

Also, here is a youtube video link to Kermode’s commentary on Highway Patrolman as his BFI Player choice of the week