Part 1 of The Summer of Sports - Escape to Victory (1981)

In this episode, Rare Cuts Media Society kicks off a summer-long arc focused on sports movies—starting with Andrew’s Pick: the unlikely combination of World War II and soccer in the 1981 film Escape to Victory (known simply as Victory in the U.S.).

Join us as we unpack this unique blend of war drama, sports action, and star power, featuring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, and soccer legend Pele. We'll dive into the film's tonal shifts, the casting of Stallone, its sometimes unbelievable or unbearable plot twists, and the way real-life athletes shaped the action both on and off the field. Did this oddball sports pic “score,” or did it make us want to escape at halftime? Lace up your boots and get ready—the whistle’s about to blow on another deep-cut cinema discussion!

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Part 4 of Concept albums - Head by: The Monkees (1968)

In this episode, hosts Andrew, Rob, Mike Ross, and Eric dive into Eric’s concept album pick: “Head,” the 1968 cult film and accompanying soundtrack by The Monkees. What starts as a foray into the world of concept albums quickly spirals into a discussion on pop stardom, artistic reinvention, and surreal cinematic experiments. The crew explores The Monkees’ tangled legacy—part manufactured television sensation, part ambitious artists desperate to break free from their fabricated image—and how “Head” attempted, with mixed results, to demolish, satirize, and redefine everything people thought they knew about the band. Along the way, they wrestle with the album’s identity as a concept work, the film's psychedelic structure, celebrity cameos, and why “Head” failed commercially but ultimately became a cult classic. Settle in as we unpack one of the strangest crossroads in pop culture history and decide whether The Monkees’ most infamous creation is a misunderstood masterpiece, a fascinating mess, or somewhere in between.

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Part 3 of Concept albums - The Raven by: Lou Reed (2003)

In this episode, your hosts Andrew, Eric, Mike, and Rob dive into Lou Reed’s 2003 concept album, The Raven—an ambitious tribute to Edgar Allan Poe that’s as chaotic and enigmatic as Poe’s own life and works. Andrew picked it thinking it would be more about Poe, but Lou Reed had other ideas. Together the panel recount Poe’s tumultuous biography, their own early encounters with his stories and poems (from childhood terrors to pop culture send-ups like The Simpsons), and examine whether Lou Reed’s sprawling double album, packed with celebrity performances and theatrical flair, does justice to Poe’s literary legacy or simply muddles it.

Whether you’re a hardcore Lou Reed fan, a Poe devotee, or just someone curious about high-concept musical misfires, join us as we dissect the album’s production, cast, literary liberties—and why sometimes more isn’t always better. Then stick around for a round of rare and hilarious scoring, as we determine if The Raven is a hidden gem or a case of “nevermore.”

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