Part 4 of The Summer of Sports - Quarterback Princess

The Rare Cuts Media Society wraps up its Summer of Sports with Mike’s Pick Quarterback Princess, the 1983 made-for-TV drama based on Tammy Maida’s real-life experience playing high school football in Oregon. The panel examines the town’s resistance to a female quarterback, the film’s surprisingly timely questions about inclusion, and the way winning games slowly changes public opinion at

They also take aim at the film’s awkward love story, its suspiciously convenient school-board meeting, its low-budget production, and its remarkable early-career cast, including Helen Hunt and Tim Robbins. And of course they figure out where would Willem Dafoe go?

Find out more at http://rarecutsmediasociety.com

Follow RCMS:

Facebook: facebook.com/rarecutsmediasociety

Instagram: @rcmsociety

Email: rarecutsmediasociety@gmail.com

Support Rare Cuts Media Society by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/rare-cuts-media-society

**

Find out more at https://rarecutsmediasociety.com

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Part 3 of The Summer of Sports - H-E-Double Hockey Sticks

On this episode, Andrew, Rob, and Mike had to watch Eric’s Pick for Hockey the 1999 Disney made-for-TV movie, "H-E-Double Hockey Sticks."

We’ll dig into everything from forgotten Disney cross-promotion, nostalgia for the era of Sunday night family movies, and the quirky, dated tropes baked into this rare hockey flick. Expect spirited debate on the movie’s use of real and fictional hockey teams, its place in the grand tradition of “sell your soul to the devil” stories, and where it lands in the pantheon of made-for-TV movies. The crew also reflects on performances by stars like Wil Friedle, Matthew Lawrence, Rhea Perlman, and Gabrielle Union, and imagines what would happen if Willem Dafoe was let loose in the world of Disney Channel.

So pop some popcorn, cue up your childhood memories, and get ready for a deep cut of 90s weirdness with H-E-Double Hockey Sticks!

Find out more at http://rarecutsmediasociety.com

Follow RCMS:

Facebook: facebook.com/rarecutsmediasociety

Instagram: @rcmsociety

Email: rarecutsmediasociety@gmail.com

Support Rare Cuts Media Society by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/rare-cuts-media-society

Find out more at https://rarecutsmediasociety.com

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Part 2 of The Summer of Sports - Endless Summer (1966)

In this episode, Rare Cuts Media Society rides the wave of our summer-long arc focused on sports movies—continue with Rob’s Pick: the iconic 1966 Surf documentary Endless Summer

Join us as we discuss what makes this film a unique entry in the world of sports documentaries—whether it’s truly informative or just a glorified highlight reel, the peculiar narration style of Bruce Brown, the unforgettable surf rock soundtrack by The Sandals, and its surprisingly significant influence on pop culture. We’ll weigh in on its successes, its shortcomings, and how its glossy sun-soaked scenes capture the vibe of a 1960s endless summer. Is it a time capsule of surf culture or simply a string of beautiful waves and dry, sometimes questionable, wit? Wax up your board and hang ten with us as we explore this hidden media gem in our summer of sports arc.

Find out more at http://rarecutsmediasociety.com

Follow RCMS:

Facebook: facebook.com/rarecutsmediasociety

Instagram: @rcmsociety

Email: rarecutsmediasociety@gmail.com

Support Rare Cuts Media Society by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/rare-cuts-media-society

Find out more at https://rarecutsmediasociety.com

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

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!

Find out more at http://rarecutsmediasociety.com

Follow RCMS:

Facebook: facebook.com/rarecutsmediasociety

Instagram: @rcmsociety

Email: rarecutsmediasociety@gmail.com

Support Rare Cuts Media Society by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/rare-cuts-media-society**

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

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.

Find out more at http://rarecutsmediasociety.com

Follow RCMS:

Facebook: facebook.com/rarecutsmediasociety

Instagram: @rcmsociety

Email: rarecutsmediasociety@gmail.com

Support Rare Cuts Media Society by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/rare-cuts-media-society

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

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.”

Find out more at http://rarecutsmediasociety.com

Follow RCMS:

Facebook: facebook.com/rarecutsmediasociety

Instagram: @rcmsociety

Email: rarecutsmediasociety@gmail.com

Support Rare Cuts Media Society by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/rare-cuts-media-society

**

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Part 2 of Concept albums - Dispepsi by Negativeland (1997)

In this episode of Rare Cuts Media Society, Andrew, Rob, Eric, and Mike dive into a fizzy topic that brings back a tidal wave of nostalgia—the Cola Wars. From childhood taste-test memories at the mall to family loyalties over Coke or Pepsi, the hosts pour out personal stories and debate the greatest beverage rivalries of the ‘80s and ‘90s. As Mike Ross leads the discussion, the crew takes a closer look at the experimental concept album Dispepsi by Negative Land, an ambitious sound collage dissecting soda marketing, consumer psychology, and pop culture’s quirks.

Throughout the conversation, they sample not just memories but actual fizzy drinks—including the latest Pepsi prebiotic cola—giving live reactions and plenty of comedic banter. The episode explores how branding and celebrity endorsements shaped their choices (and possibly our taste buds), the cleverness and weirdness of Negative Land’s album structure, and what it means to be caught up in the endless cycle of advertising. With detours into obscure sodas, SNL sketches, and Disney theme park trivia, this episode serves up a refreshing—and slightly offbeat—look at the power of marketing, the art of the concept album, and the nostalgia hidden in every can.

Settle in for sparkling stories, sharp critiques, and the ultimate taste test—both of cola and pop culture itself!

Find out more at http://rarecutsmediasociety.com

Follow RCMS:

Facebook: facebook.com/rarecutsmediasociety

Instagram: @rcmsociety

Email: rarecutsmediasociety@gmail.com

Support Rare Cuts Media Society by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/rare-cuts-media-society

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Part 1 of Concept albums - Abigail by King Diamond (1987)

In this episode, your hosts Andrew, Eric, Rob, and Mike are kicking off a brand-new theme: concept albums. And what better way to start than with Rob’s Pick the 1987 metal masterpiece "Abigail" by King Diamond?

This episode isn’t just a music review—it’s an exploration of the very idea of a concept album. The hosts discuss what sets a great concept album apart, from narrative cohesion and musical consistency, to the ways these records blur the lines between theme and story. Along the way, you’ll hear shout-outs to some of the genre’s giants, thoughts on everything from Pink Floyd and Taylor Swift, and a fair share of nostalgia and basement metal listening memories.

Then, the crew takes a close look at King Diamond himself—the striking, face-painted Danish metal icon—and unpacks the dark horror story at the heart of "Abigail." With its operatic vocals, gothic atmosphere, and face-melting guitar solos, this album pulls the listener into a haunted mansion narrative full of horsemen, possession, and betrayal.

Tune in as the hosts debate the album’s strengths and weaknesses, imagine how it might play out on the big screen (casting Willem Dafoe, naturally), and even touch on numerology, graphic novels, and why some things should never be moved out of the 18th century. Whether you’re a longtime metalhead or just curious about the wild side of concept albums, this episode is packed with spooky stories, musical insight, and the off-the-wall tangents that make Rare Cuts Media Society a cult favorite.

Find out more at http://rarecutsmediasociety.com

Follow RCMS:

Facebook: facebook.com/rarecutsmediasociety

Instagram: @rcmsociety

Email: rarecutsmediasociety@gmail.com

Support Rare Cuts Media Society by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/rare-cuts-media-society

This podcast is powered by Pinecast.