The Irishman is Martin Scorsese's first gangster movie in thirteen years. It's his first feature-length film with Robert De Niro in 24 years and his first with Harvey Keitel in 31 years. It's Joe Pesci's first onscreen performance since 2010 and just his third since 1998. It's the first time any combination of Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, and/or Harvey Keitel has ever worked together, and it's the first time Scorsese has ever directed Pacino.
The Irishman is also Scorsese's first film for Netflix. As such, a number of theater chains in our area are boycotting the picture. But some aren't -- and it'll be streaming right to a Netflix machine near you as of November 27, just in time for the long holiday weekend.
And: The French post-impressionist Paul Gauguin died more than 116 years ago. Is it time to cancel him?
Some other stuff that happened this week, give or take:
- Watchmen Writer Alan Moore's Take on Modern Superhero Movies Is Much Harsher Than Scorsese's
In a 2016 interview, he called superheroes "very much white supremacist dreams of the master race." - Jeopardy! Is Uniting James Holzhauer, Ken Jennings, and Brad Rutter for the Ultimate Battle Royale
- Why the 1980s Anne of Green Gables Is Such a Hard Act to Follow
Eight writers on how Anne shaped a generation of young women. - Inventor breaks world record zooming at 85 mph in his jet-powered suit
He is Iron Man. Richard Browning breaks his own Guinness World Record in the 3D-printed suit. - President Trump Must Immediately Pardon Gen. Francis X. Hummel
- In Praise of the Greatest Trombone Part in Broadway History
And the trombonist who made it his own. - Why Everyone Should Sleep Alone
On the virtues of splitting up for the night - Trump's Justice Department Wants to Change the Movie Industry
The administration is preparing to get rid of old antitrust rules that keep major film studios in check. This could be bad news for smaller theater chains and audiences alike. - The Spectacular, Strange Rise of Music Holograms
Dead musicians are taking the stage again in digital form. Is this the kind of encore we really want?
GUESTS:
- Tom Breen - Film critic and reporter for the New Haven Independent and host of WNHH radio's Deep Focus
- James Hanley - Co-founder of Cinestudio at Trinity College
- Irene Papoulis - Teaches writing at Trinity College
Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.
