From Corrupt Cops to Roman Holidays: with Len & David (Ep. 18, 07/13/26)

In this episode, Len and David dive into a curated stack of film favorites, ranging from grit-soaked crime dramas to uplifting classics. We kick things off with a look at Richard Gere’s career-defining performance as a corrupt cop in Internal Affairs before shifting gears to the emotional landscapes of An Unfinished Life and the star-studded indie gem Basquiat. Whether it’s dissecting Denzel Washington’s early brilliance in Mississippi Masala or exploring the intense versatility of Edward Norton in American History X, we’re breaking down the performances and behind-the-scenes stories that make these movies stick with you long after the credits roll. The conversation takes a turn into the truly unique with a discussion on the true-story drama Roofman and the boundary-pushing Bad Lieutenant, featuring a mesmerizing Harvey Keitel. We also explore Clint Eastwood’s late-career triumph in Gran Torino and the surreal, garbage-strewn world of the 1992 cult classic The Dark Backward. To wrap things up, we take a trip to 1950s Rome with the timeless Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. It’s a deep-dive session filled with trivia, personal anecdotes, and a shared love for the artistry of the screen—grab a seat and join us for the masterclass. 0:00 - Introduction: The "Siskel & Ebert" of Movies, Music, and Movie Music 0:44 - Internal Affairs (1990): Richard Gere’s first villainous role 4:11 - An Unfinished Life (2005): Redford, J.Lo, and a very talented bear 9:24 - Basquiat (1996): The chameleon-like Jeffrey Wright as the iconic painter 11:55 - Mississippi Masala (1991): Denzel Washington’s early breakthrough 17:05 - American History X (1998): Edward Norton’s hardcore performance 21:00 - Roofman (2025): Channing Tatum and the Toys "R" Us true story 24:12 - Bad Lieutenant (1992): Harvey Keitel in an NC-17 classic 27:28 - Gran Torino (2008): Clint Eastwood’s farewell to the "Dirty Harry" type 30:13 - The Dark Backward (1991): The weird, the gross, and the bizarre 34:35 - The Dream Team (1989): Michael Keaton and an all-star comedy cast 37:46 - Roman Holiday (1953): Audrey Hepburn’s Oscar-winning debut 44:48 - Wrap-up and Outro