So begins a new era in The Basement -- a return to our roots with all the awesomeness we learned from spending four seasons on campus radio . We promise you, you will be awesomed out by how awesome things are. Modest, we know.

By now it's no secret The Basement is a mad supporter of Kurt Russell 's new movie The Art of the Steal. We've covered Jonathan Sobol's flick extensively on this site, interviewed producer Nicholas Tabarrok, and review the flick later this week. Our thoughts land this Friday . . . Jan. 17. Word reached us today that The Art of the Steal is up for two Canadian Screen Awards : one for Sobol's original screenplay, and a Best Supporting Actor nod for Jay Baruchel . Nicely done all! Yeah, we haven't seen it yet, but it's nice to hear about a flick that is right up our alley -- and Canadian and starring Jack Burton -- get some recognition. For the record, renowned art thief and former daredevil Crunch Calhoun (Russell) teams up with a motley crew of international grifters to pull off the most elaborate double-crossing caper of a lifetime. Russell and Baruchel are joined by Matt Dillon , Terence Stamp , Katheryn Winnick and Chris Diamantopoulos . Th...

We've announced and retracted changes, breaks, and hiatuses before, and this will be the last time we do any such thing. Yes , the hiatus mentioned last week -- and on yesterday's podcast -- is already over. The Basement resumes activity as of now. Why? I am, as of today, among the unemployed. The daily newspaper I called home for almost 11 years has closed its doors. I am looking for work, but have ample time for the heavy rewrite on Eye See Death and The Basement. But times are changing. The Basement is now a project done strictly for the love of it. A shits-and-giggles venture. The online movie news site/podcast business is as lucrative as newspapers -- ie, not at all, especially if you're not already established or owned by a corporation. We're not going to get rich doing this, but we're going to have a lot of fun. No longer a first-run radio show, the podcast will be streamlined. Some reviews, an interview when we can land one, and maybe a song or ...

We told you about Kurt Russell 's latest movie, The Art of the Steal, earlier in the fall when the flick was about to get a limited release in Canadian theatres. Chance are few Basementites got the chance to see the heist/comedy, but rest easy -- the film is set for a U.S. run early next year followed by a trip through the video on demand circuit. To celebrate, Shawn and I sat down with The Art of the Steal's producer, Nicholas Tabarrok, to talk about the movie, its legendary star and his strong supporting cast -- which includes Matt Dillon , Jay Baruchel , Katheryn Winnick and the original Zod himself, Terence Stamp -- and what it takes to make it in indie film . Cool, yes? Trust me, it's all in the reflexes. To say Shawn and I are pumped would be an understatement. Nicholas is a cool guy who shares The Basement's sensibilities about what makes cinema great. The interview is highly entertaining and informative. You'll hear it on our Friday, Dec. 13,...