Crazy Train: Last Stop New York

By: Erich R Pilcher

Warning: The following blog does contain language and terms that some may find offensive. This is done to present the facts regarding the individual. They do NOT express the opinions and beliefs of the writer.
What’s beef?
Beef is when you need two Gats to go to sleep
Beef is when your moms ain’t safe up in the streets
Beef is when I see you
Guaranteed to be in I-C-U, one more time
What’s beef?
Beef is when you make your enemies start your Jeep
Beef is when you roll no less than thirty deep
Beef is when I see you
Guaranteed to be in I-C-U, check it
-What’s Beef by The Notorious B.I.G

Like most people, I enjoy a good “beef” or rivalry. It can be between two sports teams, individuals, or even amongst your friends. They are entertaining and often have many plot twists and turns that you cannot help but be captivated by. That is unless the feud is so lopsided that it is no longer entertainment, but fodder.


To make it even worse, the one on the receiving end of the losses is so delusional, that they think they are ahead. That is not just sad, but dangerous.


It is no secret for nearly a year I have done my Classic Film Reviews for WMNH radio and Matt Connarton Unleashed (shameless plug time: it airs every Friday at 5 pm EST on WMNH or you can check the archives here). I was introduced to Connarton by my friend Dirk Don of Arrogant Media. I called into Matt’s show to speak about a man named Crazy Joe from New York.

Crazy Joe, media buffoon and misguided elderly man


This man was posting videos filled with racist statements. Among the ones that angered me, was claiming all Jews were evil for their part in the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The many flaws (and the fact he called himself a man of God, as a Christian myself something that disturbed me greatly) that he did not include, Jesus said forgive them Father for they know not what they do as he was being crucified, that many more Jews were sorrowful following the crucifixion and the worst is that Jesus preaches a message of love, not one where you call African-Americans “Chocolotos” and “Nigs” (his direct words).

Over the past year I have become friends with Matt Connarton, his significant other, the Honorable Jenny Coffey, Billy Painter of Outlaw Radio, and Rob of the Rob and Slim Show (recently concluded after a very successful run). I have listened as he has insulted them with homophobic and racial slurs. He has insulted Painter’s sister for dating an African-American, Coffey for her Hebrew heritage, Rob and Slim for their friendship, Connarton for only working for an FM radio station, and people on Connarton’s show (some who do have mental deficiencies, and Joe has called them “Retarded” in many of his videos, funny enough these individuals can conduct themselves well enough to be on the station, whereas Joe cannot). As despicable and reprehensible as all of this is, his latest act is what led to this blog post.

Connarton’s father, Martin, was a Navy SEAL that served in the Vietnam War. Early this year, Martin was faced with a major health issue regarding his heart. After calling into Matt’s show, Joe was told that he is quite charming and charismatic. Matt also added that if he were to stop the hate-filled speech and racist humor, he could be successful. A normal, sane person would take this as sound advice. Joe went in a different direction.


Over the next 30 hours, the crazed man did over 30 videos about Matt. The insults were plentiful. He derided Matt for his admission of suicidal thoughts on air during a recent bout of depression, accused him of censorship for hanging up on him (the next day Joe called in while making a video and said “Asshole” on air, being an FM station, Matt had to dump the call) among other insults. Then he berated Martin for his health issues and insinuated (falsely) that Martin had sexual relations with his son.


During Joe’s video tirade Matt posted a video (on his personal Facebook page mind you) upset with the deranged lunatic for insulting his father and the insinuations made. He also stated that Joe had White Supremacist views (just watch Joe’s videos, you can find them if you want. I will not disgrace this site with links), which to any sane person, would be an accurate statement.


Joe, often claims he is a man hardened by the streets of New York. What did this tough New Yorker do? He called Matt’s boss and proceeded to complain about what Matt said. Then for good measure, he attempted to call Painter’s boss as well. All the while portraying himself out to be the victim. That is about as hard and street tough as Charmin triple ply.

If the shoe fits Joe lace it up tight and wear it….


The problem is Joe does not see any problem with his views. These views are hard Alt-Right at their best and statements that would make David Duke blush at their worst. Joe says that to be called a White Supremacist you have to be a part of a White Supremacist group. Showing his technological deficiencies and blatant ignorance (just listen to his show, you will hear these deficiencies and ignorance) a mere 30-second Google search could have taught him that a White Supremacist is ANYONE that shares views that the White Race is superior above other races. These are statements he has said verbatim. Also of note, he has often proudly declared his Hispanic heritage, only a short time later to refer to Hispanics as “chico de Picos”. Add self-loathing to the psychological thesis that would be this man’s mental health evaluation.

What makes him dangerous is his obvious God Complex and massive delusions of grandeur. Joe claims he is trying to save the world from this “Leftist, Marxist, Communistic Society.” He proclaims he is the savior of real rock and roll music (often spelled as saver) and touts his views and hits. Failing to mention or display a basic understanding of website measurement, this includes time spent on the site, links clicked, and so forth.


He claims to be a bigger star than Howard Stern but yet doggie sleeping videos draw more viewers than his diatribes on a 10-1 ratio. His videos are his ignorant, narrow-minded views on repeat. All while spouting constant statements about sexual relations with farm animals (think he has some fantasies he needs to address) and obvious homo erotic fetishes he has.
The problem with the advancements in technology is that now any loon with an opinion can become a broadcaster or a blogger (I’m evidence of this). The bigger problem is that some of the individuals desecrate the foundations of broadcasting and journalism with their ineptness and ignorance. They should be ignored and dismissed so they slowly fall into the obscurity they deserve.

This is about the level of Joe’s talent and where his opinions belong

In closing, the people Joe has targeted have become his masters. These people just by their success have won. The fact that he has posted close to 70 videos the past week insulting them proves that this sexagenarian has so much hate-filled venom in his body, that he would rather spend the twilight of his life seeking fame that his limited talent cannot provide by spouting hate-filled ramblings, that if they were not so disgusting, the ignorance would be laughable.

So, What’s Beef? Certainly not this. A rivalry needs to be competitive. This is not. The success of those Joe, targets and the pathetic, delusional world he lives in, shows who the victors are. The hope is that Joe goes away. But his limitations will not allow that.

That is the saddest part of this “rivalry”

‘Pecking’ away at violent cinema

By: Erich R Pilcher

Film directors are, by nature, a different breed. For they are artists. They do not work with words, paints, or pallets. They work with their vision. Using equally talented artists to complete this vision on a digital or celluloid medium. Because of their attention to detail, they are considered eccentric, or at the very least a “touch-off”.

One director has many more descriptors attached to him. Crazed, difficult to work with, hard-headed, nihilistic, violent, raged, sexist, and many more. However, for the theme of this post, he shall be known as a forgotten genius.

“Bloody” Sam Peckinpah on the set of his classic western, “The Wild Bunch”
Photo Courtesy: MUBI.COM


This man is known as “Bloody” (known for his use of violence in his films) Sam Peckinpah. This man is known for flipping the western genre on its thematic head when his film “The Wild Bunch” was released (reviewed recently by yours truly for WMNH and Matt Connarton Unleashed) in 1969. This film was bloody and violent. Unlike all westerns before it, it embraced the notion that society had no more heroes. And, even those that were presented as heroes, were corruptible or already corrupted.

When the film concluded following an over 8-minute bloody battle between the gang of main characters and Federales (sparked when the General slits the throat of a captive member of the gang) that includes a 30-caliber Gatling gun. The film was praised by some and hated by just as many. Regardless of how people felt, its realistic violence and brutality have left an impression felt to this day. Many consider it to be one of, if not the greatest western film of all time.

Peckinpah never stood down from his moniker “bloody”. He stated that “I’m a student of violence because I’m a student of the human heart.” His films feature this taboo. This headstrong nature often led him to be at odds with major studios, crew members, and even stars such as Charlton Heston during the production of the 1965 film “Major Dundee”.

On the set, he treated the crew so badly that Heston threatened him with an army sword and charged him while reading a horse. He fired 15 crew members for trivial reasons. He also often was drunk on set. This led to the production going out of control. Depending on whom one believes this led to Peckinpah being fired (Columbia and Peckinpah himself) or abandoning the set in a drunken stupor (Heston and other cast and crew).

Despite his genius, Peckinpah was not without faults. He often used drugs (cocaine being his drug of choice) and alcohol. It was far from recreational. He used it while filming. This caused him to be difficult to manage for studios, demanding and abusive to his crew and stars. Nonetheless, in most of his films, his film prowess wrapped in violent, brilliant cynicism broke through. Over the years, film analysts and fans began to appreciate everything Peckinpah brought to the world of cinema.

Dustin Hoffman in 1971’s Straw Dogs. Peckinpah would use sex and violence to tell the psychological tale of vengeance and defense of ones home. Image Courtesy: TCM.COM


Violence is not the only taboo Peckinpah embraced, in 1971’s Straw Dogs, he added sex to the violence Filming two graphic rape scenes and then having the women’s Husband take vengeance on the men who committed it, Peckinpah took his viewers on a psychological journey through emotions of vengeance, despair and lack of belonging.

Many say violence has no place in cinema. That all it does is lead people to do evil things and contribute to more violence. There are two sides to the argument, Peckinpah once stated “Well, killing a man isn’t clean and quick and simple. It’s bloody and awful. And if enough people come to realize that shooting somebody isn’t just fun and games, maybe we’ll get somewhere.”

What if, to appreciate the value of life. We as people have to see the disturbing reality of violence. If we can see that then, we MIGHT be able to restore our view on life. I’m not talking senseless, blood and guts slasher films. I’m talking about the violence that is used in an artistic sense (if you do not know the difference, I’m shocked you were able to read this far). The violence is real, gritty, and unchained. That Peckinpah, Sergio Leone, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and more have used to paint nihilistic visions of despair that many in the world live in.

Sadly, Sam Peckinpah never was able to see the reverence he has in the world today. He died in his sleep in December 1989. Despite his difficult nature and unfair judgments on his films, he has created works of art that transcend time and generations. You may diminish his character or even his works, but in doing so you are discounting the genius behind the madness.

But maybe, “Bloody Sam” wouldn’t have it any other way.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Pilchers Point March Madness Coverage

It is that time of the year, Bracket Busters, Cinderellas, Upsets, Buzzer Beaters and so much more become a part of our everyday world. March Madness is upon us.

This is my FAVORITE time of the year and to celebrate(sleep and sanity can wait) this site will have wall-to-wall coverage of the tournament.

Starting on March 14, I will be doing a post breaking down two regions (so two on the 14 and two on the 15) in these posts I will break down each region, upsets, and other interesting tidbits I may have.
Then on the 16th, I will break down my Final Four predictions and championship pick.

Once the madness starts (on the 17), I will be live-tweeting (click here to follow me) as best as I can throughout the day. Then each Monday, I will break down the action from the previous four days and write the obituary of my certainly busted bracket.

On March 18, I will be reviewing one of the most heralded documentaries of all time, Hoop Dreams for Matt Connarton Unleashed on WMNH Radio. This film follows two men for their four-year high school career as they try to overcome poverty and tragedy to achieve their dream of making it to the NBA. Also, Friday will be a blog post looking at those that tried to achieve the same dream and it turned into a nightmare.

I hope you join me. Please read, comment and let us discuss this most maddening and joyful time of the year!

MARCH MADNESS COVERAGE SCHEDULE:

Monday March 14, 2022 East and West Bracket Breakdown and Predictions
Tuesday March 15, 2022 South and Midwest Bracket Breakdown and Predictions
Wednsday March 16, 2022 Final Four and Championship Game Breakdown and Predictions
Thursday March 17, 2022 The Tournament Begins with live tweeting. Follow me here ERPilcher319
Friday March 18, 2022 Hoop Dreams Film Review for Matt Connarton Unleahed on WMNH Radio.
Friday March 18, 2022 New Blog Post tying into th Classic Film Review, When a Dream Becomes a Nightmare
Monday March 21, 2022 Blog Post breaking down all the action of the first two rounds and Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight analysis.