Synopsis
Three film critics - Kristofer Jenson of C-Ville Weekly, Evan Crean of The Independent, and David Riedel of the Salt Lake City Weekly - review movies, including current releases, notable stuff that fell through the cracks, and whatever else pops up. We take lots of tangents, gang. Opening music: "My Life as a God" by Augean Stables. Closing music: "Pants Party" by Oilhead.
Episodes
-
Episode #435: "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" and "Something in the Dirt"
11/11/2022 Duration: 01h09minThis week we start by reviewing Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead's sci-fi, horror, buddy comedy mashup SOMETHING IN THE DIRT (3:46), which is about two friends (Benson and Moorhead) making a documentary about paranormal phenomenon in their apartment building. We wanted to like it so much more than we actually did, and we're pretty much on the same page about our issues with it. Next, we discuss Ryan Coogler's BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER (25:15), the highly-anticipated sequel to 2018's BLACK PANTHER, which mourns and celebrates the late Chadwick Boseman, while attempting to advance with the franchise. We have some disagreement about how well it does that, but we have a spirited and spoiler-filled discussion. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Jonathan Lynn's 1992 legal comedy MY COUSIN VINNY, starring Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei! Join Our Patreon Buy Spoilerpiece Merch
-
Episode #434: "The Wonder" and "Run Sweetheart Run"
04/11/2022 Duration: 54minThis week we start by reviewing the surprising feminist horror film RUN SWEETHEART RUN (2:43), which involves much more than just a woman running for her life from a business dinner turned date that becomes violent. Then we cover Sebastián Lelio's eerie period thriller THE WONDER (25:27), which takes place in 1862, and stars Florence Pugh as an English nurse investigating an Irish girl who has supposedly survived for months without eating. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we honor the late Angela Lansbury by discussing John Frankenheimer's 1962 political thriller THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE! Join Our Patreon Buy Spoilerpiece Merch
-
Episode #433: "Decision to Leave" and "V/H/S/99"
28/10/2022 Duration: 01h03minThis week we have two movies for you. First, we review V/H/S/99 (1:56), the latest annoyingly mixed bag in the V/H/S horror anthology franchise. Somehow it's Shudder's most streamed movie of all-time?! Next, we delve into Park Chan-wook's intriguing, yet lengthy film noir-inspired romance and slow-burn thriller DECISION TO LEAVE (32:26). And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the winner of our zombie movie poll, Bruce McDonald's 2008 movie PONTYPOOL! Join Our Patreon Buy Spoilerpiece Merch
-
Episode #432: "Halloween Ends" and "My Policeman"
21/10/2022 Duration: 01h06sWe have two movies on the docket this week. First, we review Michael Grandage's disappointing queer drama MY POLICEMAN (3:26), a story told in flashback about a policeman (Harry Styles) who falls for an art curator (David Dawson) in the 1950s, but marries a woman (Emma Corrin) to conceal his sexuality. Next, we discuss HALLOWEEN ENDS (25:39) the frustrating final film in David Gordon Green's HALLOWEEN trilogy. Since none of us had seen the second film in the series, HALLOWEEN KILLS, we lead with a review it before delving into the final chapter. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Mike Flanagan's 2013 horror film OCULUS! Join Our Patreon Buy Spoilerpiece Merch
-
Episode #431: "Stars at Noon" and "Do Revenge"
14/10/2022 Duration: 50minDave is under the weather this week, so Evan and Megan fly duo to review the movies. First up is Jennifer Kaytin Robinson's candy coated homage to 90s teen films, DO REVENGE (2:18), which is about two high schoolers (Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke) who team up to get revenge on the classmates who wronged them. Then we discuss Claire Denis's low octane thriller STARS AT NOON (20:33), which is about an American and Brit (Margaret Qualley and Joe Alwyn) in Nicaragua who fall for each other and must immediately flee from the authorities. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about a Patron's choice: Warren Beatty's 1990 comic book film DICK TRACY! Join Our Patreon Buy Spoilerpiece Merch
-
Episode #430: "God's Creatures" and "Hellraiser" (2022)
07/10/2022 Duration: 01h03minHi Spoilerpeeps! Evan is off this week, so Megan and Dave cover the heavy Irish drama God's Creatures (with a superb Emily Watson) and the Hellraiser reboot as a duo. Guess which one of them was on board with both films and guess which one of them wasn't? In fact, there may be enough vitriol surrounding one of this week's movies to fuel the next two episodes. (Hee-ya!) And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the 2013 Daniel Radcliffe/Zoe Kazan rom-com What If! Join Our Patreon Buy Spoilerpiece Merch
-
Episode #429: "Sissy" and "Vesper"
30/09/2022 Duration: 59minWe kick off the show this week by discussing Kristina Buozyte and Bruno Samper's VESPER (2:27), a slow, dense dystopian sci-fi film about a 13-year-old girl trying to survive in world where the Earth's ecosystem has collapsed. Next, we cover SISSY (27:47), Kane Senes and Hannah Barlow's problematic horror movie about a twentysomething who finds herself face-to-face with a childhood bully during a bachelorette weekend. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the winner of our true crime poll: David Fincher's 2007 film ZODIAC! Join Our Patreon Buy Spoilerpiece Merch
-
Episode #428: "Blonde" and "The Justice of Bunny King"
23/09/2022 Duration: 01h05minThis week we have two movies on the docket. We start with Gaysorn Thavat's THE JUSTICE OF BUNNY KING (3:53) a complex, emotionally challenging drama about a homeless mother (Essie Davis) struggling against New Zealand's social services system to win back custody of her children. Then we review Andrew Dominik's BLONDE (25:59) a disgusting, exploitative, and misogynist, fictionalized look at the life of Marilyn Monroe (Ana de Armas). We have A LOT to say about this infuriating film that wallows in trauma and insults Monroe's legacy—none of it is good. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Ron Clements and John Musker's 1989 Disney animated classic THE LITTLE MERMAID! Join Our Patreon Buy Spoilerpiece Merch
-
Episode #427: "God's Country," "See How They Run," and "Pearl"
16/09/2022 Duration: 56minDave starts the show by reviewing Ti West's PEARL (2:09), a prequel to his horror film X. It also stars Mia Goth, but is surprisingly different, in a good way. Next, we all discuss Tom George's 1950s whodunnit SEE HOW THEY RUN (11:01), a disappointing meta send-up to Agatha Christie that at least has fun performances by its leads Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan. Then we cover the Julian Higgins slow-burn thriller GOD'S COUNTRY (23:28), a layered, emotionally complex film about a professor (Thandiwe Newton) caught in an escalating battle with hunters who trespass on her property. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Steven Spielberg's 1977 sci-fi film CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND! Join Our Patreon Buy Spoilerpiece Merch
-
Episode #426: "Speak No Evil," "Don't Worry Darling," and "Saloum"
09/09/2022 Duration: 01h11minMegan kicks things off this week by going deep into spoiler territory for Olivia Wilde's much-discussed psychological thriller DON'T WORRY DARLING (2:33), which features Florence Pugh's superb performance and striking visuals, but falters in other areas. Next, we all discuss Jean Luc Herbulot's Senegalese horror film SALOUM (15:50), a genre mashup with great acting that's most effective when it leans into its Western elements. Then we cover Christian Tafdrup's Danish horror movie SPEAK NO EVIL (35:40), a disturbing tale about a Danish family and a Dutch family that we have varied reactions to. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Alfred Hitchcock's 1941 psychological thriller SUSPICION, starring Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine! Join our Patreon Buy Spoilerpiece Merch
-
Episode #425: "Burial" and "Who Invited Them"
02/09/2022 Duration: 50minWe start this week by reviewing Duncan Birmingham's WHO INVITED THEM (3:32), an unsettling horror movie about a couple (Ryan Hansen and Melissa Tang) whose housewarming party takes an alarming turn after they realize some unexpected guests have crashed it. Then we review Ben Parker's BURIAL (23:45), a surprisingly tense World War II thriller about a group of Russian soldiers tasked with transporting Hitler's remains to Stalin. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we review a Patron's choice, Jean-Pierre Jeunet's 2004 French romance/mystery/war drama A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT, starring Audrey Tautou! Join Our Patreon Buy Spoilerpiece Merch
-
Episode #424: "Orphan: First Kill," "Spin Me Round," and "Three Thousand Years of Longing"
26/08/2022 Duration: 58minMegan kicks things off with a quick review of George Miller's disappointing fantasy THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING (3:23), where a lonely scholar (Tilda Swinton) encounters a Djinn (Idris Elba) who offers to grant her three wishes. Next, we discuss Jeff Baena's zany comedy SPIN ME ROUND (11:43), starring Alison Brie as the manager of an Olive Garden-like restaurant on a company trip to Italy. Then we cover William Brent Bell's ORPHAN: FIRST KILL (30:15), a satisfying, fun prequel to the 2009 horror film ORPHAN, starring Isabelle Fuhrman reprising her role, that truly justifies its existence. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the winner of our summer-camp horror movie poll: YOU MIGHT BE THE KILLER! Join Our Patreon Buy Spoilerpiece Merch
-
Episode #423: "Glorious" and "The Legend of Molly Johnson"
19/08/2022 Duration: 54minWe kick off this week's show by reviewing Leah Purcell's THE LEGEND OF MOLLY JOHNSON (2:09), a grim feminist Western about a bushwoman (Purcell) in Australia struggling to raise a family in the face of harsh elements and harsh people. We respect what it's going for but have a couple major criticisms of it. Next, we cover Rebekah McKendry's GLORIOUS (26:57), a horror film about a man (Ryan Kwanten) trapped in a rest stop bathroom with a mysterious figure in the stall next to him (J.K. Simmons). We like elements of the movie although we have major critiques of this one too. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we discuss John Carpenter's 1982 sci-fi horror film THE THING!
-
Episode #422: "Fall," "Emergency Declaration," and "Luck"
12/08/2022 Duration: 01h03minDave is back from vacation, and he's excited to talk about movies! We start with LUCK (2:17), a poorly thought out Skydance animated film about a young woman (Eva Noblezada) with bad luck trying to turn things around for herself and her young friend with the help of a black cat (Simon Pegg). Next we dig into Jae-rim Han's ambitious Korean disaster movie EMERGENCY DECLARATION (20:40), which is long, yet features a great ensemble, compelling themes, and tense action scenes. We wrap up with Scott Mann's anxiety-inducing thriller FALL (38:23), about two friends trapped at the top of a 2,000-foot radio tower. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the 1989 neo noir GLEAMING THE CUBE, starring Christian Slater as a high school skateboarder investigating his adopted brother's murder.
-
Episode #421: "Prey" and "Resurrection"
05/08/2022 Duration: 01h02minWe take on two movies this week. The first is the Andrew Semans psychological thriller RESURRECTION (3:16), a tense and visually arresting movie featuring a powerhouse performance by Rebecca Hall, and an ambiguous ending that leaves us divided. The second movie we review is Dan Trachtenberg's PREY (25:08), an artful, authentic, and action-packed origin story in the PREDATOR franchise about a Comanche warrior (Amber Midthunder) who takes on a Predator in 1719. And in our Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Nicholas Meyer's 70s sci-film TIME AFTER TIME starring Malcolm McDowell, David Warner, and Mary Steenburgen.
-
Episode #420: "Not Okay" and "Medusa"
29/07/2022 Duration: 01h02minThis week we have two movies on the docket that we have some VERY strong opinions about. First, we cover Anita Rocha da Silveira's MEDUSA (1:57), a compelling neon-soaked feminist allegory about a militant young religious woman who experiences a world-shattering crisis of faith. It's hard to describe succinctly, but the extended summary on IMDb does a good job. Next, we review Quinn Shephard's NOT OKAY (25:56), a satire about a self-involved young woman (Zoey Deutch) who gains followers and fame by posing as the survivor of a terrorist attack, but experiences a spectacular fall from grace when her secret is discovered. Spoiler: It's a film that deeply divided us. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the winner of our 1984 movie poll: Wolfgang Peterson's fantasy epic THE NEVERENDING STORY.
-
Episode #419: "Anything's Possible," "Nope," and "She Will"
22/07/2022 Duration: 51minThis week, we kick things off with Jordan Peele's latest film NOPE (2:12), delving right into spoiler territory on this intriguing, masterfully-crafted sci-fi horror movie, starring Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Steven Yeun. Next, we tackle Charlotte Colbert's gorgeous horror film SHE WILL (16:35), which follows an actor (Alice Krige) who gains supernatural powers while recovering from cancer surgery in the Scottish countryside. We wrap up with Billy Porter's directorial debut, ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE (28:12), a joyous and moving rom-com about a trans teen (Eva Reign) navigating her senior year of high school. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about the 1997 Robert Zemeckis sci-fi film CONTACT, starring Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey in honor of its 25th anniversary!
-
Episode 418: "Good Madam" and "Don't Make Me Go"
15/07/2022 Duration: 52minDave is taking a few weeks off (and we'll miss him), so we're taking on this week's movies as a duo. First, we review Jenna Cato Bass's GOOD MADAM (2:13), a South African horror film on Shudder that we find pretty confusing. But we do think it has some interesting commentary on race and class underneath. Then we cover Hannah Marks's DON'T MAKE ME GO (25:00) an uneven Amazon drama mired by strange narrative choices. However, it features yet another amazing performance by John Cho. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Nathan Greno and Byron Howard's 2010 Disney animated film TANGLED, starring Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi!
-
Episode #417: "The Princess," "Thor: Love and Thunder," "The Summoned," and "On the 3rd Day"
08/07/2022 Duration: 56minWe have a full slate to discuss this week! Dave starts by offering a brief review of Taika Waititi's THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER (2:40), the latest so-so entry in the MCU. Next, everyone discusses Daniel de la Vega's convoluted and frustratingly dubbed horror movie ON THE 3RD DAY (7:51). After that we cover Mark Meir's clumsy horror film THE SUMMONED (20:17), which involves therapy and contracts with the devil. We wrap up with Le-Van Kiet's delightful Hulu action film THE PRINCESS (35:15), which we all had a blast watching. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio we talk about Michael Anderson's 1976 sci-fi cult classic LOGAN'S RUN!
-
Episode #416: "Rubikon," "Spiderhead," and "The Forgiven"
01/07/2022 Duration: 01h04minBefore the show this week we offer a PSA about Roe v. Wade being overturned. Then we delve into our first movie THE FORGIVEN (2:36), John Michael McDonagh's drama about a couple (Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain) who deal with the fallout of hitting and killing a young man with their car in Morocco. Next, we tackle Joseph Kosinski's SPIDERHEAD (21:11), a frustrating movie where the only good things we can say about it is that it has a great soundtrack and supporting performance by Chris Hemsworth. After that, we review Magdalena Lauritsch's RUBIKON (39:42), a disappointingly derivative sci-fi film about three astronauts caught in a moral dilemma after a climate disaster strikes Earth. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Michael Crichton's 1973 sci-fi film WESTWORLD! Abortion Resources: podvoices.help