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Movies Will Save The World37. The Spanish Prisoner (1997)It's always an interesting experience to see a movie.written and directed by the same person - especially when that person is someone as unique as David Mamet. Sometimes the watering down or smoothing out can be a benefit. Other times it can dilute the vision that the writer has in mind. Today we discuss The Spanish Prisoner - written and directed by David Mamet - and discuss these items and more.
Theme: Stylized Dialog
2023-03-291h 31Movies Will Save The World36. Glass Onion (2022)Sequels can sometimes be a bit challenging. Will it live up to expectations especially if the first movie is beloved by fans. Some sequels can take a franchise in a new and interesting direction while others just try and cash in on the tropes established in the original. We've reviewed Knives Out on this podcast already and today we're looking at Glass Onion. How does it hold up to the original - a movie that we both really enjoyed. Join us to find out.
2023-03-221h 27Movies Will Save The World35. The Princess Bride (1987)How many lines can you quote from The Princess Bride? I'm guessing you could come up with 20 without thinking too hard. Have you ever met anyone who doesn't love this movie? And if so, does their broken sad and cynical soul show through in other areas of their life? I'm joking of course, but it is amazing that certain movies just seem to resonate with a broad audience and generations. Join us today as we dive in to The Princess Bride on this episode of Movies Will Save The World.
Theme: Quotable Movies
2023-03-081h 21Movies Will Save The World34. Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)The early 90s was an interesting time for movies. Lower budget independent films were on the rise, and many prominent directors experimented with new techniques in story telling and artistic license. Some of these movies have held up well while others, not so much. Today we're looking at Bram Stoker's Dracula - fairly well regarded at the time and definitely an example of a movie attempting to fulfill the director's unique vision. Does it hold up? Find out on this episode of Movies Will Save The World.
Theme: Movies I Almost Walked Out Of
2022-12-211h 36Movies Will Save The World33. Planes, Trains And Automobiles (1987)Happy Thanksgiving! Today we're revisiting what is widely regarded as one of the great Thanksgiving movies - not to mention great comedies - of our generation. That said, does this movie hold up? Movies from the past don't always age well and it can be a bit dicey when we let nostalgia color our perspective. Should this movie be in your regular holiday movie rotation, or does it fail to stand the test of time and should be left as a fond memory, but best left to fade into the background? Tune in on this episode as we tackle...
2022-11-231h 29Movies Will Save The World32. Always Be My Maybe (2019) with Alicia DaraHow does a movie in an established genre stand out from the crowd? What is that special sauce that keeps audiences returning to the movie again and again? Join us as we discuss these questions and more with our very special guest Alicia Dara. Always Be My Maybe was released in 2019 and primarily written by the two leads Ali Wong and Randall Park. While clearly a romantic comedy, does this movie have what it takes to transcend the genre and keep us coming back for more? Find out on this episode of Movies Will Save The World.
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2022-11-161h 33Movies Will Save The World31. Backrooms (2022)Can internet culture inspire a new form of filmmaking? The platforms available to content creators create the opportunity for individuals outside of the studio system to create something completely independent and free of the influence of commercially minded producers and executives. At the same time, does this format work when approaching a feature-length work? Where does the studio system get in the way and stymie creativity, and where does it help tell a story to a broad audience? Today we're looking at a non-conventional work created by Kane Parsons called Backrooms. It's a series of short films which come...
2022-11-091h 22Movies Will Save The World30. Patton (1970)Can large-scale movies from the past compete and hold their own against current technology and film-making? Is there something about older, pre-CGI movies that have a special flavor that is lost in our current films? This week we're discussing the 1970 movie Patton. Clearly an epic on the scale of Lawrence of Arabia and other similar movies, also clearly a war movie as it's set squarely in World War II. But is this more of a biopic exploring this complex and nuanced character? Tune in as we discuss all of these factors on this week's episode of Movies Will Save...
2022-11-021h 28Movies Will Save The World29. Terrified (2017)Horror movies are a bit like heavy metal. For the few movies that stand out, there is an ocean of dreck to wade through and it can often be difficult to explain to outsiders why it's worth the journey. The true horror (or metal) fans know when they've struck gold and stumbled across something truly remarkable. But for those on the outside, what differentiates great horror from mediocre horror may be difficult to discern. Today we discuss the 2017 Argentinian film Terrified - a modern horror movie that might just earn the label "classic".
Theme: Modern Horror Classics
2022-10-261h 19Movies Will Save The World28. Widows (2018)Psst. Don't tell anybody, but I've got the perfect caper we can pull off. A couple of weeks work and we'll be set for life! All we need to do is get the right bank codes, throw off the thugs who'll be chasing us, assemble a team we can trust, launder the money so we can spend it, and move to a new city - or maybe a different country - haven't figured that out yet. Anyway, you in?
The heist movie genre can be a lot of fun, but of course it does have its tropes...
2022-10-051h 33Movies Will Save The World27. 300 (2006)Does style over substance make for a worthwhile movie? If so, what does it take? Is it simply the visual aesthetic? Stylized dialogue perhaps? Or perhaps an unorthodox editing style that transcends the substance of the plot and characters themselves. And if this is possible, how unique, how immersive, how different does that style have to be if it's compensating for an otherwise lacking plot and characters? Well what better movie to put this to the test than the 2006 film "300" directed by Zach Snyder. Love him or hate him he definitely has a perspective on the movies he wants...
2022-09-281h 38Movies Will Save The World26. Memento (2000)How much do you trust your memory? How much do you depend on your memory of past events to shape your current reality, your history, who you are and what you've experienced? To a certain extent we all know memory can be fallible, but what if you knew to a certainty that you couldn't depend on this faculty which is taken so much for granted? How might your engagement with the world, with those around you, and even with yourself be changed by such an acknowledgement? What, or who, would you trust? Today we're looking at the 2000 movie by...
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Movies Will Save The World25. Whiplash (2014)What would we sacrifice in the pursuit of greatness? How far would we allow ourselves to be pushed? What would we compromise and where is our breaking point? Today's movie - Whiplash - is an incredible study in these questions. While it may be an uncomfortable watch for some (most), it's also an amazing portrayal of this very question in action. Where is your limit? And are the accomplishments worth - or even attributed to the abuse incurred? Join us as we tackle these questions on this episode of Movies Will Save The World.
Theme: Pursuit of...
2022-06-291h 46Movies Will Save The World24. Ip Man (2008)We've got kicks! We've got punches! But do we have story?! What makes a great martial arts movie? Do we need more than awesome kicks and killer punches? Ip Man is a movie that delivers on both of those promises with amazing technique and filmmaking. However, it's got quite an amazing story as well - with compelling and flawed characters, important historical events, and interesting moral questions that are lacking from so many films in this genre. Join us as we discuss the 2008 movie Ip Man.
Theme: Great Martial Arts Movies
2022-06-221h 24Movies Will Save The World23. Big Fish (2003)Tim Burton is an iconic director. His visual aesthetic and "quirky" take on the stories he chooses to tell have made for decades of interesting movies to digest. However, some people might think Burton can be a bit too quirky and the story might come second to the overall aesthetic of the film. Well today we're looking at Big Fish - arguably the least "Tim Burtony" movie of his catalog. This movie is a rollercoaster of emotions and we had a great conversation talking about that and many other aspects of this wonder film.
Theme: Best Movie...
2022-06-081h 23Movies Will Save The World22. I Care A Lot (2020)Well, we can't all pick winners. This is a confused movie that is having a bit of an identity crisis. What's the genre? What's the message? What's the point? And yet, reviews are mixed - some people like this movie and our star Rosamund Pike won a Golden Globe for this performance. It has a wonderful cast, and yet I can't help but feel that their talents could be put to better use with more compelling characters and a more compelling story. Nevertheless, we soldier on in this episode of Movies Will Save The World - I Care A...
2022-03-301h 12Movies Will Save The World21. The Breakfast Club (1985)Coming of age. We've all done it, or are in the process of doing it. But what does that mean really? How do you capture all of the angst and nuance that one feels in a single movie? And how much do we project back on our younger selves in telling such a story? Today we look at the iconic movie from John Hughes - The Breakfast Club. Possibly the most iconic movie in this genre. Does it hold up? Does it provide great wisdom that we can carry forward today? Only one way to find out. Join us...
2022-03-091h 20Movies Will Save The World20. Dr. Strangelove (1964)Everyone has a responsibility to protect their precious bodily fluids - necessary to preserve our purity of essence. And with the right diet and exercising strict control over what we consume, it's within all of our power to preserve our essence from dilution, or commies, or um... other problems. Today we look at the classic black comedy satire from Stanley Kubrick Dr. Strangelove. Possibly one of the best satires ever made and although it's almost 60 years old, still relevant today. Join us today as we mostly laugh at the wonderful performances, but hopefully squeeze some wisdom out of this...
2022-02-231h 24Movies Will Save The World19. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)What makes a great movie great? And are certain "great" movies deserving of that title? The world loves The Shawshank Redemption, but what is it about this movie that makes it so beloved by fans? Does it deserve the pedestal on which it has been placed? Join us as we crawl through 500 yards of ... movie ... to come to this answer.
Theme: Sacred Cows
2022-02-161h 20Movies Will Save The World18. Aliens (1986)How does one follow such an iconic movie as Alien? And who would willingly sign up for such a task? James Cameron apparently. Aliens is in the running for one of the greatest sequels of all time - at least in our opinion. Join us as we discuss this '80s action thriller and attempt to tease apart what makes this such a grate sequel. We'll even tackle the impossible question of which movie is better Alien, or Aliens.
Theme: Great Sequels
2022-02-021h 24Movies Will Save The World17. Alien (1979)Finally we get back to a good film! What can be said about a movie as iconic as Alien? Such a perfect blend of creativity and vision, masterful film making, and pure, unbridled tension and suspense. I think we can all learn some valuable lessons from this masterpiece such as don't put your face next to a pulsating alien egg, kill the little snake creature immediately after it bursts out of your crew mate's chest, and that most "corporate types" are probably robots sent by the company to do you in. Life lessons abound in this masterpiece from director...
2022-01-261h 25Movies Will Save The World16. The Happening (2008)How did this happen? Who allowed this movie to be made? Weren't there any grownups in the room?! Today we're discussing The Happening by "writer/director" M. Night Shyamalan. Bizarre directorial choices, baffling dialogue, an inconsequential plot - what's not to love? Please don't watch this movie, but do join us for this episode - I promise it will be more enjoyable than the film.
Theme: Truly Awful Movies
2022-01-191h 30Movies Will Save The World15. Sunshine (2007)When a movie, a good movie, takes a hard left turn in a completely different direction, how does an audience react? When the left turn seems detrimental to every other decision that the movie has made, what do we take away? Do we appreciate the craft put in to the movie up until that point? Or does the sudden change in direction detract from everything built to that point? Sunshine is a great example of this question and it's one we dive into on this week's episode of Movies Will Save The World.
Theme: Hard Left Turn
2022-01-121h 32Movies Will Save The World14. Knives Out (2019)An amazing cast with a delightfully fresh take on the classic "who done it" genre - we watched Knives Out - and you should too. Seriously, watch before listening because we spoil the hell out of it. This movie is as much an homage to the mystery formula as much as it is a great mystery in and of itself. But does it save the world? Tune in to find out.
Theme: Best Clue Movie that isn't Clue
2022-01-051h 34Movies Will Save The World13. Rogue One (2016)Anybody want to argue about Star Wars movies? Let's not get into Star Wars vs. Star Trek, we can leave that for another time. But what is the 4th best Star Wars movie? Chris suggests that it's the 2016 movie Rogue One. Do you agree? Or should we take it out back - you know, for a civilized debate using reason and logic and brass knuckles.
Theme: 4th Best Star Wars Movie
2021-12-301h 52Movies Will Save The World12. The Lighthouse (2019)This is our second installment of "movies that hurt your brain" on Movies Will Save The World. Our question as we dive into this movie is - is the pain justified? What's the deeper meaning just below the surface and are we smart enough to claw our way through to uncover a greater understanding? Or, alternatively, is the movie just gaslighting us all and laughing out our feeble fumblings looking for a deeper meaning. Your guess is as good as ours as we discuss The Lighthouse.
Theme: WTF
2021-12-221h 34Movies Will Save The World11. Your Name (2016) with Josephine CooperHave you ever woken up from a dream so real you weren't sure if you were awake or still dreaming? What if the bizarre circumstances you found yourself in weren't a dream but reality? What would it take for you to believe what was happening to you? Join us as we discuss the 2016 movie Your Name with a very special guest Jo Cooper. It's our first dive into the Anime genre on Movies Will Save The World and a very sweet movie all around.
Theme: Star Crossed Lovers
2021-12-151h 43Movies Will Save The World10. Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)Have you ever wanted to sit down and listen to two straight white guys talk about their favorite romcom? Well for the 1 of you out there, you're in luck! But first, is Safety Not Guaranteed even a romcom? Apparently there's some debate about that and while we would say yes, certain significant others' of ours would say no. But maybe the most important question is whether Safety Not Guaranteed can save the world. Find out on today's episode.
Theme: Best Romcom
2021-12-081h 33Movies Will Save The World9. Predator (1987)What more can be said about such a classic action movie as Predator? Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger at the peak of his career and coming at a time when audiences were primed for non-stop bullet-fests punctuated by quippy one-liners, what wasn't to love? And yet, Predator seems to hold up where many 80s action movies have faded. Is it because this movie stars two future governors? Is it the most epic of epic handshakes ever captured on film? Or is there a deep connection to our culture that stands the tests of time? Okay it's probably not that, but it's...
2021-12-011h 36Movies Will Save The World8. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)Do you ever cry at movies? It's well established on our show that Glen cries quite frequently at movies but it's more rare for Chris. This touching tale of an adventure through the New Zealand bush manages to tick the right boxes and unleash the waterworks for Chris (this may be an exaggeration). Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a wonderful movie masterfully blending humor and drama in a way that writer and director Taika Waititi seems uniquely accomplished at. Join us as we set out into the bush in search of the ultimate question: does Hunt for the Wilderpeople...
2021-11-251h 34Movies Will Save The World7. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)What happens when a parody hits so close to the mark that the result is almost inextricable from the source? For those not in on the joke you get confusion, rejection, or simple dismissal. But if you "get it" the result can be a wonderfully hilarious experience rich with tie-ins to a world that you know and love despite its absurdity. This Is Spinal Tap almost single-handedly launched the "Mockumentary" into the mainstream and the ripple effects continue today. With deep questions such as "how much more black can it be" and whether you should go through an airport...
2021-11-171h 36Movies Will Save The World6. Ford v Ferrari (2019)What does it take to reach perfection? Who among us are willing to sacrifice what's required to meet this goal? Where does that drive come from? And why spend that energy making a car that can go fast in a circle for 24hrs? Do you know? I don't. But maybe, we can get some answers in this episode of Moves Will Save The World. Gotta go fast!
Theme: Movies Based on Real Life
2021-11-101h 50Movies Will Save The World5. Blindspotting (2018)How many issues can you fit into a movie before it feels bloated and overburdened? Somehow, this masterpiece of a movie manages to address a wide range of topics without feeling heavy handed or weighed down. Blindspotting is a brilliantly written and performed movie which dances a delicate balance between humor and the real-world drama we are wrestling with today. Can this movie save the world? Let's find out.
Theme: Great Dialogue
2021-11-032h 13Movies Will Save The World4. The Hunt (2020)Can't we all just get along? Apparently not. What if our protracted Twitter battles were brought up close and personal and supplemented with all the high caliber fire power we needed to settle the argument once and for all? Join us as we discuss The Hunt - an over the top satire which explores this very question. Will The Hunt save the world? Let's find out!
Theme: Under the Radar - lesser seen movies that deserve a wider audience
2021-10-271h 32Movies Will Save The World3. Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)Wholesome? Inspiring? Formulaic? Yes, this movie is all of these things. But does 1993's Searching for Bobby Fischer hold up and even transcend its genre? What can we learn about a gifted child's journey to excellence? What can we learn about parenting and mentorship? How does one guide genius without corrupting their own humanity or the humanity of those they wish to guide? Join us as we fumble our way through these questions and more.
Theme: Filling the Void - movies that one or both of us have never seen
2021-10-201h 41Movies Will Save The World2. Primer (2004)Do you have a headache? Would you like one? In this episode we discuss 2004's Primer - possibly the most mind-bending time travel movie ever created. This movie is especially challenging because the entire concept of time travel is a Pandora's box of paradoxes and circular thinking. Join us as we stumble our way through this difficult but brilliant movie. This week on Movies Will Save The World, Primer.
Theme: Best Time Travel Movies
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Movies Will Save The World1. Sicario (2015)Can a movie be saved by a single scene? Does 2015's Sicario even need saving? What do President Taft and the invention of the Burrito have in common? There's only one way to find out. This week on Movies Will Save The World, Sicario.
Theme: Redemption Scene - movies saved or elevated by a single scene.
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