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The Critical Breakdown: A Film PodcastTop 5 Alien Invasion Movies | Alien Contact | Extra Terrestrials | UFOs | Movies About AliensThis week we're diving deeper into the alien contact & invasion genre to bring you Scott & Max's Top 5 Alien Invasion/Contact Films. Now, our rules were that we can't just list movies we've watched (Sorry, Mac & Me), and that it has to at least be partially set on Earth as a Human-Focused Story. We bend these rules when we need to, of course. What is your favorite alien contact/invasion movie? Let us know at TheCriticalBreakdownPodcast@gmail.com.
2017-11-071h 07The Critical Breakdown: A Film Podcast075: Watchmen feat. Eric RiveraThis week, we visited the 2009 film adaptation of one of Max's favorite comics — Watchmen. Watchmen was directed by Zack Snyder, written by David Hayter, Alex Tse, and based on Watchmen, a graphic novel by Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore. Watchmen stars Malin Åkerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson. This graphic novel is famous for changing how we examine superheroes culturally, and we aim to see if the film captures that. Let us know your Watchmen thoughts at TheCriticalBreakdownPodcast@gmail.com.
2017-08-291h 24The Critical Breakdown: A Film Podcast071: Pretty WomanThis week Max is joined by his wife Jodi (Scott was unavailable) to discuss Pretty Woman (1990), rated 61% on Rotten Tomatoes. Together they examine the highs and lows of the film, the lens it casts on sex work and workers, and the validity of the film in the realm of romantic comedies. Hey, while you're reading this — give us a rating & review on iTunes, Google Play, or any other podcatching service! Send us questions or feedback at TheCriticalBreakdownPodcast@gmail.com.
2017-08-011h 06The Critical Breakdown: A Film Podcast066: Dune feat. Taylor PhillipsThis week, we're joined by Taylor Phillips to discuss Dune (1984) Written and directed by David Lynch, Dune stars Francesca Annis, Brad Dourif, Kyle MacLachlan, Virginia Madsen, Patrick Stewart, Sting, Dean Stockwell, Max von Sydow, Alicia Roanne Witt, and Sean Young — as well as about a hundred other people. What are your thoughts on David Lynch's Dune? Let us know at TheCriticalBreakdownPodcast@gmail.com.
2017-06-271h 21The Critical Breakdown: A Film Podcast025: The Lucky OneMix a hunky heartthrob, a pretty-yet-down-to-earth lady, and some background noise set in a seaside town and what do you get? Well, any Nicholas Sparks movie, but this time around, we'll call it The Lucky One (2012). Which is what we watched this week! This film stars Zac Efron as a newly returned Iraq War veteran looking to find his good luck charm, played by dog kennel owning Taylor Schilling. Blythe Danner is also in this, as the quirky grandmother who wants to get her a piece of that tasty Zefron. We est...
2016-09-131h 14The Critical Breakdown: A Film PodcastJudge Dredd (1995) vs. Dredd (2012) | Sylvester Stallone, Diane Lane, Max Von Sydow | Karl Urban, Lena Headey | Max Landis | 2000 ADAfter we laughed our way through our 18% movie, Judge Dredd (1995), we realized had the unique opportunity to compare it to the 2012 reboot, simply titled Dredd. Judge Dredd stars Sylvester Stallone, Diane Lane, Rob Schneider, Armand Assante, and Max Von Sydow. Dredd stars Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey, and Domhnall Gleeson. While Judge Dredd is enjoyable in that way that only 90s action-scifi flops can be, Dredd is a genuinely well-made film. We discuss why Judge Dredd is so likable, even though it's terrible, as well as what makes the 2012 film work. We a...
2016-08-3058 minThe Critical Breakdown: A Film Podcast021: Suicide SquadScott and Max take on Suicide Squad (2016) this week, as a special (and out of order) episode. We go into some of the background of the film, what worked, and specifically what didn't work. Suicide Squad was directed by David Ayer, and stars Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jay Hernandez, Viola Davis, and Jared Leto. Disclaimer: At one point, Scott says he didn't care for the new Rogue One trailer – this was most likely a comedic statement said for laughs. If you'd like to contact us, send us email at Th...
2016-08-161h 14The Critical Breakdown: A Film Podcast016: Our TV SpecialThis week we take a break from our countdown and shift our focus to the small screen. With Game of Thrones, Silicon Valley, and many other shows recently wrapping up their seasons, Max and Scott plan their own TV programming for your to tune your DVR to this summer. Will you be watching ScootzTV or TV to the Max? Maybe you tune in to both. Listen in as programming executives Scott and Max hash out their channels. We round the episode out with some viewer mail, this time about movie songs. Ma...
2016-07-121h 11The Critical Breakdown: A Film Podcast015: The Mortal Instruments: City of BonesThe Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013) is based off a book of the same name by Cassandra Clare. At least we're told so, but we're not sure if this film even has a plot. Starring Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Lena Headey, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, this young adult modern fantasy takes our main character Clary Fray (Collins) through the Shadow World—an alternate New York City where angels and demons are fighting a never ending battle. Scott and Max struggle with the plot at times, but decide ultimately that the sourc...
2016-07-0559 minThe Critical Breakdown: A Film Podcast014: Joe Dirt (2001)This week, we're talking Joe Dirt (2001), starring David Spade, Brittany Daniel, and Christopher Walken. Joe Dirt is the story of a man trying to find his family. At least, we are told this in the film, but the movie operates as more of a series of vignettes. These tie back to Joe's idea of family, but the story hook is barely there. Admittedly, we both didn't hate the film. Hell, Scott likes this film. Joe Dirt also stars Dennis Miller, Adam Beach, Kid Rock, and Jaime Pressly. We examine which jokes...
2016-06-281h 05The Critical Breakdown: A Film Podcast004: Summer Movie Preview (feat. Kara Leonard)Wait a second, we're not reviewing a bad movie this week... how strange! Instead, we're watching a handful of trailers for the 2016 summer movies and giving you our predictions. We're joined by our friend Kara Leonard (Ayrsley Grand Cinemas) to give us insight from "the bottom rung of the Hollywood ladder." We're predicting tomatometer ratings, opening weekend, and domestic gross for Captain America: Civil War, X-Men: Apocalypse, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of the Shadows, Warcraft, Independence Day: Resurgence, Legend of Tarzan, Ghostbusters, Star Trek Beyond, Jason Bourne, Suicide Squad, Sausage Party. Ag...
2016-04-191h 33The Critical Breakdown: A Film Podcast002: The Master of DisguiseWelcome back! We’re glad you stuck around. This was a tough week for all of us at the Critical Breakdown, seeing that we had to suffer through The Master of Disguise. If you’ve seen it, you’ll know what we’re talking about. If you hate yourself and want to waste 70ish minutes of your life, give it a watch. The Master of Disguise (2002) is rated 1% on Rotten Tomatoes. It was directed by Perry Andelin Blake. Screenplay by SNL alumni Dana Carvey. Be sure to check us out at thecritica...
2016-04-0443 minThe Critical Breakdown: A Film Podcast001: Mac and MeWelcome to the first episode of The Critical Breakdown! This week, we kick things off with Mac and Me, a classic family sci-fi alien romp. Mac and Me (1988) is rated 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. It was directed by Stewart Raffill. Screenplay by Stewart Raffill and Steve Feke. Be sure to check us out at thecriticalbreakdown.com and @breakdowncast. While Scott and Max are not professional film critics themselves, they're both fans of cinema and comedy. So they decided to make a podcast. Thanks for checking it out. Were the movi...
2016-04-0453 min