December 2020
#119 Wonder Woman 1984, Soul, The One I LoveWe begin with Oscar’s marathon about toxicity in films with the ringing of the New Year. The One I Love is a film about a toxic relationship meeting a strange set of supernatural circumstances. WW84 proves that while it would’ve made more money last year in theaters, it maybe doesn’t deserve it so much. Soul, the latest from Pixar, proves they can do no wrong with these wild quests of finding out the true nature of humanity and the reason we do what we do.
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#118 Mank, Sound of Metal, The Motorcycle DiariesMerry almost Christmas! That means that the picks this week will not be reflecting the season and instead will be reviewing three intimate stories of several shapes and sizes. We bookend the show with reviews based on actual history with historical figures. Mank takes us to old Hollywood and the screenwriter that’ll write the epic Citizen Kane. The Motorcycle Diaries, as part of Ralf’s marathon, shows the life of Che Guevara before becoming the great revolutionary. Lastly, the intimate story of Sound of Metal creates the sense of desperation and trauma when the world becomes utterly quiet.
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#117 Uncle Frank, Fireball: Visitors From Darker Worlds, Green Street HooligansThis is the beginning of Luke’s marathon; Revisiting Tastes, where he goes back to simpler times and revisits five movies that he felt strongly about, positively and negatively, and sees where they stand today. That first title is Green Street Hooligans. Fireball is Werner Herzog’s latest doc about the fascination and changes surrounding our planet and culture. Uncle Frank has Alan Ball writing and directing a purely drama film. Set in the 70’s, it has good character work and dramatic chops.
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November 2020
#116 Rebecca, She Dies Tomorrow, I'm Thinking of Ending ThingsIt’s time for introspection. Oscar’s picks this week serve up an unhealthy dose of depression and self-reflection. The least of which is a remake of 1940’s Rebecca, which takes the story of a dead woman’s memories to the farthest point. She Dies Tomorrow challenges its viewers to watch people in disarray with the thought that they’re about to die. I’m Thinking of Ending Things is just a clusterfuck of emotions relating to either a woman looking to break up with her boyfriend or a man on the cusp of death.
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#115 Borat: Subsequent MovieFilm, On the Rocks, Bad HairWe are being all-inclusive this week with the streaming service providers. Out from Prime Video is the sequel to the culture shock hit, Borat, and we discuss the merits of making this sequel this year and if the comedic impact can bear the weight of the world. On the Rocks, the latest by Sofia Coppola, is brought by Apple TV+ where we get to enjoy a charming Bill Murray helping his daughter to solve a personal crisis mystery. Bad Hair, from Hulu, is the Halloween-friendly film about a slice of black life set in the 80’s, a killer weave and an MTV-type of studio.
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October 2020
#114 The Trial of the Chicago 7, Black Box, The DepartedThis weeks’ show has taken us down memory lane, a courtroom political drama and the nonexistent line between cops and criminals. Aaron Sorkin’s latest piece of writing hasn’t missed a step as characterizations, history and memorable one-liners soar through the air. Black Box reminds one of us of Black Mirror, and while it provides a sustainable plot, it fails to land home. We’re ending our Jack Nicholson marathon with The Departed, which always provides good fun and some crazy ideas about heroes and villains.
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#113 Antebellum, Mulan, A Few Good MenHalloween is fast approaching and with the year being what it is, we thought it was best to continue trekking though the year with new movies that are streaming-friendly, and not horror theme… except one. Antebellum is not exactly a horror movie, but it does contain plenty of horrifying aspects and possibilities for this jaded modern world. Milan as a remake has a lot to live up to and for only one of us, was worth watching. A Few Good Men shows us the Sorkin beginnings as we enjoy the villainy and imposing figure of Jack Nicholson.
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September 2020
#112 #Alive, The Social Dilemma, Batman (1989)Ralf’s choices this week has brought us to Netflix this week. Beginning with a solid zombie-apocalypse entry in #Alive, we talk about the detailed differences and the use of technology that modern zombie flicks do not emphasize. The Social Dilemma brings a grand discussion about the state of tech companies and their crafty ways to use us people as products they’re selling for ad companies. Last but not least, we watch the ver beloved Batman, from Tim Burton. The real question becomes; can Luke, Oscar and Ralf separate a nostalgia favorite from a critical eye.
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#111 Bill & Ted Face the Music, Get Duked!, The Shining (1980)We’ve got a couple of comedies for you this week. Coming straight from Prime Video, shilled by Luke, we talk about four delinquents being hunted in the wilderness in Get Duked! We also time travel once again with Bill &Ted Face the Music and wonder if the movie has too much plot or not. Lastly, the ongoing Jack Nicholson marathon has brought us to The Shining, and we only wish we had more time to devote to the Stanley Kubrick horror masterpiece.
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August 2020
#110 First Cow, Shirley, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's NestSince Oscar picked the movies this week, be sure to expect out of the ordinary and not very mainstream films. We begin with First Cow, by an indie darling director, tackling capitalism and American history through the eyes of two men. Shirley, a pseudo thriller and biopic, tries to tackle a hurricane of a figure with its titular character, only to see all fail. Lastly, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is the classic mental ward film about a not-very-good man being driven down by the structures of civilized society with comedy and dramatic flairs.
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#109 King of Staten Island, Irresistible, ChinatownWe’re dipping into films only or mainly available on VOD to rent or to buy. We discuss the latest by Judd Apatow, King of Staten Island, which is a story about a man in arrested development and emotional issues finally learns something about moving on. Irresistible is the Jon Stewart creation that bits American campaign and election processes as well as the hypocrisies within the two party system through the lens of a small town mayoral race. Lastly, as part of our Jack Nicholson marathon, we discuss Chinatown, the noir LA masterpiece by Roman Polanski.
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#108 7500, Radioactive, Five Easy PiecesThis week, we discuss Prime original flicks. Beginning with 7500, a film about terrorism via hijacking of a commercial German flight through the perspective of the copilot. Unfortunately, it works mildly as a thriller and has little if anything to say about the heavy topic of its premise. Next is Radioactive; a biopic of Marie Curie as she discovers the elements that would eventually kill her. Five Easy Pieces marks the first of our latest marathon that focuses on the works of Jack Nicholson as we chronologically hit up seven films.
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July 2020
#107 The Old Guard, 365 Days, Wasp NetworkWe’re covering parts of the globe with a diverse selection of actors, genres, languages and directors. First, we discuss the graphic novel adaptation of The Old Guard; an action flick about a group of immortals trying to survive humanity as they try to save it. Next, we discuss the Polish runaway sensation and 5 Shades of Grey-in -nature, 365 Days, which proves that further attempts at this kind of movie should be extinguished. Lastly, we talk Cuban history on US soil through the perspective of loyal soldiers infiltrating traitors out to overthrow Castro.
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#106 Da 5 Bloods, Nobody Knows I'm Here, VertigoThis week, we have three awesome and personal stories to review. The first is the humanly-flawed Vietnam War centered Spike Lee joint, Da 5 Bloods, which releases during an important and tumultuous time. Nobody Knows I’m Here is a small Chilean film about a traumatized solitary person facing his past. The third is the classic Vertigo by Hitchcock where we see yet again, the clever and nuanced storytelling led by James Stewart and Kim Novak.
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June 2020
#105 Seberg, The Vast of Night, Lawrence of ArabiaA bio pic of a dark time in FBI’s history and part of the constant dark things of the US government. Sober tells the story of civil rights via an actress and her experiences being monitored against her will and the law. The Vast of Night is one of the few great movies that deal with aliens. It is a story told almost in real time about two people discovering a single on the radio waves that leads down supernatural paths. Last, but not least, we take a stab at the great Lawrence of Arabia; ac classic very much revered. We discuss the sand, politics and acting. Check it out.
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#104 Monster Party, Noroi: The Curse, MIt’s an all-horror film fest. This week, we focus on a certain horror streaming service; Shudder. Exclusive on there are Monster Party and Noroi: The Curse. The former is a rather disappointing indie flick with a promising premise. The latter is a mockumentary with a rocky start but compelling suspense and freaky story. As part of our ongoing marathon, we delve into the classic M, from 1931. We liked how the movie holds up nearly 90 years later in the realm of serial killer films.
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May 2020
#103 Bad Education, Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind, City LightsThe focus this week will be on HBO’s film series. We’ll hit two new or recent releases, first talking about corruption within the public school system in the period drama Bad Education. Then, talking about the late, great actress Natalie Wood in a documentary that follows her life and career. We conclude with the latest entry in our Sight & Sound marathon with Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights from 1931 and marvel at the physical and unique comedy stylings.
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#102 Blow the Man Down, The Report, Apocalypse NowThis week, we’ll be reviewing titles exclusive to Prime Video. We will be plunged into a close-knit and violent seaside town. We’ll linger in rundown corridors and behind closed doors to find the truth and crimes of the CIA. And, we’ll let our sanity drain completely in Vietnamese jungles. Overall, a mixed bag of likes and dislikes for these movies with the highlight of the great war epic. Stay tuned for next time, when we face off with a different streaming service; HBO.
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April 2020
#101 Pulp Fiction, Chasing Amy, There Will Be BloodWe’ve reached triple digits! For a special one of a kind episode, we deiced to pick three films that are personally awesome. Luke went with the Kevin Smith classic Chasing Amy and we discuss its merits for such a 90’s movie. Oscar picked the quotable There Will Be Blood in order to further the dark version conversation about America and what it means to be American since the 1900’s. Ralf went with the coolest pick, Pulp Fiction and yes, we try to add something new to say about this beloved crime-comedy as with the others. Happy quarantine.
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#100 Bloodshot, One Cut of the Dead, The Night of the HunterHappy ongoing quarantine! This week, we feature some new movies that are available for streaming. The first is Bloodshot, the latest efforts to show Vin Diesel to be an action hero but ultimately fails in memorability. One Cut of the Dead, out of Japan, is a clever horror comedy about a one-shot zombie film that shows its true colors once its over. The Night of the Hunter is the 1955 classic that tackles some extreme and psychotic notions of religion within the turmoil of a great depression. Hope you enjoy and stay safe out there.
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March 2020
#99 The Hunt, Contagion, CasablancaWe truck on over at AMP with regularly scheduled shows. We begin with one of the ‘rentable’ non-theatrical theatrical releases with the satirical The Hunt. It bites and it pokes lots of fun at two distinct American groups while delighting in violence. We go back to 2011 with Contagion; an amazing film that relates so closely to the world landscape of today with Corona. Contagion is our take and acknowledgement of COVID-19. Going even farther back in history, we discuss the amazing storytelling of Casablanca as part of our current marathon of the best films of all time.
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#98 The Invisible Man, Horse Girl, The Third ManWe?re back in full force with a regular show! We first bring you a remake from the great classic, The Invisible Man. This time, with a twist, the story revolves around the victim trying to suss out the tech-powered maniac and heightens the horror with great build up. Horse Girl is one of the latest Netflix flicks, delivering some good mystery with a great performance by Allison Brie but felt mixed with the plot and seeming meanderings. We begin our big marathon that correlates with the Sight & Sound best films of all time with The Third Man. A great mystery told simply and without fat or qualms as to where the story goes.
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February 2020
#97 The Best Films of the Decade 2010-2019Our first decade list! Luke joins Ralf and Oscar to simply discuss their 10 best films of the 10’s. The method to each countdown was painstakingly whittled down from dozens and dozens. Which year reigned supreme? Which films doubled or tripled between the lists, if any? A discussion of the decade in general as well as honorable mentions bookend the show. Sit back and enjoy.
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#96 The 92nd Academy AwardsWe cap 2019 once and for all by talking about the biggest movie awards ceremony. We rejoice as the foreign film Parasite takes several gold statues and we find that a host-less ceremony is the way to go these days. Our elusive third host Luke returns to us from Palm Springs to give his view on the big night. Stay with us throughout the month for our Best Films of the Decade.
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January 2020
#95 The Best Discoveries In 2019Discoveries is a Top 10 show where we take in anything and everything that, for the most part, didn’t come out for release in the current year. It is our way to highlight things and media that left an impression that came out in the distant or somewhat recent past. Anything from movies, TV, books, authors, music, life achievements, etc. Hope you enjoy as we did making this Top 10.
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#94 The Best TV Shows of 2019If you think movies in 2019 were great, then TV was amazing. We bring on special annual guest Matt to discuss our best TV shows with some surprising overlap. Netflix and HBO are the reigning kings when it comes to content but we don’t miss out on the creativity coming from Japanese animation. 2019 also marked the ending of several TV goliath and critical darlings.
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#93 The Best Films of 2019Welcome to the end of a decade in movies. As the inevitable best-films-of-the-decade show comes next month, we talk about 2019 and all its glory. The year was an amazing year for movies of all shapes and colors and sizes. Many trends are seen in several titles as well as certain actors standing out above the crowd of really great performances. Blockbuster movies took a hit, especially in the summer, but the high-water mark that is Marvel’s 20-year odyssey worked out great. Tell us your best films and discuss out lists.
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