DECEMBER 2023
#191 The Boy and the Heron, Godzilla Minus One, May DecemberWelcome to the final show of the calendar year! This time, each of the three co-host chose one of the three films up for review. We begin with animation master Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film, The Boy and the Heron. This film may be hard to navigate to explain why it’s great but the feeling and understanding of its greatness is well known. Godzilla Minus One brings on a tale of universal guilt and possible redemption by using the epic monster Godzilla as an metaphor for all-too-real human conflict. Lastly, May December is a lightly-based on a true account of a twisted family, rooted in scandal, that becomes emotional and upheaved by an actress studying the mother figure for a role. The predatory nature of the leads allows for a fascinating journey of human understanding.
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#190 Napoleon, Next Goal Wins, LeoNormally, tis the season for holiday or Christmas-filled plot contrivances but instead we make do with feel-good movies currently in theaters and streaming. On Netflix, we have Leo, the latest project by Adam Sandler about curmudgeon school pets breaking their cardinal rule of speaking to humans is semi-musical, semi-sweet and overall a fun time. Next Goal Wins takes place in Samoa and highlights the true-enough story of a failed soccer team meeting a curmudgeon coach trying to ruin everyone else’s good time. Lastly, the only super serious film and review is Napoleon; a weirdly comical and yet spectacle-chasing but inaccurate portrayal of the historical figure leads to an interesting review of an ok movie.
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NOVEMBER 2023
#189 The Marvels, The Killer, When Evil LurksWhat would happen to society if the very essence of Evil became contagious? When Evil Lurks hunts down this notion in small but important areas of the Argentinian landscape, where no one is safe. Especially children and animals. What happens when an assassin botches a hit? The Killer explores this question as a retaliation from this near-miss jumpstarts another series of retaliatory strikes. How can you bring power down an immortal hero? The Marvels answers this question with comedic timing and situations as the next chapter of this space-traveling trio of Marvels find answers and inspiration in each other.
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#188 Killers of the Flower Moon, Five Nights At Freddy's, Night of the HuntedIt takes a while to get passed the horrific vibes of Halloween. Which brings us to Night of the Hunted; a sniping horror indie film that unfortunately doesn’t get passed its concept of a one-location thriller. Five Nights At Freddy’s is one of several new horror films geared for the youth and their low-key love of the game franchise and its lore, though it rarely meets high levels. Finally, Killers of the Flower Moon further cements Scorsese’s ability as an auteur of truly heinous chapters of American history. A long and worthy review for a long and worthy film.
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OCTOBER 2023
#187 Totally Killer, Cassandro, SpaceballsTonally-speaking, we are all over the map this week. There’s a killer on the loose and only an 80’s-style time machine can help solve this whodunit by going back to the source in Totally Killer. Mexican wrestling has many heroes but none so glamorous as the biopic into the boundary-pushing Cassandro, an exotic wrestler that never lost hope. Finally, we conclude the Parodies marathon with the Gen X classic, Spaceballs. This film needs no introduction and produces its own fanfare.
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#186 The Creator, It Lives Inside, They Came TogetherWelcome to spooky season! While the films reviewed this week only have one horror flick, they all have something horrifying to demonstrate. It Lives Inside is a horror film that reckons with a different culture and demons in America. They Came Together displays and spoofs on the horrors on trope romantic comedies with a tool that’s simultaneous blunt and sharp. The Creator is a world set on fire with an AI war as the great American military might tries to stomp out the hordes of a new race.
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SEPTEMBER 2023
#185 El Conde, Huesera, This Is Spinal TapThis week, we go full Latino. We travel to Chile in a blend of fantasy horror, Machiavellian family plotting and historical figures to tell the story of an undead dictator coming to terms with finally dying, maybe? Heading up to Mexico, Huesera is a modern tale of the same old panics and horrors a mother-to-be can experience. Finally, from across the pond we have the memorable mockumentary of a rock group severely in arrested development, cranking it up to an idiotic 11.
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#184 Gran Turismo, Extraction 2, Galaxy QuestWelcome to the week of high high speed. While the three films share no genres or plot points, they all have some desire for high velocity. We start with Gran Turismo; a true-ish story of a gamer-turned-real-racer, complete with training and traveling the world with rocket-like vehicles. Extraction 2 contains high-octane action. A throwback to 80’s and 90’s adult action films, this one presents some crazy scenarios, particularly with cars, trains and helicopters. Galaxy Quest travels at light speed across the universe with a clever story to shoulder what is a Star Trek parody but way more meta.
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AUGUST 2023
#183 Talk To Me, Barbie, Beyond the Valley of the DollsThere are world beyond the one we know and this slate of three reviews show us different worlds. Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is a pseudo(?) parody that flaunts its style for sexual awakening and harsh comedowns. Barbie shows us a land of the enigmatic toy that has grander and shadier significance. Talk To Me takes us beyond the realm of the dead within the guise of teenagers mainlining spirits through them like a drug.
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#182 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Pinball: the Man Who Saved the Game, Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the HoodWelcome to the longest titled episode of all time. We kick off our latest marathon with a series of parodies; beginning with the Wayans’ humorous take on such 90’s films like Boyz N the Hood and Menace II Society. If you’ve ever wondered if the classic game pinball ever had a checkered past, then Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game is for you. Finally, we head to theaters to discuss the animated and touching film of TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, which features some funny and real teenage action.
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#181 Oppenheimer, They Cloned Tyrone, Falling DownThis week, we offer a trio of existential crises. Oppenheimer is humankind making it possible to destroy itself with a central public figure coming to terms with everything. They Cloned Tyrone isn’t exactly killing the lesser cloned version of yourself and the institution that made them, but it’s almost that. Falling Down is the 90’s manifestation of “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not gonna take it anymore!”
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JULY 2023
#180 Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One, Joy Ride, TombstoneThis week, we travel all across the world; from tired Rome, to China, and to the old American West. Despite the rocky production, the new Mission Impossible is chock full of action spectacle. Joy Ride is the raunch comedy of the season, working well within the formula and over-the-top scenarios. Tombstone celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and with it some great dialogue, an entertaining POV of hostly and a great bromance.
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#179 Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Asteroid City, A Bronx TaleWe go from traveling the world, to a small town in the desert, to ending up in a city neighborhood.Despite the harsh reviews and low bock office numbers, we feel that the fifth Indiana Jones installment was a hit. A stirring adventure with some heart. Asteroid City is probably Wes Anderson’s most confounding film; layered in story mechanics, plots and comedy setups. We celebrate the 30th anniversary of A Bronx Tale; a tale that feels as long as time, told with respect and empathy.
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JUNE 2023
#178 The Flash, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse, OldboyWe go superhero nuts this week. Nuts enough for Michael Keaton who co-stars as Batman once more in The Flash for a fun action romp involving the multiverse and time traveling. Speaking of multiverses, the new Spider-Man animated wonder returns with Across the Spider-verse. A film that gracefully and majestically captures lighting in a bottle with a great sequel. Lastly, Oldboy has turned 20 years old. This South Korean revenge tale is as epic as its reputation for the depths of human misery. It imprisons your soul like a single mistake can cost you your life.
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#177 Still, Fast X, Better Luck TomorrowThis week, we are fortunate to have another crop of good films. Beginning with a documentary called Still; about famed 80’s and 90’s actor Michael J. Fox’s struggle with Parkinson’s and his life overall. A surprisingly tender documentary with seamless editing and match cuts. Fast X, everybody’s fave soap opera action series, returns with a part one within its part ten. Nothing in caliber was raised but extremely fun nonetheless, not to mention a solid villain. Lastly, we take a look into Justin Lin’s first indie film with Better Luck Tomorrow; a story inspired by other great indie and fresh filmmakers like Kevin Smith and Tarantino. A fun, high school Goodfellas.
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MAY 2023
#176 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, How To Blow Up A Pipeline, The Good ThiefWelcome to the week of entirely fun movies. James Gunn’s final Marvel film also marks as the finale of a fun-filled and exciting trilogy of misfits in space. A wholly unique in visuals-and-style movie, Volume 3 provides a hardcore PG-13 rating and emotional payload. How does blowing up a pipeline work for our current political state? That and the procedural and motivational elements of people willing to commit such destruction is what drives How To Blow Up A Pipeline. Lastly, this year is the 20th anniversary of Neil Jordan’s The Good Thief; a savvy and gritty but good0natured heist film. Filled with charisma and a little bit of luck, this film is always golden to watch.
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#175 Beau Is Afraid, Judy Blume Forever, HerThis week, we go on three wildly different journeys. We start with Beau Is Afraid, a film that we felt lacked direction and heft to an uncompromising and well-visioned tale of anxiety and terror. Judy Blume Forever is a documentary that marks the several ways Judy Blume’s literary works has inspired a generation, especially in the face of political upheaval. 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of Her; a prescient sci-fi story of love and not the apocalypse. Tenderness and an open mind are required for the viewer and the protagonist.
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APRIL 2023
#174 The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Renfield, Upstream ColorThis week, we dip into two theatrical releases. The first is The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which proves to be a vanilla-safe children’s movie with little interests to adults. On quite the opposite spectrum, Renfield’s splatter gore-fest is geared solely for adults. Though Nicholas Cage’s Dracula is very entertaining, the film itself lacked imagination and better humor. Lastly, 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of Upstream Color. This indie film broke the limits of visual storytelling while breaking the laws of nature in this quiet thriller. This episode’s first two reviews contains no spoilers.
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#173 John Wick: Chapter 4, Tetris, The GrandmasterThis week, we begin volume 3 of our Anniversaries Marathon! Our first review will be the poetically stylized life story of Ip Man in The Grandmaster; a tale of love and skill in turbulent times. We also delve into Apple’s latest film Tetris, a sensationalized version of how Tetris became acclaimed worldwide. Lastly, we review the final (mayhaps?) chapter in the John Wick franchise and marvel at the amazing stunt work and inventive action sequences while lamenting the bizarre storytelling.
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MARCH 2023
#172 65, Luther: Fallen Sun, Boston StranglerThis week, and as Luke puts it, mid-March films feel more than a little mid. 65 has a nifty sci-fi concept shrouded in a poorly-made attempt of a man and child growing in the harsh lands of a survival tale. Luther is the latest show that’s been developed into a film and in Fallen Sun, it overall fails to rise above a standard episode, which may be too lengthy. Lastly, the latest in serial killer true-life films is Boston Strangler. While none of us can compare to the films of the same subject in the past, this latest rendition is a Zodiac-lite with too much emphasis on moody atmosphere than purpose.
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#171 Recent Discoveries, Academy AwardsWelcome back folks. During our vacation from the epic Top 10 shows, we didn’t stop watching movies. With that in mind, we bring you a hefty-sized bag of titles we’ve been watching as 2023 settles in. Additionally, we have a nice convo on the list of Oscar-nominated movies that airs Sunday. We’ll touch back on those results on the next show. Happy viewing!
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JANUARY 2023
#170 The Best Discoveries In 2022Welcome to the final top ten show of our season; marking the end of 2022 officially with a strange list. This show, we rank our favorite things we experienced over the year, but that didn’t come out as a new release in 2022. It is what we discovered. With that, the lists can be anything like movies, TV shows, books, albums, art pieces, etc. Did you have a good year? What did you experience?
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#169 The Best TV Shows of 2022Regular co-host Luke could not make it for this illustrious top 10, of he didn’t watch enough to make one. That means that with our annual co-host Matt, we can still retain the three-party show with less fat and more space to adequately share the best television had to offer. Animes and plenty of prestige and entertaining shows made the lists: how many did you see? Ho many high-risk shows made the list or were they disappointments?
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#168 The Best Films of 2022Tis the season to explore and rank the very best 2022 had to offer. As movies are finally coming back from COVID, we are heartened to say that this year was hard to make a top 10 without hard cuts. There are a few surprises from all of us. One superhero film, several feel-good titles and more than a few hard-hitting and memorable flicks. See what your favorites are and how we rank them. Each list is below the show notes. Tread with caution.
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