Can YOU hear the music? Or rather, Can you hear the hot takes in this podcast? Tune in for an honest evaluation of the Academy Award darling, Oppenheimer. This movie has it all, dialogue about complex theoretical physics, nazis, an explosion, senate hearings... what more could you want? But for real, this is a movie that Jon and Mikey enjoy very much and went out of their way to see on one of the largest screens possible because when Chris Nolan goes big it deserves to be seen in the largest format on the market. So sit down, grab a bowl of popcorn, and prepare to ponder the potential of human annihilation by a weapon of our own design. Enjoy.
Time to switch it up for our wonderful listening audience. Since we have shifted from weekly to monthly movie reviews we decided to do mid-month episodes that are more conversational where we will discuss some of our favorite (but too niche to review) movies, least favorite movies, genres, directors, etc... Indulge in this first convo on our top 10 movies. Enjoy.
Guess who's back? It's the heroes you deserve, but not the ones you need right now (because honestly, Jesus is the only one who can fix this world but in the meantime until he returns, enjoy the show) it's the More Than a Hot Take Boys back to talk about the most recent big-screen outing of the Caped Crusader, The Batman (2022). It's a wet, gross, grimy, and crime-filled film where Edward from Twilight beats up miscreants and societal deviants until he realizes that Gotham needs more than just a vigilante. Mikey and Jon talk about the deeper complexities of Batman's psyche in this latest podcast offering. Enjoy.
*taps mic*
Is anyone still out there?
Oh good! If you're still here, we are incredibly grateful, its been a while. To make some kind of triumphant return I (Jon) have brought you some hot takes, sadly unaccompanied by Mikey. However, to make up for Mikey's absence we have a special, long-time listener, my eldest brother, Sam Andrews. We have a rip-roaring good time discussing the British spy phenomenon James Bond in the 2006 smash hit, Casino Royale. It's a fun conversation between brothers about a shared love of a classic franchise and we really enjoyed making it for you guys. Enjoy.
We are back ladies and gents (but our analytics tell us mostly gents, so each lady gets a more concentrated greeting from us) Don't thank us too much for this reappearance, like Batman we have spent the better part of our days fighting crime so a small break to sit around the mic was in order. This week we watched what is arguably Christopher Nolan's best film, The Dark Knight (cue Hans Zimmer's immortal theme). Ever since Matt Reeves "The Batman" people have gone around saying "It's the best Batman ever" and I heartily disagree. Those smooth-brain people have let recency bias goad them into forgetting that the main reason we have had 4000 superhero movies since 2008 is because Christopher Nolan delivered this cinematic marvel. I won't belabor the point, it's a stupendous movie even without nostalgia, go watch it ASAP. But before you do that... Enjoy.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the boys are back in town. or at least, we're back on the pod. It has been a hectic few months but we are back in the saddle to bring you people that sweet sweet podcast content. This week is the start of the dark and twisty superhero craze, Batman Begins. Arguably the greatest origin story movie in movies, Christopher Nolan brings the heat, and Christian Bale brings The Bat. It's well-directed and fantastically written (having more jokes than you remember, and they are actually funny) and man does Michael Caine make Alfred his role singularly. Go watch it, it's a fun bat-romp. Enjoy.
Back again to the Marvel well, but this time it's a good'n. Mikey and I watched Guardians of the Galaxy vol.1; one of Marvel's most beloved films due to its unique characters and outlandish settings. This seemingly lighthearted jaunt through the galaxy hits on many of the deepest and most impactful human themes, all while packaging them in fun and lovable outcasts. It's got the legs to get you through its surprisingly speedy 2-hour runtime and the characters have the winsomeness to carry multiple movies and make pallets of cash over almost 10 years. We both really enjoyed this movie and if you happen to be one of the few human beings on earth who hasn't seen it we think you will too. Enjoy.
He's Back!!! Mikey has returned and is back for a rip-roaring classic Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark! Jon loves it, but Mikey is okay with it. I'll pose it to the listener... Do you like action? Do you like adventure? How about a dashing adventurer and his beautiful sidekick working to stop the nazis in 1936? If you answered yes to any of these questions then Raiders is the movie for you! Check it out if you're a part of the uncultured people who haven't laid eyes on this cinematic classic. Enjoy.
Back again with Mikey, Jon is joined by yet another distinguished guest, Mr Blake Patton, to discuss the first animated feature on the Pod, Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse. We had a great conversation discussing the well crafted animation and the deeply felt themes of belonging and purpose, all while enjoy the animated comic book aesthetic and wacky sight gags. This movie is full of heart and humor while not letting the more serious moments get entirely swept over byt he comedy. It's a film that does multiverse well and doesnt seem to fall into the trappings of the other movies and shows that try to take it on. Its a good ol time, Enjoy.
Prepare yourselves to come down the rabbit hole.... The Wheel of Movies picked The Matrix. Jon has been temporarily abadoned by Mikey and is joined by distinguished guests Derek Gahman and returning guest Jospeh Bulsa. The guys talk all things allegory, imagery and the iconic clothing of the seminal postapocalytpic cautionary tale on artificial intelligence. Its a rip-roaring good time. The capable hands that created this movie were able to inject enough and action and intrigue to keep this "intro to philosophy" lecture riveting. Its a face-paced blast. Let the questions that this movie raises rattle around in your head for a while and mess with your preconcieved ideas of the world. Enjoy.
The Wheel spoke last week... and it said we must watch Mad Max: Fury Road. From George Miller, the revolutionary mind behind Babe, Babe 2: Pig in the City and the Happy Feet Duology, comes the mad cap fever dream of an apocalyptic wasteland and those who are (un)lucky enough to have to fight for survival in it. It's a high-octane thrill ride that handles the complexities of men's and women's dynamics in a story and method that most people wouldn't have expected. MMFR also swept up at the 2015 Oscars, much to many people's chagrin. It's a wild ride, it's all gas no brakes from start to finish. Enjoy.
This week we had another viewer-recommended film, Christopher Nolan's Interstellar. We are thankful to have another esteemed guest with us, Mr. Ryan Roach, the "Flower Bro" himself joins us to convince us that Interstellar is the greatest film of all time. He is aided by the film's breathtaking visuals, space as you've never imagined, and a score that will knock your socks off and melt your heart. The acting is top-notch and incredibly ambitious in scope; It's a creative muscle flexing and due to the nature of its ending.... quite divisive... we'll let the viewer decide. Enjoy.
It's the scariest time of year, that's right - tax season. To celebrate the Wheel of Movies chose the original Halloween. John Carpenter's iconic slasher film inspired dozens of horror movies and film franchises... even though in retrospect not all of its parts hold up as well as others. However, the jumpscares are effective, and the tension that the slow-walking murderman builds still does better than many knockoffs to this day. It's a horror classic but maybe wait til Spooky season to watch it for the full Halloween experience. Enjoy.
This week The Wheel of Movies selected a viewer-recommended beloved classic, Casablanca. Heralded as one of the greatest movies of all time, Casablanca is an excellent clinic in acting, cinematography, and well... everything else. If you haven't seen it before you've seen shadows of it in so many movies and tv shows, so many complicated characters like Rick Blaine, so many conflicted women like Ingrid Bergman, an atmosphere full of conflict and hope as so many use Rick's cafe as a station before heading to America with hopes of starting over as the Great War part II rages on in Europe. Joining Mikey and Jon this week is the man who recommended this classic film, our esteemed guest Joseph Bulsa. All of the hype aside, will Young Mikey, who has never seen it before watching it for this episode be convinced of its greatness? Do Joseph and I succeed? Guess you'll have to find out. Enjoy.
Mikey and Jon listened to another listener request (thanks to the new Wheel of Movies), the delightful character study, Good Will Hunting. If you enjoy Boston Southie geniuses, Pretentious ivy league professors, and romance between a high-class girl and a working-class boy, this is the movie for you. A film with witty writing performed by actors who may have peaked with their performances *cough* Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Robin Williams *cough*, Good Will Hunting is an emotionally affecting film that reminds all of the 20-somethings of the world that despite our haughty assumptions we have, thankfully, not figured this life out. Enjoy.
Its almost spring, and you know what that means... a horror movie. Mikey and Jon watched the 2017 horror remake, IT, thanks to the new Movie Wheel. IT is an actually good adaptation of a Stephen King novel about dealing with trauma, loss, and innocence while trying to survive a murderous clown in a creepy town. It's a serviceable movie with much bigger and better themes than many genuinely scary moments. The scariest moments come from interpersonal relationships and the way evil causes apathy to avoid fear. IT is a pretty good spook. Enjoy
This week we watched a feature that made Jon all teary-eyed and reminds us that hope is one of the most powerful forces in human life, Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk. A tense war film that will keep you on the edge of your seat waiting for the rescue of the troops in the face of defeat by the nazis. While lacking in large and complicated character arcs, this movie keeps you rooting for the often names soldiers by virtue of their need for salvation in the face of evil. It's a swell watch, it will make you thankful for the brave sacrifices of those who fought for your freedoms. Enjoy.
We finally did it... we started reviewing the Lord of the Rings trilogy. We started, as one should, with the beginning, The Fellowship of the Ring. What can we say that hasn't already been said? It's apparently perfect narratively and a model for movies on storytelling and a beautiful cinematic display. Every time we watch this movie we always want to go back and watch the other two right after. We love this movie, we hope you do too. Enjoy.
February keeps the romantic movie coming with this cultural touchstone of romance movies: The Notebook. This movie may be singlehandedly responsible for the worst, most unrealistic romance movies since it was released, not to mention the wildly unrealistic expectations it set for love for both men and women. But... the culmination of the summer fling romance in the dedicated and self-sacrificial romance of the older Noah and Allie warms the heart and wets the eyes. For all it's worth, this is a romance that's worth the watch... and a much better love story than Twilight. Enjoy, and dont forget your tissues.