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
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.
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
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
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 these questions and more.
Theme: Holiday Movies
How 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.
Theme: Romantic Comedies
Guest: Alicia Dara - https://www.aliciadara.com
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 together to tell a story arc based on internet lore. Join us as we talk about these subjects and more on this episode of Movies Will Save The World.
Theme: New Indie Films
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 The World.
Theme: Epic Movies
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
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 - as many genres do. But can a simple heist film be elevated past its formulaic parts and transcend to something greater? We talk about this idea and more as we discuss the 2018 film Widows.
Theme: Great Heist Movies
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 to make. Join us as we discuss "300" on this week's episode of Movies Will Save The World.
Theme: Style over Substance
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 Christopher Nolan, Memento. It's a fascinating portrayal of a character who cannot make new memories in the wake of a trauma he experienced. In addition, Nolan uses a unique non-linear technique to tell this story as the entire movie happens in reverse. A bold move for a new director still making his name. Join us as we look at this movie, this story, and the technique employed and whether or not all of these elements work together.
Theme: Great Non-linear Movies
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 Excellence
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
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 by Good Director
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 Lot.
Theme: Anti-hero
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 wonderful film.
Theme: Black Comedies
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
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
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 Ridley Scott.
Theme: Pure Tension
