Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)! We have one of our most heated debates about this movie. Ryan and Jason have not argued like this since the days of Tony Stark.
We spend a little bit of time talking about the technical aspects of this film, but we spend a very long time arguing back and forth if this is a good movie, or a remake and awful movie. Who do you agree with? Is this an example of a great film and an excellent sequel? Or is it a classic example of a sequel not doing anything new?
Jason (and special guest Martin) are under the impression that there is nothing deep or philosophical like the first one. But Ryan says that there are enough changes made and interesting depths explored that it IS a worthy successor for the first.
We look at this movie with a Media Ecology/Techno theory, Narrative Theory, whether there is enough character change and growth, and what the movie says (or doesn't say) about happiness.
Share us your thoughts about Avatar 2, because we'd love to hear your thoughts! desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
Up next, our 100th episode special, where we will take a fun look at Bluey, hurray!
And then we will step into Hogwarts with taking Jason on a magical trip with Harry Potter!
This week, DOTR gives you a film that both Ryan and Jason love: Avatar (2009). In addition to exploring the sheer technological ingenuity of this film, we take a look at the various film lenses this offers us, the history and background of the film itself, the several tropes that surface and how Avatar pushes against them, and various philosophical musings. In fact, Avatar is one of Jason's favorite philosophical playground films. We spend a good chunk of this episode exploring the careful way Cameron created the culture of the Na'vi.
What did you think of Avatar (2009)? Let us know!
Nefarious (2023) Dietz wanted us to explore the big philosophical ideas in this little-known movie. The summary is:
"On the day of his scheduled execution, a convicted serial killer tells a psychiatrist that he's a demon who can possess his body. As the evaluation ends, he also tells the doctor that he will soon commit three murders of his own."
There are a lot of big ideas found in this movie. We need to use our knowledge to help and uplift others, we are actively choosing to step away from enobeling things, we need to be critical what we put into ourselves, and using a theological lens to look at some of the aspects of this film.
What are your thoughts?
Favorite possession movie?
Is the world getting worse and worse?
Share us your thoughts, reviews, and ideas at desertofthereelpod@gmail.com!
In this episode, we explore our favorite moments and quotes from Dune 2, sprinkled with a few criticism from Jason (unsurprisingly). Ryan introduces the phenomenological lens, which allows us to think about how the situation in which we receive a movie shapes the movie itself. Mark brings in and we discuss the shaping power of the Messiah concept. We also spend a lot of time discussing how and why people participate (or don't participate) in religion, the importance of an anchor in navigating life and improving ourselves, and the importance of anchoring yourself to the best possible elements of life.
Apologies for the echo on Mark's mic. We (obviously) still haven't figured out how to effectively invite guests onto the podcast that aren't in the studio.
Jason said he would never watch the new Dune movies because he loves the book so much. He's read it many times and thinks it is one of the best novels ever written. However, when it came to watching Dune or Harry Potter, he decided it was finally time to check out Denis Villeneuve's 2021 film.
We spend a long time praising the many aspects we like from the sensory details, mise-en-scène, the score, and its subtle but effective storytelling.
Jason talks about the importance of rhetoric and how it can be used as a weapon. How"truth" can be created. Jason points out that part of the reason this story works is that it still allows Paul to make choices. Ryan uses the eco-critical lens to see how DUNE uses its story to help us think about our own planet and our relationship with nature.
Welcome to our discussion of what Jason claims is the most perfect zombie movie ever made: Train to Busan (2016). In this episode, we talk about zombies and zombie movies and explore just what makes this film so effective. For the first time (at least in a while), we focus mainly on the powerfully written and acted characters, rather than the plot. Jason also explains the Constant Escalation of Horror and its cultural reflections.
Ryan noticed the central role mothers play in the film, and Jason and Ryan spend much of this episode exploring the various aspects and powers of motherhood.
Do you agree that this is the best zombie film? One of the best horror films? One of the best films?
Next week, Dune (2016), which Jason swore he would never watch because Hollywood never treats novels he loves with respect. We'll see if his prejudice holds up in the onslaught of the Harkonen.
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And remember, ghost sharks are good.
This movie might have broken Jason's brain (or at the very least his patience). He begs not to be forced to watch any movies as bad as this again.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017) is the last Pirates movie made. Do you agree that it is the worst one? Or at least, definitely in the running as the worst? We have two new young actors taking the stage and Jack doesn't feel like Jack at all.
Jason and Ryan have a list of cons and very few pros for this film. Ryan offers some rewrites that might have greatly improved the script, but it isn't the best outing for our Pirate friends.
Jason brings up Darwinian Ethics and the confounding aspect of Salazar being a "bad guy" in a world where pirates still murder and plunder. Is this a message, or conditioning from studios? Ryan also explores "Franchise Theory" and how Disney has run this franchise, which has ruined this film.
What are your thoughts?
Next week, Train to Busan (2016).
Email us at desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
And remember, ghost sharks are good.
Join us as we review and discuss Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides)! In this episode, we finally see the bitter side of Ryan, as he rips into the film. We discuss how, with minor changes to script and casting, this could have been a really good movie. Ryan introduces a new film studies lens called Star Theory, and Jason offers a new philosophical concept regarding free will and happiness.
This film isn't better than an other film, but it does lead to some fun discussion. Let us know what you think at: desertofthereelpod@gmail.com.
Buried (2010) stars Ryan Reynolds, buried in a box! We are making a shift from big blockbuster movies to one of the smallest and confined movies. Jason says this is one of only TWO good Ryan Reynolds performances. We are both fans of this chamber piece film!
We talk about how it is a commentary on war in the Middle East, a criticism of bureaucracy, how we need to serve everyone around us, even more critical criticism of bureaucracy, and how social media makes us all feel like we are trapped in a box.
Jason also proposes a new film genre, "horrifying." A way to describe films that are not quite horror, but fill you with dread the whole time.
Email us your thoughts, reviews, recommendations, and anything else at desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
Join us as we review and discuss Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)! In this episode, most excitingly, Jason admits he was wrong in his prejudice against all sequels, and gushes like a little kid about the emotional power of this film. Ryan introduces a new lens for looking at film, the cognitive lens. Both Ryan and Jason share personal experiences about making it through very difficult times.
Is this film better than The Curse of the Black Pearl? Let us know what you think at: desertofthereelpod@gmail.com.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) is directed by Gore Verbinski and is the sequel to Disney's surprise megahit from a few years earlier. Jason believes it is the same story as the first; Will and Elizabeth are separated from one another to achieve their goals, and Jack is along to add a mix of unpredictability. Is Jason right?
There are a lot of pros to praise this movie for, from the visual effects to the musical score. But are there significant cons that creep into this sequel?
Do you think that the huge visuals and set pieces make it worthy of looking past some of its flaws?
We also look at the brief history of the real India East Trading Company, explore how this movie is teaching us to find our power wherever we may be, and we look at using the lens of conceptism (or conceptismo) to apply to this movie.
It would help us out a lot if you rated us 5 stars and left a like wherever you listen!
Love you!
Think critically!
Send us your thoughts and reviews at desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
Welcome to season 5 of The Desert of the Reel! This season we're looking at the five films in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, starting with The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), a film which both Ryan and Jason agree is a 5-star movie.
In this episode, we explore what makes this film what Ryan calls a "perfect with a capital P" film. Additionally, Jason introduces and explores two new philosophical ideas (the cultural dimension of rules and the concept of Discourse) and walks us through how Black Pearl is an excellent crash course on understanding all the ins and outs of these concepts. Ryan takes us through the making of the film and helps us explore the role of personal names and titles in the film, as well as the concept of leverage.
What are your thoughts on The Black Pearl? Is one of the best movies of all time or just mid?
desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
Predestination is a 2014 science fiction thriller. "A temporal agent (Ethan Hawke) embarks on a final time-traveling assignment to prevent an elusive criminal from launching an attack that kills thousands of people." We will very quickly go into spoiler territory, and we highly recommend seeing this movie first. This movie feels like it has gone somewhat under the radar in the past decade, but Jason loves it and thinks it is worth your time.
We talk about various time travel paradoxes and how we, as critical thinkers, must be aware of paradoxes happening around us. Sometimes they present themselves as social paradoxes, but we should always better understand the world we live in. We dabble with the trolley problem. Do people need something to strive for in life? Is it easier to hate than to love?
There are a lot of big ideas in this movie, and this movie can easily hurt your brain if you try to follow the time travel logic. It's a fun time!
Share us your thoughts on time travel movies at desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) is one of the few films we've reviewed for this podcast that Jason likes more than Ryan does! Our discuss centers around the differences we note in the action and the character of a much older Indiana Jones. We discuss the time travel (of course), but also the historical analytical lens, question the reality of choice, and revisit the ways in which we create the world we live in.
What are your thoughts on Dial of Destiny? Is one of the best, mid, or one of the worst?
desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) is a legacy sequel that has elicited strong opinions throughout the years. Does it deserve the hate? Is it overhated? Ryan and Jason debate over some parts that may or may not make it a worse move. But are Jason's nitpicks justified? For example, we all can agree the refrigerator part is ridiculous, but does it ruin the movie? Is this the Indy we know and love, or is this a version of the character that is made to make audiences happy?
Among other topics, we discuss how this movie is a throwback and pastiche of the 1950s, aliens (and if they're real), what intertextuality is and when it is used as a bad thing, and all about protecting the "garden of your mind."
Knowledge is power. Read a book!
What are your thoughts on Crystal Skull? Is it as bad as Jason thinks? Is it better than Temple of Doom? desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
The Others (2001) is a mysterious, spooky thriller where Nicole Kidman plays a woman left alone in a mansion after her husband goes off to fight in WWII.
This is one of Jason's personal favorite movies. He says he can't even come up with a single con. What movies do you wish you could watch for the first time? This movie works beautifully if you do not know what is coming, and we talk about whether knowing about the endings to films beforehand ruins them or not.
We talk about a lot of great topics and allow Jason to really flex his philosopher's mind with one of his favorites. We ask all sorts of questions like, Is emotionally understanding something better than logically understanding something? Do we put aside the unknown for logic? Does everyone experience something that they simply cannot explain? Do people cut off access to certain types of information because they don't believe in it, and turn off the unknown?
It's a great talk! Even a reminder that drugs are bad for you.
Let us know your thoughts, review, and recommendations at desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
Jason and Ryan revisit Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)! Both our hosts feel this is the best of the Indiana Jones films; certainly, the most quotable and funniest. This episode delves heavily into what this film teaches us about parenting. Ryan and Jason share insights from their different places in the parenting timeline. They then return to the exploration of the unseen world, which seems to be such a key element in this film series.
Send us your thoughts at desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
Jason and Ryan revisit Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)! Was this Indy film part of your childhood? Jason and Ryan both grew up without it. But we have much to discuss from the potential dark place the creators found themselves in to Willie, the female protagonist who loves to yell. We have a list of cons to go over, but there also seems to be a lot of pros. Some fans love this film and we explore why this may be.
We explore the idea of breaking out of the "Caste" system we are currently trapped in, if all myths and stories stem from truth, and a touch of analysis with the psychoanalytic lens.
Send us your thoughts at desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
Welcome to season 4 of The Desert of the Reel! This season, we'll be digging into the five Indiana Jones films, starting, of course, with Raiders of the Lost Ark. There's so much art and beauty in the filming that both Jason and Ryan agree (for once) for the most part. While Jason does dig into the logical flaws, even he has to admit that they're mostly due to the genre of the film. We look at Raiders through the post-colonial lens, examine the ethics of archeology, and look at the philosophy of death and impermenance.
We're so glad you'll be joining us as we journey with one of the most iconic fictional characters ever created!
Join as we engage with the sometimes problematic Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and let us know your thoughts about this film, or anything else at desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
David Fincher's The Game (1997) is a twisty tale where Michael Douglas finds himself in "the game." What is and what isn't part of this game? What will happen to him by the end of the game? A movie Jason believes has a lot of ideas to think about.
We go over many different ideas and topics, and sort of stray away from the plot, but delve into real-world problems. We ask if excessive wealth ruins a person, look at the film with a Marxist lens, ask what is necessary for survival, living in the moment, de-othering people, and ask "how much of our world view needs to overlap other people's world view in order for us to be considered 'sane.'"
And more! We have a really good conversation in this episode.
We feel this is an underappreciated Fincher film (maybe it could use a better name). What are your thoughts?
Share us your thoughts at desertofthereelpod@gmail.com
