This week on FoF: my new home cinema setup refuses to woof, and hope for the 5-star masterpiece "One Battle After Another". PLUE I review "The Lost Bus" and "The Smashing Machine" - both true stories. One is a claustrophobic thriller and the other stars The Rock. And yes, I do decide if he’s winning the Oscar. And MORE!

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TIMESTAMPS
(00:00) TikTok/Insta @fredasquithonfilm - THANKS FOR 10k!
(01:14) My new Dolby Atmos subwoofer isn’t allowed to woof
(02:15) One Battle After Another response / box office
(06:40) Sip of my juice merch
(07:35) Mandalorian & Grogu Trailer, why
(11:14) Avatar 2 re-release, don’t bother
(12:40) Sip of my juice merch
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THE LOST BUS REVIEW
(13:35) Synopsis / Intro
(15:36) Paul Greengrass qualities with escalating real-time chaos
(17:25) He pioneered the “shaky cam” dialogue/action style
(18:19) The intimacy of The Lost Bus suits him, but…
(18:49) …fewer practical effects
(20:03) I could sense the budget constraints and cutting around the seams
(23:30) The nature of the story itself possibly too claustrophobic
(25:10) Good performances, cliché dialogue and themes
(25:55) The “shaky cam” feels dated
(28:18) Summary and LETTERBOXD RATING. See that rating HERE.
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THE SMASHING MACHINE REVIEW – SPOILERS!
(28:40) Synopsis / Intro – SPOILERS
(29:21) Spoilers incoming!
(29:45) I’m not sure what the core driver of this movie is.
(34:45) My biggest ick with sporting movies
(35:45) Is the real life story good enough to adapt?
(38:04) There were positives, such as this allegory for addiction
(39:49) I felt like I was immersed in the era
(40:49) Some transcendent moments
(42:35) Will The Rock win the Oscar? It’s now or never
(44:13) The fighting scenes lacked punch – pun intended
(46:16) Summary and LETTERBOXD RATING. See that rating HERE. 
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(46:48) Coming up!!!