A Lost Plot

9 Points Rating System: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ 

9 Points Rating System Explained: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2023-09-20T06_00_00-07_00

Batman Begins Rating: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2024-09-21T22_34_57-07_00

In this episode of A Lost Plot, hosts Maverick and Nicholas O'Donnell dive deep into the review of the newly released Transformers 1. They discuss their overall impressions, character development, and the film's themes, particularly focusing on the arcs of Orion Pax and D16, who becomes Megatron. The conversation also touches on the supporting characters, Alita 1 and Bumblebee, and concludes with thoughts on the future of the Transformers franchise and the potential for sequels.

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Highlights:

0:00 ‘Transformers One’ Introduction

7:31 Opening Scene

11:12 Orion Pax

17:31 Sentinel Prime

22:31 Quintessons and the Future of Transformers

30:57 Early Revelations and Clearing Expectations

37:10 D-16's Descent to Megatron

50:47 Climactic Resolution: Megatron v. Optimus Prime

1:04:24 Alita-1 and Bumblebee

1:09:22 Lasting Impact

#transformersone #transformers #transformersonemovie #alostplot #bumblebee #sentinel #sentinelprime #orionpax #d-16 #alita-1 #alita1 #d16 #optimusprime #megatron #megatronusprime #filmthoughts #filmnerds #hasbro 

Find the 9 Points System here: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ 
Find the Memento Review here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2024-09-05T03_00_00-07_00 

In this episode, Maverick and Andrew delve into Christopher Nolan's iconic film 'Batman Begins,' exploring its themes, character development, and the impact it had on the superhero genre. They discuss the film's portrayal of justice versus revenge, the role of villains, and the significance of supporting characters like Alfred and Rachel Dawes. The conversation also touches on the legacy of the film and its influence on future superhero movies.

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Highlights:

0:00 ‘Batman Begins’ Introduction

4:19 Opening Scene

6:35 Introducing Ducart

11:17 Themes and Motives

24:57 Ras Al Ghul

29:35 Rachel Dawes and James Gordon

38:13 Lasting Legacy

#batmanbegins #batman #christophernolan #alostplot #natureversusnurture #gotham #fear #themes #batman #christianbale 

Find the review of Parasite here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2022-02-23T14_00_00-08_00 

Find the first Lord of the Rings Review here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2023-09-06T06_00_00-07_00 

Find the Collateral Review here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2024-07-03T03_00_00-07_00 

In this episode, Maverick and Avalon discuss the importance of symbolism in storytelling. 

They define symbolism as a vehicle to convey meaning and ideas to the audience in a visual or concrete way. Symbolism adds depth and layers to a story, making it more relatable and impactful. It can be used to bridge the gap between the audience and the characters, creating a stronger connection. Symbols often represent themes and messages in a story, and they can be used to twist audience expectations or harness their emotions. The repetition of symbols throughout a story is crucial for their significance and impact.

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Highlights:

0:00 ‘Symbolism’ Introduction and Fundamentals

11:00 Tactical Implementation of Symbolism

21:55 False Symbolism

#symbolism #filmsymbolism #symbols #alostplot #filmthoughts #lordoftherings #starwars #imperialmarch #inception #thedarkknight #batman #harveydent #parasitefilm #scholarsstone #filmsymbols #represent #representation #themes #greatermeaning 

Find the 9 Points Rating System Here: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ 

In this episode of A Lost Plot, Maverick and Avalon discuss the 2000 film Memento directed by Christopher Nolan. 

The film follows the story of Leonard, a man with short-term memory loss, as he tries to find the person who killed his wife. The unique aspect of the film is its reverse chronology, where scenes are shown in reverse order. 

The hosts discuss their initial impressions of the film, the use of reverse chronology, and the impact of the storytelling technique. They also analyze the main character, Leonard, and the side characters, Natalie and Teddy, and how their development and revelations shape the story. The conversation explores the character of Teddy and his motive, as well as the revelations surrounding Leonard's backstory and his development throughout the film. 

In this conversation, Avalon and Maverick discuss the themes of denial, refusal to forgive, and the importance of accepting reality in the film 'Memento'. They explore how the protagonist, Leonard, chooses to deny the truth and punish the person who tells him the truth because he fears losing his reason for living. They also discuss the idea of holding onto pain and refusing to let go, as well as the dangers of clinging to ideals and beliefs without considering the consequences. The conversation touches on the relevance of these themes in today's society, where people often refuse to accept reality and instead choose to believe what is convenient for them.

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Highlights:

0:00 ‘Memento’ Introduction

7:06 Opening Scene

15:44 Leonard's Growth

19:15 Manipulating Natalie

26:43 The Big Revelation and Unreliable Narrators

36:34 Teddy Revisited

42:13 Remember Sammy Jenkis

48:48 Themes and Messages

54:24 Heightening the Tension

1:07:07 Lasting Impact and Value of Memento

#memento #christophernolan #remembersammyjenkis #alostplot #filmnerd #filmthoughts #mementomori #leonard #teddy #crime #mystery #revenge 

#anterogradeamnesia #amnesia #tattoos #rules #natalie 

Find the 9 Points Rating System Here: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ 

John Wick Review: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2023-12-06T17_00_00-08_00 

Maverick and Avalon review the 2024 American Gothic superhero film, The Crow, discussing their initial impressions and the background of the film. 

They analyze the character development of Eric, the protagonist, and his journey from a broken individual to a vengeful force. They also discuss the concept of the land between the living and the dead and the powers bestowed upon Eric by the crows. The hosts highlight the lack of explanation and tension in certain scenes and the development of Shelly, the love interest, as the only side character with significant character development. 

They also analyze Vincent Roeg as a villain and his motivations. The conversation delves into the themes of love, revenge, and justice in the film, and the moral implications of the protagonist's actions. They discuss the lasting impact of the film and its potential to rejuvenate the franchise.

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Highlights:

0:00 'The Crow' Introduction

4:34 The Creation of "The Crow"

9:28 Summary and Rating

13:02 Opening Scene and Eric's Development

25:33 Eric Realizes Shelly's Dark Secret

32:01 Shelly and the Supporting Cast

36:09 Vincent Roeg: The Villain Addition

52:11 Questionable Messages and Themes

59:08 Conclusion and Impact of The Crow

#thecrow #thecrow2024 #billskarsgard #alostplot #filmnerd #characterdevelopment #comicadaptation #goth #gothic #gothicsuperhero #vincentroeg #characterdevelopment #crow #eternal #powers #justice #love #revenge #vigilante 

The 9 Points Rating System: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ 
Code 8 Film Review: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2024-08-15T17_07_51-07_00
Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi's Book on Negative Traits: https://a.co/d/1F6iXfQ
Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi's Book on Positive Traits: https://a.co/d/iljebe5

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In this episode, Maverick and Avalon discuss what makes a character compelling and how to create compelling initial stories. 

They use the example of a side character, Mary, from the movie Code 8 to explore ways to make her more compelling. They discuss the importance of balancing flaws and positive attributes in a character, as well as the need for a character arc and a hint of a why for their motivations. They also touch on the significance of backstory and how it can add depth to a character. Overall, they emphasize the importance of fully understanding and developing characters to create compelling stories. 

In this conversation, Avalon and Maverick discuss the importance of developing compelling characters in storytelling. They explore various techniques to make characters stand out, such as empathetic hooks, moral standpoints, and unique quirks. They also analyze the appeal of villainous protagonists and how even despicable characters can have admirable attributes. They use examples from movies, books, and comics to illustrate their points. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the missed opportunity to develop a side character in a specific movie.

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Highlights:

0:00 'Movies Worth Watching: Backstories and Compelling Characters' Introduction

1:21 Analyzing a Side Character: Mary from Code 8

7:40 Framework for Creating Compelling Backstories

15:00 Core Motives, Needs, and a Hint of Growth

23:14 Side Character Example: Astrid

25:21 Using Quirks to Create Unique Characters

30:42 Backstories for Antiheroes and Villainous Leads

37:02 Batman's Villains and Embodying An Idea

#moviesworthwatching #filmthoughts #achristmascarol #thejoker #howtotrainyourdragon #httyd #hiccup #astrid #frodobaggins #lordoftherings #characterdevelopment #backstory #background #compellingcharacters #characterarc #positiveattributes #negativeattributes #protagonist #flaws #villains #code8 #alostplot #elementsoffilm 

Find the 9 Points Rating System here: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/

Maverick and Avalon discuss and review the 2019 independent crowdfunded film “Code 8”.

Code 8 is an indie superhero film set in an alternate world where superpowered people exist. The story follows Connor, a powered person with electric abilities, who is trying to save his dying mother. He gets involved in the criminal world to make money for her medical bills, leading to a descent into darkness. The film explores themes of sacrifice, desperation, and the consequences of crossing moral boundaries. 

The main character, Connor, is driven by his love for his mother but is willing to do unethical things to save her. The film builds tension and showcases the cost of using powers, as seen through the character Nia's healing abilities. Ultimately, Connor realizes the line he has crossed and turns himself in to the police. 

The conversation covers various topics related to the movie, including the ambiguous ending, world-building inconsistencies, the character of Marcus Sutcliffe, and the role of other side characters. The characters in Code 8 are generally serviceable but lack depth and development. The main character's mother is a caring but somewhat one-dimensional character. Garrett, the drug runner, lacks a compelling reason for his actions and doesn't stand out as a central character. Nia, the healer, has a more developed backstory and motive, but her character arc is limited. 

The ending of the film is satisfying, with the main character's struggle and growth coming to a re

Maverick, and his co-hosts Avalon and Andrew review the 1985 release of Back to the Future.

The hosts discuss the introduction of the film and the character of Marty McFly. They explore the flaws and relatability of Marty, noting his hot-headedness and fear of failure. They also discuss the mirroring of Marty and his father, George McFly, in terms of their character arcs and motivations. The hosts have differing opinions on the depth and relatability of Marty as a character. They also briefly touch on the introduction of the conflict and the relationship between Marty and Doc Brown. Marty McFly's character arc revolves around his efforts to save his parents' relationship and ensure his own existence. He is under pressure to fix the past while also trying to navigate his own feelings and desires. 

Throughout the movie, Marty's perception of his parents changes, and he becomes more empathetic towards them. His transformation is compelling, although some aspects of his character may be seen as stock. Marty's flaws and internal dialogue add depth to his character, and his determination to be different from his father drives his actions. 

Back to the Future is a nostalgic and impactful film that has had a lasting legacy. It set a standard for time travel stories and continues to be relatable and enjoyable today. The film explores themes of family, identity, and the fear of failure. The plot is well-paced and keeps the audience engaged. Overall, Back to the Future is a classic film that has stood the test of time.

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Highlights:

0:00 'Back to the Future' Introduction

4:39 Initial Impressions and Ratings

6:39 The Introduction of the Film and Marty McFly

16:19 Maverick's Attacks Marty's Character Arc

23:05 Themes of Time Travel

26:00 Marty's Efforts to Save His Parents' Relationship

34:13 Andrew Defends Marty's Character Arc

59:46 Does Lorraine Have a Character Arc?

1:07:33 George McFly's Character Growth

1:13:34 Doctor Emmett Brown

1:19:23 Time, Marty, or Biff: Who's the Enemy?

1:25:19 The Lasting Impact of Back to the Future

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Show Notes:

9 Points Rating System: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ 

#backtothefuture #martymcfly #georgemcfly #heymcfly #delorean #alostplot #doc #heydoc #emmettbrown #1985 

In this episode, Andrew, Sean, and Maverick discuss the 9th installment in the Star Wars franchise. 

The hosts discuss the opening of the film and the introduction of the main character, Rey. They explore the confusion and lack of foreshadowing surrounding the return of Palpatine and the impact it has on the story. They also discuss Rey's character arc and the flaws in its execution. The hosts disagree on the existence and effectiveness of Rey's arc, with one arguing that it is weak and underdeveloped, while the other sees elements of conflict and struggle. They also touch on the contrast between the original trilogy and the sequel trilogy in terms of character arcs. The conversation in this part focuses on the character arcs of Kylo Ren and Rey, as well as the romantic relationship between them. The hosts discuss the lack of struggle and development for Rey's character throughout the trilogy, and how it undermines the tension and believability of her final confrontation with Palpatine. They also critique Kylo Ren's character arc, noting the lack of justification for his actions and the repetitive nature of his redemption. The hosts express their confusion and dissatisfaction with the romantic kiss between Rey and Kylo Ren, highlighting the lack of foreshadowing and development in their relationship. They also discuss the surprise reveal of Rey's lineage as Palpatine's granddaughter and the inconsistencies in the portrayal of Force abilities based on lineage. The conversation concludes with a discussion of the ending, including Rey's use of Force lightning, Ben Solo's sacrifice, and Rey's return to Tatooine. In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss the climax of the movie and the issues they had with it. They talk about the repetitive moments of hopelessness and comeback, the lack of stakes, and the underwhelming death of Kylo Ren. They also criticize the execution of Rey's confrontation with Palpatine and the use of two lightsabers. The hosts then move on to discuss the inconsistencies and plot holes in the movie, such as the ability to travel quickly between locations and the lack of explanation for certain events. They also express their dissatisfaction with the ending, particularly Rey's decision to call herself a Skywalker. 

Finally, they briefly touch on the treatment of side characters, including Hux and Rose, and how they felt they were poorly handled. The conversation in this part focuses on the characters of Finn, Leia, and Poe in the sequel trilogy of Star Wars. The hosts discuss how these characters w

In this episode, Maverick and Philip St. Jean discuss the first movie in the Hobbit trilogy, 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.' 

They explore the differences between the book and the movie, the main character's role, and the fable-like aspects of the film. They also touch on the rating system and the opening scene. The conversation delves into the portrayal of Bilbo and Thorin, the Riddles in the Dark scene, and the overall plot structure. The conversation discusses the themes in the film 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' and their execution. The themes of belonging, misjudgment, and the importance of home are explored, but the execution is criticized for being heavy-handed and lacking subtlety. The conversation also touches on the lack of character development for the dwarves and the questionable inclusion of side characters like Radagast. Overall, the film is seen as lacking lasting impact and not living up to the source material.

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Highlights:

0:00 "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" Introduction

4:53 Opening Scene

12:17 Debating the Main Character

20:42 Bilbo Joins the Fellowship

24:35 Riddles in the Dark

43:00 Blatant Theme-Mongering in Dialogue

47:05 Questionable Inclusion of Azog as the Main Villain

49:23 The Necromancer and the Battle of Dol Guldur

55:33 Gandalf and the Pointless Inclusion of Radagast

1:03:21 Lack of Character Development for the Dwarves

1:09:37 Messages and Meaning Going Forward

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Show Notes:

9 Points Rating System: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ 

Pans Labyrinth Review: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/maverick51411/episodes/2024-04-17T17_00_00-07_00

#thehobbit #anunexpectedjourney #bilbobaggins #gollum #alostplot #podcasting #filmthoughts #frodobaggins #frodo #bilbo #jrrtolkien #sourcematerial #bookadaptation #adaptation #thorinoakenshield #thorin #erebor #smaug #necromancer #thelonleymountain