Couch Spuds

This week, the guys watched The Disaster Artist (2017).  Directed by and starring James Franco as Tommy Wiseau, The Disaster Artist tells the story of how Wiseau's film The Room was made. The screenplay for The Disaster Artist was adapted from a book of the same name written by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell. Greg Sestero is a close friend of Tommy Wiseau's and also starred in The Room. Greg is portrayed in The Disaster Artist by James Franco's brother, Dave Franco.

The Disaster Artist is equal parts biographical drama and buddy comedy and Ray, Nate, and Tracy have no shortage of laughs when discussing the film or its source material. 

This week, Tracy finished The Last of Us 2 and gives his full opinions on the game. He also chose the movie of the week, Sonic the Hedgehog. Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog is the latest video game character to hit the big screen. Ben Schwartz voices Sonic with Jim Carrey portraying Dr. Robotnik aka Eggman. James Marsden and Tika Sumpter round out the human cast as the married couple who help Sonic on his quest to retrieve his rings so he can leave Earth. A fun-filled action-adventure comedy, the guys give their approval and hopes for more video game movies like this to follow. 

0:00 - 13:10 The Last of Us 2 Review (SPOILERS!)

13:10 - 20:37 What we're playing & watching

20:37 - 44:56 Sonic the Hedgehog 

This week, Tracy kicks off the podcast giving his initial (spoiler-free) thoughts on the first 10 hours of The Last of Us 2. Afterwards, the trio discuss their movie of the week, chosen by Ray, Color out of Space.

Directed and co-written by Richard Stanley, this film is his first time directing since being fired from the set of The Island of Dr. Moreau in 1996. Starring Nicolas Cage, Joely Richardson, Madeline Arthur, Elliot Knight, and Tommy Chong, Color out of Space is a modern interpretation of H.P. Lovecraft's short story "The Colour out of Space" first published in 1927. The guys also discuss the racist ideals held by Lovecraft and how it is difficult to separate the art from the artist. 

0:00 - 15:45 Intro/Last of Us 2

15:45 - 36:45 Color out of Space/Separating art from the artist

This week's movie chosen by Nate was Capone. 

Capone, directed by Josh Trank, tells the story of Al Capone's final years of his life while dealing with the psychological side effects of late-stage syphilis. Starring Tom Hardy as the title gangster, Linda Cardellini as his wife Mae, as well as Matt Dillon and Kyle MacLachlan, this film teeters on its own madness as plot lines are left unresolved, performances are over the top, and Tom Hardy defecates himself on-screen three times too many. 

Afterwards, the guys clean their palates by discussing their all-time favorite gangster films.

WARNING: Spoilers lie within 

0:00 - Intro & What are we playing/watching?

4:18 - Capone analysis

29:00 - Favorite Gangster films 

This week, Tracy rants on his newest gaming addiction - Valorant. After Tracy pours out the salt, the trio discuss The Invisible Man. 

Directed by Leigh Whannell, The Invisible Man (2020) is a modern interpretation of H.G. Wells' classic science fiction story. Starring Elizabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, and Aldis Hodge, The Invisible Man is a tale of surviving abuse and the lengths abusers will go to maintain control. 

0:00 - Intro/What are Playing and Watching?

11:37 - Invisible Man review

This week, the trio first discuss the protests against police brutality rising up throughout the country and the world. After some cathartic venting in support of the movement, the guys discuss one of Tracy's favorite movies of 2020, The Gentlemen. 

The Gentlemen, directed by Guy Ritchie, is the latest in Ritchie's take on the action-comedy vein of British crime films. Featuring an ensemble cast of Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant, and Michelle Dockery, The Gentelmen is equal parts outrageous and entertaining. 

0:00 - Opening Monologue/Intro

7:50 - What we're Playing/Watching

16:07 - The Gentlemen Analysis

Nate, Ray, and Tracy discuss the DC Cinematic Universe's latest release: Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn. 

Starting first with 2016's Suicide Squad, the trio look at how Harley Quinn evolved from being a flat on-screen eyesore to a character with depth and relatable goals. 

In the inaugural episode of Couch Spuds, Nate, Ray, and Tracy dive into one of the more uniquely disturbing horror films of 2019. 

The Lighthouse, directed by Robert Eggers, received universal acclaim and numerous award nominations including an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography. The trio discuss the major scenes in the film, the symbolism throughout, and the ending that leaves more questions than answers.