Critique-Opolis

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Quick viewing for anyone who is sick of paying for content!  We checked out three short films available on YouTube for free!

Cautionary Tales - Aaron attends a support group for people with afflictions of urban legends popularized by children and finds out there is someone for everyone.

Room 8 - A prison inmate meets his new bunkmate and his curiosity gets the better of him as it relates to things that don't belong to him.

Exit Strategy - A man stuck in a time loop seeks out his firefighter brother to help him prevent a fire that will have rippling consequences for all. 

This might be a new lane for Louisa and I.  Lots of content out there and tons of teachable moments.  Check them out.  Most shorts are produced by fledgling, independent filmmakers who just want their projects seen.  Enjoy! 

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In a somewhat rare occurrence, Louisa takes charge of this episode discussing some of her opinions on some of the current 2025 Oscar nominations. As Jay and Louisa are recording their latest Podcast episode the 2025 Academy Awards are underway in Hollywood, California. Louisa asks the question, what exactly does it mean to be a Best Picture?? How can "you" pick just one movie to win Best Picture each year?? Louisa also discusses her love for the Oscar nominated Shorts categories: animated, live action and documentaries. 

Jay is feeling a bit under the weather and we are both tired as it is later than usual for a recording on a Sunday evening ... No recipe or movie critique this time around, but we will definitely work on getting something together for the next episode. 

Thank you for listening and we hope that you enjoyed this latest episode of Critiqueopolis.

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Today, Jay and Louisa discuss several different topics, ranging from studio related discussions to the very passionate subjects of what is happening within the James Bond Franchise and Jay's favorite Heat 2 ... Sequel, acting/casting speculations. 

We discuss a few in development projects as well. Thank you, J.K. Simmons and Plan B. 

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Anthony Hopkins drives this one forward, literally, in a biographical story of New Zealander Burt Munro and his modified 1920s Indian Scout Motorcycle. Directed by Roger Donaldson, Hopkins takes us on a journey from Burt's native New Zealand all the way to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Armed with a burning desire to set a land speed record, Munro's chipper personality allows him to etch is way into the hearts of everyone he comes across, thereby, bringing more believers to the cause. It's a lighthearted, albeit mildly harrowing journey that tells the tale of an older person who sets out to accomplish one's dream, proving that age is nothing but a number. 

Sorry for the gap since our last podcast. The podcast recorder is fixed, but unfortunately, I didn't get to a honey based recipe this week, guess you are going to have to continue to tune in for more culinary insights. 

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This afternoon, Jay and Louisa discuss the latest Dailies email with a focus from Louisa on WICKED! Namely, the heavy marketing that came before the release of WICKED as well as the continued merchandise filled marketing for the promotion of Part 1. Louisa tries to give a good detailed review, but really she just thinks that you should go see it and be totally amazed. 

We discuss some other "items" too. The pre-Thanksgiving Box Office results ... WICKED taking the top spot. Gladiator II holding some space and a few other films, some that Jay and Louisa have never even heard of. 

There was also some reporting reimagining European TV, something that I didn't quite understand. TV in America and TV in Europe seems to be different. 

Too bad for George Clooney and Brad Pitt it looks like there will be no Wolfs 2 from Apple or at least not for now. 

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In today's episode we discuss the 1984 film Romancing the Stone. Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito star in this action packed, adventure filled movie, romance novelist, Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) travels to Colombia to help rescue her sister, Elaine (Mary Ellen Trainor) who has been kidnapped. Joan soon finds herself in the middle of several "bad guys" all hunting for the same lost treasure that only Joan has the map for. The map has been mailed to Joan in the States and she has to get it Elaine in Colombia or else she might be killed. 

This movie is full of non-stop adventure, some laughs and some romance too. The locations are beautiful and the Alligators are menacing.

For all of you meat lovers out there: Jay also discusses his latest honey based recipe, Honey Garlic Glazed Corned Beef. Louisa says "Yuck!"

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Two unlikely neighbors bond over their everyday routine. They invent an outdoor sports game that they enjoy playing together after work to let off everyday stress and just to hang out in general. One day, Michael and Andy go to Michael's doctor's visit together and get some sad news. Michael decides to go through with assisted suicide, but to get the medication, Michael and Andy will have to drive to a town/pharmacy 6 hours away. We watch Michael and Andy go on their trip, purchase the medicine and come back home. 

Louisa: I enjoyed this movie, although it was a bit slow moving. But the subject matter what presented well and I liked the raw, emotional feel of the film. 

I might recommend watching it in two parts. 

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Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) vs Matthew Mcconaughey.  We squeezed in two flics for fun.  I know we said we were going to cover 'Paris, Texas' but we are having trouble tracking down a digital download that doesn't require a subscription.

For this go around we cover the excess portrayed in Entourage while Vince, Ari, and the boys navigate Hollywood in Vince's opus effort to direct and star in his own picture while Billy Bob Thornton and his pain in the a$$ son, Haley Jole Osment, try to derail it.  As usual, Ari has to kick heads in and save the day.

Next, Mcconaughey, and his team of rag-tag U.S. Navy sailors take on a death defying mission to intercept a crippled Nazi U-boat in the throws of WWII to capture an Enigma coding machine and hopefully, turn the tide of the war.  This leads Louisa and I to chat about the loss of other U.S. submarines, particularly the U.S.S. Thresher and the U.S.S. Scorpion.

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Robert Redford and Brad Pitt are paired as a pro C.I.A. station chief and his protege as their career timeline is dissected while one races against the clock to rescue the other from foreign captivity.  This was a fast paced espionage adventure by Tony Scott.  Considering the careers of all the players involved, you can bet this one does not disappoint.

I gave my honey recipe listeners a bonus this episode.  This go around you're getting 2 recipes!

P.S. I messed up Cher's height on the last podcast - I make amends here.

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Jake (Robert DeNiro) is a bounty hunter working to get John (Charles Grodin) an accountant for the Las Vegas mob, back to L.A. to stand trial and testify against Jimmy Serrano (Dennis Farina). Very much a buddy comedy in the vein of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.  Quite a throwback on this one.  If you grew up watching movies in the 80's, this one will hit you with a fair does of nostalgia.  If you are younger, you will be stunned to see how things operated back before laptops and cell phones.

Plus, Jay regails tails of Applefest 2024 including 'The Booth Defiler'. No recipe this week.  You'll understand why.