Filmlosophers

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams examine the previously classified records of the so-called “horse soldiers” who fought alongside local militias against the Taliban during the months following September 11th, 2001, with this week’s review of 12 Strong (2018). Directed by Nicolai Fuglsig, the film stars Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Peña, Navid Negahban, William Fichtner, Rob Riggle and many others.

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva, Chad Riley and Spencer Williams wax philosophical about the freedom of the press with this week’s review of The Post (2017). Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film stars Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Bob Odenkirk, Matthew Rhys, Sarah Paulson, Alison Brie and others. The film chronicles the historic decision by The Washington Post’s first female publisher, Katharine Graham, to proceed with coverage of the classified Pentagon Papers during the Nixon administration. The choice landed Graham and the paper in the Supreme Court alongside The New York Times, and the film provides a compelling portrayal of the difficulties Graham faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry.

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome Spencer Williams as the official third co-host with a review of one of the year’s best reviewed films, Get Out (2017). Directed by Jordan Peele, the film stars Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener, LilRel Howery in a compelling examination of race-based anxieties and tensions that works as both a taut psychological thriller and an eye-opening allegory for some of society’s most persistent and pervasive issues.

The Filmlosophers recap the year that was with a full review of 2017 films - what worked, what didn’t, who stood out and which studios dropped the ball. Alongside returning guest Spencer Williams, we give our picks for best and worst performances, biggest surprise and disappointment, and more categories. Listen in and see if you agree!

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, are joined again by Spencer Williams as they step over the threshold and into the realm of B-movies, diving deep into a double feature of The Room (2003) and The Disaster Artist (2017). The Room was directed, written, produced and starred by the mysterious Tommy Wiseau, as well as Greg Sestero, Juliette Danielle, and many others. The Disaster Artist, directed and starred by James Franco, is based on Greg Sestero’s best-selling tell-all about the making of Tommy's cult-classic disasterpiece, The Room, and what all transpired behind the scenes.

The Filmlosophers are short by one as Chad is away, but fear not! Eddie Villanueva brings in Star Wars enthusiast Michael Strange to discuss the recently released and domestically successful Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) n. The film brings back our favorite cast, including Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Anthony Daniels, as well as our new favorites like Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver and others. Episode VIII has created a rift in the galaxy, splitting their fans and causing many to ask the question: what is the direction of the remainder of the franchise?

The Filmlosophers revisit the fateful days of World War II with this week’s review of Joe Wright’s film Darkest Hour (2017). Featuring Gary Oldman in an Oscar-buzzing lead role as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the film recounts a series of events in 1940 as the Nazis bring continental Europe to its knees and threaten total annihilation.

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, submerge themselves in the compelling depths of Guillermo del Toro’s latest take on modern mythology, The Shape of Water (2017). Starring Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Octavia Spencer, Richard Jenkins, and master creature performer Doug Jones, the film features compelling meditations on the nature of identity, communication, empathy and the struggle for power in the face of the unknown.

The Filmlosophers shine with their knowledge as they discuss the impact that Marvel has had in cinema for the past decade! Chad and Eddie talk about what films like Iron Man and Guardians of the Galaxy have done for theaters, and how the the MCU has reshaped more than just how we view movies, but culture as a whole!

The Filmlosophers, Eddie Villanueva and Chad Riley, welcome Eddie’s wife, Doris, to the show for the first time as they dance their way through the Mexican Land of the Dead with this week’s slightly spoilerish review of Pixar Animation Studios’ latest Disney collaboration, Coco (2017). The lively film is Pixar’s 19th feature length project and stars the voices of Benjamin Bratt, Gael García Bernal, Alanna Ubach, and first timer Anthony Gonzalez, along with some incredible cameos from well-known Latin actors such as Edward James Olmos, Gabriel Iglesias, Cheech Marin and others.