Frames and Fools: Film, Filmmakers, and Foolishness

Continuing spooky season, we watched ‘American Psycho’ (2000). We didn’t venture back to the wacky 80’s alone, however—we brought the @moviemavens to spiral into insanity with us! (Do check out their excellent podcast). Based on the divisive 1991 novel of the same name, ‘American Psycho’ made an international star out of Christian Bale and kicked off his completely healthy habit of maltreating his body to disappear chameleon-like into his roles. Join us as we romp through Wall Street with all the 80’s business suits, chainsaws, dinner reservations, and disturbing diaries we can handle. We have to return some video tapes.

‘Disturbia’ (2007) is many things: a loose remake of ‘Rear Window’ (1954); a mid 2000’s time capsule; a teen thriller meets slasher movie; and an unintentionally meta examination of voyeurism. Shia LaBeouf stars as a kid (named Kale—we are not kidding) who gives his teacher a black eye, earning him house arrest for three months. Around the same time a new family moves in next door and suspicious things begin happening at another neighbor’s house. Through his binoculars and various camcorders, Kale gets more entertainment than he bargained for while spying through his rear window. Part the curtains with us as we talk about remakes, homage, being a teenager, and writing screenplays like one.

Part the curtains on Episode 31.

Stuck inside. Unable to leave. ‘Rear Window’ (1954) is the movie for our times. Jimmy Stewart plays Jeff, an adventure photographer confined to his apartment by a leg injury. He turns to the ongoing saga that is the inner courtyard and the lives of his neighbors for entertainment during a New York City heat wave, when a disturbing series of events catch his eye. This riveting movie taps into the voyeuristic side of human nature and the question begged by the dark side of paranoia: what if you’re right? We take a trip to Hitchcock’s America in Episode 30.

Parched and lost, Henri and Dylan have been wandering the desert for what feels like days. Discouraged by numerous mirages, they stumble across an oasis and enough cell signal to call for help. Instead they watch the new ‘Dune’ trailer. This prompts a conversation about adaptations, expectations, and emerging media formats. Please send food and other supplies, these idiots truly have no idea what they’re doing out there.

Wander the sands with your favorite fools in this bonus episode!

This week we go behind the curtain—the ‘Torn Curtain’ (1966) to be specific! It’s a story about what happens when you neglect to mention your upcoming espionage and clandestine endeavors to your fiancée, who might choose to tag along. It’s the original mind heist, a lesser known Hitchcock film, and a particular pain for the acclaimed director. Frustrations with the script, the studio’s forced casting, subsequent pressure to finish the film quickly, and differences of approach resulted in a movie with some great scenes and many mediocre ones. It’s an interesting watch and certainly a beautiful one.

Find missile defense secrets in Episode 29!

It’s probably not the best idea to leave your duffel bag full of cash with your friend whose gambling habit is out of control, but that’s exactly what happens in ‘Win It All’ (2017). Jake Johnson stars as the lovable but ever-losing Eddie, who can’t seem to win and can’t seem to stop. Add some money that isn’t his and you’ve got the recipe for a bad situation. Eddie manages to start turning things around, though, and the future seems bright...for now. Joe Swanberg directs, bringing his typical naturalistic style and improvised comedy, turning a standard gambling plot into something heartwarming and fun to watch. The rest of the cast is just as charismatic as Johnson, so every scene buzzes. It’s entertaining all the way to the heart-pounding end.

Go all in for Episode 28.

“Aces are good, right?” asks Ryan Reynolds in ‘Mississippi Grind’ (2015), and—while we may not know much about cards—we thought this movie was worth a couple aces. A pair of aces (the talented Ben Mendelsohn as the perpetual loser, Ryan Reynolds as the good-luck wanderer) lead this ramble down the river from Iowa to Louisiana. It’s blues country, baby, and the soundtrack is delicious. Gerry (the Loser) owes money and needs it yesterday. Curtis (Charmsville) is looking for the next adventure and a ride to New Orleans by way of every gambling opportunity on the way. There are ups, there are downs; there are wins and there are gut punches. It’s part road trip movie, part card playing high stakes character study. It’s a story as much about addiction as it is about knowing when to go all in, and when to trust a complete stranger in a world that’ll get ya for everything you’ve got. These aces are good.

Two Woodfords!

Howdy, hello, and welcome, it’s I See Dead Movies where we watch flops and give em another chance. For this episode we watched ‘Mortal Engines’ (2018) in an adventurous attempt to find out why it became one of the biggest box office bombs in the history of cinema. ‘Mortal Engines’ swung for the fences and includes some fascinating set pieces and world-building elements but failed to capture the public’s attention or admiration. Why? Some familiar culprits are to blame (competition at the box office, bad timing), but there’s more that flat-tired this high-concept post-apocalyptic young-adult hyphen fest. 

Discover the secrets in this week’s I See Dead Movies!

We busted out the snakeskin pants and stealth leather jacket for this one. It’s ‘Escape From L.A.’ (1996) this week, and we’re pumped to watch Kurt Russell jump, roll, and grunt his way through yet another city that needs escaping. Another day, another president who(se daughter) needs rescuing (or assassinating). All in a day’s work for Snake Plissken. Snaaaake Plissken. We all thought he was dead, man.

Welcome to the human race in Episode 26.