In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ANDRÉ (2017) which is currently available on Hulu/Plex/Prime and Tubi.  Following the life of André Leon Tally, who passed in 2022, the film is a scattered recollection of the man and parts of his life as a fashion journalist, stylist, creative director, and editor-at-large of Vogue magazine.  The film is directed by Kate Novack and includes anecdotes from some of the fashion industries greats and briefly touches on ALT's humble beginnings in North Carolina.  The film is rated PG-13 and clocks in at 1 h 33 m. Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing ROAD HOUSE (1989), currently playing on AMC+, Netflix and to buy/rent on other platforms.  From a story by R. Lance Hill, a screenplay by Hilary Henkin and directed by Rowdy Herrington, the film follows Dalton (Patrick Swayze), a "cooler" who is contracted to bring order to the raucous and unruly Double Deuce, a club/bar in Jasper, Missouri that is plagued by terrible patrons and nightly violence.  This is a movie that doesn't take itself seriously and is an absolute snapshot of the 80s.  The film has a run time of 1 h and 54 m and is rated R.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (2012) which is currently available on HBO Max and Starz but also to buy/rent on other platforms.  From the novel of the same name by Matthew Quick, the film is written and directed by David O. Russell.  The story follows Pat Jr (Bradley Cooper) who is recovering from an incident and a brief stint at a psychiatric hospital.  He goes home to his parents (Jacki Weaver and Robert DeNiro) and is trying to get back to a good place and reconcile with his ex-wife Nikki (Brea Bee).  He's suddenly thrown into the path of Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence) and things are never the same.  The film is rated R and clocks in at 2 h 2 m. Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing THE INVITATION (2022), currently playing on Netflix.  Written by Blair Butler and directed by Jessica M. Thompson, the film follows Evie (Nathalie Emmanuel), a young woman who's recently lost her mother to cancer and who is grieving and feeling lost and rudderless without family.  By some coincidence, she takes a test to find out more about her ancestry and is contacted by someone who says he is her cousin (Hugh Skinner).  They meet and he convinces her to travel with him to England for a relative's wedding.  There she meets the mysterious and alluring De Ville (Thomas Doherty) who she feels a magnetic pull towards but are things as they seem or is Evie embroiled in an extremely detrimental situation?  The film has a run time of 1 h and 45 m and is rated PG-13.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing M3GAN (202) which is currently available to buy/rent and still in the theaters.  With a screenplay by Akela Cooper from a story by Akela Cooper and James Wan, the film is directed by Gerard Johnstone.  The story follows Cady (Violet McGraw) who is left orphaned after both her parents are killed in a car accident.  After her recovery, she goes to live with her Aunt Gemma (Allison Williams) who faces a huge adjustment as she is unused to having young people in her environment.  Deeply impacted by her niece's sadness, Gemma decides to perfect a project she'd been working on, Megan (Amie Donald, and voiced by Jenna Davis).  Megan is an AI life sized doll who serves as a friend and companion.  In a short time, Cady and Megan have formed a deep bond that is sweet but also has glimpses of something a little more sinister under it all.  The film is rated PG-13 and clocks in at 1 h 42 m. Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

This episode of the podcast is dedicated to one of my oldest and dearest friends - the lovely and amazing Suzy on her birthday - all the love in the world to you my buddy XOXO

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing NIGHTCRAWLER (2014), currently playing on HBO Max.  Written and directed by Dan Gilroy,  the film follows Louis Bloom (an absolutely sublime Jake Gyllenhaal), an enterprising young man who starts the story selling scrap metal but then finds his way into the life of the nightcrawlers.  From here, his drive, ambition and laser focus quickly propel him to success and total dominion in the field.  The film explores many themes, among them journalistic ethics and the question of what is going too far.  A solid script, great cinematography and fantastic performances but especially Jake Gyllenhaal's outstanding turn as the loathsome Bloom raise this to art and make this a MUST WATCH - don't miss it.  The film has a run time of 1 h and 57 m and is rated R.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing VIOLENT NIGHT (2022) which is currently available on Peacock and to buy/rent.  With a screenplay by Pat Casey and Josh Miller, the film is directed by Tommy Wirkola.  The story follows Santa (an absolutely exquisite David Harbour) as he gets ready for his big night of the year.  While making deliveries he's swept up in the perils of a wealthy family being held at gunpoint by mercenaries who are after their hidden cash stash of 300 million dollars.  What follows is absolute mayhem and extreme violence and we're convinced of a new Christmas classic.  The film is rated R and clocks in at 1 h 52 m. Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing THE MENU (2022), currently playing on HBO Max but available on Prime and Hulu with a premium subscription.  Written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy,  the film is directed by Mark Mylod and follows 12 diners to an exclusive dining experience at the Hawthorne, where Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) and his team curate an exquisite dinner experience for those with deep pockets.  Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) has been swapped in as Tyler's (Nicholas Hoult) last minute plus one, much to Chef's dismay as her appearance has disrupted the proceedings of the planned evening.  Mayhem ensues and Margot is caught in the middle of a very dangerous game.  A strong, sharp script and a remarkable performance from Fiennes make this a film watching treat - don't miss it.  The film has a run time of 1 h and  47 m and is rated R.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing TOKYO GODFATHERS (2003) which is currently available on YouTube/Tubi/PlutoTV.  The screenplay is by Keiko Nobumoto, from a story and directed by the late Satoshi Kon.  The story follows three homeless people, with complex and layered backgrounds and personas but have found common ground of sorts and formed their own family.  They come upon an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve and embark on a quest to reunite the baby and her parents.  What follows is pure magic in storytelling and should not be missed - this is definitely a MUST WATCH.  The film is rated PG-13 and clocks in at 1 h 32 m. Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.

In which the Mister joins me in reviewing I DON'T FEEL AT HOME IN THIS WORLD ANYMORE (2017), currently playing on Netflix.  Written and directed by Macon Blair, the film follows Ruth (Melanie Lynskey) who is finally taking a stand and not allowing anyone to walk all over her.  After her home is broken into and things are taken, including her grandmother's silverware, she gets no sympathy from the police.  Ruth, along with her odd neighbor, Tony (Elijah Wood) then go on an adventure that changes them both.  The film has a run time of 1 h and 33 m and is rated TV-MA.  Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.