Imitating Art with Don & Chuck

Don and Chuck finally get around to reviewing the movie that gave us the Garden State Soundtrack (which proved to all of us you can, in fact, win a Grammy for putting together a mixtape). Zach Braff and Natalie Portman star in the story of an actor who, after the passing of his mother, finally comes of age in his mid-twenties. It's sweet, sad, and funny, and watching it gives Chuck an excuse to examine if he still likes it after all these years. It also gives Don and Chuck a reason to discuss the desire to return home, learning to be honest with yourself and not taking standing outside in the rain for granted.

Music by Nathan Terry

Trigger warning - Violence against women

Promising Young Woman blends genres to tell the tale of a woman (Carey Mulligan) out for revenge, educating men on the dangers of taking advantage of vulnerable women. It uses genre tropes from mystery and thriller films to build tension and reveal information in a compelling way. It also lets Don and Chuck discuss sexual assault, the media and justice system's preferential treatment toward male attackers, and how there's no such thing as a perfect ally.

Music by Nathan Terry

It's that time of year where watching Harold and Kumar just makes sense, so Don and Chuck do just that. Don lets Chuck gush about one of his all-time favorite silly, stupid comedies for far too long before they finally discuss themes of friendship, racism, and having someone in your life that pushes you to do the things you don't want to do. If we're being honest, this one meanders quite a bit, so we suggest you drink up first. Or, you know... well, you know.

Music by Nathan Terry

This week, Don and Chuck discuss Best Picture nominee Sound of Metal, the story of heavy metal drummer Ruben (Riz Ahmed), a recovering addict who suddenly loses 75% of his hearing. Facing this situation with denial and anger, he's forced to join a community for hearing-impaired addicts. Once there, he's confronted with his inability to sit in stillness and spend time with his own thoughts. This lets Don and Chuck muse on topics such as appreciating what you have, how to find peace in the stillness, and how constantly looking for distractions ultimately distracts you from yourself.

Music by Nathan Terry

Chloe Zhao's Nomadland is not a happy-go-lucky Hallmark movie. Frances McDormand stars as Fern, a woman who's lost everything except her RV and her tenacity. She discovers a community of nomads who teach her how to survive with what she's got. This subject hits a personal note for Don, who relates some of his experiences living on the road. Nomadland is a movie that deserves to be watched and lets Don and Chuck discuss capitalism, the lack of safety nets, toxic Americanism, and a lot more. 

Music by Nathan Terry

This week, Don and Chuck discuss one of their favorite comedies: 2008's I Love You, Man, starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel. And, luckily, they find just enough time between quoting the movie to squeeze in an actual review! Despite the movie being a light-hearted comedy, Don and Chuck manage to discuss such lessons as finding outlets that help enrich your relationships, Jason Segel's funny voices, and Hank Mardukas.

...Okay, so, it's not super heavy on lessons. Slappadabass.

Music by Nathan Terry

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This week, Don and Chuck do their best to explain I'm Thinking of Ending Things, a film written and directed by Charlie Kaufman, adapted from the book by Iain Reid. The film itself is intentionally challenging and often cryptic, but much like the empty space it creates around its characters, teems with meaning and ideas. The film gives Don and Chuck ample room to discuss hope, dementia, the benefits of a life well lived, Don's admiration for the way Chuck takes notes, and a whole lot more.

Music by Nathan Terry

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When every day of your life is exactly the same, how can you possibly find meaning?

This is the very serious question posed by the very silly comedy Palm Springs, starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti as two people trapped in a seemingly endless time loop. The film packs a lot into 90s minutes, allowing Don and Chuck to unpack such topics as sharing of yourself, why change is necessary for anything to have meaning, why our pasts might or might not be important, and how the mundanity of a time loop movie reflects the way many people feel about their own lives. Oh, and Hank Mardukas. 

Also, Chuck gets to talk about how no time loop movie will ever measure up to Groundhog Day. Like, ever. 

Music by Nathan Terry

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What is Sorry to Bother You About? It's hard to explain, but Don and Chuck navigate their way through it, anyway. Directory Boots Riley gives us a story of exploitation, telemarketers, and horse people in an absurdist social commentary comedy with great performances by LaKeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson. Don and Chuck talk about exploitation, slave labor, and corporatism, but not before figuring out their newest emo band name. Don promised this one would be more of a palate cleanser after last week's Judas and the Black Messiah. So, if nothing more, listen to help Chuck tell Don he was wrong.

Music by Nathan Terry