More Movies Please!

On the podcast this week, Steven and Sean are belting out some majestic tunes as we kick off an entire month of movie musicals! Oh, what a beautiful day. We’re starting things off with the Michael Gracey film that’s all about chasing your dreams, The Greatest Showman.

You may know Mr. Phineas Taylor Barnum from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from when just about all of us were kids, but did you know the story about how he became the man we know him as today? Well, according to this film, he went through quite the rollercoaster ride to become a venerated performing star.

Okay, but spoiler warning, this one is a dramatization of events that happened over a hundred years ago, so you’ll have to forgive it for taking some artistic liberties with the story it tells. That’s just how show biz goes. P.T. Barnum knew it and now you know it. Does that mean this film isn’t a rousing celebration of artistic drive, amazing showmanship, and the similarities and differences in us all? Heck no! It’s all of those things and more.

Plus, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more engaging film with such catchy songs. Seriously, we still can’t get them out of our heads. We were also fascinated by the personal arcs all the characters went through in this film. It wasn’t just Barnum that became someone greater than he was. We see the wonderful people in his show learn their true worth. We see his business partner realize that love is more important than social prejudices. We see separate people become a family of like-minded, loving performers.

Steven was a huge fan of the sound design that was featured in the film. It was very competently made, but when it’s a musical we’re talking about, the sound design tends to play second fiddle to the songs. They were stellar. They felt modern, but not in a way that was out of place or inappropriate for the movie. It all just sounded so great.

Part of what makes this movie special is the combination of wonderful music and eye-catching visuals, which Sean was a big fan of. It’s amazing to us that a first time director could craft such a confident, great looking film. From moment one, it displays bold, soaring camera work and glossy lighting. This is a film that not only sounds amazing, but also looks amazing.

Stay tuned for next month’s musical! It’s going to be an older one and just as fun.

(Recorded on June 25, 2020)

Links to Stuff We Mentioned:

The Greatest Showman - IMDb

The Greatest Showman trailer - YouTube

P.T. Barnum - Wikipedia

The real history of Phineas T. Barnum is as we suspected—he was a raging asshole that did truly awful things. It’s worth knowing about who this man was in real life, but prepare yourself for disappointment.

Hakuna Matata | The Lion King - YouTube

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - IMDb

When we say that everyone should watch Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, we mean that everyone should watch the show. Yes, you too. It’s the best.

Jenny Lind - Wikipedia

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus - Wikipedia

John Q | More Movies Please! - Apple Podcasts

It’s a Wonderful Life - IMDb

A Christmas Story - IMDb

Singin’ in the Rain - IMDb

La La Land - IMDb

Zendaya - IMDb

Spider-Man: Homecoming - IMDb

Los Angeles Center Studios

Shake It Up - IMDb

The Lighthouse | More Movies Please! - Apple Podcasts

Robert Pattinson - IMDb

Twilight - IMDb

Zac Efron - IMDb

High School Musical - IMDb

The Greatest Showman Wishing Machine - Instructables

Learn how to make your own version of the wishing machine that Barnum made for his family!

Rebecca Ferguson - IMDb

Seamus McGarvey - IMDb

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We’ve got a one-two punch of an episode for you. Today we’re comparing both Judge Dredd and Dredd. One movie came out in 1995; the other came out in 2012. Which one is great and which one is a bit of a stinker? Or maybe, just maybe, we’ll learn that they’re both pretty dang awesome. To cap things off, this is our monthly B-movie bonus episode, so prepare yourselves for something amazing.

Most of the world has been decimated by nuclear war. Those who remain in sprawling, yet pretty cramped mega cities called… Mega-Cities. Outside the walls of the Mega-Cities lays a barren, scorched wasteland. Crime has run rampant in this new and horrifying future. No good beatniks feel emboldened to commit terrible deeds with impunity. It looks like a terrible place to live in. There’s only one force that can bring some sense of order to this brutal world, and that force is the law.

The Judges are this future’s peacekeepers and they don’t answer to anybody… Except for the law. And they are the law, so they only answer to themselves. And the law. Better not break any laws because you could end up finding yourself staring down the business end of a voice-and-DNA-activated supergun.

You don’t want to get on the Judge’s bad side because they’ve got itchy trigger fingers, no sense of humor, and a love for only one thing. You guessed it, the LAW.

Sylvester Stallone plays Dredd in the first film. Karl Urban plays him in the second. What we’ve got going on here is a good, ol’ fashioned Dredd-off, folks. Two Judges enter. They both fight over who loves the law more. One Judge leaves.

Who will it be?

When it comes to our monthly B-movie episodes, there’s only one question we’re trying to answer by the end of them: is this movie brilliant or a blunder? This time we’ve got to aim that question at two movies. How will Judge Dredd and Dredd hold up? In this post-apocalyptic podcast world we’re finding ourselves in, it’s our sworn duty to determine a proper ranking for these movies.

After all, it is the law.

(Recorded on July 2, 2020)

Links to Stuff We Mentioned:

Judge Dredd - IMDb

Judge Dredd trailer - YouTube

Dredd - IMDb

Dredd - YouTube

Norco, California - Wikipedia

Mega-City One - Fandom

Peach Tress - Fandom

City of God - IMDb

Minority Report - IMDb

Lawmaster - Fandom

Batpod - IMDb

Reverse osmosis - Wikipedia

Demolition Man | More Movies Please! - Libsyn

The Mandalorian - IMDb

Ma-Ma - Fandom

Slo-Mo - Fandom

How Dredd 3D Shot Its Brain-Melting Slow-Mo - Wired

The Grand Budapest Hotel - IMDb

Magneto escapes the plastic cell | X2: X-Men Unite

Support the show

We’ve got a one-two punch of an episode for you. Today we’re comparing both Judge Dredd and Dredd. One movie came out in 1995; the other came out in 2012. Which one is great and which one is a bit of a stinker? Or maybe, just maybe, we’ll learn that they’re both pretty dang awesome. To cap things off, this is our monthly B-movie bonus episode, so prepare yourselves for something amazing.

Most of the world has been decimated by nuclear war. Those who remain in sprawling, yet pretty cramped mega cities called… Mega-Cities. Outside the walls of the Mega-Cities lays a barren, scorched wasteland. Crime has run rampant in this new and horrifying future. No good beatniks feel emboldened to commit terrible deeds with impunity. It looks like a terrible place to live in. There’s only one force that can bring some sense of order to this brutal world, and that force is the law.

The Judges are this future’s peacekeepers and they don’t answer to anybody… Except for the law. And they are the law, so they only answer to themselves. And the law. Better not break any laws because you could end up finding yourself staring down the business end of a voice-and-DNA-activated supergun.

You don’t want to get on the Judge’s bad side because they’ve got itchy trigger fingers, no sense of humor, and a love for only one thing. You guessed it, the LAW.

Sylvester Stallone plays Dredd in the first film. Karl Urban plays him in the second. What we’ve got going on here is a good, ol’ fashioned Dredd-off, folks. Two Judges enter. They both fight over who loves the law more. One Judge leaves.

Who will it be?

When it comes to our monthly B-movie episodes, there’s only one question we’re trying to answer by the end of them: is this movie brilliant or a blunder? This time we’ve got to aim that question at two movies. How will Judge Dredd and Dredd hold up? In this post-apocalyptic podcast world we’re finding ourselves in, it’s our sworn duty to determine a proper ranking for these movies.

After all, it is the law.

(Recorded on July 2, 2020)

Links to Stuff We Mentioned:

Judge Dredd - IMDb

Judge Dredd trailer - YouTube

Dredd - IMDb

Dredd - YouTube

Norco, California - Wikipedia

Mega-City One - Fandom

Peach Tress - Fandom

City of God - IMDb

Minority Report - IMDb

Lawmaster - Fandom

Batpod - IMDb

Reverse osmosis - Wikipedia

Demolition Man | More Movies Please! - Libsyn

The Mandalorian - IMDb

Ma-Ma - Fandom

Slo-Mo - Fandom

How Dredd 3D Shot Its Brain-Melting Slow-Mo - Wired

The Grand Budapest Hotel - IMDb

Magneto escapes the plastic cell | X2: X-Men United - YouTube

Rob Schneider - IMDb

About Time - IMDb

Fake Doctors, Real Friends - iHeart Radio

Here's an update on that long-gestating Judge Dredd TV series - A.V. Club

No Man’s Land | Wonder Woman - YouTube

Lena Headey - IMDb

Game of Thrones - IMDb

Armand Assante - IMDb

Bat in the Sun - YouTube

Hallway Fight | Inception - YouTube

Slow Motion Behind the Scenes | Dredd - YouTube

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope - IMDb

Galaxy Quest - IMDb

Follow Us:

Give us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

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On the podcast this week, Steven and Sean are learning how to blast off into orbit as we watch the enlightening, thrilling Philip Kaufman film, The Right Stuff.

Strap yourselves in because this one’s gonna be a doozy of an episode. Not only is it one of the longer movies we’ve ever watched for the podcast, but this one can also be a bit of a contentious one in some ways. I think that’s what happens when you’re watching a film that’s as exhaustive and in-depth as this one is. If you’ve ever wanted to see a movie that explains the full extent of the Mercury Seven astronauts, what they went through to be able to go into space, and a good bit of past global politics, then this one’s for you!

Okay, that sounded like these here show notes are trying to talk you out of watching this film. That’s the case! The Right Stuff is absolutely worth a watch. Just don’t feel bad about splitting this one up into a few separate viewings.

The film opens up with a very thrilling moment in the history of flight: the breaking of the sound barrier by Chuck Yeager. This film makes the case that this was the moment that changed so much for the world. There’s a strong line between this point and people landing and walking on the Moon for the very first time. These are monumental moments in humankind’s history and they’re depicted in a very real and thrilling way here.

While most other movies might have spent much of their running times depicting just the scary and exciting process of putting someone up into space, this one also spends a significant amount of time showing how the dangerous job of being an astronaut affects these men and their families. This film truly isn’t just about rockets and space travel and glory. It’s actually about the drive of a select group of people and the brave struggle of their wives.

It’s a film about lofty dreams and sometimes crushing reality.

Overall, Steven enjoyed the sound design of this one, but he was fascinated by how different sound design techniques and preferences were during this era of filmmaking. There’s an elevated reality to the sound in this film that may not be so in vogue these days. Regardless, much of the sound really draws you in. It’s easy to imagine yourself shooting into space while watching this film, especially if you’ve got a nice sound system.

Likewise, Sean was pleased with the look of this film. The camera work and lighting depicted three very different main locations: the desert where Chuck Yeager spends his time setting speed records, the sterile rooms and hallways of NASA, and the cramped confines of the capsules that were used to send these astronauts into space. Each one of those main locations felt real. You could taste the grit of the desert dust, hear the squeakiness of those NASA hallways, and feel the squeeze of those capsules.

This is a film that demands a lot of your attention, but it rewards the time you spend watching it. It depicts an important history in an exacting and entertaining way. Give it a watch today!

(Recorded on June 18, 2020)

Links to Stuff We Mentioned:

The Right Stuff - IMDb

The Right Stuff trailer - YouTube

Maverick - IMDb

Raiders of the Lost Ark - IMDb

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - IMDb

Mercury Seven - Wikipedia

Magnificent Seven: LIFE With America’s Mercury Astronauts - Life

Chuck Yeager - IMDb

Support the show

On the podcast this week, Steven and Sean are learning how to blast off into orbit as we watch the enlightening, thrilling Philip Kaufman film, The Right Stuff.

Strap yourselves in because this one’s gonna be a doozy of an episode. Not only is it one of the longer movies we’ve ever watched for the podcast, but this one can also be a bit of a contentious one in some ways. I think that’s what happens when you’re watching a film that’s as exhaustive and in-depth as this one is. If you’ve ever wanted to see a movie that explains the full extent of the Mercury Seven astronauts, what they went through to be able to go into space, and a good bit of past global politics, then this one’s for you!

Okay, that sounded like these here show notes are trying to talk you out of watching this film. That’s the case! The Right Stuff is absolutely worth a watch. Just don’t feel bad about splitting this one up into a few separate viewings.

The film opens up with a very thrilling moment in the history of flight: the breaking of the sound barrier by Chuck Yeager. This film makes the case that this was the moment that changed so much for the world. There’s a strong line between this point and people landing and walking on the Moon for the very first time. These are monumental moments in humankind’s history and they’re depicted in a very real and thrilling way here.

While most other movies might have spent much of their running times depicting just the scary and exciting process of putting someone up into space, this one also spends a significant amount of time showing how the dangerous job of being an astronaut affects these men and their families. This film truly isn’t just about rockets and space travel and glory. It’s actually about the drive of a select group of people and the brave struggle of their wives.

It’s a film about lofty dreams and sometimes crushing reality.

Overall, Steven enjoyed the sound design of this one, but he was fascinated by how different sound design techniques and preferences were during this era of filmmaking. There’s an elevated reality to the sound in this film that may not be so in vogue these days. Regardless, much of the sound really draws you in. It’s easy to imagine yourself shooting into space while watching this film, especially if you’ve got a nice sound system.

Likewise, Sean was pleased with the look of this film. The camera work and lighting depicted three very different main locations: the desert where Chuck Yeager spends his time setting speed records, the sterile rooms and hallways of NASA, and the cramped confines of the capsules that were used to send these astronauts into space. Each one of those main locations felt real. You could taste the grit of the desert dust, hear the squeakiness of those NASA hallways, and feel the squeeze of those capsules.

This is a film that demands a lot of your attention, but it rewards the time you spend watching it. It depicts an important history in an exacting and entertaining way. Give it a watch today!

(Recorded on June 18, 2020)

Links to Stuff We Mentioned:

The Right Stuff - IMDb

The Right Stuff trailer - YouTube

Maverick - IMDb

Raiders of the Lost Ark - IMDb

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - IMDb

Mercury Seven - Wikipedia

Magnificent Seven: LIFE With America’s Mercury Astronauts - Life

Chuck Yeager - IMDb

Sound barrier - Wikipedia

This article is a fascinating look at what the sound barrier is, the history of breaking it, and just what it takes to do something so extraordinary.

Jurassic Park - IMDb

How 'Jurassic Park' Revolutionized Visual Effects, Inspiring 'Jurassic World' - The Hollywood Reporter

Jeff Goldblum - IMDb

Harry Shearer - IMDb

This Is Spinal Tap - IMDb

The Simpsons - IMDb

Wile E. Coyote vs. Acme - YouTube

How astronauts go to the bathroom in space - Business Insider

Monkeys and apes in space - Wikipedia

Maximum Absorbency Garment - Wikipedia

John Glenn - IMDb

Re-entry, the final most dangerous hour - The Guardian

Gus Grissom: Project Mercury - Wikipedia

Lyndon B. Johnson - Wikipedia

Tommy Lee Jones | Batman Wiki - Fandom

Follow Us:

Give us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

Our Libsyn site!

Our Instagram profile!

Our Twitter profile!

Send us Fan Mail

On the podcast this week, Steven and Sean are loving our future and past selves—literally and simultaneously—in the trippy, thrilling Spierig Brothers film, Predestination.

Get ready to have your freaking mind twisted and blown with this one because it’s got a doozy of a twist. A twist that’s crazy for two reasons: it’s just bananas and somehow it actually works! We’ll warn you now, as we discuss at the beginning of this episode, you’re brain’s probably going to be scrambled like a bunch of eggs.

We’ve got Ethan Hawke. We’ve got Sarah Snook. We’ve got a terrorist named “The Fizzle Bomber.” It’s the future, but it’s also the past. Who knows when really because everyone’s living in different times… all at the same time! Have no idea what any of that means? That’s probably because it would be impossible to describe the plot of this film without these show notes turning into either a house-sized flowchart or an epic-sized novel.

To be honest, though, we don’t really want to spoil anything about this film in these here show notes. Part of the magic and appeal of this film is the enthralling story it tells and the twisting turns of the plot. You never quite know what’s going to happen until it happens and then you’re left wondering what the hell you just witnessed.

We will say that we loved the use of old technology in a film that features such an advanced thing as time travel. More often than not, we see the characters using things like tape recorders and violin cases to do their work. You’re not going to see crazy huge machines with lasers or anything like that. We think the film is way better for not using any of those clichéd devices.

Steven appreciated the powerful simplicity of this film’s sound design. It’s especially powerful whenever any of the characters travel through time. That universe-sucking sound is unlike anything we’ve heard in movies and works so dang well at suggesting real-time travel. No beeps. No boops. Nothing overtly science fiction-ey. Just something that feels real. That’s some great sound design work.

Sean really enjoyed Ben Nott’s cinematography throughout the whole film. This was a movie that could have veered wildly into fantastical imagery, but it stayed grounded in the reality it created, a more recognizable reality. Watching this film, you may start to think that the technology displayed throughout it could actually exist. It feels visceral and real. Does he still have the chance to stretch out and try inventive looks in some pretty amazing locations? Oh heck yes, and they’re thrilling to see.

We loved this one and have been thinking about it ever since watching it. It sticks with you and will keep you puzzling over it for a long time. Give it a watch!

And a special thanks to one of our favorite teachers, Scott Essman, for introducing this amazing film to us.

(Recorded on June 11, 2020)

Links to Stuff We Mentioned:

Predestination - IMDb

 Predestination trailer - YouTube

How to Set Up 30,000 Dominoes | Hevesh5 - YouTube

Aaron Burr Got Milk? commercial - YouTube

Did you know this commercial was directed by Michael Bay? Yes, THE Michael Bay of exploding things in movies fame! Crazy.

Doctor Who - IMDb

Doctor Who: Every Doctor, Ranked By Their Outfit - Screen Rant

Clayface - Wikipedia

Two Face - Fandom

Support the show

On the podcast this week, Steven and Sean are loving our future and past selves—literally and simultaneously—in the trippy, thrilling Spierig Brothers film, Predestination.

Get ready to have your freaking mind twisted and blown with this one because it’s got a doozy of a twist. A twist that’s crazy for two reasons: it’s just bananas and somehow it actually works! We’ll warn you now, as we discuss at the beginning of this episode, you’re brain’s probably going to be scrambled like a bunch of eggs.

We’ve got Ethan Hawke. We’ve got Sarah Snook. We’ve got a terrorist named “The Fizzle Bomber.” It’s the future, but it’s also the past. Who knows when really because everyone’s living in different times… all at the same time! Have no idea what any of that means? That’s probably because it would be impossible to describe the plot of this film without these show notes turning into either a house-sized flowchart or an epic-sized novel.

To be honest, though, we don’t really want to spoil anything about this film in these here show notes. Part of the magic and appeal of this film is the enthralling story it tells and the twisting turns of the plot. You never quite know what’s going to happen until it happens and then you’re left wondering what the hell you just witnessed.

We will say that we loved the use of old technology in a film that features such an advanced thing as time travel. More often than not, we see the characters using things like tape recorders and violin cases to do their work. You’re not going to see crazy huge machines with lasers or anything like that. We think the film is way better for not using any of those clichéd devices.

Steven appreciated the powerful simplicity of this film’s sound design. It’s especially powerful whenever any of the characters travel through time. That universe-sucking sound is unlike anything we’ve heard in movies and works so dang well at suggesting real-time travel. No beeps. No boops. Nothing overtly science fiction-ey. Just something that feels real. That’s some great sound design work.

Sean really enjoyed Ben Nott’s cinematography throughout the whole film. This was a movie that could have veered wildly into fantastical imagery, but it stayed grounded in the reality it created, a more recognizable reality. Watching this film, you may start to think that the technology displayed throughout it could actually exist. It feels visceral and real. Does he still have the chance to stretch out and try inventive looks in some pretty amazing locations? Oh heck yes, and they’re thrilling to see.

We loved this one and have been thinking about it ever since watching it. It sticks with you and will keep you puzzling over it for a long time. Give it a watch!

And a special thanks to one of our favorite teachers, Scott Essman, for introducing this amazing film to us.

(Recorded on June 11, 2020)

Links to Stuff We Mentioned:

Predestination - IMDb

 Predestination trailer - YouTube

How to Set Up 30,000 Dominoes | Hevesh5 - YouTube

Aaron Burr Got Milk? commercial - YouTube

Did you know this commercial was directed by Michael Bay? Yes, THE Michael Bay of exploding things in movies fame! Crazy.

Doctor Who - IMDb

Doctor Who: Every Doctor, Ranked By Their Outfit - Screen Rant

Clayface - Wikipedia

Two Face - Fandom

ICYMI, Here's the Traumatic Story Behind Deadpool's Facial Scars - POPSUGAR

Godzilla (1998) - IMDb

Matthew Broderick - IMDb

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off - IMDb

Hysterectomy - WebMD

Sean was mostly correct about what a hysterectomy is, but he did add the removal of the ovaries which isn’t actually correct. Sometimes the ovaries may need to be removed, but that’s a separate thing called an oophorectomy.

Mr. Hankey, the Christmas Poo - Wikipedia

Trolley problem - Wikipedia

The Usual Suspects - IMDb

Saw and Saw II - IMDb

Final Destination - IMDb

Saw: The Final Chapter - IMDb

Pode - Nintendo

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo

The Terminator Time Sphere - Fandom

Death Scenes | Avengers: Infinity War - YouTube

M. Night Shyamalan - IMDb

Follow Us:

Give us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

Our Libsyn site!

Our Instagram profile!

Our Twitter profile!

Send us Fan Mail

We almost can’t believe this day has finally arrived, but it’s here. Let’s pop some bubbly 🥂 and start tooting those party horns 🎉 because today is the day that we tie a bow on this mini-series all about our current top five favorite films!

This one has been a long time coming. While it’s only been a month and change since the first episode showed up in your podcast player, we actually started recording this series all the way back in January 2020. Now it’s August 2020. August! We’ve loved every moment of sharing these amazing films with you and are looking forward to closing things out with our final two.

To start things off in this wrap-up episode, we’ve got the tense, gritty, expansive 2007 thriller from the amazing David Fincher, Zodiac. This film was based on the very real and tragic serial killings that took place during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. These killings that took place primarily up in the Bay Area of California gripped the nation and the film that was made about them kept us completely rapt. This one was one of Sean’s suggestions and he’s thrilled to share it with everyone. The cast is amazing, the sound work is top-notch, and the cinematography will astound you.

To wrap up this wrap-up episode, we’ve got Steven coming in hot with one of his choices: the affecting and lovely rom-com, travel, family, drama (all the adjectives!) from 2005, Elizabethtown, directed by Cameron Crowe. Orlando Bloom starred in this one when he was hot off his turns in the one-two knockout pairing of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the first Pirates of the Caribbean. He’s joined by the always lovely Kirsten Dunst as the woman who gives him a good shaking back into reality. Like all Cameron Crowe movies, you can expect this one to make you feel some intense feelings. Get the tissues ready!

While Zodiac and Elizabethtown are about as far apart thematically as two films can get, they’re both strong examples of filmmakers at the top of their respective games. They knock it out of the park with these ones. Give ‘em a watch. You won’t be disappointed. We can just about guarantee that.

Thank you again. We had a great time sharing these ten exceptional films. Stay tuned for more goodness!

(Recorded on May 28, 2020)

Links to Stuff We Mentioned:

Zodiac - IMDb

Zodiac trailer - YouTube

Elizabethtown - IMDb

Elizabethtown trailer - YouTube

Zodiac Killer - Wikipedia

His acts were horrifying, but the story is fascinating. Give this Wikipedia article a read to learn more details about the history of this terrible person.

Alien³ - IMDb

Panic Room - IMDb

Seven - IMDb

Fight Club - IMDb

The Social Network - IMDb

Alien: Resurrection - IMDb

Apparently, this one is a steaming hot pile of stinking dumpster garbage. Sean’s not looking forward to seeing it.

Jean-Pierre Jeunet - IMDb

Amélie - IMDb

Robert Graysmith - Wikipedia

Dexter - IMDb

Hurdy Gurdy Man | Don

Support the show

We almost can’t believe this day has finally arrived, but it’s here. Let’s pop some bubbly 🥂 and start tooting those party horns 🎉 because today is the day that we tie a bow on this mini-series all about our current top five favorite films!

This one has been a long time coming. While it’s only been a month and change since the first episode showed up in your podcast player, we actually started recording this series all the way back in January 2020. Now it’s August 2020. August! We’ve loved every moment of sharing these amazing films with you and are looking forward to closing things out with our final two.

To start things off in this wrap-up episode, we’ve got the tense, gritty, expansive 2007 thriller from the amazing David Fincher, Zodiac. This film was based on the very real and tragic serial killings that took place during the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. These killings that took place primarily up in the Bay Area of California gripped the nation and the film that was made about them kept us completely rapt. This one was one of Sean’s suggestions and he’s thrilled to share it with everyone. The cast is amazing, the sound work is top-notch, and the cinematography will astound you.

To wrap up this wrap-up episode, we’ve got Steven coming in hot with one of his choices: the affecting and lovely rom-com, travel, family, drama (all the adjectives!) from 2005, Elizabethtown, directed by Cameron Crowe. Orlando Bloom starred in this one when he was hot off his turns in the one-two knockout pairing of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the first Pirates of the Caribbean. He’s joined by the always lovely Kirsten Dunst as the woman who gives him a good shaking back into reality. Like all Cameron Crowe movies, you can expect this one to make you feel some intense feelings. Get the tissues ready!

While Zodiac and Elizabethtown are about as far apart thematically as two films can get, they’re both strong examples of filmmakers at the top of their respective games. They knock it out of the park with these ones. Give ‘em a watch. You won’t be disappointed. We can just about guarantee that.

Thank you again. We had a great time sharing these ten exceptional films. Stay tuned for more goodness!

(Recorded on May 28, 2020)

Links to Stuff We Mentioned:

Zodiac - IMDb

Zodiac trailer - YouTube

Elizabethtown - IMDb

Elizabethtown trailer - YouTube

Zodiac Killer - Wikipedia

His acts were horrifying, but the story is fascinating. Give this Wikipedia article a read to learn more details about the history of this terrible person.

Alien³ - IMDb

Panic Room - IMDb

Seven - IMDb

Fight Club - IMDb

The Social Network - IMDb

Alien: Resurrection - IMDb

Apparently, this one is a steaming hot pile of stinking dumpster garbage. Sean’s not looking forward to seeing it.

Jean-Pierre Jeunet - IMDb

Amélie - IMDb

Robert Graysmith - Wikipedia

Dexter - IMDb

Hurdy Gurdy Man | Donovan - YouTube

Foley Artists: How Movie Sound Effects Are Made | Academy Originals - YouTube

Harris Savides - IMDb

The Thomson Viper FilmStream Camera used to shoot Zodiac

Dead By Daylight

This Is Where I Leave You | More Movies Please! - Apple Podcasts

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - IMDb

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - IMDb

MapQuest

Wow. MapQuest still looks old and terrible. Check out that logo! Looks like a hot mess.

Free Bird | Lynyrd Skynyrd - YouTube

Follow Us:

Give us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

Our Libsyn site!

Our Instagram profile!

Our Twitter profile!

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It’s time for the amazing and fabulous fourth part of our top five favorite movies mini-series! It’s the penultimate part, which is one of the very best parts of anything. There’s the feeling of accomplishment you get from making it this far and none of the sadness from knowing that you’re listening to the end of the series. It’s all just good times!

First up, we’ve got a thrilling movie with an incredible soundtrack for one of Sean’s favorites. This one is the 2011 crime drama thriller romance film (oh yes, it covers all those bases and then some) by one of the all-time great Danes, Nicolas Winding Refn. It’s called Drive and it’s a knock-you-out-of-your-socks sort of a film. It left us breathless by the end of it and wondering what it has against redheads. Seriously, that poor Christina Hendricks character… Regardless, it looks stunning and has an energy that sucks you in from moment one.

Immediately following Sean’s pick is another one of Steven’s. This time he’s bringing us the wonderfully touching film, About Time, made in 2013 and directed by the always amazing Richard Curtis. This one sneaks up on you with its clever writing, adorable relationships, and tender family moments. Come for the concept and stay for the emotional resonance. Thankfully, the redheads in this one make it out better than they did in Drive. I mean, waaay better. This film feels completely real, even despite its fantastical premise, and by the end of it, makes you wish you could watch it again right away.

These two are fun and a thrill to watch. Drive and About Time are some of our favorite movies for a clear reason. We feel positive that you’ll fall in love with them, too.

Get into it and tune in again for part 5!

(Recorded on May 20, 2020)

Links to Stuff We Mentioned:

Drive - IMDb

Drive trailer - YouTube

About Time - IMDb

About Time trailer - YouTube

Phrasing… Boom | Archer - YouTube

Heat - IMDb

The Fast and the Furious - IMDb

The Transporter - IMDb

Breaking Bad - IMDb

Game of Thrones - IMDb

Newton Thomas Sigel - IMDb

Sean screwed up the name of this fine cinematographer in the episode so fiercely that he needs to be called out for this mistake in the show notes. Shame on you, Sean. Shame.

X-Men - IMDb

Drive soundtrack - YouTube

Love Actually - IMDb

Bill Nighy - IMDb

Shaun of the Dead - IMDb

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest - IMDb

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