Movie Musing

In this episode, we have an in-depth discussion about the Netflix phenomenon 'Stranger Things'. We ask the crucial questions like, "Is it worth watching?" and "Is it really Sci-Fi?"

Recommended Reading:

Geoff Berkshire, "‘Stranger Things’ Finale: Duffer Brothers Talk Cliffhangers, Death and Season 2," Variety, July 18, 2016, http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/stranger-things-finale-duffer-brothers-interview-season-2-1201816664/

Contact:

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@moviemusings

(Recorded September 24, 2016)

Quentin goes off on why he can't stand films like The Blind Side, The Theory of Everything or Crash. Meanwhile, Tom can't keep track of the years.

The Blind Side - 0:00

The Theory of Everything - 3:00

Crash - 4:20

Mark and Quentin are joined by sportswriter Tom Rende for a healthy mix of witty banter and serious discussion. From OJ: Made in America to Space Jam to , we talk about how different sports translate to the big (or small) screen and comment on movies that blur the lines between athletics and drama.

Timestamps:

OJ: Made in America - 6:29

Remember the Titans - 12:24

Space Jam - 16:20

The Sandlot - 20:13

Rudy - 24:09

Tom's Heart is Broken - 26:57

Foxcatcher - 27:47

Moneyball - 35:34

Raging Bull - 40:04

The Rocky Franchise - 45:40

Creed - 52:23

Concussion - 56:12

Relevant Links:

Cracked, "Rocky IV: The Version They Saw in Russia," April 8, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBZwJ6kogJg

Grantland, "You're Killing Us, Smalls: The Only ‘The Sandlot’ Character Rankings You’ll Ever Need," April 8, 2015

http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/youre-killing-us-smalls-the-only-the-sandlot-character-rankings-youll-ever-need/

Tom Rende Contact:

https://medium.com/@Trende19

https://twitter.com/Trende19

Show Contact:


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@moviemusings

(Recorded September 5, 2016)

For this episode, Mark and Quentin each assemble their own “Suicide Squad” of five villains and debate which team would be better equipped to stop Darth Vader and the Empire from invading Manhattan (without making things worse, of course!).

To build up to this debate, they give their thoughts on the second major film to be released this year in the DC Cinematic Universe, Suicide Squad. We gave it a fair shot, and there’s plenty of both good and bad aspects to discuss, but this movie seems to be another example of style over substance from Zack Snyder and crew. Then, after briefly offering opinions, predictions, and hopes for Rogue One and its new trailer.

Timestamps:

Suicide Squad Analysis – 0:28

Rogue One Trailer – 20:52

Debate: Assembling Our Own Suicide Squad – 28:39

Relevant Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bZf7XhlKls

Contact:

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@moviemusings

(Recorded August 17, 2016)

Revisiting the topic of anti-heroes, Quentin and Mark discuss characters and films that provoke different reactions and opinions. When does an anti-hero become likable or unlikable, and what can we learn about ourselves from such sympathy or disgust?

Timestamps:

Opening – 0:30

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - 1:57

Vertigo - 5:00

Cool Hand Luke - 9:00

Streetcar Named Desire - 13:57

In Bruges - 18:05

Nightcrawler - 23:04

Whiplash - 27:07

The Social Network - 31:05

Raging Bull - 36:43

Relevant Links:

Jaycee McCarthy, "On The Lips: The Censorship of A Streetcar Named Desire," Colby Sawyer College, http://colby-sawyer.edu/currents/streetcardesire.html

Contact:

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@moviemusings

(Recorded July 24, 2016)

No matter how well you know someone's tastes, they always seem to like that one movie you wouldn't expect- or just flat out hate it.

In this episode, we discuss our opinions on films where we're higher or lower than the average critic or audience member.

Timestamps:

Transformers – 3:30

War of the Worlds (2005) – 5:35

The Village – 8:10

Signs – 11:15

Beverly Hills Cop – 14:40

Secret Window – 16:05

Shutter Island – 17:50

Pulp Fiction – 20:25

V for Vendetta – 26:15

Amadeus – 29:50

Forrest Gump – 37:40

The Untouchables (1987) – 43:40

Primer – 49:00

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – 50:55

Contact:

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@moviemusings

(Recorded July 5, 2016)

Mark and Quentin are joined by their good friend Conor Bigley to discuss one of the greatest and most singular directors of the 20th century: Stanley Kubrick. Crafting definitive films in multiple genres, Kubrick and his filmography offer a rich topic for discussion and analysis.

Timestamps:

Opening Thoughts – 1:20

Early Work / The Killing (1956) – 6:50

Paths of Glory (1957) – 10:15

Spartacus (1960) – 15:05

Lolita (1962) – 18:35

Dr. Strangelove (1964) – 19:50

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – 27:55

A Clockwork Orange (1971) – 35:10

Barry Lyndon (1975) – 40:40

The Shining (1980) – 45:40

Full Metal Jacket (1987) – 57:10

Eyes Wide Shut (1999) – 1:03:50

Closing Analysis – 1:07:25

Contact:

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facebook.com/moviemusing

@moviemusings

Relevant Links:

Kubrick on A Clockwork Orange, An interview with Michel Ciment, http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/amk/doc/interview.aco.html

Eric Schlosser, Almost Everything in "Dr. Strangelove" Was True, January 17, 2014, The New Yorker, http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/almost-everything-in-dr-strangelove-was-true

(Recorded June 29, 2016)

We're in a time in film history where remakes are a dime a dozen. Mark and Quentin run through some good examples and some bad examples of movie remakes before launching into a discussion of how an audience's expectations can shape a viewing experience. Finally, Mark and Quentin discuss and debate the polarizing question, can a film go too far? To put it another way, as critics, is it more important to contemplate and respect a filmmaker's artistic vision or consider the impact of controversial or offensive content on viewers?

Segments:

1. Remakes – 0:30

2. Expectations – 27:00

3. Debate: Too Far? – 35:45

Contact:

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@moviemusings

Relevant Links:

Tony Zhou, Martin Scorsese - The Art of Silence, https://vimeo.com/98240271

Matt Zoller Seitz, The Hateful Eight, http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-hateful-eight-2015

(Recorded June 9, 2016)

Mark and Quentin are joined by Anya Crittenton, host of the Millennial Falcon podcast, to discuss their thoughts on Captain America: Civil War, Marvel and comic book films in general. Further, the group evaluates the recent revelation that Marvel producers forced a script re-write of Iron Man 3 to remove a female villain, opening up a broader discussion on gender bias within the film industry.

Segments:

1. Captain America – 0:55

2. Gender Bias – 33:15

Contact:

twitter.com/moviemusingpod

facebook.com/moviemusing

@moviemusings

https://twitter.com/falconpodcast

https://twitter.com/anyacrittenton

https://millennialfalconpodcast.wordpress.com/

(Recorded May 26, 2016)

What if the Oscars recognized the best in film over the course of a decade, rather than just for a particular year? That's the question that Mark and Quentin answer during this retrospective discussion covering the best of the 1970s. This episode focuses on the remaining two of the five major Academy Awards: Director and Best Picture. After considering all of the "nominations" presented, they each submit a hypothetical "ballot" with their picks for the greatest in film for the 1970s.

Segments:

1. Directors – 1:08

2. Pictures – 20:40

3. Ballot Submission – 40:46

Contact:

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@moviemusings

(Recorded April 21, 2016)