Movie Wars

Welcome to one of the most low-hanging fruit, on-the-nose matchups we've ever done. The same director. The same author of the source material. Both take place in prisons where plenty of free men are locked up for crimes they didn't commit. By many lists, The Shawshank Redemption is considered the greatest film of all time. Although The Green Mile doesn't share the same status, it carries plenty of cache on its own. Walk the Green Mile toward freedom with the Movie Wars crew! 

A movie podcast walks into town... The Western may be the most flexible and dynamic film genre. It's survived over a century while experiencing new forms and shapes, all built on its undeniably effective tested-by-time formula. Not only is Tombstone one of the most beloved versions of that formula but it is also considered the best Western of all time by a large contingency of six-shooter-loving move-goers. And then you have Wyatt Earp...a film that, on paper, had all the makings of a masterpiece. Suffering the critical success of Tombstone, which was released just months pryer, the film was slammed by critics and flopped financially. That being said, it seemed fitting to seize the opportunity to compare two films that tell the same exact story from different perspectives. Get your mustaches on and draw...it's Movie Wars.

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MOVIE INFO

Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) and his brothers, Morgan (Bill Paxton) and Virgil (Sam Elliott), have left their gunslinger ways behind them to settle down and start a business in the town of Tombstone, Ariz. While they aren't looking to find trouble, trouble soon finds them when they become targets of the ruthless Cowboy gang. Now, together with Wyatt's best friend, Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), the brothers pick up their guns once more to restore order to a lawless land.

Rating: R

• Genre: Western, Action
• Original Language: English
• Director: 

George P. Cosmatos

Producer: 

Sean Daniel

, 

James Jacks

, 

• Bob Misiorowski

Writer: 

• Kevin Jarre

• Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1993  Wide
• Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2014
• Box Office (Gross USA): $55.9M
• Runtime: 2h 7m

The epic biography of western lawman Wyatt Earp, who at an early age, is taught that nothing matters more than family and the law. He becomes a respected sheriff in Dodge City and Tombstone. Joined by his brothers and Doc Holliday, Earp wages war on the dreaded Clanton and McLaury gangs.

Rating: PG-13

• Genre: Biography
• Original Language: English
• Director: 

Lawrence Kasdan

Producer: 

Jim Wilson

, 

Kevin Costner

, 

• Lawrence Kasdan

• Release Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 1994  Wide
• Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2008
• Box Office (Gross USA): $24.6M
• Runtime: 3h 11m
• Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
• Production Co: Warner Bros., Tig Productions

Thank you Rotten Tomatoes!

The Movie Wars crew was exhilarated to tackle two buddy cop classics in 1989's Lethal Weapon 2 and 1995's Bad Boys. Similar to Westerns, the Buddy Cop genre has been transformed and retooled, all while paying homage to a timeless formula. The chemistry between the lead actors drives both of these films. LW2 reveals that Riggs and Murtaugh are more like family than when they were introduced in the franchise's first entry, where they were beleaguered and struggled to reconcile their opposing policing methods. Bad Boys hinges more on Mike and Marcus' friction and bickering, leading to the ultimate payoff when their highly effective partnership is put on full display. Both films are anchored by comedic third wheels played by a pair of legendary Joes(Pesci and Pantoliano). How will the war score fair for these two genre titans? Give it a listen because you're never too old for this Movie Wars sh*t. 

Film Summaries

Lethal Weapon 2

South African smugglers find themselves being hounded and harassed by Riggs and Murtaugh, two mismatched Los Angeles police officers. However, the South Africans are protected by diplomatic immunity, and so the two are assigned to witness-protection duty in an attempt by their captain to keep his job. It is only when this witness reveals to them that he has already dealt with the smugglers that the trouble really starts.

• Rating: R
• Genre: Action, Mystery & thriller
• Original Language: English
• Director: Richard Donner
• Producer: Richard Donner, Joel Silver
• Writer: Jeffrey Boam
• Release Date (Theaters): Jul 7, 1989  Original
• Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
• Box Office (Gross USA): $144.9M
• Runtime: 1h 53m
• Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
• Production Co: Warner Bros., Silver Pictures

Bad Boys

Miami-Dade detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) blow a fuse when $100 million worth of heroin they recently confiscated is heisted from station headquarters. Suspecting it was an inside job, Internal Affairs gives them five days to track down the drugs before they shut down the narcotics division. Action meets farce when Marcus is compelled to masquerade as his partner in order to gain the trust of a call girl (Tea Leoni), a key witness in their investigation.

• Rating: R
• Genre: Action, Comedy
• Original Language: English
• Director: Michael Bay
• Producer: Don Simpson, Jerry Bruckheimer
• Writer: George Gallo, Michael Barrie, Jim Mulholland, Doug Richardson
• Release Date (Theaters): Apr 7, 1995  Original
• Release Date (Streaming): Dec 15, 2010
• Box Office (Gross USA): $63.9M
• Runtime: 1h 58m
• Distributor: Columbia Pictures
• Production Co: Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Film summarie

Watching "The Boondock Saints" was considered a dorm room initiation during Kyle, Drew, and Phil's college years. Highly requested by our listeners, "The Boondock Saints" possesses one of the most prolific cult followings in history. Its success was bolstered primarily by Blockbuster rentals. Although critics bashed the film, a lauded documentary titled "Overnight" received high marks for its portrayal of Troy Duffy; the highly volatile, rags-to-riches director who eventually found himself blacklisted for his uncouth approach to directing Harvey Weinstein's Diamond in the Rough. As for "Snatch," Guy Ritchie is the most requested director we've yet to cover. With his unique blend of violence, humor, and rapid-fire pacing, Guy Ritchie's style shines in "Snatch." 

With God on our side, the MWP crew slays the wicked war card, bare knuckles and all. 

Click here to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon!

Film Summaries

The Boondock Saints

Tired of the crime overrunning the streets of Boston, Irish Catholic twin brothers Conner (Sean Patrick Flanery) and Murphy (Norman Reedus) are inspired by their faith to cleanse their hometown of evil with their own brand of zealous vigilante justice. As they hunt down and kill one notorious gangster after another, they become controversial folk heroes in the community. But Paul Smecker (Willem Dafoe), an eccentric FBI agent, is fast closing in on their blood-soaked trail.

• Rating: R
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & thriller
• Original Language: English
• Director: Troy Duffy
• Producer: Chris Brinker, Robert N. Fried, Elie Samaha, Lloyd Segan
• Writer: Troy Duffy
• Release Date (Theaters): Aug 4, 1999 Original
• Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
• Box Office (Gross USA): $19.9K
• Runtime: 1h 50m
• Distributor: New City Releasing [us], Indican Pictures

(Thank you Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/boondock_saints)

Snatch

Illegal boxing promoter Turkish (Jason Statham) convinces gangster Brick Top (Alan Ford) to offer bets on bare-knuckle boxer Mickey (Brad Pitt) at his bookie business. When Mickey does not throw his first fight as agreed, an infuriated Brick Top demands another match. Meanwhile, gangster Frankie Four Fingers (Benicio del Toro) comes to place a bet for a friend with Brick Top's bookies, as multiple criminals converge on a stolen diamond that Frankie has come to London to sell.

• Rating: R (Some Nudity|Language|Strong Violence)
• Genre: Comedy, Drama
• Original Language: English
• Director: Guy Ritchie
• Producer: Matthew Vaughn
• Writer: Guy Ritchie
• Release Date (Theaters): Jan 19, 2001 Wide
• Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2011
• Box Office (Gross USA): $30.1M
• Runtime: 1h 38m
• Distributor: Screen Gems
• Production Co: Columbia Pictures, SKA Films
• Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, SDDS
• Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Thank you Rotten Tomatoes for the film summaries and details! (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/s

It was only a matter of time before the Movie Wars crew released an Arnold Vs. Arnold episode. Drew and Phil treated Kyle to cigars and Thai food for his birthday while we watched "Arnold" on Netflix. Needless to say, it was inspiring for us. We ditched "Mr. And Mrs. Smith" (which is a good match plotwise) for the ultimate Arnold fan matchup. By many standards and opinions, "True Lies" is considered to be Arnold's finest work, while "Eraser" marks the end of what film scholars believe to be Arnold's golden era which started with "Conan the Barbarian" in 1982. Often maligned, the MWP crew found a lot of joy in "Eraser" and the throughlines were too hard to ignore. Get erased and lie to your spouse about your career. Check out "True Lies" Vs. "Eraser." 

Help the crew make more shows and keep this operation going by supporting us on Patreon! Also, the easiest way to help MWP is sharing with your friends and on social media.

Film Summaries

Eraser

John "The Eraser" Kruger is the top gun in the US Marshall Witness Protection scheme; he erases their past and deals with their future. His latest assignment is whistle-blower Dr. Lee Cullen, who has evidence against a major arms corporation that's selling weapons to terrorists with the collusion of rogue enemy agents within, but there is danger nearer home for Kruger, from within his own department.

• Rating: R
• Genre: Action
• Original Language: English
• Director: Chuck Russell
• Producer: Arnold Kopelson, Anne Kopelson
• Writer: Walon Green, Walon Green, Tony Puryear
• Release Date (Theaters): Jun 21, 1996 Wide
• Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
• Box Office (Gross USA): $101.3M
• Runtime: 1h 55m
• Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

True Lies

Secretly a spy but thought by his family to be a dull salesman, Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is tracking down nuclear missiles in the possession of Islamic jihadist Aziz (Art Malik). Harry's mission is complicated when he realizes his neglected wife, Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis), is contemplating an affair with Simon (Bill Paxton), a used-car salesman who claims he's a spy. When Aziz kidnaps Harry and Helen, the secret agent must save the world and patch up his marriage at the same time.

• Rating: R
• Genre: Action, Comedy
• Original Language: English
• Director: James Cameron
• Producer: Stephanie Austin, James Cameron
• Writer: James Cameron
• Release Date (Theaters): Jul 15, 1994 Wide
• Release Date (Streaming): Oct 7, 2016
• Box Office (Gross USA): $146.3M
• Runtime: 2h 21m

Thank you Rotten Tom

We're thinking we're back! Nothing summarizes this matchup like the words "sweet revenge." John Wick and Taken are two fantastic action films revolving around uniquely skilled protagonists avenging the loss of dogs and people near and dear to them. Kyle loved the opportunity to re-introduce the "Keanu Lifer" back to the podcast. We also discussed how John Wick captures the essence of the classic action films we love while developing its own style. Enjoy John Wick Vs. Taken with guns blazing, or if you don't, we will look for you and we will find you. 

John Wick

Legendary assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) retired from his violent career after marrying the love of his life. Her sudden death leaves John in deep mourning. When sadistic mobster Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen) and his thugs steal John's prized car and kill the puppy that was a last gift from his wife, John unleashes the remorseless killing machine within and seeks vengeance. Meanwhile, Iosef's father (Michael Nyqvist) -- John's former colleague -- puts a huge bounty on John's head.

• Rating: R (Language|Brief Drug Use|Strong Bloody Violence)
• Genre: Action, Mystery & thriller
• Original Language: English
• Director: Chad Stahelski
• Producer: Basil Iwanyk, David Leitch, Eva Longoria
• Writer: Derek Kolstad
• Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 2014 Wide
• Release Date (Streaming): Feb 3, 2015
• Box Office (Gross USA): $43.0M
• Runtime: 1h 41m
• Distributor: Lionsgate Films

Taken

Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson), a former government operative, is trying to reconnect with his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace). Then his worst fears become real when sex slavers abduct Kim and her friend shortly after they arrive in Paris for vacation. With just four days until Kim will be auctioned off, Bryan must call on every skill he learned in black ops to rescue her.

• Rating: PG-13 (Intense Sequences of Violence|Disturbing Thematic Material|Language|Sexual Content|Some Drug References)
• Genre: Action, Mystery & thriller
• Original Language: English
• Director: Pierre Morel
• Producer: Luc Besson
• Writer: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen
• Release Date (Theaters): Jan 30, 2009 Wide
• Release Date (Streaming): May 12, 2009
• Box Office (Gross USA): $145.0M
• Runtime: 1h 31m
• Distributor: 20th Century Fox

Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes.

The video game movie genre is experiencing a renaissance. Traditionally, cinema has heavily influenced the production of video games. Games like Resident Evil and Metal Gear Solid are evidence of this. As video games have become more cinematic on their own, the sentiment around video game-influenced movies has increased. Shows like The Last Of Us and the upcoming Super Mario Brothers movie are garnering more interest from the masses than any game-inspired IP before them. Today, the guys are covering two female-led video game films: Resident Evil and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Kyle, Drew, and Phile had a mighty fine time drawing from their love of video games for this matchup. 

FILM SUMMARIES

Resident Evil

Based on the popular video game, Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez star as the leaders of a commando team who must break into "the hive," a vast underground genetics laboratory operated by the powerful Umbrella Corporation. There, a deadly virus has been unleashed, killing the lab's personnel and resurrecting them as the evil Un-dead. The team has just three hours to shut down the lab's supercomputer and close the facility before the virus threatens to overrun the Earth.

• Genre: Horror, Action
• Original Language: English
• Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
• Producer: Jeremy Bolt, Bernd Eichinger, Samuel Hadida, Paul W.S. Anderson
• Writer: Alan B. McElroy
• Release Date (Theaters): Mar 15, 2002 Wide
• Release Date (Streaming): Sep 7, 2004
• Box Office (Gross USA): $39.5M
• Runtime: 1h 40m
• Distributor: Columbia Pictures
• Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR

This live action feature is inspired by the most successful interactive video-game character in history -- Lara Croft. Beautiful and brainy, Lara (Angelina Jolie) is the heroine of Eidos Interactive's phenomenally successful "Tomb Raider" game series. It is one woman's fearless quest criss-crossing the globe, in an amazing attempt to save the world.

• Rating: PG-13 (Some Sensuality|Action/Violence)
• Genre: Adventure, Action, Fantasy
• Original Language: English
• Director: Simon West
• Producer: Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Colin Wilson
• Writer: Patrick Massett, John Zinman, Simon West, Sara B. Cooper, Mike Werb, Michael Colleary
• Release Date (Theaters): Jun 15, 2001 Wide
• Release Date (Streaming): Nov 13, 2001
• Box Office (Gross USA): $131.1M
• Runtime: 1h 40m
• Distributor: Paramount Pictures
• Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround, Dolby Stereo

Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes!

Batman films serve as a time-stamped looking glass into the temperament of society. The stark difference in tone is evident when you watch 2005's Batman Begins after watching Tim Burton's Batman (1989). The inherent silliness that endears 1989's Batman seems like a spectacle when compared to Nolan's entries which embody the post-9/11 nihilism that we've discussed on the podcast many times. Yet somehow, 2022's The Batman takes the cake when it comes to channeling darkness. When you pair the truly noir detective roots of Batman with Matt Reeve's pandemic-born, post-election-inspired grunge opus, you get The Batman. Join Kyle, Drew, and Phil in the Movie Wars cave as we pit two celebrated Batmen against one another. 

Click here to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle’s new 20-minute film retrospectives which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content.

Film Summaries

THE BATMAN

Batman ventures into Gotham City's underworld when a sadistic killer leaves behind a trail of cryptic clues. As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator's plans become clear, he must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued the metropolis.

• Rating: PG-13 (Some Suggestive Material|Drug Content|Strong Disturbing Content|Strong Language|Strong Violent Content)
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime, Drama
• Original Language: English
• Director: Matt Reeves
• Producer: Dylan Clark, Matt Reeves
• Writer: Matt Reeves, Peter Craig
• Release Date (Theaters): Mar 4, 2022  Wide
• Release Date (Streaming): Apr 19, 2022
• Box Office (Gross USA): $369.3M
• Runtime: 2h 56m
• Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
• Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, SDDS
• Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)
• View the collection: Batman

Info Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_batman

BATMAN BEGINS

A young Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels to the Far East, where he's trained in the martial arts by Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), a member of the mysterious League of Shadows. When Ducard reveals the League's true purpose -- the complete destruction of Gotham City -- Wayne returns to Gotham intent on cleaning up the city without resorting to murder. With the help of Alfred (Michael Caine), his loyal butler, and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), a tech expert at Wayne Enterprises, Batman is born.

• Rating: PG-13 (Some Thematic Elements|Disturbing Images|Intense Action Violence)
• Genre: Action, Fantasy, Adventure
• Original Language: English
• Director: Christopher Nolan
• Producer: Larry J. Franco, Charles Roven, 

Cue the house music beats and the getaway cars. Kyle, Drew, and Phil find themselves in the middle of the ultimate heist film battle. Both Ocean's Eleven and The Italian Job are remakes that attempt to sever ties with their source material. Ocean's Eleven boasts a veteran ensemble cast, including Julia Roberts, who is fresh off of her 2001 Oscar win for Best Actress for Erin Brockovich, which is also directed by Steven Soderbergh. The Italian Job's is more of an ensemble in the making, showing off a rookie class effort for burgeoning greats Charlize Theron and Mark Wahlberg. It's hard to argue that The Italian Job borrows mightily from Oceian's Eleven, which was released two years earlier. Strap yourself into your Mini Cooper and grab your finest suit as Movie Wars attempts to determine which heist film steals all the marbles. 

Click here to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle’s new 20-minute film retrospectives, which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content.

FILM SUMMARIES

OCEAN'S ELEVEN

Dapper Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is a man of action. Less than 24 hours into his parole from a New Jersey penitentiary, the wry, charismatic thief is already rolling out his next plan. Following three rules: Don't hurt anybody, don't steal from anyone who doesn't deserve it, and play the game like you've got nothing to lose. Danny orchestrates the most sophisticated, elaborate casino heist in history.

• Rating:
• PG-13 (Some Language|Sexual Content)
• Genre:
• Comedy, Drama, Crime
• Original Language:
• English
• Director:
• Steven Soderbergh
• Producer:
• Jerry Weintraub
• Writer:
• Ted Griffin
• Release Date (Theaters):
• Dec 7, 2001 Wide
• Release Date (Streaming):
• May 7, 2002
• Box Office (Gross USA):
• $183.4M
• Runtime:
• 1h 56m
• Distributor:
• Warner Bros. Pictures

(Thank you Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/oceans_eleven)

THE ITALIAN JOB

After a heist in Venice, Steve (Edward Norton) turns on his partners in crime, killing safecracker John Bridger (Donald Sutherland) and keeping all the gold for himself. The rest of the team, including leader Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg), driver Handsome Rob (Jason Statham), explosives man Left Ear (Mos Def) and tech geek Lyle (Seth Green), vows revenge. They enlist the help of Bridger's daughter, Stella (Charlize Theron), and plot to recover the gold from Steve's Los Angeles mansion.

• Rating:
• PG-13 (Violence|Some Language)
• Genre:
• Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Action
• Original Language:
• English
• Director:
• F. Gary Gray
• Producer:
• Donald De Line
• Writer:
• Donna Powers, Wayne Powers
• Release Date (Theaters):
• May 30, 2003 Wide
• Release Date (Streaming):
• Oct 21, 2003
• Box Office (Gross USA):

You'll be hard-pressed to find real-life subject matter more exaggerated and glamorized in film than the courtroom. Hollywood has taken lots of liberty representing the legal system over the years. 1992 was arguably the most significant year for courtroom films. Widely regarded as two of the best courtroom films ever made, we analyze A Few Good Men and My Cousin Vinny. Although they represent two different genres, they have a long list of commonalities. We also get to explore the performances of two prolific actors in Tom Cruise and Joe Pesci. Although they don't necessarily possess the same range as other greats, they have seen their talents utilized in various genres. Help the Movie Wars crew determine a verdict for these amazing courtroom films. 

Click here to become an executive producer on Movie Wars by supporting us on Patreon! A measly $7 gets you access to Kyle’s new 20-minute film retrospectives which are deep dives into the films we cover(and Patron Requests), interviews with legendary filmmakers, Host Q and A, and bonus content.

About A Few Good Men(courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes)

Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) is a military lawyer defending two U.S. Marines charged with killing a fellow Marine at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. Although Kaffee is known for seeking plea bargains, a fellow lawyer, Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore), convinces him that the accused marines were most likely carrying out an order from a commanding officer. Kaffee takes a risk by calling Col. Nathan R. Jessep (Jack Nicholson) to the stand in an effort to uncover the conspiracy.

• Rating:
• R
• Genre:
• Drama
• Original Language:
• English
• Director:
• Rob Reiner
• Producer:
• Rob Reiner, Andrew Scheinman, David Brown
• Writer:
• Aaron Sorkin
• Release Date (Theaters):
• Dec 11, 1992 Wide
• Release Date (Streaming):
• May 6, 2003
• Box Office (Gross USA):
• $141.3M
• Runtime:
• 2h 18m
• Distributor:
• Columbia Pictures, Columbia Tristar

About My Cousin Vinny(Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes)

New York lawyer Vinny has never won a case. When his teenage cousin Bill and his friend Stan are accused of murder in a backwater Alabama town, it's up to the nervous Vinny to save him from jail, even though he's only ever tried personal injury cases before, and none of them successfully.

• Rating:
• R
• Genre:
• Comedy
• Original Language:
• English
• Director:
• Jonathan Lynn
• Producer:
• Dale Launer, Paul Schiff
• Writer:
• Dale Launer
• Release Date (Theaters):
• Mar 13, 1992 Wide
• Release Date (Streaming):
• Jan 30, 2007
• Box Office (Gross USA):
• $50.9M
• Runtime:
• 1h 59m
• Distributor:
• 20th Century Fox