Movie Wars

In this episode from the Patreon archives, Kyle interviews the legendary Mic Rodgers, a celebrated stunt coordinator, director, and long-time stunt double for Mel Gibson. With over 40 years in the industry, Rodgers has revolutionized the world of action cinema. They delve into his groundbreaking invention, the Mic-Rig, which has become a game-changer for high-octane films like the 'Fast & Furious' series, transforming how car stunts are filmed and experienced on screen.

Rodgers has left his mark on a plethora of iconic films, including his work as Mel Gibson's double in classics like 'Lethal Weapon,' 'Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome,' and the Academy Award-winning 'Braveheart.' Beyond his work with Gibson, he has contributed to the success of action-packed blockbusters such as 'Twister,' 'Hacksaw Ridge,' 'John Wick,' 'The Expendables,' and 'Avatar.'

Notably, Rodgers' innovation with the Mic-Rig earned him a Technical Grammy Award, recognizing his groundbreaking contribution to the field of film production technology. His invention has set new standards in the industry, enabling filmmakers to capture more dynamic and immersive action sequences.

Tune in as Mic shares behind-the-scenes stories, his approach to stunt coordination, and the technical innovations that have set new benchmarks in filmmaking.

Get ready for an exciting new series of the Movie Wars Podcast! Today, we're kicking off the Mad Max franchise series with comedian and film critic Matthew Belivins joining Kyle for the entire series. We're also introducing a tweaked format and war card, which we think you're going to love.

The Mad Max franchise is known for its groundbreaking stunts and dystopian imaginings. It also introduced the world to future legend Mel Gibson. Originating from the Ozploitation movement of 1970s Australian cinema, Mad Max gained international attention despite a budget of only $400K. The Shakespearean villains are more memorable than the protagonist, who would rather fade into the oblivion of the Western-style conflicts he finds himself in. Cut from the framework of traditional Westerns, Mad Max offers a dystopian take on the classic "...a stranger walks into town" formula.

Join us as we delve into this important franchise in film history and explore the world of Mad Max.

Here's a good one from the Patreon archives. In this special episode of Movie Wars, Kyle had the privilege of sitting down with the legendary Steve Byrne—comedian, director, writer, and documentarian. Known for his sharp wit and groundbreaking comedy specials like Happy Hour, The Byrne Identity, Champion, Tell the Damn Joke, and The Last Late Night, Steve shares his incredible journey in standup and his successful transition into filmmaking. He also takes us behind the scenes of his acclaimed sitcom Sullivan & Son, where he starred and co-created the show, which ran for three seasons on TBS.

Steve talks about his work writing and directing feature films, including The Opening Act (2020), a comedy that captures the struggles of an up-and-coming comedian, and The Last Late Night (2023), a special that showcases his passion for blending the worlds of stand-up and late-night talk shows. We also discuss the challenges he faced in making the documentary Always Amazing, which chronicles the life of his close friend, The Amazing Johnathan, and the controversy it sparked with a competing filmmaker. Enjoy!

Movie Wars is back, and in the lead-up to our official relaunch this October, host Kyle is celebrating Friday the 13th with a special episode! Joined by stand-up comedian and film critic Matthew Blevins, they dive deep into the question: Why does the Friday the 13th franchise have such lasting power? With 12 films, over 10 directors, and more than $460 million at the box office, this iconic horror series has left an indelible mark on pop culture. From its rise in horror history to the enduring themes that keep Jason Voorhees alive in the cultural zeitgeist, this episode explores it all. Tune in for a killer discussion that every horror fan will love!

Speaking of wars, Kyle revisits one of his all-time favorite Hollywood stories. If you weren't aware, the release of Stanley Kurbrick's The Shining started a kerfuffle with the novel's beloved author, Stephen King. The Shining was King's most autobiographical work that brought him into the limelight. He saw Kubrick's interpretation as an insult to his prized work. Kyle analyzes and retells the story and concludes with who he believes came out the other side victorious, albeit, decades later.

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The MWP crew is excited to get to a matchup that’s been on the list for a while. Silver Linings Playbook Vs As Good As It Gets is an Oscar-nomination-laden matchup, both bringing home best actress for Helen Hunt and Jennifer Lawrence. Unconventional and offbeat romance films, both movies do a decent job of portraying the act of finding love through the lens of mental illness. Jack Nicholson delivered yet another groundbreaking performance as Melvin while Silver Linings Playbook brought Jennifer Lawrence into the spotlight. Find unconventional love with the Movie Wars crew and step over the cracks.

And oh…. You make us want to be a better podcast.

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Kyle and Drew dive headfirst into their obsession with Arnold and Sly movies. This is no surprise to long-term MWP fans. We discuss whether or not it's possible for the environment and circumstances to create a similar era of dominance for action stars. Arnold and Sly's multi-decade runs, muscles, and over-the-top action were ushered in by the 80s, and elongated throughout the 90's(and a little 2000s in there too). Was this a case of the perfect stars for the perfect time, or could we see another star take the mantle of dominance?

Please weigh in on our social media platforms: Instagram and TikTok.

We're pulling this one from the ancient Patreon archives for our main feed listeners. It was such an honor to meet and interview legendary screenwriter Peter Iliff. We spent most of our time talking about how his career which started with him waiting tables until he sold the early draft of Point Break to Ridley Scott. The story is truly incredible, including James Cameron buying the property from Scott and polishing the final version of the script. Iliff would go on to write more fantastic films including Varsity Blues, and Patriot Games. He's also come into his own as a director.

Lastly, if you've ever has aspirations to write a screenplay, this is the podcast for you. Peter goes through what it's like to write in today's Hollywood and provides tips for future screenwriters.

What a great convo!

Kyle is incensed after his first viewing of the long-awaited The Crow remake trailer, starring Bill Skarsgård as Eric Draven. The original is not only one of Kyle's all-time favorite films and comfort movies, he believes 1994's The Crow possesses a high level of cultural significance. Can any iteration or remake of this classic justify attempts to infringe on Brandon Lee's tragic legacy, a film that led to his on-set death?

Even though the Movie Wars crew aren't typically "trailer reaction" guys, Kyle thoroughly discusses Hollywood's latest attempt at retreading beloved IP.

Head to our socials and drop your thoughts!

Throughout film history, directors have identified their go-to collaborators and gone back to the well several times. Scorsese and De Niro have collaborated 11 times. John Wayne and John Ford worked together 21 times. Kyle and Drew go off-topic and analyze the all-time best Actor/Director duos, why they work, and what directors see in their frequent collaborators. They also go through some of their favorites duos.