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Fun show this week and we kick it all off with Sam Franco of the Mouths of the South Podcast to talk the comings and goings of Atlanta United's...does soccer use a king? Anyway, we tip our caps to the return of the WNBA, wait for MLB to fall apart, and hope against hope that the NBA bubble can survive Magic City wings.

Guest: Sam Franco - @samjfranco

 

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Gotta love this show.

First off, congrats to Elizabeth Henstridge for a wonderfully directed episode. Time loops episodes might seem like simple episodes to do but they're not. To make a good time loop episode it really comes down to building on the well defined characters and relationships as well as the cast knowing how to make subtle changes in their performances and this episode really does that. Agents of SHIELD also is written to really trust that the audience will get it.  This time loops starts halfway (maybe even 3/4) through the loops. 

This episode gives us an emotional sendoff for Enoch, some great "Father/Daughter" moments between Daisy and Coulson, confirms Daisy still has her powers, gives us a Daisy/Sousa relationship (or potential one) and gives us some really deep moments to think about family,  life and what it means to be alive. All in one episode. Oh and it makes us all realize that asking "Where is Fitz?" is going to lead to some answers we don't think any of us want.

 

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Dave Franco makes his directorial debut by stepping into the horror/thriller genre with The Rental. The Rental is a solid directorial debut for Franco as it weaves together a pretty simple but engaging plot, messy characters that aren't annoying and a short runtime (88 minutes). 

The characters in The Rental "have it coming" to them for their messy and terrible decisions throughout this film. There's a lot of "unintentionally  funny" moments of this film. This is mainly because as the audience, we get to be voyeurs into the lives of two couples that are keeping secrets from each other that are later exposed leading to their downfall.  Let's be honest, having an affair with your business partner is never a good idea. Having an affair with your married business partner is an even worse idea. Having an affair with your married business partner who is the brother of your boyfriend while you all are all staying at the same remote Airbnb is just a recipe for disaster. Throw in a murderous voyeur who has the Airbnb rigged with hidden cameras and now we have a movie.

The Rental isn't a perfect film but in the age of Covid with a VOD release, this is just what the doctor ordered. Franco avoids some of the pitfalls first time directors have when they jump into the horror genre and is able to keep things simple and safe (maybe too safe). Still, this is worth checking out. 

Listen as Ro, Joi and Kriss discuss and review this film. We also talk about the state of films in general during Covid, the indefinite delays of some film releases (Tenet) and the upcoming virtual film festivals as an interesting award season starts to come into view.

The Rental opens in over 250 drive ins and theaters (where allowed) as well as Digital and Cable VOD Friday July 24th.

For a list of theaters and available rental platforms check out therental.movie

 

 

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Let's call him Andre "Starlord" Layton at this point because he's leading a revolution and has about 12% of a plan. We get that he never  really wanted to lead a revolution and like Pike said, he doesn't really have the stomach for prolonged conflict. Layton does what many revolutionaries do which is win the day but quickly realize the weight of what that means.

We really did enjoy this first season of Snowpiercer. The show did a great job of balancing the class issues while also showing some of the impossible decisions that Melanie had to make. It doesn't claim that she's right, quite opposite. But it also shows how someone with good intentions can pave the road to hell. This season also does a good job of showing how its possible for the really dystopian views on the train from the movie could get to that point. There aren't any really good decisions being made here but that also seems to be the point. Like when Melanie makes Layton have to make the decision to sacrifice a few of the revolutionaries from the tail to save everyone on the train. Layton now has the train but that also means he has all the responsibility and its going to be interesting seeing how he shoulders it (spoiler alert: Not well). But we don't get that much time to think about that as it seems that maybe the real Mr. Wilford isn't as dead as everyone thinks and might now be in control. We can't wait to see what happens in season 2.

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The Twilight Zone Season Two Gains Some Thematic Clarity

Jordan Peele's The Twilight Zone premiered on CBS All Access last year. The showrunner's track record had expectation set high. Too high. The series struggled to find its identity and footing in a world where Black Mirror reigns supreme and many of the more subtle aspects of Rod Sterling's show have been forgotten in syndication. But Season Two corrected more than a few of the show's missteps. The largest among them by releasing the entire series in one fell swoop.

Leaving it up to audiences to set their consumption pace allows for more room for episodes that feel less than fully cooked. This decision allowed for a more natural ebb and flow particularly as it swiftly becomes clear this season, again, has some episodes that carry its theme somewhat better than others. 

It's clear that Peele is intent on revitalizing more than rebooting The Twilight Zone and reconnect it to its anthology roots. Season Two is not without it's hiccups but between the (once again) top shelf talent, better visualization of its themes and commentary it's a definite improvement. There's more show than tell. More metaphorical staying power. And less rush to make the story land. This time, there's more obvious faith in the narratives being baked in (and in the audience). 

Ro, Parish, and HiroJa got together to review Season Two and all agree it's a vast improvement on first season. Listen as they discuss its clearer overall theme for the season, standout performances and episodes, writing, storytelling, and direction. We all look forward to the third season when it comes out in 2052.

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So, I'm 35. And as such, you get to listen to me and by best friends talk about the world. This is nominally a sports show, but it's also a great way to help me crystalize how I see things, and no one can challenge those views like people who know you best. Sports are going to happen, but we all agree they probably shouldn't. As such, what the hell are we doing here?

Guest: The Homie Mike and Shani

 

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Radical Monarchs Puts Girls First 

The world is a very different place than it was when the Girl Scouts came into being. Being a young girl and wanting to be a leader are less controversial concepts. But wanting to be an activist leader? Well now, that's radical. But it begs the question, should it be? We find our answer in We Are the Radical Monarchs, a documentary premiering on PBS's POV series (also available online) July 20. 

Background: 

Set in Oakland, a city with a deep history of social justice movements, We Are The Radical Monarchs follows the two trailblazing, queer women of color who created The Radical Monarchs, a more diverse and inclusive alternative to the scout movement. The Monarchs are focused on empowering girls to confront the intersections of social justice and the issues of the day with lessons that can help them grow into themselves, understand each other as well as their community, and have a sisterhood that doesn't required conformity. 

Radical Monarchs co-founders Anayvette Martinez and Marilyn Hollinquest

The Identity of a Radical Monarch 

The documentary showcases the aims of the Monarchs and how, contrary to public conservative compliant, co-founders Anayvette Martinez and Marilyn Hollinquest are intent on providing an safe environment where hard conversations about combating media indoctrination and celebrating one's self happen. 

Director Linda Goldstein Knowlton smartly incorporates the girls themselves in telling the story of the Monarchs in ways that showcase not only the voices in the group but also just how necessary this space truly is. If you've ever wondered how you talk to young children about a serious issue, the Radical Monarchs likely have a module for it. 

The Birth of the Monarchs

The film is a journey.  Knowlton smartly follows the first troop of Radical Monarchs for over three years — before and after the 2016 Presidential election — as they complete units on such subjects as LGBTQ allyship, environment racism, and disability justice.

These moments showcase the girls and how they think to great effect. It drills down on the social awareness lessons that become the bedrock of the Monarch's curriculum it's a savvy narrative that excellently dovetails "showing and telling" in a way that builds story momentum and investment. 

We are the Radical Monarchs is an insightful and uplifting look at how to respond to a need and what to do when demand outpaces availability. The world is a fast moving place where its easy to get lost as an adult, dedicating a space where children can have access to the tools to grow into strong personalities able to navigate it. The Radical Monarchs build sisterhood on multiple levels; creating a way to confront the world and care out space away from its chaos. 

Listen as we discuss the documentary and the takeaways that make this documentary an enjoyable watch. 

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This week the Agents are still in the 80's but we take a trip to a place we've been before in previous seasons: After Life. To help fix the time drive, Elena needs her speed back and to figure out what's wrong, they need someone familiar with Inhumans. Enter Jiaying, Daisy's mother. There are several key things that happen this episode:

* May's "empathy" powers are increasing. She now doesn't have to touch someone to feel what they're feeling

* Elena's powers were never gone, she was just holding herself back. Also turns out that when she uses her powers, she doesn't have to bounce back to the place she started. She's just a regular speedster

* Jiaying had another daughter (Daisy has a sister) who was supposed to die but has now teamed up with Malik (who is now evil Quake). With Nathan taking over Afterlife and driving Jiaying and Gordon out, it makes me wonder if this is when Jiaying meets up with Calvin Zabo and conceives Daisy?

That last one there brings up the interesting question again of how much is actually changing in the history of Shield and the Agents. Maybe in some ways all these things were meant to happen. It will be interesting seeing how all this plays out.

Also it's well past the time to start worrying about where Fitz is. 

 

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Kriss, Dpalm and Justin wrap up their revisit of Nick Spencer's Captain America run with the Secret Empire tie-in issues for both Captain America books as well as the Secret Empire cross-over event itself. As with the Captain America solo books, we discuss how relevant and timely some of the things Spencer brings  up are. From how evil Steve Rogers talks about Inhumans to  how easy it is to get so many people onboard with fascism when they think it personally benefits them. 

Part 1 (Sam Wilson) and Part 2 (Steve Rogers) are on the Premium feed for Premium members.

Issues:

* Captain America Steve Rogers #16 - #19

* Captain America Sam Wilson #22 - 25

* Secret Empire Free Comic Book Day Issue

* Secret Empire #0

* Secret Empire #1 - 10

* Secret Empire Omega

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Back at it, as a wise man once said. And boy, for a summer without sports, there sure is a bunch of news. The money decided to get right, so a lot of symbols are coming down and a lot of the things I say on the pod are now being said on mainstream sports talk. So what do we do? We. Keep. Going. Rich is here from PWTorch and we talk it all and a little NJPW to close the show.

Guest: Rich Fann - @rich_fann

 

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