Second Cut

Jacob and Sam evaluate Batman Forever, often considered one of the worst in the franchise. They also have a quick chat about 2022's The Batman, discuss the flamboyance of Joel Schumacher's characters, and try to decide whether Val Kilmer was good or not.

The Film Magazine:

2022 Animated Feature Oscar Nominees Ranked by Joseph Wade

Where to Start with Paul Thomas Anderson by Jacob Davis

TFM Redbubble

Music:

Awakening (Instrumental) by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0

Music promoted by FDL Music https://youtu.be/X2oQNUOmk2k

Jacob, Kieran, and Sam watched a couple films from Ukrainian directors to show the unique national character of the country, and as a statement of solidarity with the people. Ukraine's sovereignty and ethnic identity is under threat from Russia during this crisis, and nothing displays those qualities quite like film. 2019's Homeward takes place during the beginning of the Russia aggression in 2014, and The Ascent follows Soviet soldiers during the Nazi Occupation of Belarus in World War II.

The Film Magazine:

The Batman (2022) Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson

Flee (2022) Review by Joseph Wade

TFM Redbubble

Music:

Awakening (Instrumental) by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0

Music promoted by FDL Music https://youtu.be/X2oQNUOmk2k

We're no stranger to prequels on this show! Here we analyze The King's Man, the prequel to the Kingsman films. Jacob, Kieran, and Sam discuss Matthew Vaughn's aristocratic shame, how much we don't care about these characters, and the underutilization of Rasputin as a villain.

The Film Magazine:

Clio Barnard Films Ranked by Sam Sewell-Peterson

10 Best Batman Begins Moments by Joseph Wade

TFM Redbubble

Music:

Awakening (Instrumental) by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0

Music promoted by FDL Music https://youtu.be/X2oQNUOmk2k

Brotherhood of the Wolf (Le Pacte des loups) is a French blockbuster that blends genres. While it made quite a bit of money, Jacob and Sam try to figure out exactly how good it is. They discuss the weird twists, bad dubbing, and much more in this episode!

The Film Magazine:

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) Review by Kieran Judge

Uncharted (2022) Review by Christopher Connor

TFM Redbubble

Music:

Awakening (Instrumental) by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0

Music promoted by FDL Music https://youtu.be/X2oQNUOmk2k

Jacob, Kieran, and Sam explore 2011's Wuthering Heights. It's clearly a competent and thoughtful movie, but is it a good movie? Do people like it? Is it worth a watch? As a Yorkshire local, Sam offers plenty of regional insight to elevate this analysis of such a classic work brought to screen.

The Film Magazine:

Wuthering Heights Films Ranked by Annice White

Where to Start with Pedro Almodóvar by Sam Sewell-Peterson

TFM Redbubble

Music:

Awakening (Instrumental) by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0

Music promoted by FDL Music https://youtu.be/X2oQNUOmk2k

Jacob, Kieran, and Sam each chose a film with mixed reviews to breakdown!

Jacob: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou directed by Wes Anderson

Kieran: In the Mouth of Madness directed by John Carpenter

Sam: Only God Forgives directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

Some views are more positive than others, but each film comes from a director we love.

The Film Magazine:

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) Review by Christopher Connor

The 'Halloween' Franchise Ranked by Kieran Judge

TFM Redbubble

Music:

Awakening (Instrumental) by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0

Music promoted by FDL Music https://youtu.be/X2oQNUOmk2k

Kieran makes his triumphant return, joining Jacob and Sam to discuss Marvel's Eternals. Chloe Zhao brought her own vision to the film, and the crew explains where it does and doesn't work. It's certainly a film deserving of mixed reviews, and it isn't only because it's a Marvel film!

The Film Magazine:

Eternals (2021) Review by Mark Carnochan

Licorice Pizza (2021) Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson

TFM Redbubble

Music:

Awakening (Instrumental) by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0

Music promoted by FDL Music https://youtu.be/X2oQNUOmk2k

Jacob and Sam cover the show's second erotic thriller with Paul Verhoeven's Basic Instinct. They discuss Sharon Stone's issues with the film - as well as her excellent performance - the convoluted plot, and Verhoeven's excellent cinematography. Surely the episode of the century!

Sources:

Cal Poly - THEY KILL FOR LOVE: Defining the Erotic Thriller as a Film Genre

Vanity Fair - “You Can’t Shame Me”: Sharon Stone on How Basic Instinct Nearly Broke Her, Before Making Her a Star

The Naked Truth: Why Hollywood Doesn't Make X-Rated Movies by Kevin S. Sandler

The Film Magazine:

Where to Start with Paul Verhoeven by Sam Sewell-Peterson

Scream (2022) Review by Kieran Judge

TFM Redbubble

Music:

Awakening (Instrumental) by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0

Music promoted by FDL Music https://youtu.be/X2oQNUOmk2k

Jacob and Sam evaluate George Lucas' follow-up to The Phantom Menace. They go through some hot takes on the film, examine the relationship between Anakin and Padme, and decide whether or not this movie is worse than its prequel predecessor.

Chicago Tribune [Archive] - Movie review, 'Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones'

cinema.com - Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones : Production Notes

Empire - Empire's Original Attack Of The Clones Review

The Film Magazine:

10 Best Films 2021 by Annice White

‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ at 15 – Review by Sam Sewell-Peterson

TFM Redbubble

Music:

Awakening (Instrumental) by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0

Music promoted by FDL Music https://youtu.be/X2oQNUOmk2k

Jacob and Sam cover their personal top five and bottom five films reviewed on Second Cut in 2021 based on their own individual criteria. Will Tenet make a list? What about the infamous Cats? They also give a brief, spoiler-filled break down of Spider-Man: No Way Home since the film was too well-received to merit an episode.

Thank you to all of our listeners and supporters, and we look forward to continuing to bring interesting, informative work on films in the coming year!

TFM:

2022 Big Movie Preview by Joseph Wade

10 Best Films 2021 by Sam Sewell-Peterson

TFM Redbubble

Music:

Awakening (Instrumental) by Wataboi https://soundcloud.com/wataboi

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0

Music promoted by FDL Music https://youtu.be/X2oQNUOmk2k