Spoilerpiece Theatre

Dave is back this week but, bum that he is, didn't get a chance to watch either film this week. So that leaves Megan flying solo on FRANKENSTEIN (3:00), writer-director Guillermo del Toro's take on Mary Shelley's classic novel. Short version: Megan loooooooved it and particularly enjoyed that this version portrays Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) as a complete bastard, and it gives the Creature (Jacob Elordi) a humanity and depth that other versions don't. Then Evan joins Megan for THE MASTERMIND (17:04), writer-director Kelly Reichardt's latest, about an art heist gone wrong - largely because its planner (or mastermind, ha) is a terrible planner. Over on Patreon, Dave, Megan, and Evan talk about the 1977 film LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR in honor of the late Diane Keaton.

Megan and Evan hold down the fort again this week, while Dave's on vacation. Megan kicks things off with a review of CHAIN REACTIONS (2:25), Alexandre O. Philippe's insightful documentary about THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, which takes an intriguing approach: it examines the film's impact on five artists — Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama — exploring how it shaped their art and psyche from childhood trauma. Megan is a big fan and highly recommends it. Next, both of us discuss Bryan Bertino's disappointing psychological horror film Vicious (20:55), starring Dakota Fanning and Kathryn Hunter. The movie, which is streaming on Paramount+, follows a woman (Fanning) who must fight for her life after receiving a mysterious box from a late-night visitor (Hunter). It features murky visuals, plot, and ideas that failed to capture our attention. And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we talk about Rob Reiner's 1990 horror film MISERY, starring James Caan and Kathy Bates, in honor of its 35th anniversary!

Dave is off this week, so Megan and Evan are coming at you as a duo! Megan starts by reviewing Mary Bronstein's absorbing psychological drama IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU (1:56), starring Rose Byrne as the world's most put-upon mother sinking under the weight of many simultaneous crises. Next, Evan reviews the Colin Hanks' delightful, moving documentary JOHN CANDY: I LIKE ME (16:19), which chronicles the life of the late comedian John Candy through deep interviews with friends and family, home video footage, and clips from his most memorable performances. Lastly, Evan and Megan join forces to discuss the surprisingly effective Paul Greengrass Apple TV+ disaster film THE LOST BUS (34:19), which stars Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera. Its harrowing plot is based on the true story chronicled in Lizzie Johnson's book "Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire." And in this week's Patreon exclusive audio, we discuss Dan Gilroy's neo-noir thriller NIGHTCRAWLER, starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

This week, we (Dave, Evan, and Megan) discuss documentary ARE WE GOOD? (2:34), which follows comedian Marc Maron (and directed by Steven Feinartz) as he prepares for his comedy special, podcasts, and deals with grief after the death of his partner, filmmaker Lynn Shelton. We all like Maron, who's a captivating subject, and appreciate his discussion of grief. But we had issues with the chaotic editing and didn't really learn anything new about him. Then we all talk about GOOD BOY (28:22), Ben Leonburg's unique supernatural horror film told from a dog's point of view. Indy the dog accompanies his human companion to a remote house in the woods that happens to be haunted. But only Indy seems to see the danger. It's a great film that's emotional and well made, especially the sound design, cinematography, and Indy's charismatic performance. And over on our Patreon bonus episode, we cover John Carpenter's supernatural horror film, THE FOG, starring Adrienne Barbeau and Jamie Lee Curtis, for its 45th anniversary!

This week, Evan and Megan discuss ELEANOR THE GREAT (3:14), Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut starring June Squibb as a 94-year-old Jewish woman who's grieving, tells a lie that spirals beyond her control, and befriends a college student (Erin Kellyman). The great performances anchor the film. Then we all (Dave, Evan, and Megan) talk about DEAD OF WINTER (24:21), Brian Kirk's action thriller starring Emma Thompson as a woman travelling solo in the woods who discovers a kidnapped teen and must contend with the kidnappers. We had divergent opinions on the film, but we all agree Judy Greer is fantastic as a desperate and ruthless villain. And on our Patreon bonus episode, we converse about the Robert Redford movie poll winner: the 1992 comedy-caper SNEAKERS!

You know, if you're gonna call your movie A BIG, BOLD, BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY (2:42), your movie better big, bold, and motherfucking beautiful. So is Kogonada's latest big? Bold? Beautiful? Megan and Dave let you know! Does it stand up to COLUMBUS and AFTER YANG? Then Evan joins in for a discussion of NIGHT OF THE REAPER (30:20), a slasher set in the '80s with a twist. Does it work? Does it make one of us angry? And is there a great exploding head gag? Over on Patreon, we watched the 2025 comedy-thriller BORDERLINE.

We have three movies on the show this week, starting with THE LONG WALK (2:59), which Megan saw. It's violent. It has a dose of scatology. It has a different ending from the Stephen King/Richard Bachman book. Judy Greer is great in it. But did Megan like it? Then Megan and Evan talk HIGHEST 2 LOWEST (17:26), the latest Spike Lee joint, starring Denzel Washington. Then Dave joins Megan and Evan for OR SOMETHING (39:12), a short walking-and-talking drama with comedic elements that we all had different reactions to. Over on Patreon, we talk about CLEARCUT, starring the late Graham Greene.

Evan is off this week, so Megan regales Dave with a tale so strange, we thought we'd never hear it on Spoilerpiece: Jai Courtey is excellent in DANGEROUS ANIMALS (2:31). Who knew? He's a serial killer who loves sharks! Then they caught up with Darren Aronofsky's CAUGHT STEALING (7:30), which is not the movie either Megan or Dave signed up for (it's Aronofsky; they should have known), but they really enjoyed it nonetheless. They round things out with Jay Duplass's THE BALTIMORONS (29:26), which they hated until they loved. Over on Patreon, we celebrate Terence Stamp by watching LINK (1986).

This week Megan and Evan took in director Rachel Abigail Holder's romantic drama LOVE, BROOKLYN (2:00), starring André Holland, Nicole Beharie, and DeWanda Wise. Short version: They liked it, with Megan revisiting it after seeing it at Sundance earlier this year. Next, Dave joins them for A LITTLE PRAYER (28:09), a quiet and understated Southern family drama from writer-director Angus MacLachlan, starring David Strathairn, Jane Lavy, and Celia Weston. Two of the three of us thought it was really well done, and one of us had hoped to like it more than they did. Such is life. Over on Patreon, we talk about Robert Altman's M*A*S*H, which turns 55 this year.

This week we all watched the Chris Columbis-directed THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB (working title: Olds Detect), a comedy-drama about four friends (Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie), residents of an assisted living facility, who solve cold cases. That is, until a very real and current case lands in their laps when the facility's co-owners end up dead just as they plan to tear up the facility and force the residents out. We had mixed reactions to this one, but at least two Spoilerpiecers liked it more than the third (guess how that shakes out?). Then there's LURKER, writer-director Alex Russell's fresh take on celebrity culture and the depths to we which we mere mortals will sink to find it and stay in it. There's a powerful performance by Théodore Pellerin as an amoral creep clinging to an up and coming pop star played by Archie Madekwe. We had different reactions to this one, too, coming out, again, two to one in favor. And over on Patreon, we watched the 1958 melodrama THE LONG, HOT SUMMER, starring Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and Orson Welles.