Talking Films

Tune in to hear why BATMAN actually benefitted from focusing more on Jack Nicholson's Joker than Michael Keaton's Batman, and why Keaton is so good as Bruce Wayne. The first episode in the Batman podcast series!

The 6th and final (for now!) episode in the Mission: Impossible podcast series, diving into the four (Yes, FOUR!) big setpieces, why this movie hits an emotional chord with M:I fans, and which Michelle Monaghan scene stole the show. I also fanboy over Henry Cavill, and compare this to a certain Christopher Nolan movie (sort of).

Dissecting a movie that has been dissected endlessly over the 25 years since its release. Christopher McQuarrie's sophomore screenplay is incredible, giving us an unreliable narrator (though we don't know it yet), as well as one of the great plot twists ever. Call it a mystery, crime thriller, or suspense drama, it's one of the more timeless original works of the past few decades. 

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE #5 brings us Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust and Alec Baldwin as Director Hunley, but more importantly Sean Harris as Solomon Lane. Listen as I dive into why ROGUE NATION is unlike any other MI movie while staying true to the previous movies and the feel of the franchise. Also, I rant and rave about the opera sequence, but is it the best setpiece in the franchise?

GHOST PROTOCOL becomes the first M:I film to begin connecting dots between the movies, and brings a perfect balance between pace and tension. Brad Bird's live action directorial debut sizzles and brings the M:I franchise to new heights - literally.  Also hear my thoughts on expanding Simon Pegg's role and introducing Jeremy Renner to the franchise.

JJ Abrams' direction allowed Mission: Impossible to find new life as a franchise, as did some high personal stakes for Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), and perhaps the series' best villain in Philip Seymour Hoffman. Listen to find out why I love this movie and why it's one of the better films of the franchise.

Diving into THE FUGITIVE, an extremely rewatchable action thriller from the early 90s that has aged very well. Find out what I think of Harrison Ford's acting in this non-iconic role, and hear me sing Tommy Lee Jones's praise.

After a hit series lead-off, I dive into why M:I-2 isn't as great, but still kind of fun, and helps develop and expand the IMF universe as well as Ethan Hunt as a character and an action hero.

Has THE GREAT DICTATOR become the most currently relevant film from before 1950? Legendary comedian Charlie Chaplin's first foray into talking films was no misstep, as his dual-role parody of Hitler is a perfect blend of physical and verbal comedy, set against a dark and horrific backdrop. Come for the comedy, stay for the powerful climactic speech.

Episode I of the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE series review dives into Brian de Palma's 1996 series starter. After discussing some of the background and the original MI TV series, I talk about how this movie is a perfect transition from old school to new school spy movies, as well as establishes and sets up several series trademarks.  Misdirection is the name of the game in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE.