The Nextlander Watchcast

We're closing out February with our second Best Picture winner in a row, this time jetting off to South Korea for Bong Joon-ho's Parasite. How does it hold up a few years removed from its hype? Very well, it turns out!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 126: Parasite (2019)
(00:00:24) - Intro.
(00:01:28) - Our film this week is Bong Joon-ho's Parasite!
(00:10:12) - A brief note about the (probably) lower number of clips in this episode.
(00:11:22) - Getting into the production history.
(00:22:04) - Let's get into the movie proper, and talk about our cast.
(00:34:37) - A window into the lives of the Kims.
(00:38:35) - The Parks, and the importance of keeping up appearances.
(00:43:15) - Break!
(00:43:40) - We're back, and the scam begins in earnest.
(00:49:55) - The dad arrives, and a little about actor Lee Sun-kyun (content warning for suicide discussion).
(00:57:14) - Extracting the housekeeper.
(01:05:55) - Everything's coming up Kim.
(01:13:02) - Ding dong.
(01:25:58) - It's a ram-donnybrook!
(01:30:40) - That's no ghost.
(01:33:08) - Trapped under the world's widest coffee table.
(01:37:34) - The effects of monsoon season are not applied equally.
(01:41:15) - Barreling toward disaster.
(01:50:37) - People start dying very quickly.
(01:54:15) - The extended epilogue.
(O2:04:39) - Final thoughts.
(02:07:32) - Our plans for next month and beyond.
(02:12:41) - Outro.

This week on the Watchcast The Sting is the thing! Join us as we time warp all the way back to the depressed '30s and delight in the con-artistry of certified grifter hunks Robert Redford and Paul Newman.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 125: The Sting (1973)
(00:00:58) - Intro.
(00:03:50) - Our delightful romp of a movie this week: The Sting!
(00:11:14) - Brad has somehow never seen another Paul Newman movie.
(00:13:13) - Getting into the production history.
(00:19:06) - What a cast.
(00:24:13) - Some of the stylistic choices they make in the movie. 
(00:30:11) - Somehow this is (or was at the time) the oldest movie available on Netflix.
(00:32:45) - Getting into the movie itself.
(00:38:20) - What is going on in Hooker's life.
(00:42:04) - Alas, poor Luther.
(00:49:04) - Break!
(00:49:38) - We're back, and it's time to meet Paul Newman.
(00:55:43) - Assembling the crew.
(00:59:23) - Riding the poker train.
(01:15:05) - This is quite the elaborate production.
(01:20:45) - Lonnegan wants to meet the inside man, and a quick chase around Chicago.
(01:24:57) - Throwing together a Western Union.
(01:27:36) - FBI issue straw hats.
(01:34:08) - Hooker is on the hook, and the black-gloved figure is revealed.
(01:40:21) - The Big C.
(01:53:49) - Final thoughts.
(02:02:14) - Our movie for next week: Parasite!
(02:04:46) - Outro. 

Self-described Boiler Room expert Jeff Bakalar joins us to pick apart this turn of the millennium stock scam thriller, and while not every part of it holds up to our memories, it does manage to seize on one important truth: men will always find reasons to underfurnish their living spaces.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 124: Boiler Room (2000)
(00:00:17) - Intro.
(00:01:18) - Our movie is Boiler Room, and we've got a tri-state bro expert with us: Jeff Bakalar!
(00:12:46) - We almost got another Affleck/Damon combo, and some other production notes.
(00:15:31) - What is this particular type of scam all about. 
(00:20:34) - White boys who love hip-hop, and the white boys who love them.
(00:21:42) - Getting into the movie proper.
(00:29:05) - Dad is not fond of Seth's hustle.
(00:30:53) - Seth gets an intriguing offer.
(00:37:47) - Break!
(00:38:12) - We're back, and it's time to get Afflecked.
(00:44:58) - Skipping ahead a bit to talk about the date scene and daddy issues.
(00:51:24) - Seth learns the ropes.
(00:55:49) - Is Seth winning over Judge Dad? Plus, a look at the ideal male living space.
(01:01:26) - Diesel power.
(01:09:51) - Seth gets suspicious, albeit maybe not soon enough.
(01:15:40) - The FBI shows up, and Seth (FINALLY) shutters the casino.
(01:27:59) - Seth finally ruins someone's life, and experiences (some) consequences.
(01:32:07) - Things start unraveling fast.
(01:40:20) - Last day at JT Marlin.
(01:47:00) - An alternate conclusion.
(01:49:45) - Final thoughts.
(01:59:38) - Outro. 

It may be a new month and a new theme, but the Watchcast ain't quite done with Jude Law yet. Join us as we dive into the twisted world of The Talented Mr. Ripley, and marvel at the gorgeous sights, the excellent performances, and the unbelievable abs on display.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 123: The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
(00:00:37) - Intro.
(00:04:55) - Some notes on the Highsmith novels, and praise for Matt Damon and the screenplay.
(00:12:06) - Getting into the production history.
(00:23:38) - Off to New York to meet Tom Ripley, and in praise of James Rebhorn.
(00:35:27) - Tom arrives in Italy.
(00:41:42) - We can't stop talking about Matt Damon's musculature.
(00:53:21) - Hitting the jazz clubs, and a little naked chess between bros.
(01:00:42) - Break!
(01:01:05) - We're back, and here! Comes! Philip! Seymour! Hoffman!
(01:11:58) - Real world consequences crash into Dickie's paradise.
(01:18:29) - A fateful (and fatal) boat trip.
(01:26:23) - Tom's more sinister side begins to take hold.
(01:34:19) - A fright at the opera, and an elaborately planned chance meeting.
(01:45:36) - Freddie comes calling one night.
(01:51:33) - A charming Italian detective.
(01:59:10) - A less charming Italian detective, and something with Peter begins to blossom.
(02:05:21) - Daddy Greenleaf comes to Italy, and Marge clocks what's really happening.
(02:14:10) - Philip Baker Hall outta nowhere!
(02:20:20) - Peter, you deserved better.
(02:25:49) - Noting the book's different ending, and final thoughts.
(02:32:18) - Talking about our movie for next week, Boiler Room! (And Vinny's ranking).
(02:27:07) - Outro. 

We put Andrew Niccol's dystopian sci-fi murder mystery Gattaca through its paces, and come out the other side feeling like maybe this whole genetic perfection thing ain't all it's cracked up to be.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 122: Gattaca (1997
(00:00:27) - Intro.
(00:01:43) - Closing out the month in style, with Gattaca!
(00:04:44) - Production talk, and some of our topline feelings on the movie.
(00:18:25) - What a handsome cast.
(00:23:06) - Last production notes.
(00:29:10) - Kicking off the film proper.
(00:39:08) - Vinny gets into some of his personal reasons why the movie resonates.
(00:47:22) - Break!
(00:47:41) - We're back, and it's time for Vincent to become Jerome.
(00:59:16) - The dream job becomes a nightmare.
(01:04:34) - Everybody's DNA snooping, and Jerome is tested.
(01:15:22) - The one about the twelve-fingered pianist.
(01:24:33) - The sort-of-a-twist about the cop.
(01:32:25) - It's a raid!
(01:37:25) - All our main characters converge.
(01:43:46) - Gore Vidal, no! And the brothers finally reunite.
(01:51:19) - Time to say our goodbyes and hop on this rocket out of here.
(02:00:12) - Where Eugene is traveling to...
(02:03:16) - Final thoughts.
(02:10:33) - Announcing next month's theme: The Con Is On!
(02:14:57) - Outro. 

A.I. Artificial Intelligence is every bit the overlong and fractured feeling movie we remember from 24 years ago, but even with some of those negative feelings re-confirmed, we find plenty to discuss, dissect, and even appreciate about Spielberg's tribute to his friend Stanley.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 121: A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
(00:01:26) - Intro.
(00:02:50) - Our histories with this extremely divisive film.
(00:08:36) - The chunkiness of the movie's structure.
(00:16:19) - Does the movie ever fully commit to the rules of its own world?
(00:21:25) - Getting into the storied and crazy production history.
(00:36:19) - Who do we blame?
(00:39:46) - Our star-studded cast.
(00:48:52) - Break!
(00:49:15) - We're back, and it's time to get into this movie!
(00:54:30) - Some of our issues with the movie's world building.
(01:01:07) - Frozen child syndrome, and a brand new robot to sate your bottomless grief.
(01:09:17) - Maybe should have thought through this whole imprinting thing a
little more.
(01:15:32) - Martin comes home.
(01:25:21) - A tragic haircut, and a terrible pool party.
(01:35:30) - Leaving David by the side of the road.
(01:41:39) - Gigolo Joe makes his grand entrance.
(01:48:57) - The Flesh Fair comes calling.
(01:58:48) - Mass producing your dead son.
(02:03:39) - Rouge City and its myriad pornographic delights.
(02:11:20) - We're off to Manhattan. Man. Hattan. MAN. HATTAN.
(02:21:26) - David's underwater adventure begins.
(02:28:08) - TWO THOUSAND YEARS LATER.
(02:39:38) - The extremely messed up implications of bringing back Monica.
(02:50:48) - Final thoughts.
(03:03:47) - Outro. 

On this week's Watchcast we slice open and dig around inside Repo Men, a sci-fi thriller that borders on competence at times, and never fails to find a way to disgust.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 120: Repo Men (2010)
(00:00:15) - Intro.
(00:01:38) - Less than two minutes in and we're already wishing Cronenberg made this instead.
(00:05:00) - Why does this movie, of all movies, loom so large in Vinny's memory?
(00:10:56) - Some cast talk, and getting into the production history.
(00:18:30) - What this movie does well, or at least what's mildly interesting about it.
(00:26:43) - Let's kick things off and yell about this bad narration and Artiforgs.
(00:35:56) - You owe it to yourself.
(00:39:33) - Remy and Jake's problematic friendship.
(00:42:46) - Break!
(00:43:10) - We're back, and Remy's home life sucks.
(00:48:46) - Getting so mad about your wife leaving that you have to go harvest some organs about it.
(00:53:55) - RZA!
(01:02:44) - Bloodshot eyes, empty chest cavity, can and will lose.
(01:05:21) - Not so easy to leave a guy dead in the street now, is it?
(01:12:20) - Not so sure about this whole lounge singer as sidekick thing.
(01:15:27) - Business picks up a bit.
(01:23:53) - The traumatic brain injury demarcation line.
(01:27:28) - OK the clean room scene is rad. And the Oldboy fight ain't bad either.
(01:29:40) - Erotic surgery!
(01:33:25) - Well, glad everything worked out.
(01:38:48) - Final thoughts.
(01:48:27) - Housekeeping for next week's movie: A.I.!
(01:52:25) - Outro. 

Buckle your seatbelts, and secure your airpods, as the Watchcast kicks off its month of Jude Law-flavored sci-fi with the rip-roaring (and entirely blue-screened) adventure of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow!

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 119: Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)
(00:00:48) - Intro.
(00:03:00) - Some words about our reason for the season: Jude Law
(00:05:00) - And some words on his co-star here, Gwyneth Paltrow.
(00:06:21) - Sky Captain was the harbinger of blockbuster filmmaking techniques to come.
(00:17:21) - Our first time filmmaker Kerry Conran and how he got this thing made.
(00:29:47) - Raising the dead digitally.
(00:36:36) - Vinny wants to know where Giovanni Ribisi went before we go to break.
(00:38:12) - Break!
(00:38:31) - We're back! And Alex has one more note about Conran before we jump in.
(00:39:30) - OK, now let's launch into the film proper.
(00:43:19) - The state of the world, and Totenkopf's plan.
(00:48:17) - Some directorial issues in this opening sequence, but we love the spirit of it.
(00:55:08) - Our dyspeptic pilot, and the ongoing issue of giant robot attacks.
(00:58:15) - The hunt for Totenkopf begins.
(01:01:07) - The robots assault the base.
(01:06:12) - To Nepal!
(01:16:05) - A threesome joke! And a man horribly scarred by nuclear experimentation.
(01:20:36) - Alex's least favorite dialogue of the movie.
(01:22:31) - Here comes Angelina Jolie.
(01:27:13) - Sure, Atlantis can just be here. Why not?
(01:29:00) - Dr. Totenkopf's Island of Dr. Moreau.
(01:33:49) - Totenkopf's lair, and our special guest actor!
(01:37:57) - The slightly limp final action sequence.
(01:40:48) - Lens cap.
(01:42:16) - Final thoughts.
(01:48:19) - Some notes on our film for next week: Repo Men!
(01:51:32) - Outro.

We're closing out 2024 for the Watchcast the only way we know how: with the most depressing movie we can fit into a theme. And this year it's with David Cronenberg's captivating Eastern Promises, featuring Viggo Mortensen like you've never seen him before.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 118: Eastern Promises (2007)
(00:00:35) - Intro.
(00:01:42) - Viggo appreciation right out of the gate.
(00:03:23) - Our last movie of 2024: David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises!
(00:07:20) - On the merits of putting on the accent.
(00:13:31) - A little bit of background on the movie and its accuracy.
(00:18:35) - Launching into the film, and its brutal opening.
(00:22:28) - The baby enters the picture.
(00:26:50) - Our first trip to Semyon's restaurant.
(00:31:12) - Some discussion about Nikolai's true nature, and some of the family dynamics at play.
(00:44:55) - The closest thing this movie has to a funny moment.
(00:49:40) - Break!
(00:50:02) - We're back, and things are developing.
(00:55:00) - There are dens of iniquity, and then there's this place.
(00:57:23) - Semyon comes calling.
(01:04:34) - The pretense of a deal.
(01:07:42) - Tying up loose ends.
(01:13:50) - Anna has had enough, and Nikolai and Kiril hash it out.
(01:19:39) - The set-up.
(01:23:06) - The bathhouse.
(01:29:32) - Nikolai's reveal.
(01:34:56) - A subtler ending than you might expect.
(01:40:48) - The sequel that never came together.
(01:43:27) - Final thoughts.
(01:44:54) - Our theme for January: Jude Law sci-fi!
(01:49:03) - Outro. 

Midway through our December to Dismember, we've got Shane Black's bank-breaking screenplay The Long Kiss Goodnight, a chance for America's Sweetheart Geena Davis to maybe redeem herself after Cutthroat Island.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00:00) - The Nextlander Watchcast Episode 117: The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
(00:00:18) - Intro.
(00:01:33) - Does Geena Davis get her redemption arc with this one
(00:04:46) - Did the box office suffer from the stank of Cutthroat Island
(00:05:57) - Some Shane Black talk.
(00:10:13) - Talking Sam Jackson and Geena Davis' performances.
(00:15:18) - The rest of our cast, and some last thoughts before getting into the movie itself.
(00:21:05) - The slightly limp intro.
(00:25:55) - Enter Sam Jackson's Mitch Henessey. 
(00:27:53) - She's got some of that Fred Flintstone amnesia, apparently.
(00:30:16) - Mama's got a brand new murder bag, and Henessey just wants to be a dad.
(00:35:16) - All kinds of knife crime.
(00:40:37) - One-Eyed Jack comes calling.
(00:43:34) - Break!
(00:44:01) - We're back, and it's time for a little road trip.
(00:49:04) - Enter Brian Cox.
(00:52:12) - Giant guns in suitcases, and a shootout at the train station.
(01:03:04) - Amish water torture, followed by a night in Atlantic City.
(01:15:17) - Return to the suburbs.
(01:21:10) - Holding the phone company hostage, then off to ruin a false flag operation.
(01:29:31) - Timothy, you ARE the father!
(01:38:07) - This child has made a very poor choice, but now we have a race against time.
(01:46:52) - All good movies end with a Larry King segment.
(01:51:33) - Final thoughts.
(01:55:04) - Housekeeping for next week's movie, and our final film of 2024: Eastern Promises!
(01:58:00) - Outro.