We're Not Critics Podcast - formerly Movie Pain or Pleasure

2020 is long over, but then there was 2021...and now we're in 2022, and you guys, the world is a HOT MESS! One way you can beat the crippling existential crisis (and the literal crises) of our times is to escape into movies and TV shows that make you laugh and forget your troubles or just realize that our dystopian nightmare could be much, much worse. 

We share sixteen movies and animes that have gotten us through some rough patches over the last two years, plus a bonus recommendation for how you can support your community. 

Sometimes, when the world is crumbling around you, you need a good old-fashioned hate watch to get your blood pumping. We found that with M. Night Shyamalan's supernatural thriller Old....oof...y'all. This movie is entertaining and aggravating in all the wrong ways, but it just might be salvaged by the signature twist ending. We offer a play-by-play of this movie along with several recommendations that will help you suspend your disbelief in more enjoyable ways.

Ugh, you guys, this one was a doozy of a hate watch. "Step Up 6: Year of the Dance" (2019) takes the franchise to China...which is fine...unfortunately, the writing was so weak we're surprised none of the characters broke their ankles tripping over the loose, lazy plot. Other than an out-of-place amazing fight scene at the end, this movie lacks the choreography, character arcs, and over-the-top energy of its predecessors. Don your beanie and your dance crew jacket and join us on the dance floor as we wreck this poor excuse for a "Step Up" movie.

We cover our first Bollywood movie! Melanie introduces AJ to one of her favorite romantic comedies (and his first Bollywood movie), "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi," starring Bollywood powerhouse Shah Rukh Kahn and Anushka Sharma. It's funny, sweet, interesting, and even has moments of sadness and tenderness. There's nothing to dislike about this movie. Put on your sparkly t-shirt, your dancing shoes, grab your adorable yellow lunch box, and join us in the fun. As Raj would say, "We are traveling the love lane. Down the road we will meet again." 

Before Channing Tatum worked his magic in the "Magic Mike" movies, he was showing some hip hop moves in "Step Up" from 2006. We do have some complaints, but overall it's a decent little movie and fairly tame compared to the rest of the "Step Up" franchise. Put on your tights (wait, what?) and bust a move as we pique turn into our first dance movie episode.

The filmmakers were trying to make the latest iteration of "Robin Hood" (2018) unique, but most of the efforts fell flat. Throw on your hoodie and your bandanna and follow us into Nottingham as we joke our way through this movie. Also, if you get bored watching "Robin Hood," there's a perfect place to play "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" over the ho-hum action. 

Join us for a spoiler-free review of "The Batman," the 2022 film starring Robert Pattinson. We talk about what we loved (and who we loved), what wasn't so great, and we give recommendations for other Batman and Robert Pattison-related movies. Tell us on Instagram @moviepainorpleasurepodcast what you liked about this latest installment of the caped crusader franchise.

We're back with another live-action anime play-by-play with "Dragonball Evolution!" While this 2009 movie is not as rage-inducing as the more recent live action "Death Note" (see our episode 3 for the reasons for our wrath), it's not a good movie. However, it dances on the edge of silliness and stupidity enough to make it a mildly delightful guilty pleasure. Melanie has zero background knowledge of the Dragonball universe while AJ is basically cosplaying an anime character full-time with his bright blue hair, so this makes for an interesting conversation.

Look here, doll faces, we know you folks want comedy. Well, we've got comedy in spades...Sam Spade, that is! Join us as we cackle our way through the 1941 classic "The Maltese Falcon" with wise-cracking Humphrey Bogart and our new favorite soft-spoken villain Peter Lorre. We're not sure if it was originally meant to be a comedy, but it is hysterical. Melanie and AJ even dressed the part for this episode so be sure to give us a gander on YouTube at "Movie Pain or Pleasure." This episode contains spoilers, sweet cheeks.