The Creator (2023)

If you’re a fan of robots, AI, Asimov-ian scifi, this might be the movie for you. Following on the all-too-relevant theme of AI, The Creator tells the story of a future where a large part of the world has embraced augmented humans, and the other hates it. It’s visually arresting and sometimes tonally unbalanced, but it will leave you with plenty to think about. And it was a struggle to get into the theater, so thank Jim and A.Ron for braving the difficulties.

Loki – S02 Preview

The Marvel Machine is giving us the highly anticipated season 2 of Loki! Join Jim and A.Ron as they embark on the timey-wimey adventure of Loki, former villain, across multiple timelines. Get a refresher on where Season 1 left us, what characters are still in play, and how the show is set up for Season 2!

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

This atypical romcom is the story of two broken people helping each other. Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper play characters in the throes of their mental illnesses. David O. Russell adapted and directed this project, and JLaw won her first Oscar playing Tiffany. With such a high pedigree in cast and director, it’s no surprise that this film delivers on every front. And yes, it is a Christmas film.

Dazed and Confused (1993) 30th Anniversary

Not much plot, just vibes. Richard Linklater gives us a look at the teenage years with doses of refreshing honesty, but keep in mind, this movie is still plenty problematic. But maybe that’s the point? Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, and Ben Affleck star in this time capsule of the teenage years. Jim and A.Ron reflect on the cultural shifts between now and the setting of Dazed and Confused.

Enemy of the State (1998)

There are conspiracy theories to be made out of this movie. From director Tony Scott comes a thriller with more relevance to us now than ever. A big wig in the NSA needs to cover his tracks and Will Smith gets caught in the middle. The fight for privacy will feel familiar and depressing. To distract you from that, there’s a great cat actor. What did this movie get right and what did it get wrong about privacy?
Thank you Andy for commissioning this podcast!

Blade (1998) – 25th Anniversary

From director Steven Norrington and the patron of modern sci-fi, David S. Goyer, comes the vampire-action movie that defined an aesthetic. The movie stars newly minted Bald Move Badass Wesley Snipes. His background in martial arts makes this an exciting piece of cinema. Sink your teeth into the BEST vampire movie of all time!

After Life (1998)

What’s your favorite memory? Would you inhabit it for all eternity? From filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda comes a documentary-style film featuring characters in limbo and given the choice to inhabit a past memory. This film won’t give you clear answers to every question, and that’s part of the intrigue. Watch these characters accept, reject, and reflect as they contemplate their past lives.
Thank you Andy for commissioning this film!

Syriana (2005)

This harrowing drama was written and directed by Stephen Gaghan and features a star-studded cast with George Clooney, Matt Damon, and Jeffrey Wright. The threats are real, and America seems to be a lot of them as people put their thumbs on the scales of economy and justice. Let’s ponder the questions, “What level of corruption will create a facade of a functioning society? Is shadowy corruption better than a feudal state putting people to the sword? Are you depressed yet?”

Thank you to Robert for commissioning this episode!