Bald Move Pulp - Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Andrew “The Commissioner” Mount “strikes” again from his hidden rebel base, this time forcing us to watch Episode V of the Star Wars saga, “The Empire Strikes Back.”  Which, incidentally, depending on the age of the A.Ron you ask, is either his favoritist movie of all time, or top three.  Either way, it’s a treat.  Once again, Jim and I try to sort through our childhood and adult memories of this holiest of trilogies to give it the treatment it deserves. If you missed in the first time, or would like to listen again, you can check out our coverage of A New Hope, also brought to you by The Commish.  

Bald Move Pulp - Stargate (1994)

Today’s commissioned podcast is on 1994’s Stargate — brought to you by Dr. Brandon Devito, official dentist of Bald Move and international man of mystery. Directed by Roland Emmerich and starring Kurt Russell and James Spader, it is a star spanning intergalactic tale of ancient Egyptian themed aliens, slip-shod archaeology, and gun toting shepherd boys. The boys ponder how movies change as we age, Emmerich’s professional toolkit, the massive flaws in both Ra’s and team Stargate’s (SG-1?) plans. A good time is had by all.

Bald Move Prestige - The Proposition (2005)

Many thanks to Tim aka “DoubleT” from our forums for commissioning another (he previously commissioned the awesome “Animal Kingdom”) Aussie modern classic, 2005’s “The Proposition”.  It can be best described as an Australian flavored Western, sharing many similarities with the American genre while bestowing the style with the unique characteristics of the Australian landscape and it’s own history with outlaws and indigenous people.  Starring Guy Pierce, Danny Huston, and Sam Winstone, it is bleak, unforgiving, at times enigmatic and impenetrable.  If you like “Unforgiven”, “3:10 to Yuma”, “True Grit” or any of the gritty modern Westerns, you’ll no doubt be as absorbed as we were.

Bald Move Prestige - Mean Girls (2004)

Special thanks to Dr. Brandon Devito, Bald Move’s favorite dentist, for commissioning our latest podcast, “Mean Girls”, on behalf of his daughter, Carmen. “Mean Girls” screenplay was written by the great Tina Fey, and has a lot of star power, with Lindsay Lohan being joined by Rachel McAddams, Lacey Chabert, Amanda Seyfried, Tim Meadows, and Tina Fey pulling double duty. It’s smart, funny, and offers an insightful look into the dynamics of the high school experience from a female perspective. Who better to commentate on it than two 30 something guys who don’t have daughters?

Bald Move Pulp - Daredevil (2015)

Special thanks to Robert Packnett who commissioned us to take on Netflix’s 2015 series, “Daredevil”, with a particular emphasis on the episodes “Cut Man” and “Shadows in the Glass”. This was a particularly shrewd selection, as they both deal with the duality of the main hero and villain of the series, and their histories, similarities, strengths, and weaknesses. “Daredevil” is a series that is so much better than it has any right to be, and it’s a magical combination of the writing, direction, and incredible charisma of the main cast that holds it all together and keeps it on track, making it even greater than the sum of it’s parts.

Bald Move Prestige - The Color Purple (1985)

Special thanks to D’Nique G, who commissioned us to watch the 1985 Steven Spielberg film, “The Color Purple”, based on the novel by Alice Walker and starring Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Danny Glover. While we found some of the tonal shifts and musical choices in the first half bizarre, the movie nevertheless drew us into the story of one woman’s triumph over countless adversities, and the ending of this movie has a heart as big, wide, and bright as Celie’s smile.

Bald Move Prestige - The Way of the Gun (2000)

Much thanks to Nick Knol for commissioning the 2000 Christopher McQuarrie film, “The Way of the Gun”, starring Ryan Phillippe, Benicio del Toro, and Juliette Lewis. As dark, gritty, violent, funny, post-Tarantino quasi-western fable, we found a lot to enjoy, but wondered if the plot was too convoluted for it’s own good. In this we discuss questionable obstetrics, geriatric hitmen, and our inner outlaws.

Bald Move Prestige - 3:10 to Yuma (2007)

Thanks again to The Commissioner himself, Andrew Mount, for turning us on to a classic modern western that we had heretofore completely missed. Directed by James Mangold and adapted from the short story by the late, great Elmore Leonard, it stars Russell Crowe and Christian Bale among many others in a fairly star studded cast. But make no mistake, these two men completely make the picture, and their performances carry the day where logic and reason might fail you. We loved the film, Andrew, and we hope you enjoy the fruits of your latest commission.

Bald Move Prestige - Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)

Thanks to Anthony Basich for commissioning this podcast, and quite frankly, changing our entire mind about the Mad Max franchise. We think 1981’s “The Road Warrior”, directed by George Miller and starring Mel Gibson, is awesome, and stands up to any of it’s 80’s action movie brethren in a competition about holding up and entertaining a modern audience. We discuss feral kids, post-apocalyptic sexuality, the economics of a refinery under constant attack, working with animals in the movies, and much more.