Christopher Nolan’s new film is terrifying on many levels. No doubt you’ve heard of Oppenheimer the scientist, but are you ready to get to know the human being? The film comes at the issue of the atomic bomb from many angles. Nolan uses his sci-fi-esque style to breathe life into the man who would become death. If you’re looking for a nuanced look at the birth of the atomic bomb, and the minds behind it, this is the movie for you.
Premium
Tetris (2023) satisfies the nostalgia you feel about the classic game. But it will ignore your desire for historical accuracy. Taron Egerton stars as American businessman Henk Rogers. Rogers makes it his mission to bring this exciting, addictive game to the world. The game’s creator is Alexi Pajitnov, a citizen of the Soviet Union. Can Henk and Alexi defy communism, survive car chases, and let freedom ring?! Like we said, it’s not 100% true to life.
Steve McQueen plays Jake Holman, an engineer on the gunboat USS San Pablo. The year is 1927 and the ship is stationed in China. The geopolitical landscape of the country is nearly unrecognizable compared to today. It’s worth considering what this movie is trying to say about nationalism, colonialism, and racism. All the hot-button “isms”! As you can guess, there are parts of this film that definitely did not age well. Come experience McQueen in yet another rebellious role.
Thank you to Mark for commissioning this podcast!
You’ve probably heard people say “Rosebud”, but have no idea what they’re talking about. Jim and A.Ron are here to enlighten you. Orson Welles, as a 24 year old, co-wrote, directed, and starred in this bastion of American cinema. It’s an impressive jump for Welles to go from terrifying the nation with his fictional alien broadcasts to creating one of the best movies ever made.
Liam Neeson stars as Oskar Schindler, a Nazi party member and war profiteer who goes to Krakow, Poland to find cheap Jewish labor. Steven Spielberg strips down his usual directing style to deliver a documentary-like narrative of the fight for survival of the Jewish people. This episode isn’t just a review, get a dose of history and behind the scenes filmmaking in the creation of this movie.
It’s a dark look at a 1930s conspiracy concerning water rights in the desert city of Los Angeles. Sounds dry, right? Wrong! Watch Jack Nicholson in his prime play Detective Jake Gittes follow a trail of clues that leads him to the deep pockets of the rich. Faye Dunaway stars opposite as a dynamic and tragic figure. It’s not a cheerful end, but it’s one that will keep you thinking.
Join us as we add another Daniel Day Lewis movie to our podcast, Lincoln directed by Steven Spielberg. Lewis’s Oscar-winning performance was surrounded by a killer cast and historical accuracy. Yes, you read that right. Unlike the beloved Gladiator, Lincoln’s true to life portrayal takes a look at the titular character without the false bravado and vampires of other movies. Listen in as we dissect this masterclass in playing hate-able and lovable characters, creating authenticity in tone, and what it means to closely adhere to realism.
In the distant past of 1990s Earth, the world of For All Mankind wrapped up its third season. With two new showrunners on the horizon and season that was…let’s say a mixed bag, we’ve got feedback with love and distaste for the show. Coverage of season 4 is TBD, so in the meantime, check out more of our Prestige episodes!
With a satisfying conclusion to a rocky season, Jim and A.Ron are here to break down their favorite and not-so-favorite moments of the season finale. A.Ron rescinds his previous “jumped the shark” analysis. With one great scene after another, the conclusion of this season came as an emotional gut punch. After that ending, A.Ron and Jim are looking forward to next season.
Big Internet points to whoever predicted this episode’s turn of events. We get payoffs, time jumps that make us ask “What happened to Sergei?”, and we get a glimpse at the very real consequences of further automating our businesses and lives. It’s a packed episode and we’re looking forward to the next.