Based on the book of the same title written by Stephen King, comes a movie adapted and directed by Frank Darabont of Walking Dead fame. Tom Hanks and Michael Clark Duncan star in this gut-wrenching film about prisoners on death row in 1930s Louisiana. Though it’s a powerful movie, it is not without its flaws and harmful stereotypes. (And pro tip, watch this movie on HBO Max.)
Start your road trip in the great plains state of Nebraska and join Bruce Dern, Will Forte, and Bob Odenkirk as they navigate tough family ties. Directed by Alexander Payne comes some of his signature directorial details, humor drier than the plains in the summer heat and characters that are almost larger than life. In this epically-slow burn, you’ll find yourself or your family in this story.
Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson comes a movie starring Joaquin Phoenix, a troubled ex-soldier, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, a cult leader. Anderson denies that that the cult in question is Scientology, but you watch the movie and try to tell us it isn’t. Amy Adams and Laura Dern also star in Anderson’s favorite movie out of his own catalog. And we wonder, did Tom Cruise ever have to go through this auditing process?
Want some philosophy with your dark comedy? From the director of Silver Linings Playbook and a cast with more stars than the Orion constellation comes a mind-bending black comedy. It’s a funny take on the meaning of life that sums up A.Ron’s life philosophy. Pick up your metaphysical magnifying glasses and join the existential detectives in answering the question, “How are we all connected?”
A.Ron’s is feeling warm and fuzzy and Jim is feeling pretty much nothing. When you can describe a movie as “erotica for the Twilight crowd”, that is going to attract a very particular audience, and that is A.Ron apparently. As if he weren’t magical enough, Idris Elba stars as a djinn granting Tilda Swinton’s wishes. Jim and A.Ron will be back for more first run coverage for Don’t Worry Darling and Amsterdam!
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.
You’re familiar with the saga of Succession, what about the saga of making this episode about Succession? Life would be easier if we all loved this, but the world isn’t perfect. We checked out the pilot and season two finale. Why doesn’t this show work for us when things like Always Sunny do? I guess that’s the difference between buffoons and rich buffoons. There are great performances, design, and camera work, so on paper it’s well made, but still not for us.
Thanks for sending in your feedback! Now that we have the benefit of looking back on the complete series of We Own This City, we have the advantage of looking at this multi-layer problem as a whole. This show offers us viewers a chance to engage with and develop compassion for people we may not share experience with. That is prestige television at its best. And please enjoy the American accent lesson from an informed listener.
David Simon ends his statement in a finale that leaves us both heartbroken and hopeful. The bad guys in blue are behind bars, but that’s not enough. The current broken system will churn out more. Does Jenkins, and people like him, truly realize that they are part of the problem? How far can this situation push until it breaks people like Nicole Steele? It makes us ask the question, what does it mean to truly do good and create a justice system based on rehabilitation and redemption?
In the penultimate episode of We Own This City, we’re seeing the investigation probe deeper into the corruption of the police department and the boys in blue are getting antsy. Nicole Steele shares a new layer and insight to her personal experiences. Watch with dismay as the corruption in Baltimore extends all the way into President 45’s administration. When everybody points the finger at everyone else, how does anything get fixed?
Have feedback? Drop us a line at corners@baldmove.com. Looking for more on the subject? Check out Season 3 of Serial, start here.