36 thoughts on “Movie Podcast Weekly Ep. 087: X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) and Fading Gigolo (2014) and Goodbye World (2014)”

1. I haven’t even listened to the episode yet, but I’m already upset that Josh gave the new X-Men movie a 5.5. Only one more point than The Last Stand? No way man, no freaking way. Anyway I’ll hold my rage until after I listen to your reasons for giving this wonderful movie such a low score.

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   • Juan,
     I know exactly how you feel… I’m still mad at Josh for his X-Men review, too. Sometimes I think he just picks the opposite opinion to the one I have (on purpose). I thought we would all be praising and recommending this movie. It is truly wonderful and a summer blockbuster must-see!

     But there’s one on every podcast … Remember Karl on “Gravity”?

     These guys are giving me grey hair.
     Jason

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     • Seriously, Jason? Ask me what I think before revealing your score if you just think I’m being a contrarian. I honestly assumed everyone (except for maybe Willis) would be disappointed. Although, since you are usually wrong, I guess we could both assume our scores would be opposites.

       Juan, I could probably drop my Last Stand score (those mini-review scores were given on-the-fly without much fore-thought), but I could not raise my Days of Future Past score at this time. I’ve allowed room that my opinion might change on future screenings once I get over my frustrations with the films’ many problems with AND/OR if the terrible look of the film was actually only due to my specific theaters projection.

       Pretty confident in my reviews having seen all of the movies back-to-back within just a couple of days.

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       • Jay, I think you deserve the grey hairs after your behavior regarding Godzilla.

         Josh, you are my go to guy for movie suggestions, but I don’t agree on the new X-Men flick. That said, when I watch it at home in a few months my eyes are going to be regarding the look of the film verrry carefully.

         I’m glad Willis was on the show: the man is the voice of reason. Got that, Jay? Listen to him.

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         • Yeah u tell him the unknown murderer

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         • I second this.

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         • I still can’t believe Josh hated this movie so much. I know where you’re coming from Jay. I’m hurting too.

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2. Willis continues to impress me with his vast knowledge of pop culture and comic book history. I wish he could be on every episode, especially during these summer weeks.

   X-Men is a bit hit and miss for me.

   X-Men – 7/10
   X2 – 8.5/10
   X-Men: The Last Stand – 6/10 (not quite as bad as you guys say it is, there a couple small moments I enjoyed as an X-fan)
   X-Men Origins: Wolverine – 4/10 (easily the worst, from the unforgivable handling of the character Gambit to Will.I.Am’s acting. The only bright spot in this one is Liev Schreiber)
   First Class – 8/10 (Vaughn brought a lot to reignite the series. I love the filmmaking in this one. Fassbinder’s Bond-esque early scenes are great, Kevin Bacon is an awesome choice as a villain.)
   The Wolverine – 5/10 (snooze-fest, enough wolverine already!)
   Days of Future Past – 9/10 (awesome. Just awesome. I love both the singer cast and the first class cast. The only problem I have really is Peter Dinklage’s character. I think Dinklage was underused and his character’s motives should have been explored more. I would think a little person would actually sympathize with the mutants for being persecuted for being different. On the other hand though it is refreshing to see him play a character that isn’t even mentioned once as a little person. No one ever mentions his height. He is just a businessman and an inventor. I guess I’m split on that)

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   • B-Rye,
     Man, I love it that you throw your ratings up there. Thank you. Most of our community is starting to chime in with ratings now, and I think it’s a blast.

     I agree that “X-Men: The Last Stand” is not as bad as people claim. And you captured my (unspoken) sentiments, exactly, about the Peter Dinklage character in this new movie. Word for word. He brought to this movie what Bryan Cranston brought to “Godzilla”: dramatic weight and authenticity. I just wanted more of both.
     Thanks for writing.
     Jason

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     • After the past 2 or 3 episodes of Game of Thrones, Dinklage has revealed himself to be a force to be reckoned with. Even his reaction shots in the last episode are Emmy/Golden Globe worthy. Without words and with just an expression he conveys feelings like sadness and anger in heartbreaking ways. I hope we see more of him in film, just like Bryan Cranston. You insert one of those guys in your film, even in a minor role, and you automatically have gold. Imagine a film that starred the two of them! Holy crap I gotta get started on a script.

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   • Thank u so much for saying that . It means a lot to me . Wait untill transformers comes out am going really hit u with my skills , because am a big big time transformers .

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3. Just wanted to add… I think I see where that article about Tom Cruise is coming from. Movie stars and their personas they carry with them sometimes have a tumultuous relationship with the public and the stars’ perceived “box office draw”. Tom Cruise is an actor that endures. Since Risky Business, Cruise hasn’t really left the public consciousness. Even through the ’06 to about 2010 period when he had all the negative media coverage his films weren’t really box office losses. He is the hardest working guy in Hollywood, and from what I hear one of the nicest and most genuine. I continue to argue with my wife about him. I even liked him in Rock of Ages. I personally think he’s here to stay And isn’t going anywhere. His films are – for the most part – lasting, endearing experiences. Risky Business, Top Gun, Rain Man, Born on the 4th of July, A Few Good Men, Jerry Maguire, the Mission Impossible franchise, Magnolia, Minority Report, The Last Samurai, War of the Worlds, Collateral… The list goes on and continues to go on. He also shares the screen with Phillip Seymour Hoffman in one of my favorite action film scenes of all time- the scene in MI3 where Hoffman is counting down with a gun to his wife’s head with Cruise tied to a chair. Cruise goes through the rainbow of emotions in that one, very short scene. Anyway sorry for the rant. Long live Tom Cruise.

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   • I wouldn’t classify Magnolia, The Last Samurai, War of the Worlds, and Collateral as endearing movies. Although I liked them just fine, I don’t think they’re his strongest work. Well, he was amazing in Magnolia, but the movie as a whole was just ok. And in The Last Samurai I think he failed as an actor. Not because he didn’t do a good job, but because he’s Tom Cruise. I just couldn’t buy him as a samurai. The movie’s tone was too serious to take it seriously. I like the guy a lot. I think he brings intensity and charisma to the roles that he plays. But you’re right, I think a lot of his movies have stood the test of time and are considered classics by most. Long live Tom Cruise? Sure, why not. I think he’s earned it.

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     • Yeah I probably should have said endearing and/or entertaining. I thought the point of the film was that he wasnt a samurai. He was captured and over time became one, fighting alongside them. From what I remember he did a good job of representing that character arc. I also remember some self seriousness like you say. I thought War if the Worlds was a bit Spielbergian, with Spielberg doing his thing to the story, but in this case for me it worked. I loved the family dynamic, and the fact that he couldn’t control his kids. In real life, in a disaster kids wouldn’t act like they do in most films (quiet, reserved). They would be freaking the heck out. Cruise played frustrated and scared like no one’s business. I remember some of the long takes involving him, watching his face. There is a constant shift of thought processes going on in his head that you can see, without him having to announce it. Collateral he is a no nonsense, controlled killer. Awesome. And Magnolia, I think you nailed it. He’s awesome.

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       • I love Magnolia and Collateral as films and he is terrific in both. The latter may be his best late-career performance.

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         • Collateral is one of my favorites. for me it’s hard to decide between that and or of the Worlds. Edge of tomorrow is looking pretty solid. I don’t know sorry but when it comes to Tom Cruise I start using a lot of hyperbole.I grew up with his films. Magnolia was my first exposure to Paul Thomas Anderson. Top Gun was my first exposure to Tony Scott, Color of Money was my first exposure to Scorsese. And who did born on the 4th of July Oliver Stone? I’d say that was my first exposure to him as well. And cruise was always a presence in all of those films. he may not have the best range but he’s worked with some pretty interesting directors on some pretty interesting projects.

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         • and no one can run at the screen or hang from the tallest building in the world or jump from helicopter to train or bro-high five another dudequite like him unless its Jackie Chan.

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4. X-men: Days of Future Past is the redemptive installment of the franchise. Nuff said!

   X3 isn’t even a match. Oh, please!

   8 out of 10 for me, and it’s a solid buy! If you’re an X-men fan, you should not miss this one, especially the stinger!

   P.S. Actually, I’m going to move it up a slight notch to 8.5 simply because they have ingeniously corrected the mistakes of the PAST film for greater FUTURE story lines. No pun intended.

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   • I like the notion of correcting some of the past films’ problems as well (particularly Last Stand), but if you really think about it, a good percentage of the ret-coning makes no sense here, and there were already problems that were solidified in First Class, sadly. But, I’m also not so sure that a happy ending for Jean and/or Scott, for example, is actually better storytelling. Sadly.

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     • Hey josh read this http://badassdigest.com/2014/05/26/why-there-are-no-continuity-problems-in-the-x-men-films

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       • Well, I wouldn’t say it erases anything, as time travel fans will understand, it is simply an alternate timeline. And, yes this was a reboot, but there was still ret-conning going on, on top of that. Still, good points that make good sense, except for the continuity problems that exist in First Class (which this article claims still counts). I will say, however, I still don’t think it is very satisfying to try and wipe the board clean from 5 of the last 6 films. It feels a little like the final episode of Dallas.

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     • Better than no retcons at all… XMDOFP is the best solution they could ever pull off to correct the errors of the previous installments… not all, but most of the significant ones like death of Cyclops?

       Oh well, I think I was just lucky that I got to enjoy this movie because of how I perceived… I didn’t allow myself to be bothered by the previous films’ flaws actually.

       I see where you’re coming from, Josh. I guess it’s a matter of one’s POV. You’re a film maker, so there’s that. But sometimes if you’re over analyzing things, you end up being disappointed in a movie that’s supposed to be entertaining. Give yourself a chance to enjoy it for what it is.

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5. hi Josh,

   Funny enough, Filmjunk podcast was one of the other podcasts i referenced after watching the Enemy. and to my amusement, I also found their point of view complete opposite of mine – so i guess your idea and mine might not fall that far apart; Filmjunk’s discussion was also thin because for all of their 3 hosts, only one watched the movie.

   Like you said, when the movie maker understands the story, structure and movie language, and then deliberately break the rules so the movie gets the extra depth… if this movie is about what Filmjunk discussed, then it is the worst of that category and all I can do is wordless smile. That is exactly what I did when hearing their “spoiler” section about it – I laughed.

   I was not scared because… maybe my wife is not that scary? :OP

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   • Well, she wasn’t scary in the movie either. I was just afraid to turn and look over my shoulder.

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6. Here are my rankings for the X-Men mobies:

   X-Men – 7
   X-Men 2 – 8.5
   Last Stand: 4
   Origins: 5
   The Wolverine: 7
   First Class: 10
   Days of Future Past: 10

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   • *movies
     :/

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   • mobies lol

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7. Guys, I finally got to watch Upstream Color and Blue Ruin. I really liked one of them and I thought the other one was an overly pretentious, visually amazing experience that failed as a movie. Can you guess which one is which?

   Blue Ruin is a 9. It’s extremely well made. I loved the pacing, the tension, the intensity, and the ending was just so perfect. I mean it’s just a great movie. It’s smart but not alienating, it’s different from your run of the mill revenge thriller, but it’s accessible. It really is, for the most part, like a counterpart to Kill Bill. Think Kill Bill, but at the other end of the spectrum. Watch this everyone. It’s worth it.

   Upstream Color is a very interesting exercise in unorthodox, experimental storytelling. I found the “hipster” visuals and sound fascinating up to a certain point. The use of out of focus and lens flare artsy shots were beautiful at first, but became annoying as the movie progressed. At times it was like I was watching one of those experimental videos you would find at a museum. As an experience I would rate this pretty high, like maybe an 8.5 or 9. But as a movie, I can’t give it much credit, because I think it falls short of being a cohesive story or even an interesting story. The parts are all there, but the way in which they are told is a little clunky. The acting is a bit awkward too. Shane Carruth in particular is pretty terrible. The guy is just not an actor. All in all, I think it’s worth it checking out. I think the fact that I watched it on tv rather than at the theater probably diminished the effect of the visuals, but who knows. Maybe I would’ve been even more annoyed. Upstream Color is a 6 and I say check it out. I think it’s still on Netflix.

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   • Interesting. I just don’t see your criticisms at all.

     I enjoy Carruth as an actor just fine and I think Seimetz is one of the great actresses of her generation.

     I don’t see why the photography is “hipster” or the film as a whole could be “pretentious.”

     I appreciate that the filmmaker left space for the viewer to do some work connecting the dots. I’m surprised to see so many impatient viewers.

     I suppose you could argue that there are some “clunky” moments toward the end, but 90% of it is masterful, in my opinion.

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     • Oh come on Josh. Go to Pitchfork and I guarantee you you will find that exact same look in great quantities. It’s the hip go-to look you see everywhere. And I didn’t use hipster as a derogatory adjective. I mean it’s a good look.

       I like slow movies and I think I’m a patient watcher (no stopwatch here). The movie never dragged for me, but I did feel like there was a bit of unnecessary fluff.

       Another thing I’d like to point out. There was a dreamy quality to the atmosphere established throughout the whole film that made me think I was in for the emotional journey of a lifetime. For a little bit I felt like I was about to take off, but I never did. And I think this is where the theater experience comes in. I think I needed this cranked to 11 in order to get the full effect. Do you think Upstream Color is a movie that has to be seen on the big screen to get the most out of it?

       Somewhat related… Have you played Journey? It’s a ps3 exclusive, I’m sure you’ve at least heard of it. Let me tell you, that game gave me one of the most powerful emotional journeys of my life. It’s a really short game, about 2-3 hours long. There’s only one objective in the game, go from point a to point b. There’s no killing, no points, no fighting, it’s just you exploring the land. Sounds simple, and it is, you don’t have to be a gamer to play it or enjoy it. But the emotional impact it has on you is pretty incredible. I would highly recommend it to everyone.

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8. Man, I know someone was going to make me mad on this show. Josh, are you kidding me? X-Men, Days of Future Past is awesome! Now granted, I’m a comic book movie apologist, like Willis, but how can you not like this movie? Yikes. The movie I saw was crystal clear. I wasn’t super happy with the look of the sentinels, but other than that, I’d have to disagree with you. Jay and Willis, the three of us actually agree on something!

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   • U know that the future sentinels are more in line with the nimrod model http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nimrod_%28comics%29

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     • ah, I had forgotten about the Nimrod villain! Although wasn’t that just one villain, where as the sentinels I know and love were many and were large!

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9. Hi Guys loved the show (3 hour epic)

   Something Josh said made me think. I am not a fan of commentaries and so have not bought the premium content but would like to support the show. I think if you did a few premium episodes in the CTS format I would certainly pay some cash for them. A few franchises I would suggest
   1) Rocky (one of my favourite franchises of all time)
   2) Rambo
   3) Lethal Weapon
   4) Dollars Trilogy
   5) Young Guns (only two but i loved these when I was younger)
   6) Dirty Harry
   to name but a few

   Another one of my favorite types of show’s are the lists shows where you guys give your top 10s, 20s etc and I would pay a premium price for these also. Can I suggest a TV Show special in this area. I know you specialize in Movies but there is some great TV atm and would be good to know some of your favorite shows of all time (Wire, Breaking Bad (another one I have you guys to thank for getting me interested – I somehow missed the boat on this one).

   BTW Jason Underbelly is a great show. Series three or four is taglined Razor and is set back in the early 20th century and is a very good watch

   Also have a suggestion for Karl and maybe Jason – Karl was watching The Fall (BBC Drama – great) a few weeks ago. There is another BBC crime drama called Happy Valley, which is one of the those shows that everyone in work is talking about the morning after it airs. Five episodes have aired and the finale is next week and I cannot wait for it.

   I have also been working my way through series one of Hannibal and I am loving it so thanks guys for that recommendation.

   Have caught up on a few movies lately that I missed first time round
   Avengers (finally) – loved it 9/10
   Robocop – Not bad but not a patch on the original – 6/10
   Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit – really liked it – 7.5/10
   Nonstop – Average Average Average – 5/10
   Pompeii – Enjoyed it but felt it was a poor mans Gladiator and hated Keifer Sutherlands silly accent – 6.5/10

   BTW Josh did you enjoy most recent season of survivor. Have to say it was one of my favorite seasons for some time .

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10. Wow, that Wildman sure seems to be showing up all over the place recently. Not that I’m complaining, I could listen to Willis’ joyous and unique voice all day!

    Also I checked out his appearance on Toy Hunter and boy did some of the stuff in the background take me back. That’s quite an awesome collection!

    Now, in regards to Gareth Edwards imminent excursion into a galaxy far, far away: I’m not certain just yet that he’s the right man for the job but I will say that if there’s a franchise out there right now that could use a bit of sparsity then it’s this one. I think a big problem with the prequels was just how hard they were trying to out-do the original trilogy to the point where the frame was so cluttered with action and the spectacle so dependent on special effects that everything just came out flat and underwhelming. Taking a one-on-one, rudimentary lightsaber duel between characters we care about and replacing it with loads of over-choregraphed, CGI-enhanced lightsaber battles, featuring countless different characters non of whom we’ve had time (or decent enough dialogue) to become invested in just ended up boring the crap out of me. I for one welcome some more restrained, properly paced and less flashy entries in the Star Wars universe.

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    • That was just a small portion of my toy empire

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