65 thoughts on “Movie Podcast Weekly Ep. 118: The Interview (2014) and The Gambler (2014) and The Imitation Game (2014) and Into the Woods (2014) and The Best Movies of 2014”

1. YESSSSSSS!!!!

   Reply ↓

2. Thanks guys, now everyone who’s annoyed by my constant influx on the comment boards has one more reason to hate me haha. Anyway, that’s really nice of you guys (too nice), but you didn’t have to do that. I love the show and I want nothing more than for it to keep going and growing and that’s why I keep coming back and try to support you as much as I can.

   After listening to all of the lists, I’d like to add a few things to my disappointments of the year list if you guys don’t mind:

   1) Karl leaving the show
   2) Karl’s anticlimactic comeback (come on Karl, that wasn’t nearly enough time to make it a dramatic comeback)
   3) Josh leaving the show (Josh this is very sad news, but completely understandable. As much as I’d like for your absence to be as minimal as possible, please don’t repeat Karl’s mistake. Make it count bro. Make it count.)

   <3 Juan

   Reply ↓

   • Oh and Happy New Year everyone! Have fun, but be responsible. Be safe y’all!

     Reply ↓

     • Josh, this is for you buddy. I know how much you love rap, so please enjoy this saddest of songs

       Reply ↓

       • Haha. Thanks, Juan! And a very Happy New Year to you and everyone who comes here.

         Reply ↓

3. All I got to say what was the only movie that made over a billion dollars world wide , is transformers 4 , so stop hating . And I won, wow lol

   Reply ↓

   • And I’m sure McDonald’s probably makes more money than any other restaurant chain but that doesn’t change the fact that what they serve barely fits the definition of food and their mascot is a molestery looking clown.

     Either way though I’ve got to admire your immovable loyalty to that Transformers movie Willis. To paraphrase Jay: you really are a Wheeler!

     Reply ↓

4. In 2014 that’s is

   Reply ↓

5. Well I didn’t win a blu-ray or a shirt but it was an honor to be featured all over the top ten lists! It was really fun to feel a part of a show I enjoy so much. Good luck Josh I’ll be looking forward to your next film. I will also be adding movie stream cast to my listening agenda.

   Reply ↓

   • Thanks, Kevin. We’d love to have you over on Movie Stream Cast and I’m sure I’ll be back here someday.

     Reply ↓

6. Willis you broke my winning streak…but I’m still undefeated on horror movie podcast!!! You deserve it Willis for all the guff you get for Transformers… I’m with you…I like Transformers and appreciate it for what it is supposed be…Congrats!!!

   Reply ↓

   • So true

     Reply ↓

     • Willis wheeler 4 life…2 Sweet!!! \m/

       Reply ↓

7. Congrats to David and Juan…really enjoy and respect reading your comments…gonna have to step up my game this year…I wanna be an important part of this team…this family…this thing that I fell in love with…

   Reply ↓

   • One of us!

     Reply ↓

   • Thanks Shannon. Your enthusiastic and sincere thoughts are already a welcome addition to the comments here. There’s just so many nice people associated with this podcast and its various offshoots. Such an awesome community to be a part of!

     Reply ↓

     • Hey thanks Shannon! Ditto to what these guys said 🙂

       Reply ↓

8. I started listening to this episode tonight in 2014 and finished it in 2015…this was the best New Year’s Eve ever…kinda wished I could have saved it for when I waked upped after my surgery on February 13th…I loved this episode so much because it was my first year end episode…and it was so great and informative…as soon as I wake up beside my wife and children… I wanna hear you guys in my ears…

   Reply ↓

   • We’ll be there! Well, these guys will be. I’ll be there on Horror Movie Podcast and Movie Stream Cast, though.

     Reply ↓

9. Hi, guys. Great episode. =) Thank you so much for mentioning me. It was very entertaining. I’m glad I could contribute to the Top 10 list. Is that mean that I should play Lotto more often? And by the way am I the only one who kept descriptions within 50 words, as Jason requested? >.>

   I understand now why you don’t have women on the show. After all it’s your show and your choice and I do respect that. =)

   Jason, I forgot to mention that I back you up with your opinion about Upstream Color. What a terrible movie. Un-watchable.

   Josh, believe it or not but I will be missing you. Good luck in Colombia. =)

   Reply ↓

   • Back-handed compliment?

     Reply ↓

     • Oh, not at all. It’s genuine. I did enjoy your opinions about the movies. Learnt a lot, as well. So, I’m grateful.

       Reply ↓

       • Well, thank you. That’s very kind.

         BTW, it was wonderful to find we have at least one Polish listener. I actually have a really good friend from Poland, who used to work in film, name Tomek Debowski. Never met a sweeter or crazier guy in my life.

         Also, Jason’s working overtime to find a woman to put on the show, for you and all of our underserved female listeners, so expect that sooner than later.

         Reply ↓

         • I’m sure you have more listeners in Poland. I did write in the letter that I’m more “silent fan” of the show and I’m sure there are hundreds people like me.

           If you need any help with some “female feedback” or reviews I’ll be honored to help”. =)

           Reply ↓

10. Fantastic episode gentlemen! It was surreal and amazing to hear my reviews being reiterated on the show by you hosts…and, I hope I didn’t upset Karl too much on, “Interstellar.” Don’t get me wrong…I truly did love it (I actually just bought the soundtrack today).
    I’m also extremely saddened to hear that Wolfman Josh is leaving MPW. Granted, I first got introduced to Josh on HMP with Jason but, began listening to MPW just this past year. At least you won’t be gone entirely…I can still hear your horror and streaming recommendations…but, I do hope that you will eventually be able to return, even if it’s only as a guest. Although, I’m bummed, I completely respect and understand your decision. You must always take care of YOU first above all else. Good luck on all your future endeavors…AND, also…I loved, “Upstream Color” I feel like I’ll need to watch it a few more times to truly absorb everything it has to offer…which, means this likely requires a purchase. So, you can rejoice in knowing you’ve converted another listener to the wonders of this film!
    Lastly, I was very impressed with all the lists I heard on the show…and loved seeing how in sync we listeners were with each other…AND the hosts! Let’s hope for the same anomaly to occur in 2015!!!

    Reply ↓

    • !!!

      Reply ↓

11. Hi guys. I’ve just about finished this episode now but I’m going to have to go back for a second listen to take it all in. Initially I have to say that this is a triumph of both list-making and podcast audience participation. The responsiveness and respect that you show your listeners is honestly astounding and it’s definitely one of the elements that really helps set this podcast apart from the norm. This was also an extremely useful episode because as I was listening I found myself bombarded with reminders of films I’d planned to check out in the previous year but had subsequently forgotten about.

    And guys, I am genuinely honoured and touched to be a joint recipient of your surprising (and potentially controversial) “MPW Listener of the Year Award”. That said I can’t help but feel that I’m really not deserving. I saw such a meagre amount of contemporary movies this year, I don’t think I’ve even been listening for quite an entire year and I haven’t even written you guys an all-important I-tunes review (though that’s entirely because I don’t use I-tunes)! Not only that but there are so many regular commentators with far more informed, intelligent and entertaining opinions than mine and a fair few who I’m sure have been at it for much longer than myself. And lets not forget the listeners who maybe don’t feel compelled to join the discussions but are no less important for it. Of course it’s your award and I’m no one to tell you who it should be given to, I just can’t help but feel a little unworthy.

    Anyway, while I was only about halfway through this episode I checked the comments and noticed mention of “Josh leaving”. Through fitful sobs of disbelief I skipped to Josh’s announcement and I listened to it and then I curled up in bed shaking and weeping uncontrollably with “Wind Beneath My Wings” playing on repeat in the background.

    Okay, so that’s a (very slight) over-statement, but this is troubling news indeed! I have no doubt that Jay, Karl and Andy can hold their own sans Josh and still provide a podcast of the highest standard and I also totally understand Josh’s reasons for leaving; of course health and family and career must come first but nonetheless he will be missed greatly.

    I think Josh is quite a bit more patient and tolerant when it comes to the more indulgently experimental and resolutely challenging end of the cinematic spectrum than myself (and probably a lot of other people) so I don’t always find that I’m totally on the same page but of the hosts I think he’s probably the guy who I feel I have the most in common with taste-wise and I think his enthusiasm and open-mindedness are particularly infectious. He certainly urged me to take more notice of the creativity and effort that goes into the documentary format and he not only had a hand in convincing me to check out awesome shows like “The Wire” and the US version of “The Office” but he pretty much single-handedly influenced me to watch “The Killing” and breathtaking documentaries such as “The Imposter”, “Marwencol” and “The Act of Killing”. He’s even responsible for recommending some great music and places to eat should I ever find myself in Utah!

    Of course, being a filmmaker, Josh also brought some extremely valuable insight into that creative process and a refreshingly sympathetic attitude towards other filmmakers as artists but I think the thing that I will truly miss the most is the endlessly entertaining (and very brotherly) infighting between Josh and Jay. I’m even tempted to venture back to the uncomfortable waters of the infamous “Song of the South” debate in tribute to the tumultuous “Josh vs Jay” relationship that is so sadly ending (except of course on HMP but you guys need to start covering more divisive stuff on there as to reimburse us the drama that we’ll be deprived of here).

    Finally, as silver linings go, the return of Moviestreamcast is a great one (and I’m of course extremely thankful for Josh’s continued allegiance to HMP). I came to that (the former) podcast after dust had settled on its window displays so it’ll be awesome to listen to and obnoxiously comment on fresh, current releases.

    And in closing; thanks to all the hosts for such an awesome year of podcasting and I eagerly await all MPW episodes to come.

    – David

    Reply ↓

    • Yeah…what he said…

      Reply ↓

      • That’s what she said!

        Reply ↓

        • Haha!

          Reply ↓

    • Oh and a belated Happy New Year to all the hosts, guests and listeners of MPW, HMP and Moviestreamcast!

      I hope 2015 will bring you all health and happiness and a long overdue return to quality for the Star Wars franchise.

      Reply ↓

    • David, thank you for your kind words. You guys are really too much, but it is nice to feel like someone gets what I’m going for. You’re picking up what I’m putting down.

      As much as I too worried about the “listener of the year” award, I think Jason was absolutely right to give it to you and Juan if we were going to do it at all. We clearly have many great listeners, but so few actually get involved in the conversation, and you two have been the absolute most supportive (for at least the last 6 months or so) and you were both really key in making this into the community we had hoped for when starting these podcasts. You made our house a home, so to speak. It is interesting, looking back at old episodes, that the commenters on the website have completely changed over from a year ago. Hopefully those guys guys didn’t leave for any negative reason, but we are glad to have you and I hope the community will continue to grow and more people will make their way to the sites to get involved in the high-level of discourse that you bring to the message boards.

      I promise to stay active on the HMP themed episodes and, yes … please, everyone do me a favor and follow me over to MSC to get involved there and let me know what kind of reviews you’d like to hear on that show. David, we just reviewed BBC2’s THE TRIP movies and I’m curious what you think of the films and their stars.

      Happy New Year to all and to all a good night!

      Reply ↓

      • Well it already seemed like a very welcoming community full of interesting conversation well before I started contributing so I must contest any of the credit for that going to me but it does mean a lot that you guys read and appreciate us commentators !

        And I’ve already listened to the new MSC episode and I left a comment but it still seems to be “awaiting moderation” which could be the internet’s way of telling me to not blather on so obnoxiously!

        Reply ↓

        • Approved! Sorry, I didn’t see that for some reason.

          Yes, we’ve always had great listener commenters, but you and Juan have really kept it going as others thinned out. Or maybe you pushed them out. You’re to blame! Haha. Either way, very happy about the community that has grown around these discussions and all you add to them. Your copy of the room will be in the mail. DVD?

          Reply ↓

          • I do sometimes fear that the old guard got tired of us obnoxious youngsters and cleared out; “I remember the simple times when this comment page was full of good people, with simple ideals, non of these beatniks blathering on about new-fangled food and craft-beer and those frightful horror story videos. With their unkempt hair and their skating boards and their rocking roll music!” Actually that just sounds more like something I’d say.

            But seriously I do hope that’s not true. I still feel fairly new here and I don’t want any veteran time listeners to feel marginalised. I feel like I owe a lot of gratitude to the audience that’s been there from the start keeping you guys going.

            And DVD is absolutely fine.

            Unless it’s available on laser-disc?

            Reply ↓

12. Hi Everyone

    Great show and a great end to the year. I was delighted to hear most of my top ten make it on to somebody’s list as I thought my list was not great due to lack of movies viewed.

    Very sorry that Josh is leaving though I can understand as if you are having health issues its better to take care of yourself. I hope you can make it back for the occasional visit Josh and will still look forward to hearing you on HMP.

    Anyway loved the show as always and was worth waiting for
    hope everyone has a great 2015
    Gerdywerdy
    Ireland (LOL)

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks, Gerdywerdy. The same to you!

      Reply ↓

13. Very bad thing or as Jason correctly mentioned aka Julian. Great episode and even with a few of my picks making the top 10 it’s good to hear the other hosts and listeners choices and that there’s still some movies that I defiantly have to check out.

    Regarding the question of downloads I was just wondering if the episode needs to be downloaded to make the numbers or does streaming them count also?

    Thanks Jason for the link to the new Dave Eaton Element song, it’s been liked, commented on and subscribed. I’ve been watching the videos of the home performances of the other new material and am loving them all already.

    All the best to Josh and glad to hear we’ll still have you over on the HMP

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks, Julian. You’re not such a #verybadthing, afterall.

      Reply ↓

14. My top 10… So far. My list is official just before The Academy Awards.

    Honorable Mention: Hunger Games: Catching Fire Part 1, The Sacrament, Interstellar, Locke
    10) The Signal
    9) Coherence
    8) Only Lovers Left Alive
    7) The Fault In Our Stars
    6) Oculus
    5) X-Men: Days of Future Past
    4) Nightcrawler
    3) Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
    2) Gone Girl
    1) Magic in the Moonlight

    Still need to see: Force Majeure, The Overnighters, Citizenfour, Birdman, Into the Woods, Wild, A Most Violent Year, Edge of Tomorrow, American Sniper, Whiplash, Top Five, Big Eyes and The Imitation Game.

    Reply ↓

    • Man, I just don’t get how you liked Magic in the Moonlight. Woody Allen is my priest, but I could not get excited about that one, as hard as I tried.

      Reply ↓

      • I can totally see where people would consider it a slight Woody Allen film but I loved every beat in that film. In contrast to Blue Jasmine, I actually liked people in this one. Maybe it just stroked my ego though, there were several times I thought “hey it would be cool if…” and then that thing happened.

        Reply ↓

    • Have you seen “The Babadook” yet Jeff Hammer?

      Reply ↓

      • Yep. It’s fine, don’t see what the big deal is though 🙂 I wanted to love it, but I thought Oculus was easily better.

        Reply ↓

        • Oh man, I loved it though it didn’t quite creep me out as much as I’d have liked.

          I never actually bothered checking Oculus out and I can’t even remember why. Maybe I should rectify this oversight!

          Reply ↓

    • I’m surprised to see The Signal on anyone’s list. I thought it was just alright. Great premise, so so execution.

      Reply ↓

      • I could see that. I just thought it was a fun ride. That said, no way it makes my final top 10 list. The top 8 are stronger than the last two.

        Reply ↓

        • I have to say though, for such a small budget, amazing special effects! And it’s always nice to see the ever so lovely Olivia Cooke.

          Reply ↓

      • Hmmm, The Signal came highly recommended from a trusted sci-fi friend. Still interested in seeing it.

        Reply ↓

15. Jay – If I had known you would be reading our movie comments on air, I would have given them more thought! That said, I’ll echo Kevin’s sentiment above and say it was an honor to be a part of the show. For better or worse, life doesn’t allow me to participate here or on HMP’s board (or via email/vmail) nearly as often as I’d like, but both MPW and HMP are a big part of my life. It sounds silly to say, but you guys are with me on my commute to/from work… you’re my workout buddies… my beer run companions… my movie queue curators… etc.

    With regard to my not having any 10-rated films this year, my ratings are very malleable and tend to change over time. I rarely (if ever) rate a movie a 10 so soon after my initial viewing. I watch it, let it simmer, discuss, re-visit, rinse/repeat. My list and ratings are merely a snapshot of how I feel “right now.” I don’t hold steadfast to a given rating… my opinion of a film can (and often does) change based on several factors, such as my understanding of the film itself, my own life experiences, how the film affects me at any given time, whether or not it holds up over time and/or multiple viewings, to name a few. So, while my #1 film this year – Interstellar – is only a 9.5, it can very easily become a 10 in the future (or, for that matter, drop below a 9.5).

    I’ve seen a few more 2014 films since submitting my list, so here are a few quick notes:

    Enemy – Obtuse at first blush, this film keeps getting better and more challenging the more I think about it. A good example of the malleable nature of my personal ratings system, I initially rated it a 7, but now it’s probably closer to an 8 after discussing the film with my wife. The more and more I think of it, the more I want to re-watch it. Hard to really discuss in more detail without giving anything away, and this one should definitely be watched going in as “blind” as possible. This one may have cracked my top 10 had I seen it a few weeks ago and, at the least, would be at the very top of my honorable mentions. 8/10

    Deliver Us From Evil – The beginning two-thirds of this film make for a pretty decent horror/mystery/thriller, but it goes off the rails at the end. I had high hopes for this one but, ultimately, it disappoints. In fact, this would have landed firmly on my most disappointing list, just after Oculus. 5/10

    The Drop – Such a solid, subtle film. It’s a slow burn, so don’t go in expecting a guns-blazing crime thriller. But, if you’re patient and go along for the ride, you won’t be disappointed. This would have made my honorable mentions list. 7.5/10

    The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies – This is a tough one for me. The Lord of the Rings/Hobbit trilogies probably represent my favorite little corner of cinema, so I went in with extremely high hopes. My initial reaction after seeing the movie was of disappointment. I enjoyed the film overall, but really wanted more story and a little less battle sequences. I appreciate this one more as a continuation of the trilogy rather than as a standalone film, and my fanboy-ism likely gives it a 1-2 point boost over what it deserves. 9/10

    Exists – The HMP review of this was spot on. It is such a fun film. Definitely the best Bigfoot movie I’ve ever seen, this is one horror film from 2014 that lived up to the hype (for me). A little light on the scare factor, though, which is a little disappointing because the opportunity was there (especially with the sequences when they’re hiding in the cabin). Because of the lack of “scare,” it wouldn’t have made my top 10, but would have landed on my honorable mentions list. 7.5/10

    Tusk – Wow. I didn’t catch this movie when it first came out because I’m not a huge fan of horror/comedy (although, I do quite like Zombieland and Shaun of the Dead). Josh putting this in his top 10, though, made me reconsider, and I’m glad I did. This is not at all what I would call a horror/comedy. There are comedic elements, for sure, but they play as much more disturbing in nature than funny. This is one of the more disturbing movies I’ve seen in a long time, in a good way. I really wonder how I would react in that situation. Just so many thoughts and questions in my mind after seeing this film. It really blew my mind, and would have been a serious challenger for the bottom part of my top 10. 8/10

    Reply ↓

    • @Josh – I just finished listening to the podcast. You are dead to me.

      p.s. You’re not totally dead to me… at least you’ll still be on HMP. I’ll miss you here, though. Hopefully all the extra time you’ll gain will be just what the doctor ordered.

      Reply ↓

      • Thanks, man.

        Reply ↓

    • Hi Dino,

      It’s too bad that you’re not able to write on the comment boards more often because I quite enjoyed this comment of yours. Overall your scores are not too far from where mine are, but what I really liked was what you wrote about the movies. For the most part I agree with everything that you said.

      I also liked that you described the way you approach your ratings. I think it’s somewhat similar to mine except that my opinion on movies is not as “malleable” as yours. I’m very open to the idea of changing my score, but it doesn’t happen often. It takes a lot for me to add points to a movie and even more to take points off. I also very rarely take points off if a movie “doesn’t hold up”. By the way, when you say that a movie “doesn’t hold up” what do you mean exactly? That a movie has aged and doesn’t look as good as it once did or that perhaps there was a plot twist and once said twist is revealed the movie doesn’t work as well on a second viewing? Either way, I don’t believe in penalizing a movie because of either of those, but then again, I’m not even sure if that’s what you meant.

      The way I approach a movie when scoring it is a combination of artistic merit and entertainment value. I adjust the ratio according to the movie that I watch (i.e. I don’t approach Dumb and Dumber To the same way I approach Under the Skin). In the end though, I’m not a professional writer/critic/filmmaker so my opinions may or may not be of value all the time… though once every blue moon I strike gold if I do say so myself haha.

      Anyway, do try to write more often Dino.

      Reply ↓

      • Juan, of course I can’t speak for Dino but from my own perspective a good example of a movie not “holding up” would be “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones”.

        In retrospect it might seem obvious that that movie outright sucks but I swear that if someone had asked me when I first saw it to give it a rating upon leaving the cinema I might have gone as high as a 7/10 or even a 7.5!

        I think a great deal of the initial reaction to watching a movie can be affected by the context of expectations and theatre-going experience and just how we happen to be feeling that day. When I saw Attack of the Clones for the first time I was with a good buddy who’s as much of a Star Wars nerd as I am, I was in a very good mood and during the film I felt a great sense of relief at the distinct lack of Jar Jar and that it wasn’t as kiddyish and lame as Phantom Menace.

        Then a few months later my dad bought me it on DVD and I got about 20 minutes in before I totally lost interest and just started doing something else. I remember not being able to believe how awful it was. I have watched it with friends since and it was a truly agonising experience. The terrible dialogue, the flat, lifeless deliveries, the sheer boring nonsense of it all. That movie is way down there for me now. I actually prefer The Phantom Menace simply because it’s at least a little more memorable. So I guess when I initially saw Attack of the Clones my opinion was very much skewed by the theatrical spectacle and my own expectations. However it absolutely doesn’t hold up.

        I actually think all of the prequels have had the same effect on me to an extent and I think it’s the same for other people too. If you look at the initial reviews of those movies I don’t think you’d get any insight into just how detested they’d become. Sure theatrical spectacle is worth a few points alone but when that’s literally all there is to take away from a film and even those big battles and SFX are pretty lifeless and artificial looking and upon the tiniest bit of reflection cracks begin to appear then you have an example of a movie that doesn’t hold up.

        Reply ↓

        • Hi David!

          That’s a great point you bring up and I completely understand how you’d be inclined to change your score in situations like the one you described.

          I know the point of this wasn’t to discuss the Star Wars prequels, but I have to say that my experience with the Star Wars prequels was quite different from yours. I hated those movies from day one but learned to “love” them (as much as one can) with repeated viewings. There are certainly things that I love about each one, but there are far outweighed by the things that I hate. Anyway, let’s hope the force is strong with this new one. And speaking of Star Wars, I’m excited about this:

          http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/05/the-raid-actors-join-star-wars-the-force-awakens?abthid=54aaed32fb8762c67f000012

          Reply ↓

          • Juan – You nailed what I meant by ”doesn’t hold up.” It can mean either that it’s not as effective upon multiple viewings or that it is aged or dated visually and/or thematically.

            There’s nothing quite like experiencing a movie for the first time, but the ones that “hold up” are just as good the next time… even after you’ve learned the great reveal, if there is one. Several examples of this for me include The Usual Suspects, Seven, Primal Fear, The Game, Friday the 13th, The Sixth Sense, Saw, Frailty, and The Uninvited (and these films represent a ratings range of 7-10 for me).

            The latter point is essentially the debate Jay and Josh had in the second-half of last year (I believe) as to whether a film should be rated based on the time when it was made as opposed to the present. I tend to fall on Jason’s side of that argument, whereas you would seem to be more on Josh’s side. There’s no wrong or right on this. It’s pure value-based subjectivity, which is a big part of what makes discussing and debating over stuff like movies so much fun. And that’s not to say I don’t think we should appreciate a film’s place in cinematic history, its influence on movie-making, or particular achievement for its time. I just happen to place more emphasis and importance on movies that work for me in the present. It’s often a subtle distinction (and, of course, subjective) – like the difference between The Breakfast Club (timeless) and Pretty in Pink (so ‘80s). Sometimes it’s vague – like how the special effects in John Carpenter’s The Thing “look” dated, but still work. Sometimes it’s not subtle nor vague – like how Minority Report still looks more like the future than most sci-fi films over a decade later. And, sometimes, it’s blasphemous – like how Nosferatu is “just” a 6.5/10 for me because the format is somewhat inaccessible.

            The Prequels discussion between you and David really touches on what I mean by malleable nature. Time – and everything that goes into “time,” including thought, discussion, and life experiences – often helps me to correct the immediate glow or gloom I feel about a movie after I’ve just seen it for the first time. It helps to smooth out the rough edges of my initial rating. Time helps to refine my crude, nascent opinions. That’s not to say that initial impression doesn’t mean anything. It provides the base from which I view the film thereafter. I just find more value in rating films based on the (and, more precisely, my) present state.

            Reply ↓

          • Dino,

            Very well put and very thorough explanation. I loved your comments on time and its effects on you and your thoughts. Time is one of those things that we (I) take for granted and I never really stop to think about how it affects me beyond my daily commute to work, so it was refreshing hearing your thoughts on that.

            Thank you for taking the time to answer and citing examples too. That made it really easy for me to align with your point of view. And you’re right in that there’s no absolute right or wrong when discussing movies. It’s about engaging in discussion and learning from one another and having fun while doing it.

            Reply ↓

          • Dino,

            Very well put and very thorough explanation. I loved your comments on time and its effects on you and your thoughts. Time is one of those things that we (I) take for granted and I never really stop to think about how it affects me beyond my daily commute to work, so it was refreshing hearing your thoughts on that.

            Thank you for taking the time to answer and citing examples too. That made it really easy for me to align with your point of view. And you’re right in that there’s no absolute right or wrong when discussing movies. It’s about engaging in discussion and learning from one another and having fun while doing it and setting Jay straight (haha just kidding, Jay).

            Reply ↓

    • Love all of this feedback, Dino. Excellent comments and the first bit was super-touching. It’s always so refreshing to hear that people have us in their ears when they commute or work out or whatever. Makes this all worthwhile.

      Loved your reviews. Excited about your take on TUSK. Did you hear our more in-depth review on HMP? I called it a horror-comedy here as short-hand, but I think we painted a pretty good picture on the real review.

      Reply ↓

      • Josh – Yes, I definitely listened to the full review of Tusk on HMP. I honestly can’t remember why I wasn’t terribly interested in the film at the time, though. I think it’s because I was hoping for the film to be completely straight, so was disappointed to find out that wasn’t the case. I just couldn’t get over that hurdle. You putting it in your top 10 is what I needed, I guess.

        I’ve been with HMP since the ground floor… actually, I started by catching up on TWHMP and Horror Metropolis throughout 2013 leading up to episode 1 of HMP. (Not sure if you remember my email from the early days of HMP, but that’s when I still lived in NYC and would listen to the podcast while walking through the city late at night.) I think of MPW as my breakfast/lunch/dinner, and HMP as the desert.

        Brilliant move by Jay to re-release TWHMP and HM as a “teaser” to HMP, btw. That’s actually what got me hooked on podcasts.

        Reply ↓

16. I started listening to the podcast in mid 2014 and instantly fell in love with it. So, needless-to-say, I’ve been going through the older episodes listening to your previous reviews. They have inspired a multitude of purchases and rentals…one of which I was so thrilled with, I have to mention it.

    In 2013, Jason praised a film and selected it as his favorite for the year…I’m sure you’ve already figured out that film was, “Out of the Furnace.” After looking at the star studded cast and hearing such a stellar review, I made a blind-buy at an f.y.e here in Michigan. I finally carved out a couple of hours this week to watch some films and decided to give it a whirl.

    Let me just start by saying how impressed I was by the performances in this film…my favorite of which was, Woody Harrelson. It’s amazing how dark, twisted and malevolent he managed to get in this film…almost (if not completely) to the same caliber of his character in, “Natural Born Killers.” Also, for being what most would consider a ‘slow burn’…I was completely enveloped in the story.

    Side note: I do wish we would’ve seen a little more of Willam Defoe…although, that might just be my biased opinion.

    Anyways, I just want to extend my thanks to you gentlemen here at MPW. Without your recommendation I would’ve likely never seen this film, let alone purchased it. Thanks to you I now have a film in my collection that I’m proud to own, that will warrant many repeat viewings and will likely wander into a ‘favorites’ list of mine at some point. If I had to rate it, I would call it a solid 10/10. There is very little I find that’s wrong with this film.

    End rant.

    Reply ↓

    • I really need to get to Out of the Furnace. It’s been on my Netflix queue for awhile, so I have no excuses! James, your rant may have just given me that final nudge.

      Reply ↓

      • Thanks for your kind words Dino! Like you, I’d always seen it around or had it in a que and considered it but never really gave it the time of day…and, I suffered through a lot more junk films before I got to it…please, don’t make the same mistake I did!!! Haha, let me know how you like it!

        Reply ↓

17. Thoughts on ‪#‎TheInterview2014‬:

    Satire should not give you an excuse to insult and make fun of any leader of any nation. Just because it’s fiction, doesn’t mean it can’t be disrespectful. There is freedom of expression, then there is that freedom of RESPONSIBLE expression. Sorry to say this, I love you, guys, but sometimes, you have to be mindful of topics like this… comedy or not. Just saying. I’m totally with Jay on this.

    3.5 out of 10 for me.

    P.S. I still love you, guys!

    Reply ↓

18. This “Ghetto News With Dookie Wallace” skit by Bill Posley is only slightly less offensive than The Interview:

    Reply ↓