57 thoughts on “Movie Podcast Weekly Ep. 139: Tomorrowland (2015) and Poltergeist (2015) and Time Lapse (2015)”

1. Oh no! I just started watching The Killing. Does Andy cover all of the seasons that are currently out on Netflix?

   Also, what happened to Andy’s Unseemly Homework? :/

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   • I got the impression that he only covered the first 2 seasons but if you’ve not made it through those yet then I advise you to avoid his “The Killing” bashing segment.

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   • This comment has NO SPOILERS for “The Killing” (though, this episode does)…

     I wouldn’t listen yet, Juan, even though Andy only really spoils elements of the first season. He’s not very specific at all about Season 2, and he hasn’t seen 3 or 4. Nor will he.

     But I’m very careful about spoilers, so I wouldn’t listen. He doesn’t tell you who the killer is, but he tells you a few people that it’s not…

     Jason

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     • Good to know. I’ll try to watch at least an episode a day and hopefully I’ll get caught up soon enough. I also need to catch up on Game of Thrones, which I’ve only seen season one and part of two. I’ve even been saving some special Game of Thrones themed beers just for the show. But David’s spot-on description of the show reignited the fire in me and by God I will get caught up before anyone spoils the show for me. I try to avoid social media whenever the show airs, but spoilers tend to find their way to me, so my binge watching will have to be swift and unforgiving!

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2. So I admittedly skipped ahead to hear Andy’s “The Killing” diatribe and I’ll come back with a rebuttal later today or maybe tomorrow.

   First I wanted to answer Jay’s question regarding why he should watch “Game of Thrones”.

   Firstly, I’ll clarify that I’m not a fanboy. I’ve never read any of the books and I’m not even big on most sword and sorcery type fantasy stuff. I’ve noted before that I admire the “Lord of the Rings” movies but wouldn’t really call myself a fan. Normally I prefer my fantasy to be really out there like “Krull” or “The Neverending Story” rather than reliant on the same old tropes of wizards and knights. “Game of Thrones” though is a totally different beast than you might expect from a show featuring dragons and magic. It’s insanely well written with incredibly vivid characterisations brought to life by amazing acting. The show may be generalised as fantasy but I can tell you that this pretty much the grittiest most realistic “fantastical” realm that you’re likely to see. It’s dirty, atmospheric, dangerous and horrific. You never know who to trust. Sure some characters are blatantly the protagonists but even they are often brutal and flawed while the antagonists are thoroughly, wonderfully detestable. The majority of the characters though fall somewhere in the middle. That wonderful grey area of moral ambiguity that anyone who’s a fan of shows like “The Wire”, “The Sopranos” or “Breaking Bad” will be familiar with. To me it’s up there with all those shows; wonderfully realised dialogue, incredible heights of drama and tragedy, exquisite character development, top quality production values, addictive intrigue and jaw dropping plot twists. But also throw in breathtaking visuals, brilliant fight scenes, lashings of gory practical effects, an army of horribly creepy zombie-esque ghouls threatening the kingdom, and a good dose of strictly adult content. It is simply amazing television and each episode, in my opinion, puts cinematic fantasy to shame.

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   • I’d also like to point out that I get the feeling George R.R. Martin takes a huge amount of influence from actual historical events (The Wars of the Roses seems like a particularly obvious touchstone). To me this lends a degree of authenticity with regards to the politics and tactics we see in “Game of Thrones” and also a very tangible level of detail to the world itself.

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   • Wow, David. Your “Game of Thrones” sales pitch was one of the best I’ve heard. You reminded me of Midnight Corey’s Horror Jungle review of “Dance of the Dead.” When he finished that review, everybody wanted to see that movie!

     I am sold. I will definitely have some “Game of Thrones” feedback for next week…

     I will watch “Entourage,” as well.

     Oh, and next week, we have a HUGE surprise… (Teaser).

     JP

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     • My only word of warning regarding “Game of Thrones” is that it can feel a little overwhelming at first. It sort of throws you in the midst of it all and there are a whole bunch of characters and story threads to get your head round. Give it a few episodes and it begins to make a lot more sense though. Give it a season and it’ll be more than worth it. I hope you do like it, Jay. I find your reactions hard to predict. As a fellow horror fan I think you’ll at least appreciate the high body count. It has some very inventive and grisly kills too.

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       • I’m really glad you warned me about being thrown into the mix as it begins. I understand completely. That’s exactly how “The Wire” is, and I’m so thankful I didn’t bail. It takes about 4 or 5 episodes of Season 1 of “The Wire” to understand what’s going on.

         I will have a report on part of Season 1 of Game of Thrones for next week’s MPW.
         J

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         • J –

           Piggybacking off what David said regarding how overwhelming GoT can be at first, I have a recommendation that I think you’ll appreciate.

           When you do start watching Game of Thrones, I would recommend that you also subscribe and listen to A CAST OF KINGS podcast, hosted by one of your favorites, David Chen. Each episode is about 50-80 minutes long, and is completely spoiler-free (they only discuss what has happened on the show to that point in the series; they don’t even discuss the “Upcoming scenes” segment that HBO shows at the end of each episode). The dynamic of the show is great – you have David Chen, who has not read any of the GoT books, and Johanna Robinson, who has read all of the books – and they do a great job of detailing and discussing the events of each episode. Not only do the help you get a grasp on what’s going on, but the discussion and analysis is highly intelligent and entertaining.

           Each episode releases on the Monday or Tuesday following a GoT episode (which are on Sunday evenings), so it’s a great companion listen after watching the latest episode. The only bad part is they started the podcast at season 2 of GoT, so you’ll have to go it alone for season 1 of the show. Once you get to season 2, though, I would highly recommend listening to the podcast after watching the show’s corresponding episode (i.e watch GoT season02ep01, then listen to A Cast of Kings corresponding podcast on that episode).

           Another side benefit for you of watching GoT is that it’s very much a part of today’s cultural zeitgeist, and we know from the past how much you enjoy being a part of that (since you “watch Super Bowl” for that very reason).

           As far as where you can watch it, Ry mentioned the best way – HBO Now. If you have an Apple device, I believe you can sign up for a free 1-month trial. Since the current season’s finale is this Sunday, you could very easily power through the series’ complete 50-episode run (to this point) before the end of your free month.

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3. Hello Guys,

   Another wonderful podcast you guys simply never disappoint. Especially loved the banter at the end with Andy and Geek Cast Ry I was laughing so hard that my co-workers were like what is wrong with you! But J you put me over the top with your comment about “what is motto with you?” That is why you always have to listen until the end.

   Like always I have a few comments and here they go. As far as movie smuggling I really don’t mind but being that I work at a theater it is against the policy so if we see it we have to say something. To me it is out of site out of mind. However if you are going to bring it in please have the common courtesy to take it out with you and throw it away. Nothing worse than seeing a bunch of trash from food we don’t even sale that I as an usher have to clean. The worse I would have to say are sunflower seeds and peanuts. Well that is my grip so next time at the movies please take your trash out with you and throw it away.

   Karl I could not agree with you more about crazy stupid love I give it a 9 also. The cast is great and Steve Carrell is outstanding in it. Now that is a date movie!

   Geek Cast Ry, Why would you see 50 shades of Grey oh my gosh that movie is horrible I gave a 2 and to avoid, possible the worse movie of 2015 so far. You know it is bad when I am falling asleep during the supposed sex scenes that could not even keep my interest. If you want to see a better movie with the same premise which is far better and sexier is the 2002 movie “Secretary” with James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal. I give that an 8. Let me know what you think of that Geek.

   J as far as Entourage I would highly recommend the series about 4 guys who grew up in Brooklyn and one of them now is an A list star (Vince) living a stars life in Hollywood. All of the characters are lovable with Eric “E” as his best friend and manager, Drama his half brother who is more like a D list star but very funny and Turtle the lovable fat guy who is their friend and driver, who now is no longer fat im sure they will make jokes about that in the movie. Each episode is less than 30 mins and they are fun to watch. If you are just going to watch one episode I would highly recommend watching Season 3 Episode 9 “Vegas Boys” I am sure you will love it since the boys take a trip to Vegas! It also has Seth Green playing himself and I really do love it when actors play themselves on shows (guilty pleasure). The movie comes out June 3rd so watch it and let me know what you think.

   Now for Tomorrowland I thought it was an original story and I did like the message. I saw it with my Daughter and she gave it a 100! She is only 6 and she understood the message. I think kids are a lot smarter then we give them credit it for. I myself give it an 8 and loved the action and story. Also J it seems like Michael “Key” Keegan is popping up in everything now when is he going to get his own movie with Peele please!

   I look forward to your in depth discussion on Poltergeist on HPW as you guys did such a good job with the Thing movies last week. I saw Poltergeist I give it a 4 and to avoid but I was surprised with your rating and it is a rental. I would just tell people to watch the original that came out in 1982 it is still scary today and I give it a 9 and the monster at the end of the movie is epic. Looks like Jabba the hutt to me.

   I was interested in your review for “Time Lapse” and once you discussed it sounded just like an episode from the Twilight Zone ” A most unusual camera” Season 2 episode 10 . It is about a camera that is portable that can see 5 mins into the future. It is less than 30 mins and very good. So I may still see Time Lapse later after your review but it seems like the story has been told already.

   Well enjoy your movie weekend and look forward to your next podcast.

   Mario (LOON)

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   • Mario,
     I promise you (on my dead cat) that I always ALWAYS throw away my trash after a movie — regardless of where the concession came from, be it smuggled or purchased at the theater, though I hardly ever do the latter.

     I will be trying out “Entourage,” thanks to you. Which season would you recommend that I start with? Season 1? (Even though it looks very dated…)

     Great Twilight Zone reference! I forgot all about that.

     Big surprise news next week!
     JP

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     • J,

       As for any great show it is always good to start at the beginning. I know it may take you awhile to get into it but once you like to watch the characters and understand them, that is when you really start to love the show and pull for the lovable 4some. Even Jeremy Priven as the agent Ari Gold has his moments.

       Hey you wouldn’t start in the middle of “The Wire” even though season 4 is the best season!

       I’m excited to be seeing Entourage this Monday as I am going to a screening for it. I look forward to hearing your review on it.

       I will let you know how it goes. Enjoy your movies and look forward to your surprise that you will be revealing…. Is Josh coming back????

       Mario (LOON)

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       • No, our buddy Josh is not returning. But trust me when I tell you… this surprise is equally as awesome! : )

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         • “No, our buddy Josh is not returning. But trust me when I tell you… this surprise is equally as awesome! : )”

           Is that even possible?

           You’re not becoming Movie Podcast Daily are you? because I don’t know if that would work out,

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4. Just have to say saw Mad Max and was disappointed. It is kind of fun but would agree with a 6 or 7 rating. I think it is fun to watch but don’t try to think about it. I was very excited learning that Tom Hardy was going to be Mad Max, and agree I think he was the perfect person to step into this role. Charlize Theron was a great choice also. Just falls apart in plot, and just left me with so many questions: Why were they transfusing blood? Why were they carrying milk? Why were the old ladies just in the desert?

   Though the action was fun, they could have spent more time on the plot and character development. The guitar guy was just way to much for me. I would have liked a grittier and more toned down version. There is no indication of Max’s past life, except for his kids haunting. Just wish it was better.

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   • Clayton!
     Amen! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I thought I was the only person on Earth who felt that way… Well said. Thanks for chiming in with a minority opinion. You made my day.
     Jason

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     • Listening to Filmspotting on Mad Max because I was curious what they thought also. They are speaking of it like it is just short of a masterpiece. This might be the most confused I’ve ever been with in peoples opinions on a movie.

       The first Max Max, although a cult classic could have been remade, and rebooted, probably for less money, and could have probably made more money in the long run. Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy could have still been the leads and it would have been perfect. One thing they said in which I was surprised was Hugh Keyes Byrne the main bad guy in this new movie was also the motorcycle bad guy leaded in the original Mad Max.

       Could have been so much better….

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   • >Clayton on May 27, 2015 at 3:26 pm said:
     “I think it is fun to watch but don’t try to think about it. . . .Just falls apart in plot, and just left me with so many questions…”

     Pardon the snarky reply (and this is just as equally meant for Jay), but perhaps the plot fell apart and you were left with so many questions because you weren’t trying to think about it. See responses to your questions below:
     —
     “Why were they transfusing blood?”

     They were transfusing blood as a way to nourish their bodies. This is one of the many excellent world-building elements in the movie. In a world so desperately short on food and water, the War Boys are given “blood bags” to supplement their nourishment and give them energy, similar to how a parasite lives off its host. And, of course, the War Boys are given the privilege of having blood bags because they serve as Immortan Joe’s soldiers; think of the blood bags as military rations.

     Also, the War Boys generally appear to be terminally sick, as is evidence by Nux’s massive tumors and the fact that they’re often referred to as “half lifes.” So, the blood transfusions are likely a way to prolong their lifespans, which also presents us with a main motivation for why someone would want to become a War Boy.
     –
     “Why were they carrying milk?”

     Yet another excellent world-building element. Water supply is extremely scarce in this world and very difficult, nigh impossible, to acquire. This is established early in the film when the people of the Citadel are desperately (maniacally, you could say) trying to gather as much water as possible when Immortan Joe pumps it from his rock tower (and he warns them not to become addicted to water). Milk, on the other hand, is relatively easy to produce. Simply put, they carry milk as a replacement to water. It also provides the added bonus of containing other vitamins and nutrients to supplement nourishment.
     —
     “Why were the old ladies just in the desert?”

     The Vuvalini of Many Mothers (aka “old ladies”) were in the desert because they had to flee the Green Place. The Green Place was a fertile area capable of growing crops. It was the former home of the Vuvalini, and where Furiosa was attempting to bring the five wives (and return to, herself). Just before reaching the “old ladies,” Furiosa and group passed a sour land, a bog with stilt walkers and crows. That was the Green Place and, as one of the Many Mothers explained to Furiosa, they had to get out because the water turned sour, was poison, and they couldn’t grow anything. That’s why they were roaming the wastelands, trying to lure unsuspecting passersby so they could steal their supplies.
     —
     “There is no indication of Max’s past life, except for his kids haunting.”

     I know this wasn’t framed as a question, but it’s a statement that I feel requires a response. This is a point that has been mentioned by detractors on several occasions, and I think it’s absolute nutballs that people feel this way.

     First, we need to consider that FURY ROAD is a sequel*** to an already well-established franchise. Prior entries in the franchise inform us of Max’s past life, and I applaud a sequel that pushes the narrative forward rather than wastes time retreading what has already been established.

     That said, FURY ROAD gives the audience enough clues to Max’s past life to fully develop his character for people who have not seen the previous three films. Consider the following:

     – He rarely speaks. When he does, his voice is strained and often sounds more like grunting or barking.
     – He mostly speaks to himself, and it’s visibly difficult for him to speak to another person.
     – He is constantly haunted (to borrow your word) by images of the dead, presumably those he has failed to save in the past. (Incidentally, the little girl is not his kid; Max had a son. Maybe she’s meant to be one of the Lost Tribe of children from BEYOND THUNDERDOME, or maybe not. I think who she is, specifically, is less important than what she represents – a person he failed to save.)
     – These visions occur in times of great distress – when his life or body are threatened (such as early in the film when he attempts to escape capture from the War Boys) or as his moral compass when facing a critical decision (such as when he decides to follow Furiosa to the salt flats to convince her to capture the unguarded Citadel).
     – He is an excellent fighter with good strategic and tactical skills.
     – He has a relative lack of regard for his own safety. In a world driven by the base need for survival, he often compromises his own to protect the good and innocent from the corrupt and evil, as if guided by a subconscious desire or excellent moral fiber.
     – He walks off in the end, to remain a mythical figure and mystery wanderer named Max in the memories of Furiosa and the group in this post-apocalpytic world.

     All of these elements of Max introduced in the film paint a complete picture of a character who has undergone severe psychological damage. He is a shell of a man with a reckless disregard for his own safety, aimlessly roaming this world alone. He prefers to be alone because he is constantly haunted by the memory of those he’s failed to save in the past, which also sheds light on a possible reason for his reckless self-disregard. However, he’s guided by a desire to help those in need and can hold his own in fights and dire situations, hinting towards a past life in law enforcement or some similar role.

     Of course, we have an even deeper understanding of the character and his past when we consider the previous three films, but FURY ROAD on its own gives us more than enough to develop Max’s character and reveal his motivations.

     * * * * *

     Not liking the guitar guy or wanting a more toned down, grittier version are fine criticisms because those are based on your own personal preferences. However, I take exception whenever someone dismisses the movie as just a mindless, fun action romp that should have spent more time on plot and character development. The main complaint that was shared on the MPW review is that there wasn’t enough story development, and I just don’t understand that argument.

     The plot and character development in MAD MAX: FURY ROAD is full and rich. There is plenty of story and social commentary in the film, it’s just delivered primarily through action rather than dialogue. That’s a paradigm shift that will work for some and won’t for others, but to say the movie is just a cacophony of mindless action sequences is missing the point. Each action sequence in the movie served a purpose: to further the plot, develop a character, build the world, or something else altogether. George Miller doesn’t hold the audience’s hand, but he does provide all of the necessary context and clues to paint a fully developed world and story.

     What was discussed above with Clayton’s questions is only scratching the surface of what is in this movie. The War Boys, for example, with their fanatical religion and devotion to all things mechanical, which is evidenced by their ultimate desire to die gloriously in battle so they can ride with Immortan Joe in Valhalla and their practice of chroming their mouths just before their sacrifice (the chrome spray paint representing all things metal/mechanical and surrendering their human flesh to become metal/mechanical themselves, while the noxious chemicals from the spray gives them a high to make their sacrifice easier).

     That is why it drives me absolutely crazy whenever Willis “defends” the film by saying it’s not supposed to have a plot because that’s not what a Mad Max movie is. That’s pure BS – the complete Mad Max franchise is rife with plot and social commentary, and a fully-developed world and characters – and FURY ROAD is no exception. Saying FURY ROAD doesn’t have a plot because it’s not supposed to is just flat out wrong, and does the film an even greater disservice than when detractors claim there was no plot and clamor for more dialogue.

     MAD MAX: FURY ROAD is a singular cinematic experience – a 10/10 and a true masterpiece.

     —

     ***This movie is not a reboot nor a remake. Reboot would imply a change in the backstory of the franchise in order to tell a different story, but that is not the case here. Remake would require including the backstory to re-establish the characters, which is also not the case. FURY ROAD begins with the assumption that the viewer knows the backstory of Max Rockatansky and this post-apocalyptic world, and thrusts us right into it. It does not hold our hand and it does not pull any punches. The genius of the movie is that it still works whether or not you have knowledge of this backstory, but having this knowledge certainly expands the viewer’s appreciation of certain filmic elements (i.e. Max’s flash visions of those he failed to save in the past).

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5. After you guys raved about “Galaxy Quest” several weeks ago i went ahead and checked it out. I’ve noted before that my feelings toward comedy movies are in a similar vein to Jay’s. I think I have a very particular and odd sense of humour and most comedy films just don’t appeal. I’m also not a huge Tim Allen fan.

   “Galaxy Quest” didn’t quite have me laughing out loud the whole time but it was a very fun movie and I’m 100% glad I checked it out. I was genuinely surprised by how relentlessly entertaining this was. It’s the kind of film I’ll be happy to put on any time now, maybe on a rainy day or when I’m stressed out and just want something to cheer me up. Great stuff. The young Sam Rockwell was my favourite part by a mile! 8/10.

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   • I’m so glad you liked this movie, David. It truly is one of my favorites to put on when I can’t decide what to watch. About the movie not being laugh out loud funny, that’s true. It’s more of a really entertaining, lots of chuckles kind of movie. Although I have to say that the Aliens were quite hilarious. And yes Sam Rockwell is always cool. Believe it or not I took notice of him first when I saw Charlie’s Angels haha. There was this indescribable swagger to him and I couldn’t help but crush on him ever since.

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   • Wow! I’m so glad to read this, David! It sounds like you enjoyed “Galaxy Quest” even more than I had hoped! And I loved when you said:

     “I was genuinely surprised by how relentlessly entertaining this was.”

     So true! And here’s what’s even weirder… I’ve seen that movie 5 or 6 times now, and I still love it every time. Crazy.
     J

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6. YES!!! ARMAGEDDON FTW!

   I’m 110% with you, Jay. I absolutely love this movie. It is a classic no matter what anyone says. It is a movie that I revisit at least once a year and will continue to do so until my body gives up. I’m sorry Karl, but Deep Impact doesn’t hold a candle to Armageddon. It’s not even “more realistic”. If anything, the fact that it tries to be more serious makes it that much more dumb to me. Armageddon knows what it is and it doesn’t waste any time trying to be something it clearly wasn’t meant to be. And that’s why it’s such a great movie, because it doesn’t hold back. It’s as gratuitous with its special effects, crazy action, and zany ideas as ’80s slashers were with their nudity and gore. It’s a 10 y’all. A 10!

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   • But doesn’t the romance stuff with Ben Affleck and Steve Tyler just make you want to hurl?

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     • You don’t find the animal cracker scene just charming? What’s wrong with you? Have you no soul? He was going to space. SPACE!

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       • I’ve never been able to eat animal crackers since.

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   • Ha ha. I’ve always loved you, Juan, but now I love you 10 times more than ever! Hilarious…

     Here’s the thing: “Armageddon” and “Independence Day” are my tied-for-No. 1 all-time favorite Guilty Pleasure flicks, and I watch them equally as much. Literally — I put one of those two movies on “in the background” about once every 2 or 3 weeks! No lie. Several times a year! About 12. : )
     J

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     • You guys know who I feel about “Armageddon” but I’ll give you “Independence Day”, Jay. It’s a dumb movie but it sure is entertaining as all hell. Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum teaming up and Data playing a crazy scientist! What’s not to love?

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       • *HOW I feel about “Armageddon”

         Oh boy.

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         • Independence Day is the second greatest blockbuster of all time. Second only to Armageddon. Just by a hair though.

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7. GeekCast Ry watched “Fifty Shades of Grey” AND read the book? I demand that he immediately surrender both his Man Card and his Geek Card until further notice.

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   • Yeah, Cody, and he can’t get the Geek Card back until he frikin’ watches The Flash series…

     I depend on him to help me know just how far out in left field Willis is…

     If Geek Cast Ry doesn’t keep up on this geekery, then people (like me) suffer.

     We all have jobs to do, Ry…

     J

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   • Well Cody,

     I am turning in my man card as I have read the books and seen the movie….

     I just like to keep an open mind on all things, unlike Andy I have to read,see, or trying something before I can review it.

     I will have to start watching the Flash before I can say anything about that!

     Mario (LOON)

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   • A couple things….

     1) Men don’t need to carry cards proclaiming their manliness. i haven’t carried one since 1994. I was eleven.

     2) Fiffty shades , both movie and book , are a part of the cultural zeitgeist. I’m a pop culture guy. It’s pop culture , along with embracing how geeky I really am, that I build my house upon. So yes I have read them and I have watched the movies. Can say the same about Twilight, and let me tell you this. They all sucked. But I know that and can speak eruditely about them because I don’t have to worry about where I last put my man card.

     3) Not watching the Flash is inexcusable ….I’ll own that one

     4) The dude in Fifty Shades has some really jacked up eyes.

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     • So you’re basically saying that you feel more comfortable telling us something sucks if you’ve actually put the effort in to determine that for yourself.

       Take note, Andy!

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     • Geek Cast Ry,

       I to have read the twilight series and yes they were horrible but when talking to women they always seem to perk up when you show interest in something they have ready. Hey it is a great way to pick up on women.

       Keep up the good work and look forward to hearing your podcast!

       Mario (LOON)

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     • Truly, you have a dizzying intellect.

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   • I think someone once told me that I dropped my Man Card and then laughed at me when I looked. I just assumed it was a membership to a club I didn’t remember joining. Or a discount card for those green plastic army men.

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     • That my friend made me laugh

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       • I was just relieved that I hadn’t dropped my G.a.y Card!

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         • Ahhh the good ole George Anderson Yardley card….good for discounts at AAA and Cracker Barrels nationwide

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         • I don’t know what I’d do without it.

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         • Ry,
           This made me cry laughing:
           “Ahhh the good ole George Anderson Yardley card….good for discounts at AAA and Cracker Barrels nationwide…” Well done.
           J

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         • Did you guys in the US suffer through that awful trend of “you’ve dropped your gay card!” being a thing to say that was apparently funny?

           People would say it really quickly and point at the ground and of course you’d automatically look and then they’d say “haha, you must have a gay card! You’re gay!”

           I remember spending a long, sad afternoon making myself a detailed little “gay card” to keep in my pocket so when people pulled that trick I could just reach in and show them it and say “nope, mine’s right here.”

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8. Interesting discussion of best and worst movie theater experiences. I find that I tend not to notice other people almost at all when I’m watching a movie in a theater. A rude patron could probably take a dump on the seat at the end of my row and I wouldn’t even glance his way unless I caught a whiff. Even then I’d probably just go back to watching the movie and let someone else go find the manager.

   To the extent that I could name any worst movie theater experiences at all, most of them have to do with watching a really bad movie and and leaving the theater either enraged or in a funk. One of the worst was seeing “The Phantom Menace” at a preview screening in Seattle. I think I’ve related this around these part before (maybe over at SFP), but my spirit sank all the way down to my toes as I watched the movie, and then when the first credit on the screen at the end was “Written and Directed by George Lucas” I came as close to feeling physically ill as anything other than actual sickness has ever brought me. Never a good feeling to witness the public humiliation of something and someone you care deeply about. Man that was awful.

   I had a different kind of bad experience with (sorry, Jason; sorry, Juan) “Armageddon.” First Michael Bay movie I’d ever seen, at them time. I sat there feeling buffeted by the suck for the entire two hours and 31 minutes. The whole thing just made me surly and snappish. By the time it ended, I wanted to break something in half.

   I have, on the other hand, gotten much joy over many years out of smuggling food and drink into movie theaters. I take my hat off to Jason, though. I’ve never sneaked in with any haul nearly as epic as a bucket of chicken strips, a Peanut Buster Parfait and a Coke all at the same time. Well played, sir.

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   • Cody, remember that one time when you felt physically ill and and your spirit sank all the way down to your toes? I think that just happened to me with that Armageddon comment.

     </3

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     • Darn it, now I feel like a jerk. Quick, Juan, go watch the best thing Michael Bay ever directed. It’s a guaranteed pick-me-up:

       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JrB7Ygu6zk

       FWIW, I’m only slightly more satisfied with “Deep Impact,” which I haven’t seen since the initial theatrical viewing many years ago. Although the thought of Elijah Wood and Leelee Sobieski outrunning a tsunami on a dirt bike still makes me giggle.

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     • I also cried with your hilarious comment, Juan. You people are killin’ me!
       J

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9. Guys, I just finished season one of The Killing. I’ll elaborate later but long story short, I liked the show quite a bit, I just don’t think it should be compared to the likes of Breaking Bad. It’s a great show, don’t get me wrong. But a masterpiece this is not.

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   • By the way, do you think it’s safe for me to listen to Andy’s rant even if I haven’t seen season two yet?

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     • I’d wait until the story arc of season 1 and 2 is complete before listening to his rant.

       And personally I would call the show a masterpiece, at least based on the first 2 seasons. And I’ll be bringing up “Breaking Bad” in my defence of The Killing rant.

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       • David, I’m halfway through season two… I don’t know man, I want to like this show more than I do, but it just won’t let me. Anyway, I’ll hold my final thoughts until after I finish season two, which I assume (and hope) will wrap up the Rosie murder/conspiracy theory case.

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   • Juan, I’m pretty much with you. Really good, but a step below the masterpiece shows.

     The worst part of THE KILLING for me, though, is that it gets worse as it goes on. I really enjoyed seasons 1 and 2, and would give them a 9/10. Season 3 is very different; not quite as good as the prior two seasons, but quite suspenseful. I give it an 8/10. Season 4 could have been better if the development of the main murder case was better paced. There was also a side storyline in the final season that really detracted from the murder case, imo. I still enjoyed the season, but it’s more of a 7/10 for me.

     Overall, I’d give the show an 8.5/10. I’m glad I watched it, but I won’t be revisiting it.

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10. Jay, you had me scratching my head when you expressed surprise at the apparent narrative inadequacies/incompleteness of “Tomorrowland” only to note with an air of incredulity that it was in part written by Damon Lindelof of “Lost” and “Prometheus” fame. Given that writer and those two examples is it really at all surprising that the narrative of “Tomorrowland” is unfinished and riddled with problems?

    Am I the only guy who thinks Lindelof is kind an emperors new clothes type of writer? I guess he’s pretty good on a creative and conceptual level but he just doesn’t seem to have either the ability or the desire to follow anything through to the end. “Lost” was obviously just a case of throwing as many wacky ideas and plot twists at a concept as possible without much concern for narrative cohesion and then making up an incredibly cheap ending in a lazy attempt to clean up their own mess while “Prometheus” while in no way a bad movie, does suffer from a bunch of serious flaws almost all of which are symptomatic of poor writing. It seems to me that Lindelof has the approach that Sci-Fi works best when it leaves questions unanswered, which in a lot of cases is true, but I think the writer needs to have at least a bit of an idea what the answers are or the logical framework required for a satisfying and coherent story just isn’t there. Look at how weirdly episodic and fractured the narrative of “Prometheus” is. How we’re given set-ups without pay-offs and characters who don’t operate with an ounce of internal logic. It’s a mess and I think Lindelof is probably to blame.

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11. Jason – glad you will watch “Game of Thrones”. Refusing for doing this for a film critic is like refusing to acknowledge an Old Testament for a Christian.

    Take a snap look for the last minutes of this week episode. I know this is season 5 already, but as you are fresh and don’t know characters it won’t spoil it to you. IMHO, epilogue of season 1 episode 1 is just a shorter version of it. You will see “Game of Thrones” meeting “Walking Dead” (the better part) meeting Aliens from “Prometheus” (this is what I think, but can be wrong 😉

    Glad that you warned in comments about “The Wire”, I bailed out after 3rd episode. Will try to watch 2 more and see if it indeed catches up. Game of Thrones is on speed since s01e01.

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12. When will the new episode be up, Jay?

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13. I love time traveling concept and timeline changing on movies. I was hoping to hear more about Time Lapse, which has many interesting layers and theories. However, I’m grateful you mentioned this movie at all.

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