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Welcome back to Movie Podcast Weekly! This is Episode 186, and we are nearly Andyless this week… There is no “guy named Andy” on this particular episode (well, except for a brief, pre-recorded appearance), but the rest of us will still bring you Feature Reviews for The Jungle Book and Criminal and The Boss and Mr. Right. We also have an interview with special guest director Richard Boddington who discusses the making of his most recent movie, Against the Wild: Survive the Serengeti. Join us!
If you’re new to our show… Movie Podcast Weekly typically features four hosts — Jason, Andy, Karl and Geek Cast Ry — along with frequent guests. We give you our verdicts on at least one new movie release from the current year that’s currently playing in theaters, as well as several mini reviews of whatever we’ve been watching lately. New episodes release every single week!
SHOW NOTES:
I. Introduction
— Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s bizarre PSA / apology for bringing their dogs into Australia undeclared
— No Andy this week
— Surprise guest later in the show
— Ryan’s Vasectomy: How It All Went Down in Just 10 Minutes
[ 0:05:40 ] II. Mini Reviews
Karl: * * * *
Ryan: Teen Mom, Salem TV show, Teen Mom 2
Jason: Phantasm VHS — Thank you!, James Cameron plans FOUR Avatar Sequels, Rogue One trailer, Dr. Strange trailer, New Suicide Squad trailer, Godzilla: Resurgence trailer, Tom Cruise’s “Mena” (Ryan: 7-hour trailer for “Ambience”)
III. New in Theaters This Past Weekend:
The Jungle Book
Criminal
Barbershop: The Next Cut
Green Room (Limited)
Fan
Sing Street
Sworn Virgin
Rio, I Love You
Our Last Tango
Colonia
FEATURE REVIEWS HAVE TIME STAMPS:
[ 0:36:57 ] IV. Feature Review: THE JUNGLE BOOK (2016)
Jason = 9.5 ( Theater / Must-See / Buy it! / 2016 Top 10 contender! )
Evan = 10 ( Theater / Buy it! )
Emerson = 10 ( Too scary for a 4-year-old )
[ 0:52:25 ] V. Feature Review: THE BOSS (2016)
Karl = 7.5 ( Buy it! )
[ 0:58:24 ] VI. Feature Review: CRIMINAL (2016)
Jason = 4 ( Avoid )
[ 1:03:33 ] VII. Feature Review: MR. RIGHT (2016)
Jason = 7.5 ( Rental )
[ 1:07:43 ] VIII. An Interview With Richard Boddington, director of “Against the Wild: Survive the Serengeti”
IX. Wrap-Up / Plugs / Ending
— E-mail from Chris in Richmond, VA
— A big thanks to:
Mario
Patrick H.
Katherine in New York
Jason Dragon from Illinois
Gomez98 from Illinois
COMING UP ON MPW NEXT WEEK:
Episode 187 where we’ll be reviewing “Elvis & Nixon,” “Miles Ahead” and “Colonia.” Join us!
LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
Contact MPW:
E-mail us: MoviePodcastWeekly@gmail.com.
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Leave a comment in the show notes for this episode.
Ry’s BIO
Ry’s flagship show: Geek Cast Live Podcast
DONATE here to facilitate the creation of more Geek content!
Blog: Geek Cast Live
Web site: Geek Harder.com
Facebook
Twitter: @GeekCastRy
Jason recommends supporting: Operation Underground Railroad
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Josh’s links:
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Twitter: @IcarusArts
Josh covers streaming movies on: Movie Stream Cast
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Thanks for listening, and join us again next week for Movie Podcast Weekly.
For Jay thinking the Suicide Squad plot sounded familiar, but not being able to place it, isn’t it basically just a multiple person version of Escape from New York?
While I enjoyed The Boss, I can’t blame anyone for it’s really low score on Rotten Tomatoes. I hated the final act due to how over the top it became. That sort of ending is what I would have expected to see in Spy, not a movie based around a new Girl Scouts type of selling method. Funny first half, but the final twenty minutes left a sour taste in my mouth. My suggestion is to just wait for it to pop up on Netflix. I’d give it a 5 or a 5.5 rating if I’m feeling generous.
I really dug Mr. Right though. Despite playing roughly the same role in every movie, I’m a big fan of Anna Kendrick. It was refreshing to see her in more of an action film for a change. I haven’t seen Sam Rockwell in a lot of movies, but he has a lot of quiet personality. It felt like a good middle ground between a chick flick and an action film. Well worth the few bucks it costs to rent the movie. I’d give it an 8.
Ryan is not half the man he used to be. Good thing he was twice the man of the rest of us to begin with. It was hard to listen to that segment, though. :oP
I liked the Doctor Strange trailer. At least it has a different aesthetic and feel from all the other Marvel stuff. If any trailer has disinterested me recently it’s the Captain America one. Those CapAm movies have been good, and I’m sure I’ll enjoy the new one, but the trailer was like, eh, here we go again.
I’m with J in appreciating Avatar, and I’d have been excited about one or two more sequels, but four more… whew. By contrast, if the new Star Wars movies are as good as Force Awakens, or even in that ballpark, then I’m happy to get several more.
Side note here with a recommendation for Tale of Tales. I recall seeing the trailer for this months ago and thinking “what the??” And then I forgot about it. But it’s available to rent now on iTunes, so I gave it a spin. Pretty crazy and cool, really. Also weird and screwy in some ways, but any time you have John C. Reilly fighting a sea monster, whose heart is then eaten by Selma Hayek, it’s gotta be worth a look. The whole thing is about three neighboring kingdoms and some odd morality tales involving their respective leaders. Beautifully shot with some amazing scenery, and some genuinely interesting scenes and moments, but also lacking some cohesion. Eh, imagine if Into the Woods was more like Game of Thrones, and that’s a vague description of what it’s like. I give it an 8.
I really enjoyed watching “Avatar” in theaters and got the DVD version as a gift. (The only James Cameron movie I’ve ever been bored by is “True Lies,” and I have a deep love for his two “Terminator” movies and for “Aliens.”) I watched it once after that, but I haven’t ever watched it again, and I don’t know whether/when that might change. I don’t dislike the movie really at all, and gave it a very favorable review (I was still a working critic at the time), but it hasn’t really called to me over the years. I’d probably still think it’s great if I saw it again, but the urge to rewatch has never really been there. (And the idea of sequels doesn’t really move the needle for me at all. Saw it, liked it, but haven’t ever been desperate to know about any further adventures.)
I’ve found that happens to me a lot, actually. There are many, many movies that I really enjoyed watching the first time and genuinely admire, but haven’t ever gotten around to again. Even movies that, like “Avatar,” would seem to have a high degree of rewatchability (at least for someone who enjoys the movie), I don’t always get back to.
I’m also an Avatar lover. In my case, I think I’m not as interested in more Avatar because of how long it’s been since the first movie and how much talk there has been about it without anything to show for it. Of course when the movies actually come out, I’ll be first in line to watch them.
What’s there to be bored about True Lies? I think it’s a great example of an action/comedy movie that works really well on both ends of the spectrum. Arnold gets a lot of flak for his acting, but I think his comedy is excellent. And no, I’m not joking or being sarcastic. I genuinely think he is a funny guy with great delivery. The idea alone of such an iconic figure of action movies being dropped in the most absurd situations is genius. Kindergarten Cop, Twins, Jingle All the Way, all great comedies with high re-watchability. I would toss True Lies in with that bunch.
The only spy comedy movie I’ve ever really enjoyed at all is “Knight and Day,” unless you count “Sneakers” as a spy comedy (which I don’t). I just can’t ever get on board with that particular blend. I do agree that Arnold is generally underrated as a comedic presence.
Wait a minute you don’t like any of the Austin Powers movie??
Jay, why do you hate the cinema, and why do you hate the trailer for “Rogue One”? I think that one looks fantastic. I’m very excited to see what happens, and not at all getting tired of “Star Wars” movies. (Even though I only like “The Force Awakens” about 65 percent.)
Enjoyed the show, as always. It was fun to hear from Richard Boddington again. (I remember him from way back whenever the last time he joined the show was.) I always enjoy listening to people who work in the industry, and he had a lot of interesting things to say. I especially enjoyed his Woody Allen quotation, which is a line of Woody’s that I hadn’t heard before.
I’ve been a little surprised by the gushing (not just on this show) over “The Jungle Book.” I haven’t seen it yet, so I can’t pass judgment, but I gotta say that the trailers didn’t hook me at all. Now I may have to take the kids and have a look.
I agree about the Rogue One trailer. It looks sick! Clearly Jay not only hates the cinema, but also the trailers to the cinema.
Speaking of trailers, Cody, why do you also hate the trailers to the cinema? I also wasn’t very enthused about The Jungle Book, but man, did I make the right move in checking it out. It is fantastic! Not only is the CGI some of the most seamless and impressive work I’ve ever seen, but its world and characters are rich and have plenty of heart. I have a feeling you’ll love it. Of course, if you’re a lover of the 1994 version, then you’ll probably hate this one.
Yes, Richard was great to have on! If you guys can get more filmmakers on like that, that would be great.
I agree about Ghostbusters. Watched it a year or so ago and thought, eh, it’s okay and has some fun moments, but not really that great 30 years later. There’s a good chance that at least in terms of comedy, the new one will have more laughs.
What is this heresy? Why do Jay, Karl and Eric Herman hate the cinema?! The original “Ghostbusters” totally holds up.
Completely agree, Cody Clark. Guys, what about Ghostbusters doesn’t hold up? It’s a bit frustrating that none of the people who criticized it gave any reasons as to why it doesn’t hold up in their cinema-hating minds? I’ve seen the trailers for the upcoming movie and even though I’m pleased with what I’ve seen, I’m worried that in the end, it’ll be a well made yet generic entry in the franchise. The original Ghostbusters is anything but generic.
Jason, I guess the movie you was trying to remember wich a bunch of criminals is used “for justice” could be “The Dirty Dozen”.
Hello MPW,
Thanks for another wonderful podcast and I really wish you would do a live podcast so we the faithful listeners can have a live chat at the same time because you don’t know how many times I am screaming the answer to some of your questions like what movie is like “Suicide Squad” and my response is the one of the best movies ever made and I’m surprise that Karl didn’t say it is “The Dirty Dozen” take a band of criminals to complete an impossible mission kill Hitler…..
Also more Avator I can barely get thru the first one!!! It is eco friendly movie about a guy who can’t walk and betrays his own people at least that is what I get out of it. The other reason I can’t stand it is because it started all this 3-D mess where every movie has to be in 3-D really did we need to have every movie come out be in 3-D. Since the beginning of that I have despised 3-D movies and it is a quick way for studios to make more money! I have only seen 2 other movies where 3-D for me was enjoyable….
The Jungle Book and San Andreas other than that you can skip all other 3-D movies and save your money. Can you guys suggest any other 3-D movies that are good to see and make an impact on the film?
Once again J does hate cinema how is Ghostbuster not a classic…. Definition of a classic: Something that stands the test of time. It has been more than 30 years since it has come out and it still holds up. I showed it to my kids they love it and it is an absolute must every Halloween with Slimer and the cool gadgets my kids love it and the State Puff Marshmellow man is still an ICON to this day…. And Jay you know every Halloween you are either humming or singing the most ICONIC song of all time “WHO YOU GOING TO CALL….. GHOSTBUSTERS!!!! I love the commentary podcast and no reason to apologize keep them coming !!!
Thanks once again and have a wonderful weekend at the movies!!!
Mario (LOON) Leon
I’m not incredibly familiar with Key & Peele, but I’ve seen a handful of sketches from their show online, and they’ve always been quite good. Their movie, Keanu, though, is almost painfully unfunny. Generally amusing, sure, and a few chuckles now and then, but just not *funny.* Disappointing. 4.5/10
I’m really bummed that Green Room isn’t coming to my town (you guys are probably watching it right now, and I’m totes jelly that I went to see Keanu instead of that), but I took the opportunity to watch that director’s lauded Blue Ruin the other night, and that was pretty great. A basic revenge story, with things going wrong, but I like how the characters act and react in ways that feel authentic and not cartoonish or super-heroic. 8/10
Just watched the last 30 minutes of “Revenge of the Sith” with my “Star Wars”-obsessed daughter. Learned that Ben Kenobi is *literally* the kind of friend who would not pee on you if your body was in flames and you were burning to death.
Jay, I’m pretty surprised that you rated Criminal that low. It’s honestly almost… criminal. But seriously, the movie wasn’t that bad. It’s totally by the numbers, predictable, and unremarkable, but it’s also kind of fun. I saw it at an advanced screening and I found myself highly amused by Kevin Costner’s almost over the top performance. The movie is by no means a must watch, but one can do a lot worse. A lot worse.
Throughout the movie, I kept saying to myself “man, Jay is going to love this!”. Sigh… just when I thought I had you figured out.